The room seemed spectacularly ornate for a monastery. Scarlet and gold wallpaper bedecked with the same mythological creatures that graced the door covered all four walls. Plainer tapestries depicting military scenes between ancient Elementals had been hung in occasional breaks in the wallpaper painted in darkest ebony. At first, I thought the room was empty of all furniture, but then I caught sight of an imposing thronelike chair on the far side of the room. Several people stood before that chair regarding us impassively. I didn’t recognize the two women or first of the men. The other man reminded me of a slightly less handsome version of Jake; similar but longer dark hair, slightly smaller jade green eyes, and a well-formed but less muscular body. His eyes zeroed in on Jake immediately, who staggered when he recognized the man and let out a cry of both joy and pain. “Colin!”
The joy was self-explanatory; losing his twin had devastated Jake and left him feeling incomplete. Not even bonding with me could completely fill that void. The pain was understandable, too. Bad enough to imagine Colin floating in a watery grave these past several years, but to find him already revived and remarkably well-looking? And knowing that he hadn’t bothered to put his family out of their misery by letting them know he was okay? Those realizations hurt my bondmate like hell.
Pain flared to anger, and Jake’s whole demeanor changed. His fists clenched to each side, and his eyes flashed with intensity as he stared at the twin he’d thought dead. I placed a comforting—and restraining—hand on his shoulder.
((Calm down, baby. You’re justifiably upset, but we can’t afford to anger anyone until we learn what the hell is going on.)) Not to mention figuring out just how dangerous these monks could be before we tried to bust our way out of the monastery should they turn on us…
Rhianne offered solidarity by taking Jake’s other hand in her own. She focused on her beloved, believed-to-be-dead brother as well; wary rather than outwardly angry like Jake.
Our Mindbender guide motioned for us to approach the waiting group, and then he stepped past them to bow to the empty throne. The others echoed his motion, leaving the rest of us to glance at each other in confusion. I tried embracing Elemental vision just to make sure someone wasn’t sitting on the throne behind a Spirit spell, but no. It still appeared very much empty.
The Mindbender turned from his position to the right of the throne. He flashed a quick smile. “Forgive what must appear odd to you. We call ourselves Hikaru’s Own, and this throne represents the allegiance we have pledged to the ideals Hikaru epitomized. Of course, our hero never ruled an earthly kingdom—dedicated to destroying his mother’s blood-soaked reign as he was—but we do like to observe the formalities. It reminds us of the ideals we believe in and helps us focus on our purpose.”
I couldn’t resist asking, “And what purpose is that?”
His pleasure at my words showed in a slight widening of his smile and a fond tone touching his voice. “Hikaru’s Own is pledged to finding as many Elementals who can channel Spirit as possible. We train them in how to use their powers both mechanically and ethically. Of course, we don’t always find them early enough to make that practical, or sometimes we determine that someone is not a fit candidate for our purposes. In that case, we monitor those Mindbenders’ actions to ensure that none of them seek out thrones of their own like Yukari once did, and we stand ready to end the threat posed by any pure Mindbenders who start forcibly bonding Elementals against their will.”
“Like my biological father?”
He nodded. “Just so.”
“So only pure Mindbenders can bond people against their will?”
Another nod, this one much grimmer. I took a moment to digest this information. When I’d initially bonded my own liegesworn, it sounded like my father and Dorian were only emotionally manipulating people into bonding with them. Either they had suppressed the news that Garrett could magically bond people against their will or my father hadn’t yet discovered he had that capability. It was oddly reassuring to have further proof that he was learning how to use his abilities as much as I was mine.
On the other hand, learning about the existence of Hikaru’s Own unsettled me. How the hell had Jake’s family not found the existence of an organization dedicated to policing both my kind and Garrett’s kind relevant enough to mention? The logical answer, going by the shock in the expressions of all three of my companions, was that none of them had known about Hikaru’s Own. So, it was a group of self-appointed and secret police.
Impatience flared across my bond with Jake, and I saw his gaze lock on his brother again. Okay, so we could find out more about this police force later.
