Authors: Cindy Charity
It wasn’t the thought of kissing Finn that had her troubled; it was the fact that this whole situation was—for a lack of better word, bizarre. Still, part of her wanted to see if he was having the same reaction. Perhaps she could just take a small peek into his mind. No, she shut that idea down, not until she had her own mind figured out.
Flipping over, she stared at the ceiling. She had gone from a woman set to take on New York, to running through the city with immortal warriors. Oh, and let’s not forget about her phone call with her mother, and being called into the police department and grilled by detective Ballen. Detective Ballen! How had she forgotten about him? Um, maybe because you were running through the city with immortal warriors?
Ali growled, sometimes her inner voice was a pain in the butt, even though it was right ninety nine percent of the time.
A yawn came over her, her jaw making a cracking sound with the size of it. Her eyes drooped closed. Sleep, she needed sleep, and then she would figure out what to do. As she drifted along the first waves of rest, Finn’s face floated before her. She was going to have to figure out what she was going to do about him too.
Prowling through his home, his thoughts on Ali, Finn called himself all manner of fools. He had been damn close to kissing her and not with a little peck as he had done back at her building. When she had licked her lips, he had wanted to consume her. Dragging his fingers through his hair, he chided himself for the lack of control, for he knew, had she stayed a moment longer, he would have experienced her taste once again.
The sudden ache in his chest caused him to stop. He ran a hand over his face. Attraction was basic chemistry, and based on what had just happened, it was very clear that he and Ali had plenty of that. Truth be told, he had felt it as soon as they had mentally connected. Distance, he had to keep his distance. Protect her yes, but he couldn’t pursue anything more. Damn difficult when he’d seen her eyes light with awareness. Of course, it could’ve just been shock at what had happened to her. Astral projection was no small feat, especially for one whose powers were just stirring. Then there was the burden she carried as their compass.
Regardless of what he tried to tell himself however, there was a part of him that clung to the fact that Ali was his. That she was meant for him. When she had been in pain in her apartment, the overwhelming sense of helpless had almost been more than he could bear. Then, when Lugus’ thugs had waylaid their escape, and he had ordered her to run, the wonderment that such a creature could be his had made his command hard to give. That Ali was feeling the same—and he knew it from the way her breath caught, and how her body responded when they were close, caused a storm within him.
Is it safe for us to return?
Cian’s laugher was barley contained when he asked his question. Finn wanted to throttle him. No doubt Tristan and Drake had also been listening in. the only one who seemed to mind his own affairs—in some cases, too well, was Constantine.
I’ll thank you to keep your bloody nose out of my business.
This time, when the laughter came, it was from behind him. Sighing, Finn turned to see his cousin, smiling like an idiot. The few choice words he aimed at him only made the fool laugh again.
“I take it story time is over?” Drake appeared beside Cian.
“May the devil take the both of you.” A prickling sensation on the back of his neck had him cursing. “Bugger off Tristan, I’m in no mood.”
Leaning against the bar, drink in hand, Tristan studied the man in front of him. Though he only could see his back, the tension was evident. “You feel something for Ali.” It wasn’t a question.
Of course he felt something for her. He wanted to tear something apart. Instead, Finn turned and faced Tristan. “It doesn’t matter.”
Raising a brow, Tristan challenged him. “Have you perhaps forgotten what Constantine said?”
Finn’s laughter was strained. Lifting his head, he stared at the ceiling, his jaw clenched against the barrage of curses he wanted to let fly. When he had regained some control he answered, “I haven’t forgotten.” How the hell could he have? The damn words were burned into his memory. Her powers were linked to his—or they would be if he still had them. “But I can’t do anything about it.”
Cian, all trace of his earlier humor gone, asked, “Can’t, or won’t”
Finn transferred his irritation to his cousin. “Ali has enough to deal with without me crowding her.”
Tristan put his drink down, stopping Cian from responding. “Something else has happened.”
Surprised at the statement, Finn challenged. “You didn’t feel it?” No one, not even Cian, answered. The sigh came from deep within. Cursing his loose tongue, he filled them in. “Ali’s abilities as our compass are growing.” He continued before anyone could jump in. “She experienced an astral projection, visiting four places. She believes—no, she
feels
, each place represents the location of the other Fragments, I agree with her.”
