Revolution (Risen Series Bk2)

A little distracted with everything going on Scotland right now so sorry if this isn't the best. The country is now on lockdown because of the virus.

Please everyone, stay home as much as possible, wash your hands, and make sure vulnerable friends and family are okay.

These are going to be hard times for people. Especially those suffering from mental health problems so be kind.

Sat cross legged on the floor, I leaned back against the armchair. Anna unfolded a world map on the table, smoothing out the creases while Atanas watched on from behind me, standing sentry. I swallowed nervously as I lit the candles as instructed. I knew now why Anna had seemed a little. . .sad. This was her life, magic, and I was reminding her that she could no longer do what I was about to. Or at least what I was about to attempt. I'd never done more than manage to light a candle with Una.

Anna demanded that we be left alone so I could concentrate but Atanas had refused. I think watching me get shot had triggered protective instincts. I didn't mind that he was in the room though, his presence was actually a comfort. I was more worried about failing in front of Anna. Would I be able to do this? I didn't think so. And failure would weigh heavy on my shoulders.

With everything set out, Anna nodded toward my dagger. "Normally I'd use water but you share blood with Airell; it'll help narrow our search. Drop your blood onto the map."

I eyed the blade warily but sucked it up. Opening my palm, I quickly sliced down and blood immediately began to drop onto my lap. Shifting forward, I did as she guided, and fisted my hand so blood dropped onto the map. The sting was easy to ignore and Atanas inhaled deeply. I rolled my eyes at him as he winked.

The wound healed quickly, only a few drops beading together over Italy on the map. I sat back again, wondering if it was enough and Anna gave me a nod. This wasn't so bad.

"Let your magic out, feel it inside you, in the air around you, draw strength from the flames and us." She shifted on her knees, closing her eyes as if she herself was doing the spell. "Then repeat after me."

I copied her position and closed my eyes. Hands resting on the table, I took deep, steadying breaths. On every exhale, I tugged at the magic that was tucked away inside. Even behind closed lids, everything brightened as my skin took on its eerie silver glow. Energy thrummed in the room, a soft buzzing by my ears as I breathed out again.

The words she had me repeat were foreign to my ears but I did my best to pronounce them as she did. The buzzing sound got louder, the hair at the nape of my neck standing up. As I spoke the last word, a current of electricity seemed to flow out of me. My eyes flicked open and Anna gasped, staring wide eyed. I knew why. My reflection stared back at me in the mirror on the wall behind her. Eyes that were always a strange steely silver colour now glowed as brightly as my hands. I didn't look like me. The being in the mirror looked powerful, ethereal. Even Atanas stepped away from the wall as if drawn to me.

Movement had me looking down and I watched on fascination as the blood on the map drew together. I'd never seen anything like it as it slowly began to move, leaving a ghastly trail of red behind it. We all watched it move, the buzzing sound becoming more like sparks.

When it stopped, a cold breath blew all the candles blew out, leaving us in the dark. Grey wisps of smoke swirled around us as we stared at the spot the blood had stopped. I was exhausted, slumping forward. I'd never used magic like that before. I couldn't believe it worked. . .if it had indeed worked.

I shivered as I looked around, feeling a presence in the room that left me cold. Nobody moved for a while and I wondered if they could sense it too. Anna gave me a small smile, a silent well done that I was grateful for.

"That's close to Nadia's territory," Atanas mumbled as he flicked the lights on. "If we got a map of the area, could we narrow down our search?"

Anna nodded but she was still staring at me. I hoped I hadn't frightened her like I had seeing myself like all glowy. Atanas didn't look like he was giving my strange shimmering a second thought. Nobody brought up anything about the cold breath I'd felt.

"I've never been too specific with these types of spells but Shylah has more power in her pinky finger than I ever had. She could manage," Anna answered.

The argument about that died on my lips when I swayed on the spot. I felt sick, and too hot. I slumped back against the armchair, breathing slowly to try and stop the urge to gag. Atanas frowned over at me.

"That took a lot out of me. Give me time to recover and I'll be able to do it again," I said, rubbing my face.

The amount of blood bags I'd gone through in the last few hours was ridiculous but I had the feeling I'd be needing another one. And sleep. Gods, sleep sounded so good.

Anna slid from the floor back onto the couch. "Out of curiosity, what's the plan when we do have Airell's location?"

"We call upon our allies, prepare for a fight," Atanas replied, folding his arms over his broad chest. "And we get Gideon back."

