A Family Oath

by Auburn Tempest

  I look over at the very confused Alpha lion and smile. “Trust me. This will work.”

  “What will?” he asks.

  “One of Sloan’s primary disciplines is dream manipulation, and I have this little trick where I can retreat into myself in an emotional construct sorta place. It’s like Star Trek. Do you watch Star Trek? Picture it like an internal holodeck. I call it my safe place, and I’ve taken Sloan there before. I’m thinking, I retreat into myself, Sloan connects with Myra, and then they meet me in my safe place so she can tell us who did what and what the hell we’re supposed to do about it.”

  Garnet frowns. “You think that will work?”

  “I do.” I look at Sloan and hope he agrees.

  His pale-mint gaze is bright with thought, and I’m not sure if he’s a yea or a nay on my plan. “If her mind is open to visitors, it might work. I’m willin’ to give it a try.”

  I squeal and kiss his cheek. “That’s the spirit.” Easing down beside him, I roll onto my side and lace my fingers with his. Resting my cheek on the pillow next to his I raise my other arm over Sloan. “Sloan, you hold Myra’s near hand, and Garnet, give me Myra’s free hand to complete the circuit.”

  Garnet rounds the bed and sits at Myra’s hip, lifting her hand and shifting it across so I can complete the connection.

  I flash him an excited smile. “Wish us luck.”

  “You know I do.”

  I close my eyes and try to calm my mind. We can do this. Sloan will bring Myra, and I will meet them both. Deep breath in. Exhale. Another deep breath and I connect to my internal safe place.

  I feel the warmth of Sloan’s side against me and sink into my happy place. When Patty first taught me how to send my consciousness into the trunk of my body, he said it’s like accessing the hollow in the trunk of a tree.

  The tricky part is taking a visitor. I’ve taken Sloan before when Barghest captured us and we needed to strategize our escape with Bruin. It should be the same now.

  I don’t doubt Sloan can bring Myra. He’s never let me down. He’s the slow and steady to complement my roller-coaster of erratic. He’s right. We make a great team.

  When I open my eyes, I expect to be sitting in Shenanigans like always.

  Hubba-wha?

  Tonight, I’m not in Shenanigans. I’m in my sacred grove. Well, sort of… Brendan is still standing behind the bar of Shenanigans but in my grove. Huh, what does that say about me and my subconscious mind? “Hey, Brenny.” I lean over the bar to kiss his cheek. “Hangin’ out in the grove tonight, are you?”

  “It’s nice here. It feels good.”

  I smile at the trees and the restorative feeling they give me. I’m not sure when, but I guess my subconscious mind has been shifting my happy place. “Yeah, it does.”

  “Fi?” Sloan says beside me.

  I turn, and he’s standing there with—“Myra!”

  I rush over and hug her. She looks the same as always with her electric-blue hair cropped at a severe angle, her vertically-slit eyes, and her crackled silver skin with faint darker undertones.

  “We’ve been so worried. Are you all right? What did they do to you? We’ve been trying everything we can think of to counter Evening Shade magic and nothing’s working. We can’t wake you up.”

  Myra steps back and smiles at the scene around her. “You did well here, duck. Is this your grove?”

  “A representation of it, yeah. When you wake up, you can come to see it in the real world. The key here is that you have to wake up. What did they do to you? How do we help you?”

  She brushes her hair back and frowns. “I don’t remember. Everything’s foggy.”

  I look at Sloan. “Can you help her remember?”

  He takes her hand, then takes mine. I complete the circuit and close my eyes. At first, everything is dark for a long while, then Myra’s memories play back.

  The wizards came. They want books about the resurrection of greater demons. Myra refuses to help them. They’re torturing her when Murphy comes in and interrupts. During the distraction, she takes a piece of twisted stick and swallows it. It’s bitter, and she cries out as it goes down. She falls to the floor and sees me rushing in to help her.

  “You did it to yourself.” My heart pounds. “That’s amazing. If the thing that rendered you unconscious isn’t something the wizards gave you, then you know how to undo it.”

