Fern's Flight (Sisters of Hex: Fern Book 3) Page 2

  “It’s essence of… Lilac,” she shrugs with a half-smile.

  “Sure…” I respond, not understanding the odd look Nostra is giving her. “Will your spell be strong enough to keep you all safe?”

  “Honestly, I don’t know.”

  “It will be,” Nostra says, raising his hand to get my attention. In fact, everyone around the table has got into the habit of raising their hand before speaking so I know who to look to next if it isn’t obvious by the conversation already.

  “Lissa is more capable than she believes,” he continues.

  “You have too much faith in my magic, Nostra.”

  “No, it’s not your magic I have faith in, it’s you,” he replies. I watch as he leans in close and presses a gentle kiss against her cheek. Lissandra’s eyelids flutter closed at the touch. The chemistry between them is insane. Even from where I’m sitting across the table, I can feel the heat of it.

  “Get a room,” Gabe mutters under his breath.

  Nostra pulls back and Lissandra clears her throat. She gives Gabe a scathing look before continuing.

  “Our most pressing task now is to ensure that Clover and the fae are ready to assist when the time comes. As you’ve experienced,” Lissandra says looking at Accacia and her men, “fae magic is powerful. We shall need their assistance.”

  “Clover’s bound to the Forbidden Forest, Lissa. I’m not sure how much help she will be able to give being trapped there. Besides, she has issues of her own. The fae king is making matters difficult,” Accacia answers, speaking carefully so that I can follow her.

  “You spoke with Clover already? You’re worried about her?” Lissandra asks.

  “Yes, I spoke with Clover and no, I’m not worried about her. She is not without power of her own, or support. Like us she has her men; Jael, Eldon and Avery. Right now, however, the fae king is her priority. She can’t help us until she has dealt with him first,” Accacia explains.

  “Then what do you suggest? You saw those demons. Abanthe almost killed Ether, and Mihr and I were on the losing side until Ezra and Devin came to help. Those creatures were formidable, and not easy to kill,” Gabe says, concern etching his forehead with lines.

  Rhain raises his hand, giving me a quick look before his attention falls on Gabe.

  “Fern took Abanthe out. They can be defeated. It didn’t take her much to deal with him, unlike you two with those demons on the roof.”

  “You forget you weren’t able to take Abanthe out either,” Gabe retorts.

  “Then how come it was so easy for her?” Rhain asks, looking at me with suspicion now.

  “Don’t look at Fern like that. You should be grateful!” Gabe snarls, leaning forward in his seat. I rest my hand on Gabe’s arm.

  “Stop, it’s okay,” I murmur. He settles back into his chair, but he’s still pissed, the muscle ticking in his jaw tells me as much.

  “Rhain, the honest answer is; I’ve no idea. I was angry. He killed my mother, he hurt Ether. I wanted revenge. It just happened…”

  The truth is, I was more than angry. I’d been filled with a white rage, and a hate so obsidian that I couldn’t see straight. A tiny spark of darkness in my chest that I had no idea existed erupted into something vengeful. It fuelled my strength, and in that moment, it was enough to slay Abanthe.

  “Fern, you don’t need to explain yourself to anyone, least of all him,” Gabe seethes.

  I watch as Rhain’s eyes narrow at Gabe, more tension fills the room. There’s still so much bad feeling between the two men. I understand why Rhain dislikes Gabe so much. What he did to Carlotta, one of Rhain’s household, was despicable, there’s no denying that, but Gabe is remorseful. If he could change what he did, I know he would.

  “Something to say?” Gabe growls.

  Rhain leans forward. “Oh, I have plenty to say, angel.”

  Accacia rests her hand on Rhain’s arm at the same time as I tug hard on one of Gabe’s feathers. He draws in a sharp breath, but it’s enough to snap him out of the broiling darkness and to remind him that we are here as allies, not enemies. Accacia rolls her eyes, she’s over the bullshit as much as I am.

  “We don’t have time for in-fighting. You two either battle it out, or get it together,” Lissandra snaps, voicing exactly what Accacia and I feel.

