The Bond

by B. C. Burgess

  “And what about you? What should I do with the one woman in camp I know for a fact is capable of mutiny? Letting her live would be a risk. It would show weakness.”

  “Not if she has something to offer in return.”

  He cruelly smiled and tilted his head. “What do you have to offer me, Lynette? Your body? I could bed every witch in the Dark Elite if I were in Agro’s position.”

  She pouted, but was quick to smooth her expression. “If that’s what you want, I won’t stop you. But I’ll be loyal, Guthrie. I’ll do whatever it takes to put you in power, and I’ll stand beside you once you’re there.”

  “You’re forgetting,” he countered, pressing down on her, “no one stands my equal. You will have no more power than you have now.”

  She rapidly blinked, like that thought hadn’t occurred to her despite his lecture, like she’d just realized she’d be powerless forever, and her violet eyes once again glazed over. “So what will it take to stay in your good graces?”

  “How far will you go?” he asked, aroused by her submission… and repulsed by the fact, repulsed by the power-hungry man ingrained in him. “Will you kill for me?”

  She answered without hesitation. “Yes.”

  “Will you die for me?”

  “Yes,” she breathed, meeting his stare.

  “Will you enslave yourself to me, Lyn? Beg me every day to spare your life?”

  She nodded, and he scowled while tightening his hold on her wrists. “You’re a liar, Lynette. Either that or you’re a damn fool, because I’m no better than the man you wish to defy; you’d be no better off in my bed than you would his. You think you can manipulate me into taking the tough job while you sit pretty on your throne, but you’re mistaken. I’m not your puppet; I’m not going to take the risk just so you can screw your way to the top. You want this army, go for it. Take down Agro and gain control. But leave me out of it.” He let her go and rolled onto his back. “Get out of here.”

  She lay silent and shocked for about three seconds. Then she scrambled to her hands and knees and crawled toward him. “Guthrie...”

  “I said get out. I’m done with your bullshit, Lyn. I already have one power-hungry person pulling my strings. I’m not handing the rest to you.”

  She panicked, wildly shaking her head as she clutched his chest. “That’s not what I want…”

  “You’ve made your intentions clear,” he interrupted, grabbing her wrists, “and I’m done playing along and protecting you. We’re going to take these soldiers back to Agro and go get his witch. Now get out.”

  She made no effort to move, and he growled as he threw her hands off him. “That’s an order!”

  Her chest shook with a choppy breath as tears sprang from her eyes, and Guthrie’s stomach churned as he rolled away. Aside from the week she was brought into camp as a small child, Guthrie had seen her cry only four times, and two of those had been in the past thirty minutes.

  Several seconds passed before he heard her rise and leave his tent, and the burning ache in his chest flared. He’d been cruel to the only person in the world he cared about, and while she’d asked for it by trying to manipulate him, he could hardly blame her for wanting a better life, even if she were willing to kill for it.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Thursday morning’s sunshine crept over Layla’s lids as Quin’s kisses drifted over her head, and she lazily opened her eyes to her new library, which was actually an add-on to the original structure of the house.

  Accessible from the downstairs hallway through a door positioned between the guest bathroom and the stairs, the library stretched into the backyard, with a set of double-doors leading onto the deck, and a huge bay window facing the forest. The furniture combined sublime comfort with the simple beauty of earth tones and solid patterns; and the accessories and artistry were custom-made, each piece unique yet complementary. There were enough shelves in the high-ceilinged room to hold all the books in Layla’s high school library, and every ledge boasted magically-carved designs that varied from shelf to shelf but were repeated often throughout the room and its objects.

  The night before, when Quin first showed Layla the room, he’d apologized for not filling the shelves yet and promised to make it a proper library soon. Then he’d led her toward the bay window, saying he had to provide at least one book, or he wouldn’t feel right calling it a library.

  But it wasn’t just any book, and Layla knew that by the exquisite lectern holding it. Carved from one solid piece of cedar and magically stained dark to match the bookshelves, the base of the lectern had several feet resembling tree roots, and a narrow trunk that twisted like a Contorted Willow – each groove and knot skillfully defined. The top branched out to cradle any size book, and a few of the limbs held small wooden creatures, including a caterpillar, a few butterflies, and an assortment of birds.

