Dark Summoner (Relic Keeper Series Book 1) (14 page)

“Thank you,” I said.

She reached out her free hand. “Would you be so kind as to walk with me?”

I glanced up to Kieron, and he gave me a single nod. I handed him my glass and took her arm as she led us away. We took the path that followed the border of the garden. Kieron conversed easily with several different people, but his eyes followed our every move, his focus never leaving me. For some reason, that warmed my heart in all the ways I didn’t want it to.

I’d never had a grandmother, but there was something soothing about holding her soft frail hand in mine. It was the kind of affection I’d never experienced before. With no mother and a shitty father, handholding was a rare occurrence in my life and yet it was the second time in under a few hours that I’d done it. It was also the second time that I’d wanted to.

“Your stay with him has improved you. Your aura is growing.”

I laughed. “I’m not so sure about that.”

“You need each other,” she said with total certainty as she patted my hand. “That’s a truth that neither of you can deny.”

I stopped walking and slipped my arm out of hers. I was saddened by her words, and I couldn’t explain why. I glanced over my shoulder to where Kieron stood. “Why is it so important that we form this bond? I mean with everything going on with the Black Walker and the Relic, shouldn’t I be focusing on that—and not on my love life?”

She took a seat on the stone bench that rested between two large, fragrant jasmines and placed her cane on her lap. “All of this,” she said as she waved her hands into the air, “is tied together. Everything and everyone. You may see your relationship with Kieron as irrelevant to the future, but much of the future depends upon it.”

“How? How is that possible?”

“Because you can’t defeat this evil without him. Without his strength, his love.”

Now I was angry. Not necessarily angry with her, but with the heartache that tried to consume me. He’d already told me he didn’t want me. Long before I knew if I even would have wanted him. And now she’s telling me that I needed his love. What did she expect me to do? Beg him for it? I may have lost everything else, but I still had my pride.

The anger and disappointment made me snap. “Well you better start looking for a different plan because he doesn’t want me, and frankly I don’t want him. Don’t you see how sick this is? You’re telling us we are being forced together because of some kind of magic. Even if we don’t want to be, we have to be. Why would you want this for us? Demand this of us?”

“Child, you misunderstand what being
elhun
is. It’s not a random choice or random pairing. It’s not just destiny. It’s two halves of a single soul. If both of you would look at your hearts without restraint or anger, you would see that this is the purest form of love there is—ever has been—in existence.”

“Well someone made a mistake this time.”

“You must see tha—”

“No.” I raised my hand in the air to stop her. “No more. Please.”

She looked like she wanted to tell me more, to try to convince me. But I couldn’t handle another minute. I took her arm and we walked back in silence.

Why did she have to complicate things? Tell me to embrace what I feel, especially when he won’t? Kieron’s stormy gray eyes met mine, and there was a hint of recognition there. He knew what Isadora would say to me. He’d expected it. The hush between Isadora, Kieron, and myself was filled with all the things he wouldn’t say, I couldn’t say, and she didn’t say. I begged for some kind of interruption, some distraction to break the tension before anyone else noticed.

It was the first time I welcomed the sickening scent that surrounded Daegus as he stepped closer to speak with me.

“So, Abigail,” he said my name in a slow, creepy way, “Miles Davenport is your father, yes?”

Straight to business. At least it was better than talking about my love life.

“Yes,” I acknowledged, not liking the fact that he knew details about my normal life.

“And your mother is deceased?”

“Yes,” I repeated again, trying to stave off my irritation.

“But you’ve no idea who she was?” he asked as he tapped a finger against his glass.

“No. She died when I was barely a few months old.”

“Interesting.”

Interesting? He finds my mother’s death interesting?

“Why don’t you tell me
what
exactly you find interesting about a woman dying and leaving her child without a mother?” The moment I said it, I knew it was a misstep. He was toying with me, and I obviously missed it. Kieron joined the conversation before I could do any further damage.

“If you’ll excuse us. Abigail has many other introductions to make this evening,” he said, offering me his arm.

