She nodded. A lump had formed in her throat at the thought of all the innocent lives that could be lost if he gained too much power. “Enya and Zander are safe with Callan and his family.”
His intent stare unnerved her. She couldn't feel or hear him in her thoughts so was sure he wasn't in there, but something in his eyes told her he fully understood.
He said at last, “We should make the most of your time here.” He stood, offering her a hand. Rising slowly, her brows knotted, she took it.
“Markus?” No answer.
Markus?
Nothing. She surveyed the darkness she was suddenly surrounded by. It was total, no end. The silence was deafening.
“Markus!” She hissed.
A sound, a long way off, but a sound. Soft sobs. A child. Before she had time to register her response she was moving, running toward the sound.
Stop. This isn't real. Zander isn't here
She slowed, still listening intently.
“Mama?”
Zander!
Her mind went blank. Her head tingled, flame springing up around her as she ran towards his voice.
Zander, where are you?
It's dark, Mama. I can't see.
I'm coming, baby. It's okay, I'm here, I'm coming.
The dim, violet light from her fire lit the way. There, huddled in the darkness, terrified, she saw him.
Zander!
She sped up, running as fast as she could to get to him. Feet away, her body slammed hard into an invisible wall.
“NO!” Her furious scream was swallowed by the darkness, of her fists made no sound as they hammered on the invisible barrier.
Fire. Burn it down!
Flames licked up, over every inch of the emerging dome, masking Zander from her view.
Burn it down!
It's okay, close your eyes, it'll be over soon. I'll get you out!
Mama, it's too hot!
Instantly the flames died.
Think! Get him out! Shadow. Stealth. Find a weakness and break it down.
Her own darkness spread, thicker and more complete than she'd ever experienced before. Probing, pressing over the shield between them. A weak point opened.
There! Shatter it! Force it open, get him out!
A shield. He needs a shield! Solid!
“Zander, close your eyes.” She wasn't sure if she'd shouted or whispered, her panic skewing her senses.
Her shadow filled the space, pressing outward, shielding Zander from harm.
With no way of knowing if she'd managed it she mentally pressed harder on the barrier. A cracking sound filled the empty space around her, the fracturing sound of breaking glass as she willed her shadow to force down the barrier keeping her from her son.
Harder! Get him out!
The barrier vanished and she rushed to him, sinking to her knees and scooping him into her arms.
“I've got you, I'm here,” she whispered into his soft hair.
“Very good, Princess.”
Her head snapped up at the sound of his voice. Zander faded away in her arms as light flooded the space around her.
“What do you think you're doing?” she demanded, tears stinging her eyes.
Markus shrugged, “Making the most of your time here.”
“Using him?”
“No. Dursek,” he gestured to her right. Dursek bowed, showing no emotion. “I did explain that he is a shape shifter.”
You're disgusting!
I get results. No-one was hurt.
Scowling, she stood, flame covering her balled fists.
“Charlotte,” Callan, murmured behind her.
“It isn't you,” she whispered, taking a step towards Markus.
“Yes, it is. Look at me.”
Her eyes flicked to Dursek, then to Markus.
“I felt you and came straight down here. What happened?”
She made no response.
“Charlotte, put the fire away,” Markus drawled. “I have no wish to incapacitate you.”
Shadow surrounded her, shielding her. “Try it!” she spat.
Heat filled her taking over her own fire, melting the protective shroud around her. She fought back, pushing her own power into the heat that was taking her over.
“Charlotte you're hurting him,” Markus warned.
It's another trick!
No, no tricks, Callan is burning.
His arms pulled tight around her waist, Callan held her. “Please, please calm down,” he said quietly into the back of her neck.
Stop!
Without waiting for the shadow and flame to disperse she turned in his arms. His hair was singed short, skin blistered and blackened. “Oh, my god!”
“Dursek, fetch the healer,” Markus snapped as she stepped away from him, hands at her mouth.
“What the hell happened?” Dane shouted from the door as he edged past the shape shifter.
“Charlotte lost her temper,” Markus offered.
“You pushed her,” Dane snapped, striding across the ballroom. “Lottie, are you okay?”
Unable to speak, she shook her head, staring at Callan.
“I'm fine,” he said, his blistered skin knitting and returning to its usual tanned perfection before her eyes. “Charlotte…”
He's okay.
She whirled on Markus. “You knew he'd be hurt! Why didn't you stop him?”
“Because, Princess, as much as you need to learn to use it, must also learn to control it around your allies.”
“I'm not a Princess!” she growled through clenched teeth.
Callan huffed out a quiet laugh.
“I think that concludes today's lesson,” Markus said, coolly, one eyebrow raised. “Tomorrow, eight thirty, my study.” He vanished.
Chapter 13
She stared at the space Markus had occupied seconds before. “Callan I…” Turning to him, she stopped.
“It's fine, I'm fine. Look, not a mark.”
She scanned him for signs of damage.
“Charlotte, I'm fine,” he assured her, pulling her to his chest. “You didn't hurt me.”
“Your hair,” she whispered as a sob broke from her.
