Chapter 15

The two elders that had been sent to check on the other realms weren’t back so we were waiting. My mind paused on the thought of realms. Other realms. I was still having trouble swallowing the fact that there were other realms. Five others existed outside of the world I lived in. Well, lived, until I climbed that fire escape.

Bethany leaned closer. “The woman Rafael is talking to is Clairee, the leader of the witch’s temple.”

I looked at Clairee for a moment. Aside from the cloak she wore, she didn’t look like a witch. Then again, neither did Bethany.

“Victor and Michael are talking to Ira. He’s in charge of the guards’ house, or the guards in general, I guess. He’s also Mitz’s mate.”

I studied the man for a moment. He looked a bit older than Victor in appearance and almost as cold. I didn’t see him with Mitz, but I didn’t see Victor with Crissy and he adored her.

“The odd-looking man is Romulus, he’s the head mage or whatever they’re called.” She smiled. “I don’t understand that mage stuff.”

The man looked, greasy, was the only word that came to mind. He had eerie eyes and I was really glad I couldn’t hear his thoughts.

“The small man is the doctor,” she paused, “I’m not sure why he’s here, but I’m sure there’s a purpose.”

The man didn’t look like any doctor I’d ever dealt with; he looked compassionate and caring. The doctors I’d dealt with didn’t at all.

Bethany pointed to the other end of the room where two men sat. “That’s the top archivist and historian.”

Leone came back to his chair and leaned down between Crissy and Bethany. “Crissy could the something that was lost be Arwan?”

Crissy looked over his shoulder at nothing for a moment. “I don’t think so.” She frowned, “it is a person but not a mage.” She nodded. “I see those differently. Oh,” her eyes went huge, “they wear a stone on a chain around their neck.” She bit her lip, “it’s brown, like amber only it’s not. I’m going to ask Bronx to help me find books about stones after this.” She got up and went to the man standing at the wall behind her chair.

It was the same man that had brought her the Latin book. He was big in a scary way and looked like a pirate. I glanced down to the other end of the table to see large intimidating men standing behind Paisley, Autumn and Daxx. There was one behind Alona as well. They all just stood there, not looking around or even appearing bored.

Turning in my chair, I saw there was one behind Bethany. He glanced at me briefly, then back to whatever he was focused on in the room.

“That’s Mac.” Bethany whispered, “my guard.”

It made sense. Princesses and queens should have guards.

“I guess he’s yours.” She looked behind me.

I turned to see a large man a few feet behind my chair. He had short black hair, normal green eyes and a long thin goatee. His arms were the size of tree trunks.

“His name is Bartholomew.”

I almost jumped out of the chair when Rafael spoke from beside me. I hadn’t heard him come over.

“I need a guard?”

Rafael nodded. “You do now.”

“You got her a guard named Bart?” Beth asked. “I wonder what his last name is.”

Rafael gave her a blank look.

She shrugged. “I couldn’t resist.”

Before I could say anything else, the two elders came in the door at the end of the room. They quickly went to their chairs, bowed their heads to the kings and sat down.

Arius and Mitz came through the other door.

Mitz sat at the other end of the table beside Emil.

“I guess that makes sense,” Bethany said quietly, “she’s in charge of the kitchen and housekeeping.”

Leone looked over our heads at Rafael and smirked. “And she’s part of the royal family.”

“She’s our aunt.” Rafael said.

Beth looked from Leone to Rafael. “Your aunt?”

Rafael nodded. “We didn’t see her much before mom and dad died, but since then she’s always there.”

“I think her and mom may have had some kind of falling out because she wasn’t around much for the first forty years of my life, but the last hundred and sixty, she’s around every corner.” Leone smiled and glanced down the table at her.

“It must have been hard losing her sister.” Beth said quietly.

“Yeah.” Leone looked at her, affection in his eyes, “she’s a lot like mom. They were twins, not identical, but still there’s got to be some kind of connection with twins.”

Bethany nodded. “I had no idea she was your aunt.”

“She doesn’t want the recognition, or to be called royal.” Leone said then turned to watch Victor and Michael come back to their chairs.

I looked to where Mitz sat. She was talking to Emil and looked as she always did, happy.

