by Violet, Anne
Damn it. I rushed to catch up with him, grabbed his arm, and yanked him back as we reached the landing; completely aware of the two guards stationed at the door to the room he’d been assigned. In response, he grabbed the collar of my shirt; the fury he’d held back all day, stared back at me. I ached for this fight. It would almost be worth it. At the sound of the guards feet as they raced down the hallway, I pushed him away. “You’ll do what’s best for Alexis, getting us discovered isn’t it. By the way, whatever you do tomorrow, don’t increase Lisette’s powers, she doesn’t need to see through us,” I rumbled, and walked away. He had never asked why my Grove wanted him, but I knew he had guessed correctly before he even came. His Grove was risking a lot to save just Alexis, and I hoped Christian would live long enough to make use of it.
After breakfast the next morning, Christian was marched downstairs by his guards, and led to the cellars. The space was filled wall to wall with Druids, but I had to give him credit, he didn’t falter once. They escorted him to the end, next to Alexis’s cell. I peeked at her briefly, she didn’t look worse, but she didn’t look any better either. The meaning of being within eyesight of her wasn’t lost on me, and I doubted that Christian missed it either. An obvious threat for compliance.
I was grateful that Garron was a spell caster, his power couldn’t be increased, but it also meant he was safe from Christian’s specialty of mind torture. Unfortunate, cause that could have been helpful to us. As I looked at the twenty to thirty people gathered around us, eagerly awaiting their turn, I wondered if Christian would be able to do this.
All of the sudden, Christian’s two personal guards attacked Garron and Ryker, while the two guarding Alexis’s cell abruptly opened her cell door and they rushed in with Christian at their back. In shock I stood immobile, uncomprehending the chaos around me. Before I had a chance to react, help, or do anything at all, the four human guards were attacked and killed, and Christian was dragged away from Alexis.
“What was this?” Garron demanded, jerking Christian’s head back by his hair.
Christian struggled against his guards, ignoring the question. “You can control minds too?” Garron seemed to mull this over. “But I don’t think you can’t do it to those with powers.” Garron glanced at Ryker. “Have all the non-Druids, including our servants, sent away, we can’t have them turned against us. Also dispose of these bodies too.”
Garron then leveled a suspicious glance at me. “Did you know about this?”
“No,” I answered honestly, glad that Christian hadn’t told me about this power. Then again if I had known, maybe we could’ve come up with a plan that would’ve succeeded.
“Now I could punish you, but I doubt that would get the results I need. So that leaves Alexis.”
“No!” screamed Christian, fighting harder against the men that held him.
It took everything I had, to stay in place as the Druid in charge of Alexis moved forward, tipping a flask against her lips. Christian and I both helplessly watched as more of the Druidic sleep potion was dribbled into her mouth.
“How close to the Veil should I get her this time?” Garron taunted Christian.
Christian stopped fighting and stared at Garron with hatred in his eyes. “I’ll do what you want, just leave Alexis alone.”
Garron nodded at the Druid inside, who stopped and moved away, but he didn’t leave her cell.
Christian stood up, shaking off the men that held him, and motioned to have the first person brought up, and so it began…
Hours passed, and one after another, he increased our ranks powers, building our army, but he was fading fast, and shaking from the effort. My fantasy of seeing Christian burn out, would come sooner than expected at this rate. Garron didn’t care, his eyes lit up with unholy glee. Lisette, who had come down out of curiosity, was no better, urging that he could go further.
Eventually Christian fell back against the wall exhausted. I glanced at Alexis then back at Christian. He needed a break if he was to survive, and it looked like I was the only one that could give it to him. Not really wanting to help him, but needing to, I built a thick shield around him. “You weren’t told to quit,” I snarled, then squeezed the shield around him so fast he immediately passed out. “He’s worthless,” I complained, stepping casually over him, and stomping out, aware the whole time of Lisette’s eyes on me.
