Release (The Protector Book 3)

by M. R. Merrick

  Rayna smiled weakly and her eyes locked with mine. “And you,” she whispered.

  “You always have me.”

  Rayna cupped my hands and brought them to her lips, pressing my scarred fingers against them in a gentle kiss. “Thank you.”

  “Now, are you ready for the really bad news?”

  The sparkle in Rayna’s eyes faded a little and she looked worried. “What?”

  “You, Tiki, and I are on research detail.”

  Rayna punched me in the arm. “Don’t scare me like that! I thought there was actual bad news.”

  “We have to do research. It doesn’t get much worse than that.”

  ******

  Marcus, Willy, and Grams had been in touch with everyone they could reach, but we were still waiting on a response from Cory and Kate. Willy was ordered back to camp by Jax, but everyone else had joined us in our attempt to find answers. So far, nobody had found a thing.

  “Tiki, what do your people say about the soul pieces? You seem to know a lot about Underworld legends. Isn’t there something in there we could use?” Marcus asked.

  “Soul pieces are just that—legends. Some clans of Underworlders believe the soul pieces exist inside all of us and that is why we are immortal. Once a soul piece is destroyed, so is that world. Others believe that was a scare tactic introduced by the royalty of ancient clans to deter would-be assassins.”

  “That’s actually kind of smart,” Rayna said.

  Tiki nodded. “Some don’t believe in soul pieces at all. They claim the pieces are lost stories of the Old World, while others think the magic is carried within magical items held in high esteem to different tribes, depending on the region.”

  “So everyone believes something different depending on where they’re from and what people they belong to? That’s not much help.”

  Tiki shrugged. “The Great War happened thousands of years ago and the soul pieces are thousands of years older than that. Some say there isn’t even a number for the era they were created in. It’s only natural such things get lost over time. If you ask me, we’d have better luck contacting a seer than we would have looking in books.”

  “A seer?” Rayna asked.

  “Yes, like Krulear. She is a seer. She is the one who led us to you in Drakar.”

  “And you think this…Krulear could help?” Marcus asked.

  “It is possible she may be able to. Krulear is powerful among the seers, although she may not be willing to help.”

  “Why not?” Marcus asked.

  “When she first saw Chase’s fate, in Drakar, it frightened her.”

  “What did she see?” Marcus asked, but he was looking at me.

  “How should I know?” I said. “She told us where Rayna was and kicked us out.”

  “Krulear chooses neutrality in the fight of light versus dark. This is not usually the way of her kind, as her people once served Ithreal.

  “Then what makes you think she would help?” Marcus asked.

  “I don’t know that she would. I’m simply saying she could. Krulear is one of the few in the Underworld I would call my friend. But even so, I have no influence on her decisions. She takes her neutrality very seriously. If you like, I can travel to Drakar and try to find her, but she is nomadic, so her location is often random.”

  “It might be worth a try…” I suggested, looking at Marcus.

  Marcus turned to Tiki. “You can’t go alone.”

  “I have traveled this land many times before, Marcus Starkraven. It is one of the safer dimensions.”

  “I don’t doubt that, Tiki, but I’m not risking it. Chase was right, you’re part of this family now and in an attempt to keep everyone safe, nobody goes anywhere alone.”

  “I’ll go with him,” I said.

  “So will I,” Rayna added.

  “Not you, kitty,” Grams said. “You’re with me. You’ve got a great deal to learn about real magic.”

  Rayna rolled her eyes.

  “Don’t roll your eyes at me. I’ve seen the way you handle magic. You’re a few notches below rusty on the talent scale.”

  Rayna tried to argue, but Marcus cut her off. “I’m not sure how I feel about you going off either, Chase. And I can’t come with you right now. I need to find Eric and try to smooth things over with him.”

  “I won’t go unless you agree, but the longer we wait, the better chance Riley has at getting the soul pieces before us. You and I have been working together for the past three weeks, and you’ve seen my control. It’s a thousand times better than it was.”

