24. Twenty-Four

A castle full of dead shifters, a Central full of traitors, my Primary is now seeing the past as well as the future. Fuck me, what's next?

There's no point trying to will the thoughts to silence. I have a list of shit I need to tell my parents and a million other things I have to figure out as well. So I just let them continue to plague my mind. The answers always come, one way or another.

When all the shifters' hearts started falling out of their chests, I couldn't for the life of me figure out how the fuck it was possible, then Willow told us what she saw in the kid's head and I knew.

The few days since we moved them from Terravile to the Castle was the time it took for one of the traitors to report what happened back to the Summum-Master. Now we just have to figure out which two are trying to fuck us.

Transporting in front of the gates that lead to the palace, I feel like I'm looking at it for the first time. It's so different, yet exactly the same.

Familiar. Routine. Stale.

The colossal structure is easily a couple million square feet and its landscape matches that of Elementra's. Consisting of four wings, north, south, east, and west. Each branch off from the central quarters like the spokes of a majestic wheel. Each the size of their own mansion.

The central quarter consists of a huge open foyer, the kitchens, the ballroom, multiple rooms for multiple purposes, and farther down the labyrinth halls, my parents' living space. That's where we lived growing up as well, until my gift emerged. Then we moved into the west wing.

A change I was royally fucking pissed about for around a week, then realized I really loved the space and never intended to live in the same quarters with my parents again.

Every stage of change I've had to go through, I've struggled. I like things the way I like them.

For fourteen straight years, this was the only place I called home, other than the mansion we live in now. We spent so much time there growing up, I grew used to it enough I was okay staying there. But the palace…

The palace was the only place that brought me comfort, despite the never-ending building pressure and responsibility that came with it.

Now…

This doesn't feel like home anymore.

Now as me, Caspian, and Gaster walk through the familiar entryway, I don't find the comfort I used to when I returned home from wherever else I had to be. Instead of taking a deep breath, filling my lungs with the familiar scent that reminded me of where I belong, I just want to go back to her.

Willow's my home. She's where I belong.

"There's no reason for us to stay the night. We can transport back after this," Caspian says snippily.

"She's going to be fine. Tillman and Draken will take care of her, and we'll be back before she even wakes up," I reason.

I'd rather be home with her too, but we haven't seen our parents in months, and one night won't kill us.

"I didn't ask for your reasoning, Core. We can go home tonight. There's zero fucking point in staying the night." He snarls.

"Don't give me that shit, Caspian. I know she's got you hot and bothered, but you're going to have to suck it up for the day and night. I can assure you, though, her kisses are always going to make you feel like this, so you might as well get used to it," I say sarcastically, wearing a condescending smile.

For once, it's him losing his mind rather than me, and I know it's beneath me to pick at him, but honestly, I'm eating this shit up. He'd do it in a heartbeat if the roles were reversed. I know it's a huge milestone for him, allowing her to touch him—kiss him—and I'd never pick if I thought he was uncomfortable, truly uncomfortable. But he's not.

Right now, my princess is consuming his thoughts. Driving him mad, in a good way, and I love it.

"You fucking—"

"My boys, you're here. Where are my other two?" my mom squeals, wrapping her arms around me and Caspian the moment she hauls ass around the corner.

"They're still at Rebel Castle. This, unfortunately, isn't a pleasant visit," I inform her as I return her hug.

"Nonsense. Any visit is pleasant despite what you have to tell me. And, Gaster, look at you, you're aging backwards." She beams, hugging him as well.

"You flatter me, girl. These boys have kept me busy and on my toes," he says, eyeing me over her head.

"Well, when are the other two arriving? How long are you staying?" she asks.

I can't help but feel like an ass when she smiles so brightly at me and Caspian like this. Life has been fucking chaotic. We haven't had any time to just come for a social visit.

"They aren't coming. We're leaving tonight," Caspian says firmly, earning him an elbow to the gut. From me.

"We have to get back sooner rather than later, but this couldn't wait, nor was I willing to call you with this information," I say, trying to soothe the brutal tone Caspian just used.

"Well, fine. Business first then. Your fathers are in the throne room anyway."

Linking her arms between mine and Caspian's, Mom steers us the entire way, asking question after question, trying to keep the tone light. No doubt she has an idea that our moods are reflecting the seriousness of the news we're about to share with her.

"Boys, what a surprise! Your mom damn near knocked the table over when she sensed you walking through the wards," Roye says as all four of them stand and make their way to us.