  Myra stares at me, and I see she’s still having trouble piecing together her memories. “When I refused to help them, they tried to force me. I took the necrosis root to induce deep hibernation. It’s a long-forgotten ability of the meliae from generations past and can make it appear as if I’m dead.”

  “So, you’re not poisoned?”

  “No. Why would I poison myself? That’s crazy.”

  “You wouldn’t. So, how do we wake you up?”

  “I’m pretty sure I hid the antidote right before they came…I can’t remember where.”

  I look at Sloan. “Search back more. Maybe we’ll find it.”

  Sloan does as I ask and we sift through her memories until—“Oh, of course, that makes perfect sense.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  I sit up with a gasp, and the room comes into focus. Garnet is there looking anxious. He grips my wrist as I roll to my feet and steadies me when the blood rushes from my head because I got up too fast.

  “Well? Did it work?”

  “Hells yes, it worked.” I round the bed, grab my shoes, and check on Sloan. He’s blinking awake, and we’ll be able to poof in a moment. “The wizards didn’t poison Myra. She took necrosis root to hibernate so they couldn’t force her to help them release a demon from the hell realm.”

  I slide my feet into my shoes and use my finger to get my heels in. “She hid the antidote in the stacks at the Emporium. We’ll poof over there, grab it, and poof back.”

  Sloan rolls off the bed and heads for his shoes. “No, we won’t. Garnet, I’d like to take a couple of yer men with us. It may be as simple as Fi thinks, but from what I saw in Myra’s memory, I don’t think it will. The wizards believe Myra knows more than she’s saying and are determined that their answers are in the bookshop.”

  Garnet follows us out to the living room and signals for Anyx and Thaor to come inside. “Have Zuzanna come in and sit with Myra. We’re on the move.”

  Thaor flashes off and is back a moment later with an athletic blonde woman with wide cheekbones. Once Garnet sets the woman on her task of watching over Myra, we walk out of the house and around the walk to the brick archway.

  “So, are we actually in Africa, or is this some kind of magic compound?”

  “We’re in Africa, Lady Druid, but the portal gate is in Toronto.”

  We leave as a group and push through the magical barrier, leaving the champagne sky of a savannah sunset in exchange for the crisp night air of Toronto in the last week of September.

  When we huddle up in the driveway by my truck, I hold up my finger. “If Sloan’s right, we should materialize in the alley outside the building and have Bruin go in first in his spirit mode to assess the sitch.”

  Anyx blinks and looks surprised. “He can do that?”

  “Yeah, he can do almost anything. He’s a multi-talented bear. Although shredding bad guys is his favorite pastime.”

  Sloan slips his hand between us and clasps his fingers around mine. “Ready?”

  I test my movement in my jacket and frown. Unlocking my truck, I toss my purse and jacket into the back seat and lock it back up with my powers. “Ready and steady.”

  The four of us take form in the narrow alley that runs around to our delivery dock, and I shiver without my jacket. I release Bruin, and while he’s gone, I tell Garnet a little about what we saw in Myra’s memories.

  “But she was all right?”

  Sloan and I both nod. “Other than her current state, I’d say there’s nothing wrong with her.”

  Relief flares in his eyes and I’m content to know that I had a small part
to play in the imminent reunion of these two.

  Yay me. A moment later, the wind picks up, but it’s not cold. It tingles against the skin on my cheek, and I smile. “What did you find, Bear? Are we good to go?”

  No. Not even close. Two men are searching the main store, and four more are in the back reading area. They’re ransackin’ the place.

  “Where exactly? If we were to pick them off by the five of you poofing in, where am I sending everyone?”

  One at the back counter. One near the doorway to the back room. One on the second-floor catwalk on the east side of the store. One on the third-floor catwalk on the west side of the store. One at the loading dock door. And the last one down by Mr. Tree sitting on a couch.

  “Great job, buddy.” I relay the info to the four guys who can materialize, and they coordinate their attack.

  “Wait until I unlock the front door and move to take down the ward and security system. I’ll pretend everything is normal and be your distraction to draw their attention to the front of the store. Good luck, boys—and don’t kill all of them. We need to know what’s going on.”