“It'll grow back,” he laughed gently, “what happened?”
“He'd trapped Zander. Dursek. I don't know. I couldn't get him out. I couldn't help him.” The defeat in her voice sent a wave of rage through Callan so fierce and hot that she physically felt it.
“Shit,” Dane breathed, wrapping an arm around her waist and moving her back a few feet.
“Callan…” She whispered, suddenly afraid.
“Where did he go?” Callan demanded.
Dane was quiet for a moment. “Study.”
Without another word, Callan disappeared.
Dane sighed and took her hand.
“Where's he gone?” She turned to him, her eyes wild.
“To have a word with my father, I expect,” he shrugged.
“Shouldn't you go down and, well, mediate?” she asked, suddenly concerned over what could happen.
Suddenly there were in her suite. Dane flopped onto the sofa.
“Nope. He went too far. I'll wait with you until Callan's done.”
“What's the difference between that and you attacking Callan to get a rise from me?” She sat next to him, hands clasped on her knees, perched on the edge of the seat.
Dane bristled and said, “Callan can defend himself. He doesn't need you to fight for him. Your kids do. It's what you're designed to do. Using your kids against you is a dirty tactic. I'm surprised you didn't try to kill him.”
The thought had crossed her mind. She said, “I think Callan picked up on my anger.”
“I felt it, that's why I came down. I was hoping you'd at least slapped him when I worked out what he'd done.”
Why does he care?
“You have to stop leaping to my defense all the time, Dane.”
“Why?”
“Because I'm not your responsibility. You have
Alayna to worry about.”
“I can worry about you both.”
“Why? Why do you do it?” Her fingers massaged her temples.
“I'm drawn to you the same way Callan was. I love you, Lottie.” He caught her expression and clicked his tongue. “Not how Callan loves you. It's … It's more like family. How else could I have spent all that time in your bed?”
She glanced his way to see the familiar smirk on his lips. She smiled, “I said the same to Callan. That staying with you was like staying with a big brother.”
“I had to show him, though. He needed proof.”
“How could you show him?” Her brows knotted.
“Like this.”
An image filled her mind.
Dane stood talking to Markus in the dining room, Nyja was draped over Callan a few feet away.
Charlotte will lose her temper, father.
I certainly hope so. Nyja has been incredibly rude this evening and whatever she believes she ever had with Callan is long since dead. Let Charlotte handle her.
The door opened and his eyes flicked her way. She felt his flicker of panic as her features twisted in rage.
Father…
Leave them. Let Charlotte react. She won't do any real harm. That is not her nature.
That's her husband. I don't think…
Nyja flew back a few feet and crumpled on the floor.
That's as far as she'll go.
Nyja sprang up, snarling. “You dare?”
The vision faded. “Like that,” he shrugged.
The door opened and Callan strode in.
“Alright?” Dane asked.
His eyes burned with quiet rage. “I need a drink,” he muttered and went straight into the kitchen.
Glancing to Dane, Charlotte didn't dare speak.
He's okay, he'll calm down in a minute.
Don't leave until he's calm. I don't know what to do!
You don't need to do anything. He's fine.
“What happened?” Dane asked as Callan returned with a large glass in his hand.
Callan didn't answer immediately. She'd never seen him angry. Unsure if she were afraid or anxious she didn't know what to say to him, so watched him quietly.
He took a drink. “I set some boundaries. He was reminded who we are, what Charlotte is to us all and what the consequences are should he put her in that position again.”
“What did he say to that?” Dane asked, a mischievous grin on his face.
“There was nothing to say with my blade so close to his throat.”
“You didn't!” Charlotte gasped. Dane chuckled at her side.
“I did. He betrayed your trust, he went too far. If he does anything like that again, I'll…”
She'd never seen this side to him. “Callan,” she said, her voice shaking, “Please, calm down, I'm fine, honestly.”
“I'm calm,” he smiled, considering his half empty glass. “Look and see.”
Shaking her head, she muttered, “I don't want to.”
“Why?” Dane's tone surprised her. “You've been invited.”
Picking at her nails, she considered what she'd learned that morning.
I could just glance.
Turning her thoughts to Callan she pushed towards his mind.
Gently, silently. Don't go too deep. Just what he wants to show you.
Callan shuddered as she ran over his mind. Gently stroking, pressing for a way in, being very careful not to apply too much pressure. A scene rushed her own thoughts.
Markus, in his study before the fireplace, a flaming sword at his throat.
“Callan, I meant her no harm.”
She could feel the icy rage that flowed through him. Then, suddenly, it was gone, along with his sword. Calm Callan had returned.
“One wrong move tomorrow and I'll be upon you so quickly you won't see solstice.”
Markus bowed his head and the vision was gone.
Callan drained his glass and looked to her. “See. Perfectly calm.”
She hung her head.
Dane laughed gently. “Well now that's confirmed, I'm going to get a report from Lukas and Klara. I'll see you both back at the palace tomorrow evening. Try not to kill anyone.” He winked and was gone.
Callan took Dane's place beside her and they sat in awkward silence for several minutes.
