The Kingdom Journals Complete Series Box Set

by Tricia Copeland

  I tried the spell again. I held it for a few seconds and released it over and over. Each time I held it for longer, and the strain intensified. Still, I fought the haze of my efforts.

  Camille, stop. Jude’s voice erupted in my head.

  You want to get out of here?

  Yes, and we will. We’ll be endowed with a full witch’s power when we join the coven. We can get out then.

  What do you think they have planned for me? No, I’m getting out before then. With my dad.

  Well, at least let me help you. You can practice in the blind spots during our training sessions. That way you won’t be doubly taxed.

  Okay, I’m done for tonight anyway.

  Sleep well. His voice was like music to my ears, and I never wanted to be without it.

  You too.

  I fell asleep with images of Thanatos, Theron, Alena, and Hunter dancing in my head. Seeing Theron’s face spooked me, and I woke to a cold gale streaming in from the window. Shutting the pane, I compared his image with Jude’s. They looked so alike. What if they were brothers? What if Jude worked for Miguel? Climbing back in bed, I questioned why I was doubting my instincts again. I could communicate with Alena and Hunter because we had a special connection. Jude and I shared a special bond or else we wouldn’t be able to communicate telepathically, right? He was my herald, wasn’t he?

  Even with these doubts, I felt renewed hope. Staring out the window, I noted the fog shrouded moon in the west. The little light that broke in the east seemed to be absorbed by the moisture, leaving a gray hue that ringed the castle like a shroud. The fog mirrored our internment, dampening my spirits again.

  Realizing I wouldn’t sleep more, I picked up a text. I studied till my alarm rang and dressed.

  “Are we ever going to see the sun again?” I asked Alex as I exited my room.

  “In March the weather starts to break.”

  Jude appeared from his room. “Great! Just in time for my birthday.”

  Before Carmen’s disappearance, Alex had continued such conversations, but he turned down the hall and started towards the elevators, as did his sidekick. The new guard bested Alex’s height by a solid two inches and girth by much more. His muscles bulged from his form, and from the hum he put off, I assumed his powers equaled his strength.

  After breakfast and our study session, we were shown to the training room. As the second week’s training centered on using air, we practiced forming miniature tornados and windstorms, using the air to intensify sounds, and heating and cooling the air to produce rain or evaporate puddles. When Miguel left us to practice, I stood in the blind spot and showed Jude my new skill.

  Whoa. That’s freaky. Let me try. He formed a wind tunnel to keep up our ruse.

  We switched places, and he closed his eyes. Watching him focus, his eyes squint, and his brow furrow, I longed to touch him. And then he was gone. I counted in my head and got to ten before he reappeared.

  That was good for your first time. I created a gust and flung sand against the far wall.

  It worked?

  Yeah, you were gone for a good ten seconds.

  Sweet, I’m a natural. I can help you.

  Okay, practice at night. We should get at least ten minutes to make it worth it.

  He disappeared a few more times, and we traded places again. We worked out a system where we tracked each other’s progress, and by the end of the session, I could hold my camouflage for two minutes. Making sure to return to our dictated spells well before Miguel should return, we whispered to each other from across the room.

  Don’t say anything we wouldn’t want them to hear, Jude’s voice echoed in my mind.

  “This is pretty cool.” I barely whispered.

  “You said this is pretty cool.” He used his normal tone.

  “Nice use of sound vibrations,” I whispered again.

  “You try.” His voice was barely audible, and I pulled the air to me. “Can you hear me?” he asked.

  “Yes, now.”

  The door flung open, and Miguel strolled in. “Your powers are developing nicely. We should break for lunch.”

  After the midday meal with Miguel and Maria, we were given a rest period for study time, gym time, and another magic-strengthening session. The days wore on following the same pattern as we woke with the fog and fell asleep under a sky hidden by clouds. There was no word of my dad and the weight of his absence wore on me. The only light was our growing ability to cloak ourselves. By the end of the week, each of us could hold it eight minutes.