Daegus started to argue, but one look from Kieron shut him down. I slipped my arm into his and allowed him to escort me away from them.

“Do I really have to meet a lot more people?” I asked under my breath.

“Yes. But we’ll make each one as quick as possible. Agreed?”

“Agreed.”

The night was off to a great start. In only fifteen minutes, I’d managed to yell at the highest regarded priestess in the First Realm and snap at the leader of the Council. If this was any indication of where the rest of the night was headed, I was going to need a hell of a lot more wine—and maybe a couple of shots.

B
y the time we’d circled the courtyard and back again, it had been close to an hour, and I was exhausted by the continuous introductions and game-playing that followed each one.

Kieron’s cell vibrated a few times before he finally answered it. “I need to take this. Wait here and try to stay out of trouble.”

I lifted the glass of wine I’d been nursing for the last hour to my lips, finally getting a chance to breathe. He didn’t go far, just a few feet away as he spoke low but firm to the person on the other end. For the first minute, he glanced at me often, but as time wore on, he walked around a corner.

With the outfit I’d chosen, I appreciated the outdoor heaters. They kept the cool night comfortable. The sudden scent of dead flowers drifted toward me as a bony finger tapped the exposed skin between my shoulder and neck. I automatically flinched away. When I turned around, Daegus stood behind me, much too close, with a sinister smile

“I wanted to further express how pleased I am that you’d chosen to come.”

He wasn’t a tall man, so we stood head-to-head. But something about his nature threw me off and made it difficult to keep eye contact.

“Thank you,” I replied, doing my best not to breathe funny while I held my breath.

He inspected the crowd. “Isn’t it curious?”

I checked the patio for Kieron. “What are you referring to?”

“The way fate works. That you, an insignificant mortal, come into the possession of an unbelievably powerful object. Some say it’s almost impossible.”

“It’s not in my possession yet,” I reminded him.

“Ah, but what happens when it is?”

I tried my best to smile. “I guess we’ll have to wait and see.” My reply was met with a silence that lasted too long for my comfort.

“You know, there are those who think you should be controlled now, before you even possess it.”

I had no idea how to answer that, but I think he just threatened me. “Would you happen to be one of those people?”

“At first, but now . . . perhaps there would be other options,” he said as he traced a skeletal finger along the bare skin on my back.

Gross. I had to do everything in my power not to cringe under his touch. He stepped forward, and his deathly odor surrounded me.

“I’ll see you again very soon.”

And with that, he was gone as if he had melted into thin air. I shuddered, the glass of wine in my hand shaking as I tried to free myself of his residual presence. His awful aroma still lingered, and I couldn’t bear to remain in it any longer.

With Kieron absent, now was my chance to seek out Dorian and speak to him. I searched for his familiar face and found him when the crowd by the bar parted. He sat deep in conversation with several others when his eyes caught mine. I smiled as he excused himself from his companions.

“I was hoping to talk to you,” he said, pulling me into his warm, inviting arms.

I hugged him back until I saw the shocked expressions of several people near us. I stepped away. He didn’t say anything, but I was certain he noticed my body stiffen in his arms.

“I’m pleased to see that he hasn’t harmed you. You’ve been treated well?” he asked, his voice earnest and thoughtful.

“Yes, I have. Thank you for your concern. Kieron’s been rather easy on me. No whippings or lashings just yet.”

He didn’t laugh, his tone serious, angry even. “Abby. You cannot fall for his illusions. No matter how pleasurable they may seem in the moment.”

“What are you talking about? I haven’t fallen for anything,” I said.

He stepped forward, lowering his voice to a level only I could hear. “I saw the way the two of you entered. It’s clear something is going on. Did you sleep with him?”

“What? Are you crazy?”

This wasn’t like Dorian. Right now he was rash, jealous even. “Did you let him kiss you? I told you how dangerous—”

“No, of course not. Where is this coming from?”

He rubbed the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes. “I’m sorry, it’s just that since I haven’t been able to contact you and you hadn’t returned my messages, I assumed you’d been otherwise engaged.”

“What messages?”

