Blood vow, p.35
Blood Vow, page 35
So, of course, we’re all sitting around the table, three drinks in; enough to calm us all, but not enough to make us useless. I lost count of how many drinks Fear has had; the big bastard has a very high tolerance.
“Okay, Mama. We’re ready whenever you are,” I encourage her. She tilts her head back, sipping down every last sip of her drink, then wipes her mouth with the back of her hand—tapping on the glass, it refills on its own.
“I guess I’ll start when I was taken. When we moved to Wrenwood, I warded the town's boundaries with blood magic.” She shakes her head, peering up through her lashes. “Storm had left me a small amount of his blood in case of an emergency, knowing the potency of the original bloodline would create an unbreakable system. If Locren’s magical signature passed the boundary, I would know.
“The sun had barely risen when I was awoken by a vision of The Collective army breaching the border. I was so tired of running from him, but I was not going to allow you and your brother to be taken by that monster. We had a crisis room in the house, which included a trap door that led to the outside. I had it glamored to look like the rest of the wall so that it would remain a secret. Ziggy was so young, but I knew he would have to know how to get out in an emergency.”
I watch as my mom takes a drink of her wine, seeing the slight tremble to her hand. I can’t imagine how difficult it is for her to relive these memories, to share her grief aloud.
“Waking you and your brother up, I made you breakfast with a sleeping potion—you were out in minutes. I placed you both in a hidden room. Kissing you both goodbye, I spelled it closed. I created an illusion of you and Ziggy bundled up, following me as I left. One of The Collective soldiers saw me leave and tracked me; my plan was falling into place. Eventually, they got cocky and made themselves known. I told the illusions of you to run and then ran directly toward the soldier. They brought me straight to Locren. The look of satisfaction that marred his face as I was presented to him naked and roughed up will be burned into my mind for the rest of my life. The soldiers were ordered to find you and Ziggy. They were told to kill your brother and bring you back to him. They thought you’d gotten away.”
Emi slides her long slender fingers into my mother’s palm and squeezes softly, channeling some of her energy and support to her friend. My mom smiles at her, a silent thanks for the comfort being offered.
In another life, I’d have grown up with my mom in a quaint town like this one. The guys would have been my childhood friends and we’d have spent a lifetime together. My mom and Emi would have been friends without the trauma shadowing their meeting, and I’d have experienced the love of having a big family. It would have been safe and happy and filled with so much love.
But wishing for and picturing another life wouldn’t help anyone. Instead, I’m here, listening to the torture my mom endured at the hands of that bastard—the same one who tortured me too.
“Locren drugged me before bringing me to a dilapidated house in Incedis, the realm of fire. The first thing he did was carve all these beautiful marks into my skin.” My mother pulls off the sweater she had put on earlier, the short-sleeved shirt underneath revealing the symbols.
“Some of these are so I cannot be tracked. Some of them are to weaken my mental state, but the rest of them prevent me from using my magic—permanently. He took away the ability to heal myself or anyone else. He kept me hostage and used me as he saw fit; whether for my body, information, or a weapon. He tortured me to find out where I sent you, but I never broke. He could break me in every single way possible, even take my life, before I would subject you to his evil.” She takes a deep breath and gulps down the rest of her wine. “He kept me for years until he got tired of me. Locren brought me here, bound me, and tied me to a pole. He stabbed a crystal dagger into my chest, leaving for dead. The crystal drained me of my life force—it was slow and excruciating. By the time Emi found me, I was lucky if I had a day left.” My mother pauses to look over at Emi and Akira. Their love for each other is beautiful, and I understand very well.
I notice Avi has started to shift. The rage that is radiating off of him is potent.
“What’s going on, Wildling? Do you want her to stop?” I check-in with him.
“Another time, little star.” Even in my head, his demon has come to the surface, evident by the tone of his voice.
“Emi and Akira took me home and brought me back to life. I’ve been with them for fifteen years and had the pleasure of seeing your mates grow into the wonderful men they are today. I couldn’t be happier about this.” My mother wraps up the story relatively fast, leaving out how exactly she knew where I was.
