Forsaken (Ancients of Light #1)

by Heather Fleener

  Dunkirk latched on to both of her arms just below her shoulders and the effect of him shadowing her unexpectedly to the doorway of her apartment had her head reeling and her stomach flipping. When she regained control of her spinning senses, she straightened and struck out, her fist impacting hard against his shoulder. He did not even flinch, which set her off further, “You had no right!” Her green eyes were blazing and she swatted at him again, “I am not your responsibility any longer Dunkirk.” Waving her ringless hand in front of his face, she grit out, “You and your Dark friend can go to hell.”

  She made move to brush past him, intending to return to her merry making but his hand on her shoulder stopped her short, “You need to quit, lass. You are hurting now but this will not last forever. He will come for you.”

  Ella stood still, not turning to face him, her voice dropping to a pained whisper, “I do not need him to come back. I do not need him at all.”

  Dunkirk knew that Nicholas was beside himself with worry for Ella and his latest report on her condition would not ease that. Unfortunately for them both, Rhydach had all of his high ranking Darks on lock down. In his paranoia about the Light and the Chosen and the numerous defectors within his once strong forces, he was keeping those of great importance under close scrutiny and in constant attendance.

  Any absence by Cole now would endanger them both. He could not have risked coming to Ella and revealing her existence to Rhydach. He would also be risking his own neck by taking any leave from the Realm because Rhydach was suspicious of everyone. Dunkirk could not explain any of it to Ella because she had no understanding of Nicholas’s role in the Realm. Sighing, he instead nudged Ella toward her door, “Go inside. I will only bring you right back here if you leave.”

  She shoved him back from her and angrily jerked her key from her bag. Fumbling a few times, she slipped it into the lock, “Screw you both. If you come near me again, I will make you regret it.” Ella spun and snapped two flaming fingers in his face to emphasize her words, “I am not his responsibility, nor am I yours. He relinquished the right to have any say in what I do with my life. He chose the Darks…tell him I wish him luck finding some Dark bitch to warm his bed.” Turning back, she stumbled through the opening and slammed the door behind her.

  Dunkirk waited a few hours until he could no longer hear the sobbing from her apartment and took himself off to a place he had never thought he would venture freely. Shadowing to the outside of the old stone dwelling, through the windows he could see a fire burning in the hearth. He stood, arms crossed, waiting. Magic was set there specifically to keep the Dark out so he could not venture any closer, but he knew full well the old one would sense him.

  He did not wait long. The Sorcerer appeared on his doorstep, peering out into the night, crimson robes falling around his legs. Myrrdyn smiled, as if greeting a good friend. It was belied by the coldness in his eyes when he called across the clearing, “Dark one with a death wish?” The Ancient cackled, bouncing a ball of light in his palm, “Never has your kind been so reckless as to show up at my home. Given that you conspired with the Council to murder my Kaitriana only this past week, tell me why I should grant you favor and leave your limbs intact, Vampire?”

  Dunkirk eyed the arrogant witch. Myrrdyn took no measures to shield the location of his home from detection by the Dark, because none would be foolish enough to try to take on the Sorcerer on his own turf. In all his years of immortality Dunkirk had not seen Myrrdyn up close and he was shocked to realize the Ancient did not appear that old. He would have seemed to be a man of about fifty if he were human, but not the decrepit, ancient being Dunkirk had expected to encounter. His long hanging robes concealed his form, but there was no bend to his back, no gnarled hands. In fact, he towered quite tall; the only indication of age was a well-kept white beard and close-clipped white hair.

  Knowing the man possessed more foresight than any in the Realm, he ventured that the Sorcerer had been expecting him. Dunkirk believed he would have already been dodging balls of light otherwise. Unfolding his arms, his hands fell to his hips and he stood unflinching in the face of the mighty Ancient. He would not be moved from his purpose - Light and Dark both be damned - nor would he be intimidated by Myrrdyn, “Nicholas and I were not involved in that plot; the entire Realm knows that Rhydach and Alaric planned the attack on Kaitriana. The Chosen lives and I have no particular quarrel with you, Sorcerer.”

  Myrrdyn answered only with the narrowing of his eyes, the light of the orb settled in his palm growing brighter. Dunkirk cursed in Gaelic and heatedly grumbled, “You need to go get the girl, Myrrdyn.”

