“Yes, the favour can be anything and I can claim it at any time,” the Warlock says. “But this is only one part of the deal. If you want your dragon back you must kiss the girl.”
Jorgen stares at the Warlock like he’s not understanding what she’s saying to him. It takes me several seconds to grasp what she’s asking him to do. Sudden heat makes me want to burry myself ten feet underground. I don’t dare glance at Jorgen, this whole request sounds absurd. Whoever said that Warlocks are the most powerful creatures in the Eastern World was right. It seems she reached the deepest parts of my subconscious–more than anyone else ever had, and read what I desired the most. I’ve been fighting this attraction towards Jorgen ever since I stood by and allowed the cutting of the mage ritual to take place. Underneath all the hatred I once harboured against the duke, there’s the other me who believes my vision misled me for the first time. The Warlock sensed it–she knew about my feelings for him.
Jetli closes her eyes and puts her palm over her mouth. Lenin’s silent, maybe for the first time in his short Pixie life he doesn’t throw out a sarcastic comment.
“Kiss Astri, why? What does it have to do with you helping me?” the duke asks, sounding furious. Maybe this isn’t going to be that bad, he looks like someone else. My heart skips a beat and my old insecurities remind me he pushed me away once before.
The Warlock’s watching me, and a lot of tension’s seeping out of my body.
“Because I’m bored and you two are no fun. This whole city’s making me depressed and even your Pixies aren’t that entertaining. I can bring your dragon back, Duke of Rivenna, but you have to kiss your apprentice first,” she says, sounding amused. “And you know, like you mean it.”
Jorgen turns his head and suddenly I have no idea what to do with my hands.
“Astri, come here and let’s get this over with,” he requests in a much softer tone and the Warlock giggles to herself.
I slowly approach him, feeling my entire body instantly warm against his. The Warlock must be aware of the fact that sooner or later I’ll need a mate. She’s trying really hard to push me over the edge, to prove she has significant power over me.
“This will be fun, my dearest and I’m sure both of you will remember this kiss forever,” the Warlock sings, and I can’t seem to move. My mouth is dry and I always wondered how it would feel to kiss someone.
After what seems like ages, I lift my eyes and meet fake Jorgen’s dark gaze. He gives me an encouraging smile and I try to imagine I’m kissing someone else. The problem is I have no idea what to expect. The Warlock must know I’m twenty-one years of age and have no experience with men; that alone speaks for itself.
Jorgen’s eyes are filled with guilt and heat. Yes, he’s definitely looking forward to this and he’s not disgusted anymore like he was before.
He takes a few steps towards me and the warmth from his body brushes the skin on my face.
Then he takes my hand and my heart leaps in my throat. I’m so nervous that I’m surprised I’m not shaking.
“Come on lovers, I don’t have much time. This is a very complicated spell and I need all your strength.”
Her voice is really starting to annoy me, but Jorgen’s so close now I can see my own reflection in his now dark eyes. My palms are damp with sweat, and then he brings me closer. Just when we’re about to kiss, a loud bang rings out from downstairs.
“Traitor, there are mages and shifters downstairs. What is the meaning of this?” the Warlock’s asks, losing her beauty glamour and Jorgen pushes me aside, when she kicks the giant pot and the contents spill everywhere. I hear people barging inside, spells being cast and their magic rippling through me.
“Lodri, lord, it’s that shifter who wanted to execute Astri at the police station. He’s downstairs with bunch of other shifters too,” Lenin screeches, flying around in a panic.
The Warlock releases a stream of magic, a shimmering, white light travels around the room, blinding me. I hear a pop up sound, and then she opens another portal. The energy vibrates around, electrifying my hair. The wall behind her starts to move, making the concrete look like a dark and shiny waterfall.
“Wait, you can’t leave. You promised to help me,” Jorgen shouts with desperation, but the Warlock doesn’t seem to listen.
She turns a second before she’s just about to enter the portal and winks at me.
