Magic Awakened: A Reverse Harem Romance Complete Series

by Sadie Moss

  I nodded, pulling his fingers to my lips to kiss them softly. Though I was emotionally wrecked by the events of the day, this time alone with my men fortified me. The Resistance had suffered a devastating loss, but we wouldn’t—we couldn’t—let it stop us from fighting.

  “So, what’ve you two been up to?” Fen asked, his playful smirk telling me he knew the answer to that already.

  Rather than give him the satisfaction of seeing me blush furiously, or at the very least, to distract him from the redness of my face, I answered, “Akio was just trying to convince me I’m a natural-born leader.”

  “Oh.” The wolf shifter pursed his full lips, scratching at the scruff on his cheek. “Well, you are.”

  “Ugh. Not you too.” I groaned, sitting up straighter as Jae sank into a chair across from us. His foot reached out to tap mine, our bodies seeking even that small contact.

  “If you’re putting it to a vote, then me three,” Corin chimed in.

  I shot a pleading glance at Jae, but he just lifted one corner of his mouth, his green eyes dancing. “Sorry, Lana. Me four.”

  I scrunched up my face, the glow of pleasure at their faith in me warring with a hefty dose of disbelief. “You all have to say that. You’re bonded to me.”

  “It’s not just us, killer.” Fen shifted to sit against the couch next to us, taking one of my hands so he could lace our fingers together. “We have the perfect excuse to follow you anywhere, but we’re not the only ones who want to.”

  “He’s not wrong.” Jae leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees like he always did when discussing something important. “I know you think Noble created your persona of ‘The Crow’ out of nothing. But the truth is, he did very little. You’d made yourself a legend through your actions without his help. People were already talking about you.”

  “But they didn’t even know me!” I sat forward, mirroring Jae’s pose unconsciously. “And I never met any of those Resistance members who died today. I never told them to do that. How would they have—”

  “That’s where you’re getting confused, kitten.” Akio’s voice was teasing, but his words were serious. “Some people lead by telling others what to do, yes. But some lead simply by demonstrating a better way to live.” He pulled me back into his embrace, strumming his strong fingers over my ribs. When he continued, he spoke softly into my hair. “I did mean it when I said those Resistance members died for you today. But not because you ordered them to. You didn’t make them do anything. You simply fought for your beliefs so strongly that you inspired them to do the same.”

  His words and touch were a balm, calming the churning sea of emotion inside me.

  And I thought maybe I finally understood.

  It was terrifying to think of being responsible for other people’s lives. The weight of that burden was almost too much to consider. But if I looked at it from another perspective, I could acknowledge the truth I hadn’t been able to see before.

  When it came down to it, I was willing to die fighting for a cause I believed in. Hell, I’d have some strong words for anybody who tried to take that right away from me. And those Resistance members today, our new recruits, Noble, even my four—they all had the same right I did.

  The right to live and die for their beliefs.

  So while I could acknowledge my part in becoming a symbol of the Resistance, perhaps inspiring others to join the fight, it wasn’t fair to them for me to take responsibility for their deaths. Those who died today had each stood on the palace steps with clear eyes and hearts. They had made their own choices.

  Every person who joined the Resistance made a choice.

  My chest swelled with gratitude as I realized the strength and bravery of the people I had fallen in with.

  I was proud of them.

  It was an honor to be one of them.

  And if it gave them hope in the face of terrifying darkness, I would lead them.

  Chapter 20

  “These are all the transport spells I could find, Miss Crow!”

  William loped down the hallway toward me, his shaggy red-brown hair wild. Several glass tubes were clutched haphazardly between his small hands, and I took them from him quickly before he dropped them all.

  “Thanks, Will.” I slipped the transport spells in my pocket then ruffled his hair.

  “You’re welcome.” He beamed up at me. “Are they going to help you fight Rain?”

  Gods, I hope so.

  “Yeah. They’ll be a big help.”

