Chapter 20

The royal family were talking to the elders that lingered, as Mitz brought in snacks. I smirked at how often she had food out for them. Then again since I’d been here there seemed to be no regular routine for the day or night. Prince Bastian got my attention and motioned to the hallway. I hurried to go speak with him.

“I was told you wanted to talk to me.” He leaned back against the wall and looked at me.

His dark eyes still made all the alarms in my head go off. I guess some childhood warnings were life-long. “Yes.” I bit my lip, “although now, I’m not sure how to ask you.”

“Ask me?” He raised one eyebrow looking entirely too amused.

I nodded, “I wanted to know if I have—essence.”

His looked changed to surprise. With a smirk, he eyed the pendant resting against my shirt. “I can only imagine why you’re asking.” He bowed with great dramatic moves. He straightened back up. “I don’t see a tattoo, but the pendant screams ‘soon to be princess’.”

Crossing my arms, I frowned at him. “It’s not what you think.”

“I’m sure.” His grin faded as he looked at me. “Why are you asking me? You are surrounded by essence feeders.”

I took a deep breath as I dropped my arms back to my side. “I realize that.” Actually, I hadn’t thought of what sort of feeders I was surrounded by. “But you know more about me than they do,” I motioned between us, “with my father being from—” I blew out a breath, “your realm.”

Bastian ran his hand through his chaotic hair. “I know nothing about you or even what the mix of your two parents equates to.” He glanced back into the room, “other than you can see traces of magic and a person’s innermost personality flaws.”

I tried to mask my anxiety with a polite smile.

His expression changed, making me understand I wasn’t as good an actress as I hoped. “Anything living has some sort of essence.” He shrugged, “or they wouldn’t be living.” He acknowledged his guard that signaled they were ready to go. “As to yours, it may be extraordinary,” he shrugged, “or simply normal.” He nodded to his guard. “Maybe you should ask one of the doctors here, I’m sure they’ll be able to explain more than I can.” He motioned to his guard, “for now, Tor and I need to get back and inform my parents that the proverbial shit is about to hit the fan.”

I watched him leave with Ira, then turned around to see Quinton a few feet away. His arms were crossed over his chest and his expression wasn’t very approachable. “He had news of your father?”

My mouth opened, I forgot to ask him. I snapped it shut and shook my head.

I watched his chest rise and fall with a deep breath. With a jerk of his head, he motioned back to the room. “Unofficial meeting, now that the VIP’s are gone.”

I bobbed my head quickly, and moved past him to go back into the room. I stopped a few feet from the door and turned to see he was right on my heels. “Quinton, I have an odd question.”

He looked down at me, his expression somber. “About?”

I offered a polite, nervous grin, “do I have essence?”

His eyebrows went up. “everything has essence to a certain degree, or else it wouldn’t be alive.” His eyes darkened with what looked like anger. “Why?”

I shrugged, gave him another smile hoping to erase the dark mood from him, “I just—well, some of this is all new to me.”

With a quick move, he lightly grasped my chin and tilted my head up. He leaned down close enough I could feel his breath on my face. “Don’t even think about letting someone feed off you, Reagan.” His brown eyes locked on mine, “It wouldn’t end well for them.” Releasing my chin, he stepped around me and went in the room.

“That,” Bethany came up behind me, “seems to be a normal Whitham brother trait.” She smiled at me, “growling.” Motioning to the room, we started walking together. “You have more power over him than you think.”

I made a sound of amusement. “Right.”

She laughed, “you do. It’s part of the mate deal, they will do anything to make sure their mates are happy.”

I looked at her as we walked around the table. “I don’t think we’re there quite yet.” I whispered.

She shrugged and sat down. “Doesn’t hurt to test the limits.”

Leone came over and gave her a curious look.

Bethany smiled up at him. “Girl talk.”

Leone looked at me, “that never ends well for us.”

I couldn’t help laughing.

~

“There’s just one more thing we need to discuss.” Arius tapped his finger on a tablet. “I’ve been thinking.”

“That never works out.” Quinton smirked.

Arius gave him a bored look, then turned back to look around the table. “As I was saying, the probation farm is full—actually, it’s beyond full. We need another building or somewhere those with lesser crimes can be sent.” Arius scowled, “saving the cells for any involved in Hubert’s cause.”

Victor nodded. “Another facility would be wise.”

“What about that old factory warehouse? I don’t even know what that was for.” Leone frowned.

