“You can’t do that,” he murmured as he dipped his head to kiss me. His stubble was rough on my chin and I didn’t want to like it as much as I did.
“Do what?” I asked between kisses.
“Make me forget why I was mad in the first place by using your wily charms,” he responded.
I reached up and pulled him down to me. “Oh, but I can, and I did. And now, we have to go downstairs to plot our rebellion, so I can’t even make good on my charming ways.”
He sighed, but then grabbed me by the waist and hoisted me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist and giggled while he nipped at my neck, and said, “Fine. We’ll go, because I know I don’t actually have a choice in the matter.”
“At least you’re learning,” I said, grinning wickedly and feeling quite smug.
“Oh, you should have quit while you were ahead, doll,” he said, his tone immediately concerning. I felt his intention a second before I found myself slung over Aidan’s shoulder, my ass in the air — again — for the world to see as he strode out the front door and around the cabin.
I gave up pummeling his back when the catcalls started. The hooting and hollering from the AniMage crowd made me want to disappear, and all I felt was Aidan’s cocky swagger. Damn it all if I didn’t like him more for it.
It took a few minutes for the flames in my face to die down, especially once Aidan set me on the floor and I turned to find Rynna and Uncle Derreck staring back at me. Rynna was trying to stifle a smile and my uncle looked anywhere but at me. A smile froze on my face, then I almost tripped over Charlie as I rushed to find a seat on the other side of the small living room.
I hate you, I hissed at Aidan.
You do not, he goaded. You think I’m goooorgeous. You want to kiiiiss me. You want to huuuug me.
Oh, SHUT UP. And, by the way, I’m totally judging you right now.
His smug laugh was interrupted by Micah.
“If you two are done, we can get started. This is actually quite serious.” He stood in the kitchen, leaning back against the counters, and I immediately felt guilty. Aidan and I were just making out and acting like idiots, and Micah was right. This was not the time.
“They cannot help themselves, Prince Mikail. Their passion and focus on each other is the true sign of mates, much to the dismay of the rest of us.” Baleon was standing in the corner near the front door and he shocked me with a quick wink.
“Fine, fine, but let’s get on with it,” Micah grumbled as he waved a hand in the air. “As you all know, the connection I have with my mother is such that I know her health, and I know she is conscious, which means she has the ability to send the Hunters after us. Now is the time to make choices quickly and to act.”
I looked across the room at Derreck and Rynna, feeling a small measure of happiness as he slid his arm around her.
“My mother’s journal directed us to the castle,” I started. “But only Aidan and I are going.” I hadn’t made my plans known to anyone else before that point and no one was pleased. Cole shouted, Derreck lectured, and Micah paced and muttered, likely cursing my name.
It was actually Charlie who put them all to shame. He let out a deep, deafening howl and the room quieted. He looked across the room at Onyx, who sat by Cole, and Onyx trotted to stand just in front of Aidan. Charlie stood in front of me, staring and whimpering.
“What, boy?” I asked as I leaned down. I reached out to scratch his head when he dropped his giant paw in my palm.
You must take us. You cannot go alone. You need us.
His voice rang clear in my head. I could only stare into his depthless black eyes.
This is our purpose. You must take us. We must go home.
My head shot up and I stared over Charlie at my uncle. Charlie’s tail started to thump a rhythm on the hardwood, as if he saw the dots connecting in my mind.
“Tell me again where Charlie was born,” I demanded my uncle.
“Amelia, we need to focus—” My hand shot up, a violet flame dancing in my palm, and Micah shut up.
Derreck shrugged. “I’ve always felt a little guilty about it, even though I don’t see why it matters now, but I stole Charlie and Onyx from the castle when I left. So many people were already gone. The Elders had been forced to leave the castle to find their mates and families. While I liberated the castle of a few items I knew would make me some money, I found these two huddled together on the floor.”
“Wait…Sentinels…what are Sentinels? Why can’t I remember where I’ve heard this?” Aidan cut into the conversation abruptly, his frustration clear. All heads turned to him with looks of confusion, except Bale, who looked impressed.
