“What do we need to do?”
“I need the internet, or a smart phone.” He pulled his out and handed it to her. She grinned as she started the search.
“What are you looking for?”
“Not a what—a who. Her name is Zira Mayfair, and she’s a powerful witch. I’m hoping she can help Keiana in more ways than one.” Letting her fingers scroll across the screen, she smiled. “Here she is.” Ambriel hit dial and waited impatiently as the phone rang several times. She was about to hang up when someone answered.
“You better have a good reason for calling me so early!” No hello, just this.
Ambriel laughed, “I do. Is this Zira Mayfair?”
“The one and only, who’s this?” Her tone was more welcoming now.
“This is Amber…Ambriel. I met you a few months ago.”
“I remember, child. Is everything okay?” That was the Zira that Ambriel remembered.
“Umm…I don’t know. I found a girl who is part witch, but she doesn’t know any of her family. I was hoping you could help.” This was it! Ambriel just realized how much she had counted on Zira helping with Keiana. She needed to be with Mikal, but this sweet girl needed someone. Maybe she could live with Des, she thought briefly before dismissing the idea.
“A witch?”
“Yes, a very powerful one.” Hope flared in her heart when she heard Zira’s surprised tone. Ambriel had a feeling that not much got past her in the magical word.
“How powerful?” Hmm… that almost sounded like she knew something.
“She plans to lock the Santiarn realm.” Ambriel heard her quick breath.
“I’m coming. Where are you?” she said in a rush.
Covering the phone, she asked Brian. “Are we staying here or going somewhere else?”
He looked around the tiny room and said, “I don’t think this place is big enough. Let’s go back to my house. It’s much bigger and you’ll be safe there.” He frowned. “Safe from humans, anyways.”
“We are heading to Chicago. You can meet us there.” Ambriel rattled off the address.
“Okay. We’ll meet you there.” Click.
“She hung up on me!” And then she wondered who we were.
“I’m finished,” Keiana announced with a grin. “The warm water felt good.”
Ambriel smiled at her friend. “I’ll take a shower, and then we’ll head out.”
Chapter Ten
The Cusasleon Realm
Mikal
Mikal strode into the battle room after a night of restless sleep. Today was the day, he could feel it with every fiber of his being. The final battle had begun, and today he would be needed. His fellow warriors awaited his orders.
All of the males stood at attention, head slightly bowed, showing respect. These were his most trusted warriors, his friends. Everything they had fought for had brought them here…the final battle. Few knew all the details, but after today, all would know that they had won the war.
Pride filled his heart as he thought of Ambriel and her part in all of this. Without her, none of it would be possible. Today, he would get her back. He felt it deep within his soul. Time was drawing nigh.
Looking to his right, he spotted Des standing as the others stood. Proud, showing respect. When he came to the castle demanding answers about his daughter, Mikal told him all that had transpired. He told him of the prophecy, and all that she had told him in the dream. He requested to fight in the upcoming battle. Des was once a great warrior, Mikal agreed.
“At ease,” he ordered. Today, he was the Commander. Friendship had no place in the final battle. “You’ve done well with preparing the younger warriors. Today, their skills will be put to test.” He looked each one in the eye before continuing. “Des has been reinstated as warrior and will be joining the fight. Today, our part begins.”
He headed out of the battle room, his high-ranking warriors following in step behind him. When Mikal walked outside to the training fields, he saw rows upon rows of warriors standing at attention, awaiting orders. Thousands of warriors would fight this day. Some would live and some would die, but all would have honor.
Mounting the Cefis, he rode though the rows of warriors, letting his voice thunder in the deathly quiet. They stood proud, in perfect formation.
“My mate has retrieved the key that will end the war! The final battle has begun, but for now we wait. When the Santiarn realm is locked, it will be your job to dispatch any remaining enemy left in the Human realm. Wait for your orders. The time draws nigh, hold fast!” With that, he rode to the front where Lukke and the others waited.
Mikal dismounted the Cefis, handing the stable hand the reins.