As soon as I was in the stairwell alone, I leaned against the wall. Uncertainty washed over me. Why was I putting myself through this? Christian wasn’t my friend, and Alexis wasn’t my girlfriend. Garron and the Grove had resurrected me, was I really going to betray them?
CHAPTER 11
A weird air hovered over breakfast, and I couldn’t place the what or why. Since the regular servants were gone, the food wasn’t up to Garron’s standards and he picked at it dissatisfied. I took a quick glance at Christian, wondering if he had done something else. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one wondering if he had any other powers we hadn’t seen yet. He sat in his chair, eating comfortably, not like a man who’d almost burned out, then been slammed into a cell head first. I felt slightly dissatisfied at this; I would remember not to be so gentle next time. Even though he ignored us, I knew he was watching and learning as much about us as possible, but the source of my unease didn’t come from him.
Sebastian, Tempest, and the triplets were acting normal, at least normal for them, which left Garron, Lisette, and Ryker. I couldn’t decide whether to strengthen my shield or not. A cold trickle down my spine, warned me not to do anything that would bring attention my way. As casually as I could, I glanced over at Ryker. He was watching me, and I realized, he had been for some time. His look wasn’t friendly as we stared at each other, and I turned to Lisette to see if I could guess what emotion she was reading from him, but she was studying me with the same unblinking stare. Hiding my worry, I raised a brow at her in question.
“Nicolas, you will be traveling with Ryker and I, as we look for more to join our cause,” she announced, watching me for my reaction. Without meaning too I began to turn to Christian, then caught myself. Even so small a reaction could reveal my true intentions, I clenched my hands under the table.
“Sounds good. When do we leave?” I asked, and forced a eager expression to my face.
“This morning,” she answered, with the type of calm that only made me more nervous.
I was being tested. But why? Where had I gone wrong? I thought my performance yesterday, would convince them. Shoving my sweaty hands in my pockets, I stood up, and with a nod, left the room to pack upstairs. I only had a split second of eye contact with Christian as I moved away, but I knew he understood. He was on his own now.
Day after day we traveled, using our ability to track down those who could be of use to us. Sometimes days would pass without coming across anyone, and those were the only days that I felt human. The rare times we stayed in a hotel, I would look in the bathroom mirror, and swear that day by day the human me was being taken over by some sludge covered thing.
Eventually we left France for England. Anyone we found with even a hint of ability was sent back to Garron. Those that were unwilling, and Lisette read as a risk to us, Ryker and I disposed of. Much to Ryker’s disappointment, Lisette usually made me do it, a never ending test of my commitment. I wondered if I could ever wash all the blood off of my hands.
Days turned into weeks, and the more evil I did in the name of our cause, the more Lisette and Ryker trusted me. The irony of the situation, in my few private moments, made me laugh. I felt grateful to them if nothing else, at least now I knew the choice I needed to make. I just hoped Christian and Alexis were still alive for it to make a difference.
Luck seemed to be on my side when the next morning Lisette announced we were headed back. Apparently, Christian was starting to refuse to strengthen some people, and those he did increase weren’t as strong as the ones before, and Garron wanted Lisette’s help determining the truth of the situation.
At least Christian was alive, and while I couldn’t ask about Alexis, I had to assume she was ok for now. But then again if Christian was giving them trouble, the first thing Garron would’ve done was threaten Alexis. So either Christian was telling the truth about his weakening powers, or Alexis was to close to the edge for it to matter. Getting home became more important than ever, but at least I had regained the trust of the Grove. I would need that.
When we finally pulled up in the driveway, my eyes widened in shock, our grounds overflowed with people. I checked that the light shield that I kept over myself still held. After having shielded myself continually for weeks now, it came as second nature. Relaxed, and with a bored expression, I got out of the car, and retrieved my suitcase out of the trunk. Under hundreds of curious eyes, I walked up the path to the castle.
Garron greeted me at the door. “Welcome back. Lisette reported being very pleased with you.”
I nodded my head and smiled. “It needed to be done,” I murmured.