  Myrrdyn’s brows shot skyward. Being issued an order by one from the Dark was unexpected…and intriguing. He knew of Dunkirk; in fact, he had expansive knowledge of all the significant players in this game. This Scots warrior was of consequence, as he had a true purpose, and it was not the one that he tinkered at now. Myrrdyn took the stone steps down from the front of his home and reached the ground with surprising speed. Giving Dunkirk a smug grin, the light disappeared as he rubbed his hands together, “And which girl would that be, Dunkirk?”

  Dunkirk was not surprised by the elder’s use of his name, nor that Myrrdyn appeared to want to toy with him. The Ancient was known for his lack of straightforward conversation. Dunkirk held the other’s gaze, “You know full well of whom I speak. You need to bring her home. I cannot watch her during the day and it is difficult for me to regularly guard over her at night. You know the state of the Dark at this time and Ella needs to be protected.”

  At Myrrdyn’s darkening expression, he added, “From herself Myrrdyn, not from us. She is hell bent on a path that will lead to her destruction and I believe you know it. I would not be standing here alive otherwise.”

  Myrrdyn took another few steps to close the distance between them. His eyes sparkled with an emotion that Dunkirk could not decipher. Folding his hands in front of him as he approached, he gave Dunkirk a more thorough examination, “Now this play, Dunkirk…this was unexpected. I did not see you here this night and I do so like it when I am given a surprise…a challenge.” His eyes were piercing as they came back to Dunkirk’s, leaving him to feel as though the elder had just examined him down to the depths of his black soul, “Nicholas does not want the witch returned to the Realm. You know this well, so why send me to retrieve her?”

  Dunkirk waved him off. He was not the type to play at words, and he did not have the night to spend answering a thousand questions from the wily Sorcerer, “I am loyal to Nicholas, always. Do not mistake me in that, but I have a fondness for the witch. I do not want to see harm come to Ella, that is all. You will take care of this?”

  Myrrdyn pursed his lips as though considering and finally gave a short nod. Dunkirk didn’t linger but shadowed off in the next breath. He missed entirely the cunning smile that passed over the Ancient’s face. He would need to be particularly careful in how he orchestrated these next steps. Dunkirk was far from a fool. He realized that the demise of the girl could lead to the destruction of Nicholas as well.

  Ella was a key to victory for the Light, as Nicholas had always suspected. The Warrior of Dark had been observing dear Ella since she was a toddler. The fact that the vampire’s relationship with Ella held such strong significance in the outcome of the coming years was the only reason that Nicholas still had his head after all this time.

  CHAPTER 17

  Ella surveyed her apartment once last time, making certain she had packed everything of importance. It was not much and was stacked in one corner. She looked around and could not help but feel defeated. This was not the life she had envisioned for herself - returning to the Realm after all these years of independence.

  It had been the badgering by Myrrdyn over the past two weeks that had brought about the decision. He had come and related the story of the return of his dear grandchild, Kaitriana. Ella had heard the Prophecy as a child and knew the tale of the death of the Witch breed’s Chosen. Even as distanced as she
was from the Realm, there was something innate within her that filled with joy at hearing that the destined savior of the Light lived. Now that Kaitriana had taken her place at the head of the factions with her new Vampire mate, Lorcan, she had begun the fulfillment of the Prophecy.

  It was time for the Light to realize its purpose. Myrrdyn had informed her, despite her heated disagreement, that she now had a purpose of her own to fulfill in the Realm. The Ancient had demanded that she embrace her destiny and return immediately. Repeated visits accompanied by tirades from her friend the last couple of weeks had finally broken her resistance. Ella also felt as more of her died each day that she spent in this apartment. Once her cozy refuge, it now seemed suffocatingly small because her memories of Nicholas haunted her here the most.

  Myrrdyn had just arrived. He was still rather disturbed by how broken the young witch appeared. Ella was emaciated and exceedingly pale, her eyes held no sparkle. She was unaware of his presence. He shook his head as he watched her brace herself against the wall. Ella looked as though she might break down at any moment. His inclination was to hunt Nicholas down and flay his skin from his body, an inch at a time, before staking him out in the sun. Tamping down his anger, he resigned himself to doing nothing. The Light would not be served if he let his wrath overtake his reasoning.

