Chapter 16 Velra
~Velra~
“This is so pretty.”
I startled, so caught up in what I’d been doing that I hadn’t even felt the approach.
“Hey, Ketheron,” I greeted as he joined me on the opposite side of the bench, which there were many of on the warded grounds of Haven Initiative.
His attention immediately went to the little sculpture I’d created with my frost.
It was a castle with magnificent turrets and all, even a drawbridge. I mean, it was barely a foot tall, but I’d managed to get in the intricate details, even the stonework.
“Cassius told me you’ve been working on this sort of thing. Sylas mentioned you made upsetting forms with your shadows, because you were sad and pained. But now, look at this. It seems happy and hopeful.”
I chuckled, his bluntness actually so endearing.
“Is this your special place?” he asked.
“I guess it’s kind of my ideal home. A castle seems so extravagant, right? Kind of silly. Like fairytales.”
“No. They exist in real life. I’ve seen them in my books.
And Cassius says we’ll visit those places someday, along with all the rest we planned.
” He ran his fingers very carefully over the drawbridge.
“Will you move here with Cassius, Lazriel, and Sylas soon? Can I visit? I’m not sure where I’ll live without Cassius, or if I’ll even be allowed to—”
“You won’t be left behind, Ketheron.”
He arched an eyebrow. “But… won’t you marry them and want your… own space? Isn’t that how it works?”
“How it works is different for every unit. It doesn’t need to be this way or that. It can be whatever we like. And you’re Cassius’ family. Loving him, that makes you my family too. Lazriel and Sylas will see it the same way as well.”
His eyes brightened. “Wow. I would very much like that—to live in a castle like this one.”
I smiled. “Then we’d best make it happen, right?”
He beamed out at me, then focused his attention on the sculpture. “I can build this.”
“What? You can?”
“It’s Applied Cognition. An amalgamation of eidetic learning and praxis integration.
I don’t just memorize blueprints, architectural and engineering details, theory, practicalities, and schematics; I ingest them.
I don’t just retain the knowledge, I can apply it and execute it perfectly.
So, with that being the case, along with a dash of magic and, yes, brute strength, I could most definitely bring this to life for us. ”
“Once this is all over, I’ll take you up on that. Thank you, Ketheron. That’s so sweet of you.”
“I can’t wait.” He tapped his fingers on the bench. “I wish I could help. With Puritas. But they want me kept out of it.”
“They?”
“Cassius tells me it’s for my own safety.
And for him, I know that’s true. He cares about me.
But he thinks I don’t know the other part to it, the part he doesn’t want to tell me for fear that it will upset me.
The Guardian Movement and the Unity Council—the entire supernatural world, really—fear me and displays of my power.
Because of what I was made to do before.
Decimating the Unity Council building, causing chaos and destruction and pain.
They’re afraid that if I was brought into this battle now, it would happen again.
And even with those who believe I could do that in a controlled way, the rest of the supernatural world would just see the indomitable displays of power, and it would unsettle them. ”
“Those are optics and political pressures. Not the reality that you live, that we see, or that in any way denote who you actually are.” I clasped his hand gently.
“If you like, I can keep you informed about what’s going on.
Would that help? Or would it make it worse, knowing you can’t actively participate? At least, right now, anyway.”
“Being informed cannot hurt. Misinformation or lack of it is where the danger always lies. Much like those who hunt us. Their thinking is warped and misinformed. And that breeds radicalization, especially when power is added to the dangerous mix.”
Beyond his abilities and his incredible knowledge base, he was a survivor of deep-rooted trauma, somebody now persevering through a journey to become more than what was done to him, to actually live a life of hope, joy, love, and fun.
And, with that, I could relate so much.
Honestly, the boys could too. In their own distinct ways, because of what had been done to each of them.
I let go of his hand and shifted on the bench, lowering my voice and telling him, “So, here’s the deal so far.
Those two sets of enemies that were threats to Lazriel because of their loyalty to the deceased Jason Strickland, have been taken care of by Cassius and me.
And the Guardian Movement. We incapacitated them with authorization, and then the Guardian Movement arrested them.
They’re being processed as we speak. But there was a member of one of the gangs who wasn’t there when we arrived.
His name is Jesse Harmon. He had a personal connection to Lazriel, as we discovered through our research—a member of Lazriel’s pack and his first male crush.
