The Guardian Read online

  “I want to try,” River interjected. “Even if it doesn’t work, it’d be nice to try something new.”

  “Fools, all of you,” Onyx griped, but was silenced by a sharp wave of the hand as Terran studied me.

  “What exactly are you thinking?”

  “River, can you draw something for me? Anything will do, really.” I tried to be encouraging, although I wasn’t sure if this was going to have any success.

  “Um, I’m not sure why that matters, but I can if you’d like.” River accepted the tablet that Reed offered from the table beside her, staring at it blankly for a moment.

  “Anything at all. A cat, a flower, it doesn’t matter.” I tried a smile, hoping it would motivate her.

  “Hm.” Her pencil flew as she did a quick sketch, turning it to me to show a little dragon.

  “Cute.” I really did envy that ability. I could picture things in my head easily, but I had absolutely no ability to translate it to paper, or any other medium.

  River smiled shyly. “Now what?”

  “You can animate it, right? Make it move on the paper?” I asked at her blank look.

  “Of course.” Her eyebrows wrinkled as she focused on the page, pale pink glowing around her before the little dragon's wings fluttered as it stretched awake.

  “Good job!” I nodded my approval. Yeah, I was definitely jealous. “Now can you pull him off of the page?”

  “Huh?” All four voiced their confusion at the same time and I giggled.

  “You’re able to animate them on the pages. It stands to reason that there’s a possibility you can pull them off the page. Your magic is based in art, not in paper. If you could pull your images off the paper, you could potentially use them to protect yourself.”

  “That’s…” Reed trailed off, cocking his head to the side as he thought. “That’s an interesting idea.”

  “You have to be kidding,” Onyx growled. “That’s impossible, there’s no way in all of the realms that would work.”

  “Look, fae magic is all about will.” I hurried to explain. “You willed the drawing to life, you just never considered taking it further. It can’t hurt to try though.”

  “Then you’ll both train,” Terran interjected. “Here, with us, to prevent as much damage as possible. River, work with your drawings. Try out a bunch of them. Do what makes you feel the most comfortable but stay here with us. Tori, I want you to start with the fire powers you were working on. Warm up. Then we’ll move on to other stones. What you did yesterday to Onyx could serve you very well in a battle if you can figure out how to channel it.”

  I patted River’s back, offering encouragement as she sat down on the couch, wide-eyed and nervous. “It can’t hurt to try, right?” I grabbed the carnelian from the table and flopped down onto the rug, curling my legs up under me as I focused. It was getting easier to call my magic when I wanted it, and the magic easily greeted my call, eager for use. I hadn’t realized how much I had been missing without using it, as if I had gone my entire life without using a limb or a sense.

  “Just practice for now, but only use your flame,” Terran cautioned. I nodded my understanding, flicking the light inside of me on and off again, turning myself back into that personal lighter despite how boring it was.

  “Focus on the image.” Onyx’s voice surprised me, as he sat next to River. “No one taught you to make them move, did they?”

  “No. I just, wanted them to. I thought they were pretty.” River's murmur was embarrassed and low.

  “An act of will.” Onyx’s reply was grudging. “A very impressive one. Use the same theory now. Want your drawings to remove themselves from the paper. See yourself holding them, touching them, using them.”

  “You go, River!” I called out, flicking my flame off again.

  “Focus, please.” Terran attempted to sound stern, but the smile twitching at the corner of his lips belied the irritation. “Keep your mind on your own spells; you’ll have time to help River later.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” I flicked them flame on and off again, continuing to sneak glances at River and Onyx.

  “Good job, Tori,” Reed praised with a smile. “You’ve got that well in hand. Ready to try something new?”

  “Isn’t that what got us into trouble yesterday?” I quipped dryly.

  “We’ll be a bit more careful this time,” Terran offered with a chuckle. “River, are you okay working on your own? I could use Onyx over here for this part.” River merely nodded her entire focus on the page in front of her, the soft, pink glow of her magic swirling around her.

