Revolution (Risen Series Bk2)

Kincaid didn’t look surprised to see me. In fact, he gave my appearance no more than a brief glance before he focussed once more on the massive claymore he held, going through battle stances with graceful and slow control, as if performing a dance. The whoosh of the blade through the air was an odd comfort, and I settled against the wall to watch.

The fading sun lit up the massive bath house in soft eggshell-blue shafts of light, glinting against the old mosaics that patterned the sunken bath Kincaid was using as his practice ring. I wondered if he often got up so early, long before any other vampire would think of stirring, but he avoided the sun with ease.

I wouldn’t have gotten up myself if I hadn’t been plagued in my dreams by visions of vampires in a state of decomposition worse than when I’d first met Atanas. Their clawlike hands with peeling flesh reached out for me in the shadows, while throaty whispers of my name echoed all around. Drawn like a moth to a flame, I found myself moving towards them only to be greeted by fangs gnashing to taste my flesh and drink my blood.

My shudder drew notice from the other vampire, honey eyes almost appearing concerned before glittering with irritation. Of course. He’d come here for privacy and me skulking in the shadows watching his every move can’t have been how he wanted to spend his time. But I wasn’t going anywhere.

“A bheil gàidhlig agad?” I called out, having realised I’d never asked him if he too spoke my mother tongue as a fellow Scot or Gael.

Sword arched above him, he paused, his head tilting enough in my direction I caught a glimpse of a smile. “Tha gàidhlig gu leòr agam. My mother would scold me for how much I’ve allowed myself to lose but the language has changed a lot from when she spoke it to me.” Dropping his stance, he turned to face me properly. “You’re not here for another lesson are you? Atanas might not be happy to awaken and find you gone after your bedroom activities.”

“Listening to what goes on behind a mated couples door, Kincaid?”

He grimaced, and it brought some delight to me. “You make more racket than the foxes mating by the bins back home.”

The disbelieving laugh that ripped my from lips was unladylike, but I couldn’t help it. Kincaid had never parried back so well before, especially when it came to such a subject. Was that even a smug smile on his lips before he caught me looking?

He’d enjoyed that. But then he straightened his shoulders and picked up his sword, walking closer to me so he could lower his voice.

“Joking aside, it isn’t safe for you to be wandering this place alone. We cannae trust everyone. Especially Titus, he will only play along for as long as it suits him. It helps that he’s intrigued by you; mair than our King is comfortable with, but it keeps him close at least.”

It made me uncomfortable too, the way Titus watched me as if I was a rare specimen that should be displayed in one of Padraig’s glass cases.

Gods, I was surrounded by too much testosterone. Even Una would have made better company but her duties to the Ailill meant she couldn’t stray far from Scotland where the veil to her homeland had magic enough still to cross through. Anna was home for safety. Elaine had stayed home as well, probably to keep Thierry in check because he too still remained unsure about whether his life was worth risking for us.

“Why don’t you stand as Atanas’ Second?” I asked. “Zena is capable of looking after things till we return but she and Lachlan have their own people she needs to get back to, and Elaine is a warrior, not a leader.”

“Which is why I suggested you returning home.”

I snorted and folded my arms. “No, you wanted me in Edinburgh because I’m an inconvenience.”

“Your words, no mine.” He smirked. “I’m sure one of the many vampires here vying for position will prove themselves worthy as a Second by the time we return home. Now, can I get back to what I was doing?”

Lifting my chin, I sniffed, channelling the airs of my mate as I said, “Very well. You’re dismissed.”

Kincaid chuckled and gave me a sweeping bow. “Tapadh leibh, Your Majesty.”

He turned on his heel and marched back to the centre of the pool, his steps bouncing off the walls around us. Blue light had a faint orange hue, signalling the sun was setting and the fort would soon awaken. It would have been a good idea to return to bed, but my feet took me in the opposite direction.

