Chapter 4

Ravensmere Keep, Realm of Calderre

C elina hated these types of meetings the most. The ones where all of her personas were present, merged into one. Who was she supposed to be at a moment like this? Healer, offering needed comfort and support? Matriarch, concerned for the well-being of someone she was responsible for? Sister, terrified of the news about to be shared about her beloved brother?

Her eyes settled on her younger sister, seated across from her. Stress marred her delicate face with worried lines. Was Cat about to lose another family member? The brother who had helped raise her, taught her to ride, to spar with a blade, to laugh through the hurt?

Swallowing hard, Celina tried to shut down the brewing panic.

Everyone safe. Everyone together. She’d been fighting for those two things since the day their mother had died nearly twenty years ago, when she’d become head of the family at the tender age of eight. The same day she’d discovered, by force of trauma, her healing magic.

Her younger sister sat still and regal, but an unmistakable fire flickered in her eyes, detectible only to those who knew her well. She was calm and collected, except for where her hands gripped the edge of the sofa. Watching Catriona prepare for presumably bad news made her proud of the girl she had raised.

Though she hated the idea of Cat leaving the protective bubble of their home, she knew she’d made the right decision recently in giving her approval to allow Cat to enter the fierce competition to rule their realm. As a female of royal blood who possessed magic, she was eligible to compete for the throne when the current queen’s reign ended. Her sister was passionate about making her mark in the world in a way that terrified Celina.

Cat’s eyes flicked to hers, questioning, at the weight of her stare. Strawberry hair the same shade as their mother’s fell in waves around her face, a few strands of gold gleaming rebelliously in the soft light burning in the room.

Of the three of them, Cat was visually the closest to their parents. The image of their mother, albeit gentler and softer, with a regal grace that was all her own. The gold flecked brown eyes and intelligence of their father. If only they could see her now, on the precipice of changing the world.

Being queen was not her destiny, but it very well might be Cat’s. Somehow, Celina had to come to terms with her sister’s goals and desires. Most importantly, she needed to ensure that her entire family was alive and well when that day came.

Celina tried to smile reassuringly, but her lips barely moved. Not convincing in the least.

What’s going on? Do you know something? Catriona spoke into her mind, using her mental magic to hold the connection steady so that Celina could not only hear her mental voice but could respond.

I really hope not. She directed her words into the channel Cat had opened between them. Her sister’s magic was so strong that the words flew easily away from Celina’s mind, as if pulled toward a beacon.

But you suspect something. Come on, Cela, I know you’ve been avoiding me lately! The messenger they sent ahead was wearing an official uniform. It’s something big.

The observation made her insides tremble with trepidation, refusing to acknowledge what was likely about to happen. We’ll find out soon enough.

To think that less than an hour ago she’d been enjoying a blessed reprieve from the ever-present worry. Commanding presence drawing her to him . Strong arms wrapped around her, sheltering her as they swayed in the shadowed courtyard. Dark green eyes holding her captive as the world stilled around them. Was it a dream? She tried to hold on to that feeling now, let it fill and strengthen her heart for what she feared was coming.

Finally, Commander Varice entered the room, his hurried steps ringing loud. The sight of his full uniform made Celina blanch, the knowledge that this was an official visit hitting home hard. Cat was right. A full uniform this late at night was a bad sign. The tension ratcheting up in the room sucked up most of the oxygen.

“Matriarch Blackwood, I’m afraid I have some unfortunate news to share with you and your family tonight.” Commander Varice spoke directly to Celina as the head of the family. Her last hope sank fast and hard.

Cat’s hands bunched into fists where they gripped the sofa edge. Healer, matriarch, leader. She couldn’t be the sister right now. Couldn’t lose it until they were done with this official meeting. She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply to make sure she could hold her composure, before nodding at him to continue.

“As you know, Warrior Connor Blackwood is a member of our elite warrior division. For the past several years, he has been assigned to Team Onyx, one of our Lightning Force teams.” He turned to address Cat, who wasn’t privy to as much sensitive information. “These elite teams do our most dangerous work, often in foreign realms. Utmost secrecy is a natural consequence of that. What I can share with you is that Team Onyx was sent out this summer on a classified mission.

