by Rye Brewer
“What?” She looked at me with a frown.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t get the chance to tell you before now. We were never alone.”
“It’s temporary,” she told him. “We need safety for a little while, until we decide our next move.”
“Are you in trouble?” He glanced around.
“Not in trouble, per se. More like in limbo. There’s nowhere safe for us. It seems like no matter where I go, somebody wants my blood.”
In limbo. Talk about an understatement.
“And I can’t get her to stay still long enough to make sure she’s safe,” I added.
“Could you please?” she whispered.
Gregor only nodded. “It isn’t easy to keep her in one place.”
She had run away from him once, after all.
I saw the resolve in Gregor’s face. He couldn’t abandon his child any more than Fane could abandon Gage. And he would do anything he could to protect Anissa, like Fane would do anything to help Gage—including summoning me to himself, risking the both of us by doing so. Although Gage had betrayed me and his clan, the clan my father used to lead, Fane couldn’t write him off—any more than I could. Yes, I finally admitted to myself, I needed to take care of my brother.
What about his betrayal? I asked myself as Anissa and Gregor stepped aside to have a conversation.
What about the way he tried to split up the clan? He undermined me. He went behind my back—not only the back of his leader, but his brother. How could he do that to me?
I remembered the early days, after Mom and Dad disappeared. When it was clear I would be head of the clan, since I was older. He was so bitter in those days, and he didn’t bother trying to hide his feelings. Stupid me, trying to tell myself he’d gotten over it. It was clear he hadn’t. I should’ve been honest with myself from the beginning instead of hoping he’d eventually come around and work as a true teammate, the way Philippa always had. She’d always been my advisor. We’d worked together. Gage was my twin. He was the one who should’ve been my partner. It wasn’t meant to be.
And he’d split us up, damn him. He’d tried to take my leadership. Could I risk myself for his sake after he’d done that? I’d already saved him once, when Marcus took him prisoner. Could I do it again? Was it worth it?
I started to turn my attention to what Anissa and Gregor were talking about—their whispers had become a little too loud to go unheard.
Anissa was gesturing wildly, trying to convince her father to take me. I wanted to tell her to stop wasting her time, but the searing pain in my forearm stole the words from my mouth.
A cry of pain bubbled up in my throat, one which I barely managed to stifle. I inhaled sharply, trying to breathe through the pain. What was happening? It seemed to radiate from the inside.
I told myself to pay attention to Anissa until the pain passed, which it surely would. But there was no way. The pain was searing, blinding, stealing my concentration.
I glanced down at the inside of my forearm to find a raised brand on my skin. It was as if a design had been burned into my skin with a cattle branding iron.
My eyes widened in surprise. It was roughly the size of a half-dollar, full of symbols I didn’t recognize. What did it mean? Where had it come from? A brand? Who would brand me? No wonder it hurt so much.
This wasn’t good. It was very bad. The sort of bad that could put us both in danger.
What a surprise, I thought dryly. More danger. I had barely caught my breath before more threats knocked at my door.
It took all the self-control I possessed to turn my arm inward, hiding the brand. I told myself to stop thinking about the markings and to concentrate on what was happening with Anissa.
She hissed angrily at her father—her voice was low, but I couldn’t miss the anger in her words.
“Only you can enter,” Gregor said.
Of course, he would.
I couldn’t blame him. He would only be inviting danger into his closely-guarded realm if he allowed me entry. I didn’t hold it against him. His daughter was another story.
“Then neither of us shall,” she shot back. “We’ll figure it out somehow. I don’t want you to put yourself out on my account.” I heard the pain in her voice, the betrayal. I hated thinking I had put her in this position, but that was the truth of it.
The next thought that came to my mind was the position this brand would put her in. I didn’t know what sort of dangers it heralded. I couldn’t risk having her around if things got ugly. I couldn’t have her hurt. I had to do anything and everything to keep her safe.
I took a step in their direction. “No. There’s been a change of plans.” I moved closer, ignoring Gregor for the moment. I knew he was doing what he thought was best, but I didn’t have to be friends with him.
Anissa gasped. Her anger and confusion were palpable. “Excuse me, but why don’t I get a say in this?”
I looked at Gregor again. “I might have a few things to take care of, and I don’t want her to be part of it, for her own good.”
Anissa was fuming. Her arms were crossed over her chest, her demeanor unapproachable.
I turned to her for a moment. “I’m sorry, but I think I might need to take care of the situation with Gage. And I can’t let you be part of that. I know it doesn’t sound right, but believe me. I would feel much better if I knew you were safe in Avellane with your father.”
The murderous expression I’d seen at first had softened into one of concern for his daughter.
“Why can’t you come, too?” Her eyes searched my face, pleading.
“Like I said, I think I need to stay behind. But it won’t be forever, and I’ll get word to you.”
“No. I don’t like this. You at least need to rest after coursing. You need your strength.”
I didn’t think I had the time to waste on that, but there was no sense in arguing with her. If I could convince Gregor to take her, that would be enough. I glanced at him again. So did she.