“Before we go any farther, I need to know the answers to two questions. One: where is Isaac Harris? We aren’t willing to remain here longer without proof of his well-being.” That earned a flash of gratitude from Dia. “And two: What kind of game are you playing with Colin Zi? Was he ever really dead, or is he—like I’m beginning to suspect—also a Mindbender?”
Sharply indrawn breaths echoed from Jake and Rhianne. I could tell this possibility hadn’t occurred to them, which kind of surprised me. Then again, what had really started that idea going in my brain was when Dia told me about Drew’s birth and how well his Phoenix mother had weathered the event that would have killed most other unbonded Elementals. I wondered whether the reason Garrett hadn’t bothered finding a Quatrain for her was that he’d known ahead of time Drew was a pure Spirit user; meaning there wouldn’t be the risk of a physical element flaring uncontrollably at the moment of childbirth.
In the case of Breena giving birth to Jake and Colin, the Quatrain had supposedly had trouble buffering the magic of a twin birth—but not nearly as much as expected. They’d chalked that up to him being weak as a Dragon—which made sense—but the reason I believed him weak as a Dragon was because of his greater strength as a Mindbender.
Respect shone in the eyes of our guide and the four people gathered before him. “I’ll answer your second question first. Or rather, I’ll allow Colin to speak for himself.”
The man who looked so much like my bondmate took a deep breath before responding. “Your suspicions are correct, Cassidy. I am a Mindbender. That is the real reason I had to disappear. Hikaru’s Own drafted me into their membership, and great disaster was Foretold by our most revered Seer if I didn’t leave the Clan immediately. Garrett would have learned about my existence given my relationship with Bianca and would have forcibly bonded me. The Seer did say I could leave clues to my new home behind, because one day we would need to have this meeting.”
Jake opened his mouth to most likely argue, but I spoke first. “I assume your most revered Seer is Ju Hai.” More gasps sounded to my left, and I wish we had time for greater subtlety. But time was the commodity we had the least to spare.
Colin nodded, blinking as if surprised I kept putting these clues together. I was beginning to suspect my affinity with Spirit was to thank for these sudden flashes of insight. “Yes, Ju Hai is the Seer of whom I speak.”
My gaze zeroed in on the Mindbender who stood so casually next to Hikaru’s honorary throne. Wheels had been spinning in the background this whole time, so I voiced another theory. “I haven’t quite worked out your exact identity. Are you Ju Hai’s father or her son?”
“Jesus!” Jake whispered next to me. Rhianne muttered a similar curse, and even Dia let out a gasp this time. Because if this man were Ju Hai’s father, that would make him…
“I am not Hikaru,” he answered, the respect on his face growing still further. “And not Ju Hai’s son either. But she is my sister.”
Making this mystery man Hikaru’s son—and Jake’s uncle. Hearing this also seemed to confirm my suspicion that the ability to passively channel Spirit might not be the only reason Ju Hai could Foretell with such accuracy. Meaning that she might be a Mindbender herself. And given that Colin was now also confirmed as a Mindbender, that gene was bouncing around both sides of the Zi family tree. This series of events was also way t
oo much to be mere coincidence. The most chilling part of this revelation was that Ju Hai had been keeping serious secrets from her family. The shit was going to hit the fan when we got back to Greener Pastures. Ju Hai had known all along where Colin was, but she’d kept it secret from her own bondmates. Jake made the same leap in logic just seconds after me.
“Bloody hell!” he said in perfect imitation of his mother at her most prickly. “Ju Hai knew you were alive this whole time!”
Colin and his uncle had the grace to appear embarrassed. Ju Hai’s brother was the one to respond. “You must keep in mind that we take a vow of loyalty to Hikaru’s Own above all others. Above Clan, above Chapter, above bondmates, above all family and friends. For centuries we have worked in secrecy, some of us among you and some separate in monasteries like this. Most of us who serve as monks have the greatest affinity with Spirit or the least affinity with the physical elements. Like Colin and me. Others aren’t Elementals at all.”
