by Anthology
Cocking an eyebrow, Jack flared his palms at his sides, where blue and yellow magic clouded around his fingers. The smiles of the guards faded and their breath puffed from their mouths and nostrils as the temperature of the room dropped to near freezing. The atmospheric change was enough to catch them off balance.
“Now!” Jack thrust his hands at the three guards advancing toward him, who slammed into the walls with a geyser of air magic rushing against their chests.
Aideen backed against the wall, willing her rioting emotions to settle. The room transformed to hues of red and fire licked up her arms. If she didn’t stifle her powers, she’d engulf them in flames.
Gerard reached forward, emerald light spiraling into the wall behind the other two guards. He closed his fists and yanked as if tugging on two ropes. Large bricks dislodged from the masonry and clobbered the backs of the werewolves’ heads.
“Aideen!” Jack whooshed a gust of air at her, dousing her flames and shocking her into calmness. She panted with relief.
“Stop!”
All the werewolves slumped to the floor, unconscious. Jack, Aideen and Gerard whirled to face a fear-stricken woman clutching the doorway of the gathering room. “Please! You can’t harm them. Rasheed will kill them all!”
Gerard stepped forward, offering a consoling hand. “All is well, milady. You’re safe now.”
“Who are you?” Aideen’s eyes grew wide at the colorful cloud floating around the woman’s body. “Where are the others?”
A number of people crowded behind the woman as tears streamed down her face. “You don’t understand.” She sobbed.
The blood drained from Aideen’s face. “Jack, these are not our people.”
“Be still, Lauryn.” A towering man with dark hair patted the crying woman’s shoulder. Magic oozed from his body as well. “We’re all infected with the werewolf curse…and Rasheed has our loved ones, so you have to come with us.”
6
Jack and Gerard marched back into the gathering room, where Aideen paced. She turned her worry-filled gaze toward him. Now that her powers were free, her eyes glowed like coals in a hearth.
“The hostile werewolves are tied up for the time being.” Gerard crossed his arms and studied the room filled with strangers. The children were nowhere to be found.
“Where are the rest of the Elementals?” Jack’s eyes darted from one infected person to the next, searching for the answer, wondering why they emanated all four colors of Elemental magic. Though it was obvious they had some kind of spell surrounding them, he was clueless as to what it could be.
The dark-haired man, who announced Rasheed had their loved ones, stepped forward. “My name is Shaw. Rasheed and the other vampires of this nursery brought us here last night just after sundown. Once we overheard the guards say Aideen had left, we were escorted into these living quarters. Many of us have been in their custody, farther inside the city, since August.”
“Right after we moved here,” Aideen whispered.
“The Elementals were then evacuated and escorted to a new location.” Shaw frowned. “We were left behind in their place.”
Aideen blanched. “Why are all of you here?”
“Leverage,” Lauryn whimpered. “Rasheed knew your powers would be too much for us and the promise of a cure too tempting. However, all we had to do was remove the herbal charms…” She pulled a sachet from her neckline and a kaleidoscope of magic puffed from the small cloth bag. “And we could transform to defend ourselves.”
“Damn!” Gerard ran his fingers through his dark hair. “We’re in the middle of the full moon cycle. Hugh and—”
“It’s our fault!” Jack glared at Gerard, effectively silencing him before he let the werewolves know Hugh and the others were coming. “We can’t blame Hugh for letting us go without the herbal wards. We were all focused on getting back here by Rasheed’s deadline.” Jack cursed under his breath, keeping up his charade. “Damn vampire set us up and I let it happen.”
Aideen laid a comforting hand on his shoulder and winked. “This is my fault. Don’t you dare—”
“It doesn’t matter now.” Gerard paced, but cast a knowing glance at Jack. The elder Elemental had caught on, much to Jack’s relief. Aideen’s private wink let him know she was in on the plan, too.
The cloud of magic surrounding everyone in the nursery was the herbal sachets they all wore around their necks, keeping the werewolf curse at bay. If they kept that spell on their person long enough, though, they would all die. Good for the guards. Bad for these innocent folk being used by Rasheed.
