Summoned (Black Sorcery Trilogy Book 2)

by Lisa E Parry

  “I’m sure it is difficult for the two of you so thank you for living by our rules and customs while you are here. Although, I already knew, my child, for it is obvious that the man would die for you.” He smiled and pat my hand. “You have a problem with Anarch. From what you have told me he had cast a spell on you that bound you to him. I don’t know when or how he will activate it, but I will have to keep a close eye on you.”

  “Was I wrong to make the bargain?” I asked.

  “In all honesty it wasn’t right or wrong. You wanted to save Dorian’s life and you thought you were going to die anyway. You didn’t know that he could call upon your spirit; even had you died at Henrik’s hand. A deal with a necromancer is a double-edged blade. No good can come from it.”

  My shoulders slumped, and I felt trapped, “Am I going to have to help him?”

  “He is going to call upon you but once. We shall have to see what this is for.”

  He clapped his hands making me jump a little. “Now there is a very simple trick I can teach you for when your temper begins to get the better of you,” he began.

  Adhelm taught me tricks of the trade for almost three hours. We slipped into the kitchens for something to eat at around one o’clock. Adhelm preferred this than the formality of the dining room. I found the servants enjoyed his company and in all honesty, I preferred their company as well.

  “Was that okay for you my lady?” A serving girl about my age asked. She had served me with thick parsnip soup accompanied with soft bread.

  “Oh, it’s Melissa and yes thank you, it was brill. Filled the gap I can tell you!” The cooks turned to face me, and the girl froze where she was. They looked at Adhelm.

  “She would rather you call her Melissa and yes, speak as you will around her. I think it would make her more comfortable.” The tension dropped, and everyone smiled.

  “What’s your name?” I asked the skittish girl. She wore a plain white gown with a brown apron that covered the front of the dress and her mousey brown hair was tied up in a loose bun with flyaway strands.

  “Jolenta, my…err Melissa,” she smiled and started washing pots and pans.

  “You are free for the rest of the day, so I shall leave you now,” Adhelm said when we left the steamy kitchens.

  “Thank you for your help.”

  I went straight back outside. It was far too nice to stay indoors. The sounds of grunts and the clashing of swords drew me out of the well-manicured gardens. When I rounded a large hedge, I saw an area of grass sectioned off by rope and there, under the heat of the sun, were the guards in practice and stripped to the waist.

  It was easy to discern which training guard was Dorian, being the tallest. However, the fantastic tattoo that sported his right shoulder blade made him stand out. None of the others had decorative body art. I caught fleeting glimpses of it as he trained. I stood stock-still and my mouth hung open as I watched him wield the sword. He sprang forwards, just as his opponent lunged, then he jumped and rolled over on the floor to stand up in a crouch ready for the next attack.

  “Melissa! You took your sweet time, get over here!” It was Dayna and she dragged me closer to a group of women who were also enjoying the show. They all stood by a low wall and were leaning on it with their chins resting in their hands dreamily.

  As I got closer I saw Dorian was sparring with a guard I didn’t recognise. I saw what had Dayna in a tizzy. Owen was also training with the sword and while he obviously didn’t have the skill that Dorian had, he wasn’t too bad.

  I couldn’t take my eyes off my bodyguard, he was soaked in sweat and when he spun and parried I saw it fly of his hair in sheets. Suddenly it was far too hot outside, but I was determined not to pathetically fan myself as the other ladies were. Viola nudged me, and I grinned at her.

  “What’s the tattoo?”

  “It’s a phoenix in flight.”

  “Nice,” she complemented.

  “Go on, which one have you got your beady eye on?” I asked.

  “Err, none of course,” she quickly denied. However, her face flushed from that almost white shade to a pale pink.

  “Sure, whatever.” I saw which one she was eyeing up. He was of medium height and slighter than the rest. His hair just about fit into a ponytail and he had sharp features like a hawk. “I see him.” I laughed, and she turned away. One of the men shouted something and they all stopped taking gulps of water. To my surprise Dorian strode over to us, his eyes were locked on mine. I never seemed to notice when he’d spotted me, just like when he was working out in the gym and I had snuck in to watch.

