“I think you’re reading too much into it!” I yelled back, but Logan’s reply was lost to the wind around us.
Chapter 12
The thick forest that surrounded us for the last twenty minutes ended in a wide meadow. Logan stopped at the edge of the trees, and I slid from my perch. The faint light from the half-moon barely lit the open space. I was grateful for my new vampire-night vision.
“Let me guess,” I muttered, “the palace is hidden in this field.”
“Not very original, but it works,” Logan whispered.
“How are we getting in?”
“There are a couple ways,” he replied. “I’m going to assume Kellen reinforced the magical barrier and repaired any holes that used to be there. That leaves the underground tunnels, which are likely patrolled.”
“Is there not a front door we can just knock on?” I asked. “I am the Magister.”
He looked down at me and gave me that silly grin. “Yes, you are.” He rubbed his thumb across my jaw. “We need to walk slowly, but with purpose. The guards shouldn’t doubt that you know exactly where the entrance is and that you fully expect them to open the door.”
And he knew where the door was because of my mother. I bit back my surging emotions.
Instead, I smiled up at him. “So, not sprinting across the field with reckless abandon.”
“Exactly. Stay by my side.”
“Always.”
His eyebrow rose a fraction, then he started towards the not-so-empty meadow. I forced myself to take slow, steady steps. Logan’s easy pace helped. We circled around the north side of the meadow and stopped, but after several seconds passed, nothing happened.
“What are you waiting for?” I asked, raising my voice and cringing as it echoed back at me.
A short, stocky man with shoulder-length hair suddenly appeared a few yards away. He wore dark pants and an equally dark long sleeve shirt.
“There are few special enough to use the gate,” the man answered in a low voice.
“And your Magister doesn’t fall into that category?” Logan asked.
The guard took a step closer and squinted at me.
“She don’t look like the Magister,” he said. “Last I heard she was still in the palace.”
“I’m not required to report my whereabouts to you,” I snapped. “Now open the door.”
The man’s eyes widened at my command. “Sorry, Magister.” He turned and pulled a long sword from the nothingness beside him.
I watched in amazement as he raised the sword over his head then pressed it into the invisible wall. Magic swirled around his blade as it ripped an opening in the protective barrier.
“Thank you,” I said, stepping through the hole with Logan at my heels.
A long staircase appeared in front of me, and my shoulders slumped. I’d be completely spent by the time I reached the top, and Logan couldn’t play taxi for me here. Why couldn’t anything just be easy? I started up the steps, mumbling to myself. Kellen should’ve put in an elevator or even escalators. Maybe I should’ve stuck around and made that happen.
Just as I suspected, I couldn’t breathe when we reached the top and my thighs burned. Fricking lovely.
“Come on, princess,” Logan whispered, resting his hand on my back for a moment. “It’s nearly midnight. I imagine Kellen is about at the end of his patience.”
“He’ll have to suck it up,” I hissed.
We crossed a small vestibule and entered the large courtyard I remembered from my last visit. Tall lamp posts surrounded the area, casting light across the hundreds of men and women milling around the entrance to the portal.
Kellen noticed us approaching and broke away from the cluster of people around him.
“I was getting worried,” he said. “We’re ready to go.”
“What can you tell us about Australia’s portal?” Logan asked.
“It’s supposed to be protected, but I can’t confirm that,” Kellen said, lowering his voice. “It opens into a thick forest. The portal itself is disguised by trees and vines. A small village surrounds the portal.”
“Okay, that helps,” Logan said. “Where are your warriors going?”
Kellen glanced at me, then back to Logan. I didn’t have my emotional shield up, but he must have. I felt nothing from him.
“Victor’s,” he whispered, turning his back to the crowd. “I suspect three traitors. When I approached them earlier, they had somewhat convincing stories. We’ll see.”
“Are you leaving first?” I asked.
“Yes.” He looked down at me, his features softening from the impassive expression he held. “Please be careful.”