Jack prayed the werewolves would think it was only the three of them here for the rescue and they could continue. Hopefully, Hugh and the others would see them leaving and follow instead of ride in to save the day. Unimpeded, their captors would lead Hugh and the rest of the group directly to Rasheed and the new location. Time was running out for all of them.
“What were your orders?” Jack asked.
Shaw jerked his head toward the doorway, where Jack and Gerard had secured the brutes. “The five guards you tied up are the only ones who know where Rasheed took the brood. Only the vampires know where our loved ones are being kept. The deal was to bind any of you who had returned, escort you to the new location and safely turn you over to Rasheed’s custody. Once you were locked away, we would be given the cure and our loved ones set free.” He bowed his head. “All of us are very sorry to be part of this trap. Please don’t take it personally.”
Jack tensed, his fists and jaw clenched and his chest out, ready to do battle. “Let one of us go free.”
Shaw shook his head and crossed his arms. “I am not going to take any chances the guards are going to reveal to Rasheed that one of you escaped. He warned us if anything went awry, he would not hesitate to drink our loved ones dry.” Shaw pointed a finger at Jack. “And if you use your magic to escape, we may not be able to stop you. But know that if you do, you’re sentencing our loved ones to death. Rasheed doesn’t care how things go wrong. Their blood will be on your hands.”
“Please,” Lauryn begged. “Don’t do anything to get our families killed. Rasheed has my babies!” She buried her face in her hands and sobbed.
Aideen’s sorrowful eyes turned to him in a silent plea. She obviously sympathized.
Jack slouched and he nodded.
“I’ll let the guards free.” Gerard stomped from the room.
Shaw shuffled to a chest in the corner and opened the lid. Bending over, he retrieved three sets of steel-ring shackles.
Jack trembled with restrained rage as Shaw advanced.
Aideen intercepted him. “Let me do it.”
He regarded her with a suspicious glare. “No tricks.”
She shook her head. “You’re liable to get thrown against the wall.” Aideen used tender fingers to cajole a set of shackles from his grasp.
The werewolf nodded and handed her two sets, backing away.
Jack’s anger ebbed and his heart drowned with the anguish of letting her down. “I’m sorry. I promised I would—”
“This is not over yet.” Fire burned in her eyes. “Don’t give up.” She smirked and winked at him.
He cupped her cheek. “Aye, Spark.” Jack tasted her fiery lips before he offered his hands in surrender.
Aideen snapped the large ring about his neck, then secured the bracelets at his wrists. He did the same for her, then caressed her jawline.
Lorn barged into the gathering room, dragging Gerard’s body behind him. He dumped the elder onto the floor as if he were a sack of flour. A collective gasp hissed around the room and some of the women resumed whimpering. Jack clenched his fists. If just a few moments more had passed before he was bound, he could have torn this animal apart.
Aideen rushed to Gerard’s side and recoiled at the vacant stare in his eyes, his neck twisted unnaturally. “Why?” she screeched.
“We were given orders to bring back you and Jack.” Lorn grinned. “One less clod to worry abo
ut.” He swung his hefty arm down the hallway. “Get moving, all of you. We have a lot of ground to cover tonight.”
Jack glared at Lorn, regretting the timing. But, in all honesty, if he’d had the opportunity to take the werewolf guard down, more would have suffered. Esme and Jensen said there would be nothing Jack could do about the predicted deaths. Gerard was chosen by fate, but it didn’t lessen the heartbreak. Nor his apprehension at wondering who was next.
Grudgingly, he grasped Aideen’s shoulders and encouraged her to stand, then crushed her against his chest. After a few comforting moments, he framed her face in his hands and locked his gaze with hers. “We’ll grieve for him later, love. Are you with me?”
She nodded and tears stained her cheeks. “I’m with you.”
* * *
Lorn shoved Jack and Aideen into what appeared to be a private library, where Rasheed waited with a grin on his thin lips. He rested his rump on a large decorative wooden desk, the centerpiece of the room lined with bookshelves.
Jack clenched his jaw and glared at the vampire.
