by Ciara Graves
“You seem deep in thought,” Brogan said as he approached. “Something on your mind?”
“Nothing more than usual.” I glanced over to see him holding his side. “How you feeling?”
“Like I was blown up, electrocuted, shot and then beat up some more. Brunie healed me up for the most part, though. I’ll be fine in a few days. Just sore right now. Could’ve been a lot worse.”
“Could’ve been,” I agreed, knowing how close he’d been to leaving us for good.
“Yeah.” He studied the destruction around us. “We survived our first war. Think it’ll be the last?”
“With all the shit Moran dug up recently? Who knows, man,” I muttered. “I think our society is about to be torn apart, if he can tie it all back to the prime minister and his lackeys. We might be in for a long few years. You ready for it?”
“It’s our job, right? Elite Guards. Starting to feel like I am one now.”
“Just now, huh?” I teased.
Moran had dug into the situation more, since Rori told him Tabitha’s story and what he found was beyond insane. The coverups were just the start. There was corruption within our offices, the Four Point Facilities, outposts, everywhere. Before long, our entire magical community would know all about it, and it’d be a shit show. We’d be cleaning up messes left and right, which was why I had to convince Rori to take her dad home before he was called back to action and our team was on the move. Moran promised us three weeks of leave, but there was a chance we wouldn’t even get that.
“So,” I said, as the snow picked up and we moved back inside, “you talk to Brunie yet?”
“Course I have, talk to her every day,” he said, but avoided my eyes.
“She kissed you, man. You can’t ignore that forever.”
“Not ignoring it. Just figuring out what to say to her about it.”
“You like her, right?”
“Yeah, I do. She sort of saved my life. Remember?” Then he frowned, shuffling his feet nervously and shoving his hands in his pockets. “But what if it was in the heat of the moment type of thing? I don’t want to make it awkward.”
I shrugged. “Something tells me you’ll be fine, as long as you talk to her about it.”
“I know, you’re right… but there’s something else I want to do first. You think Rori would be up to taking me into the void?”
“It’s not her you have to worry about. You heard Agnes. All of us are supposed to be on power lockdown so we can fully recover after putting ourselves through so much strain these last few weeks.”
That. Plus she and Moran had finally learned the truth about why I had killed Tabitha and Simon. I thought I’d endured the worst lectures possible from them both before. Man, had I been wrong. My ears were still ringing from Agnes ripping me a new one, and then Moran for doing exactly the same.
I stretched out my hands, then rolled my neck. I’d wanted to shift for the last two days, but something told the second I did it, Agnes would appear out of nowhere and yell at me that I was risking getting hurt. Granted, the fight against Tabitha and Simon had been intense, but I sensed I was healed all the way. Agnes was over-worrying, not that I blamed her.
We’d all nearly died, again. Eventually, she’d told me, her heart was going to give out from scaring her so much.
“But she’ll do it if you ask,” I told Brogan. “Don’t let Agnes see you though.”
“Mind standing watch?”
“Sure, why not. Gives me a chance to work on my speech to convince Rori to finally leave this outpost.”
Part of me understood her worry about how her mom would react, but her parents were alive. Her mom would want to see Trevor again. And I wanted her to have the family I couldn’t.
It didn’t take long to find Rori. She was talking with Brunie. They were giggling about something, and when they saw us coming, both clammed up.
“What are you two doing?” I asked, raising my brow as I pulled her close for a quick kiss.
“Nothing at all. But you two look like you’re up to something. What’s going on?”
“You think you could take me into the void?” Brogan asked, his eyes darting to Brunie, then back to Rori. “I—uh, I was hoping to talk to Greyson, but don’t want to push you if you’re not up to it.”
“I don’t mind. Chas, you keep watch with Brunie?”
“Sure, as long you are really up for this?”
She kissed me again. “I’ll be fine. Like I keep telling Agnes, my powers are good, I’m good. Tired and bruised, but other than that, good to go. We can go to the temple room. Agnes is clear on the other side of the outpost, so hopefully, we’ve got some time.” She held my hand as we walked through the outpost, laughing while we snuck through corridors and down steps, avoiding as many people as we could. Especially Agnes or Moran. It was like we were on some ridiculous stealth mission to get to the room, but we made it, and she walked inside.
Brogan followed.
I asked him to keep an eye on Rori. “If it looks like it’s too much, come back.”
“I will. Don’t worry,” he promised, then joined Rori, sitting on the floor.
I took my place in the doorway with Brunie, sensing Rori’s power growing, then sensing the moment they slipped into the void. I glanced back once, but there was a peaceful look on Rori’s face. Merlin had appeared, and was at rest beside her. He gave me a wolfish grin then rested his head on her lap, watching over her.
“So,” I said to Brunie as we leaned on opposite sides of the doorway, “you talk to him yet?”
“About what?”
“You know what,” I replied. “God you two are ridiculous, you know that?”
She frowned, but then laughed. “Rori was telling me the same damned thing. To talk to him, but… damn, every time I think of doing it, I chicken out, which sucks because I am not a coward.”
