Summoned

by Tricia Barr

  “So you have magnified anger toward shifters,” Lord Dracul said. “That begs the question... why sympathize with us? Why aid Oberon and the shifter cause?”

  The flurry of emotions threatened to overwhelm Leif. Guilt. Anger. Frustration.

  He breathed in deeply, then released the air. “Because in a short amount of time, I did terrible things to shifters. I was the reason for so. Many. Deaths. I played the part of Draven’s good little pet, and I’ve had to live with that despairing guilt ever since.” He pointed a finger at the general. “But protecting shifters like you? I’ve gained back some self-respect. I could have run away from it all—stowed myself away in a small township in the middle of nowhere, ignoring the travesties going on. The travesties I was a part of.”

  The general nodded, accepting Leif’s answer. “You have suffered for aiding the shifters I have worked hard to protect throughout my career. For that, I thank you.” Lord Dracul laughed for a moment, shaking his head. “Never in all my life did I expect to thank a vampire for anything.”

  “I understand,” Leif said. “I, too, had not expected to join forces with the shifters. Most of my life has been solitary. You asked where my place is, and that’s it. There’s no one else like me, which makes me an outcast. My place is wherever I can find myself alone.”

  The general studied him for a few moments, then slowly reached a hand out toward Leif. “I think Oberon was right. You belong with us.”

  Leif gazed at the dragon shifter’s hand with surprise.

  “Your being here has caused quite a stir,” Lord Dracul said. “By now, the parents of many of the students here are aware that there is a vampire living among their children. That fact will scare many.”

  “That certainly puts you in a difficult position,” Leif said.

  “I’m not Oberon Rex. I’m no diplomat. I’m a military leader. But take comfort in the fact that I have officers stationed at your door. They aren’t there to confine you, but to regulate who comes and goes. No doubt you could protect yourself if one of the shifters here decided to pay you a nasty visit. I don’t want that to happen.”

  “Neither do I,” Leif replied.

  “I also realize that you are a wasted resource being cooped up in here,” Lord Dracul continued. “I do have other matters to attend to, but if you have any idea what Draven and his legion are planning, I would very much appreciate any information you can provide.”

  Leif ran a hand through his long, black hair. It felt greasy against his fingers, and he suddenly wished he could wash it. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had such a luxury.

  “The past few weeks have been... a blur,” Leif said. “He had me under some heavy drugs. Anything I heard—or thought I heard—probably can’t be trusted. But I’m a strategist. And I know how Draven thinks, probably better than anyone else.”

  “I’ll take your educated guesses over simply planning for the worst,” the general said.

  “Planning for the worst would be the wisest course of action,” Leif said. “But I can shed some light on how he thinks, because Draven is a strategist like me.”

  “Shoot.”

  “First thing?” said Leif, pointing toward the ceiling. “If you think you’re safe within the walls and glass of the Dome, you’re wrong.”

  Lord Dracul nodded. “Right. Not enough copper. I’ve noticed you haven’t been suffering from it.”

  Leif shook his head, not willing to divulge information about the enchantment Kenzie had performed on him, freeing him from the effects of the red metal. Such secrets were better left unknown, particularly by people in places of power.

  “I don’t think that’s your problem,” Leif said. “Draven is a dreamer, and he doesn’t limit himself with small stepping stones. He goes big, and he goes hard. The Dome is an obstacle. And he will crush it.”

  Pride encircled the general’s countenance. “Impossible. He already tried to crush us once, and we stopped him.”

  “He had different purposes then,” Leif said, remembering what Beatrice had told him. Draven only ended his barrage once Myreen gave herself up. “Draven won’t stop this time until the Dome is destroyed and everyone is dead.”

  Like a balloon losing its air, Lord Dracul shrunk at his words.

  “I’ve seen it before,” Leif said. “I was there when he toppled the shifter school at La Framboise Island. And trust me when I say that you don’t want the blood of every last shifter here on your hands.”

  The general went back to studying the flattened device still in his hands. After a few moments, he flung it back on the desk, and the chinking sound of metal on wood reverberated in Leif’s ears.

