by Janelle Peel
All eyes swung in his direction. Taking a breath, he answered, “To help.”
Blaze shook his head, “Not good enough. Why? You have no loyalty to us. Add in the fact you’re half Demon…”
Mel cleared his throat, “So is Lillin. She’s done nothing but help us.”
Viv smirked, “And we are more than happy to help her in return.”
Lips thinning at the interruption, Kai growled, “You need me.”
Sora touched his thigh beneath the table, “What Blaze means is, we don’t trust you.” Lifting one finger in Bex’s direction to stop her outburst, she continued, “Yes, you helped rescue Mel. As did Lillin. But, you put Bex in danger in the first place.”
Grudgingly, he nodded, “I did.”
Glaring, Bex muttered, “I was fine.”
Sora leaned back in her chair, “And now? You say you want to help. What can you offer?”
Kai looked from Bex to Nat. After a moment, he replied, “You have three of the four Elements in this very room. You say the Angels are on your side, to which I have no doubt. Michael’s presence in Hell is confirmation enough for me. The loss of your magic is an unforeseen blow. You need strong allies if you’re going to fight this battle.” Knocking his knuckles on the table, he continued, “You have the tomes, yes?”
Throwing a glance at Sora, Nat grudgingly tipped her chin, “We do.”
“If we can find Air, our magic can be synced. That means each of us could wield all four Elements at will. I have my,” he stumbled. The corners of his eyes tightened in pain, “Mother’s memories. With the books, we can figure out how to do it. It’s how they created the onyx stone.”
The black slab was incredibly powerful. Too bad they’d had to destroy it. Bex had also said the lessers feared her ice. If they could find Air and join, they would be nearly unstoppable. Then, maybe Lila wouldn’t have to be a part of the war at all.
Sora stood, “Bex? A word in private?”
Rising to follow his Mate, he threw a meaningful look at Jackson.
Jackson tipped his head in understanding. He was in charge.
Grabbing a bottle of whiskey, he poured while the girls settled in.
Sora sighed, “You haven’t told him, have you?”
Bex hesitated, “No.”
His brow furrowed, “What am I missing?”
Grabbing her glass, Bex hesitated, “Kai is out for revenge. When the stone broke, it killed his Mother.”
Fuck! How could she be so irresponsible? She’d brought him to their home! Moving around the bar to confront the situation, Sora snagged his elbow, “Wait.”
Irritated, he rumbled, “Why? He needs to leave. We cannot have him here, Sora.”
Her sapphire orbs begged him to understand, “I cannot protect our Daughter any more, Blaze. I don’t like it, but Kai is right. We need him.”
Bex took Sora’s hand, “I’ll make him understand. I promise.”
He scoffed, “Like you promised not to go after Mel?”
Gritting her teeth, she scowled, “I promised not to do anything stupid. I didn’t think it was stupid at the time.”
“Stop it,” Sora barked. “This isn’t helping. Take Kai to lawn and discuss it there. If he really wants to help, he’ll also need to swear fealty. If he leaves, so be it. I will not build an alliance based on deceit, we’re better than that. Tell the others we’ll reconvene in the morning.”
Swallowing her drink in one go, Bex nodded, “Okay.”
After she’d gone, Sora burst into tears, “I don’t know if I can do this.”
Wrapping her inside his arms, he kissed her silver crown, “Shh, everything will be fine.”
A sob wracked her frame, “How is anything ever going to be fine? Our little girl can stop time, Blaze. She’s a part of a something I can’t change. Bex is wrapped up in some twisted Fate bullshit. The Goddess is punishing me, and a lunatic is trying to break out of Hell and slay mankind.”
“It will work out. When has it ever not?”
She snorted a bitter laugh, “That doesn’t answer my question.”
Tipping her chin up, he swiped the tear rolling down her cheek with the pad of his thumb, “Because we have each other, our family. We will deal with everything together, as we always have. We will find a way to win.”
Chapter 17
Bex
Fidgeting at the boardroom door, I tried to order my thoughts. We did need Kai, and I would prove it. Squaring my shoulders, I turned the knob.
