Chapter Sixteen
Evrain came too suddenly, aware that somebody was in the room with him.
“It’s eleven o’clock, Evrain.” Coryn gently shook him into wakefulness. “You need to get up. You have plenty of time but Gregory and I have to leave now. We must make sure we get to the glade before Symeon. Try not to worry, okay? You won’t be able to see us, but we will be there.” Coryn gave his arm a soft pat then slipped away.
Evrain levered himself out of bed. He didn’t feel groggy, just a little disconnected. It was as if the real world had been suspended, frozen in a little bubble of time while this business between himself and Symeon played out. He took a quick shower, dried off then pulled on his clothes. He chose an all-black outfit of T-shirt and leather jacket over jeans. Symeon wasn’t the only one who could be melodramatic and Evrain wanted to make an impression.
Down in the kitchen, he ate a snack of bread and cheese because Gregory had told him to eat something, however nervous he felt. It proved to be good advice because the simple food settled his stomach. At eleven-thirty exactly, he set off down the lane. The summer night was clear, the air crisp and chill enough that his breath steamed. The sky was a black velvet blanket pierced with the tiny twinkles of a few scattered stars but there was no moon.
During Evrain’s childhood stays at the cabin, Aggie had often taken him to Inkcap Glade. Usually at dawn, with glittering dew heavy on the grass. At night there was a whole different atmosphere. Forbidding was the word that came into Evrain’s head as he walked firstly along the river, then into Belsevere Wood. The wood was a tangle of shadows and gloomy darkness, hidden away from the world about it by saplings and shrubs that were contorted and intermingled to form a dense, virtually impenetrable maze. The ancient oaks grew gnarled and twisted, their limbs reaching out with grasping hands. Underfoot, a thick carpet of leaf litter decayed slowly, giving it a spongy feel that sucked Evrain’s feet down and soaked his boots.
Evrain followed a barely visible path through the trees. The short walk had a calming effect, and by the time he reached Inkcap Glade, Evrain felt controlled enough to face Symeon without losing his temper. There was little light but Evrain had perfect night vision, one advantage of being a warlock. Despite the fact that he could see everything with remarkable clarity, there was no sign of Coryn or Gregory and he knew they would not be seen unless they chose to be. He sat on a fallen trunk and waited, fiddling with the gold band around his wrist.
Symeon was fifteen minutes late. No doubt a deliberate ploy to get Evrain worked up. A torch flickered through the trees and Damon appeared first, coming from the opposite end of the clearing. He held a lead that ended in a choke chain around Dominic’s neck. Evrain swallowed—Dominic looked so desperate. His hands were cuffed behind him and he moved as if he were in pain. He was wearing a pair of old overalls and no shoes, his bare feet dirty and grazed. He glanced up and met Evrain’s eyes. At that moment, Evrain knew that Dominic’s body might be battered and bruised but his spirit was firmly intact. Even in the darkness, he could see the spark of flame behind the sapphire blue. God, he loved those eyes. He would do anything to keep Dominic safe. Evrain blamed himself entirely that Dominic was in this position. It was his fault that Dominic had been hurt. More than anything he wanted time to get to know him properly. He craved the kind of connection that Gregory and Coryn had, a love that ran deeper than passion, the kind of love that permeated every drop of blood, every nerve and fiber of their bodies. If the night played out to plan, he would get that time.
Symeon had dressed for the occasion in an ankle-length black coat and pointed boots. His hair gleamed and his black eyes glittered like chips of frozen jet. He took up a position opposite Evrain and pointed with his cane.
“Evrain. I hope you are going to behave yourself? I wouldn’t want this night to get…unpleasant.”
His tone was so patronizing that Evrain’s resolve to stay calm wavered. Storm clouds began to gather above the glade and the wind whipped through the leaves of the surrounding trees. Symeon cast a nervous glance up and banged his cane on the ground.
“Control yourself, boy. On your knees. Show subservience to your betters,” Symeon said to Evrain.
Evrain took a deep breath. He stood and took a couple of paces toward Symeon. He pushed up his sleeve a little so that the gold around his wrist was clearly visible, then did as he’d been told and knelt. Moisture immediately soaked through the knees of his jeans. An ominous rumble of thunder echoed across the sky. Dominic wanted Symeon to know that, even with his powers damped by gold, he was a force to be reckoned with.
