Chosen: Book 1 in the Ancients of Light series

by Heather Fleener

  Kaitriana stepped free from his hold and faced the structure. She knew that while no stone wall stood between the Light and the occupants, there was a strong protection of magic encircling the grounds. She snapped her fingers, light sparking at the tips, and gave the men around her a wink, “Let’s see what the Dark Witch has for us.”

  The Caste leaders stayed with their people, with the exception of Cade who would lend his support to Kaitriana’s destruction of the barrier, if necessary. He took position at her left, Lorcan guarded her right, and the remainder of the Elite fell in behind. She extended a glowing hand and began slowly covering the ground between them and the castle yard.

  Kaitriana had only ventured a few paces forward when she stopped abruptly and tilted her head. All eyes of her entourage riveted to her in question. Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes and focused. Painful minutes of waiting were finally relieved when she whispered, “There is Light…inside.”

  The looks given to her were rife with disbelief and Broderick finally sought clarification, “Prisoners, perhaps?”

  She only shook her head and focused once again, then murmured more to herself than the group as though trying to reason it out, “No…en masse…too many to be…” Her words trailed off. When she lifted her gaze the full of her eye had been overtaken by sparkling blue color, indicative of a massive rise of her magic. “Raise the signal, we are betrayed…” The rest of her warning was cut short. A sizzling white bolt took form and emerged from the darkened entrance of the keep striking Kaitriana full center in the chest. The strength of the impact lifted her from her feet and threw her back into the wall of men behind.

  Lorcan’s bellow of rage was signal enough, the Light moved forward in their strike. All force was directed at the magical barrier that was keeping them from reaching their enemy. The same barrier was allowing their adversaries to launch weapons and magical attacks from behind the protection.

  The enraged vampire shoved at his men, attempting to disentangle Kat from the mess of limbs and weapons. When he was finally able to kneel at her side, his hands roamed over her searching for injury and signs of life. His relief was palpable when she batted his hands away from the charred spot on her shirt, grumbling about him breaking more of her ribs than the blow did.

  The sounds of battle were ringing around them, but her voice was clear when she plucked at the soot-laden material covering her abdomen, “Pretty and functional.” Lorcan was torn between two plans of action - shadow her away so that he could ascertain the extent of any injury for himself or beat her for impertinence and nearly scaring the immortal life from him.

  She was ignoring Lorcan’s scowl for the moment; her eerily glowing eyes were searching the group above her. They stopped on Cade, “You need a spell to bind their shadowing. It is the only way to make certain those that have betrayed us remain within until we can determine their identities.” The male witch had a measure of doubt in his eyes when he looked to the castle then back to Kaitriana. She interjected imperiously as his mouth opened, “Are you capable of spell casting beyond that barrier or will I need to do it for you?” Cade flipped her off and spun on his heel to see to the task.

  Kaitriana extended a hand to Lorcan, “I know you prefer me flat on my back, but I am not so effective here in a fight.” Lorcan offered his hand and made up his mind that he was definitely beating her when they returned home. He climbed to his feet and pulled her to hers. She winked. Turning to face his men, she raised her voice to be heard over the battle, “There are too many of the Vampire here tonight to differentiate between Light and Dark. Neither Cade nor I will be able to only bind the shadow ability of our enemies; your men will be limited as well.”

  Lorcan immediately began to disagree as did his men, but she waved her hand in irritation, “We must know who did this. It is the only way. I can turn my attention to removing this barrier and cease the slaughter of our allies or I can waste precious time trying to create complex spells. However, by the time I finish it will be unnecessary as our people will be dead and the traitors will be long gone.” Her tone had turned icy and the regal poise with which she addressed them stifled further argument.

  Before she turned back to tackle the task of the barrier, her eyes had already been taken again by the shimmering wave of blue. They all heard her griping under her breath, “Bastards…ambushing me…I’ll show them magic…” She raised her hands and her reignited fury had lightning streaking the sky. A blue hue was emanating from under her pale skin, giving her an ethereal glow. Her smile was contemptuous when she whispered, “Dark Witch, you should have been better prepared for me.” Light from one hand and fire from the other shot forward. Kaitriana was chanting in the Witch speak of the Ancients.

