Soar (The Immortal Chronicles Book 3) Page 6

  “I guess it’s time to face the music,” I mutter as Penelope opens the door. I look to Michael and roll my eyes. He chuckles quietly.

  “Oh good, you’re ready,” she says with fake enthusiasm. “Time to go.”

  “You don’t have to pretend to be so perky, you know. I’m good with the cold-bitch thing you had going on earlier. You don’t want to be here, but big shocker, neither do I. No need to make this worse than it needs to be, okay?” She looks at me in shock before composing herself, back to her cold ma’am face from earlier. Then she’s turned her back on me and is marching out of the room.

  “I guess we best follow, Princess,” Michael says trying to keep his humour hidden.

  “Don’t you start with that nonsense. I’ll beat it out of you if I have to. You’re here because Kaden made you come, you don’t need to follow their stupid rules.”

  “On the contrary, because I represent House Bane, outside of this room, I have to follow every single one of their stupid rules. That way no-one else higher, like Kaden or Dimitri up gets their asses handed to them by the Royals.” Well, balls. I hate how much I don’t know about life here; I’m totally out of my depth. Before the panic grips me, I take a deep breath and follow Penelope towards the next chapter of my life.

  I swing the door to Bane Manor open and storm in.

  “Dimitri!” I yell. “I know you can hear me Dimitri!”

  I walk through the house towards my brothers’ old office. I know he’s in there waiting for me. He had to know I would come – and that I’d be pissed. I push the door open and see him sat behind the desk, leaning back in the chair waiting for me.

  “Kaden, how nice of you to visit.”

  “Don’t give me that shit, Dimitri; you know why I’m here,” I growl.

  “It needed to be done Kaden.”

  “She was safe! Exactly where she was. She was with people who care for her, people who would look after her and lay down their lives for her. There was no need for any of this!” I say slamming my palm down onto the desk. I’m panting, my anger getting the best of me.

  “It’s where she needs to be, Kaden – and we need you here Kaden,” He says firmly.

  “What the hell does that even mean?”

  “It means exactly what I say; she was born a Princess, Kaden. This is the path destined for her; this was all just had a minor detour. She is Fae, regardless of the fact that she is half-Fallen. We both know that in this society, her Fae side is what they will focus on. The Royals need her; the power she represents will help keep the other royal lines in place. There is always dissension of sorts, but the unrest has been higher here recently, but it’s more than that; Kellan and Eolande need her, she’s their family and it’s no secret how badly Kellan changed after he thought the Princess had died. They thought she was lost to them, but now they know she exists. Imagine knowing your daughter lived, but you never got to know her. Imagine how much you’d want to know her; how much you’d want her to know you.”

  “That’s a whole ton of crap, Dimitri. Did you see the letter I received from your precious queen? Her threat to kill Addie if we didn’t all play along? What sort of person, what sort of loving mother, even thinks of that?” I stress.

  “A desperate, grieving one. One under immense pressure, I imagine,” he says.

  “Why are you so calm? What do you know that I don’t?”

  “A lot, but as you don’t want to take over as Head of House, I’m not privy to share that information. Just know, this is what is necessary at this moment. More importantly, we need your help, and you can’t do that if you’re looking after Addie.”

  “What do you need me for?” I ask, taking a seat, trying to calm myself. I know there is no changing what has already happened, but if he’s not going to share, I can find out other ways. For now, I need to play the game, look at the big picture and go from there.

  “We’re closing in on Olivia and Elaihn. I know if you are with the team, it will end with less bloodshed. Elaihn will follow you without too much persuasion, she always has. As for Olivia, I’d like her back, too; we need to know what Cole’s plan was with The Seven, but if we can’t get her, she will be taken care of. However, I have a feeling you’ll be able to get them both back here without us having to resort to anything that drastic. You can be very persuasive when you put your mind to it.”

  “And if I agree to help, what next? What are your plans for my sister?” I ask eagerly. I’ve tried not to focus on what sort of life she might have, it hurts too much to think of her suffering.

