Deceptions fall, p.32
Deception's Fall, page 32
part #6 of Call of the Elements Series
Maybe his motives were a little selfish. He’d admitted his persistence in winning me, but it was working. I had no doubts I could love him and probably already did.
“Are you sure you’re real?” I pinched his side, but he didn’t even flinch.
“Definitely.”
Chapter 29
Ronquil met me and Lodron the next morning at Sage’s. I was halfway through one of my favorite meals when he showed up.
“Good morning,” my new boss said as he dropped into the seat across from me.
“Morning, Ron,” I responded. He smiled.
“News from the witches?” Lodron asked.
Ronquil’s smile faded, replaced by a look of resignation. “Zander would like to see the Forest as soon as we’re ready. He’s not sure they can do anything without the actual portal manifesting, though.”
Lodron pushed his empty plate away. “That’s unfortunate.”
“We’ll see. I’m holding out hope.” Ronquil paused, and I felt his eyes on me.
“I’ll be ready as soon as I finish breakfast,” I answered his unasked question.
“Let me go with you.” Lodron’s large palm landed on my knee.
I swallowed my last bite of thick-sliced ham, seared to perfection. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea. I’ll have to tell the trees we’re not releasing them. Their reaction could be extremely…volatile.”
“You’re only reinforcing my reasons to go,” Lodron argued.
“Zander will need time to do whatever he needs to do,” I countered. “I can probably stall until he’s done. Bringing you might ignite their ire and take away the time Zander needs.”
I dropped my fork on my plate and shifted in my chair to face him. The disappointment on his face nearly undid me. He didn’t need to make sure I was safe. My elementals would do that. Lodron needed to see for himself what his parents endured. He needed to know that they wouldn’t recognize their son when he arrived in their midst.
Of course, I caved. How could I not? We let elves in, and now we were letting Zander. Lodron needed closure, just like I did with Braden. I wouldn’t abandon him when he needed me. If the trees reacted badly, we’d just leave.
“You’ll stay by my side and do nothing,” I said. “I mean it. Absolutely nothing. We need to do everything we can not to provoke them.”
His eyes shimmered with tears, and he quickly blinked them away. “Done.”
I turned to Ronquil, my voice a little shaky. I’d never seen the man cry. “Let’s go.”
~~~~~~~~~
Ten minutes later, I arrived in the Forest of Tears, gripping Lodron’s hand in both of mine. I had this horrible fear he’d run into the trees looking for his parents and the Forest would rip him apart. But he didn’t run or even try to pry his hand free.
“Does it always feel this awful?” Lodron asked.
“Yep.”
Ronquil and Zander, the African witch I’d met during our initial Arcane Conclave meeting, arrived a few seconds later.
The witch groaned and fell to his knees, cradling his head. Ronquil knelt beside him, lines of worry furrowing across his forehead.
“Do we need to leave?” Ronquil asked.
Zander shook his head. “You warned me.” He ran both hands over his bald scalp, and his entire body shivered. “I’m good.”
The ground at our feet rumbled, and my head snapped up from Zander to the trees now moving in our direction. Their anger pulsed with violent intent, just like they were supposed to. Strangers weren’t allowed in their domain.
Stop! I commanded. We’re here to look at the portal. After our battle in the Highland Kingdom, we realized this portal may not be closed.
The trees halted their progress, but their oppressiveness didn’t abate.
We’ve felt nothing from the scar in the earth. Their voices echoed in my mind painfully loud.
“Thank goodness.”
“What?” Lodron asked. He was nearly glued to my side.
“They haven’t felt anything from the portal.” I glanced at Zander, who was now on his feet. “You okay to do your thing?”
“This hatred comes from the trees?” the witch asked.
“Yeah. Please hurry.”
Zander nodded, and Ronquil threw me a worried look before following him. We’d both been here before. The anger radiating from the trees was worse today than any other time.
Why did you bring him? the Forest demanded.
