They stayed in bed until noon the next day. Every time one would go to get up, the other one pounced. Laughing, they walked hand-in-hand into the dining room just in time for lunch.
‘They live! Good,’ Meryn teased.
Anne dropped into her chair and yawned. ‘I’m starving.’
Kendrick sat down beside her and stifled a yawn.
Aiden pointed to the mountains of sandwiches in the center of the table. Anne reached for the sandwiches then stopped and pointed. ‘What’s that one?’
Rheia let out an exasperated sigh then pointed at Colton. ‘His own special creation. It’s mayonnaise, peanut butter, beef jerky, pickles, and cheese.’
‘Yummy!’ Penny crowed, waving her sandwich about.
‘They are delicious,’ Meryn chimed in taking a huge bite out of hers.
Anne looked over at Kendrick. ‘Be my guest. I’ll pass.’ He pointed to the pile, wondering if she would really try such an odd sandwich. Anne picked one up, looked at it, and then took a bite. At first, her expression was one of horror, but the more she chewed, the less panicked she looked. She swallowed. ‘It’s actually not that bad.’
‘Wonderful. Another convert.’ Ryuu sighed and placed a large bowl of fruit salad on the table.
Kendrick searched the large pile until he found a boring ham and cheese sandwich and dug in.
‘Kendrick?’ Meryn called his name.
‘Yes?’
‘Can I ask you something?’
‘Of course, Meryn.’
‘Since you have three tattoos, does that mean you have three squires?’ It was an innocent enough question, one he didn’t mind answering because he knew she was genuinely curious and not seeking more power.
He shook his head. ‘No, they weren’t squires, they were my best friends.’
‘Were?’ Meryn’s eyes filled with sympathy.
‘A long time ago, we traveled together. When they faded from this world, they left me their power. It took me thousands of years to master each one, but it was worth it. Every time I use their magic, I feel like they are watching over me.’
‘Why did they fade?’ Anne asked.
‘I think I may know,’ Gavriel said quietly. ‘When you live for so long and you see so much pain and mindless evil, it becomes hard to find a reason to get up each day. The longer you live, the more you just feel like resting and letting everything disappear.’ He turned to Elizabeth and smiled. ‘That is why, when you find something to live for, you fight for it.’
‘Gavriel is right. They were very, very tired and their souls were weary.’ Kendrick rubbed his right wrist.
Meryn turned in her chair and poked Ryuu in the stomach. ‘No fading.’
He nodded. ‘I don’t see how anyone could get bored with life around you, denka.’
‘Good! Wait…’ She eyed him. ‘Was that a compliment?’
‘It was,’ he answered.
‘Okay then.’ Meryn turned back in her chair and resumed eating her monstrous sandwich.
Kendrick waited until everyone was mostly done with lunch before he decided to bring up the topic of necklaces.
He looked over at the Unit Commander. ‘Aiden, now that the tests are finished and we know what the necklaces are, I could attempt to try and trace down the witch responsible for their creation.’
Rheia turned to Noah and Jaxon. ‘Boys, can you take Penny to command central?’
Noah stood. ‘Of course. Come on squirt, when you get asked to leave the table because the adults want to talk, you get two desserts.’ Noah stacked up plates with slices of pie in his arms.
‘Yay!’ Penny cheered. She climbed into Jaxon’s lap and the three of them left the dining room.
‘Thank you, Rheia,’ Kendrick said.
Aiden sat back. ‘What are the risks?’
‘To trace the magic to the witch who cast the spell, I’ll need to break every bead in every necklace we have to get a strong enough trail. If we do that, no more different types of testing; that’s the trade-off.’
Everyone was quiet.
‘Let’s do it,’ Amelia said firmly. ‘Now that we know what they are, there’s no reason to keep them trapped. Let’s set them free.’
Aiden looked around the table. Everyone nodded.
Anne spoke up. ‘Is there any danger to you?’
Gods bless her! She always thought of him first.
He shook his head. ‘I’ll follow the trail using my magic, my body remains here. It’s safe.’
‘Should we alert the council to what we’re doing?’ Elizabeth asked.
Aiden shook his head. ‘My father and the rest of the council are obligated to pass on everything they learn to the Committee. In this instance, we’re better off asking for forgiveness than for permission.’
‘Agreed,’ Gavriel said.
Kendrick looked over to where Ryuu stood behind Meryn. ‘I’ll need your help, old friend.’
Ryuu bowed. ‘Of course, whatever you need.’
