by Janelle Peel
A snick met his ears.
She smiled, showcasing the tiny points of her fangs, “No, I need my Mate.”
Cooper
His thoughts turned as he prowled silently through the underbrush. Why had he healed her? Something in her story had moved him. He’d long ago given up on such emotions, but it seemed that was untrue.
She had been damaged by the Council; feared them even, judging by her reaction.
He’d worked from the inside all this time, witnessing their nearly insatiable thirst for power…
Could he have found an ally?
And if so, could he bring himself to trust her?
A thought pinged from the recesses of his mind. Was she really the enemy?
Yes, he replied internally. Her family was responsible for Ren.
Could you have changed the outcome?
Fuck, he was losing it. Now he was talking to himself.
The answer came unbidden regardless of how disturbed he was by the monologue. He couldn’t have changed a thing. He was a child… just like she was.
Frustrated by his lack of focus, he made his way back to camp.
He would get to know her, then he would decide what to do with her.
Daisy
After Cooper’s abrupt departure, I decided to throw together some dinner. It took some doing, but I’d finally located everything for a decent meal. Now, I just needed a cast iron pan.
Randomly, I flipped open various cupboards before finding one. Grabbing the handle, I pulled it from beneath a stack of paper plates, greased the surface, and took it out to the fire.
Returning to the small kitchen, I grabbed the plates when light reflected from something further inside the cabinet. Curious, I reached inside and pulled out a glass bottle.
I smiled, score! Seems someone had a taste for expensive whiskey. Grabbing a Solo cup from the counter, I filled the red plastic to the brim. Goddess knew I needed a stiff drink.
Lifting the cup to my lips, I drank, deeply. Savoring the burn, I topped myself off and went back outside.
I hated cooking with plastic utensils, then again, I hated doing the dishes, too. At least the spatula was metal, I mused.
Flipping the steaks with the small fork, I seasoned the other side and settled onto a log to wait for the pan to heat.
Why had Cooper left anyway? He’d seemed… concerned. What was the deal with his magic, anyway? Was it off like the others that I’d stumbled upon near the Archives?
I sighed, so many questions without answers. Finished with my drink, I opened the door to the RV to get another when the man himself walked up.
“Cooper,” I tipped my head to the fire. “You hungry?”
With an emotionless expression, he nodded.
I looked at my empty cup before meeting his hazel gaze, “Whiskey?”
He pulled the door open wider in response.
Whiskey it was. Preceding him into the small space, I grabbed another cup and busied myself with pouring.
He settled his large frame on the small booth and glanced at my books. “Find what you needed?”
I sighed in frustration and handed him the cup, “Not yet.”
He polished off the whiskey in one go. “Thank you.”
I grinned, “Another?”
“Please,” he replied.
Ooh, a please? Grabbing the bottle, I placed it on the table and leaned against the counter. “Why did you leave? Is something wrong with your magic?”
He filled his cup before answering. “Wrong?”
My fuzzy mind pinged with multiple thoughts. Should I tell him what I had heard? Could I trust him? We were in this together now… Unsure, I shifted away from the edge and headed back outside.
He followed a moment later, “Is something wrong with your magic?”
I shook my head, “You first. Why didn’t you want me to see it?”
The line of his jaw hardened for a moment. Gritting his teeth, he bit out, “I don’t know if I can trust you.”
I laughed, “Funny. I have the same thoughts where you’re concerned.”
His eyes flashed to midnight and he sipped his drink in contemplation.
Whatever, I thought, and grabbed the bottle he’d brought outside from his meaty grip. Moving to the folding table, I refilled my cup. I probably shouldn’t have, but the buzz was a nice change to all the crazy.
Figuring the skillet was ready for the vegetable medley I had put together, I tossed the ingredients in and sat back down on my log.
The scents of garlic and onions permeated the air as I pushed them across the bottom of the pan. Eek, a little too hot. Calling to my well, I lifted a hand and called back some of the roaring flames. Of course, it was cast iron, so I touched the handle and cooled the pan a bit, too.
