Authors: Jamie Magee
“What did you confide?”
“I don
’t know.”
“Surely not everything?” Some secrets of the soul are so sacred that words cannot even touch them. They cannot be expressed in such an elementary way as spoken language.
“I don’t know. It may have been something to help him, but even if that was the case it will help me.”
“You can
’t go back right now.”
“I have to go after her!”
“If you give a damn about her, you will do as I say—for I am the only one that will allow her through that Fall. I am the
only
one that will bring her to your arms if she chooses to follow you—and if not, I am the only one that will ensure you return safely to that side.”
“What do you propose?” he bit out, barely believing me, fighting with his own firing senses.
“Man up,” I incensed. “You will stand. You will act sane. You will divulge very little. And you will return to your family home with the girl named Skylynn.”
“You wish me to harbor your lover and leave mine to the savages of the night?”
“She sees, Guardian. I don’t know how or why. All I know is that she has seen forward. She is an asset, and she has reason to believe that there is a massive war coming forth. I find it odd that Camlin is the only common denominator. That he has sought to destroy you, her, Cashton’s family’s name—and by default, me. He seeks to stop us from returning, or at the very least ensure that when we go, we fail. Do this. Act as if you have not a care in the world. That is the only way we can figure this out, and then reunite you with her.”
His eyes moved to the dark emerald sea. “I feel her grieving for me. She is coming for me. She will follow me. I know she will.”
I felt an ache in my own heart for him. I would not trade places with him now for the world itself.
“Then one way or another, you are with her. Do this for me.”
His heaving chest had slowed. He was weary, angry, and frustrated beyond measure, but he stood and nodded once, agreeing to my terms. I knew that agreement was only temporary, that he would only allow me so much time to bring his girl to him or ask for me to return him.
I glanced to the palace. In the far distance, I saw Skylynn staring out from the balcony, her beautiful face anguished as she seemed to search for me.
Guardian noticed my attention had been taken and followed my gaze.
“Guardian, don
’t let anyone hurt her. Keep her safe until I come for her.”
He offered no response. He was fascinated by her, as all those that had seen her were.
“She’s
mine
,” I bit out. “You will understand rage for the first time if I find she is harmed in my absence.”
His stare moved to me. “Ensure that absence is not vast, for I swear to you, though I have compassion for you as if you were my own brother, no bond is stronger than what I have for my lover and I will do, say, and become anything I have to in order to seal our souls as one.”
“As will I,” I seethed. “Come. Stand tall,” I said as I grasped his arm and began to lead him to the marble shore.
My men were still fighting the wayward dark spirits. I was so full of rage, of desperation, still consumed with the power that Skylynn had given me that I only half-heartedly sent a wave of vim to the sea.
Silence was heard all at once. Everyone turned to the source to find me glaring at Camlin.
I wanted him to know exactly how powerful I was. Exactly what was waiting on him.
“Seize this traitor.”
“On what charges?” Camlin argued.
“Attempted murder.”
“I did no such a thing.”
“I saw you cut his tether. Tarek will see that in my thoughts. You have struck the family of the Falcons, their youngest son. Creator have mercy on your soul, for Sebastian Falcon will not rest until you are destroyed; that much I promise you.”
“You are the one that should be punished. It is your fault that he
’s mad. You allowed this, not me. You are destroying your own heritage and trying to blame me.”
Guardian rushed his hands through his damp hair and let a sly grin come to his face. “Who
’s mad? Me? I’m hungry, and I’m full of tales of how vital this Fall is to our balance. I prevailed. I lived lives of glory because I was guided by the power of The Selected. I will ensure my family is well-versed on my journey.”
Camlin
’s eyes grew wide with shock, and he wasn’t the only one; all of The Selected were taken aback by his awareness.
They knew I had a powerful vim, that I had shocked many souls back to lucidness, but never anything like this—and I never had been able to do that and stand without help afterwards. I had shocked Guardian back to life and killed the evil that followed him, and I did that because of Skylynn. Because her energy was mingling with mine. Because I was not one soul, but two made of one.