“Have you heard anything?” Lukke quietly asked.
“No, but I can now feel her, even though it’s tamped. She must still be wearing the protection necklace. We will go to her when she removes it. That will be our cue.”
“And us?”
“You will accompany me; the others will stay here and lead the warriors into battle.”
“Yes, Commander.”
Mikal could hardly wait to hold Ambriel in his arms, make sure she was unharmed. He’d promised two days before that he’d come after her in the Santiarn realm, but now he knew she had made it out. Relief poured into him when he felt the bond once again, helping him to remain sane for the upcoming battle. He could feel that she was okay, but fatigue plagued her body. As much as he wanted to run to her, everyone had a part to play, and his was readying the warriors for battle…for now.
Zira Mayfair
“The High Priestess will see you now.”
Zira followed along behind the well-dressed butler as he led them down a pristine hallway. Not that she noticed any of that, no, she had too much on her mind. She came to the mansion of the High Priestess, hoping for answers to a mystery of long ago. The air lay thick on her tongue, and Zira could feel that the world lay in balance. Something was about to happen that could affect everyone.
The butler stood to the side, granting her entrance to the massive library. Books lined three walls from floor to ceiling, and in the center, the High Priestess sat at the heavy wooden desk, reading a scroll.
With Zira’s entrance, she looked up and smiled. “Zira, it’s been a long time. How have you been?”
“I’ve been well, thank you, Aradia.” Zira took a seat in the high-backed Victorian chair.
“It’s been a while. I take it this is not a social call?” Aradia, High-Priestess, longtime friend of Zira’s, sat back in the chair with a concerned look upon her face.
“No, it’s not.”
“What troubles you?”
“Amaya’s daughter, Ambriel, contacted me this morning.” She chuckled, but it held no humor. “Amaya never wanted her daughter to be a part of the Cusas – Santiarn war, so I never revealed anything, even though we knew she would play an integral part of it.”
“I’m listening.”
“She told me that she had found a very powerful girl who is part witch. I asked her how powerful, and she said that the girl planned to lock the Santiarn realm.”
“Oh!” Aradia gulped in air. “Do you believe this could this be my missing granddaughter?” she asked with hope as tears filled her eyes.
“I can’t think of anyone else who would be that powerful.” Sixteen years ago, Aradia’s daughter, Dana, ended up pregnant with no memory of how it happened. When the time came for her to give birth, they found Dana murdered, the child cut from her body and gone. Everyone searched, but the child was never found. “I’m heading there now. She travels with Ambriel.”
“I’m coming with you.” Aradia abruptly stood, anxious to meet the girl and find out if she could indeed be her lost granddaughter.
Ambriel
“Here we are,” Brian said as he threw the car into park. Looking out the window at the familiar house, Ambriel smiled. She was anxious to see her old apartment once again.
Keiana had sported her new, dark sunglasses all day
, which had made it easier to stop at gas stations and for lunch. Lunch, of course, was on the go so her sharp teeth wouldn’t be noticed.
“Where’s Vanessa?” Ambriel asked, looking around and expecting her to come running out any minute.
“She’s actually out of town, visiting our daughter. I was finishing up a case and couldn’t join her this time, so your timing was perfect.”
He helped lug the heavy books inside, which the two of them greatly appreciated. Darkness had descended upon them, and soon they would have only the light of the moon. It’d been a long day.
“Are we not going to the apartment?”
“Nah, there’s more room down here.”
“Okay,” she shrugged. She and Keiana got to work, sorting books and stacking them high. “Which one do you need, Keiana?”
“It’s a thin book with a red cover. It holds the most powerful spells, which aren’t many.”
They sorted through them until Keiana called out, “Found it.” She flipped through the pages until she found the one she needed. “Hmm…I have most of the ingredients here, but a few are missing.” She studied the spell carefully.
“What else do you need?” Ambriel took a seat beside her on the brown leather couch, letting her eyes wander to the open book.