Cooper watched my motions with interested eyes for a moment before he spoke. “Do you enjoy working for the Council?”
Unimpressed by his tact, I returned the question, “Do you?”
His gaze hardened, “No.”
Shock flit through my psyche. “But,” I stammered, “but you work for them. You’re the best Hunter they’ve ever had.” I shook my head in confusion.
Glee lit his face, “My turn. Do you enjoy working for the Council?”
Biting my lip, Morris’s face flashed through my mind. My stomach rebelled as his wet screams rang in my ears and I swallowed audibly.
Cooper’s expression softened, “Are you okay?”
I shook my head, “No, and no.”
“Do you,” he hesitated, “want to talk about it?”
Did I? My muddled thoughts continually replayed the scene. Would talking about it help? Taking a moment, I dished the veggies onto a paper plate and covered it with another. Calling to my center, I funneled more heat to the fire. I wasn’t saying anything until he gave me a reason to. “You first. Tell me why you don’t.”
He sighed. Looking to the stars, he answered in a monotone, “They killed my brother, Ren. He dabbled in Blood Magic…”
I sucked in a sharp breath and whispered, “That’s awful.”
He continued, “My parents killed themselves after. They couldn’t bear losing their oldest son.”
My brows furrowed in confusion, “So they left you?”
Lowering his face, his gaze turned black in the firelight as it snagged on mine, “I was 4 years old. The Montgomery’s turned Ren in.”
Shock iced my veins and I shook my head. No, they wouldn’t. It wasn’t possible.
“Yes, I was there,” he answered. “You were, too.”
Silently, I tried to parse through my buzzed thoughts. I’d only ever seen one Council hearing. I was maybe 3 at the time. Closing my eyes, I recalled bits and pieces.
A young man with green eyes begged for mercy. His mother and father cried out… Thunder rolling through the outdoor courtyard as the Council lost their patience. For one moment, a hazel eyed boy with sandy blonde hair met my gaze from behind his mother. Tears tracked down his face and his small body trembled. A crack sounded, drawing my attention back to the young man. Ash flittered away on the breeze…
Coming back to myself, I shuddered.
“Yes,” his words rumbled like stones leaving no room for doubt. “Your family ruined mine. Although, ultimately, it was the Council that killed him.”
No wonder he didn’t like me. Goddess, to be paired with someone you hate. Someone that had destroyed your family?
Tears pinched my eyes as I stood. Turning on my heel, I whispered, “I’m so very sorry, Cooper.”
“Stop!” He barked.
His boots thumped against the packed earth as he moved in front of me. Gently, he lifted my tear stained face. His hazel eyes were green now as they caught mine, “I am sorry that I blamed you. You obviously had no idea and it was wrong of me to hold you accountable. I now realize that I couldn’t have changed the outcome, and neither could you.”
A sob ripped through my chest and I lowered my face to the ground. Jerkily, I nodded and
retreated back to my log. My thoughts bounced around in my skull. If he could be honest, so could I. Busying myself with the steaks, I recounted my encounter with the Council. “I couldn’t leave well enough alone after I’d been burned and tossed out. If they weren’t going to tell me what this ‘Chosen’ was, and why they were so worried, I figured I would find the information myself.” I sighed, how naïve that thought was. “There was no mention on the internet, nor in the library… So, I decided to break into the archives.” I paused as the meat sizzled in the pan. “As you know, only a select few have a key besides the Councilmembers themselves. I stalked their weakest link, Moris.”
Cooper guffawed, “That slimy little piece of shit?”
I shivered, “Yes. I met him at the Witch’s Brew, drugged him and stole the key.” Meeting his gaze, I added, “This next part pertains to your other question. I was nearly discovered in the catacombs by two other Mages, Darius and Mark.”
He tipped his head in acknowledgement.