Very suspicious.
“I concur! I’ve also known the boys for quite some time. Only the best for my Villiana,” Lys adds.
I take a chance asking this in front of everyone, but I want all the answers, “How did you know I was in a compound and exactly where it was located?” I raise a dark eyebrow at my mother.
“Blood magic. Dark blood magic. Since Locren took my natural magic away from me, I found a way to tap into my genetic magic. Your grandmother was a seer, so I knew that ran through my blood. I just had to tap into it. Since you are of my blood, it was easy after I mastered harnessing the seer magic.” She says this so matter-of-factly, like there aren’t huge repercussions to using dark magic.
“How did the boys get involved, Lilly?” Akira’s voice has a hint of acidity to it.
Nervously tapping his alabaster fingers against the cherry wood table, Ryu explains. “About a year ago, we found a letter on our kitchen table. None of us remember receiving it, so we were cautious and looked for any familiar magical signatures. We didn’t find any at all, so we opened it. Aunt Lilly told us about Vi and where to find her. How she knew we were working with The Tower is beyond me.”
Reaching across the table, my mother places a supportive hand on top of Ryu’s. “I didn’t know… I had a vision of Villiana. Well, more of a message. Villiana needed to find her three to complete the vow and fulfill her destiny. After that, I researched all types of vows, which were never-ending. Then, a week later, I dreamed of the three of you with a figure I couldn’t identify. But the tell for me was Ryu making blueberry muffins and lavender ice cream. Instantly, I knew Vi was the fourth being. When I woke up, I tried to think of anything that could be a vow the four of you would take, and then it clicked. Storm once told me how the original elven families created something called a blood vow when they found their true mate: the highest form of bonding, giving your mate the ability to access all of you, including all magical abilities. Blood Vows are extremely rare, Villiana. Only those who come from original bloodlines carry the ability to complete it.”
My mom looks between us, a genuine smile on her face. “You four were destined for each other long before you were born. I just knew. That’s why I specifically sought you three out for the mission.”
I close my eyes to try and ground myself. I’m so on edge that I can feel every pump of my heart push blood throughout my body. I don’t want to walk out on everyone again, but I need to step away momentarily. Excusing myself, I make my way to the oversized windows in the front of the house; the floorboards creak under my feet. Sitting so close to the window my knees touch, I admire the cerulean blue sky. It looks warm and welcoming, but the chill permeating my skin, where it sits against the glass, tells a different story.
Now that I’m alone, I can see if my mother's words are true. Placing my hand against the glass, I try to push Ryu’s magic through me. I clear my mind and picture frost forming on the window. The beautiful, milky, fern-like shapes crystallize from the thin coat of ice. There’s a tingle in my fingertips, and when I open my eyes, I see that the entire window has frosted over. Holy fuck.
Once the initial shock wears off, I practically sprint into the kitchen. “It’s time to go to Noir! I’m not waiting around for a miracle to happen.” A shit-eating grin is plastered on my face as I say, “To beat the one you fear the most, you have to become what they fear the most, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”
Locren doesn’t stand a chance.
FORTY-EIGHT
Villiana
“Uh, are you sure this is the right entrance?”
I stand at the bridge to Noir with a look of perplexity etched across my face. Most would assume bridges have a beginning and end, but this one disappears into nothing. Stepping up, the bridge groans under my weight as if it will drop me through at any second. Constructed of rough-cut logs, haphazardly secured together by either hopes and prayers, or magic—I’m hoping for the latter.
My mates stand there with their arms crossed, looking disgruntled, all because I told them if they try to treat me like a damsel in distress, I will withhold all sexual activity until I see fit. It worked, but they are not happy about it.
On the other hand, Lys thinks this is hysterical as he dips his head, pressing his lips together to hide his amusement.
