First And Last

chapter Seven



Quinney stepped around me and pushed me behind her to face the awaiting crowd of very unhappy Underworld beings. “What business do you have here?” she demanded.

“We have come to put right our world,” one of the Warlocks answered in a growl. “Our world will not be run by a White Witch. It’s a travesty.”

I sighed heavily as I looked at Kyden. “I guess we should have expected this?”

“Hrmph,” was his only response.

Deep protectiveness ran through me. Kyden puffed up as each second passed. He now saw firsthand the danger I was put in when he wasn’t around. Just let me say, it wasn’t going over well. He was pissed.

“You have no say in the Underworld,” Tyde argued. “You’re not members of the assembly.”

“This is also not the proper place to discuss it.” Quinney added.

“You,” the same Warlock snarled, “are pathetic. You went against our nature and along with a plan to destroy Magnus so that this horrendous leader could rise to power. You should all be crushed along with her.”

Misa growled. “You wish to declare a challenge against our Lady?”

A Witch stepped forward, glared a deadly threat toward me. “We’re not issuing a formal challenge. We seek to destroy her now.” With little warning, she blasted out a wave of energy. It was so quick, I didn’t have time to react and her magic came straight for me.

Kyden instantly shoved Quinney out of the way, stepped in front of me and pushed me back. Horror blasted through every particle of my body. He had no protection against magic. What in the hell had he just done?

Time slowed, sounds erased, as I fell backwards. The second my butt connected with the grass, magic erupted around me and knew he’d just been hit. I didn’t have time to shield him, it happened too fast.

I screamed and closed my eyes, unable to watch. Panic stole my breath. Another blast of magic sent me flying back to hit the front door, and every window in Quinney’s and Tyde’s home exploded.

A loud scream shot through the air. There was enough sense it my mind to realize it wasn’t Kyden’s and sounded female. I opened my eyes open to see Kyden on his feet in front of me and the witch that had attacked us was now gone.

The crowd was stone silent.

I jumped to my feet, and rushed to Kyden’s side, spinning him around. “What in the hell happened?”

He looked a bit dazed himself. “I have no idea.”

“I saw it,” Misa said, breathless. “He shielded himself. The magic hit him, then flew back at her and disintegrated her completely.”

“Holy frig, you’ve gained my ability!” Utter shock filtered through me—some of mine, some of his—we were both stunned.

Now that I knew he was safe, those feelings quickly vanished into rage. “What the f*ck were you thinking?” I yelled at him and gave him a good punch to the shoulder, which caused him to stumble back. “You could have been killed.”

“It wasn’t a thought, Álainn. I saw it coming at you and acted,” he answered, calm and collected. Typical Kyden. “I didn’t think of the consequences.”

“It’s my duty to protect her,” Quinney growled. “You shouldn’t have thrown me out of the way. I would have died for her.”

Kyden arched a brow. “No, that is my job.”

I stomped my foot at this territorial pissing match. “It’s nobody’s job to protect me. I can take care of myself.” I glanced at Quinney. “But thank you, by the way.”

She nodded and smiled.

“You thank her and I get a lashing?” Kyden protested.

“Damn right you do.” I grasped him by the arms, tried to shake him, which didn’t go so well since he’s like three times the size of me, but I tried anyway. “It’s not your job to protect me. When will you get that through your thick, arrogant head?”

“It is my duty,” he replied simply.

Before I could blast him a good one, someone from the crowd reminded me they were still here. “We are not finished with you,” the same warlock who spoke before said in a low feral growl.

I turned on them, let every ounce of anger I felt in my bones be heard in my voice. “I’m not finished with you either, jackass, but I’m too pissed to deal with you right now. You’ll just have to f*cking wait.”

With that, I sent the Air Element out to freeze them all where they stood. Sure, they could blink and all, but their feet were stuck to the ground and rendered them incapable of any sneaky shit again.

“Wow,” Misa gasped, clearly awed.

As if I gave a flying-f*ck about that right now. I turned back to Kyden and snarled, “I can’t believe you did that.”

“I’m fine. Nothing happened.”

“Nothing happened, did it? You could have been killed because you’re stupid. I’ve told you over and over again that you cannot fight against magic, and there you go, throwing yourself at it. What the hell is wrong with you?”

Quinney chuckled at my chastising Kyden. I glared at her, yet she didn’t stop smiling. “This is not funny! He could have died.”

“But…” she shrugged, “he didn’t.”

“And that’s supposed to make me feel better?” I glared at Kyden. “You know, I have always felt bad about leaving you behind, but now I don’t. You idiot!”

He arched a brow. “Done?”

“No. I. Am. Not.” I paced, threw my hands up, swore, anything I could to relieve the rage that flowed through my veins.

Kyden sighed numerous times, but said nothing. Misa, Tyde and Quinney all looked amused. I couldn’t even take satisfaction that the Warlocks and Witches looked scared shitless.

