Waking Beauty [Windsong Keep] (Siren Publishing Allure)

by Tasha Blackstone

  “They’re fine,” she started, “or rather, they will be. It’s quite a long story—”

  “I have time,” Hope interrupted and nodded toward her. “Let’s start with the book. Where did you get that?”

  Talia found it odd that of all of the things going on in the room Hope’s first concern was the book. She looked down at the cover, which she admittedly had not paid much mind to while her mother held it, and gasped in realization of what it was that she held in her arms.

  Across the cover of the book, etched into the thick leather, was a series of symbols. They formed a large circle and in the center of the circle was a pentagram. None of the symbols on their own were much to get worked up about. Simple spell forms that enabled magic to either be strengthened or protected. It was in this particular form that they caused concern. Together, united in such a fashion, the symbols were a key. It was a key that was rumored to be the only one in existence to open a door to the darkest of magic. The book Talia held was of legends and myths.

  Gifted lusted after the book, believing it to be the final piece to the puzzle that would enable them to find and harness the ultimate power. Quests for the book always ended badly, with many dying and others losing their minds. A multitude of people had been sent to the dungeons after they had returned from various quests in search of the book, rambling on about magic that did not exist and creatures that had snatched them from their tents and performed unspeakable acts on them. The search for the ultimate power brought out such darkness in those who sought it that eventually the Council of Elders had forbid anyone from looking for it. They claimed the book did not exist and that it was simply the goal of madmen who lusted for power. After decades of battle with the masses over whether or not the book was real, eventually it had become a piece of forgotten history. Until now.

  Hope approached Talia, grabbed her by the shoulders, and shook her to pull her attention away from the book.

  “Where did you get that?” The urgent tone in her voice was thick and when Talia looked up into Hope’s eyes, she saw a fear that she had never seen before, laced with a sudden lust for the knowledge that was hidden with the pages of the mythical book. She stepped back out of Hope’s grasp and clutched the book tightly to her chest, the sudden need to protect it overwhelming her.

  “The Shadow Witch came to me. She left the book behind, as the reminder of a promise.”

  Talia watched in silence as Hope’s tongue darted out across her lips as she looked around the room for any signs that the Shadow Witch was still there. Panic and paranoia danced across her face and when her eyes settled back on Talia, a hint of mental instability flashed within them.

  “Hope, I need you to focus,” she pleaded. “I have a lot to tell you, but I won’t if you can’t control yourself. It’s just a book, nothing more.”

  When her words did nothing to calm Hope’s nerves, Talia reached out, touched the woman’s trembling hands, and allowed a small amount of her magic to flow into her. It was just enough to settle Hope’s fear, and she saw her pull in a deep, cleansing breath. The lust for the book did not leave her eyes, however, but Talia knew that she would at least be able to listen to what she had to say.

  “Sit with me and I can tell you what happened.” She guided Hope over to the cushion chair, having her sit in it and hoping that the familiar comfort would calm her even more. Moving the lamp off to the side, she made room on the table and climbed up on it to use it as a makeshift chair for herself.

  She gingerly laid the book on her lap and flipped it open to the chapter marked with the red ribbon.

  “We’re all in danger,” she began, “but I think we can find the answer within the book.” She turned the book so that Hope could see the words, careful to keep it firmly gripped in her hands so that Hope would have no chance to take it from her. She nodded toward the passage that her mother had showed her and waited for Hope to read it. The woman leaned forward, just as Talia had done, cautious not to touch it, and when she finished reading the passage she looked up to Talia with sadness in her eyes.

  “Is that about you?”

  “I’m not sure, but my mother believes that it is.”

  Talia patiently waited for Hope to process the information and as she did, the lust for power slowly faded from her eyes. A sad smile crossed her lips as she looked down upon Hunter. “So, you’re the ultimate power, required to stay pure so that magic can live on.” She brought her eyes back up to Talia, “Are you? Pure, that is?”