“What do you know, Baleon?” I asked. I looked between him and Micah, and the confusion on Micah’s face confirmed it wasn’t something he was hiding.
Baleon stayed silent for a long stretch and finally, Micah walked over to him. “Bale,” he said, “you will dishonor no one by helping us to use the tools we’ve been given. What is a Sentinel?”
Baleon grimaced, but then nodded. “The Sentinels were the guards of council chamber and only the royal guard knew of their existence. They guarded the innermost secrets of Elders, and of our people. No one knew what race they truly were. When the Elders disappeared, so did the Sentinels. We assumed they were dead.”
Charlie and Onyx sat right next to each other, tails thumping, tongues hanging out of their open mouths as they breathed quickly, the excitement bouncing between them palpable. I was excited to understand them, but I was also hesitant. It was another unknown — another unexpected piece in the puzzle.
“But Rhi knew,” Aidan said. “He called Charlie a Sentinel when they took Cole. Wouldn’t he want Charlie if he was so important?” Aidan questioned Bale as he put his arm around me and pulled me closer to him. Instantly, the fear subsided.
Baleon shrugged. “Why would he want a dog that used to be a guard of a place that no longer mattered, at least in his mind? Leaving Charlie may be his most generous act to date. Typically, Rhi would have killed anyone who didn’t matter, and clearly, Charlie and Onyx matter.”
His declaration was met with a chorus of booming woofs from the dogs. Onyx ran circles around the couch we sat on. It took a sharp whistle from Bethany to stop him from trying to lick Aidan’s face and shut them both up.
“So, you’re just going to leave, then? What about the rest of us?” she demanded. I was surprised by the accusation in her tone. Bethany sat next to Cole, who wore a similar look. It was hard to remember that they now had the common denominator of being powerless. That their bond likely led to a fear not all of us shared.
“I do need to go, but we aren’t going to leave you defenseless,” I responded. “That’s why we’re all in this room. Micah, Derreck, let’s talk about the power and the shields.
“Aidan, what do we do with the AniMages?
“Rynna, how many women still need to have babies? When can we start to spread people out and get them to safer places?”
I peppered them all with questions, but if I were honest with myself, I had no idea what I was talking about. I didn’t know how to organize armies, or make sure people stayed alive, or do any of this. I didn’t know what most of it meant. All that mattered to me right now was getting to that castle and finding out where this was all going to end. I was worried. I cared about all the people in this room and on this property, but this was not my area of expertise.
“Whoa, Ame. Why don’t we back up and take this one step at a time?” Aidan asked as he squeezed my shoulder and took control of the conversation.
I heard the discussion continue, but my mind was elsewhere. I needed to read the journal again. I needed to see if I had missed something that would make this trip quick and focused. I got lost in my own thoughts and then felt a wet nose in my palm. I looked down to find Charlie’s massive head dropped onto my lap.
I leaned over him, scratching both ears the way he loved, and whispered, “We’re going home, buddy. Don’t you wo
rry.”
Except, I did worry. And so did everyone else in the room. The more they all spoke, the harder it was to breathe in the space. The combination of the Keeper being bound, my familiarization with my own power, and my growing connection to Aidan, meant I felt the emotions of others more strongly than before. They were louder and harder to block out.
Finally, I moved Charlie out of my lap and stood. “I need some air, I’ll be back,” I said to no one in particular. As I made my way to the door, an arm looped through mine.
“And I’m coming with you,” Bethany said as she fell in step with me. In that moment, with the drama and the boys behind us, and the reality of what could come in front of us, it felt right to be walking beside my best friend.
I turned to Bethany, and was concerned by how exhausted she looked. “We need some girl talk, don’t we?” I asked.
“Oh, honey, you have no idea,” she replied with a sigh.
23
We stepped out into the night together. I shivered a little and sent heat from my core into my limbs. I continued the push and through our looped arms, sent the same warmth to Bethany.
She jolted a little and then relaxed again. “Hmm, fun trick. Maybe ask next time, though? Being around all of you is strange enough without it creeping into me.”
