Shadow Song

by K. G. Reuss

  “We didn’t drag them here for this,” Sir Sangrey finally spoke up. “This whole marriage thing is something that can be hashed out at another time.”

  I shot him a grateful look, and he returned it with a slight nod of his head.

  “We’re here to discuss bringing the whisperer to Dementon,” he continued. “General, Headmaster Brighton has been reporting her progress to us. It seems the girl is heavily medicated and suffering from…” He shuffled sheets of parchment before looking up at me.

  I glanced at my father. His mouth was turned down into a deep frown. The Order must have voted on Everly coming to Dementon, and he lost the vote. I knew deep down he’d rather her stay as far from me as possible. “Ah here it is. Anxiety, depression, delusions, and possible suicidal tendencies. Are you aware of such things?”

  “I’m aware of her depression. The others, no.” I frowned. Possible suicidal tendencies? That wraith possessed her! She didn’t hurt herself.

  “Well, if Brighton says it’s true, it must be.” Sangrey stared at me over his glasses. “Now, I’m under the understanding that you’ve ceased all communication with the girl, and she is currently alone, fighting the dead and dark creatures off on her own. Is this correct?”

  “Yes,” I answered through gritted teeth.

  “And you’ve agreed to not interfere should she need protecting?”

  “I have.” I nodded tightly. Amara shot me a quick look, a frown on her face.

  The Order regarded me quietly for a moment before Sangrey continued. “We’ve agreed to allow the girl to attend Dementon. It was voted upon this morning. The sigil would rather she stay in the Natttie world and fend for herself. But the majority of us believe she’d be an asset to our kind.”

  I glanced at my father again who was staring back at me, a muscle working in his jaw.

  “Brighton assures us she’ll be ready by the time the new year starts. That being said, we would like a watch on her,” Sangrey’s deep voice commanded my attention back on him. “And we’d like to see the girl trained once her sanity comes back to her. I can’t imagine her journey has been an easy one. If she is truly what we believe her to be, we want her trained and inducted into Conexus.”

  “No,” I shot back angrily. “She will not join Conexus.”

  “And why is that, General?” Sir Broderick stared me down, the other members of the Order all focused on me.

  I knew they wanted me to admit she was the Mancer and I was the Reever. And if what my father said was true, I couldn’t let whoever the snake was have that information. “Your chapter takes in the rarest of gifts. Your second in command is a stitcher. Your third in command can shift into incredible things that no other shifter can. Even Amara is one of the strongest, most cunning of wolves. So tell me, why would you not want a trophy like a whisperer in your group?”

  “Because. I don’t accept anyone into my chapter who demonstrates mental illness,” I seethed out, lying. “It would be unwise to do so.”

  “So you agree she’s unstable?” Sir Mathis raised an eyebrow at me.

  “I agree she’s under duress and needs guidance. It would take a lot to get the girl in the position to join our ranks.”

  “You do realize that a whisperer hasn’t been around for centuries, correct?” Sir Broderick broke in. “And you do realize that this is a huge deal? We need this kind of member in Conexus. We need her on our side, unwavering in her loyalty. We’d like to see her trained and within the ranks of the elite by winter. Students at Dementon train well past what a Nattie does. She’ll be a student at Dementon for at least two more years. We educate well past what the Nattie schools do.”

  “I do not wish to have a whisperer in my ranks,” I ground out.

  “Why, General?” Sir LaCroix asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “Because,” I breathed out evenly, my father’s words from our last visit echoing in my mind. “They are an abomination to our kind. An anomaly that needn’t receive special treatment. I will not employ one.”

  “Dude, what the hell,” Damien muttered.

  “Mr. Wick, do you have something to say in regard to what your esteemed leader has declared?” Sir Sangrey leveled his gaze on Damien.

  “It’s not what you think. They want to test her to see if she’s the Mancer. We can’t let that happen,” I declared, using my telepathy on Damien.