  “So what do you suggest we do?” he asked.

  Leif blinked. “Evacuate every last person from the premises of the school and get as far away from here as possible.”

  “Run?” the general asked incredulously. “That’s your advice? Mr. Villers, I’m general of the shifter military. We will not run away from the Dome. We will stand and fight, or at least die in the process. Besides, we don’t know who is on the other side of the school’s exit. Evacuating the students would be like sending lambs to the slaughter. Many of them are unskilled with their abilities—they wouldn’t be able to protect themselves.”

  Of course. Leif knew the general’s answer before he even said it. Still, he’d offered the same counsel he would have given Oberon.

  “Then I will stand and fight by your side,” he said.

  Lord Dracul’s eyes widened. Leif took momentary satisfaction in the wonder he’d caused, especially among a Dracul.

  The general placed a hand on his shoulder. “These are mad times. To think I will be fighting alongside a vampire...” He shook his head, unable to finish his thought.

  Leif half-smiled. “How about fighting alongside a friend?” He extended his hand this time, and slowly, Lord Dracul took it, squeezing firmly while shaking.

  “I can do that,” said the general.

  Leif nodded, releasing his hold. “Draven will attack soon. If you haven’t already, I highly recommend calling in all the military reserves you’ve got, as well as any shifters who are willing to fight for the school.”

  Lord Dracul nodded. “We’re already working on it.” He cleared his throat, then started walking for the door. Before exiting, he turned around and gazed at Leif. “Mr. Villers, on behalf of all shifters, I want to thank you for the services you’ve rendered on our behalves. Perhaps someday we can discuss a potential career serving in the military.”

  Chuckling at such a notion, Leif said, “If we survive, perhaps we can have such a discussion.”

  The general looked at him for a few more moments, then turned and walked out of sight.

  Leif sat on the metal desk, mindlessly poking at a white orb lying nearby. That didn’t go exactly as I had anticipated, he thought.

  “Can I see him?”

  Leif swiveled his head back to the doorway when he heard the words. It was Kenzie’s voice.

  “Yes, you’re one of the few General Dracul authorized to visit the vampire,” came the guard’s response. “Go on ahead.”

  “Thanks,” she said. Leif could envision her giving a mock salute to them before entering.

  Kenzie walked through the threshold, bag in tow as usual, and a skip to her step.

  Leif got back to his feet as she entered, and he gave her a warm smile. She’d become a close friend, and he found himself happy to see her.

  “Hey, Kenzie,” he said, combing his hair with his fingers and realizing for the second time just how nasty it felt.

  “I was waiting for Kol’s dad to leave,” she said, throwing her thumb over her shoulder. “He wasn’t a jerk to you, was he?”

  Leif chuckled and shook his head. “Quite the opposite, actually. He just wanted to know if I knew any of Draven’s plans, which I don’t. But I did clue him into how Draven’s mind works.”

  Kenzie’s expression dropped as she made her way around the desk and sat i
n the nice chair behind it. She spun on it a few times before coming to a stop. “He’s coming, isn’t he? Draven, I mean.”

  Leif nodded morosely. “It won’t be long, now. And it won’t be pleasant.”

  Her frowning drooped even more. “I finally get into the shifter school just in time for it to get attacked by vampires.”

  “At least you finally made it,” Leif consoled, giving her a warm smile. “It’s what you’ve always wanted, right?”

  She bobbed her head ever so slightly. “Now we just have to protect it so I can actually attend classes here.”

  Leif chuckled and looked around the room. “A fine pair we make, here in this school for shifters. We stick out like dragons with feathers.”

  Kenzie snorted. “Oh, they’d accept us in a heartbeat if that’s how we looked.”

  “Probably so,” he replied, chuckling some more.

  A quiet silence followed, and while it wasn’t awkward, it was as if something hung in the air—something they needed to discuss.

  “I’ve been meaning to tell you,” he started, “how very proud I am of you.”

  Kenzie’s face lit up, and she sat up straight, as if his words had cast away the doomsday feeling. “Really?” she asked.