The men near Camlin seized him and led him into the great hall.
Guardian fell into step, playing his part better than I could have asked him to. He slapped my shoulder. “I tell you what, that was one wild ride,” he said with a laugh and audacious grin. “Hey, did you figure out how to use those drum sticks? I need to have my family send you over a set of drums; I really do. I don
’t think I would have had such a smooth ride without you.”
When we entered the hall, I realized my time line was correct. Guardian had lost a full day and a half of the time he asked for. How did I know that? Sebastian Falcon was standing next to Tarek
’s throne. His soul mate, Genevieve, was off to the side. They had planned to stay here this night so they would be here to prepare for Guardian’s return the next dawn.
Sebastian
’s gray eyes were pained as he watched his baby brother approach him. He was looking for a flaw. He was trying to figure out how much of him was still present, wanted to know what part of his brother he needed to grieve for.
I had no answers for him. Guardian was holding his energy close to him, his thoughts on the present. What I did see on that shore when I pulled him out showed a brutal fight for exactly what Guardian said he was going over there for: he fought to destroy fear in all of mankind.
My grandfather nodded for me to approach. His eyes were already looking into my energy. He saw what I saw: Camlin pull The Fall open, him pull Guardian back.
One glance from Tarek told the men that were holding Camlin to take him to the brig that we never used. It was only created to hold evil if they ever made it to the shore. If we ever found a reason to question if they should live.
Sebastian and Genevieve were carefully looking over Guardian. He was not paying much attention to them; he was focused on me. The stare in his eyes told me I better keep my end of the deal.
“I do not mean to be rude, or inhospitable,” my grandfather said to the Falcons. “But might I advise you to begin your journey home this evening. I do not feel at ease with having guests with so much unrest.”
“Is he free to go?” Sebastian asked.
“I will send Aden tomorrow, to ensure that he is well.”
“And the girl?” Genevieve asked.
Tarek looked to me. I swallowed uneasily. I knew if Guardian
’s lover were to follow him, it would be on this night. I had to watch for her. I knew if I did, Guardian would ensure that his family protected Skylynn while we unraveled this mess that Camlin had created.
“She will leave this night with you.” I cleared my throat and tried the hide the anguish in my expression. I was doing about as well as Guardian was on that front; if anyone really knew us, they would see the pain in our eyes, the worry.
“I’ll collect her.”
I turned sharply and moved from the room—not with my vim, but with my own two feet. I needed time to gather my words, to convince Skylynn that this was best, that I would find her tomorrow.
She was standing just behind my door, as if she felt me coming.
Seneca looked down and then passed me to leave.
“What happened?” Skylynn asked.
“Camlin tried to destroy another soul, one that I trained and sent over there.”
“But he didn’t,” she said as her body tensed.
“No,” I said under my breath as I moved closer to her. I carefully reached for her hips and pulled her against me, feeling that vibrating energy of hers coursing through my touch. “He didn
’t because you empowered me. Because you made me strong enough to bring him back.”
“Then what is this look in your eyes?”
“You need to go with the Falcons now. With Guardian.”
“What? No!”
I let a vague smile come to the corners of my lips. There was that fight I wanted her to use as a weapon. I knew it was there all along.
“Camlin is under this roof, and more than likely more from his realm will be called here to hear our accusations. It
’s not safe for you. The Falcons can protect you.”
“You can.”
“I can. I know I can. But Guardian lost someone on that side, and he thinks she will follow him. I’m the only one that can bring her out of those waters, that can conceal her. He’s going to keep you safe until I come tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow? We only have tomorrow,” she argued.
“No. We have forever because you will be far from The Fall.”
