Igniting Spirit (Gathering Water Book 3) Page 16

  My father sighed. “Yes, Richard. Ezra inherited his abilities from his father. He was integral to saving Cash Neale, and has —”

  “What’s this, Derek? That can’t be Kaylus’ seed sitting with you. After what you’ve just told us, how can you trust such a being?” Etta’s back was rod straight, eyes wide in outrage and fear.

  “How indeed? He is probably working for his father as we speak —”

  “That’s enough, Richard.” My dad, Lord of the Elfennol, didn’t need to raise his voice for it to reverberate around the table and silence the jackalope seated opposite of us.

  “It’s a reasonable assumption, Derek,” Etta said. “We know what is necessary for the portal to open, which Kaylus is well aware of. How can you not question his son’s loyalty when he has surrounded himself with the very materials still needed to open the portal? Saving the future Dux could have been a scheme to gain the trust of those needed for Kaylus’ plan to work. This could be the work of all the Clades, to catch us unawares.”

  The table, and crowd behind us, went silent as they absorbed her words. I trusted Ezra with everything I was, but she put up a good argument. It made sense. I kept my eyes forward, afraid to look at the people around me and see the doubt I was certain was filling their faces, and started gathering my reserve to Shield Ezra and get the hell outta dodge. We could find his father ourselves. We didn’t need —

  “Ezra has already proven himself a true friend of the Epiklayra, and the entirety of the Leoht House through her. His trustworthiness is not up for discussion,” my father said after several heartbeats worth of silence. I turned sharply towards him, relieved that all I saw was confidence.

  “That about sums it up for us, as well,” Uncle Connor said, speaking for our family — and likely all the Dunamis in attendance. I almost laughed at how nonchalant he sounded.

  Richard still looked entirely too happy, however. “I am afraid you are wrong about him, Derek. We have in our possession a Clade who was sent to interfere with our arrival. He nearly killed one of my soldiers before they were able to subdue him. After much trouble, my men were able to glean who sent him.”

  I saw the light of a small group of Ethnos approach our area; Richard’s missing people who I had assumed were patrolling the area. As they got closer I saw they had in their midst one of the Clades who had been in my backyard earlier. Richard hinted that his men had tortured the Clade for information, but there was no physical evidence of such. But his light was dim — not tarnished like those infected with Kaylus’ power were — as if he had been drained.

  I stood up. “What have you done to him?”

  Richard ignored me. “This thing was following the orders of Kaylus’ spawn beside you. Do you doubt it?” His eyes were focused on my father.

  “Richard, Ezra directed a contingent of nearby Clades to scout the area and watch for your arrival. I directed Alexander to do so as well, but I see that you didn’t find it necessary to capture any of my men.” Derek stood up beside me. “I have said it once already, Ezra — and every Clade in attendance here — are not up for discussion. You must understand by now how dangerous Kaylus truly is. Even if he is unable to unlock the portal right now, he is capable of damaging the world enough on his own. We need to come together and find him.”

  “The Clades are a blight to our people! What Kaylus and his son are capable of is evidence they should all be wiped out before their taint spreads,” Richard said, and I half expected him to be foaming at the mouth. This guy just couldn’t see past his prejudice; couldn’t focus on anything other than the Clades at the moment. He made a gesture toward the soldiers holding the Clade and I knew they were going to do something permanent to their prisoner.

  Like kill him.

  Before the thought even formed in my mind, I created a Shield over the captured Clade. Seconds passed, and when nothing happened Richard finally turned his attention to me.

  “How dare you interfere!” Richard was standing now, too. He pushed power my way, but all it did was bounce off the Shield I’d just erected over all my peeps with enough wind to thoroughly muss Etta’s hair.

  Etta turned and looked at him, not seeming to care that her short white locks were standing up and made her look like a cockatoo. “Richard, calm yourself!”

  Richard took a deep breath. “Our laws are clear on what happens to Clade prisoners. This fiend will forfeit his life for his crimes.”

