Rising Covenant (Living Covenant Trilogy Book 1)

by Amanda M. Lee

  “What do you want?”

  “I want The Archimage.”

  “Done,” I said, reaching over and grabbing the book from Paris. I held it up so he could see it. “Go nuts.”

  “Do you really expect me to believe you’re going to give me the most powerful book in the land and then let me walk away?” Quinn was dubious.

  “This book can’t give you power,” I replied honestly. “It never could. I know you think it holds some deep, dark secret that will allow you to claim my powers for yourself, but that’s simply not the case.”

  “And how do you know that?”

  “Because I was born into my powers,” I answered. “The blood from my parents melded, so I’m capable of wielding power. You don’t have my blood. You can’t get it. This book is going to do absolutely nothing for you.

  “Still, if you want it, I’m willing to trade it for my parents,” I said. “It will be my one and only offer.”

  Quinn wrinkled his brow, feigning thoughtful consideration even though I knew he was chomping at the bit to get the book. “And what about my followers? Will you leave us all to our lives and promise no retribution?”

  “Sure.” It was a total lie. He knew I couldn’t make that promise yet he wanted to hear the words because he was desperate to keep his followers from panicking.

  “Bring the mages,” Quinn said, glancing at one of the men near the front door of the house. “I think we’ve struck a deal here.”

  “Great,” I said, exchanging a quick look with Aric.

  “Watch him,” Aric whispered. “He’s not done yet.”

  “I know. I want to see Mom and Dad.”

  “Then what are you going to do?” Aric asked, although I think he already knew.

  “I’m willing to let the others go,” I said. “Teague and Quinn aren’t leaving this place.”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” Aric said. “We are not spending the rest of our lives looking over our shoulders and jumping at every shadow.”

  I squeezed his hand. “It’s almost over.”

  “I hope so.”

  “Me, too,” I said. “I want to go home.”

  When the front door of the house finally opened, I wanted to cry out in relief when I saw my parents. Both of them looked a little ragged and shaken, and Mom’s face was murderous as Teague pushed her forward. It shouldn’t have surprised me that he handled their care. It only made me want to kill him more.

  As they approached, Mom’s eyes landed on me and I saw a tear slip down her face. Dad was stoic – as always – but I could tell he was furious. They were next to Quinn before anyone spoke again.

  “I’ll bet you’re surprised to see me, Zoe,” Teague said, his malevolent eyes sparkling. “I had you fooled, didn’t I?”

  “No, I always knew you were an idiot,” I replied.

  Teague scowled, viciously yanking my mother’s hair and sneering at me from the relative safety of the compound. “What did you say?”

  I didn’t realize what I was doing until it was too late. I lashed out with my mind, smacking him hard. Instead of the magical “slap” I used to be able to dole out, a gaping wound opened on the side of Teague’s face and sent him reeling.

  Aric sucked in a breath but otherwise remained silent as Mom shot Teague a condescending look.

  “I told you not to mess with her,” Mom said. “I told you this would end badly for you. You never listen. But you’re a politician. Politicians never listen.”

  I swallowed hard as I focused on my parents. “Are you guys okay?”

  “We’re fine,” Dad said, rubbing his wrists. I could see the angry red marks left behind from the ropes that obviously bound them before Teague retrieved them. “We didn’t need you to come rescue us. I was just about to make my move.”

  I smirked. Dad liked to watch action adventure movies and often fancied himself the next Terminator. “I’m sorry to have ruined your fun.”

  “What’s done is done,” Dad said, his face immovable as he met my gaze. “What happens now?”

  “Now? Now Quinn opens the gate and I exchange The Archimage for the two of you.” I lifted the book for emphasis. “Then everyone goes on their merry way.”

  Teague, who was desperately trying to stem the blood flowing from his cheek, growled. “I’m going to kill you.”

  “Shut up, Teague,” Quinn snapped. “We have made a deal. You will not go back on it.”

  “She just … .”

