Unleashed Witch (The Primordial Queen #3)

3. Elzora

3

ELZORA

“ W hat meeting?” I whisper, looking at Necos with wide eyes.

“Theran wants to see you,” Necos says softly. He snaps his finger, and I feel the time slow down around us as he moves closer to me. The others seem to fade from my vision, but I know they’re still there, still operating outside of the time bubble that we’re in.

“That’s normal, right?” I ask, examining the rigidness in Necos’s frame. “Why are you unhappy about this?”

“Because Theran hasn’t made any efforts to return to his law office, despite us no longer residing in the university.”

“Okay, but it’s been only two days…”

“And yet, he’s had a meeting with an acquaintance of mine and has decided to reside at Whisperfelt for the next few months at the very least.”

The knot in my tummy tightens, my hands trembling. “Oh.”

We’re not going to be there for the next few months… so, why is he staying?

“Eirik and I think there’s some other ulterior motives, and we’re not feeling very confident in his dedication to you.”

Goosebumps cover my arms, and a coldness seeps into me. “Okay. Another person off the trust list. That’s okay.”

He’s always made me feel quite uncomfortable, so it’s not that big of a loss.

“I’m sorry, Elzora.” Necos’s voice softens. I don’t react, and he waits a beat before moving on. “Theran’s likely going to use this visit just to check in. The primary goal will be discerning what your magicael type is and also making sure that the visit with the doctor occurs soon.”

“And how do we handle that?” I shiver, wrapping my arms around my waist, curling up on myself. Necos reaches over, gently placing his hand on my knee, and now I shiver for another reason entirely.

“We continue to lie. We reiterate that we don’t know your magicael type yet, and we stall.”

“The stalling game is not going to last for very long.” I meet his eyes, grimacing. “I’m eventually going to be outed. How long can we keep this up?”

“I know you’re scared, but you’ve got to remember that we’ve been at this for a long time. Our leader has been at this for as long as you’ve been alive. No matter what happens, we’ll be ready.”

But will I?

He squeezes my knee ever so gently. “You will be. We won’t allow for anything else. I wish I could convince you, but I can hear the panic in your thoughts and know it’s futile.”

I feel pathetic. I bite my lip, unable to meet his eyes. “I’m sorry.”

He tugs me up from the sofa, and my legs tremble at the touch. He stands so close to me, completely towering above my head, and I have to tilt my head back to meet his eyes.

“Don’t ever apologise for being yourself,” he murmurs, lowering his head down. “I’m in awe of your bravery, of your ability to keep going, even when terrified. You’re one of the strongest people I know, Elzora, and you’re?—”

He jumps away from me as time seems to once again speed up. It’s strange, the way I can just sense the difference, but I can’t bring myself to look away from him either. His gaze is heated, and I can feel the regret that’s burning in his chest, echoed in my own.

I wish I understood where his regret has come from. Regret for the near moment we shared… or, hope blooms inside me thinking this, is he feeling this way because we were interrupted?

“I told you I could break his shitty time barrier,” Vexus says with a grin.

“You literally needed my help and Jasper’s help,” Ryes says, frowning at my soul witch. “We share credit around here.”

“No, we don’t,” Mael says with a laugh. “I’d rather behead any of you fuckers before sharing my credit.”

“Like their actual heads or their cocks?” Vexus asks, peering over at the fire witch. “Because I’m not into men. Just Zoe.”

Necos’s nostrils flare, and there’s a heat in his gaze that I don’t understand.

“You were saying?” I reach for Necos’s mind, my pulse racing. There’s an electric energy in the air, but it seems to only be affecting Necos and I.

“Fuck me dead,” Etrix mutters, shaking his head. “Zoe, please don’t ever leave me alone with these people again.”

“You’re just jealous we like Vex more than we like you,” Zohar says with a smirk.

“Just that you don’t need apologise.”

I frown. “It felt like you had more to say.”

“I don’t like any of you,” Jasper says with a shrug. “I think that means I’m winning.”

“I think that makes you the biggest loser, in all honesty,” Ciar says, and there’s a thoughtful edge to it. “It also makes you the least liked around here.”