“I sent several through the Council’s official emissary, and they assured me you’d receive them.”

“I never got any letters.”

“None?”

“No, not a single one. I’d thought you’d just forgotten about me.”

He took my hand in his. “Of course not. Then I also assume the times I’d come to see you, you hadn’t been informed of those visits either?”

“No,” I whispered in total disbelief. Did Reagan know that he’d come? Had she been one of the people to keep this from me, too? No. She wouldn’t do that to me. Especially after we promised to be honest with one another.

“Forgive me.”

“There’s nothing to forgive,” I said, shaking my head. I wanted to reassure him, reduce his worry. “He doesn’t want me like that, Dorian. He’s told me so, very directly.”

“You can’t be that naïve—” His eyes narrowed at the person behind me. The hard strength of Kieron’s broad chest pressed against my back.

“Dorian, didn’t I tell you to stay away from my guest?” he said.

It was the first time I’d heard Kieron call him Dorian instead of Mr. Cross. It made me wonder what prompted the change.

Dorian rubbed his jaw. “I always did have a hard time listening to the commands of others.”

“Yes, you did and apparently you still do. Don’t make me remind you how much has changed. It wouldn’t end well for you.”

“Very well then,” Dorian said, nodding before he smiled at me. “Abby, we’ll meet again soon. You know where to find me when you want me.”

I couldn’t formulate words so I remained silent. He took a step back and addressed Kieron one last time. “By the way, give my regards to Stassi. I see she’s back in town for your pleasure again. It shocks me how often she comes back for more, when she knows you’ll never give her anything else.” His focus moved to me. “It’s funny how often history has a way of repeating itself, don’t you think, Kieron?” With that, he disappeared into the crowd.

Kieron reached forward and grabbed the glass of wine out of my hand, setting it down on the table beside us. I couldn’t bear to be near him any longer. I was hurt, jealous, angry, and confused. None of my emotions made any sense, not in the rational world. I asked an attendant who passed by where the restrooms were. She pointed to a door across the courtyard, and I took off in that direction, not caring whether Kieron followed me.

I plopped down onto the long, elegant sofa that decorated the powder room outside the bathroom. My hands covered my face as I rubbed my temples, my brain spinning in every direction. I took a soft towel from the basket on the counter and gently dabbed myself with cool water from the sink. Could I be losing my mind? I fixed my hair and smoothed my makeup, knowing if I stayed too long, Kieron would come for me. I pushed through the door and back outside.

The moment the cool air hit my skin, Dorian rushed me, gripped me by the shoulders, and pulled me into a corner. “Abby you need to listen to me. He’s lying to you. He’s only playing nice to eventually get what he wants from you—from the Council.”

“He doesn’t want me like that. Please stop.”

“Of course he does. Look at you, he’d be crazy not to.” He ran a hand through his hair. “But this isn’t just about us or what I feel for you. This is about what he is—what he does to anyone close to him. He will destroy you to get what he wants. Once he has the hourglass, you are no longer safe. He will betray you to her.”

“I don’t have any other options.”

“Yes you do,” he said, pulling me toward him and closing the space between us. “You have me. I can protect you; I’ve told you that. All you have to do is let me.”

He grabbed the back of my neck with one hand and pulled my mouth to his, his tongue desperately demanding entrance as he prodded my lips. Conflicted, I thought I would scream. I wanted this but at the same time, my heart demanded me to stop, that this was wrong.

As if he could sense my inner discord, he pulled back, letting our foreheads rest against one another as he spoke. “Abby, this is what he does. His magic is dark. He’s been manipulating you from the moment you saw him. He’s trying to confuse your emotions, make you believe you want things you don’t and at the same time, having you deny yourself the things you truly desire. He will do everything he can to separate us. Please don’t let him.”

I watched him for some form of deceit, but I found none. Everything he said seemed so honest, so true. I lifted my hands to his jaw and pulled his lips back down to mine, letting him in. All of his passion, his emotion rained down on me from his soft lips. My body warmed as my senses took over, desire burning me from the inside out at his touch. His arms wrapped around me as his fingers tugged tightly on my hips. There was passion between us, but could there be love?