  Even knowing that this was necessary - that the girl was supposed to endure this heartache - did not make it easier to witness. Myrrdyn felt more than an inkling of guilt. He had never been able to protect Ella as he had desired, but he had done his best to assist her as she grew. Even when she had made her home with the humans, he had remained vigilant in his watch over the witchling. His heart warmed, knowing Moya would be proud of all that Ella had grown to be.

  Myrrdyn had known full well that Ella had become the subject of Nicholas’s interest after her birth, even before Moya left the Realm. As much as his instincts drove him to take the bastard’s head, he understood that Ella was significant in the destiny of the Warrior of Dark. It wasn’t until years later as Ella had grown to adulthood that he realized how significant she was to be in Nicholas’s path. Myrrdyn had seen the shift when the Warrior had no longer been able to just observe the girl in interest of her magic, but had developed an interest in the witch herself. He could not blame the vampire, he supposed. He knew that Nicholas suspected her lineage and then Ella had grown into a stunning beauty. Those two reasons alone would have been enough to draw one of darkness to her, but it was the spirit within her that had caused the damaged Warrior of Dark to warm to the girl.

  Myrrdyn thought the bond the two developed was enough to draw Nicholas away from the Dark. He had been surprised - something he did not like - to find that Nicholas had returned to his position at head of the Dark legions and left Ella shattered in his wake. His vision had always been a bit more hazy when it came to Ella, but he had a feeling that when all became of what was to come, the Light would still triumph, as would the girl.

  Ella had just finished tossing a large dress bag on the floor in her bedroom where the bed had once been. The room was now empty, as was the remainder of her apartment, everything that was unnecessary for life in the Realm given away. Next, tossed on top of the dress bag was a fine gold chain with a dangling emerald, followed by three dozen dead roses and lastly a black credit card. Myrrdyn could see the fine script of her hand on a note that was dropped on top of the pile, ‘Burn in hell.’ He shook his head at her, smiling. Ella would have the last word even if the one the note was meant for would never see it.

  Of course, Myrrdyn knew that she had a sparkling diamond ring dangling from a long silver chain, tucked down in her shirt but he would not call her on it. She had to cope in whatever way was best until she healed. Whether that ring served the purpose to keep some small hope alive in her heart or to serve as a reminder of what Nicholas had done to her, he did not know, but she was surviving.

  Ella jumped when he spoke and spun to locate him, “Is that all you need?” His extended finger indicated the six bags in the corner of the space, accompanied by two large boxes and twenty shoe boxes.

  Ella’s eyes found him in the far corner of her sitting room and the look she gave him was a sheepish, “I should probably have given those shoes to Goodwill…”

  She looked so disheartened at the thought that he could not bear to let her consider it, “No, dear, I am certain you will need each and every pair.” Ella only nodded back at him, not really processing his words. Her eyes were distant and he saw the sheen of tears flood them.

  Myrrdyn waved his hand and the items in the corner disappeared. He gave her an encouraging smile and winked, pretending to be much more jovial than he currently felt. Wrapping his arm comfortingly around her shoulders, he explained, “As soon as I have you settled, your items will arrive.” They too disappeared as quickly as her belongings.

  CHAPTER 18

  It was just past dusk when the pair arrived at Laverock, the ancestral estate of the Warrior Witch Caste and home to Kaitriana and Lorcan. Warm light filtered through all of the glass panes fronting the magnificent structure. Ella had heard tales of Laverock as a child but at that time the castle had still been under the control of Alaric and she had never imagined she would see it for herself.

  It was glorious. Ella had stepped into a fairytale and for a moment forgot her own troubles. The grounds within the protective wall that surrounded the stone castle were teeming with activity. In the side yards hundreds of warriors were busy training. The grounds to the front, on the other hand, were landscaped to perfection and myriads of flowers blossomed everywhere. The flawlessness of the design left no doubt that magic lived here. Ella felt a palpable shift in her internal energies then, as though her very DNA recognized and had an affinity for this place. She gazed around in wonder and for a few moments there was no Nicholas and no heartbreak, just a bonding with something ancient that ran intrinsically through her.

