by Meg Anne
“Nial?” Von asked, concern already coloring his voice and making it come out sharper than usual. Something must have happened if his brother risked interrupting their meeting. Not that anything much had been happening, but Nial didn’t know that. “What’s going on?”
“Sorry for the intrusion.” Nial was vibrating with tension. It was as if his body was simultaneously trying to come closer and run away, and as a result, he was locked in a perpetual sway as his muscles tried to handle the conflicting orders.
“There’s no need to apologize,” Helena said, hiding her worried thoughts behind a mask of polite formality. She was getting very skilled at playing the diplomat.
Feeling his eyes on her, Helena looked over and gave him a small smile.
Nial stepped further into the room, his scholar robes rumpled and stained. It would seem they were not the only ones that had been pouring through the archives.
“Did you find something?” he asked his brother, recognizing the excitement shining in his eyes.
Nial nodded. “I think so. It’s just a hunch, mind you, but I think it could work.”
“Spit it out,” Ronan growled, crossing his arms and bringing a booted foot up against the wall.
Timmins gave him a dark look, but didn’t waste breath telling him to get his dirty feet off the wall. Poor, proper Timmins. Still offended by the most minor offenses.
“There was something you said that triggered a memory, but I couldn’t remember the exact reference out of context, so it took me a few days to locate it.” The words poured out of Nial in a rush.
“What did you find, Nial?” Helena asked, her impatience tempered by amusement.
“You mentioned that you needed access to more than just your own power, and I remembered that sometimes for really complex magic, multiple sources are required to anchor it. That’s when I remembered the Storm Forged’s cyclone.”
Von lifted a brow, not sure where his brother was going with this information. “The cyclone is the remnant of the Stormbringer’s rise to power. What does that have to do with anchoring a spell?”
Nial shot him an exasperated look. “I’m getting to that.”
“Perhaps you should hurry up,” Kragen suggested.
“Do you want to hear this or not?” Nial snapped, before realizing who he was speaking to. Color moved up his neck as he dropped his eyes, and his voice. “Apologies, Sword.”
“It would seem the only one keeping us from hearing the news is you, boy-o,” Joquil commented, his amber eyes glowing with laughter.
Nial sighed. “The Stormbringer’s cyclone would die out without constant reinforcement. To channel that much power regularly would drain him almost completely. Yet clearly, that’s not the case or he wouldn’t be here. The only reason that’s possible is because the rest of the Storm Forged help anchor the magic. It is fed by all of them and yet none feel the drain.”
“Do we know how it’s done?” Helena asked, her aqua eyes bright. Von could feel her hope like a warm blast of sunshine along their bond.
Nial shook his head. “No, but with Anduin here, that’s not the issue. If he could talk us through it, I should be able to find a way to replicate it for your use.”
“What if he does not want to share Storm Forged secrets?” Timmins asked.
“He won’t have a choice,” Von said, the hint of a snarl creeping into his voice.
“What are we waiting for?” Helena asked. “Someone go find Anduin.”
Kragen jumped up. “On it,” he said.
“Thank you, Nial,” Helena said, giving Von’s brother a tight hug.
“Where’s my hug?” Von teased.
“Bring me more information like that and you can have all of them.”
Von smirked. “You never complained about my less-than-scholarly nature before now, Mira.”
Her cheeks heated, and she shook her head at him.
He winked, happy to see her smiling again.
“Good work, brother,” Von said, giving Nial a one-armed hug.
Nial glowed at the praise. “As I said, it’s just a theory, but—”
“There’s no need to be modest. It was a brilliant discovery. One that could very well allow us to seize control of this war. Accept the thanks you’re due,” Von ordered.
Nial nodded, his quiet pride making his eyes shine.
Von squeezed his shoulder, stepping back to reclaim his place by the hearth. The heavy tension that had been in the room only moments before was gone, replaced by the sweet feeling of relief tinged with hope. His bookish little brother might have just brought them the final piece of this devilish puzzle, and none of them were more thankful than he.
Helena got the feeling that the Storm Forged did not like to be in enclosed spaces for longer than necessary. Anduin had taken the spot closest to the window, and even though he’d only been in the room a handful of minutes at best, he kept casting distracted glances out the window every chance he got.
“Looking for something?” she finally asked.
“I am not usually this far from the sea. I find it unsettling,” he admitted, turning his eyes on her.
“For all its beauty, the Palace definitely lacks a view of the ocean,” Helena acknowledged.
Anduin smiled, but it did not reach his eyes. “I am surprised that you are seeking out my aid instead of that Night Stalker you so favor.”
Helena frowned at the unnecessary vitriol she heard in his voice. There was no need for it when they were all working toward the same goal. “I had not realized you were lacking my attention. I shall endeavor to do better at stroking your ego.”
The Stormbringer laughed, the sound reminding her of waves crashing against the sand. “I had not meant offense, only that it is usually her counsel you seek. How may I assist you, Kiri?” The question was directed at her, but his eyes were looking at each of her Circle in kind.