"We would've given you a heads-up, but this is important," I tell him.

Unlike my mom, my dads grow serious. Of course they missed us as well, but they can always tell when other matters have to come first.

"It's been a while since we've had a detailed brief of the progress you've made with the rebels. Other than the mess your brother made for your dad in Pippa, and that you apprehended some rebels in Terravile, you've all been radio silent," my mom says as we sit around the table.

"That's because there's been more developments in the last month than in the past twenty years. A lot is happening in the realm."

Gaster's magic flows over all of us. The sound of the wind outside silences, and the light from the windows blurs as he casts us into a silencing block. I don't bother wasting any more time with chitchat. We can do that after this.

Starting from what happened with Jarod, to everything, mostly everything, in Terravile, then Layton, I fill them in as much as I can. I try my best to keep Willow a secret, referring to her as "someone with the sight." This isn't how I want to tell them about her, nor do I want her existence announced to the realm.

"Two of the five families. Are you fucking serious? They're here in the palace monthly!" Roye shouts as I get to the last and latest update.

"That's what was stored in the boy's mind. Tillman's been concerned there was a traitor amongst us, but we never would've assumed it was the top families. We just found this out. Minutes before we came," I inform them.

"Any idea of which families it could be?" my mom asks.

"No, Tillman didn't recognize the voice. This is a situation where staying out of their radar hasn't helped. We know everything there is to know about these families, or so we thought, but have barely interacted with them physically," I say, clipped.

It was always important to my mom that we stay out of the eyes of the elite, especially the top five. Her belief in that grew next level after Caspian was kidnapped. But she pushed us to be as informed as possible. Learn everything and anything we could about them, be polite, formal when we had no choice but to be around them, but she always insisted we don't mingle unless we have to.

Every ball, every dinner, she'd have us stay at the thrones with them. If people came to speak to us, she made sure either she or one of our dads were with us. She knew then and knows now, they're snakes. Power hungry. And she never wanted us to fall into their beliefs.

Once our gifts emerged, she quit making us come completely. Told everyone we were busy with our studies. When I was younger, I didn't want to socialize with all those people anyway, so I didn't care. I still hate having to socialize, but I know now, it's a necessary evil, and it's biting us in the ass that we didn't do more of it.

"Well, that's a decision I still stand by. It doesn't matter that Tillman didn't recognize the voice because we can't go in or against them gifts blazing. We have to gather evidence, be prepared to bring it to the attention of the entire five. Until we can do that, we act as normal.

"We'll organize recon teams to track all five families. Me and your fathers will handle that since they're closer to us, while you boys continue leading this from the academy. Focus on apprehending as many Mastery members as you can and prepare to infiltrate the Forsaken Forest. That portal has to be secured and the Keeper needs to be brought in," my mom declares.

"Terravile will seem like a stroll in the gardens compared to the Forsaken Forest. That fucking place is vile, dangerous. Knowing that the ruler or would-be ruler of Essemist Keep is there is even more concerning. Has Tillman formed a plan for how to infiltrate it?" Dyce asks.

"He's been working on it. Now that we know the elixir is real, that's an option we'll explore. Gaster is going to do some research while he's here. Until that time, Tillman will continue readying the teams at the academy and he'll move some teams around to join us there. We need to see the ledgers of how many creatures have been put in the forest," I tell them.

"Of course. It's in our personal study. This person with the sight, we've never heard of them, and their gift is one that's rarely been seen in years. Are they trustworthy? What do you know of them?" my mom asks.

Me, Caspian, and Gaster all sit in silence, not saying a word.

"Why are you leaving details out? This is huge. We have a name to the rebel society, possible locations, betrayal in our midst, and you're keeping information from us. Why?" Theo asks.

At Caspian's and my blank stares, he throws his hands up, causing all four of them to start peppering us with more and more questions. But not my mom. I hold her stare, meeting her eyes that are just as calculating as mine.

"Who is she?" she asks me directly, silencing the rumble of noise coming from my dads.

"Someone who will be best protected if fewer people know about her," I grunt.

"No. Who is she to you, Corentin? Caspian?" my mom asks us sternly, but I detect the underlying hope in her voice.

"She is no one's business," Caspian answers darkly.

He, just like me, doesn't want to announce her here. We just revealed that there's a traitor remarkably close to them. There's no telling how much or little the Mastery know about her since her father and that scum have a manhunt out on her location. The last thing we need is there to be a spy somewhere in the castle going back and reporting anything about Willow to the Mastery.

