by Sariah Skye
Contents
Fated Magic
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
About the Author:
Fated Magic
Book two of The Fated Saga
by Sariah Skye
©Sariah Skye, 2016; all rights reserved
For all those ‘weirdos’ who never quite fit in.
This one’s for you…
Stay weird. Stay unique.
Chapter 1
"You have got to be kidding me!"
"Not again!"
I heard the grumbles of the two boys and the triumphant taunting noises of a third from the across the room. I exchanged a jovial glance with my friends, Kit and Kiarra. Nearby the boys played a competitive game of poker. Kiarra and I had been in on the game too—Finnian claimed it would be a good time to practice my compulsion magic by tricking others into thinking I had cards I didn't but even with the compulsion, the seer was still kicking all our asses. Eventually, Kiarra and I felt it futile and bowed out. Kit—my human friend from Pineville that we'd rescued just days earlier from the Shadows—was recovering nicely and was allowed a couple hours' time to socialize outside of the watchful eye of alchemist and cleric, Esmè. She hadn't dabbled in the poker game, choosing to spectate instead, but she'd had quite the giggle every time the boys argued about one thing or another. And, argument after argument later, they were still at it.
Outwardly, the three boys—err, men—weren't generally very competitive. But, given a stressful few days and the need to blow off steam, this game of Texas Hold 'Em (whatever that was) was becoming as tense as a lone pigeon in a room full of starving cats. Kiarra and I had given up after a while and were now preferring to watch from perched upon bar stools in the kitchen as Maxxus and Gabriel got their butts handed to them by Gabriel's brother Daniel, the seer.
Daniel, Gabriel and Maxxus were sitting around the table in the dining area, with a pile of various colored plastic chips in the center, and all three had a handful of cards held up in front of them.
“What an archaic game,” Maxxus grumbled, tossing his cards down in front of him on the table.
Daniel snorted. “That's just because you're losing!” He said, in a singsong voice, slapping his four cards down. I didn't know what was so bad about it, but Gabriel groaned loudly, tossing his own cards on the table.
“You're a fucking hustler,” he complained. “Goddamned four of a kind!”
Maxxus groaned, his hands grasping at his rust-hued dark blonde hair by the roots. "Leo, don't you have some sort of magic thing you can do to him? He's getting way too cocky, now."
Daniel reached over the table's center and with a sweeping motion of two hands, swept the pile of chips towards himself. "Oh come on, it's all in fun."
I exchanged a glance with Maxxus, who glowered and Gabriel, who was utterly miffed, judging by the red flush on his pale cheeks. "Well, you know, it's not really fair, playing with someone who can see the future."
Daniel's mouth dropped in mock offense at my statement. "Leo! Do you honestly think I would use my seer powers to take advantage of my brother and a green dragon that could literally bite my head off?"
I shot him a look. "Why, yes, I think you would."
Daniel threw his head back and clutched his heart in dramatic fashion. He made a strangled, gasping noise as he pretended to fall off the kitchen chair and was now writhing on the floor.
I scoffed. "Men, I tell ya," I said, rolling my eyes.
Kit tried to stifle a laugh. She pressed her palm to her mouth and giggled. It was nice to see her smile; under the Shadow influence for a couple days there it had been looking very unsure if she'd fully recover. The Shadows pull in full blooded humans was almost always devastating, per Loremaster Finnian. Though she was looking better, Kit still had moments of uncontrollable weeping and depression that ate away at her soul; her physical appearance still marred by the exhaustive toll of the Shadows darkened her under eyes and paled her rosy skin. But, she was trying. Being human (with latent witch powers, we recently learned) and living officially in Pineville instead of here in Castle Danger, Minnesota, she had no actual wardrobe so she was borrowing from Esmè and her partner, Becka. Today, she was wearing a set of thick burgundy robes tied at the neck and wrapped around herself, over a gray sweatsuit and black slippers. Her long wavy hair was braided and trailed down her right shoulder. Normally, she wore a strip of funky-colored highlights in front, but it didn't survive the Shadow invasion; she had generally been always colorful but appeared subdued with today's clothing choice. It was weird to see her more on the demure side, but still relieving to see her at all considering how near death she had been.
