Chapter 27
Lock
Sam and I shifted together and headed into the woods. I couldn’t catch Seraphim’s scent, but it was clear she was following some trail unknown to me. Suddenly, she was ripped away from me and I was ready to lose complete control, but she materialized in a branch with Seraphim.
I joined them, wrapping an arm around her waist and glaring at him. “Don’t do that again,” I warned.
“I told you to take her away from here.”
“That’s not what she wanted to do.”
“You’re supposed to talk sense into her, not let her gallivant around the forest when there’s a… God damnit, Lock.”
“I’m big on equality. Now, tell me what we’re out here for.”
“We’re all about to die. That’s all that matters.”
“Hm. I don’t accept that. Sam, can you conceal our scent?”
“It won’t work. Her magic is basically a beacon.”
Rubbing my jaw, I contemplated doing what he’d originally said, but Sam would only fight me the entire time. She wanted to protect him. Had to, really. It was innate, built into their blood.
With a sigh, I shrugged. “All we can do is face it head-on.”
“You’re a fucking idiot,” Seraphim muttered.
Ignoring him, I took the sides of Sam’s neck and pulled her into a kiss. Her taste, her scent, the very feeling of her skin on mine was more intense than ever. I knew it was just my body trying to memorize it with the threat of death looming so close.
“It won’t beat us,” I murmured against her lips. “Not with all of us here.”
She nodded, swallowing hard. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come out here. Now you’re in danger.”
“I’d never be anywhere else, Samara. If we die, we do it together, remember?”
“If you burn, I burn.”
“Good girl.”
“If you two are done being dramatic,” Seraphim interrupted.
I looked up just as a sound came from below us. A hooded figure was standing fifty feet away on the ground. Their head tilted back, so they were staring directly at us. I couldn’t see their face, but their gaze felt heavy, like a physical thing, and sent a shiver down my spine. That was a new feeling. I was always the most nightmarish creature in a room.
“Little flame.”
Jesus. The voice was soft, but sounded like it uttered the words directly into my ear. It was deep enough that I assumed it was man, but there was a buttery smooth, almost ethereal quality it possessed.
“Forgive me,” he went on, cocking his head like a bird. Clearly, the guy was a fan of mine, since he was stealing my whole persona. “I’m not sure what’s going on up there, but I’d really rather not join you in the tree.”
“Stay here,” Seraphim said under his breath.
I tightened my grip on Sam, for once not feeling like arguing with him. He dropped to the ground lithely and strode over to the mysterious newcomer. Seraphim was massive, easily five inches taller than me, and now that they were beside each other, I could see that they were nearly the same height. The man’s frame was smaller, more lean from what I could make out in his dark jacket. At least he didn’t have horns sticking out of his hood.
When he reached out, Sam stiffened. His hand landed on Seraphim’s shoulder, then he laughed lightly, the sound just as smooth and melodic as his voice. Seraphim let out a breath and returned the gesture.
“I’m glad it’s you,” he said.
“You shouldn’t be if I’m seeing things correctly.”
Seraphim’s shoulders slumped. “Let’s go somewhere and talk.”
“Do not attempt to deceive me.”
He almost sounded offended, and I just felt more confused. There wasn’t nearly as much animosity between these two as I would have liked, considering they were no doubt the enemy.
“Come down,” the stranger called, not taking his eyes away from the man in front of him.
“We’re quite comfy,” I returned.
“I would not think the legendary Hemlock would be such a coward.”
My eyebrows shot up. “You know who I am. I’d say I’m flattered, but it only means you have an advantage that I do not.”
“I will tell you my name if you comply.”
Sam tugged at my arm, but I pushed her back. “Stay.”
“The girl will come too.”
When I didn’t move, he let out a frustrated breath. A shout erupted from a little further in the woods, then there were the sounds of a struggle. A head of dark hair appeared from around a tree and Sam let out a choked sob.
Ryan tried to get to his feet, but he was being dragged closer by something I couldn’t see. Great. Now there were invisible beings for us to contend with.
“I believe this is yours,” the man drawled.
When Ryan was released, he tried to get up, but the man put a hand on his shoulder, his fingers curling tightly over it and holding him in place.
Before I could protest, Sam jumped from the branch. She rushed over to Ryan, dropping to her knees and pulling him into her chest.
“See?” the man said. “It’s much easier when you’re agreeable. Your… Hm. Is this your mate?”
“That’s none of your concern.”
“Intriguing. She must be quite special indeed to possess such energy and claim a mate.”
“What do you want?” Sam demanded, tugging Ryan a little further back. “Why’d you kidnap him?”
“He was lurking in the trees. I assume he was supposed to be a lookout, but he’s pathetically weak.”
She looked up at me with narrowed eyes. Busted.
“I thought you’d appreciate friendly faces when I called in backup,” I explained.
“I told you not to.”
