I need you with me, he thought but didn’t say it aloud. “I could kill him just for his involvement in handing you over to them.” Drake ran a hand through his hair and frowned. “He knew I’d lose control once I lost you. He planned this.” He started to pace. “He would have guessed the power would get the best of me. Like how I crushed the mountain.”
“I liked that mountain,” she muttered. “Irina doesn’t know I’m here. I can carry on staying with them, to see what I can find out.”
“I’ll play along with Daron if I must, then. But I’ll need the other demons on my side,” he said. “Daron might challenge me for the right to rule. I’ll be ready for that.” He stared at her. “We’ll have to remain apart then.”
Charlie wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. “We’ve been apart before and we always find our way back to each other.”
“It’s different now. I need you by my side. Plus, Scott —”
Charlie snorted. “You’re not worried about Scott, are you?”
“Should I be?” He arched a brow
“I love you, not him. Never forget that.”
“I love you too, little witch.” Drake kissed her again, never wanting to let her go.
“When you need me you know where to find me.” She smiled.
“When this is over, I’m sealing our bond and tying you to my bed for the foreseeable future.”
“Promises, promises.” She laughed and cupped his face. “You should go now. I’ll have to get back before I’m missed.”
“You know how to call me too – if you need me.” He squeezed her hand and kissed it, touching the ring. “Don’t lose this.”
“I won’t.”
Chapter 4
Charlie reappeared in her room at the Illuminari’s base, feeling the familiar ache in her chest. It hurt to be apart from Drake now, too. She resented Irina for dragging her into this but knew she had to stay. For now, at least.
Scott sat waiting in a chair, frowning. “Where have you been? Irina said you didn’t come back with her,” he asked. “How did you get out?”
Charlie put hands on her hips. “I’m Illuminari too, remember? I can come and go thanks to mummy dearest taking that damn bracelet off me a few days ago,” she said. “Where I’ve been isn’t your business.”
“If Goodridge sensed you – which he can more easily now your Illuminari powers are stronger – you...” His jaw set. “You went to see Drake.”
She crossed her arms. “I told you this wouldn’t break us up. I love him, he’s my life mate. No hocus-pocus is going to change that.”
Scott sighed, running a hand through his short blond hair. “You’re never going to accept that we are just trying to help you, are you?”
“Fine, so help,” she snapped. She wanted nothing more than to run back into her demon’s arms but knew she didn’t stand much chance against Goodridge. He badly wanted the Srimtar and she doubted she’d be able to thwart his attempts for much longer unless she learnt to control her demon side.
Scott motioned for her to follow. He led her down to a small cobblestone courtyard. The keep’s stone walls surrounded it on all sides.
Charlie thought she sensed other people close by but saw no one. “Aren’t there other demons around here?”
Scott nodded. “Yeah, but I wouldn’t call them demons if I were you.”
“Why haven’t I seen them?”
Hell, seeing other people aside from Scott and her irksome mother would have eased some of the boredom of the past weeks. Maybe she’d learn something too.
Scott bit his lip. “The others are wary of outsiders. We’re so used to our own company.”
Or maybe you just don’t trust me.
“What are we doing out here then?” Charlie fiddled with the hem of her dress. Goddess, I’d kill for some jeans and a t-shirt. Or any real clothes rather than this crap.
“Since you’ve been so resistant to Irina I thought I’d show you some techniques,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “Bear with me though. Most Illuminari inherit our genetic knowledge.”
“How does that even work? No Magickind can do that.” She thought back to all the lessons she’d enjoyed growing up as a Denai. Magickind history was one essential element of their education.
Scott shrugged. “It’s part of our nature. We are one of the elder races. Irina thinks we’re way more advanced than the others.”
Charlie made a rude sound. “Okay, get teaching then.”
“Close your eyes. Try to faze.”
“You first,” she challenged.
