I shivered in the cavern, even though it wasn’t the least bit cold. My terror chilled me to the bone.

Desperate to leave, the same something that had called me there so many weeks ago held me in place.

There was so much turbulence flying through the magic in the cave. It felt a bit like I was in the middle of a stampede of spooked horses. It wreaked havoc on my nerves.

Pacing from wall to wall, all I wanted was to leave.

And find Elex. He was hurt, and I couldn’t bear that.

After pacing for nearly an hour I was exhausted, and I sat down against one of the walls.

The contact with the mountain was shocking. The magic was boiling inside the ground. Not actually hot boiling, but it rolled and bubbled as though it were.

I pulled myself away from the contact.

I didn’t like that feeling at all. It was unsettled.

Unsettled was more than I could handle at the moment.

“Kimber!”

I stood up and started running for the entrance to the cavern. I didn’t know who it was—

That thought pulled me up short.

No. I couldn’t blindly run to someone calling my name. Not anymore.

Stopping myself just out of view of the entrance, I pulled myself near the wall and listened.

“Kimber, oh gods and stars, please be okay. Kimber! Are you here?”

I suddenly recognized both the voice and the feel of the person out there.

Master Tymon.

I raced the rest of the way out and right into his arms, screaming his name.

“Oh, thank the Lost God,” he mumbled and gave me a near-crushing hug. “You listened.”

“I ran.” Nodding, I stepped back from him. “Everyone told me to.”

“And you managed to avoid all the foot soldiers who were looking for you. Well done, little one. Come on. Your horse is thirsty. So am I.”

Grabbing his arm, I pulled him to a halt. “What’s happened? What’s going on?”

A deep, tired sigh escaped him. “The residence is destroyed. We’ve lost a dozen dedicants, and…”

“Mistress Danai…”

His shaggy brown hair seemed to tremble in sadness and anger. “Yes. We’ve lost her.”

The urge to vomit welled up and choked me. I swallowed it back and tried not to cry. “Elex?”

“He’s hurt, but nothing our healers can’t handle. He’ll be as right as rain soon enough. Come on, Kimber. We need to get you back. There are people worried about you.”

 

I jerked awake with the rising of the sun. Today was the end of the mourning period.

Tonight, we would burn my friend.

 

*  *  *

 

The smoke rose from the pyre, mingling with the dust from the decimated temple.

I did not want to be here.

After all the time I had spent convincing myself I wanted to attend, I didn’t want to be at this funeral. But it was too late.

Elex laced his fingers with mine in the silence that always surrounded the death of a temple master.

I desperately wanted Danai back, even if my reasons were selfish. I was scared. When I was scared before, Danai would reassure me it was fine. Everything would work out. There was no reason to be scared.

Standing in front of her funeral pyre, I was terrified to my very core. Too much had happened in less than a few weeks. Too much was changing.

“You’re trembling,” Elex whispered in my ear.

I nodded. How could I not? This wasn’t what I was expecting out of life.

Someone had attacked the temple.

Someone had killed a master. 

A temple was destroyed around my ears, and every single master made me run. The magic pulled me to the cave in the mountain. Despite the shaking and trembling and uncertainty in the very ground we walked on, I knew I would be safe there.

The flames danced around Danai’s body, drawing the ashes up into the air.

The sight was morbid.

The silence was disarming.

The crowds were vast and eerily distant.

S’Kir was in chaos—except for this moment.

Master Dorian stood at the head of the temple members: the masters, the teachers, the dedicants, and the acolytes.

Elex and I stood apart, backed by our friends—Jallina, Jennila, Pierce, Drez, and Arik—we were also not part of the crowds.

I hated this.

A horrid scowl slid into place on Master Dorian’s face. He was clearly disgusted and done. He snapped around on his heel and marched away from the gathering.

The tension in the air released and the crowd slipped away while the temple members did the same.

My feet were rooted in place. It wasn’t even that I didn’t want to move. I couldn’t.

I stared transfixed at the pyre as it slowed its burn. I stayed until Elex finally tugged on my arm and pulled me away.

“Come on, Kimber. We need to leave. They have to—”

“Knock down the pyre and incinerate the remains?”

He shook his head. “I know you’re upset and angry, but this is our tradition.”