Anna looked to be murmuring a prayer of relief as her shoulders lost their tense line. For the first time in weeks, I felt like we'd actually made some progress. We were getting closer. I leaned forward.

"We can go ahead of everyone and meet there. Someone needs to check things out, scout the area around where Airell is hiding. If we can find out how many vampires are there, how many witches he has under his control, we can be more prepared." My thoughts were turning quickly, so aware that time was short.

Titus swung the door open, cutting off our discussion and he was grinning as he announced. "We have a problem."

Standing slowly, I watched his vampires scampering past the door. There was fear in the air as I breathed in and I wasn't the only one that noticed. My hand slid to the dagger, wary of the shift in the air and the grin on Titus' face.

Atanas came closer to me, subtly placing himself between me and the door. He twisted his body so he'd be able to protect Anna as well. I wanted to grab her from the couch but waited.

"What is the problem?" Atanas asked, looking as relieved as I did when Padraig appeared alive and well beside Titus.

It wasn't our host we had to fear.

"Ren reported movement around in the area. There's black vans parked all around our perimeter. They're closing in," Titus told us, filling me with dread. "Someone's tipped off the humans or we weren't as careful as we thought."

"Fuck."

If this was all true, why did he look so happy? Did the idea of a fight with some humans excite him? Perhaps he'd realised he was missing a little fun once we'd arrived. I couldn't help but grin back now too. This was definitely more than I could have bargained for.

"We need to leave. Now," Atanas ordered.

"Already on it. Ren's bringing the car around and the rest of my vampires will flee the city and find a way to meet up with us," Titus replied calmly, not looking worried in the slightest.

"We're not seriously going to wait here for a car?" Padraig snapped.

Titus looked exasperated as he rolled his eyes and shook his head. "We need to get to our pickup point. Don't worry, I've planned for events like this, I'll get us all out."

I shared a look with Atanas. Were we really going to trust this man to help us? We didn't really have another choice. Atanas nodded, snatching the phone from the table. Keeping in touch with Kincaid was essential now.

Padraig moved forward to grab Anna's hand and she was doing her best to stay calm. Adrenaline was rushing through my veins as Atanas began to gather the maps and shove them into the bags on the floor. At least everything would be easy to gather.

"What about Seth? We can't leave him for the humans to find, and we can't let him loose." Tossing a bag to Anna, she fumbled to catch it.

"Already sorted, trust me," Titus pleaded in exasperation.

Pursing my lips, I nodded once and quickly got back to work. The whole villa was in chaos as vampires packed few items before quickly slipping like shadows past the weapon carrying police officers and who knows who else that were somewhere outside. I was surprised that Titus hadn't suggested a stand off.

I was worried about how they'd found us. It was imperative we didn't get caught. We had to keep our world a secret. Swinging my own bag over my shoulder, Titus gave us a quick once over before spinning on his heel. A gladius was strapped at his side and he picked up a jacket that was at odds with his Roman clothing.

The halls were empty now as we followed him out of the room and up a set of stairs. I didn't miss the way his hand brushed over the mosaic at the top. I knew how he felt. I'd been forced out of my home too. At least one day, he would come back to it.

A loud thump from downstairs and I froze. Titus paused at the door that was at the top of the stairs, his head turning toward us. Silence for a while and then a clatter. The front door had been broken down.

"It's definitely time to go," I called up to where Titus stood.

He sighed heavily. "And I hoped we might get to have a little bit of fun before we had to run."

Atanas shoved his way to the front and kicked the door open, practically shoving Titus through. We piled into what I now realised was the roof. My mouth about fell open at the sight that greeted us. Even the surrounding streets were crawling with dark clothed humans wearing helmets and carrying guns. Another human might not have noticed them but they stuck out against the shadows. They didn't move like vampires did.

Anna was trembling and her heart was beating fast. Padraig swing her into his arms waiting for direction and only chuckling when she cried out in protest.

"Keep close to me," Titus sang before launching himself over to the next roof.

I couldn't deny that I felt a little bit of exhilaration, I couldn't say that I didn't smile a little as the footsteps of the humans thumped up the stairs behind us. I leapt across with Atanas hot on my heels, closely followed by Padraig carrying Anna. She'd not had the chance to perfect any vampire talents like speed or strength having spent most of her time denying what she now was. Padraig wouldn't let her hold us back.

We ran across rooftops and occasionally I'd catch a glimpse of movement out of the corner of my eye. We weren't the only vampires running this way. The flash of red and blue lit up the dark skies and I was amazed by how many people the humans had gathered. Were they looking specifically for me? Why so much firepower?