She started to argue with me, but before she could say a word my lips were on hers—and they were not tender. I could not hold back anymore. I could not dance around the emotions anymore, deny my body what my soul had devoured all day long. I had spun us around and had her back against the wall, her dress pushed past her hips, her legs around my waist. I was exploring every part of her with the passion I felt, but suppressed. Her body
’s reaction, her moans, the way she pulled my hair and bit my lips as I all but bruised her lips with mine, drove me wild.
I loved her too much to let our first time be like this, to take and not give back, to do this then hand her over to the Falcons. I slowed my kiss, leaning my forehead to hers as we both fought for breath. I squeezed her thighs, which were clasping my waist. “We have an eternity, not days. You
’re mine. Let me keep you safe tonight.”
Her hands clasped my face as she stole a deep, sensual kiss. “I can
’t stop my mind from pulling me to you. Don’t be angry if I appear as soon as you send me away.”
I had to smile at that. “Deal.”
I let her legs fall. I opened the door for us to leave, but she walked past me into my quarters. I was sure that she was going to fight with me over this.
I was wrong; she only went to the bedroom, to gather the gift I gave her. She held the case with the violin to her chest as if it were a shield—which was exactly what I wanted it to be.
I kissed her temple as we took our time walking to the others.
Chapter Eight
Our goodbye in front of the others was modest, though I doubted anyone had any trouble seeing what was going on between us. Genevieve wrapped her arm around Skylynn and led her away.
Guardian held my stare; he knew from the training I had given him that what I agreed to do would violate the sanctity of The Selected, that though my grandfather oversaw this palace, allowing a soul born on the other side through The Fall without judgment was forbidden.
If his girl did make it through that Fall, she was in more danger than she ever would have been if she stayed behind. If the Hermetic Realm discovered her, they would not rest until she was destroyed.
Stating that Skylynn was a new soul that fell from above would not protect her from them either. The Falcons had unknowingly agreed to harbor fugitives that the rest of our world would want taken down.
The Hermetic lived in a world that did not recognize energy or anything that was supernatural. Telling them that I saw Camlin’s infraction, that my grandfather had seen it in my thoughts, would not be enough to sway them.
One way or another, they were looking for a reason to shut us down. They knew all along if Camlin failed in the dark charge he was given that they could still find fault with us. That they would have a justifiable reason to ensure The Fall remained forevermore closed.
I had to get Cashton and his sister back before that close came.
I really didn
’t see a way out of this mess. I just needed to know that Skylynn was safe, and even though I knew I could not have placed her in more capable hands, I still felt the anguish, the worry of not having her by my side. I still saw the visions she saw. I still felt that separation crawling toward us without mercy.
The shoreline was soaked from the recent battle. The waves were turbulent, so much so that the glow of the sea was hard to see as the dark waves crested. I had little to no hope that anyone would survive passing it this night.
I had been watching The Fall, the emerald sea, for hours, lost in my thoughts. I refused to fall too deep into meditation to find Cashton’s sister or him. I wanted to be aware.
Of course, I had no issues finding my twin. Anger swelled in me as I realized that his being was mingling with the darkest energy on that side. That he was pulling light to him, as if it were food. It would not be long before he transformed into the darkest of all evils.
“She is near,” I heard a sweet voice say.
I glanced up to see Seneca.
“Who?” I asked, knowing it wasn’t Skylynn. Through the last hours, I had thought that I felt her a time or two, but her energy would fade and I assumed that it was just my memory calling her forward.
Seneca didn
’t answer as she sat at my side. After a few moments, she turned to face me. “Before the next moon, she will move next to him; she will be within a breath of him. Everything is aligning.”
I knew then that we were talking about Cashton
’s sister and my twin.
I was dreading that as much as I was arriving at the Falcons
’ empty-handed.
“And I must stop it.”
“You must be there, yes,” she breathed out.
“Do you truly see evil in him?” I asked her, knowing I would not get a clear answer.