  “I have to agree with my general. I don’t want to see a whisperer in our ranks. It’s bad enough that we encounter the lost ones. To have a member plagued by them would only drive us nuts. We can barely stand hunting them. To have them lurking about whenever we go out would be a distraction and create more work for us. We need our wits about us. A whisperer would only drag us down,” Damien’s voice boomed out.

  “Amara, thoughts? It seems your general thought highly enough of you to bring you. Care to weigh in?” Sir Mathis raised his eyebrow at her.

  “I don’t want a whisperer in our ranks either,” she sniffed. “But not only for the reasons my general and Damien have mentioned. I feel as if her being there will cause conflict in mine and the general’s already struggling relationship.”

  “Amara,” I warned softly.

  She continued to speak, ignoring me, “We cannot make our relationship work if he’s constantly worried about her. I’d like to see her assigned to work with our second in command, Eric Craft. He can train her. Maybe under his guidance, the girl will gain some semblance of normality. For one thing, we don’t even know if she can handle the fights and hunts we go on. I mean, she can see the dead. What strengths could she possibly bring to the table other than that? I think we need to weigh everything properly before extending a welcome letter to her. After some time with Eric, then perhaps we can reconsider her joining us. Perhaps even as early as the spring since winter doesn’t seem to be to my general’s liking.”

  “I see,” Sir Sangrey said, sitting back in his seat.

  “It seems Amara has her head about her.” Sir Mathis nodded. Sir LaCroix beamed proudly at his daughter. “She’s made some very valid points.

  “I like this idea. I’d like to see how she progresses as well without the pressure of what being in Conexus could mean for her. Perhaps Amara is correct. We do not know what the girl is even capable of. You will make a fine queen one day.” Sir Sangrey nodded slowly. What was his deal? Whose side was he on?

  Amara beamed wider at the compliment.

  “So, that’s settled. Are we done?” I snapped.

  “No.” Sir Broderick shook his head. “We have many other items on our list tonight. I suggest you get comfortable.”

  “We have intel that the Cipher is gathering forces in the southern regions. There are increasing numbers of haunts on the rise. Wraiths have been spotted as far north as your ghost whisperer’s home. The carrion have been attacking, seemingly without cause other than by orders of the Cipher. New vampires are being created—”

  “What?” I asked, surprised at the news.

  “Ah, yes.” Sir Mathis nodded. “It’s true, General. Our eastern Conexus chapter took out a nest of over twenty fledglings. It’s against Order law to create a new vampire. Vampires are to be born, not created, unless otherwise specified or declared by the Order. Natties have no business coming into our world so easily.”

  “I wouldn’t call that easy,” Damien argued. “Vampire venom is among some of the most painful poisons in the known world to experience. Not all who are bitten, survive.”

  “Nor would I,” Sir Broderick agreed. “However, that’s what’s been happening. We’re assuming the Cipher is involved. The Overlord Aviram has been known to go to extreme measures with his fights. He’s proven once again his disregard for our way of life. He must be dealt with.”

  “We’ve been trying to deal with him,” I replied. “He leads the Cipher. How do you want us to deal with him? He cannot be found. He’s well-hidden and protected. His numbers vastly outweigh our own. The Conexus would have to work around the clock to keep up with him.
”

  “And are you not concerned,” my father inquired, finally speaking up. “Surely, as the future of our world, you should be.”

  “I didn’t say I wasn’t. I only said that he has far more numbers than we do. What do you expect us to do? We hunt, we fight, we kill. We bring members of the Cipher here to you for questioning—”

  “Ah, which brings us to another point before I forget,” Sir Sangrey interrupted. “We have a task for you! An honor really.”

  “What’s that?” I asked, my mouth going dry. The members of the Order began whispering to one another, their heads bobbing as they spoke.

  “I don’t think we’re going to like this,” Damien murmured.

  “Me either,” I replied. Even Amara stiffened beside me.

  “General, we’re going to bestow the honor of interrogation to you and your two ranking officers. We’ve brought in some of the best in our Conexus chapters. We’d like you to head it up for us. You have an impressive track record with getting information out of our enemies. We voted, and you won by unanimous vote. We’re calling the group F.I.R.E. It’s something new we’re trying.” Sir Broderick beamed widely at us.