Ever perceptive, Cian inquired, “What brought it on—this journey?”
Finn met his cousin’s stare with one of his own. “I told her that she must live, not just for her world or mine, but for me.” He saw the understanding and didn’t appreciate it. “This has nothing to do with my lack of magick.” Of course, it did, but he wasn’t going to give Cian the satisfaction of admitting it.
“And what happens if this new talent Miss Hayes has,
physically
takes her to one of these places?”
Finn blew out a breath. “With all of us here, I’m sure we’ll be able to prevent that from happening.” At least, he fervently hoped so.
Someone was calling her name. It was a soft seductive whisper that wrapped around her like a lover’s caress. Ali muttered, and slowly woke. She could see, even in the shadowed room, there was no one there. She looked towards the window. The sky was softly lit with the beginning of a new day. She had no idea how long she had slept.
The whisper danced along her spine. A dull throb started in her chest. She rubbed at it absently, but it didn’t lessen. Carefully, she began to ease out bed. Standing, she heard the whisper of softness slide down her body. Glancing down, she saw she wore a white dress. It fluttered around her, falling in soft folds to the floor. Her feet were bare, as were her arms; her hair flowed free. A sense of urgency overcame her. She
had
to leave. Her chest hurt, something was tugging at her, demanding that she go.
Instantly, her surroundings changed. The room fell away, and she was in a forest. The sky above the trees was so blue it blinded her. There were no clouds, and she could hear the faint calling of a bird. It was so peaceful, so serene, and so
normal.
She could stay here forever. Moving further into the forest, Ali let her senses take in the beauty around her.
She was in Mother Nature’s kingdom. Coming to a stream, she spied a deer. It was drinking deeply. The sight overwhelmed her. It was so profound, so right. The deer raised its head to stare into her eyes. Then it took off in graceful bounds into the thick cover of the trees. Tears pricked her eyes as she watched it. The voice filled her head, urging her forward. She made no sound, her steps were steady and she kept her focus on following that voice. The further she went, the louder it became. The twinge in her chest increased. She spoke aloud, into the stillness.
“Is there anyone out there—where am I? I don’t know what is real anymore.”
This time, when the voice came, it was as though a person was right behind her. The ache was near unbearable now.
“The responsibility rests at the feet of those who tried to harness great power for themselves. You are not to blame. You are just an instrument of their cruel game. You’re nothing more than a pawn.”
“How is it that I’m in this place—who are you?”
“My name is Mikel, and I brought you here.”
Her insides went cold. Turning in a small circle, she tried to locate him,
“How?”
Soft laughter filled her ears. It was musical in an evil, perverse way. Despite it, she was drawn to it, to him.
“Let’s just say I made sure I could find you once the spell weakened. You saw it in the goblet. We have so much to talk about.”
How had he known about what she’d seen in Tristan’s magic cup? He seemed to be everywhere. His voice filtered through her entire body.
“No, we don’t. I’m going to go now.”
“I’m afraid it’s not time for you to leave. Agrona was clever, however not clever enough. Do you feel it—the silky whisper of my power?”
From the gathering mist, a man appeared. He was tall and slender. Darkness clung to him like a second skin. Dressed in a dark gray suit, first impressions would have him walking into a company meeting instead of being in the middle of a forest in some crazy hallucination. His gait was unhurried. His eyes were black pools. Hair, equally dark, flowed down over his shoulders, nearly reaching his elbows. He was not an overly handsome man, but there was something about him, how he carried himself, which made up for it. Ali couldn’t take her eyes off him, no matter how great the urge was.
Mikel regarded the mortal with interest. As he studied her, he marvelled again at Agrona’s cunning. He smiled when she rubbed her chest, as if to ease an ache. “The darkness lives within you Alina, quietly waiting for its master to come for it. And I would have, had you been left alone. I have underestimated Agrona and her ability to weave intricate spells. To place the first of five in an environment that would—delay her destiny, was brilliant. As it was, I had to use my own brilliance to get you to become—unbalanced.”
