Central

  He leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his knees. This movement brought him several inches closer to Olivia. If he reached out, he could touch her. He wouldn’t, however. It was inappropriate enough that he was in her room. But he simply had to have his eyes on her while he thought through all of this new and alarming information. And since he knew he wouldn’t sleep anyway—in fact, he needed much less sleep than many others and often stayed awake all night—he had slipped into her room after everyone else had gone to bed.

  She hadn’t moved since he entered the room. Her hair spilled over the white sheet and pillowcase in an abundance of long, loose curls fanning out behind her. Since she was on her side and wearing a tank top above where the thin sheet covered her from the waist down, he could see shadows dusting the hollow of her collarbone. His gaze moved frequently to the curve of her hip where it flared gently out from her waistline. There was something incredibly compelling about that feminine arc. His hands itched to grasp her right there.

  Then he thought of Grolkinei and his commanders capturing her and what that could mean, and his hands clenched into tight fists.

  That evening, Gabriel had communicated with Ini-herit and Jabari about the sisters’ education. He wanted to begin their defense training immediately rather than putting it off in lieu of other lessons. Since he had secured their agreement, they would all be traveling to Gabriel’s home that very day. The meeting with the rest of the elders had been postponed until further notice so that they could focus on getting the girls to a point where they could effectively defend themselves. Jabari would be traveling on to his home once the sisters were settled at Gabriel’s, while Uriel, the Waresti elder, would meet them there to assist in the training.

  When the sky began to lighten, James got quietly to his feet. He knew Olivia would awaken soon. He might as well get the hot water ready for her tea.

  He eased the door open and noted that the hall was still dark and silent. Then he stepped out of the room and gently pulled the door closed behind him. He hadn’t even removed his hand from the doorknob when a door down the hall opened. It was the door to Skye’s room, he realized, glancing around in panic. There was absolutely nowhere to go. He had to pass Skye’s room to get to either his own room or the kitchen, and unless he ducked into an occupied bedroom, he was stuck.

  And then he realized that the shadow easing from Skye’s room was much too large to belong to Olivia’s youngest sister.

  Caleb jerked slightly when he spotted him. James stood awkwardly, unsure what to do. Then Caleb shook his head and pointed a finger from himself to James before bringing the finger to his lips.

  James understood. They would speak of this to no one. He nodded once. Then he moved forward and lifted his right arm as he passed on his way to the kitchen. Caleb bumped forearms with him to silently seal their vow before he walked back to his own room.

  James decided then that it was quite nice to know he wasn’t alone in his worry.

  “Holy cow, Gabriel—you live in a castle!” Skye gasped as they flew closer to his home that evening.

  There was no arguing it. He really did live in a castle. It was situated on a high cliff overlooking the ocean. Much to Olivia’s delight, the non-cliff side of the property contained lush forests. The rest of the landscaping nearer the castle was rather bare, a far cry from Ini-herit’s impressive gardens. But the architecture of the light-and-dark brown structure was inspired. Round towers of varying heights met square walls in a perfect flow of symmetry and design. She didn’t think she had ever seen any home quite so remarkable.

  And, not surprisingly, it looked highly defensible.

  She already knew the Mercesti wouldn’t think to look for them at Gabriel’s home. James had explained to her weeks ago that the location of the homes of each of the elders was highly secret, known only by the elders themselves. There were heavy protections in place on each of the elders’ homes to prevent someone from accidently revealing the locations. He further explained that as soon as they got a certain distance away from Ini-herit’s house, everyone except for the elders would no longer remember how to get there. The memory would simply fade.

  He had been correct. Within a very short span of flight time, she couldn’t have said a thing about the location of Ini-herit’s home other than that it resided near trees, something that appeared to be very common on this plane.

  They had fastened a special sling for Aurora so that she could make the trip. It had required four of them carrying part of the sling at any one time to bear her weight. All in all, though, the trip had gone very smoothly. The sisters had all wondered about their things, only to be told that the Lekwuesti would handle the transfer of everything from one location to another. Olivia thought that was absolutely marvelous and couldn’t wait to find out more specifically how it was done.

  James, Caleb, Ini-herit and Jabari had taken the last leg holding Aurora’s sling. They eased her gently to the ground as they neared the castle’s entrance. Once all four of her paws were on the ground, she stretched and let out a little cry.

  “She says, ‘Thank you,’” Olivia translated as she also landed and stretched. When James reached over to give the cat an affectionate rub, Olivia smiled.

  Skye stared up at the castle with utter awe on her face. As usual, the youngest sister wore her hair unbound. Olivia wondered how it could remain so beautifully coiffed while flying, but somehow it did. Today Skye had opted to wear a tangerine-colored tank top with a ruffled neckline paired with a matching flowing skirt over leggings and sandals. She was also fully accessorized with wide, gold hoop earrings, rows of colorful bangle bracelets on each wrist and a gemmed choker necklace. The youngest of them was rarely without her decorations. Compared to Olivia and Amber’s more practical tank tops and pants, Skye looked like a fashion model.