“I didn't harm him,” Callan said at last. “I was just angry.”
“I know,” she said gently, “but to threaten his life!”
“He'll behave tomorrow. He isn't so stupid as to risk a feud between the courts. Not now”
“Are we really going home tomorrow?” she asked, her tone brighter.
“After lunch. You have a session with Markus, a session with Lukas, there'll be an informal lunch and then we go home,” he said with a sigh.
“It hasn't been that bad,” she laughed, cuddling into his shoulder. “There have been a few highlights.”
He laughed and kissed her head. “What would you like to do for the rest of the day?”
“I hadn't thought about it. Can we do some sightseeing? It seems such a shame to be here and see nothing of the country.”
“Put on something warm,” he said with a grin.
“Oh, Callan,” she gasped as she took in the foot bridge.
Rain washed cobbles glimmered in the hazy light, leading to the city. Ahead, spires and domed roofs were silhouetted in the distance, the sun setting low behind them. Statues lined the avenue, looming overhead as they passed, set at intervals between Victorian street lamps. The river passed busily beneath.
“I thought you'd like it. Come on. Let's find something to eat.”
Not far from the bridge there was a small restaurant that they visited for lunch. Charlotte ate quickly, eager to see as much of the city as possible.
It was as though she'd stepped back in time. The imposing Gothic churches and cathedrals, ornate stone carvings and statues had Charlotte captivated for hours.
After watching the changing of the guard up at the castle Callan said, “There's one thing I want you to see before it gets dark.”
Taking her hand, he led her through the narrow streets of the old town and out into a vast square. Looking up, she noted pointed spires topped with golden spheres that glinted in the light. Beneath was a large clock face, unremarkable and typical on a stone building of its type. Her eyes travelled down and fixed on an elongated archway.
“What is it?” she asked.
Within the arch were two large dials. The upper dial was primarily azure blue, two hands spread over the face, each displaying an icon, one of the sun, one of the moon. Around the outside edge were what appeared to be Roman numerals and another set that she didn't recognize.
Another dial was offset within the upper face. This had the zodiacal symbols clearly displayed.
“It's an astronomical clock. It was built by a catholic priest, Sindel, and Mikulas, a half druid,” he said quietly, his eyes fixed on the clock.
“A catholic priest working with a druid? How did that work?”
Callan shrugged, “The Priest was a professor of astronomy. Druids live by the natural order of the universe and Mikulas was a gifted clock maker. They were great friends, despite their differences.”
“You met them?”
“No. But Mikulas was well respected and their friendship healed may wounds between their people.”
She looked back to the clock. There was a second dial, decorated with twelve beautiful paintings. “Who're they?”
“The twelve apostles. The other images are the months of the year,” he said smiling. “That was added later, with the sculptures.”
She took in the whole tower again. Each dial was surrounded by beautiful wooden carvings, above the upper was a stone carved angel with blue windows to either side.
Callan had noticed and said “The windows open at the turn of the hour, moving sculptures of the apostles pass by and the time is struck by death. It's an engineering masterpiece.”<
br />
“Can we wait for that?”
“Of course,” he grinned, “I'll go and get some hot drinks.”
Chapter 14
“Why am I seeing Markus first? It's usually Lukas first.”
“Lukas isn't here yet,” Callan said as they stopped outside the study. “I'll be back for you in an hour.”
She glanced at the empty space he'd left at her side and knocked. “Come in.”
No Dursek?
She didn't realise her palms were sweaty until her hand slipped on the polished brass door handle.
Last one. He's helped loads.
“Good morning, Charlotte,” Markus grinned from his armchair. He didn't get up. “Please take a seat. Tea?”
She nodded and sat on the chesterfield opposite him.
“How did you find Prague?” He didn't look away from the tea as he poured.
Forgetting her unease, she grinned and said, “It's beautiful. The architecture is amazing.”
“Did you see the Orloj?” he asked as he passed her a cup and saucer. Noticing her confused frown, he added, “The clock.”
“I did. It's wonderful. I hope to visit again and spend longer in the city. There must be so much more to see.”
Markus smiled and took his seat. Arching his fingers beneath his chin his eyes narrowed. “What should we cover this morning, Charlotte? You're perfectly able to control your power. Able to infiltrate the mind of another and have a suitable mental defense in place. You're also able to heal yourself to a certain extent. I'm not sure there is anything more I can teach you.”
Sipping her tea, she sat quietly for several moments.
I need to be able to move things like Dane can. Do I have that power?
I should imagine so. Dane is exceptionally gifted but you have enough power I think.
How does it work?
The same way the rest of it does. You will it, your power will bend to that will. This is more difficult, obviously, but the mechanics are the same.
Markus looked past her, “On the table behind you is a chest. Stand beside me, using only your power, bring it to us. Take your time.”
Finishing her tea, she set the cup on the coffee table between them and closed her eyes. The now familiar tingling sensation began at the back of her head and quickly spread through her. Markus glanced her way, lips twitching, as she stood and crossed the room to him.
Riftkeepers: Pursuit Page 10