He needs to see if we can destroy the portal.
Not the witch. The man at your side.
I glanced at Lodron. How did I answer their question? I decided honesty would be best.
His parents are with you. He misses them and would like to have closure.
The Forest groaned, and Lodron wrapped his arm around my shoulders.
We feel his magic within us, just like yours. Their collective voices seemed more subdued with the thought. Could I allow a shred of hope for my father to know I was here? Wasn’t this the same thing Lodron wanted?
My father is with you, I offered.
They groaned again, and Lodron tightened his grip on me.
“It’s okay, Lodron. They recognize our darkness because of our parents.” My voice faltered as the anger saturating the air became a little less oppressive.
Cedric?
We have no name. We are not individuals. We are the Forest! Their voices thundered in my mind, making me flinch.
Yes, I know! But you are also our families and our allies.
A memory of my father’s face filled my vision. The smile he gave my five-year-old self imprinted itself there. As a child, I loved him. As an adult, I forgave him. Without him, I would’ve died years ago.
An eerie silence fell around us, along with a total lack of emotion from the Forest. It didn’t feel serene, but their overwhelming need for violence disappeared. I could breathe without feeling like they’d attack at any moment.
Will you bring our families to the Forest?
Their question caught me completely off-guard. My eyes darted between the trees immediately in front of us. They still hadn’t moved.
Yes, I agreed. It may take some time to gather them, but if it brings you peace, I’ll find them.
Thank you, princess.
The trees shuffled away, giving us more space. The breath caught in my throat finally escaped, and I spun around, burying my face in Lodron’s chest. His arms wrapped around me and held me tight.
“What happened?” I didn’t miss the apprehension in his voice.
I looked up and met his confused expression. I forgot he couldn’t hear their thoughts, so he missed the entire conversation. “They want to see their families.”
His eyebrows rose, his eyes widening as he looked over my head at the Forest. “Did my parents…?”
“They made it quite clear they’re not individuals,” I replied when he paused. “I asked for Cedric and they yelled at me.” Lodron’s eyes fell back to my face, shimmering once again with his tears. “I think the familiarity of our magic gave them a small amount of peace.”
“That’s why their anger faded away?” His hopeful look brought a smile to my face.
“Yes.”
“Will they talk to me?”
“I’m not sure, but we’ll figure it out.”
His lips collided with mine, and I welcomed the hard, passionate kiss. I almost wished I would’ve brought him here earlier. Hope was a powerful thing.
Ronquil cleared his throat from a few feet away, and I blushed furiously. Lodron let me go and turned to my boss. We probably looked like idiots smiling in a Forest that normally brought despair.
“We cannot destroy something that isn’t here,” Zander said, his face twisted in confusion. “And will you explain what I just felt?”
“AJ is a goddess,” Lodron replied just as I opened my mouth.
“I am not!”
“How did you appease them?” Ronquil asked, exchanging a look with Lodron before focusing on me. “I’ve never felt the Forest this…calm.”
“I promised to find their families,” I replied. “Something anyone can do. Not just a goddess.” I smacked Lodron’s stomach with the back of my hand, and he laughed.
“She is the one from the prophecy?” Zander asked.
I sighed and smacked Lodron again. He didn’t even budge. “Can we get back to the reason we’re here?” I asked.
The witch nodded. “Without the physical portal, there is nothing we can do.” His dark eyes danced between us before landing on me. “If it opens again, we will do what is necessary to destroy it.”
“Thank you,” I said. “Without you, we wouldn’t have won.”
Yeah, I only thought I had my shit together. New grief gripped my chest, and I choked down the lump in my throat.
“We’ll be ready,” Zander said.
I nodded, and Lodron laced his fingers with mine. “Let’s go home.”
Chapter 30
Lodron held open the door to the restaurant I’d only been to once before. It felt like a lifetime ago when Logan, Yun, and I met Kellen here just after we overthrew my mother. Was it really only a few months? Yep.
