The Peacekkeeper Journals: The Joining [Book 1]

by CJ England

  "I have tasted death at her hands. I am questioning my Leader's right to tell me how to live, something I have never done before.” Lucas laughed harshly. “I am standing here having a conversation with a Master Vampire, while a witch does God knows what with her! With the same woman who drives the beast in me to explode."

  Lucas felt the roll of Gallegar's anger at his statement. He turned and put his hands up in apology. “Do I want to join with her? You're dammed right I do! Whether it makes sense or not. Should I?” He turned back to the window. “I just don't know."

  Gallegar watched the shapeshifter as he stared out the window. He could see the indecision on his face. “Remember...” he said quietly. “Kira's power chose each of us for a purpose.” He walked over and stood behind him. Lucas turned slowly to meet him. Long habit had taught him never to keep his back to any vampire.

  Gallegar didn't take offense, but just continued. “I was chosen to give her life. She was empty when she came to me. I will spend my eternity filling her. And the gift she has given to me...” He paused and his voice thickened.

  Lucas was shocked by the naked emotion he saw on his face. “What ... what did she give to you?"

  Gallegar stared at him for a long moment, then reaching down, grasped Lucas’ hand and placed it over his chest.

  Lucas's eyes widened as he felt the vampire's heart beating strongly against his palm. “That's impossible ... it can't be.” He stared at Gallegar in amazement. “Vampires have no heartbeat."

  Gallegar chuckled. “Yet here it is. Beating against your hand.” His eyes softened. “That was her gift to me. She gave me her heart."

  Lucas’ hand dropped away as the other man turned and walked toward the fire, perhaps embarrassed at his show of emotion.

  "But what does she need me for?” he asked.

  Gallegar shrugged. “You will know that at your joining. I can't tell you any more. It is still all so new, there are no preset rules or beliefs. Kira struggles every moment, knowing she doesn't know everything. But I do know she needs you.” The vampire turned away with a sigh. “She will not be complete until you join."

  Lucas was quiet for several moments. “If I join with her, Elijah will kill me. Disobeying a Clan leader is an offense punishable by death."

  Gallegar nodded. “As a king, I know what you are contemplating is treason. If you were my subject, I would have to punish you. But as a man bound to my Lady, and knowing you are necessary for her well-being, I can only wish you success.” He was quiet for a moment before continuing.

  "Think on this, Lucas. If you do choose to go against your leader's edict and join with my Lady, you will not only join with her, but you will gain two powerful allies. The powers of a Master Vampire and a High Priest Witch are considerable. And whether you know it or not, your own powers are of a Master's ranking. Between the three of us, we should be able to prevent any ... incident from occurring."

  Lucas stared at him, shocked at the considerable offer and at the fact Gallegar felt his shapeshifting powers were so strong. He walked over to the vampire as he stood by the fire. “I'll consider what you have said, Gallegar. It is a big decision, but your willingness to talk about it with me has helped."

  Gallegar snorted. “Don't let it get around I helped you. Wouldn't want to ruin my reputation of evil.” The two men shared a grin of understanding.

  They both stared into the flames in companionable silence. The crackling of the fire was all that was heard for a long time.

  Finally, Lucas broke the silence. “Do you know why she has come?"

  Gallegar gave one of his Gaelic shrugs. “I know she has been sent to help our people come together in some way, against something, that is coming ... sometime. She is given pieces of the vision, a bit at a time. She didn't even know we were coming to this club until we were in my car and on the road. I had to tell Noah telepathically, so you would know where to go."

  "Well that's damn cryptic! How can we help her with that kind of information?"

  "We handle each bit of knowledge as it comes. Sometimes she gets a large dose of it, others just a single word or sentence. Believe me ... she is more frustrated than you are. She feels failure deeply. It almost killed her to walk out of The Howling without you. I could feel her grief."

  Lucas didn't know what to say to that so he stayed silent. Gallegar went on a moment later.

  "When I joined with her, I was given access to the same force that gives Kira her power. Not in the same measure, but enough to feel like I can help her when the visions come. Our powers combined in such a way so I can use my years of experience to guide her. I can give her counsel she might not otherwise..."

