Fire Pearl (Beyond Ontariese 5) (18 page)

“That’s horrible.” She drew her legs toward
her chest and rested her chin on her knees. “I would have lost my
mind.”

“Most couldn’t have borne such a cruel gift.”
He trailed his fingers down her calf. “He’s with E’Lanna now, isn’t
he?”

She nodded, using the fact to drive back her
sadness. “He knew you and I were meant for each other. He prepared
me for your arrival.”

“What do you mean?”

“You were the man I saw in my vision right
before I teleported.”

He touched her face, drawing her gaze to his
eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”

“I was afraid you’d use it as proof that we
are mates.”

Turning her to face him, he guided her onto
his lap, straddling his hips. “Your concern was justified. I needed
you so badly. I would have taken advantage of anything that helped
you accept our bond.”

“It wasn’t just the vision.” She brushed his
hair away from his face, relishing the softness as the thick
strands slid between her fingers. “For months, I watched you in my
dreams. You never knew I was there, but I saw your nobility and
your loyalty. I knew what kind of man you were when you showed up
that day in my dressing room.”

“How odd. Generally when people dream-share,
both are aware of the connection.”

“I don’t think we were dream-sharing. It was
more like Vee sent me his memories. All I know is he didn’t want me
to be afraid when you arrived.”

“Too bad it didn’t work.” He softened the
statement with a smile.

“It worked better than you realize. I trusted
you much faster than I would have without the character reference
from my father.” She rested her hands on his shoulders and looked
into his eyes. “This is the part that makes no sense to me. Vee
told me to share the images with you. That you would understand
what it all means.”

Ignoring the lush perfection of Aria’s naked
breasts, Drakkin entered her mind. She was open and ready for him.
His body hardened and his pulse sped, eager to continue their
sensual exploration. This was important! He had to concentrate. His
stubborn body would have to wait.

He focused on her beautiful eyes and let
everything else fade away. The vision spread before him in
chronological order, waiting for his perusal. He flowed through the
images, absorbing the facts without reacting to them. The nearer he
drew to the present, the harder it was to remain detached. So much
violence, so many lives destroyed. His stomach clenched and he
gritted his teeth as he gazed at the last few images.

“Who are they?” Aria’s softly voice severed
the mental connection.

He pulled her to his chest and wrapped his
arms around her, protectiveness banding his chest. Even in
retrospect the threats against her filled him with rage. “The two
men in the very beginning were Vade and Fro dar Joon. Vade was
Vee’s half-brother. They had the same Rodyte father.”

“What is the significance of the image?”

“While Vee founded the Conservatory, his
brother recruited those who were rejected and trained them as
assassins for the House of Joon.”

She pushed against his chest, her expression
incredulous. “Vee’s brother established the Shadow Assassins?”

“This is the first I’ve heard of it. All of
our information indicated that Shadow Assassins are Ontarian.” He
shook his head, scrambling to make sense of the fragmented
information. “They all have Mystic abilities. Vade was Rodyte. How
could a Rodyte…”

“Maybe he was like me.”

The pieces fell into place with shocking
clarity, and Drakkin’s blood ran cold. “The smaller Rodyte band
never wanted peace. They were concealing the fact they could
manipulate magic!”

“And I’m proof of their deception. A rare
Bilarrian gift manifested through Rodyte blood.”

Urgency surged through him, making his ears
ring. “We must warn the regional kings. We must warn the Guild
Masters.” He shook away the disbelief and moved her off his lap. “I
have to warn my son. The treaty allowed countless Rodytes into our
communities.” Swinging his legs to the floor, he stood beside the
bed.

“You could be overreacting.” She scooted off
the bed, reaching for a dressing gown which was draped over a
nearby chair. “We don’t know that all the ‘peaceful’ Rodytes can
manipulate magic. The images only prove that Vade could.”

“And that he threatened to give you to his
men if Vee didn’t cooperate.”

She gasped. “Where did you get that? I wasn’t
even in any of the images.”

“I know how Shadow Assassins operate. They
live in an underground lair and only emerge if they have an
assignment or if they’re ready to breed. One of the images Vee
passed to you was the breeding ritual performed before the woman is
mounted.”