Necos looks away from me, breaking our mental connection, and the pang of hurt that hits my heart is one I refuse to acknowledge.

“Now, I know we’ve got a meeting with Mr Downey soon,” I say, cutting off the bickering. “But, um, I blew up my wardrobe yesterday… and most of my clothes.”

“You’re such a girl,” Ryes teases.

“I’ll let my aunt know and see if she can get you some items ordered,” Etrix offers. “You’ll likely be needing some workout clothing and such as well.”

“It won’t help her right now, though,” Eirik says. “Do you have anything left at the dorms?”

“My uniform, maybe a few bits.”

“Then we’ll go over and get it,” Ryes says with a smile. “Plenty of time before the appointment.”

Necos and Eirik exchange looks, and I frown as I hear the silent words from Eirik.

“They can’t come?” I demand.

“You’re not letting us come?” Ryes echoes at the exact same time.

And for the second time that day, the room dissolves into an argument. I don’t panic this time, I don’t even try to interject, because honestly… I want them there with me.

I feel better when surrounded by my men.

It’s that simple.

“Well, you heard her boys, we’re coming,” Mael says, beaming at me. “Thanks, Ellie baby, I feel a lot better now.”

“I hate this,” Vexus whines, dropping back down into his seat now that he no longer needs to help Ryes rile the others up. “I never get to go anywhere fun with you guys.”

“Don’t worry,” Ryes offers, patting his arm. “I’ll bring you back a souvenir.”

That friendship is one that’s going to be dangerous for this group.

“We’re not all going to be able to go,” Necos says with a shake of his head. “Annoyingly, I’ve got a meeting that will keep me from this.”

“Does Mr Downey know that?” Eirik asks, and Necos nods. “Fair enough, then.”

“He’s already had my account of the situation, but I have no doubt he’ll want to speak to me again after the doctor review.”

“Well, I’m glad the two of you are his favourite men to suck off and all, but—” Mael starts.

“Language,” Jasper snaps, cutting off the fire witch with a dirty look. “Let’s not talk about that kind of filth in front of Zoe.”

I wasn’t too bothered by the… rude comments, but I can’t help but beam at Jasper’s cuteness. He’s being protective and sweet.

“Oh, my goodness, I could cry,” Ciar says with such a dry tone that there’s immediate chuckles from some of the others. “The little earth witch has sensitive ears and needs to protect them.”

“I was being respectful to my mate,” Jasper hisses, and his eyes flash green for a brief second as he clenches his fists.

“I appreciated it,” I say softly. I look at Eirik. “Can we all go?”

He sighs. “If they must. I don’t think Mr Downey is expecting us all.”

“All the better to surprise the mystical prick,” Ryes says with such glee that it completely relaxes me.

“Well, Etrix, we’re not going with our little friends here,” Vexus says with a heavy sigh. “We’re being called in.”

“For what?” Eirik demands.

“Will you be safe?” I ask, and my question is a whole lot softer.

“Of course, we’ll be safe,” Etrix promises. “We’re just likely going to have to give an update on you, princess.”

“It feels so weird that so many people want to know about me.” I rub at my arms, and Ciar reaches for me. He tugs me down onto the sofa between him and Etrix, and I notice how they both adjust the way they’re sitting so they’re closer to me.

“That’s the price you’ve got to pay for being so special, Ellie baby.” Mael winks at me, when I shudder. “Don’t worry, I’ll burn out the eyeballs of anyone who looks at you for too long.”

“What time limit are you putting on it?” Ryes asks.

“Personally, any look her way is one that lasted too long,” Etrix says.

“I’m actually concerned about your psych results.” The horrified look on Jasper’s face makes me giggle, and he rolls his eyes at me. “You’re lucky that we’re not all mentally fucked, sunflower, so that when you do get coronated, you’ve got men that will be allowed to talk to the people.”

“Oh, my gosh,” I gasp, clutching at my chest. “Can you imagine?”

Necos, Eirik, Jasper, Zohar, and maybe Etrix would be perfectly fine to talk to the public, or the media, or anyone really. Mostly.

But Ryes? Ciar? Mael? I love them more than life, but there’s not a chance they’d be… diplomatic.

“Well, that was hurtful,” Mael says with a smirk.