I frowned at that thought, wondering why on earth they would want to drag normal humans into our world unless absolutely necessary, and then my eyes widened. Thinking back over our earlier assumption that this monastery must be a hidden enclave of Stalkers, I wondered…
“Wait. Do you actually recruit people from the Society of the Sacred Star? The very people sworn to destroy Elementals? The Stalkers who my father is using to help build his army so he can stomp all over that whole purpose you were talking about earlier?”
One of the unfamiliar women let amusement color her expression and voice as she spoke for the first time. “We recruit former members of the Society, yes. Those who become disillusioned by the Stalkers’ cruel and fanatical ways. Or those who are actually saved by Elementals and experience the fact they aren’t all evil demons firsthand. Like me.”
Ju Hai’s brother smiled. “Hikaru’s Own is a group encompassing members from many other organizations, faiths, and races. It is up to all of us to ensure the terrible wars that once wracked our world are not allowed to reach that level again.” His expression sobered. “Which brings us to why we have allowed you four who are not of our number to travel here, to the heart of our American headquarters. Ju Hai has done her best to lead you here without betraying her oaths of secrecy. She Foretold that you must liegebond your siblings and Bianca or your father would win the coming war. The only chance for any to stand against him is if we work together: Clan, Freeholder, Hikaru’s Own. Although, if you prove yourself to us as we must now require, we will become Cassidy’s Own as has been the tradition for millennia.”
That was one thing I hadn’t seen coming, Spirit-fueled powers of intuition or no. His pronouncement had me recoiling. “Cassidy’s Own? What the hell does that even mean?”
Jake zoomed in on the other part of that statement. “How does she prove herself to you? And what right do you have to require anything of her? Uncle.” He said that last in as sarcastic a tone as I’d ever heard from him. Not a huge surprise given the circumstances, or the parade of shocking revelations, or the fact we were now being asked to take a lot on faith alone.
“My name is Riku.” He was obviously named for their father’s Japanese side of the family, whereas Ju Hai was named after their Chinese mother. “What it means is that we would become Cassidy’s to command—as regards the war against your father only. At which point we would retain our new name to honor your sacrifice in stopping your father and continue in our role of policing Mindbenders to ensure continued balance in our world.”
Jake’s expression grew thunderous and I didn’t care for Riku’s use of the word sacrifice either. Riku interpreted our obvious unhappiness correctly. “Just because Hikaru sacrificed his life to stop his mother doesn’t mean you will need to do the same. My sister’s Foretellings are powerful, but not all-seeing. And I know this is all a lot of information to process. Perhaps it would make you feel more comfortable if we arranged a conversation with Ju Hai, so she can reassure you that what we say is true. And in the meantime, we would be happy to reunite you with Mr. Harris while we wait.”
Riku nodded to the Stalker—sorry, former Stalker—and she moved to a side door, opened it, and murmured to someone on its other side. Seconds later, a pissed-off Isaac stepped through the doorway, wearing Spirit-wrapped bracers like those Rhianne had earlier worn. His bathing suit had been replaced by borrowed sweatpants and shirt that were extremely baggy but offered more dignity than his swimming trunks would have. He strode straight to us and took a spot next to Dia, arms folded across his chest as he glared daggers at Riku.
My eyes narrowed. “Isaac’s bracers need to be removed, or we have nothing to discuss.”
God only knew how many of Hikaru’s Own were themselves Elementals. I wasn’t willing to have any of our outnumbered group magically hamstrung a moment longer than necessary. Riku didn’t argue, merely stepping over to channel Spirit to remove the bracers himself. Isaac’s body tensed, as if he itched to punch the other man or drown him with Water now that he had his magical freedom, but Dia touched his arm and he relaxed.
I turned my gaze upon Riku again. “Excuse my reluctance to just accept your word that you’ll arrange for a conversation with Ju Hai. I can handle that on my own. What I will require is privacy to ensure that you aren’t lying to us. I also want the rest of our people here.”
Riku’s lips quirked “You mean the group lurking at the top of the hill?”