“It’s inconsequential right now, darling.”
I joined them in the grass, standing in front of Samara where she was still kneeling on the ground. The man reached up to drop his hood, revealing an angular face that was younger than I expected. He couldn’t have been more than Sam’s age when he was changed.
His cheekbones were incredibly sharp and his eyes were hazel, dominated more by brown than green. Curling brown hair brushed the middle of his forehead and the tops of his ears. It was impossible to tell how long he’d been alive, but his demeanor and faded accent told me he’d been around for a while.
“I am Vasile,” he said, dipping his head slightly. “You are Hemlock. Perhaps you’ll introduce me to your mate.”
“That doesn’t sound like something I want to do, but you’re more than welcome to speak with me.”
“You know, being around mates is rarely enjoyable. They’re always so gallant and distrustful.”
“You can’t blame me, considering you have a desire to do harm to her.”
“You’re right.”
I bristled, spreading my feet a little further apart in an attempt to block Sam more. She shifted behind me, then appeared at my side.
“Don’t,” she said before I could argue. “Ryan, get to the cabin.”
“No,” he replied. “I’m not leaving you with those two.”
“Now, Ryan, or I’ll send you there in a tornado.”
With a muttered curse, he disappeared.
“Can you do that?” I asked.
“Anything is possible.”
Slipping my hand into hers, I met Vasile’s eyes. “What happens now?”
“Perhaps a duel will commence,” he mused. Even when he was joking, there was a monotonous tone to his voice that irked me.
“It should go without saying that if you try to touch her, I will kill you.”
Vasile glanced at Seraphim with a quirked brow. The latter rolled his eyes.
“He doesn’t know how to have a conversation without making threats, even though he has no chance of winning.”
“I see that. His mate has a better chance, but clearly she’s not all that formidable.”
Sam made a little growling sound beside me. “This isn’t some weird reunion where we throw around insults. If you’re going to attack, let’s get it over with.”
“Vas,” Seraphim said softly when he stepped toward her. “We’ve known each other for a long time. Maybe we can have a conversation before any moves are made.”
“That’s unnecessary. I don’t need to look any further to know she’s the one you are supposed to subdue. Tell me how someone with your strength can’t take on a Novus with barely touched magical ability and a vampire with no impulse control.”
“It’s complicated.”
“Is it? Your orders are pretty fucking simple, so I cannot fathom why you’d take such a risk. You…”
Vas stopped abruptly, turning to look at Sam with curious eyes. He returned his gaze to Seraphim with the same expression. Sam put a hand to her chest and stepped into my side.
“What is that?” Vas asked through gritted teeth.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Seraphim replied coolly.
“Something has passed between you two. I can feel its signature.”
“You’re mistaken.”
“Oh, you stupid fucking child.”
“Vas…”
There was no movement to indicate he’d done anything, but Seraphim’s head whipped to the side and there was a distinct cracking sound. Sam clutched at her chest as he hit the ground. Putting an arm out, I blocked her and guided her back a step. My mind was reeling as I tried to come up with a plan.
“I know you’re an innately selfish person,” Vas droned, turning toward us. “You can’t stop me from taking her, so you’d be smart to save yourself.”
“While I consider myself incredibly intelligent, I don’t follow directions well, especially from someone’s little pawn.”
“Pawn or not, it does not matter. I can crush you, regardless of what I am.”
“Get to it, then.”
Something slammed into my chest, throwing me backward. I barely grabbed onto Sam’s hand, pulling her with me and shielding her body with mine. My back hit a tree and I landed on my knees, then scrambled to my feet quickly.
“If I tell you to run, I know you won’t, so it’d be a great time for you to pull out some cool magic tricks.”
“Have a hat?” she asked.
I smiled at her quickly before looking at the man slowly making his way toward us. He looked like he didn’t have a concern in the world. Everybody had a weakness, regardless of what weird, hands-free magic he bore, and I intended to find it.
Invisible bonds appeared on my wrists and yanked my hands away from Sam. I fought against them, but could barely budge. Whatever telekinetic bullshit he used was no joke. Being unable to do anything to protect her, being helpless like this, didn’t just make me panic. It made me furious.
“You need magic to do all the work for you?” I shouted.
“If you’re going to tell me to face you hand to hand, I have no interest.”
“I would crush you.”
“Maybe, but it doesn’t matter.”
I shifted to smoke and shot toward him. In this form, I could feel the ripple in the air as something headed in my direction. I dodged it, sinking low to the ground. When I got behind him, I solidified and thrust my hand toward his back.
My fingers connected with something hard before I could touch him. I hissed at the way they bent back, the bones snapping entirely. Grabbing my hand, I let out a frustrated growl, the pain just making me want to shred this guy.
