Aurora’s Betrayal Page 5

  Good.

  “So, there’s nothing we can do?” Alex sounds lost.

  “I mean, I guess…”

  I turn back around and step toward Ben with a growl. “What?”

  My snarl makes even Ben and Jason look up, but no one makes a move to stop me.

  “In theory, another dream walker could track her and maybe help her back. But it’s all theory. Dream walking is extremely rare, and I haven’t heard of anyone who can do it.” He sounds sorry, and it’s the only reason I don’t smack him.

  I turn to Alex. He nods, obviously on my wavelength. He stands straighter and strides to me with purpose.

  “Ben, you’re to guard and watch her and Mikael. He’ll need to be informed about what’s happening. You’re to eat and stay healthy, and when you need to rest Ezra, will swap. Jason, you’re going to contact everyone we know and poke around for dream walkers. There has to be someone out there. Kid, you’re to do the same, as will I.”

  I turn to the kid with my eyebrow arched.

  Alex continues. “You’ll swap with Ben and help Jason if he needs to track anyone down. You’re our center. Everyone clear?”

  Everyone nods and jogs off, happy to have something to do.

  “We need to find a dream walker,” I state.

  “We will. Finding people is what we do.” Alex’s confidence is infectious, and I nod at him before heading off.

  15

  Aurora

  “This isn’t working.” I sprawl back on the marble floor.

  We’re in some kind of observatory where I’ve been trying to meditate for hours. Perses thinks it will help me control my power. I think he’s full of shit.

  “Try again.”

  I lean up and look at his eyes. They’re doing their ever-changing thing again. “It’s not working. I’m not saying it to be stubborn or childish. My power comes from my emotion, not peace. The only time I can use my powers is when my mind is clear enough to sink inside and focus on those emotions.”

  Perses nods and rubs his chin in thought. He sits in a chair with another book in his hand. It looks like a first edition, and I’m jealous.

  He gently places the book down, stands, and walks over to sit opposite me on the floor. “If your power comes from emotions, how do you control it?”

  I cock my head as I try to think of how to describe it. “It’s like a cage or a wall. I trap it inside. It’s hard when the power wants to come out, but I think I’m so used to it...” I trail off with a shrug.

  “Then you need to break that cage,” he says, like it’s simple.

  “But—”

  “No buts. Your magic will be wild if you cage it. It’s like an animal; treat it with respect and it will respect you. Your magic is part of you. The more you pull away from it, the more you remove your humanity from it. You are it and it is you,” he says in a lecturing voice.

  I consider his logic and understand his reasoning, but worry about what will happen. “So, you think letting my magic out will help me control it?”

  “Yes, but it won’t be easy. It will fight for control, and your body is so starved from magic, that it might hurt,” he warns.

  “I’m used to pain.” I wave away his concerns as I consider how to go about this.

  New determination settles in my bones. The sooner I get this done, the sooner I can return to my fur baby, Lane, and, well, of course the guys.

  I nod at Perses and close my eyes, this time allowing myself to embrace my emotions: worry for the guys, fear of their rejection, determination not to let Perses down. I let it all run through me. Once I’m calm, I reach down deep inside myself and look at my power. Really look at it.

  My power swirls in a steel-barred cage; violet on the outside and black in the center. It slowly spins. I reach through the bars and let it wash over my fingers. A tingling begins in my fingers, and the deeper I poke, the stronger it grows. When I reach the center, I gasp in pain. It feels like a stabbing in my hand. My eyes water, but I grit my teeth.

  As I try to pull the power back through the bars, it doesn’t budge.

  I retract my fingers, then coo and whisper to my power, reaching for it like I usually do. Only a small amount escapes to stretch between me and the cage. I frown. What did I do that day in the pub? I know I let it out; not all, but some. I was angry.

  Maybe that’s the key? Anger breaks inhibitions, so it makes sense it would weaken my cage walls.

