Chapter Twenty-Six
I was seated at the bottom of the stairs, just in sight of the front doors. My hands were clasped in my lap as I stared at the doors determinedly, leaning my head against the rails of the stairway. Occasionally, an impatient sigh escaped me, but otherwise I was still.
Miles was late. He had told me he wouldn't be gone long, but two nights had passed without Levi and him returning from their assignment. I spent my time trying not to be concerned with their absence, but there was an uneasy feeling within me that only increased over time. Before long, I found myself neglecting my practice of magic and instead staring at the door while willing them to return.
My wait was interrupted when Sebastian appeared around the corner, entering my vision. He appeared to be in a discussion on his cellphone, but when he caught sight of me, he promptly ended the call.
"Katia," He greeted me, smiling pleasantly.
"Hello, Sebastian," I answered, ducking my head bashfully. Sebastian appeared amused by my shyness. He glanced towards the doors momentarily and then back to me before approaching me. I watched as he sat on a step near me.
"You can call me Seb, if you'd like," He told me. I considered it, but then shook my head.
"I like Sebastian," I hesitated as my skin flushed. I felt so nervous around him suddenly. "I mean, I like the name Sebastian... but I do like you, too. I mean... because you're nice and... I'm waiting for Miles to come home." Sebastian had allowed me to stumble over my own words without taking his dark eyes off of me, but at my last statement he frowned and turned away.
"He's still not back, hmm?" He began to fiddle with the screen of his cellphone absently. After a moment, he put the device away once again and turned to me with a reassuring smile. "I'm sure Levi and him have just been messing around. They should be back soon." I squeezed my hands together on my lap, that uneasy feeling still gripping my soul.
"I think something's wrong," I admitted quietly.
"Don't worry, Katia," Sebastian responded gently, "I've heard you've been practicing magic. How has that been?" I knew he was trying to draw my mind from my concerns, but the subject only reminded me that the one who was teaching me control wasn't here. I shrugged halfheartedly.
"I'm starting to get a hang of it," I replied without enthusiasm. I turned my eyes to Sebastian slowly, noting his own mood darkening with concern in response to mine. I didn't like the idea of dampening his heart, so I pushed myself to smile. "Would you like to see?"
"Sure," He said, his form softening under my look.
I lifted one of my hands, thinking of Sebastian watching as I summoned my power. It was reluctant, but I pushed around the barrier that stifled the majority of my abilities. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but as I called my power to the surface, a glow began to light on my fingertips. It felt cold to me, as though the magic was numbing my fingers, and I knew if I touched something I could probably transform it into whatever I desired.
"The Etatio spell," Sebastian mused while watching, "But a silent caster can use a spell with more diversity than a normal caster. That's impressive, Katia." I was watching the glow curiously.
"I think sometimes my subconscious decides on a spell before I can, if I'm not specific," I told him, watching the power settle on my fingertips gently. I wondered if Miles would be impressed as well. I was still occasionally knocked down by my magic. As time passed, it was becoming increasingly less likely. But he hadn't come home and neither had Levi. Where were they?
At the thought of Miles and Levi, my magic transformed. The glow around my fingers dispersed, fading into my surroundings as it reached out past the walls around me. And then it vibrated back to me, ringing throughout me like an alarm. I stood up sharply.
"Levi," I gasped just before the front door was opened. Levi took only a step through the threshold before he spilled onto the floor painfully. Sebastian had abandoned his position next to me and was beside Levi within a breath.
Levi's clothing had been torn at or perhaps sliced through. There was blood caking his frame and it dripped onto the floor under him. He was injured. My heart tightened at the sight, a panic seizing me. I moved towards him without another thought.
As I approached him, his eyes rose from the floor and met mine. They were clear a second and then they were wild. I was only a step away from his grasp when an arm wrapped around my waist, yanking me back forcefully just before Levi lunged for me. I cried out in surprise and Levi growled wildly as Sebastian pinned him to the ground.
My blood ran cold at the vision. I'd never seen Levi so out of control before. He was like a feral animal, starved and crazy. But I couldn't feel in danger, either. The arm around my waist was warm and strong, and his other arm moved over my chest to embrace me protectively.
