Birthed Vow Read online

  I cocked an eyebrow, not sure how to respond. Did this guy know that as the Trinity I was the most powerful witch on earth? More powerful than him? “Erm… no offence but I can look after myself.”

  His expression was deadpan. “It didn’t appear so a moment ago.” He stuck out his hand. “Brother Mateo.”

  I shook it. “Pleased to meet you.” Although he seemed as weird as all hell, he had just rescued me and the other witches from certain death at the hands of the spirit realm invaders. The least I could do was be polite.

  It was at this moment that one of the other witches piped up from the other side of the room. “Did he just say, ‘Trinity’?”

  Uh oh. I was supposed to be lying low and this bozo had just blown my cover. I returned a wide-eyed look to the old lady who’d just asked the question. “I think he’s made a mistake.”

  The old man next to her said. “That Spirit Realm soldier also called you the Trinity.”

  “It’s a case of mistaken identity,” I laughed nervously.

  Mateo butted in. “Bree Ryan, right?”

  Oh Lord! I had to get this guy out of here. I loudly cleared my throat and took on the tone of someone dealing with a simpleton. “It’s so good to see you but let’s get you home and back to your carer. She’ll be very worried about you.” Then turning back to the other witches, I made a sign of ‘crazy’ before taking him by the arm and steering him towards the trapdoor.

  He looked at my hand as if it was covered in leprosy sores. “It is improper decorum to touch a man of the cloth. I must insist you unhand me.”

  Ignoring him, I pushed him forward.

  The scene that met my eyes when I got above ground stole the words from my mouth. Previously familiar buildings had been partly or totally demolished. Dust and debris flew through the streets, carried by the wind. But what had happened to the buildings was the least shocking part. Wounded witches and wizards lay sprawled in the streets. And just as many civilians as soldiers. The invading force had ridden down these streets like a steam roller, flattening all who stood in their way. A few feet away, an old woman lay groaning, a deep gash in the side of her waist. The healers hadn’t arrived yet and although healing wasn’t one of my greatest skills, I couldn’t watch her suffer.

  I rushed to her side and knelt to hold my hands above the wound. Vital energy tingled through my fingers and into her wound. She stopped moaning and a look of relaxation entered her eyes. I wanted to stay longer with her but there were so many others who needed my help.

  I turned and looked at Brother Mateo - Divine Brotherhood members were reputed to be good healers. “Don’t just stand there, help me.”

  “My remit is to protect you. Not to take orders from you and certainly not to get involved in localised disputes.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Is your remit also to be a heartless arsehole?” When I raised my eyebrows at him, he kept silent, so I followed it up with. “Doesn’t your order believe in helping others?”

  He sighed. “Fine.” He trudged further up the street and bent down to attend to a fallen wizard.

  Leaving the old lady, I rushed towards a teenage soldier in obvious pain across the street. He wore the insignia of the Spirit Realm army. Blood and spittle trickled down the corner of his mouth. His eyes were full of fear. I knelt and put my hands over his chest. As I worked, his face relaxed but his eyes were getting more distant, and I knew in my heart that he wasn’t long for this world. His eyes locked with mine and he seemed to give me a silent thank you as he slipped quietly away, his eyes becoming glassy and lifeless. I felt the moment his soul departed like an arrow to my heart. As I passed my hand over his eyelids to close them, anger surged through me. This boy was too young to be fighting in a war. He was too young to die. His death, like so many others I saw around me, was futile and never should’ve been allowed. The cries of pain and anguish rang in my ears, indelibly imprinting my memory forever.

  This was all the Spirit Realm’s doing. They were the aggressors and with no good reason. Their theocratic dictator, the Sanguirife, had an unquenchable thirst for power and territory. He was also a religious nutjob, believing all witches should adhere to the vampire-worshipping religion of Sanguistism. That would never happen here, no matter how many arcane witches he killed.

