by Olivia Ash
“Yes.” His eyes take in mine and my heart flutters.
At least that part of me doesn’t hurt.
“Impressive that you took him on relatively well by yourself.” Soren’s voice is full of pride, and though I want to look at him, it hurts too much. “It’s extremely dangerous to take one on. And you fought exactly how I would’ve.”
I smile. “Thanks. Though I think he got a good couple of shots in.”
“Hey, I helped.” Jesse raises his hands above his head and lets them plop back to his lap. He leans in closer to me. “A little.”
“Which is why I said, ‘relatively’.” Soren’s annoyance rings through his words as he repeats himself. “Thanks for your help as well.”
“Did that hurt?” Jesse asks.
Milo walks in from the hall that leads to my father’s makeshift infirmary. His hair is disheveled from the fight, and spots of dirt still cover parts of his face. His pants have gashes in them, revealing bandages. It’s easy to see that he’s tired, but he decided to help my father before resting himself. And that makes my heart swell. He sighs as he leans an arm over the mantle of the fireplace. Just in time, too. I think Soren would’ve tackled Jesse, regardless if I sat between them in excruciating pain or not. “No change. We should call in Savannah.”
“Soren?” Gideon asks.
“I’ll go now.”
Jesse wraps an arm around my shoulders, and I wince with the movement. “She’ll be safe with us.”
Soren huffs a sigh. He nods toward Jesse’s arm. “You’re hurting her.”
Jesse removes his arm gently. “If she drank her potion, it wouldn’t hurt so much.”
“She is sitting right here, and I’m trying.” I take another sip, fighting against the agony each movement makes.
“You’re lucky your spine didn’t break.” Jesse shifts in his seat to better face me.
“It probably did.” My words come out matter-of-fact.
The weight of everyone’s questioning gazes settles on me, and I meet each of them with a brief glance. I sigh, a sharp pain enters my ribs as I tell them how I was thrown against the tree. Their eyes widen as I share how my magic burned through me and then the feeling returned.
I shrug and grimace against the sharp agony of the movement. “If my meteorite didn’t repair it, then I’d be toast.”
Their expressions darken at that remark.
“But I’m not. And thanks to Jesse’s illusion, I took out the mage before he could reduce me to ash.”
“Naturally.” Jesse smiles. “Bout time I get some credit.”
“Hush.” Soren’s voice is full of warning.
Jesse shrugs, weaving his fingers behind his head and sitting rather smugly. I shake my head slowly, so the movement doesn’t hurt. He likes to goad Soren. Death wish doesn’t even begin to describe what Jesse’s deal is with pushing Soren like that.
Then Soren smiles and I’m dumbfounded.
Well, I’ll be.
“Take care of her,” he says and sets his eyes on Gideon, Milo, and Jesse.
“You worry too much.” I take a sip of the potion and it’s even worse cold. “Eek.”
“Should’ve downed it while it was warm.” Jesse holds his hand out for the cup. “I’ll warm it up. The effects won’t be as powerful, but if it’ll help you finish it off, so be it. We’ll have you repeat a dose in an hour.”
Regardless of the pain, I refuse to take in more of the swamp sludge after this. I down the rest and hand the cup to him.
He chuckles as he takes the cup. “That’s my girl.”
Soren nods once to me. I smile at him and watch as he walks toward the door. The sound of the handle twisting after the door closes lets me know he’s gone. He’ll be back soon enough. Just as soon as he tracks down Savannah. She’ll come. I have no doubts.
Jesse immediately launches into the tale of how Gideon and Soren handed Jackson Cane his ass. He embellishes his actions in the fight with flourishing motions and as his tale goes on, I laugh, feeling less and less pain.
“Gideon takes out three shadow wolves. At once.” He holds up his index fingers on both hands.
Gideon chuckles as his eyes focus on me. I’m finding it hard to focus and I want to know what was put in that potion. Instead, I ask, “So what’s the plan now?”