  “Amber, you must be so excited,” Skye exclaimed, bringing her hands together enthusiastically. Her bracelets chimed with the action. “You’re going to be living like a princess!”

  Then she wandered away in graceful strides to take everything in, followed closely by Caleb. Amber watched her go with a raised eyebrow, her hands on her hips. When Olivia stepped up beside her, Amber said, “Geez. She really is a walking Disney movie, isn’t she?”

  “Yep.”

  The sisters shared a laugh. They both knew it simply wouldn’t be the same without Skye’s exuberance.

  Suddenly, Amber let out a little sound of surprise and was lifted off her feet. Olivia stepped back to avoid getting whipped by her sister’s ponytail as Gabriel swept her into his arms.

  “Have you lost your mind?” Amber declared, sounding very unlike the fairytale princess Skye had compared her to.

  “Nope,” Gabriel responded easily as he carried her closer to the front door, which Ini-herit opened with just a flick of his power. “I’m bringing my wife home for the first time. Seems right to carry her across the threshold.”

  Olivia’s heart sighed. She figured even Amber couldn’t hold out against that when her sister didn’t argue and instead wove the fingers of her right hand through his wavy hair at the base of his neck. Whatever thoughts they silently shared with each other had them touching foreheads and exchanging tender glances.

  Feeling like an intruder, Olivia turned and walked over to squat next to Aurora. She sensed James a foot behind her.

  Are you going to be okay out here? she thought to her feline friend when they were on eye level. I’m sure you could come inside the castle if you wanted to.

  I will be fine. You know I find the forest quite comfortable. And I scent plenty of deer.

  Grinning, Olivia ran a hand along Aurora’s ears like she knew the panther enjoyed. Her smile faded as she thought, And will you miss your mate?

  We cats do not mate for life, you know. But if he is interested, he will find me.

  Olivia froze and then caught Aurora’s green gaze. Are you saying he would follow you all of these miles?

  Yes.

  But—I di
dn’t think—

  Aurora made a sound in her throat that Olivia interpreted as understanding. You are correct that we do not usually join with a mate so thoroughly.

  Why didn’t you tell me he might try to follow? I would have found a way to bring him with us!

  He would not understand and would have tried to harm your family.

  Olivia glanced up and realized James was staring at her. She sighed and nodded to let Aurora know she understood before she got to her feet. Then she watched the cat turn and lope into the forest.

  “She will be all right?”

  Moving with him toward the now-open front doors, she said, “Yes.”

  “Okay. Then what troubles you?”

  “She told me her mate might come after her.”

  He considered this as they walked into the castle. Since he didn’t speak, but instead sent up another ball of light that would follow them into the castle’s interior, she studied the inside of the amazing dwelling. She noted that the entrance wasn’t a drawbridge, making it seem more modern than the castles she had always thought of. The ceiling in the entrance soared above them, filled with balls of light that Gabriel, Jabari and Ini-herit must have commanded forth. A couple of niches were nestled into the walls on either side of the entrance. Housed in one was a gleaming long sword. In the other was a menacing battle-axe. Her eyebrows rose. They were most definitely not in Kansas anymore.

  Suddenly, James reached out and put his left arm over her shoulders, pressing her into his side as he guided her along the hallway. It was such an unexpected contact that she almost gasped. She was glad she didn’t, though. He might have pulled away.

  “If he wants to, I am confident that Aurora’s mate will find her,” he said at last.

  They turned together into a doorway on the right side at the end of the entrance hall and found themselves in some kind of parlor. Someone had used their power to set a fire in the parlor’s fireplace. Gabriel was showing Amber some of the contents of a large display case on the far side of the room. Olivia saw a flash of metal in Gabriel’s hand and wondered if it was some kind of jewelry or dinnerware. Then Amber reached out and grasped the object with a distinct sound of approval and Olivia saw it was some kind of throwing weapon. The realization almost made her laugh. As it was, she made a sound that had Ini-herit and Jabari turning to look at her from their places in front of the fire.

  As Skye’s voice floated to them from the doorway and Olivia realized she and Caleb were on their way inside, Olivia looked up at James and asked quietly, “What makes you so sure?”

  He knew she was still talking about Aurora’s mate. Looking at her with his steady gaze, he said, “I know what would motivate him. If Aurora thinks that their connection is strong enough to draw him to her, then he will find her. I understand that kind of connection now.

  “And I know that if it was me separated from you, nothing would keep me away for long.”

  Chapter Ten

  Some took the transformation to Mercesti better than others. Kanika had not taken to it at all.

  The Orculesti who had used her mental abilities to lead Grolkinei’s commanders to the location of the Becoming ceremony nearly eight weeks before had done little besides weep and moan since regaining consciousness after those commanders had carried her back to his holding. She had believed that by leading the Mercesti to the ceremony, she could dispose of the sister known as Amber. She had further believed that with Amber out of the way, she would have Gabriel’s love for herself.

  She had apparently dismissed entirely the fact that her actions would convert her to a Mercesti the moment Amber came to harm.