I finally huffed, unable to feel an ounce better. I was just so angry with him. How could he take such a risk? Right now, I didn’t want to be anywhere near him. “I’m going, and do not follow me.”

Kyden exhaled even louder this time, yet said nothing as I turned away from him to leave.

“Ahh…Nexi,” Misa called out, “you need to deal with these ones.”

I swore something very inappropriate and turned back around to approach them. “You’re all idiots too. What the hell is wrong with you?”

No one answered me. Of course, they wouldn’t. They were all too scared to say a word. Being frozen, unable to move because a little tornado wrapped around your body, would do that. “Instead of living your lives, going on about your business, now you’re choosing to die.” I threw up my hands in frustration. “Why am I surrounded by idiots?”

Fear flashed across each of their faces. I drew on fire. My anger always helped the magic—gave it extra flame. It was a dangerous thing and not what White Magic was about, not to use out of anger. I was safe here, my anger wasn’t directed at the group, it was directed at Kyden.

It only took seconds for magic to fill me, then with another loud swear word, I released it. If I wasn’t so pissed, I may have been shocked as the fire poured from within me, and in a wild fire ball incinerated every being here—except the good guys of course.

“That sure was something,” Quinney admired.

When the cracks of fire settled, Kyden stepped forward. I glared at him and he froze where he stood.

So, he wasn’t that stupid to provoke me. Obviously not after seeing that display of strength.

“Do. Not. Follow. Me.” My voice came out as a deep growl. I spun around and headed back to the main gate. “I’m surrounded by complete idiots. Complete f*cking idiots!”

As the teleport took me, the last thing I heard was Kyden’s long deep aggravated breath.

* * * *

My willow was exactly what I needed. The soft leaves of the tree were an instant comfort to my pissed-off-at-my-mate mood. Even better, my four-legged Willow joined me too. Still to this day, she complained that I’d named her after my favorite tree. I thought it sweet, but she thought it cruel.

“So, he gained your ability to shield?” Willow asked as I gave her head a scratch.

Most of the time, I loved my little familiar and the connection we shared. Such a cute and black fluffy thing, how could one not love her? Other times though, she could be a little bitch. Still I loved my little protector, who sometimes went panther on me.

“It was incredible.” The longer I sat here, the more the sense of wonder grew. How did my magic pass on to him? Protect him when he needed it? I knew it wasn’t me who did it. I wished I could take the glory, but hadn’t assisted him, yet he shielded himself.

Willow purred as I scratched under her chin. “Good thing he could or he’d be dust in the wind.”

“He’s so stupid,” I retorted and dropped my hand from Willow’s face, aggravated all over again. “I don’t need him to save me. I can handle myself.”

“Is that what’s eating your goat?” Willow looked more peeved that I’d stopped petting her, than really interested in this conversation. “You think he doubts you?”

“Yes…no.”

She lay down on the ground and began to lick her paw. “Now, you sound stupid.”

“Hey, don’t be snarky with me. It’s just confusing. I mean, I know he believes in me, and now with the bond, I understand why he acts the way he does. But damn it, I don’t need him to help me.” I huffed in anger. “His stupid, protective, ‘need to defend you’ nonsense hit the roof tonight. His lack of common sense could have gotten him killed.”

Those few words registered in my mind and reality sank in. What really troubled me surfaced. He could have died. I barely took one full breath before I broke into tears.

Willow jumped to her feet and rubbed her head against my arm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I won’t be snarky anymore, promise.”

“It’s not you, Willow.” I sniffed. “I’m just so tired of this. Every night something seems to happen. I hate living on the edge and in fear that someone else is going to be taken from my life. I live in a constant state of worry that I could lose more people I love. It’s happened too many times. I can’t take it anymore.” I dropped my head into my hands and sobbed.

A second later, I felt myself lifted into strong arms. “I assumed since you were feeling sadness that it was safe for me to come down,” Kyden said.

“I’ll see you two at home. By the way, I’m starving, so don’t be long,” Willow said as she scurried off.

Kyden shifted me in his arms, sat down beneath my willow, and gazed deeply into my eyes. “Please do not cry. It kills me.” It did, I could feel the fierce torment running through him.

“I just can’t take this. My God, Kyden, you came close to dying tonight. Too damn close.”

He sighed, a long troubled breath. “Yes, I realize I may have acted stupidly, but loving you drives me to such things. When I saw the magic coming toward you, fear drove me to act. It was without thought that I jumped in front of you.”

I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tight. “I can’t lose you. Do you hear me? I cannot go on without you. You can’t act so foolishly.”

“I’m sorry.” He pushed me away from him a bit so he could look into my eyes. “But I also don’t believe we’ll have to face such a thing again.”

I wiped my tears. His apology settled my remaining upset with him. He never apologized, ever. It meant a lot to hear it come from him.