“I was a maybe ?” Etrix says, nudging me playfully. “I’m a prince just as much as he is.”

I mean, technically you’re a bastard…

“Eirik!” I admonish, and he just laughs at me.

“At least you were included,” Vexus mutters with a pretty pout. “I thought we had a special connection, little love.”

I grimace. “I didn’t forget you, I just… I’m sorry. I wasn’t… stop pouting !”

The pout is far too distracting, and it makes me want to cave. I was just trying to be protective. It’s hard to imagine a future where we’re not vulnerable.

Vex leans in towards me, practically laying across the coffee table, and flutters his eyelashes. The whimper that I hear surely didn’t come from me, right?

“You’re too cute, mo sholas ,” Ciar says. “But he’s not.” Without a single word, a cloud of black smoke erupts from Ciar’s left hand, and Vexus is blasted off the table.

“Ciar!” I jump to my feet, despite Etrix’s attempt to hold me in place, but Vex just laughs and takes the offered hand up from Ryes.

“Okay, well, I don’t think I should come to this meeting,” Jasper interjects, raising his hand. “He doesn’t know about me, right?”

“As far as I’m aware, no,” Necos says. “He doesn’t know about me or Vex either.”

“Well, damn,” Etrix says, with a sigh. “I had hoped you might be useful, Jasper.”

Jasper rolls his eyes. “Trust me, light witch, the only reason you’re useful is because you’re Etonik’s favourite target.”

“Enough,” Eirik says firmly. “Jasper, it’ll be good to have you here. Zoe’s witchmea has still not come back since yesterday’s events.”

I flinch, not even having thought of my little dragon for even a second. I feel awful.

“It’s safe,” Mael promises.

“He really is,” Jasper echoes, and I narrow my eyes, thinking of how he gendered my dragon. Is my little witchmea a boy? “He’ll be back today, I have no doubt.”

“I feel so guilty.”

“Don’t,” Etrix says, reaching for my hand and tugging me back down into the seat between him and Ciar. “You’ve had more important things to worry about.”

“Typical rich boy, not valuing life,” Ciar taunts, and I’m not sure if they’re aware that I can hear their mental conversation or not.

“Typical dark witch, eradicating it for fun.”

“That’s enough now,” Zohar interjects. “Zoe’s getting anxious, so we’re leaving. We’re running short on time, anyway.”

“We really are,” Eirik adds. “Necos, keep me up to date.”

“And you, me,” Necos says, before looking over to me. “You’ll be okay, Elzora, and I’ll see you once you’re back.”

“Well, I won’t be leaving without a kiss,” Vex demands, and I feel the air shift before I’m in his lap, straddling him.

“What the fuck?” Mael demands. “How the fuck can he do shit like that?”

“Power is so much fun,” Vexus taunts before beaming at me. “You blush so prettily.”

My cheeks heat even further, and I burrow my head into his neck when the others start to laugh. Vex trails his fingers up and down my spine, and I relax into his touch as the others start to disappear.

I can still feel Etrix and Ciar, but the others are giving us some privacy. That makes me feel more weird than them watching, I think.

“Don’t feel weird, little love,” Vex whispers, tilting my head up by my chin. I meet his blue eyes, and they’re sparkling so bright and prettily. “You’re beautiful.”

“That’s not why I was nervous.” My whisper is even quieter than his.

He grins. “I know, but trust me—nobody cares. I can hear their thoughts, too, and not one of them is judging you.”

“Like Ryes or different?” I lean back a little.

He tilts his head, his brows drawing together as he thinks about it. It’s so cute, I have to hold in my ‘aw’.

“Different. I’m not overwhelmed by it. It’s almost like… I can choose.”

“That’s how it feels for me, too!” I say, clapping my hands. “Like if I want to, I can just hear it.”

He nods. “Yes, I agree. It’s easier with some people, and sometimes it’s more intrusive with the ones I’m closest to?—”

“Yes!” I beam at him. “You guys kind of just invade.”

He smirks at me. “Trust me, I love that.”

“Okay, hurry up and kiss,” Etrix says, and I can hear the humour in his voice.

“Leave her alone. She’s happy,” Ciar snaps, and Etrix curses under his breath.