  “How is being born a crime?” I asked.

  I don’t think anyone heard me, because Ezra popped out of his seat and shouted. “Like hell he will!”

  Etta ignored us both. “I am well aware of what our laws state, Richard. I was at the table when most of them were made. Under the current circumstances, I believe we can make an exception. It seems we might need to think on changing some of our laws.” The eldest Council member was still seated, but reached up and put a hand on Richard’s forearm, trying to calm him.

  He looked down at her. “To break the law is to be Clade, Etta.” Richard Gathered his chair into nothing then marched the dozen feet to where the prisoner was held. “I am no traitor to our people!” he declared before he and his men started pummeling my shield protecting the Clade.

  Etta finally stood, as did the rest of the party at our side of the table.

  “Richard, you must stop this now,” Etta told him, after going to his side.

  Everyone at my side of the table stood and watched, trusting my Shield would keep him safe. Without even a look between us, Ezra had the Loa bring more energy to fuel my Shield, and as long as I had a stockpile, Richard and his men could pound all they wanted, but they weren’t getting through my Shield. With Ezra’s help, I was stronger than them, and it looked like everyone except Etta and Richard grasped that.

  Richard finally realized the futility of what he was doing, abruptly turned and used his Ethnos super speed and strength to run through the table and attack the Shield in front of Ezra. The table crumbled around him, rubble from it scattered on his crazed face.

  “Richard, stop,” my father said.

  “This abomination must be destroyed! He and his father, both. Kaylus should have been killed before he left his mother’s womb, and this one carries that evil!” Richard looked like something had snapped in his mind, and I wondered if his hatred of the Clades was such a big part of his identity that he was threatened by the idea of peace, or if he had more personal reasons to hate his estranged brethren. “All Clades carry that evil. We should destroy them all, before it’s too late!” He started using his hands against the Shield, beating it as ineffectively as a child hitting a wall.

  Derek walked forward — I quickly modified his Shield so he would still be protected — and placed a hand on Richard’s shoulder. His face showed a great deal more compassion than mine would have. “Old friend,” he said gently. “This is not the way. We must adapt, or lose another home.” His voice was low and calm, like he was talking to an injured dog trapped in a corner. Richard’s shoulders slumped, and he turned to look at my father. For an instant it looked like father had gotten through to him, but Richard’s eyes fell on me and a new resolve filled his eyes. He straightened his shoulders, and looked like another person; whatever madness that filled him was buried again beneath a marble exterior.

  He looked at my father. “Until the time comes that our laws are changed, to be Clade is to carry a death warrant.” Richard started walking through the rubble of the table back to where his people were gathered. “My soldiers will join the hunt for Kaylus,” he said, turning back to address us. “As well as every other Clade in existence. Any they meet will be executed on sight.” His eyes met mine, again. “You won’t always be there to protect them, Epiklayra.” He spit out the title like a sour grape, then turned and began to walk away. His soldiers threw their Clade prisoner.

  You’re not supposed to throw people. It’s rude.

  I Shielded a wall in front of him, and walked a few steps forward also. Though, instead of walking
over the remains of the table that Richard had destroyed, I Gathered the materials into my Well to create a path for myself until I stood next to Etta’s vacated seat.

  “I don’t give a flip what the law says, Richard. You can’t threaten my people.” I wasn’t sure if confronting him was a good idea, but since neither my father, nor Alexander tried to stop me, I figured they were fine with me stealing the show for a minute.

  Richard slowly turned around to face me. “I’ve only threatened the traitors to your people, Epiklayra.”

  “My ‘people’ are the Ethnos, Richard. The only people I consider traitors are Kaylus and anyone else who hurts — or tries to hurt — the people I care about.”

  “The Clades are not people, child. Look at Kaylus. Their blood is corrupt, a virus that will destroy us all if we let it.” Richard stepped closer and lowered his voice. “You half-breeds are the same. You should have been put down when you entered this world and sent your own mother out of it. Your survival is an insult to the Elfennol, and there is only one way I can see that will rectify that.”