Scott’s body blurred as he fazed then turned into pure white energy. “We can become incorporeal at will. There are no limitations to what we can pass through, even different planes of existence.”
“Like Goodridge can.” Charlie frowned. “Is he one of you too?” She’d considered the possibility, but Goodridge had power that went way beyond an Illuminari’s.
He fiddled with his shirt, something he always did when he got nervous.
Charlie wondered why he wouldn’t just tell her what he knew about Goodridge. “Scott, you never were good at lying – scratch that, you were damn good. You lied to me all through our relationship.”
“I don’t know much about Goodridge. If I did I’d tell you.” He avoided her gaze.
Charlie arched an eyebrow. Would he? He’d proven very loyal to Irina and Charlie guessed he’d do anything for the Illuminari leader. All she had was his word to go on.
“I already know how to faze,” she pointed out. “Been doing it for as long as I can remember.”
“Yes, but you can’t faze for long – only as long as you can hold your breath.”
Yeah, that’s how it works.
“We can stay incorporeal for much longer. It just takes time and practice. Irina can stay incorporeal for up to an hour,” Scott said. “Try it.”
Well, wouldn’t want to disappoint mummy dearest, would we?
“Fine.” Charlie drew in a breath.
“Try not to do it that way. Magic should flow easily as your breathe. You shouldn’t have to do it consciously.”
She tried not to roll her eyes and then tried to faze. Nothing. She tried again. Still nothing. “I can’t use my power like this. Maybe it works different from yours since I’m only half demon.”
They continued on for the next hour. Charlie felt her patience wearing thin. “It’s not working.” She sighed. “Maybe I’m just not one of you.”
“You can leave if you want to. But Goodridge isn’t just a threat to us or you, but to all of Magickind.”
She frowned. “You didn’t bring me here to get me away from Drake.” She realised, seeing the fear in his eyes. “You’re scared of Goodridge.”
Scott snorted. “No, we’re —”
Charlie put her hands on her hips. “Now you’re lying. I know you better than you think, mister.”
He smiled. “I miss this.”
She scowled and couldn’t help wondering if any part of their relationship had been real. Even when they’d been friends as kids.
Irina suddenly appeared. “Charlotte, you’re late for our lesson.”
Right, more lessons.
Charlie waited until nightfall before slipping out of her room. She needed more than a few scraps of info, needed to know if these people could really be trusted. As she crept along the hall, the flagstones felt cold under her feet. There were no torches, lamps or anything lighting the corridor, she’d noticed neither Scott or Irina seemed too fond of light at night time. Charlie suspected light might possibly make them partially visible when they were incorporeal but hadn’t had a chance to test the theory yet. She wondered how they turned into strange mist too but guessed she might not be able to do that herself.
Charlie kept her senses on alert she moved through the corridor, careful not to disturb any of the rich tapestries lining the walls. Now she had that damned band off which had restricted her powers, she hoped she’d be able to move around mor
e freely. The murmur of voices echoed down the hall.
Finally, maybe I’ll get to see more Illuminaris now. She moved out onto a landing.
Below Irina and Scott sat with two other Illuminaris, a man and woman. Both had sandy blonde hair and blue tattoos that shimmered in the low light. Another sign Charlie wasn’t one of them, she thought as she ran her hand through her brown locks. She crouched down so they wouldn’t see her, crawling along the landing so she could listen in.
“Our base close to Elaris has been wiped out,” said the man. “It was Goodridge. He is hell bent on wiping us all out.”
Irina ran a hand through her hair. “Are you sure it was him and not the Akaran?” she asked. “He swore revenge on us because he believes we’re responsible for his family’s murders.”
“We’re certain,” said the woman. “We saw Goodridge ourselves. He seemed to enjoy the carnage, though it looked like he was looking for something.”
No doubt me and the Srimtar, Charlie thought. Is that why they want me here?
Irina and Scott glanced each other.
“Maybe we should take Charlie somewhere else,” Scott suggested. “If this place becomes compromised we won’t be able to shield her.”
