by Lisa Daniels
“It will be hard to direct you if you go too fast.” The large jaguar nodded his head. Miracle smiled and climbed onto his back. Running her hands through his fur, she felt him purr. An involuntary moan escaped her lips. The seer flushed pink, “Sorry, that was… sorry. I will try not to stroke you.” The jaguar let out a little yipping sound. “That’s not what I meant! Gods. Just go straight and up two flights. I’ll direct you once we get to the bottom of the stairs.”
They were halfway up the stairs when she felt a prophecy beginning to work its way up. “Maverick. It’s coming. I can’t—”
Before she could finish the thought, his mouth was on hers. His back slammed into the stairs as he pulled her close. Working to stop them from sliding back down and trying to keep her distracted, Maverick jammed his legs against both walls, his hands massaging her lower back. Miracle’s body began to relax, then her hands began to reach for his hair.
“Better?” He looked up into her eyes.
She gave him a little nod. “Are you alright?”
“I’ll survive,” he said as he tried to stand. He staggered a little as he tried to balance.
“Here, let me—”
He shook his head, “You can’t use magic here.”
“Oh, believe me, they won’t notice any magic I use. Between Caspian, the puppets, and someone else, there is far too much magic flying around for them to notice a bit of healing. I’m just fixing your back. Someone out there is basically mending everybody.”
“How do you know that?”
Miracle looked into his eyes, “Whoever is doing it is using more magic than anyone should be able to use, and there is no sign that person is about to stop. I don’t know much about what is being done, but the healing magic I can feel. Believe me,” she put her hands on him, “no one will notice.”
A few seconds later, Maverick felt much better. “Thank you.”
She gave him a little peck on his lips. His arms moved around her and he pulled her into a deeper kiss. “Alright, let’s get you somewhere—”
Another roar ripped through the corridors, causing the couple to look around them.
Miracle grabbed his hand and began to run. “It’s a druid, and not the kind that you guys keep.”
“What do you mean? I don’t keep druids.”
Miracle shook her head as she pulled him along. “I mean, I’ve felt druid magic over the years, and it’s impressive. Very impressive. But whoever she is, that’s on an entirely different level.”
“What do you mean?” Maverick picked her up as she began to stumble over a step. She pointed toward a corridor on the next level.
“That roar that we heard, both of them. That was her, not a shifter.”
“That’s not possible.”
Miracle shook her head, “Don’t look at me. I’m just a seer. There’s a reason why people fear the druids, and this is why it is best to just let them go off on their own and be insular. Down there. It’s basically a safe haven for the royalty. These fools won’t think they need it, so we will be safe there.”
Maverick placed her down, then closed the door. It disappeared as soon as it was shut. He turned to look at Miracle and nodded. “Nice. So it looks like a wall.”
She nodded, “Yeah, safe while we wait for Caspian.”
Maverick began to pace, “I am not very good at waiting. I’m usually the one to go charging in, so I really have no idea what I am supposed to do while we wait.”
Miracle shrugged, “Darius will be here at some point, right? That’s what Caspian said.”
Maverick stopped pacing for a moment, “Is there any way to get a visual of what is happening?”
Miracle frowned, “I don’t know. I was never really trained, so I don’t know what I can do beyond healing and prophecies.”
Maverick nodded as he placed a hand on her back. “Let me help you, then. I worked with a couple of druids and mystics, so if you are able to, I should be able to detect it.”
“You can do that?”
Maverick smiled at her, “It’s why they wanted to pair me with a seer earlier. Champions can sense changes in their seers. But I also learned that we can sense magic if we know someone well enough. Considering how much I’ve been over your body,” he kissed her forehead and slid a hand down onto her hip, “I feel certain I can help you learn more about your abilities.”
Miracle giggled a little, then rested her head on his arm. “Alright. What do you need me to do?”
“Stand in front of me, and try not to get too… frisky.” He gave her a sly smile as his hand started to explore her body.
Miracle groaned as his hand slid over her breast. “Oh, this is torture.”
“Just a little. I mean, I do owe you a little.”
Miracle laughed, “Alright. I’ll behave, but be careful. I’ve not had to exert much self-control for centuries.”
His hand moved around her neck, then gently stroked her face. “Ah, not helpful for now, but good to know.”
Miracle looked up at him, “What is?”
“Later, love. Later.” His face became serious as he felt her. The way his hand slid over her was definitely arousing, but the expression on his face let her know that he was focused on his task. “There it is. Okay. Come here, and I will help you learn how to channel a visual.”
“To what?”
“You can create an image of a particular area. I’m going to show you how. That way we can study the heart while—”
“What was that?” Miracle stood up suddenly, her head looking around the walls as if they would provide the answer.
Maverick stood up beside her, “What happened?”
“She just… I don’t know what she did, but it was big.”
“Please, Miracle. I know it will be difficult, but if you focus, we can gain some vital information while she and Caspian do whatever they are doing.”
“Right, yes. Just, gods, I would not want that kind of power. That’s insane.”
Maverick placed a hand over his mouth, the smile hidden everywhere but his eyes. Miracle waved her hands, “We have work. What do I do? I am completely at your disposal.”
