Summoned (Black Sorcery Trilogy Book 2)

by Lisa E Parry

  “How can you help?”

  “During your moments of weakness, relinquish control of your body over to me.”

  “Are you shitting me?”

  A sneer appeared on that oh-so-familiar face. I didn’t like it on me. “When you need to be brutal, but can’t find it within yourself, I shall deal out the punishment. When you need cunning or strategic thinking, I can work a situation out to our advantage.” She paused, and her face turned darker. “When you are suffering, you can check out and I will take the torture.” I clenched my jaw at that one. What an enticing offer. Check out and let another soul deal with certain … conditions. An eyebrow quirked at me. “You would still have to return to your battered body.”

  “What’s the point then?”

  “I’ve been tortured a hundred times, or so. I am better suited to coping. You would break - a failure we could do without.”

  “To what end? When would you leave me?”

  Avellana took a smooth step backwards. “When I have done what needs to be done, I shall leave you. The memory of me is subdued in your world. I remember nothing before my reunion with Dargon.” Her face actually softened at the mention of the dragon - a kindred spirit. She took in a deep, almost weary breath and glanced over my shoulder at the slither of light diminishing on the horizon. “I could do with the break from life anyway. I lived far too long the last time. I shall wait until I reincarnate again.”

  “Why is it you are sort of sharing my body? Why don’t you have your own?”

  Avellana tipped her head back and laughed. “I am you when you died fifty or so years ago. I think the darkness from the Magia Ater called to who you were in your previous life because you were darker then - because we were darker then.”

  “It woke up who I was before? Is it possible black magic split my personality? Am I schizophrenic?”

  A shrug. “We are two different people. You seem to be light and I seem to be dark, and yet we are one and the same. We are two sides of the same coin, you and I. I don’t think there is a technical term for what we are, other than … new.”

  I deliberated. It was almost as if the corrupted part of my mind had manifested in the form of Avellana from my past life. Could this be real? Have I gone mad? All I knew for now was that I needed a lot more in my arsenal in order to bring down Anarch. I needed her. I closed my eyes in order to think without looking at the phenomenom before me. What other choice do I have? I have no one. Yet she gave me a glimmer of hope, and the desire to make it through this and come out the other side as death incarnate, ready to kill Anarch. I opened my eyes.

  We nodded to each other…

  The brown had shifted from her eyes with the last of the light. Shadows began to cling to her and her complexion took on a silver sheen. How could I look so terrifying?

  I gritted my teeth with envy. I wanted to look terrifying and instil fear. If I was to help win the war, then I needed to become a weapon myself. Since she was willing to teach me a thing or two … Maybe it was primal instinct to defend myself that I wanted to look as threatening as the weapon before me, but I let a thread of that darkness lace through me - coil around me. It didn’t hurt; it was soothing, like velvet coating my bones. Tendrils of black corruption curved around my body like ivy claiming a tree. I raised my hands and clenched them into fists as black designs crept over my body, replicating the designs on the Magia Ater.

  Avellana’s eyes roved over the changes in me and I saw a genuine smile reach those unforgiving eyes of darkness. “Now you need to learn to let go of that annoying burden that plagues you so.”

  I opened my eyes to find a complete veil of darkness covering my vision. I saw through it with enhanced clarity. “What burden?”

  “Mercy.”

  Chapter 21

  “They were dignitaries from countries that Anarch promises to squash if they don’t yield their territories to him.” Oliver solemnly informed me from a dark corner of the room. I didn’t care. Why should I care?

  “I told you, you are not welcome here.” As much as it hurt to say it, and to see his hurt face from across the space between us, my heart was beginning to harden. A shell made of stone was taking form over it - a cocoon to protect me from hurt, disappointment and more pain than anyone should have to bear.

  There he was: my old friend, whom Ms Bremer had faithfully promised would be with me for as far as she could see. Could she have foreseen this?

  “Why are you here? You’ve made it perfectly clear that your allegiance now lies with Anarch.”