“Now,” Gideon says, “We wait. Make sure your father is well, and finish out this school year. Over the summer, Soren and I will continue to train you. I imagine you’ll want to spend time with your father as well.”
“Very much so.” I nod. The motion feels like I’m moving in water. My body feels like it’s being pulled toward the back of the couch. I slump against it, breathing in deep the smell of the fire. “What about the Order and Anderson?”
“We’ll keep an eye out for them.” Gideon’s voice sounds farther away despite him sitting less than five feet from me.
Before long, my eyes become heavy. Milo brings me a pillow and blanket from another room in the house. As I lay down, I smile up at him.
“Thanks, Milo.”
He nods. “Get some good rest.”
My eyes close, and a blissful sleep comes over me.
Chapter Forty
I slowly open my eyes as the last of the fire burns to slightly glowing red embers. The smell of smoke lingers in the air, and there’s a slight chill. Sitting up from the couch, I stretch my arms over my head and yawn.
There’s no pain. Granted, I’m a little sore. But thankfully, there’s no stabbing pain.
I stand from the couch and shake the remnants of sleep from me as I make my way toward the room where my father is. I assume the men are sleeping and Savannah was either in one of the rooms or has gone home. Either way, the rest of the house is whisper quiet.
I step into the room and see that my father’s sitting up in bed, alert, well, and looking younger. His color has returned to his skin and it seems some of his strength has as well. Though he’s still thin, a few good rounds of eating out to take care of that.
My eyes blur as my heart beats with joy, and I rush to my father.
“Wren, my little bird. You’re so grown up!” He holds his arms out to me.
I lean into him and breathe in deep the familiar scent of my childhood years. “I’m so glad you are okay.”
He holds me tighter to him, petting my head and swaying from side to side. “I’ve missed you so much.”
I sniff as the sting of tears nips at my eyes. “I’ve missed you too.”
He squeezes me even tighter then releases his hold on me. A gleam of marvel and happiness shines through his eyes as he looks at me. He barely blinks, almost as if he’s afraid that if he does, I’ll disappear. I take a seat on the edge of his bed and hold his hand. His deep brown eyes study me as much as I study him, taking in all the changes of his appearance like the grey hair and the salt and pepper stubble covering his cheeks and chin. His dark eyes glimmer in the lights of the room, and it’s all I can do just to sit there and smile.
I finally have my father back. And it’s better than I thought it would be. My heart soars with happiness and relief.
But a dark cloud fogs my mind, reminding me of the things Aunt Patricia had said. My face relaxes into a frown.
“What’s the matter?”
I sigh. I suppose it’s better to treat this like a band-aid and get the tougher stuff out of the way. “Aunt Patricia told me you’re a criminal.”
No sooner did my aunt’s name escape my lips did a shadow cross in front of my father’s eyes. A pinch forms between his nearly straight eyebrows. He squeezes my hands and commands my attention.
“Whatever they’ve told you about me, it’s not true. I’m not a criminal, and I certainly wouldn’t have done something to jeopardize my freedom. Do you believe me?”
Despite his aged face and worn-down posture, I still see the man who raised me, comforted me, and made me happy before my young life was turned upside down. I give him an affirmative nod, letting him know that I do b
elieve him.
He even speaks in the serious tone he would give me when something was so important that I needed to listen and hang on to every word like my life depended on it. Most of those moments were when he first taught me the laws of magic. So, in essence, my life did depend on his words and still does.
I have no reason to disbelieve him. It’s the Order that’s shown itself to be dangerous and untrustworthy. “I knew you couldn’t be a criminal.”
He gives my hand a gentle squeeze of reassurance and it works. “You must have a lot of questions. I have a few of my own.”
I cock my head to the side and tuck a strand of hair behind my head. “Like what?”
“How was school?” He smiles, and I laugh. “Are you getting good grades? Building on everything that I taught you when you were a child?”
