Apocalypse Read online

  Minn got up and sat on the other side of Taraema’s bed. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. I want my boys to go next.”

  “I don’t know if everything Dominica said can be trusted but she said that she wasn’t in the mind of your boys long enough to make a permanent connection.”

  “And you believe that?” Minn looked incredulous.

  “Well, think about it. Your mind is much stronger than your boys’. Why didn’t she take over their minds? It certainly would have been easier.”

  “You have a point, but I don’t trust the blood whore.”

  “I tell you what, while we wait for Khaelen and Dharean to appear, why don’t you and Masque tell me exactly what happened when you were attacked.”

  * * * *

  “What is it you want to talk about?” Khaelen asked as he led Dharean deeper into the bowels of his home.

  “There is a lot more you need to know about this prophecy.”

  “Such as?”

  “The prophecy itself, to start.”

  “I’m listening.”

  Dharean paused before he began:

  “Touched by evil that flows and ebbs

  The Ancients cower from its web

  The Scion comes from enemy land

  A harbinger for change at hand

  Mated first to an enemy that’s not

  Mated second to a wizard’s lot

  The three shall form the weapon to be

  The catalyst of death to the enemy

  If one should falter from the path

  T’would bring down destiny’s final wrath

  The enemies’ stronghold shall reinforce

  Survival of the Ancients shall end its course.”

  Khaelen remained quiet while he ran the verses through his head. Most of it was easily understood; other parts had to be interpreted. Yet there was the one question…

  “You are fully mated to her as am I. Correct?” Khaelen asked. Dharean nodded in agreement. They approached the heavy door, behind which Khaelen kept the most ancient of books, tools, and paraphernalia in his collection. “According to the prophecy, we are the formed weapon then, yes?”

  “No,” was Dharean’s short answer. Khaelen looked at him with slight puzzlement.

  “Explain. If we are fully mated to her, what remains to be done? Her training?”

  Dharean turned to fully face Khaelen. “We separately are mated to her, yes, and that was the first step. However, for us to form the Triumvirate, we all have to bond together.”

  “And how do we do that?” Khaelen asked with deep interest.

  “We must all mate and fully bond in one bed,” Dharean deadpanned.

  Chapter Seven

  Khaelen’s hand froze on the handle of the door. He felt the prickly fingers of jealousy run its nails down his back. He looked at the shifter, questioning his sanity. Surely he said that in jest? “You mean a threesome?” Khaelen cleared his throat; the word “threesome” barely wanted to come out.

  “Yes, we must—” The shifter paused and took a deep breath. Khaelen was willing to bet anything that it was just as hard on Dharean, the thought of sharing Allantra. It was one thing knowing she’d mated separately; it was quite another watching it and participating. “Mate with her in the same manner in which we fully mated with her separately, only this time, we must include each other.”

  Khaelen pushed the heavy door open and went into the dark room. Not a word was said as he flicked on the dim lights. Without hearing the shifter, he knew the man was behind him, in as much turmoil as he about what had to be done.

  Khaelen extended a hand in invitation for Dharean to sit in one of the two thronelike black chairs, a black table standing between them. They sat across from one another in total silence.

  Khaelen broke the silence first. “Are you sure that—”

  “I am very sure this is the way.” Dharean rested his elbow on the armrest as he leaned his head onto his fist.

  “Is there no—”

  “There is not a more effective way.”

  “Are you saying that I would have to exchange blood with you as well?” Khaelen looked at Dharean in stunned disbelief.

  “Yes; it would be the only way to connect to me through the mind. I have bonded with her through mind, body, and spirit.”

  Khaelen snorted in disapproval. “You are telling me after I exchange blood with you that all of us mate and I am supposed to do what with you?”

  “Connect to my mind as our bodies mate with Allantra as one. Our spirits will bond naturally.”

  “I am in no way comfortable with this,” Khaelen stated, getting up. He began to pace slowly.

  “I wouldn’t be comfortable if you were,” Dharean responded.