“No, you’re not.” I paused when I heard steps coming closer, but no one came down our corridor. “He likes you.”
“How do you know?”
“Trust me, I know,” I told her. “Seems you both just need a push in the right direction.”
“That’s not exactly helpful advice.”
“No? Then how about this. We almost died, and if nothing else, you should know life is too damned short, too dangerous in our line of work, to hold anything back. And,” I added, knowing how much I was going to sound like Agnes or Moran, but not caring because it was true. “We’re a team. If we’re not open and honest with each other, we’ll fall apart. That’s the truth of it.”
Merlin stirred, and I turned around, but he just rolled over, his tongue lolling out the dead side of his mouth. I smirked, rolling my eyes at him, but Rori’s face was calm, and Brogan wore a smile now. I assumed they found Greyson.
“You’re right,” Brunie sighed. “He did ask me if I wanted to tag along with him to see his parents.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I’m going to see my folks tomorrow. They live just a couple hours from here. He said he wouldn’t mind the company since you and Rori would be going with Trevor, taking him home.”
“Trapped in a car together for hours. Sounds like a perfect time to talk about it.”
“Guess we’ll find out.”
I was about to tell her again it would be fine when steps marched toward us then came to a sudden halt.
“What the hell are you doing?” Agnes snapped.
I groaned.
Brunie cringed.
“Is Rori doing what I think she is?”
“She’s fine, Agnes. You’re worrying for nothing,” I said, letting her see around me.
“Are they in the void?”
“They are, but Merlin’s with her and Brogan won’t let her push herself, you know that.”
She crossed her arms, scowling at me. “And if she does hurt herself?”
“She won’t. I trust her and so should you.”
“Who said I trust you, young man?” she said sharply.
&nbs
p; Brunie stifled a laugh.
I rolled my eyes.
“But I do, just don’t let her stay in there forever, alright? Moran is looking for the four of you.”
“What for?”
“Your three weeks has been cut down to one,” she informed us. “Not by his choice. This mess he dug up is going to keep him occupied. The commanders, too. So seeing as you four are the only complete and functioning team, he’s sending you to look into an issue regarding several magic communities in Maine.”
“What type of issue?” Brunie asked.
“I’ll let him tell you. Go and find him as soon as they return.” She started to walk away then stopped, turned back, and narrowed her gaze at Brunie. “Did you talk to Brogan yet?”
Brunie groaned as I chuckled.
Agnes winked then walked away.
Brogan seemed content an hour later, now that he and Rori emerged from the void. Whatever he had to talk to Greyson about seemed to go over well. I told them what Agnes said, and their smiles vanished, but at least we were still getting a week.
We set off to find Moran and get the rundown from him about why we were needed in Maine.
He slid files across the table to us.
I opened one up to study the report, stopped, looked at him, then back at the file.
“Seriously?” I asked.
“Afraid so. On top of all this other shit coming down, we have this to deal with. Have fun, be careful.”
“That’s it?” Brogan shook his head as he flipped through pages. “What did this?”
“No idea.” He breathed out. “Well, I have a few ideas, but you four have proved you can handle being an Elite team and this is what comes with the territory. I’ll be checking up, of course, but I leave this to you to figure out. And to take care of. We clear?”
“You sure you don’t want us to leave right away?” Rori asked, and I stepped on her toe. “What?”
“Stop trying to avoid seeing your mom,” I said, snapping the file closed. “Says here the attacks only happen every three weeks, so we have some time. We are taking your father back home, and you and he are going to talk to your mom before we get ourselves into any other crazy situations.”
She huffed, crossing her arms.
Moran nodded in agreement. “Don’t make me order you, Griffith. He’s right, accept it, move on. I suggest all of you head out in the morning to take care of personal business. I’ll send a few men up there now to keep an eye on the situation.”
“See? All good,” I told Rori, grinning widely at her as she continued to glare at me.
Moran informed us he’d be traveling over the next month, but would do his best to keep in touch and let us know how the internal investigations were going. It seemed it was nothing he sounded pleased about. He waved at us all to get going.
I followed Rori to her room, so I could make sure she packed. She chucked clothes into her bag, muttering under her breath the whole time, until I finally went to her and wrapped her up in my arms.
“What are you really afraid of?” I asked. “You do want your dad to see your mom again, right?”
“Mom has a bit of a temper,” Rori said cringing. “The second she sees him, there might be things flying at his head.”
“And I’m fairly certain he’s going to be expecting that. He’s a grown man. He can handle himself.”
“He’s right,” Trevor’s voice came from the doorway. His face was set, but his eyes flared briefly with power from his nerves. “It’s time I face your mom. Need to see her, tell her the truth, explain what happened.”
Rori went to him, taking his hand. “We’ll be there, too, just in case it gets out of hand.”
He didn’t seem too reassured by her words. “She’s going to hate me.”
“No, she won’t,” Rori said. “She loves you, never stopped no matter what crap she said about you after you left.”
Trevor frowned.
I cringed. “Not exactly the right thing to say,” I whispered.
Rori shrugged. “What? It’s true. Just being honest.”