Her reaction surprised me. “I didn’t realize we bothered you,” I said as I started to pull away.
Her hand clamped down on my arm. “Now, be fair, Ame,” Bethany said sternly. “The last month has been a little over the top, even by Grimm’s standards. I’m all for saving the Immortal race, but right now, I’m feeling a little cabin fever.”
She sighed and we walked in silence toward a small bench-swing hanging from a tree limb. “What I’d really like is Starbucks. Or Orange Leaf. Or sushi,” she said wistfully.
I grinned, and added, “Or McDonald’s fries. Or a bookstore.”
“Shampoo that doesn’t smell unisex.”
“A reason to wear makeup.”
“Clothes I haven’t already worn once this week.”
“Quiet,” we both said simultaneously.
“Jinx.” Bethany got it out right before I did. We laughed together as we sat down on the swing.
My shoes sunk into the soil at first, but I moved us backward, feeling that familiar swirl in my stomach as I let go and we started to float forward, and then back again.
“It’s all a little much right now, yeah?” I asked.
She snorted. “Ya think?”
“It’s pretty hard to wrap my head around it all, but I’m being drawn to the castle. And now, with Charlie and Onyx being Sentinels…we have to go. I wish I could explain it better.” I looked up at the constellations lining the sky and tried to breathe through the mix of anticipation and fear.
“I don’t really get it, but I don’t need to,” Bethany said as she looked up as well. “You do. And it’s clear you and Aidan are the real deal. He was hell bent to get to you, and whatever you have is only getting stronger. We can all see it. Heck, even I can feel it. That’s…great for you.” Bethany’s attempt at enthusiasm fell short.
I put my hand over hers, and said, “Hey, B, truth…right?”
She looked at me without turning toward me. “Right,” she whispered, her anxiety rolling off her.
“It’s okay to miss him, and to maybe still want him. It’s okay to admit it if it’s what you want.” I let the words sit between us.
I heard her heart beating. I felt it pick up as she took a deep breath. “But what am I?” she asked. “I’m not one of you. And even if that were okay for the average magic wielding putz, he’s a Prince. A Prince.” Bethany fell back against the bench and let her head drop, closing her eyes.
“I wish I knew what to say, B,” I said. “I wish I knew how it all worked before, or how it will work when this all ends, but I don’t know. What I do know is he still wants you, and your lack of power doesn’t seem to concern him in any way. And if it doesn’t matter to him, why should it matter to you?” I felt good about my advice. It seemed like advice she would give me.
Bethany actually laughed — a short cackle that erupted from nowhere and was gone as quickly as it came. She shook her head, her long, blonde hair catching the moonlight.
“So, let’s say we get past that part, Ame,” she said, her disbelief obvious in her tone. “Everybody is hunky dory with a human and a magical Prince hooking up. Great. But there are still those pesky Hunters. And his whack-a-doo mother. And who do you think will be the one they come for? Who will get used, just like with Melinda?” She swallowed, and I felt her sadness, and the fact that she thought she was betraying our friendship, but I also felt her fear.
Bethany’s next words were hoarse, forced past the emotion she tried so hard to contain. “I’ve stood next to you through all of this, even when you weren’t here, but I don’t know if this is the place for me anymore.”
I couldn’t argue with her. I couldn’t tell her she was wrong when she was right. But we could protect her here.
“Where will you go?” I finally forced the question out as I squeezed Bethany’s hand in mine.
She looked at me, tears welling in her eyes. “Maybe back home. Or just anywhere for a while until this is over. I don’t want them to hurt my parents. Maybe Mexico? I could make a killing bartending down there,” she joked. She always tried to lighten the mood in moments like this.
We swung back and forth slowly, holding onto each other, our hands clasped so tightly, I lost feeling in my fingers, but I didn’t care.
“You’re my best friend, B. My only best friend. Ever. And I’m sorry you ended up a part of this. I really am. It’s my fault.” My voice was thick, the lump in my throat growing as tears started to slowly fall.