“I must admit,” Elder Varus said loud enough that all the soft voices hushed, “I’m quite concerned by this sudden meeting.” She looked at the two men sitting at the other side of the room. “This meeting is off the records until I say otherwise.”

The man closest inclined his head to her.

Victor stood up. “Before we discuss any of our findings, I must ask that all present reveal their forearms and wrists to be examined.”

Michael nodded and pulled a small box off his belt.

They went around the table and stood by Rafael.

“All of us?” Elder Drusla asked.

“Yes. We’ve discovered something and must perform our due diligence.” Victor answered.

Elder Drusla accepted what he said and pulled up the sleeve of her robe and rested her arms on the table, palms up.

Victor and Michael went and stood in front of the doctor first.

I realized they were looking for tattoos like the one Eunice had. I pulled up my sleeve and was going to put my arm on the table when Rafael put his hand over mine and stopped me. He shook his head.

I looked at him for a moment then he let go of my hand and watched his brothers walk around the room. I noticed Elder Udela touch the bracelet she wore before putting her arms on the table. A look of focus appeared on her face.

I traced the leather on my hand in my lap and wondered if I’d ever have the control to take on a room full of minds without flinching.

She looked right at me and smirked.

I couldn’t help smiling back. She heard what I thought. Maybe there was hope for me after all.

When Michael and Victor sat back down, Elder Segos gave Victor a curious look.

“Is there an explanation to follow?” He almost looked amused, or perhaps that was just him when he wasn’t being cold and scary.

“Yes.” The elder with the judgemental look said. “An explanation would be welcomed,” he waved his hand around, “to have so many in these chambers without…”

Chase stood up, “this isn’t an elders council, Roan, this is just a room large enough to hold all of us.”

Elder Roan frowned, “I see.”

Chase took a deep breath and sat back down. “This is a collective brainstorming session, because we are in deep shit here, people.”

Elder Varus raised her hand, a concerned gaze locked on Chase. “Perhaps we should save questions for after the brothers explain why we’re here.”

Chase inclined his head to her and then turned to look at Troy.

Troy sucked in a breath and then nodded slowly as he exhaled. “Elder Moire, have the other realms been contacted?”

“Yes, my king. They are all looking into it to see if their borders have been affected.” Elder Moire looked concerned. “It’s not something they’ve felt the need to monitor.”

“Understandable.” The Elder with the curly hair said. “It’s never been an issue in all of time.”

“Keep me up-to-date when they get back to you.” Troy told Elder Moire. He turned and looked at Victor.

Victor stood up. “We have much to discuss in this meeting, so I’m going to get to the point quickly.” He motioned down the table in my direction. “Kara was able to ascertain that Eunice indeed has no recollection of how she came to be in the cells.”

“Amnesia?” Elder Varus asked.

Victor shook his head. “No, I’m afraid not.”

Elder Udela looked at me. “You were able to sort through her thoughts?”

I nodded. “Once she was asked the right questions, yes.”

“How clever.” She said, sitting back.

Victor looked at the Elders for a moment. “The last thing she recalls clearly is a coronation anniversary celebration,” he looked at Troy and Chase, “the fiftieth anniversary.”

Elder Nodin sat forward. “That was one hundred and ten years ago.”

Nodding slowly, Victor crossed his arms over his chest. “Yes. She has no memory of anything she’s done in all that time.”

“How is that possible?” Elder Segos didn’t look amused now.

“Magic?” Elder Varus asked. “Who is strong enough to maintain a spell that long?” She looked at the leader of the witches and mages, neither looked nor responded.

“She thought of only one name.” Victor said quietly. “Arwan.”

There were audible gasps in the room at the mention of that name.

Elder Varus looked at me. “Eunice knew it was Arwan?”

I nodded slowly, “that’s what she thought. They did it. They found Arwan.”

“That’s,” the mage Romulus stood up, then put both hands over his face. Shaking his head, he dropped his hands. “He hasn’t been seen for thousands of years.”

“Could he do that?” Elder Segos asked. “Disappear for that long?”