“So wonderful to see you after all these years, Jack.” The Vamsyrian’s voice cooed in a mocking lilt. “Welcome home.”
Jack forced himself to keep his mouth shut, as much as he ached to spit a smart retort.
Rasheed turned his eyes to the large guard. “You look positively miserable, my friend. Make quick work of giving the ingredients and instructions for the cure to the other werewolves, who were gracious enough to assist us in returning our beloved Jack home. Priscilla knows the whereabouts of their families. Once you’re done with that, she can help administer your cure and you can begin your transformation. You’ll be immortal before dawn.”
Lorn gleamed with excitement, in spite of the draining side-effects of the herbal sachet he wore.
As the werewolf shuffled from the room, Rasheed brought his delighted gaze back to Jack. “You’ve grown into quite a strapping young man, my cusper. I’m sure the other female cuspers will be thrilled to warm your bed.” The vampire’s eyes darted to Aideen. “Such a terrible frown on your pouty mouth, my dear.”
Jack chanced a glance at her. If she’d had her shackles off, the room would probably be an inferno. Frown was an understatement.
“You must learn to keep that burning jealousy at bay, young lady.” Rasheed snickered.
The pale blond vampire Jack remembered as Elwin entered the library and whispered in Rasheed’s ear. Rasheed rolled his eyes and waved off his companion. “Have Priscilla handle it, then.”
Jack cocked an eyebrow and grinned after the blond vampire closed the door behind him. “I’m surprised to see Elwin.”
“And why is that?” Rasheed maintained his casual air of conversation.
“Well, you’re creating new vampires. I thought you might have replaced him with someone more…challenging.”
“Excuse me?” The vampire revealed a slight frown.
“The last time I saw you, you told him none of your companions had the skill to challenge you enough to beat your prince.” Jack grinned. “Have you?”
Rasheed’s smile had completely vanished at this point…as Jack had hoped. “Have I what?” he snapped impatiently.
“Beaten your prince at a magical duel. Surely, after all this time, you should have been able to beat him.”
The Vamsyrian raised a speculative eyebrow, but didn’t seem to be jumping at Jack’s bait.
Jack shrugged. “Well, you obviously don’t have to tell me, but…I guess since Elwin is still around, you must not have a sufficient challenge.”
“That doesn’t mean I haven’t won a duel with the prince,” Rasheed retorted.
Jack held up his hands. “Of course not. However, it’s very unlikely you have.”
Though the vampire maintained his casual demeanor, Jack didn’t miss how Rasheed’s fingers curled into fists. “How so?
“Because these vampires will never give you the edge you need, so you will always fall short.”
Rasheed finally relaxed and chuckled. “And what edge is that you speak of, dearest Jack?”
“A real duel with a real battle mage.” He leveled his eyes on the vampire and smirked, crossing his arms. “As you know, dueling older Elementals, who are no longer of childbearing years, is hardly a contest.”
The Vamsyrian narrowed his eyes and returned the challenging gaze, but seasoned it with a devious grin and the silver core of the Hunger. “And I suppose you’re the battle mage to teach me?”
In a flash, Rasheed pounced on him and sank his fangs into Jack’s neck. The vampire drank deep, sending Jack into a swirl of unavoidable pleasure as he collapsed in the predator’s steel arms with a groan.
Rasheed dropped Jack to the floor and Aideen rushed to his side, pressing a kerchief to his throat while cradling him in her lap. The room spun and Jack struggled to gain his wits. He settled his bleary scrutiny on the stunned vampire.
“How is that possible?” Rasheed whispered, and wiped the back of his hand over his mouth. “Nothing.” His face contorted into rage. “How can I glean nothing from your blood?” Dropping to his knees before Jack, he shoved Aideen aside and clutched Jack’s shirt. Again, he sank his fangs into Jack’s neck and drank. “What have you done?”
Jack smiled through his delirium. “And why should I tell you?”
Rasheed sneered. “Because if you don’t, I’ll kill her and your children.”
“If you kill Aideen and my son,” Jack slurred, “I still won’t share my secrets.”
The vampire shook him violently by the collar.