The sweet scent of Lillin nearly bowled me over.
Rowe winked, “When I find a Mate, if you need any help in that department, I’m happy to oblige.”
Mel shook his head while Lillin blushed, “Um, thanks. It’s not a game, though.”
Viv snorted, “Then we’ll just have to make sure there’s more than one person around.” She snapped her fingers, “Easy peasy.”
Wondering what I’d missed, I hesitated, “Hey, Sora said we’ll continue this discussion tomorrow morning. Um, Kai? Would you follow me?”
Jackson met my gaze with a curious expression. Nodding once to let him know all was well, I pulled the door open wider.
Quietly, Kai moved past without a word.
“To the right,” I called out, catching up with his long stride. “We’re going to the front of the mansion.”
Silence reigned as I led him through the foyer and outside.
A crescent Moon rose in the distance, casting a white glow on the blades of grass.
Nearing the perimeter fence where we’d first met, he asked, “What’s going on, Bex?”
I sighed, “I haven’t been honest with you.”
His brow lowered, “How so?”
Dropping to my rear, I plucked at the hem of my tank, “I’m going to tell you a story. Everything is true, but I want you to listen and hold your questions until I’m finished. Okay?”
Settling beside me, he crossed his ankles, “All right.”
“Last year, something happened. Nat went to Europe to help a Pack of Shifters and a Clutch of Vampires. She was kidnapped by the former. It turns out, they were cursed somehow. They couldn’t leave the boundary of the forest they’d taken from a group of Elementals. As you know, Nat is half Fae, half Mage. Well, she was also bitten by me, so technically that’s where she got her ability to shift. Following so far?”
He nodded, “Yes.”
“Okay. What the Pack, and I mean Kane’s Pack, didn’t know was the curse would affect her, too. Mel went searching for her, and I hitched a ride. Long story short, I stubbornly followed her scent and became stuck myself. Sora tasked the Mages in Seattle to figure out what the Elementals were. That’s where we got the books. When Nat first touched the Earth tome, her mind was transported to another plane. She met Amadahy and Èriu.”
He hissed, “They’re dangerous, Bex.”
“Shh,” I soothed. “We found that out, eventually. Both turned out to be batshit crazy. Èriu gave Nat her memories, and we learned of the onyx stone’s creation. As well as the treachery surrounding its theft. They wanted to live like Gods in this world. They were supposed to,” lifting my fingers, I air quoted, “‘merge’, with us. Like Invasion of the Body Snatchers, or something.”
Confusion shone on his face.
I shrugged away the reference, “Never mind. Anyway, we weren’t going to let that shit fly, so Nat and I…”
“You?”
“We, um. We destroyed the stone, Kai.”
Abruptly, he stood.
Getting to my feet, I moved into his path, “No! Please, let me finish.”
His aqua eyes darkened as his mask slid into place.
The words vomited from my lips, “I nearly died with its breaking. Nat scorched the entire plane in dire-fire. Nothing survived, Kai. We’re all that’s left.” My voice cracked, “I’m so sorry. We didn’t know it would kill anyone else. We had no way of knowing.”
His form shimmered as it burst into flame.
I back peddled with
a shriek as the heat charred my forearm.
Flickering in the darkness, he changed into a large raven. Sorrow filled his orbs as they met mine. Beating his large wings twice, he flung himself into the sky.
My heart pinched at the loss as my lids closed. Struggling for air, I fell to my knees.
I’d been honest.
We had no choice… and he’d left.
Eventually, warm arms wrapped around my torso.
Lifting me from the ground like a child, Kane rubbed his chin along my cheek.
Silver light lit Nat’s hand as she healed the burn marking my skin.
“Take her to our room, Kane. She needs us.”
The breeze blew my hair into a white flurry as we moved. Seconds passed. Then, I was embraced on all sides in a cozy bed.
Nat kissed my brow, “He’ll come back, pup. You’ll see.”
Kai
No matter how hard he tried, he was unable to leave his perch. Ruffling his feathers, he watched her from a distance.
Her small form trembled on the carpet of grass in pain.