He was knocked off his feet, giving me a view of Sam’s furious expression. Wind was picking up the leaves on the ground, making them begin to swirl in the air. Vas’ hair whipped around and when he tried to get up, a ring of fire ignited, making a circle that blocked him in.
The sight made me excited and, against my better judgment, hopeful. His hands were resting on his thighs, not moving an inch. In fact, he was very still for someone that was trapped and at the mercy of his enemy.
Getting up, I rejoined Sam, not taking my eyes off of Vas. From this side, I was able to see his soft smile. He was watching her intently, but not with the fear of impending defeat. He just looked interested, curious.
“Sam,” I said, putting a hand on her back. “Are you okay?”
“Of course. Are you? Your hand…”
“It’s healing. It’d be nice if your fairy would rejoin the land of the living.”
“He’s almost healed.”
“You can tell?”
“Yeah, I helped.”
“Weird.”
“Nexus,” Vas said. He breathed a laugh, shaking his head. “It’s a conundrum.”
“Oh, yeah?” Sam replied, stepping closer. “Why is that?”
“It has been centuries since an Ark was born. That we know of, at least. Now, you are here and you’ve claimed the flame. It’s an interesting turn of events.”
“Apparently, I’m special. Now, you’re either going to admit defeat or I’m going to kill you.”
I looked at her with wide eyes. “You’re kidding. He needs to die.”
“He can tell us something useful, I’m sure.”
“Cool. Then he dies after.”
“You’re ruining the fucking play, Lock.”
“Ah, right. So, tell us what you know, hands-free fairy, or she’ll kill you.”
Vas dropped his head back and stared at the sky. “You are both quite immature.”
“We’re eccentric. Now, do as the lady said.”
“No.”
“Fine. Kill him, Sam.”
Instead of doing that, the fire went out and the leaves fell to the ground. She swore and raised a hand toward him, but nothing happened.
“Looks like you need more practice,” Vas mused, getting to his feet. “I knew it would be pointless to expend my energy on your pathetic cage.”
More flames sprung from the ground, this time larger and more volatile. They thrashed around madly, shifting from orange to blue to white. Seraphim got to his feet and came over to Sam, his eyes checking her out quickly before he turned to Vas.
“You may fight my flames, but they will not let you free.”
“You know that I can just…”
A force knocked me off my feet, then slammed me onto my stomach, keeping me pinned to the ground. I shifted, but still couldn’t get out from under it. Returning to my form, I punched the ground.
Sam dropped to her knees beside me, looking frantic. “What do I do? I can’t do anything. Fuck, fuck, fuck.”
“Relax,” Seraphim breathed.
“How the fuck am I supposed to do that?”
“If he wanted him dead, he’d be dead.”
“Then what the hell is he doing?”
“Learning.”
“Learning what?”
“You. Him. Your strengths and shortcomings.”
“You have many,” Vas chimed in. “Mainly, your woefully undeveloped magical ability and your mate. All I’d need to do is threaten his life and you’d do anything I said.”
“Fuck you, you creepy fairy bitch,” she bit back.
He narrowed his eyes. When she was ripped away from me, I called out for her and tried to get free again. Her back hit a tree with a sickening crunch. The limp way her body fell to the ground was enough to make me feel nauseous.
“Vas!” Seraphim shouted. “Stop this.”
“Kill him,” I demanded.
He looked at me, then at Sam’s body, his brow furrowing. Thrusting shaking fingers through his hair, he took a step back.
“Seraphim!”
“Shut up,” he said.
“Are you going to let him take her?”
The flames went out and Vas made his way toward Sam. I continued to fight, feeling a horrible desperation. He was going to take her and I couldn’t stop him. I was supposed to protect her, with my life if that was what it took. That wasn’t even an option because I was stuck, useless.
“Seraphim,” I repeated.
“I don’t know what to do,” he admitted on a breath.
“God damnit, you fucking coward. She trusted you. She fucking trusted you. I should have known better.”
“Stop talking.”
“You wanted family. Belonging. She fucking cares about you, but you’re less deserving of a piece of her heart than I am.”
“There’s nothing I can do, Lock. Her magic protects him.”
“You’re meant to protect her, even at the expense of your life. I knew you would fail her. I have no intention of doing the same.”
“You’ll just die, Lock.”
“Before she even knew what I was, I told her she’s the only person I’d sacrifice myself for. It seems I’ll have a chance to prove that to her.”
He said something else, but I tuned him out. Whatever magic Vas was using, it wasn’t some mystical, unidentifiable thing. When I shifted, I felt it, as if he was taking something similarly formless and constructing it. The force on top of me had a shape, a distinct weight to it.
As he crouched beside Sam’s body, I resumed my struggle against the barrier. Pushing myself harder, I felt my joints beginning to stretch and tear. Even if my legs tore free from my body, I’d be able to shift into smoke if he didn’t add to his barrier. Limbs didn’t regrow, but maybe I could reattach them.