“Just some moving exercises today. Different weights, shapes, sizes. Did the children go to school okay?”
“Yeah, they skipped straight in, it was me hanging around at the gates.”
He smiled. “Nothing really phases them, does it?”
“Not really, no. I wish I had half of their confidence.”
“You're doing really well. After Saturday, we'll start slow.” He nodded behind her, “With that rock. Can you move it over to the stream?”
Blowing out her cheeks she rubbed her hands together and turned. It was the rock she usually sat on while watching Enya and Zander train. The size of a cow, it was by no means an easy weight to lift. “I can try.”
“I don't really understand what happened. I think it was the blood,” she said, trying to explain her fainting two days before. “I've handled blood plenty with work, it's just…”
“You don't have to explain, Charlotte. We're trained from the moment we can stand to wield a sword. It's instinctual. For you, its abhorrent, and we respect that. You can handle a dagger well enough to protect yourself. There's no need to continue with that aspect of your training. Stamina and this,” he gestured to her hands, “are all you need. And getting used to the sight of blood.”
“Thank you, Blair,” she said with a small smile and turned her attention to the rock.
It's on the big side. I couldn't even lift that chest back at Houska.
After studying it for a few moments she said, “I really don't know where to start.”
“Try to get under it. If you manage to get beneath it'll be easier to push it up.”
Under it. Shadow, creep under. Push the earth out of the way if need be…
With her eyes squeezed shut she pushed her power to its limit trying to burrow under the rock and to push it up. After several long minutes the rock trembled and left the ground.
“Good, it only looks like a small amount but that is a huge weight. Are you okay?”
She nodded, not daring to speak should her concentration break and the rock fall.
“Move it slowly to the stream and block it off.”
Half way across the cairn she was hit by a wave of fatigue. She'd never felt so weak. “Blair, I can't.”
“Wait. Just stay there, don't drop it yet,” he said, gently resting a hand on her shoulder. “You need to borrow some energy from the site. There's plenty to tap, Zander does it regularly in training. Send a small part of your power to enter the earth, to search out the power within, and syphon some. It knows what to do, you just have to tell it to.”
Too exhausted to argue, she did as Blair said. She could feel the two seeking one another out as she pushed a tiny sliver of shadow into the hard earth, as if they recognised one another. Her back straightened as the two powers collided, the raw, pure energy of the earth dancing through the ground. Her shadow led the way, up, into her body to surge through her veins.
“You don't need much. Like drinking coffee to perk you up. Be careful not to overwhelm yourself,” Blair murmured at her side.
That's enough.
Her shadow left the earth and returned to the task of supporting the rock hovering before her.
The new energy hummed, feeling different to her own power. Hers was calm, warm, familiar. This was lively, leaping and coursing through her veins, desperate to be set free. The fatigue she'd been feeling minutes before subsided, giving way to the new power.
“Now try,” Blair said quietly.
With less effort now, the rock rose above the long grass of the cairn.
“That feels better,” she smiled, walking behind as she slowly moved toward the stream.
“Out of interest, could you throw it?” Blair nodded to the stream.
“With this extra power? I should think so…”
Frowning in concentration, she drew as much of the combined power to her hands. Raising them over her head the rock followed, rising into the air. As she pushed the huge bolder through the air, her power drained quickly.
“Can't hold it, Blair,” she complained through clenched teeth.
“It's almost there… Okay, put it down,” he said gently. As the rock landed with a heavy thud, he turned to her and grinned. “I've lived in many different communities over my thousands of years and I've never met anyone like you. Human, Druid or Fae.” He gestured for her to follow him back to the center of the cairn.
“Is that a compliment?”
“Yes. You're extraordinary. Your acceptance of all of this has been amazing. It's enabled the children to approach their training with confidence.”
“I wouldn't go as far as to say I've accepted it. It's still crazy, Blair,” she laughed, “I still don't know much about your world. Callan seems to feed me small amounts of information here and there, lets me digest that then mentions something else. Like I had no idea that this is Avalon. The one place I was most likely to be able to reference and he didn't tell me.”
“You'll know everything soon enough. Most legendary kings and queens are Fae who went out into the world for a break or on orders. Back then the only method of communication was word of mouth so the stories told in villages became legend.”
Before she could respond there was a loud crash. “That's Dane and Anton,” Blair laughed.
She gasped as she turned to see what the disturbance was. “Where did that come from?”
Dane looked up at the bus he was leaning on and laughed, “I obtained it.”
“Why do I need a bus?” She asked slowly.
“Different shapes and sizes,” Blair shrugged. “Are you hungry? You should probably eat, it took a lot out of you last time.”
“I'll go, I won't be long,” Anton offered and disappeared.
“Where's Lukas?” She asked as she walked to examine the bus they'd dumped.
“Out with Klara. They found something, an old marker but it could give clues as to where he's gone,” he shrugged.
“There are only so many places he can hide. Especially with his power,” Blair said. “It won't take long to track him down.”
“And when they do?”
Dane studied her for a moment then said, “We deal with him. All of us.”
