Archdruid

by Tiffany Shand

  “If you could trap your sister and hand her over to us, we’d make you the next archdruid, as you desire.”

  No, Xander cried. You can’t do that. You have no idea what they’ll do to her.

  “Consider it done. I’ll find a way to do just that.” This time, he let the grin spread across his face and his eyes lit up with excitement.

  “You’d better. Don’t waste our time again.” Arwan vanished in a swirl of light.

  Urien stepped over the bodies and hurried into the secret chamber. He moved through the living space and opened another door into a smaller room. Darius had used this space to practice his private magic in.

  Urien rummaged through the different artefacts. It had to be here somewhere. He’d seen Darius use the device before, a large crystal orb that allowed him to contact all the different leaders of the five lands. Urien didn’t know why he hadn’t thought of it earlier. With one call, he could arrange the meeting and demand every leader come to the palace. Some of them might refuse, but Urien had seen Darius telling Ann about the device. It held magic that would compel the recipient to answer the call.

  Everything in this room had been left as it was when Darius died. Urien had no idea how his father had managed to find anything, the entire place seemed like organised chaos rather than neat and orderly.

  He moved stacks of parchment and opened different boxes as he went. Darius had several orbs, but not the one he’d seen Darius and Ann using before.

  Where is it?

  Where is what? Xander asked. What are you looking for?

  Do shut up, Urien snapped. Now I know blood magic can silence you, I’ll start killing more slaves if you don’t be quiet.

  No, don’t do that! He sensed Xander’s panic and bit back a smile. Good, perhaps he finally had a way of keeping his brother in line now.

  Urien shoved aside several books, knocking them to the floor. Dust rose like mist as they hit the ground. He coughed, covered his nose, then his eyes widened. Sitting there on a large pedestal was a dark black orb. Next to it lay another stone. It glittered like a large diamond etched with ancient signals. No, it can’t be. Surely Darius wouldn’t have been foolish enough to leave such a valuable weapon lying around? But then maybe he hadn’t had time to hide everything away.

  He grabbed it, feeling power crackle against his fingers. This is it. This is an elder device. We don’t have things like it here on Erthea. He picked up the stone with his other hand. Finally, he would have true power. No more wasting time trying to recruit people. He’d have an army of his own.

  Urien placed the orb on the table. How had Darius activated it? With a spell?

  No, blood. Blood magic would make it work. Blood magic had proved stronger than anything so far. Drawing his blade, he pricked his finger and watched Xander’s blood drip onto the orb. The orb flared with power, humming with energy.

  “I, the archdruid Urien Valeran, demand all leaders within the five lands come to the palace at Larenth.” He smirked as his blood sizzled against the orb. The orb pulsed with white light. He knew one way or another the magic would have its desired effect.

  Urien clutched the stone. Now it was time to recruit an army even more valuable than anything Caselhelm had to offer. More slaves to do his bidding. Only these ones wouldn’t have a choice. With this stone, they would have no choice but to obey him. For the first time in centuries, the wyvern race would be under his control again.

  Chapter 19

  Ed paced the length his cabin until the walls felt like they were closing in on him. Jax and Ceara sat around the table. Their stares and silent scrutiny only set him more on edge.

  “I’m going for a walk,” Ed told them. “I can’t stay here any longer.”

  “You can’t. If you go out, you might attack someone.” Ceara rested her boots on the table and chugged back some ale.

  “I won’t. I just—I need to be outside.”

  “You could find a nice woman to hook up with,” Ceara suggested.

  “I doubt that’s a good idea.” Jax glowered at her. “He might attack someone if he loses control.”

  “Why? Ann is getting busy tonight. Maybe we should follow her example, and all have some fun.”

  “Well done for reminding him,” Jax hissed under his breath.

  Ed resumed pacing. The beast growled, clawing at the cage of his mind.

  He didn’t want to think about Ann with Jerome.

  “Spirits, why did I give her my blessing?” he muttered. “She asked me if I was okay with her and Jerome.”

  “You’ve only got yourself to blame for that one, wolfy.” Ceara chugged more beer.