  “We’re going to form a barrier around you again,” Terran explained as he, Reed, and Onyx formed a triangle around where I sat. “With the three of us, anything you come up with should be contained, so you don’t need to worry about injuring us or River.”

  I murmured my understanding, the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. I was fairly sure I wasn’t going to like where this was going.

  “If you face off with Birch tomorrow, he isn’t going to hold anything back. He will attempt to torment you first, of course. He likes to show off.” Terran’s voice had gone low and scornful, his dark eyes hard. “You’ve been practicing offensive magic. It’s time you practice defense. The three of us will take turns throwing spells at you, and it is your job to defend against them as best as you can.”

  I gaped at the three of them. Terran’s jaw was set tight, Reed’s eyes bright as he gripped his hands into fists, but Onyx seemed to be enjoying the idea of throwing magic at me.

  “You’re going to try and hurt me?”

  “Yes,” Onyx declared.

  “No,” Reed shot back with a glare. “We’re not trying to hurt you, we’re trying to train you.”

  “We told you it wouldn’t be easy,” Onyx snarled. “Did you think it would all be pretty stones and pats on the back?”

  “Don’t be a jerk.” I snapped the words at him. “Seriously, can you never have a sympathetic moment? Or is asshole just the default setting for most fae?” I scowled, surprised when he remained silent, merely lifting a brow at my outburst. “I knew there would be more physical aspects required of training, I’m not an idiot. It’s just hard to imagine the three of you going out of your way to injure me the day before I’m supposed to confront another asshole who is going to be doing his best to tear me into pieces. It’s a bit redundant, isn’t it?”

  “Training is never redundant.” Reed’s soft voice helped break through some of the panic I was feeling. “We have the opportunity to heal you should you sustain any serious injuries. It is far more effective to train you with the possibility of actual pain or discomfort; you will remember the lessons more effectively, and you will be encouraged to try harder.”

  I sighed, pulling myself to my feet. If I was going to face pain, I was going to do it standing, not curled on the floor at their feet. “Let’s get going, then.” I heard River draw in a harsh breath, and I sent her a reassuring smile. “If she can try her hardest, then so can I.” She nodded, the color of her magic deepening as she focused. I fisted my hands together, squaring my feet with my shoulders as I readied myself for what was to come. I would do this, hard or not, and I would succeed.

  17

  I staggered as the ground under my feet rocked me forward, knocking me to the ground. “Damn it!” I slammed my fist against the floor, frustration as much of an ache inside of me as the bruises that were forming on my skin. “Why do you keep getting behind my wall?” I warded over and over again, calling the magic forward as I had in my first battle with Birch. Yet no matter how many times I did it, they always found a way around it.

  “You’re still thinking of it as a single wall,” Reed pointed out. “You need to wrap the protection around yourself, lashing out with it as needed to deflect our strikes.”

  I growled, glaring at him. “Oh yeah, make it sound so easy. Let me tell you something, it’s not!”

  “Of course it’s not easy,” Onyx drawled. “It is, howeve
r, necessary.” He flicked his fingers at me, sparks dancing over my skin as I hissed at the prickle. “You’ve dropped it again,” he pointed out unnecessarily. “No matter how stressed you become, how battered you are, you cannot drop your defenses.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” I grumbled, pushing myself back onto my feet with a groan. “I remember.”

  “Oh!” River’s soft gasp of surprise drew our attention, and I hissed as Reed’s icy blast of water hit my skin.

  “River?” I asked in concern, brushing aside the water from my skin. “Did we hit you?”

  River was gaping at the paper in front of her, now covered in dozens of little doodles. “It moved.”

  I blinked, confused for a moment before glee flowed through me. “It came off the paper?” I pushed past Terran, ignoring the curse as I broke through the warding they had set up. I flopped down next to her staring at the page, studying the flowers, the animals, and the little dragon.

