“You could be overreacting.” She scooted off the bed, reaching for her discarded gown. “We don’t know that all the ‘peaceful’ Rodytes can manipulate magic. The images only prove that Vade could.”
“And that he threatened to give you to his men if Vee didn’t cooperate.”
She gasped. “Where did you get that? I wasn’t even in any of the images.”
“I didn’t need to see your face. I know how the Shadow Assassins operate. They live in an underground lair and only emerge if they have an assignment or if they’re ready to breed. One of the images Vee passed to you was the breeding ritual performed before the woman is mounted.”
“Oh my God. I know my father loved me, but why did he keep silent all these years? My safety wasn’t a fair exchange for --”
“He could see the future,” Drakkin reminded her.
Tears gathered behind her lashes, making her eyes glisten. “He knew nothing he did would change the events.”
“At least while he was alive.” He scrubbed his face with both hands. “The House of Joon has been allied with the Rodytes for generations. We have to tell Charlotte. The Joint Council could be compromised. The implications of this are so far reaching, I don’t know where to start.”
She pressed the gown to her chest and met his worried gaze. “We can’t stay here. I’m not the only one at risk and I’m no longer helpless.”
He nodded in agreement. “The only way to complete any journey is one step at a time.” After sweeping them both with a cleansing pulse, he conjured a k’fal for her and a new outfit for himself. “I’ll start with Indric. He can inform the other regional kings while I contact the Guild Masters.”
“This must be done stealthily.” She donned the gown, smoothing the soft material against her hips. “If the Rodytes realize we’re on to them, they might go on the offensive.”
“I agree.” Once he was fully clothed, he cupped her shoulders and looked into her eyes. “If I leave you here, protected by the temporal shift, do you think you can contact Charlotte? I’ll remain linked with you. If there is any danger, I’ll be at your side in an instant.”
“Would it be less dangerous if I go with you?”
“No. As soon as you enter our dimension it will be easier for any Mystic to sense your exact location.”
She raised her chin and squared her shoulders. “You’ve trained me well. Sooner or later I’m going to have to face the real world and put my skills to the test.”
“Your training has barely begun. I’d rather that testing not be today.” He quickly prioritized everything that needed to be done. “Contact your sister, then wait for me here.”
“Will Charlotte respond? Does she know about me?”
“There are no secrets between life mates. I’m sure Tal shared what he knows.”
“Then, get going, and don’t worry about me. I’ll be here when you get back.”
“It’s my job to worry about you.” He kissed her briefly, wishing he could be in two places at once. “The Shadow Assassins have been more or less inactive since the end of the Great Conflict. Charlotte must have the opportunity to act before the House of Joon sends out a call to arms.”
“I understand.”
“If you don’t reach her immediately, just wait for my return.”
With a soft chuckle, she pushed him toward the door. “Are you this protective of all your students?”
“You’re my mate, not my student. I couldn’t bear to fail you now.”
“I’ll be fine.” She blew him a kiss. “The sooner you leave, the sooner we can return to my training.”
Chapter Nine
Aria stood at center stage, trying to calm her pounding heart. The visualization was crisp and detailed. She scanned for danger, then scanned again. Manage each element. Minimize the risks. Her assurance to Drakkin hadn’t been an idle boast. She’d learned her lessons well.
Dimming the house lights, she redirected her energy and meticulously sealed the doors. She was safe, ensconced in her private pocket on the metaphysical plane. One step at a time, just like Drakkin said. She walked to the utility exit at stage left and pressed her hands against the metal door. Vee had taught her how to invite guests into her private theater. She smiled at the bittersweet memory. Regret would not distract her now. This was too important.
Picturing the regal beauty Drakkin had showed her in the crystal, she let Charlotte’s image fill her mind.
Aria, is that really you?
Yes. How much should she try to explain? You’re in danger. Is it safe to talk like this?
Keep the link open and I’ll come to you.
Warmth tingled down her spine. She’d done it, she’d really done it.
The door vibrated beneath her hands and laughter filled her head.
You’ll have to open the door. That’s a fabulous seal.
Aria reached for the door handle, then paused. What if this wasn’t Charlotte? How could she be sure? There had to be something only Charlotte would know. She should have asked Drakkin. “On what day did you first arrive on Earth?”
“New Year’s Day. That’s also the day I left for Ontariese. But I don’t know if Drakkin is aware of that.”
With a quick sigh of relief, Aria opened the door. Charlotte moved through the threshold, her stride so graceful she seemed to float. Aria noted her immaculate turquoise pantsuit before focusing on her face. Her hair was lighter than it had appeared in the crystal, a shade somewhere between gold and brown.
“You were only on Earth for one day?”
Charlotte smiled. “I spent exactly thirty years on Earth before my life mate brought me home. I can’t wait to spend time with you, but your anxiety bombarded me. What’s going on?”
Aria closed and locked the door before she began her explanation. “I don’t know how much of this is important to you, so I’ll just tell you everything. Vee’s brother Vade is head of the Shadow Assassins, some Rodytes are able to manipulate magic, and they have been in league with the House of Joon since the onset of the Great Conflict.”