“No!” Dominic’s shout was cut off as Damon yanked on the chain around his neck, but he fought him. “Don’t do it, Evrain! I consent, do you understand? I consent!”
This time Damon punched him, knocking him to the ground and into silence.
Evrain smiled. Just a small smile but enough to make Symeon take a pace back. He yanked off the bracelet and threw it to one side. Elemental energy rushed through his body. He raised one hand and twisted his fingers. “I love you, Dominic.”
Lightning rent the air and flashed into the glade as Evrain embraced his power and channeled through Dominic’s prone form. It felt so good. He could sense every current in the air, every twig, every leaf, every animal waited on his command. He could summon fire or flood, cause the earth to quake, whirl the winds into a tornado, but he didn’t. With an immense effort of will he stilled the elements and his own mind.
“I will not attack you, Symeon. That’s exactly what you want me to do, isn’t it? Weaken myself with doubt. Leave myself open to your attack.”
Symeon looked absolutely furious. “Do it! Do it, you little upstart!” He stamped forward, looming over Evrain. He wound a hand in Evrain’s hair and twisted, forcing his head back. “I’m going to slaughter you slowly. Suck every molecule of power from your body, then make you watch as I fuck your lover until he bleeds. You’ll feel every cut as I flay the flesh from your bones inch by inch.”
“Charming.” Evrain smiled serenely. “What a fine example of warlock kind you are, Symeon.”
His scorn did nothing to improve Symeon’s temper. He drew back his hand. Evrain braced himself for the blow but before Symeon could strike, an invisible force flung Symeon away from him and pinned him to the ground.
Evrain got to his feet. Ignoring Symeon, he cast around anxiously, seeking Dominic. Damon had dragged him back toward the trees but just stood there staring as if he couldn’t quite believe what was happening.
Symeon forced his way to his feet, his face contorted with anger. “You dare to attack me, to go against everything you’ve been taught? There’s hope for you yet!”
“It wasn’t him, Malus, you pathetic excuse for a human being.” Gregory stepped into the clearing.
Evrain spotted Coryn hanging back by the trees.
“What is the matter with you? Are you so insecure that one untrained youngling threatens your manhood?” Gregory grinned.
“I believe you’ve met my godfather, Symeon,” Evrain taunted. “He’s not very impressed with you.”
“You are a disgrace to the craft and it’s time you learned to behave yourself,” Gregory said.
Evrain looked on in fascinated horror as Gregory and Symeon faced each other across the glade. They were less than twenty paces apart. Symeon’s lips were twisted into a snarl. Gregory stood still, utterly calm and implacable, waiting for Symeon to make the first move.
“I am just as powerful as you, Gregory. I fear nothing that you might attempt.” Symeon shook his head mockingly. “You are deluded if you think I’ll run from you.”
“Oh, I don’t want you to run, Symeon,” Gregory said. “But I will give you one last chance to leave before I make you wish that you had.”
Symeon laughed. “You don’t frighten me, old man. I’ll leave when I have what I came to get.”
“Evrain and Dominic are under my protection,” Gregory snapped. “Neither you nor I has the rig
ht to divert their destinies.”
“You always were a soft-hearted fool. Give me the boy and you’ll see no more of me.”
“You’ll be lucky to leave here with your life, Symeon.” Flickers of light surrounded Gregory’s hands.
Evrain ran to where Dominic lay. Damon knelt nearby—tremors wracked his body as Symeon channeled. Evrain crouched next to Dominic and shook his shoulder. Dominic moaned and opened his eyes. “What’s going on?”
“Stay down,” Evrain whispered, his eyes returning to the confrontation taking place in the glade. “Gregory is facing down Symeon.”
Gregory had moved forward and now stood directly in front of Symeon.
“Go back to the hole you crawled out of, Symeon.” Gregory whipped up his hand and struck Symeon a stinging blow across the face.
In the stillness of the glade the sound of the blow echoed. Symeon staggered back in surprise.
Then Gregory laughed. “You are pathetic. Go home.”
“Oh, this is not going to be pretty,” Evrain muttered. Symeon’s features were frozen in fury.
