Legend of the Touched (29 page)

She knocked on Lynx's door, praying silently he did
not answer it, even better if he wasn't even there to begin with.
Before going over, Gwen at least called to make sure Navi knew she
was on her way. The conversation had been short and terse.

Navi answered the door, gave Gwen a genuine smile,
and welcomed her in. "He's already asleep. It's been a busy
day."

"I'm sorry I didn't come sooner. Jason didn't think
it would be wise for me to see you right away," Gwen said
quietly.

"Probably not, but now is actually a perfect time, so
it works out."

"You sounded angry on the phone. I wasn't sure."

"Because I am angry, but that's beside the point."
Navi took her by the hand and led her to a bedroom. There another
girl closer to Gwen's age lay in the bed asleep. What startled her
the most was that this girl was Oceina.

Gwen raised both of her eyebrows, silently asking the
question her lips dare not say.

"She belongs to the Great Water Lord," Navi said
softly. "They invaded Oceina City around seven hours ago. The
things Lynx is thinking of doing are disgusting. I haven't felt
comfortable with leaving her alone in here for long because of
it."

"It makes me sad to see you here," Gwen whispered.
The two sat on the floor at the foot of the bed. There was no other
furniture for them to sit on, but the floor was perfectly
comfortable as it was covered in plush, cream colored carpet.

Her friend gave a small, sad smile. "Thank you, that
means a lot to hear. I'm the bad guy after all, for leaving and
breaking his heart."

"Even though he manipulated you and hurt you far
worse," Gwen snorted.

"That's not how the story goes in the city."

"I suppose that's why it's a story though.
Right?"

Navi sighed. "We were halfway across Oceina when we
were found by his spies. They ambushed us and I think the rest is
self explanatory."

Gwen nodded. "What are you going to do now? What
about Chris?"

"My husband? Lynx drove him out of the city. If he's
ever seen here again, well...I don't think I need to explain this
either." Navi half-smiled.

Gwen loved hearing the news of the nuptials between
Navi and Chris. At least the two were finally able to be together,
even if only for a moment.

Still, Gwen was disappointed. "So this is the end?
And things are going to return to normal?"

Navi laughed. "Things aren't ever going to be the
same. They started changing the moment you arrived in the city.
When the twins grew up, the world changed. And this is far from
being the end."

The smirk Navi wore made it clear she had a plan.

Chapter Sixty-Nine

The Oceina

Alex hadn't been given a lot of time to decide if he
would accept the position of Guardian or not. There wasn't much
time. Soon Darien would have to leave for the Inero country. His
uncles had their troops in place, ready to attack, to create the
diversion he'd need to sneak in. Darien gathered with Tony, Alex,
and Allegra in the den.

Tony held a copy of the Holy Book in his hands. "It's
a simple ceremony, but it will take a lot out of you both.
Especially Alex. Your magic is strong Darien, so you might not feel
as much of a drain. Because of this strength though, this might be
a particularly painful thing for you to endure Alex. I just want
you to understand that. It's similar to what the women go through
when they transition, or adapt, to our magic changing their DNA and
making them like us. The same thing will happen to you. Remember
though, you will be
like
us, not one of us."

"I understand," Alex said, a fierce determination in
his voice.

"Okay, face one another," Tony instructed Darien and
Alex. They did so and waited. "All right, before we continue. Alex,
do you solemnly swear that you will uphold your duties as a
Guardian, a keeper of our secret? You will tell no other living
soul who and what we really are. Should you take a wife, this is
open for reconsideration, but even then you must bring her before
us as a petition of your love. You will live by our laws, and you
must swear your life to the Oceina nation and people, forsaking
your human heritage. Do you accept this responsibility?"

"I do," Alex whispered.

"Darien, you are the one choosing to bind him to our
people. Do you swear to help this human succeed in this charge, and
accept full responsibility for his actions? To guide and direct him
down the right path?"

"Yes, I do," Darien said.