Something flashed across his eyes, but he laughed it off, “You did that on purpose.” He placed a hand on her knee and another facing the wall in front of them. “First, cast your mind out of the room.”
“How do I do that?”
Maverick closed his eyes and stretched out a hand to her in his mind. She reached out and he led her out of the room without them taking a step.
They had no idea how much time passed, but by the time they heard knocking on the wall, there was a full display of the heart in front of them, a sight that had left them speechless.
“Maverick. Please let us in. I’ve been sent to protect Miracle.”
Maverick flung the door open. “Good to see you, too, Darius, but that won’t be necessary. I am—”
“There is no time.” He pushed past Maverick and placed his arms around Miracle.
“Hey!” Maverick took a step forward but a hand on his arm caused him to stop.
“Hello, Maverick.”
He turned to look at the tiny frame of Itzel. Despite his rising jealousy, he couldn’t help but smile. “Itzel, it is so good to see you.” He gave her a quick hug. “So, do you know what he is doing?”
Itzel shrugged, “We were preparing to head out to help Rosaline and Ignacio when a blinding light passed over the sky. He muttered something about the heavens having the worst timing or something. They weren’t too happy, but Phoenix immediately insisted that we come here, saying they would fill in for us. It took a while to get the teams decided, you know how we don’t work so well with each other.” She smiled up at Maverick.
“I have no idea what you are talking about.”
Itzel nodded, “Right, you’ve been with Caspian. Um, Orion and his companion, Phoenix—who is pregnant, I feel it necessary to add because she really should not be going into danger in that condition. Well, they got us tog
ether. And I mean us. Guardians, mystics, seers, champions, and us. Even Caden and Callie were providing support. She’s about to pop, so there was no shot she was going to join a mission to take out a heart. Anyway, there are three left. Orion and Phoenix said that Caspian, Miracle, and you were going to take care of this one, which really seemed odd. All of the other teams have eight people, but you know that everyone believes Caspian can do anything. Then the flash of light, and bam, here we are, my Darius creating—oh shit.” Maverick had only been able to follow about half of what Itzel had said, but the expletive was clear.
“What?”
Itzel grabbed his hand and pulled him close as Darius stretched out a hand. “Someone’s going to release a blast.”
“A what?”
“A blast. Basically, she’s going to kill every magic user within a 10-mile radius.”
“She what?” Maverick’s eyes widened.
“Yeah, I had only heard stories, but apparently the most powerful druids used to be able to do that, kind of as a way of negating those who were too powerful.”
“Wouldn’t that make them too powerful?”
“That’s the thing. The ability only went to women who had no desire to be that powerful. No idea how that was worked out, but some kind of process—” Itzel threw up her hands. “Never seen anyone who could do it, so I really know nothing.”
“Aren’t you at risk, then? Why isn’t he protecting you?”
“It’s designed more against seers than anyone. So, she is at much greater risk than me. Besides, being near him is enough protection for me. And of course, you’re a shifter, not a magic user, so you don’t need to worry. Lucky bastard.” She smiled up at him.
Maverick smiled, “You always make difficult situations a little more bearable. I’m very glad you guys came.”
“Oh, really.” She put a hand on her hip. “And why is that?”
Maverick pointed to the display, “I doubt that negating magic is going to work on that.”
Itzel’s eyes turned to look. Her jaw dropped as her mind processed what she was looking at. “Oh my gods.”
Maverick nodded, “Do you think that Caspian can manage that alone?”
Itzel placed a hand to her mouth as a strong shock wave ripped through the air around them.
Chapter 8
Long-Standing Questions
Caspian felt a strange surge of power flow past him just as he neared the outer gates of the city. There was something familiar about it, but his mind couldn’t seem to place it. His mind had become increasingly clear as he ran, which was not a coincidence. Strange memories had begun to tap at the corners of his mind, and it was beginning to bother him that he couldn’t pull them into his consciousness.
Things are going to be a little less awful for you.
Something in him knew that Eve had been right, but why? What had she done? And why was he so terrified about what was about to happen?
Caspian shot forward, slamming into any Unwashed unfortunate enough to get in his way.
The breeze around Caspian felt good as he looked up at the sky. “I’m sorry, Darinon. I just can’t seem to do anything right, but it is the people who trust me that suffer for that.”
“Oh, that’s not true.” The voice was soft, startling Caspian from his mental anguish.
He turned to look and standing not too far from him was the only person who ever seemed able to find him no matter where he went. But he could never find her. Forcing a smile, he looked at her. “Eve. To what do I owe this unexpected visit?”
She shrugged, “I felt like it.”
He frowned at her. “Would you leave if I asked you to?”
“Of course.” She leaned forward, “But you won’t.”
He smiled in spite of himself. “You seem unusually verbally eloquent, more than normal.”
Eve laughed, “Yeah. I know. You have that effect.” She pushed her glasses up. “Do you mind if we go inside?”
Caspian looked at the sky, “Sure, that’s fine.”
“Thank you.”
“Not at all. This is the first time I think I’ve seen you outside.”