“I’m still in shock that you’ve gained my ability. Does that mean you can use magic then?”

He shook his head, and ran his hands over my damp cheeks to dry them. “I went to see Zia when I got back. She identified that I indeed have been gifted the ability to shield magic, and therefore, send it back like you can. I cannot produce it on my own though.”

“And just how did she identify that?”

He grinned. “She sent a tidal wave my way. It was a quick test to determine the protection and it did indeed prove that I held the power to deflect.” He winked. “She was soaked in the process.”

I laughed, then sighed deeply. “I just wish everything was normal again. You know, no Underworld, no demon scary talk, just kicking some serious ass.”

He leaned forward and kissed my cheeks. “I agree with you, but it is what it is.” He kept my face in his hands, cradled me in his strong grip. “There will be a time, Álainn, when the danger around us will cease.”

“God, I hope you’re right.”

Suddenly, a loud scream came from behind me. I glanced over my shoulder to see Haven running down the hill, with Zia, Talon, and Finn following. “Is it true? Is it really true?” Finally her words became more than screaming nonsense.

“It is.”

She came to a skidding halt on her knees in front of us. “I can’t believe that! Giving your ability to a Guardian,” she shook her head, awe danced along her face. “That’s unbelievable.”

Zia came closer. “Work it all out?”

“Yeah. I was just really scared, that’s all.”

“I imagine you were, but it’s a pleasant thing to know this long-standing fight between you two will finally be over. Hmm? Now, he can join you and those worries are put at ease.”

I hadn’t really thought about the fights between us being over finally. It really made him crazy when I went fighting without him. I guess it did come as a relief to know that I’d never have to have this argument again with him. I also knew the problem was going to be letting me fight. If he saw I was in danger, he’d probably act just as he did tonight and take control of the situation. This argument wouldn’t never entirely be put to bed. He wanted to protect me and I wanted to fight my own battles. The problem was neither of us would give in. Ever.

“Kyden told us the jist of what happened, but he said that there was something you needed to tell us. So, what is it?” Haven interrupted my thoughts.

I glanced directly at Zia, needed to see her reaction when I told her. “I can draw runes.”

Yep, got the reaction I thought it would. Her jaw dropped.

After she found her voice, she asked, intrigued. “Is that so? It’s quite unusual and I’ve never heard of that before. Did Misa have any answers for why you would possess this trait?” She cocked her head, curiously. “Maybe it is from the bond with Magnus.”

I nodded. “That’s what Kyden thought, too. Quinney is searching the devil’s book thingy they have, which holds their history, to see if there are any other situations like this in the past. Said she’d come if she found anything.”

Zia gave an approved nod.

“Kyden also told us how you handled the witches and warlocks tonight.” Talon’s voice was full of pride. “Sounds as if they didn’t stand a fighting chance, well done.”

I sighed and rubbed my face. “Well, I was angry.”

Zia knelt down in front of me and took my hand in hers. “I know you’re going through a lot now, Sweetie. You have gone through too much for any one person to handle. But just keep believing it will all become right again. Keep positive. Don’t let this wear on you.”

“It’s just so tiresome, Zia.” I dropped my hand from my face to look at her. “I’m so sick of the death, the danger—just all of it.”

“I can understand that. But there’s great responsibility here. You need to set right what has begun. In the end, peace will find you. Try and focus on that.”

I sighed, the deepest, most exhausted sound that had ever come from my mouth. “I’m taking a moment and throwing a pity party. I’m entitled.”

She leaned in, kissed my cheek and said aloud, “Yes, you are entitled. Just keep what I said with you.”

Kyden arched a brow. He hadn’t heard the conversation between Zia and I, which didn’t surprise me. We’d learned that he could intrude on our conversations. It had something to do with the Spirit Element, or so we thought.

Just then, a loud growl came from atop the hill. My gaze snapped toward it to see Brax running down the hill in his wolf form. Not something you see every day, which was exactly why Zia, Kyden and I jumped to our feet and ran toward him, the others following behind.

His shift came halfway down the hill, and when he returned to human form, he shouted, “There’s been another attack.”

“What’s happened?” Talon demanded as we met up with him.

Brax was breathless. “I was just contacted moments ago by Detective Garver. They’ve come across another scene where the body has vanished.”

Kyden and I exchanged alarmed glances. One case was bad, two was catastrophic. Our peace that I longed for wasn’t about to start now.

A thought rose to my mind that needed to be voiced. “How do they know someone has been killed?”

“They got an anonymous tip and Garver is a wolf. He said the scent of the human’s blood still lingers there.”

Another anonymous tip—something fishy is going on here. Who would know of this? Dark ones for sure, but if there were more on our side, then why hadn’t they come forward?

“Garver is waiting for you at the scene.” Brax was still short of breath. “Go now and quickly.”