  “Perhaps you should have kept your hands to yourself,” Quinn suggested. “I warned you about touching the prisoners. You wouldn’t listen, though.”

  “He’s always been a moron,” Mom sniffed.

  Teague raised his hand as if to strike her but the magic I shot in his direction lifted him from the ground and flung him backward. He didn’t stop until he rocketed into the side of the house, the sickening sound of his neck breaking accompanying his final fall. He slumped on the ground, his eyes vacant and lifeless as he stared at the nothing his future had become.

  Quinn’s mouth dropped open, abject fear and surprise washing over his features. When he turned back to me, his hands trembled. “You promised to leave us unharmed.”

  “Then he should have kept his filthy paws off of my parents,” I snapped, a red ember of anger growing in the pit of my stomach. “I warned you what would happen if they were hurt. He was going to hit my mother.”

  “Your powers are impressive,” Quinn said, sucking in a breath and collecting himself. “I had no idea you were this powerful. The book said mages could control vampires and werewolves when the mood struck, but this … .”

  “I’m more than a mage,” I said.

  “And what are you?”

  “Ticked off,” I said. “Open the gate and give me my parents. I’ve had just about as much as I can take here. I’m tired and I want to go home. If you want to keep your home, stop screwing around and give me what I want.”

  I could feel the ember growing. Crap. I had to get control of myself before this spiraled.

  “There’s no reason to have a meltdown,” Quinn said, widening his eyes. “I … someone open the gate!”

  No one rushed forward to do his bidding. Everyone was too terrified of what I might do. Teague’s body was a reminder of what I was capable of, and no one wanted to risk it.

  “Someone open the gate,” Quinn repeated, glancing around.

  That was it. I wrinkled my nose and pushed some of the growing energy out of me. It landed on the gate’s latch, sparking, and the doors blew open. Even I was surprised by the spectacle.

  “Zoe … .” Aric was at a loss for words, worry overtaking him. I was starting to share in his dread. We had to end this now.

  “Send my parents over here,” I ordered.

  “Give me the book,” Quinn countered.

  “Dammit!” I stalked through the gate, not bothering to glance at any of Quinn’s followers as they scattered. I slapped the book in Quinn’s hand and motioned to my parents. “We’re going.”

  They didn’t need to be told twice, scampering in Paris’ direction.

  “We’re done,” I told Quinn. “I want you to tell these … morons … that it’s over and send them home.”

  “Why would I do that? I have the book.” Quinn shook it in my face. “Your power will be mine soon. Perhaps you’re the moron.”

  I arched a challenging eyebrow. “Perhaps. Why don’t you look inside the book?”

  Quinn’s face slackened, but he wasn’t ready to give up on his victory just yet. When he opened the book, his eyes widened to almost comical proportions and he started flipping pages, frowning as blank page after blank page hurried by.

  “I don’t understand,” he said. “What did you do?”

  “I told you that book wasn’t going to help you,” I warned.

  “This is my book! This is my power! What did you do, you bitch!” Quinn lashed out, slapping me across the face before I could duck. The slap echoed throughout the quiet compound.
r />   The ember was a big ball now, and it hammered at the walls of my chest walls.

  “You’re going to regret touching me,” I said, my temper flaring.

  Whatever Quinn saw when he looked upon my face terrified him. He took an involuntary step back, raising his hands in an attempt to ward off the inevitable. I didn’t care. It was too late for him. The anger inside of me wouldn’t allow him to make an escape.

  “You can’t do this,” Quinn howled. “We made a deal!”

  “Perhaps I lied,” I said, narrowing my eyes. “Did you really think I would just let you go?”

  “Zoe!” I swiveled, staring at my mother as her hand covered her mouth. “What’s wrong with her eyes?”

  I had no idea what she was talking about, but I was beyond caring. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’m going to kill Quinn, and we can get out of here.”

  “You can’t kill me,” Quinn screamed. “I’m forever!”

