by Meg Anne
Feeling a dripping wetness at her nose, she lifted a hand and wiped at it. Seeing the smear of red against the stark paleness of her skin gave her pause. It would seem that even despite her power’s increasing strength, and the renewed connection between her and Von, the side effects of the Fracturing had not diminished.
As she refocused on the world around her, Helena’s eyes found Ronan’s across the clearing. He was frowning darkly, having tracked the movement of her hand across her face, but said nothing. Her eyes met his steadily, and she offered a helpless shrug. There was nothing she could do about it, save rescue her mate, which they were already in the middle of doing. What good was there in calling attention to the urgency with which they needed to act, when everyone was already moving as quickly as possible?
Ronan shook his head, his brows lowered over glittering blue eyes. Helena could tell that he understood her predicament, but it was clear that he was not happy about it all the same.
Perhaps it was because she was still attuned to Ronan after their years together, or maybe it was simply her position at his side, but Serena sensed the shift in his attention and turned to face him. Her blonde brow was lifted in question as her eyes scanned his face. When he did not acknowledge her, she followed his brooding stare to where Helena was sitting. Seeing that her friend was back among them, Serena quickly stood and closed the distance between them.
“Did you learn anything, Kiri?” she asked in a hushed voice once she’d reached her side.
Helena met her friend’s gaze, noting the concern mixed with eager anticipation in her violet eyes. With a rueful shake of her head, she was forced to admit, “No.”
Disappointment quickly replaced anticipation in her friend’s eyes. Serena worked quickly to hide her reaction, but it was too late. Helena pushed away her own sense of frustration, knowing that even though they were no better off than when she started, at least in terms of gathering information, she still had come out of the meeting with a plan. Just because Von was unable to tell her about where he was being held, didn’t mean that there wasn’t one among them that could.
Serena opened her mouth to ask a question, but Helena beat her to it by shouting, “Micha!”
The young man ran forward, startled to hear his name. “Yes, Kiri?” he asked tentatively, as if uncertain that she had really called for him.
“I have a couple of questions and am hoping that you can help me, Micha,” Helena stated in a more subdued tone. “Are you aware of a blonde woman that might be working with your sister?”
Micha’s face scrunched up as he replied, “No, Kiri. No friends that I am aware of. The only blonde I have ever seen Gillian spend any meaningful amount of time with was our mother, before she rejoined the Great Mother, of course.”
Helena frowned at the news, having been hopeful he would have been able to finally solve that mystery for her. She sighed before mentally shifting gears and asking, “But you are familiar with where your sister is staying?”
“Well yes, Kiri, of course. If my sister is staying in Vyruul, then she is most certainly at my mother’s estate. It was where my mother was raised, and where we would go to visit her family when my mother was tired of our antics and wanted us out of the way for a while.”
“So you grew up there?” she asked intently.
“Yes, Kiri,” he confirmed, “more or less. The Palace was our home while my mother ruled, but I am well-versed in the layout of the estate, if that is what you are asking.”
“Tell me, Micha, if a prisoner was being kept there, where would that be in relation to the entrance?”
Micha looked at her with confusion, not because of her question; it was clear she was asking where Von was being kept. He was confused because he had never had any need for a room that would be used in such a capacity.
After a moment of contemplative silence, Micha green eyes brightened and he said, “My mother had a series of rooms that only she could enter. The doors were spelled with a lock that would only open under her touch. If I had to guess, I would assume that Von was being kept in such a room. They were several floors underground, far away from any of the living quarters. I believe she used them as storage. We were not allowed down there, of course, so it is hard for me to say exactly. But you know how it is when you tell a child they are not allowed to do something. It becomes their personal mission.” Micha was grinning with the memories the words called to the surface of his mind.
Helena chuckled, no stranger to such childish antics. She and Darrin had been much the same when they were younger. They were always quick to devise a plan that would surely land them on the business end of a belt, or at the very least, one that resulted in a stern lecture. Either from her mother, Anderson, or if they were in serious hot water, both.
She shook her head, pushing away the memories so that she could focus on the matter at hand, although an amused smile lingered in her aqua eyes.
“I must admit, it would have been too good to be true, if we could have simply snuck in and rescued him without garnering their attention. So, I’m not surprised to hear that we will need to find a way to get them to open the door for us. But I think I have a plan that will help with that,” Helena could not entirely keep the excitement out of her voice. There was a lot at stake but the thought of pulling one over on Gillian, after all that she had put them through, was heady. It would be especially rewarding to fool her using one of her own tricks.
The men in her Circle, having noticed her conversation with Micha, had already moved to encircle her.
“I am going to walk through the front doors as an invited guest.”
Kragen raised an eyebrow, while Timmins and Joquil exchanged confused glances. As always, it was Darrin that spoke first. “And how in the Mother’s name do you plan on getting them to do that? Are you actually planning on waltzing up to the front door and knocking?”
“Well, yes.” Helena’s face was serious, but there was an unmistakable twinkle in her eyes, while she awaited the men’s reaction.