My stomach gurgled unpleasantly as I turned the corner, fingers trailing against the peeling paint on the walls. I took random twists and turns until I familiarised myself enough that I could find my way around, using paintings that could still be seen to create a map in my head. The paintings of Roman Gods I didn’t know the names of; voluptuous women and muscled men in various states of undress or completely armoured, were near the hall Atanas used for council last night. The depictions of fruits and meats near another hall that was empty now but I could guess was used as a place to eat.

The fort was less creepy now I wasn’t confused by the lay out, and a faint smile touched my lip every time I glimpsed the rolling green fields reaching the vibrant blue sea in the last of the sunlight. It was beautiful enough to risk the reddening of my skin to press closer to the cracks in the shutters of the window. What I would give to see it in broad daylight only once.

All too soon the first creaks of doors opening and the tired mumble of voices echoed around. A violent tug in my chest, sharp enough to draw a gasp, proved Kincaid right too. Atanas had woken up, and he indeed wasn’t pleased to find me gone. A few seconds of panic and then I felt him reach out for me, warm fingers of energy pressing into my skin.

“I know you’re a capable warrior, Shylah. I know you can keep yourself safe.” I mimicked his words from the night before and rolled my eyes before going in search of him. “Unless I’m not where he left me, then it must mean I’ve been kidnapped or murdered.”

I followed the sound of laughter and chatter to the now lit mess hall. Bare plaster cracked walls had ancient looking tables pressed up against them. Mismatched chairs and benches offered seats and I was surprised by the number of vampires already enjoying cooked breakfasts and steaming coffee. The bitter scent filled my senses and my mouth watered. Blood tainted the air too though no human donor was here that I could see. Only a handful of hearts beat at the quicker, mortal pace but the tingle of magic in the air told me it was witches rather than humans. That didn’t mean they smelt any less appetising though. . .

Gods, I was hungry.

“You left our bed.”

“I was awake and you needed to sleep.” Turning to face my mate, his dishevelled black hair and still sleep dazed gaze almost made me regret not waking up beside him.

“Have you eaten, food or blood?” he asked, sliding his hand to my back, urging me through the crowd to a quieter table at the back where a wall would make sure I wouldn’t fear any attack from behind.

“Not yet. I wasn’t sure what the eating situation was. I definitely want some coffee at least before we spend the next few hours arguing over what our next step should be.”

Atanas chuckled and pulled out a wooden chair for me. “I see sleep has made you no less pessimistic.”

“After what you told me last night-“ A sharp look stopped me, blue eyes suddenly awake and alert.

Not a subject to be spoken about in public. Got it.

“I’ll get you food. You need blood, you’re still healing.” Concern suddenly shifted into amusement, Atanas grinning as he reached out to pull something from my neck.

My cheeks went bright red as he studied the blob of cream candle wax I’d missed. No wonder Kincaid had given me such a look.

“What’s that?” Padraig asked, leaning over the table. Atanas was quick to flick the piece away but not before our friend saw.

Emerald eyes focussed on me, twinkling with mirth as he smirked. “Well, well, well. Shylah, I had no idea. Anna would be so proud of you.” Then he grinned at my mate too. “What do you get her to call you in bed, my friend? Anna is partial to-“

I was out of my seat and hissing in his face with fangs bared before he could go on. My reaction only fuelled his amusement though, and he fell languidly into the seat opposite me. We’d gained bemused attention from the tables closest to us but they were quick to look away when they caught my scowl.

Maybe I held a little more sway over our people than I thought.

“Can I trust you children to behave until I get back?” Atanas drawled, looking between his us.

The urge to poke my tongue out nearly won, but I managed to smile sweetly and nod my head, which only made my mate roll his eyes. I could hear him muttering to himself as he wound his way to the side room where the smell of food wafted from. Titus was more prepared than I’d given him credit for if he had kitchens stocked up.

Turning my gaze to Padraig, I narrowed my eyes. “So, he should knock me out and send me home, huh? Is that what you would have done to Anna if she refused to go?”