Rafael nodded. “We could fence it in and renovate the building.”

“Have them manufacture, something to work off their crime.” Bethany suggested.

“I’ll send some contractors there to take a look.” Troy glanced to Chase, who nodded.

“I have an idea of who would be the warden of the new facility.” Rafael turned to Arius. “You can’t be everywhere all the time, brother. You need a few to run the farm and new facility and report to you.”

Arius nodded slowly. “Who did you have in mind?”

“Ellis. I think he’d be good at it. He’s very task oriented, good at organizing groups.”

Arius glanced at Emil. “Do you think that would be of interest to your son?”

Emil grinned. “I think it would be. He’s already decided he’s never going back over.” He looked at Troy. “Let me know when the contractors are going over and we’ll tag along.” Troy stood up, “we’re going to coordinate with the men watching the asylum in an hour.”

Victor got up, “that gives us time to work on some other details.”

Kara got up. “I have my first archery class.” She grinned at Rafael, “here’s hoping we find a few good ones.”

Rafael shrugged, “half the guard have all signed up to try it.”

“Just make sure you keep a few to be guards, brother.” Leone stood up and turned to Bethany.

She smiled, “I’m going to go see if I can do anything at the temple to help with all the preparations when portals are located.”

Alona stood up and stretched. “I’m going to go see if the nurses need a hand, before I catch a nap.”

Michael stood up and looked at Autumn. “I’d like to stay and be in on the plans.” He turned to her guard, “take a few others and take her over for the lessons.”

Her guard nodded, and pulled out his phone.

“I’m nervous. I’ve never been nervous when it comes to teaching self-defense.” Autumn said. “These women we’ve found need to know how to defend themselves.”

Paisley leaned against the table. “I think you’re just aware of what some of these women went through.” She gave her an understanding look. “I could go if you like.”

“You wouldn’t mind?” Autumn gave her a steady look.

Paisley shrugged, “that’s what sisters are for.”

Autumn grinned. “You got it twin, let’s go.”

They went out the door, their guards following them.

“I’m going to the library.” Crissy jumped up, she paused long enough to smile at Victor then jogged out the door.

Emil turned to Troy, “I’ll come help with planning if you don’t mind.” He shrugged, “Rena and her guard are going through things and packing.” He rubbed his hand over his face, “Rena had everything she owned from our storage lockers delivered.” He glanced at Michael, “says this will be her last move.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, “I have to admit being able to go about your life without having to change your name and move every decade is a welcome thing.” He glanced at me.

I nodded, knowing all too well how that went. “Sleeping in the same place is—new.” I grinned at his exaggerated nod.

“I’m helping.” Daxx looked at Troy, “with planning.”

He smiled down at her. “Not that you ever stick to the plan.”

She shrugged, “still good to know what the rest of you guys will be doing while I get things started.”

Quinton started for the door, then paused and looked at me.

I glanced around as everyone was in motion. “I might just go rest.”

He searched my face, then nodded. “We’re going to the asylum in the morning, then looking for portals after that.”

I made Derian and the other two guards stay outside the building and went in quickly. Having one shadow was bad enough, but now to even look out a window I needed three, or more.

I barely sat down before the doctor came through the door.

He stopped and gave me a concerned look. “Was I expecting you?”

I got up slowly, “No. I just had a few minutes while everyone is off doing their thing and thought I'd see if you had a moment” 

He inclined his head. “I always have time for,” he looked at the pendant resting against my shirt, “the royals.” 

I wanted to cover up the pendant but clasped my hands in front of me instead. 

“What can I do for you?”

“I spoke to Quinton,” I glanced at the floor for a second, “I know he's not well. I can see it.” I rolled my eyes, “he would never have told me otherwise.” The doctor stood there patiently. “He showed me the file.” He still didn't move. I lifted my gloved hand up, “you know what I can do— do you think there’s any way I could help him?”

“I'd be afraid of what that would do to you.” He motioned to the chair.

I sat down again. 

He perched on the edge of a chair. “Your ability doesn't harm you, but it does drain you.” He paused with a loom of thought on his face. “I'd be worried your batteries,” he made quotes in the air, “would drain completely.”

I sighed quietly. “I was afraid of that.” I felt strange about this but asked it anyways. “What about my essence? Do you think it would be super-charged because of my ability?” 