“This is for the best. Stay with your father. I’ll come find you when the coast is clear.”
“Don’t do this,” she whispered.
The pain in my arm pulsed, throbbed, reminding me of the presence of the brand. Reminding me how crucial it was to ensure her safety, no matter how it hurt her in the moment.
“It’s for the best, like I said. I promise. This will all work out.”
I had no idea how, but I needed to believe it would. Otherwise, what was the point of everything we’d been through?
27
Jonah
Anissa glanced at me one more time before Gregor led her through the portal. She didn’t simply look at me. She practically cast daggers at me.
I gave her a strong, confident smile—or something I hoped passed for one. I couldn’t let her know how concerned I was over what would happen once she went through. Where would I go?
I looked behind me, toward the cathedral. Lights burned inside.
No, I couldn’t go there, not when I didn’t know what the brand on my arm meant. It burned and stung so deeply it almost made it impossible for me to think clearly. I was too busy wishing the pain would go away. I couldn’t do my best strategizing when I couldn’t think through the haze of burning pain.
I had never heard of a brand like the one on my arm, but I knew things like that didn’t happen on their own. Somebody had done this to me. Somebody with magic.
I had to find Fane. He might be able to tell me. But where was he? How could I get answers from him when I didn’t know where to look? Damn Marianelle for disappearing before telling me anything of value. She thought she could play little games like that. I could’ve killed her for it—that’s how furious and hopeless I was.
Fane had been keeping an eye on me all along, using the underground Passages. It made sense, then, I might be able to see him, or at least sense him, from high above the world.
And what better place to keep watch for him than at the top of the clan high rise? I hadn
’t been there since I’d forfeited my spot at the head of the family.
I wondered if Philippa and Scott would be there waiting for me. I actually hoped not, good as it would be to see them. If they were there, I would feel like a liar if I didn’t tell them about seeing Fane. They deserved to know. Still, there was danger. I wouldn’t betray him, and I wouldn’t put them in that position.
With that in mind, I coursed back to the city. The notion of going home helped me push through the weakness I felt from the last coursing session—it was a good thing home wasn’t as far from the cathedral as the Sanctuary was. It only took a half-hour, maybe less, for me to reach Manhattan. The lights and bustle were enough to send pain to my chest. I missed being in the center of a vital, vibrant place. I missed going out with my brothers and sister. I missed the way things used to be, back when I thought I had problems.
But now I had Anissa, and she made up for everything else. I wouldn’t have traded her for anything. Except I couldn’t be with her at the moment. Not until I had everything figured out. Having her pissed for a short time was better than having her in danger.
I used a back entrance, one that was secret, and entered from below ground that had an elevator which could only be accessed by secret code that opened up to a bookcase in my suite. No one knew about it.
The first thing I noticed on entering the building was the quiet. What was happening that it was so quiet? Had everybody gone out? Were they searching for Gage? Odds were, that was exactly what they were doing. Philippa wouldn’t let it rest. If he was missing, which he obviously was from the way Fane had made it sound, they’d gone looking for him. It could be a blessing for me if they did, even though I hated the thought of Philippa and Scott getting close to the trouble Gage was in.
Why didn’t Fane tell me more about that? I hadn’t given him much of a chance, though, had I? Getting back to Anissa had been my priority at the time. I wouldn’t have changed that. I only wished I’d taken another moment to get more information.
It took just a minute to get up to the penthouse, and when the door opened, fatigue swept over me. I hadn’t felt so exhausted in all my life.
There wasn’t any time for that. I could rest when it was over. Whenever that was.
The penthouse was empty, the lights off. I didn’t turn on any of them for fear of alerting somebody to my presence. I wasn’t sure why, but the thought of letting others know I was here didn’t sit well with me.
I only stopped to shower quickly and change my clothes—it felt good to freshen up, even if the water stung when it hit the brand. I was careful with it, avoiding contact as much as I could.
I finished then went to the roof to start looking for Fane.
The night was dark, but dawn was coming soon. I didn’t have much time. I concentrated on feeling him, sending out my thoughts so he might see them. I needed to find him. I didn’t have time. Desperation colored my thoughts and my decisions, but I realized that might help me. If he knew the situation I was in, how perilous things were all around, he might be more likely to summon me again.
The cool air was good against my skin, especially my arm. He would know who had marked me. I could rely on him.
“Where are you, Fane?” I whispered, looking out across the hundreds and hundreds of buildings with their thousands of lights.
As though answering my question, two figures emerged from the shadows at the other side of the roof. I tensed, going into a fighting stance as I had in the graveyard before Fane made himself known. Was he one of the figures in the shadows? No. They were smaller, slender. I waited for them to make themselves known.
The first, I recognized right away. Her ruby lips curved into a smile while her emerald eyes snapped at me.
“You,” I whispered dangerously.
“Oooh, not happy to see me?” She tilted her head to the side. “When I can help you?”
“You disappeared. You deserted me.”
“But I’m here now, aren’t I? Don’t whine.”