  He took a few steps into the morning light, his hands out beseeching me. “Melissa …”

  “Don’t Melissa me! You stand there while he makes me suffer. You watch everything I am forced to do.” My voice caught. “He tortures me.” I whisked myself out of bed and turned my back on him, much as he had done to me.

  “There are things you don’t know…”

  “What things?” I rounded on him and closed the gap between us. With satisfaction, I saw a little shame in those blue eyes as he took in my battered face and body. A sneer crept over my face - one I had seen on another person in a dream world. I wanted to master the sneer that Avellana pulled off so effortlessly. Given Oliver’s facial expression in response, I must have nailed it.

  “I can’t tell you.”

  “Great, fantastic, that really helps.” I turned away yet again and busied myself with picking out a dress for the day. And what a choice I had; four grey, woollen dresses. I swore to myself that I would never wear that wretched colour ever again - if I lived. “You should go. Anarch wouldn’t want you here.” I turned back to look at him as I delivered the words: “not that I care.”

  Oliver disappeared.

  I stared at the empty space he had vacated and huffed. I tore a dress out of the closet and threw the plain monstrosity onto the bed. How could he have done this? I yanked open a drawer to throw my undergarments in the general direction of the bed. Working for Anarch so he could live again! How self-centred can he be? Thousands of people put at risk - if not more! Clothes weren’t enough. I picked up a candelabra and threw it at the door. It left a slight dent. I smiled.

  After calming down, I perched on the edge of the bed and fiddled with a coarse golden tassel on the gaudy curtain. Naïve as I was, I’d thought Oliver would be with me, constantly passing messages to Cheri and the others. They would’ve known everything Anarch was devising and it would’ve helped anticipate his next move. Oliver had given Anarch the upper hand on a silver plate. Did he not understand that?

  The drapes swayed towards me on the whisper of a wind from the open doorway leading to the balcony. Cool air caressed my skin. I took in a deep, steadying breath and decided to re-evaluate Oliver’s actions. As betrayed as I felt, I couldn’t help but think that Oliver’s behaviour was uncharacteristic. Was Anarch playing a game with me? Using him to give me false hope so I wouldn’t completely fall apart? After all, what use would a broken weapon be? I would be discarded, God knows how. I shook my head and gazed out of the open glass doors. Something caught my eye …

  My heart began to thunder in my chest and I stood up. Red, glistening salvation cruised through the morning, low-lying clouds that clung to the craggy hilltops. Dargon glided stealthily through the mist, heading directly for my window. Hope and excitement chased away my melancholy as I watched that multi-hued dragon create undulating swirls in the mist around him. A quick glance around my room declared there was nowhere near enough space for him to occupy. Instinctively, I took a step back, waiting for his collision with the castle. His shadow dulled the room and the downdraft from those immense, beautiful wings swirled everything that was loose around the room into a whirlwind. I clutched the bedpost …

  Squeezing my eyes shut and tensing for impact, my body realised the whirlwind had ceased. My clothes and hair hung limp, the air still once again. Pressing my forehead to the bedpost, I told myself I had imagined it. I had wanted saving so badly. Seemingly, I had now progressed to full-on hall
ucinations.

  “Open your eyes. I am here.”

  I cried out with relief and found a dazzling white tiger sitting before the open glass doors. The gossamer curtains drifted slowly around him, framing him in the arched doorway. Contrasting black stripes pointed to startling, golden eyes in his furred face. He was stunning. Breaking away from the bed I moved leaden legs towards him and fell to the floor in order to embrace him. I threw my arms around his neck and rested my head on his. He turned his head into me and nuzzled at my shoulder. I wept with gladness.

  Unsure as to how long he had let me soak his lustrous fur, I pulled my face out of his neck and leaned against him.

  “You show such affection. I am not used to it.”

  “Didn’t Avellana ever…?”

  “Fall into me as though I had answered her prayers? No. But I saw it in her eyes often enough.”