  Myrrdyn drew Ella forward through the courtyard, causing little disruption. Apparently the Sorcerer of Light was a frequent visitor. They were just taking the steps, Myrrdyn’s arm still protectively in place, when a gorgeous woman with jet curls that hung to her waist and the most shocking blue eyes Ella had ever beheld shouldered through the massive iron doors. She came bounding down the steps to greet them and Ella wondered how she kept from becoming wrapped in her flowing skirts and tumbling to the ground. Her arms engulfed the elder in a hug and she was laughing with her joy, “Grandpapa, you are a sight for hurting eyes.” Myrrdyn grinned at her with all the love in the world.

  A booming voice came from above. Ella had not noticed the gigantic Vampire that had followed Kaitriana out of the keep. He was now looming over them on the landing of the steps, correcting, “A sight for sore eyes, Kat.” Ella’s eyes locked on him. She had seen this one from a distance a few times in her youth and knew him to be the Warrior of Light. Funny that even though she was now an adult, he seemed as large and as intimidating as he had when she was a wee witch.

  Myrrdyn eyed Lorcan and issued belligerently, “I prefer Kaitriana’s version.”

  The dark-haired beauty shrugged off the mistake as she turned to Ella. She had already secured the other woman’s hands in her own and was now smiling brightly as though greeting her best friend, “I am not yet good with the language of today. Five hundred years of beauty sleep makes it a bit difficult to adjust.” Kat shot her grandfather a quelling look and whispered, “Please try to be nice to Lorcan, Grandpapa…for me. He is still rather pissed over the Darkenword incident.”

  Myrrdyn rolled his eyes, “He’s had a week, perhaps Lorcan should just…” At Kaitriana’s censorious stare, he broke off and chucked her under the chin, “For you child, but only for you.”

  Kat beamed at him and this time her smile drew Ella’s gaze. The tiny fangs were obvious against the remainder of her teeth and it took all of Ella’s control not to take a step back and pull loose of Kat’s grasp. Stiffening, she questioned with much confusion, “You are Vampire?” />
  “Technically, yes, though Lorcan claims I am just a Witch with overly sharp teeth,” Kat had sensed Ella’s hesitation and was having none of it. She kept hold of one hand and began tugging her new project up the steps, away from both Lorcan and Myrrdyn. She continued on, “I was transitioned, had the great big sleep, destroyed a bunch of Darks, and then mated Lorcan.”

  The affection Kaitriana held for her mate was obvious in the look she was giving him at that very moment, along with the glint of mischief. Lorcan arched a brow and shook his head at her, but remained silent. Ella could not help but think, based on his expression, that the past few months had not been as easy as Kaitriana’s explanation sounded.

  As she was pushing Ella through the entrance of the castle, Kat shot another look at Lorcan over her shoulder. Though her words were directed to Ella, they were deliberately loud just to torment her mate, “Isn’t he hot?” At his answering frown, Kat gave Lorcan a sassy wink and hurriedly followed Ella inside, “I will tell you the whole story while I am getting you settled.”

  Myrrdyn could see that poor Ella was befuddled by his granddaughter’s rambling, but Kaitriana would be good for the girl. She would distract Ella and help her move from the dark place she had landed. Myrrdyn took the spot on the landing next to Lorcan and gave him a haughty look, “My grandchild appears happy and well.”

  Lorcan responded with an equal amount of disdain, “My mate is happy and well.”

  Myrrdyn harrumphed and moved on past the Warrior of Light to the door. He was muttering under his breath as he left Lorcan to follow behind, “She still is not with child, Vampire.”

  Lorcan chose to pretend he hadn’t heard and questioned instead, “Why did you insist that the witch come here? Would she not be better served living with her Fire Caste?”

  Myrrdyn did not pause in his step as he proceeded into the great hall and turned to climb the stone stairway up to the second floor, “Because Kaitriana will be of great help in getting her acclimated back to the Realm. Ella needs a friend that understands this world and to help her work through her pain.” He did pause then and his piercing eyes left no room for argument when they met Lorcan’s, “And she needs you to train her in the ways of battle, Lorcan. She is a key. It must be done.”