“What do you think?” Mordred took a step toward me, swinging the wailing blade back and forth.
I swallowed hard, backing into the table. “What have you done?” Every inch of muscle bunched in the urge to flee.
“I have made a beautiful answer to Sinfonia.” He brought the blade up to eye level. “This is Lament, and with Lancer’s help, I shall finally attain what I was promised.”
I glanced over Mordred’s shoulder to glower at Lancer. The man refused to look me in the eye. “How could you do this to Alexandria, Lancer? I thought you loved her?”
His head lifted slowly, a strange look of animalistic desire and the promise of revenge flickered in emerald eyes. “This is the only way.”
“No. No, there are other ways Lancer,” I begged, only to feel the tip of the sword press against my chest. My eyes flickered back up to meet Mordred’s cold blue orbs.
“You will not interfere,” he hissed.
In an act of defiance, I raised my hand to cast magic, only to find nothing release. I tried again and again, but there was nothing.
“What did you do to me?” I screamed, staring at my hands as I tried the most basic spells Merlin had taught me.
“Forgive me, Morgan.” Ren’s voice broke through my panic. I turned to the pedestal on the table where the shimmering form stood.
Walking closer to the figure, I shook my head. “What have you done, Ren?”
“I have temporarily put a barrier on this room. You cannot use any magic in any form while this transfer is occurring.” The smaller woman offered a sad smile. “These were my orders, Morgan.”
I shook my head, beside myself in shock. “Transfer?” I pointed at Lancer and then at the sword. “You will kill him, Mordred.”
Mordred shrugged. “If he isn’t strong enough to withstand Lament’s virus, he wasn’t worthy of the power this sword has to offer.”
“Are you saying that sword is a copy of Sinfonia?” I couldn’t believe the level of insanity surrounding me. “You made a copy to the sword that is the sister to Excalibur? Are you mad, Mordred? What will this achieve?”
A toothy grin, sick and sadistic, answered me. “All that I have worked for.” Mordred turned and gave Dr. Tristan a nod.
Lancer was strapped down with heavy leather cuffs around his ankles and wrists. Machines monitored Lancer’s heart rate, and Dr. Tristan motioned for Mordred to come closer. I knew what this was now.
Lancer would accept a virus into his soul much like Arthur accepted his soul back. If this worked, Mordred would control Lancer; the virus would taint his mind, making him a tool.
“Why would you do this, Lancer?” I moved closer to the hospital bed. The sides had been lowered, so it looked more like a slab now. “You could die; you watched Arthur fight his own death. Why would you take this risk?”
The veins in Lancer’s neck pulsed with an excess of blood. His fists were clenched, and his jaw flexed. He was nervous, terrified. I covered his hand with my own, willing him to look at me.
“This is the only way I can have her.” His eyes blinked back tears.
Tears of what?
Regret or fear?
“I know in doing this there is no going back.” He swallowed hard. “But I have to try.”
“Which is why you are the perfect vessel, Lancelot.” Mordred patted his victim’s chest. “I apologize for the pain, but all is fair in love and war.”
Dr. Tristan looked just as tense as Lancer did. “Are you ready, Lancer?”I studied his face. He refused to look at me, knowing I would see his truth there.
How a former knight ever became employed by Mordred on his own choosing was beyond my rationale.
Lancer hesitated before exhaling a long breath and then whispered, “I am.”
The doctor nodded to Mordred, positioning the sword above Lancer’s chest.I didn’t release Lancer’s hand. I still saw the orphan boy my brother had taken in and the tortured man of the past. I glared across his body to meet eyes with Tristan.
He seemed to be thinking the same thing I was.
Until Mordred was defeated, until Arthur truly resurrected himself in all facets, we were all doomed to repeat pain and failure over and over again.
Mordred brought the blade down at a frightening speed. The sound of metal slicing through flesh, of blade crushing bone, made bile rise in my throat. That was nothing to the blood-curdling scream of a grown man in agony. Lancer’s entire body jerked at the impact and writhed as the pain set in.
