by Elena Gray
With Melynn’s revelation about the council, elders and staff, I still no longer knew who to trust. I extinguished the flames in my hands, at the same time Roark guided the water back into the fountain. I noticed Draven’s body relax when he realized he wasn’t going to be caught in the middle of our fight.
“Is this how you welcome us back, Rayna?” Jax asked. “I expected fireworks, not fireballs.”
Rayna tipped her head back and glared at her dragon guard. “Meet me in my office after your shift. We will discuss your careless actions then.”
The guard bowed his head, then flapped his wings until he disappeared over the building. Guards raced into the courtyard, just as students and staff started drifting out of the buildings to see what all of the commotion was.
“Draven?” Rayna asked. “Will you please tell the guards that everything is fine and that they should escort the students and staff back to their rooms?”
Draven tore his gaze from us and gave his mother a curt nod, before leaving to speak with the guards.
Rayna studied each of us, her brows pinched with worry. “I hope none of you are injured. Please accept my apology for the actions of my guard. I take full responsibility for him.”
I shifted a step so that Katarina was directly behind me. “We could have been killed. Why would your dragon unleash fire of that magnitude so close to the buildings? You’re lucky Roark put the flames out before they could do any damage.”
“Many things have changed since you left. Between Samara’s death, the kidnappings, and the attempt on Miss West’s life, we needed to hire more guards to protect the staff and students. Tensions are high and Sebastian is young and new to his position. It seems his inexperience caused him to overreact.”
“Then he should be pulled from duty until he’s had more training, or next time he might end up harming someone,” Roark growled.
From the corner of my eye I could see his hands fisted at his side. I knew he was struggling to keep his anger in check. None of us wanted to hear her excuses.
Rayna pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. It seemed like Roark had struck a nerve. “If the four of you hadn’t left with Katarina, I wouldn’t have been forced to hire inexperienced guards.”
“You know why we had to leave,” I reminded her. “Someone, whether in your coven or not, threw Katarina off the balcony. It is your responsibility to figure out who did it. Have you made any progress on what’s going on around here?”
“I’ve been in constant contact with the high council. Whoever is responsible, has done well to cover their tracks. That’s why we have wards in place to prevent anyone from portaling in or out of the campus.”
That was interesting. If the wards had been in place, how had Nicholai been able to use his powers to get us through unseen? If my guess was right, I’d say Draven had found a way to bring them down until we entered the dorms. Something must have happened that he wasn’t able to keep them down.
“Since you have nothing new to tell us, we need to resume the search for our brother,” Jax said.
Rayna turned her attention to Katarina. “I think Miss West should remain at the academy. She will be safer here under our protection.”
Katarina stepped up next to me, her shoulder brushing mine. I wanted to press her behind me. I worried that if she got too close to Rayna, Rayna would find a way to steal her from us. But the courage Katarina had shown earlier when we were facing down a dragon had me waiting to see what she would do.
“I appreciate your offer,” Katarina said, “but I’m the only one with the ability to locate Slade. If you have nothing else to add, we really need to be going.”
Rayna’s lips formed a patronizing smile. “Miss West, I know you feel that with Samara’s powers, you are capable of a great many things, but in the end, you are still only human. What can you possibly do to help?”
“That’s just it, I’m no longer human.”
Rayna chuckled as she glanced at my brothers and me. Her finger jabbed in Katarina’s direction. “What is she talking about? Does she not realize that holding magic inside of her does not make her a witch? None of that matters anyway. As long as she has Samara’s powers residing inside of her, I must insist that she remain here.”
At this point, Nicholai stepped forward. “Katarina’s not a witch. She’s a reaper.”
Rayna’s furrowed brow and gaping mouth were priceless. “I…I don’t understand how this happened. Miss West, you can’t leave. We have no idea how this will affect Samara’s powers.”
Jax took a step forward. “Katarina is the one who sealed the tear in the veil. She did that using Samara’s magic. She’s learning to control it and she has me to guide her.”
Rayna opened her mouth to argue, when Nicholai interrupted her. “We’ve already established that Katarina is not safe here. Not even from your own guards. She will remain under the protection of her guardians. If you wish to challenge that, then I suggest you address your concerns with Mathias Shade.”
“The prince of the underworld? Why would he want to protect Miss West?” Rayna asked, and for the first time, she actually looked afraid.
Katarina’s lips curved up into a smile. “Because he’s my uncle.”
Rayna’s head snapped toward Katarina as she twisted her hands in front of her. “But–”
“You will release the wards now so that we may leave,” Nicholai ordered. His voice took on the tone of the commander of the underworld.
Whatever fear Rayna had over Mathias being involved was now gone as she glared at Nicholai. She’d lost her chance to keep Katarina and she was pissed.
Rayna bowed her head and exhaled. At first I thought she was going to disobey, and my fire began to warm my palms. I felt my brothers shift their position next to me, their bodies tense and waiting. From the corner of my eye, I saw Katarina’s fingers press against the knife strapped to her thigh.
Finally, Rayna lifted her head and her gaze swept over all of us. Then she whispered the words to bring down the ward. There was a slight shift in the energy when the spell was done. As soon as the magic dissipated, Nicholai opened a portal. Roark placed his hand at the small of Katarina’s back and guided her through.