  “If she co-operates, I see no reason why she can’t join you at the mansion, or live here at the manor. She can be looked after. I’m aware that her mental state is fragile and that she will need a lot of care, Kaden. We can arrange that for her. She will be happy in the end, I promise.”

  “And what of Olivia?” I ask. I know there is a lot of bad blood between her and Addie, but I know Addie would want her friend safe, too, - regardless of everything.

  “She will be offered the same as Elaihn. She will have the option of giving her oath to House Bane and being sworn in as one of our own – as long as she co-operates. From what I understand, her transition to Vampyr was not a pleasant one, which explains a lot, but we will do what we can. Her path lies in her decisions.”

  I think it over. Dimitri wouldn’t lie to me, not about something this important. I also know he cares deeply for Addie; he has her in the back of his mind as he’s made all of these decisions. He knows, more so than I, how close Addie and Olivia were when they were growing up. He also knows Olivia better than I do. My main focus will be Elaihn, but I will do what I can for Olivia, if only for Addie’s sake.

  “When would I need to leave?” I ask. We both know I can’t say no to this deal.

  “As soon as possible. Realistically, I’d already like you to be with them.”

  “Fine, I’ll head out now. Just let me head home and speak to Celeste and ensure everything is in order – then I’ll leave. Just tell me where I need to go.” I’ve caved in but I really need to find my sister, and I know Michael will keep Addie safe.

  “Good, I can live with that,” Dimitri runs his hands through his hair, he looks aged by his new role. Handing me a bunch of papers, he looks at me like a pissed off general. “This is all of the information I currently have, including where Kas’ team are holed up, watching the girls. Get to them quickly Kaden. The quicker you’re there, the quicker we can get everyone home safely."

  I take his words as truth and head straight back to the mansion to get things in order. He’s right, there’s nothing I can do for Addie right now, but this is something I can do. Since she left, I’ve felt at a loss, but in this moment, I don’t feel that way. I feel like I’m regaining some control.

  Before Xander died, I liked not having any real responsibility, no-one who truly needed me, then Addie came into my life and changed everything. When she was taken, it was like something inside me started to change – losing my brother finalised the change. It’s strange to realise how much I’ve grown; how much I’ve become the person my brother always pushed me to be. Even when we were at odds, he always pushed me to be better.

  I pull up to the mansion, not bothering to put the car away because I don’t intend on being here long. Strolling into the mansion, I note how quiet it is and think it slightly eerie.

  “Celeste,” I yell as I walk through the house towards my room. I know she’ll find me. In my room, I grab a holdall and begin stuffing it with clothes. I don’t want to be gone for long, so I don’t pack much.

  “Now where are you going?” Celeste asks sashaying into the room with her attitude out in full. “You’ve been gone a lot lately.”

  “I know but I can’t just sit back and do nothing.”

  “This is all because of Addie, isn’t it?”

  “Not all of it, but she played a big part, yes. I won’t lie to you, Celeste, things are changing. So much is still in the air and I don’t know what is goin
g to happen, but I know Xander would want me to be doing something.”

  “What exactly are you saying here, Kaden? Are you leaving for good?”

  “I don’t know about in the future, but for right now that’s not the plan,” I sigh. “Dimitri keeps pushing me to take over as the Head of House Bane. He says it’s what Xander would have wanted. I know he’s right but I just don’t have it in me. I’ve grown recently, a lot has happened and a lot has changed, but…”

  “But as Head of House, you’re sworn to protect the Royal family and therefore any chance with Addie is gone,” she guesses. “You’re just a servant and Addie…. well, she’s a princess now.”

  “Exactly. And while I have no idea where Addie’s head is at with everything, I know the King and Queen won’t give her too long before they’re shoving potential husbands at her.”

  Celeste raises an eyebrow. She can read my inner thoughts – how the idea of Addie marrying someone else, of her being with someone else, eats me up on the inside.

  “Would it even be allowed, Kaden? She is a Princess of the Fae. They have never been allowed to marry outside of their species,” she challenges.

  “But Addie is different; she’s not grown up thinking the same way they do. She knows nothing of their ways; she’s more human than anything else.”