  The test for the second stage of coven training resembled the first, and both Jude and I passed to the third level, represented by water. The study portion centered on chemistries, potions, and essential oils, much of which would be taught by Maria. I blamed my worn look on nightmares, so the first day she led us through concocting a sleep remedy. She mixed essential oils of Red Mandarin, Bergamot, Cornmint, Cypress, and Myrtle, and I sniffed the fluid.

  “Do you feel more relaxed?” Maria asked.

  “I just feel bored,” Jude exclaimed, sighing.

  “This is often the most trying section for those that favor activity.”

  “Well, I’m falling asleep just thinking about blending oils.”

  “Here.” She handed him another mixture.

  He held it to his nose. “Hmm, smells like some flower.”

  “Geranium. It’s arsenic.”

  “Oh, God.” He held the bottle at arms-length.

  “You let him smell arsenic?” I blurted out before I could check my reaction.

  Maria laughed. “He is paying attention now.”

  “That woke me up.” Jude paced away from the table and back.

  Seemingly for Jude’s benefit, she switched to teaching poisons and their smells and effects. I took notes as she went, hoping I didn’t mix up the Tabun that smelled like almonds, the Soman that smelled like rotting fruit, and Cyclosarin that had a peachy odor.

  I don’t like this section. It doesn’t give us time to practice our cloaking together, Jude communicated that evening through our open windows.

  But it doesn’t drain us so we can practice in the evening. Plus, you’ll be less likely to die by poisoning.

  That’s definitely a plus. I can’t believe she nearly killed me.

  I think there are healing spells during this section, too.

  Not sure you can reverse arsenic poisoning.

  Let’s just work up to ten minutes so we can do some reconnaissance work.

  If you get caught, I’ll never forgive myself.

  Well, I won’t get caught then. I wondered if my desire to find Dad had me taking a larger risk than was wise. But what did it matter? They already held me captive. It wasn’t like they were going to let me go. I doubted that even if I achieved full witch status, they would give me the freedom to roam as I pleased. My only regret would be losing Jude’s company and aid.

  Maria led us through the poisons, potions, and essential oils, and then Miguel took over for the healing powers sessions.

  “These can be the trickiest spells. Unfortunately, they require an empathy I’m not sure you possess for each other.”

  Before I could blink, a wood rod shot from its place on the wall, landing on Jude, right on his gut. He doubled over and fell to the mat.

  I ran to Jude, kneeling on the floor beside him. “Why did you do that?” I looked back at Miguel.

  “To elicit a response. Draw his healing capabilities to the sight of the wound,” Miguel ordered.

  “What if you did something that is beyond his healing capacity, like puncture a lung or broke a rib.” I placed my hand on Jude’s already distended side.

  “It’s a bruise, although a severe one. He will heal in a week or so, unless you can speed that process up.”

  “How could you do this to someone?”

  “Heal him.” Miguel’s voice boomed. “You are of the house of Raphael, summon your heritage.”

  Calming my breaths, I focused on Jude. He s
eemed to have passed out, and his face grew pale. Checking his breathing and heart rate, I realized they were almost normal. I felt the hot skin growing more swollen by the second. My mind continued to reel. What was needed? I guessed fluids to take away the toxins, cold to reduce the swelling, and nutrients to heal the broken cells. Forcing calming thoughts, I appealed to his natural healing abilities, pulling them to the site of the injury. Then I called to him using our secret language.

  Jude, you’re going to be fine. I’m healing you right now. Wake up and show Miguel how tough you are.

  I watched his face and his chest as he breathed. There weren’t many moments when I could appreciate the features I’d grown to adore. His eyes fluttered, and I refocused my efforts on his wound. When his lids opened, I knew I had to move. I pulled my hands to my side.

  His gaze shot to the wall of instruments. Before I could blink, an axe soared across the room, stopping an inch from Miguel’s face.