“I’m not great with the outdoors. I’m barely able to handle the indoors.”
He laughed as he placed a hand on her back to lead her into the small house he was using. She immediately cringed and pulled away. “Oh, right. Sorry,” he looked at her. “I promise, I’m not going to try anything with you. Shame as that may be.”
Heaven adjusted her glasses and looked away, “You always say that, but you never mean it.”
“But I do. You are a beautiful woman, for all of your social inadequacies. It’s a shame that you cower when anyone tries to touch you.”
“What makes you think that I cower when people try to touch me? Maybe it’s just you.”
The words hurt, but Caspian shook his head as he walked to the door and held it open for her. “I saw you talking with people in the past, remember?”
“Did you?” She began to pull on her ear. “I don’t remember when.”
“It was a few hundred years ago, but I encountered you while working with Orion, Haiden, and Itzel.”
“Oh, right, yes.” Her face flushed.
“Itzel is quite the friendly woman, but she took it well when you went screaming out of the room when she tried to hug you.”
“I didn’t go screaming from the room,” she pouted.
“Yes, you did. Literally. We couldn’t find you, but you ran through the wall and into a completely different dimension, as far as we could tell.”
Eve’s hand moved to her lip, and she began picking at it. “You make me sound like a complete fool.”
“Aren’t we all?” He smiled at her. “But I think it is cute.”
The woman grumbled, but he couldn’t quite make it out.
Caspian laughed, “Your reaction to Haiden was a little better. It was more like what you did just now.”
“I don’t like being touched.”
“Clearly, and I still say it is a damn shame.” He held a hand out toward a chair, ignoring the look of pity in the woman’s eyes. “Please have a seat. Would you like something to eat or drink?”
“If you let me make it.” She smiled at him.
He shrugged, “I’m not going to turn down a home-cooked meal if that is what you are offering.”
Her smile widened, “I know.”
Caspian watched as she made her way to the kitchen, pulling items out like she knew her way around the kitchen. “You seem incredibly proficient in someone else’s kitchen.”
“Of course. You can’t do what I do and not learn how to quickly acclimate to different kitchens.”
Caspian watched her a little longer, puzzled by how different she seemed. The smell of food distracted him from whatever it was he was thinking about. “That smells absolutely amazing.”
Her smile said that she knew that already. Eve placed two plates down on the table. “Come on.”
“I’m afraid my social skills aren’t quite up to your level today,” he said to excuse himself from talking.
“That’s a very low bar. But I didn’t come here to talk.”
They ate in quiet, Caspian pondering who she was and what she was doing there. She must have known about Darinon because Eve only ever appeared when he was feeling at his worst. The woman sat across from him, her eyes closed for most of the meal.
“Savoring your own cooking?”
“Not at all. It’s just a bit bright.”
“You could have said,” Caspian moved his hand, blocking out some of the light entering the room. “Is that better?”
Her eyes opened, “Yes, much. Thank you.”
“You don’t need to sit there and suffer in silence, you know. All you had to do was ask, and I could have spared you a bit of suffering.”
She smiled at him.
Caspian moved the plate out of the way. “Does the light really bother your eyes that much?”
Even nodded, “Yes, yes, it
does.”
“So, that’s why you don’t like being outside?”
She simply smiled at him.
“It’s strange that a magic user would have something that they couldn’t fix.”
“Stranger than someone that an assassin can’t kill?”
Caspian laughed, “There is no one an assassin can’t kill.”
“You can’t be killed, Caspian. Nor can Orion. Different causes, but same result.”
Caspian’s smile faded, “How do you…”
For a moment she began to stretch out her hand, then she pulled it back. “You don’t need to sit there and suffer in silence, you know. I will always be here to help you when you really need it.”
Caspian’s brows knit together, “Just what are you trying to do?”
“For a few moments, I’m trying not to be myself.” Slowly, she stretched out her hand. It hovered over his for a few seconds before she brought it down and patted his hand a few times. Finally, she let it rest there. Caspian looked into her eyes, but had no idea what to say. While she touched him, his head felt clear.
“Who are you, Eve?”
“Nobody.”
Slowly, he placed his other hand on top of hers. “You are someone. Of that, I am certain. Could you tell me where you are from, at least? I mean, I can’t even tell what kind of magic user you are. Your appearance changes every time I see you, and you don’t seem to have any remarkable magical talent. Beyond being able to sneak up on me, which is admittedly a magic all on its own.”
Her cheeks were pink as she stared at his hand on hers, “I’m from Nowhere.”
Caspian sighed, but did not release her hand. “Is there any question you can answer?”
“Yes, yes. I can answer that question.” She beamed at him.
“What? Which question?”
“Yes!” Her smile seemed to brighten the room. “I can answer those questions, too! Um, right. Wait, what was the first question again?”
Caspian began laughing, pulling his hand off of hers to cover his mouth. Soon enough, his head was thrown back and his body moved from his mirth at her expression.
Eve looked at him bashfully, “No one should suffer alone. That’s what you told me.” Her voice was soft, almost so that he didn’t hear it.