  Both men settle back in their chairs. They’re still glaring at each other, but at least that’s it.

  “I’m sorry for what I did,” Gabe says suddenly, surprising us all.

  He glances at me and I notice that his glacier eyes aren’t so hard anymore. In fact, the ice in them has melted somewhat since we first met. The corner of his lip lifts slightly, then he addresses Rhain.

  “Carlotta was a good woman. I abused her love for me and I’m truly sorry for that. I can’t change what I did, but I will try to make amends now, for her, for everything I’ve ever done.”

  Under the table, I feel Gabe reach out and place his hand on my thigh. I grab it and squeeze tightly. His large fingers curl around mine.

  Across the table Rhain regards Gabe. Beside him, Accacia leans in close and whispers something in Rhain’s ear.

  “Apology accepted,” Rhain says tightly.

  The whole room seems to breathe a sigh of relief. I glance at Accacia and she smiles tentatively at me. In that moment, the growing bond I feel with her seals.

  Nostra brings his hand up, drawing my attention back to him. He’s an attractive man with the strangest lilac eyes and even though they hold life, he doesn’t look well. I’ve seen death enough times to know when it lingers around a person. I glance at Lissandra who is watching me, watching him. Her lips tighten into a thin line, worry pulling her eyebrows together. She knows something, she’s worried about him too.

  “What’s done is done. There’s no changing that now,” Nostra says.

  The rest of the people sitting at the table believe he is talking about Gabe and Rhain’s past, but there’s more to it than that. Much more. Neither of us acknowledge it, but the glance from Lissandra tells me she’s all too aware that I know something isn’t quite right.

  “It’s clear that my sister is making an army of her own and the moment she’s able to, she will unleash her demons on us all. She’s powerful, yes, but she will still need time to make her army. If we are to get a foothold in this inevitable war, time is of the essence. We must work quickly.”

  “What do you suggest we do?” Ether asks.

  “Go home, train your people into the best warriors they can be. Twelve hours from now- half a moon cycle in the Shadowlands -you will return here, and you must be ready to fight. Too much time has passed already.”

  “What about you? You’ve no protection here,” Mihr says.

  “As you might have already noticed, Lissa has power of her own and that is keeping us safe for now. Her magic will protect us allowing you time to become that army you promised.”

  “Half a moon cycle isn’t nearly enough time to train a damn army,” Gabe says, crossing his arms.

  “It has to be. There’s no other choice. You have people who are willing to fight. I believe we have allies in Clan Spiritus too, if we’re able to get hold of them, that is,” Nostra says, looking at me pointedly.

  “I’ve been trying, but I can’t seem to get hold of Dani. Accacia is going to teach me how to call upon her in the stone room. We’re planning on reaching out to her after this meeting. The combined effort might work,” I respond.

  Lissandra nods her head in agreement. “Yes, I’m going to show Fern how to access the magic of the stone room without needing to be asleep to do it.”

  “Good. The sooner we know the status of the wolf pack the better I shall feel. Blake is a good man. I trust him,” Nostra says.

  “We do too,” Ezra agrees, giving me a brief smile. “Blake helped us when he could have walked away. Your friend, Danika, she’s in good hands.”

  “I hope you’re right. I met Finch briefly. He seemed… strong,” I say, not sure how to describe his
animal magmatism. I mean he really isn’t my type, but there’s no doubting his attractiveness. Mihr catches my eye and raises an eyebrow. He pushes a thought into my head and I squirm at the lust in his gaze. It would seem angels get territorial too.

  “And what about Clan Aequalis, are they willing to help?” Ether asks, sounding doubtful.

  “They took some convincing, but as we speak they’re searching for their missing clan daughter. It’s proved harder than expected to find her,” Lissa says, chewing on her lip.

  “Why?” I ask.

  “We think it’s to do with Nostra’s magic… or lack of it,” she adds with a sigh. “We gave them the stone after Nostra used all his magic up protecting us…”

  Nostra swipes his hand across his face, the dark circles stark against his pale skin. “Clan Aequalis are at a distinct disadvantage…”

  “Shit,” Gabe mutters under his breath.

