by Vella Day
“What are you going to do?” she asked her captor.
“So many questions. I’m going to help you do what the Prince wants. And if you give him your magic right now, he’ll let you go.”
That was a lie, and no doubt this woman knew it too. Because this dark lighter was not being cooperative, Kaleena let her lead her closer to the forest line—closer to where she planned to escape.
“We’ll stop here. The art of dark witchcraft is all about learning to focus your powers. Do you see that rock over there?” The woman pointed to a stone approximately fifteen feet away from them that was about one foot in length and maybe six inches tall.
“Yes.”
“Watch.”
The woman leaned slightly forward as if she wanted to direct some kind of mental laser beam on the stone, not paying Kaleena any heed. Even though Kaleena still wore her cuffs, if she shifted, she could escape easily enough. Kaleena didn’t care that her cousin claimed she was no longer able to perform any kind of magic.
Stepping out of the witch’s sightline, she closed her eyes and imagined her wings flapping, like she did when she shifted—only this time nothing happened. After a second attempt, she admitted defeat and worked hard to tamp down the fear. Her hatred for the man surged, and her stomach churned at the injustice. This time the ache wasn’t from the slow poisonous drip into her body. This dark lighter, or someone like her, really had managed to cut off all of her abilities.
Even though Kaleena had never been helpless before, she wasn’t going to give up. If she couldn’t fly, she could certainly run. First, she needed to judge how long it would take her to reach the forest. Before making her next move, her gaze drifted back to the witch, and true to her word, the rock the witch was so focused on began to lift and then swirl in the air. Two seconds later it shot forward twenty feet, as fast as any bullet from a gun.
Now or never, she barked at herself.
Running as fast as she could without the use of her arms to pump was difficult and made her gait rather awkward, but she was making progress. She was halfway to the forest when a solid cement wall suddenly formed in front of her. Had she not had shifter sight, she would have run right into it. A second later, the sound of laughter reached her.
“Did you really expect to escape?” the dark lighter called.
Yes, I did. Kaleena touched the wall to make sure it was solid. It was. Where had that come from? She could have sworn it wasn’t there a minute ago.
Out of nowhere, the woman appeared beside Kaleena. Either the witch had the ability to teleport, or Kaleena had blacked out for a moment.
“You can’t get away,” the dark lighter cackled. She gripped Kaleena’s arm again in a furious squeeze. “Let’s go, now!” Her tone sharpened at the last word.
Before Kaleena could decide whether to obey or not, her legs suddenly gave out and she crashed to the ground. She looked up at the evil woman. “What did you do to me?”
“I’m just making sure you know I control you right now, so you might as well give up fighting me. Now, get up!”
Kaleena hated to give in, but without her ability to shift, use her own magic, or run, she had little choice. Perhaps if the witch taught her how to move objects with her mind like that, she could use it to help her escape.
“I won’t fight you, I promise, but if I’m going to obey you, can you at least tell me your name?”
“Sanditra.”
“Sanditra.” The name tasted like acid.
“Now let’s begin.”
Really? “Just out of curiosity, how can I do magic if my abilities have been disabled?”
“The dark magic inside of you is still available,” she said matter-of-factly.
What was she talking about? She sounded like Rathan. “I don’t have any dark magic.”
“Rathan told me you were quite naïve. He was right. We all have good and bad inside of us, some more than others. Your magic is strong. I can feel it, but believe me when I say it comes from a powerful dark side.”
Kaleena never had the urge to use her magic to destroy things, but arguing with her would only prolong her education. “If you say so.”
The dark lighter smiled, and Kaleena’s heart squeezed. The battle of the wills was about to begin, and she had a sick feeling she wasn’t going to win.
Kaleena had never felt so ill in her life. She was nauseated, her head kept pounding, and the sharp stabbing behind her eyes was becoming unbearable. She’d tried to act like the eager student when Sanditra showed her a few more tricks, but it was nearly impossible. While Kaleena had learned to move objects with her mind when she was a child, she’d never been able to make them fly so fast they could break windows and fell trees—like Sanditra could. With practice, Kaleena believed she could improve.
