Desire, page 27
At the same time, Tom released the throwing star, hitting the Thinker right in the eye.
“Fuck, Whitestone, you scared the crap out of me.” Tom collapsed onto his back and pain washed over his face.
Kylan shifted back and reached out a hand to help him up. He’d scared the crap out of himself, too. “Let’s get you to safety.”
Chapter 35
Alana
Alana closed her eyes when Kylan took off with Tom, hoping that the protection around her would last long enough for her to tap into the power she needed. Ethan was a telepath and a fire mage, and she needed both to survive.
But Ethan had one more thing she needed right now: the Rune.
With a long, slow exhale, she let her fear, her pain, and all the disturbing thoughts go, and focused on the thread between them. Finding it came easy and following it was like breathing, but she hadn’t tapped into his powers before.
She reached Ethan and pushed for more. When she made the connection, for a second she saw a black and silver room, and Eero sitting on a throne. She felt Ethan’s unease and anger, and was tempted to help him ease his feelings, but she needed his powers. Her life was more important than his emotions.
Emotions. For once, she didn’t need them. She searched his mind, looking for the part where his emotions were tucked away, the part the Rune affected.
Growls, angry hisses, roars swirled around her and her fear climbed under her skin, but she kept her mind focused on the task. This time she wouldn’t be the one who was helpless, weak, curled up in a ball and crying. This time, she would be the one to use the other. She’d be strong, she’d be the one who survived.
Like a wall of whirling dark purple smoke, the Rune’s magic swirled inside Ethan’s mind. She pulled on it, dragging its power across their link, blunting her own emotions.
At first she felt like she was choking on hot tar, but then everything became clear. Fear, worry, grief, and love all became unimportant. Her head cleared for the first time in her life, and she could focus on what was important, survival. It was time she dropped her mental shield and let her power loose.
Alana opened her eyes, finding herself face to face with a roaring bear-demon. Its breath smelled like death, but she looked straight into its eyes without blinking. She reached out to the bear’s mind—seeing how different it was to a human or common animal’s mind—and she found her way in. The Rune made it possible.
“Kill for me.”
The demon turned, following her command, attacking the other animal-demons around them.
Tom’s spell dropped with what felt like a breeze of energy, and another demon leaped at her from behind. With her powers magnified, her senses sharpened, and her emotions suppressed, Alana dodged to the side, lifting one of her swords and slicing the demon’s head off.
Even with her eyes closed, she could tell where the creatures were and when they moved at her.
Like deadly silk ropes, her fire danced with each movement of her arms, hot and raging, as she glided between the rocks and the trees. Every strike hit its target, and the demons died around her.
The bear demon stopped, and she felt the connection to it loosen. She focused back on it, but there was another presence, something darker than her powers, and she was pushed out of its mind.
Two more wolf-demons stalked from the shadows, followed by a Thinker demon.
“Pretty little human playing with dangerous magic.” The Thinker’s voice echoed in her mind.
The demon licked its lips and lifted his chin towards her. The wolves took off, attacking her in perfect union.
She erected a wall of fire between them and danced back, trying to capture another demon’s mind, but all were under the Thinker’s influence.
Her connection to Ethan weakened, the man fighting back her invasion, and her control slipped, her protective mental walls cracking.
The Thinker grinned and invaded her consciousness. “You can’t win this, little human. You’re too weak. You’ve always been weak.”
Images of past episodes flashed in her mind, reminding her how helpless she’d been, how out of control her life was. And the demon pushed further, bringing memories of her uncontrolled fire to the surface, along with all the people in her life she’d hurt because of it.
Alana tried to fight the invasion, gripping at Ethan’s mind stronger while fighting off the demons. Her muscles ached, and pain clouded her vision along with tears, but she couldn’t stop. She didn’t want to die.
Sweat burned her bleeding wounds, her healing power working overtime to keep her moving, to keep her alive. She needed to get to the Thinker. With the humanoid gone, the animal-demons shouldn’t be a problem. There were only a handful of them left.
Alana pulled on the link one more time, summoning a firestorm around her body, and darted towards the Thinker.
Animal-demons jumped at her, but the fire killed them before they could wound her. Her telepathic power mixed with Ethan’s made it possible for her to move the flames effortlessly, seeing the attacks before they happened.
“I’m not weak.” She stopped in front of the Thinker, the creature barely reaching up to her chest, and stabbed her sword into its skull.
A high-pitched scream echoed in her mind and she felt like her head was about to explode.
Alana lost control over her powers, a wall of fire erupting from her body as she collapsed onto her knees. The link to Ethan was still there, she wanted to let it go, but it was so thick, so tangled, that she didn’t know how.
A gentle presence glided to her from him. “Relax, Alana. You’re safe now.”
The voice sounded like the most gentle caress in the world, the presence growing stronger, shielding her from the dangers around her. Even with her body weak, the venom from the wolves spreading in her with every heartbeat, she wasn’t afraid.
“Let your mind rest, my child.” Even though the voice was confident, soft, she felt like she was weeping.
“Mom?” Exhaustion washed over her, and the connection between her and Ethan loosened.