“Remember you gave me your blood oath, shifter girl and one day I’ll come back to claim it,” she says and then she jumps into the portal vanishing right in front of my eyes. Seconds roll by and more magic enters my system, releasing the deadly fire song.
“Well, well, well. I’ve finally caught you, Wyvern creature, conspiring against the duke with the Warlock. I knew you weren’t to be trusted,” says general Pollock stepping inside the room with a stream of his people standing behind him.
Chapter 10
Politics and enemy of the state.
Jorgen steps towards him, most likely ready to tell his subordinate to go to hell, but I nudge him with my elbow reminding him he’s still locked in Jetli’s spell. The Warlock’s words ring in my head.
Stick with me and I’ll teach you everything you ever dreamed of and more.
Now it’s too late to even reconsider her proposition. Pollock looks delighted that he caught me and he’s not going to make the same mistake as last time.
“Those accusations are absurd, Governor. There’s no Warlock here,” I say, my Pixies are hiding behind me. Jorgen cannot reveal his true identity, he risked enough showing up here. Now the Warlock knows what happened to him and I have no idea what she’s planning to do.
Uncomfortable questions would follow if Pollock finds out the Duke of Rivenna slipped out of the castle with his newly appointed assistant to meet with a Warlock. On top of that, the Governor doesn’t agree with most of Jorgen’s political agenda, and he can easily turn this incident against him.
The Governor eyes around the room, he spots the giant pot and most likely senses magic scorching around the place. His eyes narrow when he finally notices fake Jorgen standing next to him.
“And who’s your friend?” he asks, with his people hovering around the room, picking up any magical objects belonging to the Warlock.
“No one, he’s just visiting from Dublijana. He’s kind of my distant family cousin,” I lie, glancing nervously at Jorgen just to make sure Jetli’s charm’s still holding on. There’s still so much I have to learn about my past and I can’t leave the castle just yet. Jorgen’s vulnerable without me, and we’re bound to each other in a way now, no one but the two of us could possibly understand. I’ve worked too hard to become his assistant to throw it all away for an offer that could’ve easily been a trap to end the Wyvern line once and for all.
“I’m arresting you under suspicion of conspiracy. Jorgen III should’ve never appointed you as his assistant. I suspected from the start your kind has bad blood,” he spat, then nods to someone standing behind him to move.
A large, dark haired shifter approaches. Pollock has his own officers who are responsible for keeping the streets of Rivenna safe.
“Stay away from her or I’ll break your fingers, shifter,” Jorgen snaps, moving in front of me when the large shifter tries to grab me.
“No Hassan, this isn’t your business. Governor Pollock’s the main authority in the city. It’s better if you leave this to me,” I say, putting emphasis on the last sentence. I glare at him, trying to remind him he should be keeping his mouth shut, otherwise he risks exposing himself.
“Get your dirty hands off me you stupid, fat–”
“Hey, what are you doing with my Pixies?” I shout, taking a step forward, but now two shifters are handcuffing me. One of the females with short, brown hair summon Lenin and Jetli with her magic, then shoves them both inside a cardboard box. I presume the box is enchanted. Lenin’s cursing so badly he’s putting even the biggest scum in the city to shame.
“I’m confiscating them, learnin
g from my previous mistakes. There’s evidence the Warlock witch was residing here and we caught you with her just before she escaped. It’s obvious you helped her get away,” Pollock says, and I wish I could use my fire magic right now, but it’s just too risky. There’s too many other shifters in the building and if anyone else finds out what I’m capable of, even Jorgen can treat me like a lab rat.
The duke’s trying to push the guards, shouting when I’m led away.
“We’ve done nothing wrong, I was just showing my cousin where I used to hang out, that’s all,” I say, wondering what Pollock’s going to do with me this time around.
Outside, I count at least three unmarked vehicles and some other shifters who are securing the mill. A few humans are staring, whispering to themselves. Seconds later, I’m shoved inside a black shiny car and the locks are secured from outside the vehicle, ensuring I stay inside. Several minutes later, I see the female shifter carrying the cardboard box with my Pixies and my stomach contracts with terror. I have no idea what Pollock’s planning to do with them, and that’s what scares me the most.