Romulus’ complexion paled. “Yes. Yes, he could live this long without ever being seen or detected.” He took a ragged breath, “over half our teachings are rooted in his brilliance.”

The room was silent. I looked around at the others to see their reaction to this news, they varied from shock to teary eyes.

“How does this relate to you checking our arms?” Elder Roan inquired softly.

Arius stood up. “Kara was able to hear how much the tattoo Eunice has is bothering her. It’s not recent, so healing wasn’t the issue.”

The youngest Elder leaned forward. “The tattoo of the Hubert family crest?”

Arius nodded. “We’re checking all that have been brought to justice since this began.” He lifted the tablet and looked at it. “None at the start had it,” he looked to Victor, “or they were too low in the ranks to matter. A few of our celebrities have it and it was never noticed.” He looked back at the screen. “We’re still checking, but almost all of the recent intakes have it, some are almost invisible and hard to see, but they’re there.”

“You believe Arwan is connected to these through magic?” Elder Arian asked.

“We suspect there might be a connection.” Arius looked at Autumn, “there is no other explanation as to how Eunice could do what she has and not remember it.”

Elder Varus looked at the shocked looking mage. “How do we locate Arwan?”

Romulus shook his head. “You don’t, not if he doesn’t want to be found.”

“There has to be something that can be done.” Elder Nodin stated.

Arius looked at the screen in his hand once more. “Out of the number with the tattoo, only some have memory issues.” He turned and looked at Troy, “I believe those that were opposed to Hubert’s plans or parts of them were spelled to believe, as Eunice was.” He looked down at Paisley for a moment. “Those that were in agreement didn’t need to be magically persuaded.”

“How many of our celebrities weren’t magically persuaded?” Troy asked in a solemn voice.

Arius cleared his throat. “Not many. Marcus, Davis a few of the ex-guards we got in the tunnels beneath the palace.”

Quinton stood up and glared at Romulus. “Mages.”

Romulus’ eyes were huge. “I-they…”

“You will have all of your faction listed in your registry report to be screened, as soon as you are able to arrange it.” Victor ordered, coldly.

Romulus nodded. “Yes. I’ll call them all to the arena.”

Victor glanced at the leader of the witches. “The same for the members of your temple, Clairee.”

She nodded. “Of course. I will have them all paged to the temple by the end of today.”

“We’ll need you both to test the tattoos and see if you can detect what was used.” Troy said watching Romulus and Clairee.

They both nodded without comment.

Quinton sat down. “How do we stop Arwan?”

All eyes turned to look at Romulus again.

His face flushed. “I-I don’t think you can.” He wiped a hand across his brow. “There are so many casts he could be spinning to never be found, even if he were, I can’t think of a way to…”

“Give it some thought.” Elder Segos said in a cold tone.

Romulus nodded and dropped back down into his chair. “I don’t think he’s stoppable.” He mumbled.

Elder Varus turned to the two men sitting alone. “If either of you have any insights into the matter of stopping the most powerful mage to ever live, feel free to share.”

“I think there is only one way to stop him.” Elder Drusla said in a calm tone.

Elder Sego glanced down the table to her and nodded.

“And that is?” Elder Varus asked.

“End his life.” Elder Moire stated in a low tone.

The atmosphere in the room was heavy in the silence. No one spoke. Looks of trepidation were passed from person to person. I didn’t understand exactly what a mage could do, or why this particular one was worse, but if the people in this room were afraid, I was pretty sure I shouldn’t be involved in any of this. What could I offer in all of this?

Chase leaned closer to Alona and hugged her against his shoulder. I realized she’d be physically feeling the emotions in the room. Pushing back from the table, I went down to her and squatted down beside her chair. I held up my arm with the inhibitor on it. “Do you want this?”

She gave me a teary-eyed look. “No. You need it.”

I looked at Chase, the expression on his face was a combination of pain and fury. He leaned his head close to her. “Beloved, you are not required to stay.”

Alona took a ragged breath. “I’m not leaving. The fate of everyone I hold dear is at stake, and I won’t be excluded.” She sucked in another breath. “I want to help.”

Chase exhaled loudly and looked at me, indecision in his eyes. “Take the inhibitor my beloved.” He said in a faint whisper.