  No counterstrikes would reach her now; none would have the strength to make it past the magic she had just leveled at the defenses. She took a step forward simultaneous with a booming flash of white light. When the magic burgeoned to this magnitude, she was gloriously powerful. Kaitriana issued a derisive little laugh and kept walking. The blast of her magic made direct impact on the castle walls as the dark barrier collapsed.

  A victorious cry rent the air; their enemy was now visible and vulnerable. Strikes of fire and light were launched with precision, felling targets. The Vampire assault was only seconds behind. Unable to shadow, the group had had to rely upon their preternatural speed to gain the castle grounds. Loud growls were mingling with screams of pain as Vampire of both sets ripped the throats of their foe.

  The Elite fanned out once more behind. Cade had taken his sword and was engaging in the melee with the vampire warriors. Kaitriana was effective in taking down opponents from this distance with her magic, but a quick glance up at Lorcan revealed that he shared her frustration. He was as impatient as she to gain entrance and find the agents of this betrayal.

  Kaitriana pulled back her assault and spun to face her mate. The planes of his face had grown harsh with the stress of battle and his fangs had extended wickedly. He was a death-dealing warlord at present, an opponent she would never want to face. Slightly daunted, she hesitated before shouting up at him, “If you will guard us, I can unbind you.” Lorcan took his eyes from the encroaching threats only long enough glance at her and then cast a meaningful look back over his shoulder to his Elite. She caught it and smiled, “Them as well." He grinned his thanks as did those five that caught the conversation.

  Lorcan took a defensive stance watching the area before them, knowing the Elite were keeping their backs free from menace. Kaitriana stepped close, her body flush with his behind the protection of his broadsword. Putting her hand to his chest, she began chanting. She stopped almost immediately, a frown marring her brow. Her eyes were now only icy blue; the full thrust of her power had receded back into her control.

  Lorcan was momentarily distracted by it before he pulled his gaze away back to the area before them. His attention remained there though he whispered to her, “My mother was a Queen. Her eyes shifted as yours do when she was fully empowered with her magic.”

  She nodded absently but was chewing at her lower lip. He could tell her focus was not on the conversation and her words spilled freely without thought, “I am the Queen of Queens, only we few have the shift of eyes.” Her hands glowed once more and she murmured, “Damn Cade and his tricky spells.”

  Kaitriana stumbled when Lorcan unexpectedly shoved her behind him to take the heads of two Darks. He issued a wry laugh when he yanked her back into the protective circle, “Having trouble with the Spell Caster again, love?” Before she could answer, Lorcan went back to their former topic, “No doubt you are magnificent Witch, but you cannot be a Queen of Queens when there are none. No Witch endowed with that level of magic has risen in recent history.”

  Even though Kat seemed to be paying little attention to his words, they apparently struck a chord deep within her. Her eyes were suddenly awash with the sparkling veil yet again and her tone was distant, dreamy, with her secretive smile, “The Queens are
rising Lorcan…it has already begun.”

  He was too shocked for a moment to probe further and when he recovered she had resumed her chanting as though there had been no interruption. The blue overlay was gone as suddenly as it had arrived and her hands were smoothing over his armor. Lorcan shook his head, wondering if his mate was even aware when the Seer power overtook her and if she could consciously recall the visions from when it did.

  The scene around them was a bloodbath and it was much the same over the grounds leading up to the Castle steps. The land was littered with the dead and dying, both Light and Dark. The Light Healers were moving through the wounded, protected by guards, trying to repair those of the faction that could still gain benefit from their magic. He called back to his Elite while he stood still under the ministrations of his wife’s hands, “Make your way to the interior as quickly as you are able, we need to find those that had a hand in this betrayal. We will join you.”

  Before they could be off, Kaitriana stepped back with a cocky grin and waved her hand at him and then over to his men, “There is no need to fight your way. We can shadow to the steps…Cade is not as good as he thinks he is.” She was certain from their expressions that no less than three of the Elite would have kissed her if Lorcan would not have taken their throats over the gesture.

