Bound by Prophecy (Bound Series Book 3) (13 page)

“Aidan, what do we do with the AniMages?

“Rynna, how many women still need to have babies? When can we start to spread people out and get them to safer places?”

I peppered them all with questions, but if I were honest with myself, I had no idea what I was talking about. I didn’t know how to organize armies, or make sure people stayed alive, or do any of this. I didn’t know what most of it meant. All that mattered to me right now was getting to that castle and finding out where this was all going to end. I was worried. I cared about all the people in this room and on this property, but this was not my area of expertise.

“Whoa, Ame. Why don’t we back up and take this one step at a time?” Aidan asked as he squeezed my shoulder and took control of the conversation.

I heard the discussion continue, but my mind was elsewhere. I needed to read the journal again. I needed to see if I had missed something that would make this trip quick and focused. I got lost in my own thoughts and then felt a wet nose in my palm. I looked down to find Charlie’s massive head dropped onto my lap.

I leaned over him, scratching both ears the way he loved, and whispered, “We’re going home, buddy. Don’t you worry.”

Except, I did worry. And so did everyone else in the room. The more they all spoke, the harder it was to breathe in the space. The combination of the Keeper being bound, my familiarization with my own power, and my growing connection to Aidan, meant I felt the emotions of others more strongly than before. They were louder and harder to block out.

Finally, I moved Charlie out of my lap and stood. “I need some air, I’ll be back,” I said to no one in particular. As I made my way to the door, an arm looped through mine.

“And I’m coming with you,” Bethany said as she fell in step with me. In that moment, with the drama and the boys behind us, and the reality of what could come in front of us, it felt right to be walking beside my best friend.

I turned to Bethany, and was concerned by how exhausted she looked. “We need some girl talk, don’t we?” I asked.

“Oh, honey, you have no idea,” she replied with a sigh.

W
e stepped
out into the night together. I shivered a little and sent heat from my core into my limbs. I continued the push and through our looped arms, sent the same warmth to Bethany.

She jolted a little and then relaxed again. “Hmm, fun trick. Maybe ask next time, though? Being around all of you is strange enough without it creeping into me.”

Her reaction surprised me. “I didn’t realize we bothered you,” I said as I started to pull away.

Her hand clamped down on my arm. “Now, be fair, Ame,” Bethany said sternly. “The last month has been a little over the top, even by Grimm’s standards. I’m all for saving the Immortal race, but right now, I’m feeling a little cabin fever.”

She sighed and we walked in silence toward a small bench-swing hanging from a tree limb. “What I’d really like is Starbucks. Or Orange Leaf. Or sushi,” she said wistfully.

I grinned, and added, “Or McDonald’s fries. Or a bookstore.”

“Shampoo that doesn’t smell unisex.”

“A reason to wear makeup.”

“Clothes I haven’t already worn once this week.”

“Quiet,” we both said simultaneously.

“Jinx.” Bethany got it out right before I did. We laughed together as we sat down on the swing.

My shoes sunk into the soil at first, but I moved us backward, feeling that familiar swirl in my stomach as I let go and we started to float forward, and then back again.

“It’s all a little much right now, yeah?” I asked.

She snorted. “Ya think?”

“It’s pretty hard to wrap my head around it all, but I’m being drawn to the castle. And now, with Charlie and Onyx being Sentinels…we have to go. I wish I could explain it better.” I looked up at the constellations lining the sky and tried to breathe through the mix of anticipation and fear.

“I don’t really get it, but I don’t need to,” Bethany said as she looked up as well. “You do. And it’s clear you and Aidan are the real deal. He was hell bent to get to you, and whatever you have is only getting stronger. We can all see it. Heck, even I can feel it. That’s…great for you.” Bethany’s attempt at enthusiasm fell short.

I put my hand over hers, and said, “Hey, B, truth…right?”

She looked at me without turning toward me. “Right,” she whispered, her anxiety rolling off her.

“It’s okay to miss him, and to maybe still want him. It’s okay to admit it if it’s what you want.” I let the words sit between us.

I heard her heart beating. I felt it pick up as she took a deep breath. “But what am I?” she asked. “I’m not one of you. And even if that were okay for the average magic wielding putz, he’s a Prince.
A Prince
.” Bethany fell back against the bench and let her head drop, closing her eyes.

