Unbound (Kayla Blackstone)

by Adriane Ceallaigh

  “He has Gannon’s scent.” Karn spoke aloud so everyone was clear. She watched the blood drain from Gannon’s face when he realized what she’d feared. In less than two strides he was at her side. He pulled her up into his arms, giving her a fierce kiss. “We settle this now,” His eyes a storm cloud of expression, he took her breath away.

  “Um, well if you’re through with the fireworks, Gan, can we get down to business? There’s somewhere I want to be tonight.” Jubi fluttered over to Kayla and perched on her shoulder.

  “Well let’s get to it then Kayla what are the bones of your plan, for those of us who weren’t there to hear it?” Gannon asked.

  “I think Gannon should contact his people about me. If they bite, they’ll send someone to take me from him. We’ll need your wolves to scout where they keep their prisoners.” She looked at her hands, swallowing hard. “I’d like to send Roo with you. I don’t want him captured when Gannon hands me over. He would attack them, given a chance, and I don’t want him to end up dead. I believe Covington will be the one who shows up. I don’t think he’ll let an opportunity to gloat at Gannon pass by.” She looked over at Gannon. Kayla thought that he might choose to add something, and he didn’t disappoint her.

  “I want you all to understand that I dedicated my life to this. I don’t want to believe without definite proof that they are all doing this. Granted, Covington has come across some form of magic that allows him to control others, and maybe that is why people aren’t acting like they have their whole lives. My daughter is being controlled. I want to know who is behind it all and stop them, damn it, before others get hurt.” He slapped his hand against the table.

  Her heart ached for him. She’d been at the lowest point in her life when Keaton had dug his claws into her; forcing her to do things for him she’d known were wrong. She hadn’t been able to help herself, but she’d damn sure help Gannon free his people.

  “I hate to break up the party, but I really need to get back, Gan. I have something urgent I need to attend to.”

  “Don’t worry, Jubi. I’m sure whatever it is can wait.”

  “You know Gannon!” Jubi shouted, his light a brilliant red. He flew off Kayla’s shoulder, hovering an inch before Gannon’s nose.

  “You want to tell him or should I?” Gannon laughed.

  “What the hell are you laughing at, Gannon?”

  “Oh that would be because of me, Jubi dear.”

  “What! Why? How?” Jubi’s color turned a sickly green.

  Gannon reached out and caught the stunned Sprite as he dropped like a stone, too distraught by the sudden turn of events to remember to fly.

  “Well, she’s here because I wanted to see how good she was at staying hidden, even from another Sprite, and give her a glimpse of what your life is like.”

  “Oh, is that why? I had wondered.” A female Sprite doubled over in giggles.

  “Pretty much. That, and I think we could use the help.”

  “Whatever I can do to help.” She looked straight at Jubi.

  “Absolutely not. You can’t go. I forbid it.” Fury twitched Jubi’s wings.

  “And just who do you think you are that you can command me, Jubi? I’m going whether you like it or not.”

  Kayla watched the play between the Sprites. Even if the girl hadn’t planned on going, she would now just because he’d told her she couldn’t...

  “She’s right, Jubi. You can’t stop her from it, especially since I asked her. And you must admit she’s pretty damn good, given the fact that you didn’t even know she was there until I said something.”

  “I need to think about it. I’m just going to sit and eat and think.” Jubi fluttered off.

  * * *

  Gannon had made him a place of his own for when he stayed here. He stretched out on his bed, folded his hands behind his head, and stared up into the flowers overhead. He’d wanted to keep her separate from this dangerous life.

  Gannon had always dealt with the chiefs of their clan, to help when needed. They were trying to restore the balance. There was a very real possibility that they mightn’t come back from this mission. He’d just found his love for her. It was a new and fragile thing. He’d been so happy before Gannon had called this evening.

  Sure, there had been clan business to attend to, what with Kayla saving one of them from death with the magic they opened within her. But he was supposed to be on a date, flying down near the pond, feasting on lily-pad flowers.