Green eyes widened and his mouth fell open as he glanced towards where Atanas had disappeared. He shifted in his seat, pulling his mug of tea closer.

“He wasn’t supposed to tell you I said that,” he grumbled before taking a sip. “But you can’t blame me. I know how stubborn you can be, and let’s not forget how clever Airell is when it comes to manipulating your shared bond.”

Gritting my teeth because I couldn’t disagree, I huffed. “I’m staying. You menfolk can deal with it.”

“And there’s the stubborn streak I was talking about.” Padraig smirked and leaned back in his chair. “Lets face it, we all knew we were stuck with you from the day Atanas carried you into my home.”

“And I hoped you’d prefer staying at Cala-phort with your treasures rather than come with us.”

“Touche.” He chuckled. “But despite the fact it’s because of you my Anna almost died, and is now suffering without her magic, I still don’t want to see you or Atanas dead.”

If it weren’t for his sly smile, his comment would have hurt. I knew we’d been on rocky footing since he’d been forced to turn Anna, and I was secretly glad that his jesting meant we might be back on track to be friends.

“At least Anna is getting a break from you.”

“It doesn’t sound like there’s much behaving going on.”

Jumping at the amused voice of my mate, I whipped around to see him taking a seat beside me. The tray he placed in front of us was overflowing with various foods; toast, sliced cheeses, fruits, and two mugs filled with dark red liquid that stained the pale ceramic. The smell of plastic told me it wasn’t fresh blood from a living donor, more likely bagged blood procured, or stolen most likely, from a local hospital. Not that I complained. I grabbed the mug and lifted it to my lips, drinking in deep gulps with no care who saw.

At the first sip, I felt better. And by the time I finished, I felt more alert, the ache in my side numbing to no more than a tingle. My tongue flicked out to lick what I could from the rim, eager for every last drop. When I put the mug down and wiped my mouth, Atanas poured some of his into mine so I could have more.

“You should have told me you were so hungry. You could have fed from me last night.”

Cheeks flushing at him saying such a thing in front of others, I drank more slowly this time, savouring each sweet and salty drop. Nadia and Kincaid joined us too, ignoring their King’s glare as they stole food from our tray. He didn’t tell them off though, not while Nadia filled us in on Airell’s movements. Or lack there of.

“He’s still lingering around the Transylvanian border, moving between smaller villages. Though I’ve been told the main convoy he’s been travelling with is remaining in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of Brașov.”

“Maybe that’s where Gideon is,” I cut in. “Can you send someone to have a closer look?”

Nadia bowed her head, but the way her eyes flicked to Atanas before she agreed nettled me. “Of course, Your Majesty. My vampires’ specialties are not being seen or heard. But we don’t have the numbers to break him out just yet...”

Her voice became muffled, dark dots blurring my sight alongside a sudden pressure in my head that was no more than a gentle prodding at first. I rubbed my forehead, wondering if maybe I’d needed more sleep after all. Bringing the mug to my lips, I finished the blood in the hopes it would help, but the pain only became more incessant before everything went deathly silent, my vision blacking out entirely.

Only the rasping sound of my breath could be heard. Darkness encompassed me. And then something panged in my chest.

“Hurry up, Little Bird. I thought you’d have flown closer by now. Don’t keep me waiting much longer, I don’t think your friend will last the week...”

Throwing myself from my seat, I scampered away from the whisper by my ear until my back hit a firm wall. Still my sight didn’t return, trapping me in darkness, like the room didn’t exist at all. Fear gripped me, my heart hammering against my chest as the bond with my maker gave another tug. His voice rang in my head, dark and delighted, drowning out my name being shouted again and again.

“Shylah. . .Shylah!”

Something grabbed hold of me, strong fingers digging harshly into my upper arm, keeping me on my feet when my knees buckled. I cried out and shook my head, trying to pull away from whatever had me but its grip only tightened until I was sure my bone would hold the imprint of their fingers.