“Yes, that’d be the one. I also want the others waiting for us at our lake house free to partake in our discussions should Ju Hai confirm your claims.” Bianca definitely needed to be here to figure things out with Colin. The sooner we had her and the babies on the way to forming a full-blown Quatrain, the happier I would be. Nothing guaranteed I’d find a way to help buffer their birth using Spirit.
He gave a placid nod. “Why don’t you confirm with my sister first, and then you can ask the group waiting at the top of the hill to bring your other friends here? I don’t think they’d react kindly to our procuring them.”
I let a little amusement soften my features. “No, I don’t suppose they would.” And I’d prefer not to give up the exact location of our safe house just yet. “How about that privacy?”
Riku gestured toward another side door, this one set opposite from where Isaac had appeared. The five of us followed him through that door and into a small conference room that boasted a table, eight chairs, and videoconferencing equipment. “Please take all the time you need to confer with Ju Hai. Simply step back out the door when you’re ready.”
As if we’d have any other options, considering there was only the one door and no windows. Riku gave a little bow and left the room, closing the door behind him. Isaac opened his mouth to speak, but I held up a hand to forestall him. He bit off his words as I embraced the Elemental realm, took a bracing breath, and summoned a small Spirit-infused firewall to surround the room. At the same time, I scanned our surroundings carefully, but found nothing to make me think anyone had left knots of Spirit behind to eavesdrop. Not that my own detection skills were in any way yet infallible.
The magical effort challenged my energy reserves, but not overly so. Thank goodness Scott had insisted I eat, drink, and rest so much earlier. “All right,” I said once reasonably sure we had true privacy. “Nobody can overhear us right now, so speak freely while I catch my breath before I psychically contact Ju Hai.”
Isaac’s mouth opened again before mine had actually closed. “What the actual hell, Jake? Your brother’s been alive this entire time? And your aunt has another brother nobody ever told me about? And they’re both Hikaru’s children?”
I couldn’t blame Isaac for lashing out in the wake of all these shocking revelations, although I was a little surprised Riku had either given Isaac all this info or allowed him to listen in on our conversation. Still, he was barking up the wrong tree if he thought Jake had known any of this info ahead of time. Except for maybe his aunt being Hikaru’s daughter.
Jake shook his head, his own an
ger toward Colin resurfacing. “You know I didn’t know my brother still lived. And family legend always stated that this brother of Ju Hai’s died during the war with Yukari. Ju Hai’s two younger siblings from her mother’s side of the family were the only we thought still among the living.”
Rhianne nodded. “We don’t make her ties to Hikaru public knowledge for a reason, Isaac. To avoid the fanatics from both sides. Those who would try to worship her as some proxy for her father or those who would try to make her into the second coming of her grandmother.”
Rhianne’s tone indicated the sheer impossibility of that coming to pass, but I felt less certain. True that Ju Hai’s strength as a Selkie meant she was no pure Spirit user, but I no longer counted on Ju Hai’s claims she couldn’t actively channel the fifth element. Time would yet tell.
Isaac opened his mouth to speak, but Dia touched his arm again and nodded to me, who had my own mouth open. He fell silent, so I spoke into the sudden void. “There is obviously far more going on here than any of us suspected. I mean—have any of you ever heard of this secret Mindbending police force?” Vigorous headshakes met that question. “Did truly none of you have the slightest clue at all that there was an organized group of Mindbenders out there?”
It just seemed impossible that such a group could exist completely in the shadows. Although that thought no sooner echoed in my brain than reality set in. How many ways to conceal and misdirect using Spirit had I already found? And I’d had only my own smarts, observation skills, and a few writings of Hikaru to go on. These people had actually had training from other Mindbenders. Perhaps none as powerful of a pure Spirit user like my father or a genetically-enhanced freak like me, but still.
More headshakes, and then Jake said, “We had no idea of that fact, but I can’t speak for the Clan elders or the Firsts. It’s possible they know what we did not, but it’s also possible Ju Hai alone among our Clan had this knowledge.” He ran a hand through his hair, appearing torn between new frustration over Ju Hai’s secret and simmering anger over Colin’s secret. His betrayal, to put it more bluntly, because I knew that was how Jake viewed it.
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