Rage and affection warred within him. She could have lied, but didn’t. He could not trust himself to be around her. The fire inside his blood had already hurt her once. If he lost control…
The bough inside his clutches creaked ominously as he dug his talons into the bark.
She didn’t have a choice in what happened, and was only guilty of protecting herself. Even if her actions resulted in the death of his Queen… his family.
He’d sworn to seek revenge…
How could he keep his promise when it meant torching the one thing that kept him grounded in this world?
Opening his beak, he screeched at the unfairness.
No matter the outcome, he couldn’t take her life.
After a time, Kane and Nat came to her aid.
Nat’s gaze pierced the darkness. Flashing a vibrant green, a voice growled inside his mind, ‘Stay or go, Elemental. But know this, if you harm our pup again, I will eat your soul.’ Silver and gold light lit her hand as she healed the burns he created.
Seemingly unaware of the exchange, Bex’s head lolled on Kane’s shoulder.
Showing her teeth once more in his direction, Nat led them back to the house.
Bex had come back for him.
She changed Fate.
Now, he would change it again.
Flapping his wings, he called to his power.
Sora
Snuggled inside Blaze’s arms, Lila snored softly.
Grinning internally, I marveled at her ability to sleep no matter the situation.
“Good evening Mistress Sora, Master Blaze,” the Captain spoke over the intercom. “We’re beginning our descent. Please fasten your seatbelts. The weather is a pleasant 65 degrees with a light drizzle.”
Lifting a brow at my Mate, I shook my head. How he’d managed to buy out an entire commercial flight was beyond me.
A hum sounded as the wheels lowered.
Gripping the armrests, I braced for impact. Flying sucked, with a capital S.
Chuckling at my reaction, Blaze rumbled, “Relax. We’re almost there.” Tipping his head to the side, he added, “When was the last time you were home?”
Anxiety fluttered through my tummy. I hadn’t been back since my parents turned me out on my own. They hadn’t been seen or heard from since the original members of the Council were destroyed.
Glancing back at our slumbering party, I whispered, “Over three years. Now hush, you’ll wake the others.”
Kane and Nat decided to stay behind with the Packs.
Viv, Allie, and Sasha were busy with Sweet Fangs. Viv’s frozen yogurt business had really taken off. She’d even begun the legal process to add them both to the deed as co-owners.
Jackson opted to look after the mansion in our absence.
Bex insisted she be allowed to come. It was a lengthy conversation in order to get Blaze to agree, but she truly was an asset with Lila. That alone tipped the scales in her favor. The math was simple, she had magic, and I didn’t.
Justine had never been to Seattle, and wanted to explore everything as much as possible. Naturally, it was the same story with Rowe.
The biggest surprise was Mel’s willingness to cede leadership to Kane. While his own Pack remained under his control, Kane would take care of them with Jonas for the time being. Mel seemed happy with the trade. He and Lillin decided their time would be best spent monitoring the Fracture in Colima. I couldn’t agree more. We needed advance warning if the Demons broke through.
Lillin’s need for energy was strange, but Mel swore he’d keep an eye on her.
Gritting my teeth at my reflection in the small window, the ground rushed up.
The stone walls of the Stronghold had stood for over a thousand years and were once a part of the original structure of Seattle. Smith Tower was built in 1914 atop the original bones the great fire of 1889 destroyed. Its outer skin, granite on the first and second floors, gave way to 36 more stories comprised of terracotta.
Deep below ground, protected by multiple spells and ancient magic, were the Archives.
My boots clattered on the marble floor as we trooped into the lobby. Gold paint adorned the walls; monogrammed with the initials of the buildings financial backer, Lyman Cornelius Smith. Typically, the place would be packed with tourists.
Not today, it seemed.
“Sora! It’s been too long!” Cooper boomed, engulfing my smaller frame in a hug while patting my back with a meaty palm.
“Oomf,” I mumbled. “Nice to see you, too.”
Releasing me with a chuckle, he greeted everyone in turn.
My gaze zeroed in on the black tribal flame tattoo licking over his collar bone. He still looked good. Sandy blond hair, hazel eyes, and built like a brick shithouse. Daisy was a lucky girl, I mused.