  “What’s it mean?” I asked wearily, looking at Damien since he’d be a part of it with me.

  “It stands for the Federation of Interrogation, Reformation, and Extermination. You’d come here to interrogate those captured. You’d dole out the punishments and exterminate as needed,” Sir Sangrey explained, his eyes focused on me.

  “What do you mean, exterminate?” I demanded. “Who would we be exterminating?”

  “Anyone you’re told to,” Sir Sangrey answered darkly.

  “Anyone?” Damien asked. “I don’t like being told to kill people. What if they’re innocent?”

  “Then you’d best hope you interrogate properly or you’ll have a lot of blood on your hands,” Sir Mathis replied with a shrug.

  “Do we get a choice in joining or is this like the Conexus?” I growled, growing angry with where the Order was heading. They were power hungry. It was unlike them to act this way. They’d always been fair for the most part. But this didn’t seem fair or right.

  “No. It’s another honor. Congratulations!” Sir Mathis beamed like he’d done us a favor.

  “This is bullshit,” I snapped.

  “Watch your tone, General!” my father bellowed. I ground my teeth together angrily but said nothing.

  They droned on and on for hours about recent attacks, leads, what other chapters had brought them in regard to prisoners. My eyes grew heavier with each passing minute. When I was ready to fall asleep, they finally said something that made me jolt.

  “You’ll begin tonight,” Sir Broderick declared.

  “I’m sorry, what?” I asked, frowning.

  “General, there are prisoners housed in the dungeons. They will be brought to the Citadel for questioning. You and Mr. Wick will do what you must to get information out of them.”

  “And if they won’t speak?” I demanded, feeling sick to my stomach.

  “Then F.I.R.E. If you catch my meaning.”

  Chapter 37

  We left the Circle to escort Amara back to the portal.

  “Good luck,” she murmured, turning to me.

  “You really pissed me off tonight,” I growled, grabbing her roughly by the arm. Damien took a step away to give us space. “Why would you do that?”

  “Because you’re not thinking clearly,” she snapped, jerking her arm out of my grasp. “This girl has cast a spell on you! You and I used to lie for hours just talking to one another. The moment she came into the picture, it all ended! She’s the reason we aren’t together!”

  “We never lay for hours talking,” I said softly. “I always got up and left as soon as… we were done. You’re trying to make me into something I’ll never be, Amara. Why can’t you just let me go?”

  “I love you,” she sniffed. “And I know that after all this blows over, you’ll love me too. I just have to have hope.”

  “Please just stop.” I closed my eyes and breathed out. “I don’t want anyone, Amara. Not you. Not E-Everly.” I stumbled on her name, my mouth knowing I was lying. My heart too. “No one. I’m better off alone. I’m not boyfriend material. And I’m certainly not marriage material.”

  “You are,” she said passionately. “If you’d just let yourself go, you’d see that! You’d see how good we are together! How good we could be!”

  “I’m probably going to go kill someone tonight,” I murmured as I looked down at her. “This isn’t a good conversation for me to have right now, Mara. Just go home. Rest. OK?”

  “OK,” she said, her voice soft. I looked at her in surprise. She wasn’t arguing with me. That was short-lived. “Will you kiss me before I go?”

  “Amara,” I sighed, shaking my head, backing away.

  “Please!” She grabbed my hands. “Please.”

  “You promise you won’t do this again?” I asked.

  “I promise.”

  I ground my teeth before leaning down and pressing my mouth to hers. I didn’t put much effort into it. But she did. Her lips parted as she let out a soft moan into my mouth, her tongue sliding against mine. I couldn’t figure out why she continued to torture herself this way or why I gave her the means to.

  “For two people who aren’t seeing one another, you look awfully cozy,” my father commented. I quickly yanked away from Amara who wore a small smirk on her face. She’d done that on purpose. Damien shook his head at me.

  “She was just leaving,” I snarled, glaring at Amara. She had the decency to blush.

