Arranged (Arranged Trilogy Book 1)

  The deeper I got into the abandoned city the stronger the feeling of unease became. Something was very wrong. I picked up my pace. For once I was glad to have the guards’ protection.

  Chapter Fifteen

  A loud wail stopped me in my tracks.

  Someone or something was in pain. I cast out my senses, searching out a heartbeat. Five guards surrounded me. I pushed my senses out farther. One strong heartbeat and one that was very weak, the distance was around sixteen hundred meters away. I took off in a sprint toward the direction of the beating hearts. Once I knew I was vectored in correctly I let go of the link—all the heartbeats were giving me a headache. My heart pounded from effort, sweat trickled down my back. I wasn’t used to running and clearly not very good at it but I had to push myself harder. Someone was in grave danger.

  Several moments later I crested a hill, and my steps faltered. I stood, trying to catch my breath.

  Below me was a magnificent dragon. A long red tail repeatedly slapped the ground in despair. I hadn’t had much contact with dragons before. I eased forward slowly. If the dragon noticed me, it didn’t let on. As I got closer my heart dropped. In front of the dragon was a body. A broken, bloody body. So bloody that I almost didn’t realize it was Michael at first until I felt his essence. When I felt a thread of his energy it stole my breath.

  I felt tears sting my eyes at the sight, and swallowed back the lump in my throat. Ignoring the growing chill, I kept moving forward.

  As I approached, I frantically searched my mind for the name of the dragon. Michael had told me on our first meeting but it had slipped my mind. Cautiously, I took a few more steps forward before speaking, being careful to stay a safe distance from the dragon’s tale. “Michael told me about you. I’m sorry I don’t remember your name, but I know you’ve helped him in the past. And you’re friends.”

  The dragons head snapped around, the large yellow eyes dropping to meet my own. A blow of fire pushed me back, singeing my hair. I stumbled to the ground slamming my knee on a rock. Slowly I rose to my feet keeping my hands limply at my side, to show him I was not a threat. “Why didn’t you bring him to the healer? He doesn’t have much time.”

  Its tail slammed hard onto the ground, causing a slight tremble under my feet. I wished he would shift into his human form, but I know when a shifter is highly agitated it’s nearly impossible to shift. “Please let me help him. I am a healer.”

  His head swayed back and forth, and then as if changing his mind he took a step backward. I let out my breath. Thank the gods. Michael didn’t have long, and even I didn’t have the power to bring back someone from the dead. I was so glad I knew the dragon was his friend or I would have killed him on the spot. That would have been hard to explain.

  Who’d done this to him? I didn’t have time to worry about that now. I had to focus on keeping him alive.

  Without wasting time I ran to Michael and dropped to my knees. I stared down at him with dispassionate objectivity, as a healer should. But inside, my heart ached.

  Gently, I placed my steady hands on his heart. The beat was so faint it was a mere flutter. His injuries were extensive. Internal bleeding, so many broken bones. But I couldn’t be bothered to focus on how many until I knew he would make it. Of course he’d make it.

  Hope leapt alive within me. If anyone could save him, it was me.

  I reached deep into my core and shot a jolt of my own energy straight into his heart. His body convulsed, and then stilled. The heart beat was gone. Oh no. No. No. No! Had I overloaded his energy system? What was I thinking? I should have taken into account that he was human. I haven’t worked on many humans, so I wasn’t sure of what they could handle. In my panic I’d given Michael too large of a jolt. The dragon roared.

  My own heart felt like it was going to burst out of my chest. I needed to focus. There was still time.

  Closing my eyes I released slow, gentle pulses of electrical energy directly from my third eye into his heart. A trickle of sweat ran down my back. In a sense my energy was massaging his heart. At the same time I placed one hand on his forehead and the other just above his navel. The heart was its own system, but the body had another energy pathway. I pushed upward slightly, while releasing some of my own energy into his, and a sigh escaped my lips when his heartbeat came back to life.

