The Scrying (The Scrying Trilogy Book 1)

by Jaci Miller

  She opened her eyes, just in time to see the two men embrace.

  “Brannon my brother…how…where,” Rafe sputtered as he clutched the man tightly in a hug pounding his back enthusiastically. They said nothing for a few minutes, an awkward silence surrounding them as they stared in astonishment at one another.

  Rafe found his voice first, “I thought you were dead,” he admitted, as she felt relief flood through him.

  “And I you, my old friend,” Brannon replied his voice cracking with emotion. “It’s good to see we were both wrong.”

  Rafe nodded in agreement, a big grin expanding across his face. She could feel that he was still clearly wrestling with the confusion surrounding his friend’s sudden appearance but was overshadowed by the relief that pulsed through him.

  “Where have you been?” He asked knowing that besides Tauria there was no one else on Dywen during stasis.

  “I was caught in a portal between worlds,” Brannon explained. “Stuck between here and Kaizi. As you know my patrol had been sent to the fire realm during the Great War, to engage the remaining demons that the ancient dark had unleashed there. My men were all lost. I was the only survivor thanks to a Dragon Gypsy who saved my life. I was wounded and being hunted by the one demon left that we had not managed to kill. I had no idea there were any inhabitants of the fire realm left. He saved my life, and I owe him.”

  Rafe nodded, recognizing the debt that Brannon now owed to this individual. “Is he still alive, this Dragon Gypsy.”

  “Drow,” Brannon noted. “I am not sure. After he saved me, he patched me up and pushed me through the portal, closing it behind me. I must have been passing back through the portal to Dywen when it was put into stasis, leaving me trapped in between time and space until the portal on this side opened up moments ago.”

  She could feel Rafe ache for his friend’s predicament.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “If I had known you were still alive, I would never have shut down the portal to the fire realm and put Dywen in stasis. I didn’t know.”

  “There was no way you could have my friend. It is over now. I am back home and happy to see you.”

  Brannon slapped Rafe on the shoulder a warm smile spreading across his handsome face.

  His skin was darker, but his green eyes were just as bright. He was unshaved, a patchy scruff covering most of his square jawline. A deep-set brow gave him a slight natural scowl, offset by his huge warm grin. Two small silver rings pierced his bottom lip and a large Celtic tattoo covered most of the left side of his neck.

  Now that she was closer, she could see that there were lines and patterns shaved into the short hair on the side of his head. Like Rafe, he was dressed all in black, the familiar Warlician symbol of The Order attached to the lapel of his long coat, and the same metal rune pendant tied to a leather string around his neck.

  He turned as she walked toward them, his green eyes piercing hers, his brow furrowed as he held her gaze, watching curiously as she approached.

  Stopping directly beside Rafe, who instinctively put his arm around her, she smiled at Brannon waiting for an introduction. Suddenly, Brannon’s eyes widened, and his mouth fell open. Looking at Rafe and then back to her, he carefully assessed the two of them before his look of surprise turned into a smirk.

  “You are bound,” he said to Rafe, his eyes never leaving her face. She could feel him swell with pride beside her as his arm tightened around her waist.

  “Yes, this is Dane. Dane this is my best friend Brannon Draagorn.”

  Brannon stuck out his hand, accepting hers in a firm handshake. “Very nice to meet YOU,” he said a twinkle in his eye. “Never thought this one would settle down let alone bind in destiny with someone.”

  Looking back at Rafe he continued, “I assume we have a lot to catch up on then?”

  Rafe smirked using the hand not around her waist to clutch his friend by the shoulder. “You have no idea,” he laughed.

  They returned to the barracks where she helped Rafe make a stew for dinner. As they sat around the table eating and drinking a dusty bottle of red wine that he found in the kitchen cellar, they filled Brannon in on everything they knew. She could tell that he was overwhelmed at first, but as he digested what they were saying his disbelief turned into concern.

  “So, the prophecy is true.”

  Rafe nodded. “Yes, it would seem so. We have little time. We must return to Dane’s world to search for the other Arcanists.”

  “Then I shall come with you,” Brannon said the strong, confident warrior very much alive in his response.

  Rafe shook his head, smiling affectionately at him. “Thank you, my friend but you must stay here, rest, train, and get back to your full strength and power. We will need your help in the new world once the prophecy has come to pass and the Second Rising has commenced. Any immortals left in these realms will have to fight.”

  He paused for a moment, his eyes suddenly filling with mischief. “I could also use help with Tauria.”

  “Tauria!” Brannon exclaimed, apparently shocked by his request. “She’s still here, on Dywen.”

  “Yes, and still in stasis,” he responded.

  “You want me to babysit your bratty little sister,” Brannon huffed, his eyes widening as his mouth set into a grim line.

  “She’s not so little anymore, but she is just as bratty.” They both laughed, banging the table with their hands as they shared an inside joke.

  “Now that the magic is awakening what will happen to your sister?” She asked.

