by A C Wilds
Chapter 22
Kidnapped
Azra
Walking back to my rooms from my meeting with Izzy, I feel a renewed passion for my mission. Her faith in me has made it strong to hold my head up. It’s given me the motivation that I needed to press on.
“Hello,” Jack says from a corner in the hallway. He startles me so much that I jump into a fighting stance. This makes him chuckle.
“What are you doing lurking in the hallway?” I ask, looking around to see if there is anyone around. The hall is quiet and I can’t sense any auras.
“I was waiting for you. I hoped we could have a little chat,” he leers, putting all the creepy into it.
“I don’t have anything to say to you. It’s great that you’re here to fight and all, but there is nothing I have to say to you. You made it perfectly clear that you have a problem with my family, and I don’t need any extra negativity in my life.”
His eyes blaze at the rejection. He wants something, but I can’t put my finger on what it is. A hand stretches out and he grabs my arm. Before I can fight back, a fine dust is blown into my face from his other hand. My head gets heavy and darkness closes in. I try to burn it out of my system, but my light has gone out. The last thing I see before I pass out is a pale stone around his neck. It’s a similar one to the stone around the pirates neck when they stormed the Dark. He’s working with Michael.
I wake up in a strange place. It’s a cell of some kind. The stone walls are slick with moisture. It smells damp and the air is crisp. Iron bars line the one side of the cell and they have a shimmer of pearl to them.
Stepping up to the bars, I can see more clearly that the same stone is imbedded into the bars. It must be some kind of power disabler. The fact that Jack used it on me is concerning. Why would he trap me here?
“You’ve woken, good,” a familiar voice rasps, moving from the shadows. His tall form and handsome face is the same as it was all those months ago. A feeling of disquiet comes over me. I feel like a trapped bird in a cage made of steel. There’s no way out and I can’t use my magic or even summon the guys.
“What am I doing here?”
“You’re here so that I can take your powers and go back to being the rightful ruler of the Fae.”
“You’re hilarious. Rightful ruler. You do realize that Lucifer has more clout than you do with the Fae.”
His jaw clenches with my proclamation, but at this point I don’t give a shit. If he lets me out, at least I can scratch his eyeballs out until I die. He can’t use his powers either.
“That bitch doesn’t rule anything. I took that from her. I’m the one with the portal magic. I’m the one with influence all over Earth. She’s nothing.”
“Lover’s scorn? I heard you were her mate before you fucked her over and married Ariel. But you killed her, so she couldn’t have been that important to you.”
“Shut your fucking mouth. You have no idea what it was like to be her mate. My powers were wasted next to her. She isn’t anything without us. She’s a weak female who will die this time. I won’t allow her to live.”
“You talk a lot. Let me out of here so we can get on with this little execution I know you have planned. I can’t stand to listen to your voice anymore.”
He growls at that, and comes close enough to the bars to stick his hands in. I don’t move from the spot. Looking him directly in the eye, I focus on not being afraid. My inner self is terrified. I don’t really want to die, but I would rather have my hand cut off then let him know that.
“I have a better plan for you. I’m going to drain you of all your magic and then give you to Jack. He seems to have a fondness for you. Something about you looking exactly like your mother.”
My jaw drops open. I can’t help it. All the times he came into the diner and sat in my section. Flirting with me, and trying to get in my pants. It was all because I look like a mother I have never met. A woman who disobeyed her family and led with her heart. Some part of me wants to hear the whole story, to know what happened. But the other part wants to scream at her for leaving me like this, even if it wasn’t her fault.
“You’ll never take my powers. The guys will come for me, and then this war will begin. I am going to gut you where you stand, and watch the light drain from your eyes. Then I’m going to kill Lucifer by burning her, just as she likes to do to others. You can meet each other in Hell.”
“We’ll see about that, little Changer. You have no magic in these cells. You have no weapons, and your men don’t know where you are. That dense son of mine doesn’t even know how to find me. The other one is sleeping with my abhorrent mate. When I kill them, I’ll start anew. Maybe take that witch for a bride.”
I take a menacing step forward, but reign myself in before I get to the bars. “If you fucking touch her, I will give you a worse fate than gutting. I will make sure your soul ceases to exist.”
He laughs softy walking away from my cage. It feels impossible to stay in this little space. I have so much anger and so much hatred inside of me, that I feel like I could explode. I hope the guys come find me soon, because I’m going to go crazy here.
Cass
Gone. Someone has taken our mate, and we don’t know where she is. Suspicion is pointed at the dragons, as they haven’t been here long, but they are all accounted for. Even the creepy Jack. We don’t trust him. He seemed a little too interested in Azra. His eyes roamed over her a little too long.
“We need to do something,” Greyson says, pacing around the room for the eighth time. He’s going insane without Azra here. We all are.
“Have you spoken to Izel? Has she said anything to you?” I ask Shax. His face is withdrawn and solemn. He’s taking this the worst out of all of us. As alpha it was his job to protect her. If we weren’t so busy with all the dragons she would have never been by herself.
