Chapter 11 Vidar #2
“And what can it do?” I ask as calmly as possible, even as my muscles tighten.
She glances towards Grey, who only sips his tea in answer. “There’s a spell which can turn any mage, willing or not, into a blood mage.”
“Fucking hell,” I grind out. “That explains how Emma made her little army, because they weren’t all blood mages.”
Astra offers a stiff nod. “Much as I and others disagreed, Emma and our brother created a plan. Sebastian, as our Sovereign, was the only one who could use the First Tome. But I couldn’t allow this…this madness to happen!” Her fist slams onto the arm of the chair, the first crack in her armour.
“They wanted to turn mages,” Grey says.
“People who didn’t even know what they were!” Astra replies, apparently outraged. “People living as normal humans. It was appalling.”
“Suddenly you have morals?” I mock. “How do you make your spellbooks again?”
“Mine was passed down!” Astra snaps before finding her calm. “I had to do something to stop my siblings. So, with my eldest children, we fought Sebastian and his supporters, and I managed to land a killing blow.”
I expect to see pride, but the words seem to age her.
“Yet somehow in the chaos, Sebastian managed to give that wretched Tome to Emma in a locked box. But, much to her own surprise, Sebastian used his dying breath to order it given to his son,” she says, disdain thick.
“A son I didn't even know existed. And, in my darling brother’s crazed wisdom, he decided was his ‘true heir.’”
“What I don’t understand,” Grey muses, eating another chocolate biscuit, “is why not give it to Emma? She was his sister, after all. Why this supposed heir?”
Huffing out a frustrated breath, Astra stands, turning her back to glare out the window. “The First Tome corrupts your thoughts and desires; in his mind, only this estranged boy could take his place.”
I move forward before I can even think and grab her forearm, twisting her to face me. “Corrupt? What do you mean?” I demand, and fight to swallow back my fear for Kai. I won’t show my hand in front of Astra, or even Grey.
Astra tugs out of my hold. “Exactly as I said. The thing was made from incredible, mind-altering pain. But willing pain from an ancient creature. What creature is lost to history. The First Tome is powerful, but that much terrible power sinks into a mage’s mind and twists.
Towards the end, Sebastian was a raving lunatic.
” She drops her chin, sighing. “We never got on well. But I didn’t want to see him reduced to… that.”
“How long?” I snarl.
“How long?” She repeats, and I don’t miss the way Grey perks up.
“Until your brother lost his mind.”
“Sebastian started turning after a month,” Astra answers.
Ice pierces my heart. Kai’s had the First Tome for close to three weeks.
“Emma has the book,” Astra continues. “I managed to hunt down one of the men—boys, really—who escaped the warehouse burning down, Mickey something. He said Jace threw it to her before he died. But I’ve had no luck locating her.”
My fists clench. “What if she gives it away willingly? Would her mind be saved?”
In a very canine gesture, Grey’s head tilts to the side.
Astra slumps back into the chair, exhausted. “After this long with the Tome affecting Emma’s magic, I wouldn’t risk it. Keeping her alive is too dangerous.”
Kai can’t hand the book over to Astra. I have more trust in a rabid dog than in Astra not attempting to kill him. But now I’m left with a week to find Emma before Kai becomes corrupted.
“And with Emma gone, it helps to keep your place as the blood mage leader,” Grey points out.
“I won’t deny that,” Astra snaps, finding some iron in her spine. “The blood mages have made enough enemies. If we don’t strive for change, we’ll all die.”
“How sad,” I scoff.
“My children,” Astra bites out every word, “do not deserve to carry the sins of their ancestors, rightly or wrongly. It’s time for peace.”
“Keep your squabbles to yourself. I don’t care about them. But I already owe Emma a debt,” I growl. “I’ll find her.”
Astra breathes a sigh of relief.
“And why are you involved in this, pup?”
Grey crosses his ankles, picking up his teacup. “The other mage Sovereigns refuse to help, which was no surprise. So Astra came to me.”
“You expect me to believe you’ll do anything out of the goodness of your heart?”
Grey smiles behind his drink, steam swirling up. “I can be very accommodating when the right motivation presents itself.”
My hard stare goes to Astra.