She felt the soothing caress again and her emotions burst free.
“Please don’t leave me.” Alana wept. The remaining strength from her body evaporated, and she collapsed onto her back. The world around her blackened the smells and the noises vanished.
“I’ll always be with you.”
Her mother was alive.
The connection to Ethan broke, and Alana felt utterly alone in the darkness before her thoughts drifted away, leaving only pain and dread in her heart.
Chapter 36
Eero
Ethan knelt in front of the throne, eyes downcast, focused on the black marble. Eero’s fingers caressed the hilt of his whip, trying to decide what to do with his son. Ethan’s actions let the rebellion spread, and it threatened the main island. It threatened his rule. Ethan’s last battle could’ve been a huge success, but his miraculous magic outburst killed almost as many of his own men as the rebels. It still hadn’t been enough to end the uprising. Like cockroaches, they crept into every corner of the country.
Sending Kylan away had been a mistake. A larger one than he’d anticipated. He could deal with the rebels himself, but the boy’s reports were more and more vague. Something wasn’t right. Something had happened to Kylan. And Eero feared the worst.
Kylan had given into feelings. Nothing else could explain the reports. And he couldn’t reach out to him without revealing Kylan’s secrets. If he still had any.
The room was dead silent as all the guards, his advisors, and his father waited for his decision.
“I gave you this opportunity to prove your worth,” Eero said. “And you failed. Just like you would’ve failed a duel for this position.”
Ethan flinched at the words. “I’m sorry, my king.”
He should kill Ethan for his failure. After all, he’d been the one handing him the position, but the young man still had great potential. Maybe having him start from the bottom, fighting his way up again, would be enough to teach him a lesson. It was a tough decision; he wouldn’t hesitate to kill him if he wasn’t his son. There had to be a way to twist this to make it look like he wasn’t showing favoritism.
“You should pay for your actions with your life.” Ethan lifted his eyes, fear breaking through the Rune. “But I need all the telepaths I can spare.” Eero sighed, like the decision hurt. “You can keep your life, but I’m taking away all your titles and privileges.” He waved at him. “Go, collect your belongings and join the barracks.”
“Yes, my king.” Ethan stood, bowing deeply. “Thank you.”
Ethan hissed and grabbed his head, squeezing his eyes shut. “You bitch,” he muttered through the pain.
Eero shifted in his seat, leaning forward and watching Ethan. The names flashed on his chest, becoming brighter with every second until they gleamed with a deep orange, almost red light.
“Get out of my head,” Ethan shouted.
Fire ran across his skin, and he collapsed to his knees. Eero stood, feeling all the eyes in the room on him. Something was going on with Ethan. Someone invaded his mind. Which only meant that they were under some kind of attack. But then why go after a strong telepath and not anyone else with a weak mental shield?
“Thinkers?” Eero asked.
Nadav stepped forward. “None have been seen near the palace in days.”
The fire on Ethan’s skin swirled, shooting out in small tendrils.
“The rebels?”
It was William who spoke next. “They haven’t reached the shore.”
“The palace is secure,” Nadav added.
Eero nodded, his eyes fixed on Ethan, who obviously struggled with some great pain.
Egon moved, heading out of the room.
“Where are you going?” Eero asked.
“To get help.”
There was a knowing calmness in Egon’s eyes, but Eero didn’t have time to ponder because Ethan screamed in agony, and his fire broke out in uncontrolled waves. The guards closest to him collapsed, crying out as they curled up, covering their heads. A wave of mental invasion pressed against his protections, and Eero touched the enchanted ring on his left hand to make sure his mind was protected.
The fire kept bursting from Ethan, but no one dared to step closer to keep those who were already attacked from being burned alive.
Eero cracked his neck before lifting his arms to take over the fires Ethan had created. Because the flames were still fueled by Ethan, all he could do was to keep them in check, away from his men.
Another cry left Ethan, and more men collapsed as fresh cuts appeared on his body and another surge of power erupted from him.
Sweat trickled down on Eero’s back from the effort of keeping the fire under control. The challenge of the task gave him a thrill, but it drained his energy fast. He shifted his feet, positioning himself closer to Ethan, but the red hot flames made it difficult. He either kept his men from burning, or created a tunnel for himself to get to him and knock him out. Although if it was a mental invasion, it might not work at all.
Egon returned to the room with Darina following him close by.
“What is she doing here?” Eero hissed.
“She’s his mother.” Egon said calmly, his mind unaffected because of the red diamond ring he was wearing.
“She’s untrained.”
Egon lifted his arms, opening a tunnel in the fire for Darina to get to Ethan. “Don’t underestimate a mother’s power.”
Being a mother didn’t change the fact that Darina didn’t have the training this situation required. Sure, she was a strong telepath, but she was a woman.
Worry drew deep lines around her eyes as Darina approached Ethan and knelt next to him. Her lips were a thin line as she placed her fingers on his temple to enter his mind. She was the image of a concerned mother, but something didn’t add up. There were better choices for this task.