  “I guess that depends on the definition of pure, but if you’re asking if I have been with him, I have not.”

  Hope wrinkled her brow and nodded to the floor. “Why is he lying there?”

  “The Shadow Witch put him to sleep, but he’ll wake soon. I can see the aura of her magic fading within him so it won’t be long now.”

  Hope nodded her acknowledgement and leaned in the chair, resting her head up against the tall cushion back.

  “It’s ironic, isn’t it? He has waited all of this time, punishing himself for crimes that really weren’t criminal, only to finally allow himself to be with a woman that he cannot have. I imagine the next century will be exhausting, watching him brood and throw childlike temper tantrums…So, what kind of danger are we all in?”

  Hope’s sudden nonchalant attitude was a relief. Ian often referred to her as a drama queen, but from what Talia had learned of her friend, her initial response was a stress release. Once she got that out of the way she was typically levelheaded and the first to come up with a workable plan of attack. She was a great ally in times of need.

  Talia closed the book, removed it from her lap and set it beside her on the table. She pulled her legs up and crossed them as she pulled her short brown hair up off of her shoulders, swirling it into a bun. With a flick of her wrist, she produced a wooden stick that resembled a knitting needle and shoved it into the bun, securing it to the back of her head. Taking a deep breath, she then proceeded to tell Hope everything.

  She told her about her father and how she had adored him more than any man alive and how when the Shadow Witch came and took her away, it was the first real heartbreak she had ever suffered. She told of the years that she’d lived in the palace, her adventures as a bratty child and of her tainted relationship with her mother. She shared stories of childhood crushes, secrets of palace life, how she’d frequently wished that The Cleanse would strip her of her gift just so she could be normal, and of the devastation she felt learning that her father had died alone, locked away in his home, waiting for her return. She explained her gift, how it worked, why it was so special, and why she hated it. With a sad heart she recalled her love affair with Xander, how he had been the only man besides her father who had truly seen her and had loved her for who she was and not for her gift. How he had sacrificed it all just to be with her. The details of his death were the most difficult to talk about, but Talia felt it was important for Hope to understand everything of the tale that had led them to this point.

  It was when she spoke of Hunter, that Hope allowed her emotions to be shown and let a single tear fall down her cheek. Talia told her how her heart been healed of its sadness on the first day that she had met him, how his bravery in rescuing her had opened her eyes to see that there was still kindness in the world, and how every time he touched her, her heart soared. She told her about the deal she had made with her mother and that she had done so without regret, as long as his life was spared.

  “What makes you believe that I will continue on if you are not here with me?”

  Hunter’s voice startled both women and as Talia turned to look at him, his dark chocolate eyes bored into her. He stepped up to her, cupped her cheeks in the palms of his hands, and pressed his lips to hers. Kissing him was intoxicating. The sweet and spicy taste of his tongue, the bolts of desire that shot through her body, and the way his lips moved across hers—she could spend the rest of her life kissing him and never want for anything more.

  When he pulled out of the ki
ss, Talia’s head spun and her heart fluttered. Her desire to be with him, to stay here in the Keep and live out eternity in his arms became overwhelming. The twinkle in his eye told her that he felt the same and that he would do whatever was necessary to make it so. Talia hopped down from the table and wrapped herself in his arms. With her head pressed to his chest she could feel the steady thumping of his heart and knew that she was where she belonged.

  “When the two of you are done, I think we need to get to work. It doesn’t sound like we have a lot of time.”

  Hope’s tone was firm but lighthearted as she scolded them, and Talia pulled out of Hunter’s arms just in time to catch a glimpse of movement from over on the bed.

  “Faith…” she whispered.

  Seeing that she was stirring, the three of them moved to stand beside the bed, anxiously waiting for her to open her eyes. Talia could feel the tension in the air. The fact that Faith was with child was not something that could be taken lightly and she worried that the woman would be unwilling to allow it to be born. With all of the other events that were brewing, this one seemed to be of the utmost importance. The birth would bring forth new life and hope in the Keep and Talia felt as though it was Faith’s duty to be a part of it.

