Charlie leaned forward. “Is there a prophecy about me too?”
“There are many prophecies. Some are remembered, others forgotten.”
Now this sounded like the Helga she knew. “I’ll take that as a yes.” She blew her hair off her face, sipped the tea, wishing it was something stronger.
“Let me tell you a story, then perhaps you will understand things better,” Helga said.
Charlie arched an eyebrow. Wow, Helga had never been one for stories.
“Back during the beginning times, several races lived in different lands. For the most part they existed harmoniously together. Neither race or power mattered, nor did any one leader rank higher than the other,” Helga said. “Their desire was to find true spiritual enlightenment and pass our knowledge onto future generations.”
Charlie stayed silent. Weird, Helga never spoke about the days of what she guessed were the five elder races.
“They lived that way side-by-side for millennia. As their power and technology advanced so did some people’s desire for more,” Helga continued. “Then came the dark times when the races started to fight and overpower each other – this came much later but those older beings left this world when they grew weary of it all. Some chose to stay watch over their descendants and the other races that came from them.
“The leaders came together to end the dark times and were forced to stop one of their descendants who tried to climb ultimate power. He was stripped of that power and the old alliance agreed they’d never again interfere in the ways of Magickind.” Helga stroked her eagle. “A few leaders passed from this world, some remained. Eventually the dark times passed – for a while at least.”
Charlie sipped her tea, surprised it didn’t taste too bad. She didn’t like tea at the best of times. “What happened to the others? The first immortals?”
“Most of them were either killed during the war, some chose death. Living for centuries can be tough for some of us,” Helga answered. “One of the strongest of our descendants craved the elders’ power, decided the other races were inferior.”
Charlie choked on her next mouthful of tea. “Whoa, do you mean Oberoth?” She hadn’t thought much of Niara’s ex-husband – her great-grandfather – much over the past six years. He’d been killed during the revolution of Setara, ending his ten-thousand-year rule of murder and bloodshed.
Helga nodded. “He plummeted the world into darkness. We all wondered if it would ever end.”
“You were part of the elder races, weren’t you?” Charlie asked. She’d guessed it previously but hadn’t been entirely sure.
Helga shook her head. “I was one of the first. I lived in that wonderful time so long ago,” she said, running a hand through her straggly hair. “There came a point when almost all races were wiped out. The traitor wanted to go back, to change what was. He took and stole power from many of the others until he had power greater than any of us could imagine.” Helga rose and pulled an hourglass from her shelf. “Your grandfather is the Tempus so you must know of time travel and its risks.”
Charlie nodded. “A little. Grandpa always lectured us about the dangers, but I can’t walk through time like Cate can.” Time travel was meant for observation only. Time itself couldn’t be changed unless it was meant to be. No one had ever managed to overcome that. Anyone who tried suffered devastating consequences.
Helga flipped the hourglass over so that the sand started pouring down. “Time is a precious thing even for immortals. We often forget someone we love can be gone in an instant.”
Charlie gulped down more tea as it started to grow cold. She had no idea where this story was headed but still felt compelled to carry on listening.
“Time can’t be changed not without serious repercussions. Even then time has a way of righting itself. Destiny always has its own way.”
She nodded. “Right.”
“The traitor shifted and warped his terrible power, tried to use it to go back, to change history…”
Charlie leaned forward, eager to hear the ending. “And?”
“The others – an alliance of the first races came together, stopped him. But no one knows what happened to the power he wielded. Some say he warped it into an object so he could one day reclaim it.”
Helga fell silent as she started sipping her tea again.
“What made you stay here?”
“I could have ascended, moved on to a higher plane like my kin did. But I wanted to stay here so the others let me. I couldn’t leave my daughter behind.”
Charlie gasped. “You had a daughter? Wow!”
Helga nodded and smiled. “She was strong, wilful.” She laughed. “Stubborn too. The most beautiful girl with hair like sunshine.”
“What happened to her?”
A tear dripped down Helga’s cheek. “She’s gone from this world now but her memory lives on in her descendants.”
“I’m sorry.” Charlie reached over and squeezed Helga’s gnarled hand. “Thanks for telling me the story. I guess absolute power really does destroy everything.” She rose and set the mug down. “Thanks again. It’s put a lot of things in perspective for me.”
Charlie turned and walked out. She had to stay with the Illuminari and learn what she could.
Goodridge had to be stopped before it was too late.
Chapter 5
Drake strode into the great hall, wondering what the hell Daron had summoned him for now. Every time he looked at his brother he wanted to tear him apart, remembering the images of seeing their parents and little sister lying on the floor dead.
He hadn’t heard much from Charlie the past few days and it made him more uneasy. He hoped she found whatever she was looking for there and came back to him soon. Seeing her every night made the separation easier, but he still hated not being near her.
Daron sat on their father’s throne, Drake wouldn’t think of it as Daron’s or his own.
Other demons gathered around the hall.
Now what? He grew weary of being stuck in Kyral and longed to go back to Setara, but the Alliance wanted him to keep an eye on Daron to find out what his next move was.