“Ignore them,” Vex says, cupping my cheek. “I’m so excited to explore our shared powers together, little love.”

“Me, too.”

I don’t know who leans into who, but a second later, our lips connect, and I feel literal sparks between us as he cradles me to his chest, wanting as much contact as possible. The thread between us grows with intensity, and there’s a stirring inside me.

Vexus pulls back, and I frown, leaning back towards him.

“Zoe, love, I need you to take a deep breath,” he says calmly. “Can you do that?”

I blink rapidly, obeying his command, not sure why I feel so disoriented. My hands are gold, my arms, too. I don’t understand. I just want to be close to Vexus, to deepen our kiss, to deepen our connection.

“Whoa,” Ciar whispers.

“Vex, send her to me,” Etrix says, sounding just as calm as Vexus does.

They’re not fooling anyone, though, because I can feel their combined panic. I feel empty at the thought of Vexus putting distance between us, my soul physically hurting .

Between blinks, I’m moved from Vexus’s lap to Etrix’s, and I have no idea how they managed it, but there’s a sharp feeling inside me, as if my magicae is revolting .

It’s so strange, but it’s like my mind snaps back into focus, and I gasp, spinning around to look at Vexus. His eyes are wide, likely full of fear, and he’s hunched over.

“I’m so sorry.” Tears fill my eyes, and I’m horrified at what I’ve done. “I wasn’t… I wouldn’t have hurt you.”

“I know you wouldn’t,” he says with a shaky smile.

“Stop crying, princess,” Etrix commands, running his hands up and down my side. Ciar reaches over to squeeze my hands. “He’s not scared of you, he’s aroused. He’s hiding his tiny… self from you.”

I gasp once more, peering at Vexus more intently, before flushing when the cheeky soul witch winks at me.

“Your magicae is unleashed now,” Vexus says. “That’s all. I’ll see you later to finish this conversation about our shared powers, since I’m being summoned.”

“Fuck, me, too,” Etrix mutters. He presses a kiss to my neck, and I shiver, butterflies raging war in my tummy. I’m deposited into Ciar’s lap next as Vexus and Etrix disappear from the room.

“Well, that was fun to watch,” Ciar teases, nuzzling his face into my neck.

There’s an almost painful feeling as the distance between Etrix, Necos, and myself grows, and the lack of bond towards Vexus is extremely unsettling.

“It happened a little bit with you earlier,” I mumble, pressing my hands to my cheeks. They’re burning.

“Stop being so shy.” Ciar’s tone is teasing as he cuddles me in close. “But that’s extremely sweet. Your magicae is clearly feeling a little possessive.”

“Nothing new there, then.” Eirik’s voice is amused, but I just groan rather than being surprised at his entrance. His shoes make a clicking sound against the floor as he walks, so I heard him coming.

“Where are the others?” Ciar asks.

Eirik grimaces at me. “Zohar is at the dorms, and Jasper has gone down to the greenhouse. Ryes and Mael have been called away, so are in their rooms getting ready.”

“Called away?”

“And you’ve got an assignment of your own, Ciar,” Eirik adds.

I blow out a breath of air, the anxiety inside of me growing. I don’t like that we’re being separated, and I have a terrible feeling about what’s coming.

“I’m sorry, love, I truly am,” Eirik says, coming around to the sofa. “I truly tried to request another unit.”

“I’ll just refuse to go,” Ciar says firmly. “My anima nexum comes first, as you well know.”

“Of course, Zoe comes first.” Eirik’s gaze narrows, and I shiver at the heated look in his eyes. “However, if we raise suspicion within the High Order by refusing to go on cases, it’s going to be harder for us to do our jobs.”

Ciar sneers. “I don’t give a fuck about this job.”

“I don’t think that’s what he means,” I interject, placing my hand on Ciar’s forearm. Eirik smiles at me. “You suspect the High Order, right?”

He nods. “If Etrix… no, ignore the if. Etrix and his rebels are suspicious of the High Order, and whilst I don’t fully understand it?—”

“We need to play the game and keep our relationship with them as perfect as it has been.” Ciar’s frowning, but I can feel the intrigue he has, and I know that he feels better about the decision now.