White flashed behind closed eyes, a sharp slap whipping my head around and yanking me violently back to reality. Startled blue eyes blinked into focus, and my hand went to my cheek in shock. Atanas loosened his grip as I slumped back against the wall, gulping deep breaths of air to calm my racing heart.

Surrounded by our council, I was glad I couldn’t see the stares I would surely be getting from the other occupants of the hall. But I couldn’t meet any of their gazes either. Not until I noticed Nadia rubbing the palm of her hand.

“You hit me,” I rasped.

The vampiress shrugged, tucking brown hair behind her ear. “It worked didn’t it.”

It had. And in all honesty, I was thankful. Atanas should have known pain would bring me back.

Legs trembling beneath me, palms flat against the wall, I shoved myself forward to stand unaided. Atanas lingered at my side, sickly worry tainting his scent but whatever it was, it was over now. All that was left was a pounding headache and long-suffering disappointment.

How had Airell managed to get through to me? Atanas had helped me learn to close off the maker’s bond as much as possible, Una and Zena had been training me to create a mental block. All these lessons and I still wasn’t strong enough to do more than cheap parlour tricks with my power.

“What happened?” Atanas asked, checking me over when I remained unmoving and silent. “Panic attack?”

“I wish,” I muttered, uncaring what anyone would think. Titus would know I wasn’t as unbreakable as I made out. “He was in my head again.”

“That’s impossible.” Padraig argued, folding his arms across his chest. “We watched Anna break the last time he tried to make.”

Echoing Padraig’s taunt from earlier, I said, “Then maybe he found a way to manipulate what binds me to him. I’m tired. I’m still healing. It wouldn’t be that hard. And it wasn’t vivid like last time, it was just a voice. A whisper. But it was him.”

“What did he say to you?” Atanas demanded, gripping my shoulders to turn me his way.

My lips parted but no sound came out as I debated whether to try and lie, because I knew how he’d react. After his outburst yesterday, it wouldn’t be favourable for him to have another. Darkening blue eyes narrowed, like he was privvy to that thought and warning me to try and lie, to see if I’d enjoy the consequences of doing so.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I repeated the words that had sent me into a frenzy. “Hurry up, Little Bird. I thought you’d have flown closer by now. Don’t keep me waiting much longer, I don’t think your friend will last the week.”

Atanas froze. Then shook his head in disbelief before growling with such gritty fury, it shook the foundations of the fort. He paced the length of the wall, and when he turned back, steely determination shone in his gaze.

“You’re going home,” he stated, already turning to Kincaid to fire off his orders. “Get her on the first plane back, make sure Zena tightens security around the house-“

“I’m not going, Atanas!” I yelled, refusing to give an inch when he spun back around, straightening his shoulders.

“If you don’t want to go home, you stay right here. Airell obviously wants you for whatever he’s planning, it’s too dangerous.”

“No. We need to go get Gideon. Now.”

There was that look again. Tilted head, quirked lips. Like I was a child that didn’t understand the rules of the game.

“Airell mentioned Gideon on purpose, Shylah. He knows you will feel the responsibility if something happens to him. Airell will be waiting for us.”

“Good! Then we can take him out too so we don’t have to go hiking up some fucking cursed mountain.”

“Its a trap, Shylah!”

“I don’t think it is. Nadia said herself that Airell isn’t even at the warehouse, which is where I’d be keeping a vampire I didn’t trust. Do you doubt her?”

Nadia balked, her eyes flying to Atanas who kept his glare pinned on me. “Of course I don’t doubt her. I doubt the information she’s being fed.”

“My vampires are loyal to me, Atanas,” Nadia snapped, hurt tight in her voice. “They would not do such a thing.”

“Not on purpose, I’m sure.” Voice gentling, he reached out to touch her arm. “I mean no offence, my friend. But this doesn’t sit right with me. His words were nothing but carefully chosen bait.”