  “Good.” His face brightened even further, his thin chest puffing out with pride at having contributed to the fight.

  My heart squeezed uncomfortably. I hoped like hell he’d still have that joyful, innocent look on his face tomorrow.

  “We’ve got everything we need gathered,” Retta said, coming up behind William and resting her hands on his shoulders, pulling him close to her.

  Tears welled behind her thick glasses, and her hands shook slightly. Answering tears stung my eyes, begging to escape, but I had made myself a promise—no more crying until this shit was over. I wouldn’t give Rain the fucking satisfaction.

  Retta, Darcy, and several of the other Blighted men and women who were living here had offered to come fight with us. And while my stomach tightened with worry at the thought, I hadn’t tried to talk them out of it. Instead, I’d thanked them gravely and pulled the housekeeper and cook into bone-crushing hugs.

  The Blighted who were too infirm to fight would stay behind to watch the kids in the safety of Beatrice’s warded house. But although Darcy and Retta were able-bodied, that didn’t mean they were fighters. The one reassuring thought I clung to was that enough Gifted and Touched had joined our side that Blighted Resistance members would have solid magical backup.

  Only a small group of us would be attempting to break into Rain’s mountain stronghold. The rest would distract him by launching an attack on the People’s Palace.

  The palace was still heavily fortified with guards, but their numbers were lowered. After Rain’s coup, some had defected and others had been arrested or killed. Even though the Blighted lacked magic, they would outnumber the guards three or four to one. That should even the odds, or even tip them in our favor.

  Retta and I shared a look over her son’s head, and I turned away to let her say her goodbyes. He was too young to fully comprehend what was going on, but he knew enough to worry for his mother. I could hear her whispering false reassurances as I walked away.

  I rounded the corner into the living room. The TV was off. Ivy kneeled on the couch, resting her elbows on the back of it and taking in the activity around her with wide eyes. A glowing blue portal shimmered on the far wall between two large paintings, courtesy of Jae. My four stood in front of it, talking with the group of Blighted who would accompany us to the Resistance headquarters. From there, we’d split up to undertake our separate missions.

  Fen looked up as I approached, reaching out for me. He raised my hand to his lips and nipped at my knuckles. “Ready?”

  “Yeah. Will found a few extra transport spells my grandmother had stashed around the house. I swear, these kids know this place better than I ever will.”

  He chuckled. “I would’ve loved this house when I was little.”

  Retta bustled around the corner, using her sleeve to dab at her eyes. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I’m ready.”

  She joined our group, catching Darcy’s hand and squeezing it tightly. The kindly, round-faced woman looked grim. I tried to imagine either of them wielding weapons as they stormed the palace, but my brain couldn’t conjure up the image.

  I tugged Fen aside and gestured our newest recruits through the portal ahead of us. The group of Blighted all walked through, some hesitating slightly as they forced their unwilling bodies to step into the glowing blue light. It was probably the first time they’d been through a portal.

  When it was just me and my four left standing by the wall, I turned to them. My gaze moved across their faces,
each so different and yet each so strikingly handsome it made my heart ache.

  I suddenly didn’t know what to say. What were the right words for a moment like this?

  “Guys, I….”

  My voice faltered, and I swallowed. Don’t cry, godsdamn it.

  “We know, Lana. Us too.”

  Corin smiled, though worry darkened his eyes. He cupped my cheeks and kissed me once, softly, on the lips. I wanted more, so much more, but I knew why he didn’t give it to me.

  His kiss was a promise. That this wasn’t over.

  Fen pulled on the hand he was still holding, and I turned toward him. He wrapped his arms around me tightly, and I let myself feel small and safe in his embrace for a moment.

  “We got this, killer,” he murmured.

  A hand cradled the back of my neck, and as Fen released me, Jae spun me around and crashed his lips into mine. I was so surprised I almost lost my balance, and he tightened his grip on me, keeping me upright as he claimed my mouth in a deep, wet kiss.

