Valkyrie Divided (Pyralis Book 2)

by Brandy L. Cunningham

  “Rafael and Viren, they think you should speak to the Traitor. I told them no way, but they think he might tell you more because of your…you know, your past.”

  I felt my blood freeze. They wanted me to speak to Desmond? They wanted me to get answers from my tormenter? Inside me, the darker half purred. My other half, however, was waving red warning flags and screaming. I wasn’t sure if I could do it. Not sure if I even wanted to try. My thoughts must have reflected on my face, because Chandler’s snarl disappeared, and his face softened. Stepping forward, he pulled me into a fierce embrace.

  For once, I didn’t push him away. I allowed him to hold me, and I rested my forehead against his shoulder. I could feel his big hand rubbing my back through the leather of my jacket. He knew how much Desmond still affected me.

  “Just tell them no. In fact, I will tell them no. There’s no reason for it. The bastard won’t tell us anything anyway, no matter who speaks to him.”

  For a few moments, neither of us said anything. He continued to hold me, and I continued to let him. The silence was broken only when a soft feminine voice drifted down the street to us.

  “Chandler? Chandler, the Fiddler is looking for you and Valkyrie. He says we need to move back to camp.”

  Lifting my eyes, I watched as the soft curves of the female Gargoyle came into view. I recognized her. She was one of the recruits Chandler had found in New York. Her hair was dyed a deep magenta, and her green eyes were bright and wide in her small face. I had seen the way she looked at Chandler, and I saw the worry in her face now as she regarded the two of us. Pulling away from Chandler, I squeezed his arm.

  “Thank you, Chandler. You are a good friend. Why don’t you and Alysia take the others back to camp? I will find Rafael and Viren.”

  Walking past her, I didn’t give Chandler a moment to refuse. I sent the woman a wink, and I couldn’t help but feel good when her face lit up with newfound hope.

  ͼ ͼ ͼ ͼ

  Rafael and Viren were indeed requesting that I try and speak to Desmond, alone. I had serious problems with this request. He may be our prisoner, but Desmond was still a very powerful, and very unpredictable Witch. There was no telling what he might have up his sleeve at this point. Thoughts of my time chained in a mine shaft floated into my mind. I shuddered just to think about that terrible time. To say it had left its mark was undoubtedly sugar coating it. It hadn’t just left its mark. My time being Desmond’s captive had warped and corroded me beyond repair.

  I wasn’t the same person I was before he had taken me prisoner, and to be honest, I wasn’t even sure who I was anymore. There were still gaps in my memory, which I found unusual. Evangeline-the Witch from New Orleans-had said the heady mixture of herbs she had given me would restore them. They did, to an extent, but there were still holes. I could recall all of my time with Desmond with great clarity, but for some odd reason, the times where I had interacted with Aeron were a blur. When I had arrived at Dresden’s hidden mansion, I had been hit hard by the memory of meeting Aeron for the first time.

  Yet another mystery in my life. When I first met Aeron, he had been known as Alistair La Croix. Now, I knew him as Aeron Nyte. Why the change, I wondered for what must have been the thousandth time. It seemed to plague me, the missing answers to all of these riddles. Why couldn’t I recall all of my time with him? Frustration was rising within me, and I needed to tune down my thoughts. Lately, I had begun burning during my sleep again, something I had not done since being in the Acadian mountains.

  Pacing the tent in which I slept, I ground my teeth together. So many missing clues, so many unanswered questions. Was it meant to always be this way? Would I never learn all I needed to? Leaning my head back, I stopped, becoming very still. Listening to the sounds of the camp around me, I breathed out deeply. I could hear conversation, even the rare sound of laughter occasionally. Yet, here I stood, feeling more alone than ever. With my eyes closed, I called up an image of Aeron.

  I could still see him with crystal clarity. His golden toned skin glistening over bulging muscles. I imagined running my fingers through his dark blond hair, imagined those penetrating multi-hued eyes of his devouring every inch of my skin in their perusal. Taking a breath, I wasn’t surprised at the slight tremble in it. God, what I would not do to have him back. My eyes opened. I blinked, mulling over my thoughts. How foolish I was. I would do anything to have him back, but he hadn’t wanted me.