  As I looked around me, I clenched my fist, pursing my lips as rage renewed my sense of purpose. The deaths of the fallen witches and wizards surrounding me weren’t in vain. Because now, I was more determined than ever to stop the Spirit Realm by any means necessary.

  Me and Brother Mateo stayed for another couple of hours, helping as many people as we could. Eventually, when I was too tired to stand, he put his foot down. “You cannot cure everyone, Trionoide. If you deplete your magic to the point of death you will be no use to anyone.”

  His use of my honorary title, ‘Trionoide’, which meant, ‘Trinity’ in the Druid Realm, failed to make me smile. Rather I dipped my head and nodded, feeling the truth of his warning in my bones as my shoulders sagged. As much as it sickened me to stop when there were still so many in pain, I had no choice.

  “May I accompany you to your lodgings? We have much to discuss.”

  “Sure. My lodgings are at the Arcane Academy. You can come with me so we can chat.”

  “It’s probably safer to walk.” He looked up. “The skies may still contain squadrons of Spirit Realm soldiers.”

  “I agree.” I began dragging my weary feet in the direction of the Academy. As we walked, I remembered I had a bone to pick with him. “You told everyone in there who I was.” My eyes bored into him.

  “I fail to see your point.” He replied.

  “My point is that I’m supposed to be keeping it under wraps so I can help with the war effort at the right time. If everyone in the Arcane Realm finds out I’m the Trinity, I’ll be swamped by the media. And at greater risk from the enemy.”

  He looked unconcerned. “The days in which you can maintain your anonymity slip like sand through the hourglass.”

  I paused, taking in his strange speech pattern. This guy had clearly been living in solitude too long. “Yeah well, I would’ve liked a few more days at least. Now it’ll be all over town.”

  “No matter. You cannot stay here anyway.” He replied, without skipping a beat. “You must return to the Druid Realm with me to complete your training.”

  I did a double take. “Training?! I’m the most powerful witch on the planet. Who is going to train me?”

  The corners of his mouth twitched as if suppressing a smile. But on his dour face it looked almost painful. “There is more to being the Trinity than fighting and magic tricks. Your ego is more pronounced than the last Trionoide. She was young yet pure and humble and wise. You will have to work hard to gain the spiritual maturity and wisdom that is required in one with such monumental power.”

  The barely concealed insult stung, and I narrowed my eyes at him. “That sounds a lot like you’re here to manage me - which I don’t need.”

  “I prefer to think of myself as spiritual advisor and mentor.” He puffed out his chest.

  Something about him really annoyed me. Smug sanctimony drenched him like cheap wine. Where did he get off telling me that I had a big ego when his flashed above his head in giant neon letters?

  I crossed my arms. “What if I don’t want a spiritual advisor and mentor.” I emphasised the last words, spitting them out like orange pips.

  “There is much trickery in this world. Without gaining the insight and perception gleaned from prayer and meditation, you will be vulnerable to it. You must also learn to temper your emotions, particularly when it comes to using elemental magic which can quickly become unmanageable in the absence of moderation. Besides, you do not have a choice.” His tone was weary.

  “Erm, yes I do have a choice. What are you going to do? Take me prisoner? I’d like to see you try.”

  He shook his head. “I cannot force you to go back to the Druid Realm, on that you are correct. But I can stay by
your side, not leaving until you surrender to my mentorship.”

  Surrender?! Like hell I will.

  We’d reached the Arcane Academy and I strode through the tall iron gates, marching in the direction of my room. “You’ll be waiting a long time Jack.”

  “It’s Mateo.”

  “Whatever.”

  “Politeness is a valuable asset. My name is Mateo, pleased to meet you. Now you try.”

  His condescension drove my irritation into hyper gear. “Go to hell Mateo.” I whirled around and hissed at him. “Well, wouldn’t you know. Turns out I do know your name after all.”

  He sighed and I could almost see him biting his tongue.

