24. ~Talon~

24

~Talon~

“Can Abigail be resurrected?” I asked Elliot as he sat up in bed in one of the rooms of the central quarters. “Her magic still exists, it didn’t die with her because of Lenora’s deviousness.”

“No. She can’t be resurrected. She took her own life with celestial fire. There’s… nothing to bring back because of that.”

“Oh,” I murmured.

So much for there being a silver lining to the situation. My heart sank, I’d already pictured Alena’s face if that had been possible, having her mom back with her. Instead, there was just this nightmare now. This twisted nightmare of somebody else wielding her mom’s magic for evil. Shit, it was sickening.

Ore patted my shoulder in one of his sweet gestures of comfort. “Sorry, baby bird.”

Elliot rested his head back against the pillows, his exhaustion clear.

And really fucking worrying.

Vanessa—apparently his secret girlfriend—had filled us in on part of the situation, and we’d gotten the rest from X before he’d passed out from being channeled by his dad. He was sleeping it off now in the room right beside this one.

Vanessa was with Marlowe taking a tour of the facility after Ore had wanted a word with Elliot privately.

Well, I’d pushed my way into the weird bedroom meeting too.

Ore knew I was on edge with the war and the threat of losses right now, so he was making sure he was being as transparent as possible. It gave me some semblance of relief when I knew exactly what was going on, rather than being kept in the dark in any way.

“I have a possible way to cast out Constantine’s magical connection to you,” Ore told Elliot. “The downsides are that it will knock you out for several hours and make it impossible for you to wield your magic for a few days too.”

“Given that I’m completely useless now, that won’t be much of a difference to the current state of affairs. What is this solution that you have in mind?”

“Dark Fae dust. I can fashion a spell that will infuse it into your bloodstream and access the connection Constantine has opened between you. It will cast him out and sever the connection at the same time.”

He frowned. “I was under the impression that Saryan cut off access to the mines where the dust was discovered long ago?”

“He had a change of heart.”

Realization shone in Elliot’s eyes. “He’s using it for defensive purposes to guard against any further invasions.”

Shit, he was good.

“Yes,” Orpheus admitted. “Creating this spell using the dust is only a temporary solution, however. If he was so inclined, Constantine could open it up again. Unless Alena sealed it with her celestial magic.”

“We can’t bring her here right now,” I reminded Ore.

“I’m aware.”

“What is she doing with Saryan?” Elliot asked. “I’m sure he’s not merely hiding her because she’s your love.”

We were past the point of secrets now, where he was concerned too, so Ore revealed, “She’s learning how to use her dark magic extinguishing ability, while my father is also working on a failsafe to guard against that ability.”

“We’re keeping everything else off her plate so they can get through that as soon as possible,” I added.

“I see,” Elliot said. “Yes, if she knew about this, especially the part concerning Lenora wielding her mother’s magic, it would very likely send her off track. I agree, she cannot be bothered at this juncture. That ability of hers could prove hugely beneficial against Constantine, but the need to guard against it is also absolutely necessary or she’ll forever have to remain in hiding.”

“Yeah, she’ll be hunted until dark magic wielders know there’s a way to safeguard against it if she ever lost control, or was turned, or something,” I said.

“I agree to your initial plan regarding the Dark Fae dust. I’ll need to review the spell beforehand, though.”

“Understood.”

Elliot blew out a breath. “It was far too close earlier.”

“Those shields certainly assisted. They’re a phenomenal product,” Orpheus told him.

Elliot nodded. “The Illuminex Shields were intended to be purchased by non-magical beings to protect against rogue magic-wielders. Many beings have been at a disadvantage without possessing magic, unable to defend against it. As much as we try, we don’t live in an ideal world and as such cannot root out all criminal activity. These would give the owners a defense should they require it. It they’re abused by anyone, they can also be deactivated by Sabre Tech per user.” He eyed Ore. “You didn’t actually purchase them, did you?”

“What gave it away?”

“Frederick would have alerted me immediately if that many shields were purchased.”

“I might have used my dark allure on a couple of your employees at one your storage facilities to get a hold of them. Money was exchanged for them, but there wasn’t time to go through proper channels when I received Vanessa’s message. I had to move fast.”

“I understand.”

“You do? Just like that?” I spoke.

“Not being able to respond swiftly enough to situations due to policy and procedural constraints has become Exemplar’s greatest weakness.” He smiled out at Orpheus. “That’s where Obsidian comes in. Quite the creation. I’m impressed. Xavier told me that you intended to discuss this secret with me, but I believe it being revealed the way it was tonight actually worked out better. It was a formidable demonstration of Obsidian’s ability to respond to a threat. You were well-organized, prepared, and undeniably capable. Instead of me then merely telling Exemplar about what you would have revealed to me, the members were able to see for themselves and in a time of great need too. It won’t take much to ratify things and legitimize Obsidian’s existence now. I can also create a version of the Eye of Intuitum geared solely toward situations that require forceful intervention like that of an army.”

