Breandan clasped my hand, held it tightly as he gave me his own failing strength.
Inhaling on a gasp, I raised my palm and a blade of light sliced through the air. The vampires shrieked as it passed through them, burning them with sunlight. Two stumbled and one simply keeled over. The rest shook it off and ran on. Unwavering, I conjured a stronger slash of light. The vampires dropped and crawled forward, but one was too slow, and took the blade of light to the neck.
Spheres of blue flame raced beside the blades of light I conjured, and smashed into the necks of those in the centre. Breandan had another energy sphere in his hand, hovering steadily as he picked his next target.
I summoned my own, and it appeared as a rough ball of flames.
We picked off another two, disintegrating them into ash, but still the Nest charged. There were no more than twenty left, but how many had Breandan and Daphne killed already? Would they never stop coming?
Magic flooded me, but I wasn t channeling enough. The pressure built in my temples, at the base of my spine, and burned my fingertips. Untapped power bubbled in my gut, and made my knees weak. Sensing I needed to release it, or it would burn me from the inside, I fixed my attention on the coming attack. I grabbed all the power and threw it towards them with everything I had left.
The world exploded in ripples of dazzling light. Breandan was wrenched away from me, and Daphne screamed. A lash of searing heat licked the walls and set the air on fire. The inferno swept over everything until the rain soaked street hissed, and the smell of burning flesh clogged the air.
The fire collapsed leaving smoke and a faint crackling.
In the middle of the charred street, I stood alone. Wide-eyed and breathing hard, a cold sweat breaking out on my brow. The ground moved beneath me. Oh, okay, not the ground, my legs were wobbling. I gasped, and my legs buckled as I tried to take a step forward. I fell into a heap, my palms slapping the concrete loudly as I used them to break my fall.
Ugh. Dizzy, nauseous, and cold.
I ran my tongue over my teeth and tasted bitterness. Clumps of hair clung to my skin and hung over my face like scraggly ropes. I tried to slow my racing heart by breathing in a long, jagged breath, and exhaling slowly.
Breandan was suddenly there, scooping me up from the floor. He hooked one arms under my legs the other across the middle of my back. He curled me into his chest and nudged at my face with his nose until I looked him fully in the face. His silver-blue eyes traced over my features, lingering over my eyes, making was sure I was still lucid. He nodded and peered around us curiously.
I rested my forehead against his chest. My brows pulled together sluggishly his skin was hot, too hot, I needed to be more careful.
Daphne hovered nearby, wary. The corners of her eyes were pinched in pain and her body stiff. I grimaced, my stomach lurching at the sight of her.
Half of her face was blackened and burnt, as was the side of her neck, and the back of one freckly hand. The melted skin went from blistered raw flesh, to a pink rash then became smooth alabaster skin as she healed.
Breandan turned to walk away, and over his shoulder, I caught sight of the scorched vampire bodies. Tossed by the wind the blackened husks tumbled across the road and broke into smoldering ash.
I felt nothing but misery for the crispy remains. Why couldn t they just let us go, give up?
Daphne patted her healed face, her eyes fixed grimly on the lightening horizon.
I m sorry about the burns,
I mumbled.
I did ask you to hide.
She delivered me a lethal look and rubbed flaky skin off her peeling neck. She pulled her lips back revealing her fangs had retracted and a wide gap between her front two teeth. It was a smile or grimace; I wasn t entirely sure which.
Next time, I ll listen if you will.
Say-so.
I grunted, and stubbornly glowered at her.
Then I blacked out.
CHAPTER TWO
Gasping for air, and bolting up before I d fully woken, I flung a hand out in front of me to ward off a blow. Sensing no actual threat, I cracked my eyes open and peered over the overgrown shrubs hiding me.
It s okay,
a voice soothed. Daphne.
You re safe. You re in the forest.
Still somewhat addled my nature flared and screamed Vampire! but when the last day or so came into focus, I disregarded the urge, remembering this vampire was not a threat to me. Well, at least not an immediate threat.
I sought out Breandan through the bond, and slumped in relief when I sensed he wasn t far. Knowing he was close and could return in moments if I let out a goodly scream or spike of panic down the bond reassured me like nothing else, and the knowledge boosted my confidence to deal with Daphne, somebody who I still wasn t too sure about.
I can see that,
I replied tartly, a tad embarrassed by my panicked awakening.
I leaned up to rest on my elbows. In truth, I felt better than I had in a while. My exhaustion had been so complete I d been claimed by a deadening sleep. I wiggled my toes in my boots and arched my back off the floor, letting my head drop back.
Inhaling deeply, I let the familiar nutty scent of the trees calm me. The air was crisp, and the breeze rustling the leaves was pleasant, lulling.
So & we d made it then. Gods. That last punch of magic had knocked me out cold. After Breandan s confrontation with Tomas and my downward spiral into grief, it had been near hopeless a number of times during our escape. I d slowed Breandan and Daphne down, but despite everything, they d gotten us out of there alive, and we had the grimoire too.