Staring at him, I was shocked at his misunderstanding and yanked my hand out of his. “You think I’m angry because of a pyre? I’m angry because that pyre shouldn’t have been. Danai should not have died! Someone killed her! You shouldn’t have been trapped in the wreckage! None of this should have happened!”

“Kimber, please—”

“Do not patronize me, Elex. Do not.”

This time, I spun on my heel and marched away from him, out into the city.

My solitude didn’t last long.

Surprisingly, Elex wasn’t who had broken it. It was Drez. “Kimber, wait!”

I slowed just enough to let him catch up. He took my arm and guided me into the shadows. There was quiet for a moment, and then he spoke.

“Kimber. Acting like this is making you more of a target. You were already on their lists, but being so vocal… Well, you’re going to get your ass killed. I don’t pretend to know what’s going on with the temple, but I do know what’s going on out there.” He pointed to the city beyond the shadows. “It’s damned dangerous.”

“She was murdered.”

Raking his fingers through his hair, Drez was frustrated with me. “I know she was murdered. Look, Kimber. You’ve been delightfully naïve and sweet our whole lives. I would love to let you stay that way. But I can’t. You’re one of my best friends, and I don’t want to lose you.”

My jaw dropped open. “I’m naïve?”

A rueful snort escaped him. “Woman, you have no idea. Our world is not a utopia. You’re finding your magic. You’ve got a purpose. And that purpose goes against what other people believe and want for this world.”

“But—”

“No. There are no buts. Not everyone likes our supposed utopia. Watch your ass. Watch your front. Make sure you can trust anyone you confide in. I’m safe. Elex, Jennila, Arik, and Jellina are safe, too.”

He wrapped his hands around my shoulders. “I wish I could spare you. You are a sweet soul, but the magic picked you, and when the magic opens to a person, the black and white you see becomes gray.”

“We are good people.”

“How do we know? How do you know we aren’t the bad guys?” A quirk of his eyebrow punctuated his words. “Be careful. Don’t paint a target on your back. Don’t mourn Mistress Danai’s death in the public eye beyond today.”

Dropping a kiss on my forehead, he gave me a grim smile. “I am sorry. Your sweetness has always been a bright spot. I am going to be sad to see it go.”

Drez was out of the shadows and back to the group in a moment, and all but Elex quickly walked off the temple grounds.

Elex was with me in the shadows a moment later, and took my elbow, leading me away.

“Is what he said true?”

“S’Kir is not the utopia we imagine.”

“You knew all this.”

“Not until recently. Drez…” He cleared his throat and looked around, then continued in a hushed voice. “Drez has been part of the underground group that protects and spies for the temple for years. His parents were too. They believe we are on the right side of history.”

“Who wouldn’t believe in the Lost God?”

Shushing me with a finger to his lips, he started to lead me through the streets back to his apartments.

A glance back at me, and he quietly continued his explanation. “It’s not that they don’t believe in the Lost God. Very few people doubt the veracity of the stories. What they doubt is his benevolence.”

“Why would anyone doubt his benevolence?”

We scurried around another corner, just a few blocks from his front door.

“You, and Jellina, Jennila, Arik, and I all grew up with very few bumps and bruises along the way. Some people aren’t so lucky.”

“My parents were killed in the sea.”

“When you were grown. Some people lose loved ones for reasons they want to have explained and no one can. Perhaps they were told one too many times it was the will of the Lost God.”

The door of his apartment appeared, and we scurried forward. He put a hand on my back to guide me in.

“Elex, no one believes the Lost God can do anything about an accidental death, do they?”

“They do.” He shut the door firmly.

“Then they don’t understand what the word lost means, do they?” The words came out far more harshly than I wanted.

“Why are we locked here in S’Kir?” he asked. “Why are we divided from the vampires? Why is the gate forbidden? Haven’t you ever wondered about any of this? I know some stories and legends kept us occupied as children, but the more I’ve spoken to Drez, the more I realize we have been lied to.”

I opened my mouth to yell at him, but he put a finger to my lips. “No, Kimber. I think we have been lied to—but I do not believe it was wrong of them to keep the truth from us. I am with the temple. I am with you. I just want you to know what we are facing now.

“Mistress Danai died, and you were nearly kidnapped because there are people out there who know there are lies and want the liars exposed.”

My breath hissed out as I shook my head. “Shouldn’t they be?”

