by A. K. Koonce
We’ll figure this out. Maybe it won’t happen overnight. Maybe it’ll take the rest of our lives. Maybe she’ll out live us all. But I won’t stop reminding her that she loves me.
Chapter Fourteen
Iron Fist
Fallon
Asher was right; they’re here. Hundreds of them sit at the dinner tables. In small herds, they seem to keep to themselves mostly, but a few are openly conversing. Some throw lingering stares, gaping at the sight of the alluring fae and the overall beauty of the mystics, but no one has thrown the first stone yet. No one seems to be lashing out at those offering a helping hand.
The mystics haven’t had a single celebration since the bombing. The recent vampire epidemic probably adds to their stress. Everyone appears to be more tense than normal, just waiting for one more thing to be added to the teetering house of cards that is our world.
From within the thick trees I spy on them, my eyes settling over the familiar faces and the people I once called my own. The warm air is more humid here so far away from the sea. Dusk has barely calmed, the sun casting a pale orange hue across the dark sky.
A trembling bark startles me from my shadowy hiding spot. Ripper paces back and forth in front of the tree line, scuffing up dirt as he aggressively yaps at the creature within the woods … at me.
The dog’s white and tawny fur rises at the back of his neck as he becomes angrier the longer we stare at one another. I swallow hard before finally turning away, letting them all enjoy their dinner in peace.
I only make it a few feet when someone appears by my side, weaving through the forest toward the Emerald Ocean. Their quiet company is nice.
“I could bring you something to eat, if you wanted,” Luca finally says, her arm bumping into mine, demanding my attention.
“That’s okay. I have …” I think about the large satchel of bones Declan dropped off for me. “I’m fine.” A half smile flits across my lips, a decent attempt at normalcy.
The two of us tromp through the terrain a slow and leisurely pace filling our steps. It feels nice. It isn’t forced, and I’ve almost grown used to the gnawing hunger within me.
Maybe I’m just beginning to give up.
“My father wants Kaino and me to lead these people together.”
It’s the first time she’s spoken of the three of them as a family, and it almost startles me.
“You should. You two would be a great team.” She nods, a small smile spreading across her lips. “Why does Lord Raske keep so much distance with you?” I shouldn’t pry, but it’s something that’s always been on my mind. The bond Kaino and his father shares isn’t the same as the strained relationship Luca and Lord Raske have.
A long sigh slips from her as she stares out into the night. Sometimes her eyes are as light as gold, and sometimes they’re so dark they’re almost black. Right now, with only the moon lighting our way, her eyes are as dark as coal.
“I look too much like my mother, I think. He loved her, but she didn’t love him.” Her brows lower; her voice becomes sharp as she continues on. “She didn’t love us.”
“Oh.” My heart falls hard thinking about how that must make her feel. She isn’t fragile, though. Not even close to breakable.
Luca shrugs, her lips twisting with unspoken words. She’s strong. Just like her father; like Kaino. She’s probably a pool of fuming emotions with a smooth, unbreakable exterior.
“I told Gabriel I loved him,” she blurts.
A thin branch slaps my face, stinging my cheek as I stop dead in my tracks and look at her. The mystic who glared at every male I encountered for over a year isn’t the one who stands before me now. The unnatural maroon tint is fading from her dark brown locks, and the once closely shaved side of her head is growing out. The short hair brushes against her ear and blends into the rest of her long, soft waves. The scowl that often lined her face is nothing more than smooth, carefree beauty.
It doesn’t surprise me in the least that she was the first to say it in their relationship. Luca wouldn’t dare allow a male to gain the upper hand … not even in love.
“What did he say?” I ask, staring wide-eyed at my friend.
Brilliant white teeth fill her smile as she laughs in the darkness, her arms folding almost shyly around herself. “He said it was about time.”
A breath forces laughter up my throat, happiness clinging to my features as I hug her tightly to me. The air leaves my lungs as I close my eyes before laughing once more into her thick and wild hair. I take a deep breath as emotions begin to flood my chest.