  Akio chuckled, and Fenris wolf-whistled.

  When our lips finally broke apart, I was gasping and a little dazed.

  Jae smiled at me, his green eyes warm and open. “Just making up for lost time.”

  I laughed, biting my swollen bottom lip. Then I turned slowly to face Akio. His dark eyes blazed as he stared down at me, and I could feel every moment of our time together yesterday like it was written on my body.

  “Thank you for being here with me,” I whispered, using those words deliberately. We might be bound together, but I wanted him to have a choice. Always. And I hoped he would always choose me.

  Akio dragged a finger down the side of my face, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. “Kitten, there is no one I would rather fight for… or with.”

  And then there was no more putting it off. We all turned toward the portal, my men falling into a tight group around me. Akio and Corin stepped forward and—

  “Wait!”

  Ivy’s voice made me jump. I’d forgotten she was still here, watching our entire exchange. Gods, we really were more entertaining than a TV show.

  I shot a glance over my shoulder as she rose from the couch and trotted toward us. “What is it, Ivy?”

  “I’m coming with you.”

  My brow furrowed. “What?”

  “I’m coming. To help.” Her brown eyes were wide and earnest. “You need extra help, don’t you?”

  “Well, yeah, but….” I trailed off. Telling her “I thought you just liked to watch” did not seem appropriate in this moment.

  “I can do that!” Ivy smoothed down her short, lacy flapper dress. “I can’t exactly fight like you all, but I can still be useful. I promise!”

  “No one doubts that.” I hesitated. “But are you sure you want to? It’s… human stuff. It doesn’t have to be your concern.”

  A scowl crossed her heart-shaped face. “I don’t want to be around forever in the kind of world Rain wants to create.”

  I shivered involuntarily. Yeah, I wouldn’t either.

  “Right. Of course you can come with us, Ivy. Thank you.”

  She clapped her delicate hands together, prancing over to the portal. Watching her, I would’ve thought we were heading to the party of the century instead of a battle against an insane, power-hungry super-mage.

  We entered the portal after her, walking quickly through the tunnels and guardroom and entering the Resistance headquarters. The place was buzzing with energy. People hustled through, carrying weapons or other equipment. Wide eyes watched us as we passed, and I tried to look strong and confident instead of slightly nauseated and scared shitless.

  When we entered the large common room of the old factory, Corin stiffened.

  “Asprix!”

  He broke away from our group, striding toward the little alcove off to one side of the room where the old reader, Asprix, could usually be found.

  But not today.

  Today, he was standing in the common area, clutching a long staff as a younger Resistance member strapped pieces of what looked like makeshift leather armor to him.

  “Asprix! What are you doing?”

  Corin’s voice was tense, and we all changed course to trail after him as he neared the old man.

  “Oh, dear boy! I hoped I would see you before the fight began.” Asprix’s face lit as he looked up at Corin.

  My heart twinged. I hadn’t realized how small Asprix was. He’d always been sitting when we came to visit, and next to Corin’s tall, muscled form, he looked tiny—like he might blow away in a strong wind.

  “The fight?” Corin’s face darkened. “I hope you don’t mean you’re joining the attack.”

  The boy assisting Asprix finished tying a final knot and darted away, shooting a wide-eyed glance back at us. The old man grabbed onto his staff with both hands, drawing himself up another inch, although his back refused to straighten fully. “Of course I am, dear boy. I must.”

  “No. No, you don’t have to do that. You can’t.”

  Asprix’s kindly face relaxed, his wrinkles deepening as he smiled. “I can’t? Well then, why can he?” He gestured with his chin to a Resistance member passing by. “Why can she?” He jerked his chin the other way, toward a woman sharpening a small dagger. “Why can any of them? And I can’t?” A sweep of his head encompassed the entire room.

  “Be… because—”

  “Because you’ll worry about me?” He raised a gnarled hand to Corin’s cheek. “My dear boy, thank you for caring. But someone else could say the same about any person here. Should we all not fight, because our loved ones don’t want to lose us? What then? Who wins then?”

