Page 22 of A Spark Of Revenge

“Umm… I-I don’t know,” Meyer admits, making me chuckle when her sweet face pinches into an expression of annoyance. “I haven't been a Ranger for long, and I’m not sure where they would have brought Jordan.” Nodding, I shove away the tiny amount of jealousy that runs through me whenever Meyer mentions her friend's name, trying not to focus on it.

“Is there someone who he may be with? Also, I will need a description so that I can identify him,” I add, reluctantly removing my arm from around her waist so that we can go find her friend. I thought for sure we’d been caught when Razar stopped in front of us, but thankfully, he had been called back to Lennox, granting us more time.

I have to admit I’m shocked at who Meyer has made acquaintances with in her time here. The men who now hold control of this castle are not ones she should mess with, and are far too dangerous to be around her. I thought their magic had felt familiar last night when I saw them, it was too harsh and powerful to be from Umbra Hunters, but the lack of energy and magic had my vision hazy and my mind in shambles. What I hadn’t expected was for the very Demon Meyer has a beef with to be the Crown Prince of the Versipellis throne. A man she calls Nox, but who I know by an entirely different name.

Having him in the picture definitely complicates things, since I’m fairly positive his magic is currently coursing through Meyer’s blood alongside mine, something I don't believe Mi Sol is aware of. It's a situation that I intend to confront her about and correct when the time is right. Meyer is mine, and I don't intend to share her with anyone, no matter who they are.

“Normally, he would be in the Ranger barracks, and if he’s not there, he would be with Theo. But since everything went down with the Demons and the Seniorem, I'm not sure if they are on speaking terms. And I doubt Jordan is just chillin’ in the barracks after he made his opinions known last night. Nox mentioned something about splitting up the Hunters and Rangers not under his control. He said he wanted them brought to the holding cells.” I nod, knowing every Umbra Hunter Stronghold was designed with a warded protection room and holding cells.

“Probably in the crypts,” I whisper, and Meyer grimaces in response, a shiver running down her spine that I soothe the moment I sense it. “And his appearance?” I ask, stepping to her side and lacing our fingers, trying to ignore the thrill her soft hand in mine brings, well soft except for the distinct calluses of one who is very familiar with throwing knives. Interesting. It's odd how the smallest of touches affects me, but after going through the torture of being nothing… feeling nothing… It's like heaven just to have Mi Sol’s hand clasped in mine.

I let my other hand move up to her neck, playing with the ends of her ponytail before dusting them over her soft skin. Her strong pulse flutters under my fingertips, and I allow myself a moment, closing my eyes and focusing on the woman I hold close. Her bright and energetic life is a balm to my torn soul, lifting my withered spirits and giving me hope for the first time in years as the slightest flicker of magic swirls around our clasped hands.

“Jordan’s tall, with dark brown hair and green eyes,” she whispers, leaning into my touch instinctually, her warm, curvy body molding to mine like she was made to be there all along. Something primal and dark sparks to life inside me as I keep my hand collared at the back of her neck, relishing her scent and warmth.

“You just described ninety percent of all Regalis bloodline members,” I muse, making Meyer’s face split into a grin as she nods.

“Yeah, but that's what he looks like,” she shrugs, and I immediately relax. I had been worried about Mi Sol's obsession to save this Hunter, worried I would have to share in her affections. Considering her lack of attention to his appearance, I’m guessing I have nothing to worry about. She seems worried, like she cares for the person we are trying to save, but not in a way that suggests she might choose him for a life partner.

Voices coming from down one of the corridors make Meyer tense, and I narrow my eyes in frustration, hating how her body freezes in fear. I will have a word with Nox and the other two to see why Mi Sol is so scared of everything and everyone. I would typically be reluctant to go against someone I know in this manner, but Meyer's fear of the three Demons stalking the halls of the castle has proven to me that she deserves a little revenge for whatever harm they have caused. Besides, I have always been a fan of a bit of trickery, so I see no harm in helping her with this adventure.

“Let’s go find your friend and leave before we are discovered,” I whisper, leaning close to her so she can hear me. I’ve never had to worry about human restrictions before, and even though Meyer has Dream Walker blood, she seems to have more human traits than anything else. I do my best to make her life easier, but sometimes, I forget she cannot do the same things I can. Meyer nods in agreement; I let my hand fall from her neck but keep her fingers locked within my grip as I silently move toward the door that I suspect leads to the castle's lower levels. I have never been in the North American Stronghold before, but it resembles the European Stronghold, so I can only hope I’m leading Meyer in the right direction.