  I think of the father from the pub, and my anger rises like a slow mist. It’s not enough. I focus on the reaper who tried to kill us.

  Ah, there we go.

  Anger burns through my body. I carry on, allowing the memory of my mother’s death to run through my mind, knowing now who killed her. The cage creaks. I need more. I dig deeper than ever, allowing memories I would rather forget come to the surface—the ones I hid so deep, even from myself. Some I purposely blocked out, and others my mind blocked to save me from them.

  With a deep breath, I dive in.

  My father stands above me like an avenging angel. His black, feathered wings spread out behind him. The evil sneer on his face only adds to the image. His hands hang by his sides, knuckles coated in blood, both his and mine.

  Eyes tearing, I gaze up at the man I once sought shelter in, who I now seek shelter from. My heart rests cold in my chest, now used to the abuse. He kicks me in the side, one of my ribs cracking, and I curl up to avoid the pain, knowing it will hurt tomorrow.

  “It’s your fault!” He kicks me again. “Your fault she’s dead.”

  He kicks me harder, and I bite my tongue to hold in my whimper.

  I drag myself out of the memory. My rage remains a small flame, not the wildfire I need.

  I flick through the memories of my suffering, not stopping to watch too intently, just stopping so snapshot images fan the flames of my anger higher. With each one, the bars around my power creak and bend under the weight of my fury.

  My father stands above where I lay at the bottom of the stairs where he threw me. As he comes toward me, the knife he holds glints from my bedroom light. His belt buckle is undone. The glass whiskey bottle shatters over my head ...

  It goes on and on until, with a roar, my power bursts from the cage and the bars explode.

  The pain explodes like a bomb going off in my body. My bones break, my muscles snap, and my organs stutter.

  I come around slowly, feeling groggy. My head rests on something cool, and my body feels like it’s been through a battle. I gasp in horror when I check my cage only to realize it’s not there. The conversation with Perses comes back to me.

  With my eyes still closed, I search for my power, finding it settled in every bone and muscle, finally a part of me. Like it was always supposed to be there.

  I smile in happiness. Feeling it there offers me a confidence I didn’t know was missing.

  My eyes flutter open and meet Perses’s.

  A smile stretches across his face. “Well done, Aurora. There you finally are.”

  The pride in his voice puts me on cloud nine, and my power hums in response.

  16

  Aurora

  “What now?” I ask.

  We returned to the living room, where I stretch out on the sofa, still a little sore from unlocking my power. Perses sits opposite me while Bob makes a fire next to us. I kind of missed the little gremlin, not I’ll tell him that.

  “You need to practice with your powers, and when you’re ready, you need to find your man.” His voice sounds tired, and I tilt my head at him in question. He smiles says as he leans back to observe me. “I’m fine, απόγονος μου.”

  I prop myself on my elbows and lean up. “I didn’t say anything.”

  He laughs. “I saw it in your eyes. You really are an open book.”

  I look at him seriously, for once I feel the age gap between us. “Is that a bad thing?”

  “No, sweet Aurora. It’s refreshing.” Gentleness fills his voice.

  I smile and lay
back down. Comfortable silence stretches between us, both lost in our thoughts.

  “My— I mean, the guys. Do you know if they’re okay?” I’ve been too scared to ask before now.

  When Perses doesn’t respond, I look to him.

  He studies me with a closed expression. “Would you like to see them?”

  Hope flares in me but tapers down when I think about it. Do I? What if they moved on because they have Mikael back?

  I nibble on my lip and hesitantly nod.

  Perses stands gracefully and offers his hand. This has become a ritual now, but I actually need it to help steady myself. He waits until I stand straight, then leads me from the room.

  We head upstairs, my legs protesting the movement, but I don’t moan. Excitement and nerves settle in my stomach at seeing the guys.

  Perses leads me down the corridor opposite my room, through twists and turns until I’m lost. He stops in front of a door at the end of the corridor. With a wave of his hand, it unlocks.

