Chapter Eight
I groan as I land even though my magic lets me down gently.
I feel like my whole body is bruised. Like I’ve completed a really, really good workout and it’s the day after.
As soon as I’ve managed to raise my head I immediately seek out my men.
The Soulmate Bond between us is strong and immovable, a reassuring and unbreakable link between us.
I know that if I checked our Soulmate Bond tattoos would no longer be faded but vibrant like they should be.
I’m slightly surprised that when I find them all not only were they knocked down by the blast like me and apparently everyone else that was here but they still look completely human as they slowly stand.
“Don’t worry, it worked. It might just take a few hours for their once dormant supernatural sides to make an appearance. I’d normally say that it will take a few days but I have a feeling that’s not going to be the case with your men.” Nicole explains.
I struggle to my knees as everyone does the same.
“Sage Darling are you ok?” Levi asks via our bond, it comes through as clear as if he’d spoken aloud, further proof that the ritual was done right.
“I’m fine. Wobbly and feel like I’ve run a damn marathon!” I groan out loud.
“Me too. I’m willing to army crawl to you at this point Beautiful!” Kai says along the bond making me chuckle.
“Race you brother!” Jax challenges out loud.
“Seriously you two?” Hunt chuckles.
“You sure you’re ok, Titch?” Maverick says his voice sounding amused even over the bond link.
“I’m good. How’re Erin and the guys?” I ask over the Bond, already searching for them. “Shit!” I say out loud. “Why aren’t they getting up? Did something go wrong?”
I stumble to feet my body still not cooperating.
“Careful Beautiful!” Kai calls worriedly.
It’s too late though as soon as I get my feet underneath me and take a few steps towards Erin, I feel the now familiar tug of a vision as blackness overtakes me and drags me into a vision.
This feels different somehow though. I crumple to the ground and see all of the guys find the strength to rush towards me, just before they get to me though my magic wraps itself around me stopping any of them from reaching me.
The last thing I see before the vision takes me completely is Erin and her guys being lifted and cocooned in strands of my magic.
******
“Hello Daughter.” The same otherworldly voice that I have heard on a few occasions now greets me.
I slowly turn towards the sound. Recognising that we are in the same foreign landscape that I’ve seen before in a vision but this time its not war torn and bloody.
It is truly breath-taking in its beauty and I’m unable to truly grasp the differences too impatient to see the woman behind the voice.
Although I have a good idea of who the voice belongs to I am completely unprepared for the woman, no goddess, that stands before me when my eyes finally land on her.
The same beautiful woman from my vision with the swords.
Her silver streaked navy blue hair is left lose and long down her back. Her beautiful amber coloured skin contrasting with her leather amour. She somehow manages to look feminine and beautiful, yet strong and completely badass at the same time.
I can tell you now that judging from the whole vampire blood drenching me scenario I will never be able to achieve what she has.
“Come and walk with me?” She asks as if there is any chance that I would say no.
“Yes of course!” I stutter as I walk swiftly towards her.
We walk in silence for a few moments and whilst I have a thousand questions spinning through my mind I force myself to stay silent and patient. Not one of my strongest qualities but when faced with a mother freaking goddess you’d be amazed at what you can do.
She chuckles quietly next to me, the sound like wind chimes. I turn to look at her curiously wondering what has amused her, whilst I still desperately try to hold my tongue.
“Go ahead and ask Daughter, I did not bring you here for a stroll. However I must say I am enjoying the moment of peace!” She tells me softly.
“Thank you. Who are you?” I ask deciding to start with the easiest question first.
“I am the goddess Nyx.” She says calmly.
It rings familiar but my brain can’t cope with anything other than the fact that she just confirmed that she is a goddess. It’s one thing to assume she is but a completely different thing to have it confirmed.
“Why am I here?” I ask, as it seems like the next most important question.
Why on earth or wherever the hell we currently are, would a goddess want to talk to me?
“You sell yourself short Daughter,” Nyx starts.
My eyes widen with the realisation that she can hear my thoughts. Before I can ask her anything about it though she carries on talking.