“The light will send change to the darkness, and a new balance will be born within the hearts of those that are chosen to guide the power that moves through our souls.” Her eyes moved to the sea. I would swear to you that it stilled that moment, that the rings of ice seemed to sparkle as if they were beckoning attention.
Change. Five. I had been around my grandfather and Seneca long enough to know how to read between the lines. There was no avoiding that I had to go.
That vague prophecy only had substance in my mind because it lined up with the turmoil around me.
Five souls going over there. Chosen ones. Ones with a crest that stated a time of compromise. My logic debated this. First of all, Guardian was pulled back before his time was over. Cashton and his sister were nowhere near ready. I didn
’t even know the other girl that went.
I wanted to tell Seneca,
Chosen my ass
, but I found better words.
“Right. I must be the fifth. The goal is to get everyone home safely.” My way of saying this was a search-and-rescue situation, one that I had a sneaking suspicion would put me in a place where I would have to quell my evil twin.
That would be the only way all of this would link up right.
I needed to do this and hide Skylynn, take her far away from the grasp of the Hermetic. Rage rippled through me as the thought of what Camlin would or could do to her flashed in my mind. First and foremost, he would blame her for Cashton and his sister
’s loss. I was going to remedy that just like I remedied that madness he thought Guardian would have.
Seneca smiled. “You will be victorious.”
“The Hermetic can’t close this Fall. They just can’t. There are far too many lessons on that side.”
“They are seeking power.”
That was not new information. Everyone knew the darkness that seeped through that Fall was hungry for our light; they sought to take and not give.
“They will never be able to completely control her. You made her strong, and I swear to you that I have seen her fall into your arms, that I put her there myself. You just have to remember her.”
I furrowed my brow. The only reason I didn’t have rage at that moment was that Seneca’s visions were never wrong. She just assured me that Skylynn would be in my arms. That calmed me, but I was still confused. “Who will not control her?”
“Camlin.”
I didn’t understand. Camlin was a face. He had no voice. He was nothing more than an informant. He was a fool if he thought that these actions would raise his status in his homeland.
“I should leave now. Pull Cashton
’s sister home, maybe even find him before the dawn.” Call me optimistic. The best chance of finding Cashton was through his sister. They were connected by family bonds. In a sense, they would feel each other at all times. Some legends even state that they will die the same way at the same time, which is exactly why we never send siblings over there together.
I could not figure out why he was such a fool, why Cashton risked so much.
Seneca broke my thoughts with a near silent voice. “And if you do that, you will break the alliance you have with Guardian. You promised him.”
I didn
’t have to question how she knew what I had sworn to do; she must have seen it herself.
“And how do I know that very act will not be the final straw, will not be the reason The Fall is sealed?”
“For if there are five rings in place, no realm will have the power to close this Fall completely. Those that are bonded and loved by the Creator of those rings will forevermore be permitted to pass.”
“I
’m the fifth, the change,” I said aloud, knowing it already.
“Rise.”
“Why?” I knew I still had another hour before dawn, before the palace would awaken. I was not ready to give up my watch, to find a deep meditation or prepare to find the words to say to Guardian.
“So you can pull her from the water. So you can place my hood upon her and leave with her.”
My eyes grew wide.
“The next dawn, you will be here with me. All will be well once your passage is complete.”
All would be well.
Meaning The Fall would be protected from ever closing, Skylynn would be with me, and those that were lost would be found.
My only qualm with this little fairy tale ending that Seneca predicted was that it lined up with Skylynn saying we only had three days. She would never trust that I would return, that she would be safe with the Falcons until I did so.
Before I could hash out the argument I would have to put before her, Seneca vanished from my side; only her Allurest robe rested beside me.
I stood immediately, noticing how placid the waters were. The ice circles were just floating there, not bothering to spin.
I nodded for those few that were at their posts to go in. “All is well,” I said into the silence. They were exhausted and ready for the next shift to come, so they gave little argument or question as they moved inside.
