Natural Dual-Mage

Darius’s eyes gleamed. He slowly sipped his cognac, not commenting.

Reagan’s mouth curved downward as she surveyed the large, incredibly gifted druid. “That is just enough of a challenge to make me go for it.”

“I have seen an Heir train with Lucifer,” he said. “Briefly. In glimpses only. I was intrigued—am intrigued, I should say, with your power. More so now that I have seen how it complements Penelope’s in such a natural way. I did not expect that.”

“Penny’s…or yours?” Darius asked smoothly, his eyes calculating. He was probably wondering how to tether another asset.

“The Godly Touch, vampire,” Cahal said, his voice just as smooth, his eyes fierce. “Or the Angelic Touch, if that is your pleasure. It is one and the same.” He paused, his eyes on Darius. “I know what you are thinking. You best be careful. If I hear you’ve tried to strip this dual-mage pair of their Touch, I will personally kill you, and sprinkle your ashes on the barren waste of an island you do not yet know you own.”

“Wow, you’re good.” Reagan’s eyes widened. “How did you know that’s the kind of place I bought?”

“I had no desire of the kind,” Darius said, completely at ease. Somehow. “But I am as intrigued as you.”

“Let it stay that way.” Cahal downed what was in his glass. He set it gently to the side. His gaze beat into Reagan next, and she was just as immune to its terror-raising effects as her bond-mate. “Let the vampire take you to a safe location. I will find you there.”

With that, he walked out of the room and left the house.

“Okay…goodbye,” I called after him. The door latched. “Thanks for helping… That was kind of rude.”

“That is how they are,” Darius said, unperturbed. “He has the same godly power you do, Penny, that was clear.” He stared at nothing for a moment. “In all my many years, I have never seen as many myths and legends come to life as in the last few years. Something is building. Something big. And somehow, you are all a part of it.”

Silence hung heavy in the room. Tingles walked across my skin.

“Nah,” Reagan said. “I don’t buy it. Darius is just trying to start drama. Like arms dealers who try to start wars so they can make a profit.” She looked at me. “Marcus greatly spread the Guild reach in anticipation of this fight. He’ll be punished or killed for bonding without asking, but his network will help you. You’ll have to turn everyone to a better, less power-hungry way of thinking, but at least you already have a network.”

It was true. “Wait…what about Emery? And you? I can’t build up a new Mages’ Guild on my own. Or at all. I don’t know the first thing about leadership.”

Emery rubbed his thumb against my thigh. “Roger, Vlad, Darius, Reagan, and I all put it to a vote. This is your project. It will be in your control. Obviously, you’ll need help. And you’ll need to delegate. But you’ll be in charge of bringing it about. You are the only person we would all agree upon, and Vlad just barely went with it.”

“As if we would let him be in charge.” Reagan rolled her eyes.

Adrenaline dumped into my body and all my limbs started trembling. I was unable to handle any more surprises. “Me? No! What do you mean you all voted and now I’m stuck with it? That’s not how this is supposed to work!”

“When I first met you,” Emery said quietly, “I was only out to claim vengeance. A piece of me wanted the Guild to be better, but I was blind to the importance of changing it. It was you who calmed me. You who showed me the way. All this time, it has been you who has wanted to do the right thing, above all. To tear it down and build it up again. Your moral compass does not waver. Say what you want about your mom, but she kept you on a path of pure motives. Of inner peace and outward compassion. There is no one else any of us trusts implicitly to see this come about. It has to be you.”

I couldn’t breathe. My fingers curled into fists. “But…I…”

“Relax. Obviously you’ll be guided. We’re all going to help…and we’re all going to keep an eye on one another. Especially Vlad.”

“Nothing has to be decided right now.” Darius finished his glass and stood, putting his hand out for Reagan. “Come.”

She didn’t balk at the command, taking his hand and allowing him to lead her farther into the house. In the back, a bedroom door shut softly.

I couldn’t process what they’d just said. I couldn’t think that far ahead. So I did what any self-respecting woman would do—I bundled it all up and dumped it into the ignore pile. It wasn’t a list anymore, it was a whole pile.

“Shall we head to bed?” Emery asked, holding me tightly.

As I nodded, a soft knock sounded at the door. Looking through the peephole with Emery at my back, I felt nervous flutters fill my belly. Mary Bell and John stood on the stoop, tired and bedraggled, but still standing.

Letting out a deep breath, I opened the door. I’d be lying if I claimed not to be worried about an attack.

“Penny,” Mary Bell said, that sparkle in her eye. “I won’t ask to penetrate your ward. We’ll be but a minute.”

John looked at her in confusion before scanning the house.

“Um…okay…” I said.

“We’re on our way to a hotel. One of Darius’s children’s,” she said. “But we owe you an explanation before we lose sight of each other. I owe you my story.”

I leaned against the doorframe, listening.

“We were both approached by the Guild, along with many others. Those not powerful enough— Well, you know what happened to them…”

I swallowed. They were sent to battle Emery, Reagan, and I, and they never made it home.

“John, I, and one other were invited back to Seattle. We were asked to join their fold, as it were. Both John and the other mage had reservations, but only John decided to take them up on it. Despite what he knew of their involvement with you, he was Bambi-eyed and feather-headed.”

John shoved his hands in his pockets and shifted away, looking out at nothing. He didn’t comment.

“I have been in John’s place twice along my life’s journey,” she continued, leaning forward onto her cane. “I have been seduced by power, only to be left destitute in the fallout. I knew his fate would be the same. So I followed, knowing all along that I wouldn’t be able to drag him back out when he realized what he’d gotten himself into—organizations feeding on power and the misfortune of others never let you come and go as you please. Death is often the only way to get out. I followed, knowing we were headed to battle, knowing they were collecting fighters for their side, against you.” She held up a hand and smiled. “And knowing I had the experience to manipulate my way anywhere I needed to be. I may have come out disillusioned in the past, but I did learn a thing or two.” Her smile faded. “My path was clear. The way to vindication for so many horrible decisions in my past.” Her eyes misted. “I still hoped that I could help you, give you a fighting chance at freedom. So I followed John and stayed close, waited for him to suffer at the hands of power in the cold new world he had chosen. When he became disillusioned and wanted out, recruiting him to my cause was child’s play. For all his age, he knows nothing of the world.”

John let out a disgusted breath, but still he didn’t say anything. How he couldn’t be embarrassed, I didn’t know. I was embarrassed for him.

“So you see, Penny Bristol, I never switched sides. I never doubted you, not even for a minute. I see great things for you. Big things. With the Rogue Natural by your side, helping protect you from the storms life throws at you, you will blaze like the sun.” She wiped away a tear with a gnarled finger. “My time for fighting is done, sadly. I am too old. I very nearly didn’t make it to the end of this battle. I had to sit down for half of it. But I will be watching you, and rooting for you. And should you need to hear of mistakes, so that you don’t have to make them yourself, my door will always be open.”

I wiped my tears with the back of my hand before stepping out and giving her a hug. “Thank you,” I said. “You saved our lives.”