“Don’t be. I’m not. Amelia, look at me.” Bethany’s tone was sharp, and I turned to her, surprised.
“You listen to me, Amelia Bradbury,” she said, her own cheeks wet. “You are doing what’s right. You’re doing what’s right for all of these people, even the unsavory sort who treat humans like second class citizens.
“You’re part of something, something big and important. And they were right, I am a liability. You can’t do what you need to if you’re worried about me. So, I’m going to go. And, so are you. You’re going to go to that castle, and you’re going to find the answers, and you’re going to solve your mother’s riddles. You’re going to knock that Queen on her ass and stomp those damn Hunters a new one. And when you’re done, we can go to the spa, like proper ladies.”
I could only smile and shake my head. I hadn’t known how much her being here had grounded me until the idea that she’d be gone wiped away my foundation. I knew I still had Aidan, but there was something to be said for having your best friend around. It was just different.
Bethany shrugged. “The spa was all I could come up with. I don’t give a damn what we do, but we will need serious alone time when this is over.”
I stood and as Bethany did the same, I pulled her in for a hard hug, wrapping my arms around her. The thought of her leaving, and being hurt, sent stabbing pain into my gut. She had to be protected. No one could find her. Holding her tightly, I willed the universe to watch over her and hide her from the other Immortals. I only let go when Bethany cried out.
Stepping back, I looked around. “What? What happened?” I was instantly half-crouched, my hands out and ready to fight.
The door to Micah’s apartment burst open and the whole brigade came running.
She stared at me, open-mouthed. “You. It was you. You did something to me. You…zapped me…” she trailed off as the surprised looks on our friends’ faces stared back at her.
“Oh,” Micah said as he stopped next to me.
Aidan came up on my opposite side, his mouth open, eyes wide.
“What are you looking at? Why are ya’ll staring at me?” Bethany was starting to panic. I couldn’t exactly explain the violet haze she couldn’t see surrounding her, but it had clearly c
ome from me.
“What happened? What did I do?” I asked, not taking my eyes from her.
“You have cloaked her, Amelia,” Baleon spoke from behind us. “In the next few minutes, your trace will fade and she will only be visible to Immortals she chooses to show herself to. Rowena was the last Elder I knew with that ability. She tried to save her mate’s life with it, but he chose to reveal himself, thinking those who took her would stay true to their word and allow her to live if he gave himself up.”
As soon as the words left Baleon’s mouth, Micah was in front of Bethany. His hands were on her cheeks and his speech was a hurried slur. “Please don’t hide from me, love. Please don’t disappear from me. I will be here for you, just as I said I would. You don’t have to leave. I know that’s what you want, but it does not have to be that way. We will fix this. I will take care of you.”
Bethany shook her head sadly. She put her hands over his and pulled them away from her face. “For now, I have to. I have to go, and I have to do what I need to do for me. Maybe another day, Prince Mikail.”
Bethany leaned in and softly kissed Micah, lingering a moment as a tear slipped from her closed eyes. When she pulled away, I knew I was the only one who could see her.
As I scanned the others, everyone looked in every direction. There was only one who looked directly at the spot where Bethany stood — Cole.
Micah saw him, too, and faster than I’d seen any Immortal move, he was in front of Cole.
“You must help her. You must protect her. It doesn’t matter if anyone can see her, she is vulnerable. She is human. She should never have been a part of this, and that’s my fault, but you have to do this. If you care about her—”
Micah’s tirade ended when Cole punched him. One good right cross to the jaw and Micah was on his butt in the dirt with Cole leaning over him.
“You will not tell me what to do. You are not my Prince anymore.” Cole’s voice was deep, his anger raging as he pointed his finger down at Micah. “And I don’t need to be told that Bethany needs anything. She’s quite capable of handling herself, human or not. But, of course I’m not going to let her leave here alone with everything that’s happening, you ignorant, self-absorbed ass. She’s my friend, and I’ll take care of her because that’s what I do. I don’t lie. I don’t cut and run. I take care of the people I care about.”
Bound by Prophecy (Bound Series Book 3) Page 12