“Yes Sage I can hear your thoughts,” she chuckles, “I’m sorry but we don’t have much time.
I’m sure your parents have already told you that you are the first child born from a Soulmate Bonded group in centuries.
I have a very special task for you because of this.
In order for you to understand your task I need to explain to you a small part of our history.
” She says turning to look at me and I nod in understanding.
“After the war which you got a small glimpse of earlier, all of the Soulmate Bonded groups went into hiding and many are still in hiding today closed off from society. Because of this many of the Soulmate Bonded that were born to human families or even some supernatural families didn’t know the significance of what they were or even that there was anything different about them. ”
“The order very quickly developed a way of locating these vulnerable Soulmate Bonded and over the years have been able to do it earlier and earlier. Now taking them as children and hiding them in one of the realms. Your step mom and Brent’s father actually started out as human employees of the Order but went rouge when they decided to kidnap you.
They somehow managed to use the Order’s own technology on them preventing the Order from finding them. ”
Holy fuck.
“The amount of Soulmate Bonded groups hasn’t actually decreased at all, they’ve just all been taken by the Order. Somehow they are managing to locate not only Centre’s but they’re potential Bonded mates as well.”
Worry creases her brow as she looks over to me and stops turning to face me.
“They are building an army Sage.” She says solemnly and my stomach fills with dread.
“There is a small silver lining though. Unless killed Centre’s and their mates have very long lives and it’s not easy to kill them.
One of the first Soulmate Bonded groups that they kidnapped had just a basic understanding of what they were and their Centre’s gift was premonitions.
I am unable to interfere as the Fates have denied it but I am able to send him visions and information which he then passes onto the rest of them and teaches them the right way. ”
“You need to find them and free them Sage. The order is stronger than it ever was and it will take all of us united to take out the threat that they pose for once and for all.”
“You, your men and your most trusted allies will lead them all into battle!” She pauses seeing my horror struck and no doubt panicking face and smiles softly reaching out to gently cup my cheek.
“Eventually Daughter, far into the future and after you’ve got plenty of experience and are more than ready.
For now your task is to free the kidnapped Centre’s and Bonded.
I fear the ones that went into hiding are lost forever, too afraid and too damaged to try to resurface again.
I have hope though.” She loses herself in thought her face troubled.
“Be careful of who you befriend Daughter. Not all of them can be trusted. Don’t fear though, I have given you gifts that will appear when you need them most. Some of these gifts will be obvious that they are from me and others might be a bit harder to understand.
I am a goddess after all can’t make it too easy for you!
” She winks startling a laugh out of me.
“How am I going to know who I can trust?” I ask frowning.
“I can’t tell you that Daughter. I’m sorry, I can tell you that Erin and her men will become your greatest supporters, protectors and of course friends on this journey.”
“But they’re only human!” I say worriedly. I don’t want to include them in what is looking like it’s going to be an intense and dangerous journey.
“In time you’ll see, Daughter. If you need me say my name with intent behind it and I’ll hear you. I can’t promise that I will always be allowed to help you but I will do the best I can.”
Her eyes stare into the distance and she chuckles at something only she can see. My mind is spinning with all the information she’s just given me but I strangely I feel like this is exactly where I’m supposed to be right now.
Even if it scares the ever loving shit out of me.
“It’s time to go back now. Your men are getting restless. That might be a slight understatement, they’re about to lose their shit. My men are the same!” She chuckles and I can’t help but join in. “I will send a sign when it’s time for you start to look for the Centre’s but for now study hard.”
She’s a weird mix between ethereal and otherworldly goddess full of wisdom and insight and then she throws in a few curse words and a joke making her seem far more relatable.
“Wait I have so many more questions!” I say urgently as what she’s said registers.
“I know but I’ve told you all I can for now. Your path will not be easy but you are more than strong enough for everything that’s going to be thrown into your path. You all are. Goodbye for now Daughter!” She says softly leaning forward and placing a gentle kiss on my forehead.
The tugging feeling that bought me here starts to build again and before I know it I’m being pulled back towards my boys.
******