“You saw what she did to Ming and Jin?” he said.
“She broke them somehow, but I don’t understand. I can’t fathom how Ming could really be dead.”
“She broke their Complement bond. And to make it even more unnecessarily tragic, she murdered Ming Lao in front of their daughter.”
“To be fair, I was aiming for the other one. It’s usually easier for the woman to survive without her Complement, especially when she has natural children. I was trying to be nice,” Livia said.
The rage surged within her again, itching to be released, but Allie kept a tight rein. She was more in control now. She wouldn’t lose it again.
“Little sister,” Livia sneered. “What a joke. I’ll get out of this hellhole of yours and, so help me, I will take you with me. I’ll break you just like I did your buddy Quinn. I’ll wear your gifts like a cloak and then I’ll hand you over to my father. He’s been looking for you for thousands of years.”
“That’s enough for tonight,” Gregg said.
“What will you do with her?” Allie asked as she turned to leave, ignoring Livia’s vitriol.
“She will be treated kindly, but we can’t let her go. Not yet.”
“I-I’ll come see you again,” Allie said.
Livia scared her to death, but Allie wanted to know her. If she could be redeemed … if she could be the woman Allie only vaguely remembered from the visions she had during her Awakening, then she wanted to give her that chance. It was what their parents would want.
“Don’t bother. Go live your little charmed life and forget about me.”
Allie whirled back toward her sister, marching right up to the bars. “I don’t know anything about what you’ve been through, Livia. But you don’t know shit about me and what I’ve been through either. You and I can be enemies, or we can learn to work together, filling in the gaps for each other. There’s a lot I could tell you about our parents. It’s up to you which way this will go. You can bend or you can break, but something tells me you’re too strong and too smart to break. I know I am.”
~~~
Allie followed Gregg from the cell, leaving Liam behind to watch over Livia, Quinn and his friend … and the other one. Allie could sense him in another cell, deep within the confines of the underground, even deeper than where they were now. She could feel the pulse of his Immortality all around her. The closer she was to him, the stronger she sensed it. I wonder if I can give it back? In her rage, her judgment led her to protect Aidan. But she wasn’t sure anyone deserved what she'd done. Allie shuddered. She couldn’t even fathom how she was capable of doing something so monstrous.
“It seems we need to have a chat before you can go rest,” Gregg said as Darius joined them and they made their way up the steep stone staircase. “This bond you share has no doubt left you both completely baffled.”
“You could say that. Da, what is this?” Darius asked.
“It is a very ancient bond. And Lord knows I never would have expected it from you two. Few will ever know what it means to have what you have. Fortunately, I spent nearly all my life sharing such a bond with a very important woman.” Gregg led them into his office. Allie knew what he was getting at. That woman was her mother.
“Allie, if you want to truly understand this bond, there should be no secrets between you two. Do you have anything you need to tell Darius before we continue?” He gestured for them to take a seat on the sofa.
Allie turned to face Darius. “I think he means he shared this kind of bond with my mother,” Allie whispered.
Gregg nodded.
“Lily?” Darius frowned.
“Carson and Lily are the only mother and father I have ever known, but my biological parents were Kassandre and Ashar. I just found out last year.”
“So … you’re a natural born. And your parents were pretty … impressive.” Darius nodded as if that were the end of it.
“Livia is my natural-born sister,” Allie added. “Kassandre—our mother—was the daughter of Alísun, the last Queen of Indriell.” She felt it when his heart skipped a beat—hers mimicking his.
“The prophecy?” Darius managed not to choke on the word.
“It’s about me.”
“It’s about all of you,” Gregg added. “Remember, the prophecy says, ‘He—or she as it turns out—will surround herself with her equals.’ Not her equal, which is obviously Aidan, but her equals. Plural.”
“Sorry I seem to have dragged you into this.” Allie hung her head. She loved Darius and the last thing she ever wanted was to force him into a role he didn’t want.