I slept all day,
I murmured, feeling rather than seeing the night was young. The sky was indigo towards the horizon, glimpsed through slim openings in the dense canopy.
When I woke up Breandan was leaving to find food,
Daphne explained.
He s worried about you. If I m honest, so am I. First, you fall into some kind of sleepwalking bereavement that the fairy assures me will pass once you d worked your way through it. Then the brutal way you killed that vampire was & interesting if somewhat disturbing for me. And then the sunlight. The burning sunlight in the middle of the night.
Wincing at thae visual of Daphne s burnt and blistered face, I moved to sit up fully. The popping of joints sounded worse than it felt, but the sound stopped me nonetheless. My body had taken a battering and would take time to ease out. Slowly, I extended my wing pinions, relieved when they were whole and painless. My tail flicked out behind me restlessly, so much a part of me now I often forgot it was there.
Brushing the hair from my eyes, I rested back, deciding I was not ready to get up after all.
You don t know me, Daphne. You d never met me before yesterday so what do you have to be worried about?
I sent a frosted look her way, beginning to remember I was angry with her for being part of Tomas stupid plan to hide me at the Nest.
Or is there something else I should know? Have you somehow been spying on me too?
The words were bitter.
We must have been safe from capture by the Nest to risk a fire. Daphne looked disinterested in its upkeep, and I suspected Breandan had made her tend it for me.
I have no ulterior motives, and I do genuinely care,
she said.
I watched you sleep. I saw how Tomas cared for you.
Stop,
I said flatly.
Stop what?
Don t say his name and don t talk about him.
Uncomfortable in my own skin, I sat up, shifted about as heat crept up my neck and spilled out on my cheeks. I glued my eyes on the ground as memories of Tomas betrayal flashed before my eyes, his heartfelt apology. I pushed it all away.
It s too soon.
She snorted.
I ll say whatever I like. I will honor his memory as is required. He was my mentor for many years, I need to remember him.
My gaze snapped to hers.
You
think he deserves honor?
She calmly placed the stick down and crossed her arms. She sat cross-legged as well and looked like a child she was so small in frame, smaller than me.
You don t?
He kidnapped me. He fed on me.
He saved your life. He protected you from the Vampire Queen and kept your presence secret from one of the most powerful beings on this earth.
I breathed out hard.
I wouldn t be close to Cael s stronghold if he hadn t used his compulsion and tricked me into bringing us here.
Daphne uncrossed her arms and let them fall to her lap. Her expression was incredulous.
Always so quick to blame others, aren t you? Why don t you start accepting responsibility for mistakes you ve made. I think you ll find you ll harbor less guilt over things that are not your fault and not under your control.
Stunned, I stared at her.
I don t
She held up her palm, and I scrambled for words.
Tomas death was not your fault. He brought it down on his own head when he chose to take you.
She jabbed a finger at me.
It was your own damn fault when you didn t send him away when you had the chance to. It was your fault when you kissed him and encouraged him to fall in love with you knowing that you could never feel the same. But Rae?
Pressing my lips together, I looked up.
It was his fault when he incurred the wrath of Breandan. That was something primal you couldn t have controlled, even though you tried.
She sighed.
And failed so spectacularly.
I pressed my eyes closed, once again seeing Breandan grip Tomas head and heave. I bit my lip to numb the pain, forced the hurt of Tomas betrayal to help me accept how he died.
Breandan didn t have to
Rae, you re not a child. You know how that fool fairy feels for you. You are his mate. What self respecting warrior would turn a blind eye not once, but twice, to bold faced insults thrown in his face?
Daphne shook her head.
I loved Tomas like a brother, but he took it too far. He messed with forces he had no business provoking.
Her outlook confused me and I had no bones about telling her so.
Why are you defending him?
Because I understand what Breandan is, and what Tomas was. If Tomas had gained the upper hand, he would ve destroyed Breandan. You would be running from Gwen s fangs and grieving your fairy if Tomas won. Honestly, maybe worse.
Another deep sigh made her braids slink over her shoulder.
Females like to put rose tinted glasses on love, but it s just as ugly as other emotions, perhaps uglier. How much pain and suffering has been caused for love? It just turns out Breandan s love was stronger than Tomas . That doesn t surprise me, Tomas heart was spilt in two.
She looked down at her nails, picked at blood encrusted on the tips. Glancing up at me, she smiled.
What? You think he didn t love her every bit as much as she loved him?
I glowered.
Gwendolyn is crazy.
Yeah, but she wasn t always. She loved Tomas deeply, and unlike me, she ll never forgive what happened, that you can be sure of.
I laughed hysterically, not able to express myself any other way.
Everything is so screwed up.
I stifled a sob, and swiped at an errant tear. I cursed when more slid down my cheeks. My composure crumbled, and I buried my head in my hands. My shoulders shook with both relief and sorrow.