  “You will not threaten our Lady,” Lena said. She, Ian, Alexander, and Ezra all moved to stand behind me. Everyone else was seated again, but it was somehow a supportive gesture towards me rather than dismissive.

  Richard studied her and the others behind me, then called out. “Derek, it has dawned on me that your daughter and heir is more Clade than Elfennol. In fact, I seem to be under the impression that these Elders owe their allegiance to her.”

  “My daughter takes her responsibility to the Ethnos very seriously, Richard. I am proud that she has chosen to protect so many.” Derek stood and made his way to our little group, followed by my uncle and grandfather. The others made room for my family to stand beside me.

  “The Elfennol cannot have an Epiklayra who is Clade,” Richard told him.

  “You’re right, of course. Della can no longer remain Epiklayra of the Elfennol,” my father responded. My jaw dropped, and I made myself stop feeling before the betrayal of his words stabbed through my heart.

  Richard’s smile was altogether too pleased.

  “You know, I think our family has had enough of Elfennol politics. I think it’s time to throw our lot in with the Clades,” Uncle Connor said as casually as if talking about the weather.

  “Son, I believe that would be the wisest course of action,” my grandfather said, not bothering to lean forward and look at Connor.

  “Lord Derek, Lord Richard, and Lady Etta, consider this an official resignation of support from the Neale family,” my uncle, the Dux Neale, said.

  A rush of love for my uncle and grandfather surged through me. They would continue to stand by me, no matter what. There was silence while everyone waited for the other shoe to drop. Alexander nudged me in the back. I turned to look at him and he raised an eyebrow. I shrugged my shoulders and he nodded towards my Uncle with raised brows.

  “Oh. I, uh, the Deare family also does that — no longer support the Elfennol.” The Deare and Neale families were equal leaders among the humans: generals rather than rulers. I wasn’t sure how much the Elfennol relied on human support, but at the very least it was a nice little slap in the face. I was officially the Duxa Deare, head of the Deare family, and in equal standing with my Uncle. Technically. I still considered him “the boss” since he actually knew what he was doing, being a real live grownup and everything.

  I tried to avoid looking at my father, but I couldn’t keep myself from glancing over to gauge his reaction. It wasn’t what I expected. There was a small smile, a little sad, but a smile all the same gracing his mouth.

  “I’m sure that isn’t necessary,” Etta said. She seemed like the type of woman who prided herself on self control, but I could see that these events were frazzling her considerably.

  “You can’t do that. Your family owes their fidelity to us and our causes!” Richard was climbing back up the crazy tree again, judging by the tick in his jaw.

  “We’ve sworn no oaths to you. We were your allies, not your servants,” Uncle Connor’s voice was filled with disgust.

  “Fine. We lowered ourselves by —” Richard started to speak, but was immediately cut off.

  “If you’ll remember, Richard, I did swear an oath when I joined the Council and became leader of the Leoht house.” My father still had that little smile on his face.

  It took me longer than it should have to understand what he was saying, especially since he basically told me the day before. The Leoht House was bound to the Deare line. My human family pulling their support from the Elfennol had a funny little side effect.

  It took the Leoht House with them.

  Richard realized his meaning at the same time. “You speak of an evil so large that we must all band together, yet you are willing to fracture our people further?”

  Etta seemed to have reclaimed her sense of order with this development and her spine straightened. “Richard, let it go. Instead of allowing the Council to discuss things in a civilized manner, you forced Lord Derek into a corner. If you had any sense left, you would have known what would happen if you pushed things.”

  “It’s fine, Etta. Richard you’re quite mistaken. I’m letting my daughter unite us — all of us. Not only to fight Kaylus, but because it is time to move forward and leave old hurts in the past.” Derek placed a hand on my shoulder, and I lifted my chin and let his belief wash through me.

