Awakened (Auralight Codex: Dakota Shepherd Book 1)

by Shei Darksbane

  I shook my head at the audacity of the prices. “If you’re sure…” Her raised eyebrow said that she was. When the waiter appeared as if on cue, I ordered. “Just give me the largest steak on the menu.”

  The waitress sneered at my peasant-talk. Actually she smiled at me pleasantly and I imagined the sneer because I felt like a peasant in this place. “Is the pan-seared asparagus and baked fennel all right to accompany, or do you wish to select something else?”

  I smiled like I knew what she was talking about. “No, those are perfect.” I folded the menu and offered it to her. She took it as Amorie handed hers over and politely declined a meal. With that, the waitress was gone and I gave Amorie a hopeful grin. “What the hell is a fennel?”

  Amorie took a languid sip from her wine glass, perching with her clever eyes just over the rim. “You will find out momentarily, no?”

  I gave a half-hearted laugh, and snatched the wine glass from the table, taking an inappropriately large drink. “Oh, that’s good.” I stared at the glass for a moment, swirling the liquid around. “That’s really, really good.” I drained the glass in one confidence-boosting draw. A waiter materialized out of thin air to refill my glass. His disapproval at my manners was palpable, even as he smiled at me like a servant to a queen.

  Amorie settled her glass on the table again. “So, how did your talk with Ralof go?”

  I took a more moderate sip of the excellent wine. “Well, he told me I’m a werewolf.” I glanced around as if expecting the supernatural conspiracy police to jump out of a potted plant and lowered my voice, leaning in to the table. “And for some reason I can’t shift.”

  Amorie frowned. “That is unusual. And disappointing. I was looking forward to seeing you as a wolf.” She gave me an adorable pout. I melted.

  “Do you think it has anything to do with the green burny hands?”

  Amorie shook her head. “No. But I did discover some about that.” The waitress appeared again and placed a small plate on the table, laden with slices of meat, slices of cheese, and two creamy concoctions I didn’t recognize. Amorie gestured to the plate encouragingly so I picked up a slice of meat and put it in my mouth. I groaned aloud at the flavor as the sliver of divinity melted in my mouth. I gestured for Amorie to go on. “It is what I was worried it might be.”

  I tilted my head. “An’ wha’ is ‘at?” I slurred through the next delicate sliver from the plate.

  “Hellfire.” Amorie spoke gravely. The seriousness of her tone put that deep-down part of me on edge.

  I swallowed. “Hellfire? What’s that? Besides the obvious… You mean fire? From Hell? Seriously?”

  Amorie nodded. “It is terribly dangerous. It is not like normal fire. It is far deadlier, far more powerful. Some would say it has a mind of its own. And it is always hungry.”

  I frowned. “That sounds horrifying.”

  Amorie met and held my eyes. “It is.”

  I slowly lifted my hands and gazed at my palms. “So, what does that mean? Are you saying I’ve got idle hands?” Amorie tilted her head. I glanced up at the motion and realized she didn’t get my reference. “The Devil’s playthings?”

  “Mm.” Amorie nodded as she caught on. “No. It was the ritual that the rogue magician was performing that did it most likely. See—”

  “Rogue magician?”

  Amorie nodded patiently. “A magician who has gone against the laws of the Magister’s Court.”

  “Wow. Cool.” I dipped my finger into the first creamy substance on the plate and my tongue was not disappointed. “What even is this?”

  Amorie’s smile returned. “Pâté.”

  I glanced up at her face. “I’m eating it wrong, aren’t I?”

  Amorie shrugged mildly. “Eat it however you like, ma chérie.”

  I shrugged and ate it with a spoon. It was ridiculously good. “Oh, so, the crazy guy was a real… wizard?”

  Amorie nodded. “More or less. He was performing a ritual to attain power through forbidden magics.”

  “So he wanted green burny hands for himself, but I got in the way?” I ate another spoonful of Pâté.

  Amorie shrugged again. “I can not say for certain. What I found out is that the cup he was interacting with is attuned to a demon.”

  “Which explains the Hellfire?”