“Never.”
He and Logan both chuckled as he turned away.
“Alright, folks!” Kellen yelled over the muffled conversations. The crowd parted as he made his way towards the portal. “Let’s kick some vampire ass!”
My partner stepped through the shimmering blackness without a second glance. Was I stupid for thinking I should get a hug or even a pat on the shoulder? Maybe, but it didn’t ease the pain of his rejection. I thought we both struggled with that fear, or maybe it was just me.
Logan and I stood at the back of the group watching the mages disappear. When the last one fell through the inky blackness, my vampire scooped me up into his arms and stepped through. He stumbled on the other side and sucked in a deep breath.
Sunlight greeted us along with a cold breeze. The smell of wet dirt and vegetation saturated the air. Logan lowered me to my feet but didn’t release me.
“Where is everyone else?”
I recognized the man’s voice immediately. It was the same one looking for me when Logan stole me away from Kellen’s estate. Three men stood among the trees, all of them casting suspicious glares our way. Was this the same trio who were ordered to take me last time? Why did Kellen send them here? Was it to finish the job they failed to complete?
“That’s a good question,” Logan replied. “I thought we were going to kick some vampire ass.”
“Who are you?” the same guy asked. As his eyes drifted to me, recognition set in. “Oh, this is perfect.” He glanced at the mage next to him and smiled. “It’s the little Magister. Looks like Kellen is giving us free rein to take turns with the little girl before we kill her.” He took a step forward, but the dark-haired man on his right grabbed his elbow.
My anger boiled just below the surface. Some people were so sick.
“I don’t think so, Carson. Kellen’s not stupid.” The smart guy in the group warily eyed Logan. “Where are the rest of the mages? If they didn’t come here, then he suspected a betrayal.”
Carson frowned and looked at the third man in the party, who’d been silent. “What do you think, Stewart? Do you share his paranoia? Do I get the little bitch all to myself?”
Little bitch? What had I ever done to this man? I’d never even met him until today.
“I think I regret ever listening to you,” Stewart said, dropping his chin to his chest. “She’s here to take her own retribution and leave us for the vampires.”
Carson laughed. “Look at her, you fool. She’s the size of a child!”
Stewart dropped to one knee and met my gaze, ignoring Carson. “I’m sorry, princess. Whatever you decide, I accept my punishment willingly.”
Shock swept through me as I stared at the young man kneeling in the wet leaves. His sincerity was overwhelming, and I wondered what made him join Carson in the first place. Before I could reply, a ring of fire surrounded Stewart. His cries of anguish echoed through the trees, joined by my own scream of rage. The smell of burning hair and skin wafted towards me, choking out my cry.
“No!” I called to the water surrounding me and pulled it over the flames, smothering them and Stewart immediately. He collapsed, his clothes smoldering and weak moans escaping his lips. “You bastard!” I screamed, turning to the sick asshole in front of me. “You would kill one of your own just because he disagreed with you?”
A smile crept across Carson’s face, and I lost my mind. How could someone be so cruel and heartless?
“Just one less to share with,” he said, then glanced at his last companion and raised his arm.
My spear appeared in my hand and I lunged at Carson, not even thinking about my vampire speed. The spear’s tip drove through his heart before he could react. He looked down at the weapon buried in his chest and blood pooling around my fist. His mouth opened but no words escaped. I released the spear and stepped back, allowing the man to fall to his knees, still staring at me.
What had I done? I just killed a man, I thought in horror. Not a vampire, but a human being. I hadn’t even thought about it; I’d just reacted with my anger. Was I becoming a monster just like the rest of them? I should heal him. That would take away some of my evil and guilt… right?
No, princess, you cannot bring him back from the death that has already taken him. Göksu whispered in my mind.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered as Carson fell over. I couldn’t peel my eyes from the man I killed. “Oh my God.” I clamped my hand over my mouth, and tears clouded my vision.