Alona looked at me, sniffled and then looked like she was going to cry more. “What about you?”

I shook my head. “I’ll manage.” I looked around the room, trying to figure out where the spot was that put me the furthest from thinking minds. “I’ll just stand in a corner.” I shrugged. “If it’s too much I’ll leave, I’m not exactly priority here.”

Alona sobbed quietly and nodded.

I stood up and reached into my pocket for the scanner to take it off. I looked at it in my hand, then looked around the room. “Try not to think.” I said half-jokingly, then nodded to myself more than the others around me and held the scanner over the rubber keeping me sane. It fell off. Chase caught it. I held my breath and handed him the scanner, then walked quickly down the table and around it.

…a true warrior always places their well-being last…

…try not to think…

…I just did…

…maybe the hair is grey and not blue…

…Raf will go ballistic if she has a meltdown…

…breath deep Kara, you can do this…

…one sign of stress and I’m taking her out of here…

“Come to this side, princess.” Elder Udela stood up. “The elders have years of practice keeping their thoughts from me.”

I nodded, holding my hand over my forehead, fighting the tingles of the thoughts invading my mind. I walked quickly past the four sitting together.

…I wouldn’t survive going up against Arwan…

…absolutely amazing. Another unmatched warrior…

…rhodiola might help her control it…

…the captain’s control is about to be tested…

When I reached the other side, Elder Drusla stood up and offered me her chair. I shook my head. “I’ll just stand back here.” I went to the wall behind the elders’ seats. “I may have to exit quickly.” I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths, the hum was still there, but nothing was getting through, opening my eyes, I nodded to no one in particular. My breath caught in my throat when all of the elders stood up and bowed their heads to me. Unsure of what to do I looked over to Rafael only to see him standing at the end of the table with his gaze locked on me. I looked back to the elders and motioned to them. “Please sit.” They did.

“I’m so sorry for all the drama.” Alona said quietly, wiping a hand over her damp cheeks.

“Your comfort takes precedence, my queen.” Elder Varus stated. Looking down the table, she motioned to Clairee as she spoke, “Elder Arian, the priority is to work with the temple and find the combination to help princess Kara have some peace of mind.”

Elder Arian nodded. “I’ll begin immediately.” She looked to Rafael and nodded again.

Taking a deep breath, Elder Varus glanced down to me before turning back to look at the royal family. “I assume you’re planning to check all staff with access to the royal family and main factions in our realm?”

Victor nodded. “We are starting with all guard staff and then the mages and witches.” He looked over to me, “if Kara is able to cope with it, we’re going to utilize her talents.”

“I will assist as much as I can.” Elder Udela said. She looked at me. “In cases where they can see me, however I’m afraid my status and position inhibit free thought.”

I nodded. “Thank you.” I slowly looked around at the hopeful expressions. “I’ll try to help as much as I can.”

“Your selflessness is humbling, princess.” Elder Drusla turned her chair so it was at the end of the table and wasn’t blocking where I stood.

I was trying not to have a full-on panic attack with everyone watching me. Without knowing why, I looked over at Rafael. His blue gaze was steadily appraising me. I don’t know why but knowing he was on my side now made me feel calmer. He raised one eyebrow in a question of it I was all right. I nodded enough to let him know I was surviving this so far.

A chair scraping the floor had me turn to see Autumn had stood up. “I don’t know if you elder folks are all knowing or get reports or what,” she looked down at Michael for a second, he was smirking, “but Kara has been through it.” She nodded, “what her family did to her makes me living on the streets look like a cake walk.” She waved a hand at them, “maybe tap into your ancient memories or whatever and see if we can find her family.” Autumn looked at me as she spoke. “Her last name is Coffey if that helps.” Shaking her head, she zeroed in on Elder Roan, he wasn’t looking offended by her words. “What she went through being locked up with crazies at ten, is disgusting. I want to have a one on one with whoever put her there.” She nodded.

Daxx stood up. “While she was locked up, she heard others wanting to come home to Alterealm.” Elder Roan looked at me quickly then back to her. “She saw people with glowing green eyes there too.”