Dominic struggled into a sitting position. “I really hope you have a plan, Evrain. Symeon looks like he wants to fry the entire planet.”
Symeon came at Gregory with ball lightning. Gregory lurched back, but raised a shield in the shape of a sheet of water. The lightning burst against it, sending sparks of electricity to earth. Symeon’s face twisted with rage at his failure. He stretched out his hand and a huge root erupted from the earth to wrap around Gregory’s lower legs like a boa constrictor. Gregory toppled, but even as he fell, he shot fire at the root. It dissolved to ash and blew away in the mini whirlwind that Gregory sent toward Symeon.
Symeon screamed his frustration into the wind, which picked him up and carried him into the air.
“Symeon’s losing it,” Dominic said.
“Hmm, but not losing the fight,” Evrain replied.
Figures of mud rose from the ground and advanced on Gregory. He created a deluge of water and washed them away, but lost control of his tornado. Symeon fell to earth, stopping his descent with a cushion of air.
“The mud figures,” Evrain exclaimed. “There was mud on the garden gate after Grandma was killed. Do you think that’s how Symeon did it?”
The air cleared. Gregory and Symeon stood facing each other once more.
Coryn edged toward Evrain and Dominic. “We need a soundtrack,” he said, his face ashen. “I’m thinking The Final Countdown.”
“Wow, you’re showing your age there, Coryn. I think it’s time for me to do my thing, don’t you?” Evrain said.
“Wait, what ‘thing’?” Dominic shouted as Evrain disappeared into the trees.
“I’m going to eviscerate you, Gregory. Evrain is a coward. He should fight his own battles.” Symeon spat his vitriol. He raised a circle of fire around Gregory, the flames dancing high, roaring their intent.
Gregory’s gentle rain turned the flames to a curtain of steam. He darted away and Symeon followed. Gregory whirled around and attacked again, but not with magic. He grappled Symeon to the ground. They rolled and fought, sparks flying from their hands.
Evrain approached from behind, waiting for Gregory to show him that he was ready to put their plan into action. Evrain prayed that he had the strength to do what was needed. He didn’t dare glance toward Dominic as he channeled the immense energies coursing through his blood. His resolve might falter if he saw Dominic in pain.
Gregory broke free of the tussle on the ground and rolled clear. He gestured at the sky, and above his head a swirling orange cloud formed then broke apart, soaking him. Symeon surged to his feet, cackling with laughter at the sight of Gregory standing there, soaking wet, a bemused expression on his face. Evrain stepped forward into view. He focused all his concentration on the ground, feeling his way through the earth, seeking what he needed. Fire burst from the ground and he used the power of the wind to send it circling around Symeon’s form. Symeon was engulfed. He conjured a waterfall from the air but it did nothing to douse the flames. Symeon screamed as his clothes began to smoke and the ends of his hair caught alight. He tried to squeeze a cushion of air between himself and the flames but it just exacerbated the fire. Finally he tried earth, coating himself in mud. It offered some protection, but in his frantic attempts to protect himself Symeon forgot about Gregory.
Heat from the flames came at Evrain, searing his face. He lowered his head and kept his focus on his task. He had to give Gregory time to finish the fight. Gregory raised his hands and from each fingertip came a stream of light. All the colors of the rainbow came together to form a pinpoint of pure white. He pointed at Symeon and a spear of light, blindingly bright, struck Symeon square in the chest. Symeon screamed and writhed as light enveloped him, helpless beneath the onslaught.
Evrain extinguished his fire and collapsed to his knees. From the corner of his eye he spotted Damon sprinting across the clearing brandishing a knife. A flick of Evrain’s fingers ensured that he fell in an ungainly heap as the earth rippled beneath his feet. Damon staggered up. He ran away, abandoning Symeon to his fate.
“Enough!” Evrain shouted weakly after him. “This is over.”
Simultaneously he and Gregory relaxed and the glade returned to something like normality. Evrain rushed to Dominic’s side, propping him up with a strong arm around his shoulders and removing his bonds with a flicker of fingers.
“Are you okay?” Evrain wanted to touch and examine every inch of Dominic’s skin.
“Of course I’m not fucking okay. That bloody hurt!” Dominic turned into Evrain’s arms and hugged him hard. “You did it! You channeled!”
