Unbound (22 page)

“Now, press the center of the disc. Once you’ve done that, I want you to say the word distinctly in your mind. Have you all done this?” Again they all nodded.

Jubi felt a surge of magic linking all the discs together. “I must say, Gan, I’m a little curious how these work.” He twirled his around on its string before putting it around his neck. The magic settled back into the earth.

“I was getting to that, Jubi. When you want to talk to someone in our group, press the center of the disc, then say the person’s name you wish to talk to, and the word you chose. These will only work for the person they’ve been keyed to. Even if somebody found out your keyword it wouldn’t do them any good. Also, you don’t need to say any of that aloud.”

“I thank you for making me a part of this group,” Karn said.

“Thanks for all your help the last few days, Karn. If you’re all ready…”

* * *

Kayla frowned. They’d decided the night before that it would take too much effort for Gannon to spot transport them all again. It wasn’t such a good idea for some of these people to know the location of his portal. Karn stood, looking at one of his wolves with hatred. Not all was happy with them. She suspected the wolves had had it out last night, yet they hadn’t filled her in this morning. What had happened? Even with that danger, she was more worried about Gannon. She didn’t want him low on energy when they met up with the rest of his peers.

Kayla stopped. Gannon couldn’t move them, but maybe she could shift the portal. Without looking at him, for fear that he would know what she was thinking, she concentrated on the portal and on them moving through it. An intense pain shot through her body, jerking her to the ground. But when she stood up and looked around, she knew that she had done it.

Gannon looked at her, shock and then anger evident on his face.

Kayla stared defiantly into his eyes before she turned away. She hoped that he would take them out of here soon. She didn’t want to make a scene; she really couldn’t afford to waste energy on a fight right now. She’d been winded moving such a large group of people, but she would never admit it to Gannon.

He sighed, “Come on,” and started off down the street, waving Jubi and his people off.

24

They reached the meeting place first.
It gave Gannon an opportunity to observe the surroundings and look for a way out if it came to that. But the vacant lot didn’t provide much in the way of cover, just a lone tree at the far end and a few weeds between them and the fences that surrounded the thing.

The council was likely to send Covington. He chafed that he would have to fight with the man. He could only hope some of the honest Mages would be there too. He'd played into Covington’s hands by not alerting the council about Kayla sooner, but he hoped that they would be lenient and believe that he hadn’t known what she could do until after they went to Covington’s. By then, he’d been busy trying to get her back from Keaton, who was some sort of Daemon. He could only hope that Covington hadn’t warped the minds of the entire council.

They didn’t have to wait long for Covington to swagger into view. Gannon regretted the Mages that came with him. He didn’t know if they were with Covington or just there on the council’s orders. He sincerely hoped it was the latter. What was the likelihood that Covington would bring two Mages that weren’t in on his plans? Esmarella and he had a long history. Tormund had been one of his greatest chums in school, until the war had called them each to separate duties. Maybe the council wanted him to be among friends when they brought him in, but he doubted it.

“Tormund, Ella.” He nodded to each in turn as they approached.

Anger flared in Ella’s eyes. She sneered, “It’s Esmarella. Take care to remember that, Gannon.”

Tor stood back, his hand on the hilt of his sword. His eyes held a flat look. Gannon couldn’t think of what to say. These weren’t the same people he remembered. While he hadn’t seen them in the last few years, they couldn’t have changed this much. Tor always reserved judgment, and wouldn’t let friendship stand in the way of doing his duty.

“So they sent you, Tormund.” He ignored Covington and acknowledged his long time friend.

“It would appear so, Gannon,” Tormund said stiffly. There might have been a flash of pain in his eyes, but Gannon couldn’t be sure.

“Kayla,” He held out his hand and brought her up next to him. He’d caught the flare of her magic when she saw Covington, and he didn’t want her doing anything foolish that might make Tormund act without thinking. “Kayla, this is Tormund, and Esmarella. They are two of the council’s best Mages.”

“They may be that, Gannon, but if they’re so good, what the hell are they doing with him?” Kayla glared with hatred at the man in front of her.

“Now, now, Kayla, what have I ever done to you?” Covington asked innocently.

“Do you want me to start listing the atrocities you’ve committed in front of your little friends?” she asked.

“Careful, lady,” Tormund rumbled in warning.

“One, When I met you, you were torturing and collaring Mages.” Kayla accused.

Tormund and Esmarella took a step away from Covington, shock and hatred blooming on their faces. It was all Gannon needed to know that neither had knowingly been a part of Covington’s group. He wondered, then, what they were there for.

* * *

“How would you know, you lying little bitch?” Covington demanded.

Nyx took that moment to appear, before vanishing again. Covington took a step away. He swallowed.

Kayla felt Nyx against her. She continued berating Covington without even pausing for breath.