They were dumbfounded and had nothing to say in response to that. In fact, the Circle could not seem to find any words to say at all.
“Allow me to point out, if you don’t mind,” Ronan started carefully, “that seems like the quickest way to find yourself trapped in a room of your own. How exactly do you plan on avoiding capture, or is that part of your plan as well?”
It was hard not to laugh. Helena could tell that the men wanted to shake her and were barely restraining themselves from doing so. Feeling the need to put them out of their misery, Helena let them in on her plan. Her full plan. “Gillian is not the only one with the ability to alter her appearance. You have seen me do so a handful of times, although I’ve never tried to fully shift into another person.”
Realization dawned on their faces as she continued, “There is perhaps only one person who could very easily walk up to the door and be let in without being thrown into some dungeon.”
“You are going to transform into me,” Micha whispered in amazement.
“Yes,” Helena confirmed.
“That is absolutely absurd,” Darrin snarled.
Helena shrugged, “Is it? She has no reason to question his appearance there, since he has knowledge of the estate’s existence. In fact, it would be more surprising if Micha didn’t go looking for his sister upon hearing of her disappearance. It would be the first place to look if he was trying to find his sister.”
Kragen was nodding his agreement while Darrin continued to frown in annoyance.
“It is not easy to assume the identity of somebody else. Especially not when you’re trying to fool someone who knows them best. It is not merely enough to look like Micha, you will need to be able to adopt his mannerisms and knowledge as well,” Joquil pointed out in a carefully neutral voice. The men could not argue with her reasoning, but that did not mean that her plan was entirely without holes.
Helena nodded, “Yes, there is much that I will have to learn in order to pull this off.
Even though I should only need to be Micha for a short time if all goes well.”
“When it comes to war, darling, you can never assume that anything is going to go well,” Ronan said dryly as he crossed his arms over his broad chest.
“That’s what you’re here for,” Helena said with a smile before turning her aqua gaze back to Micha’s stunned face.
He looked like he wanted to protest but could not find a good enough reason to argue. His shoulders drooped and he sighed before asking, “What is it that you want to know?”
“I think the real question is, what do I need to know?” Helena countered, “You are the only one who can tell me what Gillian is going to expect from me. You are her twin, after all.”
Micha nodded grimly, “Yes, I suppose you’re right. If you will grant me a little bit of time, I can better anticipate what information you may need.”
Helena nodded her consent as Timmins said, “You should not go far, Micha. If our Kiri is to learn your mannerisms, she will need to be able to observe you.”
“I’ve always wanted to train a monkey,” Kragen said, grinning widely before looking at Micha and adding, “dance, monkey, dance.”
Micha scowled and snapped, “I’m not your fucking monkey. I’m only here to try and save my sister. It would serve you well to remember that, Sword.”
Kragen’s smile vanished as quickly as it appeared and his eyes glittered with menace as he replied, “Did you not just make your own vow of allegiance? She is still your Kiri, regardless of your sister’s actions. Your loyalty is owed to her, regardless of who you share blood with. You’re still alive because you serve a purpose, monkey. But everyone’s purpose runs out eventually. Perhaps it would serve you better to remember that.”
The two men stared at each other while Ronan and Darren stepped closer to where Kragen was standing with his hands balling into fists at his sides. Knowing that he would not survive a fight against any of them, let alone all of them, Micha simply walked away.
“I did not think the child had it in him,” Ronan muttered once he was settled out of hearing.
“Every man finds his balls eventually,” Serena stated calmly, not even flinching when five sets of male eyes landed on her.
“That may very well be true,” Helena said, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes, “but I do not think they appreciate you pointing it out.”
“No more than you would enjoy me commenting on the size of your tits,” Ronan confirmed.
“I did not comment on the size, merely pointed out that he found his,” Serena said mulishly.
Helena’s smile grew as she said, “True enough,” before turning to Ronan to say, “And you only mention my tits because Von isn’t here to repay you for doing so.”
“Allow me,” Darrin said, slamming his fist into Ronan’s arm with considerable force.
Ronan grunted, rubbing his arm as he said, “Make sure to remind me to pay you back for that.”
Helena threw back her head and laughed, so grateful for the friends that were around her. There was too much at risk for them to give in to the emotions that were always riding a killing edge. These moments of mirth were as essential to their continued sanity as breathing.
“As much as I’d love to continue with this conversation,” she said finally, “I think we should probably eat. It may be a few days before we have anything resembling a real meal again.”
“It’s your turn to cook,” Darrin pointed out.
Helena frowned playfully, “But I’m the Kiri… doesn’t that get me out of chores?”
“It didn’t when you were seven, and it sure as shit doesn’t now, Hellion,” Darrin replied with a warm smile.
She rolled her eyes as she stood, bumping him with her hip as she passed, “Then get out of my way.”
Dipping into a mocking bow, Darrin called to her retreating back, “As you will, Kiri.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“I am.” The cold voice caused Gillian to jump violently and spin toward the open doorway.
