Reckless Magic

Amorysays to let Ryder take over the mission and come now. He says to bring Jerichoand two cars. And he says I have to get out of the country immediately. Iwas embarrassed to admit the last part.

Whatare you even doing here? Fine. Where are you? I felt his body turn in theopposite direction then he was originally headed and signal to Jericho.Whatever he was in the middle of he had dropped it instantaneously to followAmory’s orders.

“Where are we?” I asked Amory inorder to relay it to Avalon.

“He can follow your magic,” Amorysaid without giving any more details.

Followmy magic. I relayed to Avalon and felt him internally irritated, but hedidn’t ask any more questions.

“I want answers,” I demanded ofAmory again when I could sense Avalon on his way.

“I will answer any question youask,” Amory continued to stare off into the distance. I folded my armsstubbornly and opened my mouth. He’s damn right he would answer any question Ihad.

Chapter Forty-Three

“Ok, first of all, I’m glad wesurvived and all, but why on earth was that necessary?” I vented.

“You’re survival is absolutelyessential,” Amory was quick to respond. “I’m afraid this war can’t be wonwithout you and your brother,” Amory said firmly, although without actuallyanswering my question.

“Yeah, I know; at least I’ve heardthat before. But the question I am asking is why was my survival in question tobegin with?” I turned to face Amory full on. I needed answers.

“Well that answer is a little morecomplicated. The short answer is because you look exactly like your mother; I’msure you’ve also heard that before,” Amory paused for only a moment; just longenough for me to give him an encouraging look. “The long answer is because yourmother happened to be engaged to Lucan before she ran off and eloped with yourfather, Lucan’s personal bodyguard. He would like nothing more than to findyour mother and make her pay for a lifetime of sins.”

My mouth dropped open in surprise.That wasn’t exactly the answer I had been expecting. A million questions beganto swirl around in my mind, but Amory, sensing my confusion, continued with hischronicle.

“Let’s see, I suppose I shouldstart from the begi

“But why didn’t Lucan try to findsomeone who actually liked him back?” I asked, confused why anyone would fallin love with someone who didn’t feel the same way.

“There are several reasons Ibelieve; you see Lucan was scared. His father had died suddenly, leaving himthe sole heir to the throne. Having no children of his own, and a fear of alsodying young he was pressed to find a wife and begin a family. Since the Curse,no King has ever been able to produce more than one male heir. I believe thathe is simply afraid of death; even still to this day. He is afraid of his preciousbloodline dying. I believe he hoped your mother would cure all of that. Yousee, she is a very powerful Witch; probably the most powerful of hergeneration. And I believe that Lucan thought with their combined bloodline theywould be able to save the line of kings.”

“What does her blood have to dowith anything?” I asked, trying to stay focused. I suddenly yawned and realizehow exhausted I was.

“She is the daughter of the lastremaining Oracle. If you remember, the Oracles were the most powerful Immortalsbefore the King’s Curse. Yes, that makes you the granddaughter of course.”

“But I thought all of the Oracleswere dead?” I was really confused now.

“One remains, but I believe hissoul died a long time ago,” Amory mumbled the last part, and I saw true sadnessin his eyes. But then he continued quickly, “So, with that kind of magic mixed,Lucan was hoping for a super-child. He was hoping to bring back the old magic;the magic that disappeared when Derrick cursed us. Unfortunately though, foryour mother, it was more than business that drew Lucan to her; he actually felldeeply in love with her. All of his attempts to win her over failed; andsometime during all of this Delia and Justice fell in love instead,” he shookhis head as if frustrated with the memory of it.

“Delia,” I repeated softly, sayingmy mother’s name out loud for the first time. “So, he killed them?” I asked,terrified of the answer.

“No, he didn’t. They outsmartedhim, but he hasn’t stopped hunting them to this day.”

“They’re alive?” I was shocked andstu

“Truthfully child, I don’t know theanswer to that question. Nobody has heard nor seen them since I received youand your brother on my doorstep when you were just infants, and even then youwere the only proof I had seen that they were still alive. In all likelihoodthey probably are dead. I don’t how anyone could still be hiding from Lucanafter this many years,” he looked at me with such sadness in his eyes that Iwas not sure I could bear to ask him another question.

“So how did they escape?” I forcedmyself to ask, remembering my interest in his story and accepting his answersso far.

“The same way we just did. Theypla