What was he talking about—what environment—and how did he know her name? Ali’s throat closed up on a cry. His voice was clearer now, and more powerful. Her chest burned and whatever it was that was inside of her, shifted. It pushed her towards him. She dug her knuckles into her chest, trying to ease the throbbing.
She was trying to comprehend what he was telling her, but she was so confused. It just didn’t make sense.
“Just like a mortal, making more of a situation then what there really is. Tell me, how did you enjoy your little tété a tété with detective Ballen? Have I surprised you?” Mikel moved closer. “I knew of you, Alina, knew all it would take was some well placed pressure to push through your barriers.”
“Y—you gave the police my files?” Her head pounded. Her mind flashed back to her interaction with the detective. How, at one point, his eyes had changed—and how she’d thought it weird. What Mikel was telling her, what she understood, was that he had been responsible. “That’s impossible.”
“Is it? Have you not witnessed enough to know that what is happening is very real—that
I’m
very real? The warriors think I am too frail to be victorious, that I am content to play games, but they are wrong. You are mine, Alina, and you
will
lead me to the others.”
She shook herself out of her shock. He needed her to find the other Fragments. She couldn’t allow that to happen. “I won’t, and I am not yours—I belong to no one.”
Mikel smiled. “Your bravery is commendable—foolish, but commendable.” He tilted his head and studied her. He had seen the flash of panic when he had told her what he needed of her. “I find your reaction intriguing. Your fear dances along the air. Could it be, that you already have some inkling to where the other Fragments may be?” When her panic rose, he laughed. “Ah, hit a little too close to home, have I?”
The sky went black, becoming thick with sinister clouds. The air was filled with the screeching of wounded animals. Rain came down in punishing sheets, soaking her in seconds. Ali began to run, no clear destination in mind. Vines, thick, and full of wicked thorns, burst up through the ground. They grabbed greedily at her dress. Tears fell from her eyes and mingled with the driving rain. Her ears were filled with the hammering of her heart.
Tree branches reached down to block her path, she used her arms to push her way through—she knew deep scratches were made in her flesh, but she didn’t feel them. Her nose was assaulted with the smell of death. She passed by the stream to see that the deer she saw earlier had come back and was now dead, its throat slashed open, and its blood ran into the water, streaking it with ribbons of bright red. She stomped down the scream that had crowded in her throat. He would not make her feel weak. She veered to her right and soon came to a clearing. Stopping to catch her breath, she looked around, trying to figure out a way out of this place.
Mikel appeared before her. Above them, the sky lit up with a flash of lightning, the clouds swirled in the black sky. The wind howled causing the hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end. “You are no match for me, Alina. You may carry power, but you are still nothing more than a shell. I will take what is mine and I will take great pleasure watching the light dim in your eyes.”
Ali wasn’t going to give in, she couldn’t. Digging down deep she found her temper. She fanned it with the anger she had over being placed in this situation, to be used by these people in a war she hadn’t been responsible for. “I will find the others, and when I do, we will destroy you.”
Mikel laughed. Long graceful hands came together to clap, once, twice, three times, before they stopped. “Bravo, Alina, bravo. Most cower before me, begging for their pathetic lives.”
“I will neither beg, nor will I deal.”
“Then you will die, Alina.”
He came at her hard, sending a blast of darkness at her. The force of his attack sent her back several feet. She felt a fire in her chest, like he was reaching into it to take what lived there. The rain stung her face and made it difficult to see. Pushing her wet hair out of her way, she saw that he was gearing up to come at her again.
She brought her hands up in defense, fully knowing it wouldn’t do a damn thing. However, the motion stirred the air. Looking down at her hands, she saw a soft light emanate from her fingers. She moved them again and the light became stronger. There was no time to understand what it meant. Throwing them up in front of her, she met Mikel’s attack.
The light bowed out like a shield, and deflected the assault. She dug her toes deep into the earth, anchoring herself. Her arms ached and her legs shook—adrenaline coursed through her body. Suddenly she saw it, in her mind’s eye, the footwork of battle. It was like watching a dance, it was graceful; poetic. She felt her body sway, mimicking the dance. Her hands began weaving a pattern in the air, her head filled with ancient knowledge.
