by Donna Grant
“Because I do not feel the need to let others know my opinions,” he retorted.
She smiled. “I prefer the opposite. I want people to know what I think.”
“Because you are a witch?”
“Because they should fear me.”
He nodded, disgust filling him. “How many innocent people have you killed?”
“How many have you killed?” she asked in response. “You, who hire your services out to others. How many knights have you slain on the battlefield? You had no quarrel with them.”
“Any man or woman who picks up a weapon knows they could die by one of the same. And anyone who goes onto a battlefield fully comprehends that that could be his or her last day. You kill for the pleasure of it.”
Sybbyl’s smile was slow and evil. “That is so true. Now, go through the doorway before I kill not only the knights around us but also your friend, Simon. And if that is not enough to get you moving, I will kill everyone inside the castle walls, as well as your army.”
His options were gone. Carac only had one choice now.
Chapter 22
The Abbey
* * *
The derelict state of the ruins was nothing compared to what Malene found as she and Armir were escorted through the arch.
It took a great amount of magic for Edra to keep the abbey and its occupants hidden from the Coven. But it took even more heart and love to make it into a home.
Malene stopped when she saw the extent of the repairs that had been done to the ruins. There were people of all ages who called the abbey home. Some with magic, most without.
But all were living together to fight the Coven and what the group stood for.
Her gaze slid to Edra and Radnar. “You both have done an amazing job.”
“You have only seen a fraction of the abbey,” Radnar said, pride in his voice.
He and Edra shared a smile before they joined hands. Edra then turned her attention on Malene. “It warms my heart to hear you say such words. I dreamed of this place for years, never thinking it would come to fruition. I could not have done it without Radnar and the others.”
Radnar snorted. “She lies. She could have done it all on her own.”
Their love was so tangible that Malene felt as if she could reach out and touch it. It made her smile and broke her heart at the same time because she knew she would never experience that kind of relationship.
She felt someone’s gaze on her and swiveled her head, her eyes clashing with Armir’s. His expression was unreadable, as it usually was.
“Come,” Edra urged them. “I would like to introduce you to a few people.”
Malene found herself becoming acquainted with a witch named Asa from Norway, who was able to communicate with animals. Malene was particularly fond of Asa’s pet owl. The bird was small but beautiful, its large, yellow eyes taking in everything.
Armir remained indifferent to everyone until Radnar mentioned that Asa was the artist responsible for designing and giving the Hunters their tattoos. When Asa saw Armir’s tats on the sides of his head, the two struck up a conversation.
Malene watched, mesmerized, as she was given a glimpse of another side of Armir that she had never seen before. He was friendly and interested in Asa. Engaging even. He smiled and nodded, freely talking with the pretty witch.
Malene was all too aware that while she considered her role as Lady a kind of prison, Armir experienced much the same thing as her commander—only he enjoyed his position. However, her new edict allowed him to find someone. Who was she to stand in his way?
Malene turned to Edra and Radnar, then said in a low tone, “Let us leave them.”
Edra glanced at the couple before she nodded and the three of them walked away. Malene met a hulking man named Berlaq who was the blacksmith. She got to see him design and craft a weapon before inspecting others. Once each piece was finished, Edra would spell it so it could kill a witch.
Next came three men who were from other parts of the world who’d come to help train those wishing to be Hunters. Malene watched their practice for a short time, awed by the way they moved, fighting with their feet as much as their fists.
“You have shown me much of your world without asking a single thing about mine,” she said to Edra before turning to her.
Edra grinned, her bright blue eyes crinkling in the corners. “I wanted you to see that we are capable of pulling our weight.”
“That was never in question. In fact, it is because of what your Hunter, Leoma, did that I knew we could have a fine partnership.”
Radnar clasped his hands behind his back, his lips compressing. “While I share my wife’s excitement in having outsiders joining us to fight the Coven, I worry about others learning of our location. The more people that know, the easier it will be for the Coven to find us.”
“Armir and I will be the only ones to know the abbey’s location,” Malene promised. “I, too, believe that the fewer who hold that information, the better.”
Radnar smiled, bowing his dark head to her. “Thank you.”
“And while it goes against everything the Varroki are, I feel that the favor should be returned. I would like you and Edra to know where we can be found.”
Edra’s eyes widened. “Are you sure?”
“I am Lady of the Varroki. I make the decisions.”
“Which means, she can do as she pleases,” Armir stated as he joined them.
Malene met his pale green eyes and saw something flash in them before he looked away. If she weren’t mistaken, he was angry. No doubt because she wanted Edra and Radnar to know the way to Blackglade. Well, he could just get over it.
She ignored Armir and kept her attention on Edra and Radnar. “I am sure you have many questions for us.”
“Many,” Edra said with a laugh.
Radnar nodded, flashing a grin.
Armir bowed his head. “And we will be happy to answer them.”
“Follow me,” Edra said.