  A shadow passed over Rafe’s face. “Nothing quickly, I’m afraid. She is an immortal witch, but her magic is not strong like a Warlicians. Her stasis is deep. Her body will need to heal from the long sleep. It will take time before she is awake and then she too will need to regain her strength.”

  She could feel the conflicting emotions surging through him as he contemplated leaving his sister on Dywen without him.

  “But I am glad that Brannon is here to take care of her when she does wake.”

  “Nothing will happen to her Rafe. You need not worry. I will be here for Tauria when she wakes, and I am sure she will be back to her exasperating self when you return.” Brannon said, smiling warmly at his friend.

  “You are a good friend,” Rafe responded, nodding his appreciation.

  Dane smiled and squeezed his hand impressed by their comradery and the level of comfort and dedication there was between them. Their history must be long and intertwined she thought as she watched the two warriors ease quickly back into their friendship.

  Chapter 33

  Dane woke, her body wrapped around Rafes. It was early, and the sun was just peeking over the horizon. She tried to untangle herself, but he pulled her closer in his sleep, mumbling incoherently into her hair. It felt good in his warm embrace, her skin tingling where it touched his. She lay quietly, breathing in his intoxicating scent. His face was so peaceful when he slept, so different from the flurry of memories erupting in his eyes when awake.

  Suddenly, she felt lightheaded. Her palms started to itch as a strange warmth began to build in them, a stinging sensation that flooded down through her fingertips. She glanced down at her hands. Underneath the skin there rippled a green light, its energy pulsing.

  “Rafe,” she whispered, uneasiness in her voice. He stirred beside her but did not wake. “Rafe!” she said, much louder this time, watching as the green light pulsed brighter under her skin, sparks sporadically spitting out into the air.

  Stirred from unconsciousness by the sound of her voice, he looked at her, his eyes flickering with affection and desire.

  “Morning,” he said, his voice thick with lust until he saw her panic-stricken face and felt the dread emanating from her. Pulling himself onto his elbows he asked. “What is it?”

 
She raised her hands, showing him the palms and the green light that flowed just below the surface.

  To her surprise, he smiled and checked his own palms, showing her that his too pulsed with a green light. “Our magic is back.”

  Confused, she just stared at him waiting for an explanation.

  He kissed her gently pulling her toward him as he raised his left palm, producing a perfect green sphere of light that pulsed erratically just above his hand.

  “Energy balls,” he explained. “The power of the Warlicians and our magical weapon.” He lifted her hand placing it palm up. “Concentrate on the heat of the energy, feel it building in your palm, then mentally shape it into a ball and will it to come forth.”

  She did as she was told, and suddenly she too was holding a small ball of green energy that pulsated in her palm.

  “You are a natural,” he said kissing her again. “Now reverse it. Disperse the energy and pull it back into your hand.”

  His energy ball disappeared, the green glow flickering again under the skin of his palm.

  Taking a deep breath, she concentrated, and did the same, feeling a slight pop as the energy withdrew back into her palm.

  “See, a natural.” He reiterated proudly. “This must mean that Dywen is fully re-energized. Warlician magic is extremely powerful and drains a lot of energy from the elements. Now that our powers have returned we must teach you how to wield them.”

  Jumping from their bed, he went into the bathroom, washing up and quickly dressing.

  “I will meet you in the kitchen,” he said winking at her as he left the room, yelling for Brannon as he hurried down the hall.

  She stared for a few more minutes at her palm as the green light glowing under her skin began to fade. Washing her hair and dressing in her last clean shirt she headed down the corridor toward the kitchen following the sound of Rafe and Brannon’s excited voices.

  She found them in the kitchen, igniting energy balls and laughing with glee, like two children with a new toy.

  “It’s been ages since I have been able to do this,” Brannon said, his eyes shining brightly with joy.

  Rafe agreed, throwing his energy ball into the air and catching it before it hit the ground. He turned to look at her when she walked in, his childish smile vanishing when he saw her stoic expression.

  “We were just practicing,” he said coyly.

  “Isn’t there a better place to do that, than the kitchen?” she asked, helping herself to the porridge that sat in the middle of the table.

  “We will go out to the training grounds after breakfast,” he agreed. “You need to learn what your new power can do.”

  “Fine,” she said trying to hide her smirk as the two big strong warriors tried to stifle their giggles as they headed out of the kitchen. Finishing her porridge, she cleaned up the breakfast dishes and headed outside to find them.

  Rafe was in a serious discussion with Brannon when she arrived in the training area. As she approached, he looked up with a big smile. “Ready?”

  “I guess.” She said, looking around. He had moved three large targets into the training pit. Brannon jumped in, moving to the end and standing just to the left of targets. Rafe guided her to a position about thirty feet in front of them.

  “The energy ball is a power that only Warlician warriors possess. It is a natural weapon and works in two ways. First, they can be used to destroy.” He produced one in his palm and threw it toward the target, the green light exploded on impact, shattering the target into a dozen splintered pieces. “Second, it can be used to impede.” Producing another energy ball, he cast it at the second target, the green sphere hitting the target with enough force to knock it over. The energy ball flew back through the air, returning to Rafe who caught it easily. “When you use the energy in this way, it will always return to you. The energy is a part of us. It responds to our individual will. Your intent is the key to how the energy reacts to the target. You try.”