"I don't sense any signatures around us, nor could they hear through my block, if you wish to speak freely," Gaster says softly to us.

"There's nothing to speak freely about. We aren't discussing her." Caspian snarls, beginning to get defensive.

"Is she dangerous?" my mom asks.

"No," me and Gaster say as Caspian answers, "Abso-fucking-lutely."

"Caspian." I sigh, shaking my head and pinching the bridge of my nose.

"What? Technically, she's extremely dangerous. She just chooses not to be," he says very literally.

He isn't wrong. I know that. If Willow wanted to be, yes, she could be a real fucking threat to a lot of people. But she'd never.

"Who is this girl?" Roye asks, continuing to push the subject.

Me and Caspian eye each other for a long minute. Although we can't truly talk to one another or communicate in our minds, we've always been close enough to understand each other. And currently, it's an agreement on what to say next. He doesn't want to tell them shit about Willow, and neither do I. It's not worth the risk right now.

"She's no threat to the realm, complete opposite, and that's all that anyone needs to know for now. We aren't discussing her further. End of story," I declare firmly.

"I just think—"

"Aurora, the boys have their reasons for not sharing this. It's best to believe them for now," Gaster says gently, reaching across the seat to pat her hand.

Despite my mom's or dads' positions, they have always—we have always—looked to him for guidance. Looked to him for so much more honestly. She'd be willing to continue to push this with me and Caspian, but she listens to Gaster.

"Fine, for now. But don't think I won't be asking again about this mystery woman," she says, eyeing me and my brother.

"I'm going to the study to look over the ledger and the schedule for blood donations," Caspian announces.

"We'll all go," I say, standing with him.

"Then you two are staying for dinner. If you won't be staying the night, you can at least have a meal with your parents before rushing back off," my mom declares.

"We will," I say, giving Caspian a death glare as he opens his mouth to argue. It won't kill us to stay for dinner.

Making our way down the long stone hallway, we enter into the study, that's the same as it's always been. Looking around, I can't help but think of Willow. She'd love this room. It's large, but with the dim lighting and a fresh breeze, it's comforting.

There are rows of bookshelves, many of which we have at the mansion as well, but some are my parents' personal collections. A large sectional sits in the middle of the room for when they want to relax, and a desk massive enough that it can accommodate all five of them sits in front of the windows.

Dyce makes his way around the desk and unlocks the safe that's hidden underneath and pulls out the information on the Forsaken Forest. He passes it off to Caspian, who immediately starts reading it over.

"Share, why don't you?" I comment.

"In the original roundup, they deposited two hundred and eighty-seven vampires into the forest over the course of six months. Over the last five hundred years, another one hundred and forty-three have been caught and relocated there. Any that pop up or commit an unredeemable offense get sent straight there or sentenced to death, depending on the crime. There's also a topographic map. The forest stretches about ten thousand acres," he summarizes, not taking his eyes off the ledger.

Fuck.

Four hundred and thirty vampires may not seem like a lot when you think of the entire population, but that is a fuck ton in terms of the amount of E.F. members we'd have to take with us. Plus, scattered about in an unkept, darkened forest.

Our elements and gifts affect them substantially, but their abilities are far different than ours and they're deadly.

Incredible, unmatched speeds, super fucking strength, and not to mention, if they get their fangs locked into you, you're done for. Their venom strikes you immobile, completely helpless to it.

Your element or gift is pointless if you can't see them coming for you until it's too late.

"Donations?" I ask.

"Same time, midmorning, every day," he grunts.

"That needs to change. The Mastery knows that's the routine of their feedings, so they avoid the forest at that time. They need to be made random, unpredictable," I say.

"I'll let the runner know. I'll dictate the times when the blood should be taken. Or we could just cut them off," Neil says.

"No. If they're all not feeding from what the Mastery brings in, then they're relying on the blood donations. If we cut them off, we'll be going in with even more unhinged, bloodthirsty vampires," I argue.

I understand it may seem easier to just starve them out, but that won't work. We've already learned that. They don't just die. Like Willow saw in the vision. There's only one surefire way to kill them.

Beheading.

"I'm going to head to the archives and start looking there for information on the elixir, as well as anything we may have on the Keeper line. If you all need me, that's where you'll find me," Gaster announces, heading out of the study.

For the next few hours, me, Caspian, and our parents comb over any little detail they have in here of the forest and the top five families. With the number of vampires and the size of the forest, that's about as deep as we'll get since the territory has basically been abandoned to the creatures.