He joins in on my laughing, probably thinking of all the at-home lessons, including the mishaps, that he guided me through as he taught me magic.
“I love being at the academy. I’ve even made some friends.” I grin as I motion in the direction of the living room where the men had been.
He levels his gaze on me. “I’ve met them. For them to risk this much for you, and me, that shows me they are good men. I’m glad you have found each other. Now, with that said, are you being safe? Do we need to have the talk?”
Another giggle bubbles out of me as I shake my head. “I’ve got that covered, Dad, but thanks.”
“Interesting group.” He takes on a pensive expression. “I suppose they’re all right.”
“Good. I’d hate to disappoint you by hanging out with the riff-raff you disapprove of.”
He chuckles. “Your turn.”
All my burning questions rush to the forefront of my mind at once. And the most burning question of all is, “Why did you disappear?”
“I didn’t have a choice. I hope you understand that. It was go with the Order, or watch you get hurt. They forced me to work on various projects. Each time I failed, I was beaten and tortured, and they promised the same would happen to you. And I just couldn’t sit back and let them hurt you. So long as I did what they asked of me, you were safe.”
“Why did Deacon Lawrence keep you as a prisoner?”
He shrugs. “Absolute power corrupts absolutely. He got power-hungry and became obsessed with the power the meteor promised. It consumed him and ate him alive, twisting his soul. As soon as his superiors caught on, they increased the detail covering me, as you probably saw.”
“That’s certainly one way to put it.”
“Did he hurt you?” There was a thick edge of anger in his voice.
“Not as much as I hurt him.”
He relaxes a little. “Good.”
I nod. “Is that why he wanted me? Because of the meteorite?”
He shakes his head. “No. He didn’t know you had the last piece until right before I sent you the letter. He figured it out somehow. That’s why I warned you.”
“You saved my life.” I smile warmly. “Thank you.”
“No, my darling daughter. You saved mine.”
I think about that for a moment and nod. “Yeah, I guess I did.” I take a few moments and ask, “Was Mom’s death really an accident?”
Tears well up in his eyes as he looks away, staring at a spot on his blanket. “No.” His voice cracks. “The Order did it, trying to get me to come with them. They killed her first to send a message. Got me alone and showed me how close they were to doing the same to you. I knew they wouldn’t hesitate if I didn’t go with them. I just could—”
“Who did Deacon Lawrence work for?” I ask, voice even, though I felt a lump in my throat.
My father’s eyes meet mine. “I don’t know. I never saw them or spoke to them.”
I nod. “Well, I’m glad you’re finally safe. Now you can heal, and we can pick up where we left off.”
He heaves a sigh. “You need to know something…”
A pinch forms in my forehead. “What?”
“There you are!” Savannah’s voice bubbles toward me. I look over my shoulder as she enters the room. She stops on the other side of my dad’s bed and lays a hand on his forehead. “How are you feeling, Mr. Blackwood?”
“Better, thanks to you.”
She smiles. “My pleasure.” She sets her gaze on me. “You, missy, better come see me once you’re done catching up with your Dad, okay?”
I smile. “You got it.”
“I’m going to let your men know to stop the panicked manhunt. You’re safe.”
I giggle. “Oh, great. Yes. Please do.”
She waves as she turns and leaves the room.
I face my dad again. “What were you going to say?”
He tries to sit up and winces. “It can wait. Sounds like you are needed before the house is reduced to rubble.”
I shake my head. “Soren is a beast, I tell you.”
He chuckles. “Go. We’ll have time to catch up now.”
“Promise?” I stare deep into my father’s eyes.
His eyes crinkle at the corners as he nods. “Promise.”
I stand up and leave the room. My father’s right. Now that he’s back, I have all the time in the world to catch up with him. And I’m very much looking forward to reconnecting with him.
Chapter Forty-One
Fireworks burst in the air, lighting up the warm night sky as the summer celebration for all the graduates comes to a close.