Tony lifted a knife from the book. He had been
holding it in the crease, and Darien didn't know if its presence
should worry him or not. "Both of you extend to me your right hand,
palm up." They did so, and with one swift swipe, both of the young
men had their hands cut open. "Grasp the others hand and mingle
your blood. From then on, you will be like brothers. The dragon
will flow through the human, giving him strength and magic to help
him fulfill his duties to the people. The blood of the human will
be inside of the dragon to remind him of the people, the species,
he was born and chosen to protect—the people God loves more than
any other. Once your blood mixes, it is done. There is no going
back."

Darien lifted his eyes to stare into Alex's, wanting
to make sure this was something the other teenager wanted. Without
any hesitation, Alex grabbed Darien's sliced hand with his own and
held on tight. Instantly, Darien felt his magic flowing from him
and into his friend. The amount of energy was so great it caused
their hands to glow and then ignite in a blue flame. Alex whimpered
slightly and his eyes teared, but he held his ground.

I won't cave. I won't fall down.
A male voice
that wasn't his own filled Darien's head. It took him a moment to
realize that it was Alex. Another person to be in his head? He
didn't know how to feel about it, though he did miss having Tai
there. The replacement company for the time being would be nice,
but would she be connected with Alex too? That didn't sit well with
Darien.

The longer they held on to one another, the stronger
the flow of magic became. Two more minutes passed, and Alex let go.
He stumbled back a few feet and held onto his head.

"Are you okay?" Darien asked quietly.

"I think so." Alex blinked, still holding his head.
"I feel like I'm on fire."

"We'll get you to a room so you can lie down," Tony
said. His eyes were wide. Allegra had a similar expression on her
face. "It worked."

Darien nodded. "It did. Welcome to our
brotherhood."

Chapter Seventy

The Inero

Searching for Lenora, Kat made her way to the room
where her father-in-law lived. She'd never been here before, and
didn't necessarily want to go. But she needed the woman who was
like a mother to her. Everything with the war was happening so much
faster than she had anticipated. Her husband had returned to her
safely, but she knew the Oceina Lord would retaliate with a
vengeance, and then what? Who would be hurt first? Matt. She was
terrified for him, for their child, and for the entire nation.

A guard stood outside of the room, but only one, and
he appeared to be bored, slouched against the nearby wall. When he
caught sight of Kat, he tensed and straightened momentarily before
backing away so she could go about her business. He must have not
thought her a threat. She knocked on the door and prayed silently
that Lynx didn't answer. They'd met a couple of times and engaged
in a few brief conversations. The man intimidated her, a lot. Matt
loved him, and she respected that, but to her Lynx gave off a lot
of bad vibes. Something was not right about him.

Navi was the one who answered the door and she
invited Kat in. Her eyebrow arched slowly and her arms folded in
front of her. "Yes?"

"I'm here to see Lenora," Kat murmured.

"She's out. She hasn't been here since I returned,
actually."

Kat frowned, her eyes looking down, immediately
feeling embarrassed. "I haven't gotten to speak with her since you
arrived. Do you by chance know where she is?"

"Probably staying in a suite alone," Navi said.

With a small nod, Kat continued to find a place to
look that was anywhere but the other woman's face. "I will try her
old room then. Thank you." She paused. "I'm not sure it's worth
much, but I am sorry all of this happened."

For the first time since the two had met, Navi gave
her a smile. A small one, but it was a meaningful one all the same.
"It's worth a lot, thank you. And I
am
glad things are well
for you. I'm sure you will find Lenora. Naturally, things have been
tense over a short period of time."

"Naturally."

"I..." Navi paused. "I would stay in your room
tonight if possible. Is your need to see Lenora urgent?"

"No, I suppose not." Kat couldn't help but wonder why
the suggestion was being given. It sounded almost like a warning
even. Perhaps Navi was planning her escape? Kat wouldn't stop her
from doing so. She didn't like Navi being there, nor did she care
much for the woman. Things had been a lot nicer at the pool without
her actually. Without her or Gwen. Those two did not fit in
there.