  “I vote no to that.” Sloan scowls at me. “There’s no need fer a decoy when we can get in there with the advantage of surprise.”

  Garnet nods. “Agreed. On one, men. Three. Two. One.”

  “Hey!” The four men and my bear disappear. I curse and run around to the front of the building. Cock-blocked from the fight that I coordinated. Rude.

  As quickly as I can, I key the lock and let myself in. The security system doesn’t beep, so I don’t need to turn it off. Huh. Did Zxata not set it? I hustle my butt straight toward the back counter. They’re focused on the men in the back. I’ll take the guy in the store proper—if he’s still standing by the time I get there.

  With the alpha males in full offensive mode, I bet they don’t leave anyone for me. Greedy men.

  I call Birga to my palm and activate my body armor.

  I stride up the main corridor with my footsteps swallowed by the crash and clash sounding off in the back. Sadly, the din of fighting also swallows up the sound of—

  A blue bolt of magic hits me like a fizzy electric snowball. When it explodes against my shoulder, it doesn’t disperse and fall like a normal snowball. It spreads and crawls across my sweater like a static-clingy electrical field.

  I stiffen as the spell takes hold. It tingles over my flesh, and my body locks in place. I’m frozen and rooted to the spot.

  Dammit. Not again. Sloan and I practiced shit like this. I fight down the feeling of being vulnerable and counter the spell. Freedom to Move.

  Nothing happens, and I push down the panic rising in my gorge. A spell is only as strong as the caster’s intention and my intention is firm.

  Freedom to Move.

  The hold breaks as the bastard flies in on the attack. I barely get my hands up before he makes a pro-wrestler move and hits me with a flying lariat. The impact knocks me off my feet, and I get air as I fly backward.

  My head cracks hard against the shelving unit and the two of us tip, toppling the whole row of books. My head, shoulder, and hip take the brunt of the fall but my armor keeps me from any real damage.

  A polished blade glints in the light of the window above. He pulls his arm back and jabs. He’s stabbing me—or at least, he’s trying to.

  I curse while struggling against his hold and his advantageous position. He’s heavy and strong. I’m pinned and pissed. He takes another jab at my stomach, and I exploit his confusion when the blade doesn’t penetrate.

  The emporium has a strong sense of nature.

  The entire store is built around the love of a tree.

  I connect to the energy of Mr. Tree and call for his help. A rumble deep beneath us signals his response. A moment later, tree roots break through the floorboards. They rise and writhe like the tentacles of an attacking Kraken.

  They wrap around my attacker’s throat and drag him backward. He’s peeled off me, kicking and grabbing at the noose around his neck. The roots don’t relent.

  They twine and tighten with no quarter given.

  I thank Mr. Tree and release my call to defend me.

  The roots don’t relax. Anger burns in the center of my chest, but it’s not mine. Leniya the ancient ash is pissed. He wants justice—for Myra, for what he suffered, for these men breaking in and ransacking his home.

  My attacker throws his fist through the empty air, and the punch lands on my cheek as if I’m standing two feet away from him instead of ten. My head snaps back, but I don’t go down. I’ve been clocked enough times by my brothers to take a licking and keep on ticking.

  I empower Mr. Tree to do what he wishes.

  If he has mercy in his wooden heart, the guy might live.

  I doubt it. From what I felt coming off the ash, that guy is toast. I’m about to say something to that effect when the roots recede and pull their prey into the depths of the soil below the shop. The man gasps and chokes, kicking as his feet disappear beneath the antique pegged-hardwood floor.

  When everything falls quiet below, I press my palms to the floor and focus on flattening the soil and healing the wood. The planks reform and lie flat, and I brush a hand over the healed floorboards.

  I’m straightening when Sloan comes out to check on me.

  “Are ye all right?”

  “Fine. You?”

  “Same. Where’s yer guy?”

  I point at the floor and sigh. “Where all filthy dirtballs should be. I gave Leniya free rein on executing punishment. He’s understandably upset about recent events.”

  Sloan arches a brow and looks at me. “Communing with trees now, are ye?”

  “I don’t hear him like Gran does if that’s what you’re asking, but yeah, I’ve always been able to sense his moods and intention.”