“Everyone gather around. As you know it will be ascendance day in two days time,” Daron said. “Traditionally the day when all Demonkind come together to celebrate the blood moon. A time of great power for all of us. We’ll be hosting a feast of course and every leader of each clan will be here for the festivities.”
“Those of you who’d like to take place in the fights will need to be signed up,” said Arvin, Daron’s lieutenant.
Drake joined his brother on the dais. “Why did you summon me?” he hissed, leaning close to Daron. “I already know about the planned festivities.”
“When I said I invited everyone, I meant everyone – even the leader of the Illuminari will be there.”
Drake frowned. “Why would you do that? We—”
“I thought you’d be pleased, brother. No doubt your imp will be there, too.”
He shrugged. “Why would I care about her? She was just a plaything.” He kept his expression neutral, not wanting to give away his true feelings about Charlie. He couldn’t fathom why Daron would want to invite the Illuminaris to the celebrations. They’d spent the last month talking about destroying the entire clan. What had changed? He knew his brother well enough to know Daron did nothing without careful consideration first. Although Daron hadn’t exactly seemed in his right mind recently.
If Daron had invited the Illuminari, he no doubt had something big planned. Drake knew he had to warn Charlie.
Drake headed out after unsuccessfully trying to contact Charlie. Daron hadn’t been happy when he’d heard Drake had been doing Alliance business. In truth Drake had still been searching for leads on Goodridge and out talking to the different clan leaders. Plus it gave him the chance to check on things in Setara whilst he was there. Drake had to be careful and had even resorted to placing compulsions on those he’d already spoken to, for the fear word would get back
to Daron.
It was only a matter of time before Daron tried to challenge him. He was already losing face and respect among the other clan leaders. Something had to change and soon. Daron needed the power of a true Akaran, he could no longer fake his way through pretending to be it. He blamed the lack of power on keeping Kyral safe by using the lands protective wards to keep other Magickind out. He’d done a good job at faking it all these centuries, but people now questioned him.
Drake headed out to talk to the next clan leader, a demon called Rubin of the mercury demons. They were a vicious, angry bunch who were fearsome warriors and spent most of their times warring with other clans. This visit would serve two purposes, one to question them about Goodridge and to find out if they’d side with him or Daron.
He reappeared outside a large hut. Sand stung his face and he sensed a storm brewing. He headed inside and two guards wearing leather armour and holding battle axes blocked his way. Axes? Gods, I need to introduce these people to some real technology.
“State your business,” one of the guards barked.
“Drakon Damrus, of the clan Amargen, here to see Rubin.” He scanned the thoughts in case they tried to attack him.
“Let him pass,” boomed a rough voice.
The guards moved aside, and Drake stalked through the tent. A huge man with flaming red hair and a long beard sat dressed in leather armour. A battle axe by his side. “The Akaran’s brother.” He acknowledged Drake’s presence. “I’m surprised to see you here,” Rubin remarked. “Especially given how I oppose the Akaran.”
“Yes, I heard you and the others are planning to overthrow Daron.”
“So the little whelp sent you to dispatch me instead of coming himself?” Rubin said. “That sounds like something he’d do.” His chest heaved with laughter.
“Not exactly.” Drake leaned forward, his eyes bleeding to black and flames flashing there.
Rubin drew back, flinching. “Impossible. If you challenged Daron, I’d—”
“Fool, I became the Akaran after my brother murdered her parents. I’ve always had the power,” he growled. “My brother has remained in power long enough. It’s time for his reign to end. I suspect Daron will challenge me during the night of the blood moon. I want to know who I could trust to support me when the time comes.”
Rubin rubbed his beard. “Have a seat.”
They briefly talked about what would happen when the time came. But Drake couldn’t tell yet if Rubin would prove to be an ally. Rubin could talk the talk but that didn’t mean he would take action when the time came. Drake needed reliable allies for his plan to work.
“It’s about time we had a true Akaran to lead us,” Rubin said. “You can—”
“Make no mistake, I won’t be ruling the way my father did. My loyalty is to the Alliance, only under them and the council will we be able to end my brother’s madness.”
Rubin’s mouth fell open. “You want us to pledge loyalty to the Alliance and the council? Why would we do that?”
Drake tried not to sigh, yet he knew bringing all the clans around to his way of thinking would take time and effort. He had to choose his allies carefully or risk all the clans taking his brother’s side.
“Because only with them do we have a chance of moving forward. I’ll still act as your leader, yes, but the old ways no longer serve us. Aren’t you are tired of the endless in-fighting among the clans?”
“We’ll see who wins but for now I need time to consider your proposal.”
“Very well.” Drake grasped Rubin’s forearm. “See you at the feast.”
Drake slumped into his seat at the table in the Alliance’s HQ. The Alliance was made up of five different leaders of Magickind. They had come together several years ago to be a separate organisation from the United Magickind Council. They worked in the way much as enforcers did but on a much higher level ensuring justice for all of Magickind. Drake represented all demons, McNabb, a wiry-looking man represented the Ashrali, Jason, a tall dark haired man with silver eyes represented the elementals, Cate the witches and Lana the Phoenix elementals. They represented each of the five elder races.