“I wish I knew what to say, B,” I said. “I wish I knew how it all worked before, or how it will work when this all ends, but I don’t know. What I do know is he still wants you, and your lack of power doesn’t seem to concern him in any way. And if it doesn’t matter to him, why should it matter to you?” I felt good about my advice. It seemed like advice she would give me.

Bethany actually laughed — a short cackle that erupted from nowhere and was gone as quickly as it came. She shook her head, her long, blonde hair catching the moonlight.

“So, let’s say we get past that part, Ame,” she said, her disbelief obvious in her tone. “Everybody is hunky dory with a human and a magical Prince hooking up. Great. But there are still those pesky Hunters. And his whack-a-doo mother. And who do you think will be the one they come for? Who will get used, just like with Melinda?” She swallowed, and I felt her sadness, and the fact that she thought she was betraying our friendship, but I also felt her fear.

Bethany’s next words were hoarse, forced past the emotion she tried so hard to contain. “I’ve stood next to you through all of this, even when you weren’t here, but I don’t know if this is the place for me anymore.”

I couldn’t argue with her. I couldn’t tell her she was wrong when she was right. But we could protect her here.

“Where will you go?” I finally forced the question out as I squeezed Bethany’s hand in mine.

She looked at me, tears welling in her eyes. “Maybe back home. Or just anywhere for a while until this is over. I don’t want them to hurt my parents. Maybe Mexico? I could make a killing bartending down there,” she joked. She always tried to lighten the mood in moments like this.

We swung back and forth slowly, holding onto each other, our hands clasped so tightly, I lost feeling in my fingers, but I didn’t care.

“You’re my best friend, B. My only best friend. Ever. And I’m sorry you ended up a part of this. I really am. It’s my fault.” My voice was thick, the lump in my throat growing as tears started to slowly fall.

“Don’t be. I’m not. Amelia, look at me.” Bethany’s tone was sharp, and I turned to her, surprised.

“You listen to me, Amelia Bradbury,” she said, her own cheeks wet. “You are doing what’s right. You’re doing what’s right for all of these people, even the unsavory sort who treat humans like second class citizens.

“You’re part of something, something big and important. And they were right, I am a liability. You can’t do what you need to if you’re worried about me. So, I’m going to go. And, so are you. You’re going to go to that castle, and you’re going to find the answers, and you’re going to solve your mother’s riddles. You’re going to knock that Queen on her ass and stomp those damn Hunters a new one. And when you’re done, we can go to the spa, like proper ladies.”

I could only smile and shake my head. I hadn’t known how much her being here had grounded me until the idea that she’d be gone wiped away my foundation. I knew I still had Aidan, but there was something to be said for having your best friend around. It was just different.

Bethany shrugged. “The spa was all I could come up with. I don’t give a damn what we do, but we will need serious alone time when this is over.”

I stood and as Bethany did the same, I pulled her in for a hard hug, wrapping my arms around her. The thought of her leaving, and being hurt, sent stabbing pain into my gut. She had to be protected. No one could find her. Holding her tightly, I willed the universe to watch over her and hide her from the other Immortals. I only let go when Bethany cried out.

Stepping back, I looked around. “What? What happened?” I was instantly half-crouched, my hands out and ready to fight.

The door to Micah’s apartment burst open and the whole brigade came running.

She stared at me, open-mouthed. “You. It was you. You did something to me. You…zapped me…” she trailed off as the surprised looks on our friends’ faces stared back at her.

“Oh,” Micah said as he stopped next to me.

Aidan came up on my opposite side, his mouth open, eyes wide.

“What are you looking at? Why are ya’ll staring at me?” Bethany was starting to panic. I couldn’t exactly explain the violet haze she couldn’t see surrounding her, but it had clearly come from me.

“What happened? What did I do?” I asked, not taking my eyes from her.

“You have cloaked her, Amelia,” Baleon spoke from behind us. “In the next few minutes, your trace will fade and she will only be visible to Immortals she chooses to show herself to. Rowena was the last Elder I knew with that ability. She tried to save her mate’s life with it, but he chose to reveal himself, thinking those who took her would stay true to their word and allow her to live if he gave himself up.”