  Moving backward he gestured for her to take down the final target.

  Taking a step forward she took a deep breath, concentrating on the itchy warmth she felt in her hand, willing the energy forward until it formed a bright green ball of light that pulsed in her hand. She eyed the target in the distance, taking aim and throwing the ball with all her might, watching as it sailed effortlessly through the air, toppling the target at the other end and returning to her all in mere seconds.

  She smiled at Rafe who was nodding at her in approval.

  Brannon moved in to set up three new targets and then walked back to where she and Rafe stood.

  “Can I knock down more than one at a time?” She asked him, feeling the power of her natural weapon surging in her hands.

  He smirked, “Of course.”

  “Maybe you should get used to how the energy responds first Dane.” Rafe retorted his voice a little too condescending for her liking.

  Casting him a look of disdain, she quickly fired an energy ball through the air watching as it knocked over all three targets, arced back and flew directly at him, stopping inches from his face before returning to her hand.

  He looked at her, his face a mask of irritation. He shot Brannon a similar look, who shrugged in response as he tried desperately to stifle a laugh.

  She smiled weakly, feeling the annoyance surge through him at the stunt she had just pulled.

  “Sorry,” she mumbled.

  “Let’s see if your foresight is as acute.”

  Motioning for Brannon to go to the targets, he walked in the opposite direction leaving her directly in the middle of them.

  She looked at him then at Brannon, wondering what he was up to.

  “Warlician foresight is the reason we are so hard to fool and the most difficult immortal to kill. The ability for us to see our own fate prior to it happening has always given us an edge in battle. Tapping into this innate power will allow you to avoid many things. Concentrate on the surrounding environment, feel its energy. With practice, you will eventually be able to distinguish between what is harmless and what is a threat, helping you to avoid injury and harm, even death.”

  He motioned to the targets.

  “Brannon is going to throw an energy ball gently at you. Stay facing me, do not turn around. Feel the energy moving toward you and then avoid its path. He will not harm you,” he said, looking past Dane and staring harshly at Brannon. “Concentrate.”

  Closing her eyes, she allowed her inner eye to expand, searching the area. She felt a shift in her magic as her foresight activated. She sensed the energy of everything around her, and of those that drifted aimlessly on the air. Suddenly, a sensation ran through her as her senses heightened and an image appeared in her mind. She could see the green ball of light hurtling directly at her from behind. Quickly, she sidestepped the ball feeling the crackle of its energy fly by, inches from her head.

  She opened her eyes to a grinning Rafe.

  “Now we will try one from Brannon and me at the same time. Remember you must be careful as to where you move, know where the path is clear and where it is not.”

  He moved quickly to stand somewhere to her left just outside of her peripheral vision. She could feel the surrounding energy begin to change as once again Brannon’s energy ball moved toward her. Stepping away from its trajectory, she turned directly into the path of Rafe’s energy ball, just as it reached her.

  With reflexes, she didn’t know she possessed she reached up and caught his energy ball just before impact. The ball crackled in her grip its green energy warming her hand. She glanced at Rafe, a look of shock on his face. Turning to Brannon she saw that he too exhibited the same look.

  “Impossible,” he stammered, as he ran toward her. “It has to be because she is bound to you, Rafe. There is no other explanation. No Warlician can be killed
by another’s energy ball but to my knowledge, Warlician energy cannot be held by any other than the one to whom it belongs.”

  Rafe recalled his energy, gently inspecting her hand for any sign of trauma. There was not a mark on her.

  “I guess your innate abilities are more refined than we thought,” he said, completely baffled as to the depth of her newfound powers. “I suppose there is not much I can teach you that you don’t already know instinctively, although there is one thing about our magic that you must truly understand and respect. The energy does not just come from inside us Dane, it is us. A part of our magical essence and because of that using it comes with a price.”

  He looked deep into her eyes as he continued, his emotions imploring her to understand the consequences. “The energy that is dispelled when we use our energy balls to destroy effectively weakens us overtime because it does not return to us like it does when we use it to impede. We can always regenerate the energy but the essence of ourselves that it contains, we can never get back. A recall is always the best way to use your energy as a weapon. If you must relinquish some of yourself permanently, make sure it is for the correct reason.”

  Kissing her forehead, he looked at Brannon. “I think we are done here.”

  It was late afternoon and Rafe had gone to check on Tauria before they left. She and Brannon were sitting in the garden, Farrimore perched gently on her shoulder. Since her binding with his master, Farrimore had been showing her much attention. He had taken to pulling her hair gently with his beak, she guessed as a sign of affection. He was a very loyal and charismatic bird and she had really been enjoying his company the past few days, in some way, he filled the void that not having Tyson around left.

  Rafe returned with news that Tauria’s stasis was beginning to wear off and that her skin color was returning. Brannon assured his friend once again that he would be here when she woke and would fill her in on everything.