The old Victorian-style mansion had been turned into a super-pricy restaurant. The owners had maintained the ornate, scrolling woodwork framing the walk-around porch. During the summer months, dozens of tables created outdoor seating. Being late fall, the porch was cleared of everything except a few long benches.
Luria and Elaine followed me into the large foyer, and Lodron let the door close. A young hostess greeted us with a friendly smile, her eyes lingering on Lodron. I couldn’t begrudge her look of appreciation. He was pretty fricking hot in his pinstriped suit, white shirt, and gun-metal gray tie. I hadn’t even realized he owned it until he showed up in my apartment.
Both Lodron and Luria used a glamour to hide their ears for today’s field trip into human territory, just like Braden always did. I covered mine with my quickly growing hair. One day I’d figure out how to hold the illusion for more than thirty seconds. It just wasn’t a real priority for me.
“Our party has a reservation,” I said. “Probably in one of your private rooms.”
Our hostess blushed and looked away from Lodron. I stole a glance at him and grinned at the impassive mask he had firmly in place. I’d half expected him to flirt with her the way he’d done with me from the very beginning, but he didn’t.
“Please follow me,” the young lady said.
Lodron laced his fingers with mine, tugging me forward as we wound our way among the tables. Conversations stopped as we passed, and I tentatively checked to make sure my ears were covered. I hadn’t fought to keep us hidden only to screw it up with something so stupid. Maybe that glamour needed to become a priority. Especially if my future included time on Earth.
We filed into a smaller room at the back of the restaurant. I smiled. So many of my favorite people were already there.
Kellen rose from his chair, returning my smile. His left arm hung in a sling. Not one of those ugly hospital issued slings, though. The shiny black material screamed silk.
“I’m so glad you got my message,” Kellen said.
I wanted to rush across the room and wrap him in a hug, but I suspected the woman sitting next to him was Jaime. Her tight smile and uncertain eyes ran up and down my little black dress.
She slowly rose to her feet and placed her hand on Kellen’s arm. She was almost as tall as him. Chin-length hair curled around her square jaw, softening her face and accentuating her full lips. Her pale blue eyes looked to my ex-partner with affection. My smile grew. Kellen deserved happiness.
“Aviur took advantage of his opportunity to deliver it,” I said. “Despite his inappropriate behavior, it was good to see him.” I tilted my chin at Jaime. “Do we get introductions?”
Kellen looked down at his new partner and blushed. “Jaime, this is AJ. The man with her is Lodron. Just behind them is Luria, his sister, and you already know Elaine.”
“I’ve heard so much about you,” Jaime said, her eyes drifting to my hand still entwined with Lodron’s. “It’s good to finally meet you.”
“Same. Good luck keeping him out of trouble.” I winked at her, but she was already grinning at Kellen.
I scooted around the table and took a seat next to Victor, who grumbled at me. I ignored his frown and leaned towards him.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” I whispered, then retreated from his personal space.
His intense eyes met mine. I’d forgotten their unique color of chocolate milk. “I was worried you wouldn’t survive the blast from the portal’s destruction,” he replied. “What you did was nothing short of amazing.”
“We did what was necessary,” I said. “Just like everyone else.”
Victor raised an eyebrow at me.
“Let’s not do it again anytime soon,” Matt added from Victor’s other side.
Lodron settled into the chair next to me. “Agreed.”
Luria and Elaine filled the two spots next to Jaime. Several empty chairs waited for the rest of our party. Who else had Kellen invited?
A waitress came in with several bottles of wine and filled our glasses. She held the door for more of our group on her way out. Heidi and Phoebe came through first, their faces flushing at being the center of attention. They both wore floral-printed wraparound dresses and nervous smiles. Ronquil and Dylan followed on their heels. Right behind them were two more people I didn’t know.