“Are you kidding? This is awesome.” Darius flashed her a grin. “Pleased to meet you, Your Highness.”
“Knock it off, Dare.” She punched his shoulder with a quick jab.
“We’re getting off-subject,” Gregg said. “Kassandre was my Syntrophos.”
“Syntrophos? I’ve never heard that term before,” Darius said.
“It’s not common knowledge. Those who have it tend to keep it to themselves.”
“What does it mean?” Allie asked.
“In the Greek translation, Syntrophos means foster sibling, as in the old way when a child would foster with another family to learn a trade or become a warrior or knight. Kassandre was my Syntrophos and Ashar's Complement. She was the glue that held us all together. She was our anchor. Ashar and I were like brothers and she was … everything. I was her left hand in battle and he was her right. She was my comrade-in-arms. She was my best friend and the love of Ashar’s life. Together, the three of us were one. When they died … a piece of me went with them.”
“But it’s nothing like a Complement bond, right?” Darius asked. “No weird ménage relationship that I really do not want to hear about happening between my parents and Allie’s. Please tell me you all weren’t, like, romantically involved?”
“Ew, Darius? Did you have to go there? My brain never went there. What's wrong with you?” Allie glared at him.
“What? I’m a little worried. I’m crazy about you, but at the same time, I don’t really see you that way … but I also wouldn’t say a little somethin’ somethin’ might never happen between us once you’re older.”
“It’s a complicated relationship, son.” Gregg laughed. “It will not make much sense to anyone outside of your relationship. But I can assure you our Syntrophos bond was never anything weird or kinky or inappropriate. So let’s let that be the end of such discussion, please.”
“This sounds so complicated.” Allie sighed. She couldn't deal with complicated.
“Aye, it is. But when Naeemah and I finally bonded, she gave us the balance we desperately needed. Before then, it was not always easy. Jealousy plagued us for years, but our bond kept us close and we dealt with it.”
“Like walking a tightrope,” Allie said.
“Your mother always said the same thing.” Gregg chuckled.
“So this is something that has always been?” Darius asked.
“The Syntrophos bond began with the earliest Queens of Indriell. The queen’s council was made up of the Syntrophos who were the heads of their noble houses. They acted as her council, but they were also her army, despite their small numbers. They were that powerful. Some say they were the direct descendants of the original Immortals. Some say they are mere legend—that when Zeus separated their souls, he broke these few into thirds and not halves. Some believe the Syntrophos only arise when the world is in need of them. The stories are just stories, but I am living proof the bond is real.”
Allie squirmed in her seat. She loved Darius, but this was intense. And after everything that passed between her and Aidan before all of this began, she wasn’t sure how she would be able to handle this—loving them both so fiercely. It seemed like a doomed situation and she refused to come between the brothers.
“After the Great War, the Syntrophos who survived the executions were precious few,” Gregg continued. “Those who lived disappeared, but their bloodlines have carried on
. Even mortals have legends about them. In the fourth century B.C.E., mortal historians called them the Sacred Band of Thebes, an army of one hundred and fifty ‘lovers.’”
“Lovers?” Allie asked.
“Aye, but perhaps the more correct term would be an army of ‘beloved.’ The army fought in teams of three, the strongest at the center with the left and right fighting alongside them, but always with the purpose of protecting their center. There were many women who led as the anchor. Mortal historians like to make men responsible for all the great strides in history, but women have always been more capable than mortal men have ever wanted to admit. The Sacred Band of Thebes was invincible and they were successful because they each cared deeply for those who fought at their sides. That was the first time in mortal history where the Syntrophos was most plainly evident.”
Allie wasn't sure if she was in the right mental state for a history lesson. But Gregg's voice was filled with such passion she clung to his every word, hoping he would say something that would help her understand the warring emotions she had for both Aidan and Darius.
“Plato even spoke of it at his symposium.” Gregg cleared his throat as he continued.