  The book that occupied the coveted spot atop the carved branches was a leather bound collection of family trees and detailed histories on every person who'd ever been a member of the Conn/Kavanagh coven. It was her parents' copy, kept safe at Caitrin and Morrigan's over the past eighteen years; now it was home, in a room designed around it. The markings on the spine and covers were the repeated designs in the woodwork and artwork, and the stain on the shelves matched the well-maintained leather of the priceless tome.

  Quin had silently watched Layla spend more than forty-five minutes poring over every word and picture in the first three pages. Then he teased her for being a bookworm while marking her spot and closing the cover.

  She started to protest, but forgot what the problem was when he pulled her into a kiss and carried her to the couch, stealing her attention with no plans to let it go.

  They only got around four hours of sleep, but when Layla awoke to her new library with its creator’s arms wrapped around her, she had no desire to go back to dreamland, so she rolled over and helped herself to something stronger than coffee.

  After a couple of refreshing doses, he reluctantly left the room to fix breakfast, and she curled up in a cashmere throw with her cellphone, set with the task of calling Travis and Phyllis.

  When it came to her two non-magical friends, Layla's stomach squirmed with guilt. She wasn't calling them enough, and when she did, the conversations were one-sided and short. Obviously she couldn't go into detail about her life, and it seemed like she always had a reason to hang up within ten minutes of calling them. This time was no different. She and Quin were due on the lawn in thirty minutes, and she hadn’t showered or eaten. Sure, she could have cut her time short with Quin and called her friends sooner, but she wanted nothing more than she wanted her hero, and she’d willingly harbor guilt for the rest of her life for one minute of his.

  She'd finished her conversation with Phyllis and started one with Travis when Quin walked in with coffee and doughnuts. Layla’s eyes widened on the sugary pastries, and she quickly used magic to hover the phone so she could grab a doughnut and her mug.

  “My hero,” she mouthed, and Quin kissed her forehead before taking a seat across from her.

  She stayed on the phone through breakfast, pausing her chewing long enough to ask a few questions, but she was careful not to ask any that might lead to a discussion about Travis visiting. He only brought it up once, and it was to tell her it might be a few weeks before he could get away.

  With a full stomach and a sad goodbye, she hung up the phone, and Quin grasped her body with magic, keeping her wrapped in the blanket as he floated her onto his lap.

  “How's Travis?” he asked, summoning her coffee.

  “Good,” she answered, taking the mug as she cuddled into him. “Gander Creek has been dragging him down for years. Now that he sees a way out, he's even more upbeat than usual.”

  “Good. Now how about you share your concerns with me?”

  “You can see them, huh?”

  “Always, my love, and I want to help you bear them.”

  “Okay. I was wondering what Travis and
Phyllis might do if… if I... you know, dropped off the face of the earth. They’d have no idea what happened to me, and it's probably better that way, but it makes me sad to think about it. They might think I abandoned them, or that I've been abducted and kept against my will. I don't want them to go through that.” She paused and looked up. “You know?”

  He watched her face for a moment. Then he pulled her into a tight hug. “I do know. We’ll talk to our family and figure out a way to provide solace for your friends if… if this doesn't end right.”

  “That would be nice. I hate the thought of haunting them with an unsolvable mystery. Finality is better. Closure. Even if we have to lie to give them peace.”

  “Sure, love. I'll see what I can do.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You don't have to thank me for that.”

  “Well can I thank you for this room? Because it's gorgeous; even more beautiful in the daytime than at night.”

  “I'm glad you like it.”

  “No, Quin. I love it. And I love the effort and thought you put into it. The stuff you buy me is nice, but the things in this room took you countless hours to create and you put them in a room designed just for me. I feel very spoiled.”

  “Good,” he approved. “That’s how I like it.”

  She took a sip of coffee then sent her mug to the table. “How long before we have to be out there?”

  “About fifteen minutes. But what will they do if we’re late? Ground us to our room? I’d be okay with that.”

  She grinned and bit her lip, her lashes demurely fluttering. “Would you like to help me get clean?”

  He grinned as he vanished their breakfast mess. Then he stood with her in his arms. “Always, my love.”