“What news do we have on the Goodridge investigation?” asked Lana. With her willowy figure and long silver blonde hair, she looked her usual gorgeous self. Drake noticed her sending glances his way with her usual seductive smiles and tried not to roll his eyes. He was in no mood for her usual flirtations.
“I’ve been investigating more leads. With the help of Agents Monroe and Snowden and my own contacts I’ve discovered Goodridge has been bringing together groups of different Magickind the secret meetings. What the meetings are for I have yet to discover but Goodridge seems to be planning something large. His only ventures have been gangs, smuggling and illegals so far. This feels different.”
McNabb stared at the screen. “All of these names are on our watch list. They’re either known criminals, former Covenant connections, or oppose the council and the Alliance,” he observed.
Cate gave Drake a hard look. “What about Charlie?” she demanded, her sapphire eyes flashing. “She hasn’t returned any of my calls and I can’t sense where she is either.”
Drake winced. He hadn’t expected her to bring up Charlie in the middle of the meeting but then Charlie was just as much a part of this case as he was. “I already told you, she left a month ago. I haven’t seen or heard from her since,” he replied, crossing his arms. “She said she wanted to time with her mother.”
“Right, her dead mother who’s been gone for almost twenty-five years.”
“The GM has a point,” Lana agreed. “Why would your life mate leave? Mates find it unbearable being apart.”
As if you would know anything about having a life mate. You change lovers as often as I change suits.
“Shall we get back to the case?” Jason suggested, which earned him a glare from Cate.
“Should we be worried about the mist walkers now?” McNabb wanted to know. “They’re almost as feared as Nulls. They may not be able to neutralise magic like Nulls can but they can possess people.”
“They’re not a threat,” Drake insisted. “There are only a handful of them left. We should focus on the threat from Goodridge.”
“I suggest you find one of those meetings and get inside,” Jason said.
“I’m working on it,” Drake answered. “I have another contact I’m meeting later today.”
“What about the situation with your brother?” asked Lana. “Have you removed him from power yet?”
Drake pursued his lips. “My brother isn’t a problem. I’ve been keeping a close eye on him.” Plus, Seth would watch Daron whilst Drake wasn’t around.
“Very well, we’ll meet again in a week – or before if you have any news to tell us,” said Cate. “This meeting is over.”
McNab left and Lana sauntered off, but Cate and Jason remained.
“I didn’t appreciate you showing me up like that,” Drake snapped.
Cate stared daggers at him. “My niece has gone gallivanting goddess knows where with her supposedly dead mother, I expected you to be a bit more worried,” she snapped back. “All I have is your word to go and a short text message from Charlie. What if she’s in trouble?”
Drake’s hands balled into fists “She chose to go,” he snarled. “Now if you don’t mind, I have to get back to work.”
“You really are a bastard. No wonder Charlie never wanted to be with you.” Cate stormed out of the room.
Drake hissed out a breath, anger heating his blood.
“Sorry about that.” Jason winced as the door slammed shut. “We’re all concerned about Charlie.”
“And you think I’m not?”
“I think you don’t know how to deal with it,” Jason remarked.
Drake scowled at his best friend. “I’m fine.”
“Well, you know where I am if you need me.”
Drake stalked down the hall. He wanted to break something, strangle someone or both.
Her desire filled the room like a sweet perfume which only made him even more pissed off. “What are you doing?” he growled.
“You seemed so tense I thought come to relax you.”
“We only had one night together, and it was decades ago.”
Her lips curved. “That was the best night of our lives. Admit it. That little witch could never dream of the things I could do to you.”
He bared his teeth. “Don’t speak of her.”
“She’s made you like this. Honestly, darling, demons aren’t meant to be bound, especially not you.”
He snorted. “What am I meant to be, then?” he demanded.
“Free, wild. unrestrained.” Lana laced her arms around his neck. “We were incredible together – we still can be.”
Drake’s lips thinned. “Women only come to my bed when they want something from me – or I want something from them.”
“I want nothing from you,” she purred. “You need me. When was the last time you lost control?”
Lana didn’t stir anything in him as he stared at her. The demon in him had become stronger as instinct had taken over from emotion. Since Charlie had been in his life again everything had seemed brighter. Now, without her, it all turned to black and white again, grey even.
Lana tilted her head back to try and kiss him. “Do it,” she demanded. “You know you want to.”
Drake backed away, yanked his jacket off and tossed it at her. “Go,” he growled. “Get out!”
Lana threw it back at him. “That witch really has you under her spell,” she snapped. “You’ll regret this. No one says no to me.”
“That shows how easy you are.” He laughed.
She slapped him hard across the face. “You bastard!” she hissed. “I’ll have you out of the Alliance, I’ll—”
“Save your words. You can’t touch me and you know it. Now get the fuck out of my house!”
Shadow Sworn Page 4