  I decided then and there that I would do my utmost to irritate Mateo enough that he’d give up and go home. He thought he was here to train me. Well, I didn’t need a trainer and I certainly didn’t need some stodgy, imperious, patronising monk. This so called ‘training’ was a distraction. I was intent on helping the Arcane Realm win this war and rescue Phoebe in the process. Mateo could trail around after me all he liked. I wouldn’t give him the time of day.

  3

  Brother Mateo followed me to the common room while I studiously ignored him. The rest of my coven were there as well as most of the academy it seemed. Situated on the outskirts of Bourgania, close to the surrounding Black Forest, the Academy hadn’t been bombed like the rest of the city had. Tense, drawn faces told me that everyone else was as shaken up as I was. This was the first time most of us had been in a war. Fighting vampires was one thing but fighting a foreign invading army complete with weapons and magical skills to rival our own was another entirely.

  A magical viewing crystal projected the image of Central Bourgania onto the back wall. Well-known shops and beloved bars and restaurants had been partially demolished. Others had been reduced to rubble. The reporter was picking her way through the debris, talking directly to the camera.

  Joshua’s face lit up as he saw me from the other side of the room. His hair had grown longer, and it now flopped over his face. He pushed it out of his eyes as he walked over. “Thank God you’re alright, Ryan. We were so worried about you.”

  Scarlet was right behind him. “Yeah, what’s the big idea, not telling any of us where you were? You could’ve at least sent a runic communication.”

  I cocked half a smile. “I was a bit busy trying to stay alive.”

  “Who’s the Divine Brotherhood guy?” Joshua looked Mateo up and down. Joshua had been with me in the Druid Realm and remembered as well as I did how the Trinity-protecting monks dressed.

  “Shhh!” An adept in the front row turned around and glared at us.

  “Sorry,” I lowered my voice. “We’ll talk later.”

  Taking a seat on the floor next to Theo, I settled in to listen to the news report.

  Despite having been warned about this invasion for weeks, nobody in the Realm anticipated the scale of destruction we’ve seen here today. This savage attack by the Spirit Realm has left no doubt in our minds that they intend to take our Realm as their own. And while the full number of casualties is still being counted, the deaths so far number in the hundreds. Most of the bombing was in the Central District leaving neighbouring residents in Getzia fearful they may be next.

  The image cut to the same woman interviewing someone.

  We spoke to local bar owner and socialite, Madame Lenski.

  “Hey! I know her.” I couldn’t help but blurt out, causing the same adept to turn around again and shush me even more aggressively. I shrank back. “Sorry.”

  The reporter turned to face Madame Lenski. “How does it make you feel that bombs fell so close to your home and business?”

  “I feel terrified. I feel let down. Honestly I don’t think this government has done enough to prevent this war. Who is going to compensate us when the bombs fall on our businesses? Nobody.” Her dark eyes were hard and fierce.

  “What message do you have for any Grandministers who may be listening?”

  Madame Lenski looked directly into the crystal viewer, taking a deep breath before speaking. “We know our reputation in this Realm is not the best, but we are hardworking citizens who deserve your protection. If there is any way you can stop this war progressing further, without surrendering, I urge you to do it.”

  The image focussed back on the reporter. “Well, you heard it here, straight from the victims on the ground.” Her brow creased as she continued. “And now for an even more worrying development, we cut to Evan outside the Central prison.”

  What could be more worrying than bombs falling on the Central District? As the image cut to Evan and I saw the scene behind him, my hands flew to my face. The tall stone walls of the prison were gone, reduced to piles of brick. A massive hole had penetrated the wall of one side of the main building and dust and smoke blew through it.

  “Thank you Deborah.” Evan started. “Citizens, as you can see, the bombs have caused extensive damage to the male wing of the Central prison. Policeman and back up prison guards got here as soon as they could. But regrettably, a few of the prisoners had already escaped. We don’t yet know the full count of how many or what their names are but what we can tell you is that these wizards are extremely dangerous.”

  Their words bounced over my head as fear gripped my heart. I was no longer listening. Because one name came immediately to my mind and with it a bad taste in my mouth.