  Before walking outside, Layla and Quin paused at the front door, kissed each other, then concealed their auras and bonded lights. Two of Serafin's contacts were due to arrive any moment, and Quin insisted the shocking hazes stay hidden until he got a chance to evaluate their company. Serafin approved, saying it was a good idea to ease his friends into the unbelievable mists.

  To help plan for the impending confrontation, most members of the family had put their businesses on hold or in the hands of other covens, and those still going to work had cut their hours back, so when Quin and Layla walked onto the porch, they found over half the family on the lawn.

  As Layla and Quin approached, seven wizards stood – Catigern, Lann, Cadman, Devlin, Drystan, Belinos and Kearny. Tasked with locating Agro's camp, the seven men lined up and let Layla and Quin conceal their bodies and auras.

  “What do you think?” Quin asked, glancing at Caitrin. “Can you see them?”

  Caitrin intently stared at the spot Catigern had stood a moment before. Then he jumped when someone said boo in his ear. “Damn you, Cat,” he cursed.

  Catigern’s laugh floated from seemingly empty air. “Guess they work. See you in a couple of hours.”

  The invisible men said their goodbyes and moved away from each other. Then a whoosh of air rushed over the lawn as the scouts shot toward the sky.

  Not long after the departure, Serafin's head perked up, and he announced the arrival of his friends. Two auras soon flew overhead, circling twice before landing in the middle of the lawn, and Serafin and Daleen walked to meet them.

  “Dallas,” Serafin greeted, shaking the hand of a wizard slightly older and smaller than he. Then he turned his smile on the other man, who was younger and much larger. “Grant, you big lump, how've you been? I forgot how fat you are.”

  He jabbed at Grant's large abdomen, which probably didn’t have an ounce of fat on it, and Grant laughed as he pulled Serafin into a bone-crushing hug. “Hey, old man. Virginia hasn’t been the same since you've been gone.”

  “I'm sure Virginia's doing just fine,” Serafin countered. “What do you think of our new home?”

  “Gorgeous,” Grant answered. “And speaking of gorgeous.” He moved around Serafin and lifted Daleen into a hug. “How's my darlin' Daleen?”

  Daleen laughed as she gave his back a solid pat. “I’m good. Even better now. I missed your smile.”

  “You, too.”

  He lowered her feet to the ground, and she squeezed his massive bicep before turning to the other guest. “How have you been, Dallas?”

  Dallas smiled and looked around. “Well, my dear, if the birds are chirping and I'm breathing, life’s grand.”

  “Yes,” Daleen agreed, scanning the surrounding forest. Then she linked her arm with his. “Come meet our new family. I think you’ll find they’re incredibly special.”

  Serafin made the introductions, leaving Quin and Layla for last, but their missing auras drew the guests’ curiosity right away. When Serafin got to his granddaughter, he spoke as casually as he had with the others, but there was no mistaking the pride in his eyes. “This beauty is Layla, and that's Quin.”

  Grant smiled and offered his hand. “You are a beauty, Layla.”

  She smiled back, letting his large palm swallow hers. “Thank you, Grant. It's nice to meet you.”

  He held on to her for several seconds, tilting his head while watching her eyes, and she swallowed as her cheeks flamed.

  Keeping his gaze glued to the scene, Quin squeezed Layla’s other hand, fighting the urge to pull her away from the stranger, to calm her embarrassment and ease his own nerves.

  Grant finally released her, cocking an eyebrow as he looked from her eyes to Serafin's. Then he moved over, letting Dallas take his place while he greeted Quin.

  The older wizard stared at Layla with equal curiosity, but Serafin didn’t give him time to linger. “You'll meet the rest of the family this afternoon. Take a seat.”

  Dallas and Grant obeyed, and the rest of the family sat around them, summoning drinks while Serafin tended to the guests. Once everyone was comfortable, Grant leaned back and looked around. “So who has the skirmish with Agro?”

  “We all do,” Serafin answered.

  “Of course,” Grant returned, “but where did it start? Aren't you going to tell us why this conflict is brewing?”

  “Yes. But first, do you mind telling us your experience with Agro?”

  “Not at all. I'm an open book.”

  “Dallas?”