“Yes, she’s trying to do a tracking spell with Noli, but it isn’t working. They thought that because she was her anchor that it would be easy. He must have some sort of cloaking spell surrounding her.”
It must be the void stones. I noticed them on a few of the soldiers who stormed the beach. He must have given them out in the hopes that Azra would succumb to them, but he had no idea about her ability to siphon our powers. That day it worked, but she needs to be with us. If we can’t find her, we can’t help her.
A thought occurs to me. It’s probably a long shot, but it made me think of Noli and Nora. They have a familial connection and so do I.
“We need to talk to Izel,” I say, rising from my chair. I head for the door and down the hall looking for the hybrid. She is very powerful. One of the most powerful beings I have ever encountered. She rivels Azra, but can’t access magic like she does. Spells are her specialty and I know one we can try.
They are seated in the kitchen having a meal when I walk in. My determination must show on my face, because she puts her fork down and gives me her full attention.
“What is it?” She asks, her whole body going tense and ready for battle. Her mates are beside her and they feed off her anxiety. They are good soldiers. Trained well in combat and magic. Three formidable shifters that will do well in battle.
“I’d like to try something to find Azra. I think I know a way we can do it,” I say, examining their faces for any signs of hope.
“Explain,” Zolin demands. He’s the least strongest of all the men, but he is an opponent to watch out for. I’ve seen him with a sword and wouldn’t want to be at the other end of it.
“What if we scryed for my father using my connection to him? My blood could fuel that, right? Then maybe if we find him, we find Azra. I don’t think Lucifer has taken her. My father is definitely behind this. He takes what he wants, no questions. Always conniving and always making sure he has the element of surprise.”
Izel thinks this over for a few seconds. I can see the ideas forming in her head. She seems to like the idea when a smile crosses her face.
“I think I know a spell,” she
says, rising from the table and walking out of the room without telling anyone. I follow after her quickly matching her pace.
“Where are you going?” I question.
“My spell room. The place where I go to practice my magic. I have a few grimoires that we can look through. They might contain a spell to help. It’s tricky, blood magic, but when it works, it’s very effective.”
“Have you used it before?”
My voice sounds a bit shaky. I’ve never been a fan of witchcraft. There are too many variables that I don’t like. My magic is straight forward. It’s a part of me. I can control it with a thought. I don’t have to rely on spells to make it happen. It just is.
“No, but it’s worth a chance. It won’t be so much blood if that’s what you're worried about.”
“I’m not worried,” I say, swallowing down a lump in my throat. Greyson comes up behind me patting my shoulder. He has a stupid grin on his face. He’s taking pleasure in my discomfort. Asshole.
It takes us three hours, but we finally find the spell. The connection between parent and child is the strongest, or so the grimoire says. It needs to be done under the full moon which happens to be tomorrow night. It’s killing us to wait a day, but we need to get the spell right. Azra’s life is in danger.
Chapter 23
Blood Magic
Izel
This spell is the only option we have. It was in a dark magic book that focused on blood magic, but I’m willing to take the mark for it. All magic comes at a price, and this is no exception. Some are small things like a lock of hair or even a fingernail. Blood magic requires something different. This spell is asking for a piece of my soul. It’s not something I would ever give, but Azra is our last chance out of this existence. She is the only one that can save us.
“I don’t like this,” Tenoch says. He’s been quiet all day after I told my mates about the spell. They’ve agreed to stand by me, but aren’t happy about it.
“I know, but we have no choice. The only other witch that is powerful enough to do the spell is Noli, and she needs to be at full strength when we fight. I, on the other hand, have you three to protect me.” I say leaning into him. I reach up and place a gentle kiss on his mouth.
“I hope we are able to find her. If we can eliminate Michael at his stronghold, we will only have to deal with Lucifer. It will make for an easier fight,” Acalon says. I nod my head in agreement. It would make it easier to fight each of them separate, but I don’t think it will happen. I think we are going to have to take them out together.
We walk into the woods behind the manor. The moon is high in the sky lighting our way. Nature is the best place for any spell, but the moon gives extra power to blood magic. The guys are already waiting for us. I can tell everyone is on edge. It’s clear what we need to do, but it’s also terrifying.
“Why are you here?” I say, looking at the dragon lurking in the corner. His intentions are not true, and I can’t have him messing up the spell.
“I’ve come to help. I’m invested in finding Azra as much as you are. She is, after all, our savior,” he says, as slick as possible.
“Leave.” I say, dismissing him. I give him my back to offer no argument. His energy will mess up the spell.
“I will not…,” he gets out before a blade is under his chin. Red stands behind him with Ash to his side. The Arion’s eyes have changed, and I see his predator face come out since he’s been here. Red is scary in fight mode, but the General has a way of demanding order and complete submission.
“If you do not leave now, I will slit your throat. I don’t care if the whole horde leaves because of it. We will fight without them,” he says, low and slow.
Jack stays stock still for a moment before speaking. “Fine, but know that when you go to find her, I want to be there.”