The top five families, although none of the information is new, I scrutinize every detail, looking for any inconsistency or sign of their betrayal.

The council is set up where it's one family from each territory, including the central. They're supposed to govern their territory and bring the concerns and needs of the people to the ruling family. But over the years, it's become more of how can we grow our own standards rather than the standards of the people.

It's fucking bullshit.

The council changes as the rulers change. Typically, the next heirs of the councilors step up, but I can assure you, when my Nexus steps up, we'll be changing families completely. There's no fucking way in hell Willow would work with Gima anyway. Two hundred years away or not, I don't see the two of them ever being cordial enough to work together. Nor do I want to work with her.

Gima is a part of the Everglow family in Pyrathia. Every female born into their family has wielded a fire element, so many, many centuries ago, they deemed the volcanic land their home. Her family has been on the council for as long as my family has ruled. When their mindsets changed from protecting and promoting their people to we're better than them all, I don't know, but the apple didn't fall far from the tree with Gima.

The Alewood family from Aeradora. Their Primary has a strong air element, one that almost matches my own. They have one son who's around Draken's age who was asked to come to Vito Academy, but his family felt it was best for him to stay closer to home and attend their third-year academy. They don't speak much; very secretive people.

The Drover family from Terian. They're a Nexus of different shifters, aside from wolves, and they're a brutal bunch. Their mixture of animals makes them all dominant and needless to say they don't play well with others. They also have a son, older than us, in his early forties.

The Tealwaters from Aquaria. Technically, their last name is just Teal, but they have a strong belief that the water element is the most important, most vital of the elements, so they had water added to the end of their last names. They have a daughter, very young, around twelve.

Finally, the Gale family from the Central. They're the closest to my family since their Primary grew up close to my mom and aunt Tilly. She's right around their ages, but drama. She loves nothing more than to gossip and make herself out to be flawless. They don't have any children.

Really, they all have some sort of attributes that would make me think any of them could be the traitors, but their negatives are equally matched to one another.

"I believe you boys have got everything we've got that's going to be of use to you right now. Plus, whatever Gaster finds. Why don't you go and freshen up, then let's eat," my mom says after the endless stretch of silence, each of us zoned into our research and thoughts.

Me and Caspian grunt our agreements and head to the west wing.

He doesn't even bother making his way down to the room he grew up in, instead following me to mine. I swear I can fucking feel his eagerness to leave pouring off him.

Walking in, nothing has changed. It's still as neat and orderly as I left it the last time I was here. And again, I feel nothing, no connection to this room whatsoever.

My room back at the mansion is much like this one.

A perfectly made bed without a single wrinkle, not a speck of dust on any surface, and minimal…well, everything's minimal. The walls are all a light cream color, and my bedspread is a dark blue.

Until this moment, I haven't given much thought as to why Willow's never been in my room. We designed hers so she'd never have to bed hop or want to be anywhere else. We wanted her to have a space she could have to herself and one we could share with her. But as I look around the bland, stale space of my childhood room, it clicks.

I'm embarrassed.

Embarrassment is not an emotion I'm used to, but that's exactly what this is. My princess is full of life and wonder despite everything she's been through, whereas I've let the pressures, responsibilities, and heartache over the years make me strict, routinary.

I never want that life, the curiosity to dull, so I've avoided letting her see my dull room.

"What's wrong?" Caspian asks as I stare around the room.

"This just doesn't feel like home anymore," I tell him honestly.

"That's because it's not. Home is where that maddening little Primary is," he grunts and I can't help but laugh at how worked up he still is.

"She really did a number on you today," I tease, but my smirk falters a little at his contorted face.

"Just like you're feeling now. This room, its blandness, its emptiness. It doesn't feel right. I feel that too, but instead of a room, it's anytime I'm away from her. The demons aren't nearly as demanding when she's around. It's confusing, exhilarating, fucking…petrifying," he breathes, running his hand through his hair.

I didn't expect him to open up to me, so I force my face to stay blank rather than allowing my jaw to drop like it wants to. When we were growing up, he'd tell me any and everything. He'd bust into my room, jump on my bed, and spill every detail of his entire day.

After what happened, he wouldn't speak to anyone. Not even me. It was years before he mentioned anything that had happened to him, and that was only after he and Tillman got into the most vicious fight any of us have ever had, over Tillman threatening to look in his mind if he didn't open up.

Anytime after that, he's been piss drunk. This is the first sober, real conversation about his feelings in almost eighteen years.

"Is it getting easier? Being physical with her?" I ask slowly.

