Forged in Flames

by Harper Wylde

  “They really thought we needed more than one tour guide?” Ryder muttered, as we followed both Valleria and Ciarán.

  “Enough, Ry.” Hiro's voice was quiet, but not quiet enough to be missed by my Gargoyle's sharp hearing. “Rail against them later.”

  He snorted, but kept his mouth shut. We approached a door and Ciarán swung it open, guiding us into the center of a room. A few people stood gathered there, a mix of male and female, and all turned their eyes to us.

  “Meet the Rebellion.” Ciarán offered a sharp bow, striding over to stand with his fellow members, with Valleria following in his wake, waving a hand to encompass the others beside him.

  Thirteen

  Damien

  “Ciarán, there's no need for dramatics or games,” another female scolded, shaking her head, her short red hair flying up in little spikes.

  “There's always need for games, Risa.” He smiled and she scowled in return.

  “You invited us here, so would it be possible to get some more answers?” I asked, letting my voice carry across the room.

  “We've seen that you do not agree with the Council.” A male stepped forward, his white blond hair gleaming in the light. “You seek to protect yourselves, and those whom you care for. We're offering you a way of doing that, this is the difference.”

  Ciarán darted back to our group, tossing an arm around Nix's shoulder, and ignoring the warning growl of his brother. “We're going to welcome you all first, then we can get down to the nitty-gritty,” he chided the male. “You've met the pretty Valkyrie of course. She's the leader of Faction Topaz. The male with her is her bodyguard, Leo.” He blew a kiss at Valleria, who rolled her eyes but grinned, as her silent bodyguard stood stoically behind her. “Risa's our resident water nymph, representative of Faction Opal.” The tiny redhead tilted her head in acknowledgment, though no smile covered her lips. “Rio is her bodyguard.” A tiny Asian girl with dark hair in a long, thick braid past her butt, sent us a small smile.

  “It is nice to meet you.” Rio considered Hiro for a moment and smiled again. “It's nice to have a fellow kitsune amongst us, though my specialty is fire, not forest.”

  Hiro blinked. “You know my specialty?”

  She laughed, the sound bright and happy, and contagious enough to have even my own lips twitching. “We know all about you, about all of you. This meeting has been a long time in the making. That's Rune, representative of the Amber Faction.” Rio indicated the white-haired male with a wave of her hand. Despite her attempt to introduce him, his scowl didn't change.

  The pretty brunette in the corner stepped forward, spreading her hands wide and smiling in greeting. “Welcome, all of you. I'm Victoria, leader of Malachite Faction. This is my friend Alexandre, he's a werewolf.”

  “How many factions are there?” Nix asked, her fingers twitching. I was sure she wanted to rub at the headache I could feel brewing in her temple.

  “Only these four,” Rio informed her. “You'll get used to it. We all tend to declare whom we associate with, so you'll be able to put faces with groups soon.”

  “What about you?” she addressed Ciarán, stepping away from him where he was nuzzling her hair as Killian's growls were ramping up louder and louder.

  He blinked lazily, his foolish grin wide. “Why would I content myself with one stone when I can collect them all?” Snorts echoed around the room from the other rebellion members. Apparently Ciarán's behavior was as unique with them as it was with us. I wondered when we'd see him drop his mask completely, or if we ever would.

  “You're all mythologicals?” Nix and Theo spoke at the same time, and shared a small smile before turning their attention back to the rebel leaders.

  “Of course.” Victoria cocked her head, considering us quietly. “Why wouldn't we be?”

  “So, is that all this is?” I inquired. “You're merely attempting to unseat the Council members from the throne and replace them?” Irritation was raging through me, and I could feel the sensation echoed by my friends.

  “What did you expect?” she countered, her words still calm and quiet.

  “That you were trying to make things better,” Ryder commented with a shrug.

  “That you had more in mind than power,” Theo added softly.