  As she watched Hope sit beside her twin and reach out to brush the hair back from her face, Faith’s violet eyes opened. She looked at each one of them in turn and as she settled her sight onto Hope, tears welled and fell down her cheeks. She turned her head in shame, closing her eyes in an attempt to hide from the one person that mattered to her, and Talia witnessed something that she feared would never occur. Hope leaned forward, pulled her sister into her arms, held her close and whispered, “You are not alone.” Simple words, but the weight of them was not lost. The twins had struggled for an eternity to find each other again, to reconnect their souls that had once been torn apart, and in that moment, facing their greatest obstacle, they did.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Over the next few days Hope, Ian, Faith, Talia, and Hunter had all locked themselves away. Hunter had charmed the red-haired Guardian, Rini, to allow them to take over the library without disruption and had arranged for her to bring them food each morning so that they wouldn’t have to leave. He dismissed questions from his friends on how he had managed the luxury, knowing that it would cause more concern from them than was necessary. There were too many puzzles to be solving at the moment and the dark side of his gift was not one of them.

  As he closed one of the books that he had been thumbing through, he looked up and saw Faith over in the corner, hand on her belly. She was humming a tune as she ran her hand in circles over the child she carried. When she had woken on Hope’s bed, Hunter could feel that she had made her decision. She had told them that while she slept, she’d had a dream of beautiful, raven-haired girl with dimples in her cheeks that had run into her arms. The love that she felt from the child and the warmth of her embrace had been all that Faith needed. She would keep the child, allow her to grow within her belly, and when the time came, she would give her life.

  The question of the child’s lineage still lingered, but Faith had claimed not to care. Hunter knew better. She feared that the father was the Warrior, creating a mixed breed that would harness a gift too strong to control. To ease her worry, Hunter promised to help her. As the child matured in her belly and the time neared for her to be born, he would harness his gift and reach out to her. If he felt any conflict, they could create a spell that would bind her powers at birth. To his knowledge it had not been done in centuries, but there were books on the matter and they would find a way to make it right. As if feeling his stare, she looked up at him and smiled. Hunter could not recall in all of his years ever seeing Faith so at peace.

  “You are not serious!”

  Hope’s voice echoed throughout the library and broke the silence that they had all been enjoying. Having Ian and Hope in close quarters for too long had proven to be a difficult task. They were all over the map with emotions and it had taken a toll on Hunter. One moment they were arguing, then they were screaming at each other, then they were off in the corner tearing each other’s clothes off. At one point, Hope had even thrown a book at him, hitting him square in the face triggering an onslaught of curses. Talia had stepped in on more than one occasion, creating a temporary aura of serenity. It was the only time there was silence in the library.

  As Hope and Ian began their typical arguing, Hunter could feel the weight of it from both Talia and Faith. It was like having a room full of children, all fighting over the same toy except that Ian and Hope were harder to control. Hunter pushed himself back away from the table that had become his camp and walked over to see what the ruckus was about this time.

  “I refuse to have this conversation with you again!” Hope barked.

  Ian sat at their table, arms folded across his chest, glaring at her under his wrinkled brow. When Hunter approached, they each saw him, turned, and began firing an onslaught of complaints about their working environment. Hope was furious that Ian was so childlike in his beliefs. Ian was pissed that she was a closed-minded bitch and refused to listen to reason. Arms flailed in the air as they shot accusations at the other and Hunter had finally had enough. He reached out and slammed his fist on the table, sending a wave of his gift out, knocking each one of them back into their chairs. He felt fire burn in his heart and resisted the urge to fling it at them, shutting them up permanently. When all was silent again, he sat in the nearest chair, folded his hands on the table, and leaned in to hear their complaints in a calm and rational manner.