  “Sister dearest, do you have a compassionate bone in your body?” Jax nudged her. “We’re supposed to support Ed, not make him feel worse.”

  “Here’s an idea: why don’t you tell Ann how you feel? Then she wouldn’t go for Jerome.” Ceara set her tankard down. “And I was supportive. I told Ann she should admit how she feels about you. But as per usual, neither of you will admit the truth.”

  “I can’t tell her.” Ed sighed. “I tried earlier, and I can’t be with her or anyone. I can barely control myself.”

  “But you love her, right?” Jax prompted.

  “I—” he hissed out a breath. “I’m going for a run.” Ed blurred out the door before either of them could say another word.

  Running and being outside seemed to help a little during the full moon.

  He couldn’t always be with Ann to keep the beast calm. Sooner or later, he knew he’d have to leave. The thought of leaving her and the others made his stomach twist.

  Ed stopped and inhaled, taking in all the scents around him. The sweet scent—like honey—of magic filled the air.

  Ann would be doing her circle. Soon the power of the stones would be restored. He had no doubt she could do it. Not because she was the archdruid, but because she was the strongest person he knew. After that she’d be off with Jerome. The thought sickened him.

  Rage heated his blood once more. His fangs came out, along with his claws, as the moon’s power beat down on him. He stared up at the glowing white orb. Its strength forced the change. Something he’d been fighting all night.

  Spirits, he hoped he could keep the beast under control.

  He pushed all thought of Ann and Jerome out of his mind. Instead, Ed ran, blurring away from the village. Trees rushed by, dark and foreboding as he moved. The movement seemed to appease the beast. He inhaled again; hunting prey would help, too.

  Ed heard the scurrying of forest creatures as he listened. Rabbits, birds, rodents. All of them scurried by.

  Ed, where are you? Jax called. Now isn’t the time to go running off.

  He’s probably gone off to slaughter Jerome, Ceara remarked.

  Don’t put ideas in his head.

  Ed growled at the mention of Jerome. Even if he did want to slaughter him, he wouldn’t do it. He’d never killed in cold blood before. That would only hurt Ann. He could never do that.

  The sound of flapping wings caught his attention as the trees overhead bent under the force of a gale.

  His eyes stung as dust and dirt whipped around him. What’s that? Ed had never seen anything that big before. That’s no bird. No Magickind could have wings like that.

  Ed blurred, following the shadow. If whatever it was wanted to harm the druids, it’d be in for a shock.

  The beast perked up. Finally, it had something challenging to hunt.

  Trees rushed past. He kept to the shadows as he went, careful not to spook whatever creature it was. Ed growled as more dust stung his eyes. Quiet, he told the beast. Do you want it to hear us?

  The wind picked up as the looming shadow flew fast overhead. Damn, if that shadow was the thing that attacked Ann before, he’d bloody well make it suffer.

  Ed moved faster, keeping pace with it. As he entered a clearing, the shape became clearer. An enormous beast with a wide wing span of at least twenty feet loomed overhead. Its eyes glimmered like fire.


  What is that? Ed wondered. Excitement flooded through him—although it was hard to tell if it came from him or the beast.

  Ed blurred as the creature swooped down and landed in front of him. It roared.

  Fuck, that’s a wyvern. He remembered Flora telling him stories about them when he was a boy. They were supposed to be a myth.

  Ed snarled, bearing his own fangs. His beast didn’t want to run—even if he did.

  The wyvern shook its head and let out a mournful cry. A metal collar surrounded its neck. It glowed with runes.

  Ed hesitated as the creature continued to stare at him. Why didn’t his own beast want to attack? This thing was meant to be prey, yet his beast felt calm, sad even. The emotion formed in his chest.

  The beast could feel sad? Or could he somehow sense the wyvern’s emotions?

  The wyvern let out another cry. Its serpentine head craned toward him. Its golden eyes glistened—with tears.

  Tears? Why would it cry? This beast was stronger than any Magickind he’d seen before.