“He needed to die,” the second mage’s voice drew my attention. He stood a few yards away, Logan’s long fingers wrapped around his neck. “Stewart doesn’t. He was opposed to this from the beginning.”
I’d forgotten about the one asking forgiveness. How stupid. I crawled over to his still smoldering body and nearly lost my lunch or dinner or whatever my last meal was. The skin on his arms and face bubbled, oozing blood and other things I didn’t want to think about.
“Göksu, I cannot let him suffer,” I whispered, hovering my hand over the skin on his cheek.
I agree. We can save him.
The tears I’d been holding back fell from my eyes as I leaned over the helpless man. My elemental’s presence settled next to me even though I couldn’t see him. I focused on the pool of magic in my center, feeling it swell to the point of aching. I let it rush through my chest and down my arms, gasping at the intensity of Göksu’s power as it flowed from my fingertips.
Pain replaced the pleasure of power as soon as my magic touched his wounds. Holy shit, burns sucked, but I supposed I deserved it for the life I took. I clamped my lips shut against the agony.
Pick the worst pain and move forward, Göksu whispered.
The burns on his arms appeared the most severe, so I started there, working my way to the exposed skin on his neck and face.
Logan’s deft hands removed what was left of Stewart’s shirt, revealing red angry blisters. “Don’t wear yourself out,” my vampire whispered. “We still have another fight in our future. These will heal on their own.”
I fell back onto my butt and dropped my forehead on my knees. I’d killed a man, without even thinking. No wonder Göksu didn’t trust me. Logan rubbed my back, but it didn’t help ease my guilt.
“What was your role in this?” Logan asked. I assumed he spoke to the other mage.
“We were supposed to come here with all the mage warriors,” he said.
I pulled my head from my knees and looked up at him. Logan was right; we needed answers. My self-loathing would have to wait.
“And do what?” I asked. “And I don’t want to hear the mages’ story.”
His shoulders slumped, his gaze dropping to the wet leaves at his feet. “A group of mage-vampires will be here at dusk. They’re supposed to take as many of our mages as they can and run.” He paused and glanced up at me. “We were promised immortality. It’s hard for you to understand as a dual mage, but the fear of going insane without a partner is real.”
“So you sold out your fellow mages for a chance to become some soulless creature?” I asked. “Have you even looked for a partner outside of the US?”
He shook his head but didn’t reply.
I jumped to feet, probably too quickly for a mere mage. Damn vampire speed. “Tell me you’re not serious. You have a portal that will take you anywhere in the world and you haven’t used it?” I raised my arms in disbelief. “Why the hell not?”
“It’s not our fault,” he pleaded.
“Oh bullshit!”
“Really! The Magister forbid us from visiting the other mage cities.”
I rolled my eyes, but I tried to put myself in his shoes. Would I really go against my leader to find my partner? Well, duh. If the choice is insanity or pissing off a pouty bitch…
“Alright, I won’t go there even though I really want to. That’s the perfect example of fricking sheoples,” I spat. “When this is over, we’re going on field trips… like damned preschoolers.” I mumbled the rest to myself. It wouldn’t help to say it out loud. “Take your friend back the palace and make sure the rest of his wounds are cared for. Go ahead and spread the news about our field trips as well. Maybe it’ll deter anyone else from making this same stupid decision.”
“Yes, Magister.”
“Wait.” I held up my hand as he reached for his fellow mage. The dead body on the ground drew my gaze. “What’s your talent?”
“Air, the same as you.”
“Never mind then. I’ll find someone to bury him.”
“You’re not what they said you were,” he mumbled, draping Stewart’s arm over his shoulder and pulling him to his feet.
“What did they say?” I asked, really looking at the mage for the first time. He was probably in his late twenties, average height and build. His plain features and sandy hair would have him blending in a crowd, totally unnoticed.