As soon as the words left Baleon’s mouth, Micah was in front of Bethany. His hands were on her cheeks and his speech was a hurried slur. “Please don’t hide from me, love. Please don’t disappear from me. I will be here for you, just as I said I would. You don’t have to leave. I know that’s what you want, but it does not have to be that way. We will fix this. I will take care of you.”

Bethany shook her head sadly. She put her hands over his and pulled them away from her face. “For now, I have to. I have to go, and I have to do what I need to do for me. Maybe another day, Prince Mikail.”

Bethany leaned in and softly kissed Micah, lingering a moment as a tear slipped from her closed eyes. When she pulled away, I knew I was the only one who could see her.

As I scanned the others, everyone looked in every direction. There was only one who looked directly at the spot where Bethany stood — Cole.

Micah saw him, too, and faster than I’d seen any Immortal move, he was in front of Cole.

“You must help her. You must protect her. It doesn’t matter if anyone can see her, she is vulnerable. She is human. She should never have been a part of this, and that’s my fault, but you have to do this. If you care about her—”

Micah’s tirade ended when Cole punched him. One good right cross to the jaw and Micah was on his butt in the dirt with Cole leaning over him.

“You will not tell me what to do. You are not my Prince anymore.” Cole’s voice was deep, his anger raging as he pointed his finger down at Micah. “And I don’t need to be told that Bethany needs anything. She’s quite capable of handling herself, human or not. But, of course I’m not going to let her leave here alone with everything that’s happening, you ignorant, self-absorbed ass. She’s my friend, and I’ll take care of her because that’s what I do. I don’t lie. I don’t cut and run. I take care of the people I care about.”

Cole didn’t spare Micah another glance as he walked over to Bethany. Micah stood, fuming, but silent.

“Do you want my help?” Cole asked her.

Bethany looked shell-shocked. “I…I do,” she stuttered. “I don’t know what just happened, it sounds like a good thing, but I…I just want to leave. I can’t do this anymore.”

Cole didn’t acknowledge anyone else, just held out his hand and waited for Bethany to take it. “Then, we’ll leave,” he said.

M
y jaw throbbed
, but my soul screamed as I watched Cole’s outstretched hand hovering in the air between them. Though I couldn’t see her, it was clear he held her hand as they walked away. He was leaving with her. Rationally, I knew there was no other choice, but I hated him in that moment.

“Mikail…” Aunt Ryannon’s voice seemed far away, but I felt her hand on my arm.

I jerked away, then immediately started to apologize. It was ingrained in me to do as was proper, but this time, I didn’t care. I stopped just a few words in and clamped my mouth shut. Aunt Ryannon stood next to Amelia’s uncle, her lips pursed with a look of worry she couldn’t hide. Amelia and Aidan were holding hands, ever the mated pair. And Bale looked at me with quiet concern.

“I’m fine,” I declared to all of them. “I’m fine. This was for the best. Now we can get on with things. Let’s go back inside.” I turned on my heel and tried not to stomp my anger through the soles of my feet as I made my way into the small apartment.

At first, the dogs were the only ones to follow me, but eventually, the others trickled in. As soon as they were seated, I launched into the plan. I needed to control something. She was gone and I had to do
something
.

“Amelia, you and Aidan are right, you need to go,” I said. “And if you’re going all the way to the castle, then you need transportation. We have a private hanger near Brighton. The jet isn’t huge, but it will make the trip. And I know we have an AniMage out there who is a pilot. They call him Hawk, for obvious reasons. The three of you should leave immediately.”

I didn’t give them time to argue, or even process the information I’d thrown at them before I continued.

“I believe Derreck and Rynna should be left in charge here. They can protect the women, children, and families who have been reunited. With fewer of us here, there is less likelihood the power will draw the Hunters this way.”

Finally, I looked at Bale.

“Baleon, our duty is to find help. There are more Immortals than not who would like to see my mother dethroned. Who better to convince them than her son?” Bale nodded, but he would have come with me wherever I went.

I stood. “Okay, then? Let’s go.” I took one step before they all spoke at once.

I clenched my jaw and fought back the urge to use my power to silence them. I had done it to my mother once, and then spent three days locked in a small room for it. Baleon sat outside the door, his fingers wedged underneath so I could hold on to him, and made sure I was fed, but no one was allowed to speak to me. She said if I wanted silence, then I would understand what silence meant. I was seven. I hadn’t used that particular skill since.