  “Am I making you uncomfortable?” I asked. Treacherously, I still hadn’t detached myself from his warm, soft body. Perhaps he had come to take me away?

  “No. You know I cannot take you from this place. You would suffer needlessly.”

  “More than I am now?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then why are you here?”

  “Because you need me.”

  I sighed. “I needed you before I even met you.” The words tumbled out before I thought better of it.

  He turned his iridescent, depthless, golden gaze on me and I believed he was at a loss for words. Now I felt uncomfortable.

  “You have acquainted yourself with Avellana, I believe?”

  How did he know that? “Yes. She is incredibly different to me.”

  “Yes, she was.” I raised an eyebrow at the use of past tense in reference to her. “Avellana will only be a part of you if you let her. She is the dark part of you that you have tried to deny.” His deep voice, profound with centuries’ worth of wisdom, droned into my mind. “I share a connection with her.”

  Of course he does. I heard, and felt, a rumble of amusement from him at my sarcasm. I would have to learn to school my thoughts around him.

  Anarch had not yet called upon me. It was painfully obvious when he required my presence. Usually, the need to get dressed and leave the room was unbearable. How long would I have with my furry friend? I pondered on the possible consequences of Anarch finding Dargon here.

  “You must go,” I urged him. “I don’t want him to find out you’re here. I can’t let anything happen to you and I won’t be able to prevent it.” Given Anarch’s perverted mind, I would probably be the one dishing out the punishment. I would shatter if forced to hurt this magnificent being - my friend.

  He purred - a delightful sound that rumbled against my face. “He does not, and will not, know that I am here.” I acknowledged the massive mind that was gently pressing on mine. Was Dargon more powerful than Avellana? Than me? “Anarch cannot detect me.”

  “But you can’t get me out of here or do anything about my deal with him?”

  “I have told you once before that only you or the caster may change the status quo.”

  I pursed my lips. He had indeed. “Can … can I ask you something?” I finally let go and felt the harsh absence of his warm body, of the momentary salvation that closeness had brought me. I stared at a chip in the black, stone floor. “Could you fight with my friends please?”

  “I shall not partake in the war.”

  “Why?”

  “I can single-handedly change the outcome of a war. I shall not be responsible for so many deaths again.”

  I believed him. Whichever side he took, I imagined the opposition would quake in their boots knowing Dargon would be involved. Not to take part in a war and having the luxury to opt out was something I envied. “I understand.”

  “That doesn’t mean I will not help,” he added a little more quietly.

  I tried to give him a smile and failed. “Thank you. But I don’t want you to break your code for me.”

  Dargon lay on the floor and curled around me, his whiskers tickling my arm. Absentmindedly, I began stroking his back - triggering a delightful, deep purr. His eyes half closed, and we sat there in silence for a while. What had I done to deserve this friend from another world? He had been waiting for me. He knew I was out there somewhere and he had waited. I began to relax.

  “Dargon?”

  “Yes?”

  “What is your natural form?”

  I felt him draw in a deep breath. “In all honesty, I cannot remember. It has been so long. I just shift into my favourite forms - ones I feel most comfortable in.” He turned and nudged me with his big head. “Why do you ask?”

  I shrugged, “Just wondered. Will I ever see you in your human form?”

  His breath came out in a snort. “Yes, but not at the moment.”

  I smiled a genuine smile. It felt alien to me now and I was thankful he had gleaned one out of me.

  “Your phoenix was admirable. Now you know how to shift, you will find several forms you are most comfortable in.”

  Becoming a phoenix had given me such an exultant feeling that I knew the mythical bird would be one of my favourite forms already. To glide in the air and cut through it at such speed had made me feel free. No wonder Dargon loved being a dragon. Wings were truly a blessing to experience. It also gave me an idea.

  “Yes, it would help.”

  I smiled again. He had directed my train of thought to come the conclusion I’d just had. “Making me smile is quickly becoming a habit of yours, Dargon.” A rumble in response. “Thank you.” He rose in a fluid motion that made me flinch at the abruptness of it. With grim resignation, I rose from the floor.