  Behind him, Faith and Talia stood, arms folded across their chests, with intimidating glares on their faces.

  Hunter nodded for Hope to begin, and before she could Ian shot to his feet in protest.

  “No. This time, you will hear me first!” Ian rarely raised his voice to Hunter, and with it came a blast of emotion that Hunter could not ignore. What Ian had to say was of vast importance, or at least he felt that it was so Hunter nodded at him to go ahead.

  When Ian sat, Hope folded her arms across her chest in mirror fashion to the two women still glaring down at her and rolled her eyes. Hunter had to stifle a laugh. Hope was always one for the dramatic and to see her pout so openly was humorous.

  “I found a passage in this book.” Ian pulled the open book from atop the pile next to him and held it out for Hunter to take. “It tells the history of the Blood Diamond that the Shadow Witch keeps close to her. It was forged by the Council of Elders to harness great power. They used it when they needed a fail-safe and about two centuries ago, it was bound to the Shadow Witch. Her gift was dormant but the Council believed she had potential to save them from a great threat. The book doesn’t say what the threat was, but she was the victor and the Diamond has belonged to her ever since. From what I can tell, her gift never awoke on its own so the main source of her power is locked within the Diamond. Without it she would be less of a threat than a Seer who had just come into their gift.”

  Hunter could feel the excitement build within Ian as he explained his idea. His plan was simple. Find the Shadow Witch’s lair, phase in, grab the Diamond, and phase out. She was obviously held up somewhere within the Keep, most likely down in the chambers. If Hunter could send out his gift to find her, Ian could phase and they could eliminate the threat of her gift.

  As he explained the details, Hunter sat back and absorbed the onslaught of emotions that the three women were trying to stifle. Talia was conflicted. She had no desire to put her friends in danger, but the possibility of rendering her mother powerless was exciting. It renewed her hope that she could stay at the Keep and be with Hunter. Faith found the whole thing a little too heroic. She dreaded the idea of having to listen to Ian boast of his amazing accomplishment for the next century, but she was also secretly proud that he could be so selfless. It was Hope that Hunter had a difficult time processing. Her emotions were scattered. She was thrilled at the idea of eliminating the threat, just as Ian
was, but her heart ached. She had doubt in his ability to succeed without injury or death. The idea of being without Ian broke her, but at the same time she was ashamed that it brought relief as well. She did love him. They had spent a century together, in and out of love, always running back to the other’s arms, but the freedom to choose would be a gift. Ian exhausted her and the possibility of a break, no matter how permanent, was tempting. She also hated herself for feeling the way she did.

  As Hunter sifted through the various feelings, searching for his personal thoughts on the matter, he stumbled upon a secret and his heart broke over it. While he sat back in his chair, listening to Ian continue to plot out how they would infiltrate the Shadow Witch and the women either agreeing or disagreeing with his ideas, he stared over at his friend and really saw him for the first time.

  Ian had no intentions of survival. He had lived his life, had found his true love in Hope, and had admitted to himself years ago that he was no good for her. He had searched for ways to break the curse that Faith had bestowed on him, but had been unsuccessful. This was the opportunity he had been waiting for. He could finally, once and for all, free the woman he loved so that she could find true happiness in a life that was already dreary and fraught with disappointment.

  Hunter fought back the lump of emotion that formed in his throat. When this was all said and done, he would be forced to say good-bye to the best friend he had ever known.

  Ian glanced over at him, nodded, and smiled.

  “What about Josef?”

  Hunter had not really been paying attention to the conversation, but Faith’s mention of the strange new charge brought him back into it.

  “What about him?”

  “Well.” She hesitated as she looked over at Talia with guilt in her heart. “One of the new charges told me that he was a Seer, but I don’t think that’s all there is to his gift. Talia, I–I pursued him out of jealousy because he took such a fast liking to you. I’m sorry.”