Waving a hand through the air, I let my magic rush the old door, silencing the hinges as it slowly opens, allowing a draft of frigid air to course over us as we pass through and head down the dimly lit spiral staircase. The dark stone steps are sloped slightly, making our descent slow as we wind our way down into the dark depths of the castle. The temperature plunges dramatically as we walk, the small flames on the torches that line the steep steps doing nothing to heat the area.

As we draw near the bottom of the stairs, I let my magic out, seeking the bright life force that calls to me whenever I need it. The small flicker of human life is my answer, and I wince, not used to such dull life force being in my presence. The sounds of labored breathing, cursing, and footsteps meet my ears, and I slow Meyer as we take the last steps down the narrow stairs opening to an equally narrow hallway. My eyes flash to the tiny wards etched into the stone and narrow my eyes, trying to decipher small symbols, then smile in relief. The original wards have been altered, crossed over, and destroyed, and in their place, familiar new ones have been drawn. It looks like magic will still be helping us down here after all.

“Why is it so dark?” Meyer whispers, leaning forward to peer into the shadowed hall as I look to step forward, making sure to keep her tucked close behind me. The small tunnel-like hallway is too narrow to walk side by side, and it splits off in several directions the further we move through it.

“Stay close to me, and don't let go,” I instruct, narrowing my eyes on the tiny passages that branch off the main entrance. “I don’t want us to get separated, and it's like a damn labyrinth down here.”

“Roger that,” Meyer whispers, confusing the hell out of me with her words.

“Who is Roger?” I ask, stalling my forward pursuit when I see a holding cell to my right. An older blond Umbra Hunter is lying on a cot, a blanket covering his body as he sleeps, and I sigh in relief when I see the Hunters are at least being treated with human decency. I keep moving, taking a mental note of every turn I take so we don't get lost.

“What? No, Roger is only a saying, not a person,” Meyer explains, and I frown but nod.

“So, there is no person called Roger?” I ask, and Meyer giggles.

“Well, I suppose there is, but—”

Something creaks, and a presence I hadn't felt before slowly grows, making me turn and slap my hand over Meyer's mouth, silencing whatever she was about to say. Leaning down, I press a finger to my mouth, waiting for her bright green eyes to focus on my face in the dark. She nods, and I step back, letting my hand fall from her lips as hushed voices carry through the tunnels, echoing softly off the stone walls. Meyer stiffens when she finally hears them, and I curse when I sense their magic.

“We need to hide,” I whisper, tugging on her hand and picking up my pace, eyes scanning the dark passages for a place we can duck into.

“Why are they here?” she whispers. “Do they know we are here?” Grabbing Meyer, I shove her into an open holding cell, panic lacing my thoughts as low voices come closer. Shit, if they have Razar with them, they may be able to scent magic. I need to lead them away from her.

“Stay here. I’ll lead them further into the crypts and double back for you,” I whisper, pushing her onto the bed and pulling the blanket that is folded up at the end of the bed over her body.

“Bad idea. Splitting up is never the best option,” Meyer whispers, her voice cracking a little with fear. I instantly hate the sound and have to bite my lip to keep in the snarl that wants to escape. Darkness floods me as I feel her terror build, and I nod, agreeing with her. Unfortunately, out of the four other options I currently have in our situation, this one is the best one and has the highest success rate. “Besides, I don’t like sitting here like a silly princess in need of saving,” she adds softly, and I almost laugh at that. What she doesn't realize is she is mine to protect; only she will not be my princess but my queen.

“I can get rid of these men quickly, trust me, I excel at this,” I murmur, almost excitedly. “I promise I’ll be back here in eighty-five seconds. Count in your head as a distraction, and keep this blanket over your head. I can't lock the door, or I won't be able to get back in, so I need you to stay as still as possible,” I instruct in a calm voice, wanting nothing more than to magically soothe her worries, but my promise to her earlier stops me. I need to earn her trust, and to do that, I need to keep my promises and tell her the truth about everything. Then, I will work on ensuring I become as vital to her life as she now is to mine.

Meyer opens her mouth, then shuts it, and nods, weariness in her eyes as I smile down at her.

“Count for me, Mi Sol. I’ll be right back,” I promise, making sure my magic cloaks her presence before turning on my heel and striding out of the small holding cell. Thankfully, the two men coming this way are not advanced magic users or this idea would never work. I look behind me to see a small golden glow coming from one tunnel as the two men step into the tunnel I’m in.

“He’s gone mad. There is no fucking way. We would have noticed Dream Walker magic,” a calm voice says as they make their way closer to me. “This is all your fault!”

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