  “That you considered all shifters when you made these plans,” Nix finished, grimacing as she shook her head. “My best friend is a bear. I thought this rebellion would be about, I don't know, equalizing things? Changing things? Not just about putting new leaders on a Council that's corrupt and ineffective in its working.”

  The door squeaked open behind us, drawing our attention to the newest member of our gathering. Gasps sounded from all of us, but it was Nix who stepped forward and then froze in her shock. "Rini?"

  The word was a mere whisper on her lips. The Sun Bear waved and offered her a tentative smile. It was clear Nix didn’t know how to respond, but her protective instincts seemed to surge forward before she allowed herself to question the situation. Nix simply grabbed Rini and acted like a shield between her best friend and the rebellion members, plastering a fierce look across her face.

  “Does that answer your question, Rune?” Valleria asked with a laugh. “She's quite protective of her friend.”

  “It's okay, Nix,” Rini soothed. “It was part of the test.”

  “Test?” Nix questioned, her arm still holding Rini back. “What the hell?” she growled, lending a voice to the sentiments we were all feeling.

  “Breathe, little sister,” Ciarán ordered, reaching out to squeeze her cheek. Nix scowled at him, but she did relax her arm slightly. “I told you that you would be facing tests, you don't need to act quite so surprised.”

  “They wanted to see if you were just looking to put yourself on the Council, to see if you'd be looking out for all the shifters—animal as well as mythological,” Rini explained.

  “So you’re in the rebellion?” Nix glanced at Rini with a furrowed brow, clearly confused.

  “Guilty.” Rini shrugged and looked hopefully at Nix, who appeared to be digesting that little fact. Fuck, we all were.

  Nix rubbed her head, squeezing her eyes shut as she concentrated. “This is so complicated.”

  “Of course.” Victoria shrugged, the movement smooth and elegant. “It's not as though we welcome everyone into our numbers, not yet at least. We expect many will be willing to move against the Council once all of their misdeeds come to light and they see that there's a solid, protective backing for them. But until that point, we need to be selective. Careful.”

  “This has been going on for years, and years,” Risa explained, her voice quiet. “We cannot risk what will be for what we want in the moment.”

  “So, if you're all different factions, whatever the hell that means, then why are you working together?” Ryder pressed, unhappy with the non-answer he had received from Valleria.

  “Because they realize there's one enemy.” I didn't bother moving my eyes from the rebellion members as I answered him. “They have different beliefs for what they want when the Council is removed, but they all need the Council removed. No other action will allow them to create a new government.”

  Rune arched a brow, nodding slowly as he considered me. “You are correct, Gargoyle.”

  “So what are the factions?” Hiro asked.

  “Not important at the moment,” Risa responded with a wave. “You'll come to see those ideologies in time. We don't have much time until you need to be back, or the Council will be looking for you. Let's discuss the most important issues for now.”

  “Come on, Rini.” Ciarán held out a hand for her, executing an elaborate series of bows. “Let's let them yammer on with each other while we do something actually important.” She chuckled, but laid her hand willingly in Ciarán's, allowing him to tug her away. My brows shot up as I watched the pair of them and the familiarity between them. I'd have to find a chance to speak with Rini soon and see when that had occurred. I wasn't sure her bears would be fan
s—I knew I wouldn't be if I saw Nix that familiar with another male.

  The pair of them exited while Nix watched them go, with a mixture of emotions flitting across her features. When she turned back, my family and I faced off against the leaders of the rebellion, shoulder to shoulder, a solid wall, waiting for more.

  “This was only part of the first task.” Victoria's words took on a formal tone, her bodyguard moving closer to her as he watched us. “I think three altogether, will give us a nice idea of how you really feel about our group, and how you work with us.”

  “So, if this was part of the first one, what's the rest?” Ryder’s scowl punctuated his question.

  “We need to see how committed you are to our cause,” Rune spoke, his gray eyes glinting flatly in the light. His words were cool, his posture rigid as he studied us. “A little show of blood should do. Her blood.” His eyes moved to Nix, considering her quietly.