I realize my mistake the moment it’s made.
My guard was too low; I let it fall almost entirely away and that’s when mistakes are made. Everyone makes mistakes ... some are just more fatal than others.
In an instant my nails are sinking into my friend, losing the sense of joy with the slash of my desperate hunger. My fangs extend as something dark rallies within me, clouding my mind and hissing through me instinctively.
Luca gasps as my nails slice into her flesh. She shoves my shoulders back hard, tossing me to the ground as a growl rumbles through her chest. The leaves scratch lightly against my skin for a mere second before I leap to my feet once again.
“Fallon, stop!” she yells.
But my mind can’t process her words. Warm and alluring blood coats my fingertips, urging me to finish what I started. Irrational thoughts swirl through my mind. I swallow hard, almost tasting the warm blood already.
Luca’s jaw clenches, forcing back the animal that demands to be released within her. I want it released – I want it out – I want adrenaline thrashing through her veins when I sink my teeth into her.
A long hiss slices across my tongue before I jump toward her, only making it a few feet when I’m pummeled to the ground once more.
Dark eyes gleam into mine. A snarling, hulking wolf digs its paws into my shoulders, dripping hate into my face as it snaps at me an inch from my cheek. My fists tighten on its immense neck, clawing at its soft fur but making little progress with the beast.
“Kaino, get off her. You’re hurting her. Stop!”
The animal’s lip shakes as its growl begins to die down. I blink hard, breathing deeply but only anger fuels me right now. Rage storms through my limbs, waking my muscles, filling me with power.
My fangs extend the moment its defense falls away, and I grip its dark fur by the fistful and fling the wolf into the nearest tree. A cracking sound echoes through the silence as the tree crumples to the earth. The strong commander lies beneath the heavy trunk, sending triumph through me with the simple sight of his weak state.
My attention narrows on the girl once more, shifting my attention to only her. She stands her ground, her head shaking slowly at me, almost refusing to shift. Refusing to fight me for her life.
Fine.
With every breath, I smell her blood soaring through my lungs. I stalk toward her, prepared to end the cat and mouse game once and for all.
A metallic taste fills my mouth as what appears to be an iron fist cracks into my jaw. It floods me with immediate pain that radiates through my skin, bones, and mind.
It feels endlessly slow as I fall, the air gliding gently around me before I finally meet the crisp, dry leaves below. My skull lands with a harsh thud against the dirt, the dark sky filling with spots as I look up between the long limbs of trees.
My lashes flutter, struggling to remain open, and Gabriel’s glaring silver eyes are the last thing I see before darkness pulls me under.
***
Softness surrounds me when I wake. The pain I expect to explode through my mind isn’t there.
All I feel is … well rested.
Warm blankets cling to my sweating limbs. I push them from my shoulders and, as I sit up in bed, my attention drifts to the hybrid sitting safely across the room from me.
“Declan really wanted to be here for you when you woke up,” Asher tells me, and I can almost hear the eye roll he adds to the statement.
His body angles low in the arm chair, his hair pulled in multiple directions.
He’s a mess. A perfect and resilient mess.
He pushes his hand through his already disheveled hair. His eyes close slowly before opening again, lingering on me, letting his emotions fall across his beautiful face.
“We need to start looking for him again,” Asher says in a tired voice.
“Has there been any update from the Capitol?”
Hesitation slips through the room, filling my shoulders with tension before he finally shakes his head.
My fists close against the soft sheets, shaking with irritation.
Nothing can be easy, can it?
“How long was I asleep,” I ask, avoiding the building problems in my life.
Atticus’ promise to see me again crawls through my mind, sending a shiver down my spine. I pull the blankets that I just pushed away moments ago back to me, trying to keep the crawling feeling off my skin.
“Just an hour.”
One hour.
My healing speed is incredible. If I was human and a hybrid swung at me … I might not have woken up at all.