‘I’ll need to use you as an anchor.’
‘It would be an honor.’
Aiden stood. ‘Let’s get started.’
*****
Kendrick was upstairs gathering the necklaces when Anne placed her hand on his arm.
‘You weren’t lying were you? There’s no way that you’ll get hurt?’
Kendrick stared down and saw real fear in her eyes. He cupped her face with his hands and kissed her gently. ‘I was telling the truth. When you were in danger at the clinic, how did you reach out to me?’
Anne frowned in thought. ‘I recalled that warm feeling I got when I touched your magic during our claiming. Once I touched it, I was able to follow it back to the house. Oh! Is that what you’ll do?’
Kendrick nodded. He kissed her again before he picked up the necklaces. ‘Ready?’ He extended his hand. She took it and they walked downstairs to where everyone was waiting in the front family room.
‘So what exactly is gonna happen?’ Meryn asked.
Kendrick waited until Anne was seated before he started his explanation for the group. ‘Do you remember the conversation we had about how higher magic works? That a witch must form a contract with a higher being or offer something of themselves up in exchange?’
Everyone nodded.
He held up the necklaces. ‘When I break these beads, the piece that the witch offered up will be freed and temporarily connected to the witch. I will follow that connection back to the caster. With any luck, they won’t be too far away, and I’ll be able to identify them. Worst case scenario, I’ll have to do a sketch of the person I see, but at least it’s a start.’
Aiden stood next to Ryuu. ‘It’s more than we have now.’
Kendrick winked at Anne, who rolled her eyes. Smiling, he walked over to Ryuu. ‘I’ll need you to attach your magic to me so that I can find my way back. There’s no telling how far or how fast I’ll fly when these beads are broken.’
Ryuu reached out and encircled Kendrick’s right wrist with his hand. Where they touched, blue light flared. ‘I am ready, heika.’
Kendrick took a deep breath, and using his magic, he crushed the beads in his hand. Green light flared and he concentrated on finding that sliver of magic. He saw two strands, one thicker than the other. He grabbed onto their faint pink glow and raced after the receding light. He flew past trees and through the woods. He was surprised to see that he was heading right for Lycaonia. As he whizzed past businesses and houses, he had a sinking feeling he knew where he was heading. He looked up as the pink strands snapped in front of him. He could go no further; the building where both strands disappeared into was warded.
He turned and tugged on the blue light that secured him to his body. Ryuu began to reel him back. Buildings and streets raced by, and trees were nothing but a blur. Suddenly, he was back in his body.
Gasping, he opened his eyes and stepped back from Ryuu. ‘Gods!’
Aiden appeared beside him and helped him to a chair. ‘What did you see?’
Kendrick took a deep breath. ‘I wasn’t able to see their faces; there are two of them.’
In the background, Kendrick heard a cell phone ringing.
‘Two of them? What does that mean?’ Colton asked.
‘It means that there was more than one witch creating necklaces,’ Kendrick answered.
Anne took his hand. ‘Why couldn’t you see their faces?’
Kendrick looked up at Aiden. ‘Because the building is warded. I ended up at Council Manor.’
The room was silent except for the faint ringing sound.
‘For the gods’ sake, Aiden, answer your damn phone! You never answer your phone!’ Meryn exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air.
Aiden growled and pulled his phone out of his pocket. ‘What!’ His face instantly cleared. ‘Father, I’m sorry, I… What! When?’ Aiden swallowed and collapsed into his chair. ‘Father, I’ll have to call you back.’ He ended his call and stared at the floor.
‘Aiden?’ Gavriel called.
Aiden looked up. ‘Elder Adalwin is dead. They were in the middle of a meeting when he began to scream and age right before them. Father said he looks like a dried up mummy. The other committee members are in an uproar. They believe that he was murdered using black magic and they want units out there ASAP to start an investigation, and of course to protect them.’
Kendrick nodded. ‘That would make sense. If he was one of the witches who had cast the spell, then when the beads are broken, the years of his life he offered up would be collected.’ Kendrick looked over at the broken beads. ‘He must have created a majority of the ones we broke.’
Elizabeth frowned. ‘But you said there were two threads.’
Kendrick nodded. ‘That means there is still one more rogue witch in Council Manor, and we have no idea who it is.’
‘Well, fuck a duck,’ Meryn exclaimed, throwing herself backward on the sofa.
Kendrick couldn’t have agreed more.
