Authors: Cindy Charity
Your defiance has sealed your fate, and his.
Not knowing what else she could do, she forced herself up and stood in front of Finn. The sky grew dark and the wind cried out. Laughter rolled across the sky. Mikel surrounded her.
Very commendable, but your loyalty is misplaced. He has left you to fend for yourself, had he been a true warrior, you would not be where you are now.
Ali heard the contempt in his voice. But he was mistaken. Her love for Finn made her heart the strongest it had ever been. What they shared was stronger than even the darkest of magick. That Mikel dared to threaten it, gave her renewed strength. Stepping away from Finn, she raised her face to the heavens.
You are wrong Mikel. Finn did not choose to leave me, you took him. And I want him back.
A bolt of energy came down and stuck her, sending her propelling through the air, away from Finn. She landed far from the car. Groaning she rolled to her feet and pushed up off the ground only to see that the car was engulfed in flames. Denial ripped from her. “No.” Once again she ran toward the car, but she was hit again. She dug in deep and called on every fiber of her being. The efforts were causing her head to spin it pushed her off balance, but she had to get to Finn. Wave after wave of pain over took her. Mikel was relentless, and she could feel herself weakening. She tried sending out her own energy, the results were pitiful but it helped her inch her way along.
Look at you, so weak, so pathetic. It is difficult for me to believe that you hold any power. Agrona must have been in great pain to make such a dreadful choice. Tell me Alina, will you curse her? Will you demand revenge, for yourself, for Finn?
She knew what he was doing; he was ripping apart her self esteem, trying to break her down. He wanted her to feel so inferior so she would go to him.
Wow, you really are delusional, aren’t you? Agrona didn’t make a mistake, you did.
It was a crazy move, but if she could get Mikel to lose it, his attention would be concentrated on her, and not finishing off Finn. What she really needed was another set of hands. Suddenly, she was grabbed from behind and hauled back. She fought immediately. Kicking and using her nails to scratch at the hands that held her.
“Ouch! Woman, you need to stop doing that or I’m going to drop you on your ass, and let Mikel finish you off.”
Ali stopped fighting. At once she was let go, she turned around and had to tilt her head back. Drake’s dangerous green eyes stared back at her.
“I don’t mind standing here and letting you look your fill, babe, but we really need to get out of here.”
His words snapped her out of her shock, “Drake.” Relief rushed through her. She wasn’t even going to ask how he had come to be here, or why he had left Tristan. “You have to get Finn, I can’t move him. Mikel—”
“Is seriously pissed, you have one hell of a talent lady. Just what did you think was going to happen? You just can’t insult the guy, no matter how easy it is.”
An energy blast split them apart. Drake landed gracefully on his feet, Ali once again was on the ground. “Okay, that’s it! You go and get Finn out of that car. I have had enough of this.” In an instant she had gone from energy drained, to so full, that it poured out every pore of her body. “Alright you son of a bitch, let’s dance.” Her mind was set, and focused on Mikel. She knew Drake would get Finn out. As soon as she locked onto him, Mikel changed the playing field, back to the forest where they had first crossed paths.
He stood, looking relaxed. “I thought it would be a fitting end to your pitiful life
.
”
She scoffed at him,
“I’m so charmed, really I am”
His lips curled back in a snarl. “Your sharp tongue will be the first thing I cut out.”
He came at her with amazing speed, and lashed out with his long fingers. His nails dug deep lines into her side. Ali ignored the searing pain and jumped back to get out of range. Blood began to saturate her shirt.
Mikel laughed and brought his bloodied nails to his mouth, his blackened tongue slid out, much like a snake’s, and tasted her, his eyes slid closed in his pleasure. “The taste of power is so addictive. I shall grow drunk on your blood, Alina.”
Ali gagged. Blocking out what she had just experienced, she sent out a stream of light, hoping to hit him, feeling elation when she did. The light found his flesh and the stench was sickening. She gathered for another attack, but Mikel came at her and caught her by the throat. With his one hand holding his side, he lifted her off her feet.
Oblivious to the growing puddle of his blood on the ground, Mikel held Ali a few inches above the ground. His rage knew no bounds. “I grow weary of this game. It is time to take what is mine.”
She felt him enter deep into her mind, into her body. She fought him, tried to block but he was still too powerful, despite his injury. An inky substance began to spread. It coated her organs, searching for the source of her light—her soul. It as though she was drowning. Each breath was laborious and her eyesight began to dim. Then, just as she figured it was over, she was let loose and was falling. The illusion of the field was now gone, and she was tumbling towards the earth. Strong arms caught her and crushed her in a bone crushing embrace. Recognition was swift, Finn. He was alright. Ali gave into her tears.