He patted me on the back as I passed, and my muscles contracted involuntarily at his touch. I quickly moved past without making eye contact. Immediately Sebastian appeared, grabbed my bag, and headed upstairs, perplexed I followed him. After entering my room, he closed the door behind us, sat my suitcase on the floor, and collapsed on my bed. I had never seen him looking so depressed. I leaned against the wall, and stared at him until he looked up. “What’s your problem?” I rumbled, but I didn’t say it unkindly.
“You were right,” he said in a small voice, “I want out. Can you help me?
For a second, the side of me that had been tainted by all the things I had done, wondered if he was part of a setup, a final test from Garron. Then reality set in, even if he wanted to, Sebastian couldn’t act if his life depended on it. Worry crowded my mind, I moved away from the wall, tension gripping me. “Did you say anything to anyone else?”
Sebastian chewed on his lip, and peeked up at me nervously. “No, but…” he trailed off, and looked at me meaningfully.
“Lisette might sense you.” Not to mention his inability to hide anything he felt or thought.
I didn’t want Sebastian to see my fear for him, so I turned to look out the window, and kept my back to him.
“How come you’re not asking me why?” he queried.
My fists clenched. I had to save this kid. “I can only imagine the things you’ve seen since I’ve been gone.”
We both grew quiet. In the yard torches were being lit, so the practice battles could go on. If Garron wasn’t careful the whole town could find out; the snarls and growls of shape shifters filled the air, explosions and flashes of light from the fire starters, and Tempest making havoc with hail and lightening, we wouldn’t remain a secret for long.
“Nicolas, what did you do while you were gone?” I could hear the accusation in his tone.
“You don’t need to know.”
I heard the creak of the bed as he stood up. “Nic, what did you do?” he demanded, his voice shaky.
I stayed facing the window, I didn’t want to see the look in his eyes. “Nothing I haven’t done before,” I mumbled.
He turned, and stomped to the door. “What about Alexis? Are you going to destroy her too?”
I whipped around, and glared at him.
The look in his eyes were cold as he glared at me. “Don’t worry, I doubt Alexis and Christian will last that long,” he replied sarcastically, with angry tears in his eyes.
I moved to Sebastian then, grabbing his shoulders, and shaking him. “What do you mean?”
“Christian’s getting weaker, and guess who they keep pushing closer to death, in punishment. I don’t think either of them can make it much longer.” He jerked out of my hands, and left, slamming the door behind him. I punched the wall, but the throbbing pain didn’t help at all. Even though Alexis was in a sort of magical suspension, I wondered how long her boy could survive like that. And if Christian’s Grove hadn’t found us by now, they never would. Which left me… I had to come up with a plan.
When I woke up the next morning, I went straight to the cellars. The place already buzzed with activity. Christian was being led to Alexis’s cell. He looked pale and weak, a shell of himself, but his eyes crackled with intensity when he turned to look at me. I smirked at him knowing I was under the eyes of Garron and Lisette. I followed them down to the end, where Alexis was kept, and tried to steel myself for whatever I would see. I raised a brow at Tempest, who stood leaning up against the wall, she still had an odd intensity about her as she studied me. Ignoring her, I carefully strengthened my shield, for a moment frustrated that I still cared enough about Alexis to have to do that.
I glanced through the bars of the cell, and shoved my hands in my pockets when I felt them trembling. She was paler than the sheets she laid on, her face and body so slack she might as well be dead.
Christian dropped to his knees, gripping the jail doors. “Let her go. I’ve done what you want,” he pleaded.
“Then what leverage would we have. It’s time,” Garron instructed him, nodding at the guards to lift Christian up. He wouldn’t last the day, and if he died, Garron would have no use for Alexis.
I shoved Christian so hard against the cell that he cracked his head, and collapsed in a slump. I smiled a little, I would be lying if I said there wasn’t a part of me that hadn’t enjoyed it. But mostly I needed to buy us some time before he burned out completely. “Why are we still keeping him around?” I complained.