  Gallegar's voice trailed off, and a look of pure relief played over his face. “The joining is over. She needs us inside."

  He strode to the door where Jorad stood guard.

  "You do not have the High Priest's permission to enter,” Jorad said, with a squeak of fear in his voice. He knew he didn't have the power to stop them.

  "Do not try my patience, fledgling,” Gallegar growled, and he showed his fangs in a brief cold smile.

  Lucas intervened. “The Lady is calling him. Step aside. Now."

  Jorad moved aside with ill grace, and Gallegar pushed into the room.

  Kira and Danolas sat on the floor in front of a couch by a massive bed. Kira's eyes were closed and her face was very pale. Danolas didn't look much stronger, but he cradled Kira in his lap with shaking arms.

  With a curse, Gallegar rushed over and swept Kira from him and seated her in his own lap on the couch. Lucas followed and gave his hand to Danolas, helping him up also. Danolas collapsed in a nearby chair, where Lucas joined him in its twin.

  "What the hell happened to her?” Gallegar demanded. His hand caressed Kira's face and smoothed back her tangled hair.

  "Joining is intense,” Danolas stated, with a secret smile. “Wasn't it that way for you as well?"

  Gallegar thought back to earlier in the evening. Their joining had been profound and Kira had seemed shaken afterwards. “Yes, but she was not as drained as this."

  Kira opened her eyes and peered up into Gallegar's worried face. “I am all right.” She struggled to an upright position in his lap, but didn't leave it. “We are not yet done here."

  "What more needs to be done?” Danolas inquired. In answer, Kira began to undo the buttons on Gallegar's shirt.

  "Uh, Kira...” Gallegar began, shifting in embarrassment.

  "Hush, and listen closely to me. The joining between Danolas and I is complete, just as is the joining between you and I."

  For a moment, Kira's sad gaze rested on Lucas, and he felt the spearing pain of regret.

  "But we are not yet one. You must link with each other.” Gallegar and Danolas looked uncomfortably at each other.

  "Excuse me?” Gallegar asked.

  "Your linking will give you the ability to become brothers in the psychic realm. You will share abilities and thoughts. Our circle will be whole."

  Danolas leaned over and took Kira by the hand. “What must we do?"

  Kira smiled, and her dull eyes lit with a remnant of a golden glow. “Place your hand on each others’ brand. Share the words of power."

  Lucas watched as the two men contemplated Kira's words. He saw the moment understanding hit them.

  Gallegar pulled his shirt out of his pants and let it fall open. Branded on his chest above his heart was a charred “K.” Kneeling before him, Danolas placed his hand on it, then took Gallegar's and raised it to his temple where his own brand had already healed.

  At Gallegar's puzzled look, Danolas said, “A healing spell. Kira will show you when we are done."

  "Now,” whispered Kira. “Share the words."

  Gallegar closed his eyes and thought back to his own joining. The words, and the knowledge how to say them, were placed into his mind. He looked the witch in the eyes.

  "She has given me her heart. I have given her my life. Together in eternity forever." Gallega
r could feel the flare of his power rise between them.

  "She has given me sight. I have given her my understanding. Together we will see the future." Danolas spoke the words firmly, and then felt his own magick spring forth to meet with Gallegar's.

  A third power joined them, hot and golden. Kira's ... binding them all together into one. The shared power shot though the three of them and they arched in shock.

  Chapter 6

  Lucas watched carefully as all three heads fell forward tiredly. Gallegar was the first to recover. He shook his hair back out of his face, meeting Danolas’ gaze as he did the same. Both men smiled.

  "My brother!” Gallegar said, grasping Danolas by the right forearm in greeting.

  Danolas grinned. “Brother.” He returned the arm grasp.

  Lucas looked from one to the other. “You're okay then?"

  Gallegar looked at him, and relief eased his expression. “Better than okay, my friend. This linking makes everything a little clearer.” He looked at Danolas, and his eyes narrowed. “But I now can feel you are holding something back from us."