  “It’s still not where it needs to be. And from what I saw of Drakar, it’s a big world. If Tiki can’t see the location physically, he can’t guarantee where you’ll end up. It could take you weeks to find Krulear, if she’s even there.”

  “Then we’ll take Rai, too. She’s almost back to normal. Her wing has healed, and she could use a solid test flight anyway.”

  Marcus’s gaze moved back and forth between me and Tiki.

  “I’m not going to beg,” I said. “There’s a chance we could get lucky and find the answers in one of these books, and there’s a chance we could find Krulear and get her help. Either way, it’s a risk.”

  Marcus sighed and looked to Grams. “What do you think?”

  “I hate to admit it, but the boy isn’t wrong. You’re rolling the dice either way. Keep in mind this kid is a magnet for bizarre crap though.”

  “At some point you’re going to have to put your faith in me,” I said. “And the longer we wait, the worse our odds get.”

  “I know...” Marcus sighed and rubbed a large hand over his head. “Fine, but you go well-armed and with Rai. I’ll be checking with Jax and Chief before you leave to see if they have anyone they can spare.”

  Chapter 6

  Tiki and I cut through the trees, avoiding their wooden limbs as best we could. We both knew there was no way to walk through Stonewall’s south forest unscathed, but it was the only place we’d found that was far enough away from the technology of my world to teleport us to one of his.

  We still hadn’t heard from Kate or Cory, so Jax, Chief, and their shifters had gone to check on them. It wasn’t just the Underworld that was on edge, it was all of us. We all knew what Riley was capable of—some more than others. We had assembled this group to help us stop him and we weren’t about to let anything in question go unchecked, which left Tiki and me traveling to Drakar alone.

  Rai was glued to my shoulder as we trekked through the woods. Rather than fly above the trees, she preferred to stay attached to me, fighting the forest with us.

  We emerged from the thicket covered in leaves and thin white scratches. My face burned where the trees had left their mark, and the skin on my shoulder had been rubbed raw by Rai’s talons, but it was always worth it for this.

  The largest tree I’d ever seen grew in the middle of a clearing. It sat untouched by the late fall season while the entire forest deteriorated around it. Bare branches and fallen leaves surrounded the clearing, and as the forest grew dormant in preparation for the coming winter, this tree continued to bloom. Full of luscious green leaves and budding flowers of all sizes, the tree shed one skin and replaced it with a youthful counterpart.

  Rai jumped from my shoulder, and for the first time in weeks, she spread her wings and glided through the air. She fluttered at first, wobbling and barely keeping afloat, but as all four wings began to work together, she rose above the tree, softly cawing as she circled it.

  A rainbow of blues, greens, oranges, and pinks lit up the branches while crisp reds, browns, and oranges painted the ground. The bright green grass that I knew thrived in the clearing was covered with brittle, vibrant leaves.

  A gust of wind broke through the woods, carrying with it what sounded like screams. A chill rolled down my spine, but as the wind died down and the leaves settled, the sound became distant.

  Tiki turned to me with concern on his face.

  “Did you hear that too?” I a
sked.

  “I hear many strange things in this world of yours, Chase Williams.”

  Leaves crunched beneath our feet as we crossed the clearing, and although it was late in the evening, the light had not grown dimmer. An odd blue glow existed in the air, hanging on its own and combating any darkness that dared to creep close.

  Each time I came here it was like this. The light never faded; it existed on its own with the magic of the tree. It was that same magic that held its life in a constant bloom and marked me the Protector, covering my back in dark ink. This entire place was built on ancient power. It was where we first met Serephina’s soul piece, Elyas.

  The wind came again but instead of carrying a scream, it carried a growl. It was low and dark, and another chill shuddered through my body. Rai screeched from above and dove from the nearly dark sky. She arched her back as she came towards me, slowing her approach. Her claws clamped around my shoulder and I cringed as she screeched in my ear.