“Oh gods. I know my father loved me, but why
did he keep silent all these years? My safety wasn’t a fair
exchange for—”

“He could see the future,” Drakkin reminded
her.

Tears gathered behind her lashes, making her
eyes glisten. “He knew nothing he did would change the events.”

“At least while he was alive.” He scrubbed
his face with both hands. “The House of Joon has been allied with
the Rodytes for generations. We have to tell Charlotte. The Joint
High Council could be compromised. The implications of this are so
far-reaching. I don’t know where to start.”

She clutched the front of the dressing gown
with one hand and met his worried gaze. “We can’t stay here. I’m
not the only one at risk and I’m no longer helpless.”

He nodded in reluctant agreement. “It’s
barely dawn, but this can’t wait.” After sweeping them both with a
cleansing pulse, he conjured a casual day dress for Aria and a new
outfit for himself. “Dress quickly.” He conjured shoes and
undergarments then passed the stack to her. “I’ll start with
Indric. He can inform the other regional kings while I contact the
Guild Masters.”

“This must be done stealthily.” She quickly
donned the dress, smoothing the soft material over her hips. “If
the Rodytes realize we’re on to them, they might go on the
offensive.”

“I agree.” Once he was fully clothed, he
cupped her shoulders and looked into her eyes. “If I leave you
here, protected by the palace shields, do you think you can contact
Charlotte? I’ll remain linked with you. If there is any danger,
I’ll be at your side in an instant.”

“Would it be less dangerous if I go with
you?”

“No. As soon as you step beyond the dampening
field it will be easier for any Mystic to sense your exact
location.”

She raised her chin and squared her
shoulders. “You’ve trained me well. Sooner or later I’m going to
have to face the real world and put my skills to the test.”

“Your training has barely begun. I’d rather
that testing not be today.” He quickly prioritized everything that
needed to be done. “Contact your sister then wait for me here.”

“Will Charlotte respond? Does she know about
me?”

“There are no secrets between life mates. I’m
sure Tal shared what he knows by now.”

“Then get going, and don’t worry about me.
I’ll be here when you get back.”

“It’s my job to worry about you.” He kissed
her briefly, wishing he could be in two places at once. “The Shadow
Assassins have been more or less inactive since the end of the
Great Conflict. Charlotte must have the opportunity to act before
the House of Joon sends out a call to arms.”

“I understand.”

“If you don’t reach her immediately, wait for
my return. We don’t want someone else responding to your call.”

With a soft chuckle, she pushed him toward
the door. “Are you this protective of all your students?”

“You’re my mate, not my student. I couldn’t
bear to fail you now.”

“I’ll be fine.” She blew him a kiss. “The
sooner you leave, the sooner we can return to my training.”

Aria stood at center stage, trying to calm
her pounding heart. The visualization was crisp and detailed. She
scanned for danger then scanned again. Manage each element.
Minimize the risks. Her assurance to Drakkin hadn’t been an idle
boast. She’d learned her lessons well.

Dimming the house lights, she redirected her
energy and meticulously sealed the doors. She was safe, ensconced
in her private pocket on the metaphysical plane. She walked to the
utility exit at stage left and pressed her hands against the metal
door. Vee had taught her how to invite guests into her private
theater. She smiled at the bittersweet memory. Regret would not
distract her now. This was too important.

Picturing the regal beauty Drakkin had showed
her in the crystal, she let Charlotte’s image fill her mind.

Aria, is that really you?

Yes.
How much should she try to
explain?
You’re in danger. Is it safe to talk like this?

Keep the link open and I’ll come to you.

Warmth tingled down her spine. She’d done it,
she’d really done it.

The door vibrated beneath her hands and
laughter filled her head.

You’ll have to open the door. That’s a
fabulous seal.

Aria reached for the door handle then paused.
What if this wasn’t Charlotte? How could she be sure? There had to
be something only Charlotte would know. She should have asked
Drakkin. “On what day did you first arrive on Earth?”

“New Year’s Day. That’s also the day I left
for Ontariese. But I don’t know if Drakkin is aware of that.”