A full week had passed since Daniel and I—with the outside help of Gabriel's light magic and Finnian with a handful of others—had saved Kit from the Shadow realm where she'd nearly succumbed to the Shadows pull; and recently we'd also learned that she was being held captive by a particular dragon who had been an ally of sorts of Maxxus in the dragon guard; a black dragon named Nicodemus. She'd been held in the dragon realm, in my home kingdom of Anarach, and was being interrogated for information about me. She had not understood that I was a mythical creature, so there was nothing she could tell.
After this, Finnian had pulled Maxxus and I aside and instructed us that the two of us—alone—should be the ones to go back to Anarach and attempt to retrieve Nicodemus and bring him here for interrogation before the Shadow influence became worse in Anarach. So far, the rest of the group didn't know this yet. It was surprising because, Gabriel, being a Knight of the Order of Pink Dragons (that was me; the pink dragon) had magic beneficial and made me powerful but, Finnian insisted it'd be the two of us, alone. We had no specific time to go but "soon"; Finnian was waiting for me to get a better handle on my magic and learn some fighting techniques.
Because I'd grown up in Anarach thinking I had no magic and still, I'd rather go into a fight armed with my meager magic knowledge then be relied on to fight; that's how bad I was in combat. I was awkward, slow and easily startled. I would never make a good candidate for the UFC, that’s for sure. Kiarra promised me that pink dragons weren't inherent fighters but, still I was doubly pathetic. Even Maxxus, being a Guard himself and an earth dragon with a typically laid back attitude about everything was growing frustrated with me though he'd never, ever voice it.
Everything had happened over the past week and yet, nothing at the same time. Gabriel's and my tense relationship continued to be strained for reasons neither of us understood; we'd agreed that living in separate quarters was better now at this point. He was rooming in the guest quarters and I was now bunking in Kiarra's quaint country cottage home on the other side of Castle Danger. Maxxus and Daniel also each bunked separately. It was better this way; my confused heart had time to sort things out. Our relationship had moved too fast; I especially found it disconcerting. With my upbringing and being bullied as I had, I had a hard time getting close to others.
But, over this short period I'd found myself inseparable with these five other beings that had randomly, oddly come into my
life. Gabriel, who despite it all was an amazing friend and made my heart flutter no matter how much I wanted to deny it and his twin brother, Daniel the seer. Maxxus, my grandfather's protégé; Kiarra, fiancée of my brother and dual-agent to the Court and Loremasters here and finally Kit, my human friend; my boss from Pineville. I'd been working under her at Morningstar Coffee, which she owned until a rogue magic storm which turned out not to be so rogue after all, forced it to shut down.
I'd gone from having no one to having an entire eclectic tribe; and I won't deny that I loved every second of it. At least, in my head. Out loud, I'd probably just roll my eyes and say nothing. It was hard after years of seclusion to let people in. Well… people and other dragons.
"How are you feeling?" Was Kiarra's question to Kit, snapping me out of my daze. Kiarra was sophisticated, wearing a pair of wide legged black pants, black ballet flats and a gauzy blue button down blouse. Being a blue dragon who harnessed water, she clearly loved the color. And, she was beautiful with her slightly-angled almond shaped brown eyes, cocoa complexion and long jet hair she was wearing in a high, tight ponytail; it only made her look more exotic—especially next to me with my pale skin, green eyes and strawberry blonde hair. My two friends, Kiarra and Kit could not look any less similar, though I was realizing personality-wise how similar they were. Cheerful, friendly and optimistic: total polar opposites of myself. Of course.
Kit shrugged. "I'm okay. Mostly just tired now. Esmè says that because of my witch powers, it made it easier for me to be healed. I guess. I dunno; I just know I'm really tired of being tired all the time!" Kit whined, shaking her head.