  Miguel’s eyes grew huge, and his Adam’s apple bobbed on his throat. In an instant, his hard stare returned. “So, Jude of the house of Gabriel, you have a message for me?”

  “Do not use me as a tool again, or you’ll regret it.” The axe didn’t quiver from its position, and my eyes fixed on Jude. He took slow calculated steps towards our mentor. “Did you hear me?”

  “Have you no respect for your elders?”

  “Have you no respect for your wards?” Jude shouted.

  “If you don’t like my methods, leave.” Miguel took a step back from the weapon.

  “I may do just that.”

  “No other coven has the resources to train you before your eighteenth birthday. It seems that Camille did her job despite her animosity for you. You may do well to heed her lesson.”

  “At least she has some sense of right and wrong.” Jude stopped in front of the axe.

  “I guess you saved her and she saved you, so you are even.”

  “They are not the same.”

  “I could dismember your head from your body with this axe in a second.” Miguel’s eyes seemed to darken.

  Miguel had said what we both knew. “So, why don’t you?” Jude challenged, and the axe dropped to Miguel’s feet.

  “I believe you will make a strong coven member. If I push you, it’s only to make you better.” Miguel strode to the exit. “Please retire to your chambers for the rest of the afternoon. I will have the guards escort you. I’m sure you have studies to attend to.”

  Alex and the other guard appeared in the doorway. Jude and I joined them, making our way to our rooms.

  Was that a victory? I asked, opening my window.

  I think so. He didn’t expect the attack and wasn’t able to stop it. He won’t make that mistake again.

  I’m not so sure about that. I pondered whether Miguel would put us in jeopardy again.

  Throughout the week, I increased my camouflage time to fifteen minutes. In addition, I worked on calling to the air to speed my pace in flight. It wouldn’t work if I passed someone in the halls, because there would be residual breeze from my travels. But if I encountered an empty corridor, I would be able to make good time.

  Saturday came with our third trial. The content was so fact rich, I felt my brain might explode. When it was time for our healing tests, Miguel crossed to the door, opened it, and was handed four birdcages. He held two wire cages in each hand as he strode to us. A single yellow bird sat on a perch in each.

  “These”—he set two cages on the table in front of each of us—“are your challenges.”

  Before I could blink, each of the birds screeched and fell to the floor of the cages.

  I fought yelling at him, realizing it would be wasting precious time. Jude seemed to have made the same assessment, and I focused on the bird closest to me.

  “I wouldn’t dawdle. Birds have sensitive systems that tend to shut down when they’re injured.” Miguel paced away from us.

  “Handle them as little as possible and keep them warm,” I told Jude.

  “Are you trying to help Jude pass or the birds live?”

  “Does it matter?” I aimed my magic at the lamp at the edge of the table, sliding it to me.

  Seeing the bird panting, I unhinged the top wire portion of the cage from the bottom. I cupped my hands on each side of the tiny animal, sending calming energy waves at the bird. Then, I inspected each leg and wing. Finding one of the wings broken, I made sure it was in the correct position and pulled the bird’s natural healing abilities to the site.

  “There are two birds, you know,” Miguel taunted.

  Removing the wires from over the other bird, I examined it. There were no obvious injuries, but its breast rose and fell erratically, I again sent calming vibrations to the bird. Starting with the head, I sent healing waves into the bird’s body, figuring Miguel had caused an internal bleed or contusion.

  Glancing at the first bird, I saw its breathing returned to normal. It stood and took a jump away from me. Moving the cage top back over the animal, I latched the wires to the base. I refocused on the second bird, calling to its healing properties. Seeing the chest rise and fall with regularity gave me some hope. I watched as it picked its head up and then stood and took a small hop. Then I fitted the cage over the base.

  I turned my attention to Jude’s birds. The one closest to me was standing and looked well. Jude held his hands a few inches above the other animal. I moved his hands so that they flanked the animal.