  “No way,” Killian denied him, shaking his head.

  “That's an... interesting request.” Theo cocked his head as he spoke. “Phoenix blood has plenty of power, to be sure. However, Nix is in no condition to give blood at the moment.”

  “Theo, I—” Nix interjected.

  Theo and I both held up our hands, stopping her. “No, Nix.” I shook my head, though I offered her a small smile, reassuring her I wasn't mad at her. “You can't donate at the moment.” I knew their eyes were watchful on us, so I worded my choices carefully. “You've been injured too often lately in training, and I don't want to risk you losing too much blood at one time.”

  “While we understand your request,” Hiro began, nodding his head in acknowledgment, “you must realize that the health of our family is of the highest importance. While it may be a possibility in the future, as Damien has indicated, Nix has a tendency to become injured in training. With everything going on, I'm sure you can understand why there is a need for an intensive training regimen for her. We must make up for the years where she received no training at all.”

  The rebellion members exchanged a look among themselves, and withdrew to speak quietly with each other. I wondered for a moment if one of them had more powers than they let on, because even my Gargoyle couldn't make out their words, even though the room we stood in was not that large. “We understand your reluctance,” Risa spoke up, “though blood is in the first task. Before it is completed, unfortunately, your other tasks may not begin.” She shook her head sadly, offering a small shrug of apology.

  “Take my blood.” I whirled to look at Ryder, where he stood with his chin up and chest thrown out as we all stared at him.

  “Ry…” I began, but he ignored me.

  “If you're aware of who we are, you'll know exactly what I am. Although my blood is not as strong as Nix's, it is not without its own strengths.”

  “Interesting.” Victoria studied him, her lips pursed. “I hear you have been expanding your powers. Have you mastered your control of the weather yet?”

  “My specialty still resides in healing,” Ryder replied. “Weather control has never been a strength but I will be training in all areas to increase my abilities. My blood contains other traits though, as all ceraptors do. I'm not unaware of its uses—honesty, healing, weather change...” He trailed off, letting his words hang in the air.

  The members exchanged a look, assessing his offer. “Agreed,” Rune declared. “We will gather that immediately if you agree.”

  “On one condition,” Theo interrupted. “I'll collect the sample. I've performed all medical care for our family, including the drawing of blood, for the past few years. They're comfortable with me.”

  “Of course,” Valleria soothed. “It's no problem. We don't ask for much.” She turned and murmured to Leo, who nodded, eyeing Rio for a moment before he disappeared, returning quickly with a small blood draw kit.

  “If this meets your requirements, then maybe we could move on to what the other tasks are?” I suggested with a small smile. Theo was carefully drawing Ryder's blood, though Ryder's eyes remained glued to the members of the rebellion, not evening appearing to notice the pain of the needle. No one answered me, their attention between themselves until Theo pulled away with a small, full vial. I heard Nix swallow hard, and I was sure she wasn't thrilled with the sight of the blood.

  Leo held out a hand, accepting the offered blood, and disappearing again as Valleria smiled at me. “Part two will be quite a bit harder, I'm afraid.”

  “And part three?” Killian asked with a growl.

  “Let's focus on one part at a time, it makes it less confusing for everyone.” Victoria avoided the question smoothly, her eyes on Ryder's skin as he focused his energy, healing the small pinprick in the bend of his arm.

  “Go ahead,” I stated, crossing my arms over my chest. Let her finish before interrupting her. I suggested through our mental link. I have a feeling we really aren't going to like what she has to say. That means all of you. I pushed the words hard at Killian and Ryder, making sure they understood me. I received murmurs of assent, though their focus was on the shifters around us rather than on me.

  “There will be many weapons working against us when we approach the Council, things that could stand in our way from potentially winning and remaking our world.” Risa's voice was smooth, her words soft, but it was impossible to miss them with our attention so focused on her. “We need to start finding ways around those issues—other weapons, weaknesses, antidotes.”