  Sure, he had desired me, but he hadn’t wanted me. He had pushed me away, told me I was poison and there would never be anything between us again. Here I was, pining away for a man who would sooner turn his back on me than touch me. Anger surged forth within me, paired with desolation. I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. I hated that I wanted him. Hated that I needed him. It tore at me with such an intensity I wanted to scream. My hands fisted, and my fangs elongated.

  In a moment of uncontrolled anguish, I roared, igniting in flames and slashing my nails into the canvas tent standing over me. Anger and despair washed through me, driving my outburst to an all-time high. Falling to my knees, I wanted so badly to weep, to shed even a single damned tear. I knew better. None would come. I was damned to live eternally without the ability to release my emotions, and it was nearly killing me.

  The sound of silence penetrated the fog of my distraught mind like a knife to the heart. Lifting my gaze, I peered around myself. In my anger, my outburst had ignited and burned the tent to ash. The earth around it was charred black for several feet. The others who shared this camp stood around me, keeping a safe distance as they stared at me. Looking over their faces, I saw so many expressions. They ranged from understanding all the way to fear. I didn’t know how to react to the knowledge that all those gathered with us had witnessed my breakdown.

  There was one face, however, that stood out of the crowd. His aquamarine eyes bored into my own, and to my surprise, it was not sympathy or fear I saw there. It was understanding. I had the inkling that Devyn Villart had also suffered the loss of someone he had once held dear to him. Moving forward through the group of gathered onlookers, he made his way to me. When he stood directly in front of me, he held out his hand. I studied it, my jaws clenching as I raged an inner battle with myself.

  In the end, I allowed my flames to shrink back inside of me, and I placed my pale hand in his. He pulled me to my feet, draping his cloak around me.

  “Viren and Rafael sent me to fetch you. They wish to have a meeting with all the leaders. Do you feel up to it?”

  I lifted a dark brow at him. “Do I have a choice? Typically when summoned by Rafael, one doesn’t have much say in it.”

  Devyn regarded me with amusement. His eyes spoke of the attraction he felt for me, but his mouth never voiced such words. I think it was one of the reasons I allowed him to assist me. He shrugged his broad shoulders. The scar above his left eyebrow caught my attention again, and I wondered, not for the first time, where he’d gotten it.

  “I could always tell them I couldn’t find you. From what I hear, you’re pretty good at sneaking off into the night alone.” There was a definite flirtatiousness in his words as well as his voice.

  Smiling, I shook my head in the negative. “No, it’s all right. I can’t avoid this for much longer. Come, let’s go see the others.”

  ͼ ͼ ͼ ͼ

  Inside the meeting tent, I found that the others were already gathered. Studying the faces around the perimeter of the long wooden table as I took my seat, I notated each expression into my mind. Rafael was looking at me with concern. He knew the struggles I went through, and he knew that Aeron’s death still plagued me. Beside him, my brother looked at me with affection. Even after all he had heard and seen about me, I felt that he thought I could do no wrong. It still struck me hard that after four hundred long years, his love for me was unwavering.

  There was little doubt in my mind that my twin would stand beside me through anything. Meeting his emerald gaze, I smiled at him, trying to put into my expression how
much I cared for him. When my gaze moved on, I found myself locked with the powerful stare of Dresden. His two different colored eyes held mine, and again, I had trouble focusing between the green one and the gold one. He gave me a knowing smile, and bowed his head.

  Viren’s words brought my attention to the opposite side of the room where he stood. “We are fortunate that it appears we have another chance to stop Byron. My Intel has told me of a massive amount of Byron’s followers who are headed toward Providence. We believe the final assault may occur there, but we are not certain. Los Angeles would be the ideal city because of its size, but I do not think Byron fool enough to try that. The Lucina there are too strong, and he knows it.”

  I considered his words for a moment. “So, should we send our troops to watch over Providence then?”