  “Kaden,” Celeste sighs. “There’s no guarantee she’d pick you anyway. You’re Xander’s brother. It might be different if you weren’t. What if you throw it all away and she can never love you? Dimitri won’t remain acting Head of House for long. He’s just waiting on a firm decision from you. Once you accept it, it’s yours until you die.”

  “That’s the thing – what if I’m a terrible leader? What if I give up any chance of a future with Addie, and then I’m miserable as Head of House.”

  “I can’t tell you what to do, Kaden. All I can say is, you are the best man and leader I have ever known. You are fierce and loyal. Your friendship once earned, is precious, and you protect those around you with every ounce of strength you have. You are cunning and clever, and if you take over as Head of House, all of us here would follow you.” She flushes and I realise that her feelings towards me run deeper and more passionately than I had realised. She knows that I can read her feelings more than I should on her face, but she hasn’t finished with her war-cry yet. “House Bane would be the biggest house in the world, and you would have created that. The men of the House followed Xander; they would die for him, and they know he wanted you to take over. They will follow you. I would follow you.”

  “Thank you, Celeste,” I say, reeling from the passion of her support. I knew she’d follow me to the end of the earth, but I never imagined she’d be happy to join the House, especially with her history.

  “Enough of this sappy crap,” she says, laughing off her sudden embarrassment. “Where are you going?”

  “House business,” I say. “Dimitri has asked me to join the team who are hunting Olivia and Elaihn. He wants them brought home so we can extract the information we need from them.”

  “Okay, I’ll get my stuff and we can head out.”

  “Celeste,” I say gently, shaking my head. “No. I need you here. I need you handling these guys and keeping an eye on The Palace for me. Even though Michael is there we’ve not heard from him in a while, and it makes me nervous. Can you try to check in with him while I’m gone, please?”

  “I’m not comfortable with this, Kaden. I should be there with you,” she complains.

  “I will be fine. I’m joining up with a team of Kas’ wolves who have tracked them so far. Dimitri just wants me to help with the extraction. I’m sure everything will be fine. I don’t know how long it will take, but I’ll get word to you as soon as we’re on our way home.”

  “You better. I don’t like this, not even a little.”

  “And that is why you’re the best person to look after everything back here for me,” I say, slinging my bag onto my shoulder.

  “I’ve decided to fly to them, it makes more sense, and it’s less easy to track. I’ve left a car out the front, have one of the guys put it away for me?” I ask, clapping my arm on her shoulder. She hugs me quickly, squeezing me.

  “Be safe, Kaden – and come home soon.”

  I sweep down, landing quietly in the thick of trees that Kas’ wolves are hiding in. From what I can make out from the mess of information Dimitri gave me, Olivia and Elaihn are holed up in an old underground bunker in this forest. God only knows how they’re surviving down there, or how they found it, but now I understand why Dimitri wants me here. Wolves tend to act first, worry about the consequences later. They would readily storm the shelter without thinking about potential traps set for them or if there was another exit they could escape from. Don’t get me wrong, wolves are some of the best trackers our world has, but tracking and capturing are two different things.

  I make my way to the wolves’ base, trying to keep an eye out for anything or anyone watching them. I can’t see anything, which leads me to believe the girls are alone. I find the hunters’ shed where the wolves are cooped up, and knock gently so as not to put anyone on high alert. The door opens and a bear of a man steps out in front of me.

  “Kaden, you’re here. Took long enough, man! We’ve been sat watching this pair for days!”

  “I only found out today, Coop, sorry. Has there been much activity down there?” I ask, walking back into the shed, which is more like a small chalet than a shed.

  Coop takes the staircase down into the basement and I follow.

  “Not that we can tell,” he says. “We know they’re still in there, and we’ve scouted the area. There doesn’t seem to be another way in or out,”

  Well I got that wrong. I won’t be underestimating these guys again; they obviously did their homework, for a change.

  “I’ve only picked up on the two scents,” he continues. “But I have no idea what sort of state they’ll be in when we get to them. I don’t know what blood or rations they have.”

