Revolution (Risen Series Bk2)

Unedited

"Magic comes from within us, but it's connected to everything around us too. From nature, water, the earth, fire, the very air we breathe," Una lectured slowly. "You need to learn to constantly be aware of that thrum of energy so you can tap into it. Only after you can sense it at all times will you truly be able to wield it."

I sighed, trying to do as she said but there was no thrum of energy that I could feel, no buzz of magic like I felt when my hands lit up like fairy lights. Frustrated, I zoned out the drone of her voice.

We were in one of the small sitting rooms that we had mostly to ourselves, a fire burning in the massive fireplace. Una was attempting a quick first lesson before the meeting was called with Atanas, his generals and the visiting Principes but I was finding her attitude hard to bear. She stood tall with her hands folded behind her back, cat-like green eyes looking down at me. She was good at making me feel inferior and she definitely didn't have the friendliness of Zena.

"How do you know my magic is anything like yours? I'm not a witch, nor am I Ailill. Who says my magic comes from the same place yours does?" I inquired, stretching my legs out in front of me.

I got a little satisfaction from the irritation that flared in her eyes. Her lips thinned in impatience, her aura darkening. "It doesn't matter if you're a witch, an elf, a vampire, laoch or even one of the Gods themselves. All magic comes from the same source. That's why spells, good or bad, all require something from nature. It requires balance. Black magic is frowned upon because it threatens that balance, it causes chaos. Blood magic is so powerful because it's from a living being with a power of its own."

I nodded to show that I really was paying attention and trying to learn and she relaxed a little. Still, I couldn't sense anything out of the ordinary. It took the strong presence of someone elses magic to draw mine out. A protective instinct, Una had said, like a defense mechanism. My magic had been locked away and kept dormant for so long, it only appeared when my subconscious decided I was in danger. Whether my magic had been buried deep inside me simply because I was never taught it was there, or because of trauma I endured, or because someone had purposefully hidden it from me in my childhood was a question yet to be answered.

I knew Zena and Una knew more about it than they were telling. The words unlocked had been used to much when talking about it, I was beginning to believe someone had indeed hidden it. But why and how? My fingers drummed along the table, my face scrunching in thought. Had my parents somehow hidden it from me? Did they know what I was?

A faint memory flickered through my thoughts; my mother and father arguing in hushed whispers in our cottage. They'd been angry when they realised I was awake and listening but I hadn't been able to make out what they'd said.

"Try and remember how you felt when it first showed itself. Recreate that feeling, let it fill you," Una said loudly, making me jump back to attention.

Pushing my unanswered question out of my thoughts, I did as she asked. I closed my eyes, letting out a slow, steady breath. The first time I'd felt the presence of something other in me had been in Airell's dungeons when he'd almost killed Anna. I tried to grasp the fear I'd felt, the overwhelming panic, the burning anger that had caused something to snap inside me. I pictured Anna's terror filled gaze, the way Airell had torn into her throat and the scent of copper had filled the air, the pain that throbbed through my own body from exhaustion.

Nothing.

"You're not trying hard enough."

I growled, glaring up at Una who shook her head at me as I bore angry fangs at her impatience. "I am."

"Then try harder," she demanded. "You need to be able to keep yourself and others safe from whats to come. You can't do that if you aren't even willing to take these lessons seriously."

"I am taking them seriously. Maybe you're just a shit teacher," I snapped, shoving myself to my feet.

I'd had enough of this. Even though all I'd done was sit and try to tap into some source of power in me, I felt physically and mentally drained. I was in no mood to be pushed, lectured and scolded. Instead of annoyance, it was a flicker of fear I saw in Una's emerald eyes. This powerful witch was worried about something, and that made me uneasy.

"I am trying, Una. Really," I repeated softly, deflating.

She gave me a strained smile before sighing heavily. "I know you are. We will try again tomorrow, we need to get to the meeting."

The thought of having to sit and listen to high and mighty vampires debate and argue over what to do only had more energy draining. My limbs felt weighted down, my head felt heavy and all I wanted to do was lie down. I rubbed my face, the warmth coming from the fire only urging me to curl up and sleep.

"The way you're feeling right now, like you've run a marathon, that's how I know you've been trying. It'll pass. Trying to use magic is like training a new muscle. It'll wear you down for a while but in the end, it'll become easier, you'll get stronger as the muscle builds," Una explained, walking around the table to pat my shoulder. "You need to feed as well. You're looking pale."