  “What’s wrong?” Ed’s voice came out low and guttural. “Why are you crying? Don’t you want to kill me?” He took a deep breath, but his own beast refused to retreat.

  The wyvern let out another low wail.

  Ed doubled over, clutching his head as pain exploded inside his skull. Deep mournful wailing rang through his ears.

  “Argh, spirits, stop,” Ed cried. All at once the sound faded.

  The wyvern stood there, unmoving, staring. “What do you want?” Ed asked. “Are you trying to communicate with me?”

  Slowly, the wyvern nodded. Its neck craned as it reached for him.

  Ed reached out, feeling the rough scales along its head. Why aren’t you attacking? he said to his own beast. What does it mean?

  “Are you a prisoner?” Ed asked, touching the collar. Its runes flared to life, humming with power. “Is that why you’re here? Do you need help?”

  The wyvern snorted out a breath. Ed had no idea if that meant yes or no.

  “It’d be easier if you could talk,” he remarked. “Maybe you’re just find trying to find some peace tonight, too, huh? Does the moon hold sway over you, too?”

  The wyvern’s head snapped back, and it screamed. The runes on its collar flashed.

  Ed backed away. “If you’re here to hurt the druids, I will stop you,” he hissed, fangs bared.

  The wyvern took to the air, its massive wings flapping as it flew off into the distance. Ed watched it. The creature headed in the opposite direction, away from Trewa.

  What had it wanted? Why even come here?

  Ann. Spirits, what if Urien had sent it?

  Fuck, how could I be so careless? Ed blurred back, his thoughts focused solely on Ann. He stopped when he spotted her walking away from the village. Jerome trailed after her.

  “Rhiannon, what’s wrong?” Jerome asked. “The circle went just as planned. We should—”

  “Please just leave me alone,” she said, covering her face with her hands. “I’m sorry, I can’t stay with you tonight.”

  “Why not? Ann, please—”

  Light sparkled around her as she transported herself away.

  Heat flared through his blood again.

  Not again. The rage had returned. Not now! Why did this keep happening? Was it the moon, or something else?

  The need to hunt and kill threatened to overwhelm him.

  Strange, the beast had been calm when he’d been with the wyvern. Had a potential threat to Ann caused it?

  Jerome turned as if sensing Ed’s presence.

  Ed gritted his teeth, his fangs digging in. No, he thought. I’m not hunting druids. I need to find Ann. He didn’t have to search; he could feel her close by in the grove. Ed blurred, reappearing in front of her.

  “Ed, what are you doing?” She wiped a stray tear off her cheek. “I thought you were—”

  Pain wrenched inside his chest—her pain. He winced and the beast retreated. Ed doubled over, breathing hard.

  “Ed? I thought you locked yourself up tonight?” Ann moved closer.

  “I did but it drove me mad, so I came out for a run,” he explained. “I saw a wyvern.”

  Ann’s mouth fell open. “What? That’s not possible.”

  “Well, I saw it.”

  “Did it attack you?” She touched his shoulder and looked him over for injuries.

  “No, I think it tried to talk to me. I don’t know if it’s a threat.” He shook his head. “I came to check on you—in case it came back.”

  “Why would a wyvern come here?”

  Ed shrugged. “No idea. How did the circle go? Did something happen with Jerome?”

  She looked away. “No, I…I just need to be alone right now.”

  Ed put his hands on her shoulders. “Come on, I feel your pain. If Jerome did something—”

  Ann shook her head. “No, he didn’t. It’s me, not him.” She pulled away and slumped to the ground. She pulled her knees up to her chest and buried her face in her hands. “Please go.”

  Ed knelt, placing a hand on her knee. “Hey, it’s just me. If you don’t want to talk, okay, but I’m staying.” He didn’t mention just being near her seemed to settle both the beast and the strange rage he kept feeling.

  “It didn’t work,” she muttered after a few moments.

  Ed, where are you? Jax demanded. We’ve been looking everywhere for you.

  He’d almost forgotten about them after blocking out their calls.

  Wolfy? Ceara yelled.

  I’m with Ann. Everything is fine, he told them. Go get some sleep.