  A moment away from the world of man. He felt increasingly more, of late, like he wanted to separate himself from their cares and problems. However, he was obligated. He cared for Gannon. They’d been through a lot, and he had to admit Seri was the best he’d ever seen at hiding. He finally understood how she was able to know all the things she’d seen in the last few days.

  That crazy girl had been in the middle of everything, just hidden. He’d have to ask her how she turned off her light. Jubi looked around, startled out of his musings by a light hand on his shoulder.

  “Can I join you?”

  “Ya, I was thinking of you and the mess we’re in. I don’t want you to go.” He held up a hand when she would have interrupted him. “Before you say anything, I’m not saying you can’t go. Not that I could stop you. How do you shut off your lights?”

  "Um, well I'm not quite sure I can teach you Jubi, but I will try." Seri let her light grow dimmer until it was out. Jubi watched in amazement. He reached out, almost touching the tip of her wing.

  "That's all I'm asking. It would seem that you've kept yourself from a few scrapes by shutting off you're lights. You're almost invisible.

  She flushed, her wings a brilliant red. “I’m no coward, Jubi!"

  "I never said you were, Seri.”

  "Oh. I thought you were disappointed." Her eyes glistened with unshed tears.

  “Why don’t we get out of here? What do you say we go down by the pond like we planned? Would you like that, Seri?” He cupped her face and turned it to look at him.

  “Yes. I think I would like that. Do you think Gannon will let us?”

  “Sure he will. Gannon trusts us and I bet some of the others will be going back to the other part of the T’ween tonight as well.”

  “If you say so, Jubi, but I don’t know. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what he says. You ready to go now?”

  “Not quite yet.” He leaned forward and kissed her. He felt her start to relax in his arms. She was his. He broke off the kiss and smiled, gazing on her for a moment. “Now I’m ready.”

  “Oh you.” She smacked him on the arm. Giggling, she flew off to where the others were still seated around the table.

  “I think I should go back and talk with the pack. I’ll need to tell them what we’ve discussed and figure out who will be the best choices to go with us,” Karn said.

  “All right, but I want to be able to communicate with you somehow. Let me think for a moment.” Gannon got up and went to one to the drawers in the kitchen. He riffled through it and brought back a handful of wooden discs on strings. “I was wondering when I’d get a chance to try these out. I don’t know what kind of interference there’ll be. Here you go Karn. And I think to be safe, we should all have one for tomorrow. Jubi!”

  “What? You don’t need to shout so. I’m flying right here.” He cringed when Gannon shouted for him. He couldn’t resist that shout no matter what he was doing. “Oh, and if you want me to wear one of those dumb things you’re going to promise you won’t use it on me tonight.”

  “I’ll take you all back, and I’ll abide by your wishes, Jubi, and not contact you tonight as long as you’re ready to go by first light tomorrow. That goes for all of you. Now let me show you how these dang things work,” he said, handing out the discs. “I want you all to form a circle. I want you to think of a word and hold that word in your mind. When you all have it I want you to nod.” They did as he said. The circle was formed as the last of them joined. “Now, do you all have your words?” They
nodded.

  “Now, press the center of the disc. Once you’ve done that, I want you to say the word distinctly in your mind. Have you all done this?” Again they all nodded.

  Jubi felt a surge of magic linking all the discs together. “I must say, Gan, I’m a little curious how these work.” He twirled his around on its string before putting it around his neck. The magic settled back into the earth.

  “I was getting to that, Jubi. When you want to talk to someone in our group, press the center of the disc, then say the person’s name you wish to talk to, and the word you chose. These will only work for the person they’ve been keyed to. Even if somebody found out your keyword it wouldn’t do them any good. Also, you don’t need to say any of that aloud.”

  “I thank you for making me a part of this group,” Karn said.