Unfortunately, that was the only trick Sanditra showed her that was moderately harmless.
After that, her new teacher taught Kaleena how to locate and kill small animals. Naturally, Kaleena refused to give it a whirl. Defiance however was not rewarded. Every time the evil woman thought Kaleena wasn’t putting forth her best effort or downright refused to participate, Sanditra would weaken her by waving a hand or chant an incantation. First, Kaleena would feel a sharp stab to the ocular nerve, followed by rolling spasms of bile that cascaded from her stomach to her throat, which made her double over. After a few of those spells, it didn’t take much to bring Kaleena to her knees. She was positive that if it hadn’t been for the poison dispensed from the bracelet cuff, she could have held out longer.
The worst part was that Sanditra told her they would continue these exercises tomorrow, and the next day, and the next, until Kaleena was willing to embrace the dark side.
When the guards finally escorted her back to the cell after spending an agonizing session with Sanditra, the sun was beginning to peek over the horizon. On Kaleena’s return trip, they blindfolded her, but from the smells and sounds she encountered, she suspected they had walked in circles a bit before returning her.
“Breakfast will be delivered shortly,” the tall guard grunted.
As much as Kaleena didn’t want to eat their slop, she needed her strength. They were already poisoning her, so how much more harm could they do?
Hoping her dragon could heal her further, she rested on the cot until the familiar sounds of plates scraping roused her. This time, she took the bowl of porridge and managed to down some of it. Too bad she felt worse afterward.
I’m not sure how much more I can take, her dragon said. Just as I start the healing process, more poison enters your body. This might kill me before you.
She didn’t have the strength to say that only a jab to her upper heart could kill her. Kaleena returned to her cot, fully aware of what her dragon was going through. Do you have any suggestions on how I can fight her? she asked her inner animal.
Her damn dragon was always making comments at the most inappropriate times. The least she could do was offer a good idea now.
No.
Just as she suspected. Kaleena had to believe her family was looking for her. The problem was even if they were aware she was in the castle, they’d never gain access to this dungeon. Rathan would see to that.
She looked up at the one slim ray of light that sliced into the cell and a teardrop rolled down her cheek.
“Are you sure Kaleena didn’t say where she was?” Jamison asked.
Kaleena’s father, his three children, two nephews, and one niece were seated around the table, all focused on Finn.
“No. I swear I’ve been over this many times. She just said she was being held captive, and that I had to find my way to Tarradon.”
“How did she sound?” Nessa asked. “Kaleena is normally so strong.”
Finn repeated the conversation in his head. “Scared, I guess, but hopeful. When I woke up, I thought I was in a cell. I’m thinking maybe it was because Kaleena was in one.”
Jamison slapped his hand on the table. “She has to be in the castle then. Nothing else makes sense.”<
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“Castle?” Finn asked.
“It’s a long story and quite complex, but the short of it is that we and the Royals don’t see eye-to-eye.”
“I told him about Mom and aunt Teresa,” Declan said.
“Good. I think the king believes his wife will want to leave the castle and its rigid rules, so he tries to stop my wife and her sister from interacting with the queen. I’m thinking this kidnapping might be his way of retaliating.”
Declan sat up straighter. “I’ve been hearing rumors that the Royals are kidnapping white lighters and using them to infuse powers into themselves.”
Finn had no idea that was even possible. “Kaleena would never do that.”
His father nodded. “We know, but dark lighters are powerful. They have their ways of turning the best. As much as I want to storm the castle tonight, I think we’d have a better chance tomorrow morning.”
“Why? We would have the cover of darkness, and our eyesight is better than any Royal dragon,” Declan said.
Kaleena’s dad’s eyes darkened. “I’m not ready. We need to contact your aunt Teresa to see what information she might have about Kaleena.”
“I bet Aunt Iona wouldn’t mind being awakened when it’s this important. If you were holed up in the castle, under who knows what conditions, wouldn’t you want us to come after you as quickly as possible?”