“This is the only known entrance, other than the portals we don’t have access to. Either you walk across, or we’re going to stand here for eternity.” The sass that emanates from Ryu is laughable. He’s as threatening as a little bunny—well, to me, at least.
Shrugging my shoulders, I advance forward. I white-knuckle grab the railing when the bridge begins to sway; bits of wet wood and moss collect under my nails, but I continue anyway. No matter how short or gentle of a movement I make, it feels like the bridge is trying to throw me off it. Wait…maybe it is.
Testing the extent of my new abilities, I channel Avi’s ability to redirect energy and stretch my arms out beside me. I focus on sucking in the dense energy of the atmosphere, pulling until I can’t anymore. I move my arms to face directly in front of me, redirecting the contained energy into the abyss. Nothing happens at first, but as I push more, the scenery changes. The bridge slowly disintegrates into a dirt and stone pathway, and what was once emptiness is now a dark landscape of mountains. It was all an illusion, a deterrent.
“Well, frog guts and snail trails, would you look at that,” Lys says in awe. He has always come up with the weirdest but best idioms. “Your mama was right, you can harness their abilities.”
Preening, I turn around and bat my lashes at them. “Come, come. Time is of the essence.”
Three days.
We have been wandering the mountainside, trying to find our way for three days. I probably should have contacted Lydia to let her know we were on our way, but I didn’t want to take the chance that my brother would find out. I’m counting on the element of surprise because I’m clueless as to his state of mind—I don't need a firing squad waiting for us. Lys made an excellent point earlier: the further we walk, the darker it gets, meaning we are heading in the right direction.
“Vi, if you don’t suck it up and do your mind thing with Lydia, I’m going to lose my shit,” Avi snaps at me. “We’re not going to find our way in the realm of endless darkness on hopes and dreams.” He’s been refusing to sleep very much because he doesn’t trust the mountains.
“I hate to agree with cranky pants, but maybe you should. I understand your reservations, but never getting there is worse.” Fear always sides with me, so for him to say that Avi has a point, I probably should swallow my pride.
Huffing, I kick the dry dirt beneath my foot. “Fine. I may carry seer genes, but I’ve never tried to access them. You’re aware this might not work?”
“You have quite the bratty mouth, kitten. Actions have consequences. Remember that,” Ryu playfully threatens me, but when I turn around and shake my butt at him, all playfulness disappears. “You better run.” His voice comes out deliciously dark and grave, and since I like to rile him up, I sprint.
He lets me get a good fifty feet before he charges after me. Unfortunately, the rocky terrain is not my friend. Losing my balance, I slide forward, cutting up my hands and knees. With a grunt, I roll onto my back to sit up. Hissing at the sting, I pick the tiny pieces of rock out of my skin. Noticing my knees are bleeding, I gingerly maneuver myself upward. A few droplets of blood fall. When they hit the ground, they splash a glowing green color.
Ryu doesn’t even notice what is happening, too busy examining my very minor scraps. “I can heal myself. I’m fine… but that isn’t,” I say to him, squeezing my fist tight, forcing out some blood. This time when my blood lands, the ground stays fluorescent. “What the fuck?”
“It’s a warning system. Someone has spelled the area with a protective shield, and your blood has made the creator very aware that we’re here.” Lys has made his way over to us, searching all around us for what is being protected.
Suddenly, I hear Avi clobbering over to us like a happy little puppy. In Rakshasa form, he proudly displays his trophy: a Fae he tore in half. The poor guy never stood a chance. Avi drops the man in front of us and licks the sticky blood off his fingers like it’s the most delicious thing he’s ever tasted—a sight that turns me on way more than it should.
“Oh no, little star, you are by far the best thing I have had the pleasure of tasting. Blood is a close second,” his demon says, smooth as velvet. “I found this fucker, hands aglow, ready to attack, and you know I can’t resist a good kill. Though, we may have a bit of a problem.” He throws an object into Ophir’s open hands.
It’s a pin. A pin with the image of a burning tower being struck by lightning embossed into it—the very same as depicted on the sixteenth card in the major arcana, The Tower.