  “And if they can’t find her?” Mihr asks.

  “They will,” Lissandra says firmly, but the doubt is there. I can see it, just like everyone else.

  “Your magic really is gone?” Ether asks.

  Nostra blows out a long breath. “It’s gone…” he looks away, his gaze falling to his hands as though he’s still hoping some magic will spark.

  Lissa stretches her hand out to his and grasps it tightly. They don’t look at one another, choosing to remain focussed on the rest of us, but their connection is a powerful one. Even I can feel the impact of it.

  “Surely magic doesn’t just disappear? I’ve seen what you can do. None of us would’ve survived the confrontation with your sister without it,” Ether says.

  “Believe me, Lissa and I have tried countless times to see if there is any magic left within me. I’m more human than the average human.” He attempts a smile, but it’s lost behind a deep well of sadness.

  “Then we keep trying. I will not give up on you,” Lissa says fiercely.

  “And I appreciate that, but I’m not the person you need to focus on.”

  “You know you still have that option, Nostra…” Lissa begins, but falters when she sees the look on Nostra’s face.

  “Never. Not whilst she’s alive.”

  “What option?” I ask, not understanding what’s going on. “If there’s something you can do to get your magic back, you must.”

  “No, I won’t risk it. There’s no guarantee it would work anyway.” Nostra pulls his hand from Lissandra’s and stands. “We need to reach Danika and the wolves. We need their help.” Nostra looks pointedly at me. “She’s your closest friend. You have the strongest connection with her. Lissa and Accacia will help you to reach her. You have thirty minutes. Then you must return to the Shadowlands and build that army,” Nostra says, before turning on his heel and leaving the room.

  Lissandra gets up. “Give me a moment, will you?” she asks before running after Nostra.

  “What was that all about?” I ask.

  Accacia stands, indicating for me to look at her. “Come on, let’s get started. I’ll explain as much as I can.”

  “Okay,” I agree, wondering what the hell is going on between Lissandra and Nostra, but instinctively knowing it isn’t good.

  She turns her attention to Ezra, the calmest of her three men. “We haven’t much time. Fill the angels in on what’s happening. We’ll be back soon,” she says, indicating for me to follow her. I get up and make my way to her side.

  “Oh, and if any of you start a fight, then you’ll have us to answer too. Behave,” she adds, and with that we leave the room.

  Chapter Two

  Accacia and I enter a small room just off the main entrance hall. There’s a fire lit in the hearth giving off a warm golden glow. A thick plush carpet, velvet armchair and golden drapes makes it feel both cosy and expensive. It’s a far cry from the makeshift home I shared with Ether, Mihr and Gabe in the temple back in Utero. My heart squeezes at the memory of our time there together. It feels like a lifetime ago, even though in reality it’s only been a couple of days. In that short time, my world has shifted on its axis again and I’m now leader of a clan of angels who are all willing to go to their death for me. I can’t even cope with my mother’s blood on my hands, let alone a whole race of people. I slump into the armchair feeling completely drained and nothing like the strong woman who convinced her clan to go to war.

  “How do I do this?” I say, not really expecting much of an answer. Accacia kneels in front of me and reaches for my hands. She grips them in hers, smiling kindly at me.

  “Reaching Danika, leading Clan Vitae to war, or being an angel?”

  “All of it,” I mutter.

  “I get how you feel, Fern. Christ knows I do… It wasn’t long ago that I was a scientist in a hospital studying blood for diseases. Now, I drink blood to survive.”

  “I still can’t quite believe you’re a vampire…” My voice trails off as two pointy incisors drop from her mouth. “You hungry or something?”

  “Starving, but don’t worry I’m not partial to angel’s blood,” she grins.

  “Well, thank goodness for that,” I respond with a half-smile. “I’ve not got much energy left to fight off a hungry vamp.”

  “Hey, we’re sisters remember, if not by blood then by choice. There’s no way I’d drink your blood even though it smells like honey.”

  “It does?”

  “Yep, the sweetest kind,” she grins, and I can’t help but smile with her. She squeezes my hand, pulling gently so that I am sitting on the floor with her. She folds her legs and rests her hands on her knees.