  He pushes the door open and leads me in, gently tugging on my hand when I stop and stare, my mouth hanging open like a fish. Opening and closing.

  The room is one giant mirror. Two small walls lead away from the door and then curve into a mirror that spans the opposite wall. A chair rests next to the door.

  I stare in awe. “What is this?”

  “This is how you see, απόγονος μου. Did you think I would just pop you home?” He laughs.

  Honestly, I didn’t really think about it. I walk up to a section of the mirror and hover my finger over it. Nerves and tension roll over me in waves.

  I turn back to Perses.

  He takes one look at me, then steps up to my side. “Why are you worried?”

  I stare at him, my eyes filled with all my questions, before I whisper brokenly, “What if they’ve moved on?”

  He doesn’t respond except to grab my hand and tug me so my back faces his front. He doesn’t touch me, but leans over and whispers to the mirror. The heat of him on my back is the only thing stopping me from running from the room.

  The mirror fogs.

  I hold my breath and wait to see my boys.

  When the mirror clears fully, it reveals Mikael laying next to me on a single bed. It’s strange seeing my own body, but I’m more interested in the guys. Ben sits next to me, holding one of my hands. Nev lays at my feet.

  My eyes fill. “They didn’t leave.”

  I don’t realize I said it out loud until Perses squeezes my shoulder. “I never doubted them.”

  Perses’s touch drops away, and a moment later, the door softly closes, but I don’t glance away from the mirror.

  Ben doesn’t look good. I move closer and touch his face. It appears haggard, and his beautiful hair isn’t brushed.

  I frown and turn my attention at Mikael. His hair is washed, and he looks better than when I last saw him. A scar stands out along his neck. Will he hate me for that?

  Nev lifts his head, and I step back, waiting to see who caught his attention.

  Ezra walks into the room, and my heart nearly stops. I grab my chest as I stare at my giant. His long hair nearly covers his ears, and the unruly curls make me smile. His beard is untamed and scraggly like he can’t be bothered with it. His clothes are dirty and ill-fitting. But it’s his eyes that hold my attention. They look so lost.

  “Ezra,” I whisper.

  He looks up.

  Did he hear me? But that’s not possible, right?

  He glances back at Ben and says something. Ben nods and leans over to kiss my forehead. He whispers something, then walks away.

  Ezra takes his spot. He leans his forehead against my hand, and my heart nearly breaks for my giant.

  I don’t know how long I watch, waiting to see Jason and Alex. I need to know they’re all okay. Ezra is by my side, and my heart warms. Mikael still shares my bed and reads to me.

  My smile turns full blown.

  “Where are you, Alex?” I ask.

  The mirror fogs again, and I jump up in panic.

  “No, wait, please!” I shout, reaching for it.

  Ezra and Mikael vanish, and dejected, I step back.

  About to leave, the mirror clears again.

  There they are. Alex and Jason. I tilt my head. They both sit at a table in some sort of library.

  I run my eyes over them lovingly, memorizing their features. Alex’s hair is in disarray, and he appears upset. I frown and glance at Jason. His usual smile is nowhere to be seen.

  I step back.

  “What’s wrong with them?” I ask, not expecting a response.

  “They miss you.”

  Spinning, I find Perses, he must have snuck back in while I was distracted. He holds my gaze, and I’m the one to break it.

  I turn back to my guys, watching their every move. “I miss them too. Can it show me anyone?”

  At the question, he steps up next to me. “Yes, why?”

  I sense his confusion and look at him. “Can you show me my best friend, Lane?”

  “The human?” he asks.

  “Yes.” I turn back to the mirror.

  He does the whisper thing again. As it fogs over my guys’ faces, I promise myself I’ll soon see them for real soon.

  17

  Alexander

  I hold on to the seat as Jason goes around another corner. Driving isn’t his strong suit, but he looked so lost that I let him. We’re on our way to meet a contact of ours. He usually tips us off on locations of missing witches or keeps us up to date with what’s happening in the supernatural world. I reached out to him in hopes he might know something about dream walkers or know someone who would.