“Shhh—I have you,
agrah
. I have you.”
“Mikel, he—thought you were gone—how?”
Finn kissed the top of her head. “Drake is dealing with him. No time to explain. I’m getting us out of here.”
Her body ached in so many places it wasn’t funny. When she heard voices, she cracked open an eye and when her vision cleared she saw three faces. They hovered over her, two were smiling and one looked as though it would scold her. She was in room, on a couch, maybe, she wasn’t entirely sure. It took a few moments for everything to click in, when it did, Ali shot up and would have stood, had Finn not held her down.
“Ali, relax, you’re alright lass. You’re safe.”
Finn’s voice cut through her panic and she stopped. She looked at him, his face was etched with worry, but he was alive. Ignoring the throbbing pain in her side, Ali grabbed his head in her hands, and kissed him soundly.
Once he got over her boldness, Finn returned her kiss not caring that they had spectators. For just a moment it was just the two of them, Ali needed this, needed to be sure that he was alive and he was more than happy to oblige her. Her body came to life and the familiar heat began to build. Finn felt it, and tore his lips from hers. “We’re not alone, love.”
His voice was thick and passion burned in his eyes. She looked and found Tristan and Drake standing a few feet away, both with big goofy grins on their faces.
“Please don’t let us stop you, it was just getting interesting.” Drake gave her a wink.
Tristan, who was also having difficulty in keeping the laughter out of his voice, attempted to sooth her mortification. “Pay him no mind, Ali. Drake has the subtleness of an elephant.”
Finn tightened his hold on her.
I can tell them to leave.
No, it’s alright, just give a minute. Sorry I don’t know what came over me, I was so damn happy to see that you were alive.
Ah love, you never have to apologize for showing me affection. If we had been alone, I would have shown you how much I appreciate your boldness.
He was so outrageous. All she could do was smile and push him away. She then sat up and gave the warriors her full attention, “Where are the other two?”
“They were alerted, to some activity—elsewhere.” Tristan's answer was a bit cryptic. Just what kind of activity? When he merely smiled at her, Ali knew she would not gain any more info.
Readjusting into a more comfortable position, Ali glanced between Tristan and Drake. “What happened? Where’s Tala?” She took in her surrounds, noticed how utilitarian it was. “Where are we?”
There was a heavy silence before Drake answered. “She’s still in her cabin. Those shadows want her bad and they're nasty bastards. Even with Constantine there, we were unable to break through their ranks, not that the guy did much. As for where you are,” His demeanor went sheepish, piquing her interest. “It’s my place. I’m not here much, but it was convenient.” At Ali’s questioning look, he filled in some blanks. “I left Tristan when I felt that you were in trouble.”
There’d be time to question Drake later. Ali swung her eyes to Tristan. She saw the frustration and anger in his eyes. Letting out a deep sigh, he told her what happened, ending with them coming here.
“We managed to cast a safeguard spell on the grounds surrounding the cabin, but it won’t hold them for long. It was my plan to bring Tala to a house I recently acquired.”
She cast a worried look to Finn. He rubbed her back to reassure her. “We’ll get to her first, Ali.” To Drake and Tristan he said: “Lugus is dead, and Vega has crawled off to lick her wounds.” Ali heard the pride in his voice and had to smile. When Tristan raised a brow, she smirked at him. He wasn't the only one who could keep secrets. Finn continued. “Mikel will need time to regroup after tangling with Drake. I think it’s safe to say that we have time to rest up ourselves.”
*****
Mikel stumbled into his lair; his body, doubled over, racked with pain. Moving towards his chair with deliberate steps, he grabbed onto an arm and collapsed onto it. The mortal had robbed him of vast amounts of energy by spilling his blood. His entanglement with yet another of Agrona’s warriors, the Dragon, had only compounded his injuries. The warrior had been relentless, and had zeroed in on the damage Alina had caused. Shifting his body, his teeth, clenching against the agony it caused, he took inventory of his injuries. He needed to replace what he had lost, but it wouldn’t take as long as it used to.
Despite his situation, he was satisfied. The piece of the Star inside Alina was gaining strength, and in turn, it would make the other women respond in kind. They wouldn’t be able to resist. The need to reach out would be so overpowering, caution would be the last thing on their frail minds. He only needed to get ahead of the warriors, and he already had the players in place to do just that.
He was growing stronger. Nevertheless, healing his wounds fully would take stronger donors. He sent out the order to James, surely they had the perfect candidate within the building. While he waited for his order to be carried out, it was time he checked in with the hooligans he had converted. Rocco and his crew, recovered from their taste of chaos, would need to be kept on a tighter leash, now that Lugus was gone.