  Danolas nodded. “We must speak of it immediately.” He looked at Lucas who looked back at him unflinchingly. “This involves him too."

  Gallegar looked down at Kira who lay quiet in his arms. She was so pale and still. “She must rest. Then we can talk."

  Danolas shook his head. “There might not be time. Lay her down on the bed. We can watch over her and still speak."

  Gallegar frowned. He just wanted to take Kira back to Sanctuary where he knew she would be safe, but he could sense in Danolas’ words not only truth, but urgency. Rising, he carried her over and laid her back against the soft white covers. Her eyes flew open.

  "Shhh ... A Ghra...” He pressed a kiss to her pale lips. “Rest now."

  "Not yet,” she murmured, slowly struggling to a sitting position. “I must heal you."

  "Later...” he soothed.

  "No!” Kira pouted. “I do not want you to hurt any more, and you can learn the spell and heal your bite brand. Then I will rest."

  Gallegar looked at her with exasperation. He caught Danolas’ amused gaze. That one shook his head at him.

  "Might as well let her do it. She probably wouldn't sleep until it was done anyway."

  Beaten, Gallegar turned back to her. He listened closely as Kira spoke the spell over him. When the burning in his chest ceased, he sighed in relief. He hadn't been fully aware of how much it hurt. Carefully, he repeated the spell over the bite on Kira's throat, sensing the throbbing pain ease.

  "Better,” she yawned, and slid down against the pillows. “I think I will take a quick nap...” Her voice trailed off.

  Gallegar pulled a cashmere throw over her then walked back to the other men.

  "Speak,” he told the witch as his fingers brushed over his healed brand. It had scarred, just as Kira had said it would. He buttoned up his shirt as he settled back on the couch.

  Danolas didn't hesitate. “When we finished our joining...” Danolas smiled in memory. “I saw Kira's weakness. It worried me, so I used my magick to study her aura on the psychic plain."

  "What the hell is that?” Lucas asked, scowling.

  "The psychic plain is the pathway where energy is stored and released. If you know how, magick can be used to evaluate a person's health."

  "Tell us what you saw.” Gallegar's voice was quiet.

  Danolas frowned in concentration. “Her aura was weak. Her energy uncharged, like a battery used overmuch. I could sense great fatigue and also hunger. Strong hunger.” The men looked at each other.

  "What does that mean?” Lucas looked over to where Kira laid, her nose peeping over the top of the blanket.

  "It is not clear. Hunger that magnified can mean many things. It could be simple hunger or something else entirely."

  Gallegar could sense his new brother's unease. “There is more. Tell us."

  "Kira is in danger.” Danolas stopped as the other two men came to their feet. “Let me finish. It isn't something we have done, but something that has not been done.” He turned and looked at Lucas.

  "My joining,” Lucas said harshly, falling back into the chair.

  "Yes. To explain, I must paint a picture for you.” He motioned them both to sit, and a quick grin lit his face. “Think of our Lady as the hub in a cosmic wagon wheel. Gallegar and I are spokes that shoot out from her center. Our arms ... Gallegar's power, my magick are the rims stretched out around her, protecting her.

  "When Lucas was chosen, he too became a spoke in the wheel. The difference is, because the joining was incomplete, there is no power protecting that part of the wheel. The spoke stands alone. The rim is unfinished."

  "Our powers are not enough?” Gallegar's tone held a touch of arrogance.

  Danolas smiled grimly. “The strength of our powers doesn't matter. We were chosen for a particular reason. Our part of the rim reflects that. We hold strong because of that. To keep Lucas’ part of the wheel safe we would have to know: one; why he was chosen and two; we must have access to the exact power needed to protect his part of the rim. Neither of us has that ability, so Kira is vulnerable."

  "What could happen?” Lucas's voice was hoarse.

  Danolas shifted in his seat. He was sore from the magick that had raced through him during the joining. “Kira shared with me, as part of our joining, how she was created. In a nutshell, she awoke to a new life. When that new life was felt on the psychic plain, all powers, both benevolent and malevolent, became aware of her. So far they have left her alone, but if an evil power wanted to, it could easily attack her since her shielding is weak in places."