  “It does. And considering the particular demon in question, it explains it quite well.” She sipped her wine.

  “Why? Is it the demon of green burny hands?” I grinned and wiggled my fingers at her.

  Amorie’s expression sobered. “It is best that you do not make light of the demons of the Circles of Hell. Even in passing, it is very dangerous.”

  I lowered my hands slowly, my humor deflating. “Oh. I…”

  Amorie shook her head. “You are all right. Just do not make a habit of doing so, even mildly.”

  I nodded and consoled myself with a spoonful of the last untried substance on the plate. It turned out to be some kind of soft cheese and it was divine. “Why does that particular demon explain it quite well?”

  Amorie softened her expression. “Because the demoness in question is well noted for her mastery of Hellfire.”

  “So that cup belonged to a demoness known for Hellfire, a crazy rogue wizard tries to use it to gain power, I mess up his ritual and get in the way, and I end up with green burny hands. I guess that does make sense.” I stared at my hands again. “So how do I get rid of it?”

  Amorie tilted her head. “You wish to be rid of this power?”

  I glanced up at her, surprised. “Of course. You said it’s terribly dangerous. And a demoness is involved. Shouldn’t I want to get rid of it?”

  “That is entirely up to you, ma chérie.” She reached across the table and laid a hand on top of mine. “You could seek to be rid of it. Or you could seek to master it.”

  “And that would make it safe?” I let my hand settle into her cool grasp.

  “Safer.” She squeezed my hand. “Nothing involving the Circles is ever completely safe. Though, you could be reasonably safe if you learned to control it.”

  I looked at my hand in hers. “With great power…”

  Amorie shook her head, amused. “You are incorrigible.”

  I smiled up at her. She smiled back at me, her soft blue eyes sparkling in the candle light. I laced my fingers with hers and squeezed her hand softly. I leaned closer and gazed into her eyes and whispered softly. “I don’t know what that means.”

  Amorie’s laugh broke the air suddenly. She shook her head at me and put her other hand to her lips. “Terrible!” she chided gently.

  I grinned, squeezing her fingers and pretending it was a joke. “So, what should I do about my green burny hands?”

  Amorie calmed her laughter, reasserting her self-control. “You should go and speak with someone at SII. They will be able to explain things and help you better than I.”

  I tilted my head. “SII? I think you mentioned that before. What is it?”

  “Supernatural Investigation Institute. They are an organization that specializes in keeping peace between different factions in the supernatural world.”

  “So like the supernatural police?”

  Amorie shook her head. “They are not really an authority of that nature. But they do attempt to keep balance between the Awakened and Unawakened worlds. They will explain it better than I can as well.”

  I nodded. “Okay. Will you tell me how to find them?”

  Amorie nodded. “Of course. I will put you in touch with them. They will be able to answer many questions for you.”

  I glanced up as the waitress brought out a large tray and placed before me a dish fit for a queen. I figure I literally drooled as I stared at the luscious, incredible-smelling steak and whatever the pile of vegetables on the side was. I have no idea how long I did so before noticing that the waitress was standing there, waiting on something. I glanced up and she looked at me expectantly. I looked to Amorie for aid. Amorie smiled at the waitress an
d nodded her approval of the dish. The waitress bowed to Amorie respectfully, then turned her nose up at me and stalked away. Or maybe she just left. Who could be sure?

  I turned my attention back to the food. Amorie smirked. “Should I leave you two alone?”

  I laughed softly. “I’m sorry. I’ve just… I’ve never…”

  Amorie smiled warmly. “I am teasing, ma chérie. Please, enjoy.”

  I didn’t need any more prompting than that to dig in. “Oh, this is so tender! You can cut it with a fork!” I laid a juicy piece of steak on my tongue and savored the flavors and the excellent texture. “Mm. It’s perfect.” I glanced down at the plate and examined the meat with its perfect char and rich red center. The bloody juices flowing onto the plate suddenly filled me with both hunger and dread. “Amorie?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Do werewolves eat people?” I hesitantly poked the steak with my fork, my stomach suddenly too tight to continue eating.

