Prologue: Tracker Hive And Joining Forces
Stay strong, Bianca. Please...for me...for our family. Leave finding Alaric to me. I'll bring him back. I swear it.
With my strong thoughts, I left my light magic to kneel down in my spot as I turned around and marched forward. I felt my elements line up behind me, each of them returning to the depths of me until it was just Shadow Jade and me.
We moved from line formation to side by side, and we gripped hands as the world of light shattered and tugged us into another place entirely.
Our arrival left us confused, but relief settled in as my eyes caught onto Lisette and Ceil, the two of them in black combat gear and leaning against a dazzling pink motorcycle.
"You made the right decision, Hive Queen," Lisette said proudly as she reached out her hand. I walked towards her, stopping when our feet were inches apart.
My eyes lingered on her outstretched hand, staring at the lines of her palm.
"Calvin and I have been working behind the scenes and figured out a way to track Charles with Calvin's blood," she announced.
My eyes widened at her words, and when I met her gaze once more, those pink eyes softened in pride.
"Ten years of being captive with that man proved the lengths he's willing to go to fulfill his heart’s desire. He wants to prove his belonging to the world he once lived in. Sadly, that's not here, but I know how to get there."
I knew she was going to make me an offer I wouldn't be able to refuse, not now when the stakes were high and the risk of Alaric getting hurt or used by a higher league of power was upon us.
I had confidence that my men would find me, no matter what distance, but this was Lisette's way of confirming my trust in her.
That I wouldn't abandon her in the midst of my pain and fury.
Lifting my hand, I laid it upon Lisette's and gripped it firmly.
"There's so much that needs to be said. So many memories we need to create, but before we venture on this journey, I want you to know how grateful I am for you."
My words shocked her, those pink jewels widening in confusion and projecting a glimpse of her vulnerability.
"When you escaped Charles's captivity, instead of enjoying your new-found freedom, you came to save me. You weren't obligated to do so, but you thought of me as someone important to protect from the clutches of death. You encouraged me to live, maybe foreseeing that things would get out of control at some point this semester and wanting me to hold tightly to the happy memories that made me feel whole."
She slowly nodded, and I smiled with vivid emotion, lifting my head up as confidence swarmed through me.
"At the assembly earlier today, I stood in front of the crowd feeling like me. Not the me that feared uncertainty. Or the me that was afraid of being happy and living the best life I could achieve. Every step I've taken this semester has taught me a lesson, and now I know just how badly I want to live. How strongly I love my Trouble Four, Calvin, and my family. How I wish to learn more about you and peel away the walls you put up to protect yourself. I crave to meet the person behind the mask you wear, and if its more than one mask, I'm more than ready to meet them all."
She swallowed and blinked her eyes, and I knew my words hit right in her heart.
"I trust you," I declared with power. "Calvin may be our wild card in tracking Charles, but you're the guide with the compass who will find the X on the spot of victory. I can't let Charles lure my father into his death. It won't happen, and I'll make sure of it myself, with you by my side."
Her eyes blinked rapidly, a set of tears rolling down her cheek while she smiled with respect and love.
"Let's catch that fucker so we can finally go on a date," she declared.
"Lead the way," I encouraged.
Lisette giggled and shook her head. "Oh, I'm not leading the way."
"Huh?" I blinked and looked over to Ceil and Shadow Jade, the two of them standing quietly near us. "Is Ceil?"
"No, Hive Queen," Ceil answered.
"Then…" I inquired, directing the word to Lisette. Her mischievous grin returned, and that spark of craziness was back in full force.
"You see, being stuck in captivity means you have to make connections under a certain fucker's nose. It's one of the reasons I got out from the get-go." She held my hand tightly, lowering it as she brought me closer to her.
"This has to stay under the radar since I'm bending the rules a little."
"Bending the rules?" I inquired.
Her smile was priceless as she nodded.
"What better way to tackle Charles than with someone he can't kill?"
"You mean you?"
"Oh no." She put her hand out. "Hey, Minx! I need you!"
My familiar came out of nowhere, landing on the ground and running over to our feet. "Mawe?!"
"Hey, strong kitty. I need you to do your fancy magic epicness and summon me a portal. I already talked to the cat shifter who’s friends with the phoenix woman, who relayed the message over to Bianca."
"What?" I wasn't following what she was saying, her three-way cat to phoenix to Bianca trail not making sense.
"Minor details." She winked and squeezed my hand. "You'll catch on when you meet our final guide. Minx!"
"Mawe!" Minx responded, stretching out as her body began to glow a beautiful purple. My body grew hot, my hair beginning to radiate a bright white as it levitated upward.
I felt Lisette's magic soaring into me through our joined hands, and the winds around us picked up immensely until a shocking prism-colored vortex formed in front of us.
I waited in anticipation, and before I questioned what was happening, a person in a gorgeous white cape made of silk walked out of the portal. Her cape fluttered with the wind, turquoise symbols of incantations and magic circles glowing against the silky white fabric while the trimming was of the same blue shade.
The person wore a hood over her head, covering her facial expression. All I knew was that the power that beat off of her was on another level of magical strength. The loud echoing sound of a motorcycle grew louder by the second, and the woman took a step to our right, a second before a motorbike with a man on it zoomed to a stop right next to the woman.
The bike was big in comparison to the slim rider. His aura was of vivid gold, giving me light magic vibes. That wasn't what caught our attention and left us gasping.
"Am I seeing what I think I'm seeing?" I inquired.
"Uh..." Lisette paused. "She never mentioned men with wings being a part of the deal but hey, we'll take it."
Her nervous reply wasn't making me feel so sure, but the portal began to decrease until it shrank into nothingness, leaving the man on the motorbike and the cloaked woman.
She took a step forward and lifted her hands up to lower the hood.
Long silver strands released from their hold, turquoise highlights with hints of gold and white making their appearance as her hair fell past her shoulders.
We locked onto striking turquoise eyes, rosy cheeks, and red lips that were tilted upward in a smile.
She looked between us, but those orbs finally landed on me, and it was like I knew this woman, my body already wishing to learn more about her.
Just like my interaction with Alicia.