“How sure are you of this information?”
“How did you learn all this?”
Both questions came from Charlotte, but Aria heard two distinct voices. This couldn’t be good. The first voice had sounded cautious, while the second snapped with accusation.
Charlotte paled and shook her head violently. “Get out! Aria, run!”
Her sister was the High Queen of Ontariese. There was no way Aria was going to run. She broadcast her distress to Drakkin, then focused on Charlotte. “Tell me how to help. I’m not leaving you.”
Charlotte wrapped her arms around herself and sank into a deep crouch. She shook. Low moans and rhythmic chanting filled the air, though Charlotte’s mouth didn’t move.
Not sure what else to do, Aria gathered energy. Heat built. Her skin tingled and the mauve streaks in her hair began to glow.
A dense shadow separated from Charlotte as she sprang to her feet. Aria’s eyes widened as a second Charlotte took shape next to the first. Panting harshly, the new Charlotte met Aria’s gaze. “She’s a parasite and a damn strong one. Is help on the way?”
“Don’t tell her anything!” the first Charlotte shouted. “She heard everything you said to me.”
The imposter had adjusted her voice. They were now identical in every way. Think. There had to be some way of telling which one was real. Had the imposter sprung from Charlotte or was it the other way around? Aria cursed her helplessness and searched her mind for options.
The Charlottes circled each other, their movements mirrored.
“If what you said is true,” the first Charlotte said in a clear, calm voice, “you must kill us both. She cannot be allowed to escape.”
Dread slammed into Aria. There had to be another way.
“It’s a trick. Don’t listen to her. Drakkin will be here any minute.”
Aria studied the first Charlotte. Her face was flushed, but her gaze burned with determination, not
malice. Aria committed to her choice and raised her arms. She pelted the second Charlotte with bursts of energy.
“You bitch!” She shrieked and twisted, furiously patting out the flames leaping from her hair to her clothes.
The first Charlotte braced her hands on her knees and panted.
Aria sent another barrage of sparks at the imposter. With an infuriated roar, the woman flung an energy pulse across the stage. It knocked Aria backward. She stumbled but didn’t fall. Frantically constructing a shield around her and Charlotte, she lunched a fireball over the shield.
Charlotte cast a Mystic net around her false self as Aria’s fireball hit. The intruder fell to the floor, so terrified by the flames she didn’t notice the net.
“Transform,” Charlotte commanded.
“Never!” The fraud writhed, kicking and clawing until the flames went out. She shuddered, then tugged against the net as she sobbed pathetically. “You can’t kill me. I had no choice. They would have killed my little girl.”
Aria heard a loud banging on the utility door. I’m coming in. Stand back! Fear reverberated through Drakkin’s voice, then he burst threw the door. “Are you hurt?” He skidded to a halt as he saw the sobbing imposter.
“I’m fine,” Aria assured. “We’re both safe.”
The red rings in his eyes ignited and he aimed the intensity at the woman on the floor. “Show yourself.”
She whimpered and went still within the net as the Shift manifested against her will. Aria watched in morbid fascination, knowing who it would be. Rolling to her hands and knees, Noll snapped her head toward Aria. Noll raised her hand and Drakkin sent her sprawling back to the floor. His eyes reignited, but Charlotte touched his arm.
“We need to interrogate her.”
“She can’t tell you anything we don’t already know.” His jaw clenched so tightly he could barely speak.
“Yes, I can!” Noll trembled visibly. “I’ve been forced into servitude. I’ll tell you everything. I even punished Faujer for his cruelty.”
“You’ll say anything to save yourself,” he snapped.
“It’s the truth. I was given to him just like Aria, but he didn’t realize the full extent of my powers.”
Curiosity got the better of her and Aria asked, “What did you do to him?”
“I abandoned him on Earth. I left him naked in a hotel room with a fragmented memory and no resources.” She got her legs beneath her, each movement slow and measured.
“Is she telling the truth?” Charlotte looked at Drakkin for the answer.
“I sense no deception in the statement, but that doesn’t explain her presence here.”
“I told them. I’m being forced. The Rodytes have my daughter.”
Drakkin’s gaze swept over her huddled form. “She has borne a child, but I can’t be certain of the rest.”
“I know the location of their lair,” Noll said, carefully pushing to her feet.
Silence descended as Drakkin glared at Noll, his hands balled into fists.
“Is she talking about the Shadow Assassins?” Charlotte asked.
Drakkin nodded never shifting his gaze from Noll. “Speak.”
“It’s on the Night Moon. That’s how the expression got started. They’re the ghosts of the Night Moon.”
“Nice try.” Charlotte shook her head. “The Rodyte compound on the Night Moon was destroyed three weeks ago.”
“She certainly wasn’t being forced to do anything in my dressing room,” Aria added.
“I’ll take her to my mountain fortress,” Drakkin began in a flat, expressionless tone. “Our Guild Master can systematically strip away her power and scan her memory. The process is painful and damaging, but she will --”
Noll lunged at Aria. Drakkin incinerated her with a glare.
“You provoked her.” Charlotte charged. Even the ash disintegrated before it fluttered to the floor.