“—If there were only some way of contriving that a state or an army should be made up of lovers and their beloved, they would be the very best governors of their own city, abstaining from all dishonor, and emulating one another in honor; and when fighting at each other’s side, although a mere handful, they would overcome the world.”
“He speaks of our bond. Although he doesn’t know it, he has given the truest definition of what the Syntrophos means. Kassandre was my beloved. Not in the same way as Naeemah, of course. It is a very different kind of love, but it is still love. The only love you will ever know that supersedes what you two have now will be with your Complements.”
“So … um … what does that mean for our dating lives?” Darius asked.
“You can probably expect that Allie will passionately believe no woman will ever be good enough for you.” Gregg gave him a sympathetic look. “Kassie rarely interfered in my love life, but she was never very friendly with my lady friends. She adored Naeemah, however. But at the same time she was insanely jealous of her.”
Allie sighed. “This is going to get difficult.”
“Yep.” Darius ran his hands through his hair.
“You let me tell Aidan,” Allie said. “He needs to hear this from me.”
“He’s not good en—”
“Nope,” Allie raised her hand to stop him. “I’m shutting this down right now. Repeat after me.” She glared at him. “I, Darius McBrien, will keep my nose out of Allie’s relationship with Aidan.”
“Fine, I’ll stay out of it, Red. He just better—”
“Don’t finish that sentence, son. It’s going to be very difficult for you to keep your instincts under control. So you’d better start trying now.”
“Do you know any Syntrophos we can, like … take lessons from?” Allie asked.
“The bond is feared by so many, Allie. You’ll likely not find any willing to help. Those who have it keep it hidden and don’t speak of it. It is thought to be a rare occurrence, but there are more of us out there than Senate would like to believe. A fully bonded Syntrophos would be a fearful thing. Multiple Syntrophos, banding together ... the Senate wouldn't allow it. They never knew your mother was an anchor. They never knew of her heritage either. The Senate fears what they cannot control, so very few ever knew of the bond I shared with your parents. We only spoke of it with those we trusted.”
“But how could you hide it?” Darius asked. “We didn’t even have to tell you or Liam. You could practically smell it on us.”
“Aye, and you'll have to learn to hide it, son. And quickly. You are safe here at home, but before either of you goes back to school or work, you must learn to mask the bond you share. You are both so young, it will be difficult, but I will teach you.”
“So how did it happen for you, Da? Was it just out of nowhere?”
“It was years after we met when our bond first began to form. When they became Complements, Ashar and I struggled to come to terms with our boundaries. It was difficult at first. She felt torn between us—like there wasn’t enough of her for both of us. Ashar was jealous of our connection and how well we knew each other, but in time, he realized there was no longer a romantic love between us. There was a time when there was, but it paled in comparison to what they had. The relationship can take years to fully understand. We always categorize the people in our lives. Family, friend, lover, enemy. A Syntrophos doesn’t fit in any of those boxes so it takes time to define what the relationship means to those involved. It can be intimate and touchy-feely, but without the complications of romance and chemistry. It’s actually a very innocent kind of love that is often misunderstood by those on the outside of it.”
Allie sat back with a weary sigh, trying to absorb everything. “When it happened … it felt so … intense. It scared me to death,” she finally said.
“I’ll second that,” Darius agreed.
“It's more like a family bond in the way it comes upon us so suddenly,” Gregg said. “This is not something either of you had any control over. So it’s best to accept it and work together to learn what it means for you as individuals and as a couple, because that is what you are now.”
“So what do we do?” Darius asked. “This is insignificant compared to everything else we’ve got going on.”
“Right now, you rest. It’s been a long couple of days for all of us. We’ve made it through a difficult time, not without some profound losses.”
Allie dropped her head, as the tears finally came. She was overwhelmed with shame and guilt for the death of Ming Lao.