  “Calm down, girl,” I said, rubbing my hands along the silky feathers that adorned her chest. “You ready?” I turned to Tiki.

  Tiki’s eyes were lost in the woods. Darkness had settled between the towers of oak and cedar, and the shadows hung idly in the air, masking whatever lay behind them. “Something is out there.”

  “This is Stonewall. You should know by now there is always something hiding in the shadows.”

  Tiki’s eyes continued to search and he shook his head. “Whatever it is, it’s coming straight for us.”

  A ruffle of leaves burst from the shadows, but nothing followed. My eyes scanned the woods. “Are you sure?” I didn’t need an answer to that question; goose bumps appeared down my arms and I felt each hair stand on the back of my neck.

  I reached an invisible hand into my soul and carried forth my earth element. It filled my insides with a rush of life and serenity.

  I closed my eyes and reached out with the magic, listening to the forest as it echoed inside my ear with unique clarity. The forest pulsed inside me, a feeling I still hadn’t grown accustomed to. Like a camera that could zoom in on a photographic specimen, my hearing tunneled through the forest, broke down the shadows, and searched the world around me.

  The wildlife of the woods had grown restless. Birds chirped, wolves howled, and the ground broke beneath their feet as they scurried in opposite directions.

  The staggering footsteps of our visitors became clear, but the rush of wind behind them blurred something else.

  “We should go,” I said. “We don’t have time for this.”

  Tiki nodded and reached out towards me. I grabbed his arm with a solid grip, and his magic unfolded.

  A surge of leaves exploded from the forest again, but just as before, nothing came with it. The wind blew and the growls deepened; they were almost here.

  The faint white glow of something small and pale appeared in the shadows next to us. It moved through the trees, letting each branch scrape against its body, not making an effort to create a path.

  “What is that?” Tiki asked, his magic wavering, threatening to collapse.

  I squinted, trying to make out whatever it was. “I have no idea.” The creature moved in strange strides, seemingly inching its way toward us. As the darkness of its head rose and the bright yellow eyes were revealed, my stomach sank in disappointment. Vincent Taryk.

  “Dammit,” I muttered under my breath. “What did I tell you?” I said, letting go of Tiki and storming towards him. I called to my magic and didn’t slow down. I wasn’t wasting any more of my time with Vincent. This ended now.

  Fire and water danced a graceful exchange inside me. I channeled them into my hands and each filled with magic. Red and blue swirled around my fingers, fire and ice decorating the tips.

  Vincent tried to stand, but he could only hunch. He became a blur, rushing through a set of shrubs, and then he slowed to a near stop as he limped towards us. As the wind blew his torn shirt open, it revealed blood running down his chest from deep lacerations in his body. “Please…” he gasped, raising a bright red hand.

  “What the hell is this? I told you I was done with your games.”

  Vincent fell through the final set of bushes and onto the ground in front of me. “They’re coming, please take me with you.” His bloodstained hands dove into the leaves as he pulled himself forward. “I beg of you.”

  I shifted my body, preparing to strike. “You’re in luck. I don’t have time for begging.” A streak of red flame followed my hand and moved towards Vincent, but my hand jerked to a stop and the flames coasted over his head.

  Tiki’s hand gripped my wrist. He clenched his jaw as fire bit at his skin. “Chase, he is hurt.”

  “I didn’t have time or sympathy for his vampling, and I’m not about to show any to him.”

  “They’re dead…” Vincent said.

  “What?”

  “So many…all dead.” Vincent’s head dropped. “They killed them…” He stared up at me, his eyes carrying a vulnerability I never thought I’d see in him.

  Fire and water faded inside me, returning to my soul as smoothly as they’d come. I wanted to call them back and watch him burn, but Vincent wasn’t fighting. He was defeated.

  I sighed, pulling my arm out of Tiki’s grip and walking away.

  “Please, Mr. Williams, there is no time. Wherever you’re going, take me with you.”

  “Now you want to come? Last time we were here, I dragged you down with us and you threatened me for it.”