“While I waited for them to pass, I overheard their conversation. Mark said that his magic was off. Darius tried a light sphere; but it was weird, faded and pink instead of the usual red. Darius asked if they should say something. Mark told him to keep his mouth shut, that the Council was draining Vampires, Shifters, and other Mages.” I flipped the steaks before continuing. “I shelved their conversation and entered the Archives. Have you ever been inside?”
“No,” he rumbled.
“Well, it’s huge. There was no way I could go through all of it, so I grabbed some tomes on prophecy and left. I thought I’d gotten away with it,” I shrugged, “until a knock sounded on my door. I was summoned to the Council. They knew I had broken into the Archives and brought Moris into the chamber.” Gritting my teeth, I lowered my voice to a whisper, “They found him guilty of treason. Once they circled him, they ripped his magic from his body and took it for themselves. I can still hear his screams.”
I plated the medium rare steaks and set them on the folding table. Picking up a fork, my stomach twisted violently, and I grabbed the whiskey instead. Without a word, I took the bottle inside and closed the door.
Cooper
It was worse than he’d thought. The Council had actually ripped out another Mage’s magic in front of her?
After his family’s deaths, he’d devoted himself to the Goddess. He assumed that was why his magic was silver while everyone else’s was red. It was a constant battle to keep hidden, but maybe he wouldn’t have to for much longer.
Moving to the small fold out table, he plated up his food. Despite its seared perfection and enticing scent, he tasted nothing but ash in his mouth.
He needed more information. Who was this Chosen?
Determined, he cleaned up and followed Daisy inside.
She sat at the booth with the nearly empty bottle. Turning the page of a thick tome, her puffy, green orbs met his own.
“We need to work together,” he said.
Her brows lowered, “How, exactly?”
He settled opposite her in the booth and held out his hand. She hesitated for a moment before eventually placing her palm in his.
Goddess, he prayed, please don’t let this be a mistake.
With a sigh, he called to his magic. Silver lit their joined hands in a bright flash. Daisy’s eyes widened as she studied the flames.
After a minute, she asked, “Why is it silver?”
He sighed, “I follow Her, not the Council.”
Her brows furrowed, “I don’t understand. Does anyone else know?”
“No,” he growled, extinguishing his fire. He held her soft hand for a moment as he contemplated his next request. “What is the Chosen, Daisy?”
She pulled away in frustration, “No clue.” Thumping her hand on the thick book, she continued, “The answers are in here, somewhere. All I know is that it has something to do with Sora.”
“What did the Council say, specifically?”
She snarked, “Before they burned me alive?”
He nodded, impatient with her sass.
She ticked off her thumb, “Dhampir.” Her index joined the first, “Chosen, obviously.” Turning her hand around, she lifted her middle finger up at him and bent the others, “And that the answers are in here.”
Ignoring her blatant fuck you, he smirked, “Well, maybe we can figure it out together.”
Daisy
Thoughts rolled around inside my brain like battered ping pong balls. He followed the Goddess… But that’s exactly what the Council was supposed to do. So many questions and not enough answers. Shrugging out my shoulders, I picked up where I had left off with Seer Cosmas in BC D, et prophetiss Concilium.
Two hours later, my buzz was almost gone and I was rubbing the grit from my eyes when I spotted the word, Electi, which is Chosen in Latin. A manic grin split my face. Thank you, Demetria!
“What’s so funny?” Cooper rumbled without emotion.
Choosing to ignore the pushy bastard, I turned the page back to Demetria’s beginning-
Demetria, 412 BC
The Goddess visited my dreams this evening. She told me of an era that I would not recognize, one where Her Chosen will emerge. It was hard to understand the concept of time, but one thing was made abundantly clear. Her words are seared into my soul forever.