  Viren sighed. Looking my way, he shook his head. “I don’t know. In part, I want to say yes, but there is a niggling feeling in my gut. This could be a trick. He could be hoping to draw our attention there whilst he strikes elsewhere.”

  Rubbing my chin, I thought this over. It made sense that Byron might try to trick us. “I agree. It’s difficult to know whether or not this is a set up. We will not be as strong if we are divided, but I’m not sure we have a choice.”

  Across the room, Damien stood up. His yellow eyes met mine, and he asked, “What of the hostage? Have we learned nothing of importance from him?”

  The space within the tent fell silent. It was an ominous silence, with so many powerful leaders of various Casts gathered in such confined quarters.

  “We have questioned him at length. Through him we have learned about Byron’s dark Witch, and his plan to open all the portals. Beyond that, I am afraid he is not speaking.” Rafael’s voice was worn, and I felt pity for the old man. I knew the toll it was taking on him to see the boy he had raised as his apprentice betray our own kind.

  Damien sighed. “I have heard you speaking. You and Viren. You want to send Valkyrie in there to talk to him, to see if she can gain more information. I’m not sure I support this decision.”

  Viren met my eyes. “It is our only option. I see why you would oppose it. I see how hard it is for Rafael to ask this of her, and I see too how hard it is for her to consider doing this. Unfortunately, we are running out of time, and out of options. We must move soon.”

  Holding up my hand, I looked around at all the faces gathered before me. “I do not want arguing amongst us. We must be united in all things if we are to stand any chance against Byron. Viren, you and Rafael are right. It must be done. I will see him tonight, when this meeting is adjourned.”

  I could see arguments in several of the faces around the table, but I had made up my mind. If Rafael could endure this, then so could I. The conversation shifted as everyone realized I’d said all I would on the matter. I listened intently, making mental notes as the others listed sightings, and influxes in activities. Part of my mind had already strayed to the matter I wanted to avoid, but still, I tried to pay attention.

  ͼ ͼ ͼ ͼ

  Leaving the tent, I glanced up in the sky. Still the eclipse burned brightly above us, holding our world captive in its eerie in-between state of dusk. The murky air around me was neither dark nor light. It was dim, and for humans, I knew it must be frightening. Making my way toward the metal tent where Desmond had been imprisoned, I took several deep breaths, trying to gain as much control over my nerves, as well as my dark desires, as I could. If I said the thoughts of killing him right then didn’t cross my mind, I’d be lying.

  Unfortunately, thoughts of revenging myself with his death were not the only ones crossing my mind. Memories had a tendency to come to me whenever I didn’t want them, and this moment was no exception. Like butterfly wings, they came close, their soft fluttery edges caressing my inner thoughts. With a clench of my jaw, I shoved the inconvenient memories away. Seeing myself naked in Desmond’s tantalizing arms was not going to help me right then.

  I was nearly to the tent in which he was being kept, when a pressure on my shoulder stopped me. Glancing over it, I peered into the familiar green eyes of my brother. Giving him a small smile, I reached back and squeezed the hand that lay on my shoulder.

  “It’s all right, Valkyrian. I’ll be okay. After all, it’s just Desmond, right?” I tried to diffuse the situation with a little humor, but I realized that it sounded brittle, even to my own ears.

  My brother tilted his head to the side, his long dark hair falling at the same angle. I realized it was longer than I recalled. Reaching out, I brushed it away from his face. “You need to tie your hair back. It’s too distracting like this.”

  A cocky grin crossed his lips as he regarded me. “That’s the whole point, my dearest sister. The ladies love it like this.” Sending me a wink, he straightened up, glancing around as though he were up to no good.

  Lifting a brow at him, I asked, “What are you up to, Brother? You have that look about you, like your about to do something illicit.”

  Valkyrian laughed. “No, nothing that bad little sister. Actually, I was thinking it might be best if I come with you. I can be… how do the humans say it? Incognito?”

  Just the look on my brother’s face was enough to make me laugh. It bubbled out of me in a way it had not in many long months. I had to admit, it felt good to stand there with my brother and laugh. Trying to get my composure back, I shook my head at him.