  Khaelen stopped his pacing to look at the shifter. Then he felt the low chuckle erupt from his throat. Dharean grinned. Both men found themselves enjoying a much-needed laugh. Khaelen sat down again. “I know my people have wronged yours and many others. I feel it is within my power and duty to right it. Odd, you know. I was willing to lose life and limb to accomplish this task. Yet the thought of sharing Allantra with another man in the same bed gives me great pause.”

  “You are not alone in this,” Dharean confessed. “For as long as I remember I have been the Noir Brujo for my people. The only one willing and strong enough to do what was necessary to protect them. Yet much like you I pause at this seemingly small task.”

  “What are we to do then?”

  “What is necessary,” Dharean responded.

  “Is Allantra aware of what must be done?”

  “Not fully aware, no. But I felt it would be better if you and I dealt with this and came to her as a united front. This is just as hard on her, perhaps harder. She cares for us both. I know this. It must be difficult watching us trying to tear each other apart.”

  “I did not think about it from that point of view,” Khaelen mused. “I just assumed she had adjusted to the fact that she had two lovers.”

  “We are more than just her lovers, vampire. We are her mates. Her mates. Therefore, her needs will always come before ours. We must keep this in mind in the future.”

  “It would probably help if you stopped calling me vampire.”

  “Have you ever called me by name?”

  Khaelen gave him a sheepish grin. “To date my memory cannot boast of calling you Dharean once. All right then, Dharean; consider this a first step. The next step for us is to scour these tomes and find what we need to protect the people that aid us in this fight.”

  With a grunt Dharean stood as Khaelen stood. Both alpha males walked around the table and clasped the other’s forearm in the ancient handshake of brothers in arms. “Let us begin,” Dharean said.

  * * * *

  Allantra stood next to window, looking out without actually seeing. Her mind was so smothered in thoughts, the raptor circling in the sky was barely registering. Masque was not the only one worried. For the millionth time she turned her gaze inside the room where the others slept. Minn curled up in a far corner of the room; she still did not trust herself with her boys. Taraema, pale but looking much healthier than how they’d found her, was resting—sort of. She spoke in her sleep, calling out to Pase.

  Allantra couldn’t remember her father clearly; it had been so long since she’d seen him. Still she felt the loss. She could not remember his face, but she remembered the feeling of love when she thought of him. Her mother obviously did as well. Taraema shifted in the bed again; for the first time in a long time she was trying to sleep in a bed. She sensed the deep mourning within her mother, and the pain and trauma from her captivity. Dominica had a lot to answer for.

  She came to her mother and smoothed the long hair from her face and sent her warm bursts of energy. She was getting better at this. Her power had to be controlled through more than just emotions, however. Allantra sighed as she sat lightly upon the bed.

  The responsibility was dawning on her. She was the center of all of this. If she couldn’
t control her newfound gifts, she wouldn’t be able to help Dharean and Khaelen defeat that poor excuse for a blood leech. She needed training and she needed to be good, quickly. Dominica had started her onslaught immediately; they’d barely had time to breathe. A small, niggling doubt came into her mind: what if she couldn’t do this? What if she couldn’t learn what she needed to in time? Allantra shook her head, trying to disengage the thoughts from her mind. She had to do this. Her people had been trampled on long enough.

  The small snick of a door opening drew her gaze. Two tall figures entered the room. Her men. They both carried objects in their hands that were very familiar to her.

  “Is your mother doing better?” Khaelen asked, setting the small objects on the night table as he leaned down and placed a kiss close to the stone on her forehead.

  “I hope so. I’ve been giving her gentle pushes of energy to help her recovery. You two have a plan?” She nodded toward the table.

  “Yes.” Dharean stepped forward. “We will start with the lost princess first. It would be a good idea if you kept the energy flowing. This is a painful process, Allantra, and there is no way around it. We can only hope the trauma won’t…”

  “Won’t what?” Allantra asked in alarm.