“If you do that, we need to filter in reports from the people too. That’s one of the things missing from the current version you have at the compound—the word of regular supernatural beings who aren’t connected to Exemplar or leaders of factions and realms. A lot is missed with that not being factored in.”

Elliot smiled. “Excellent suggestion. I’ll include that then.”

“I hope we can still work together after this lack of transparency,” Ore told him.

“What you did was necessary as far as I’m concerned. One thing I will say is that you need to be careful, ensuring that you have full control over Obsidian’s actions. Exemplar won’t like that there’s no oversight. So you’ll need to show them that you can operate on good faith, that the power of such a force won’t be abused. For this to succeed you can’t be beholden to so many restrictions and procedures like Exemplar is, but there needs to be a careful balance on your end. It would help if one of your leaders split their time between Obsidian and Exemplar , with one foot in each. It would give my members the illusion of control at least.”

“I agree.”

“With your role as supreme leader and creator of Obsidian , it can no longer be you. And, in truth, you are needed in the Dark Fae Realm with your father also. Your outlook on things, your influence, will aid in keeping him on the right track he’s taken lately. I don’t believe Alena is suited for the role either. She doesn’t do well with bureaucracy.”

“She doesn’t, no. She has a very different outlook on things than her mother did,” Ore told her.

Elliot looked at me. Before he could say what I assumed was coming, I held up my hand, “I know I’m not suited for the role. That kind of leadership isn’t my thing.”

“Don’t discount your ability to step up to the plate, Talon,” Ore told me. “You have your plans to establish a supernatural orphanage and I believe you have the means and the temperament to run that effectively.”

“Supernatural orphanage?” Elliot questioned.

“For beings like me who’ve lost their families, who need sanctuary and guidance.”

“It’s a wonderful idea.”

“Thanks.”

“Xavier should take on the role of both,” Ore announced.

Elliot raised an eyebrow. “I don’t think my son would want that.”

“His view on things has shifted with everything that’s happened. Besides, out of the four of us, he’s the only one who’s ever really respected the checks and balances of Exemplar.”

“Yeah, he used to report everything to you,” I said. “Always worried about things getting out of control, or not following the correct way. ”

“Not to mention, he was hurt and bitter when I was being inducted to Exemplar rather than him.”

“Hmm,” Elliot mused. “We did entertain a discussion about him needing to feel useful. Just like you, Orpheus, my son was schooled in the magical arts and trained from a very early age for years, with the intention for him to one day take my place at Exemplar. With him being forcibly turned, all the knowledge and experience looked to be wasted, because he veered very far from the initial path he’d been on. Perhaps this is the way to rectify that and give him what he needs.” He nodded to himself. “I’ll put it to him once he wakes.”

A yawn escaped him and he sank down in the bed.

“Get some rest and I’ll prepare the spell. I’ll send Marlowe to the DFR to retrieve the dust. By the time you wake, we’ll have everything ready.”

“Perfect,” he said, looking even more weary than he already had when we’d first brought him here.

A cry sounded from next door and in the next second, Xavier burst into the room, looking really out of sorts, a haunted look in his eyes.

“X, what’s happened?” I asked.

“Son?”

Xavier held up the band around his wrist that his dad had made for him that warned of sire bond influence from Constantine. It was glowing.

“He just contacted me. Tried to give me orders, make me do things like before, but without the influence of black magic, I was able to resist. But… fuck.” He shoved his hand through his hair, all distressed.

“What did he want you to do?” Ore asked

X looked past him and at his dad. “It was about you. He said he’s going to do much worse to you. Unless…” He eyed Ore. “Unless you meet with him. At the currently abandoned Electi Academy. He wanted me to teleport you to him, drag you there basically.”

“Meet to what end?” Ore pressed.

“He said he wants to strike a deal, one that will eliminate further bloodshed on both sides.”

“A deal?” I scoffed. “You’re shitting us?”

“It’s just what he claimed.”

“He’s scared,” Elliot said. “He didn’t foresee you creating a militarized force.”

“You can’t go, Ore. It’s gotta be a trap,” I warned him.

“You heard what your mother said, that they’ve broken the blood vow. It means he can kill you now,” X pointed out.