*****
‘I’m telling you it has to be that douchebag, Réne!’ Meryn said, coming to her knees on the sofa.
Elizabeth pulled her back down. ‘Meryn, we have to look at this from every angle.’
Meryn gave her friend a flat look. ‘Douchebag vampire is evil bad guy. We kill evil bad guy, save the day, come home, and eat cake!’
Kendrick found himself siding with Elizabeth. ‘Meryn, we have to go in with an open mind. I’m all for getting rid of the bad guy, but I want to make sure that we’re getting rid of the true evil one, not the guy that just acts like a douchebag. Besides Réne is a vampire, not a witch.’
‘I think it’s Daggart,’ Elizabeth suggested.
Meryn became thoughtful. ‘Damn, now that’s difficult. He was a douchebag, too. I bet they are in on it together.’
Anne cleared her throat. Kendrick looked to her immediately. ‘I know I’m new here, but do you think that’s why Adalwin wanted to know if the ferals would accept anything else in trade for the hostages? What if they never really expected the perimeter to be lowered? It’s like when you’re a kid–you ask for something completely outrageous, so when you’re told no and suggest something reasonable, the parent is more inclined to say yes, since they shot down your first idea.’
‘Gods, I did that to my uncle so many times!’ Elizabeth exclaimed.
‘Réne backed the idea to give up the necklaces,’ Colton growled.
Gavriel tuned to Aiden. ‘What do we do?’
Aiden stood and reached for his phone. ‘I’m going to request a council meeting with just father, Rowan and Celyn. Since Réne was picked up to be the Lycaonian committee member, we can justify his exclusion since his loyalties are divided. Gavriel get on the phone. I want Beta and Delta here at the house guarding the women, and I want Gamma to go in with us. They’ve been included in every meeting thus far; we can use that as an excuse to get them into the council chambers.’
Gavriel stood and pulled out his cell phone as Aiden made the call to his father, requesting a meeting.
Anne went to him. ‘I’m not going to ask if you’ll be safe, because I know you won’t be. But I am going to make you promise to come back.’
Kendrick stood and pulled her close. ‘Not even death could keep me from you,’ he whispered in her ear.
Grinning, she pulled back. ‘I know you meant that to sound romantic, but after all these talks about souls and mummies, it was kinda creepy.’
‘I can always rely on you to keep me grounded.’ He kissed her forehead.
‘I’ll be waiting right here for you to come back. That means you walking up those stairs unhurt and very much warm and alive. None of this ‘not even death could stop me’ stuff.’ She shuddered. ‘You know how I feel about zombies.’
‘You have my word,’ he vowed.
Aiden tucked his phone away. ‘Gamma will be here in five minutes. Let’s get our gear on.’
Kendrick kissed her forehead again and joined the men as they headed to the door.
‘You gonna gear up?’ Colton asked.
Kendrick shook his head. ‘No, but it’s always amusing to see how much stuff you manage to cover yourselves with to go into battle.’
Behind them, the women giggled. Colton gave him a grateful smile and a thumbs up.
Keelan, I swear, we’ll all make it home this time.
*****
Heads turned and people whispered as the two units jogged from the parking garage to Council Manor. Kendrick’s long legs ensured he was able to keep up. Elder McKenzie met them at the door, a grave look on his face. ‘What’s this all about, son?’
‘Let’s talk inside, Father.’ Aiden walked side-by-side with his father through the halls. They passed the normal meeting chambers to a smaller room meant for more intimate conversations. Sascha closed the door behind them, and Kendrick cast a soundproofing spell.
The Gamma Unit arranged themselves toward the back of the room while Alpha stood in front of the three council member chairs. Elder Vi’Ailean was already seated when Elder McKenzie sat next to him.
‘We’re just waiting on Rowan; he had to talk Daggart out of the rafters when Adalwin, uh, petrified.’ Elder McKenzie explained.
‘Elder McKenzie, I …’ Kendrick stepped forward.
The elder held up a hand. ‘Please, Kendrick. While we’re in this room, let’s not be so formal. I’ve had enough of formality to last me into the next century,’ Byron said sourly, referring to the recent meeting with the Committee.
‘Of course sir. I…’ The door to their right opened, and Elder Airgead hurried forward. Kendrick watched as he made his way to his chair. His normally dark hair looked lighter at the temples and there were more lines on his face than when they had met earlier.
Kendrick recalled how haggard Adalwin had looked as Aiden’s voice rang through his mind.
We’ve already broken a few. One by accident and the others because they were hurting Amelia.