  Lorcan brushed his lips over her brow, murmuring, “You are a useful little brat.” The group of seven shadowed to the steps.

  The massive doors to the castle were not barred nor were they protected by magic. After Kaitriana reported that particular fact to Lorcan, he advised the group in a cautious tone, “We’re expected…be on guard.” He pushed one heavy door and it swung easily to grant access to a well-lit interior. The hall that loomed before them was massive and conspicuously empty at first glance. Colm shouted to draw the attention of Lorcan’s men in the yard, signaling for them to join with their leader with all possible haste. Lorcan fixed a steady gaze on Kaitriana and gave the order in a tone that would brook no argument, “You wait here.” Turning to Sayer, he gave another, “Guard the witch and detain the first few that make it this way to provide assistance.”

  Kaitriana did not agree with the directive but with Sayer standing guard she knew she had little chance of making it into the interior to assist with routing any Darks. Her mutinous frown drew Lorcan’s attention and his voice was terse when he grasped her chin tightly, “I mean what I say Kaitriana. If you move from here before I signal to you, I will bind your powers until I am damned good and ready to give them back.”

  Her frown remained but she at least acknowledged the order this time. Sayer had already managed to gather five other warriors to remain on watch with him, so Lorcan and the other Elite made their way guardedly through the entrance. Kaitriana was left to watch them from her vantage point on the steps, feeling rather impotent as she stood glowering at their retreating backs. She saw a movement off the side of the hall at the same time as Lorcan; her call of warning was overtaken by her male’s bellow of rage at the sight of his long held enemy, “Rhydach!”

  Kaitriana recoiled in distaste at the Dark One’s appearance; she had heard tales of him but this was her first time to view the leader of the Dark forces with her own eyes. His deathly pale bald head gleamed in the light and his elongated fangs dripped blood of the fallen onto his chin. He was a tall, thin figure. Garbed in black flowing robes over his war armor, he moved with a confident swagger. Sneering evilly at his nemesis, he acknowledged the greeting, “Lorcan…I have been expecting you.” The words confirmed to all in witness that they had been betrayed in their mission. This battle was not yet theirs to claim victory; rather it was only the first round that the Light seemed to have won.

  Rhydach’s gaze swung unerringly to the doorway and Lorcan’s followed. The Dark One gushed excitedly, “You have brought your little Witch pet…she has grown into such a ravishing beauty. Bring her in here and make the introductions…it would be my pleasure to play with her.” The evil vampire actually licked his lips in eager anticipation.

  Kaitriana was hopeful that Lorcan would call her to him. She had much to repay this one and she prayed that the treacherous bitch Cordelia was lurking somewhere nearby. Her thirst for vengeance had been multiplied by Rhydach’s unexpected appearance. Her hand fell automatically to the weapon riding her hip as blue light erupted in her palm.

  Rhydach’s guard stepped in place behind him. There were twenty armed warriors to face Lorcan and his four. The current odds presented by the Ancient Dark were not in her mate’s favor. Kaitriana would risk his wrath and make entrance if Lorcan was not joined soon by more of his own warriors. She caught Lorcan’s look and the shake of his head. He knew her well and understood her thoughts and intentions. She was giving him a rebellious glare when a shout in the yard drew her attention.

  Looking over, she saw a massive warrior about five hundred yards back. He was flanked by a burly red-haired giant on his right and a statuesque female on his left. Kaitriana had to give the girl a second look; she was wearing sunglasses and had hot pink streaks scattered through her shoulder length black hair.

  Sayer saw the intimidating warrior at the same time that Kaitriana did and he jerked his head in that direction. He provided the name of their menace, “Nicholas, the Warrior of Dark, has decided to grace us with his presence.” His tone was derisive and Kaitriana looked on in awe for a moment. The male vampire was equal to Lorcan in size and build and he was a fierce looking opponent in his black fatigues. The title was not lost on her either, this warrior presented no minor threat. Nicholas was obviously the champion of the Darks; he would not be referred with such a lofty alias if he were an ordinary warrior.