“There’s no deal he could offer that would satisfy me, or any of us. After what he’s done, he doesn’t just deserve punishment, he needs to be eliminated. He’s too dangerous to be left alive.” Ore looked out at Elliot. “ However, what concerns me is what he plans to do to you if I ignore this proposed meeting.”

“Do you know how to break the link he’s formed to my dad?” X asked.

Elliot answered, “We have a proposed solution, yes.”

“Then let’s see to that immediately.”

“He needs to rest, regain some of his strength to be able to withstand the spell, the solution we’ve come up with,” Ore informed him.

“Fine, then let’s clear out, let him sleep right now, and we’ll see to writing the spell. What ingredients do you—”

His words caught in his throat as Elliot suddenly started convulsing on the bed, seizing right there.

“Dad!” X cried, rushing right up to the bed.

I followed Ore over, who reached out with a glowing purple palm and pressed it to Elliot’s forehead, closing his eyes briefly and concentrating.

They snapped open a moment later and deep concern flared in his eyes. “He’s not just weakening him now, he’s draining him.”

“Of all his magic?” I asked. “How? Where could he be storing it, that much power? He can’t wield Light magic, he’s a dark magic-wielder.”

“He must be using my mother’s borrowed celestial magic. She has the ability, like Abigail did, to store it in something much like the Vitalium. But it’s not just his magic being drawn on now, they’re draining his lifeforce.”

“No!” X cried. “They can’t… they can’t do this.”

In the next second, he called his power and swept his palms over the length of his dad, forming a cobalt-blue film around him.

The seizing stopped and Elliot looked out at us wearily.

X stumbled and I was there holding him up in the next moment.

“You didn’t,” Ore uttered.

“Didn’t what?” I asked. “What’s happened?”

“I had to,” X said, eyeing him gravely as he further weakened against me. I eased him into a chair adjacent to the bed and he sank into it. I watched in horror as his skin started turning gray in places, his fingers, his throat, part of his face.

“What? What’s happening?” I demanded, urgency taking me over. “It looks like he’s desiccating.”

“He is,” Ore confirmed. He scrubbed his hand over his face. “He just fed his dad some of his lifeforce and he’s continuing to do so.”

“Xavier,” Elliot called weakly. “Stop… the spell.”

“No.”

Ore stepped forward.

“Don’t,” X ordered him. “You do and I’ll never forgive you.”

“Motherfuck, Xavier,” Ore muttered. He looked between them, trying to figure out the best strategy here to fix this fucked-up situation. He started pacing, then told us, “Marlowe will head to the DFR immediately to retrieve the dust we need for the spell. My father will be needed in order to write and perform the spell in my stead. We can’t wait for him to regain his strength now, we’ll have to take the risk performing it as is.”

“In your stead? Where are you going?” I asked, really fucking worried as I saw that dark, determined look flaring in his eyes. The one that always meant some bad shit was about to go down.

“I need to go to that meet with Constantine. It will buy us the time needed to break the magical connection he has to Elliot.” He glared at X. “And keep these two alive long enough to perform the spell.”

I pushed away from X and stormed up to him. “No. There’s no fucking way you’re doing this.”

“There’s no choice now.”

“Ore—"

He smiled out at me, bittersweet. “Trust me.”

“I do, but—”

“I won’t be long.”

“Orpheus, this is a bad idea,” X rasped.

“Your dad will die if I don’t. Your only remaining blood family, the strongest sorcerer in the world, the head of Sabre Tech whose tech is greatly needed by us all, the leader of Exemplar. He’s a pillar of the supernatural world. He cannot fall. Ever. And now you’ve just tied your lifeforce to his, you’re on borrowed time too.”

X hung his head at the hopelessness of the situation, cursing under his breath.

Ore called his magic, smoke starting to swirl around him, and smiled out at me. “Be back soon, baby bird.”

“Ore!” I screamed.

But it was too late.

He disappeared from view.

Trust me.

It wasn’t about trust. Of course I fucking trusted him. After all this time together, things couldn’t be any other way.

But I didn’t trust Constantine.

He didn’t have a shred of honor to speak of.

He wouldn’t stick to the neutrality of the meeting he’d demanded.

And Ore could suffer for it.

I mean, he was supremely powerful, especially now he’d come into the full breadth of it, as I’d witnessed when we’d gone to rescue Alena in the DFR.

But what if his mom showed up.

It was clear that there’d been no love lost between them, that she didn’t care for him like a mother should her son. I doubted she’d hesitate to hurt him. And with her now wielding angel magic, she actually could.

Shit, she could do more than even that.

She could fucking kill him.

My phoenix fire sparked wildly on my palms.

So much for not involving Alena until her mission was complete in the Dark Fae Realm.

This situation had just made that impossible.