I patted her arm comfortingly and offered her a sympathetic smile. "You're doing really, really well." Considering how we first found her—Daniel and I—when we dreamwalked into the Shadow realm to retrieve her, she had improved greatly. But Kit was generally very energetic and enjoyed being up and doing things. Right now, she only went for two-three hours at a time with no healing draught (provided by Esmè) and a nap.
Kit gave me a half smile. "Thanks. I know you're right; I'll just be glad when it's over." Judging by the dark circles under her eyes now, I could see we'd about worn her out; even though she'd only sat there and watched us play poker.
"I know."
"So, are you able to come to the festival tonight?" Kiarra questioned, and Kit replied with a sigh.
"No, I don't think so. In fact, I know so. Which stinks because it sounds so fun," she said sullenly.
Tonight was Castle Danger's celebration of Mabon; which traditionally marked the autumnal equinox and celebrated the harvest of the year. Apparently in Castle Danger, the day included a buffet and dancing and later a bonfire. Dragons in Anarach typically celebrated, though it was a much more subdued gathering. We didn’t dance, but we still celebrated with a feast harvested over the season. There would be gossiping and bragging over with the biggest potatoes, or tallest stalks or whose pie tasted the best. It wouldn’t be unusual for a fight to break out in this instance in Anarach; I hoped Castle Danger would be more jovial in that respect. Dragon fights could get messy.
Kit was a human witch and practiced Wicca so she too enjoyed honoring the day. Usually she did so with her human witch coven but obviously, that wasn't an option this year. Castle Danger was around two-hundred miles from Pineville. Besides, she'd be in bed. Esmè's orders.
"Samhain is coming up soon," I said comfortingly. "You'll be good in time for that, I think."
"Better be," she replied dryly.
My phone chimed from inside my sweatshirt pocket. I yanked it out and read the text message.
Can you please instruct Katrina to come home? She's in need of another draught and some rest. I'm on my way to meet her so she need not go the whole way alone.
I held the phone up. "Esmè. Says it's time."
Kit smiled wryly and nodded. "I figured; I'm exhausted," she said with a wide yawn. "Gods, this is getting old!"
I chuckled, sliding off the stool and assisting Kit to the ground. "Won't be long now." If only I could heal her, I thought angrily to myself. Finnian forbade it—and Gabriel too—fearing that it might give the Shadows an outlet to attack me. I exchanged a hug with her and with a wave, she left.
All the while, the boys had been grumbling about Daniel cheating now. I'd generally be sorry for bringing it up, but it was so funny to hear them bicker.
"How about another game?" I piped up sweetly, fluttering my eyelashes at them.
Maxxus groaned audibly and Gabriel flung a card at me, bolstering its trajectory with his wind magic.
"Ooh, scary," I said, with a snort, blowing out my spirit magic and the card caught in a sparkly wind and flew up towards the ceiling and unceremoniously back down on the floor.
"Yeah, let's play again!" Daniel insisted and I laughed.
"No thanks," Gabriel replied.
Maxxus appeared unconvinced. “Anything is better than talking about the Shadows and the Court,” Maxxus said with a sigh.
“You had to bring it up!” Kiarra scolded, clicking her tongue.
Maxxus grumbled, leaning back in his chair. I caught his eyes cautiously and he looked at me, expectantly.
“What?” Gabriel asked suspiciously, eyes darting between us.
"What?" Maxxus repeated, with a shrug, purposely avoiding the sorcerer knight's piercing gaze.
Gabriel's stare landed on me. "You're hiding something." He pointed a finger at me and narrowed his eyes.
“Ugh. Fine." I threw up my hands and relented. "You all are not going to like this,” I said. Maxxus patted the seat next to him, between him and Daniel, heaving a sigh. It was about time to tell them, and he knew it.
“What is it?” Kiarra joined us at the table now, standing between Gabriel and I with her arms crossed over her chest.