  He placed his hands on the wall and on closer examination I noticed he hadn’t shaved. A stubble decorated his chin and cheeks and it damn well worked for him. I stepped back from the wall, and clasped my hands behind my back to stop myself from leaping over the wall and dragging him to my room.

  “We are done here. I need like to speak with you as soon as possible, if I can.”

  “S-sure, I’m free whenever,” I stuttered under his gaze. I’m being an idiot!

  Dorian gave me a crooked smile that made me hate the damn rule about witches and their warriors. “Good, I’ll meet you in the walled garden in about half an hour.” I just nodded so I didn’t embarrass myself further and he bestowed me with a smile that lit up his face. He walked off and I realised my breathing slowed down.

  I waited by the unfamiliar flowers and was enjoying their scent when I heard, “My lady,” I turned to see Dorian walk towards me. He was wearing brown breaches and a loose shirt slightly tucked in. A sword hung at his hip.

  “Follow me please,” he asked, and I obliged. I followed him through corridors and I kept throwing him meaningful looks, that he would catch, but then quickly glance around to see if anyone saw. I quite enjoyed making him feel uneasy. His hand balled to a fist, probably noticing the absence of mine, and then finally he opened a door for me to enter.

  It was a small, poorly lit unused room. We were higher up in the palace, so a welcome breeze raced through small open windows to cool my skin where perspiration beaded on my bare skin. I frowned as I looked around to try and get my bearings in the dark, but before I could turn a questioning look on Dorian he took my shoulders and spun me until my back was against the cold stone wall and caught me in a lip lock. After a long kiss he looked at me and shook his head.

  “I have brought you here for a reason, not just to…” I stopped him with another heart rendering kiss and the air sizzled before he pulled back. He bent down and lifted my leg to draw my dress away from it. Unexpectedly, he pulled the dagger out that was attached to my calf. He dropped my foot to the floor and studied it. He moved to the window in order to inspect the blade and I saw it glint in the sun. I pursed my lips.

  “Why do you have this ungodly thing on you?” He turned a grey stony gaze on me.

  “Try not to cut yourself on it, I’m not sure what it would do.” I tried to snatch it back, but he held it high out of reach, making me feel like a child. I placed my hands on my hips instead - ready for an argument.

  “If you want to defend yourself then I can teach you. I would like to teach you to use daggers properly, and to fight.”

  I stared at him uncomprehending. “How am I going to do that in this?” I swished my dress around my legs.

  “I know someone who can make you breaches and a tunic.” He was serious. I looked at the enchanted dagger. I had brought it with me as a last resort for self-defence and I felt a little more confident with it on me at all times.

  “It’s just there as a precaution. I don’t see myself wielding daggers.” The image in my head almost made me laugh out loud.

  “You may have to. If I did, would you get rid of this dreaded thing?” he asked softly and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. Balls.

  “Fine then, teach me,” I answered as he reluctantly handed the dagger back to me.

  “We need to get your clothes first.” I nodded sombrely and then silence fell between us. “How are y
ou finding Esentia? There’s a lot more to see.” He took my hand and we looked over the kingdom. Hazy sunshine shone down on it making the buildings look a warm shade of beige and I could see in the distance people walking around. I couldn’t think of any style of architecture similar to this, but it was probably closer to Roman architecture. It was very grand, with flattish triangular roofs and pillars, so I guessed this was a very prosperous city.

  “I like it.” I conceded. I then asked what I’d been dying to ask, “When do we get to see the dragons?” Dorian looked at my wide eyes and a smile played on his lips. I observed him in those old style clothes and thought he looked like he belonged here. I spoke again before he could respond to my question. “This might sound weird, but I get the feeling that some sort of barrier has come down since you’ve been here. You look more at ease.”