  Grolkinei would normally have killed her by now. Any Mercesti who transformed and did not seem to accept their new class wasn’t worth anything to him. In fact, it could lead to dissention among his ranks, something he would never abide. But Kanika was unquestionably beautiful and gifted. If he could manage to convince her that she had made the right choice, he was certain she would outperform Layla when it came to intercepting the thoughts of other Estilorians. Which meant he might actually learn more about Saraqael’s daughters and their various fates.

  After a cursory knock on the door of the bedroom he had established for her upon her arrival at his home, he entered the room. The two guards standing outside the door didn’t even look at him. He closed the door behind him.

  The curtains had been drawn, cloaking the room in darkness. It didn’t matter. He could see perfectly well in the dark. She was sitting on the side of her bed. She wasn’t crying, which he took as a good sign. Her long, black hair hung straight down her back, pouring onto the bedding beneath her. She wore a red nightgown that exposed much of her smooth skin to his view. Since she didn’t lift her eyes from her folded hands in her lap, he approached the bed and sat down beside her. His gaze ran briefly over the red markings along the outer edges of her eyes. She had told him they served to enhance her mental abilities. He could only assume this was true, not having succeeded in coercing her to show him the full scope of her abilities.

  He hoped that was about to change.

  “How are you today, my sweet?”

  “Do not call me that,” she hissed.

  He smiled and lifted a hand to her hair, enjoying the sheen of it as well as the reaction it caused from her. She jerked to the side and batted his hand away. He fought back a victorious chuckle. This was the first time she had made any effort to resist.

  “Why? You are sweet. And is my touch really so abominable?”

  She frowned at him, but he saw her giving him an assessing look rather than immediately dismissing his question. Her eyes traveled over his ebony hair, which he knew had gotten a bit long. His eyes were long-lashed and, like those of the other Mercesti, blood red. He had a charming dent in his left cheek when he smiled, as he was now. And there was no arguing that he maintained an exceptional physique. He was actually highly sought-after by Mercesti females.

  “I—do not want this,” she stammered finally. She looked confused.

  This time, when he reached up and brushed a hand along her cheek, she didn’t pull back. “I think you do not know what you want. I think that the thoughtless leader of the Gloresti twisted you up in knots and left you to rot. And I think that you deserve vengeance for that.”

  “No. Archigos Gabriel would not do that. I did not make my feelings known—”

  He gripped her hand. “Do not dare blame yourself. He does not deserve that. You do not know what he is capable of after spending so many years among humans. You have said yourself that he avowed himself to one of them.”

  Her eyes flashed a brilliant red in the darkness. “Yes,” she said, her voice hard.

  “He abandoned you for her, a weak and diluted abomination to all Estilorians. And you do not think that you deserve vengeance for that?”

  She paused, obviously debating with herself. “But she is dead. What more can I—?”

  “Are you certain of that?” he asked, his voice smooth as glass. “We have been unable to confirm it ourselves. And you are too busy wallowing in self-pity to assist us.” When she frowned, he added, “Would it not be quite ironic if these many weeks Gabriel has been laughing at you even as he and his avowed half-human frolic together like rabbits?”

  And when she screamed in fury, he knew he was, at last, making real progress.

  The morning after they arrived at Gabriel’s, Caleb stood in the hallway outside of Skye’s bedroom. His shoulders were pressed against the wall as he leaned with his arms crossed over his chest. He also had his ankles crossed in front of him in a deceptively casual stance. His long body all but filled the hallway. They were going to begin the sisters’ defense lessons that morning. He had been standing there for the better part of an hour waiting for Skye to get ready for the day. This waiting was a habit he had grown quite used to, even if it continued to perplex him. What could she possibly be doing in there for all that time?

  Right now, she was singing…loudly and almost
entirely off-key. Another thing he had realized early on was that of the three sisters, Skye had the least amount of vocal talent. That didn’t seem to diminish her enthusiasm for it even an iota. For the life of him, he didn’t know why he found that fact so charming.

  “If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it,” she sang.

  He had already learned this one. Beyoncé. One of her favorite artists. He had determined that the human singer imparted a lot of feminine attitude into her music, if Skye’s interpretations were any indication.

  Suddenly, an image shimmered into existence. He had seen Sky Tomaganuk, the Yupik elder for whom Skye had been named on the human plane, only a few other times since Skye transitioned. The spirit being who served as an additional guardian for her was usually invisible to everyone but her, so he must have needed to convey something important. Somehow, Caleb completely understood the look he received from the now-manifested spirit.

  “Do not worry,” he said calmly. “We will train her to avoid that happening.”

  With a nod, the spirit again winked out of existence. The singing grew closer. Caleb’s eyes moved to the door as he pushed away from the wall. She finished her song even as she pulled the door open. He braced himself.

  And still, the sight of her knocked the breath out of him. It always did.

  Today she wore a bright purple tank top and one of her matching flowing skirts over leggings. In lieu of sandals, she was wearing purple slippers. Her hair was unbound, falling to just below her waist in a cascade of loose curls. She smelled like lavender today, he noted. Her scent changed daily depending upon her mood, something that drove him to distraction.

  She looked up at him with her brilliant smile and guileless light blue eyes. “Good morning, Caleb,” she said cheerfully. “I hope you slept well.”