“I have the Santiarn blood, human, and Cusas. I even have the bone dust of a Lacktor, but it says I need a stone called obsidian, which rests beside the scale of a dragon.” She looked at Ambriel and scrunched her nose. “Where do we get that?”
Ambriel blew out a slow breath as she tried to think. There had to be a way. Almost like a switch was flipped, Ambriel felt stupid for not thinking of it earlier. Knowing Mikal, he was out of his mind with worry. Reaching around her neck, she slipped the necklace over her head.
“Whoa!” Brian said, taking a step back.
“What?”
“Your eyes are glowing.” She grinned at him. The protection necklace didn’t let power out, and that’s how she remained undetected. When the necklace was removed, all the pent-up power came rushing out, outmost like a power surge.
“Sorry, they do that sometimes.”
When a bright light suddenly appeared, Keiana threw herself behind Ambriel. Her body trembled violently, and she couldn’t help but pull her friend into her arms. “It’s okay, Keiana. They’re here to help.”
“What’s going on?” Brian couldn’t see the light or the two warriors who stepped through the portal.
“Ambriel,” Mikal’s deep voice sounded so relieved, so affectionate. Keiana trembled even more, if that were possible. Brian’s eyes darted everywhere, looking for the source of Keiana’s fear.
“Mikal, you came. I’ve missed you so much.” He took a step closer but halted when Keiana cried out. “What is wrong, Keiana?”
Mikal answered for her. “Her Santiarn blood is reacting to my presence. It knows that I lead all of the Cusasleon realm. Instead of fighting it, she succumbs.”
“I felt very frightened of Ornias, but not like this.”
“You chose to fight,” he grinned.
All she wanted was to throw her arms around his neck, but with Keiana literally shaking in her arms, she had to take care of her.
“Keiana, look at me.” Ambriel placed a hand under her chin, forcing her to lift her head. “Keiana, they are friends. They won’t hurt you. Fight it. You are strong, and you can do this.”
She took a few calming breaths and Ambriel could feel the trembling lessen with each one. She turned her red eyes to Mikal and Lukke, who showed no reaction. They let their eyes roam, taking in the differences.
Mikal spoke first, letting her hear the honesty in his voice. “I’m Mikal, Commander of the Cusasleon realm. You’ve saved my mate, so I offer you my protection.”
“I’m Lukke, second in command, and I, too, offer you my protection.” They both bowed their heads for a mere second.
Keiana’s eyes darted to Ambriel, and when she smiled, Keiana looked back to the two males standing in the room. “Thank you,” she mumbled in a small, timid voice.
“You’re welcome,” Mikal smiled. “Can I hug my mate now?” He raised his eyes in amusement, which quickly faded when Keiana smiled.
“Sorry.” She extracted herself from Ambriel’s arms and moved to the far corner of the room, still keeping as much distance as possible from the Commander.
Ambriel jumped to her feet and threw herself into Mikal’s open arms. He wasted no time taking the back of her head in hand and kissing her senseless. It’d been too long. Breaking the kiss, he rested his forehead on hers and whispered, “I have missed you.”
“I missed you, too. I love you,” she said breathlessly after the passionate kiss.
“Umm…hello. What the hell’s going on? I know someone was kissing you, but I can only see you. Do you have any idea what that looks like?” Brian threw his hands in the air.
“Mikal, can you make it so he can see you?” Ambriel asked.
“Ambriel, that is against our laws. You know this,” he answered with a stern voice.
Ambriel extracted herself from his arms and stood with both hands on her hips. “I know that Brian took me in when my best friend was killed. Brian drove eight hours during the night to pick us up, and then he drove another eight hours to bring us back. We are all here together, and he’s not just some regular human, he’s a part of this. I also know that if you had listened to your laws, none of this would be happening.”
“Ambriel…”
“Mikal…” She wasn’t backing down from this.
“Fine. But it won’t work unless he believes.”
“I understand. At least try…for me.” She glanced at Lukke and noticed he didn’t look happy, but she knew he’d stand with Mikal. She glanced at Brian and asked, “Can you see them?”