Gillian’s mouth opened and closed helplessly, as if she wanted to say something about the unexpected appearance, but one narrow-eyed glare from the woman in the doorway kept her silent. It was obvious that the blonde had decided to change the plan without informing Gillian. Von tucked that information away for later examination while trying to see what he could learn through a quick study of his newest visitor.
He was not moved by her beauty, although there were some that might be. He much preferred laughing aqua eyes and cheeks that always seemed to be tinged with a sweet blush when he was near, to this woman’s coldness. There was something about the set of her lips that was too cruel. While the angles of her face and body were too harsh to inspire anything other than a strong desire to put as much distance between oneself and her as possible. This was an adversary that required he tread carefully, not a woman that could be won over with soft words.
The woman in question clearly fancied herself some sort of monarch; a crown of dark metal sat atop her almost colorless hair. The black stones which ringed it seemed to suck in the light rather than reflect it. It was an object that should have inspired respect but fell woefully short. The effect of the crown was such that it appeared a gash across the top of her head standing out in harsh contrast rather than any form of glittering adornment. She was trying too hard to be a symbol of power and strength, and the crown seemed to mock, rather than reinforce, her authority.
Von, sensing that his disinterest would garner a reaction nothing else could, asked in a bland voice, “And you are?”
His disrespect proved effective. He watched the woman flinch and press her lips together, her cheeks flooding with color as she snapped, “The rightful ruler of the Chosen and your new Mistress.”
“Mmm,” he murmured, “then we appear to have a problem. I’ve already made a lifetime vow of service to another woman. And maybe no one had the heart to tell you, but you seem to be confused. I happen to have it on good authority that our Kiri is a beautiful and vibrant woman in her prime, not some dried-up corpse.”
The blonde’s icy eyes were shooting daggers at him. Von also noted the way her metal-tipped fingers dug so hard into her fleshy palms they drew blood. Deciding to press his advantage and taunt her further, he added, “Couldn’t find a man with the balls to bed you so you decided to steal hers? Here’s the thing, sweetheart, you might have me tied down, but you still can’t make me fuck you.”
Gillian went pale at his words, cringing when the blonde snapped in a voice so filled with ice-cold fury that the walls began to twinkle with frost, “You arrogant—”
“Asshole? Bastard? Twice-forsaken son of a whore?” Von merrily supplied, grinning widely while staring her down with hard gray eyes. He couldn’t help it; he was enjoying himself. There was something about sizing up a new opponent that made him feel alive. He might be her prisoner, but by the time he was done with her, he would make this woman beg for mercy.
Her eyes widened and her nostrils flared. Von had a moment of self-preservation and sent a thought to Helena, “Darling, now might be an excellent time to join me.”
The blonde lifted her hand, blood dripping down her palm and onto the floor as she said in a voice lacking inflection, “I should have realized you would want to skip the foreplay.” Her ice-blue eyes drained of all color before turning completely black and she began rapidly muttering under her breath.
Her words were unintelligible and Von was just getting ready to goad her further when he felt the first slam against his mental barriers. The blow was so unexpected he curled into himself. It was like receiving a blow to the lungs, and it knocked the breath from him momentarily. Bile rose in his throat at the feel of her trying to peel back the layer of his mind that protected his deepest thoughts. His skin turned clammy as he grit his teeth and focused on repelling the invasion.
Von noticed the moment that the blonde realized something was wrong. She frowned deeply, her black eyes lightening to blue as she stepped
closer to the bed. She hadn’t anticipated his being able to resist her attack. Not that Von felt like he had resisted much of anything.
She must have seen something in his eyes because a wicked smile bloomed across her face. Curling her bleeding hand back into a fist, she allowed her blood to drip onto his leg as she began chanting with renewed effort.
“Helena!” he shouted desperately down the bond, his body arching up off the bed as his vision began to fade. He had no clue what she was doing, but it felt as though he was being flayed alive, his mind and body left bare for her to pluck and prod to her liking.
The pan dropped from Helena’s fingers as electricity hummed painfully over her skin. She could hear Von calling for her along the length of their bond, but the corrupted power she could feel clawing at him kept her from being able to form words. It was as though she was under attack as well.
“Helena!” Effie shouted, trying to move to her side.
“Kiri!” a multitude of male voices exclaimed at the same time.
Helena was unable to do or say anything. She could feel herself being pulled back to Von. It was not a conscious choice, more like her power’s instinctive response to the attack. The transition from campsite to the stone room was both instantaneous and disorienting. Helena could feel her physical body collapsing to the ground near the fire but she was also aware of a much larger body reclining on a bed beneath her.
There was no mistaking where she was; her magic had pulled her back into Von’s body. A sweet numbness filled their joint body as they pushed up off the bed, no longer retaining the illusion of being chained. “We’ve got to stop meeting like this,” she purred in the voice of her magic, as Von’s eyes made the shift from steel to molten gold.
The blonde’s eyes widened and her smug smile fell from her face. “You!” she snarled, lurching away from Von’s body. Turning toward Gillian, who was watching the scene unfolding before her with horror, she shouted, “Don’t just stand there you little fool!”