Shadows of Darkness

by Stephanie Rowe

  Then, suddenly, he felt another presence. A heavy hand touched his shoulder, and a male presence mingled with his. Let me in. I can help.

  Levi was shocked by the realization that Rohan was there, offering his healing. He didn't argue. He didn't bother to ask how the ancient warrior had tracked them down. He simply opened a channel between them. Rohan's powerful healing energy surged into him, ten times the strength of Levi's.

  You guys are too old to do this alone. You need some youthful energy. Thano's lighter, but almost equally powerful energy flooded him as well. The three warriors worked together, their voices merging in the ancient healing chant of the Calydon warrior. Levi had never heard the chant, but when Rohan and Thano began, he seemed to know the words, his voice moving in perfect unison with the other two, their voices rising to a crescendo as the intense power of their healing energy merged together, pouring into Maya with such force that her body began to tremble.

  Levi enfolded her against him, cradling her as the healing energy raced through her, taking away the damage, fighting against the death calling for her. For a long moment, the battle was waged, and he felt her spirit hovering in the balance.

  She needs you, Rohan said. Bring her back, Levi. Do it now.

  Levi tried to summon even more healing energy, but felt Thano's burst of impatience. Tell the girl you love her, old man. We got the healing thing. You gotta give her a reason to live.

  Love her? Tell her he loved her? Rightness flooded him, and Levi bent his head and pressed a kiss against her temple. Maya, I can't live without you. I love you with every breath I take. My need to keep you safe broke through everything that was trying to control me. It was my love for you that shattered destiny's grip on me. Do you understand how significant that is? Come back to me. I need you. You're all I've ever had, and you're all I'll ever need. He gripped her more tightly. I love you, Maya. Do you hear me?

  There was an agonizing moment of silence from her, and then suddenly, faintly, he felt her mind reach out to his. Levi?

  I love you. He said the words she'd given so freely to him, the ones he'd been unable to give to her at that time. He'd been such a fool, thinking that he couldn't offer her love. The moment he thought he'd lost her, he'd known that he loved her, and he'd known that it was the kind of love he'd never have another chance to have. I know I'm a bad choice. I can never change my past, and I'll always be a danger to the world, but—

  Her fingers wrapped around his, cutting him off. Her touch was warm and tender, so much softer than he had a right to experience. But he closed his fingers around hers, holding her hand. I love you, too, Levi. I need you to be who you are. I suck at battle. One of us has to be the protector.

  His heart lifted, almost dancing in his chest, and he felt like his world had come to a complete stop. She loved him. She knew what he was, and she loved him. After a lifetime of hating everything he was, for the first time, he knew there was a purpose to his life, a reason for his skills: to protect the woman he loved.

  Chapter 10

  "It's here."

  Maya's heart leapt as Levi held up an ancient, iron chest with a rusted padlock. He was at the bottom of a hole more than thirty feet deep, accompanied by Rohan and Thano, who had helped him dig. The rest of Rohan's team was still out in the kingdom, fighting off the wolves. Merk was in their dungeon, unconscious, but alive, but his near demise hadn't resulted in the wolves ceasing their attacks. Somehow, he'd convinced them they needed to protect the castle, and now they no longer needed him to feed their aggression. The battle was getting fierce, and only Levi's ability to fend them off had allowed the four of them to get to the base of the west tower, where the wolves were the most numerous and most dangerous.

  The only wolves who weren't attacking were her parents, who had shadowed them the whole way, snarling at any wolves who tried to attack Maya. The sky was dark and Rohan's team was exhausted. They were almost out of time.

  Levi handed the chest up to Rohan, who was still wearing his cloak despite having been digging relentlessly for several hours. Thano, on the other hand, had stripped down to his jeans, tossing his shirt aside as he dug, his long-handled shovels allowing him to dig from his horse's back. The muscles in his upper body were ripped, but his legs were still and lifeless where they were strapped to his saddle.

  Rohan passed the chest up to Thano, who set it over the front of his saddle, and urged Apollo up the side of the pit that they'd dug so quickly. Apollo leapt up over the edge of the hole, landing beside Maya. The horse went down on his knees, and Thano leaned over to set the chest on the ground beside Maya.