  “I’ve since been humbled. I now see the error in my ways.”

  “How convenient.”

  “I have nowhere else to turn…I will do anything you ask.”

  Vincent’s chest and throat were cut deeply. Three thick gashes covered him from shoulder to hip, and an even cut ran across his throat. It must have just missed a vein. Blood gushed from the wounds in steady streams, and Vincent grimaced as he ran his fingers along their edges. He licked the blood off his fingertips, and I shuddered. That was a sight I didn’t need to see.

  I’d stuck a pure silver blade in his chest a month ago and the wound closed the moment he took it out. What the hell was he running from?

  “Who is after you? Or better yet, what?”

  “Vampires.”

  “Pissed off the wrong family, did you? Like we didn’t see that coming. The Taryk family couldn’t hold its reign forever. Even you should’ve known that.”

  Vincent shook his head. “Not another family.”

  “Then what? Who was able to dethrone the almighty, Vincent Taryk?”

  “I will tell you everything, but right now there isn’t time. They’re nearly here. If they spot you, you won’t be safe either.”

  “Vampires are the least of my concern right now. Let them come.”

  “No!” Vincent shouted and his eyes lit up with fear. “No…they are not so easily defeated, even with your parlor tricks.” He spat the words at me and his face revealed instant regret. “I’m sorry…but they are not just any vampires. They are powerful.”

  “Powerful? But you are the Vincent Taryk. Who dared to challenge you?”

  “Please, there is no time for games!” Vincent yelled, smashing his fist into the earth. He closed his eyes and composed himself. “I am nothing compared to what is coming.” His golden gaze looked up at me and filled with sadness. “They’re nearly here. I’m begging you.”

  “Here, here?” I searched the woods but there was no sign of movement. I reached inside and called my earth element again, but Vincent’s cold, blood-soaked hand grabbed my wrist.

  “Trust me.”

  “Trust you? You’ve got to be—”

  The screech of crows and the squeal of bats came as they broke above the trees, flying away from the clearing.

  I looked to Tiki, who only shrugged.

  “A shrug, really?”

  “He is hurt badly. He’s made no move to attack us, and I sense no ill intentions. Chase Williams, you have been named the Protector. I did
not think I would need to remind you it is your duty to protect those who cannot protect themselves.”

  “Chase…” Vincent said. “Me, my family, we have no one else. I will do anything, just please help me.”

  “I…” I sighed. There was no arguing with him. Tiki was right. I might have hated Vincent, but right now, I couldn’t help feeling sorry for him and I hated that. A chill shuddered through my body again and my eyes darted to the shadows. “Let’s go. Before whoever is after him gets here.”

  “Oh gods, thank you.” Vincent tried to get to his feet, but he fell back to the ground and Tiki caught his arm.

  “Don’t thank me yet,” I said, grabbing his other arm.

  Tiki’s power wrapped around us and unfolded as he opened the doorway from our dimension to Drakar. The pressure built and a weight pushed me from above like the earth was trying to swallow me. The wind blew in all directions, rolling the colorful leaves across the ground and funneling them up around us.

  “Tiki…”

  “I’m trying,” he said through gritted teeth.

  His orange eyes faded as his triangular pupils dilated until all that remained were solid, colorless eyes.

  His magic continued to build and Rai screeched in my ear, causing sharp pains to shoot through my skull. Her claws tore into my flesh, and I felt the blood bubble to the surface. Vincent began to droop, his body becoming dead weight, and Tiki and I were forced to share the burden.

  I caught a blur out of the corner of my eye, then a second, and finally a third. Whatever was after Vincent could move with more speed than I’d ever seen.

  “Tiki?” I asked.

  Tiki’s magic peaked and a dark circle grew beneath us. It blew the leaves away as the portal opened and gravity pulled against me.

  Branches snapped and ruptured in a timber explosion as one figure appeared in the clearing, then another on the opposite side, and finally, one in the middle.