  “Sure,” Dallas agreed.

  “Great,” Serafin approved. “Go ahead, Grant.”

  Grant took a swig of wine and a deep breath. Then he ran a hand through his blond hair. “Let's see. Guess I'll start from the beginning, thirty-two years ago. I'd just finished high school and was on a solo trip to Indian River Bay in Delaware. I was there to fish, but at one o'clock in the morning, a witch landed on the beach.” Grant's turquoise eyes unfocused as a sad smile curved his lips. “Erin… that was her name. And she was terrified, which was odd because there was no one else around and I was just sitting on the bank with my hands full of fish. And I probably looked like an idiot, because all I could do for the first several seconds was stare. She was beautiful – long red hair and cornflower-blue eyes that glowed through the bright layers of her aura. I could tell she was about to take flight, and I didn't want to see her go, so I tossed my fish in the water and stood. All I said was hi, but she acted like I’d threatened her life, looking from me to the sky while twisting her cloak. She was literally frightened of her own shadow; I actually saw her jump when it moved. But she must have been starving, because I got her to sit with me by offering a sandwich. Before long she was sobbing and spilling her story, and I learned why she was so scared. Erin was one of two, a twin, and she was a bonded child.”

  Layla’s throat tightened as her insides squirmed. This story wasn't going to end well, she could tell. Swallowing a lump, she looked at Quin, who magically held her coffee in place while shifting her onto his lap.

  Grant was lost in memories and paying no attention to the people around him, so Layla's shift didn't disrupt his story. “Erin's twin sister had fallen for one of Agro’s soldiers and willingly pledged her allegiance to him. And of course,
Agro wanted the other piece of the set. Erin had no intention of joining him, and she didn't want her family hurt, so she fled her community without telling anyone where she was going. For three days she'd been zigzagging across the country without food or sleep, and she was on the brink of an emotional meltdown. I’d never felt such profound sympathy for a woman. All I wanted to do was take care of her, so I spent the entire night trying to talk her into coming home with me, just long enough to get some sleep and food. By sunrise and the grace of the Heavens, she agreed, and every day I did everything I could to convince her to stay one more day. After about two months, I somehow convinced her to love me.” His expression changed again, haunted by regret and longing. “We thought Agro had lost her trail. We hadn't heard a word out of him or received news he'd been in Virginia or any of its bordering states, so we dropped our guard and planned to marry. Five months from the day we met, we did just that. I married a gorgeous witch who was way out of my league yet thrilled to be carrying my baby.”

  Layla's stomach flipped as she squeezed her eyes shut, tempted to ask Grant to stop. She didn’t want to hear more.

  Grant dropped his head, finishing his sorrowful tale in a muffled voice. “The day after our wedding, we flew to Vermont, to a cabin in the middle of nowhere, miles from anyone. There wasn't even a coven nearby, so we thought we had the forest to ourselves. To this day I don't know how they found us, but it doesn't matter how. All that matters is what they did. We'd been there for two days when the cabin door was blown off the hinges by Agro's soldiers, and within seconds they’d overpowered us and cut off our magic with brain shields. Of course I tried to put up a fight, but I was worthless against their numbers. They had me beat before I could throw a punch, so I had no choice but to lie there and watch Agro give Erin an ultimatum – join his ranks willingly or be taken by force. I remember her looking at me with beautiful blue eyes full of tears and terror, silently begging for a miracle, and I wanted to reassure her so badly; tell her it would be okay; that I’d take care of her. But it wasn't okay, and my mouth was so crushed I couldn't tell her a damn thing. Crawling to her wasn't even an option; my body was broken and bound… useless. I wanted to close my eyes, but I couldn't tear my gaze away, so I watched Agro lose his patience and yank her from the floor. That’s when Erin put up the struggle she’d been avoiding for our baby’s sake. She fought their grip with tooth and nail, putting everything she had into that fight, and when all five of her fingernails ripped across Agro's face, his eyes burned like fire. A flash of his hand and Erin was dead, along with the baby inside her. I remember every detail – the flutter of her hair as her body fell to the floor; the dimming of the room when her aura disappeared – and I swear I felt my heart split in two. Part of it went with my love and my son that night, and that's where it stays.”