‘My Chosen will come to right the wrongs of the past. She will battle with the dark one; an evil only she can destroy. She will require help, and shall unite the nightwalkers and Shifters. The role of those gifted with Magic remains unclear… Only through her, will the darkness be purged and brought into the light’ ~
-Translation added for the Council’s consideration, Scholar Clous Rome 470 BC
I sucked in a sharp breath. Why would the Council fear something that would unite our factions? If the Goddess chose her, there must be a greater purpose. Further, what was the dark one?
Cooper shifted in his seat, startling me from my thoughts. “What is it?” He queried.
My brow furrowed. The Council had sent him. Did they really not know what was inside this book? Why would they let me have it if what was written would come to pass?
Debating, I asked, “What is a nightwalker?”
His brow lowered in annoyance. Tipping his head to the side, the sandy blonde strands of his hair flopped forward. Condescendingly, he replied, “A Vampire. Don’t you know anything?”
Of course! Dammit, I was losing it over here. The Council was sucking the magic from Vampires. If they united with Shifters, that would leave… Mages.
Upset by my find, I went to make a pot of coffee when a chime sounded from Cooper’s phone.
Pulling it from the pocket of his faded jeans, he answered, “Yes?”
Unable to hear the response, I grabbed the pot and filled it with water.
“No, I’m on special assignment… About an hour away.” His thick torso flexed and the phone creaked in his grip, “What do you mean? How many?”
I stilled at his change in demeaner.
“When?” His teeth ground together in the near silence,
His shocked hazel eyes met mine. My heart rate increased and my stomach bottomed out. What could scare a Hunter?
“We’ll pack up and head your way…” His brows furrowed, “What do you mean, no?” Lithely, he stood and began pacing the short length of the RV. His agitated steps echoed hollowly on the tiled floor. “Fine, but keep me apprised of the situation.” Disconnecting the call, his granite face met mine, “The Council has taken the LA Clutch.”
Chapter 6
Sora
Sighing in contentment, I grinned. Blaze’s blood was like a balm to my soul.
“What are you smiling about?” He rumbled in a deep bass.
“You,” I replied.
“And? Care to share?” Lifting a brow, he palmed my bare hip. His voice lowered seductively, “Perhaps it was the second, or maybe the third time you screamed my name?”
Pink lit my cheeks and I slapped his chest, “Hush
, old man. If you must know, it’s your blood.” Licking my lips, I quipped, “Like a fine wine, it tastes better with each passing century.”
His chuckles vibrated my chest as a sharp knock sounded on the door.
Grumbling, I rolled out of bed and pulled my satin robe over my shoulders. Damn. I knew having a few hours with my Mate was too good to be true.
Blaze flashed into his sweats and opened the door, “Yes?”
“Apologies, Master Blaze,” Julian said worriedly.
Curious, I tightened my belt and joined Blaze.
Julian’s eyes widened and a happy grin settled over his face. He bowed, “Sora, I’m am very pleased to see you up and about.”
“Nice to see you too, Jules.” I replied, pulling the door open wider. “What’s up?”
Straightening, his brown eyes wrinkled in concern and he glanced up and down the length of the hall. “There’s an issue.”
Blaze stepped back with a frown, “Come in.”
Julian’s dress shoes whispered across the threshold and I closed the door. Sweat shone in a fine sheen across his lined forehead. I’d never seen him so rattled.
Pulling a handkerchief from his pocket, he wiped his face and continued in a solemn voice, “The LA Clutch has been destroyed.”
What? My thoughts raced. Who could have done such a thing?
Blaze crossed his thick arms over the plains of his chiseled chest, “By whom?”
Julian bobbed his head like a marionette, “Marco, their Head of the House, called me in a frantic state. He whispered that their compound was under siege… by the Council.”
Blaze growled, “What else?”
I took his large hand into my own to soothe him before addressing Julian, “How could they destroy such a large Clutch? They were over 150 strong.”
“I am not sure,” Julian replied. “It seemed as though Marco was hiding. He described a group of Hunters… and the blood red robes of the Councilmembers themselves. Then he screamed and the line went dead.” A tremor wracked his aged shoulders, “That is all I know, Master.”