  My shoulders sagged as I closed my eyes in relief. He would make it.

  Rocking back on my heels, I moved my hands on different positions over his body, healing the internal injuries first. The bones would have to wait.

  I looked up at the dragon and gave him a slight nod as my energy continued to repair Michael’s body.

  The air wavered slightly before the dragon shifted back into his human form.

  Standing naked before me was a very muscular blond teenager. If he was self-conscious he hid it well. Uncomfortable, my gaze flicked back toward Michael.

  His eyes fluttered open and I swear my soul soared at the sight. With my thumb I wiped away a trickle of blood running down the side of his handsome face.

  A low moan of pain escaped his bloody, cracked lips. I sent a wave of energy to the pain receptor in his brain, shutting it down. Poor guy, even with my powers it was going to take a couple of hours for his body to be back to normal. Right now I was focusing all my energy on the internal injuries, those were the ones that could still potentially kill him.

  “Who did this to him?” My voice came out in a dangerous whisper.

  “His family.” The dragon’s words stilled me.

  I sucked in a deep breath as the anger coursed through my veins. I couldn’t believe it. His family? Oh they were going to pay, and pay dearly.

  Mother, I need your help, Michael has been badly beaten.

  I’m on my way.

  I knew she would be there shortly without having to ask directions. It was easy for her to vector in on her own flesh and blood.

  “Michael, it’s going to be okay. Can you speak?”

  He nodded his head, and licked his lips—his voice came out in a croak. “They know about you and your mother. I’m sorry.”

  My brow wrinkled. “How?”

  “My brother’s memory was not erased and he followed after us back to your place. When I was walking back home he confronted me. I tried to speak reason but he wouldn’t hear of it. When I tried to escape he knocked me out.” Michael closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “When I woke up, I was being kicked all over, by my tribe.”

  “Shh, don’t think of that now. Just relax. Stress will cause the healing to take longer.”

  I sent a wave of calming energy to him. His eyes closed and his head lolled to the side.

  The hatred in me was building and the ground beneath me rumbled.

  Calm down, Tulupea. Do not let your power get the better of you.

  Mother, it was his tribe that did it.

  I figured as much. They will be taken care of.

  I will take care of them, I replied firmly.

  We’ll talk about it once we get back home and Michael is safe.

  As far as I was concerned there was nothing to talk about, but I knew arguing would be futile.

  “Thank you,” the dragon boy said in a gruff voice.

  I nodded. “I’m just glad I got here in time. If I had been ten minutes later I don’t think he would have made it. I know you have a healer friend, why didn’t you bring Michael to her?”

  His head hung and his shoulders sagged. “The rebellion has killed her. They set fire to her house while she slept.”

  I drew in a sharp breath. This was getting out of control. What were they going to do, fight until there was no one left standing? Where was the logic in that? Somehow we had to find a way to bring this world back together. And just planting some flowers was not the answer.

  Just then my mother arrived. She was out of breath and her hair was in disarray. Without a word she dropped to her knees and placed her hands on Michael’s body. I felt a surge of her energy. I worried it would st
op his heart again but he was fine. We stayed that way for another twenty minutes or so, switching hand positions until we thought he was healed enough to be carried back. The internal injuries were repaired and most of the bones had healed, but a beating of that degree did a lot of damage, both physically and mentally. It would be a few days before Michael was back to normal.

  My mother snapped her fingers and one of her guards appeared. “Be as gentle as possible.”

  The guard nodded and lifted Michael with ease, before tossing him over his shoulder. I didn’t think that looked very gentle, but I knew Michael was out of danger.

  “I could have done that,” the dragon boy said with a frown.

  I’d forgotten he was there. He was standing there with his arms crossed, still completely nude. Granted, he was a beautiful specimen, but still, it was beyond awkward so I willed clothes onto him. A crooked grin flashed across his face. “Sorry about that. Normally I carry clothes on me, but I got a sense that something was wrong with Michael and left in a hurry.”