He could have killed me. I could have killed Luca.
Fear like I’ve never felt before slams into me. I’ve felt fear for my own life, but I’ve never felt fear for someone else, that I might be responsible for their life. All of them are trusting me, and I’m failing.
“Atticus will come to me. I’ll be ready.”
Asher swallows hard, standing from his seat. His long limbs stretch, and his posture slouches just slightly at his broad shoulders. His exhaustion shows, pulling at him visibly. Silver eyes stare promisingly into mine. “Then I will be, too.”
Chapter Fifteen
Training
Asher
“I appreciate your trust,” Kaino barks out, and Luca physically flinches from his harsh tone. He looks to her, her face tense, a subtle shake of her head makes him reassess his every hulking move.
His father lingers in the crowd as well, watching his son lead his people. The Lord’s dark eyes shine with pride as they follow the young wolf. Is Lord Raske stepping back from his people? Life is changing. Again. The mortals know Luca and Kaino. They do trust them. It’s a small amount of trust, but it’s a start.
Kaino clears his throat, pulling lightly at the white shirt that hugs his thick throat and shoulders. The wolf certainly isn’t used to dressing up for people.
“I appreciate your trust, but we have to ask you to fight. Not for us, but for yourselves.” Kaino’s nearly black eyes shift through the crowd, searching the mortal’s faces for a sign of approval. “Our government isn’t helping us. It’s possible …” He pauses, and I realize it’s the most I’ve ever heard him speak. “It’s possible they’ll come after us. You’ve left your assigned jobs. They won’t take that lightly. Some of those jobs greatly benefited them. But not anymore.”
Whispers begin to travel through the crowd. The mystics stand behind Kaino, a mass of support for their commander.
“We spoke with your leaders. One of your own, Fallon Fiercely, spoke out for a change.”
The whispers halt, dying against their lips at the sound of her name. The sun blazes down on us, and sweat clings to my neck. I wish like hell Fallon could see the way they’re looking at him in awe at the simple suggestion of her name.
“The president didn’t concede to any changes. Fallon offered her time to put a change into effect.” He shifts on his feet, his heavy boots pressing prints into the dirt. “That time has run out. We need to be ready. My people will fight for us, but we need to be a team if we ever want to survive for the future we deserve.”
A few nods of approval are all he receives.
An anxious sigh escapes my lips. They really won’t fight for themselves?
Raske leans into Luca, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder as he whispers to her. It’s the only interaction I’ve ever seen the two have. A warm smile touches his lips as he beams at her, and she nods to him with a mirroring smile that almost matches his.
Luca takes confident steps toward her brother, her tall and lean body seeming more delicate and more approachable next to his. She stands respectfully at his side with a familiar face – a friendly face.
“We will win!” Luca says with a brilliant smile. “But not if we do not try.”
Lord Raske holds pride in his posture as he watches Luca and Kaino. But their words don’t seem to be enough. The audience is captivated, but interest isn’t the same as motivation.
Hesitantly, I walk to his side as well. Showing my support for the mystic who is now my commander. I feel the heat burn down on me as their attention shifts from Luca to me.
I have nothing to say; my heart thrashes as I realize they think I have something to tell them. My lungs constrict, and I slowly clear my throat, reaching for something to say to these people that might live up to what’s already been said.
“Did you unite with her?” a young girl asks, probably no older than sixteen. Her kind brown eyes stare up at me from just a few yards away.
A smile pulls at my lips. “Yeah. Fallon asked me to marry her, and I said yes before she changed her mind.” The pounding of my heart calms at the memory.
More whispers scuttle through the large crowd, but the blushing smile that fills the girl’s face is enough to spiral courage through me.