“And another thing, you slimy bastard: if you go near that child again, I’ll kill you.” Her chest heaved. She could feel her magic on the tips of her fingers, aching to be released, but she didn’t want to give him the satisfaction.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, but I assure you that you have me confused with someone else.” Covington flashed a winning smile.

Kayla saw Esmarella’s eyes turn white, but didn’t move from her position.

“The woman, Kayla’s, aura bears the colors of truth, yet Covington’s holds parts are concealed. It’s as if there is a veil over my eyes, when I try to examine him closer. He’s hiding something, Tor, but I can’t detect what. It’s just a feeling that keeps slipping away.”

“I’ve had enough, Esmarella. Wherever the truth may lie, the Council can decide. My orders are to bring her in, Gannon. I will note her accusations in my report.”

He walked to Gannon. “I don’t want to have to do this, but it’s my duty. I wouldn’t try to use your magic. These cuffs cause intense pain when you try. Time to go, Gannon.”

“Is this really necessary, Tor?” Gannon didn’t resist.

“I’m afraid so. It has become Council policy in the last few years.” Tormund had regret in his voice.

He turned to Kayla, holding another pair of cuffs in his hand. He reached for her hand. A surge of magic hit him and threw him against the fence on the far side of the field. Kayla looked at her hand and across to where he lay. What the hell had just happened? She didn’t have time to worry about it as Tormund picked himself up from the ground. He drew his sword and walked back towards her.

Kayla glared at the fool. She didn’t understand why he’d let the great oaf put those cuffs on him. Not paying him any attention, discounting the others, she turned to face her opponent. This was going to be fun. She hadn’t had anyone to play with in a while. Her sword was in her hands. She grinned at him. Without a thought, she strutted towards him.

“Kayla,” Gannon called after her.

He shouted something to that blonde but she put it from her mind and focused solely on the target before her.

“Esmarella, you must stop him. She’ll kill him or he her, but neither of them will stop until someone dies.”

“Oh really Gan, give it up. What could that girl do against one of our Battle Mages?”

“She’s not what she appears to be.”

Kayla’s sword began to glow with a blue flame. She flipped it around, grinning. It felt good to have it back in her hand again.

The large man circled her. His dark hair gleamed in the sunlight. His hard, slate eyes stared at her, taking in every movement. Here was an opponent worthy of her skill. She hummed, admiring his sword as he brought it up in a clean arc. She danced away, looking for any opening, any mistake. The swords flicked in and out, faster than the eye could follow, an erotic dance of danger. His mouth thinned, watching her, looking for even the smallest opening. She gave him none. He didn’t pause when her sword burned blue. He lunged forward, leaving her an opening. She slapped him with the flat of her blade.

He staggered back. “What the hell was in that spell?”

Kayla landed on top of him. “Wouldn’t you like to know. Why the hell did you think I would just let you cuff me? I don’t know you, I don’t like you, and I don’t want to know you or that bitch. Do you yield?” Her anger flared and she hit him in the chest with a blast of magic.

She watched his eyes go funny and softened a second.
What the hell is wrong with me?
She backed off, a half shift of weight to the back of her heels. He reared up and toppled her onto her back.

“Never!” He grunted, covering her body with his, and pressed his knife to her throat.

“You will come with me now.”

“I…Will…Not!” She pushed her thumb into a space between his ribs, hitting a pressure point.

“Who the hell are you?”

She saw the pain in his eyes and still he wouldn’t move. Nyx got between them before she could stop him. It would have been funny in any other situation, a black ball of fur going to town on his head. She rolled out from under them. Tormund reared back, grabbing the cat and trying to shake him off his head. His hands passed through Nyx’s body.

Kayla scooped Nyx off of Tormund’s head and cuddled him to her chest. She didn’t feel right. Something about this battle unsettled her. She stepped out of his way. He swung his sword at her. Esmarella went over to him and tried to get his attention. He grabbed her around the waist and held his sword to her throat.

“Tormund Alexander, you will release me this moment,” Esmarella demanded.

“Ella? I can’t see.” His strong voice broke off in a squeak. “That blasted animal has blinded me!” He roared, thrashing around at random with his sword.

“Never mind the Guardian. You were told to bring her in unharmed. Is this how you abide by the Council’s edicts?”

“You, you of all people are questioning my loyalty?”

“Gannon, what has that creature done to him?”

Kayla stared at Tormund in detachment. Blood dripped from thin wounds. She sat quietly, petting Nyx as she watched each drop fall in slow motion.

“Ella, I cannot see,” Tor cried.

He reached out for her, and she took his hand, patting it gently. “Shush, it’s going to be okay.”

Kayla glared up at him. She turned her head. It seemed to take an eternity. She looked at Gannon, his head darkened by the setting sun behind them.

“What have you done to Tormund?”

“Nothing, Gan. Why is your mouth moving so slow?”

She frowned at him. The battle lust cleared as she stroked Nyx.

“Why am I on the ground?”

“What have you brought among us Gannon? She’s obviously defective.”