“So, I'll have to go with you?”
“No, but you'd be helpful if you did. Nobody is forcing you to do anything you don't want to. You can stay here with the children while we handle him or you can come with us. You make the choices, Lottie.”
I don't have a choice. I'll have to see it through. If I don't go and one of them is hurt, I'll never forgive myself.
Anton arrived with several paper bags. “Pork and apple,” he said, passing round hot baguettes and bottles of water.
After they'd eaten, Charlotte jumped up and looked at the bus. “What purpose does this serve, anyway?”
“If you can throw large objects you can slow down a pursuer,” Blair explained. “Everything we're doing focuses on using your power to keep you safe, Charlotte.”
She hadn't really noticed that she rarely played an offensive role in their training sessions. Now she was aware of it, she was grateful.
“The shadow-fire knows how to do damage. That's the nature of it. The skill in wielding it depends entirely on how well you can control it. You're brilliant at it.”
“You managed to keep it hidden for twenty-six years, Lottie. Even from yourself. That's more than just control.” Dane crumpled his paper bag and threw it at Blair, “Burn that, mate.”
“Just in time, my friend,” Anton called as Callan arrived, “Lunch.”
He took the sandwich from Anton, nodding his thanks and kissed Charlotte on the cheek. “Have I missed much?”
“Not really. I managed that,” she pointed to the rock sitting over the little stream. “Don't ask about the bus. Dane and Anton just showed up with it. I half expected it to be full of people.”
“What? I found it!” Dane laughed.
Callan eyed the bus, then Charlotte and said, “I'll sit over there and eat this while you
work.”
Charlotte scowled, “You're talking like I'm going to drop it on you.”
“I'm saying nothing. I've seen our car,” he said, walking away.
She sent a small ball of flame at his backside in answer. She heard him laugh as she turned around.
“What did you do to the car?” Dane asked. Blair smirked and moved behind her.
“Sod off, Dane,” she muttered, turning to the bus. “Same again, Blair?”
“The same,” he nodded. “Just try and resist the urge to throw it at Dane or Callan,” he added in a whisper.
Anton came to her side. “I shall catch it if there are any mishaps. This is a large increase from the bolder.”
Glancing over her shoulder, she saw Dane had joined Callan. They were deep in conversation.
Okay. Same again. Tap the earth first.
Following the same steps as she had before lunch, she waited until her body surged with the additional power before taking a firm hold of the massive vehicle. Blair had moved to her other side, watching her carefully.
Almost effortlessly, the bus rose from the ground. “Where do you want it?”
“How far can you take it?” Blair asked.
Fair enough. Put it over there.
With her arms pushed out before her, it moved slowly but smoothly across the cairn. She followed carefully, directing her power south.
It wasn't long before she began feeling tired, the additional energy she'd leeched from the site waning with her own.
That's far enough.
Lowering the bus gently, she turned to Blair, “Was that okay?”
“I'd say so,” he smiled. “You're almost as good as Dane.”
“Thanks, what's next? A plane?”
“I think you've had enough for one day,” Blair laughed, “unless you want to do thirty laps of the cairn?”
“Don't let Callan hear you say that, he'll have me hard at it until three!”
“Hard at what?” Callan asked from behind her.
“Nothing,” she said, quickly.
“How's the running coming along, Lottie?” Dane smirked.
You're a real prick, you know?
Yeah, but you set them up for me.
“I think she's had enough for one day,” Callan laughed. “We'll go for a run before training tomorrow. Here at ten, Blair?”
“Yeah, ten's fine. Need a hand getting this bus back, Dane?”
“Nope, it's ours. I bought it,” he shrugged.
“You bought a bus for us to throw around a field?”
“Yeah. Enya and Zander can play with it at the weekend.”
“You're crackers, all of you.” she laughed, “Thanks for helping me out today. I really appreciate it.”
“Any time.” The three nodded and left.
Setting the paper bag alight, Callan asked, “What would you like to do with your afternoon?”
She yawned, “Not much, that was hard work.”
“Okay, bath and rest.” He took her hand and took her home.
“You run the bath, I'll bring you some juice. Cranberry?”
“Please.” She climbed the stairs and went straight to their bathroom.
Turning on the water, she sighed.
They're close to finding him. I can't let them know how… no. I can handle it. I have the advantage now, they said so and I trust them.
She hadn't noticed him come into the room over the noise of the jets as she sank into the hot water and she jumped.
“I wasn't being particularly quiet,” he laughed, placing the class of cranberry juice beside her. “Was that session better?”
“Yeah, much better. Blair said I don't need any more combat training, thank god. I really hated it.”
“I know. I'm sorry,” he said quietly as he sat by the bath.
I know why you pushed me. Annoying man!
Reaching for his hand, she said, “Don't, Callan. I need to know how to use the dagger if he's been messing with demons. I'm just more comfortable with the magic, oddly.”
“I shouldn't have pushed it. That was my fault. I,” he paused, thinking of the right words, “I need you fully able to defend yourself, I won't lose you. Not to him.” His throat bobbed and he looked away.