  “Thanks for all your help the last few days, Karn. If you’re all ready…”

  * * *

  Kayla frowned. They’d decided the night before that it would take too much effort for Gannon to spot transport them all again. It wasn’t such a good idea for some of these people to know the location of his portal. Karn stood, looking at one of his wolves with hatred. Not all was happy with them. She suspected the wolves had had it out last night, yet they hadn’t filled her in this morning. What had happened? Even with that danger, she was more worried about Gannon. She didn’t want him low on energy when they met up with the rest of his peers.

  Kayla stopped. Gannon couldn’t move them, but maybe she could shift the portal. Without looking at him, for fear that he would know what she was thinking, she concentrated on the portal and on them moving through it. An intense pain shot through her body, jerking her to the ground. But when she stood up and looked around, she knew that she had done it.

  Gannon looked at her, shock and then anger evident on his face.

  Kayla stared defiantly into his eyes before she turned away. She hoped that he would take them out of here soon. She didn’t want to make a scene; she really couldn’t afford to waste energy on a fight right now. She’d been winded moving such a large group of people, but she would never admit it to Gannon.

  He sighed, “Come on,” and started off down the street, waving Jubi and his people off.

  24

  They reached the meeting place first. It gave Gannon an opportunity to observe the surroundings and look for a way out if it came to that. But the vacant lot didn’t provide much in the way of cover, just a lone tree at the far end and a few weeds between them and the fences that surrounded the thing.

  The council was likely to send Covington. He chafed that he would have to fight with the man. He could only hope some of the honest Mages would be there too. He'd played into Covington’s hands by not alerting the council about Kayla sooner, but he hoped that they would be lenient and believe that he hadn’t known what she could do until after they went to Covington’s. By then, he’d been busy trying to get her back from Keaton, who was some sort of Daemon. He could only hope that Covington hadn’t warped the minds of the entire council.

  They didn’t have to wait long for Covington to swagger into view. Gannon regretted the Mages that came with him. He didn’t know if they were with Covington or just there on the council’s orders. He sincerely hoped it was the latter. What was the likelihood that Covington would bring two Mages that weren’t in on his plans? Esmarella and he had a long history. Tormund had been one of his greatest chums in school, until the war had called them each to separate duties. Maybe the council wanted him to be among friends when they brought him in, but he doubted it.

  “Tormund, Ella.” He nodded to each in turn as they approached.

  Anger flared in Ella’s eyes. She sneered, “It’s Esmarella. Take care to remember that, Gannon.”

  Tor stood back, his hand on the hilt of his sword. His eyes held a flat look. Gannon couldn’t think of what to say. These weren’t the same people he remembered. While he hadn’t seen them in the last few years, they couldn’t have changed this much. Tor always reserved judgment, and wouldn’t let friendship stand in the way of doing his duty.

  “So they sent you, Tormund.” He ignored Covington and acknowledged his long time friend.

  “It would appear so, Gannon,” Tormund said stiffly. There might have been a flash of pain in his eyes, but Gannon couldn’t be sure.

  “Kayla,” He held out his hand and brought her up next to him. He’d caught the flare of her magic when she saw Covington, and he didn’t want her doing anything foolish that might make Tormund act without thinking. “Kayla, this is Tormund, and Esmarella. They are two of the council’s best Mages.”

  “They may be that, Gannon, but if they’re so good, what the hell are they doing with him?” Kayla glared with hatred at the man in front of her.

  “Now, now, Kayla, what have I ever done to you?” Covington asked innocently.

  “Do you want me to start listing the atrocities you’ve committed in front of your little friends?” she asked.

  “Careful, lady,” Tormund rumbled in warning.

  “One, When I met you, you were torturing and collaring Mages.” Kayla accused.

  Tormund and Esmarella took a step away from Covington, shock and hatred blooming on their faces. It was all Gannon needed to know that neither had knowingly been a part of Covington’s group. He wondered, then, what they were there for.

  * * *

  “How would you know, you lying little bitch?” Covington demanded.