  I nodded. Their bond must be strong. “I’m glad for your connection. I’m sorry, but what was your name?”

  “Blake, and yours?” His eyebrow shot up.

  “Tulupea and this is my mother, Acacia, Queen of the Badlands Realm.”

  Blake took a step backward. His worried gaze landed on my mother. “From the Unseelie Court?”

  I was not in the mood for this nonsense. “Yes, Blake, we are dark fae. Get used to it. Your reaction is rich, seeing as how your kind is feared in every realm.”

  Blake bowed low toward my mother and then me. “Forgive me for my ignorance. It’s an honor, I’ve just never met anyone with your stature before.”

  He was smooth, I’d give him that. But right now I had more pressing things to worry about than a hot dragon.

  “Mother, don’t try to stop me. I am going to the rebellion’s camp and I’m going to take care of this problem once and for all.”

  She opened her mouth to speak and then closed it. “I’ll go with you. You’re right, it’s time to put this to rest.

  “Guards, make sure the boy is safe, and well rested. Anything he wants, give it to him and at least one of you stay visible so he does not think he’s alone.”

  The guard nodded and took off in the other direction.

  “I’m going with you,” Blake said, his voice leaving no room for arguments. I shrugged. I didn’t care who came with me, all I knew is there wouldn’t be any of them left standing when I was done.

  Chapter Sixteen

  My mother held her hand up for us to stop as we approached the compound. I’d wished she’d stayed back because I had no intentions of making a stealthy entrance. I wanted them to know we were there and why they were going to die. The only question was would they die quickly or slowly?

  “Tulupea, let me handle this. I need to address them as a queen and we’ll go from there.”

  Blake said nothing.

  I drew in my lower lip between my teeth in frustration. Sometimes having a queen as a mother sucked.

  A warm breeze blew my hair in my face, and I pushed it back, annoyed. What difference did it make? The end result would be the same. I gave her a slight nod.

  She and Blake continued on.

  Before I moved forward, I took a deep breath, and concentrated on finding the calm center of my being in the midst of the storm that was brewing inside of me. My energy crackled, and a slow smile spread across my face. I would enjoy this. I would unleash my power and let it guide me. Normally I worked very hard at restraining the darkness within, but not today. Today I’d lose myself in the fury of my magick.

  A bolt of lightning tore from my hand, splintering the large stone doorway into a million pieces. It crumbled to the ground, leaving a gaping hole.

  My mother gave me a look as if to say, ‘well that was subtle’. However, I didn’t care.

  Dozens of startled eyes stared back at us. Men were reaching for their weapons. If I hadn’t been so enraged, I would have laughed. Good luck with that, I thought with a smirk.

  My mother strode before us, every inch a queen, with her head held high. Her hands shot off sparks of magick, creating a barrier around us that only I could see.

  Someone threw a dagger and it bounced off the invisible field and clattered to the ground. In fear, they all started throwing objects in vain—each and every one ended up with a clatter on the floor of the cave. Too bad, so sad. They feared magick? I’d give them something to fear. How dare they leave one of their own to die.

  “You’re wasting your energy.” My mother’s crisp voice rang through the air. “I see there are women and children amongst you. I will give you one chance and only one. Women and children can leave now, but know that if you stay here you will die.”

  Frantic looks were exchanged. A couple of the women grabbed a hold of the younger children and scurried out. But the majority of them chose to stay. I met the big blue-eyes of a young boy. His face was dirty and his skin gaunt. He glared at me with hatred in his eyes. I should feel guilty, but I felt nothing. These people were standing in the way of there ever being peace on Earth. They’d beaten Michael, their own flesh and blood, within an inch of his life. They did not deserve mercy.

  Michael’s father stepped forward. “My bastard of a son brought this on us. He was always too weak.”