“What would the consequences be if we revealed the liars and exposed the lies? That’s what they, the rebels, aren’t thinking about.”

“Lying is bad.”

“Lies are necessary. The temple must sometimes do things that aren’t always clean and good. That is the way of politics, the way government runs. Our Lost God is lost, but what happened?”

“He went on a noble quest—”

Elex’s noises of disgust filled the room as he turned away from me. “Children’s stories! Kimber, those are children’s stories. We all know they are meant to placate the little ones to keep them from having terrible nightmares.”

“I teach children, Elex. I teach those stories.”

“And you never doubted them?”

My protest died on my lips. Of course, I had doubted them. I had doubted them since I was little. They were twisted and filled with plot holes and bad reasoning.

But I didn’t feel that they were lies. “They were stories for children. Do adults still believe in the infallibility of childhood fairy tales?”

“If they stick their head in the sand.”

I was astonished.

I dropped to his couch, exhausted. “How long have you been plotting with Drez?”

Sitting down next to me, Elex took my hand. “Kimber. I’m not plotting. He’s not plotting. There’s nothing bad about what he and his family does. They want to protect the temple and the people.

“I only found about Drez’s association with them after you were taken from the dance. He talked to Jallina and me. Apparently, Arik already knew and filled in his mate.”

“Milgran…”

His hand clutched mine. “No. Never. Don’t ever speak to Milgran about anything. Don’t ever speak to anyone but us about this… Not any of the temple masters, no one.”

“So I am truly this naïve?”

Dropping a sweet kiss on my forehead. “You are goodness personified, Kimber. We all wanted you to keep that goodness. But the magic… Well, I guess it has other ideas. Drez broke his own ‘don’t tell Kimber’ rule, so I’m free to bring you in on this now.”

“You really wanted to protect me this much?”

His big, warm hand touched my cheek and turned my head to catch my gaze. “Yes, I do. I don’t think you know how much I have always wanted to protect you.”

My insides liquefied instantly. He was so overwhelmingly sincere, and his eyes lit with desire in the next moment. He dropped his head, and his lips brushed against mine—

Bang! Bang!

The urgent knock on the door broke the spell.

“Shit.” Elex spat the word. He stood and adjusted himself—he was already turned on.

I couldn’t stop the small chuckle.

He gave me a playfully angry look as he headed for the door to answer it. He had a wicked lust in his eyes, and I knew I wouldn’t be returning to my apartments tonight.

The reason why changed as soon as Elex opened the door. A messenger stood there in full temple livery.

“The masters and mistresses of the temple demand an immediate audience with the Lady Raven.” His words were clipped and efficient. “Lord Everettson may join her.”

With a stiff bow, he was out of the doorway and holding the carriage open for us.

They’d sent a carriage?

Elex stretched his hand out and motioned me forward.

I could see my own disappointment in his eyes. I’d just wanted to spend time with him and forget the mess of my life in his arms and bed for only one night.

“I know, Kimber,” he whispered, helping me up, “I promise I’ll make it up to you.”

The edge of my lips quirked up.

I liked his promises.

 

*  *  *

 

The masters had moved into the dormitory. They were all disappointed with the apartments, and I had found the fortitude to scold them all at their privilege.

Really, though, the apartments they did move into were beyond what the commoner would have.

Certainly larger than anything I’d ever had.

They’d all been spoiled by their lavish palace. It was impossible to avoid being spoiled when a life could literally be immortal.

Still, they’d all started to adapt.

Except for Master Dorian. Of course.

I couldn’t see anything wrong with the dormitories. They were gorgeous and lavish really, with arched windows and huge, ornate doors that were welcoming if slightly intimidating.

The carriage stopped in front of the main doors.

Elex climbed out after the driver opened the door and held his hand out to me to help me out. He motioned me to walk ahead of him since they had summoned me.

It made sense.

We walked through the main doors to the stairs and headed up. There were five floors. I was beyond tired after the past few days. I didn’t know how much longer I could stay on my feet.

Two men waited on either side of the door. They were mirror identical to each other, and it was confusing to my poor, tired mind.

They had one blue and one brown eye, with shaggy brown-blond hair, broad shoulders, tanned skin, and the faint smell of ocean around them.

Strangely, though, I felt a pull toward them. One I couldn’t place or name.