“Just like you all, Fallon knows we’re not that different. The mystics and mortals are genetically separated by traits out of their control, but the government has put a physical separation between us. They have given the mystics privileges you don’t have. Freedom to choose a life for themselves, to find happiness for themselves. You didn’t have that.” My voice carries over them, and they stare at me with rapt attention. “Today, you do. Today, you’re free.” The girl smiles again with a look of excited happiness that starts to mirror through the others. “But it will only last as long as you let it. Together we’re the same. There are still mystics being held in the Capitol. If we lie down and let them win, there will be both mortals and mystics imprisoned in the Capitol. If we want to keep the freedom we have, we have to fight for it. We have to fight for the people we love. We have to fight for what we deserve.”
Kaino and Luca wait at my side for their decision. They stare at us, the mystics and the monsters they were always warned about.
“We’ll need some training,” the girl says, as if she’s ready to fight right now.
A smirk tilts my lips, and I wish they were all as innocent and understanding as their youth. My stomach dips as I realize they’re not.
“She’s right.” My grandfather steps through the crowd, and my mouth opens and closes with uncertainty. His tan slacks and white button down are nicely pressed, not a spec of dirt on his shined shoes. “We’ll need some training.”
The others look to the elderly man who’s ready to fight for his life and for the people he loves.
A shuffling change seems to echo through the crowd, and one by one they begin to nod, ready for the freedom they’ve just barely began to grasp.
***
Kaino isn’t a talker, but he sure as hell is a fighter.
Side-by-side he trains the mortals, an image of pure, dedicated power. Shane, Luca, Declan, and even the witch are engrossed in training these people as quickly and sufficiently as possible.
With a quick sweep, Shane sends a mortal woman stumbling to the ground, her long blonde hair clinging with dust as she lands hard. He smiles shyly, probably underestimating his strength, as he helps her up.
With a teasing smirk that creases his jovial face, Lord Raske clasps Shane on the shoulder, a mischievous look sparking his dark eyes.
“That isn’t any way to treat a beautiful woman, Shane.”
The wolf’s attention shifts toward Kaino, and he offers his lord a polite half smile as the woman dusts off her jeans. Kaino breaks away from the mortal he’s training with, sweat clinging to his body as he quietly watches his father and h
is … I’m not even sure what Shane is to him.
“You shouldn’t be so shy. Have confidence. Why do I never see you with any pretty girls?” Raske’s endless banter makes Shane more and more uncomfortable. The wolf shifts on his feet, stepping a little further from his lord.
“I don’t know,” he finally says, staring at the dirt as he replies. He swallows hard, his strong body appearing weaker the more Lord Raske studies him.
“You don’t know?”
With only a few quick strides, Kaino is at Shane’s side, his chest heaving. The others carry on with their training, but their attention lingers on the three mystics.
“Because he’s with me.” Kaino holds his father’s gaze, his jaw strung tight, waiting for the reply he’s hidden from his whole life.
Lord Raske’s mouth opens and closes, his eyes sweeping from Kaino to Shane. Kaino’s arm brushes Shane’s, and the two stand side-by-side together. Shane peeks up from beneath his long lashes to look up at his lord before studying the ground once more.
Even I’m nervous for what his father might say to him.
A minute ticks by before the corner of Lord Raske’s lip tilts up, a hesitant but accepting smile filling his face. He pats Kaino’s arm, the most affection I’ve ever seen between the two
“He’s a good man, son.” Raske nods for several seconds, long enough for Kaino to release the long sigh he was holding.
“I know,” Kaino says in a breath. Shane passes Kaino a smile that fills his smooth features, and Kaino returns the look, happiness shining bright in his eyes. It’s the first real smile I think I’ve ever seen from the commander.
My heart pounds watching it all. I wish Fallon was here to witness it, too.
None of them linger around one another; the father and son quickly get back to work all but forgetting the life changing moment that passed in an instant. I stand back from them all. Just waiting. Waiting for the lingering sun to finally drift away.
I have to admit some of the mortals are excellent in combat, and some of them … are painfully mortal.
Another one trips over her own boots and lands in a heap of dust at Declan’s feet.