Malene fell in step behind the couple. She was all too aware of how close Armir was walking to her. He normally kept a bit of distance.
Then he leaned down and said in a low tone, “I do not appreciate you leaving me.”
“You were enjoying yourself. I wanted to give you time with Asa.”
“Why?” he demanded in a hoarse whisper.
She gawked at him. “I saw your interest.”
Armir merely made a sound at the back of his throat. When he refused to say more, she rolled her eyes. The man was infuriating.
They were led into a chamber that acted as a solar. After they’d all taken a seat, Edra licked her lips. “I wish I would have known of the Varroki when the Coven first approached me. I would have come to you over those seven years I ran from them.”
“Blackglade is not easy to find,” Armir said. “It is hidden like the abbey. But, had one of our warriors found you, they would have offered you aid.”
Malene glanced at Armir before she said, “As Jarin told Leoma and Braith, the Varroki have been keeping the Coven contained for many centuries. Each time they gained power, one of our warriors was there to stop it.”
“What happened?” Radnar asked.
Malene felt Armir’s eyes on her. “The Varroki have strict rules. The warriors are trained to work alone, to have no attachments of any kind. It is why many of them travel with animals—like Jarin and his wolf and falcon.”
“They do not take a mate?” Edra asked with a frown.
Malene shook her head, a sad smile in place. “That is not the only position that had such rules either. Over time, it has diminished our numbers to the point where the Coven was able to gain a foothold. We have been fighting to regain dominance ever since.”
“Forgive me,” Radnar said. “But you are very young to be in such a position of power.”
“As I said, the Varroki have specific decrees that they follow. It has kept them secret and powerful for a long time. The Varroki are descendants of the First Wi
tch and the Celtic tribes.”
Edra grinned. “Now I know why you both have an accent.”
Radnar’s frown deepened. “Malene, you keep saying ‘Varroki’ as if they are not your people.”
She swallowed and fought against looking to Armir. “Because they are not. Or rather, they were not.”
“I am confused,” Edra said with a shake of her blond head.
It was Armir who said, “Magic chooses who will hold the mantle of Lady. In all the generations we’ve existed, there have only been six chosen who were Varroki. Most are from the outside world.”
Malene kept her back straight as Edra’s and Radnar’s gazes slid to her. “I will admit that it took Armir some time to convince me to return with him.”
“What if she had not wanted to go?” Edra asked.
Armir shrugged, his lips twisting. “I could not return without her. The magic had already chosen her,” he said, nodding to her hands.
Malene started to curl her fingers into a fist, but she left them flat on her thighs. For a short time, she had forgotten about the blue light. No one had commented on it while they were at the abbey.
She took a deep breath and lifted her palms face out so the couple could see the light. “I was not born with this. It appeared four days before Armir found me.”
“And she had only one affected hand at the time. The second is a recent addition,” Armir added.
Edra gazed at Malene’s hands in wonder. “That is your magic?”
“Aye. I had none before it chose me.”
“I thought I had seen everything,” Radnar said in awe. His eyes lifted to Malene’s face. “Do you remain in this position for a certain period?”
Malene lowered her hands. “Until I die. Most of the Ladies’ reigns ended at about seven years.”
“Why so short?” Edra wanted to know.
“The isolation,” Malene answered honestly. “This is the first I have left my tower in five years. The only person I see or speak to is Armir. It is the way of the Varroki.”
Radnar frowned again. “Does that mean you do not take a mate either?”
“It is forbidden for us to touch the Lady of the Varroki,” Armir answered.
Malene swallowed and lifted her chin. “I struggled when I first came to live at Blackglade. To fill the hours, I asked Armir to teach me to read. There is an extensive library in my tower, and I wanted to know what was in the books. Once I could decipher them, I devoured every title at least once. It is how I learned that I could make or change laws. As of this morning, all the decrees to abstain from marriage or relations of any kind were overturned.”
“Including yours?” Edra asked with a small smile.
Malene nodded. “It is time we rebuilt the Varroki. Besides, we have the Coven to battle. It took centuries for the laws to affect our population, and it will take nearly as long to rebuild. But it was the right thing to do.”
“I agree,” Armir added. “There will be some who do not think that, but most are eager to see us thriving again.”
Radnar stretched out his legs as he slid down in his chair. “If your position can now marry, does that mean you might remain Lady longer?”
“We can hope,” Armir answered before she could.
Her head jerked to him. His response was a surprise.
He met her gaze. “I told you that you were good for us. Too many others in your position faded away into nothing. You have a purpose. You have given the Varroki purpose.”
Malene didn’t know how to respond. Once more, Armir had astonished her. Would there ever be a time where she knew how he would react?
“Faded away?” Edra asked. “What do you mean?”
Malene saw how uncomfortable Armir was, so she looked at the couple. “I spoke of the isolation, and you heard Armir say how no one can touch a Lady. It can take a toll. It does not matter if the chosen wants her position or not, sometimes, the burden is too heavy. Some have taken their own lives. Some have simply withered away, their minds going.”