  Khaelen sat next to her and rested his hand upon her thigh. “Cause her to go insane. Your mother’s sanity is already weak. While her physical body was not beaten, her mind was. Unfortunately, her mind will probably not be able to tell the difference. It could cause a lot of damage.”

  Allantra looked to the two men. “No, I can’t risk that. She’s been through too much already. There has to be another way.”

  “I’m sorry, flammulae. Applying these symbols to protect against dark magic has to be done very specifically. There are prices to pay for something so important. If we don’t do this, Dominica will keep at her until she makes her lose her mind anyway. Our way, though painful, will benefit her in the end,” Dharean assured her. Trust us, came the thought in unison from the two men. She guessed they didn’t know they were thinking exactly alike.

  Allantra did not miss the word “us.” She looked to Khaelen, then to Dharean. “Can’t I wake her up first and tell her what we’re about to do?”

  Dharean shook his head. “She is already asleep. It would be best if I pushed her deeper into sleep and get this over with. Telling her would probably cause anxiety and I would not be able to put her in a deeper sleep without hurting her mentally.”

  “We were hoping you could try to connect to her on the dream spectrum. Keep her occupied so she is not aware of what is going on.” Khaelen squeezed her leg. “You can do this. Take this opportunity to get to know your mother.”

  “I can put you to sleep so you can reach her.” Dharean gave her a small smile of comfort.

  Allantra took a deep breath and nodded. “Let’s do this.”

  Chapter Eight

  “Mother?” Allantra said the word a little bit shyly as she approached the stream where her mother sat languidly, running her fingers in the cool water. At the sound of Allantra’s voice, the woman turned, her long hair catching and claiming the last of the sunlight as its own. Her beautiful, ageless face broke out into a smile.

  “Allantra, is that you?” Taraema beamed as she stood. “How did you get here?” She came to Allantra, her arms outstretched in welcome. Allantra accepted the embrace greedily, closing her eyes at the very real feel of her mother.

  “Dharean brought me to you.” Allantra smiled as she reluctantly pulled back from her mother’s embrace. Together they walked to the stream. “I wanted to talk to you. There’s so much I want to know,” Allantra said carefully. She had to keep the conversation away from more sensitive subjects.

  “He’s quite a catch.” Taraema winked at her. “Now where do I know him from?” Taraema seemed to ponder the question. Anxious, Allantra changed the subject.

  “He’s from the old clans. But we can talk men later. Mother, tell me about you. What are some things that you like to do?”

  “Oh Allantra, it seems as if an eternity has passed.” Taraema looked confused. “Sometimes when I’m here, I can’t remember a lot. I don’t really know where we are. Where are we, daughter?”

  “It’s a safe place.” Allantra smiled though her heart was breaking. Dharean had weaved this dream place into both of their subconscious minds while he worked the very painful markings upon Taraema’s skin. “Just relax, Mother, it’s just you and I. Now answer my question. Tell me about yourself; what were you like as a little girl?”

  A slow grin sprouted on Taraema’s face. “I used to be quite a handful,” she said confidentially. “My mother had quite a time disciplining me. I always liked the outdoors and I liked being in my totem form.”

  “What was your totem form? No, let me guess, a wolf. No, a hawk.”

  Taraema laughed. “No, actually I am a fox.” She flicked back a long curl. “Mother thought I was much too conspicuous.” She frowned; her attention seemed to waver. “I don’t feel so well.”

  Allantra sensed that maybe the pain was beginning to tap into Taraema’s subconscious. Dharean was wary about putting her too deeply under. He was afraid she might not want to return to the real world. “How did you meet my father?”

  Eyes so much like her own began to space out in memory. “I met him in a forest. You know, one of those times I snuck away from home to run wild. A storm sprang up out of nowhere and I found shelter in an abandoned den. I’d fallen asleep waiting for the rain to cease when something nudged me. When I opened my eyes, there was your father. He wasn’t the biggest bear in the world, but to a fox, any bear is big.” Taraema laughed at the memory. Allantra found herself giggling.