Nial had joined them around the newly repaired table, leaving only Helena and Anduin standing. Helena could feel their intense focus behind her, but she kept her eyes on the Stormbringer.
“Your cyclone,” she stated, causing his brow to lift in surprise. “Can you explain to me how the rest of the Storm Forged help anchor it?”
Anduin studied her, his glowing sapphire eyes searching for something in her expression. “How do you know about that?”
Nial cleared his throat, but Helena spoke before the Stormbringer could look away. “It is common knowledge that the storm would fade without constant tending.”
Anduin smiled, but it was a cold, brittle thing. “No, it’s not.”
Helena rolled her eyes. “It only makes sense that you alone are not responsible for doing so, or you would not be able to stay away from the Ebon Isle for so long. Besides, the drain on you would be considerable. You would be too weak for much more than sitting upon your throne.”
His smile fell, and Anduin turned away, his back facing all of them.
“I need to know how the Storm Forged accomplish this, Anduin. It is not a request.”
Anduin sighed. “The knowledge of the giving is a sacred thing amongst the Storm Forged. In the wrong hands, it could be perverted… no longer a gift, but a curse.”
“All power can be corrupted in the wrong hands,” Helena said pointedly.
The Stormbringer nodded, his colorful hair rippling like water. “I will tell you, because I trust you, Helena. You have shown mercy where many others would not.”
“Thank you,” she said, the relief at his words giving her voice a breathless quality. Entirely too much hinged upon his compliance, and their alliance was still tenuous at best.
Anduin turned back to the room. “Generally, the giving requires a connection, something that links the intention of the one lending their power and the one who will wield it. A joint purpose, if you will. For the Storm Forged, our connection is obvious.” Anduin paused, his eyes meeting each of the Circle’s, as if trying to convince them of the importance of his words. “It is not enough to trust
, the giver’s conviction must be absolute, otherwise the power will not be contained once it leaves its source. It will return to the world unrealized.”
“Conviction?” Nial asked, looking up from the notes he was furiously scribbling.
“In its purpose. The goal of the magic,” Anduin further clarified when he realized the others were not following. “The gift of power must have an end goal; it is what keeps the gift contained.”
Helena felt her back stiffen, worry that what she needed would require that she give up the entirety of her plan and thereby condemning it to failure.
“Is it enough that the givers all believed that their gift is going to be used to create a trap? Or would they need to know the specifics of the trap?” Von asked, feeling the tension coiling inside of her. He was careful not to look directly at her, but she could sense his quiet support like a hand brushing down her spine.
Anduin considered the questions. “Knowing the purpose of the trap would be enough. The stronger the belief, the stronger the power. Too many details would muddy the purity of the gift.”
“So knowing it was a trap for Rowena that they were helping to build would be ideal?” Helena asked, seeking clarification.
Anduin nodded, and Helena’s body relaxed.
“So how does the giving occur?” Nial asked, using Anduin’s unfamiliar term.
Anduin closed his eyes, his pulse fluttering wildly in his throat. This was the part that he did not want to reveal, the part that could be twisted and bent until it broke entirely.
“I wouldn’t be asking if it wasn’t crucial,” Helena said softly.
“I know.” Anduin opened his eyes. “For us, it is always part of a celebration. We gift our power directly to the Stormbringer, so that it may be gathered and released into the storm itself.”
“Forgive my ignorance,” Nial interjected, “but how does one gift their power?”
“I am sure there are many ways it could be done, but we use water to aid the transfer.” Anduin smiled. “Stick with what you know, right?”
There were a few coughs of laughter, but the room fell silent quickly. “The way I was taught was simple, hold the cup of water in your hands and send your intention into it. When the Stormbringer drinks from the cup, they consume the raw bit of power until they are ready to release it.”
“And you’re sure this is not simply ceremonial?” Timmins asked, his lips in a dubious frown.
“As one who has partaken of the gifts, I can assure you it is very real,” Anduin said, his voice reminding her of the angry churn of the sea.
Helena glanced at the others to see if they had already picked up on their next problem. While Anduin had provided a rather simple answer, it was not going to be as easy as drinking some magically enhanced water. The sheer amount that she needed would preclude it, let alone the fact that she would not be able to contain it long enough to travel far.
“Does it have to be consumed?” Helena asked.
“How else would the power transfer occur?” Anduin asked.
“Would blood work?” Nial asked, surprising them all.
“Blood?” Helena squeaked, the thought of consuming others’ blood making her lightheaded.
Nial was biting down on his lip as he sketched something out. He spoke slowly, working his thoughts out on paper before saying them aloud. “If we used blood for the transfer, it could contain and hold the power just as water does. It’s a small but potent vessel.”
“There can be great power in the blood. It could act as an amplifier,” Joquil murmured thoughtfully.
“Uh, guys,” Helena said, “I’m not comfortable with the idea of drinking blood.”
Nial’s eyes widened at the words and he burst out laughing. “Mother no, not drink it. Add yours to it.”
Helena took her first full breath since Anduin had joined them.
Joquil and Timmins seemed to understand what Nial was implying, but all Helena understood was that she would not have to drink anyone’s blood. She could have wept with her relief.