  “If they did, that would bother you?” Amorie swirled the wine in her glass idly. I got the feeling she was doing so to have an excuse to avoid meeting my eyes.

  “Well, yes. I don’t want to eat people.” I did want to eat the steak, however.

  Amorie shrugged mildly. “Mostly they do not. It has happened before. But it is not very common. Mostly they eat animals. Unless they have lost control. Then it is possible they will hurt someone, and I suppose they might eat them. Ralof could answer this better than I, as he is a werewolf and I am not.”

  I frowned thoughtfully and took another bite of my steak. “You seem unhappy. Did I do something wrong?”

  Amorie shook her head. “No, of course not.”

  “Then what is it?” I put the fork down and touched her hand again gently.

  “Dakota, you do realize that I am a vampire, yes?”

  I nodded. “You told me so.” Then it dawned on me. “Oh… Because you do eat people.”

  Amorie nodded slightly. “I do feed upon humans, rather.”

  “I’m sorry if I was offensive. I didn’t—”

  “No, ma chérie. Just… It seemed upsetting to you, to think of beings who feed upon humans. I do not wish you to dislike me for it.” She looked more vulnerable than I had expected. I kinda felt bad.

  “No! I don’t blame you for it. I mean… you have to eat too, right? I just…” I stared down at the bloody flesh on my plate. “I just don’t want to become some kind of monster.”

  Amorie squeezed my hand gently. “Dakota, you do not need to be a werewolf or a vampire to be a monster.”

  I met her eyes and she smiled at me softly. “You’re right. And I guess… Being a werewolf doesn’t necessarily make me one either.”

  Amorie smiled gently. “There are many, many humans who are far, far worse.”

  “Ralof didn’t seem like a monster.” I suddenly grinned. “Well, not today, when I met Ralof the werewolf. He seemed much scarier when I thought he was your date.”

  Amorie laughed. “Ah. Is that what you thought?”

  I grinned. “I was terrified of him.”

  “And you flirted with me anyway?” She was leaning closer to me again.

  “I guess it was worth the risk.” I was leaning closer to her again too.

  She smiled at me, looking deeply pleased. “You are terribly sweet, little wolf.”

  I did my best to grin wolfishly. “You’re terribly worth it.”

  Amorie smirked at me wryly. “Now you are doing it on purpose.”

  “Does sweetness only count when it’s inadvertent?”

  Amorie laughed. “No. I do not suppose it does.” Her foot grazed against mine under the table. I felt tingly little sparks fluttering up my legs and into my spine. My breath caught. Amorie grinned at me, a warm expression that spread slowly across her features.

  So of course, the waitress came over to ask us if all was adequate. Amorie gave her a look that managed to feel withering despite its civil exterior. Or maybe I was projecting. The waitress refilled our glasses, and the interruption passed, but so had the moment. I returned my attention to my steak. “So I have a question.” I said, mostly to fill the silence that lingered in the absence of her touch.

  “Ask and I will do my best to answer.” Amorie sipped the fresh glass of wine.

  “Why don’t I have an aura?” I’d looked down at my arms, torso and legs. I’d looked in the mirror. I wasn’t desaturated like the Unawakened, but I had no colored lights.

  “You do.” Amorie looked me over pointedly and smiled to herself.

  I tilted my head. “But…” I glanced down at my arm.

  Amorie nodded. “You can not see it. No one can see their own aura, ma chérie. It is just the way it is.”

  “Oh. That makes sense, I guess.” I stuffed another chunk of steak in my mouth and chewed it over along with the next query. “Is it okay to ask what mine looks like?”

  Amorie nodded. “There is no reason why you can not.”

  “Then…” I prompted hopefully.

  Amorie fixed me with a hungry, wanting smile. “Your aura is like fire. It is radiant, and warm.”

  I liked the sound of that. “Like fire…” I smiled to myself. “Does it mean anything? I mean, the colors. Do they mean something particular?”

  Amorie nodded. “Of course. But it is not something so simple to explain. You see, the aura is an expression of a person’s spirit. It is not a physical thing. If we both look at the same person, we may see very different colors.”

  “Because… we’d be seeing whatever colors would make sense to our own perceptions?”