In perfect sync, the two of them opened the doors to the sitting area to admit Elex and me.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I heard my own thoughts: Gods, they are gorgeous specimens.

I shook it off and headed into the sitting area, and the two doormen followed us in, shutting the door. The scent of ocean followed them in.

Master Dorian and Tymon sat in two of the chairs, Lunella sat on Tymon’s right, and the twins moved to sit on Master Dorian’s right.

Most of the twelve masters had gathered in the room. Only two seats were empty.

“Good evening, Mistress Raven,” Tymon said, with a nod.

Elex bowed while I curtsied. “Good evening, masters.”

Lunella gestured to the identical men. “I would like you to meet Masters Rilen and Roran. They are from the Temple of the Spine at the Northern Sea. They came to say good-bye to Danai.”

My heart hurt for a moment, but I was too tired to cry again.

Master Dorian stared at me.

I had never been able to read him, and now it was worse. Not only was his face stony, but there was no sense of him. The magic cut off around him, making him a blank.

Tymon moved to where Elex and I were waiting.

“Miss Raven, by the nearly unanimous vote of this council, we are, as of tonight, raising you to the seat of a master.”

My legs gave out and wouldn’t hold me. Elex caught me before I hit the floor.

“Master?” Elex asked, steadying me.

“We have a vacant seat,” Tymon said. “We need all the seats filled, especially now. Kimber is our most logical candidate.”

“I’m weak,” I mumbled.

I wasn’t sure if I was talking about my legs or my magic.

“We need you.”

I forced my feet to hold me again. “I’ve never been a master magic wielder, and you all know it. I’m a teacher. Look what happened to me in the garden the other day. I’m not suited to that chair. Not any more than a horse or chicken might be.”

Master Dorian chuckled.

Jackass.

Lunella shot Dorian a look I was sure I wasn’t supposed to see, then turned to me. “Kimber. You are the most logical choice. The mountain speaks to you, and that alone makes you the best candidate. I know you believe you’re too young, but Master Vitus was elected to the council at just fifty years old.”

I shook my head. “Mister Vitus was born using magic.”

Master Vitus chuckled this time. “She’s right.”

“Shut up, Vitus.” Lunella narrowed her eyes.

His hand covered a smirk on his face, and he shifted away from Elex and me.

“Masters, if you don’t need me, I’ll leave now.” Elex bowed his head respectfully and started to back up.

“Lord Everettson, you are to join Mistress Raven in her apartments.” Master Dorian stood as he made the announcement.

We both halted, sharing a shocked glance, and at least two of the other masters in the room didn’t like what he had said. There was disgruntled mumbling.

“That’s not the way this is done, Master Dorian,” Master Bebbinel stated.

Master Dorian turned, and the look he tossed at the man could have withered stone. “I don’t give a shit about your rules and regulations. She should have been made to move into these rooms as soon as we suspected she was the Breaker. But no, you asses had to go and try to deny this. Danai would not be dead—”

“Do not try to pass the blame to us,” Master Argo started.

“I’m not passing blame, you burning bag of shit. I’m telling you, you’d all do well to stop ignoring me. I am the oldest living among you, and you all get stuck in propriety and tradition that is bullshit.”

He whipped back to us. “You two will occupy the apartment. No questions asked. Elex, you are to protect Kimber. Kimber, you are part of the council.” Master Dorian raked his gaze over every other person in the room. “I’m done waiting for you blazing morons to do things. If I see fit, I will do what I need.”

“The rules came in for a reason, Dorian.” The calm alto of Lunella’s voice seemed to slice through the tension in the room, dropping it to a comfortable level.

“I don’t have—”

She held up a hand. She seemed to be one of the few people that could stop Master Dorian on one of his tirades. “None of us have to follow the rules, Dorian. We’re all powerful, and we’re intelligent. The rules never were for us, and you know that.”

He grunted and walked back to his seat. After dropping down into it, unhappy, he still managed to stare at Elex and me. “You are both still going to be moved into the apartments.”

Lunella shook her head, ever so slightly. “My dear, you have a day to yourself tomorrow. We will send the servants for your things, and you may take the day to settle in. The following day, your duties begin.”

I curtsied again, and one of the servants herded Elex and me out through a side door into the rest of the building.

This was home now.

I was a master.

I wasn’t ready.