“Your saying members of our realm were trapped there?” Elder Roan’s voice cracked.

Daxx nodded. “Yeah, that’s what I’m saying.”

He turned quickly to me. “Could you describe them?”

I shook my head quickly. “I don’t,” I huffed out a breath, “I don’t know who the thoughts came from, there was so many,” my heartbeat accelerated.

“We’re going to find the asylum she was locked up in.” Rafael’s lethal tone brought all eyes to look at him. “If any residents from here are still confined, we’ll bring them back.” His look hardened when he glanced at me, “and justice will be given to those responsible for her torment.”

Troy cleared his throat and stood up. “We believe if we can find Nelson Bosworth, we will be able to end all of this.”

Elder Udela straightened in her chair. “Is Eunice willing to help locate him?”

Troy nodded. “She’s expressed a willingness to share locations with us.”

“I believe,” Alona stood up slowly, “if we can find his mate, we may be able to find more details we need.”

“He has a mate?” Elder Faran frowned. “A bonded one?”

Alona shook her head. “No. I believe she is as I am, and half Alterealm.” She gave Chase a quick look. “They’ve only been together seven or eight months at this point, not much longer.”

“Does she have anything distinguishable to help us locate her?” Elder Marinus asked.

Alona smiled, “she had a bright blue brush cut. It’s quite unusual for a woman.”

Emil leaned on the table and looked down at her. “Petite build, friendly disposition?”

Alona gave him a confused look. “Yes.”

“Prince Emil, you’ve seen her?” Elder Segos inquired.

Emil nodded. “Yeah, she’s regularly at one of my favorite…” he gave Quinton a quick look, “places.”

“Is she usually alone?” Michael asked him.

Emil shrugged. “I’ve never really noticed who is with her. I just remember her because of her hair.”

Michael nodded. “We’ll set up a guard rotation to keep watch for her.”

Elder Marinus stood up. “If this is all, I think we should adjourn, we have much to do.”

Elder Varus stood up and looked around at everyone slowly. “Not a word of anything spoken in this room today is to be shared.” She looked at me, “until we have checked everyone with access to the royal chambers and palace.” She bowed her head to the kings, “your majesties, prince and princesses.” Turning, she walked quickly from the room.

The rest of the elders did the same thing and all but Elder Udela and Elder Marinus left the room.

I watched Ira go over to Mitz and the compatibility I’d questioned was answered when he put his arms around her and held her, without her saying a word. He’d just known comfort was needed.

Rafael walked quickly toward me, then stopped and looked at the two remaining elders coming in our direction.

Elder Udela bowed her head, “I will do whatever I can to lighten your load while you’re trying to ferret out traitors.”

The man beside her inclined his head. “I will also be beside you each step of the way, princess, any conspirator amidst us is ultimately my failing.”

Rafael shook his head. “It’s no one’s fault. There is no way we could have foreseen all of this.”

The elder straightened to his full height. “I still feel accountable for it, Captain.” He glanced at Elder Udela, “We’ve spent a thousand years trying to eradicate the Hubert line, they’ve always, since before my time, been trying to overtake the throne.”

“Since before mine as well.” Elder Udela admitted. “From all accounts in the archives, this has been ongoing since the dawn of the royal throne.” She shook her head. “Right along with the Hubert line has been the Bosworth family, I believe if we can seize the remaining members to both we may finally live in a time the royal family and residents of our realm aren’t in danger.”

I wasn’t picking up a single thought, which I was thankful for because what they were saying was so surreal to me. I was with people that had lived thousands of years and despite the amount of time they had, there had still be struggles and trials for them to beat. “I appreciate any help.” I said quietly, then smiled a nervous smile. “I’m still struggling with all of this,” I motioned around the room, “being real and that I’m here.”

“You are stronger than most seasoned warriors, princess.” Elder Marinus bowed to me.

I didn’t know about that. I was currently just trying not to blurt out ‘holy fraggle, this is really happening!’.

“I was thinking, perhaps if we can set up an area with each faction we’re screening that has some sort of wall or barrier that prevents us,” Elder Udela motioned to me then herself, “from being seen, I could in fact help share the load with princess Kara.”