“I would hope I could save myself, but if Kaleena is under some spell, she might be helpless. Your Aunt Iona might not mind being awakened, but your Aunt Teresa would. Remember we have one chance to get this right.”
Declan dragged a hand down his chin and blew out a breath. “You’re right, but there has to be something we can do now.”
“As much as I want to go to the castle, wherever it is,” Finn said, “if I’m stopped, I can’t think of any reason why I’d be snooping around at one in the morning. I’d need a cover story.” He hoped the family could provide him with one.
“Finn’s right,” Jamison said. “If we tip them off, they could hide Kaleena away for life or worse.”
What seemed like a blast of cold air crawled up his body and clawed at his heart.
“I agree with Uncle J,” Logan said. “Sometime tomorrow we should fly overhead and deal with those guards who patrol the airspace. Some of the other Guardians could disable the ground guards and go inside,” Logan offered.
“You forget they are excellent fighters. We need to really think this through. We’ll come up with a good plan,” Jamison said, and Logan nodded.
“As hard as it will be,” Finn said, “I’m going to try to sleep tonight. I’m hopeful Kaleena will try to dream-walk with me again, and when she does, I’ll ask her for all the pertinent details. She might have learned where she is being held.”
Every face at the table brightened. “Sounds good. Let me show you where you can stay,” Jamison said. “We’ll reconvene at ten tomorrow morning. Iona should be able to contact Teresa by then, and hopefully the queen will have something to tell us.”
Finn hoped like hell he never ended up in a relationship as messed up as that one. Right now though wasn’t the time to delve into the dynamics of the Royal family. He desperately needed to talk with Kaleena—if only to reassure her that help was on the way.
Chapter Seven
“I did fall asleep,” Finn said, answering Thane’s question the next morning, “but as hard as I tried, I couldn’t connect with Kaleena.”
Jamison’s hands clenched. “That proves she has to be under some kind of spell. Damn.”
Nessa’s cell rang. The design of the model looked suspiciously like the one Chelsea owned, but Finn didn’t know how that was possible.
“It’s Mom,” she said to the group before answering. She pressed the phone to her ear. “Did you get a hold of Aunt Teresa?” she asked. “And what did she say?” Nessa listened for a moment. “Are you sure she’s telling the truth? Okay, thanks. We’ll be in touch when we know anything.” Nessa disconnected, slipped her phone back in her pocket, and glanced from one person to another as if she needed some time to break the news. “I’m not sure it was a good idea for Mom to call because while Aunt Teresa was upset that Kaleena was missing, she was downright livid that Mom would suggest someone at the castle had her.”
Declan scrubbed a hand down his jaw. “Aunt Teresa is loyal to the king for some unknown reason, so I’m not surprised she is offended. Your mom would have known if she was telling the truth though. The problem is that if the king ordered Kaleena’s capture, he wouldn’t have confided in his wife. I was hoping she’d heard news some other way.”
Everyone around the table grumbled.
The door burst open and a woman with blonde hair Finn hadn’t seen before rushed in. “Sorry I’m late, but I’ve been sicker than a green dragon.” She grabbed a chair next to Jamison and dropped down.
Her father clasped her arm. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”
“Not really. I’m convinced I’m feeling Kaleena’s pain.” She looked over at Finn. “I’m Tory, by the way, Kaleena’s twin. To answer your next question, we aren’t identical. Even though my sister has dark auburn hair instead of blonde, we look enough alike to confuse people.”
She seemed more outwardly emotional than Kaleena too, but that might not be accurate since he’d never met his mate in person. “I’m Finn McKinnon…from Earth.” He wasn’t sure how else to introduce himself.
She smiled briefly. “I’ve heard. Kaleena speaks about you often.”
Her dad clasped her hand, squeezed, and then let go. “Tell me what you’re feeling.”
“Nausea, exhaustion, and fear. Add in dejection and that about sums it up.”