“Sorry,” Evrain said sheepishly. “The plan kind of depended on it. Was it bad?”
“Actually, no. It hurt, but not nearly as much as I thought it would.” Dominic melted into Evrain’s arms.
Evrain stroked his hair. “What the fuck have you done to this?” He tugged on a long red strand.
“It’s a long story. Preferably a bedtime one,” Dominic said with a mischievous smile. “Can we go home?”
Lust turned Evrain’s cock to iron. “Absolutely!”
“If you two have finished slobbering over each other…?”
Evrain peered around to find Gregory looming over him, holding Coryn’s hand. Evrain helped Dominic to his feet then turned to his godfather. “Sorry, Gregory. I got a bit distracted. How are you doing? Are you okay, Coryn?”
“I’m fine. That was the best fun I’ve had in an age,” Gregory replied, grinning from ear to ear.
“And I’ll recover after a couple of decent-sized snifters.” Coryn said as he joined them, still pale but smiling. “That much channeling was an interesting experience.”
Gregory hugged him.
“Coryn, you haven’t been properly introduced to Dominic yet,” Evrain said.
Dominic smiled shyly. Coryn shook his hand and gave him a conspiratorial wink. “You and I have a lot to discuss, young man. I can give you all kinds of insider tips on how to keep a warlock in line.”
Evrain and Gregory both groaned.
“There are a few things I don’t understand about what happened tonight, let alone anything else,” Dominic said.
“Well, let’s take this party back to the cabin. A celebration is definitely in order, and Evrain can explain himself over drinks and snacks. You do have snacks, right?” Gregory replied.
“We have plenty of unhealthy nibbles for you to gorge on,” Evrain said. “What about Symeon? Are we just going to leave him here?” Evrain gestured to the quivering wreck on the grass a few yards away. Puffs of smoke rose from Symeon’s clothing.
“He’ll live. But he’ll have trouble doing more than lighting a candle for the next few years. Hopefully all this has knocked some sense into Damon too and he’s run as far away as possible. Symeon won’t be able to channel. He’ll have to get used to being a mere mortal. One that can hitch a damn ride. Come on. Time to go home.”
To
gether, they walked through the woods to where Gregory and Coryn’s rental vehicle was parked. Gregory drove with Coryn riding shotgun. Evrain and Dominic cuddled close in the back, Dominic’s head resting on Evrain’s shoulder. Despite their victory over Symeon, the atmosphere during the drive was subdued. For one, Evrain found the ‘what if?’s going over and over in his head. So many things could have gone wrong. Any of them could have been killed. It brought home just how heavy the responsibilities he shouldered were—to manage the power he wielded and to take care of Dominic.
The cabin felt like home. Gregory wiggled his fingers and soon a fire roared in the hearth and soup bubbled merrily on the stove. Evrain dug out chips and cookies. They sat around the table for a while, ate, drank and rebuilt their energy levels.
Dominic was the one to push his bowl away first. “So, who’s going to tell me how the three of you pulled off that show tonight? Symeon was so confident that you would give in, Evrain. He kept going on and on about outdated values and how it was against your misguided principles to use the power for violence.”
“Which is exactly why Evrain didn’t make the first move. I could then step in to defend him,” Gregory said.
“And Evrain defended you!” Dominic exclaimed.
“Exactly. I had to let Symeon believe he’d got the better of me,” Evrain explained. “Though kneeling for that man destroyed a piece of my soul.”
“But that doesn’t explain why Symeon had so much trouble with the fire Evrain threw at him,” Dominic said.
“I have a very clever godson,” Gregory said. “Our mastery of the elements varies. Fire is an obvious weapon and Evrain is very strong in that power. It’s the easiest to control. He knew he had to use a different element to beat Symeon.”
“And it was you that got me thinking, love.” Evrain took Dominic’s hand across the table, intertwining their fingers.
“How on earth did I do that?” Dominic asked.
Evrain chuckled. “Earth. That was the key. You’re always going on about minerals in the soil, acidity, that kind of thing, and it got me thinking. What if there was a material, deep in the earth, that would react violently if it was brought to the surface. I did a bit of research.”
Elemental Love Page 18