Treason: Book Two of the Grimoire Saga (a Young Adult Fantasy series) (26 page)

He rubbed his temples. “You are hard-headed, frustrating, and right to a degree. But you must understand that our kind is lonely. We must be self-reliant and distrusting. It is the only way to survive.

“Yes, I was hurt. Everything I loved was taken from me, and I failed. I failed Helen. I failed my vagabonds. I failed my teachers, my friends, and my people. I failed myself. History has twisted my memory and warped me into a convenient myth. The world has forgotten what I set out to do. But with you, I can reignite my old purpose. I can redeem myself. Kara, you are my last chance!

“If Carden wins this brewing war, there is no hope for Ourea. That’s why you cannot fail. You won’t get a second chance at anything. You cannot be lost to either the evils or the beauties of the world. Can you understand why I push you so hard? You are my last chance to do this right. With you, I can fix everything I broke in life.”

Kara looked at the floor. Her body ached from exhaustion. “I’m trying, Vagabond.”

He smiled. “You are. You’re doing so well. That’s just one more reason why it’s so crucial you succeed. You can’t be distracted. Bring about peace, and then you can have your happiness.”

“I’m beginning to doubt that’s even possible,” Kara said under her breath.

“If you don’t believe in peace, then it will never be. You of all people must know that anything is possible as long as you keep an open mind.”

“Look, we won’t get there if I make more vagabonds. It’s just going to make the Bloods angry. It will make them fear me and make them doubt everything we’ve done to pull them together.”

“The Bloods aren’t dependent upon you, and that’s where the danger lies. If you become uncontrollable or simply unnecessary, they will revolt against you. Everything is still volatile, and so much is uncertain. A vagabond army of your own will protect you. Protect the village’s location and protect your Vagabonds. That is the only way to survive this war.”

Kara shook her head. “You make it sound like the yakona aren’t worth saving.”

“They are, but that doesn’t mean you must trust or like them. Our purpose is to unite them for the good of Ourea and of the world. We’re just trying to make the Bloods see reason against war.”

“By starting one?”

“This war began well before my time. We’re here to finish it.”

She sighed. “So what do I do?”

“Build your army, which is not something you should orchestrate alone. Find a second in command and charge them with starting the army while you distract the Bloods. Hopefully, they will never need to know that you have an army, and hopefully, your vagabonds can live forever in the village, safe. But they must be ready should you need them. Your second must be someone you could trust with your life.”

“Braeden.”

“Like I’ve already said, he’s not an option.”

“Twin, then.”

“Change her, and I will help you once again.”

“So how do I change her?”

“Give her one of the unopened Grimoires. If she is worthy, it will do the rest.”

“But there has to be another way to make vagabonds. I mean, you didn’t always have those Grimoires, but you made vagabonds nonetheless.”

He caught her gaze. She resisted the impulse to squirm.

“I don’t trust you with that information. Not yet,” he said.

“What? Why not?”

“When you stop secretly hoping you can free Braeden from what he is, I will tell you. He must face what he is and discover his own purpose. You cannot save him from that.”

She looked away.

The Vagabond continued as if they’d never discussed Braeden at all. “When you turn Twin, she will be free. All your vagabonds will be without a Blood, and they will relish that freedom. So remember, they will never be forced to follow you. You must earn their respect to remain their leader. Be kind, be honest, and be firm.”

The Vagabond looked her over and sighed. He waved his hand. Blurred wisps of white light spun from the void in front of Kara. They twirled around each other and made the outline of a couch. With a flash, they congealed together, and a leather sofa floated in the darkness.

The first Vagabond gestured toward the chair. “Would you like a seat? You look exhausted, Kara.”

She was, though she didn’t want to admit it. As sleepless as her night had been, it wasn’t for lack of trying. Her body shook with fatigue, but her thoughts raced too quickly to let her mind rest for even a moment.

Kara nodded and settled into the couch. It bent beneath her, soft enough to put her to sleep, but she stared into the darkness above her in an attempt to stay awake. The endless black reminded her of the lichgate back at the village.

The Vagabond walked back to the fire. “It’s a special lichgate, in case you hadn’t guessed.”

“Huh?” Kara hadn’t said anything.

Oh, right. He could read her mind. He’d referred to the lichgate back at the village.

He nodded. “Lichgates are imperfect things and easy to corrupt. In my travels, I discovered how to change the destination of a lichgate. I think that’s how Carden lured the Queen of Hillside away from her home, to be honest. I didn’t want anyone to do that to my village, so I created an unbreakable lichgate. That one will always take you back to the temple.”

Kara nodded. Sleep pulled at her eyes. Good to know.

“Kara? Are you awake?”

She leaned forward and forced her eyes open. “Yes, yeah. I’m awake.”

“As much as I don’t want you to know him, you should visit Stone.”

“Who is that?” she asked.

The name seemed familiar, but her tired mind failed her. Her eyes drooped.

The Vagabond continued. “Stone was my mentor. He taught me much about Ourea, and I never learned as much from anyone as I did from him. He is a powerful isen, but always seeks to understand the science behind magic and the world. He’s been around long enough to have found hidden entrances into the kingdoms so that Twin can go unseen.”

Sleep tugged on Kara’s eyelids, but she forced them back open. “Wait, I thought the muses were your mentors? Adele and Garrett said they taught you to break a yakona’s blood loyalty.”

“They taught me much, yes, but muses have a habit of taking more credit than they deserve. A muse named Bailey introduced me to them and taught me more than even they did. Still, no one has ever taught me more than Stone.”