"It's getting harder not to touch her. I'd cut a bitch's hand off if they tried to touch me, I know I would, but I crave that little Primary. My body does, my bond does. It's my mind that still fucks with me. I don't know how to let go completely."

"When she first got here and wouldn't answer my questions or do as I said without arguing, it drove me fucking nuts. I felt like I was losing my mind. It still drives me nuts, but then I think, what would it be like if she fell to my every whim, did exactly as I tell her when I tell her to. And I don't like that version of her. She pushes me out of my comfort zone almost daily, but I wouldn't change it. She's pushing you out of yours now, and I know it's hard, but it's worth it. It's so fucking worth giving in to her," I tell him honestly.

She's like taking a breath of the freshest air.

"She saw what happened to me in our awakening, but she doesn't know everything. I think I'm ready to tell her. I know it'll help," he admits.

"I think it will too, brother," I agree, giving his shoulder a squeeze. A touch he doesn't immediately shake off.

Our baby steps have turned into big boy leaps.

"Aurora, dinner is delicious. Thank you for having me," Gaster says, breaking up the silence.

Dinner conversation has consisted of our mom asking us personal questions and us giving her vague answers. We can't really tell her what we've been up to. That's staying a secret.

"Gaster, you know you're welcome anytime. I wish you'd visit more too," she says.

"Well, actually, if it's okay with you, I'd like to stay a few days, go through some more of the archives, and also try some things in the south wing."

"That cursed wing. Don't stress yourself anymore with that wing, Gaster. But of course you're more than welcome to stay," she tells him, smiling at him warmly.

"We go back to classes the day after tomorrow. Would you like me to do something about your morning class?" I ask, arching a brow at him. Willow is not going to like being away from him more than that.

"Yes. I'll be back by the day after and I'll check in," he says, knowing exactly what I'm hinting at.

"Boys, I was thinking, as much as I hate this. If me and your fathers don't make as much progress as I'd like in the coming weeks, the Spring Ball is two months away."

"And?" Caspian asks.

"And I think maybe you should attend. I've always kept you out of the limelight and maybe that was a mistake on my part as you got older. Maybe the realm and the elite need to see you," she says unsurely.

Fuck me. This is my fault. My mouth earlier with the remark about not physically being around the top families. I didn't mean a ball, though. I was more so talking about us being around the council meetings or business trades.

"If you haven't found anything useful out and neither have we, we'll consider. A ball wasn't exactly what I had in mind, though. A small meeting with the five and their entire Nexuses present was more like it," I compromise.

Even that's not a small gathering. It's twenty-five people just counting their Nexuses.

"The ball will be more social, more relaxed. It'll give you all a chance to mingle more," she retorts, and both me and Caspian scowl.

"We'll discuss it closer to that time, Mom, how about that?" I, again, compromise with her. I don't want to shoot her down completely, even though the thought of going to that ball is fucking dreadful.

"Fine, fine. So tell me about life." She pushes again.

For the next hour, we go back and forth, answering our parents' questions, chatting about our days. Every opportunity Caspian gets, he turns the attention to Gaster, since he has more things he can easily talk about without bringing Willow up.

The longer the small talk goes on, the more Caspian's knee bounces, and after dessert and another hour of talking, I finally cave.

"We got to get going. Tomorrow is the last day of break, and we got a lot to do before the students resume classes," I announce, pushing out of my chair.

By our next visit, I'll tell my mom about Willow, and she can come with us. Then we won't be in a rush to leave, but I can't take it anymore and Caspian's impatience is also wearing on me.

"Aw, already? It's barely night," my mom complains.

"I know, I'm sorry. We'll be back soon, though," I promise.

She doesn't push anymore, and she, my dads, and Gaster walk us out of the dining room and through the foyer.

"Please tell the other two I miss them, and you all be careful," she says as she wraps us up in a hug the same way she did when we arrived.

"We will. Love you," I say and Caspian grunts it as well.

Stepping out the door, the pitch-black night sky greets us. One glance over at Caspian and I know his ass is about to leave me standing here.

Latching on to his arm so I can dictate the transport, his nostrils flare in annoyance and I smirk in his face. He probably would've popped right in her damn room, scaring the three of them.

So instead, I bring us right outside her door rather than the back lawn.

Compromise.

Slowly turning her handle and opening the door, my shoulders sink a little as I see her cuddled between Draken and Tillman, fast asleep. Taking in the two of them, though, they're half naked with satisfied grins on their faces.

Motherfuckers.