  “No magic help,” Miguel warned, and again I resisted lashing out at him. I picked up the lamp and moved it closer to the canary. My breaths sounded like rushing wind in my head, and my heart pounded in my chest, watching second after second, waiting for the bird to heal. My mind raced. What if Jude couldn’t heal the bird? Would they kick Jude out?

  The bird twitched its head, and Jude inched his hands away. Ruffling its feathers, the bird stood, cocked its head at us, and took a short hop. Jude stood and fitted the cage of the base to contain the bird.

  “It seems you’ve both passed. I’m guessing you are spent from your efforts. I will see you at dinner. You are welcome to use the gym or other facilities in your leisure time. Alex and Jacob can escort you.” Miguel exited the room.

  “What are we supposed to do with these?” Jude pointed at the cages.

  “I’m taking them to my room. This is the only color I’ve seen besides gray in weeks.”

  Jude leaned into me. “You’re not outraged? What type of person uses innocent animals like that?” he whispered.

  “Oh, I’m beyond rage. That man is pure evil. We must figure a way out of here and fast.”

  The doors opened, and Alex and Jacob entered. “Congratulations,” Alex began.

  “Can I keep the birds?” I asked before he could say anything else.

  “I assume, since Miguel left them here.”

  “Good.” I picked up the two cages and walked out the door.

  “Do you want mine?” Jude asked as we reached our rooms.

  “You don’t want them?”

  “Not particularly. I can’t get the sound of their shrieks out of my head.”

  “Yes, then.”

  Jacob approached Jude. “I’ll take them to her room.”

  “Oh, okay.” Jude released the cages to Jacob.

  In my room, we searched for surfaces to set the birds on. I didn’t want them to get chilled beside the window, so I set two on my dresser and two on the desk. Looking at them, with their bright yellow feathers, made me happy. As soon as Jacob shut the door, they began to jump about their cages and sing.

  I whistled a short tune, one my dad had taught me, and they stopped chirping and sat, heads cocked, as if listening. Thinking I didn’t want the song in my head, I sent heat to the logs, lighting the wood. I crossed to the window and flung it open.

  I’m going to fake a shower after my workout and take a short trip under a cloaking spell. I sent to my thoughts to Jude.

  Okay. I’ll go to the gym too. Maybe leave a few mi
nutes after you do. Be careful.

  I will.

  Changing, I packed my toiletries in my backpack.

  “Goodbye, birdies,” I called to my new companions.

  “Where would you like to go, madam?” Jacob asked as I exited my room.

  “I think that’s the first time you spoke to me.”

  “Just doing my job.”

  “Can I get some food for the birds? Maybe breadcrumbs from the kitchen?”

  “The kitchen isn’t open to visitors, but I can have someone bring them to your room later.”

  “Okay, well, I’d like to go to the gym then.” My plan included a marathon workout session, warming up with yoga, running, swimming, and then some time under the sunlights and in the hot tub. That way, I’d have little time before dinner and need to shower in the locker room. My body needed a good exercise after the mental trials of the morning anyway.

  As I went through my yoga poses, Jude entered the room. He ignored me like always and started his routine. He finished before I did, and without a word, jogged towards the track. After an hour of yoga, I walked a few laps to let my body cool and started a slow jog. I tried to focus on anything but my dad and being held hostage in an ancient castle by evil witches. It was easier to do in the gym with the modern walls, lights, and flooring.

  My watch dinged, and I realized I’d been running an hour. I slowed my pace, cooling down, and went to the locker room to change. Once in my swimsuit, I made my way to the pool. The cold water on my skin felt amazing, and I found my rhythm easily. My body tired, and I jumped to the pool deck and dried off. Thinking a bikini would be nice, I made my way to the sun bathing area. I probably hadn’t spent enough time under the sunlights the past three weeks and made a mental note to get more UV rays. Lying on my towel, I drifted off.

  “Wake up, sleeping beauty.” Cold water drenched my skin.

  I opened my eyes to see Jude standing over me. “Oh, you’re so dead. Where did the water come from?”