  “Yes!” Her word was an excited burble as she continued to stare at the page. “Watch!” Sweat trickled down her cheeks, matting the blonde strands of her hair, and the rosy glow of her magic covered the paper again. The glow focused on the flower petals and, as if stirred by an unseen wind, the petals fluttered furiously. Ever so slowly, the tips of the flower petals lifted from the page. It was difficult to see, as they were the same greys, whites, and blacks as the pencil sketches. I reached out a hand, letting the silky tips of them brush against my fingers.

  Reed, Terran, and Onyx had gathered near us as well, watching in awe at the sway of the petals, stark in contrast against my skin. “It worked.” Onyx’s voice was shocked, and I couldn’t resist sticking my tongue out at him.

  “See what happens when you tell yourself there’s only one way to do things?” I threw my arms around River’s neck, hugging her tightly. “I knew you could do it. Did you try the animals yet?” I was nearly bouncing. “I can’t wait to see the dragon!”

  “If you want to see a dragon just head toward the Elvish kingdom,” Onyx grumbled. “The Queen uses them as guards.”

  My eyes widened as I stared at him. “Wait, there really are dragons?”

  “Dragons. Unicorns. You didn’t think it was just fae that the humans put into their legends?” Reed’s voice was amused. “You really think humans are that imaginative?” I gaped at him, completely shocked.

  “The animals are a lot harder,” River explained, strain in her voice. “They don’t respond as well.”

  “Here.” Reed darted to the bookcase, grabbing a large box and bringing it over. “First, relax your magic for a minute. Give yourself a break.” The glow slowly dissipated, and River sagged back against the couch. “Now, detail your animals a little more. If you’re trying to give it life, you need to feel the connection to it.” River nodded, her hands shaking a little as she grasped the box. She pulled it open, revealing a stack of pastels and other art supplies.

  “You have art supplies?” I wasn’t sure why I was surprised, but it seemed a bit too human for the Fae Realm. Reed’s eyes strayed to Onyx before pulling back to me and I shook my head, amazed. “They’re yours? Really?” I accused Onyx.

  Onyx turned his face away, refusing to answer my question as he focused on River. “That’s very impressive,” he commended her. “I didn’t think it would work.”

  “That’s what you get for not trusting me,” I quipped. Onyx continued to ignore me.

  River picked through the options, choosing several shades of white, pink, yellow, and orange as she shaded in the dragon's scales, brightening its eyes with a sharp shade of orange. Her fingers flew over the paper, detailing the image at insane speeds.

  “So pretty!” I gushed. Terran masked a chuckle, but I merely shrugged. I wasn’t going to hide the fact that I liked pretty things, I saw no shame in it.

  “When you push your will into the picture, feel it breathing, living. Imagine how it would react in your hand. What would it feel like to stroke it, feed it? Live with it in your head, then push that through your magic,” Onyx instructed, his voice eager as he watched. River nodded, enthusiastic now as she put away the pastels, brushing sweat from her cheeks and leaving streaks of color in their path.

  River placed her hand back on the paper, calling her magic again. I held as still as I could, unwilling to distract her from the amount of focus she was using. I was honestly as shocked as Onyx was that my idea had worked, though I was absolutely thrilled. If this meant River would be looked at in a better light, that she could protect herself from creeps like Birch, then I would be beyond relieved.

  “Oh!” The sound fell from my lips, despite me attempting to remain silent, as I saw the tips of wings wriggle in the air above the paper. River was panting hard, her eyes glazed over as she stared at the little, wriggling dragon. I pressed my fingers against River’s thigh, resisting the urge to stroke the fluttering wingtips.

  “What?” River gasped.

  The little dragon wiggled further off the paper, and I felt a pull inside of me, as if something was calling to me. River’s rosy glow darkened, and I was unable to pull my hand away from her leg. My magic flowed through her, the same way it had flowed through the carnelian, amplifying and projecting onto the paper. The colors brightened, glowing so brightly that my eyes ached until it released with a burst.

  River and I sagged against each other, both of us dragging air into tired lungs. Atop the notepad, a tiny pink and orange dragon, about a foot long from its nose to the tip of his tale, crouched, cocking his head back and forth as he studied us.