  “I don’t…” Corin shook his head.

  Stepping up beside him, I laid a hand on his arm and squeezed gently.

  “Corin. Remember how much you wanted to fight? How badly you wish you could have?” I didn’t say more than that, but I knew his thoughts went immediately to his family and the Gifted mob that had attacked them. The muscles of his arm bunched under my fingertips.

  Cursing softly, Corin pulled Asprix into a tight but careful hug. “Come back alive, old man. I mean it.”

  “Oh, I fully intend to, dear boy.” The reader patted Corin gently on the back.

  “There you all are!”

  Noble strode toward us quickly. He was dressed for battle too, with thick leather boots, cargo pants, and a dark, long-sleeved shirt. A leather vest covered his torso. It would offer little protection against the kinds of magical firepower he’d likely be up against, but it was better than nothing. The young girl, whose name I’d learned was Serena, kept pace a step behind him. She wore the same look of fierce determination she had last time I’d seen her.

  “Are you ready for this?” the Resistance leader murmured, coming to stand beside me.

  “Fuck no.”

  He barked a laugh. “That’s a very sane answer.”

  “How are things here?” My gaze darted around the large space.

  “We’re as prepared as we can be for so many unknowns. We need to get moving though. Everyone’s energy is peaking, and if we don’t give them something to fight soon, it’ll flip over into nerves.”

  My fingers reached down to caress the twin blades strapped to my thighs. I may have magic at my disposal now, but I wasn’t about to leave them behind.

  “Then let’s do this.”

  “Ha! No time for bullshit. I knew I liked you, Crow.” Noble shot me a smile then jerked his head for me to follow him.

  My four followed behind us as Noble led me to a small raised platform near the entrance to the room. He stepped up onto it, bringing me with him. As he did, the hubbub of voices in the large space died down immediately. I blinked. He hadn’t even used magic.

  I stared out at a sea of faces and saw hope, fear, and interest reflected back at me. An elbow dug into my ribs, and I shot a glance at Noble.

  “Talk to them,” he murmured, nudging me forward a step.

  Ah, fuck. Couldn
’t we just skip this part and go right to the life-threatening danger?

  I licked my lips, drawing in a breath. I didn’t know the spell to amplify my voice, but Jae caught my eye and nodded. Apparently, he did.

  “I used to hate the Gifted.”

  My voice rang out across the room, filling the space.

  Absolute silence fell, and I swallowed thickly before continuing.

  “I hated the Touched too, I guess. With good reason. I grew up in a Blighted settlement, and I knew magic users who did nothing but abuse their power and exploit others. But the thing was…” I paused, looking down at my four, who were gathered in front of the platform, Ivy beside them. “The thing was, I didn’t know all magic users, or even most of them. I didn’t know some of them could be good, honorable, and brave. I divided people into simple groups, and I didn’t look beyond that. But I’m learning, slowly, to consider people as individuals rather than defining them by their group. To trust people who give me a reason to—whether they’re Gifted, Touched, or Blighted.”

  My voice gained strength as I continued.

  “I would never tell you to forget the past. I wouldn’t even ask you to forgive. But I ask you to look around at the people gathered in this room and realize that we’re all on the same side today.”

  Looking at the faces before me, I tried to memorize each one. Some of them might not be with us tomorrow, and I wanted to honor their presence here today.

  “I have chosen to trust the people who give me reason to, and you’ve all given me very good reason. This fight isn’t about letting go of the past; it’s about building the future we want. The future we all deserve. Maybe once we’ve fought together, even faced death together—maybe out of the darkness of this moment, a better future can rise.”

  My magically amplified words echoed slightly and died out.

  No one spoke.

  Then a man midway to the back raised his hands, holding them over his head in the shape of a crow. The gesture spread across the room until I stared out at a sea of hands and fingers splayed like wings.