Jack chuckled. “Duel me for the right to learn what I know.”
“Duel you?” Rasheed threw his head back and laughed.
“Unless, of course, you’re afraid you don’t have the skills to fight a real battle mage.” Jack’s vision cleared and the vampire’s olive-toned face sneered at him.
A slow and frightening chuckle fluttered from Rasheed, his breath feathering against Jack’s cheek. “You think because you’re an Elemental, because you’ve had ten years of training, that you can best me. There are several advantages I have over you, cusper. My immortality has given me almost forty years of practice. My regenerative abilities prevent you from hurting me. I possess all four Elemental powers. You only have two. Then there is my speed, so I could snap your neck before you even knew I was coming.”
“But you won’t.”
The vampire sneered again. “And why is that?”
“Because you wouldn’t have gone through all this trouble to get me back.” Jack smirked. “With all those advantages, as you say, I guess you have nothing to worry about. If I win the duel, you will let Aideen and her children free. They are nothing to you.”
“You won’t win, but go on.”
“If you win, then I will share my secrets.” Jack held Aideen’s bloodied kerchief to his throat.
“I sense you have not had a real challenge yourself, young cusper.” The Vamsyrian cackled and pulled Jack to his unstable feet. He efficiently smeared his immortal blood over Jack’s throat, healing the wound. “I can see the competitive gleam in your eyes. You and I are not so different.” He strolled around his desk and bent forward, yanking open the top drawer and producing a small ring of keys. “Tending the nursery has indeed been a boring occupation.” He threw his arms wide and smiled. “Why not a duel? If you prove worthy enough, perhaps this will become a new duty of yours. Come.” Rasheed waltzed to the door and threw it open. “Allow me to show you to the arena.”
Jack finally allowed himself to glance at Aideen. In that brief view, he was very glad he had kept his eyes on the vampire during their discussion. Not only did she positively seethe, her eyes were glassy with unshed tears. She feared for his life and Jack didn’t need the distraction. He had to stay focused.
Rasheed led them around a corner to a door that opened to a dark staircase. The vampire lit an oil lamp and handed it to Aideen, before leading them up the long stairwell. The door at the top
emptied into a stone courtyard surrounded by high but decorative masonry walls. At the top of each square pillar, dividing the walls into sections, iron beams arched over the yard and were meshed with thin metal rods crisscrossing over the frame, forming a cage. Beautifully done with curling designs and embellishments, but a cage nonetheless. The silver disk of the moon shone bright in the sky.
A fountain bubbled peacefully at the center of the wall to the right. Flaming torches burned in elaborately swirling, wrought iron sconces at intervals along both sides of the arena. The landscaping of bushes, wooden benches and flowers were ornamented with large stones. With the air surrounding them, this dueling space had all the elements necessary for the coming battle, but in a florid fashion.
“At least you duel in style,” Jack remarked under his breath.
“I’m glad you like the arrangement.” Rasheed snickered. With his hands on Jack’s shoulders, he turned him around and fiddled with the small keys at the neck ring and then the bracelets, unlocking Jack’s bindings.
As Jack rubbed his wrists, the vampire seized the back of his shirt and flung Jack across the courtyard as if he were a rag doll. The far brick wall zoomed toward Jack, but he spread his arms wide and caught himself on a gust of air, halting just inches before his face smashed the stone. He clenched his jaw. Inhaling a calming breath, he rotated on the air and floated softly to the ground.
Jack smirked and cocked an eyebrow. “This will be easier than I imagined,” he taunted under his breath, knowing the vampire heard him.
Rasheed snarled and lunged, thrusting his hand forward. A stream of emerald light whipped a hefty stone toward Jack, who easily flicked his wrist and cushioned the rock with gold currents. It settled to the ground with nary a thump. The vampire lashed explosions of ruby and flames, which roared from the torches stretching across the arena. Jack waved off the fire with ivory plumes. He swept his other hand upward to splatter fountain water on all the torches. The spirals of sapphire surrounding the sconces vanished as water rained over the bushes and flowers. In the absence of the torch light, the silver glow of the moon seemed to frost everything around them.