  Conor.

  Was he one of the escapees? There was no way to know yet but if he was, he’d be coming for me as soon as he could. My heart sank as I thought of how much our relationship had soured. He used to be one of my best and oldest friends. When we were kids we were inseparable. But as we’d gotten older it had become more and more obvious that he had the hots for me - big time. When he realised I didn’t share his feelings, he stabbed me in the back, siding with the Spirit Realm ambassador and Hugh Beaufort. Could the time he’d spent in prison have mellowed him out? He’d only been there a few weeks. But maybe he’d forgiven me for rejecting him and made peace with his punishment? Somehow I didn’t think so. Conor had always been the type to bear grudges and now that I was on the receiving end of one, it was likely he’d carry it until his dying day. I felt sad about what had happened between us, but I also couldn’t accept responsibility. It wasn’t my fault I didn’t fancy him, and he’d treated me so badly, I felt like I needed counselling to get over it. And now, just as I was finally starting to forget about him, this happened. All the old emotions of betrayal and grief came roaring back to focus in a wave of bitterness tasting as acrid as a toxic chemical.

  Gulping down my negative emotions, I took a deep breath and shook my head back to the present moment. How long was I going to let that creep affect me like this? I had to be strong and forget about him, especially now I was the Trinity. If Conor had escaped, I’d deal with him again. I’d get him back behind bars where he belonged. But I had to focus on the threat of the Spirit Realm first. Conor was a side issue that would have to wait.

  I flicked my gaze at Brother Mateo. He was watching me with a strange expression on his face. Druids could read minds and I had a feeling he’d just read mine. Mere minutes earlier, I’d told him I didn’t need a mentor, that I could control my emotions and was ready to hold the title of Trinity. And now here I was, internally raging over a former friend who’d turned Judas on me. As this thought hit me, I realised I was scowling. Softening my face, I lifted my chin and turned back to the projection, trying my best to refocus on the news. But I found it wasn’t so easy. Over and over the fears kept repeating in my head. That little voice that kept saying,

  What if he has escaped?

  At the end of the news, we all filed back to our rooms. I walked quickly, wanting the peace of my own company to get my head straight. The events of the morning had both exhausted and frazzled me and I needed time to rest and process what I’d learnt. The invasion was already terrifying but added to the news about the prison… I didn’t want to think about what w
ould happen if Conor had gotten out. It was the worst possible timing.

  Unfortunately, Brother Mateo wouldn’t let me be alone with my thoughts, instead trailing after me, like a lost puppy.

  “Where are you staying?” I asked. Couldn’t you go back there? The thought slipped out like a whisper before I was even aware of it.

  He took a deep breath, raising his eyebrows. “Have you forgotten so quickly that we can read minds?”

  I narrowed my eyes. “I thought it was considered rude to listen in all the time. My thoughts are private you know.”

  “The strength of your emotions makes it impossible for me to ignore. It only adds weight to my argument that you need training” He lowered his voice. “I’m aware you do not think you need me but give the idea time to percolate. In time you will see that you still have much to learn.” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “Until then, at least allow me to fulfil my vow. I have sworn to accompany you on all missions and stay by your side during your waking hours.”

  I thought for a moment. Yes, he was annoying. But he had saved my life and I owed him for that. What harm could there be in having him tagging along everywhere? It might be a bit awkward when I was visiting Nik but that was his problem, not mine. “Fine,” I replied. “Let’s try it out and see how it goes.”

  He smiled, seemingly satisfied with this minor concession. “And to answer your original question, I am staying at Madame Lenski’s establishment.”

  My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. “What?! You know that’s a brothel, right?”

  He shrugged. “The ladies who work there are all friendly. I don’t partake of their… services or consume alcohol. The place is clean and lively. And it is conveniently located.”

  I couldn’t help but chuckle at the idea of Brother Mateo around all that debauchery. How had he even ended up there? Had he been given poor advice? Stumbled upon the place by chance? Or deliberately gone there?