  “You can do this, Fern. I saw what you’re capable of when you tore that bastard’s head from his body. There was a fierceness to you, a strength that only comes from a desire to right wrongs and injustice. You are the perfect person to lead Clan Vitae.”

  “You seem very confident of my ability.”

  “I am. I believe, together, we can do this. Queen Adrielle won’t win. She’s taken too much already.”

  I nod my head and draw in a deep breath, finding strength from Accacia’s words.

  “Do you think it was wise leaving our men alone together?” I ask with a rueful grin.

  “They’ll be fine, they love and respect us too much to kill each other...” she pulls a face, shrugging her shoulders. “Let them get on with it, we’ve more important things to do right now.”

  Behind Accacia the door opens, and Lissandra steps in looking more than a little stressed.

  “You okay, Lissandra?” I ask.

  “I’ve been better.” She sits on the floor beside us both.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” I ask gently.

  “Why is he being so stubborn?” Lissandra asks. “He knows what we need to do and he’s refusing to do it.”

  “He’s protecting you,” Accacia says, resting her hand on top of Lissandra’s.

  “Why? Why does he feel the need to protect me? I’m done with it. I’ve looked after myself for most of my life. I’ve worked under Queen Adrielle for over half of it and survived. I love him, and he won’t let me help him because he’s protecting me? He trusted me enough to help him in the beginning and now he doesn’t. It’s infuriating.”

  “I had the same issues with Ether. He lied to me to protect me. It was stupid, a little patronising actually, but I understood why he felt the need to, given what’s at stake.”

  “Hold on, so you haven’t Entwined yet?” Accacia asks Lissandra, confusion marking her features.

  “No. He refuses.”

  “Then how are you able to produce such magic? I assumed you’d already slept with each other, given your capabilities.” Accacia says. Lissandra’s cheeks flush a little at that.

  “Hold on, sorry, I’m missing the point here, I think,” I say, a little confused myself.

  Lissandra pulls a face. “I’ve known for quite some time that Nostra is my soulmate. The first few days after we escaped Ever Vale, Nostra was very sick. He doesn’t remember, but he told me things in
his delirium. He told me what I mean to him and about my latent powers. There were other things he mentioned too. When he was well enough I questioned him. I wouldn’t let it drop until he told me everything. I’m kind of persistent like that. Bottom line is, my full magical powers will only come into force if Nostra and I sleep together, but he refuses because he knows Adrielle will try to kill me for them.”

  “I see,” I say. “And you think Entwining with Nostra will give him back his powers?”

  “I believe it might, though I don’t know for sure. I’m willing to try though…” her voice trails off and tears glisten in her beautiful grey eyes.

  “He’s sick, isn’t he?” I ask gently.

  “Yes. Without his magic, he’s weakening. Though he tries to convince me otherwise, death is closer than either of us care to admit. He makes me so mad I could scream.” Lissandra pounds her fist on the floor. I capture her hand and hold it in mine. Accacia takes her other hand, I glance up at her and she looks at me with shock. Cleary, she had no idea about the seriousness of the situation either.

  “I didn’t know. I just thought Nostra was taking longer to recover from losing his magic. You must convince him to Entwine with you, Lissa,” she says.

  “I’m trying. He’s stubborn and pig-headed…”

  “Ezra was the same,” Accacia says, rolling her eyes. Then she frowns, remembering something. “But Nostra told me that your magic will only come into force after you Entwine, that it’s latent. Yet, you can rip a portal in time and space, you can put a ward up around this mansion. I’m guessing that takes an awful lot of magic?”

  “You’re right, it does. I have a theory about why my magic is strengthening and it has to do with you both…”

  “With us? How?” I ask.

  “Well, all of the clan daughters actually.”

  “I’m listening,” Accacia says, cocking her head to the side.

  “Okay, so witches are gifted their magic. We aren’t born with it or receive it from our parents. Covens are formed by a magical bond, not by blood, or by kin. Unfortunately for Nostra, he was tied to his sister because of their magic.”