He was enamored with a recruitment gathering that came to the town he’d been living in with his gang and he’s since formed a smaller Puritas cell.
So we’re trying to track him down. It won’t just rid us of all of those enemies connected to Strickland finally, but also give us an in to lower-level Puritas cells and, hopefully, even these recruitment gatherings. ”
“Hmm… this personal connection is dangerous.” He grimaced. “Lazriel is such a kind and pure soul. How anyone could hold hatred for him is beyond me. You also, with your maniacal brother.”
“It’s a good thing you and me can’t understand it. We don’t want to be on that wavelength.”
“You will find Harmon and this despicable cell of his.” He stared forlornly at my castle sculpture.
“And what of the Guardian Movement’s mission to root out Puritas as a whole?
Where does that currently stand?” He winced and gestured around as Blackline Protocol hummed in the background, a constant reminder of the stakes of it all.
I went to speak, but a burst of white light pulled me up short, and then a hand landed on my shoulder with a familiar touch.
Ketheron raised his gaze, and I turned my head to see Cassius standing there behind me.
“I see you are having a rather informative discussion,” he spoke with clear weight, as he eyed me, then looked between me and Ketheron.
I flashed my eyes at him. “A discussion that is helping Ketheron to feel better about being benched.”
Cassius flinched. “Benched? I wouldn’t refer to it that way. He is not… I mean… the intent is not to….” He blew out a breath. “I suppose it is coming across in that manner.”
“So, we can discuss it more?” Ketheron asked.
“Yes. Not right now, however. The children are getting out of their morning classes. I’ve just finished mine. Ariana will be done with hers within moments also. They will be all over these grounds for recess, playing. I don’t want them frightened.”
“We’ll talk about it at dinner tonight, then. Back at your place,” I suggested.
“Very good.”
Ketheron nodded, then he brightened and said, “After recess and lunch we have Magical Art Therapy.” He looked at me and explained.
“It’s where Ariana teaches the children shadow weaving—it’s her magic making expression in the air with her silver power.
But you would be a great addition with your frost sculptures and your actual shadow magic.
You should be a part of it.” He eyed Cassius. “Yes?”
“I agree that would be beneficial. To both the children and you, Velra. It is your choice, of course.” He gestured at my messenger bag on the grass to the left of the bench.
“So long as you have completed your studies and assignments that I had your Wraeven Academy professors send your way via magical mail.” He settled onto the bench right beside me and wrapped his arm around me.
“And, my darling, Ariana informed me today that the Guardian Movement has just completed erecting an Underveil Shield on Maven Academy and Wraeven is next in line. So it won’t be long now before the Academy is protected at a much higher level, meaning all hybrids can return without fear of being targeted by Puritas while on the grounds. ”
An Underveil Shield was a concept developed and implemented by Kai Hunter and my friend, Nyx Laryn. It could sense power type and repel that which it sensed, no matter what it was, even if it was almighty Celestial power. And it could be erected from beneath the earth too, inside other wards.
With the way things were now, Puritas being out there, me and Sylas dying, Lazriel in the wind, Sylas’ magic now bound… it seemed like such a faraway thing. And it hadn’t even been that long since we’d been away from Wraeven Academy. But it certainly felt like it.
“You are not happy about that?” Cassius asked. He was likely trying to ascertain my feelings on the matter through our Soul Brand too. But he wouldn’t have been able to pick up on anything, because I wasn’t really sure myself.
“I don’t know,” I answered, honestly. “I mean, being kept away because of those bastards obviously makes me sick to my stomach, but returning now… it’s a strange thought, I guess.”
“With all that is happening?”
“Yeah, pretty much.”
“You cannot stop your life due to an overarching threat,” Ketheron spoke. “Do not let them steal your joy, your purpose, or any such things. Taking gives them power. They do not deserve that. And you don’t deserve to fall victim to them either—in any way.”
As I smiled out at Ketheron and tried to take his words in, my phone buzzed in the pocket of my hoodie—well, Lazriel’s forest-green hoodie. I pulled it out and opened a text.
Sylas: All is well still. Made progress with the Dark Fae mind-meddling antidote. Sent along to Kai, being worked on by him and the group now. Miss you. Yeah, even Cassius.