“Anyone who threatens my life mate deals with the hunter.”
Aria hid a smile, pleased by his attitude. Noll had hunted her down like prey. This was a fitting end. “She really left Faujer in Las Vegas?”
“I believe so.” His voice was gruff, his expression fierce. “How did she get in here?”
“I took every precaution. I --”
He pulled her into his arms and kissed her mouth. “You did nothing wrong. I’m only angry that I wasn’t here to protect you.”
“That creature melded with me so skillfully, I didn’t detect her,” Charlotte said. “By the time I forced her out, I was so weak I could hardly move. If it hadn’t been for your firestorm we might both be dead. You did incredibly well.”
Joy tingled through Aria at the praise. “We make a pretty good team.”
Charlotte smiled. “This is certainly not the introduction I had planned. I promise when you arrive on Ontariese you’ll be welcomed with open arms.” She glanced at Drakkin, one eyebrow arched. “You are going to bring her to Ontariese, aren’t you?”
“Of course.”
Charlotte turned back to Aria and asked, “Did they alter your appearance or is this your natural coloring?”
Aria glanced at Drakkin as old insecurities surged.
“She possesses a rare Bilarrian gift known as the jumanna. Her existence proves that, despite their claims, Rodytes can manipulate magic.”
“I think you’re stunning,” Charlotte assured her. “You’ll cause quite a stir.”
“No, she won’t,” Drakkin insisted. “Aria is my life mate.”
“I see,” was all she said, but her eyes gleamed with knowing amusement. “How is Krystabel?”
“She’s settling in quite well, as is the boy.”
“You never explained why Krystabel looks nothing like Charlotte.” His comment registered and Aria asked, “What boy?”
“Until your mental shields are stronger, love, it’s safer if you don’t know.”
“There’s no harm in explaining Krystabel’s appearance,” Charlotte suggested. She obviously knew about the mysterious boy.
“Krystabel was trapped in a non-corporeal dimension,” Drakkin said. “The only way to bring her back was to channel her being into the body of a Mystic who had passed beyond moments before. Very few know that Krystabel is still alive.”
“Death takes on new meaning when you can manipulate magic,” Aria mused. “This secret might have made more of an impact if I hadn’t spoken with, and received information from, my dead father.”
Drakkin rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s imperative that we deprive the Rodytes of the element of surprise. If Noll escaped to warn them, Vee’s efforts would have been in vain.”
“All this information came from Vee?”
Aria nodded. “He remained on the metaphysical plane until I was strong enough to join him there, err here.” She smiled.
“You must begin an investigation into the House of Joon.”
Charlotte took a step back and shook her head. “It would launch the Great Conflict all over again.”
“The Great Conflict never ended, they just found less violent ways of perpetuating the prejudice.” He wrapped his arm around Aria’s shoulders, pulling her snugly against his side. “There is much you don’t understand. That creature was Noll dar Joon, a respected member of the Mystic community.”
“I’d never seen her before.” She rubbed her arms and met Aria’s gaze. “This is how you knew the Rodytes have allied themselves with the House of Joon.”
“I’ll make a full report to the Joint Council,” Drakkin said, “but don’t give them any indication what the report will contain.”
“Of course.” She looked at Aria again, her gaze filled with regret. “I wish we could have met under better circumstances.”
“We have the rest of our lives to improve the circumstances.”
Charlotte inclined her head and shifted her gaze back to Drakkin. “When shall I expect you?”
“Give me a couple days to make sure the situation on Bilarri is stable.”
>
“I’ll see both of you then.” With one last smile, Charlotte blinked out of sight.
Aria rested her head on Drakkin’s shoulder and released a weary sigh. “Will they send another assassin after me?”
“You’re a secret they were trying to suppress. Killing you now would serve no purpose, except speeding them toward interplanetary war.”
“Even if we expose the Rodytes, how will we avert a war?”
“By shining light into the darkness.”
She smiled and turned to face him. “That’s rather poetic.”
“I meant it literally. The Shadow Assassins are only one of the legacies left behind by the Great Conflict, but they are perhaps the most intolerable. Their lair must be found and their brutality abolished.”
“Do you think Vee’s brother is still alive?”
“It’s unlikely. Still, little is known about the Shadow Assassins.”
“Except for the lives they shatter?”
He nodded and cupped her cheek with his palm. “Enough talk of the challenges before us. We’ve accomplished enough for one night. Even the High Queen of Ontariese commended your work.”
She rubbed her cheek against his hand and greedily absorbed the tenderness in his eyes. “My sister is impressive.”
“As are you.” Covering her mouth with his, he poured affection across their telepathic link. She combined it with her own and passed it back to him. She parted her lips, encouraging him to deepen the kiss. With a throaty chuckle, he pulled back and turned her toward the empty seats. “Take a bow, my love. This show is over. It’s time to go home.”
Epilogue
“This is outrageous!” Lilt dar Joon slammed his palms against the tabletop as his voice rang out in the council chambers. “I have accepted every compromise and bowed to each mandate until the youth of my House have risen up against me.”
“The evidence is incontrovertible.” Charlotte’s calm response made his outburst seem all the more inappropriate.
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