Never. That one word from Kieron led to infinitely more nevers.

Love? Never.

Happiness? Never.

A normal life? Never.

Never was inevitable according to Kieron, but maybe with Dorian I had a chance at those things. Maybe together we could find a way. I grabbed his suit jacket, desperate to get everything back that had been taken from me. It was as though we were wrapped in our own cocoon, sheltered from the outside world when we came together as one. My body burned alive with a surge of fervor so potent, I could barely stay on my feet. That should have been my first red flag, but I didn’t notice, too consumed with his mouth on me. But when my body went from lava hot to ice cold, my eyes flew open, more alert than ever.

“That’s enough, Ms. Davenport.” Kieron’s harsh tone slapped me back into reality. I instantly leapt out of Dorian’s arms, my breath coming in gasps as I tried to recover myself from what had transpired. He hesitated and released me. His face cocky, he wiped the remnants of my red lipstick from his mouth.

Kieron stood motionless, his hands fisted at his sides. I wasn’t sure if his anger was directed at me or Dorian. Perhaps it was for both of us. Either way, his reaction made me ashamed of myself and what I’d just done. Kieron scrutinized my disheveled appearance, and his eyes flashed from gray to a soulless black. Brooding features, normally handsome, turned hard. His chest heaved in and out as the monster swirled within the man, its gaze fixed on Dorian.

Thunder bellowed in the air overhead. Dorian collapsed to the ground in agony, his body shaking and convulsing in torment.

“Dorian!” I yelled out in fear.

He couldn’t respond, but roared in pain, his voice almost unrecognizable.

“Stop it!” I screamed at Kieron, but he didn’t acknowledge me. I pleaded with him, begged him to stop, but his savage eyes continued his unseen assault.

“You’re going to kill him!” I said, my voice trembling. But my pleas were in vain, as the darkness within him took full control.

There was only one option left.

I needed to get his attention, distract his anger away from Dorian, even if that meant it came after me. I rushed him and swung my fist toward his nose. He grabbed my hand, midair, and tossed me to the floor at his side. I reached out to protect myself, but my arm landed awkwardly. I twisted in pain as it caught on one of the rough stones and slashed open. Blood poured from below my wrist, and I held it tightly with my other hand, trying to stop the flow.

Dorian was only a few feet from me now, his body in constant agony. I shook as I watched him, unable to help. I’d never been afraid of Kieron, even when I thought I was. But now in this moment, I was afraid of what he could do, would do, to someone who betrayed him.

Dorian’s body stilled, and Kieron’s smoky gray eyes returned, his expression unfathomable as he observed my blood-covered flesh. Tears formed, and I bent my head, unable to look at him.

Terrified that he’d been killed, I clutched my bloodied arm and crawled over to Dorian. His body lay crumpled on the floor. When I rolled him onto his back, he moaned and my heart swelled with relief. He was alive. After a minute, he opened his eyes and offered me a brief smile.

“Are you all right?” I asked.

“Yes, I will be,” he said, the words croaking from his dry throat. When he tried to move, I stopped him with my hands.

“You shouldn’t get up just yet.”

He crouched onto his knees. “I’m fine, I promise.”

I raised my narrowed eyes to Kieron. “You almost killed him.”

He laughed. The bastard actually had the nerve to laugh at me. “If I wanted him dead, he’d be dead.”

“That’s right,” Dorian added. “He was just having a little temper tantrum. Still can’t control your emotions, can you, Kieron?” he said between a few uncomfortable coughs.

I thought Dorian was crazy to provoke him again, but he appeared unconcerned.

Kieron straightened his tie and smoothed his jacket. “You should have listened. Perhaps now you will.”

Dorian ignored him and grabbed my wrist. “Here, let me help you.” He placed his palm over my wound. I felt a slight burn and then nothing. When he removed his hand, my arm was healed.

“How did you . . .?” I asked, both shocked and grateful.

He placed his finger under my chin. “It’s nothing.” He winked at me as he helped me to my feet.