  “No, Valkyrian, I am grateful for the offer, but I think it’s best I go in alone.” I had started turning away when Valkyrian cleared his throat. Turning back, I lifted my brows at him in question.

  Leaning in closer, my brother dropped his voice to the merest whisper. “There is a way it would work, and it would seem as though you are all alone. A trick. Belladona taught it to me after Evangeline taught her many decades ago.”

  Pulling back from him, I frowned at my twin. “Valkyrian, what on earth are you talking about?”

  Again he grinned. Keeping his voice low, he said, “We have the blood of Witches in our veins Val. We too can cast spells. Belladona and I, well, we’ve learnt how to disappear.”

  My mind was reeling, but a few pieces clicked together. “That’s how you did it on Halloween. You disappeared. That’s how you’ve stayed hidden all this time.”

  My brother’s grin broadened into a full smile. “Yes, exactly. It is how Bells always avoided Byron all these years. Now, here’s what we’re going to do…” As Valkyrian detailed his plan for him to be with me in the tent with Desmond, I only half listened. In all truth, I didn’t want him in there with me.

  I knew Desmond. I knew how he operated, and I knew, without doubt, what he would say. He would bring up our past. He would throw sex and love in my face, if even just to make me feel bad. I didn’t want my brother to hear any such details about me. I didn’t want him knowing the sordid aspects of my youthful affair. As he rattled on, I was trying to come up with an excuse as to why I needed to do this completely alone, but as it turned out, I didn’t need it. A voice cut through my brothers ramblings.

  “Valkyrie, might I have a quick word with you before you speak to the betrayer? It will only take a moment.” The voice I knew well. I smiled as I turned to face Tamyra, but I hadn’t expected to see her in her true form.

  She stood there, looking youthful despite her many years. Her deep mahogany colored hair was sleek and shiny, and her bright cornflower blue eyes stood out in her enchantingly beautiful face. She wore a soft smile, the smile of a friend.

  “Tamyra, I would be happy to give you a minute of my time.” Glancing over at my now suspiciously silent brother, I nearly choked at the expression plastered to his normally cocky face. He stared at Tamyra as though in a trance.

  “Valkyrian, will you excuse us a moment?” nodding wordlessly, my brother walked away, but not without glancing over his shoulder several times.

  Looking back at Tamyra I laughed softly. Tamyra arched a brow. “Charming, that brother of yours.”

  “I’m surprised he�
�s not drooling. Anyway, what did you need to speak to me about Tamyra?”

  Her gaze returned to mine, and she sighed. “I wanted to warn you to be very careful in there. I sense dark magic within that Witch. He will try to hurt you, and disarm you with his words. Trust nothing he says.” Holding out her hand, she leaned in, whispering into my ear.

  My head snapped up as I stared at her, thinking about the secret she had whispered. I began to shake my head, but Tamyra held up a hand.

  “Just in case. You do not have to use it if there is no need, but I want you to be prepared. Remember Val, he will try to distract you with his words. Be careful, Child.”

  ͼ ͼ ͼ ͼ

  I discovered that my brother was not unlike most others of his gender, and sneaking away from him was not as difficult as I would have thought. All it had taken was one extraordinarily attractive woman, and he had forgotten all about his little plan. Shaking my head, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of him following Tamyra like a love-sick puppy. Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined seeing my strong confident brother following, cross-eyed, after a woman.

  Closing the tent flap behind me, I stared into the dim light of the darkened tent. Two metal poles stood in the center, and Desmond was chained to both with his hands and feet. His head hung down between his shoulders, his dark brown hair hanging around his face, concealing it from me. He was dirty and smeared with blood. I’m sure I was supposed to feel sympathy, or pity for him, but that was not what I felt. Anger was all I experienced as I stood there looking at him.

  He had caged me, chained me, whipped me and poisoned me. Why should I feel pity for this monster? Because he had been my lover once? Because he had been a friend once? No, he was a monster. He had never really loved me. It had all been an act, a lie. Stepping forward, I stopped directly in front of him.

  “I knew you would come to me, Valkyrie. I knew you would not be able to stay away from me.”