After being reunited with Breandan at Temple, for once, my world had felt perfect. Breandan had held me close, my friends were safe, and I d been happy. Since I d found out who I was, my life had been a disaster. I d been suffocating. The walls closing in on me. Then Breandan and I mated, and the solidarity of that connection freed me of fear. I could breathe easy. My responsibility as Priestess had felt manageable. I d been relaxed, things finally coming under my control. The demons had listened to me as I explained my plan to unite the demon races in preparation to fight the he-witch. Most importantly, I d been ready to face Lochlann and the fairy people with Breandan at my side as my bonded mate. Then in the blink of an eye, Tomas had destroyed everything. His skillful compulsion had made me use my magic to take us right under the he-witche s nose. In this one act, he d shown what a foolish girl I was.
How could I face any of them after what had happened? Embarrassed seemed too kind a word. They would all learn of how weak and easily led I had been. They would find out about the blood tie and mock me. They wouldn t follow me or give me any respect because deep in my heart I knew I didn t deserve loyalty. I had made so many mistakes and dug myself a hole so deep it had taken Breandan to pull me out.
Chilled fingers flitted over my temples. The cold touch cooled my heated face. Daphne rubbed my back and made soothing noises.
Hiccupping, my head pounded from the intense outpouring of emotion. I scrubbed a hand over my face hoping that my swollen eyes, and itchy nose would subside before Breandan returned.
Thanks for trying to make me feel better, but I m not that great a person,
I admitted.
I don t know what I m doing half the time. You ve probably made the wrong choice defending me.
I rubbed my nose, the urge to sneeze distracting.
Daphne prodded me with her elbow.
You re a good person, Rae. Nobody is a saint, and no one is asking you to be.
She paused.
Well, no one apart from your entire species, of course.
My eyes squinted, and I sucked in a breath, my nostrils flaring and tingling. I sneezed so loud the back of my throat burned, and my stomach muscles clenched.
Nocturnal birds squawked in the trees, wolves bayed in the distance.
I sighed and wiggled my toes, rubbing the fleshy button of my nose to quell the urge to sneeze again. I needed answers. I wouldn t be able to move past these hurtful memories if I didn t get them.
Do you know why it was so important for Tomas to bring me to the Nest?
I do.
I lowered my gaze to the floor. A frog leaped past and vanished under a cluster of mushrooms sprouting from a dark mound of earth.
Would you tell me?
I asked, sniffing pitifully.
Yeah.
Biting my lip, I slowly looked up, expecting scorn. Her gaze was compassionate not mocking.
Okay. I m ready.
Queen Gwendolyn saw bringing you to the Nest would save us,
she began.
Tomas was convinced that it was only a matter of time before he died, before we all died. Cael isn t exactly mindful of the fact the majority of us are insane and starving. Tomas had told me before Gwen turned vampire that she was a Seer. Her Sight works differently from Cael s offspring
Already she d thrown in something alarming that needed further clarification.
Sorry, offspring? As in there s more like him?
Daphne held up a petite hand to signal me to slow down.
Cael has had many sons and daughters, but they all died. All of them tried to kill him and usurp his place as Coven Father.
Her face twisted in disgust.
And people call vampires ruthless. The only one left alive is the most recently born, Ana. She left over a month ago, and we haven t seen her since.
Daphne frowned.
Off the topic. As I was saying, Gwen s visions are sporadic and occur in a trancelike state. They re fractured images she spends weeks deciphering into something intelligible. She never tells us what she sees exactly, just what she s deduced. It s clear that you re in someway connected to Cael. I d wager that talisman round your neck is what opens the grimoire the witches are so eager to get their hands on. That s why Cael questioned the High Lord before he was drained. He was seeking the key s whereabouts. When the fairy revealed it was in the rightful hands of the fairy Priestess, Cael fell silent then simply left the High Lord to Gwen s & well you know what happened to him.
She peered i
nto my face.
It wasn t fair. Had I been allowed I d have given the High Lord a warrior s death, I swear.
Devlin was chained with iron?
I asked.
Poisoned, after you defeated him?
Daphne shook her head.
No. He was hard to take down, and he would have escaped if he could use his magics. But Cael has an enchantment that stops any magic wielders of a certain power being able to conjure in the inner city. It s an added layer of protection for his Coven. The further out we go the easier it will be for you to use your magics. I was worried when you stopped before that you wouldn t be able to pull off what you did.
That explained why it had been so hard for me to control the magic. My tiredness hadn t been entirely at fault.
Something still was not right about Devlin s death.
Even if you overpowered him Devlin was strong. I just don t understand why he didn t escape.
Daphne gripped my shoulder.
Rae. Cael is powerful, very powerful. And I m not exactly a weakling either.
So, you didn t kill him?
She shook her head.
I captured him, but no, the killing blow was not mine.