I held on as best I could. I gripped his arm as he thrashed, screamed, and begged for Mordred to stop. Sadly, the man causing Lancer’s pain looked too engrossed to stop. A sick expression of infatuation, perhaps even pleasure, rested on Mordred’s face.
Inch by inch, Lament descended into Lancer’s chest, infecting his body. Blood soaked the white bed sheet and pooled over onto the floor. I watched in horror as the site of the wound turned black as if it were eroding his skin.
“Make it stop!” Lancer’s head fell back onto the pillow, and his eyes rolled back in his skull. I gasped as the hilt of the blade disappeared, and the wound closed over itself with a sickening slurp and crack.
Dr. Tristan immediately began injecting the IV with an array of different liquids in pre-packed syringes.
“W-what happens now?” I asked Mordred, afraid to learn the answer.
“Now, we wait and see if his mind can control the beast.” The lunatic gazed intently at Lancer’s lifeless body.
Before I could reply, a scream escaped Lancer’s mouth, and his body began to convulse. I reached back for him, but Dr. Tristan held me off.
“He has to do this on his own,” he whispered sharply into my ear.
“He’s dying!”
All I could do was watch helplessly as the veins in Lancer’s body protruded visibly under his skin and streaked his flesh black. The screaming, almost demonic guttural sounds he made frightened me. His eyes turned black as they appeared locked open, staring up at the ceiling.
“You’ve killed him!” I screamed at Mordred, turning away. I couldn’t watch any more. I knew I would have to be the one to tell Alexandria and Arthur that Lancer was dead. Mordred would make me do it.
Silence fell upon the room.
I glowered at Ren on her pedestal, and she shrugged her shoulders, just as much of a prisoner to her master as I was.
“No …” Mordred’s voice carried a hint of awe. “He is reborn.”
I turned back to stare at the man’s lifeless body.
Wait, did his chest just move?
Stepping closer, I heard rhythmic breathing, and Dr. Tristan’s hands flew to check vitals and the monitors. Mordred leaned over Lancer’s body, eagerly awaiting the moment the man’s eyelids fluttered open.
I jumped back.
That was no man.
Not anymore.
“Hello, Lancelot. It has been quite some time, hasn’t it?” Mordred’s face cracked into a wide grin.
“Yes, it has.” Lancer’s voice sounded harsh as if he had been without water for days.
“And do you remember your quest?” Mordred slowly released Lancer’s ankles from their leather bonds.
“Yes.” The word came out like the hiss of a cobra.
“And what is that quest?” When the final restraint had been unlocked, Lancer sat up. He reminded me of Frankenstein’s monster; only this monster was a handsome man with a deadly secret.
“I must kill Arthur Pendragon.”
My chest squeezed tightly, my hand rising to instinctively rest over where my heart should reside.
“Very good,” Mordred purred.
“All his vitals are stable, sir. Lament has been a success.” Dr. Tristan’s voice faded in my mind as I stared at Lancer. His forest green eyes slowly turned and locked on mine. I knew that gaze.
Lament had not only granted Lancer immeasurable power, but Mordred must have also infused the sword with the memories of Lancelot. That meant Lancer now recalled every moment an
d recalled his entire past of every life lived and lost.
I recounted every gruesome moment to Arthur and the rest standing in the ancient hall. Alexandria was the first to react. The poor girl swayed, and John caught her before she plummeted to the flagstone floor.
“No, it can’t be. Lancer would never do something like that.” Her blue eyes watered and overflowed with tears. “He wouldn’t do this to me, to us.”
My brother looked at me, his eyes begging me to tell him this wasn’t true. “Tell me it’s a lie. Tell me Mordred didn’t have the means or the magic to make a twin blade.”
I glanced at Merlin who just shook his head. He and I both knew how Mordred was able to harness enough dark magic to make a sword like that—me. He must have tricked me into doing a spell and harnessed that magic for the creation of Lament.
“It’s true, Arthur.” I blinked back tears. “And Lancer will be coming for you.”