From deep within, her soul’s fire reached forward and she seized it. The heat of it scorched her throat, but she forced out the words that echoed in her head. “Bring your storm—bring down the very Heavens, I will not yield to your darkness, I am of the Light.” With those words, she flung her arms out. Two columns of fire swirled in a funnel and streamed toward their target. Her cry rent the air, echoing throughout the forest.
Mikel, not prepared for her retaliation, fell back then vanished in a cloud of black smoke. It hung in the air for a minute before dissolving. Ali lost her footing and ended up falling onto the forest floor. Her chest hurt with each breath. The hard rain slowed until it was just a gentle mist. The sky cleared and the sun came out warming her with its rays. Lifting her head, and titling it back so that her face was bathed in its light, she whispered her plea. “I want to wake up now.”
She broke through the veil of sleep much like a swimmer breaking the surface of the water. She dragged in deep gulps of air as rough hands held her firm. She was back. Opening her eyes, she stared up into the dark, stormy ones of Finn. On a broken sob, she grabbed onto him. When his arms wrapped around her, squeezing her to him, she felt safe.
Finn knew he was crushing her but he couldn’t stop himself. He had felt her distress as had the others. Fear on a scale he’d never experienced before had consumed him when he’d seen her, paralysed on the bed. He hadn’t been able to reach her mentally, and Cian couldn’t find her energy. Cian and Tristan went to search the grounds of his home, and Drake stood at the ready inside. He felt the hammering speed of her heart, and her body shook. It had been like she had vanished. He heard a muffling sound and pulled back.
“It was Mikel. I fell asleep, then I was in a forest—and he was there. He said he brought me there. Detective Ballen, he used him to unsettle me—to get me to panic.”
She shivered, clearly still upset. Swearing, Finn stood with her in his arms, he then sent a message to Cian to call back Constantine from wherever he had gone, at the same time he filled all of them in on what Ali had said. He felt her struggle.
“I can walk.”
“But I like holding you.” It was said in jest, to try to further help her settle down. However, he found that he spoke truth. He did like holding her—a lot.
Ali stopped squirming. Finn’s declaration stunned her. No, no, he couldn’t feel that way—could he? It was the circumstances they were in. Yet, she couldn’t stop the tingle of pleasure that raced through her. “I mean it Finn, put me down.” He ignored her and continued down the hall, down the stairs, and into the living room. Where, much to her embarrassment, everyone stood waiting. Great, just what she needed. “This isn’t what it looks like.”
It was Drake, with a smirk, who answered. “And just what does it look like?”
She wanted to disappear. She pushed at Finn’s chest in an effort to get him to release her. Again he ignored her and walked over to the sofa before gently placing her down. Grateful, but no less mortified, Ali cleared her throat and cut right to the chase. “How was Mikel able to get to me—I thought this place was safe?” She looked directly at Cian since he was the one responsible for the protection. She wasn’t given the satisfaction of making him feel embarrassment however. Constantine appeared, just popped in—she would never get used to that.
He chastised the men “I warned you of this.” Then, he looked at her. “The dark one called to the darkness he had placed within you. You saw this in the goblet.”
Somehow, Constantine’s clinical delivery gave Ali comfort. That didn’t stop her from squirming under his intense stare. The man was very intimidating. Without thinking, she rubbed her chest. She remembered feeling a pressure there when Tristan had given her the cup, and again when she told Finn about the places she had seen. It had been one of the reasons she had awoken—that, and the voice.
Noticing the looks of the others, more importantly, Finn’s, she narrowed her eyes. Remembering how he had looked at her when she had returned from her out of body trip, Ali surmised that he had known about the darkness. She hadn’t had a chance to ask him because they had been close to kissing.
She then turned to the rest of them. “You all knew—you all saw?” The feeling in her stomach intensified. She had thought she had been the only one to have seen it. But they had seen it too. She felt so deceived. “And you didn’t think to tell me?” Her entire body shook with temper. “I had to find out what it meant by having Mikel corner me in a forest?” She really wasn’t expecting an answer. None would satisfy anyway. Rationally, she knew that there hadn’t been a whole lot of time for an in depth explanation for everything—case in point, Finn’s omission of his lack of magick ability.