  She put her hands on the chest, but it was cold and dark. "I don't feel anything." She looked up as Levi climbed out of the hole beside her. "What if he was lying?"

  "We'll know soon enough." Levi called out his axe with a crack and a flash of black light. He put his hand on her shoulder to pull her back, and then he swung hard, slamming the blade of his axe into the padlock. Sparks flew through the air, and then the lock clattered to the ground.

  Maya lunged for it, and unhooked the latch. She grabbed it, but it didn't move. "It's rusted." Levi grabbed it with her, but it didn't move.

  Silently, without bothering with words, Thano and Rohan moved up beside him. The three warriors wedged their weapons under the rim of the chest in silent, automatic teamwork. "On three," Levi shouted. "One. Two. Three!"

  Moving as one, the three of them leaned on their weapons. There was a loud grinding sound, and then the lid popped open. Light blinded them, and Maya covered her eyes as the rays filled the small cavern. The wolves snarled, and then vanished, disappearing into the air.

  Dear God, it was the light. It worked. They'd found it. Disbelief rushed through her, followed by elation. She fell to her knees, too stunned to stand. "We did it," she whispered. "Oh, my God, Levi, we did it."

  "Of course we did. Impossible means nothing, right?" As he spoke, she felt his pain as the sunlight hit his eyes, which were still sensitive to light of that intensity.

  She leapt to her feet and reached for him. He caught her hand, turning toward her as he kept his arm over his eyes.

  "Thano, get it up to the top of the tower where it can shine on the kingdom," Rohan commanded. "Set it on the top of the roof."

  Thano swept a large, white stone out of the chest. He balanced it on the pommel of his saddle, and Apollo took off at a gallop, his hooves clattering as he raced for the stairs.

  She looked around, and saw the wolves that were her parents standing by the door. They were the only ones still present, and their eyes were no longer red. She saw the blue eyes of her mother and the dark brown of her father. Hope leapt through her. "Mom? Dad?"

  Then, as she watched, they slowly disappeared, disintegrating into the air. "No!" She lunged for them, but her fingers slipped through empty air as she lost her parents for the second time. "No—"

  Levi's strong arms wrapped around her, drawing her against his body. I'm sorry, sweetheart, but at least they're not trapped anymore. They're able to move on. His words were so genuine and warm, enfolding around her and giving her the comfort she'd longed for her entire life.

  She wasn't alone anymore, even without her parents. Maybe that had been their job, to bring her to him. She pulled back to look at him, and saw his eyes were still scrunched shut against the light, even though it had faded significantly. "Levi." She placed her hand over his eyes, shielding them from the light.

  Thank you. He slid his hand through her hair, drawing her head toward him for a kiss. They'd been in such a rush to get back to the kingdom, that they hadn't had time for a moment of intimacy. This was the first kiss they'd shared since their bond had been completed, and it was a thousand times sweeter than it had ever been before. She felt his love, his kindness, and his commitment to her. It was deep in his soul, a part of his heart, a promise of forever, a promise that she gave right back to him.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him more deeply—

&nbs
p; Rohan cleared his throat.

  Maya pulled back immediately, but Levi kept his arm around her, not letting her go. She felt his pain when she pulled her hand from his eyes, and she immediately went back to his side, covering his eyes. She could tell that the light had damaged the fragile healing of his eyes, and he would have to start over.

  She turned to face Rohan, who was standing before them, his hood still casting his face in shadows. "Thank you for your help."

  He nodded.

  Levi wrapped his arm more tightly around her. "Why did you come to help me save her?" he asked. "Why were you there?"

  "Because we never completed our deal," Rohan said, not quite answering the question. "You promised to blood bond with me and become a part of the Order of the Blade. It's time for you to become one of us."

  For a long moment, Levi didn't move, and he didn't answer. He'd spent his life at the mercy of Merk, and he'd learned that the only way to survive was by himself. Except...he hadn't survived on his own. It had taken Maya and both Calydons to free him and break him from the curse that had bound him for so long. It had taken a team to save Maya.