Turning on his heel, he opened the bronze accordion slider to the elevator, “Down we go. Sorry Daisy isn’t available. She wants to expand and is busy in a meeting with the developers.” Using an old fashioned key, he slid it into a slot and pressed a plastic button.
Filing in with the others, I asked, “Is that why you’ve stopped the tour? Usually, this place is usually crazy busy.”
With a squeak, the gate closed.
“Yes,” he nodded as we began to descend. “Most of the upper rooms are now permanent housing for the new Mages. We accept new members every day from all over the world. Our ranks have grown astronomically in the past few years.”
Mentally I tacked on, ever since I killed Mage Thais.
Lila flailed her arm at the switchboard, “Push?”
Grabbing her chubby fingers, I smiled, “Not today, little one. We can ride the elevator another time.”
A ding sounded, announcing our arrival as the door opened.
Stepping onto the polished stone floor, the scent of the ocean was more pronounced. Home, my body screamed.
Shifting Lila to his other hip, Blaze took my hand with a curious expression.
I tipped my chin. I could do this.
Bypassing us, Cooper gestured down the arched hall, “Your rooms are this way, near mine and Daisy’s quarters. I assumed you’d prefer close proximity to the Archives. Did you want to get started immediately, or settle in?”
Bex
Dropping my bag on the cot, I perused my new accommodations.
Small wasn’t the right word. Tiny… yes.
Roughly eight by eight with the bed taking up most of the room, it felt incredibly cramped. A curtain divided a separate toilet with a mini, stand up shower. Wrinkling my nose at the dull, rock walls, I sighed.
Unpacking my belongings took less than five minutes. Tucking them into the small two drawer dresser, I met my reflection in the mirror above with a sneer. This was going to suck.
A sharp knock rang out on the door followed by Sora’s muffled voice, “Bex? You ready? We’re heading down.”
Grabbing the handle, I thanked the Goddess the aged woo
d opened outward.
Meeting her gaze was disconcerting. I’d grown so used to the silver stars lighting her orbs, seeing them without turned my stomach. I could only image the loss she felt. Keeping the pity from my face, I answered, “Yup. Lead on, Mistress.”
“Ha,” she laughed. “Very funny. Justine and Rowe are keeping an eye on Lila, so it’s just us and Blaze. He went to check in with security and will join us shortly.” Turning away, I noted the case she held.
Intrigued, I asked, “What’s that?” About thirty inches wide, its looked similar to a leather briefcase.
Her grip tightened on the handle, “The feather.”
Huh. I’d yet to see it. Did it look like Michael’s? Gold and black? Shelving the thought, we strode down the hall.
Snorting as I stepped in another puddle of muck, I growled, “How far down are we going?”
Torchlight lit the side of her face; giving her skin a pasty pallor, “We’re nearly there. These are the catacombs.”
Disgusting is what they were. Biting my tongue, I swallowed my next question. I’d almost asked her to use a light sphere. Super smart, Bex. Really.
We came to a stop near a large stone door. Rummaging inside the back pocket of her jeggings, she produced an aged skeleton key, “Don’t touch anything without asking. Some of the items inside have magic that’s decaying. Without my power, I won’t be able to tell what’s safe, and what isn’t.” Turning the key with a snick, she shouldered open the entrance.
Great, I mused, getting my first look of the Archives.
Modern tables were scattered around the large cavern with a few chairs interspersed between them.
Daisy sat in one. Grinning, she stood, “Hey! Come on over. I’ve cleared out the other Mages in preparation for you. This,” she swept her arm over the tabletop, “is everything we’ve unearthed regarding Heaven.”
My mouth formed an O as I took in a clear glass tube. Suspended inside, the beautiful plume of a solid gold feather cast a glow against the thick tomes surrounding it.
Daisy beamed, “Pretty, right? What did Michael’s look like?”
Clearing my throat, I shook my head, “Not like that. His were mostly black. Only the last few inches near the base were gold. I got the impression it was due to his time in Hell.” I paused, “He seemed… uncomfortable about it, and the things he’d done to keep his cover.”