Valor: The Custos Saga

by Jessica Tastet

  “The original five believed what?” Angelia asked.

  “You may as well tell her,” Gabney said. “You know you want to.”

  “I just believe that they didn’t mean for Valor to come only once. I believe they meant for the council to name a savior every time we needed one. If you look at each generation, someone has stood out. I don’t have scientific proof for them all, but the Council has grown rich and powerful by not giving up control. They don’t want to change.”

  “But,” Gabney said, her eyebrows furrowed together. “It’s the Reckoning that’s a game changer.”

  Mr. White nodded.

  “Okay,” Angelica said, steadying herself. “Let’s get my DNA tested. I think we may be able to prove a few of our theories correct.”

  “Let’s go to Dr. Warrick’s lab. He will have time to get right on the analysis for us.”

  Gabney squeezed her arm on the way out the archive room. The touch revealed John Landon’s unease at her having the test done just yet.

  I’m trusting you Lily.

  But then Angelica realized it was her own instincts she trusted, and for some reason, that made her feel more certain in going through with it.

  Forty-Four

  Kline didn’t have time for theatrics tonight, so he hoped Angelica didn’t react badly to being dropped in on. He’d followed her all day, assessing his best opportunity to get to her. He’d begun to think he’d have to sneak into her room at night, but at dark she’d set out from Landon House to the apartment on Royal Street.

  “I know you’re there.” Angelica spoke into the night.

  Kline stepped out from the doorway he hid behind. “It’s the heartbeat, isn’t it?”

  Angelica nodded. “Why do I hear it?”

  Kline could sense that she’d known he’d look for her tonight, that she’d set out to allow it to happen.

  “It depends. Did you change your eye color yet?”

  Angelica shook her head. “I can’t.”

  He sensed her disappointment, but it mingled with fear. She’d need to rid herself of that fear to stand a chance against a Custos.

  In one swift movement, he came up behind her and gripped her around the neck with one arm and he used his free hand to clasp her forehead.

  “He will be quick. Strong. How will you get out of this one?”

  “Let me go.” She struggled against him. He could smell the sweetness of her shampoo and feel the slim, delicate flesh of her throat.

  “You will need to relax,” he whispered into her ear. She stilled under his breathe against her flesh. “Fear has no place in a battle except to feed your enemy.”

  She gripped his arm tightly with her hand, but the next moment she flung him over her head as she bent forward.

  He rolled forward and jumped back on his feet. “Good. Now why do you fear controlling the mind of others?”

  She hesitated. She didn’t trust him yet, but she wanted what he had: knowledge. “When I was young, I saw what it could do. I tried…once. I lost control and the man who kept trying to study my abilities ended up dead. I didn’t mean to…”

  Her eyes pleaded with him to understand. She believed this one mistake defined her.

  “It’s happened to everyone who hasn’t had proper training. It’s a powerful ability that needs to be honed correctly, which is why we start with your eyes.”

  He approached and clasped her face in his hands. “Close your eyes and imagine the pigment rearranging and blurring together until the color is purple.”

  She inhaled deeply, staring into his own eyes a moment longer before she did as he instructed.

  He waited as he listened to each steady beat of her heart, each rise and fall of her chest.

  She opened her eyes and they were a brilliant violet under the streetlamp. He released her face and swore silently.

  “Did it work?” she asked.

  He nodded.

  “This would have been such a spectacular disguise in my other life.” She smiled, one of the real lopsided ones. “You don’t seem happy.”

  “Who are you?” Kline asked, his mind racing quickly over the mathematical possibilities.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Hybrids can’t do that.”

  “But,” Angelica said, tilting her head, confused. “You told me to do it.”

  “Test, really. I didn’t think you’d be able to. I mean at 70 percent Custos blood you’d hear the heartbeat. But you heard the war cry and now this. I don’t understand how this is possible.”

  Angelica took a step back from him, and he could feel her defenses kicking in.

  “How do you know about that? Is that what it’s called?”

  He’d misspoken. It was obvious she didn’t know what made her different. “I’m only trying to help you,” Kline said, putting his hands in the air in a gesture of surrender.

  “Who do you work for?”

  Kline moved closer. “I need you to trust me for now.”

  “I don’t know you. Did you do that thing with the heartbeat in my head, driving me crazy?”

  Kline shook his head. “I didn’t know he was going to do that, or I would have trained you for it.”

  “Who’s he?” Angelica asked, putting her hand up in a motion for him not to come any nearer. “Reximortum?”

  “Worse,” Kline said. “I need you to train hard because he’s going to come for you.”

  “Why?”

  In a swift movement, Kline moved in behind her. He pricked her finger in one swift motion and collected the blood sample with the same hand before spinning her out.

  She glared at him, gripping her finger tightly.

  “Hopefully this simple blood test clears you,” he said, watching the little trust he’d built with her be swallowed by the anger burning in her eyes. “But I need you to train because I don’t think it will.”

  “Clear me from what?”

  “Being a Custos.”

  “That’s absurd,” Angelica said, anger rising in her voice. “Pure blooded Custos don’t exist.”