“Right then. We’ll head out in the morning.” Trevor looked like he wanted to say more, but ducked out of the room and went on his way.
“Tomorrow’s going to suck.”
I shook my head at her words. “You two are terrible. It’ll be better than you think. Promise.”
“Sure, right. Anything else you want to try and tell me before we head out?”
I started to say no, then stopped, realizing there was one big thing I had neglected to tell Rori. It’d been years since anyone said the name aloud. Since Moran and Agnes had been keeping my identity a secret. I took Rori’s hand as I said, “My real last name isn’t Bryce.”
“It’s not? What the hell is it then?”
“Donohue,” I told her, grinning as I said it. “Chas Donohue.”
“Well then Chas Donohue, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said as she stood on her toes and kissed me. “You ready for whatever comes next?”
I slid my arms around her and drew her in as close as I could. “As long as you’re there, I’m ready for anything.”
Chapter 12
Rori
I was fighting to keep from hyperventilating.
“Rori? We have to get out of the car at some point.” Chas glanced at me from behind the steering wheel.
“I know,” I told him. “I—just… well—uh, I’m just nervous is all.”
“It’ll be fine,” Dad said from the back seat, reaching forward to take my hand. “Besides, I’m the one who should be the most afraid here. You might not remember, but your mother does have a temper when she’s extremely ticked off, and I think this qualifies.”
I blew out a heavy breath, giving Dad’s hand a squeeze. “Right. We just need to go in there and get this over with.”
Chas got out of the car. Dad and I followed. And Dad had a point. Mom would be pissed at me for keeping her in the dark about how dangerous the last few weeks had been. Like almost dying and what not, but Dad was the one she thought had walked out on her. Just up and left her. Now, he was coming back to tell her he was alive and a necromancer hybrid. And that I was exactly the same.
Wednesdays were Mom’s day off, leaving the bakery in charge of her manager. That was good. The last thing I wanted was to create a scene in front of a bunch of strangers. Walking up to the small cottage was strange, but Chas took my hand and kept me steady enough to reach the front door then raise my hand to knock. I’d given her no warning I was coming, let alone bringing my new boyfriend, or my long-lost father.
I knocked a second time, worried she was out, but then I heard her calling that she was coming.
I squeezed Chas’s hand so hard he winced and let up just as the front door unlocked and swung inward.
“Rori?” she gasped then wrapped her arms around me, drawing me into a tight embrace. “I’ve been calling, but your cell was disconnected! I couldn’t get hold of you! Where have you been?” She leaned back, holding my face carefully in her hands and frowned at the bruises and scrapes still covering my cheeks and hands from the fight. “What… what happened? Your hair, it’s—there’s white in it!”
“I’m fine, Mom,” I assured her. “A lot happened. But the war is over.”
“I know, I’ve been watching the news nonstop—what is it?” she asked when tears streamed down my cheeks. Before long, she had some shimmering in her eyes, too. “No matter. You’re home now, and you can tell me all about it.”
“And I will, but first there’s someone I want to introduce you to.” I glanced backward, and Chas stepped inside with a soft smile. “Mom, this is Chas Bryce.”
“Nice to meet you,” Chas said and held out his hand.
Mom took it, but then frowned at me. “Wait. Is this the guy you asked me about? If I recognized the name?”
“It is,” I told her, knowing now why even after learning Mom had known Chas as a little kid, she wouldn’t recognize the last name. “His real last n
ame is Donohue.”
Mom’s smile seemed frozen on her face. “No, but you… and your parents… I don’t understand.” She slowly took her hand back, brow furrowing. “Rori?”
“My parents were killed when I was little,” Chas supplied. “It’s why we stopped coming around.”
“I’m so sorry, but… you’re a magic-user?” she asked.
“I am. Just like my parents were. Druid,” he said, showing her the mark on the back of his hand.
“No. Mel and Charlie never had magic.”
“They did,” he corrected gently. “But they hid it from you to try and keep you and Rori safe since they weren’t just magic-users, but Elite Guardsmen.”
Mom took a step back, shaking her head. “No. Trevor met them at work. They all worked together at the marketing firm,” she mumbled.
Chas and I hung our heads for a moment.
“What’s going on? Explain this to me now. What are you saying?”
“Mel and Charlie worked with Trevor, but not at a marketing firm,” Chas said.
“Mom? There’s someone else here you need to see,” I told her and backed away, toward the door.
Dad stood off to the side out of sight, but when he saw me, he took a deep breath, squared his shoulders for whatever Jodie Griffith might do, and stepped inside, facing down the love of his life.
“Jodie,” he said, voice strained just with that one word.
Mom shook her head furiously, backing away from him. “No. You left us! You… you just left us… Your hair—why is it white? What… I don’t understand.” Her face paled, and she staggered backward looking ready to pass out.
Dad reached out and caught her hand, drawing her into his arms.
“Easy, love. Easy,” he whispered and guided her to the couch, sitting her down.
He knelt in front of her, holding her hands, but she took them back. Hurt and confusion warred on her face.
“I know I have a lot to explain, but I want you to know, I never wanted to leave you.”