“Long periods of communication silence are expected with this kind of work, but we have procedures in place for the teams to check in, relay information, so we’re aware of the mission status. After Team Onyx failed to check in, we sent a second team to investigate and offer assistance if needed. That team successfully made contact with Team Onyx in the field and will soon be returning with the remaining members of the team.”

“Remaining members…” Celina repeated, shocked.

“Wait, where’s Alison—Commander Mekray?” Cat asked. “Shouldn’t she be here telling us this?”

“Commander Mekray left with haste to join the returning team and escort them home. She was devastated to learn what had happened, and didn’t want them returning alone. Otherwise, she would be here with you, especially given her closeness with your family…” Varice trailed off when his statement turned too personal at reference to Connor being Alison’s soul-son.

Celina closed her eyes again, trying to keep the heat of tears at bay. Unable to face burying one of the two family members she had left.

The commander bowed his head slightly. “I’m sorry to have to inform you that Warrior Blackwood was not among the members of the team who were found alive.”

“You’re certain? You have proof that he was…” Celina couldn’t finish the sentence, couldn’t voice the word.

“He was killed on the mission, yes. I’m so sorry.”

“What about his body?” Celina asked.

He hesitated, glancing toward Catriona before continuing. “There was enough evidence to suggest that the remains were destroyed during the altercation that compromised the team’s original mission.”

A well-worded statement that told her absolutely nothing useful about what had occurred.

“So, there’s still a chance he’s alive.” Catriona pounced on the sliver of possibility his words left open.

“No, there’s not.” The sharp finality of the commander’s words rang harshly as it invaded every corner of the silent room.

Dread, pain, and fear filled Celina’s chest, stealing her oxygen. She swallowed, trying desperately to control the emotions tearing through her, but failed.

I don’t believe him. Cat sat frozen; her gaze glued to the commander. Studying him like he was a puzzle to be taken apart piece by piece until all his secrets were revealed.

Cat, I don’t want to believe him either, but— Even her mental voice broke, the thought of her brother’s death nearly crippling.

You’re not listening. He’s hiding something, Cela. Her sister’s eyes flicked to hers in a narrowed challenge before turning back to the commander, taking on an icy glaze of coldness.

Leave it until we’re alone. Celina’s magic tugged within her, keeping the flame of hope from dying.

“I’m sorry, but he’s gone.” The commander gave her a look of sympathy, but his words were harshly adamant. “Warrior Blackwood was lost in combat. He was an exemplary warrior, one of our best. He’ll be honored as befitting the esteemed officer he was.”

Celina needed to end the conversation before Cat decided to pounce on her suspicions. “Commander Varice, thank you for coming in person. We’re devastated by the news. I’m sure you understand our desire to be alone.”

“Yes, of course. Again, I’m so sorry for your loss.” The commander rose and bowed slightly to her. “Stay with your family, I’ll see myself out.”

The commander hastened out of the room without a backward glance. Distress mixed with the sorrow in Celina’s gut, churning it into a storm as the news began to resonate.

“Cela—”

“Not here, come on.” Celina grabbed her sister’s hand and headed through the halls to her suite of rooms, where they were assured absolute privacy.

Celina closed and locked both the outer door to her suite and the inner door to her bedroom. Cat settled onto the large bed, back against the giant yellow pillows, tugging one of the smaller white pillows in front of her to hold in her lap. Celina smiled slightly at the sight, remembering when Cat was little and would sneak up in the middle of the night and climb into bed with her, stealing all the pillows by the time the sun rose.

Sometimes, she had a hard time reconciling the wild little spitfire she’d raised with the accomplished young woman sitting before her.

“Connor can’t be dead, Cela. Commander Varice didn’t outright lie, but he didn’t tell the whole truth either. The only thing he said that rang true was that Alison was devastated and went to escort the rest of Connor’s team home. Which I believe.”

Cat’s ability to detect lies wasn’t foolproof. It was all about nuance and interpretation. But she knew the seriousness of her accusation and wouldn’t make it lightly.