  “I must leave you now. Anarch will be calling on you shortly.”

  I released a deep sigh. I knew my reprieve would not last forever. Dargon had seemed like a tropical island in an ocean of stormy waters I was drowning in. Having Dargon visit me whenever he could, I knew he would watch over me and keep me from the brink of madness. I didn’t deserve him.

  The tiger padded closer and rubbed his head on my stomach. I knelt down and encased his head in my arms. “Oh, Dargon. Can I keep you too?”

  “I am already yours.”

  On releasing him, he took large, graceful strides out onto the balcony. The sun had risen beyond the blanket of mist that was now burning off to reveal a cruel, barren landscape. I wanted to gaze in the direction my friends would be, but I had no idea which way to look.

  “Will you come back soon?” I asked, hoping to hide the desperation from my voice.

  “Always, when you need me.” A little tension left my body. Those golden eyes looked up into mine once more. “Don’t be so harsh on your friend. All is not what it seems.”

  “He is no longer my friend,” I replied in a small voice.

  Dargon just stared at me. He knew I would dwell on his words after he left. He pounced onto the stone wall and jumped off the balcony, his body stretching out and those black stripes widening as he elongated into a curve, and dropped from view. The magnificent maroon dragon glided upwards in its place and I silently watched until he disappeared over the horizon.

  The warmth and closeness Dargon had given me made my heart want to melt the icy, protective barrier it was steadily building. Should I harden my heart or keep it open? I rested my head on the doorframe and toyed with the sapphire necklace Dorian had given me a lifetime ago …

  ***

  Queen Elfina stood with her fists planted on the table. “We must still advance on the castle and deplete Anarch’s armies before they leave and cause destruction in their wake.” Adorned in fighting leathers and her hair caught into a flaming braid that reached over her shoulder to coil on the maps strewn about the table, she was a fearsome sight to behold. Her temper had flared and thank God for it. It saved me from having to shake sense into the seemingly senseless men myself.

  As the closest city to Anarch’s castle, Caster could be the first he would strike. The loss of Melissa had incensed the woman,
her anger constantly simmering at the surface. She felt a dire need to act now.

  My eyes found the elf sitting sedately at King Aidan’s right. Viola stared at me with hauntingly large, violet eyes that would never cease to amaze me. King Aidan and Viola had become close. Aidan had taken up playing Viola’s warrior far too seriously. He had sent her away for her safety and now she had returned, he didn’t let her out of his sight. I filed away a mental note to keep an eye on those two.

  “No one has mentioned Melissa yet.” Viola was communicating with me telepathically. I flinched. Of course, she would be concerned for the welfare of her most trusted friend, to whom she owed her life. Melissa was a huge factor in the war, and everyone in the room had danced around the girl’s threat. I sighed, knowing I would be the one to bring it up.

  “My Queen,” Elfina’s general urged, “I feel we should regroup and wait for Anarch’s next move. We don’t even know if his army is at his castle. We do have scouts watching our borders, and they have been informed of a possible, imminent threat.” He was a burly man in his mid-forties with short brown hair and a thick, bristling moustache to match. Three men flanking him nodded their agreement.

  Elfina stabbed the table with a jewel-encrusted knife. “That will be too late! You are not listening to me!”

  Aidan sat with an arm resting casually on the chair, a finger touching his top lip. A deep sense of loss kept flitting across his face. Adhelm, his right-hand man and long-time family friend, had betrayed and abandoned him. In a pensive mood, his contribution to the conversation was conspicuous by its absence. His dark blue eyes flickered to Oswyn, King of the Elves. The tall elf with flowing, silver hair sat inhumanly still opposite Aidan. He had emerged from his army at the rising of the sun this morning to attend the council meeting.

  Unable to sleep, I had watched their progress from a turret of Elfina’s stronghold. King Oswyn and his small company had hauntingly ghosted over the plains like an ominous, grey shadow creeping towards the city walls.