  “That’s what the Vindica wants everyone to believe,” Kline said, walking backward. “But you, Angelica, are smarter than that. It’s what first drew me to you.”

  Kline rose to the rooftop away from the street and from her sight.

  “You’re crazy,” Angelica yelled into the air. “I knew my mother, and she wasn’t a Custos.”

  Kline left her and headed back to their headquarters with the sample. He didn’t like this plan at all. It made Angelica vulnerable, but he needed to buy some time, and he saw no other way to do it. He needed to do some quick thinking before this lab work came back.

  He may also need to do some damage control with Angelica.

  Forty-Five

  Cain watched Simone hurry toward him, her skirt swishing around her ankles. Her quick pace and her darting glances revealed her fear. His senses heightened. Simone didn’t scare easily. Steady and brave defined her. Something had happened.

  Cain stepped out of the shadows. “I’m here.”

  She jumped, and then ran to him.

  She embraced him and he held her close. She whispered in his ear. “I don’t like being out ‘ere at night, but I needed to tell ya.”

  “I could have come to you.”

  “No,” she said, her lips trembling. “My father is watching for you because he believes I’m in danger.”

  Cain inhaled the spice smell of her hair. She must have been making a concoction and the smells lingered on her neck, in her hair, in her clothing. She’d come straight from whatever ritual that had scared her.

  “I will not let anything happen to you.”

  “Something has happened to change things. Even Madame Lulu is worried.”

  “Change things?”

  Simone buried her head in his chest a moment before pulling away. “The possibilities are gone. Up until tonight, the future held all these prospects depending on the choices made. Something has happened to remove all
those outcomes. The Reckoning is here and cannot be stopped now.”

  “What about my fate?”

  “Animus, I’m scared,” Simone said, rubbing her hands down his sides. “Let’s just go away together. Away from all of this.”

  “We can’t escape the Reckoning. You know I’d do anything for you if I could.”

  “I know,” Simone mumbled, burying her head into his chest, before looking up and flashing her familiar though strained smile. “As to your fate, Valor will be named tomorrow night, but you must move quickly before your father, as he knows this, too. According to the signs, Valor will know where the book is once she completes her first deed as Valor.”

  Cain’s mind worked quickly. He’d have one shot to come out on top. “So, I just need to make sure she completes a first deed as Valor?”

  “Exactly, but before your father or he’ll get it first.”

  Cain pulled her closer. “I promise we will leave together after.”

  “My future is not as clear as your own, but I will if I’m able.”

  He gripped her tighter. Her words fell ominously into his gut. “I want you to stay with your father until I come to get you. My father knows about you, and I don’t want to take any chances.”

  “Our fates will always be intertwined with those we love. When it comes time, you may need the help of your sister.” Simone put her hand against his chest. “Always remember why you do what you do. Do not forget.”

  Cain stared into her watery eyes a moment, but couldn’t bring himself to ask. She’d seen something that she would not tell. He knew her well enough to know this. Cain didn’t want to hear anymore about fate. From this moment on, he made his own destiny. He didn’t need this double life anymore. He knew what he had to do. He just needed to make sure he kept Simone safe until then.

  “I’ll walk you home,” Cain said. “Until this is over, I don’t want you out alone. Stick with your father for protection.”

  She laced her fingers through his and squeezed.

  Forty-Six

  Angelica pushed her hair out of her face and craned her neck sideways to get a look at the clock. Two hours had passed since they’d come upstairs looking for Rosemary’s journal. Lysander’s strong arm grabbed her around her middle and he pulled her back in close to him.

  Angelica grinned. “I guess I’ll look for that book later.”

  “Maybe,” Lysander said, trailing his finger along her chin. “I may be still enjoying your company later.”

  “I haven’t heard from you.” Angelica said, lowering her eyelashes, but keeping her eyes on him.

  “Work,” Lysander said, continuing the downward motion of his hand. “My father had some items for delivery in Florida.”

  “What kind of business does your father do?”

  “Antiques, really, but enough about him.” Lysander grinned. “What kind of trouble did you get into while I was gone?”

  Angelica’s temperature rose. In humiliation, she’d remained silent about Kline. She couldn’t believe her naiveté in trusting him. Now she didn’t know what her blood sample would be used to prove. The hurt pride mingled with disappointment in herself as well. She’d felt attracted to him, and she’d believed herself beyond falling for the dangerous stranger.

  She couldn’t admit that to Lysander, of course.

  “The usual.” Angelica grinned. “Apparently, people can’t stop talking about me these days.”

  “Just remember,” Lysander said, gazing into her eyes. “These people want a martyr. You don’t want to be that person.”

  A loud rumble came from downstairs and then quieted.

  “So what abilities do you have?” Angelica asked, thinking of his 17 percent Custos blood and what did that look like compared to hers. Kline’s question last night had left her feeling odd, as if there was something she didn’t know.

  “Nothing significant,” he said, grinning. “I can’t predict the future or move items telekinetically. I imagine those are pretty nice.”

  The voices rose from downstairs and then lowered to a hum.

  Angelica frowned. “The noise downstairs is distracting.”

  An excited squeal bounced upstairs.

  Lysander inhaled and Angelica felt the rippling beneath her chest. “Is there a party tonight?”