  “With that in mind,” Valleria continued, “we came up with your second task. We are well aware of how...” She searched for a word for a moment, shaking her head before adding, “Strenuous this task will be. However, the future of our movement hinges on you performing it successfully.”

  “We need you to obtain and return at least one vial of Basilisk venom,” Rune finished, with no emotion leaking through as he spoke.

  I froze, shock echoing through our mental connection as we all processed their demand. “You want us to obtain venom from a basilisk?” I was sure that was what I heard, but the complete inability to process such an insane request forced me to repeat it back to them.

  “You do realize that there are only two basilisk in this entire hemisphere?” Theo asked, as incredulous as I was. “Alaska isn't a hot zone for snakes, let alone rare, famous, deadly ones.”

  “And that those two are a Council member and his son?” Hiro inquired, his voice shaking a little on the words, both fury and fear running through him.

  “You'll have time to think about a plan of action, of course,” Valleria offered, although she didn't acknowledge our horror.

  “Not too much time, though,” Victoria stated, shaking her head. “I know the task is daunting, but we need that weapon sooner rather than later if we hope to develop an antidote to their venom. If you succeed, you could save countless lives when this war comes.”

  “We'll see what we can do.” I pushed the need for silence down the mental link, trying hard to shut out my family’s emotions—Nix's fear and anger particularly—trying my best to focus. We needed to speak privately, not where other ears could listen. “For the moment, we need to go home and talk this out amongst ourselves so we can form a working plan.” Each of the rebellion members nodded their heads in turn, a form of goodbye I assumed, as Rune and Risa turned their attention to each other, talking quietly.

  “We'll call Ciarán for you,” Rio spoke up, her dark eyes glittering. “He'll escort you home.”

  “Thank you.”

  “It was a pleasure meeting you,” Hiro and Nix spoke at the same time and I smiled. Those two knew how to handle people, that was for sure. It was a useful skill, and one we'd need as time went on.

  Our return trip was silent and tense, and Ciarán even kept his mental static down to a minimum. “I know what's been asked,” he finally said, breaking the tension. “I am not allowed to help, at least not in any visible way. They're looking to determine your dedication and test how you work as a group. I apologize for the shock, I wasn't
involved in choosing this challenge.” For a moment I thought I saw fury in his eyes, though it faded just as quickly.

  “It's fine,” I replied on a sigh, the car pulling up to the same location we’d picked him up from.

  Ciarán didn’t open the door like I expected. “Good. I'll see all of you soon, so keep your eyes open.” He evaporated into mist, gone in a snap. I sighed.

  “He could have just told us that we could head straight home instead of making us detour back to the damn coffee shop,” Killian grumbled. “I hate that trick of his.”

  I sighed as the car grew silent once more. No one moved and most of us stared out the windows of the vehicle, all lost in thought.

  “Before we all begin talking about this, let's let it settle and give ourselves time to process. I know we're all feeling the same things, and we need to let the anger dissipate or we're going to make decisions based on emotions rather than having a solid plan.” I unbuckled Nix’s seatbelt and drew her into my arms, holding her close and rocking back and forth, soothing her even as her presence calmed me. “No matter what happens, if we decide to do this or strike out on our own—fully knowing the risks—we're doing it together.” I tugged on Nix's chin, forcing her to look at me. “You're our world, our family, and that's what's important. Everything else we'll figure out as it comes.”

  Tears tracked down Nix's cheek as she buried her face in my chest. The others reached out, stroking their hands down her head and back in long, soothing strokes. “You're everything, Nix. This family is everything.” Hiro brushed a kiss over her head, his eyes bright as they met mine. “That's what's most important. So let's go home.”

  Fourteen

  Nix

  I let out a weary sigh as I left the administration building on campus feeling more deflated and depressed than I had in a long time. Giving up my classes had been harder than I’d imagined, but Theo’s advice about looking at this change in my life as a temporary break helped ease some of my discomfort.