He pulled his lips into a tight line and shifted Stewart’s weight. “You’re nothing like your mother. Carson said you were exactly like her, but he was wrong.”
I blinked back my tears, not wanting my crybaby side on display again.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
“Marshall,” he replied. “I’ll do everything I can to undo the rumors Carson started. I imagine Stewart will help.”
“Thank you.”
“No, thank you.” He stepped through the portal, disappearing into its inky blackness.
I fell against Logan, knowing he would catch me, and buried my head in his chest. I didn’t stop my tears from soaking his shirt, and he rubbed away my shuddering sobs.
“I can’t do this,” I mumbled.
“I think you just proved you can,” my vampire whispered. “Your people skills are amazing. If Kellen had talked to his mages like that, they would’ve turned away from him.” He gently pushed me back and forced me to look up at him. “But I think you just created a loyalty that he never could.”
“Whatever.” I wiped the tears from my face with my sleeve. “I’m not cut out for this,” I whispered, my gaze shifting to Carson’s body again. “We need to bury him.”
“We’ll find a mage in the village,” Logan said, stepping away from the portal and our small battle scene. “Slow and steady.”
“Thanks, I needed the reminder.”
He held out his hand and I took it. I needed his calming presence as well as his slow pace. Maybe one day I’d get used to my new speed.
We didn’t get more than a few feet before being surrounded by dozens of dark-skinned men dressed in cotton pants and long-sleeved shirts. My skin tingled, and I realized they were feeling for my magic. I really needed to learn how to do that.
“You’re mages?” I asked, hoping they spoke English. I assumed they would because we were in Australia, but that was stupid. I couldn’t expect everyone to automatically speak my own language. I should’ve found that out before leaving the palace, but it was too late now. Instead, I made a mental note to ask those questions before the field trips I promised Marshall.
“Yes,” a tall, slim man replied from the middle of the line. His dark hair hung in long braids past his narrow shoulders. His wide nose and full mouth fit perfectly on his round face, but his icy blue eyes drew my attention. “You’re the American Magister?”
“That’s what they keep telling me,” I replied, smiling. These
people were our allies, so I really needed to be nice.
He looked past me at Carson’s body then nodded at the two men closest to him. “We’ll bury the traitor. You’ll come with us and eat.”
Food sounded great, especially after he confirmed Carson’s role. I had to assume Kellen had told him about possible treachery in the palace, but I didn’t bother asking.
“I’d like that very much,” I said. “Please lead the way.”
After a short five-minute walk, the thick trees gave way to a large group of buildings. Wooden, one story homes lined a narrow street just wide enough for two cars.
Our leader and two other men, who I guessed were next in command, led the procession of mages. Logan and I were sandwiched between them, and I felt my vampire’s unease grow as we made our way further into town. I hadn’t thought about the risk to him, not really. Another character flaw that reinforced my argument against leadership. I wasn’t good at thinking about others.
I wanted to lace my fingers through Logan’s but worried about the perception. Everyone assumed Kellen and I were more than partners. Would I endanger Logan more by showing my affection for him?
The farther we walked, the bigger the crowd of onlookers grew, reminding me of my first visit to the palace. I was a spectacle then, just like now. Only I suspected for different reasons. Our escort stopped in front of a long row of buildings that reminded me of a shopping plaza. Seven or eight doors lined the front of the structure, but the center door drew my attention. The same symbol representing the elements graced the front of the carved wood. Now that I knew what those wispy wings stood for, I scoffed at the depiction. It didn’t do him justice and reinforced Niyol’s claim that no one had even seen Spirit in his true form.
The tall, thin mage pulled open one of the doors and motioned us inside. It was beautiful in a natural sort of way. Native plants lined the entryway and skylights allowed the sun to brighten the space. I looked up at Logan and frowned. Dark shadows hovered beneath his eyes, and I hoped the sun wasn’t already wearing on him.
We passed through another set of doors, entering a large dining room.
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