  Dorian regarded me for a few moments and then smiled shaking his head. “It is true. I feel detached here, but I think I’m coming to terms with the fact that I have a life now, instead of owing it to Cheri and to the Coven.”

  “Oh. A life with me?” I asked. Of course, I knew the answer, but I wanted to hear it all the same. He took my head in his hands and he brought our foreheads together.

  “Yes, with you.” He said it with such warmth in his voice that I my heart swelled. “I must go before I’m missed for my duties. I’ll tell you about the dragons when I see you next.” He ran his hands through my hair before he held the door open for me.

  A few hours later I was summoned to the throne room. I stepped in, through the grand double doors after the guards verified who I was, and it was all I could do not to gawk at the room. It was elaborate, and I stopped in my tracks.

  The walls were cream, and windows covered one side of the room and curved at the top. Sunlight streamed through as the sun began it’s decent to the horizon making the gold leaf on the wallpaper, chandeliers and candlesticks even richer. Guards stood lining the walls and I finally noticed a large table running the length of the room.

  “Mel!” It was Warwick who had pulled me out of my gormless state. He beckoned me to sit beside him as though he had saved me a place. The King sat at the head of the table - the rest of the group from my world were already there. I sat between Warwick and Viola. Cheri, Dayna and Nick faced us. Adhelm was at the King’s right side and I saw further down the line Stephanie, Dorian, Ethan, Owen and Neil.

  “Finally, we are all here.” Cheri cut into the silence as though scolding my tardiness. I returned a frown. She continued, “The portal has been closed. We are stranded here until we find other means of returning to our world.” Her voice shook a little as she’d said it and I felt a ball of ice fill my stomach.

  “So, what we feared is true? We have been betrayed back in our world?” Dayna asked and her face paled.

  “Yes.”

  “Could you tell who did it?” I asked, and my own voice shocked me that I had spoken up. All eyes turned on me.

  “I don’t think it’s possible to detect who cast a spell…” Cheri looked at me as though I were a child, but Warwick and Viola spoke in unison.

  “Yes, it is.”

  To the astounded faces I explained. “We had been taught how to detect who cast a spell at Henrik’s,” my voice cracked on his name and Voila looked at me with concern. I fiddled with the bracelet on my wrist that hid the ever-present reminder of my capture. I cleared my throat, “There is a residue left in the air from a spell, if you know where to look. It’s almost like how you connect a certain person with a smell. It’s like their brand.”

  “This doesn’t sound harmful, why did they teach you that?” Cheri asked with obvious intrigue.

  I bit my lip. Henrik’s men had taught us a lot of things. They all had malicious intent. “Magic is physically a part of someone. If you can detect their personal genetics in their magic then you can undo it by casting a spell only to affect their DNA, if you like.” I grimaced as the putrid meaning of what I was saying shocked everyone into silence.

  Nick cleared his throat. “You three can do this?” We were ashamed of it, but we all nodded with a grimace. Nick looked horrified and I knew what his next question was going to be. “Did you practice this on one another?”

  Again, in unison we nodded. Nick brought a fist to his mouth and looked pointedly at the table. Adhelm swore in a language I didn’t recognise and for the first time I saw pity on Cheri’s face. I didn’t want to see Dorian’s reaction. I would want comfort from him, which I wouldn’t get right now.

  “Cheri, you saw me transform one of his guards into mud, do you remember?” Viola said.

  I gave Viola a questioning raised eyebrow, but it was Cheri’s face that answered. She looked sick and the colour drained from her face, clashing with her dark hair. Apparently, she wanted to forget certain events too.

  “We have a plan of action. Denley, the maps.” Thankfully, the King brought us out of a misery of memories. Even Cheri looked relieved for his intervening. Dwelling on the past would get us nowhere.

  “I have an idea regarding our genetics,” Warwick whispered to me. “I’ll tell you later.” He gave me a mischievous smile before looking back to the King just as he launched into our next step.