Meanwhile, the second witch emerged. She was older than Marianelle, and infinitely more poised. She gave the impression of being ancient with her royal bearing, the way she held her head almost defiantly high. While Marianelle’s hair was dark brown, this witch’s was raven black to match the black outfit she wore.
“You seek him,” she said, and there was weight in the last word. Almost as though it should be spelled with a capital letter.
I nodded.
She didn’t break eye contact when she spoke. “Go, Marianelle. I will take him to Fane.”
Marianelle paused. “You’re sure?” A brow rose.
“Yes.” The witch smiled at me. “I’m Sirene. I’ll take you to him now.” She threw a portal.
I prepared myself for the sensation of being sucked through.
In the blink of an eye, I was back in the graveyard. At least I recognized it this time.
Sirene came with me, closing the portal behind her. In front of me was my father.
“Thank you for bringing me back to you,” I breathed. “I have so much I need to know. I have so many questions.”
“I didn’t expect to see you again quite so soon.” He smiled. “But it doesn’t feel as though this is a pleasant social call.”
I shook my head. No, it was anything but. I bared my arm, turning it so the inside was visible. The brand was darker than ever. At least the pain wasn’t quite as sharp as it had been—it had lessened to a deep throb.
Sirene gasped. “He’s been marked for protection!”
I looked up from my arm at Fane.
He nodded. “Yes. That’s what this is.”
“Did you do it?” I asked.
I expected him to nod, but he shook his head, instead. “This is beyond my skills. I have no knowledge of how to do this.”
“Did you?” I asked Sirene. “You can tell me.”
“I would never do something like this without permission.” She glanced at Fane, who looked down at her.
I felt a current flowing between them and wondered what it was all about. It didn’t make me feel comfortable, seeing my father connecting with someone who wasn’t my mother. But my mother was gone, wasn’t she? There was so much to adjust to.
“What about the symbols?” Fane asked her. “Can you read them?”
“Will that help?” I asked.
“It might reveal who branded you,” he explained. “But only maybe. We’ll see.”
“May I? I won’t hurt you.” Sirene reached for my arm, and I stretched it out to her. She took it in gentle hands, hands in which I felt great magic flowing.
I waited while she examined me closely, her face not far from my skin.
Both Fane and I were silent as we watched her.
She shook her head. “This is so strange. It’s a language I have not seen in hundreds of years.”
So, she was much older than she looked. That wasn’t unusual for witches.
“Can you read it, though?” Fane’s voice betrayed concern. He was worried for me, my father.
I tried to push my emotion aside. There would be time for that later, as there would be time to rest.
“I’m trying,” she said. “From what I can tell, and this is what truly confuses me, it’s Valerius. It seems to be his brand.”
She looked up at Fane, whose brow furrowed as he frowned.
“Valerius? He hasn’t been heard from in centuries,” Fane said.
I searched my memory for mention of his name, but nothing came up. He must have been some truly ancient creature for me to have never heard of him. Another reminder of how much I didn’t know. Had I ever been confident about what I knew? Why?
“This is a mystery.” Sirene released my arm. “I’m sorry I can’t be more help.” And she sounded sorry, too.
Unlike my distrust for Marianelle, I trusted Sirene’s sincerity.
“Do you mind giving me a little privacy with Jonah?” Fane asked.
My pulse raced. What would he tell me? There was so
much I wanted to know. Sirene nodded, moving into the mist. It was still pitch dark outside, and, before long, she blended into our surroundings.
He looked at me, eyes burning into mine. “You came back.”
“I had to. I had to find you and learn what you plan to do about Gage. And I needed to figure out about this brand.”
He smiled, nodding firmly. “I’m glad to have you with me, son.” Hearing him call me that brought up so much. My chest felt tight. I could hardly breathe. His son. My father.
“I want to help in any way I can, but I need you to explain something to me, first.”
“What can I help you with?” he asked.
“Why would Lucian hurt Gage? You said this had to do with him, but you never told me what.”
He nodded sagely. “Yes. Lucian. He’s at the root of everything. I hardly know where to begin” He sat on a tombstone then motioned for me to sit as well.
I took a seat across from him on another cold, hard stone, ready to listen.
28
Jonah
I watched my father closely as he decided where to begin his story. There was sadness and pain in his eyes when he started to speak.
“It goes back centuries, the history I have with Lucian. All the way back to when I was a human, named Dommik. My family made their home in Europe then, in an area which is now known as Germany, though we called it Prussia. We were happy, poor and happy. But we didn’t know any better back then—we knew there were the wealthy, who lived in the towns, but their lives had little to do with ours. We were content with what little we had.
“My father was a farmer. I spent my days and nights working, either in the fields or in the home. We were always building onto our little thatch cottage, since my mother never seemed to stop having babies. It seemed we spent every summer expanding to allow for yet another young life.
“I was the oldest of ten by the time I became a man and had to decide to move on and create a life of my own. I hated the thought of leaving my family, since I’d become so crucial to the success of the farm. But it was time, everyone thought so. I considered purchasing an adjoining parcel of land, so I could at least be nearby.