"Never run to an injured vampire, Katia," Jax warned me. I looked over my shoulder at him, lifting my hands to grip his arms gently. "The quickest way to heal is to feed and he won't be able to stop once he's started." I looked back to Levi, tears beginning to bud in my eyes as my concern only deepened.
Levi had calmed down after a moment. He panted under Sebastian, who held his knee against Levi's chest to pin him down without much effort. Once he appeared more within his own head, Sebastian released him carefully. Then he helped Levi to sit up, clasping his hand in Levi's firmly as though they were about to arm wrestle.
"What happened?" Sebastian asked him, his tone laced with dark power.
"Witches," Levi answered, wincing with pain, "The Exodus coven. They got Miles. They want Katia." I tensed in Jax's grip, fear dripping into my veins like ice. But I wasn't afraid of being captured by the witches. I was afraid for Miles. If Levi looked like this and he'd gotten away, what would happen to his brother?
"I'll go," I offered with panic, "They want me, not him."
"You will not," Theo snarled, towering in front of me suddenly. He turned towards Sebastian, tense and defensive. "Leave Miles to die. It's his fault for being careless."
"No!" I shouted at Theo, suddenly furious. A crackle of power escaped me, snapping at my surroundings enough for the floor to tremble below us. I checked it just as quickly as it escaped, drawing it back to me as Miles had taught me. Theo had turned to me with surprise, but my outburst had silenced his cruel ideas.
"I'll go myself if you guys won't," Oliver announced with ease, leaning against the rails of the stairs. "I like a little danger every once in a while. A couple dozen or so witches sounds fun to me. Besides, things would be boring without Miles around."
"We're all going," Sebastian declared firmly, turning his eyes on me. "Katia, we'll need your help." I opened my mouth in surprise, prepared to argue my case to make them allow me to go as well, but then I set my expression firmly and nodded.
~...~
We were crouched hidden in trees. In the near distance was a towering building which looked abandoned from first glance, but my magic could discern the protective spell over it and knew the look was faked. My heart pulsed loudly in my chest, adrenaline pumping through me as I waited for Sebastian's orders.
Sebastian had needed me to find where Miles was located. He had guided me through the spell, in which I was able to search for Miles using Levi as a link. Their shared DNA was enough for me to pinpoint his whereabouts, despite the Exodus coven's protective spell used to hide them. After that, Theo had demanded that I stay home, but as it turned out I was needed for something else.
Sebastian looked back at me and held out his hand. I grasped it without hesitation, delighted by the sunglow of his grip. He pulled me close to him, clasping my hand with both of his before addressing me sincerely.
"You have to be quick and careful," He told me determinedly, "Go in through the window on the right, just next to the front door. Once inside, find the source of the barrier. You'll be able to break it easily with your power. Then we'll be able to go inside."
I nodded quickly, turning to approach the building with purpose. Sebastian tugged me back firmly, his jaw tense and displeased. He obviously didn't like his own idea.
"If you see anyone at all, leave," He ordered me sharply. "All you need to do is take one step outside and we'll be there, barrier or not. Understand?"
"I understand," I answered quietly. I looked behind him at the others, each of them frowning or otherwise angry. But in the end, Sebastian gave the orders and they trusted his decisions. I smiled at them reassuringly. "I'll be okay."
Sebastian reluctantly released my hand and I began to escape from the trees. I was breathless. I felt like a doe standing vulnerably within an open field, but there were no enemies around. I approached the building carefully, crouching low as I advanced. As I reached the window, I lifted my hand carefully.
I wasn't sure if this was the Exodus headquarters or how many members would be here, but considering they were one of the lead covens, it was safe to say they were powerful. I could feel the strength of the barrier; keeping all vampires from entering their domain. My own hand went through it with ease, quiet in the night.
I opened the window carefully, lifting myself through it bravely. Once inside, I hesitated. The interior of the building was a dazzling difference from the outside glamour. It looked well-lived in. The lights were off as if all the inhabitants were gone or sleeping, but the décor was ancient and comfortable. I moved across the floor curiously, looking around silently.
I had to find the source of the barrier. Sebastian said it would be an item with the mark of Etulum, or rather a symbol on it that would link the magic through it as the heart of the spell. Being that this was a different coven from Genesis, he couldn't be sure what it looked like. I moved through the archway towards the next room, inspecting carefully.