I held up both hands. Eventually, they quieted. Aidan was the first to speak again.

“You can’t make that decision for all of us, Micah,” he said. I felt Aidan’s control slipping, but appreciated that he held back the wolf wanting to put me in my place. Right now, I did not need an excuse to let my power run freely either.

“Your offer of the jet is great,” he continued, “but I lead the majority of those people out there. I need to speak to them. I need to give them a plan and someone to follow. And, I’m sorry, but Derreck isn’t exactly on my list of trusted advisors, and Rynna is a caretaker. My people need a leader. Elias will have to take my place.”

Derreck reclined on the sofa and looked at him with bordering indifference. “I’m not offended, Aidan, don’t worry,” he said. Then he turned to me. “And, you and I are not friends, Mikail, but you’ve proven your place. You’ve proven me wrong. I believe your aunt when she says you will fight for us. But if you think you are the right person to convince
our people
to fight, you are wrong.” His tone grated on me and my tenuous grip on my emotions started to slip as he continued.

“You have convinced the people here to trust you, but out there, they are not your people. They are not your mother’s people. They will see you as a spy and they will turn you in for treason so they don’t suffer your mother’s wrath themselves. You are the last person who should be out spreading the word. It should be Rynna and me, and possibly a few others.”

My aunt sat, her hands in her lap, waiting her turn, always the patient one. “Mikail, Derreck is right. No matter how pure your intentions, Immortals who have not met you will not trust you. It would be dangerous, especially if you take Baleon with you.”

I opened my mouth to argue. “I’m not finished,” she scolded before I got a word in.

“Aidan,” she said, looking across the room, “you cannot leave Elias in charge. He is distracted, rightfully so, and he has led for too long. He deserves this time with his family and doesn’t need to be asked to sacrifice yet again. You should put Mikail in charge. The women love him, the AniMage men have come to respect him, and there is much Baleon can teach all of them about fighting the Hunters.” Aidan was nodding thoughtfully, clearly open to the idea.

She turned to me again, this time her eyes burned red when she spoke. “Mikail, if you do this, if you choose to fully take this path, you will be dead to your mother. She will never forgive you. You will be disgraced, just as I was when she banished me. You will have made a choice you cannot come back from. Be certain, nephew. It can be a lonely path to lose your family, no matter who they are.” Her unchecked sadness was stronger than I’d expected.

My eyes scanned the room as I let her words and emotions sink in. They landed on Amelia, and I realized she had yet to speak. “You have to have thoughts on this, you have thoughts on everything.” I tried to banter, but it fell flat.

She just stared at me for the longest time.

“My best friend is gone. My brother is gone,” she said, matter of fact. “In all likelihood, it’s better that I don’t know where. My father is dead. My mother is dead. I’m about to get on a jet, fly halfway across the world, and search the ruins of a castle that looks like who-knows-what so I can figure out what this prophecy really means, and what I’m supposed to do to end your mother’s reign.” She used air quotes around that last part, her irritation with the prophecy clear. “There’s a solid chance the Hunters could find the people I care about while I’m gone. At this point, Micah, you’re either in or you’re out. I never had a choice about being in, not really, so be sure. I won’t choose for you. I won’t tell you what you should or shouldn’t do.”

I swallowed the dry lump that formed in my throat. I’d known this choice would come, and it always seemed so easy when it was merely hypothetical. Now, even after everything I knew about my mother, and everything she’d done to me and everyone else, I hesitated for a brief second. Then, her voice rang clearly in my mind.

It is quite disappointing to think you were one of the last children born, Mikail. I do hope the history books realize our world wasn’t filled with failures like you, but great men like your father. They will see. They will see that only the strong survive and the rest serve, or disappear completely.

“There is no question. I’m in,” I said. I stepped toward Aidan and held out my hand. He looked puzzled. “If you’ll have me, I would be honored to fill in for you. I will train them. Bale and I will teach them, and we will build our army from the inside out.”

Aidan smiled and grasped my hand, shaking it slowly. “We’ll tell them together. Then, Amelia, the dogs, and I will head out with Hawk.”

Relief bloomed in my chest and spread quickly through me. I would stand on my own. I would lead. I would help save my people.