“No, she’s safe from him,” Irina insisted.
“Has she started mastering her powers yet?” the woman asked.
Charlie frowned. Why the hell would they be interested in her powers?
Irina shook her head. “She is… resistant. She’s still loyal to her father’s family and I suspect to the Akaran,” she said. “I left it too long. I should have brought her here before Goodridge ever found her.”
Maybe mummy dearest is not lying about the protection thing. Still, she’s not truthful either.
“We need her on her our side,” the man said. “As guardian of the Srimtar, she’s the only one who can save our people.”
Charlie gasped then covered her mouth to stifle the sound. I knew there was more to it! Her fists clenched.
“That’s an old prophecy,” Scott remarked dismissively. “It might not even be true.”
“Given to us by the witches, they’re very good at foretelling accurate prophecies.”
Charlie sat there listening as they continued talking about her and Goodridge. She wanted to storm down and confront Irina but forced herself to wait until the meeting finally ended. She rested her head against the wall, thoughts racing with unanswered questions. Finally the man and woman said goodbye and left.
“You can come down now, Charlie,” Irina called.
She flinched. Irina had known she was there the whole time. Big of you to let me eavesdrop! She rose and stormed down the steps, feeling the rough stone biting into her bare feet. “Why did you bring me here?” Charlie demanded, hands on hips. “Tell the truth. Right now.” She wondered if her Denai ability to sense the truth really worked on the living. Hell, Scott had fooled her for years without her suspecting him.
Scott said, “Char—”
Her eyes flashed. “You stay out of this. Better yet get the hell out. This doesn’t concern you.”
Scott glanced at Irina, who said, “Good night, Scott.” He left the room without another word.
Irina sighed. “I brought you here so you can learn to control your demon powers. I didn’t lie about that,” she said. “And keep you safe from Goodridge.”
“And?” Charlie demanded, eyes flashing red. “Why were those people acting like I’m some kind of saviour?”
“Because there’s a prophecy. Like your aunt was predicted to stop the Covenant, there’s another prophecy about you,” Irina told her. “As a race, our people are dying out. We rarely have children and Goodridge hates us enough to want us all gone. Prophecy says a witch who walks in shadow will bring us into the light and save us.”
Charlie scoffed. “How? I’m no saviour and I’m not Cate either.” Cate had always known her destiny and given her phenomenal powers, had it fulfilled too.
“But you are half witch and half Illuminari.” Irina reached out and took her hands. “We believe the Srimtar is part of it too. With it you can stop Goodridge once and for all.”
“The Srimtar isn’t a weapon.” Hell, she still hadn’t figured out what it was but didn’t think it had been designed to hurt others. Charlie pulled her hands away. “I get that Goodridge is a threat, but I still don’t understand why you didn’t just tell me all this instead of dragging me here against my will.”
“That night on the mountain Goodridge planned to come for you. If we hadn’t taken you then, he would have.”
“I’ve fought him before and escaped,” Charlie snapped. “You should have told me all this before now. Why did you try to break my link to Drake?”
“The Akaran is a danger too. So many of them go mad from the power they wield. His father and brother slaughtered us. I couldn’t risk you getting hurt when Drake’s power destroys him.”
“Sounds like you’re still living in the past,” Charlie said. “You can’t force me to stay here.”
“I haven’t, and I won’t. Leave if you want to but heed my words, you won’t stand a chance against Myles. He’s toyed with you, testing your connection to the orb. He won’t be so lenient when he comes to claim it.”
Charlie turned away. “I need some space to think about all this.” She turned and hurried out of the room.
Grabbing a pair of shoes and the bracelet that prevented anyone from sensing her, Charlie shimmered out. After some goading, Scott had revealed that the bracelet didn’t just block her powers. The gems on it had other uses which meant she could turn off the power blocker element. At first she thought about shimmering to Drake, she ached to see him again but instead found herself stomping through the woods as she made her way towards Helga’s tree. She had no idea why she picked this of all places yet it felt peaceful there.