  “I looked into the eyes of that bear, determined to stand him down no matter what. That’s when I noticed his eyes. They were the kindest eyes I’d ever seen.” Taraema threw a small pebble into the pond. “We became inseparable after that. It wasn’t too long after we mated for life that we had you, Allantra.”

  “Was I a good child?” Allantra asked, sounding very childlike.

  “You were shaping up to be quite a handful. Your mouth was very smart. In fact, I remember Za’rae saying it would take more than one mate to handle you.” Taraema let out a short, soft laugh.

  Allantra froze. Her mother knew Za’rae. Hell, Za’rae had known her as a child. Why hadn’t she mentioned that? “Za’rae?”

  “Yes, she was a very old shifter even when I was young. One of the true originals and very powerful. Everyone of royal blood brought their children to her so their future could be blessed.”

  “Did she bless me? Did she say anything, I don’t know … weird?” Allantra fished.

  “She blessed you, of course. But that ancient shifter, she often spoke of things no one understood. She often talked of binding your powers to protect you. I had no idea what she was talking about but she was insistent. My mother said to humor her as long as she didn’t hurt you.” Taraema shrugged. “She never would say what she thought these powers would be. I don’t think even she knew. But she did perform some ritual and then nothing else was spoken about it. At least not until…”

  Taraema’s voice faltered again. She looked around her. “Come to think of it, I don’t know this place. It’s nice, but I don’t remember coming here.” She stood slowly. “Something’s not right.” She cocked her head to the side like a bird. “I know you, daughter, from the dream plane. But my dreams were never like this.” She looked at Allantra. “Za’rae warned me before I left for the Civil Lands. You were lost, I remember.” Her voice began to rise.

  “Mother, let’s talk about something else then,” Allantra said desperately.

  “No.” She trained her eyes on Allantra. “Pase is dead. I remember this now. I love you, daughter, but I do not know you. Wait—” She closed her eyes. “Yes, my bear is dead; that vampire killed him.” Her eyes flew open. “Oh by the gods, I remember; you saved me but she was here.” Taraema pointed to her head. “She was here for m
any years. She was here recently.” Tears began to flow. “Are you here? Are you torturing me still?”

  “Mother, please, calm down. I am not Dominica; I am your daughter.”

  “Why are you here? Why are we here in this place?” Panic set in her mother’s voice and Allantra knew the moment Taraema doubled over in pain she was waking up.

  “Mother, you can’t wake up, stay with me. I’m trying to help you. Trying to protect you.”

  “My daughter promised me that Dominica would never get inside my head again. And yet here you are.”

  “Mother, no, it’s me, Allantra,” she cried. “Please don’t wake up. There’s nothing but pain if you wake up.”

  “I can’t do this anymore, you bitch!” she spat. “I can’t have you playing around in my mind. This is cruel, but that’s just like you, isn’t it? I will fight you. I will wake up and get you out of me somehow!”

  “Please don’t do that. Dharean is working hard to give you the markings so that Dominica can no longer possess you. But it’s painful, Mother. That’s why I’m here. I don’t want you to feel that pain. Please trust me,” Allantra begged.

  Her mother’s beautiful eyes looked upon her with raw distrust. She shook her head in denial. “I’ve been fighting so long. So very long, please just leave me alone.” She sank to her knees, her shoulders caving forward as she wept. “I just want to rest. I want my daughter safe.”

  “I am safe, Mother. Let me take care of you. Please let me take care of you.” Allantra bent down and hugged her mother. It all felt so very real, but in a sense, it was real.

  I am almost done, flammulae. I sense she is waking.

  Allantra breathed a sigh of relief at Dharean’s words. “Please just rest now, Mother, it’s almost over.” She cooed softly in her mother’s ear. Her mother went deathly still. “Mother?” Allantra said softly.

  When Taraema didn’t respond a cold hand raked down her back. “Mother.” She spoke more insistently. Still there was no response. She broke the hug, lifted her mother’s chin, and stared in horror at her tear-streaked face. “Mother, I know you’re in there. Please, listen to me. Come back.”