  “Shadow—” she started but I shook my head at her angrily, not wanting to hear anything she had to say. She snapped her mouth closed and stepped into the portal, disappearing from view.

  “I don’t know why you fight it. You clearly like one another,” my father mused. I only glared at him. “I was only coming to find you. I was worried you may have skipped out.”

  “I don’t skip out on my duties.” I made to push past him, but he caught my arm.

  “This is important, Son. Your duties are about to get harder. We need answers, and you’re the kind of man who can get them. We’re counting on you. If everything I said to you earlier was true, we need this more than ever. We need to know where to find Aviram. Our next step is to interrogate his nephew.”

  “You can’t bring innocent people in and torture them,” I growled, ripping my arm from his grasp roughly. “Nevron Blackburn has done nothing wrong.”

  “He’s the overlord’s nephew. Surely he knows his whereabouts.”

  “The guy is a douche, but he isn’t in league with his uncle,” I snapped. “He’s more concerned with getting chicks into bed with him, his hair, and what blood type he’ll have for dinner.”

  “I want you to keep an eye on him,” my father stated firmly. “If anything suspicious happens—”

  “Then I’ll do what I must,” I barked at him. “Now let’s get this over with. I have better things to be doing.”

  “I’m sure you do,” my father murmured knowingly. I ignored him. I had to make sure Everly was OK. This was the first time none of us would be available for her.

  Chapter 38

  “I don’t know anything!” the vampire screamed at us, his eyes wild. “I’m not a part of the Cipher!”

  “Our intel suggests otherwise,” I replied grimly, picking up a pair of pliers and turning them over in my hands. The vamp eyed them wearily, his brows beading with sweat.

  “I swear to you, I know nothing. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I’ll even show you through Mesmire!”

  “I’m not interested in your vampire mind tricks,” I sighed tiredly. He was our sixth vampire of the night to interrogate. So far, none had yielded results.

  “They aren’t mind tricks! You’re a general in the Conexus. I know how powerful you are. You can look and see for yourself! Why won’t you?” The vampire wept, his head hanging forward. “You’re
one of the most powerful creatures in our world, and yet you’re in here, torturing innocent Specials! Where are your morals?”

  “It’s been a long night,” Damien spoke up tiredly as I rubbed my chest, frowning. My connection to Everly was warning me. I had to get out of there.

  “Kill him,” I declared, feeling woozy. One less vamp in the world was fine by me.

  “What?” Both the vamp and Damien asked, surprised.

  “You heard me. Kill him. Make him an example. I have more pressing matters to get to,” I snapped.

  “Gen, you can’t be serious! He’s done nothing wrong that I can see,” Damien argued, paling. “Don’t let your connection rule your mind.”

  I leaned weakly against the wall, sweat dotting my brow. I looked up at the vamp in front of me. He looked terrified. I stormed toward him, my feet unsteady. I went down to him abruptly and gazed into his eyes.

  “Show me,” I demanded. The vamp nodded weakly, his body shaking. A moment later I was seeing into his mind with his Mesmire. He was a former student at Dementon. He’d spent the last week in his home, heartsick over his vamp girlfriend leaving him for a lock. Last night he’d gone out to a vamp bar. Wrong place at the wrong time. I pulled away from him in disgust.

  “Release him. He’s innocent,” I snarled.

  “Come on, man.” Damien undid his silver chains and hauled him to his feet. “Run. Fast. Before Gen changes his mind.”

  The vamp didn’t need to be told twice. He rushed out as soon as Damien tossed him out the door declaring his freedom.

  “You OK?” Damien asked.

  “Something’s wrong with her,” I mumbled, feeling dizzy.

  “She can do this tonight. Have faith in her,” Damien said softly. “Let’s just finish this so we can leave. OK?”

  “OK,” I murmured.

  The next prisoner was brought in. We spent the night going through every single one of them. By the end of it, I’d been attacked twice and had beaten my attackers to barely breathing. Damien had to yank me off them. The awful feelings coming from my connection to Everly were fueling my fire. I was weak and barely standing by the end of it.