Chapter Nineteen

“Hey, asshole,” Graysen said as I approached the table. He got up and hugged me, slapping me on the back. “Every time I come back, it's something new with you. Can you just end the fucking war already?”

“I'm trying,” I said a little too seriously for our banter.

“Yeah,” his tone went serious too. “We all are. And I'm done recruiting. It's time for me to try a little harder.”

“What does that mean?”

“We're done. The towers are staffed. I've accepted a post at the one near Fress. I'm going to be in charge of the tower and that includes training the recruits. The Emperor gave me the rank of captain. Can you believe that shit?”

“You're running the tower near Fress?” I grinned.

He grimaced. “Don't get all sappy. It wasn't about your dumb, ugly ass. I chose it because I've gotten to know those people, and I like them.”

“You mean the young people?” I smirked.

“Hey, the kids are cute,” Gray huffed. “I can't help it. I want to make sure they're all right.”

“They've got me to protect them,” Nex said. “They'll be all right.” He stood up. “Speaking of which; I'm going back. I don't want them left undefended.”

“You mean you don't want to be away from your mate for another moment,” Rath teased.

Nex didn't try to deny it. “Yup. She's got me by the balls,” he said with a huge grin and sauntered away.

As I watched Nex head out of the archway, I saw Vex following. “Oh, no, you don't,” I growled.

“What?” Gray asked.

“Not you.” I waved a hand after Vex. “Vexen and I need to have a talk.” I grimaced at Gray. “Sorry. Can we catch up at dinner?”

“Sure, man. I'm already tired of your ugly face.” He pushed me after Vex.

“Thanks.” I looked at my lovers. “I'll meet you back upstairs.”

“No, you won't, Sparky,” Fire said. “We're starting your training. Right now.”

“Leave the Ladrin,” Earth added. “It will be fine. He came to speak to you. He will try again.”

“Yes, but I should talk to him as soon as possible,” I said. “And can all of you not spy on me, please?”

“We are everywhere,” Air said. “Do you wish to breathe?”

I grimaced. “Don't give me that shit. Air is everywhere. You are a consciousness and can flow wherever you want. Or not flow.”

Fire snorted, then said, “He got us.”

“You still need to train,” Water said. “We should start now.”

“They're right,” Taroc said. “Vex can wait. We need to get you stronger right now.”

“I'm glad you feel that way,” Air said. “Because all of you will be training along with Ember.”

“Excuse me?” Kel asked.

“We have to unite to empower him,” Rath said.

“Exactly,” Air said. “Now, where shall we train?”

“And who will play the part of Aranren?” Earth asked.

“Not me,” Gray said as he ran off.

“It must be one of you,” Air said to my lovers. “Ember needs to practice caging magic with someone he shares a bond with. It won't be exactly as it will with Death, but if he can separate someone from Spirit and remove—”

“Whoa!” Xae slashed his hand down. “Do not say that you want him to remove Spirit from one of us.”

“Well, Spirit is the counter to Death. It would be the best thing for Ember to practice on.”

“Removing the Goddess's Spirit Magic from a wraith lord is a bad idea,” Rath said. “It could kill us.”

“I'm not taking that risk,” I said. “Not for all of Varr. End of conversation.”

“You need to practice this,” Water urged. “If you want to save Aranren's life, you have to know the intricacies of separating magic from its host.”

“So, I'll separate one of them from an elemental magic,” I said.

“That might not be similar enough to help,” Earth said.

“But then again, it might be,” Water added. “And it would be far less risky.”

“Only if we use you, Lord Ratharin,” Air said. “You were born with all of our magic inside you. If Ember separates you from one, it won't be as traumatic as it would if he took Fire from Lord Taroc or Earth from Lord Keltyr.”

“Very well.” Rath grimaced, but when he looked my way, his expression softened. “I will be Aranren for you.”