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“How else? It is a fucking prank. I am going to kill them,” Tobias says, storming off back toward the castle in a burning rage.
I don’t know who he is angrier with, me or the recruits. Climbing the hill again, I get to the peak. Tobias is further ahead when color catches my eye, making me peer up at the roof. My feet stop in horror as I gasp. I look at Tobias, unaware of what is right above him. Opening a portal, I appear beside him and grab his arm.
“What?” he snaps, and I point to the roof. Tobias looks up and takes a step back.
“Fuck me!” he gasps, and I look around at the trees and tap his shoulder. Tobias turns, his eyes also going to the trees. How we missed it, I did not know.
“That's impossible. They are supposed to be extinct. Finding one was rare enough,” he whispers.
“Apparently not. They were just waiting for their master,” I tell him, turning back to peer up at the roof.
“There are hundreds of them!” Tobias shrieks.
“Explains the dead cow,” I tell him, nearly choking on my spit.
“What do you think they want?” Tobias asks.
“Geez, I don't know, Tobias, go ask one. What do you think they want?” I snap at him, turning my attention back to the roof.
“Aleera!” we both say simultaneously.
“She has a fucking army of them,” Tobias murmurs, then he looks at me. Tobias smirks, folding his arms across his chest. “Well, you better hope you don't have too many secrets because she unleashes those things. You're fucked,” Tobias retorts, storming off toward the castle doors. I watch his retreating figure.
“And I ain't feeding them,” he calls over his shoulder. I look up at the roof, and I could not see a single tile. Hundreds of phoenixes all perched like a sea of flaming color. Every inch of the roof is obscured by them.
But if this was after obtaining her power and marking one of us, what would she bring when she owned all of us? But more importantly, if they could sense her, what else could?
ChapterFourteen
Aleera
I spent most of the next day drifting in and out of sleep. Wasn't I supposed to shred until I had claimed all of them? That is how it usually works, so when I wake up to find the process over, I am a little confused, though relieved. It takes me a few seconds to recognize what woke me; whispers. My eyes feel heavy as I open them, blinking rapidly as I fight the urge to yawn and rub my eyes. Lycus is pressed against my back, his arm draped over my waist, and his face buried in my hair. Kalen is asleep, facing me, his face slack and peaceful. The beauty in his facial features makes me want to trace them. My thoughts of Kalen's beauty are interrupted by the soft murmurs coming from the fireplace that I can't help but overhear. Tobias and Darius are arguing in hushed voices. I try to listen, catching only the end of their conversation.
“You could ruin everything. Everything, Darius! I can’t believe you would do that,” Tobias hisses.
“I am not a necessary piece. We can still maintain power. We have for years, and she seems fine,” Darius growls. My brows pinch together, wondering what they are talking about.
“And when she wants to complete the bond? Then what? How will you explain that to her fucking bond? To her? You are a right prick sometimes. You don’t need to control everything,” Tobias snarls.
“My control is what has kept us alive!....” Darius sighs. “As I said, we can work it out. We can …” his words stop abruptly. I hear their footsteps and quickly shut my eyes, pretending to be asleep.
Tobias touches my arm, and I know he’s checking to see if I’m awake. I know they both felt the stir of the bond. His hand is cool and soothing, leaving tingles to rush over me.
“Darius!” Tobias snarls, and Darius’ hand moves off of me. I open my eyes to see Darius walking toward the door. He throws the door open and walks out in blazing fury.
“We aren't finished talking,” Tobias calls after him, his voice rising above the hushed whispers.
“Conversation is over. My choice is final,” I hear Darius say before he is gone.
“Fuck!” Tobias curses, shoving the door closed. He turns around, his eyes meeting mine and he sighs. Tobias rubs his face before scratching his chin and looking back at the door.
“I thought I felt you wake,” he murmurs, moving toward the bed.
“Why is Darius angry?” I ask.
“Darius is just being Darius. He will come around,” Tobias answers.
“Come around to what?” I question him.