I gave her a look at her teasing tone. It wasn't possible for me to be any paler than I was, but she was right, I needed to feed. Giving myself a shake, I frowned. "I didn't manage to conjure my magic at all. Nothing happened."

Una shrugged and we began to walk side by side down the hall and towards the stairs. My body was so exhausted, it felt like I was wading through water. The last of my patience would be wasted on this meeting.

"You may not have managed to conjure it but you must have exercised it to some extent or you wouldn't be feeling the effects. When your magic showed itself before, it was because of adrenaline, an instinctual reaction; calling it forth without that extra energy is going to be more difficult," she said.

I nodded but it wasn't of much comfort. I wanted to be able to use it now, to learn how to wield it as a weapon so that no enemy would get the better of me. As a fighter, I could hold my own, but no vampire could do anything to stop an attack of magic. It would give me an edge.

When we got to the top of the stairs, Kincaid was stood by the door to the meeting room. His expression was tense as he whispered something I couldn't catch to my mate. Atanas looked grim, his features tense even as he caught sight of me. Something twisted in my gut, telling me that our time of somewhat peace was over. Was whatever they were talking about what Una was afraid of? Had she seen something in the future?

"What's wrong?" I murmured, keeping my voice low so those inside the meeting room wouldn't hear.

"Seth and those he came with have disappeared," Atanas growled, his eyes swirling a stormy sea blue. "Traitors."

I wished I could have told him that news had shocked me but I'd expected nothing less from that snake. I doubted he was loyal to anyone but himself. Una muttered harshly under her breathe, the air around her fizzling with anger. "I should have put up wards to stop him leaving."

"I have no doubt that he came to see what we could offer him and decided it wasn't enough. I had guards keeping an eye on him and his friends but they managed to give them the slip," Kincaid growled. "They were meant to follow anyone who left to see if they ran to Airell."

I could tell he felt he was to blame for them getting away but Seth wasn't stupid. Giving Kincaid a small smile, I reached out to awkwardly squeeze his arm. He stiffened and grunted his version of a thanks.

"I'm sure he would have known we had eyes on everyone. If he's gone to Airell, he'll have made sure we couldn't follow. This wasn't anyone's fault," I comforted, but my words were empty.

Atanas was deep in thought. I could practically see the wheels turning in his head. Leaving him to it, I turned my attention back to Kincaid. Seth might have been our only lead to finding Airell.

"Did anyone else leave?" I asked Kincaid, leaving my mate to his thoughts.

He nodded, his jaw clenching slightly. "A few leaders of small territories left, none of any great consequence or loss. Mostly those who remained neutral in the past and we can't blame them for not wanting any part in this. Any losses to their clans would be great, they don't have the numbers. If pressed, I believe most would cave and pledge to Atanas."

That was a slight relief in the grand scheme of things. If those that stayed were those that were loyal, then that gave us the numbers over any vampires Airell could muster. Yet even with the Principes on our side, it didn't mean all those they ruled over would agree with their decision. Induvidual vampires could still rally to Airell's side. Hopefully we could rely on the younger vampires following in their makers' footsteps.

"We need to get someone on the inside. We need to know who Airell has managed to persuade to join him, what he plans to do and when," Atanas spoke up, stroking his cheek in thought. "Of we can have someone spread word they want to join him, he might make an appearance."

"That's like sending someone to the gallows and thing the noose yourself," I muttered harshly.

Atanas gave me a stern look but I kept his gaze. I wouldn't agree with sending someone out on their own. Una sensed the mounting tension and coughed.

"I will find Zena and see if we can try a spell to track Seth down. We've had no luck tracking Airell but it wouldn't surprise me if he's got a witch shielding him. I didn't sense magic around Seth though," she offered, straightening up. "Make sure everyone in that room pledges themselves to you, Atanas. I have the feeling we're going to need them."

I watched Una walk away with a pit forming in my stomach. Grabbing Atanas's arm before he could head back to the meeting, I tugged him close. He frowned down at me, his hand cupping my cheek. I knew he could feel the fear winding through me.

"There isn't really going to be a war is there?" I whispered desperately.

The smile he gave me was strained as he shook his head gently. "Not if we can help it, but it might mean making sacrifices and taking risks, and letting others take risks."

I knew that meant he was sticking to his plan but I nodded, my fingers twining with his. Kincaid waited for us by the door, looking as tense as I felt.

The moment we entered the meeting room, we were bombarded by questions from the Principes gathered around the table. I tried to shake off the barrage to my senses.