Kendrick felt his heart stutter as he stared at the witch elder. The second trace had been to him! Rowan must have been the creator of at least one of the necklaces he had broken earlier, that’s why he looked older.
Rowan caught him staring, and his eyes widened.
Kendrick growled. ‘It was you!’ He raised his hand, but he wasn’t quick enough.
Rowan raised his hand, ‘Debilito!‘
Kendrick felt his awareness freeze within his own mind. He couldn’t see or hear anything. He struggled to bring his magic to the surface but couldn’t. Every time he thought it was within reach, his mind clouded and it slipped away.
What was Rowan doing? Was Alpha safe? Kendrick screamed internally, until even the feeling of helplessness began to fade away.
Kendrick.
Who is this?
Réne Evreux, I got suspicious when Rowan called a meeting and I wasn’t invited.
He’s one of the ones responsible for making the necklaces!
I know; I was the one who sent you the necklaces to get the evidence we needed. Listen, I can only free one person, and it will have to be you. You’re the only one strong enough to beat him. The committee members won’t believe me if I tell them what’s happening.
Call the Alpha estate, ask for Anne; she’s my mate. Tell her what’s going on. She’ll get Meryn to mobilize the other units.
I will. Good luck.
He felt as if Réne used a fresh breeze to wipe his mind clear. He looked around. Rowan was approaching Aiden with a dagger. Centuries of frustration, the acidic burn of betrayal, and the fear of losing another loved one fueled his anger. He leveled his hand and whispered, ‘Praemorior.’
Rowan turned at the last moment, and the spell hit him full in the chest. He flew backward against the wall and slumped into a heap on the floor. He looked up at Kendrick, a thin trickle of blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. ‘Why? Why did you have to come to Lycaonia? I was so close, so close.’ He let his head fall backward against the stone wall.
‘So close to what?’ Kendrick eyed the other men in the room, all still frozen and unaware by Rowan’s spell.
‘It was all for nothing!’ Rowan gasped for breath.
Kendrick watched dispassionately as Rowan’s feet began to disintegrate and disappear.
‘Rowan, you’re about to face our Goddess. You will carry with you the weight of the unborn children you murdered, but you can do one final act of goodness. Tell me who is behind all this?’
Kendrick knelt beside the witch who had served their people selflessly for centuries. ‘Tell me,’ he begged.
Rowan’s smile was kind. ‘My master has no name, at least not one that he shared with me. He is beautiful, he tempts you with the very thing your heart desires. You can’t say no.’
Kendrick looked down at him in pity. ‘Whatever he promised you, he lied.’
Rowan shook his head back and forth slowly as his legs began to fade. ‘That’s just it. He doesn’t have to lie. The way he operates, he doesn’t have to, therein lies the treachery.’
‘What was the deal?’ Kendrick prompted.
‘I would help him in Lycaonia. I let him use my mind, my memories, and my long-standing relationships with the people of this city to dream-walk into the minds of the matriarchs and plant the seed of panic regarding their sons’ mates being killed. He wanted all of the warriors mated.’ Rowan drew in a ragged breath.
‘Why?’ Kendrick took Rowan’s hand in his. ‘Focus. Why did he want the unit warriors mated?’
‘Mated paranormals are needed to make his army. Vampires… blood. Witches… fuel. He can steal their children.’ Rowan coughed and blood spewed down his chin. His lungs were disintegrating.
Rowan laughed and gasped for breath. ‘He never counted on the females. Gods how they managed to unravel things so quickly.’
Kendrick gasped. ‘Meryn, Elizabeth, Rheia, and Amelia.’
Rowan nodded. ‘He thought that by mating the warriors they would gain a weakness, or what he perceived to be a weakness. I could have told him that a man fights harder when he has something to protect and a woman even more so. Women are more fierce, more ruthless.’
‘It’s over now. Aiden destroyed the factory…’ Kendrick stopped when Rowan shook his head.
‘You have no … idea … how far up this goes, how wide. I never knew who to trust. Like the beads on the necklace, we were kept separate from one another, our only connection was to him.’ Rowan gripped his hand tightly.
Kendrick held on to Rowan’s hand. It wouldn’t be long now.
‘What did you wish for? What did he show you?’ Kendrick asked softly.
‘His necklace. I wanted… his necklace. The first one made, the one I had to save, no matter the cost.’ Rowan’s face relaxed as his arms and chest slowly became transparent.
