A ghostly specter rose from my sister. Like wafts of smoke, it seeped out of her, and then with a sort of pop the image became clear. She was surrounded by a ghost dragon. Braxton moved closer, he was watching Mischa with a laser-like focus. He’d told me that the marked generally gained extra abilities, mimicking dragons but not being able to shift into one. Was this what he referred to?
Jonathon’s voice was smooth “Mischa … honey, can you hear me?” I recognized the tone. It was the same he used to talk down a startled shifter, keeping his energy low and calm.
Her eyes flicked open, the green glowing, like twin beams of light, both eerie and beautiful. She seemed to be babbling, even though her tone remained very even. “I’m great. And what the hell is with this eyesight … it’s insane. I can see these waves of light. I can scent a million different things on the wind. I feel as if I could fly, but I know I can’t.”
Braxton strode back to my side, as if he knew I needed to speak with him. He saw the question in my eyes and nodded. “Yes, to my knowledge, this is the usual power of the dragon marked,” he said.
I rubbed my temples, attempting to alleviate some of the tension which had decided to settle there. “Why am I the special one?” I lowered my voice to a mutter. “I don’t want to be the only dual shifter, I don’t want to be north in the freaking compass.”
Jacob opened his mouth, but Braxton fixed him with a stare and the fey decided his life was worth more than whatever quip he was about to utter. Maximus stepped into the circle. He’d been standing away with his mate, I think trying not to upset Mischa, especially when she was dealing with her energy being unlocked. Quite considerate for Maximus. I was glad to see my vampire taking control again. It was not natural for him to linger on the outside.
“We should go to the mystics now,” he said, his deep tone commanding. “We don’t have much time, and the stronger Mischa and Jess are, the better chance we have of thwarting the evil twins and preventing the rise of the king.”
Mischa’s smile was genuine. “Max is right, I feel so much going on inside right now, but there is so much more. I want more.”
Maximus’ smile was light. He seemed happy that some of the tension between Mischa and him had eased, which of course only pissed off his newly minted mate. Cardia didn’t say anything, but I was reading her narrowed eyes and furrowed brows.
Mischa’s ghostly dragon and shining eyes started to fade away; she’d either learned how to pull it back or had lost control of the marked power. Either way, Maximus was right, we needed to learn about our power. What being a marked meant exactly.
It was time to find the mystics, get this training shit out of the way.
It was mutually decided that Jacob, Maximus and Cardia would grab us some food for the road. Who knew how long we would be training with the mystics. And I was quite worried about my recent weight loss. I needed cake. Lots of freaking cake. Cardia paused beside me, just before everyone dispersed. I could tell it was a deliberate pause.
She didn’t vamp out on me, and wasn’t even close to powerful enough to roll me, so I could stare her straight in the eyes. “I hope we can be friends,” she said, her voice smooth and sweet. I had the strangest feeling that she was speaking the words but wasn’t feeling them. I hated fake. I really hoped it was just that she was trying to get a sense of our pack before jumping right in.
I ran my eyes over her. Damn, she was so freaking cute, all petite and pretty, not the type I thought Maximus would end up with. I’d expected tall and strong. But I wouldn’t underestimate Cardia. She’d been chosen for him and that had to mean something.
I threw her a bone. Sort of: “The Compasses are my pack, my family. You’re now family. But it’s going to take time, there are dynamics which will need to slowly adjust.” I got to my main point. “The reality is: don’t fuck with my boys and I’m sure we’ll be friends.”
I’d never had much use for chick friends, so competitive and annoying, but having Mischa around had demonstrated that there were benefits. I needed to give Cardia a chance – for Maximus.
She gave me a measured stare before smiling, seemingly satisfied with our conversation, and crossing back to her mate. They three of them – Jacob included – wandered off toward the food street.
Lienda and Jonathon had already left with Mischa between them. My twin had been chatting away. I hadn’t seen her this animated before. She was positively glowing. The dragon marked energy flowed through her body and she was flying high on the power. I strode across to join Braxton and Louis, who had been waiting for me. We were quiet as we crossed the town toward the mystics building. I walked between them, and while there was no immediate tension, it didn’t exactly feel friendly either.
Braxton was the first to speak. “Explain to me this whole brother-sister thing you two have going on?”
Louis grinned, and I couldn’t help returning it. I let the sorcerer explain, it was his story, and I didn’t know how much of it he wanted other supernaturals to know. He told Braxton pretty much everything – about his lost love, his isolation, the connection he felt when he touched me as a baby. Braxton didn’t interrupt, letting the sorcerer talk as much as he wanted. As I stared between the two of them, it became startlingly clear how similar they were – both commanding, powerful, and unafraid of anything. Louis actually fit in really well with the Compass quads.
We crossed the last of the pebbled path, reaching the building we’d been directed to. A few lower level witches scurried out of our way, leaving the doorway free – yeah, we were badasses.