  “Well, hell,” I breathed out.

  The little creature turned his bright orange eyes to me, chirping questioningly. Terran staggered back, falling onto a nearby chair as he watched us. Reed’s eyes were bright with curiosity as he reached a hand out for the tiny dragon. The dragon hissed at the approaching fingers, fanning its wings in agitation, as it swiped tiny, black claws at him. Reed drew back quickly, letting the dragon pace restlessly around the pad. I held my breath as it approached, and Onyx snarled, lifting his hands as if to prevent an attack against me.

  “Stop,” I warned him, keeping my voice low and quiet so I didn’t startle it. “Let’s just see what it does.”

  “You’re insane.” Onyx’s voice was low, though he made no move to attack the little dragon. “It’s going to hurt like hell when that thing attacks you, dragons are vicious. I’ll tell Reed not to heal you.”

  “Like he’d listen to you,” I muttered, paying him no mind. Reed chuckled, though he didn’t approach us again. River remained completely still beside me, her breathing shallow, possibly from the use of the magic. “What was that anyhow?”

  “You used River herself as an amplifier,” Terran explained slowly. “You pushed your magic into hers, combining your powers. Apparently, it was very effective for you both.”

  “River provided the direction and the will. You added the extra energy to help ease her through the process,” Reed continued.

  The little dragon lifted its head, apparently scenting the air as it turned this way and that, offering up another chirp before approaching River and me. It came toward us slowly, its wings flicking as it continued scenting the air, its bright orange eyes half-lidded as it considered us. Slowly, it leaned its head forward before brushing up against my arm, chirping softly. It repeated the action on River who let out a shaky breath, laughing a little. Our eyes met and we both started to giggle, unable to believe what we were seeing. The little dragon cheeped its appreciation at the happy noise, flicking its wings as he rubbed up against us.

  “What in the realms is going on…” Onyx’s murmur was low and shocked.

  “He’s nice.” I turned my hand palm-up, murmuring to the little dragon and encouraging him to climb up onto my palm. “Are all dragons this cute?” I was completely charmed by the small dragon now twined around my arm as it chirped and cooed, alternating between showering River and me in his attention.

  “Dragons aren’t cute,” Onyx sputtered. “
They’re deadly. They’re huge, hulking, guard dogs with dark, slimy scales and bad breath.”

  I glared at him. The little dragon saw the direction of my irritation and he clamped his claws around me tighter, turning his head to hiss at Onyx. “Good boy,” I murmured.

  “For realms sake!” Onyx growled. “You don’t even know if it is a boy. Or if it’s going to turn back into a drawing.” I shot a panicked look at River. Surprisingly though, she was calm. A peaceful smile played over her lips, despite the sweat that still stained her.

  “I don’t think he will.” She stroked a finger down his back and he arched into the caress, enjoying the attention. “He feels solid, and my magic doesn’t feel connected to him anymore. Does yours?”

  I considered for a moment, seeing if there was any feeling of being tugged toward him. I thought he was adorable, but I didn’t feel tied to him at all, not the way I felt tied to the Guardians or a stone when I was working a spell. “No, I don’t think so. I just think he’s cute.”

  Reed’s eyes were wide as he considered the two of us, watching us coo at and play with the dragon. I snatched a sandwich from the plate on the side table that one of men had been snacking on this morning. I tore off little pieces of meat, feeding him piece after piece.

  “I would like to keep your gift between us for now, River.” Reed’s words were slow. “This is a type of magic none of us are familiar with. The Ancients are going to want to speak with you and Tori about it, and I would assume they’ll want to do it rapidly.”

  “I don’t want to hide our little guy,” I sulked. “He’s sweet.”

  “If that’s your definition of sweet I’m very glad you aren’t mated,” Onyx grumbled. I ignored him, turning my attention to River.

  “I don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl. Did you want to name it?”

  River blinked, studying me then the dragon. “I pictured her as a girl when I drew her, though most dragons are dark like Onyx said. I don’t think there’s ever been a small dragon, let alone a small multi-colored one.”