  “Okay,” I say. “I’m going to go and take a look, get familiar with what we’re working with, then we’ll work out a plan of attack, if that works for you and your guys. From what I understand, Dimitri wants this as quick and as clean as possible.”

  “Works for me, boss. We got the same message. Little to no bloodshed – if possible. The girls are wanted alive and undamaged, beyond what they already are. We’ve got some stuff with us to knock them out for the journey back in case there’s any issues. We’ve got the dart guns loaded and ready to go.”

  “Glad to hear it. Be ready for when I get back. I don’t want to be here too long, you get me?”

  He nods and I make my way back up the stairs and out of the shed while he sorts his group. I’ve never been a massive fan of wolves, and being around them now reminds me too much of Xander.

  Once in the forest, I take a deep breath, picking up the metallic smell of blood drifting from the direction of the bunker. It’s human, I know that much, but I can’t sense much else. I get closer, until I catch both of their scents. I’m only hoping that since Elaihn has been out of the game for so long and Olivia is still so new, they can’t track us in the same way.

  I retreat and track out further into the forest, getting to know my battle ground and to check their exit routes. There’s a vent grate, but it’s so small, neither of them could use it as an escape hatch. There doesn’t look any other way out.

  Satisfied I make my way back to the shed and come face to face with the five wolves Kas sent here. I’ll never understand Xander’s affection for them.

  “Nice to meet you, boys,” I say. I’m greeted with a mixture of nods and murmurs. They don’t seem exactly up for this mission. We keep our voices quiet as we come up with the quickest way to breach the bunker. The plan seems simple enough, I only hope we’re not expected, although how they could have missed the stench and movements of wolves is beyond me.

  The sun begins to set, casting a red light through the windows. It
makes me edgier than I already was.

  “Time’s up, let’s get this party started,” I say, unable to muster much humour.

  You know that moment when you very first wake up in the morning? Those few seconds when reality hasn’t quite hit you yet, and you wake in the happy glow of your dreamland? That’s exactly what walking through the Valoire Palace is like.

  It’s so beautiful that words will never do it justice. I could never hope to describe the ethereal serenity it encumbers. It makes me feel at peace with the world, and at peace with myself.

  This peace lasts the entire time I follow Penelope through the Palace, as she explains what each section or room is for. I don’t take any of it in, so I hope Michael is otherwise I’m going to be totally lost. Eventually, she stops and turns to me. We have arrived at two gold doors decorated with the most beautiful vines.

  “And that brings us to the Throne Room,” she explains. “This is where their royal highnesses host balls, listen to grievances from their people, and handle all general business. They each also have their own private quarters, much like you do. You are not permitted to enter those areas unless invited. Do you understand?”

  “Yes,” I gasp. “Will you show me where they are so I can steer clear? Will you show me the extent of my quarters, too?” she seems surprised at my request.

  “Oh, yes of course, Princess. We’ll do that later today, once we’ve seen the King and Queen. Tomorrow will be the start of your duties, so I will recommend we don’t spend too long on it. You’ll need to rest tonight, and there is still dinner this evening.”

  I smile at her. I think I might like her after all. She’s more than a little distant, but in this world, I can’t say I blame her. She gives me a short nod before pushing open the doors into a room so opulent, I’m momentarily unable to move – or breathe. Michael gently pushes me forward towards my mother and the King. Dread washes over me; King Kellan isn’t known for his leniency with non-Fae, god only knows what he thinks of me.

  I’ve not let myself dwell on the fact these people are my family and that I am part of their lives. I take a few deep breaths as I walk towards them. I stop beside Penelope, who curtsies. Michael takes my other side and drops to his knee, head bent, his closed fist over his heart – the same way I had seen Lucien do previously. I look around panicked, not having a clue what I’m meant to do. The King clears his throat expectantly, and motions to me with his eyes to copy Penelope before smiling warmly at me, which was not what I expected at all. I curtsy and bow my head before looking up at my mother, who looks at me so coldly you would never think I was her child.