  Amorie smiled brightly. “Exactly so! Clever, little wolf.”

  I smiled proudly. “So, if I perceive white as meaning something is good, then I will see white in a good person’s aura?”

  Amorie considered that then nodded. “Mostly, yes. It is not entirely right to assume that it means they are a good person. Just that there is good in them. Do you understand?”

  “Ahh. Yes. I see what you mean.”

  “Though, such things as good and evil, they are difficult to assess so clearly.”

  I tilted my head. “Oh?”

  “What is good?” She leaned back and watched me.

  “Uh…” I thought about it for a moment. “It’s… uh… being nice? Doing the right thing?”

  Amorie nodded, speaking in a tone that suggested she was leading me. “Mmhmm. But how can you define this when two parties both believe they are doing what is right?”

  I chewed at my inner lip and thought about that. “I guess… it’s not so simple, is it?” Amorie shook her head softly. “Then why would I see white in someone’s aura?’

  Amorie shrugged softly. “I would imagine it is because they possess some quality that you would see as goodliness. At least, in the case that white represents goodliness to you.”

  I nodded slowly. “So it’s basically a secret, private language. It speaks to each individual in the way they would understand?”

  Amorie nodded. “More or less.”

  “So like Tongues? In the Bible?” I met her eyes curiously. “Each person simply understands what they hear, or in this case, what they see?”

  Amorie considered a moment then nodded. “It is like that, yes. Though, that is not what this is. Some beings do exist that possess such gifts.”

  “Wow.” I stared at my plate for a long moment, considering the many colors I had seen in the auras of those I’d met today. What did all of them mean? Ralof’s earthy tones could be because of his being a werewolf. I saw that in Elisa and Raelya too, but then, I wouldn’t say I had seen it in the other wolves I’d met. So maybe not. What did the gold in Ralof and Elisa’s auras mean? And the darker colors in Andrei’s? And the blood red and bruise-like purple in Amorie’s?

  I must have spent longer in thought than I’d intended because Amorie poked my hand with a smile. “So thoughtful, ma chérie.”

  “Sorry.” I said with a smile. “There’s just—”

  “It i
s much to take in, no? Do not worry. I do not mind.” Amorie’s smile invaded her eyes. She was so pretty.

  “Thank you.” I breathed quietly.

  “For what?” She tilted her head and her hair spilled across her shoulder in little ringlets and curls.

  “For being here.”

  13

  Shared Warmth

  “So the Captain yells to the First Mate, ‘Fetch me brown pants!’” Amorie burst into a tinkling laugh. I smiled proudly and settled back against the soft leather seat. It was the first time I’d ever ridden in a limo and the experience was still sinking in. I’d hoped the pirate joke wouldn’t be a bit too low brow, but to my relief, Amorie seemed amused, and not at all disturbed by the crassness of the subject matter. “So where are we going?”

  Amorie shrugged lightly. “No where, really. I told the driver just to drive us around. You were not comfortable with me taking you anywhere more private before, so I did not wish to assume.”

  “That’s very thoughtful of you.” I squeezed her hand which had been clasped with mine between us since we’d first settled into the car. “I’m sorry for that.” Amorie raised an eyebrow at me. “It’s just… I don’t know what I’m doing. I don’t know what’s safe and what’s likely to get me killed.”

  Amorie brushed my hair back from my face softly. “I understand, ma chérie. But if I had wanted to harm you, do you not think I would have done so before now? It would have been much easier when you were Unawakened, and especially before introducing you to your Alpha.”

  “I know.” And she really was right. I knew inside that Ralof would protect me, no matter how new I was to the pack. Amorie didn’t strike me as very afraid of him, but then, she didn’t strike me as easy to read, either. “But it’s just… How do I know, you know?”

  “You can not know.” She stroked my hair idly. “But this is so with anyone you meet, no?”

  “No.” I agreed absently. “I mean yes!” Amorie and I laughed together. “I mean, you’re right. I’m just trying to be smart about this. There’s so much I don’t know. And if the movies have any say in the matter, vampires are manipulative and charming, and not to be trusted.”