  Her gaze was pulled back to Sayer when a strangled sound came from his throat. He was noticeably paler and his eyes had widened in disbelief. He was fixated on the wild looking female in company with Nicholas and his voice was barely audible when he breathed, “Kylie?” Kaitriana was surprised when the girl seemed to acknowledge the utterance with wicked laughter.

  Sayer’s normally unflappable manner shifted into one of murderous rage. His call to arms to his men and those that lingered in the yard was simultaneous with Nicholas’s booming order of attack. Within seconds, another battle began just off the steps of the castle. Sayer had shadowed and was fully engaged in deadly sword play with the Warrior of Dark even as he was parrying the occasional thrust of sword from the female. Kaitriana was relieved to see Kendrick’s witch Warriors along with the Fire Caste moving in to offer assistance.

  Cade was next to her before she realized his approach; he had hold on her arm and was tugging her inside. His unit of witches along with an additional dozen vampire warriors accompanied him. Lorcan was holding the same position as when her attention had turned, engaging in a battle of words with the Dark Ancient. Kaitriana caught the last of that one’s taunt as she stumbled in after Cade, “…did you not expect that there would be Vampire now aligned against you, since you have taken the Witch not only as allies but are keeping one of the critters in your bed?” Rhydach laughed coldly. He was well pleased with himself and this change in circumstance within the Vampire faction.

  Lorcan’s focus was interrupted by the entrance of Cade and his expression turned furious upon noting Kaitriana in the witch’s wake. Cade offered immediate explanation, “Nicholas is attempting to retake the grounds, she is not safe without your guard.”

  The explanation eased the heat in Lorcan’s expression, but his eyes glittered with rage when he turned back to Rhydach, “Who? Tell me and I will let you keep your head for another day.”

  Rhydach mocked him instead, “You shall see…” His hand fell to his weapon and his guards mirrored the action.

  Cade took the signal as enough of a declaration of their intent. With a wave of his hand and a vicious curse, three of the darks disappeared with a flash. He winked at Kaitriana. The forces of Light spread out behind the pair as they made ready to deal with the Darks moving to intercept them. Two Elite shadowed to f
lank Kaitriana in that instant and at Cade’s puzzled look, she winked back, “Your spells suck, Caster.”

  More Darks had been in the shadows and entered the fray as Lorcan as his group began cutting through to make way to Kaitriana. The fight was brutal around them. Half of their group kept watch on the door at their back in the event that Nicholas and his troops found success against the Light Warriors keeping them from the entrance. The others were in full combat with Rhydach and his men. Kaitriana was singularly focused on Rhydach who appeared to be withdrawing from the fray. He cut a path towards the massive staircase at the end of the hall. A quick look to Lorcan told her that he too was mindful of the Dark leader’s retreat.

  Kaitriana sought the attention of her two guards, Broderick and Marcus, by a hand placed on each. Her nod directed their notice to Rhydach, whose back was now being guarded by four warriors as he gained the bottom of the steps leading up to the second level. Her voice was firm, “I need to be closer and I need you to guard me well. I sometimes lose myself when I go this deep.” Both looked at her for explanation and then gained her meaning; her eyes were shifting, the veil of color already washing over them. Her powers were surging and she meant to use them against Rhydach. Broderick nodded his agreement to Marcus and each took hold of an arm to shadow her within a few feet of the base of the steps. The two were immediately engaged by the four men guarding Rhydach. Kaitriana looked up with glowing eyes to her enemy. Her hands were full of blue fire, but she was distracted by his laughter.

  She could hear the distress in Lorcan’s call to her, but it was distant and overshadowed by Rhydach’s derisive sneer, “Little witches…so predictable. I had hoped for more of a challenge from one in Myrrdyn’s line. Tonight I will give you the death I thought I had delivered five centuries ago.” He turned, completely dismissing the threat she presented and continued his trek upwards. His long draping robes swept the steps behind him.