  I didn’t get a chance to toss back a witty retort because Aric was already at his side. His face was full of a myriad of emotions, although love and fear were at the forefront.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Saving you,” Aric replied. He grabbed Quinn’s shoulders, turning the man quickly. Aric’s strong hands found Quinn’s neck and I knew what he was going to do before he did it. Aric snapped Quinn’s head to the side, breaking his neck and letting his body fall between us. His eyes never left my face.

  I was furious. “What the hell?”

  Even in my current state I couldn’t lash out at Aric. Instead I vented the building magic and cringed as the greenhouse at the back of property exploded, millions of shards of glass cascading to the ground.

  “Let it go,” Aric said. “Let the anger go. Teague and Quinn are dead. We’re done here.”

  I wasn’t sure I could let it go. Aric had stolen my vengeance.

  I pushed the power out again, this time aiming it at the mansion. The roof burst into flames, and as it did the strain in my chest lessened. I pushed another burst of power out, this one aimed at the shed to my left. It ignited into a ball of flames.

  Aric never flinched.

  That’s when, in the reflection of a far-off house window still untouched by my anger, I caught a glimpse of myself. There was something wrong with my face. That’s when it hit me: My eyes were black.

  “Baby, please,” Aric pleaded. “It’s done. You don’t need to do anything else. You’ve won.”

  “I … .”

  Aric took a step toward me.

  “Aric, be careful,” Paris warned. “She’s … different.”

  “She’s not different,” Aric snapped. “She’s my Zoe. She’ll always be my Zoe. Come back to me, baby. I need you.”

  Tears burned my eyes, and before I realized what was happening, I reached forward, my fingertips brushing the spot above his heart. Aric didn’t hesitate. He dragged me into his arms, holding me tightly as my head rested against his chest.

  “Let it go,” Aric murmured. “Let it all go.”

  I could hear his heart, the steady beat doing what it always did, and calming me. The anger fled, letting the magic diminish, and my body lightened as I gave in and let him love me.

  After a few minutes, Aric tilted my head up. I could see the relief on his face. “There you are.”

  “Are my eyes normal again?” I was trying not to cry.

  “They are.”

  “Are you afraid of me now?”

  “Never.” He was so adamant I couldn’t help myself. I burst into tears, sobbing as he pulled my body against his.

  “I’m sorry.” My voice was ragged and weak.

  “It’s okay.”

  Aric held me, rocking me back and forth until the tears subsided. I was back, even though I still felt weak, and we had forever in front of us.

  “I want my ring.”

  Aric chuckled, the sound catching me off guard. “Let’s go home,” he said, sighing. “I can’t hear about that ring one more time.”

  “I want the dinner you promised me, too,” I added, wiping my eyes on his shirt.

  “I think I can make that happen,” Aric said, motioning for my parents and Paris to follow as he led me out of Quinn’s burning compound. “How does prime rib and seafood sound?”

  “I want cake, too.”

  “You’re going to milk this for days, aren’t you?” Aric didn’t sound upset at the prospect.

  “Just until I get my ring.”

  “Oh, let it go, Zoe!”

  30

  Thirty

  Twenty-four hours and one uncomfortable motel stay later we were home.

  “I’ve never been so happy to be anywhere in my entire life,” I admitted, slipping my hand into Aric’s as he led me to the edge of the property. I had no idea where we were going, but with the house full I was more than happy to get a break.

  Because my parents didn’t have a house and it would take months for their new one to be built, Aric invited them to stay with us. Mom was eager – and Dad was reticent because he was convinced we fornicated everywhere – so they were entrenched in one of the guestrooms.

  Paris was in the other. I had no idea how long she would stay. She didn’t show signs of leaving, and part of me didn’t want her to. We needed time together if we were to smooth the rough edges of our friendship.

  That left James on the couch. He didn’t openly complain, but I could tell he was aggravated. Even though he didn’t say the words, I knew he was hanging around to see whether I manifested more powers. Since burning down the compound, though, absolutely nothing had happened.