Once Jax and Nicholai had followed, I said to Rayna, “If you ever want Katarina to come back here, you will find out who is responsible for Samara’s death and the kidnappings.”
I didn’t give Rayna a chance to respond as I crossed through the portal. There was nothing left to discuss. It was time to find my brother.
Chapter 13
~Katarina~
I gripped the Book of Shadows in my hands and growled in frustration. Despite staring at the location spell Samara and Jax showed me an hour ago, I still didn’t understand half of the words I read. Forget trying to speak them. I’d butcher each one and summon a demon instead. How the hell was I supposed to help Samara cast this spell?
Katarina, are you all right?
I blew out a deep breath and focused on Slade’s voice. Did he sound the same in person? Because if so, I’d be in trouble. The husky tone made my knees weak.
I’m fine, Slade, just a little frustrated.
Gritty laughter filled my mind. He was in good spirits. At least I hoped that was the case. I sensed him trying to hide the pain he suffered from his beatings. No matter how hard he tried to block me, he didn’t have enough energy to succeed, but I did notice a change in our connection. The rhythm was quicker—stronger.
You’re wasting valuable energy trying to hide something I sense. You’re hurt, Slade. What did they do to you this time?
Nothing I can’t handle, Katarina. Don’t worry. Since you came to me, I feel stronger.
His answer made my heart flutter. Perhaps our connection was giving him the strength he needed to hold on. Even if that wasn’t the case, my hope of finding him doubled.
Tell me what’s wrong, my guardian angel.
Damn. He was killing me with that sexy voice and those endearing sentiments. I co
uldn’t wait to meet him. Would he resist the bond between us like Roark and Quinn had, or would he accept it like Jax? We would have plenty of time to figure that out later. I just needed a crash course in spellcasting. Then I could bring him home, safe and sound.
Until he returned, this restlessness in my soul wouldn’t ease. This was no longer about finding a way to rid myself of Samara’s powers. This was about reuniting a band of brothers and uniting with my last guardian. It was about connecting the bond we shared, one I prayed would make me whole. Right now, I felt as shattered as my missing guardian.
I’m reading over this spell Samara says will help us locate you. It’s in Latin, and I’m struggling. Grrr. Why did I have to take Spanish in college? If I don’t figure out how to pronounce these words, I’m afraid I’ll conjure something dark and evil. What if I screw up everything?
I heard him chuckle again. “Relax, beautiful. I have faith in you.”
Good thing someone did because I sure as hell—
I sprang up as a round of knocks rattled my door. My connection with Slade broke before I could ask him to wait. Disappointment filled me at the thought of something else happening to him.
Frustrated even more than before, I slid the book across the bed and glared at the door. Whoever stood on the other side better have a damn good reason for the interruption.
After we’d arrived back at the house on the Stone Isles, I’d lost track of which guardian stood guard outside my door. Soft murmurs drifted into the room from two distinct voices. For whatever reason, Quinn and Roark wanted to talk.
“Come in,” I called out, then shimmied to the edge of the bed. The door hinge creaked as it opened. I cringed. That sound sent a chill up my spine every time I heard it. They really needed to get that fixed.
“Are you busy?” Quinn asked as he poked his head around the door.
“Not anymore.” I pressed my lips together, regretting my sarcastic tone. I had no reason to be upset with him. As fast as I’d lost my connection to Slade, I wasn’t sure if the disruption had caused it. “Why?” I asked, softening my voice. “Do you need something?”
“Not exactly.” When he didn’t move, I waved him inside.
In four long strides, he stood by my bed, just a foot away from me. Roark replaced his spot in the doorway. He remained there until I motioned him to join us too.
Once both were standing in front of me, they folded their hands behind their backs and took on a rigid stance. “Why do you guys look like something’s wrong?”
They glanced at each other long enough that I noticed Quinn frown at Roark and motion his head toward me. Roark followed his cue and met my eyes. “You, uh, didn’t come down to dinner. We were worried something was wrong.”
“I’m fine, guys.”
Roark looked in Quinn’s direction and was greeted with a set of pinched brows. He sighed a second later and rubbed his face with his hand. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. I was just in the middle of a conversation with Slade before you knocked. Something caused us to lose our connection. Now I’m worried.”
“How is he doing?” Roark asked.
“Honestly, I don’t know. I sense the pain he’s endured, but he told me he’s gotten stronger since we’ve been able to communicate.”
“If Slade says he’s getting stronger, believe it,” Quinn interjected. “He wouldn't lie to you. Besides, you should be able to sense it in the bond you share with him.”
Though the link between Slade and me still pulsed slower than the one I shared with his brothers, I could tell it had grown stronger. It had to be a positive sign.
“Is anything else bothering you, Katarina?” Roark tilted his head to the side and studied me when I looked at him.
“No…I mean, yes.” I pointed to the Book of Shadows. “I’ve spent the last hour studying the locator spell. My Latin sucks and I’m struggling to pronounce these words. I’m terrified that I’ll say something wrong and screw up the spell.”