I stopped to watch once we were a safe distance away. Shouts echoed from the villa and I hoped there was nothing bad Titus had left behind for them to find. Something about this all didn't sit well with me. It was too well planned to have been arranged the same night I'd been found surely? This had been a while coming.

Someone had been watching Titus.

A tug on my hand got me moving again and I was relieved when Titus pointed out the sturdy looking jeep on the street below.

"That's our ride," he said, sighing happily as he stepped off the ledge.

Padraig jumped down with Anna still securely in his arms and he was quick to bundle her into the jeep. I could see Ren in the driver's seat, blond hair hiding most of his face.

"Come, Libertas Mea." Atanas gave me an encouraging smile and I shook off the sense of impending doom to jump too.

I climbed into the back of the car, squishing up against Anna. Atanas grunted unhappily as he clambered in after me and shut the door. Another thump coming from the boot had us all sharing a look.

"What was that?" Anna asked, staring at the board that hid the contents of the boat from us.

Titus grinned as he turned around in the passenger seat to look at us. "That'll be Seth."

I snorted, not in the least bit surprised. He had promised he'd sorted it out. There was safer or better place for the vampire really than locked in the car alongside of us.

Atanas was already pulling out his phone and calling Kincaid as Ren started the engine. I grabbed the door handle as we tore through deserted streets. I didn't bother asking where exactly we were headed, if we had a safe place to gather and plan, my mind was still reeling. If Titus hadn't had vampires keeping an eye out, it could have been a blood bath; not the best introduction for humans to the truth of what was around them.

Sirens rang through the air and we careened into an alley. Seth roared from inside the boot as his body crashed into the seats when Ren breaked abruptly. He switched off the engine, hiding us in the dark. I shoved myself forward, holding my breath as flashing police cars flew past us.

"Someone gave us away," I muttered. It looked like the whole city was on lockdown and being searched.

"We need to get out of here fast," Titus added, patting Ren's shoulder. "Head north out of the city, everyone else will be heading to the fort. We should too."

Ren nodded, slamming his foot back down on the pedal. Atanas was speaking quickly to Kincaid and I heard him swear on the other end of the line. When Titus turned round and said a flurry of words to my mate in Latin, I grew frustrated. Whatever he'd said, Atanas agreed with.

My anxiety was spiking, adrenaline rushing through my veins until I was shaking. Padraig and Anna were quiet and I looked over to see she didn't look much better than I did. I let out a slow breath, trying to calm my heart.

A hand on my leg and Atanas gave me a look. I nodded slowly, letting him know I was okay. He didn't believe me and kept his fingers stroking over my leg.

"We should send you back home, Anna," I said, watching Padraig try to keep her calm.

She wanted to argue, I could see that defiant glint in her eyes. But then she slumped and nodded slowly. Tonight had terrified her. I wished I could say it hadn't terrified me too, even if I'd enjoyed it a little. Despite all the danger, betrayal, and death, this was much better than my life of solitude. Yet, I was aware we were on the run now and I kept looking out the back window to make sure we weren't being followed.

I couldn't help but smirk a little. "I'm practically a fugitive. We're going to have to work harder to keep hidden."

"I want to help," Anna mumbled quietly. "Can't I stay?"

Padraig smiled and placed a kiss to her forehead. "You'll be more help where you're safe."

"You won't come back with me?" Panic flared in her features again and Padraig hesitated before looking at me.

It wasn't up to me though. I might have been a Queen but I wouldn't force him to stay with us and fight, or return with Anna. Atanas shoved his phone back in his pocket once he finished talking to Kincaid and sat up straight.

"Kincaid is going to meet us at the fort with Nadia. It would be good if you went back, Padraig. I need someone in charge," he relayed, giving Ren a sharp look when the car jolted violently over a pot hole.

Anna looked relieved and even I was glad of that. The idea that if Padraig didn't go back that someone like Thierry would be in charge didn't sit well with me, even with Elaine to keep him in line.

"That's at least one problem sorted," I muttered.

Titus chuckled from the front of the car, looking over his shoulders. "This is going to be a long drive. I'm sure we'll solve a few more problems before we arrive."

I hummed and rested my head against Atanas' shoulder. Sleep called to me now that we were somewhat safe. Exhaustion made my limbs heavy and only knowing Seth was in the boot kept me a little on edge. Once we left the city behind, I ended up falling asleep without really meaning to.