“Jorgen’s never going forgive you for this,” I snap when he gets into the car and takes the seat by the driver who’s probably another one of his men. I understand he’s supposed to keep control on the streets, but he’s targeting me for no reason. He has no evidence that I had helped the Warlock escape. He made up the conspiracy accusation in order to arrest me.
My thoughts are racing and I wonder why Jorgen isn’t in the car with me. What else is Pollock planning tonight?
The car starts moving and my chances of getting out of this crappy situation are getting slimmer. Jetli’s magic might hold on for another couple of hours, but then what? If anyone finds out the duke was under a glamour, then the truth will only damage Jorgen. Pollock’s desperate to reinforce his position and he’s ready to do anything to discredit the duke.
“The duke’s busy and he won’t know. And by the time he finds out, it’ll be too late,” Pollock says, and glances at me from the passenger seat. His eyes gleam with powerful energy and a nasty smile slowly slips off his lips.
It looks like Pollack wants to get me as far away from Jorgen as he can. Our paths had never crossed before that night my uncle had me arrested and I have a feeling he wants to bring the duke to his side.
“Too late for what? What did I ever do to you?” I ask, accumulating my energy until static vibrations start rolling down my arm.
“It’s enough that you exist and you’re Jorgen’s puppet. He’s going to be lost without you. We disagree on many aspects, but I’m not going to sit and wait for him to remove me. I’ve worked too hard to get into this position,” he says with anger and determination in his voice.
It looks like someone gave Pollock a heads up about the duke’s plans and he’s ready for anything to keep from getting fried.
There’s no point in asking him questions–the man’s blinded by power. The drive’s long, and after two hours I start to wonder if I’m ever going to get back to Rivenna. Pollock doesn’t need fake Jorgen; he might keep him in a cell for several hours and let him go.
Finally, after three hours the long drive is over and we stop somewhere that looks like a train station. My heart drops into the pit of my stomach as the parking lot and the bridge beyond the tracks come into view. Pollock gets out first and I consider shifting. There’s only a few more people around, but running away if I’m not guilty sounds like a bad plan. At the same time, I’m petrified using my fire spell. The blow-back spell still terrifies me. What if it happens again and it kills me this time? The fire spell only brings death.
“Get out, we’re going for a trip,” one of shifters barks at me and I stumble getting outside. Pollock grabs my elbow and I’m led through the gates, entering the station. Humans are around and I don’t sense any other mages, except Pollock’s. The conductor’s staring at me curiously when I pass.
It’s late, probably around ten or eleven p.m. The silence around me causes my heart to vibrate. Pollock and four of his shifters are behind me. I’m innocent until proven guilty and I could try fighting them, but what happens then?
The Governor’s people must be scattered around the place in case I try anything. I now sense faint energy drifting around. My situation is complicated enough. Cold wind ruffles my hair and an icy shiver crawls over my spine. Lenin and Jetli must be petrified and I hope Pollock’s people aren’t going to hurt them. If they do and I find a way out of this mess, Hommis help them. No power in all of Rivenna, not even Jorgen himself will stop me from torching them all. Even then, I doubt the duke would try to stop me.
We stand on the platform for another ten minutes before the train arrives. Humans get inside, and a few teenagers glance at me. Tension curls low in my stomach when none of the shifters move. I dare a quick glance at him, but his dark eyes are focused on the train.
A heartbeat later when the platform’s empty, Pollock nods to his men and I’m pushed forward.
“Where are you taking me? You have no evidence against me!” I shout, trying to pull away from them, but two of them lift me and practically carry me inside the train. I don’t care that humans are staring. The Governor pretends he doesn’t hear me.
I follow after him as we move through the train, until I’m pushed inside an empty cabin in the back of the train.