Arthur sneered, his lips twisting into a snarl. “And I shall be waiting.”
NINE
Avalon
The steel edge of the blade barely missed my cheek as I dodged to the left. John had instructed Merlin not to take it easy on me, and the man took it to heart. I knew it was all in the name of attempting to draw out the new powers Sinfonia granted me.
“Come on!” I growled, defending myself with the steel arm gauntlets. “Why won’t they just show themselves, for fuck’s sake.”
“Stop.” John put his hand in the air, motioning for Merlin. “Well done, Merlin. I suppose we will have to find another way.”
“Of course, but might I offer my suggestion?” Merlin sheathed his katana, stepping around to rest his hand on my shoulder. Sweat soaked through my shirt. We had been at it for nearly two hours, and my body was spent.
John kept Merlin within arm’s reach, skeptical about the half man, half demon who chose to raise me. Now, though, he seemed willing to try anything. The situation I found myself in was rather dire. If I couldn’t force my powers to show themselves, I would have no way to defend myself against Lancer when he came for me, or worse—Alexandria.
“What do you suggest?” John crossed his arms. He wasn’t wearing his usual priest getup today. Instead, the black t-shirt he wore showed off arms covered in tribal looking tattoos.
“Arthur’s powers were gifted by God, correct?” Merlin pointed at my wrists.
John arched a brow. “Go on …”
“Perhaps, he needs a valid reason to use those powers.”
John thought for a few moments, taking everything Merlin had to say into consideration. He tossed a glance at me before rubbing his hand over his chin. “When is Alexandria scheduled to come back?”
“She should be back at two.” I narrowed my eyes. “Why? You don’t plan on using her as a catalyst do you?”
Merlin and John exchanged a look.
“It may be the only way, Arthur,” Merlin supplied.
I frowned. “I will think about it.” I tossed the gauntlets at John. “Now, if you will excuse me. Before she gets here, I need to shower.”
I exited the gym on the first level of the estate and pulled the sweaty t-shirt over my head. Alexandria and I had made a deal; she would go home for a few days to catch up on her work at the art gallery she and her roommate, Elaine, ran together. I wasn’t crazy about her going out on her own with Lancer supposedly on the prowl. She promised me she’d come back and stay the weekend.
A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips. Even with all the horrible things stacking up in front of us, just the mere thought of her made my heart swell.
We had come so far. From her being standoffish and almost afraid of me to her and I making love—it all seemed a dream. Yet it wasn’t a dream, and we were real. Alexandria was real, and she was mine.
I trotted up the staircase, eager to take a ride in the crisp fall air. Camelot and Phoenix would appreciate the time out as well.
Once inside the privacy of my quarters, I stripped, tossing my clothes into a pile for one of the maids to pick up later. It would most likely be Orla. The cool marble tile greeted my feet as I crossed the threshold from plush carpet to the bathroom.
I had a waterfall shower installed as soon as the design came out. Warming the water to the right temperature, I stuck my face under the spray. I became lost in an endless string of questions.
How could Lancer betray us like a modern-day Brutus?
Where did Mordred get the power to replicate a sword like Sinfonia?
Was Lancer coming for Alexandria or me first?
Would I ever be able to tap into my new powers?
I stood still, just letting the water cascade down around me.
What if I couldn’t save her?
I want everything with Alexandria.
I want to mar –
My lungs took a sharp inhale of breath as realization dawned.
Alexandria was it for me.
She truly was the end.
That thought both excited and tortured me.
Marriage was a concept forgotten to me. I had it once, and it blew up in my face for multiple reasons. Hundreds of years have gone by, and this woman, this one beautiful, fearless woman freed my soul and gave me a chance to face Mordred once and for all.
While I was lost in the sound of water and the cacophony of thoughts, I almost didn’t hear the light tap on the glass pane. I turned, staring through the water streaked door and a pair of familiar blue eyes blinked back.
Alexandria smiled, and I quickly slid the door open a crack. “What are you doing in here?”