“You worry too much, lass.” Roark’s Scottish accent slipped through. I loved hearing it and wished he used it more often. Still, his response agitated me.
“You’re one to talk. Aren’t you guys here right now because you’re worried about me?”
Roark stammered for a retort but couldn’t muster anything coherent.
“You’re right, Katarina,” Quinn admitted. “We shouldn’t expect you to not worry when we can't do it ourselves. The thing is, we can help you learn Latin. Our concerns stem more for your safety.”
Great. The old ‘your safety comes first’ speech I loathed so much. If this was where the conversation was headed, I didn’t want to be a part of it.
“I know, I know.” I rolled my eyes. “You guys have to put my safety first.”
“It’s not just that,” Quinn continued. “We’re concerned about your mental state.”
I jerked my head back and narrowed my eyes. “My mental state?”
Raking his hand through his hair, Quinn glanced toward the ground. “I didn’t mean that to sound as terrible as it did. It’s not like we think you’re losing your mind. We’re just…”
When he struggled to finish his sentence, he peered at Roark and shook his head. For whatever reason, it seemed as if Quinn wanted his brother to do all the talking. This was so unlike him. I didn’t understand what was going on.
Roark cleared his throat and met my eyes. “What my brother means is that we’re worried about you, holed up in this room, alone. When you didn’t come down for dinner, we assumed it was because you’re avoiding us.”
“Why would I avoid either of you?”
“Because we keep screwing everything up.” Roark slumped his shoulders and hung his head at his admission. “And if we do it again, your uncle will break our bond.”
My face burned at the thought of where this conversation might lead. I didn’t think either of them would discuss this situation with me this soon, and I sure didn’t think it would happen at the same time. Even so, it was long overdue.
“Uncle Mathias is looking out for me because he wants me safe. He loves me and he’s invested in my future by making me a reaper.”
“It’s more than your uncle,” Roark added as he retreated two steps from the bed and pivoted toward the window. He ambled across the room and leaned his head against a pane of glass. “Your grandmother’s words weigh on us too.”
With his back to me, I couldn’t see the expression on his face, but our bond vibrated with many emotions. Fear. Anger. Regret. Hope. They all spun inside his soul, leaving him conflicted and uncertain.
So what if he was a hot mess? He was mine. I wanted him to let down his guard. Quinn too. This conversation left me wondering if they were finally ready.
“Whatever is bothering you guys, we need to talk about it. That’s what my uncle wants. It’s why he made the threat.”
“We know, Katarina,” Roark confessed as he continued to stare out the window. “Quinn and I discussed the conversation we had at your uncle’s office and your grandmother’s house.”
“Your grandmother’s house in particular,” Quinn clarified. He regarded me briefly before refocusing on his brother.
Roark’s broad chest rose and fell with each breath he took. I sensed the battle inside him, the way his energy twisted, tossing his heart about like a ship on an angry sea. He feared telling me his thoughts almost as much as he feared my reaction to them. I wasn’t sure how to convince him to trust me.
“Please say something, Roark. Whatever is troubling you, I want to help. Just say what’s on your mind.”
“I don’t know what to think, Katarina. I keep replaying your Nona’s words in my head. As much as I want to believe what she said…” His voice trailed off. The muscles in his back rippled under his shirt when he gripped the windowsill. “She… I… Do you believe what she told us?”
“Which part?” I had an idea what had them so flustered, but I needed to hear them admit it on their own.
Stormy eyes
met mine when Roark answered. “I’m referring to all of it. The part about us being fated, that we need to be connected to you, and if we keep pushing you away, we’ll destroy our bond.”
I couldn’t deny how much I’d struggled to believe some of what Nona had told us, even though I shouldn’t. The woman’s intuition was impeccable. I’d never known a time when she predicted something and it didn’t come true.
Perhaps that’s why I had a hard time accepting the things she’d told them the day I brought them to meet her. I wanted it to be true, yet a part of me didn’t think I’d be lucky enough to find love, especially with three—hopefully four—men at the same time.
“Nona said I needed someone to calm the storm inside me.” Roark’s voice wavered as he spoke. “She thinks if I open up to you, you’ll be able to balance my emotions.”
I nodded, remembering my grandmother’s words. “Do you agree with her?”
Roark closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. Then, he nodded. My pulse thrummed at his response. Was he finally ready to accept that we are fated to be together?
Turning my attention to Quinn, I raised an inquisitive brow. “What about you? Nona said your fire would match the one inside me. She thinks you’re what I need to reignite the passion inside my soul. Do you feel the same?”
Even though he wouldn’t meet my gaze, Quinn nodded. “You know I do. Deep down, you know everything without us saying a word. Our bond connects us that much, and it’s ten times stronger than the connection we shared with Samara.”
“I can’t comment on the closeness of your bond with Samara,” I said, “but I know what I feel when I’m around you. We’re connected heart and soul. Whenever one of you resists me, it feels like you’re ripping me apart.”
Both flinched at my words, but Quinn was the one who reached for me. When he took my hand in his, he gazed into my eyes. “I’m sorry, Katarina. I’d never do anything to intentionally hurt you. Neither of us would. I hope you realize that.”