  “Yep. When I first met you, you were almost terrified of your selkie magic. Now, it seems that nothing can stop you. I’ve witnessed you doing some pretty incredible things. You are not the same girl I discovered on the streets of Chicago just months ago. What you’ve done for me...” he looked down at his hands, rubbing his wrists where Beatrice’s shackles used to hold him bound. “You amaze me. I can’t thank you enough.”

  Kenzie burst from the chair and stepped quickly to Leif, wrapping her arms around him. At first he marveled at the sudden affection, but he drew her in and hugged back, feeling her heart beating so close to him.

  They stood there silently for some time, just the two of them. Leif closed his eyes, allowing himself to feel her warmth. He pulled away just slightly so he could see her face, and as Kenzie looked up into his eyes, something about her appearance tapped into his memory, and he found himself experiencing a déjà vu-like moment. That wasn’t quite the right expression, but it was close enough. It was so reminiscent of his precious nights with Gemma where they’d held each other close, as if each embrace might be their last.

  But Kenzie was not Gemma, and Leif could still see a bit of that spark of hope in the young selkie’s eyes. Hope for something he could not give her.

  Clearing his throat, he pulled away, letting her hands drop into his. “Kenzie, I must apologize.”

  She bit her lip, as if anticipating a slap to the face. It caused Leif to hesitate, but only for a moment. He needed to address this, if not for her, then for himself.

  “I’ve put you at a disadvantage, and it’s no fault of your own.” He brought one hand up and ran the back of his fingers along the skin of her soft, warm cheek. “Sometimes when I look at you, all I see is Gemma. And it’s that projection I apologize for. You are a brilliant, beautiful young woman with a potential I admire greatly. And someday, you will be a dream come true for somebody.”

  She released her lip and it trembled, and her glistening eyes told him she was waiting for him to continue.

  Leif sighed. “That somebody can’t be me.”

  He saw her throat move as she thickly swallowed. But she nodded, and there wasn’t pain in her eyes, which Leif was glad to see.

  “Gemma must’ve been quite the woman,” Kenzie said with a soft laugh as she looked down. “But I understand. And you’re right. I can’t be Gemma. She’s lucky to have somebody so loyal. An eternal being with eternal love.” She brought her hazel eyes back up to his. “That’s kind of epic.”

  Was that true? Mortals held such fleeting lives. Was their capacity for love diminished because of their expiration dates?

  Answering his own question, Leif shook his head. “I think that one day, you’ll find somebody who’ll develop that same kind of love for you. And it will be completely and entirely just for you. And you’ll be able to return it.”

  Kenzie hugged him again, and this time, Leif felt the love of friendship in the expression.

  While embracing, she said, “Well, good news. I already have your replacement lined up. He happens to be a cat now, go figure.”

  Leif blinked. “You better not be talking about Rainbow...”

  Kenzie huffed a laugh. “Nah, I think I’m done with vampires for now.” She took a step back, looking him in the eyes. It was perhaps the most direct and sincere look she’d ever given him. “Except you. And Rainbow, of course. You’re always welcome.” She lifted a finger in his face. “And you better not drop me like a bad habit now that you’re not ‘projecting’ and all that.”

  Leif laughed, then pulled her into another embrace. “Never.”

  “Good. Now that we’ve got that straightened out, you should probably know... I think I figured out how to bring Gemma back.”

  Time froze. Leif still loved Gemma with all his heart, but the memories Beatrice had planted in his mind were poisonous seeds. He didn’t want to believe any of them were true, but he couldn’t help but wonder what Gemma and Camilla had talked about when he wasn’t around. Be that as it may, he’d do anything to have her back.

  “What? Cat got your tongue?”

  “Have you been able to perfect your resurrecting spell?” he asked. “Because as much as I love Rainbow, I wouldn’t want to place Gemma in a similar situation.”

  Kenzie snorted, sliding away from him and slipping her bag from her shoulders. “You sure about that? A musical vampire cat woman sounds like just your thing.” She mumbled under her breath and Gemma’s family grimoire suddenly emerged from the bag. “I found something else in the sealed portion.” Placing it gently on the desk, she gingerly turned the ancient pages.