“We have to try,” I begged. “We have to. Gideon might be able to tell us what we need to if Airell is really elsewhere. That warehouse holds answers, I know it does. I feel it in my gut. The longer we delay, the more time he has to prepare, to persuade others to join him.”

He didn’t disagree straight away this time. Sighing heavily, he ran his fingers through his hair, the flames of nearby sconces catching shades of dark blue amongst the strands. He cast a searching look towards his council but no one seemed eager to put themselves between the warring King and his mate.

Electricity crackled between us, our disagreement on show for anyone to witness. Hell, Seth locked up downstairs could probably hear our shouting, sense the power of two pissed off vampires in the air.

Much to my surprise, it was Padraig who spoke first, and on my side too. “We need to go to Brașov anyway, Atanas.”

“We do?” Looking between them both, I tried to figure out which conversation I’d missed.

Atanas nearly growled again but his ire seemed to displace from me. “The last living witch with knowledge of the magic and legend around the caves lives there. I knew her mother.”

“Oh, I’m sure you did.”

Another cutting look. One that left me in no doubt I would be paying for that comment later. Shaking myself of such thoughts, I took a determined step forward. “If it was me, you would go. Without thought or question. Gideon is my friend. I swear to you right now, just as I did for Anna, I will find a way to get to him myself if I have to. Don’t test me. You know I will.”

He stared at me for a long time, midnight eyes swirling in almost black. I held my breath, feeling our bond twisting tight between us, seconds from snapping. Fear for my safety was evident in his indecision, and he rocked back on his feet, snarling furiously with sharp fangs on show.

Without looking away, he snapped, “Who are we still waiting on?”

“Everyone outside of Europe,” Nadia muttered. “William only got back to us last night. Slow bastards.”

“How long will it take them to get here?”

“Too long.”

A slow hiss of breath sliced out. The weight of his gaze bored into me and still I stood my ground despite the sudden pleasing edge to his furrowed brow. I knew I had him though. The moment he clasped his hands behind his back, all expression fading from his face to be replaced by stony neutrality, I had my victory.

“This move has been made by you, Shylah,” he said slowly, turning away when I quickly nodded my understanding. Raising his voice, I nearly jumped when he boomed out, “You heard your Queen. We’re moving out! Kincaid, Nadia, take our warriors a clear distance away from the warehouse and wait for us there. I want numbers on guard, names if possible, and every entryway or exit scouted by the time we get there.”

Nadia and Kincaid bowed low in sync and I watched them walk away with a slight sinking feeling. Had I not argued with Atanas about sending others to do our dirty work, and though my voice might not have given the orders, I’d forced Atanas’ hand. This was my choice. The consequences would be mine. They better not get themselves hurt. Kincaid would never let me live it down if my first strategic decision went wrong.

My mate doled out more orders in a mix of English and Latin until most the hall had cleared of vampires. In my daze, I barely noticed their bowed heads as they passed me, the fealty they offered.

Only Padraig lingered close by, phone held to his ear as he spoke quickly in what I could only guess to be Romanian. He was left to figure out our travel when my presence would make it near impossible.

Was I letting my pride get in the way? Was I wrong to risk so many lives just for one? Would a better leader have sacrificed Gideon?

I tugged at the roots of my hair, resisting the urge to crouch down and scream. Catching my hands in his, Atanas lowered them to my sides, hushing me gently. “In the kitchens, there’s more blood. Take some, feed, and then pack. Meet me outside when you’re ready.”

“I thought you were mad at me.”

Atanas shook his head, pulling me close so he could press his forehead against mine. “I’m not mad, I. . .I just have a bad feeling about this. But you’re right, we can’t do nothing. We sent Gideon to gain information, it’s up to us to get him out. Whether Airell is there or not. We can’t put this off any longer. Another battle is on the horizon.”

And I might have chosen the battlefield.