“We won’t much longer,” Garron answered quietly, motioning the guards to take him away. “His usefulness is almost expired.”
I nodded like I was unconcerned. “Good. And what will you do with Alexis?”
“I have a plan for her.” he replied ominously. He glanced at me, but it wasn’t with the doubt and suspicion of before, and I shrugged and walked away.
I didn’t realize I was being followed outside, and into the forest until I heard the sound of footsteps behind me. When I passed a large copse of trees, I ducked behind the largest tree trunk and waited. The footfalls were faster now, like the person was running. As they passed, I reached out, wrapped an arm around their throat, and yanked them back against me.
I immediately recognized Tempest’s silky black hair, and loosened my hold, but didn’t release her. “Why are you following me?”
“I need to talk to you,” she rasped out, struggling ineffectively against my hold.
“About what?”
“About Alexis and Christian,” she replied through clenched teeth. Without warning, she elbowed me hard in the abs, and I released her with a pained groan, tempted to knock her out with either a fist, or my shield. She moved safely out of arms reach, and faced me. “What are you going to do about them?”
I didn’t care how beautiful she was, I didn’t trust her. “What do you mean?”
She shook her long dark hair out behind her like she wanted to fight. “We don’t have time for games. They don’t have time. If you loved Alexis enough to go crazy when she left you, I don’t believe you’re going to just let her die. Am I right?”
I studied her while I thought, she almost seemed human for once. “Why would I care?”
She stomped her foot in irritation. “Like I said, we don’t have time for this. How much longer do you think their bodies can survive?” she didn’t wait for a response before continuing. “You need my help.”
I laughed. “Why would you help out anyone but yourself?”
She scorched me with her eyes, and a storm cloud formed over us. “They make me want to believe.”
I snickered. Did she really expect me to believe that? The storm cloud above us crackled with lightening and thunder, perfectly in tune with her temper. “It’s Ryker’s turn to guard Christian tonight. I’ll distract him, and you get Christian out.” I looked at her like she was crazy to think I would trust her. She understood. “At this rate they’re going to die anyway. You have to trust me if y
ou want to save them.”
She was certifiable, and also right. “What’s your plan for getting Alexis out?”
“We aren’t.”
“What!”
She shook her head, and spoke slowly like I was the village idiot. “She’s too heavily guarded. There’s no way we could get her out, but if Christian escapes there’s a chance he can save her.”
“How? If he’s gone, Garron has no use for her. He’ll just let Alexis die.”
“Remember Garron saying he had a plan for her?” I thought back, nodding my head, while my stomach started to churn in fear.
Tempest continued ruthlessly. “On Samhain, when he destroys the Veil at the Hill of Ward, he wants to sacrifice her as a offering.” I fell against the tree behind me in shock. “He thinks he might get a prophecy from her sacrifice, especially since she’s a psychic.”
The image of that scene bloomed in my mind, I looked at her, horrified. “Christian would never leave knowing that.”
“I know,” she said softly, moving closer, the storm clouds above us evaporating. “That’s why you can’t tell him. Just say that Garron’s bringing her as a hostage, and it’s his only chance to save her.”
Still in shock I nodded; a plan coming to mind.
At the appointed hour that night, I peeked out my bedroom door, and looked down the hallway towards Christian’s room. Ryker still stood guard outside his room. Where the heck was Tempest? It was late, the house was silent, and Ryker paced back and forth, bored. I couldn’t wait any longer.
I glanced back at Sebastion, who nervously shifted on his feet, the knife I gave him looking awkward in his hand. “We can’t wait,” I informed him, and opened the door. The sound of my stepping into the hallway caught Ryker’s attention, and he started to turn my way, when Tempest, in a obscenely short dress, came out of her room.
“Ryker, can you help me? There is this book on the top shelf I can’t get to,” she pleaded prettily. I didn’t approve of her method of distraction, but if it worked I wouldn’t complain. The poor guy looked torn as he glanced around, and then spotted me.