“Stop making all that racket, no one’s going to help you. I’ve taken enough precautions to make sure no one would interfere with my plans. Stay quiet or you’ll only add more years to your sentence,” he says.
“What sentence? You haven’t even given me a chance to explain myself!” I shout trying to stand up, but then the guy next to me elbows me in the face, and everything goes dark.
***
Someone drops a whole bucket of ice cold water on me and my eyes snap open– I’m coughing and spewing water everywhere. It takes me a moment to gather myself and realise I’m tied to a chair, surround by grey, brick walls. Drops of water are sliding down my face and everything seems blurry at first.
“Yes, I have her and I’m planning to drill her until she tells me everything. You know I’m not a man who likes to be taken for granted,” the voice belonging to Pollock says. For more than a few moments, the world around me keeps spinning and I close my eyes, breathing in and out.
I hope I don’t have a concussion, but I’m no longer on the train–a fair amount of time must have passed.
The Governor’s standing outside the door, talking to someone on the phone. He has his back to me and I pull my hands, but thick ropes are digging into my skin. There’s a small window on my right and a table in front of me. I can be in any part of the Eastern World now.
Shortly after, he hangs up the phone and returns to the room, looking pleased with himself. Traitorous Arsehole.
“Is tying me up really necessary?” I ask him, through gritted teeth, and my head’s pounding in my skull. Now we’re alone, but his shifters are around. He wouldn’t risk questioning me without back up. Coward.
“You’re a Wyvern creature and I’ve heard enough stories about your kind to be aware of the danger,” he says, caressing his jaw.
Sooner or later I might not have any other choice but to awaken my true nature. Pollock wants something from me or he’s taking orders from someone else. Maybe he was the one who sent the potion to my room and killed Rosanna. “I brought you here because I need to know the duke’s plans. There’s too many rumours drifting around the city and you’re the one who’s closest to him.”
I narrow my eyes at him wanting to laugh.
“Really? Is that all? You went to so much effort just to know the duke’s plans?” I ask, shaking my head.
His jaw hardens and frustration dances in his eyes.
“I don’t like being treated like a fool. Jorgen was approached by Ludwik IV. He has a chance to arrange a trade deal with Samara. I’ve been told he’s looking to reject this proposal. Is this true?” Pollock asks, and I keep staring at him, thinking
he’s gone mad.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. Jorgen doesn’t share his political aspirations with me,” I say, looking him straight in the eyes.
“Don’t lie, shifter girl. He’s barely left his chambers and people talk. He’s training you to become his prodigy.”
“You really need to take a chill pill.”
“It’s no surprise the duke wants to replace me, but I’m protected by law. My reputation is immaculate, and I like to do things certain way. He has no idea about my connections.”
Pollock’s delusional, but I’m shocked he’s using me as his bargaining tool. Something’s not adding up here and I need to get to the bottom of it. There must be something else he wants from me.
“It’s a wasted effort. I’m not that important to Jorgen, I can always be replaced just like you,” I point out, and my blatant truth angers him further. His face goes red and the vein in his neck keeps throbbing so fast it looks like it could burst.
“We have all night to figure out if you’re important to him or not. No one’s going interrupt us here. I need to know everything, all his political, social and economic aspirations,” Pollock continues his rant, not making any sense to me. “Rivenna has many allies, but equal amounts of enemies. There are shifters who should be locked up. The duke’s too soft, his polices are causing disorder on the streets. He’s losing money and making others angry.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’ve only just been appointed his assistant, two weeks ago to be exact. We haven’t had a chance to sit down and discuss my responsibilities. What do you expect me to know in such a short span of time?” I ask, tired of this pointless integration.
Then someone knocks on the metal door and Pollock growls with frustration.
“Where am I? What is this place?” I ask.
“Don’t worry, shifter girl. There are other ways to find out what you know,” he says, and then leaves the room. There’s another shifter behind the door who called him. I sense his energy now soaring around the space. Sudden pain shoots down my face and I grit my teeth, trying to breathe.
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