The man’s average height and build looked a little familiar. His blond hair brushed the shoulders of his navy blue jacket, and his gray eyes swept the room before settling on me.
“Mal?”
He nodded and followed the other four Dionadair to the empty seats. His expression never changed as he sat down.
My mouth fell open when a large woman swept in last. Her long braids fell across a brightly patterned cloak. Her dark bronze skin contrasted the wide smile brightening her eyes as she ducked through the doorway.
“Is that everyone, Mr. Jader?” the waitress asked, still holding the door.
“Yes,” Kellen replied. “Give us twenty minutes before sending in your staff.”
She smiled and closed the door, giving us the privacy Kellen apparently pre-arranged.
“I have two hours before this wears off.” Yera’s voice sounded so strange coming from the woman I didn’t recognize. She took the last seat between Lodron and Mal. “But it feels great to walk among these fools completely unnoticed.”
Several laughs rumbled through the room. I doubted she went unnoticed. No, she didn’t look like a troll, but her height alone made her stand out. The flowing gown in shades of red and orange didn’t help. She screamed, ‘Look at me.’
“I never would’ve recognized you,” I said. “Who did this for you?”
“Coral,” Yera replied. “That woman is so talented!”
My eyes drifted to Mal, and I realized Coral would’ve had to do his glamour as well. Mal didn’t have the elves’ magic, only the elementals, which didn’t allow him to change his appearance.
Kellen rose from his seat and cleared his throat. “Now that we’re all here, I have a few things I need to say before dinner.” He glanced at Yera and Mal. “I promise it won’t take long.”
He tugged on the sleeve of his jacket, and I realized he was nervous. Kellen was a natural public speaker. Why would he be nervous?
He cleared his throat again and took a drink of his wine. “My original plan for tonight’s dinner was to invite the people who started this journey with AJ,” he said. “But when I sat down to make a list, I realized one of the most important people is missing. My list ended just as quickly as it started.”
The apology on his face squeezed my heart. Logan and Kellen had been friends for years before I showed up. I single-handedly pushed a wedge between them. Well, maybe not on my own. Kellen did some pretty messed up shit, and the elementals had moved us all over the chess board.
“Jaime quickly reminded me why I wanted to get us together.” Kellen dropped his gaze to his partner and smiled. She returned it with so much affection, I had to look away. “So we started back at the beginning. Victor was first on the list because our alliance never would have been renewed if AJ hadn’t challenged him.”
I started to protest, but Kellen held up his hand. “This isn’t about how you remember it, AJ. You’re a little naïve about how people see you.”
Lodron’s long fingers gripped my knee under the table. I growled. He’d just said the same thing.
“Braden was next on the list. Somehow, this unassuming little girl who knew nothing of magic convinced an elder vampire to ally with us against the Vampire Council. Braden declined my invitation for tonight’s dinner.” Kellen grinned. “Something about having more important things to do than ‘worship a goddess.’”
My heart stopped again but for a different reason. Lodron pulled my hand off the table and wrapped his fingers around mine. Kellen didn’t know what happened between me and Braden, but Lodron did.
“Elaine went on the list next,” Kellen continued, completely unaware of my discomfort. “She and Jonathan were instrumental in setting up the battlefield in our war against Jack. I didn’t even know Jonathan’s group existed until AJ fell into my life. He never would’ve taken a side if AJ hadn’t established the tenuous truce between Braden’s vampires and Victor’s pack.”
I shifted in my seat and started to argue again, but Kellen gave a look that clearly said, ‘I’m not done yet.’
“Without the connection to her elementals, we would not have won the fight against Jack and his army. Our people would’ve been exposed to the world without the raging sandstorm she created to hide us while we battled for our very existence.”
Several murmurs of agreement ran around the table. I sank down in my chair, knowing my entire face had to be as red as a tomato. He made it sound like I was the only reason anything good happened. He was so very wrong.
“To AJ!” Elaine exclaimed, scaring me half to death.