“Am I still not allowed?” Her pout was adorable.
Christ, she was making me think things like adorable? I really had it bad.
“No, you are more than allowed.” I gripped her arm, threatening to pull her in. “If you weren’t already in your boots, I’d ask you to join me.”
Her cheeks tinted pink. “You’d ask, or you’d take?”
“Depends on how I feel.” I shrugged, enjoying the way she took her lower lip into her mouth, tempting me. “Give me five minutes, and I’ll be out.”
With a laugh, Alexandria nodded and left to wait in my bedroom.
I would do anything for that woman.
Marry her, spend forever with her, and die for her.
“So what do we do now?” Alexandria asked as we walked side by side astride Camelot and Phoenix. I realized this conversation was inevitable, no matter how I wished to avoid it. I drew back on the reins lightly to halt Phoenix.
“I do what I’ve always done,” I replied simply. “I fight.”
“Even if your powers haven’t come to the surface yet?” Alexandria’s face etched with concern.
“They will, love. I’m sure of it.” I offered her a smile.
She didn’t return the gesture. Instead, she lowered her gaze to the pommel of the saddle. “If I lose you, Arthur …”
Quickly dismounting from Phoenix, I tossed the reins over a branch, knowing she would stay. I walked around to Alexandria’s left side. “Come down? For me?”
She glanced between my outstretched arms and my face before choosing to climb down from Cam’s back. I didn’t let her speak. I didn’t give her a chance to move away from my embrace.
I kissed her, hard and so passionately there was no mistaking my intention. Her fear melted, and I allowed her to come up for air.
“You will never lose me. I swear to you, Alexandria.” I touched the pair of rings resting against her chest. “Not this time.”
Alexandria blinked hard once, exhaling hard. “But Lancer... he’s just as strong as you are. He has nothing to lose now that we’re together.”
I pressed a finger to her lips. “And I have everything to lose. I understand what’s at stake.”
“Do you?” Her eyes narrowed. “Because we’re bonded by blood and soul, Arthur. If you die, I’m left to walk the Earth alone.”
Gripping her arms tightly, I shook her gently. “Don’t you think I know this? I have weig
hed everything, and I know what it means if I lose.” She cupped my face, but I continued. “I want everything with you, Alexandria. A life, a home, a future. I will fight for you and all that.”
Her lips parted, eyes widening at the admission. “Arthur, are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“Yes.” Damn me and my mouth. “I am, but only after we are free.” My arms encircled her waist, drawing her closer. Breathing her in, I closed my eyes. “You are my everything, Alexandria. I love you.”
“I love you so much, Arthur.” She held me tightly as if I’d disappear if she let go. “I’m terrified.”
Our lives were fated to be intertwined but never certain. Holding Alexandria now, knowing this was the last chance we had, both broke my heart and put it back together all in the same breath. To her, this was her first life, her only life. For me, it was another day numbered in a life of thousands of years.
“Trust that our love is one that cannot be overturned. I promise we will find a way to survive this.” Her hair flowed like silk between my fingers. “Do you trust me?”
Her head bobbed up and down on my shoulder.
“Then you have nothing to fear. Trust in me, and trust that God has given me what I need to defend what is mine.” I pulled back and kissed her forehead. “You.”
Silence fell over us for a moment. Alexandria wiped at her eyes and sniffed before straightening her shoulders and setting her chin. “Vivian said she could turn Excalibur back into a sword for you to use once you’ve mastered your new powers.”
“Yes. I am very pleased with that.” I turned back to Camelot who had taken to grazing the lush grass on the forest floor. “Shall we continue?”
Alexandria nodded, positioning herself to mount her gray gelding. She lifted her left leg, waiting for me to give her a push up.
Once we were both back in the saddle, I heeled Phoenix forward into a light canter. Alexandria caught up with us quickly. She glanced over at me, and with a mischievous wink, she urged Camelot to take off like a silver bullet.
Resurrection: A Historical Adventure Romance Novel (Legend Book 3) Page 7