  Etta reached for my father, and they clutched each other’s forearms. “I will meet with the families in my House on what we will do next. I am sorry things have turned out this way. If any among your people wish to remain among the Elfennol, the Strang House will make room for them.” She nodded her head in respect, then turned to leave with her two forgotten attendants trailing behind.

  “You’ll regret this decision, Derek,” Richard told him before he and his contingent also left.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Journal,

  My Testing is in just a few days. Despite being confident that I’m ready for it, I’m still getting nervous. What if I’m not as ready as I thought? What if they somehow find me lacking? What if Dad agrees with them about it? The anxiety from it all is so bad I started crying the other day with Ellis. All she asked is how I was doing under all the pressure, and I start blubbering like a child. I’m flipping exhausted from the stress, too. Just a few more days and it will all be over. I’m supposed to sit down and talk to Dad tomorrow about what to expect — how to act around the Elfennol, and who the Council members are. This is one lesson I don’t plan on skipping. When it comes to my abilities, I know I have what it takes. But dealing with our allies? I have to admit that my father knows more about them than I ever will. Even though I still live with him, we haven’t spent more than a few minutes alone together in months. Tomorrow will be awkward, but maybe it will be good for us. Maybe it will be that first step to bridging our relationship and we can be how we were before.

  I miss being daddy’s little girl, but I’m not sure I would even know how to be her again.

  I wish I could talk to Derek about all of this. I saw him again yesterday, but the hard words wouldn’t come out. I know our time together is probably limited, and I don’t want to use it all up talking about things like this. When I’m an old lady and I think about our romance, I don’t want to remember the angst of my life. I want to remember the way the light dances in his eyes when he laughs, and the taste of a shared ice cream.

  *****

  We all stood and watched them go, until I suddenly remembered that Richard had left his prisoner. Berating myself for forgetting about him, even if foronly a minute, I ran over to him just as he finally gained his feet. When I got within two feet of him, he looked at me and dropped immediately to his knees again.

  “Are you okay?” I asked, though it was a stupid question — dude couldn’t even stand up!

  “Please forgive me, my Lady. I betrayed your trust.” His head was bowed, and I realized he hadn’t fallen when I approach
ed. He had nearly prostrated himself. No wonder Ezra was irritated earlier. It was very unsettling.

  “What are you talking about? Please, stand up, you haven’t done anything wrong.”

  He looked at me, then to Ezra who had just joined us and lowered himself even further to the ground. “I allowed myself to be captured, then betrayed your consort by confessing my orders to our enemies. Forgive me.”

  I looked at Ezra, who just looked exasperated.

  “Jonathan, did you get captured on purpose?” Ezra asked. I was glad he used his name, because I was starting to feel bad by calling him “the prisoner” or “the Clade” in my head.

  Jonathan shook his head. “Of course not, sir.”

  “Did you willfully divulge information to Richard or his soldiers?” Ezra asked again, and I finally caught on to what he was doing.

  “No, sir. But they were able to persuade me —”

  “Torture you, you mean,” Ezra interrupted.

  He said nothing, but we knew it was true.

  I knelt down beside him and placed a hand on either shoulder. “You have nothing to be sorry about. You did not betray me, or Ezra, by getting captured and forced into talking. I should apologize to you for not protecting you better. Now tell us what is wrong so we can help you.”

  His light was still so dim, and when Ezra helped him stand, I could tell he was weak.

  “They Gathered his Spirit, Della,” Ezra answered for him.

  My mouth dropped. “But the Elfennol don’t…” I stopped. The Elfennol claimed they didn’t Spirit Gather, that it was what separated them from the Clades. But I wasn’t sure they considering breaking that taboo with a Clade as bad, and they clearly had done something to Jonathan. If Ezra said his Spirit had been Gathered, then I believed him.

  “Would you like one of us to heal you, or would you prefer someone else to do it?” Ezra asked.

  “I am sure you both have more important things to do with your energy,” Jonathon said.

  “I think I’ll be offended if you don’t let one of us heal you.” I looked him dead in the face and raised one eyebrow, daring him to refuse the help.