“Explain,” Von said.
“Well, as the Stormbringer stated, the act of tying one’s will to the power in order to use it is essential. Rather than having Helena trying to contain that much power inside of her body, she could add a drop of her blood into the rest of gifted drops, and thereby claim them. It would limit the amount of time she had to hold the power so that she could wait until she was ready to release it.”
“If it’s that easy to take control of the power, what’s to stop it from transferring to someone else after they add their blood to the mix?” Ronan asked.
“It goes back to intention,” Nial said with a smile.
Ronan looked ready to throttle him. Thankfully, Timmins interjected. “The gift is intended for Helena’s use. The power is limited to her and her alone. No one else would be able to lay claim to it.”
Nial nodded as if it was obvious.
Helena looked at Anduin. “Do you think it could work?”
“In theory,” Anduin shrugged, “I do not see why not. However, it has not been tested. There is always a chance it does not.”
Only a chance, but it was the only option available to them. “We will need to make sure that the others understand what we are asking of them. It has to be a choice, freely given.” Helena did not want anyone to feel forced to participate.
“Is there anything else we need to know?” Nial asked Anduin, who shook his head. “Alright, I will gather what we need. Can the rest of you help collect the,” he risked a glance at Helena and chose his words with care, “gifts?”
Her Circle nodded.
“I can help,” Helena said, feeling that this was something she should be a part of.
“You have other things to attend to,” Von reminded her.
“He’s right, Kiri,” Joquil added. “You need to be ready to act as soon as we are finished.”
Helena sighed. “Fine.”
Anduin brushed his hand against her arm. “The Storm Forged will help explain to the rest of the Chosen what to do. When the time comes, we will add our gifts as well.”
“Anduin,” Helena started, moved that he would offer so freely.
The Stormbringer shrugged. “As you said, we are in this together. Anything we can do to assist, you need only ask.” With a small nod, he made his way for the door, the men of her Circle standing to follow.
Von hesitated at the door, looking at her with eyes that saw too much. “It won’t be long now,” he said.
Helena nodded. “I know.”
“You are ready for this, Mira.”
As always, his faith in her filled her with resolve. “Now to go rid some folks of their blood.” Von made a face. “I’ve been doing it for years and never thought to simply ask for it?”
Helena let out a sharp bark of laughter at the crude joke. He gave her wink, her laughter clearly his intention. He gave her one final roguish grin and walked out, leaving her shaking her head and smiling behind him.
Mother how she loved him.
Chapter Twenty-Four
In less than twenty-four hours, her Circle, along with Anduin’s Storm Forged, had managed to collect the blood gifts from the entire Chosen army. Helena had barely been able to contain her tears of astonished gratitude. She had never dared to hope so many would be willing to contribute. Parting with blood was no small ask, and it was rarely required in Chosen spells since their power came from within. However, there were a few records that detailed its powers of amplification as well as its ability to be used as a tracking mechanism. Once acquired, the blood could be used to turn one’s power against them. To gift it blindly said much about their trust in her.
Once again, Helena found herself back in the Circle’s Chambers. Something about Anduin’s reference to a ceremony had stuck with Nial, so Timmins suggested that the Circle, both literal and honorary, wait until the other gifts had been collected before offering their own. This would allow those closest to her to present their offering
directly. Helena would be the last to add her blood and would not do so until she was ready to initiate the illusion.
Despite the gravity of their undertaking, the group had worked hard to make this a festive gathering. While it was an unspoken understanding, they knew this might be the last time they were all together, and each of them wanted this memory to hold close in case of the worst.
“There are too many of us crammed in here,” Helena laughed, accepting a goblet of wine from Alina.
Alina scanned the crowded room and nodded her agreement. “Indeed, I can hardly hear myself think over the noise. Should I send some people away?” she asked.
Helena shook her head. “No, definitely not. We might just need to move this party outside.”
Overhearing her, Ronan shouted his approval. “Mother’s tits, yes! It’s hot as fucking balls in here.”
Helena lifted her brow at the colorful description.
Ronan gave her a one-sided grin and shrugged. “If you had your own set, you’d know what I mean.”
Helena took a sip of her wine before giving him a wicked smile. “What makes you think I haven’t?”
Her Shield laughed. “Just because you hold your Mate’s balls in your knapsack doesn’t mean you know what it’s like…” Ronan trailed off at her amused expression. “When did you have balls?” he asked, truly astounded.
“When I posed as Micha.”
“That’s right!” he said, laughing as he shook his head. “I’d forgotten. But still, borrowing a set and actually living with them are two different things.”
Helena just laughed at the absurdity of their conversation. “You can keep your knee knockers, Shield. I have no interest in them.”
Ronan snorted with laughter, clinking his glass with her own. “Shall we reconvene under the stars then?”
Helena nodded, loving the idea of having the Mother bear witness to their impromptu ceremony.
Ronan let out a long ear-piercing whistle. The room fell silent enough for him to shout, “Outside you scoundrels!” That was all it took for the room to empty and the laughing, tipsy lot to make their way outside.