I looked to Maxxus once more and we nodded. Finnian didn't think it was the best idea to tell everyone, but I sort of didn't care. He was slowly growing on me, but I was still peeved at him for the whole storm-in-the-town square bit. I'd almost strangled him to death; apparently, there was some truth to the pink dragons going batshit crazy after all. I had a nasty temper when pushed.
“What?” Gabriel prompted, smacking his cards on the table.
“Okay. So... the other day what he wanted to talk to us about... he wants Maxxus and I go to into Anarach and retrieve Nicodemus somehow. Or interrogate the hell of him,” I spoke quickly, avoiding everyone's scalding stares.
Gabriel stood up, pounding his fists on the table. Steam poured briefly from his hands before he realized he'd been unintentionally creating fire with his sorcerer magic.
“That's insane, Leo,” Daniel said calmly. “Does he not remember the connection between the knight and the dragon? Gabriel at least should be allowed to come with.”
“Yeah!” Gabriel crossed his arms stubbornly across his chest, wrinkling the sports logo of his black sweatshirt so it was unreadable. I am not sure why I was focusing on that; just anywhere but his face because as tough as I was—or wasn't, actually—I couldn't handle him being ticked at me. Which I realize is utterly pathetic.
“No, it's not,” Maxxus spoke. “Leo doesn't have full control over her magic yet, making it very difficult for her to protect or disguise—which pink dragons are supposed to be able to do, right? Compel people?” he looked towards a miffed looking Kiarra and she nodded, but didn't appear happy about it. “There is no way she'll be able to compel enough for all of us. Even with proper instruction... she'll be lucky to hide herself at this point.”
“So, we'll train her!” Gabriel said. He turned to me. “You can't possibly think this is a good idea?”
I sighed, picking at a paper placemat with lace scalloped edges Kiarra had on the red and white gingham tablecloth. “Even I can't deny Finnian has his points.”
“Oh come on!” Kiarra threw up her hands then. “No one knows the Court better than I do!”
“No one here knows Nicodemus better than I do,” Maxxus said, narr
owing his eyes sternly at the blue dragon.
Kiarra huffed, tossing her raven hair behind her shoulder. “This is nuts.”
“Think about it. Between the two of us, without anyone else to watch over, we're the best shot at getting Nicodemus and ensuring that the threat of the Shadows to the Court remains minimal,” I explained reluctantly.
Gabriel scoffed, rolling his deep brown eyes. “Oh please. I should at least be able to come; no one's magic compares to mine just yet, or can control it better than I can—no offense, Leorah.”
I waved him off dismissively. “None taken, however Finnian is afraid that with your, um, competitive natures with each other, " I said, motioning between Gabriel and Maxxus, "you might put the mission at risk. Maxxus is essential, you are not. This time,” I added quickly.
Gabriel protested again but, another voice chimed in.
“Ah, so you spilled the proverbial beans after all.” Finnian wore a smirk on his handsome face as he entered, leaning against the wall and folding one leg over another.
“Finn, this is... this is too risky,” Kiarra insisted. “They're wanted by the Court... if they get caught...”
I shuddered to think. I didn't want to fathom it.
“Then we'll just have to not get caught,” Maxxus said gruffly, “and the best way we can ensure this is to carry this out ourselves.”
Gabriel let out a short laugh. “Oh my god...”
“I need you all to help them prepare in the meantime. Practice compulsion, practice magic, practice everything. Maxxus, continue teaching Leo the basics of combat. Can you do that?” Finnian turned to the green dragon expectantly, stroking his strong jawline contemplatively. Finnian was good looking, but unconventionally so with chiseled features, light blue eyes that shifted color due to the Loremaster magic he possessed and wild, wavy brown hair on his head. He was statuesque and godlike in appearance; I always pictured him in likenesses of ancient marble. He was old enough to be a God essentially.
Maxxus nodded vigorously, even though I knew so far I was driving him slap-ass crazy with my ineptness. "We will continue training, Leo,” he said to me, with a light wink.