“You have no say in matters of this clan. Now go run along to the rest of your people before we take care of you once and for all,” Red says, releasing the blade from his throat and giving him a little push in the direction of the manor.
Jack walks off with a huff and a menacing look on his face. We haven’t seen the last of his interference. For someone who should hate Azra he seems to be a little more interested in her than is appropriate.
“Can we start now?” Grey asks. He’s just as anxious as the rest of us. This is a new side to him that I haven’t seen from him.
“Yes. Cass can you step up to the middle of the circle?” I ask, meeting him in the middle. I came out earlier in the day to prepare a spell circle. I needed to purify the area before the spell could be cast.
He does as I ask, and rolls up his sleeve. We’ve been through the spell a few times so he knows what to expect. I place a bowl under his forearm and being to chant. Power seeps into me as the elements respond to my call. Everyone around me feels the tug as Faerie takes a piece from them. This spell is powerful, and if you aren’t careful, it can take control of the beings around you.
“I’m going to cut your arm now,” I say, readying him for the pain my iron blade will make. We need to produce a full cup of blood for the ceremony, and a regular dagger mark will heal too quickly.
“Yes, do it,” he says, gritting his teeth in anticipation.
Making the slash in a horizontal line, I’m careful not to cut too deep. The blood trickles out and starts to form a pool in the bowl. Cass winces in pain, but other than that he stays still. We wait patiently for the bowl to fill up. The crimson liquid swirls around it with the pull of magic in the air. The spell is starting to work.
When the needed blood has accumulated in the bowl, I drop the dagger on the ground, and hover my hand over the wound. I say a healing spell and the slash closes. A look of relief forms on Cass’s face, but it will be temporary because the next part will hurt even more.
“Take a seat with me on the floor,” I say, lowering my body to the earth. I place the bowl between us, and put a small piece of elm wood into the blood. The magic in the blood seeps into the stick and begins to twirl it around.
Cass’s magic whips a wind around us and lightning and thunder light up the sky. Both of our eyes turn bright with power, as I slip into a trance. The magic takes me on a seer’s journey and located Michael. His powers are strong and most of the scene is blocked, but I can see one thing, the slick stone of the Sky Mountain range. He must have snuck back into Faerie undetected.
His energy is screaming in anger. I don’t think we have much time before he does something to Azra. The magic pulls us back and zaps into the atmosphere. Completing the spell.
“Did you see what I saw?” I ask Cass.
“Yes, he’s in the Sky Mountains. He has her in a cell made of the Silence Stone. That’s why we couldn’t locate her. He’s really angry with her. I could feel his emotions like we were connected. Do you think he felt our presence?” He asks, with a worried look.
“I don’t think so. His anger was so out of control that I think he wasn’t aware of anything else. The mountains are at least a five day journey up north. We need to leave right away if we’re going to save her.”
“Then let’s go. Gather some of your troops and we can storm his stronghold. I won’t accept defeat. We have to save her,” Shax says, coming to stand just outside of the casting area.
We rise from the ground, and I close out the circle, sending all the energy back into Faerie. Red has already gone ahead of us with Ash to no doubt gather the troops he deems ready enough to join us. Azra’s men retreat and my guys follow me into the manor. We must prepare quickly. Azra’s life is depending on us.
Chapter 24
The Rescue
Azra
It’s been a few days since I’ve been down here, or at least I think. Guards come in and out bringing me food and taking my waste bucket away. I have never been more humiliated in my life. I’d rather be tortured at this point.
I don’t know what he’s waiting for. He was so ready to suck my magic out that I can’t imagine what could be happening. To kee
p myself busy, I’ve been practicing my fight training. Even though I don’t have my sword, I go through the movement each day and make sure that I have memorized them. If I can get my hands on a weapon I will make sure I go down fighting.
I hear footsteps approaching and prepare myself for the worst. As of right now, no one has touched me, but I feel like that could change at any moment. Scraping of something on the wall sends a chill of fear up my spine, and I imagine the worst.
Coming into view is one of the guards that escorted me on my first day in the Light. He has a sinister look on his face, and I frown when I see him. What could he possibly want? And then I see it. It’s a long metal stick that has prongs at the end of it. He gives me a smile as he opens up the door.
“What the fuck do you want?” I ask, backing away from him trying to get enough room in case he tries to attack me.
“We’re going to take a little trip. There are some things the King wants before you can perform the ceremony, and I’m tasked to get them from you,” He says, with glee in his voice. So this dickhead gets off on hurting people great.
“I’m pretty sure that’s not going to happen. If you come near me, I’m going to beat your head in with that stick.”
“You won’t get anywhere near me. This is a cattle prod. You know what that is, right? It’s like a taser, but a hundred times worse. I’m going to knock you the fuck out before you get anywhere near me.”
“That’s laughable. I’m not the girl you captured months ago. I’m the Changer. I’m the one who will bring death to your King.”
He lunges at me in that moment, and I counter the move by stepping to the side and kicking him in the ribs. I back up near the door, but he’s on me again with lightning fast reflexes. For a big guy, he’s pretty fast.