Finn was confused. “Are you saying you’re feeling what Kaleena is feeling because you are twins?” She nodded. “How is that possible? I’m a twin also, but I don’t think either of us or our wolves have been physically affected if one or the other was ever injured.”
“It’s different with dragons, I guess,” she said.
Jamison leaned closer. “Did you learn where she was?”
“No, but once I realized the connection was that strong, I contacted Delisa Contreau. She’ll be here shortly.” She looked over at Finn once more. “Delisa is a powerful white lighter who can help enhance the twin link.”
The people of Tarradon and Earth were more different than he thought possible. “I’ve never heard of that. How does it work?”
“She’ll use me to reach Kaleena and possibly be able to see where she is. At the very least, she’ll be able to detect sounds and smells that might help lead us to my sister.”
Jamison grunted. “I should have thought of that.”
“Dad, you went into attack mode the moment you learned that Kaleena was missing. It’s how you always operate.”
A few of the others seemed to be fighting a smile.
Someone knocked and peeked her head in. “A Delisa Contreau is here.”
Tory pushed back her chair. “Send her in.”
Finn was totally fascinated. While he’d heard of people who could channel the dead, he hadn’t been aware someone specialized in living twins.
Tory held out her hand to the newcomer. “Thank you for coming so fast, Delisa.”
The tiny woman had long curly white blonde hair and blue eyes, but it was her alabaster skin that gave her the look of purity. She appeared to be in her mid thirties, but he had no idea if humans on Tarradon aged as slowly as dragons did. He didn’t sense she was a shifter, but being surrounded by so many of them could have thrown off his abilities to detect one.
“Hi, everyone.” She gave them a weak smile. Delisa nodded to the two chairs near the window. “I know you are anxious for me to reach your sister. Shall we begin?”
“Yes.”
“Sit in the chair, and I’ll stand behind you. You know the routine. I’ll place my hands on your temples and try to connect with Kaleena.”
Tory did as she asked, and Delisa moved behind her. With her fingertips
in place, she closed her eyes. “Focus only on Kaleena and the last time the two of you were together.”
“Okay.” Tory inhaled, clasped her hands on her lap, and closed her eyes.
After fifteen seconds of remaining motionless, Delisa began to hum and sway. “I hear shouts.” She then winced as if she were feeling pain. “I’m seeing a lot of stone and metal, along with a small cot.” Delisa wrinkled her nose. “It’s someplace unclean. Wait a minute…she’s calling out someone’s name…a Frin…or maybe she’s saying friend. I can’t tell.”
“Finn?” he said, his heartbeat elevating.
“That could be it. Finn. Something about a warning not to come.”
That made no sense. She’d begged him to help her. He was just about to say something when Declan squeezed his shoulder and shook his head.
“I’m hearing footsteps. Several sets of them,” Delisa said. “Kaleena is very anxious. Wait…someone is saying that the prince will not be happy with her if she doesn’t cooperate.” Delisa’s body shook, her shoulders slumped, and then her body sagged. She then lowered her arms and opened her eyes. “The link’s gone. I’m sorry. I’m not sure if I helped.” Her gaze traveled around the table.
The tension rippling across Jamison’s face was palpable. “You helped a lot, Delisa. I think I know where she is.”
“I’m glad. Will there be anything else?”
“No. Go home and rest. It looks like you could use some. And thank you.”
With rather stooped shoulders, Delisa slipped out the door, but Tory remained in the chair. Gripping the arms, she pushed herself up. “That was not fun.”
“I imagine not, but it was necessary,” Jamison said. “While we can’t be certain, given the noise and activity level, I’d say Kaleena’s not being held in one of the castle rooms, but rather in an area where many are being held. The mention of the prince implies any one of those good-for-nothing nephews of mine are up to something evil.”
“Which one do you think?” Declan asked.
“Omar is too greedy to bother with Kaleena, but Tarik might need more power for his dragon soldiers. Then there’s Rathan. He’s just mean enough to do something like this. Shit. It could be any one of them.”