Cursed by Fire (Blood & Magic Book 1) (17 page)

W
e found Inarus right where I left him, on the rooftop of the Compound, his back to the door. He was standing out in the middle of the rain but was still dry, a force field of some sort protecting him. Stupid telekinetic abilities, I wanted him to be soaked and cold.

At the sound of our approach he turned around. James and I were at the front of our party, four shifters whose names I didn’t know stood behind as our reinforcements.

Inarus’ gaze locked with mine, a question evident in his eyes. I glared at him, letting him see my anger.

The Pack mates behind us slowly crept forward when James and I stopped, surrounding Inarus.

“What’s this about?” Inarus asked, directing his question to me. I didn’t answer. Instead I watched as James threw the photographs at him, the images landing in a small puddle near his feet. Inarus bent to retrieve them and gave them a quick once over before turning his sharp gaze to James.

“You had my place searched,” he said aloud, more of a statement than a question. “This isn’t what you think.”

I was shaking my head before he finished. “You mean you’re not stalking me with nefarious intent?” Before he could comment I held out the burner phone for him to see. His eyes fell. He knew there was no talking his way out of this.

“That isn’t mine,” he said, the denial rolling off of his tongue easily. Guess he was going to try anyway.

“Shifters can scent a lie,” James told him, “and right now, you’re lying through your teeth.”

Inarus ignored him. “Aria, whatever you found on that phone was planted. It isn’t mine. You have to believe me. I would never—” I held my hand up, effectively cutting him off.

“No. No more lies. I want the truth. You owe me that much.” Inarus’ shoulders slumped in defeat.

“I never wanted to hurt you.”

I shook my head. None of that mattered. He was on the wrong side of things.

“Did you kill Daniel Blackmore?” I asked, ignoring his omission. He shook his head.

“I’d never hurt a child, not even a shifter.”

“And the two girls, Emma and the vampire?” Inarus looked away, refusing to meet my gaze. Well, that answered that question. His lack of response was enough of an admission of guilt. I didn’t need him to say it aloud to know he was the one responsible.

“Why?” I asked him, my voice laced with steel.

“Aria, you don’t understand.”

“Then explain it to me!” I shouted. The Pack took a threatening step closer to Inarus. He barely glanced their way, deciding they weren’t a threat. I wasn’t surprised. He was a telekinetic. If he wanted to, he could throw them all back with little more than a thought.

“The shifters shouldn’t be in control of this city or any other. Neither should the vampires. Humans should be in control, we aren’t the monsters here. They were the ones that ruined everything. They’re the reason we don’t have a government or a police force. We don’t have public education or public hospitals anymore. PsyShade is just trying to take back what rightfully belongs to the human population,” he said. His voice took on a menacing quality as he directed his attention to the men surrounding him.

“They’re an abomination.”

“And what about us, what are we? How are we any different?”

“We’re human, we aren’t monsters or creatures of the night, Aria. We don’t massacre cities in a fit of rage or suck blood from innocent people.”

“No you just kill innocent children and women without cause,” I said in response.

“I didn’t kill that boy!” Inarus yelled, his hands fisted at his sides.

“You may not have killed him,” I said, “but you work for the people responsible for his death and you did kill Emma and the vampire.”

“They were monsters. A freaking blood sucker and an animal, Aria.”

“They were people, Inarus! There were others who cared about them and you took them away, for what? Because you had orders to do so? That isn’t a good enough answer! They didn’t deserve to die.”

“The vampire was already dead,” he shouted. “She didn’t deserve to walk this earth any longer, none of their kind do.”

“What now?” I asked him.

“Come with me. You don’t belong here, with them.” He waved his hand at the surrounding shifters.

I shook my head. “I don’t want anything to do with PsyShade, or with you,” I told him.

He had killed Emma, he had lied to me, had played me for information and all the while he’d planned on turning me in to the very people responsible for murdering a child. What if he’d had something to do with Mike’s death? I knew he had been killed by vampires but at this point, nothing was beyond Inarus’ capabilities. On top of that he actually believed in PsyShade’s mission. I could see the unshakable faith in his eyes. Everyone had taken a hit after the Awakening but going back to the way things used to be wasn’t an option. We needed to adapt. To adjust to our current way of life. We couldn’t live in the past or go back to ignoring all things supernatural. Before I could tell him as much, James spoke up.

“You’re going to be taken into custody for crimes against the Pack. When we’re done with you, I’m sure the Coven will have more,” James said vehemently.

Inarus laughed. “You won’t be taking me anywhere.”

“You’re only going to make things harder on yourself by resisting.”

Inarus was shaking his head. “You don’t get it, do you?” he
tsked.

I eyed him warily, unsure of what he was really capable of.

“I’m a telekinetic. You can’t touch me.”

James growled before lunging for Inarus. In between one second and the next, Inarus disappeared, re-appearing a few feet from where James stopped.

“Aria,” Inarus called from his new position. “Come with me. Let me explain everything, let me help you understand,” he pleaded. I shook my head in refusal.