  Angelica felt his lips against her forehead. “I wasn’t invited.”

  Chatter vibrated the walls of the house. People gathered downstairs, and although Angelica listened to the chatter, she could not distinguish the voices. Something was certainly going on below.

  Lysander shifted beneath her. “I think we need to check it out.”

  Angelica nodded, crisis mode kicking in. Since she’d begun attempting daily to see the future, she’d felt this ticking count down, as if something was going to happen soon. And now she waited each moment for it to come. It left her on edge.

  She stood and grabbed her clothing from the floor, but not before catching Lysander looking her over.

  “We’re coming back upstairs after.”

  Angelica smiled as she slipped into her jeans and sweater and swept the room one last time for the journal. It’s not as if the room contained much for the book to get lost among, but it had been missing from her usual spot. She checked herself over in the mirror and forced her attention away from her eyes. Kline’s trick had worked. She’d tried it again this morning. He must be able to change his eye color as well, which made her have doubts about what he’d said about being Custos.

  It was all so confusing.

  She allowed Lysander to take her hand and lead her downstairs. People were clustered in small groups everywhere. Ms. Cammie Dubois stood among several well-dressed men in the corner. Serena, Mark, Seth and Bruce stood in a small group in the foyer. Griffen and Jack stood with a group of gentlemen who simply looked like teachers, slightly balding and frayed at the edges. In several clusters of people she recognized no one, but that one Vindica Council member, she remembered being called Frederick, sat expressionless in a side chair in the sitting room. Gabney and Landon were nowhere in sight.

  A robust, rather red-faced gentleman that Landon had said went by the name of Larkin Luke, although his real name was Luke Meyers, burst into the foyer from the training room.

  “I believe everyone is here now. Ladies and gentlemen, let’s gather in the training room for our meeting.”

  Angelica whispered to Lysander. “Did you know about a meeting?”

  Lysander shook his head.

  Serena followed Jack into the living room. Excitement vibrated off of her in rays. Her thoughts escaped on those beams for the room to read. They were naming Valor tonight, and it had to be her because she was the only one they’d tested. She was certain of it.

  Angelica hesitated, glancing toward the formidable oak front door. She’d come clean to John Landon and Gabney, but walking into that room presented a different challenge. She didn’t know if she was ready for it to be her, but she could feel herself in way too deep to walk out.

  She walked into the training room.

  John Landon, Gabney, and Mr. White were sitting in three of the many chairs scattered throughout. None of these chairs were here during a normal day, but this was the largest space on the ground floor so they must have moved furniture from other rooms to accommodate the large crowd.

  Landon’s deep frown and Gabney’s creased worry line across his forehead told Angelica all she needed to know about this meeting. The Council had descended on Landon House without warning.

  Larkin Luke bounced around the room as he gathered four people in the center of the room, one of which was Frederick. All four dressed similarly in gray suiting, and they wore an aura of dignified snobbery. This must be the infamous Vindica council minus one member. The question remained why was one missing.

  Serena went stand behind Landon’s seat as if she were the doting daughter. Other unfamiliar faces crowded around the room. Angelica stood off to the side of the doorway with Lysander.

&
nbsp; Larkin raised his arms, and everyone quieted. Angelica looked around the room and saw many smiles. Everyone knew what was going on tonight, so why had they kept it from Landon? Angelica sensed a political play here.

  “As a family, we have suffered terrible loses. Some have lost hope, but I personally never gave up. I’ve always believed Valor was coming to save us. Yes, friends, family, we are here tonight to finally put a face to this legend.”

  Triumphantly, he paused as a rumble rose through the crowd of nearly fifty. Angelica thought it odd that all these people would gather with such short notice and keep Landon in the dark.

  Serena leaned forward and appeared about to burst.

  Larkin raised his hand and the room quieted. “Tonight, I’ve been granted the privilege to announce this legend into reality.”

  Ms. Cammie smiled across the room at Serena. Angelica noticed others who did the same. It would appear everyone knew something she didn’t. John’s frown deepened, and his eyes closed. She began to relax. She wouldn’t have to make a decision.

  Larkin cleared his throat, waiting for the attention to return to his large eyes and bulky hands. “The council has convened and they have arrived with the news only hours ago. Their unquestionable decision is that Valor is Angelica Accacia, guest of Landon House.”

  Angelica gawked as everyone turned to stare.

  “This is a mistake.” Serena cried out. “She didn’t go through the tests.”

  Frederick glared down at Serena with his thin nose. “Angelica has abilities that only Valor has, and she is stronger than our enemies. She is the clear choice.”

  Jack stood and clasped his hands before him. “But has she proven herself to not be one of our enemies?”

  Landon rose gripping his cane with an expression of resolution. “While this announcement is certainly a shock and came without warning, I assure you upon my word that she is unquestionably on our side. The Council has made a wise choice.”

  The crowd erupted into excited talk, and their stares gradually fell away from Angelica. She inhaled deeply and released the breath slowly, her brain buzzed with electricity. She’d be lucky if she didn’t lift everyone in the room. She closed her eyes and hummed a lullaby in her head. So much for hiding in the background.