“You’re certain he was lying?”

Cat tipped her head to the side. “Well… I’d classify it as not telling the whole truth. Nothing rang as a total lie… nor as a total truth. I wonder if that’s why Alison rode out so quickly. Maybe there is something else going on.”

It was possible. But if true, it meant Alison would be of no help anytime soon. The team would be interviewed, launching a formal investigation. Everything would come to a screeching halt while they slowly and methodically analyzed the incident.

If only Cass were here. Celina sighed and rubbed at the throbbing pain in her temple, unsure of what to do.

“Can you tell if he’s still alive using your magic? Mine can barely reach across town, let alone across the realm or further.”

Celina considered the question. “I don’t know. I’ve never tried to assess someone’s lifeforce at such a distance.”

“You always knew when I was sick before I did, even when I was away from home.”

Cat had a valid point.

There was a good possibility she wouldn’t be able to reach him at all if he was too far away. Did it matter that he was family? Did their bond as siblings make the connection stronger?

What if it works, and he’s really gone? Nausea swamped her as sweat beaded on her skin, making her cognizant of the warm room. What if he’s really dead?

She shook off the doubt, refusing to give in to that particular fear. Trying would only solidify the truth, not change it. One thing common to all magic was instinct, and hers was screaming at her.

“Let me try it.”

Taking a deep breath to center herself, Celina slowly sank into her magic. The shimmering gold sphere in her core was bright and strong, flickering with a life of its own. She dipped inside it, pictured herself twirling the golden light around her in a slow dance until it wrapped around her completely.

Skills build upon each other. Althea’s voice rang in her head from years of training. Add complexity slowly.

She did just that, opening her magic vision and reaching out. She opened a channel, as if about to connect to someone, but left it open on the other end. The next part was tricky. She summoned thoughts of her brother and tried to recreate the sense of him as if he were in the room with her. Tall and strong, with a lean build that didn’t mark him immediately as a warrior. Their father’s thick blond hair falling in loose waves to his shoulders. Bright, infectious smile on his face.

Suddenly, a faint white light flickered.

She dove toward it, just missing it before it disappeared.

Again and again, the same thing happened.

Eventually she stopped, dropping backward onto the bed beside her sister in frustration.

“I think he may be too far away for me to reach. That, or his lifeforce isn’t strong enough for me to latch on to,” she admitted, explaining what was occurring when she tried to make the connection.

Cat stood on her knees to hover over Celina. She placed her hands on either side of Celina’s face, looking directly into her eyes with a focused intensity.

“Listen to me. You can do this. You have to do this. There’s no other choice, so you’ll do it, and it will work. Connor is alive. You know it as well as I do, and only one of us is a truth seeker. So try again. Or we may lose him forever.”

Her passion hit Celina hard, rousing her very soul to believe the impossible.

“Okay.” Celina took a deep breath. She could do this. Had to do this. She nodded and met her sister’s serious gaze. “Let’s do this.”

The familial bond that connected them together was built on emotion and experience, not blood or legality. They called her type of magic spirit magic for a reason.

This time, she reached deep inside herself when she pictured her brother, trying to feel him emotionally instead of just see him. Buoyant laughter as he tossed a tiny Cat in the air. Intense focus as he spun through a martial routine in the training hall. Deep voice rumbling softly as he spoke to his favorite horse. Love and pride shining in his green eyes as he congratulated Celina on receiving her Healer title from the guild.

The light flickered, but this time, she waited. Instead of diving for it right away in desperation, she just watched it patiently, letting it grow, as she stayed focused on their connection. To her surprise, each flicker was slightly brighter, stronger, until the light stabilized, and a fine golden thread appeared. So fine she could barely see it—a pinprick of light in the darkness.

Gently, she touched it, sending a pulse of magic down the strand. A flair of white glimmered briefly before going out, lasting barely as long as a heartbeat.

But it was enough. Enough for her to sense that it was an actual lifeforce on the other end of the thread. Connor’s lifeforce.

“He’s alive. Cat! He’s alive!” She opened her eyes in time to see Cat’s stunned expression shift to one of elation.

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