I stared forward into The Fall. Nothing. I paced the shore, looking from the waters to the sun and the moon. I was starting to think I was a fool for sending anyone away. My priority should be getting this girl through The Fall alive, not keeping that act concealed. But who was I kidding? If she chose to come through during the light of the day, there would be no concealing her arrival.
I had just passed Guardian’s crest when I heard the metal hitting marble. His crest, no others, was vibrating. One glance to the water, and I saw that though they were still, one ice ring was spinning, the one that was created when Guardian left.
To hell with it.
I dove in. I used my vim to propel me forward. The very second I reached that ice ring, a light from beneath the water flashed. No noise, no wave, no turning of the water. No nothing.
I was paddling in still water when I felt something grasp my ankle. The shock of it caused an instant defense, an immediate rush of energy to leave me. As soon as I felt that grip leave, I dove down.
Under me, I could see a limp body, the body of a woman. Panic wove through me. I’d hurt her. I raced to her, and as soon as my arms went around her she thrashed, fighting just as hard as Guardian had.
I could feel his energy in my arms, in the shape of this woman. I pulled her through the water and emerged on the sandy banks. She was still thrashing. I knew I could not use the force I had used with Guardian. For one reason, I would never hurt a woman; another, I had no idea if she was sick, if she was infected with evil. I didn
’t know what she was. For all I knew, she was a shell that was on the verge of disappearing.
I didn
’t feel as bad about the defensive blow of energy that left me before. It had awakened her. It had jolted her into awareness.
I could not comprehend how Guardian knew this girl would follow him.
I’d lived next to Allurest my entire life, but each time they saw something like this coming it rocked my mind. It shocked the part of me that sought logic. This girl never should have made it through, and the time between her and Guardian returning made no sense; she was the same age as he came back as, in the same style of clothes.
Where had she been between then and now?
I held my hand over her mouth and pinned her body with mine. Her eyes were wide as she screamed against my hand.
I was struggling to read her tracers, to say something that she would remember, something that would make her believe that I would not bring harm to her.
“Aliyanna,” I breathed. My body was carefully shocking her with energy. She stopped her struggle, not recognizing the name but clearly comprehending that I was not going to hurt her.
“I’m going to take you to him. I promise. You have to be quiet. You are forbidden here. Don’t let him lose you before he finds you again.”
Through the shadows of the night, I could see that she was a beautiful girl; I will give Guardian that much. Her eyes were confusing; they would shift from blue to green, and even under this night sky, through this struggle, I could not help but think that I had seen her image before. Where, I could not place.
“Stay,” I whispered. “Don’t move,” I added in a firm tone.
I moved to the shore and grabbed the robe left there and was back at her side in a few seconds.
I almost laughed. She was in the exact same position I left her in, her hands still raised as if they were bracing against my chest.
“Hold still,” I said as I put my arms around her. I moved us to my quarters, which did not do anything but make her uneasy. The palace was dark; the only light was from the stars coming in from my windows, and I wasn
’t about to attract any attention to us.
“I have to conceal you.” I glanced over her tattered clothes, the death shrouds from the life she had just left. “Put this on. Pull the hood down to where it just shows your chin. I
’m going to change, and we are leaving. You can’t speak; not a word. I can’t tell you how dangerous this is.”
I changed as fast as I could into the formal travel suit The Selected used. I called down to Lorecan, told him to man the shore that I was leaving for the Falcons
’, and to tell my grandfather as much when he awoke.
Guardian
’s girl had dressed as I told her. I pushed the damp clothes she had taken off into my fireplace and lit a fire. I waited a few minutes, adding more accelerant to it until the cloth finally began to burn enough around the wood that was there.
I stood and looked at her. “Not one word. I
’m not being mean, but you have to act like a very sacred member of our world. They rarely speak, at best. They move with grace, and most do not show their faces. We are going to walk out of this palace, and once we reach the gates I’m going to hold on to you and move you to where we need to go.”