Thoughts of his second in command brought a mixture of rage and regret. Yes, Lugus had turned on him; temptation presented by a demon of chaos would have been hard to resist. Vega knew how to play on the weaknesses of others. He would mourn the loss of Lugus, but would not seek revenge. Instead, his renewal of the binding spell with the demon would suffice. Besides, he had more to think about than the betrayal of a loyal follower.
Alina Hayes would be a difficult acquirement, now that her feelings for her warrior gave her something tangible to fight for. The insufferable mortal would fight for him and for her sister Fragments too. Mikel was certain she would not allow them to suffer. He had known about the link the moment Alina had made contact with the second Fragment, though the pathway had been obscured by some force he could not decipher.
However, that was before he had tasted Alina’s essence, felt the hot, sweet power of her blood in his mouth. A part of her now belonged to him. He would heal, replenish his power, and return to this battle with the clear sense of direction that his taste of the Fragment had granted him. Seeking within himself, Mikel began the initial task of healing his injury. At the same time, he called up the image of the sleeping war goddess.
Your warriors have done well, Agrona. But it will not last.
He felt her stir.
They will only continue to grow stronger Mikel—as each of them connect to a Fragment
In the darkness of his chamber, Mikel snarled, hissing as his wounds seared closed.
Your faith remains blinded.
Not blinded, Mikel—strengthened.
Disgusted by her continued optimism, he lashed out, sending a streak of darkness into the image before him. He pushed until her body convulsed into spasms, her strangled cries acted as a salve for his battered ego. However, it wasn’t enough. Twisting his wrist, he ordered the energy to burrow deeper into her body. He felt the last of his energy draining, but he didn’t care.
You are my greatest disappointment.
Only when her body gave out did he stop his assault on her. Closing the image, Mikel slumped down in the chair. As he waited for James to come to him with fresh energy, his mind conjured up images of the destruction of each Fragment—starting with Alina.
There are so many people to thank! I really hope that I don’t forget anyone. To my husband, Jim, and children: Megan, Victoria, and Zachary, this journey has not been easy. Thank you for sticking by me, ignoring my rants of frustration, and for not calling for the paddy wagon when it seemed like I was talking in tongues. Love you!
To my mother: you gave me the drive to start, and finish, anything I wanted to accomplish. We weren’t allowed to use the words: I can’t. Thank you for that. For my father who taught us that life is an adventure, and books are the maps. I miss you Daddy. To my siblings: thank you for putting up with my unique brand of crazy—even though you all share a claim in it! To the friends who have become family. Thank you for being there as I stumbled along the pathway to publication. I’m looking at you, Sheila, and Arlene! I love you all.
There are a few more people who deserve a shout out: my sister of the heart: Rhonda Pelley, Cindy Coleman-Gowland (she’s going to be my assistant!), Deb Marion (the best teacher I’ve worked with, ever!) and my amazing sister-in-law: Catherine Greenwood-Grabas: my cheerleading squad. Your check-ins, kicks in the butt, and endless offerings to read, and re-read this book, meant so much to me. Thank you! XOX
To my very first editor: The Queen of English, Noël Higgins. My chance inquiry turned into a beautiful friendship, one I’m so grateful for and cherish. Thank you for all your support, both personal as well as professional.
Kristin Anders. You pushed me harder than anyone. You demanded my best, and wouldn’t let up until you had it. I hope I’ve done you proud. Thank you! Mwah!
Mary Kate Kopec, my gansta sister! There aren’t enough words to thank you adequately. I love our sessions on Skype, and that we share an obsession for chocolate.
To the best beta readers ever! Leslie, my sister-in-law’s sister, and in extension, my sister too, Gretchen, and Catherine, you ladies ROCK! Thank you! Kim and Jenn, you ladies took my vision for the cover of this book, and brought it to life. Thank you for your endless supply of patience as I tried to maneuver this massive learning curve.
To all the amazing women, (and some men!) that I’ve met through RWA. I can’t express enough how much being part of this incredible network means to me. From answering my endless questions, to giving me a boost in the confidence department, I’ve had the best support group. Thank you!
This next thank you will be the hardest.
For you, Berta. You never stopped believing in me. Even when you were sick, you always asked: how’s the writing? Not a day goes by that I don’t look for you, that I don’t wait for your phone call or email. You never read a single word of this book. You wanted to be the first one to buy it. I wanted to give up when I lost you, but I could hear you whisper:
keep going
. I made it, Berta. I love you.