  My hand flew out and a ball of fire flew through the air, instantly searing him to ash. Gasps and cries filled the cavern. Their leader was gone in the blink of an eye. Yes, that is how quick life can end for humans. They seemed to need a reminder.

  I could sense my mother’s disapproval but I ignored it.

  Without missing a beat she continued on. “You have a choice to make. You can continue with your rebellion against magick or you can agree to live in harmony amongst us. There is no other option. Magick is here to stay.” My mother’s eyes darted to the charred ground. “Choose wisely.”

  There was mumbling amongst the tribe. They were afraid, but they were also brainwashed. Next thing I knew all hell broke loose. Some ran but most stayed to fight. A part of me admired them for that. They stood up for what they believed in. Unfortunately what they believed in was ignorance and hatred.

  My mother dropped our shield. Blake shifted back into a dragon. I honed my magick into the palm of my hands. With each flick of my wrist another was annihilated. I didn’t bother to keep count.

  From the corner of my eye I watched as Michael’s brother crept forward, a scowl across his face.

  I sent a ball of magick at one of the men who’d just raised an ax at me—he didn’t have a chance to swing—and then I spun in the direction of his brother. Complete chaos was going on all around me, yet all I could see was him. Everything else was a blur. I knew my mother would never allow me to be harmed, so I didn’t even care that my back was now toward the enemy.

  “How could you turn traitor against your own brother?” I spat out. The air sizzled with my anger.

  He took a step forward. “He was a disgrace. Always questioning our father and his actions.” The brother was brave, I had to give him that because he kept coming closer, even knowing each step would lead to his destruction. Perhaps he wanted death. Oh how I would enjoy granting that wish.

  “Was?” I laughed bitterly. “You think you’ve killed him? Not even close. I’ve saved him and we are going to bring life into this dark world of yours. Together he and I will form a new race. One that will bring peace and harmony.”

  His brother’s suspicious eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”

  “We’ve mated,” I said simply.

  “That’s a lie!” he shouted, his face twisted in rage. “Even that good for nothing wouldn’t stoop low enough to bed your kind.”

  I propelled myself forward, my elbow landing in the crook of his neck, slamming him against the stone with a loud thud. He grunted in surprise and pain. He struggled to be released from my grasp but his attempt was useless. I had to admit I enjoyed having the
slithering little jerk under my control. Blood trickled from the side of his head down to the front of his shirt.

  I leaned forward and spoke through my own rage. “Ha! Your father wanted to bed me along with every other perverse male in this clan. You talk foolish.”

  His voice lowered to a growl. “My father didn’t know who or what you were, or he would have killed you on the spot.”

  I rolled my eyes. The idea struck me as laughable. “Right. Like he killed my mother? Your father was weak. Vile. He was terrified of magick. And you’re wrong. When he had my mother captive he tried to have her. But he was not man enough!”

  I shook my head, my annoyance returned, and I studied his insolent face. I didn’t know why I was dragging this out, I should just kill him. But I wanted him to pay for what he’d done. All the death his actions and those of the tribe had caused.

  The muscles in his jaw flexed as he gritted his teeth. “Don’t you dare talk about my father—”

  Just then the large dragon swooped down in a dive, my clothes flapping from the sudden gust of wind. Blake grabbed the brother in his talons. In a roar he spread his wings and flew off into the distance. The screams of his brother echoed throughout the cave. His feet kicked at the empty air. An eerie silence replaced the screams and rage.

  Damn that dragon. If he didn’t kill him I would find the brother and do it myself.

  I glanced around at the charred bodies scattered about. There were a handful of men left, a couple of women, and the boy with blue eyes. His eyes were no longer filled with hatred; they were replaced with fear. Tears rolled down his dirty face. His once hard face was now the face of a scared child, and as I looked at him I found my power subduing itself. A part of me felt ashamed looking into the little boy’s eyes. But they’d been given a chance.