Each time they said princess, Rafael gave me a quick nervous look. I held his look for a moment before he nodded and looked at the elder. “We’ll arrange that.”

“With your permission,” Elder Marinus looked at him, “I’d like to oversee the arrangements to begin this as quickly as possible.”

Rafael nodded. “The first group we’re doing is personal guards, including all of the elders’ guards.”

Elder Marinus nodded. “A wise idea. With age we become too used to habits and those we’ve seen regularly. Familiarity does not ensure trustworthiness.” He inclined his head. “I will begin there and have all the guards paged to meet at the guards’ yard.” He glanced to me, “and have a small area set up so you won’t been seen.” He turned on his heel and walked toward the door.

Elder Udela looked to Rafael, “I’d like to take, princess…”

“Kara. Just Kara.” I said quickly.

She smiled, “Ismenia. Izzy,” she winked at me. “I’d like to take Kara to see Clairee and Elder Arian to get her device sorted as soon as possible.”

Rafael nodded. “Take her guard with you. I will meet you at the yard after you’re finished.” He looked at me, then to her for a moment.

She pointed to the door. “I’ll wait over there.”

I watched her walk away then looked up at him.

His eyes searched my face. “Are you okay?”

Hugging my waist, I looked up at him. “Honestly?” He nodded. “Other realms, barriers, evil mages, all this magic stuff…” I heaved a loud sigh. “Can I go for a time out in one of the cubes?”

He smirked. “I might request my own soon if we don’t figure this out.”

“Is it always like this?”

Shaking his head, he closed his eyes for a second. “No. Things are just crazy right now because we’ve been chasing our own asses in circles for months trying to figure out how all of this is possible.” He looked at me, an expression on his face I didn’t understand. “Thanks to you, we have more answers than we have since this began.”

I felt awkward, no one complimented me—on anything, ever. “I’m just trying to help.” I glanced over to Autumn. “The girls told me about Emil’s daughter.”

Rafael made a sound of annoyance. “Yeah. We’d all like to see a little justice for her.”

“Justice, honor—I don’t think I’ve ever heard those two words spoken or thought as much as I have since coming here.”

He smirked, “there could be worse things.”

I sighed, “That’s true.” I’d lived worse things.

“I sent Autumn to get your inhibitor back from Alona. Wear it until they figure out a personalized for you one.”

I nodded, I didn’t have to be persuaded to do that.

Grabbing my arm, Rafael held it up and opened the device Michael had given me earlier. He popped it open. “At any time you’re feeling overwhelmed, use this.” His eyes bore into mine. “The top button takes you to the girls cave. The bottom one takes you to the courtyard at the palace. In case you feel like the walls are closing in again.”

I looked at the buttons. It was strange he understood that happened to me.

“Kara.” Dropping my arm, he lightly grasped my chin so I had to look at him. “Do you understand?”

Nodding was awkward with him holding my face so I whispered instead. “Yes.”

…leave before you fuck this up…

His blue eyes darkened as he looked down at me. I couldn’t look away.

…walk away now…

He nodded his head abruptly and released my chin. “I’ll see you at the yard shortly.” Turning on his heel he walked quickly through the door a few feet away.

Autumn came over and looked at the door. She held out the red cuff and device and grinned at me. “I recognize that fast-run-the-other-way walk.”

I took the cuff and accepted her help putting it back on. “That’s what he was thinking too, more or less.”

She laughed, “at least you can hear what he’s thinking behind his stupid moves.”

I touched it once it was done up, feeling like it was a security blanket. “Hearing men’s thoughts has never worked out for me in the past.”

She snorted. “I still say it’s a heads up most of us could have used.”

I motioned to where Elder Udela stood. “I’m going with Izzy to see the witches and Elder Arian about my own off switch.”

Autumn shrugged, “I’ll come with. Michael is in iceman mode and busy setting up the meeting with mages.” She shrugged, “it’s better I stay out of the way so I’m less likely to kick someone in the face.”

I’d seen her do that, and believed she would if required. “I wouldn’t mind someone with me that understands what’s going on.”

Laughing, she started walked toward the elder. “I don’t understand any of this. I just fight when they say fight.”