“Who’s Bailey? You never mentioned him before.”

“He asked me not to name him in the Grimoire to protect him. He was not permitted to help me.”

“Did something happen to him?”

“Yes, but I will not be the one to tell you. I’m biased. If Adele and Garrett haven’t told you, nor should I. Muses are slow to heal.”

“Look, if this concerns me, I need to know.”

“I don’t believe it does. Therefore, the muses will tell you when they are ready. Do not ask Stone.”

“Did he have something to do with it?”

“You ask an annoying number of questions about matters that do not involve you. Do not ask me again.”

“That was a yes, right?”

He rubbed his temples and chuckled. “You’re infuriating.”

“You find me amusing.”

“Confusing is more like it. Slow to change your mind.”

“Speaking of that—”

She leaned forward, shoulders hunched, but she had to make one more argument.

“Please just stay out of my feelings for Braeden. Let me do this. I promise you, it will make me happy. It will give me strength when I need it most to know what I’m fighting for.”

“Listen, Kara. What if it doesn’t work out between you and Braeden? You could never be impartial. He’s the Heir to the Stele, after all. He’ll distract you both during your time together and when your relationship ends. He—”

“When? Don’t you mean
if
? Unless I’m mistaken, you can’t tell the future.”

“No, I can only make predictions. And based on his father, his heritage, his upbringing—”

“Stop.”

The Vagabond paused, his mouth open to continue.

Kara pushed herself to her feet. “You, who preach equality, peace, and freedom, would
dare
imply that Braeden’s using me solely because it’s what any other man in his lineage would do?”

“That is a factor, yes.”

“You hypocrite! You won’t let me free him, but you won’t trust him because of the lineage he’s bound to?”

The Vagabond rubbed his neck. “I never said this was fair.”

“Has it ever occurred to you that you might be wrong about something? About anything? Ever? Does that thought
ever
come to you before it’s too late or before things can’t be fixed?”

The Vagabond flinched as if she’d slapped him. “Kara, that was cruel.”

“No, it was a wakeup call. You have to see yourself as I see you right now. Yes, you’re wise. You’re brilliant and powerful and amazing. But you aren’t perfect. You make mistakes, and no amount of time locked away in a book simmering on your thoughts can make you omniscient. You’re mortal! You’re still—”

“I’m what? Hmm? Human?”

Kara tightened her jaw and stepped back. She needed to calm down.

He seethed. “If you’re willing to risk millions of lives for puppy love, Kara, be my guest. You seem to know far more than me!”

“Look, I think we both need to calm down. I’m sor—”

“If you waver, you will fail. I will not let you fail, even if it means getting rid of him myself!”

Kara’s eyes narrowed. She squared her shoulders. “And what does that mean? You’d kill him?”

“Get out!” the Vagabond screamed.

I obviously hit a nerve
was the last thought she had before a sharp pull on her stomach wrenched her over the chair and into the darkness.

Kara sat quickly upright, the sun blinding her as it streamed through the window. It took her a moment to get her bearings. Just a second ago, she had been about to placate the Vagabond. She’d been about to apologize in an effort to calm him down.

He’d kicked her out. Just like that. Oh, he was
definitely
imperfect. So was she, but at least she knew it.

She looked over, but the Grimoire still lay open beside her. She wished it away before she noticed Braeden standing by the door.

“We need to go,” he said without looking at her.

Kara nodded, but all she could think about doing was grabbing his shirt and pulling him closer. Should she do it? Kiss him again? Did he want that anymore? Maybe sleeping on it had changed his mind. Maybe he was already over her. The prince had likely broken plenty of hearts in his time.

She would always care for him. He’d done so much to help her. But the Vagabond’s face haunted her. He’d been angry. Violent. What would he do if she gave in? He’d already threatened to let Braeden die if she disobeyed him. Would he outright kill him? Could he even do that?

Braeden wouldn’t survive a fight with the Vagabond. The first Vagabond didn’t have a physical form, sure, but he could possess Kara. He’d done it twice already. If he did it again, Braeden might not defend himself if it meant hurting her. The Vagabond had to know that, too.

However much she hated it, Braeden would only be safe if she remained distant. She sighed, cursing under her breath, and couldn’t look at him.

“What are you going to do once we get out of the Stele?” she asked.

He stretched. “I’m going back to Ayavel. The Bloods and I want the same thing, and I get a say in the war now. I’ll make sure of that much. Are you going to the village?”

Kara almost missed the pause before he asked the question. She almost didn’t catch the slight tremor in his voice. He’d obviously been trying to be casual about asking. The hesitation, the fear—it was hope she would go, not a real question. He wanted her at the village and out of harm’s way.

A sliver of happiness twisted in her gut without her wanting it to. Maybe his apathy was just an act to appease her. Maybe nothing had changed, except that he would pretend not to care.

Kara sighed. Maybe, when this war was over, she really would find happiness. Flick stretched as he woke up from where he’d curled up along the wall.

She looked up at Braeden and couldn’t help smiling. “No, I’m not going to the village. I have—um—an errand to run in Ayavel. But first, I need to visit an isen named Stone. He was the first Vagabond’s mentor, and I’m supposed to ask him something.”

The prince cringed. “An isen? I’m coming with you.”

Kara should have refused. She should have told Braeden to go to Ayavel and kept him at a distance. But she wanted his company, and she couldn’t tell him no.