  Aric was observant without being pushy. I didn’t blame him for worrying. For now, we watched the situation and took things day by day.

  “What are we doing out here?” I asked.

  “I’m shutting down the security fence,” Aric replied, moving to the wooden beam at the corner of our property and lifting the metal cover that hid the code panel.

  “Are we going somewhere?”

  “No.”

  “Why are you disabling the security then?”

  Aric glanced at me, his face unreadable. “We don’t need a security system,” he said. “I’m done locking you in.”

  I was confused. “Are you saying you want me to go?”

  “Don’t ever ask anything like that again,” Aric snapped, making a face. “I’m saying that I’m done isolating you. It was a mistake, and it wasn’t fair to either of us.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “You’re the strongest person I know, Zoe,” Aric said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I love you so much that I tried to wrap you in cotton and hide you from the world because I was convinced someone would try to take you from me.

  “That wasn’t fair to you,” he continued. “You need room to breathe.”

  “Are we moving? I don’t want to move. I love this house.”

  Aric chuckled. “I see that rush of smarts you got from the book didn’t last,” he said, tapping my forehead. “We’re not moving. We’re just not hiding any longer. If people want to come here and find us … well … I pity them. They won’t like what they find.”

  I licked my lips as I considered what he said. “People are always going to come for me, aren’t they?”

  “I think it’s a distinct possibility,” Aric conceded. “I’ll always be here with you, though. Anyone who comes after you would have to be an idiot given what you did at Quinn’s compound. Trust me. News of that will spread like wildfire in certain circles.”

  “Do you think that will be enough to keep us safe?”

  “I’m not sure that anything will truly keep us safe,” Aric said. “Isolating us didn’t work. It took something from you. It took your friends from you. I love you dearly, but we can’t be everything to each other twenty-four hours a day. We both need to breathe … and stretch … and occasionally take a walk without the other hovering.”

  “So you’re taking down the fence.” I pursed my lips as I watched him pun
ch in the code. Once the invisible barrier was down, we both watched the dense underbrush for a few moments before turning back to the house. “It feels different, doesn’t it?”

  “We’ll get used to it,” Aric said, lifting our joined hands to kiss my knuckles. “I’ve decided we’re pretty adaptable.”

  “You might be, but I’m set in my ways.”

  Aric smirked. “Speaking of that, it’s Friday night.”

  “I noticed.”

  “What do we usually do on Friday nights?”

  “Get naked and drink wine in the hot tub,” I replied, not missing a beat.

  Aric winked and suggestively inclined his chin in the direction of the hot tub.

  “We can’t do that,” I said, scandalized. “My parents and your father … not to mention Paris … are up in the house. They’ll see us.”

  “They’re all out for a very expensive dinner – which I paid for, by the way,” Aric said. “We have three hours, and I want to put them to good use.”

  I was impressed. “How did you manage that?”

  “I told them we needed a night to ourselves, and they graciously agreed,” Aric said, the fingers of his free hand combing through my hair. “We’ve spent a lot of time together the past week, but very little of it has been quality time. That’s what I want tonight.”

  “Sold!” I rolled up to the balls of my feet and kissed his cheek.

  “Good,” Aric said, rubbing his nose against mine. “Why don’t you run up to the house and pick a bottle of wine. I will get the top off the hot tub and turn on the bug lamp. I know how you hate bugs.”

  “I hate bees more.”

  “Let the bees go,” Aric warned. “I’m not joking about those bees.”

  “Yes, sir, my lord.”

  Aric smirked. “Go the get the wine, Trouble.”

  I shot him one more smile and then scampered in the direction of the house. Inside, the eerie quiet washed over me. I’d almost forgotten what solitude felt like. It was going to be a long couple of months sharing the same roof with my parents. If Aric’s hands wandered too much, I worried my father would chop them off.

  I grabbed two bottles of wine – I hoped it was going to be a really good night – and then headed toward the hot tub. It was dark, so I kept my attention trained on the ground so as not to trip.