  When we arrive at the restaurant he requested to meet, we find it empty at this time of morning. The sign outside proudly declares breakfast until eleven a.m.When I check the clock, it reads six a.m.

  I roll my eyes and climb out of the car. Meeting our paranoid contact at this run-down restaurant in the middle of nowhere is just the beginning.

  We make our way through the door, which chimes a bell at our entry. I look around for him. He’s late. Great.

  I make my way to a booth in the back corner with Jason on my heels. We both sit on the same side facing the door and wait.

  A tired-looking waitress wanders over.

  “Order?” she asks around a yawn.

  I don’t even bother reading the menu, attention focused on the parking lot. “Black coffee, strong.”

  “Tea, please,” Jason says kindly.

  She huffs and walks away.

  A black BMW pulls up and parks at the back of the lot.

  I lean back in the booth and lay my arm across the back as our contact walks up to the door, shades on. I roll my eyes again.

  He swaggers in, yelling as he does, “Alexander, my friend! How good to see you!”

  I stand when he reaches our table, and he kisses me on both cheeks. He leans over and does the same to Jason before he sits down opposite us with a sly smile.

  I wait for the waitress to return before talking. She sets our drinks down, and I nod in thanks.

  Our contact gives her a wide smile. “I’ll have a coffee, doll.”

  The waitress doesn’t respond; she just walks away.

  He leans back, imitating my position.

  “Henry, the reason—” I begin.

  “Not yet, mate. I haven’t had coffee. How you bastards been?”

  I grind my teeth and Jason answers for us. “Good, and you?”

  His hard voice is the opposite of his smiling face. Looks like our sweet Jason isn’t up for small talk today.

  “Good. I heard you lost one of you fuckers. Like, couldn’t find him.” Henry belly laughs and slaps his leg like it’s the funniest thing ever. Like we lost Mikael in a supermarket, not because a reaper who went bad kidnapped him.

  “You heard wrong,” I say.

  Henry stops laughing and raises his eyebrow at me.

  “That’s right. The grapevine does tend t
o be wrong, mate,” I sneer at him.

  “Well, it is this time.”

  The waitress returns and plonks his coffee down in front of him, spilling it in the process.

  “Ah, there we go.” He grabs the mug and sips it.

  “Let me cut to the chase, Henry. We need to find someone. I need you to put out some feelers. Discreetly.” I sip my coffee and hide my grimace at it.

  “Don’t you always. It’s gon’ cost you.” He slurps his coffee.

  I place my mug down gently. “As you said, ‘don’t you always.’ Now, we need you to find a dream walker.”

  Henry whistles. “Whatcha want with one of them?”

  He’s nosey.

  “Not of consequence.” I look at Jason with a nod.

  “Do you know any?” Jason asks.

  Henry looks between us. “Nah. Fuckers are almost extinct. I’ll put some feelers out tho’.”

  I nod, ready to be done with this and home to Kitten. I glance at my watch in frustration at being away from her. “What’s your price?”

  “I want a favor.”

  Looking up at this, I raise both eyebrows. “You’re requesting a favor from the Witch Council’s hunters?”

  We don’t hand out unspecified favors. Henry could ask for anything, and it could come back to bite us. In the position we’re in, we don’t barter.

  But the idiot doesn’t heed my threatening tone. “Yep. I might need your help. So, it’s a favor or nothing.”

  “I don’t—” Jason begins.

  I cut him off. “Done. Now, if you’ll excuse us? I expect to hear from you tomorrow.” Without waiting for Henry’s reply, I stand and stride out of the restaurant.

  I don’t bother looking at Jason. I know my agreement confused him. It’s always been my rule after all: we don’t barter. We set the rules, but if it helps Kitten, I’ll do anything, even barter with the devil.