  Maps were spread out on the table and with the scrape of chairs on the flagstone floor we all stood to pour over them. “For the sake of those not from our world, we are here.” He pointed to a location on a map - an illustration of a city skirted by mountains in a half moon shape to the west. “We are going to travel to the Forbidden Kingdom here, and infiltrate Anarch’s castle.” I gulped at the distance between Esentia and Anarch’s castle. “When we slip into the building we must discreetly kill anyone on sight. We will have the upper hand with the element of surprise on our side. Have no mercy for them; they have taken many lives already.”

  The king then went on to explain we were to cross countries incognito through other Kingdoms. It became clear that we would be travelling as no one in particular. This meant the King was going to pose as a bodyguard for Viola, as she didn’t currently have one. Viola flushed at the announcement, but I thought it would be good for her to have him around. The rest of us were going to dress down so we didn’t look like nobility and raise eyebrows. Our current attire was too extravagant.

  If only we could have taken a train, car or even an aeroplane. Instead, we will be on sodding horseback. I involuntary rubbed my bum in memory of my last horse riding experience. This journey is going to be a nightmare!

  Oliver was of course going to join us. I saw him sitting next to Dorian and he kept whispering to him, conjuring a stormy look on Dorian’s face. I smothered a giggle thinking Dorian looked close to pulling his hair out. Just like old times.

  I vaguely heard something being mentioned about creatures we will need to avoid along the way when the meeting broke up.

  Dorian was escorting me back to my room when Warwick hurriedly caught up to us. He turned his green eyes on me as excitement radiated off him in waves. It looked like his creamy skin was glowing. “Do you think we could transform ourselves into animals?”

  The question took me so off guard that I stopped, and Dorian bumped into me. Warwick stood in front of me and leaned down so we were at eye level. “It’s possible, isn’t it? Think about it! We have already changed the genetic makeup of people into…well puddles. But what if we could manipulate our DNA in such a way that we could morph into other forms?” He was so excited that he shook my shoulders as though he could shake the idea into my head.

  “Oh my God. I don’t see why not. It’s very dangerous, what if you couldn’t turn back? What if you only managed half a transformation and you were like half dog half human or vampire, whatever.” I felt a little of his excitement trickle into me though. It is possible…

  “Henrik’s men transformed into crows and came down on us at the start of the battle.” Dorian added, and I looked at him with disbelief.

  “Why didn’t they teach us that?” I asked no one in particular. We
continued to walk at a slower pace as I turned the idea over in my mind.

  “I dunno, maybe in case we turned into a mountain lion and mauled them to death?”

  “You could have mauled them to death as you were. None of us ever took the chance.” I said.

  “It’s nice to know how much faith you have in my mauling abilities,” Warwick said playfully, “I suppose you did witness it first-hand though.” Dorian stopped him with a hand gripped on the vampire’s shoulder.

  “Did you ever feed off of her?” He asked with venom in his voice.

  Warwick peeled Dorian’s hand off his shoulder very carefully, “No, I didn’t big guy.” He turned back to me. “Doesn’t mean I didn’t want to.” He gave me a devastating smile and I heard a rumble in Dorian’s throat. I thought it would be best not to mention that he almost succeeded on our first meeting. We reached my door and we stood there for a moment.

  “Do you remember the plan?” Dorian asked me.

  “I go to Cheri’s apartments in an hour for fittings.” We were all going to be bestowed with boring, drab travelling clothes. “At seven in the morning we are all meeting at the stables and we will be leaving through the side gate at seven thirty to try and be as inconspicuous as possible.” Dorian nodded and then looked expectantly at Warwick.

  “What? I was listening,” he replied nonchalant with that touch of Italian accent.

  “It’s time for you to leave the lady to enter her room.” Dorian reproached, and it looked like he was willing Warwick away with his eyes.

  The vampire held up his hands in supplication. “Indeed, I shall leave thee to thy room my fair lady.” He bowed to me then turned to Dorian, “Only on the assurance that this beefcake will not physically harass you and force his way into your room, spurred on by irrational mating needs.”