  Leif found himself clenching his hands with anticipation. Had she figured it out? Was the spell intricate? It had to be.

  His mind continued to race like the flitting pages of the grimoire. And then the page turning stopped, and Leif gasped. Kenzie pointed at a rough drawing of a five-pointed leaf with a face in the middle. It was far from a perfect replica of Gemma’s brooch, but there was no doubt about what it represented. Above the sketch were the words Life Essence Encasement Spell. Below the image were a few lines of text he couldn’t read.

  “You know that pin you’ve been carrying around for the past century?” Kenzie asked. “I think that’s where Gemma is.”

  Leif’s mind was racing before, but now it was reeling. He slipped his hand into his pocket and found it empty, and the blooming hope that was building within him fizzled out like hot coals doused with water.

  Gemma’s brooch was at Heritage Prep.

  He cringed and placed a hand on his face. “It’s in Beatrice’s possession.”

  Kenzie’s shoulders plunged, as well as her expression. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Please, tell me this is some sick, twisted joke of yours.”

  “All this time,” he said. “I’ve had it on me all this time! And when I finally really need it, it’s hundreds of miles away.” He looked at Kenzie and shook his head. “And here I was, thinking I was done with Beatrice once and for all.”

  Chapter 46: Kenzie

  Kenzie felt different, changed. The talk with Leif cemented her resolve. He would forever be an important part of her life, and she knew she’d see him again, once he got that brooch back, but the ache of longing she got when she was around him had disappeared.

  Kenzie made a quick magical call to Gram, though she still didn’t bother with the gory details of her time at Heritage Prep. That was probably a conversation best had in person, anyway. But her heart felt buoyed. For now, that was enough.

  Kenzie headed to the avian common room, concerned for how Myreen was faring. But she caught sight of her disappearing down the hall on the other end, hand-in-hand with Kol, a healthy flush in her cheeks. Kenzie smirked. Yeah, Myreen was fine.


  Inspired, Kenzie decided to make one more magical call. She grabbed one of the bowls of salad the kitchen staff was getting ready to put up and made herself comfy in the empty cafeteria.

  “Claoigha,” Kenzie said, not bothering to hide what she was doing. She didn’t have to here. At least, she hoped not. She focused her attentions on Wes—his spiced chai eyes, his caramel hair, his honeyed lips...

  “Wes?”

  “What the—?”

  Kenzie snickered. “It’s your inner woman calling.”

  “Kenzie?” Wes’s confusion was palpable, and Kenzie laughed again.

  “Yeah, it’s me.”

  “How?”

  “Selkie. Remember? Magic and crud?”

  “Oh yeah. Dang, so you can get in my head?”

  “Think of it more like a magical phone call. You still have to talk for it to work, but you get impressions of stuff, too.”

  “Is that why I’m getting a warm, fuzzy feeling?”

  Kenzie laughed again. “That’s probably just you.” Maybe.

  “Wait. Are you okay? Are you back? What happened?”

  “Whoa, whoa, whoa. One question at a time. Yes, I’m fine. Yes, I’m back. I’m in Chicago, actually. And it’s a long story.”

  “You’re in Chicago? Can I see you?”

  Kenzie hesitated a moment. She wanted to see Wes, but after everything that had happened between her and Adam, she didn’t know if she could face him. Still...

  “Please. I’ve... I’ve missed you. And I’ve been worried sick about you. There are... some things I should tell you.”

  Kenzie sighed. “Yeah, we should talk, I guess. Do you know where the shifter school is?”

  “Sort of. But Kenzie, I can’t go in there.”

  “Why not?” Part of her understood, but Wes needed these people. He was still a new shifter. It wasn’t like he could go back to the hunters. Could he?

  “I just can’t. Is there any place nearby we can meet?”

  Kenzie wracked her brain, but there was only one place she could think of. “Mack’s Diner? But I don’t have any money.”

  “No worries. See you there.”