Inarus rubbed the nape of his neck. “Aria, please…” Before he said anything else two shifters grabbed him from behind. He disappeared from their grasp, reappearing once again, this time closer, a scant two feet from my position. I pulled a dagger from my waist, a flame stretching over the blade’s surface.

Inarus locked eyes with me. “Are you really going to try and hurt me? Aria you know I’m right. You know you don’t belong here.” I shook my head. I may not have belonged here but I certainly didn’t belong with him. Inarus held his hand out to me, his eyes pleading that I take it and go with him.

I shook my head, my eyes hard. Inarus’ expression was filled with hurt but it quickly transformed into anger when a dark form sailed through the air, tackling him to the ground. The shifter that attacked rose in the air, lifted by invisible hands and Inarus stared in rage at the man. I looked around, and saw all of the shifters slowly lifted. Each growling in frustration as they struggled to reach the stone floor beneath them. Only I remained on the ground, Inarus’ power directed solely at the shifters surrounding him.

“You’re all animals,” he cursed. “Worthless.” I saw the intent in his gaze. He was going to drop them from the roof. The Pack Compound rose ten stories high. I knew shifters were resilient but I couldn’t take the risk that even one of them wouldn’t survive the fall. Without conscious thought I threw my blade directly at Inarus. With the wave of a hand he knocked it away. I drew another and threw it as well. The blade spinning in a spiral pattern as it neared its intended target.

Again he knocked the blade aside. I pulled from within, drawing my fire out. With arms together in front of me I molded a ball of fire within my hands. Inarus grinned, “Do you think that will stop me?” he asked.

Sweat dripped down my brow from the strain of containing the fire in its shape. When the ball was close to the size of a basketball I threw it with everything I had. As soon as the fireball was free, I lifted the hem of my shirt, reaching down to my hip and ripping my tattooed blade free from my flesh. The pain was excruciating. I pulled it out quicker than intended and my skin felt as though it were being flayed from my body.

I threw my final blade at Inarus while he was distracted by the fire. He deflected the flames and I saw a triumphant grin on his face right before my blade pierced his chest. I didn’t think the fire would stop him but the blade, yes, I believed it would.

The shifters surrounding us dropped to the ground, still within the roof’s perimeter. Inarus turned his shocked gaze my way. He looked down at his chest, touching the hilt of the blade in awe.

A slow stream of blood dripped from the wound. Inarus ripped the blade free and stared down at it.

“How did you…”

“Your powers don’t work on it. No magic does. It has magical properties that make it immune to others.”

He nodded, still in shock. The blade clattered to the ground as he stumbled forward and I fought to remain still. I wouldn’t run to him. I wouldn’t help him.

James saw the opportunity and lunged.

Inarus disappeared and James caught nothing but air.

We all stood still, waiting for him to pop back but when seconds became minutes, we realized he wasn’t coming back. A part of me was glad but the other part knew that this wasn’t over, that PsyShade would continue their fight for power but when they came, I’d be ready. This was my city and no one was going to take it from me, not even my mother.

D
eclan had given me the okay to head to my apartment and retrieve some of my belongings the following morning. I wasn’t sure how long I’d stay at the Compound but after Inarus’ departure, I realized staying with the Pack was probably for the best. A feline shifter named Hannah was accompanying me. She was silent for the most part, offering only one-word answers whenever I asked her a question. I didn’t mind her silence. It was comforting in a way. Neither of us seemed to feel the need to fill the empty space and that was all right by me.

When we finally reached my apartment I gave Melody my usual hello and trekked up the four flights of stairs. When I opened my door, Hannah swiftly sidestepped me and entered first. I rolled my eyes but followed her in, standing just inside the doorway as she scanned the room before checking the adjoining rooms. When she gave the all-clear I headed for my bedroom. Grabbing a backpack from my closet I quickly began stuffing random articles of clothing inside.

A faint tapping sound caught my attention and I turned to the glass door in my bedroom. Melody was perched on the balcony railing. A wide grin on her face. I took a quick look around, making sure I was alone and went to open the door.

“What are you doing?” I asked her. She stepped from the railing, folding her wings in as she rose to her full height in front of me.

“Here,” she said, handing me a folded enveloped.

“What’s this?” I asked, taking it from her hand and running my finger beneath the seam.

Melody shrugged her shoulders. “A letter, duh. That hunk who lived down the hall from you asked me to delivery it and normally, I’d say no. I mean, I’m not an errand girl. But then he smiled and his eyes got all sparkly. He’s good, let me tell you that. Anyway, I said I’d give it to you so, here ya go.”

“Thank you,” I told her, hesitating to read it. Looking up. “I’m going to be MIA for a while, can you do me a favor and check in on my place from time to time?” I asked as I turned to go back into my apartment.

“Sure thing,” she said with way too much pep in her voice.

I stopped and turned back, a glint in my eyes. “Oh and Mel?” I said as she hoisted herself in the air.

“What?”

