Page 17 of A Spark Of Revenge

“I used your magic to alter your Dreamscape. I formed a mental link between our magic,” he explains, and I frown.

“And now you can control me?” I ask in confusion, and Valen laughs.

“No. Not unless you allow me to, that is. But after using your magic as many times as I did, I started to feel a bond form. It wasn't until I took your magic and twined it with mine to send you from your Dreamscape that I suspect it fully kicked in. It's also the reason I believe I’m still alive, since the amount of magic I expelled should have stopped my heart and sent my soul back to Animus,” he adds, blowing my mind a little.

“Uhh,” I try to say something, but I’m actually a little speechless. When I don't say anything else, Valen continues.

“It's common for our race to form mental and magical links; it happens often with people who have close contact. Most often between parents and their children and spouses. Though it sometimes happens between siblings and longtime friends,” he adds with a small smile. “And I’m not forcing you to do anything, Meyer, though I can see why you feel that way. Our bond lets me help you when you need it. Allows me access to your magic and your inner self. You can simply ignore my prompts if you don't want to do them.” Valen frowns, staring down at me as I nod. “I’m sorry that you felt that way. I’ll be sure not to use the bond. It's a natural thing that I would do for anyone else bonded to me, but until you're used to it, I'll refrain.”

“So… this bond. Is it like… forever?” I hedge, unsure how to feel about it. I mean, I like Valen and want to get to know him, but at this point, he’s still a stranger to me, and the realization that he can influence my thoughts is rather scary.

“No. You can break it if you wish,” Valen whispers slowly, wincing like the thought itself has caused him pain. I nod, relieved a little at that thought.

“Right. Um, I need to process. How about you ask another question, then I’ll go again?”

“Lovely,” Valen says with a clap of his hands, then nods for me to continue our hike down the mountain. “Now, about your Senior who ended up being a Demon. What was his name again?”

“Lennox,” I offer as I turn and walk. “But his brothers call him Nox.”

“And how many brothers are there?” he asks, ducking under a low pine branch, his stride long as he follows after me.

“Two others. Razar and Creed,” I mutter, lowering my voice when I hear the snap of a twig not too far off. My breath hitches, and weariness replaces my confusion at the thought of Demons being nearby.

“It's a simple black bear. Nothing to worry about,” Valen reassures me, stepping closer as I frown. “And these brothers are all Demons or just Lennox?” he asks, continuing his questions. “And are you positive there are only two other brothers? That's small for a Demon Legion,” he adds with a confused frown.

“Uh, I’m not sure if a bear is much better than a Demon,” I point out, but I keep hiking down the trail, taking Valen's ease as a sign that there is no danger. “And yes. Only two brothers. Razar, the nasty looking Demon who was outside the church. But I’m not sure about Creed. He hasn’t shifted into a monster, but I wouldn't put it past the lying jerk to be one of them,” I hiss under my breath, more than a little upset that he told Lennox about us having sex.

“I’m sensing some anger in that sentence,” Valen says with a dark chuckle. “Want to talk about it?” he asks lightly.

“Not really,” I admit.

“Fair enough. But you will when you're ready?” he asks, so hopeful that I almost smile.

“Yeah. When I’m ready,” I agree, winding my way through a thick patch of trees before pulling up short when I see the Castle ahead of me. We approached it on the east side, which faces the mountain. It's also opposite from the main gates of the wall. “I forget how big this thing is until I’m outside looking at it,” I admit softly as Valen steps to my side, glaring at the gray stone structure like it's the entrance to Hell.

“There are probably a few things we still need to discuss,” Valen whispers at my side as warm fingers slowly link with my own. I hold on to his hand tighter, still reeling from the information that he already told me.

“Such as?” I ask, dread pooling in my belly as I stare at the high wall surrounding the castle. Valen shifts from foot to foot, and I look up at him, finding him staring at me with an unreadable look.

“Basically everything, Mi Sol. The Hunter world… the Demon world…” Valen pauses and sighs. “You’ve been fed many lies, and I’m afraid you don't have the full picture.” My stomach drops at his words, and I shake my head.

“And why should I trust your words?” I can't help but ask, looking away from the beautiful man standing next to me.

“You shouldn’t, Mi Sol. I don't want you to trust me on my word alone,” Valen hedges, surprising me enough to look back up into those pale green eyes. “But I would like to be the one to help you find the truth. To help you find the evidence you need to feel confident in yourself and hopefully me, eventually,” he whispers, leaning down, bringing our faces closer. “I would be more than willing to make a deal with your safety in mind,” he adds with a mischievous smile.

I narrow my eyes, waiting to feel the surge of warmth that I had started to get used to, but there was none. Valen isn't using the bond to sway me one way or the other. He’s keeping his word, which makes me feel slightly better.

“Fine,” I agree slowly, then laugh when Valen suddenly reaches his hand for my own, a spark of green lighting at his fingertips. “But no deal. I’ll trust you for now. You haven’t done anything that you shouldn’t,” I mutter, to which Valen laughs and shakes his head, dropping his still-glowing hand to his side.

“In the interest of full disclosure, I’m going to point out that I did form a bond with you that I didn't tell you about, which is rather shady. But I’m also going to defend myself by saying I honestly did it to keep you safe,” he says quickly enough that I have difficulty following his words.

I laugh and wring my hands together in front of me nervously. “Anything else you should tell me?” I ask, making Valen’s grin falter as he slowly nods.

“Yes,” he admits, his hand rubbing at the back of his neck. But before he can continue, a roar so loud it hurts my ears rings through the air, making me gasp and jump a little closer to Valen.

“What was that?” I ask breathlessly, my hands falling to where my knife holster is strapped to my leg, then curse when I remember I have no blades.

“Beastia,” Valen grits out between clenched teeth just as not one… not two, but over a dozen monsters rush toward the castle wall.

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