The doctor looked at me for a moment, I couldn't make out what the expression meant. “There’s no way of knowing that for certain.”  He motioned in the air, “nor am I going to suggest testing it.” He pointed to the necklace. “It is the death penalty to even attempt such a thing from any bearing a royal amulet.” 

I opened my mouth then snapped it shut again. Nodding, I stood up. “Of course. Thank you.”

The doctor got up. “I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful, princess.” He motioned to the desk. “We're trying a new serum for prince Quinton.” He gave me one of those hopeful, fake doctor smiles. “We haven't given up yet.”

I gave him back a fake smile and let myself out quickly.

~

I watched Daxx throw a second knife. “You’re very good.” I meant it, I doubted I could even hit the target at all.

She grinned. “Lucky shots,” she pointed to Kara, “she’s got mad skills.”

Kara turned away from the map. “I had a lot of time to practice. Having no friends because I couldn’t be near people.”

“Until now.” Bethany piped up. She leaned over the table and put a sticky note on the map. “You have more friends than you can handle now.”

Kara laughed.

“Where are our guards?” Paisley stood in the doorway, looking out into the hallway.

“I sent them to the practice room. They were bored.” Alona tossed the catalogue on the table.

Autumn was doing squats beside one of the desks. “Tell me again, why are we here doing nothing?”

Crissy looked up from her notebook. “Victor said they’re checking the lay of the land around the asylum.”

“Weren’t we supposed to be going over today?”

Crissy got up and went to a corner and started bouncing a ball. I looked at Alona.

“It helps her sort through the visions.” She said quietly.

“Today was postponed.” Paisley said then went over and watched Kara and Beth at the map. “Something the person they have inside suggested.”

Daxx paused. “Did they say why?”

Paisley shrugged.

Beth turned and looked at me. “Wouldn’t it make more sense to take Reagan? She could look for portals and save us a lot of time.”

Alona got up and went over to stand with Paisley. “What are you two doing?”

Kara leaned against the table. “We’re marking areas where we found or caught people.” She pointed to the map, “the market, the wasteland and where Autumn landed when they brought her over.”

Bethany nodded, “the path those guys were on the day Kara arrived.” She paused for a second. “That house. Where Leone and I were.”

Autumn came over and looked. “Any pattern?”

Kara shook her head, “not yet.”

I went over to get a closer look.

“Hold on.” Daxx picked up the sticky notes. “There’ the old mine—that’s a mud pit now.” She put one on the map, “and over here,” she pointed, “is where I got sliced.” She put another one on.

“Should we check all those areas?” I just wanted to do something.

“The guards have been patrolling the mine and that farm every day.” Kara said while staring at the map. “What’s in this direction?” Kara pointed to a spot. “The day they were going to blow up the palace tunnel—they came from that way.”

“It’s being patrolled too.” Bethany said.

“But,” Daxx looked at me, “they wouldn’t see a portal.”

“That’s true.” Alona nodded.

Daxx looked at her, “call our guards, we’re going to check some of these out.”

“It would take us all day to ride to them.” Paisley studied the map.

“We can port to most of them.” Daxx shrugged, “one or more of us have been to them.”

I frowned. “Don’t you need a porter?”

Autumn shook her head. “The blood-bond with royal brothers allows us to do it without,” she made a face, “and not always on purpose.”

I raised my eyebrows, not even knowing what to say.

Kara grinned. “When Quinton gets around to more than giving you a necklace, you’ll be able to do it too.”

I glanced down at the pendant. “I’m not going to hold my breath waiting for that.” Part of me wished I could tell them why. I gave her a quick smile, even though I didn’t feel it. “I’m happy to port along anywhere you go.” I did grin to that.

“I actually haven’t thrown up in a few days.” Bethany nodded her head quickly. “Maybe I’m finally adjusting to it.”

Alona rolled her eyes. “I do not miss that.”

“You called?”

We turned to see Sith in the doorway.

Alona smiled. “Yes. You’ll need full gear,” she glanced at Daxx, “and we’ll meet you in the armory.”

“Are we going over with the kings?”

Alona shook her head. “No, we’re going to check a few locations over here.”

He gave her a skeptical look.

“Just checking for portals.” I told him.

He nodded but didn’t look convinced. Taking a deep breath, he exhaled slowly. “We’ll meet you at the armory.” He inclined his head and left.

“Okay, ladies, go get changed and meet at the armory.” Daxx said then vanished.

Autumn looked happy. She grabbed my shoulder. “I’ll take you to your room. It’s faster.”