I found it near the front door. It was a symbol carved into the leg of a lamp table. I wasn't sure how I knew it was what I was looking for, but I was certain this was it. My heart pulsed quickly in my chest and I stepped towards the source with determination.
"Phoenix," A familiar voice called to me, making me freeze in mid-step. I turned to face Camelia, the leader of the Exodus coven. She was alone, dressed casually as if unprepared for my sudden appearance. How could she look so at home, knowing she had injured Levi and held Miles captive somewhere in this building? "You've finally come."
"You've attacked those I care about," I said bravely, squaring myself to face her fully. Never be afraid of yourself. If you're able to do something, do it. Miles' voice echoed in my head, preventing my legs from trembling beneath me. Camelia appeared confused by my accusation.
"Those you care about?"
"Levi and Miles. You harmed them and you have Miles now," I continued, my voice low and dangerous. "I've come for him, not for you."
"The Genesis vampire?" Camelia inquired, bewildered. "Oh, Phoenix. They've brainwashed you. They're not yours to protect; they've killed innocents and are nothing more than the shells of who they used to be. They're demons. They'll only use you against your own kind and once they're done, you'll be discarded like one of us."
I was drawn by her gentle voice, a part of me considering it kindling to a fire on a cold night. My magic was allured by hers in a way that was similar to its call to my vampires, but it was also different. I shook my head firmly, pushing away the confusing emotions.
"I'll break their curse and bring life to their shells," I told her sternly, "And I have a name." Camelia frowned at me.
"Katia," She said simply. And then she abruptly lifted her hand, "Nixa-"
My power sparked from me like an explosion before I could even begin to think the word etarma. There was no fear in my heart, just angry determination. She aimed to stun me with that curse; to strip me away from the power she wanted. I wouldn't allow it.
Camelia's curse was more than blocked. She was suddenly lifted, slammed into the ceiling above her and then dropped onto the ground roughly. She appeared stunned for a moment, struggling to lift herself back up, but when she faced me again she aimed her spell for me quickly.
"Nix-" She began.
"Etarma," I cried out, lifting my own hands. My power washed over my arms, breaking apart her curse before it could reach me and targeting her form once again. Camelia was hit and I swiped my hand to the left viciously, sending her flying against the wall like a ragdoll. The violence in the attack was shocking. I promptly pulled my power back, stepping away with wide eyes.
Camelia was crumpled on the floor under where I had thrown her. She was still breathing, though harshly. I knew she wouldn't attempt her curse again, but I stood ready in case she tried.
"I'm not your phoenix," I told her with a trembling voice, "I won't be sacrificed. We just want Miles back and then we'll go in peace." I hesitated only a moment longer before approaching the source of the barrier.
"I don't understand," Camelia's voice was quiet and hurt. I paused, a pain shooting through my soul at the sound of hers. "You were supposed to protect us."
I looked at her with hesitation. Protect them? Her coven?
"I just want to live," I told her, my own voice strained with pain. Camelia looked up at me with her caramel eyes sensitive and sad.
"Genesis and Leviticus are gone. Without you, they will have died in vain. Without you, we'll be next," Camelia said to me in a hushed voice before looking at the source of the barrier, fear entering her expression before she swayed faintly, "If you let them in... they'll... kill us all." Her breath fell shallow before she slumped over, unconscious from her injuries.
I stared at her, stunned. For a moment, I could see myself in her; afraid and trying to protect those I cared about. I stared at the marking of the barrier, knowing I only had to break it and the others would come. This would ensure Miles' escape and my safety.
You were supposed to protect us.
I moved my hands away from the source, tightening them into fists. I knew I wouldn't allow myself to be sacrificed to their coven, for them to gain my power to protect themselves, but it didn't mean I couldn't prevent the body count from increasing overnight.
I would rescue Miles myself; alone.
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Music: The Hunted by Snow Ghosts
Feel free to curse out Katia for her decision making skills. xD Or worship her; whichever.
Gonna be looking at a billion places today, hopefully I find a new home! (Moving in with my best friend!)
*Update on the new home*: We found an apartment!
I want to add: THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! You guys are honestly the nicest readers, I have yet to read any nasty comments and the love you have for my characters is amazing. Thank you for everything! ^^
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