I looked up at Cassius. “It’s Sylas. He says he’s well and that he misses us.”
Ketheron frowned and I saw his gaze go to the clock over on one of the building towers in the distance.
“The same times each day. Just as I thought. I didn’t have all the data, as I am not with you at all times when one of his messages comes in.
But with this last one just now, there is enough data to form a strong conclusion. ”
“What do you mean?” Cassius asked him.
“Sylas is scheduling his text messages. He sends them four times a day, yes? Spaced out with four hours exactly in between each?”
I rapidly scrolled through the messages he’d sent over the last few days. “Oh my God,” I breathed, as I saw that Ketheron was right on.
I guess I’d just been so relieved that Sylas had stuck to our agreement to keep in constant contact while he was at his log cabin waiting on Charles to make contact, that I hadn’t even questioned it any deeper.
I’d just been happy that he hadn’t retreated into himself, or any sort of depression in his current magically-powerless state.
“Hades,” Cassius uttered, his hold tightening around me. “I will go there. See to him.”
“That will interfere with him being able to meet with his contact. The whole reason he went there in the first place.”
“If that was even the reason he went there.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You think he was lying?”
“With Sylas, I would say he was likely embellishing the truth.”
My phone buzzed, jolting me, especially with the topic of conversation at hand.
I started, a gasp even escaping me.
Because there, as I looked down at my phone, I saw Lazriel’s name.
He’d sent a text.
I heard Cassius’ chime a moment later.
He frowned and pulled his out as well. “Lazriel is making contact,” he breathed in surprise and awe.
“Yes,” Ketheron said. “The wolf hybrid is returning, I hope. It has already been too long.”
From Lazriel’s brief stay with him and Cassius while I’d been unconscious in Aetheric Wing at the Guardian Compound, Ketheron had taken a liking to Lazriel. He’d enjoyed him being there.
I took a breath, then opened the message.
Lazriel: Long time, cuties. Missing you like crazy.
Keep this on the DL, yeah? I’m coming up for air from the underground for a little while.
Headed to Sylas at his cabin—yeah, The Shadowed knows a lot of shit, even where he is and all that.
My dad might be a little pissed, but I’m not going back underground without seeing you, Wraithqueen, and you, Immortal Hunk.
Gonna be a surprise for Sylas first. Don’t tell him I’m coming…
want to make sure he’s really doing all right, no chance of him covering anything up before I go knocking down his door, Also, Cas?
Mind adding a way for me to get through your ward.
Dad says you’ve erected a killer one and blood magic might be the only way for me to get through it?
I’ll be there in a few hours. Oh… this message will self-destruct in ten seconds.
Haha, just fucking with you. And, damn, do I want to be doing that literally. Fuck me… hardcore. XOXO. See you soon.
I stilled for a few moments, stunned into inaction.
And then I was typing back rapidly.
Velra: We’ve missed you SO much, sweets! I can’t believe it!
Lazriel: Right back at you. I’m so sorry.
Velra: I know why you had to leave. We all do. It’s okay. Did you get what you needed?
He’d certainly gotten something as his use of dad had made clear already. That was huge for him.
Lazriel: Not as much as I wanted, but it’s still in progress. Fill you in when I see you soon. Promise, love.
Cassius: It’s good to see your messages and that you are the same as ever.
Lazriel: Close enough, Cas.
Cassius frowned over at me, then typed back.
Cassius: What has happened, wild one?
Lazriel: A whole lot of mind fucks. But I’m ace at rolling with those so it’s all good.
Velra: You swear it?
Lazriel: Yeah, I’m good. I heard you are doing well, staying with Cas and Keth. Tell him I said hi. Hopefully, he’ll be there when I come over later.
I smiled out at Ketheron. “Lazriel misses you too.”
He grinned.
Lazriel: Anyway, gotta go now. Dad says I have to crush this phone for security now I made contact. See you soon. XOXO.
I sucked in a breath and looked out at Cassius, squeezing his arm. “Lazriel is coming back.”
“Yes. And at the perfect time, given this concerning Sylas development we have just discovered.”
Even that was an understatement.
But with Lazriel’s messages, it all now felt a lot lighter.
That ache that had permeated my whole being since he’d been gone abated finally.
I sank into Cassius.
Lazriel was coming home.
And this time he’d remain.
Right where he belonged.
With us.