  I round the end of the tipped bookshelf and wonder how to get it upright. Gripping the edges, I give it a good haul.

  Nothing.

  Sloan shakes his head and flicks his fingers to shoo me away. “Ye’ll be a druid in a class all yer own, and ye’ll still be thinkin’ like a civilian. Wait and see.”

  “Ha! I’m getting there. Sure, I’m still guessing half the time, but I’m getting more wins than trips to the clinic.”

  Sloan blinks. “That’s yer litmus test? Yer basin’ yer progress on how much damage ye suffer?”

  “Why not? If I’m still standing, s’all good, amirite?”

  Sloan holds his palms forward, and magic fills the air. The shelf rights itself onto its base, and he offers me a sexy smile. “Think like a druid.”

  “No one likes a showoff.”

  “I’m not showin’ off. I’m tryin’ to remind ye that yer the blossom of a rare flower about to bloom. All ye need is a bit of experience and some confidence and ye’ll flourish.”

  I roll my eyes. “Don’t get mushy on me, Mackenzie. I’m not that kinda girlfriend. I’m more of a punch you in the gut kinda girl.”

  He thumbs over his shoulder. “I’ll pass on bein’ yer target tonight. How about we join the interrogation?”

  “We kept one alive? We did better than I thought.”

  I follow Sloan into the reading area, and he chuckles. “No. We didn’t. I did. How am I the only one with enough control to fight and not kill my opponent?”

  I hold up my palms in surrender. “Hey. I didn’t kill my guy. Mr. Tree did. No mea culpa.”

  We cross the threshold into the reading area, and I gasp. The place is destroyed. Hundreds, possibly thousands of books have been pulled and tossed. Books from the second and third-floor shelves have been dumped over the railings and have fallen in page-bending piles below.

  Suddenly, I share Leniya’s rage about the intruders ransacking the store. This is horrible. Myra’s life’s work tossed like it means nothing.

  I look around and can hardly breathe.

  Anyx and Thaor are interrogating the designated survivor, and I have to fight the urge to ram Birga through his thro
at. They have him tied up and seated next to three dead guys flopped on the floor.

  It seems neck-snapping is a favorite MO for the lions.

  I scan the space for the last body.

  There are a few magic scorch marks on the walls.

  Some blood over by the sofas.

  Oh...and one shredded heap.

  “Let me guess. That one kill belongs to my beloved Killer Clawbearer?”

  Bruin lumbers over, and I scrub his cheek. He lifts his lips and smiles to expose three-inch-long, white canines.

  “Had fun, did you? Nothing like a good bad-guy-body-shred, is there, buddy?”

  Garnet joins me and frowns. “Be warned, Lady Druid. After the mysterious death of an entire nest of hobgoblins, there are members of the Guild who don’t approve of your battle bear being part of our community.”

  I scrub Bruin’s ear and shrug. “Tough titty. He’s bonded with me, and I’m not going anywhere. If people are worried, it’s because they’re scared about saving their asses.”

  Garnet nods. “Perhaps. But you can’t deny your druid companion is a true and violent force.”

  “Why would I? He’s a legendary spirit fighter. He’s also very sweet and loyal. He’d only do this to bad guys or someone who comes at me and mine.”

  Sloan steps in behind me and rests his palm on my hip. “Would ye expect anything less from yer warriors, Governor Grant?”

  Garnet cants his head and smiles. “No. I wouldn’t.”

  I pat Bruin’s head, then pat my chest. He flips into spirit mode and bonds with me, making my lungs flutter a little while he finds a comfy position.

  “Bruin is a non-issue. Tell your members to leave us alone, and they don’t need to worry about him. They can Elsa their way through their fear and just, Let it go. Let it go!”

  I’m not sure how familiar Garnet is with Frozen, but when I sweep my arms through the air and do the actions, he laughs. Whether it’s at me or for me, I can’t tell.

  As if he remembers something, Garnet sets his hands on his hips and pegs me with a look. “Speaking of letting things go. Why do I feel like your ‘trust me’ moment a few hours ago was an ambush to cast an emotional cleanse on me?”