“Sweetheart, she died saving her husband and her grandson. She died knowing her daughter will always have her father—knowing Quinn would return to us. Ming Lao died in battle, the way she would have wanted. And she would never want you to blame yourself for any of it. You did well, Alexis Carmichael. You did this family proud. It won’t be easy moving forward, but we’ll do so as a family, as we always have.”
“What does this mean for Jin? For his … mortality.”
“This is unprecedented. But he is still Immortal. We can only guess what his future will hold without his Complement at his side. It is highly probable that a severe wound could kill him, but otherwise, he will remain unchanged by this event—at least physically. Emotionally … I can’t imagine.”
~~~
CHAPTER
THIRTY-FOUR
Allie made her way down the long corridor to the common room. Gregg and Darius returned to the crypt to speak with Quinn, and Liam was still with Livia—probably interrogating her, which Allie didn’t even want to think about. She was so weary. She just wanted to check on everyone, grab something to eat, and go to bed for a week—preferably for a nice, long, dreamless sleep, and for that she needed Aidan. But the only one lingering in the common room was Sasha. She paced the length of the room, still dressed in her gear and obviously still reeling.
“Sasha?” Allie whispered.
“I heard you coming. What do you know? I just got back.” Her curly hair stood on end and she had a crazed look in her eye.
“I was going to ask you the same thing.”
“Have you seen him?”
“Quinn? Yes. He’s fine.”
“Where is he?”
“He asked them to lock him up in the crypt. He’s still not himself. Livia had some kind of hold on him. She was using his gifts.”
“She took them?” Sasha looked horrified.
“No. It seems she can take control of a gift without actually stealing it. He was in bad shape, but you broke him out of it, Sash. You did it. You brought him home. I don’t think we could have gotten through to him any other way.”
“Then what is this?” She threw her hands up in frustration, her eyes bright with unshed tears. Sasha didn’t cry so Allie knew she was on the verge of a
total freak-out.
“Calm down. Let’s sit.” Allie gestured to one of the many sofas that filled the common room. “What are you talking about?”
“I can feel him, Allie. Like I can feel his heart beating in my chest. Something happened out there when we saw each other.”
Allie did a double take. She was so exhausted and overwhelmed, she’d missed it. She’d missed the shroud wrapped around her friend like a cloud. The subtle aura around Sasha was new and it vibrated with Quinn’s energy. She could sense the bond that linked them, but Sasha didn’t understand.
“Have you talked to Naeemah?”
“No, I haven’t seen anyone since I got back.”
“Who did you ride home with?” Allie wondered why no one had talked to her about this yet.
“I drove home alone. I followed Mom.”
“Where is everyone? Where’s Aidan?”
“I think Aidan's with Emma trying to treat Daniel’s severed hand. He’s in so much pain, but he heals so slowly—and with Ming gone, he’s just a mess. I can’t believe she is gone gone. Jin and Chloe are with Mom and Graham in her garden. They needed a quiet place to mourn. The others aren’t back yet. They’re keeping watch.” Sasha had barely taken a breath as she babbled.
Allie grabbed her trembling hands. “Deep breaths, Sash. You’ve been alone, for hours, not knowing what this is?” Allie pulled her in for a hug. She could feel Sasha was on the brink of losing control. She was so upset, she wasn’t aware of Allie’s new bond yet. Allie held her and whispered comforting words as Sasha cried. “Just breathe; it’s all going to be okay. But I need you to calm down. Focus on me. Let everything else go.” As Sasha finally relaxed, Allie waited patiently for her to make the connection.
Sasha suddenly pulled away, staring at her in disbelief. “What is this bullshit? You too? With Darius?”
Allie nodded. “Let’s go find your dad. You need to see Quinn, and Gregg needs to explain this to you both.” Allie pulled her up from the couch where she sat, completely bewildered.
“I always wondered if Quinn might be my Complement,” Sasha whispered as they headed back down to the crypt. “But it never felt right. I love him. I’d be proud if he were. It's just never worked; but this feels very … Complementy.”
Immortals of Indriell- The Collection Page 82