Page 105 of Gift from the Stone

Fuck.

“The society has stood far longer than any of you have even been alive, boy. If you thought the attack against you today was bad, you do not want to get in the way of the full force of the Mastery. Fall in line, become an asset to the cause, or die terrible deaths.” Another Elder sneers.

“Elder Natur, how could you? You’ve been a friend and mentor to my family for years,” Cara cries out.

“Insolent girl. You and your Nexus should have minded your own business. Rylan never should’ve entered the trials. Now you all will face a fate far worse than death,” Elder Natur tells her softly. By the look in his eye, he does care for her, them, on some level, but his loyalty to the Mastery runs deeper.

As one, all the Elders begin to growl in harmony. This is not a normal growl. The pitch of it is like a classical song. It starts soft and low and is building by the second with intensity. I feel its demand skirt across my skin, leaving an uncomfortable feeling in my chest, and my dragon sneers at the intrusion.

The sound of growls and thuds of knees hitting the ground draws my attention and I whip my head toward the noise. Whimpers fill the air as everyone in our group who’s a wolf shifter is on the ground clutching their ears, trying to block out the rhythmic command coming from the Elders. I frantically turn to find Draken and sigh when I see him standing behind me, looking at everyone in confusion.

Lyker’s forcefully shaking his head, fearsome growls falling from his lips as he tries to fight off whatever the Elders are doing. Lennox and Zane are crouching in front of him, holding him by his arms. Kian’s beside Aria, rubbing her back as she rocks back and forth on all fours, crying out in pain. My eyes continue to travel around the group at the speed of light. By the millisecond, everyone is losing control.

“Command them to stop, Willow. Draken,” Corentin barks, snapping us out of our confusion.

From deep within my chest, I begin to rumble, building my dominance. As soon as the rumble starts, Draken steps up beside me, linking his fingers with mine, his own growl beginning to form.

At the same time, we release our commands and one by one, the Elders hit their knees forcefully, their song silencing. The noise around us turns from whimpers to groans as our friends and the E.F. members begin to pick themselves up.

“Thank fuck.” Aria pants.

“What the fuck was that?” Lyker growls, preparing to attack the Elders, but his guys hold him back.

“That was them weaving a rune around our minds. They were going to force our compliance,” Aria says as she shakes her head.

“They can do that to you?” I ask her with wide eyes.

“Yes. I could’ve taken the rune down after it was in place on my mind, but I’d still have to endure it first before breaking free of it,” she explains.

God that’s awful.

“What did you fuckers think was going to happen when half of us aren’t wolf shifters?” Draken growls.

“They would’ve turned against you.” One of them trembles.

“How did you get free, girl? Get back to the cave, now.” Elder Rio snarls at Aria.

“No fucking chance, old man. Do you not think I broke free from that command the moment I was out of that cage? Willow, hold your command tight.” She instructs before letting her own musical growl free.

Listening to her instructions, I carry on the low rumble in my chest, making sure the hold I have on them stays tightly secured, and Draken jumps in immediately to help me. I watch in amazement as all the Elders grow still, their fight giving out as their eyes cloud over, and they do nothing but give in to Aria’s call.

Each one of them sits statue still as whatever she’s doing in their minds takes root. I see the considerable effort it’s taking for her to work on all nine of them at once. Her arms and legs are shaking, and her face is pale as a ghost. She looks seconds away from passing out.

“Lyker, Kian, Zane, Lennox, hold her up. Don’t let her fall,” I bark as she starts to sway. The four of them instantly grab her, and she takes a deep breath.

“The connection they have woven between their minds and hearts is incredibly strong. Once I release them, I have no clue how long you all will have to read their minds or ask questions before my barrier breaks. Decide how you’re going to do this now before I let go,” Aria grits out.

“Tillman, get as much as you can from them. Caspian, ask questions. Draken and Lyker, force your dominance. Willow, hold on tight,” Corentin orders. With his direction, Aria releases her hold, slumping back into Lennox’s waiting arms.

“What have you done—”

“Who’s the Summum-Master?” Caspian cuts the Elder off.

They stare at him with malice, keeping their lips shut tight.

“Keep going,” Tillman orders Caspian.

“How’s the Mastery moving between the nonmagical realm and Elementra?”

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