Tears rolled from her eyes as the power outbursts eased in the room. The cries of the men turned into quiet whines and sobs, and the pressure around Eero’s mind eased. Ethan’s body relaxed and the connection between him and the fire broke. Eero took control over the flames, moving his arms in slow motion to put out the fire.
Ethan’s body was relaxed on the floor, the names on his chest vibrating in light orange as his chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm.
It was over.
Darina wiped the tears from her face before standing and turning to him. “My king.”
She exchanged a look with Egon, and when he nodded, she left the room.
Eero looked around, his men gathering themselves from the floor, their gazes empty or haunted by whatever mental torture they’d faced. Both Nadav and William were fast to recover, but the pain lingered in their eyes.
Only the five closest to Ethan remained still on the floor; their eyes empty, forever frozen in terror.
“Take him to his room,” Eero said. “William,” he turned to the Deputy General, “concentrate our forces to White Reef. Don’t let a soul step on this island.”
“Yes, my king.” William bowed.
Guards grabbed Ethan and dragged him out of the room.
“Father,” Eero faced Egon, “come with me.”
Servants swarmed the room, cleaning the scorch marks, opening windows to let out the smoke, and healers tended to the injured and the dead.
Eero didn’t hurry to his room, using the walk to clear his mind and piece together what had happened. He’d punished healers for Ethan’s miraculous healings over the years, even though all of them had sworn they hadn’t healed him.
The boy had had a twin, born dead, although the circumstances around the birth had been more than questionable. What if the twin wasn’t dead? Eero glanced at his father, his face unreadable as always. Why had he gone for Darina instead of another telepath? A mother’s power. His father knew something.
They entered his private chambers and Egon sat in the only comfortable armchair in Eero’s living room, leaving his chair at the desk for him. The old man knew too well the tricks Eero used to make his visitors uncomfortable.
Eero leaned back in his chair. “Why Darina?”
“Mothers have a way of soothing their children like no other is capable of.”
Another obnoxious answer that meant nothing and everything at the same time. But Eero had learned a long time ago how to read between the lines when it came to his father. Soothing their children. Interesting wording, especially when it hadn’t been clear why Ethan had lost control.
Eero locked his eyes with his father, recalling the events. The deep concern in Darina’s eyes. The tears she’d shed. What if the tears hadn’t been for Ethan? What if the twin was alive? But then why the lies?
“You were interested in Ethan’s powers when they manifested. Why?”
“He’s my grandson.”
Eero snorted. “You have more grandsons than you can keep track of. Why him? Why not Kylan, Aiden, or any of my siblings’s sons?”
“His birth was complicated.”
“So was Aiden’s. Yet you weren’t concerned about him.”
Egon raised his eyebrows. “I warned you to keep an eye on him when he first shifted. Didn’t I?”
“And I had his ability suppressed for years.”
“After searching for him for days, and capturing every eagle in the region.”
Eero shook his head. This conversation wasn’t about Aiden. This was another one of his father’s tricks. Shifting the topic to hide the truth.
“Don’t play games with me, father. Why were you concerned about Ethan’s powers?”
“Because a twin can have an effect on a person. Dead or alive, they shared a womb for nine months.”
Yes. A twin could have an effect. As in twin links.
“Where is his twin?”
“You know.”
Did he? Because he was sure the graveyard wasn’t the answer. Eero tapped his mouth with his index finger. Whoever this twin was, they were powerful. And with the link, the two of them should be powerful enough to control demons. With some training, he could use them to control demons. He just needed to find Ethan’s twin.
Eero nodded and said, “I’m leaving tomorrow to lead my army and finally end this nonsense.” Egon wasn’t the only one who could change the subject abruptly.
Egon tilted his head. “I guess you don’t care about my opinion. But I’d advise you to stay. These sacrifices are getting more frequent. The witches don’t have any answers, and you need to keep Darthos under control.”
Eero smirked. “That’s why I’m leaving you in charge.” Surprise flashed on Egon’s face, making Eero grin wider. “There is no one I can trust, and I fear that the rebels have an inside man in the leadership. I want to be there. And sadly, you’re the only one stubborn enough to take my place here.”
“Are you sure?” Egon crossed his legs. “As you pointed out not too long ago, I’m old.”
Eero waved. “You’ll be fine for a few weeks. The legends around you are enough to make my men obey.”
Putting Egon onto the throne, even just temporarily, was a dangerous move. But Eero was desperate. He didn’t trust Egon; he didn’t trust that he’d get his throne back without a fight, but he trusted others even less. He had to risk it. As long as Egon was a Master, he couldn’t claim the throne. That was the only reassurance Eero had.
“What about Ethan?” Egon asked.
“He’ll stay here, unharmed, until I return.”
Egon stood. “Leave your instructions on my desk, son.”
“Where are you going?”
“To visit your mother’s grave.”
Eero narrowed his eyes, but let Egon go without a word. Egon’s love was still strong, and he’d visited the graveyard multiple times. Which was way too many, considering that in the past he’d only visited twice a year.
Eero had sent guards, maids, and lowlives after his father, but all said the same thing: Egon went into the graveyard, then vanished. An hour or two later, he appeared again. Every single time.