  He turned to Lucas. “I don't know how much you have thought of this, but you must consider joining with our Lady, no matter what your leader may say. I know there are risks, but together we should have the power to negate them. If you won't, I don't think Gallegar and I have the power to keep her safe."

  Lucas surged to his feet and walked over to stare down at Kira.

  The witch sighed. “I am sorry to place the burden on you. I wouldn't do it if I truly believed there was another way."

  Lucas bent down and smoothed a strand of hair off of Kira's cheek. He ran his finger lightly over the scar Danolas had left at their joining. He wondered idly where his would be when they joined. He turned and looked at the two men. “I don't see I have any choice ... do you?"

  Gallegar got to his feet and came to stand beside him. He put a comforting hand on Lucas's shoulder. “You always have a choice, my friend. It is just not an easy one."

  Lucas laughed, a little bitterly. “You're asking me to choose between my life and hers. It actually makes it easy. No choice ... or should I say, no excuse.” He looked back down at Kira.

  "My life for hers. To save it, I will flout my Clan Leader's directive. But for all our sakes, we should try to keep it quiet. If we can keep my joining under wraps, we can keep us all safer. Who knows what might happen if Elijah finds out?"

  "A good point, Lucas,” Gallegar agreed. “I am sure our own High Priest should have some type of spell to hide the effects of the joining. And your brand must be made in a place not readily seen."

  "Is she up to another joining?” Lucas questioned Danolas.

  Danolas frowned, and rising, came and sat on the bed opposite where Gallegar and Lucas stood. “She becomes energized at the moment of joining, but I think she will be pretty wiped out when you are done. She should rest. And I am still uncomfortable about this hunger I saw in her. Do you know when she last ate?"

  Gallegar looked blank. “She did not eat at my place, nor did she do so at The Howling."

  "And she ate nothing here either.” Danolas looked thoughtful. I think we need to ask her. As much as I hate to wake her up..."

  He jumped back, startled, as Kira suddenly sat up in bed. Her hands were pressed to her cheeks and she looked around in panic until she saw Gallegar.

  "I can sense the dawn,” she said fearfully, catching his hands
in hers. “You must go now or you will not be safe!"

  Gallegar raised an astonished eyebrow. He soothed her by sitting on the bed and taking her again into his lap.

  Lucas was beginning to think it was the only place he would let her sit.

  "To feel the dawn approach is a vampiric skill, A Ghra ... and you are still new at it. I have time to make it safely back to my sanctuary before true dawn. All will be well."

  Kira settled back down into his lap with relief. A huge yawn almost cracked her jaw.

  Danolas hid a smile as he leaned in to question her. “My Lady ... when was the last time you ate?"

  Kira blinked at him, her face a study in confusion. “I do not know,” she began then started chewing on her lip as she tried to concentrate.

  Gallegar tapped his finger on it and smiled knowingly at her.

  Kira blushed, but stopped the movement. “When I awoke, it was a Wednesday. She gave me food then. What is today?"

  "Saturday,” Lucas answered, his brows knitting together in a frown.

  "Well then, whatever that makes it.” She closed her eyes in seeming unconcern.

  "Are you telling me you haven't eaten in four days?” Danolas croaked, his throat closing at the thought. “No wonder your aura is so weak. Great Mother, she must be starving!"

  Rising quickly, he walked over to a cupboard where a refrigerator was cleverly hidden. He took out some bread and cheese and handed them to Gallegar.

  "You mean I must eat something every day?” Kira looked skeptically at the food in Gallegar's hand.

  "Yes, you must eat daily. Your body has the same needs as a human's does.” Danolas turned to Gallegar. “Feed her small bits of these while we decide what to do next."

  Gallegar began tearing small pieces off and tucking them into Kira's mouth. At first she didn't want to take any of it, but after a while, she was chewing passively as the men talked.

  "I suggest the joining be done immediately,” Danolas said, as he watched Kira, both in the natural and in the psychic realm. When Kira looked at him questioningly, he explained his concern and Lucas’ decision to go ahead with the joining.