Avi just killed one of my brother’s guys.
“I guess the good news is that we found them,” Ryu points out.
“Can you freeze the barrier? I’ve seen you freeze a life force before,” I ask him.
“I can try, but it will take a lot of energy and probably most of my magic.”
I don’t even think twice. Removing my dagger from its sheath, I slash my forearm and shove it against his mouth. “Drink up, doc.”
With a look of apprehension, Ryu seals his lips around the laceration. Blue and gold eyes shimmer as he pulls the warm blood into his mouth. His talons burst through his skin, creating pinpricks on my arm.
Knowing the effect my blood had on Avi, I try to pull my arm away, but he growls at me. So, I hit him in the balls. “No more for you! Get your lizard ass to work.”
Ryu quickly shifts into all his dragon glory. The sickening sound of his bones breaking as his new form emerges, followed by a beastly scream. Ryu pushes his front legs off the ground and lifts his long-bearded face to the sky. Instantly the temperature drops way below freezing, snowflakes tumble down all around us, and frost coats the patchy grass and dirt.
In the most elegant motion, he whips his scaled body around in an S-shape motion and surges up an invisible wall within seconds. Reaching the dome's top, Ryu lifts onto his back legs and throws himself back down with all the power he holds. Shock waves ripple through the air as the barrier begins to become opaque. I have no idea how large this protection bubble is, and I can only imagine how difficult it will be to dismantle the entire thing; something inside me tells me to help him.
I follow my gut, moving towards the forcefield. Screaming voices reach my ears, warning me not to touch it, but it's too late. I place my hands against the freezing dome and upon contact, my palms adhere to the surface like a tongue to frozen metal. Closing my eyes, I imagine cracks forming at the top. Putting more pressure on it, I notice that the surface is brittle.
“I’m going to try and push through. Can you come down and help me?” I silently ask Ryu. He slithers down, wraps himself around me, and uses his strong, scaled body to press with me.
“One. Two–”
We shove everything we have against the field, producing a giant fissure. Ryu quickly encases me into the coils of his body on instinct. He lets me out when nothing falls on us, nor does anyone come running out.
“Fuck, that was hot, little one. I do love me a big, strong woman,” Fear says, palming his dick through his pants as he trots toward us.
“Old man is still here,” Lys shouts. “Let’s keep it grandpa friendly until I’m out of earshot. Alright, boys?” He claps Fear on his back.
“Yes, sir,” Ryu replies apologetically.
“Not a fucking chance!” Fear and Avi answer at the same time. Lys shakes his head at them.
“And you’re not even that old. You could be Ophir’s father. What, you’ve got to be about thirty-five years older than Vi, right?” Avi probes Lys.
“Stop trying to butter me up, boy. We have somewhere to be.”
While the two are bickering, Fear and I ogle Ryu’s perfectly sculpted naked form as he takes clothes from his pack to redress. The things I would love to do right now are unholy, and the pools of lust in Fear’s slate eyes says he feels the same.
Resigned to the fact I won’t be living out any of my desires, I redirect my aggravation. “If you two are done, I would like to go see my best friend,” I snap at Lys and Avi.
Making a show of it, Fear winds up and effortlessly punches a hole through the crack we created. “After you, little one.”
Once we cross the barrier, the entire scenery changes. The beautiful meadows from my dream are all around us; poisonous flowers decorate the brush. The barracks are blazing bright in the darkness about one hundred feet ahead of us.
Oh, and a herd of soldiers are on their way.
“If you would make it a tiny bit easier to find you, we wouldn’t have to break your shit!” I yell as loud as I can. One of the men throws his hand up, signaling everyone to stop.
“Villiana, do you know how difficult it is to form that barrier? How much magic it takes?” Ziggy berates me, plodding forward.
I throw my hands into the air in an exacerbated manner. “I had to get in somehow! Don’t get your balls in a knot; I’ll help repair it. Now, take me to Thorin.”