‘He… fooled me. He said I would see my king again. I thought if I freed my king, Kiran would defeat him.’
Kendrick’s mind began to race. ‘Rowan! Rowan! Your king is dead, how could you free him?’ Kendrick yelled.
‘How… he… came to be. King Kiran, Queen Celeste, and their baby were the first bead created.’ Rowan closed his eyes.
‘No!’ Kendrick shouted.
‘Promise me! Promise me, you’ll free him,’ Rowan begged.
Kendrick felt his heart breaking into pieces as he nodded. ‘I swear to you on my father’s soul, I will not rest until my parents’ murder is avenged and this evil is banished from this world.’
Rowan’s eyes opened wide at his words, he looked at Kendrick as ghostly tears began to flow. ‘He was right; I got to see my king, after all.’ Rowan struggled to lift his other hand, but didn’t stop until it rested on his vanishing chest. ‘Long… live… King Julian. Gods all bless you!’ It was as if that declaration took the last of his strength. Rowan closed his eyes and was gone.
Behind him the men unfroze and began to shout orders. Kendrick knelt on the stone floor and began to shake.
‘Kendrick?’ Aiden came up behind him.
‘Clear the building!’ Kendrick screamed. He looked down at his empty hands. His magic was raging out of control with his emotions. Black electricity crackled all around him. He wouldn’t be able to contain it, everyone was in danger.
Aiden didn’t ask, he began barking orders, and the sounds of the unit warriors grew fainter and fainter.
Under his knees, the earth began to move, upset that it had been awakened so forcefully.
‘Mother! Father! Kendrick!’ He beat his hands on the floor.
All these thousands of years, they had been trapped, forced into use by the very evil that took their lives.
Above him the ceiling began to collapse, large heavy stones fell dangerously close, yet he didn’t care.
Kendrick.
He ignored the soft voice of his mate. He refused to let her see him like this.
Athair.
No! Not his godsdaughter, too.
Is this thing working, Ryuu?
Kendrick smiled through his tears. Even Meryn was trying to reach him.
Kendrick my love, it’s time to come home. You’ve done what you can for the day, now it’s time to rest. Come home to me. You promised.
‘Anne, my sweet Anne. Steadfast and true. Patient and loving. Gods, my parents would have loved you.’
Athair, we’re all worried about you. Whatever you’re facing, you don’t have to face it alone. We’re a family remember?
‘I let my family die, Amelia. I don’t deserve another one.’
Kendrick, brother, I won’t let you die like this. You’re a member of Alpha now; that means you fight. Aiden, Gavriel, Darian, and Colton are in the hallway waiting for you. They believe in your strength, as do I.
Kendrick gasped and looked around. ‘Keelan?’ He saw a stone falling and dodged it just in time. He staggered to his feet. He had never let Keelan down before; he wasn’t going to start now.
Get your ass moving! I don’t want Aiden getting squashed like a pancake!
Kendrick laughed at Meryn’s chiding and ran for the door. He caught the doorframe with one hand and flung himself into the hallway. There, waiting for him, was his unit.
‘About fucking time! It’s getting dicey out here!’ Colton yelled.
‘My apologies,’ Kendrick flipped him off and ran past him.
‘Hey!’ Colton yelled.
The men laughed and ran between the falling ceiling pieces.
Kendrick felt the earth shift again and knew the building was about to go.
‘Run for the door, don’t stop! It’s coming down!’ he yelled.
They ran zigzag down the narrow passages until they reached the large receiving room by the door. They heard cracking and the sounds of explosions behind them. They dove for the exit and rolled down the Council Manor steps. Behind them, the five thousand-year-old building came tumbling down.
Kendrick stared up at the sky and noticed how very blue it was. Colton’s dirty face appeared grinning over him, then Aiden’s, Gavriel’s, and finally Darian’s. Kendrick held up his hands, and they hoisted him up.
Sascha came up behind them. ‘Guys, we don’t have to pay for this… right?’
Kendrick laughed, because he was either going to laugh or cry. Knowing that his mother, father, and brother were out there, trapped, had opened old wounds, but unlike the time when he’d first sustained them, he now had family around to help get him through.
Aiden was still chuckling when he ordered the men to return to the Alpha estate. Kendrick wasn’t certain, but he was pretty sure he heard Elder McKenzie say, ‘fuck this’ before he also left. They walked to the parking garage and got into the SUVs. Like Kendrick, the only thing the Alpha Unit wanted was to get home to their mates.