  Did you attack Jerome? Ceara wanted to know. Did you stop him and Ann from—?

  Ann can hear you, she snapped.

  Ed bit back a chuckle. So much for mind links being private. No, I didn’t attack anyone, Ed replied. Stop calling me. I’m in control.

  So, how far did you and Jerome get? Ceara asked with a giggle.

  Ed slammed up a mental wall, silencing Jax and Ceara’s voices.

  “Sorry about that,” he added. “What do you mean it didn’t work?”

  “The circle.” Ann sniffed. “It didn’t work. I did everything my father showed me today.” She shook her head. “I don’t understand why.”

  Ed slipped an arm around her, relieved when she didn’t push him away. “You’re not a failure,” he told her. “Maybe it wasn’t meant to work.”

  “Thanks for making me feel better,” she grumbled.

  “No, I mean it could be any number of reasons.”

  “I wanted it to work. I accept what I am now. I did everything the way Papa did.”

  “Maybe that’s the problem.”

  She frowned as she looked up. “What does that mean?”

  “You’re not Darius.” Her frown turned into a glare. “I mean you’re you, not him. Maybe your magic works differently from his.” Ed took her hand, pulled to her feet. “Come on.” He wrapped an arm around her as he picked her up.

  “What—?” Ann began.

  Ed blurred, reappearing in the centre of the stones. “Try again.” He set her back on her feet.

  “Ed, I don’t want to be here.”

  “Try. You’ve spent months telling me I can control my beast. Now it’s my turn to return the favour.”

  Ann heaved a sigh and muttered words of power again.

  Around them the stones flashed. “See.” She dropped her arms to her sides in exasperation. “Now will you let me go back to the grove?”

  “It did work. Maybe you’re not trying hard enough.”

  Ann’s eyes flashed with power. “Ed —”

  He came up behind her, slipping an arm around her waist. “Close your eyes and focus. Just like you used to when we practiced magic as kids.”

  Ann sighed again, then squeezed her eyes shut. Her heart thudded in his ears.

  “Focus on what you want. The power of the stones,” he whispered. “They are yours to command.”

  Energy hummed a
nd vibrated around them like instruments vibrating with sound. His beast clawed for control again. He flinched but pushed it away. He couldn’t risk breaking Ann’s concentration.

  Ann said the words to the spell. The stones glowed brighter. Ed sensed it wouldn’t be enough.

  He put his other arm around her as his hands flared with light. For a moment he thought it was Ann’s magic. No, not hers. Mine, he realised. I still have magic. Ed almost laughed with joy. Guess I didn’t lose it after all.

  He sensed Ann’s power, too. Raw, untapped power, deep inside her. He wondered if she knew how much she had.

  Ann glanced up at him, her eyes alight with golden light. She said something else and gripped his hands. His magic intertwined with hers as if they were one.

  She’d said words of power—different words.

  The ground beneath their feet trembled and groaned. Ed pulled her tighter to his chest.

  It’s alright. He felt, more than heard, her words.

  Lightning flashed as the tremors became more violent. The earth groaned and moved as a giant bluestone rose and stood erect. One by one, more stones appeared. Lightning danced around the stone ring as their magic combined. The bolts of lightning jumped from one stone to another, fusing the stones together. Another stone shot up, flying overhead. It landed on top of the other standing stones, linking together two sentinel stones.

  Once complete, blue light pulsed and vibrated within the circle then expanded outward, enveloping everything in its path. The standing stone circle was complete for the first time in thousands of years.

  Ann laughed and wrapped her arms around him. “I did it. We did it.”

  He laughed, picking her up and swinging her around. “See. You just needed to find your way.”

  “You still have magic. I felt it.”

  Still reeling from the power and happiness, he bent. For a moment their eyes locked, their faces only inches apart.

  In one move, he could kiss her, taste her as he’d wanted to do for a long time.

  To Ed’s surprise, Ann didn’t pull back. She reached up and touched his cheek.

  Ed pulled back. All at once the magic around them faded. The stones darkened and fell silent.