"Is it true? Airell is building an army? Someone even said he's looking for Leyla!" a grey haired male called out, his expression thunderous.

His question made the room explode with shouting again, vampires arguing amongst themselves while a few watched quietly. I spotted Thierry and Elaine to one corner, hands on swords, eyes watching every twitch and breath taken by the vampires in this room.

No wonder there was so much unease, nobody trusted anybody else in the room. Looking around the rest, each Princeps had someone armed in their company.

"Leyla is a myth!" William shouted across the table, banging their fist on the surface. "Let's deal with realities and not stories told to scare young vampires."

I stood next to my mate, watching him close his eyes for a moment before a thunderous growl tore from his chest and silenced the room. Slowly, angry leaders fell back into their seats even though tension still hung heavy in the room. The sickly scent of fear made it hard to breathe.

"We don't know if it's true but I can promise you, Braedan, Leyla is no myth," Atanas boomed, his eyes meeting the gaze of every vampire until they submitted to his power. "I searched for her, my maker, for centuries with no luck so I do not believe Airell will succeed either."

Nadia leaned forward, running fingers through brown hair. "If he does find her, he'll have the most powerful being on earth by his side."

"One of the most powerful beings," Thierry mumbled thoughtfully, looking over at me.

I stiffened as gazes shifted to me, accusing and curious eyes raking over me. My hand slid unconsciously to the hilt if the dagger on my hip.

"Is it true then, our Queen is one of the Moontouched, the cursed?" Braedan asked.

I flinched at the word cursed. My confidence plummeted, my breath catching in my throat so I had to force my words out. "That's not what we're here to discuss."

"There's myths about your kind where I'm from. Myths that say you're too dangerous to be kept alive. Did you ever think there's a reason Leyla ran? Someone that powerful, running scared. You never stopped to ask what something so strong has to be scared of?" Braedan sniffed, hazel eyes considering me.

Ice filled my veins.

"Enough," Atanas snapped. "This isn't a discussion we're going to have. If you wish to stay a member of this council and remain in my good side you will keep your fear mongering to yourself."

Braedan didn't look like he wanted to back down, his eyes still focussed on me but he said no more.

Atanas took a deep breath, leaning into the table. "Airell won't have time to find Leyla. We will deal with him before he gets the chance. You may have noticed a few missing amongst our ranks. Seth has left us and we are tracking him down to see if he leads us to Airell. We want to get someone into his circle to keep tabs on his plans. I don't ask this lightly, I'm aware of the danger, but we can not allow Airell to get ahead of us."

Braedan's words were still circling around my head but I forced myself to focus. His words were meant to scare me, that was all. I watched as everyone eyed each other. Of course nobody wanted to volunteer for Atanas' plan and just as I thought nobody would, Gideon stepped forward from his spot by the far wall.

He coughed, everyone's attention falling to him.

"I'll go," he announced. "I'd be useful. I can gather more information than anyone else that you send."

I wanted to say no, to refuse to let him go. Gideon had become a friend over the last few weeks and he'd been helping Anna find any magic that still resided in her.

"He's right, a mind reader would be an asset on the inside," William agreed.

The Principes talked amongst their own people for a moment and I could feel Atanas' eyes boring a hole into the side of my face. I wanted to scream no.

"As a sign of good faith, I will send one of my warriors with him," Nadia added, standing. "If anything happens, Erik will get him safely home again."

"This is a dangerous game to play. Airell isn't stupid, if he catches on that Gideon and Erik aren't loyal, he'll show no mercy. He'll send us back their heads," I argued, gripping the back of the chair so tightly that the wood began to creak.

Atanas gripped my hand until I relaxed, his voice grave. "Anything we do is going to be dangerous, Libertas Mea. Everyone is going to have to play a part. This is the best way. If we can find out even some of our enemies plans, it will keep us a few steps ahead of any attack."

My gaze flicked to those watching us and I knew better than to argue with him in front of them. Biting my tongue and keeping my worries to myself, I bowed my head. He squeezed my hand before turning back to address the room.

"Gideon and Erik will go and report what they find. We'll have other stationed as close to where Airell has made his base as possible so if things do go wrong, they won't have far to run," he ordered, his gaze meeting mine.

He knew I was going to let him know my thoughts in the matter later. I was annoyed he'd not further discussed it with me first but I'd been the one to tell him I'd no mind for planning and politics. I looked away, gritting my teeth. I may not have experience in things like this, but I knew Airell, I knew how he worked. This wasn't the way to do it, we were sending both men to their deaths.