With a quick sigh of relief, Aria opened the
door. Charlotte moved through the threshold, her stride so graceful
she seemed to float. Aria noted her immaculate turquoise pantsuit
before focusing on her face. Her hair was lighter than it had
appeared in the crystal, a shade somewhere between gold and
brown.

“You were only on Earth for one day?”

Charlotte smiled. “I spent exactly thirty
years on Earth before my life mate brought me home. I can’t wait to
spend time with you, but your anxiety bombarded me. What’s going
on?”

Aria closed and locked the door before she
began her explanation. “I don’t know how much of this is important
to you, so I’ll just tell you everything. Vee’s brother Vade is
head of the Shadow Assassins, some Rodytes are able to manipulate
magic and they have been in league with the House of Joon since the
onset of the Great Conflict.”

“How sure are you of this information?”

“How did you learn all this?”

Both questions came from Charlotte, but Aria
heard two distinct voices. This couldn’t be good. The first voice
had sounded cautious while the second snapped with accusation.

Charlotte paled and shook her head violently.
“Get out! Aria, run!”

Her sister was the High Queen of Ontariese.
There was no way Aria was going to run. She broadcast her distress
to Drakkin then focused on Charlotte. “Tell me how to help. I’m not
leaving you.”

Charlotte wrapped her arms around herself and
sank into a deep crouch. She shook. Low moans and rhythmic chanting
filled the air, though Charlotte’s mouth didn’t move.

Not sure what else to do, Aria gathered
energy. Heat built. Her skin tingled and the mauve streaks in her
hair began to glow.

A dense shadow separated from Charlotte as
she sprang to her feet. Aria’s eyes widened as a second Charlotte
took shape next to the first. Panting harshly, the new Charlotte
met Aria’s gaze. “She’s a parasite and a damn strong one. Is help
on the way?”

“Don’t tell her anything!” the first
Charlotte shouted. “She heard everything you said to me.”

The imposter had adjusted her voice. They
were now identical in every way.
Think.
There had to be some
way of telling which one was real. Had the imposter sprung from
Charlotte, or was it the other way around? Aria cursed her
helplessness and searched her mind for options.

The Charlottes circled each other, their
movements mirrored.

“If what you said is true,” the first
Charlotte said in a clear, calm voice, “you must kill us both. She
cannot be allowed to escape.”

Dread slammed into Aria. There had to be
another way.

“It’s a trick. Don’t listen to her. Drakkin
will be here any minute.”

Aria studied the first Charlotte. Her face
was flushed, but her gaze burned with determination, not malice.
Besides, she’d been willing to sacrifice herself to protect her
people. Aria committed to her choice and raised her arms. She
pelted the second Charlotte with bursts of energy.

“You bitch!” The imposter shrieked and
twisted, furiously patting out the flames leaping from her hair to
her clothes.

The first Charlotte braced her hands on her
knees and panted.

Aria sent another barrage of sparks at the
imposter. With an infuriated roar, the woman flung an energy pulse
across the stage. It knocked Aria backward. She stumbled but didn’t
fall. Frantically constructing a shield around her and Charlotte,
she launched a fireball over the shield.

Finally recovering enough to move, Charlotte
cast a Mystic net around her false self as Aria’s fireball hit. The
intruder fell to the floor, so terrified by the flames she didn’t
notice the net.

“Transform,” Charlotte commanded.

“Never!” The fraud writhed, kicking and
clawing until the flames went out. She shuddered then tugged
against the net as she sobbed pathetically. “You can’t kill me. I
had no choice. They would have killed my little girl.”

Aria heard a loud banging on the utility
door.
I’m coming in. Stand back!
Fear reverberated through
Drakkin’s voice then he burst through the door. “Are you hurt?” He
skidded to a halt as he saw the sobbing imposter.

“I’m fine,” Aria assured. “We’re both
safe.”

The red rings in his eyes ignited and he
aimed the intensity at the woman on the floor. “Show yourself.”

She whimpered and went still within the net
as the Shift manifested against her will. Aria watched in morbid
fascination, knowing who would be revealed. Rolling to her hands
and knees, Noll screamed and shuddered. Why did she continue to
resist the compulsion?