Kat turned to leave and bit her lip before looking
back at the woman. "If you need anything to make your time here
easier Miss Navi, please let me know. Again, I know we haven't been
close in the past, but I wouldn't look away like many of the others
here."

Navi watched her for a moment, eyes narrowed
slightly. "I want to trust you. Despite what I maybe have been
told, I believe you have a good heart. The Lady Oceina is with me,
and I don't know if she's doing well. She's concerned for her
friends and kin who were captured along with her. Our Lord has
threatened their lives a number of times. I would leave to find out
news of them myself, but I don't particularly want to leave her
alone. Gwen is here, your sister-in-law, but I don't think she's
much more comfortable with the idea of staying than any of us. She
doesn't much enjoy the city, being from the country."

She nodded, listening. "Do you want me to see if I
can check in on them? I don't want to get in trouble, but...I know
if it were me in her shoes...I would hope for some kindness. After
all, we are the women – we are not the doers of the deeds our men
perform. Sometimes I can't help but wonder if we suffer the most
for their name."

"We do because they think we're weak and vulnerable,"
Navi said.

"It's not her fault her husband is who he is anymore
than it is yours," Kat said softly.

"Besides, it's only a word. I'm not asking anything
else. Just see if they are still breathing."

A small courtesy. She couldn't be punished for that.
If it were her, she'd want the same. "Sure."

"Thank you. I'll send Gwen with you so you don't have
to come back if you'd like? I'm sure you're tired. I heard you just
delivered and I know that can be a tiring task."

"All right, but there isn't much need. I'm sure I can
get a word here in a moment." Though she didn't much want to go
with Gwen. Not having to return would be nicer though. Matt would
have the answers. All she had to do was get a hold of him.

Is it true there are Oceina inside of the
castle?
She asked, unsure of how to bring the topic up. He had
to have known she already knew. Everyone in the castle knew the
Lady Oceina was being kept inside of the walls.

Hmm?
Matt said.
Yes. There are three of
them here.

What are you going to do with them? They aren't
going to escape are they?

They can't escape the dungeon. It's near
impossible. As for what we're going to do with them? That remains
to be seen. Ideally, we'll work out some kind of an agreement with
the Oceina Lord for their safe return. I'd rather not kill them
all, though Father seems to think it might be necessary. He doesn't
think they'll give up their homeland,
he said.

She glanced over at Navi who was watching her. The
woman's head was cocked to the side. Kat closed her eyes for a
moment, trying to push down the guilt that was rising in her gut.
Was she deceiving her husband? She didn't want to think of it as
such, but it was hard to be sure. Especially when he asked his next
question.

Why? I mean, why are you curious?

Taking in a deep breath, she gave him the most real
statement she'd said the entire time.
It was something I'd
heard, and it scared me. I know you'll always tell me the truth.
Are you leaving again?

No, I'll be here. Father thinks it's important I do
my work from the castle for now.

Kat sighed with relief. That made everything better
at least.
Come back soon then. I need you with me.

I'll try,
he said.

Good enough for her. She gave Navi a weak smile.
"They're alive in the dungeon and they don't plan on killing
anyone. Hopefully they can work out an agreement, because this
needs to end. I wish everyone could be at peace."

"We all do," Navi said. "Thank you. I'm sure the Lady
will feel much more at ease. Perhaps she can use this information
to encourage more peace."

"I hope so," Kat whispered and played with her hands
in an effort to not let her fear take control of her. "And I will
be taking your advice and staying in. Matt is staying with me, and
being by him is much more important."

"Yes, I'm sure you have a lot of time to make up for.
Past and future."

Kat didn't want to think of the future when he would
be leaving her again. She bid Navi farewell, giving a small curtsy,
before going back to her room. The woman's subtle warning still
lingered in her mind. What was going to happen? And did she need to
tell Matt about it?

Chapter Seventy-One

The Inero