  "We need you," Rohan said. "I need you. There are some creatures even I cannot defeat. But you have a gift, and there are times I will need to call upon it."

  "A gift?" His curse was a gift? Levi fisted his hand, the one that had caused so much death and owned him so completely for so long, the one that had been nothing more than a curse and a trap. And yet, with Maya by his side and in his heart, he'd been able to control it, and to maintain his own sanity. He'd used it for good, and he'd been able to stop himself when he chose. Was it possible he could use it for something good? To reclaim himself from all the damage he'd caused for so long?

  Hope, the first hope in so long, began to shimmer inside him. Maya slipped her hand in his, and he brought their joined hands to his lips, pressing a kiss to her fingers. What do you think, sweetheart? I can't do it without you. You keep me sane.

  Pride glowed in her voice. I think you'd make a great Order of the Blade warrior. You're a hero, Levi, not a bad guy.

  He grinned and pulled her hand off his eyes, needing to see her. She was smiling at him, her face so soft with love that his heart turned over. You believe in me.

  Of course I do. You're worth believing in. Join the Order, Levi. If there was ever a warrior worthy of the mantle, it's you.

  He grinned. Have I told you how amazing you are?

  Not in so many words. Feel free to spend forever thinking of ways to tell me.

  He chuckled, happiness spilling through him. Happiness. Who in hell's name would have ever thought he'd be happy? But he was. And it was awesome. He wrapped his arm around her and glanced across the cavern. His eyes still hurt, but he was able to squint enough to make out the shadowy visage of Rohan. "Yeah, okay. I'm in, but only if Maya comes with me. I don't trust myself without her."

  Rohan nodded. "I accept those terms." His voice softened. "Despite what the Calydon tradition claims, sometimes women make us stronger, and the loss of them torments us forever." He called out his sword with a flash of black light, and Levi swore as the blue light singed his damaged eyes.

  But then Rohan's sword seemed to draw in the light that surrounded them, casting the room into enough darkness for Levi to be able to see. Rohan dragged his sword across his hand, and then Levi called out his own axe and did the same. The warriors clasped hands, and Levi felt energy surge through him as Rohan's magic became a part of him. He felt the instant bond with this ancient warrior, and centuries of hardship and anguish flooded him. His gaze shot to Rohan, shocked by the depth of the warrior's torment. It was a thousand times the weight that Levi had ever carried. How could the man stay sane under so much weight?

  Rohan's voice filled his mind. Warrior to warrior. Bound by blood. Connected across all distances. Sworn to defend and fight side by side, at all costs. So be it.

  Levi didn't hesitate. Warrior to warrior. Bound by blood. Connected across all distances. Sworn to defend and fight side by side, at all costs. So be it. Power surged through him, and he felt his soul reach out and connect to Rohan's. It was different from the blood bond with Maya, but at the same time, it was the same. Extraordinarily powerful, a steadfast connection he knew would hold across all distances, one that went both ways. He realized that not only had he sworn fealty to Rohan, but that Rohan had sworn the same fealty to him.

  Rohan then knelt down and carved an outline in the dirt, in the shape of Levi's weapon. He backed up and went down on one knee, gesturing for Levi to position himself by the drawing he'd etched in the dirt. "I will summon my team, and the induction will be complete."

  Levi's throat tightened at the sight of the empty spot. That was his spot. He was going to become a part of a group, a team, a family of damn heroes whose job it was to save the world. As he stood there, six warriors strode into the cavern in single file. They were all wearing cloaks and their hoods were up. They walked into the cavern, forming a semi-circle with the empty spot at the top of it. "The shadows have been vanquished," one of them said. "It's over."

  Maya sagged in relief, and he pulled her against him, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. You did it, sweetheart.

  She looked up at him. We did it. Together. There was so much warmth in her eyes that he felt his heart swell in response.

  Not a bad team, eh?