“Feel free to use and take whatever you’d like. What’s mine is yours,” I said and her smile faded.

“You just have to take all the fun out of it, don’t you?”

“Sorry. A girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do, but watch the place, and your secret is safe with me. You can rest assured that Ryan will never know.”

Her eyes narrowed for a brief moment before she nodded and flew back down to the lower level of the apartment building.

Back inside I sat on my bed, eyeing the letter like it was a snake ready to strike. Chiding myself for being afraid of a piece of paper, I unfolded the letter and read what was inside.

Aria

I never meant to hurt you. I have a duty to my people, to my cause. You must understand that. You may not understand now, but one day you will. Your place is with with PsyShade, with me. I’ll give you time but I can only give you so much.

Until I return.

P.S. Your secret is safe with me.

-Inarus

I stared at the short letter, reading it and re-reading it again and again. When Hannah walked into the room I quickly stuffed it in my back jeans pocket.

“Are you ready?” she asked, eyeing me suspiciously.

“Almost, just give me another minute,” I said. She nodded before heading back out of the room. My thoughts went back to the letter. What secret did he mean? Did he know Viola was my mother? It was the only secret I could think of and I worried what he’d do with the information. Would he tell her, and how would she react? Maybe she already knew. I couldn’t be sure either way.

I stuffed a few last-minute items in my pack before zipping it closed. Grabbing it I headed back into the living room, stopping briefly to retrieve my toothbrush from the bathroom. “I’m ready,” I told Hannah aloud, but inside I wondered if that was really true. Was I ready for what was coming?

I found Declan in his office back at the Compound and without knocking, let myself in. He was situated behind his desk, his emerald eyes staring intently at the screen of his computer. When I walked into the room, he looked up, setting his keyboard aside. I had his full attention. Declan motioned for me to take a seat. I pulled the modern acrylic chair back and sat. Declan leveled me with his gaze and I had to fight the urge to fidget. His Alpha stare packed a punch but I wasn’t willing to give even an inch. I wasn’t a shifter. He didn’t own me and I wouldn’t look away just to satisfy his control issues.

After a beat, Declan flashed a smiled, showing a hint of fang before leaning back in his chair, hands folded and resting in his lap.

“What can I do for you, Miss Naveed?”

“Aria,” I corrected.

Declan inclined his head. “Aria, what can I do for you?”

“I have a problem,” I said.

He waited for me to continue.

“When a Psyker like myself is near another, we hear a buzzing in our heads. It’s like we hone in on one another. I was wondering if you knew of a way I could mask it. If you had a mage who may be willing to help?”

Declan studied me for a moment. Leaning forward he folded his hands on the desk. “That is a bit of a problem.”

I nodded.

“I’ll look into it and get back to you. I’m not sure if it is possible, your kind are new to us, but I’ll look into it.”

“Thank you,” I said. I rose from my chair to leave. Before exiting I stopped and turned back to him. A question nagging at me.

“I’m a liability to your Pack. Why are you helping me?”

Declan seemed to weigh his words.

“You’re right, you are a danger to my Pack.” My shoulders slumped and I waited for him to tell me to leave, to grab my things and head out as quickly as possible. A part of me bristled under his authority but another part of me wanted so badly to be accepted. To have the safety and security that the Pack offered.

“I’d still like you to stay though.”

My head shot up at his words, my mouth hung open. Was he serious? Declan was somber for a moment.

“Aria, there will be a war. I’m nearly certain of it. There is too much bad blood between the vampires and the shifters and PsyShade seems intent on being the spark that ignites the fire. We could use someone with your abilities when that time comes. I know you don’t owe any allegiance to the Pack but I’m hoping that your relationship with James will allow you to consider my offer.”

I stared wide-eyed at him. I was an asset? Now I really thought he was crazy. Hell, I was a freaking liability.

When I didn’t respond, Declan moved along. “I’d like to offer you friend-of-the-Pack status in exchange for your willingness to support our Pack and provide any information possible to help us come out on the winning side of things.”

Friend of the Pack status? I wasn’t sure what that actually entailed though I knew it was not offered lightly. The question must have shown on my face because before I could ask, Declan answered my unspoken question. He braced his elbows on the edge of the desk, his expression serious. “Friend-of-the-Pack status is not something to be taken lightly. As a friend of the Pack we offer you our full support and protection in times of need. In addition, we’re formally acknowledging our faith and trust in you. You’ll have free rein of the Pack grounds and access to all of our resources.”

Wow. I wasn’t sure what to say. Somehow I had lost a…I don’t know what Inarus was to me, but I’d lost him and gained an ally, a strong one at that. But…

“What does James think about this?” I asked, my voice hesitant.

Declan paused. “What is your relationship with him?” he asked.

I shrugged. “He’s a friend,” I said, looking away from Declan.

“Nothing more?” he pried.

“No. We’re just friends.”

Declan grunted in acknowledgment.

“Will you consider my offer?”

“I’ll think on it and let you know.”