Squeezing his hand, she closed her eyes and rested her head back. “I'm not going anywhere. We're going to handle this and then look for that vampire you mentioned. It'll be fine.”
“Hmm, do you think you could handle the blood?”
“Okay, fair point.” She dipped her head beneath the water. When she came back up, Callan was still watching her. “Question.”
“Okay?”
“If the fairy realm is Avalon, who was King Arthur?”
He relaxed slightly and laughed, “Everyone and no-one. We, generally, spent much more time among the humans back then. We defended them against the Saxons, Romans and mediated between the Picts and Druids of England and Scotland. What the humans saw of us was distorted as tales were passed from village to village. One figure remained constant. The tall, fair haired knight, wielding the magical sword.”
“And Merlin?” she asked, disappointed.
“A druid. He was real. Morgan le Fay was probably a recount of visiting fae from the Unseelie court,” he explained as he ran a hand through his hair. “Her legendary dark hair and magical ability suggests as much. It was all long before my time,” he shrugged.
“And you've never researched it?”
“No, I wasn't particularly interested in my younger life, too busy training, having adventures. But, Avalon is our home. The legendary resting place of King Arthur and his loyal Knights,” he laughed as he slowly got up from the floor beside the bath.
“It does make sense. Well, as much sense as anything you tell me about your people does.”
He smiled. “I'll leave you to it. Don't rush, I'll collect the children. Is there anything else you need?”
“No. Thank you,” she smiled as he kissed her forehead.
Watching him leave the room, she sighed.
So much to learn about them.
How do I tell him to stop with the self-blame? He only does things because he wants to keep us safe. It isn't as though I'm forced.
Closing her eyes, she sighed.
Chapter 22
“Mummy, can Kelsey come for tea?” Enya asked on the walk to school.
It was cold but bright and Callan had planned to go for a run once the school run was done, so they were walking.
“I can't see why not. I'll ask her mum,” she smiled. “I'm pleased you're making friends. What about you, Zander?”
“I want to start football,” he said, walking behind with Callan. “Danny does football.”
“Okay, I'll speak to your teacher this afternoon. I'll have to get you some kit.”
Once they were safely inside and the gates closed behind them, Charlotte and Callan made their way down to the beach.
“Half an hour here then up to Blair?” Callan asked.
“Yeah, half an hour is long enough I think. Its freezing!”
She set off at a jog, Callan at her side.
“Is it feeling any easier?” he asked.
“A bit. Don't think I'll ever enjoy it though,” she admitted.
“I don't enjoy it.”
Not believing him, she muttered as much. “Hmm…”
When they were far enough up the beach, Callan took her hand and slowed her. “We need to think about what we're going to do when they find him.”
“I thought it was already decided?”
“Their plans, yes. You haven't been factored in. What do you want to do?” He studied her, waiting for a response.
“I don't know,” she sighed, the cold wind pulling strands of her hair free to whip at her face. “I don't want to do anything but, well without me, my shadow-fire, it'll be harder, won't it?”
“Yes, but not impossible,” he said, confidently. “We can do it without you.”
“We? Callan I don't want you any
where near him!”
“It isn't that simple, I'm Dagda's second. If he goes down I take his place. I go down, Blair takes mine. It's the same for the Unseelie Court. Dane and Lukas.” His voice was low, his words carefully chosen. He ran a finger along her jawline. “I'll be fine. I'm trained for this. You aren't. What do you want to do?”
She shook her head, her eyes stinging with tears. “No, Callan. I…”
She closed her eyes as he pulled her into his arms. “Give it some thought. You know how I feel. I want you and the children at the palace. Safe. With family.”
She pulled back and looked past him, out over the waves to the horizon.
Family? You're my family, the four of us are the only family I want.
The kids will be safe at the palace. If I'm with him, he's more likely to come home safe. I can protect him against…
She squared her shoulders, took a breath and said, “I stay with you. The kids stay at the palace. I need to see Lukas. Today.”
His lips twitched, “Okay, if that's what you want. I'll see Lukas while you're with Blair. Ready?” He glanced around to make sure there was no-one watching.
Taking his hand, she nodded.
“Where's he gone?” Blair asked as Callan dropped her off and left immediately.
“To find Lukas. He asked where I wanted to be when they find him. I've told him we stay together. I need help, though. I need to make sure I can form a solid barrier, I need to try and hide more than just myself with that thing Lukas can do.”
Blair nodded slowly, “Okay. Solid barrier we can do now. How did he take that?”
“What do you mean? He agreed. What else would he do?” She frowned.
“Lock you in a tower…”
“Yeah, 'course he would,” she snorted.
He gave her a half smile and said, “You need a shadow and flame shield. Just like Enya does with the water. About the same size.”
Her response was instant. The shield, a perfect swirling disc of black and amethyst, covered most of her upper body.
“Set it.”
Solid, protect me.
The swirling ceased, the amethyst of her fire deepening to a shade of plum. “Think that's it…”
Blair raised his brows. “We'll soon find out.”
Riftkeepers: Pursuit Page 16