  You're about to get more teammates. She nodded toward the other warriors, and he looked back as they took up positions, forming a circle with two openings. There was one open space where his weapon had been carved into the ground, and another open spot by Rohan's right side, where he assumed Thano would be when he returned.

  As one, they went down on their left knees and called their weapons out in their right hands. Each warrior extended it upward, toward the heavens in silent homage. "Take your rightful place, warrior," Rohan said.

  Levi hesitated. Was he really worthy to call himself a hero? He was one of the bad guys, a black scourge on humanity—

  Shut up, Levi. You're gifted, you're loved, and you're worthy. So get up there, and claim your destiny, the one you actually deserve. Maya's fingers wrapped around his, and his tension eased at the feel of her hand in his.

  He grinned down at her. I love you.

  She smiled back. I know. You can ravage me later, but the boys are waiting. Come on. She tugged lightly on his hand, and then led him through the center of the circle to his spot at the top. Once he took his position, she started to back away, but he put his arm over her shoulder, holding her there. I can't do this without you. Stay with me.

  She moved beside him, tucking herself against his side. Her hand rested on his waist, and he felt himself relax. With Maya by his side, he knew he could become the man that Rohan believed he was.

  Silence fell over the room as they waited, and then, finally, Levi heard the steady clip-clop of Thano's horse as the warrior returned. Levi glanced toward the door as Apollo strode in. But Thano wasn't alone. He was holding a woman in front of him on the saddle. She was pale and thin, leaning heavily on Thano, held upright only by his strength.

  Maya glanced over, and then sucked in her breath. "Elisabeth?" Her voice broke as the woman's head turned toward Maya.

  Her eyes were a deep blue, exactly like Maya's, and Levi knew then that it was her sister, reclaimed from the shadows by Merk's sunlight. "Maya?"

  "Oh, God." Maya held up her arms as Thano gently lowered Elisabeth into them. Levi helped support Elisabeth as she fell against her sister, the two women clinging desperately to each other. Tears streamed down Maya's cheeks, and Levi's chest tightened. So much love. How had he missed out on this part of life for so long? He still couldn't believe that this was his life, that a woman who poured out so much love was his.

  "You saved us, little sister," Elisabeth said, pulling back so she could look at Maya. "This is your kingdom. I'll step aside for you. We need you."

  Maya looked up at Levi, and he saw the joy gleaming in her eyes. Sh
e'd gotten everything she wanted. But then, to her surprise, she shook her head. "I don't have time to run a kingdom anymore, Elisabeth." She reached out, entwining her finger through Levi's. "I'm part of another team now, and I'm the only one who can do it. It's your birthright. They need you."

  Levi's throat tightened at her words, and he gently turned her toward him. "Maya, this is what you've always wanted."

  She shook her head. "I wanted to matter, Levi. That's what I wanted. And I realized I do. I don't need to be the queen. You taught me that, and Merk taught me how stupid I was to worry about all that stuff." She looped her arms around her sister's shoulders. "You're the one who needs to lead this kingdom. I don't need it."

  Her sister's blue eyes lit with warmth, and Levi knew then that Maya had always been loved. She'd just had to realize it. "Are you sure?"

  Maya nodded, holding up their clasped hands. "This is where I belong. With him. He makes me better."

  Levi kissed the top of her head. "She makes me whole."

  Elisabeth smiled, a smile that lit up her tired eyes. "I love you, Maya. Thank you for not giving up this battle."

  "I love you too, sis." The women hugged again, and Levi grinned, unable to keep the smile off his face. She'd been given the kingdom, but she'd chosen him.

  "I need to sit." Elisabeth sank down on a nearby rock. "Can I watch?"

  Rohan nodded, and she smiled, hugging her knees to her chest as if she couldn’t keep herself warm. Thano tossed her his jacket, and she wrapped it around her shoulders, shooting him a grateful smile before turning her gaze to her sister. "I'm so proud of you, Maya."

  Maya grinned and looked up at Levi. "Team effort."

  "Yeah, it is." He wrapped his arm around her. "I'd stay here and help you with your kingdom, you know. You don't need to turn it down." He needed her to understand that. His love wasn't conditional.