  Nyx took that moment to appear, before vanishing again. Covington took a step away. He swallowed.

  Kayla felt Nyx against her. She continued berating Covington without even pausing for breath.

  “And another thing, you slimy bastard: if you go near that child again, I’ll kill you.” Her chest heaved. She could feel her magic on the tips of her fingers, aching to be released, but she didn’t want to give him the satisfaction.

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about, but I assure you that you have me confused with someone else.” Covington flashed a winning smile.

  Kayla saw Esmarella’s eyes turn white, but didn’t move from her position.

  “The woman, Kayla’s, aura bears the colors of truth, yet Covington’s holds parts are concealed. It’s as if there is a veil over my eyes, when I try to examine him closer. He’s hiding something, Tor, but I can’t detect what. It’s just a feeling that keeps slipping away.”

  “I’ve had enough, Esmarella. Wherever the truth may lie, the Council can decide. My orders are to bring her in, Gannon. I will note her accusations in my report.”

  He walked to Gannon. “I don’t want to have to do this, but it’s my duty. I wouldn’t try to use your magic. These cuffs cause intense pain when you try. Time to go, Gannon.”

  “Is this really necessary, Tor?” Gannon didn’t resist.

  “I’m afraid so. It has become Council policy in the last few years.” Tormund had regret in his voice.

  He turned to Kayla, holding another pair of cuffs in his hand. He reached for her hand. A surge of magic hit him and threw him against the fence on the far side of the field. Kayla looked at her hand and across to where he lay. What the hell had just happened? She didn’t have time to worry about it as Tormund picked himself up from the ground. He drew his sword and walked back towards her.

  Kayla glared at the fool. She didn’t understand why he’d let the great oaf put those cuffs on him. Not paying him any attention, discounting the others, she turned to face her opponent. This was going to be fun. She hadn’t had anyone to play with in a while. Her sword was in her hands. She grinned at him. Without a thought, she strutted towards him.

  “Kayla,” Gannon called after her.

  He shouted something to that blonde but she put it from her mind and focused solely on the target before her.

  “Esmarella, you must stop him. She’ll kill him or he her, but neither of them will stop until someone dies.”

  “Oh really Gan, give it up. What could that girl do against one of our
Battle Mages?”

  “She’s not what she appears to be.”

  Kayla’s sword began to glow with a blue flame. She flipped it around, grinning. It felt good to have it back in her hand again.

  The large man circled her. His dark hair gleamed in the sunlight. His hard, slate eyes stared at her, taking in every movement. Here was an opponent worthy of her skill. She hummed, admiring his sword as he brought it up in a clean arc. She danced away, looking for any opening, any mistake. The swords flicked in and out, faster than the eye could follow, an erotic dance of danger. His mouth thinned, watching her, looking for even the smallest opening. She gave him none. He didn’t pause when her sword burned blue. He lunged forward, leaving her an opening. She slapped him with the flat of her blade.

  He staggered back. “What the hell was in that spell?”

  Kayla landed on top of him. “Wouldn’t you like to know. Why the hell did you think I would just let you cuff me? I don’t know you, I don’t like you, and I don’t want to know you or that bitch. Do you yield?” Her anger flared and she hit him in the chest with a blast of magic.

  She watched his eyes go funny and softened a second. What the hell is wrong with me? She backed off, a half shift of weight to the back of her heels. He reared up and toppled her onto her back.

  “Never!” He grunted, covering her body with his, and pressed his knife to her throat.

  “You will come with me now.”

  “I…Will…Not!” She pushed her thumb into a space between his ribs, hitting a pressure point.

  “Who the hell are you?”

  She saw the pain in his eyes and still he wouldn’t move. Nyx got between them before she could stop him. It would have been funny in any other situation, a black ball of fur going to town on his head. She rolled out from under them. Tormund reared back, grabbing the cat and trying to shake him off his head. His hands passed through Nyx’s body.