“No,” he squinted, straining hard.
“Don’t strain, just believe.” When he kept staring, Ambriel said, “Brian, quit trying so hard. Take a deep breath, and look at Keiana.” When he did as she instructed, she continued. “Look at her eyes, her teeth.” Keiana bared them for him. “See her black, pointed claws?” When he nodded, she asked, “Keiana is clearly not all human. Is it really so hard to believe that others stand in your living room?”
He looked at Keiana for a little time longer, and when he turned back around, he spotted Mikal and Lukke standing before him. “I see them,” he said in amazement.
“This is my mate, Mikal,” Ambriel said, grabbing hold of his arm. When he glanced down at her, she could see the love shining back at her.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mikal,” Brian said, looking him over. “Is everyone as big as you and the other one?” He nodded at Lukke.
“I’m so sorry. This is Lukke, Mikal’s second in command, and yes they are all big,” Ambriel grinned.
Keiana might not have been trembling, but she was still keeping her distance.
Chapter Eleven
Mikal
When he felt the surge through the bond, he knew that Ambriel had removed the necklace. Looking at Lukke, he said, “It’s time.” Turning to Damien, he said, “You’re in charge until I return. I’m not sure when that’ll be. Keep the warriors ready, but wait for my orders before engaging the Santiarns.”
“Yes, Commander.”
Mikal looked to Avis and said, “Help him. Be his second.”
“Yes, Commander. Good luck.”
Mikal nodded before grabbing the transport crystal. When he thought of Ambriel, the portal opened, and he and Lukke stepped through.
Relief flooded his body with her presence, and he wanted nothing more than to pull her into his empty, aching arms. He needed to make sure she was unharmed. Taking a step forward, he heard the whimper and noticed the other half-human.
“What is wrong, Keiana?” Ambriel asked.
Mikal answered instead. He had no doubt that she was indeed part Santiarn. “Her Santiarn blood is reacting to my presence. It knows that I lead all of the Cusasleon realm. Instead
of fighting it, she succumbs.”
When she turned her fearful eyes toward him, his first instinct screamed enemy. He had to remind himself that she had saved his mate and could lock the Santiarn realm.
“I’m Mikal, Commander of the Cusasleon realm. You’ve saved my mate, so I offer you my protection.” He never expected Lukke to do the same.
When she smiled, her teeth were unlike the others. Where theirs were dark, sometimes black, Keiana’s were gleaming white. Her eyes widened in childlike amazement when he offered protection. Ambriel was right, she wasn’t like the others—she was good.
When he finally held Ambriel in his arms, his soul rejoiced while his staff hardened instantly. He needed her badly, but this was not the time. When this war ended, he’d mate her officially and refuse to let her leave his bed for at least a week.
He gave in and allowed the human called Brian to see him, and Lukke. He could deny his mate nothing after being without her. She owned his heart and soul.
Needing to get Ambriel alone, he asked the obvious questions. “How do we close the Santiarn realm?”
Ambriel answered instead of Keiana. “We need the blood of a human, blood of a Cusas, and the blood of a Santiarn. Keiana and I possess all three. She has all the ingredients she needs except for one.”
“And what would that be?”
“An obsidian stone found next to the scale of a dragon.”
He turned to his second in command. “Lukke, your thoughts?” Mikal asked.
“The dragons always preferred land near volcanos. I’m thinking Indonesia. It has plenty of volcanos, and it’s near the Ring of Fire.”
“My thoughts exactly. Even though dragons are now extinct, there may be fossilized scales. See what you can find.”
“Yes, Commander. Should I send a replacement for me?”
“No, we’ll be fine.” Mikal said, pulling Ambriel a little closer.
The hour grew late, and all they could do was wait. “I think we should get some rest. I know I’m tired,” Brian stated with a wide yawn. He hadn’t slept much, due to helping Ambriel.
Ambriel's Quest: Book 2 Page 10