“Did you know all of this before you asked to learn to read?” Radnar questioned.
She smiled sadly and shook her head. “I learned of it through the books. Each Lady’s reign is recorded. Mine is being documented now.”
“By who?” Edra wanted to know.
Armir said, “The Quarter. Three seers.”
Malene knew the history of the Varroki was difficult to hear. “We may have strict rules and do things differently, but our warriors are exceptional. They have fought the Coven many times. Their knowledge will help your Hunters.”
“Without a doubt,” Radnar said.
“And not even those in the Coven know of our warlocks.”
Edra smiled and said, “We are going to make great allies.”
Chapter 23
This couldn’t be happening. Ravyn stared in shock at Carac facing the opening of the arched doorway. She wanted to knock the cocky smile from Sybbyl’s face.
But Ravyn hesitated to make herself known. Sybbyl had said only one without magic could enter the doorway. That meant that no witch could get to the staff as long as it remained in there. But as soon as someone brought it out, then the Coven would take it.
Already, three men had died what sounded like horrible deaths. Though Ravyn couldn’t see their bodies, their screams were proof enough that something was within the dark, waiting for anyone who dared to enter.
She wished it wasn’t Carac. He was smarter than most, but that didn’t mean he could survive whatever had killed the others. And, frankly, she didn’t want him to die. She rather...liked him.
Too much, in fact.
Their earlier conversation about a future came back to her. Had he meant it? She might not have known him long, but Ravyn didn’t believe that Carac was the kind of man to blithely say such things. If he said them, then he meant them.
Could there be something that strong between them already? She didn’t want to answer that, mainly because she thought there might be. She knew attraction. She even knew lust. Originally, she had believed that’s all there was between them. But a night in his arms had proven it was something altogether different.
Something she was tempted to explore further.
Would they be happy together? The fact that he not only recognized her as a warrior but was also willing to fight alongside her said what kind of man he was. Carac accepted everything she was. They had similar lifestyles, and there was no denying the passion between them.
All that added up to one simple fact: she wasn’t willing to let him go anytime soon. Which meant she didn’t want him going through the doorway.
Just as she was about to make her presence known to take his place, Carac yanked a torch from the wall and strode beneath the arch.
Ravyn could only gape in utter astonishment as he faded into the darkness. A scream welled up within her to call him back.
Or race after him.
Then, her gaze swung to Sybbyl. Ravyn lifted her crossbow and took aim at the witch.
Carac had never been scared of the dark. He wasn’t now, either. However, he was wary of what was in the blackness that was so thick the light of the torch barely broke through it.
It had taken every ounce of willpower for him not to turn and look at Ravyn before he entered the doorway. He knew that the odds of his survival were slim—if the three dead men before him were any indication.
There was much he wanted to say to Ravyn. And more he desired to do to her...like kiss her for days at a time. Or make love to her every night for eternity.
Who was he kidding? That wouldn’t be nearly long enough. With every step through the inky darkness, he thought of Ravyn and everything he wanted to show her. Like his home. He very much wanted to take her to his lands. More than anything, he wanted to see her face when she saw the impressive castle.
It was almost as if everything had changed once she came into his life. No longer did he want the glory that he had set out to find all those years ago.
Instead, he’d found something beautiful and rare in Ravyn. Thank the stars that he recognized it. Otherwise, he might have let her slip through his fingers. But he had realized everything she represented, and he hadn’t run from her.
Nay, he had run straight to her.
He paused when his foot hit something. Carac went down on his haunches and lowered the torch in order to see. The flames flickered, showing the decapitated body of one of the three knights. With this corpse being so close to the entrance, it was probably the first man.
Carac moved the torch from one side to the other, turning all the way around as he searched for the head, but it was nowhere to be found. As if someone—or something—had taken it.
He glanced behind him. There was no light coming from the chamber or even the edges of a tunnel. Carac had no idea how big the place was. He assumed it was a narrow passageway, but perhaps it was time he found out for sure.
With the torch held high over his head to give as much light as possible, he walked to the right, one slow step at a time. He kept his sword sheathed despite his hand eager to feel its weight.
The dead knights were all the warning he needed to be prepared. So why didn’t he reach for his blade? He wasn’t sure. The darkness was eerie, the air stale and damp—and heavy—but he didn’t feel threatened.
Yet.
After four steps, he saw the edge of a wall. With the torch held closer, he was able to discern the marks on the rocks from someone digging out the tunnel.
Carac turned around and counted his steps until he was back where he’d begun. Then he started walking to the left. He only took two steps before he met the wall.
He blew out a breath and faced forward. Something had beheaded the knight. Yet there was no sound of anyone breathing or movement of any kind.
The only sound was the hissing of the torch. The tunnel itself felt as dead and silent as a graveyard. But Carac knew something else had to be there, something that’d killed three men. It made him wish he could have read and understood the runes marked along the outside of the arch.