“I see no point in hiding our deal, Grey,” she replies coolly. “I’ve forfeited our claim to the Northern part of the forest and surrounding towns to him. Grey has promised an introduction between the other wolf packs. I was not lying when I said I wanted peace.”
My lip curls in disgust. “And you’ll stay away from my family.”
Astra bows her head. “Of course.”
“And you, pup.”
Grey holds up his hand, as if he’s an innocent bystander, all while smirking wickedly.
“Do not involve me in any more of your little dick politics.”
Grey places a mocking palm over his chest. “I would never, Vidar.”
“I know you don’t trust me, Vidar Haraldsson,” Astra begins, “but thank you.”
Ignoring the Blood Mage Sovereign, and with our business wrapped up for now, I race out of the forest house with such speed I’m a blur, even to the werewolves. Leaving behind the scent of ozone and rot.
I might not have protected Kai’s feelings, but I will keep him safe from this fate.
***
When I arrive home, I find a blue Mini Cooper parked near the tall wrought-iron gates.
Why is Kai here?
Rushing inside, I soon find him with Ramy and Golden in the kitchen.
“Kai,” I breathe.
He looks up. “Hey.”
“What are you doing here?” I regret the words the moment they leave my mouth. “Of course you're welcome, always. What I mean is—”
He stops me with a hand.
“Listen, I’ve decided to forgive you for being a dick. After you apologise to me, that is.” He raises an expectant eyebrow.
Half an hour ago, I called the most powerful werewolf in Britain a pup and was ready to kill a mage Sovereign. Yet Kai, who barely reaches my shoulders, has me lost for words.
“I’m sorry,” I blurt, moving closer but still giving him space, though my every cell yearns to touch him. “You’d think with as many years behind me, I’d learned to think before speaking and yet here I am, a complete fool.”
“And rude,” Ramy adds.
“A fuck-face, too,” Golden supplies.
“Yes, those too. Thank you,” I drawl.
“Any time,” Golden snickers.
Kai’s lips quirk up.
“I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m sorry for every single tear.
” With each word, I inch closer, yet keep my hands fisted at my sides.
How would it feel to really touch Kai? Know without doubt how soft his skin is and indulge the soulmate bond even in the smallest way?
“I’m sorry for making you doubt yourself.
Demand anything of me, little prince. If it earns your forgiveness, I’ll do it gladly. ”
Behind him, Golden and Ramy exchange a look. Golden mouthing ‘little prince?’.
Kai’s jade-green gaze takes me in, searching for something when I would give him everything.
Anything. Past wanting a woman for a soulmate, I never had other expectations.
But for this fierce, protective, talented, smart, loving boy to be connected to me?
He makes me believe in the gods again, and I vow to each one to spare him any further pain.
Even if I am the pain.
“The only thing I ‘demand’ is for you to stop being a dickhead,” Kai finally answers.
“Difficult,” I reply, smiling.
Kai shakes his head, but playfully pokes my chest. “Well, try. I was putting myself in your shoes, how it’d fuck with my head if my soulmate turned out to be a woman. I’m pretty certain I’d be a lot nicer about it, but it’d be a lot to take in. Also, who needs more enemies? So…”
“So…?” I lean closer, his scent calming my straining lungs.
“Let’s be… ” Kai swallows, “friends?”
From behind us, Golden gives a little snort.
“Your best friend,” I demand.
Laughter tumbles from Kai, his eyes rolling.
“What, no way!” Golden calls. “I’m his best friend.”
Kai grins. “Sorry, Vidar. I guess that place is taken.”
“And I’m his second,” Ramy cocks his head and shoots me a sharp smile, “for the record.”
For all the world, I couldn’t pull my gaze from Kai’s pretty eyes, light with laughter. ‘Yes,’ I think, ‘this is how you should always be.’
I close the last step of distance and lean into his ear. “Remember this, little prince. I’m a conqueror, and I plan to have both those spots as mine.”
“Whoa,” Golden mumbles. “Sexy.”
Sucking in a deep breath, Kai pulls himself away and levels me with a glare. “If you wanna be my friend, none of…well, none of that fuckery. It messes with my head, alright?”
I grunt.
“Oh, and I gotta tell you,” he says as he rights himself. “Emma visited me.”
Rage burns away any calm. “What the hell happened?”