It seemed like a good enough place to think. She hadn’t seen Helga for a couple of weeks and it felt strange not having the crone pop up to spy on her.
She found a fallen tree stump, sat down on it and ran her hands through her hair. Above her stars twinkled like tiny diamonds in an ocean of blackness. She hoped the bracelet would shield her from Helga too since she didn’t feel like more of the crone’s riddles. Maybe Drake would be looking up at the sky too, thinking of her.
Blue light flashed as the Srimtar appeared in her hand. She rolled the orb between her fingers. What are you? She wondered. Why did you drag me into all of this mess?
“Are you coming in then?” The sound of Helga’s voice made Charlie fall off the stump, almost dropping the Srimtar.
“Why do you have to do that?” she growled, clutching the orb to her chest. “Jeez, you could frighten someone to death!”
Helga cackled, stroking the eagle perched on her shoulder. “Ah, so young, Seamus.” She ruffled his feathers. “Youth is so amusing.”
The eagle is called Seamus? Weird! “Ha ha, very funny.” Charlie scowled as she scrambled up. “No, I wanted some solitude.”
“Couldn’t you have that in your place between the worlds?”
Charlie’s eyes narrowed. “How do you – never mind. I doubt anything gets past you.” She reminded herself not to be surprised by anything Helga said anymore.
“Are you coming in then?” Helga waved her walking stick towards her house. “I have tea brewing.”
She bit her lip. “Fine, but no riddles or cryptic crap, okay?”
Helga only cackled as she hobbled back towards her home. The house had been carved out of the tree itself. Bark and leaves covered the walls in places, and roots lined themselves across the low ceilings. Charlie wondered how there could be so much room inside a tree but didn’t ask any questions about it.
A fire crackled in the hearth and a small kettle hung above it bubbling with smoke. Helga’s eagle flew across the room, landing to perch on top of Helga’s chair.
Seriously, who keeps a bloody eagle inside their house? Weird choice of pet, if you ask me.
; “I didn’t ask you and he’s more than a pet. He is a… familiar if you like,” Helga said, picking up the kettle and pouring out two cups.
Charlie didn’t know much about familiars, had heard they were some kind of spirit animal but were thought to just be a myth. “Stay out of my head.” She slumped into a second wingback chair. “It’s rude to eavesdrop.”
“You shouldn’t broadcast your thoughts so loudly then,” Helga replied. “Plus you eavesdropped on your mother earlier.”
“She’s not my mother,” she insisted. “She’s – hell, I don’t know what she is to me.”
“I’m surprised you’re not with your handsome demon lover. Life mates find it difficult being separated, especially now your bond is growing.”
“Drake isn’t…” She shook her head. She and Drake weren’t lovers. Hell, every time they drew close something always seemed to part them. Be it fate or they themselves. “Drake’s not the problem.” Things had been so much simpler a few months ago when all she had to worry about was his belief they were meant to be together. She resisted the idea for over six years, even dating Scott in the meantime, but she’d fallen hard for Drake once she’d gotten to know him. She’d dragged him into all this to when the Srimtar’s protective magic had killed her enforcer teammates and Drake had come to save her from Goodridge.
“Everything happens for a reason,” Helga murmured, petting Seamus.
Charlie took the cup from her. It was a roughly made clay mug, nothing like fine china Niara used. She winced, realising she missed her home in Setara too. Despite the message she’d sent them telling them she was fine her family would no doubt be worried about her.
“My other great grandma, Seline, used to say that,” Charlie mused and frowned at the crone. “Come on, start imparting the cryptic mumbo-jumbo then.”
Helga laughed, flashing yellow teeth. “Ah, I like you, little Denai. You’re spirited.” She paused, staring into the flames.
Shadow Sworn_Urban fantasy romance Page 3