Smiling, I think of everything that’s happened to me these past couple of months. I rescued my father and was able to set him up in the safehouse where I visit him every other weekend so we can catch up—I intend to keep my promise. We’ve all agreed that no one outside our group should know about my father, including Aunt Patricia. She probably still mistakenly believes the propaganda that he fooled around with unsanctioned magic.
Not only do my visits with my father allow me to catch up with him and oversee his healing progress, but it also gives me and my men time to formulate a plan. We still need to clear my dad’s name if he’s ever going to step out in public again. Also, we haven’t forgotten about Anderson.
As the bursts of colors from fireworks come to life and slowly trickle to the ocean water below, I smile in anticipation of my next trip to see my dad. We’ve actually resumed our popcorn and movie nights, and Savannah was nice enough to visit once or twice and join in.
It’s the most normal time I’ve had since my father disappeared from my life over six years ago, and I’m so grateful to have him back.
I gain one, and I’m losing one.
This was Soren’s last year. I shift my gaze to him talking with the other graduates, dressed in long flowing graduation gowns that sparkle with the house emblem on the back. I wonder what he’s talking about. He seems happy, proud. He nods and smiles every once in a while, even catching my gaze. I don’t know what’s in store for our relationship in the future. He keeps side-stepping the topic each time I bring it up. I’m not sure what he has planned, but I know it has to be something big. It’s a surprise, probably.
Whatever he has up his sleeve, I know I won’t be able to keep him all to myself. He has a duty to the magusari. I wonder how they fit into his plans.
The weekends that I don’t spend with my father, I’m enjoying time with my men, or I’m with Savannah. She’s the closest thing I have to a sister, and it feels wonderful knowing that she’s loyal and willing to help us in our quest. Also, it doesn’t escape me that I’ve put a year behind me. Just three more to go. The progress I’ve made brings another smile to my face.
Movement catches my eye and I face Milo and Jesse joining me, leaning against the wall of one of the gardens in the vast island.
“Well, well, look what we’ve found here, Milo.” Jesse’s hungry eyes take me in. I almost forgot I dressed up in a black pencil skirt and smooth green blouse with black ballet flats. I Figured the occasion called for something that would get me out of a school uniform but was a little more formal than my normal co
mfortable jeans and a t-shirt.
“You look good,” Milo says leaning against the wall on my left.
I bump him with my elbow. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
Milo wears a pair of stone wash jeans, a leather belt, and a white t-shirt under a black peacoat.
He chuckles to look down at himself and returns his beautiful brown eyes to me. “Yeah. I guess I look all right.”
We chuckle together.
Jesse leans over my shoulder and whispers in my ear. “You look good enough to eat.”
Delightful tingles and shivers quake through me, especially at the emphasis of “eat.”
“Devil.” I smile.
“You like it. Can’t deny it now.”
I shrug. “Maybe.”
“So, going to spend some of the summer with your dad?” Milo shoves his hands into his jacket.
I nod. “Part of it. I’m also training with Soren and Gideon.”
“Any idea yet what he has planned for next year?” Milo’s gaze finds Soren in the crowd. He snaps his head in an upward nod.
I look over and see Soren walking over and shake my head. “I wish I did.”
“Yes, the dark and brooding Soren certainly knows how to keep a secret.” Jesse leans against the wall and presses his shoulder gently against mine.
“You say that like you already know.”
He shrugs.
I playfully roll my eyes and shrug. “Figures. Well, two can play that game.”
He shifts his gaze to me, and his lips quirk up. “Touché.”
Soren stops in front of me and holds out his hand. “A word?”
“Maybe…” I take his hand as he groans.
“Dammit, woman. Can I talk to you?” He pulls me away as he grips my hand.
“Not if you rip my arm off.” I laugh. “What’s the hurry?”
“Maybe I just wanted to spend a little time with you before the night is over and summer hits.”
“Uh-huh.” Yeah, I totally believe that one. “You’re still training me over the summer. Nice try though. So, what do you really want?”
“I told you.”