“I understand.”

Eirik’s body seems to sag a little in relief. “Good. Zohar and I can take you, and we’ll hopefully have everyone back here once we’re done.”

“Fingers crossed,” I say softly. I lean up and press a gentle kiss to Ciar’s jaw. “Be safe.”

The redness from my dream coats my vision for a brief moment, and I can feel the morbid thoughts try to take over.

Ciar reaches out and trails his knuckles down the side of my face. “You don’t need to worry. I’d never let anyone take you from me.”

“It’s you I’m worried about.”

“I’ll always come home to you.”

I nod and take Eirik’s offered hand up. I could draw out these goodbyes for hours and still not be any further ready to leave them behind.

Eirik’s portal opens to the dorms, and I say goodbye mentally to Mael and Ryes. Zohar has laid my uniform out for me on my bed, and I take the fastest shower I’ve ever had before getting dressed in it.

I know I could’ve used a spell to feel clean, but my chest feels like it’s getting tighter with each breath I take, and I know I need to keep myself under control.

How I’m meant to do that, though, when Necos’s words keep floating through my mind about why we shouldn’t trust Mr Downey, I’ll never know.

There’s a flash of gold in the mirror, and I turn to see my grandma standing there. I’m startled to see her wearing a blue dress, but that’s the only thing that’s changed. Her shoulder- length brown hair looks like it’s been professionally curled, and it frames her face in such a pretty way.

The darkness of her eyelashes shows she’s wearing make-up—a concept I still haven’t wrapped my head around—and even her brows seem as if they’ve been done.

I hope when I die and haunt people as a ghost, I can at least get rid of my glasses.

“You’ve become the witch that I absolutely knew you’d be.” The pride in her voice makes me tear up.

“I’ve not even done anything yet,” I protest.

She grins. “You don’t see what you’ve done, not really, but trust me, Ellie—every move you make links to another, and you’re making a difference, even now.”

“I’m terrified.”

“And yet, I see you’re pulling up your pants and getting on with it anyway.”

“I know you can’t tell me much… but we’re worried about Mr Downey.”

Her face doesn’t change, not even a twitch or anything. “I can’t talk about the future, but what I will tell you is that Theran’s a very special man.”

“Special.”

She narrows her eyes. “I know when you’re being cheeky, Ellie, and that was rude.”

I can’t help but smile at the admonishment in her tone, and she returns it. “I’ve missed you, grandma.”

“I know you have, my love. In regards to Theran, I wish I could give you the reassurance that you need. But I can’t. He was my biggest support when I was alive, one of the biggest ties I had to Mitagus.”

“But?” I wrap my arms around myself as I hear footsteps approaching my room.

“But… he’s a fox, and sometimes foxes forget which henhouse they’re protecting.” I shiver, and she winks at me. “Well, I always used to call him a silver fox, but I suppose my metaphor still works.”

I burst into giggles as Eirik and Zohar walk through my bedroom.

“Which ghostly figure are we being accompanied by today?” Zohar asks, raising his brows.

“Based on that laughter, I’m going to guess it’s Maggie,” Eirik says, looking over at the bed with a smile. “Morning, Mags.”

My grandma beams. “They’re good men, Ellie.”

“I know.”

“Trust in your bonds. They’d never betray you.”

I take Zohar’s hand in mine, lacing our fingers together, meeting his blue eyes. I miss the departure of my grandma because Zohar’s smile is too distracting.

“Come on, then, love birds, we’ve got a meeting to get to,” Eirik says with a smile.

“Just so you know, my grandma has a warning for us.”

Both men sigh.

Of course, she does.

I giggle, more out of nervousness than anything else. “She said that Mr Downey is a fox.”

“A silver fox?” Zohar’s brows draw together. “That’s, um?—”

“No. Her full phrase was ‘he’s a fox, and sometimes foxes forget which henhouse they’re protecting’.” I squeeze his hand before letting go to smooth down my skirt. “She’s not saying he can’t be trusted…”

“But that the likelihood is at some point, he’ll betray us.” Eirik’s expression is stony, and I know that I’ve likely just delivered the killing blow in our relationship with Mr Downey.

I don’t feel too guilty for that.