Dark Summoner (Relic Keeper Series Book 1) (7 page)

T
he car slowed as we pulled into the parking structure beneath a colossal, high-rise building. Glass windows encompassed the entire exterior, creating a beautiful, crisp reflection of the clear night sky. As we descended underground, harsh orange lights guided us around the large blocks of expensive cars. After two levels, we pulled into an open parking spot to the right of the main elevators. He hustled me out of the car and in between the large silver doors, promptly slipping his key into the penthouse button. Reagan slid inside beside me, just before the doors slowly closed, sealing us within their cold confines. A heavy silence engulfed us.

The doors opened to reveal a sleek foyer with grandiose marble floors and a long arched hallway. At the far end resided a pair of double wooden doors with an intricate spiral pattern that wrapped the frame. With every step we took, the air smelled sweeter, felt lighter. I couldn’t quite explain what the change was, as everything still appeared the same, but I could sense it. When we’d finally reached the doors, Dorian placed his palm flat against the circular space at the center where the two doors met. A blinding lavender light illuminated the entire space for a second before it vanished again. Within seconds, the locks clicked and the doors opened inward to total darkness.

Dorian gently pressed his hand on the small of my back to guide me forward, but I held my ground, uncertain of what I was about to encounter. Someone gave my hand a soft squeeze, and I saw Reagan smiling. Whatever issues we had between us now, a part of me still trusted her. Without a word, she gave me the reassurance I needed to take those few last steps into the shadows.

Fear and apprehension churned in my stomach. The room remained dark as we walked through. Even as I waved my hands directly in front of my face, I saw nothing. As we traveled farther along, the floor slowly changed from smooth marble to uneven and slippery ground. A slight chill reached my exposed flesh as a cool breeze danced passed my shoulders. The darkness dissolved into a charming town.

We stood outdoors on a cobblestone street. Fragrant flowers greeted us and beautiful lush gardens and trees decorated the streets, houses, and buildings. It was as though I’d crossed through time and landed in a quaint European village. When I turned around, the long hallway and doors were gone. Hues of purple and blue glowed behind a thousand twinkling stars, brighter than the clearest night I’d ever seen, draping every object and surface in rich color.

“Where are we?” I asked as I spun around in a circle in awe.

“Welcome to the First Realm,” Dorian said.

“The First Realm? We’re no longer in my world?”

“Well technically, we’re still in both of our worlds,” Reagan said. “You’re just seeing things a little more clearly now.”

“We have crossover destinations all over the world, multiple in each city. It’s imperative that access is easily available to those who travel between both realms frequently.” Dorian checked his phone. “We better get a move on.”

He guided us down a few more blocks before we turned into a long, expansive driveway lined with massive oak trees. A half-mansion, half-castle resided at the end of the driveway. Large stones walls covered the exterior and two hexagon columns bordered the wide arched entry. Pointed peaks and chimney tops adorned the Tudor-style roof. It was at least two levels and colossal. Bronze post lanterns bordered the garden walkway, which had been lined with columns and white orchids. A small rectangular garden rested at the bottom, just before the main entrance. The soft bubbling water poured from a fountain.

When we’d reached the step just before the door, Dorian faced me. “This is the home of Daegus Everly. He’s the oldest member of the Council and as such he is well-respected. I know you aren’t familiar with any of this, but you’re expected to show the same respect to him and the Council as everyone else does. And you must let me do the talking. No matter what is said. Do you understand?”

Reagan stood at my side. She let out an exasperated sigh as she picked at her cuticles.

“Yes,” I said.

Dorian knocked and an older man dressed with a bow tie and white gloves answered the door. “Mr. Cross?” He addressed him formally and his tone made it sound as though he hadn’t expected to see Dorian.

Dorian stepped through the door frame and ushered us inside behind him. Laughter and voices greeted us along with the music from soft, string instruments. A few men dressed in tuxedos peeked out from the doorway. White candles lined the entryway and a crystal chandelier hung overhead. Like I’d expected, this home was the definition of elegance and beauty.

When the door closed behind us, Dorian said, “Tell Daegus I’m sorry to interrupt but it’s an emergency.” He stepped forward and whispered something inaudible into the other man’s ear. In the next instant, the butler disappeared in the direction of the other guests.

A handsome older man with salt-and-pepper colored hair made his way down the hall toward us. He wore a tuxedo similar to other guests, but the casual detachment in his eyes frightened me. Reagan took a few steps back and leaned against the wall.

“This is highly unexpected, Dorian. What’s happened?” His eyes narrowed at Reagan’s presence.

“My apologies to intrude, but we were attacked in broad view of the mortals—by Necros.”

“Necros?” Daegus rubbed the short hair along his chin thoughtfully. “Things are moving much quicker than we anticipated.”

His pale blue eyes inspected me. “This is her?”

His bushy gray brows rose. From his expression, he had expected something different. When Daegus’s attention lingered on my breasts, I shifted my arms and crossed them over my chest. Whoever this man was, I already didn’t like him.

“Come,” he said as he led us out of the entry and farther into the house. When Reagan started to follow behind me, Daegus stopped her. “You,
Triae
, will not be joining us.”

Why did both Dorian and Daegus have such a distaste for whatever she was? I’d expected her to fight back or argue, but she offered me one last reassuring smile and disappeared into the crowd. My heart sank a little at the thought of facing these strangers by myself.

With Reagan gone, Daegus took the lead and Dorian fell into step beside him as they spoke in hushed voices. I followed behind them, trepidation filling each step. We passed another door of the room with the party and an unexpected clench in my stomach stopped me. Every cell in my body froze while an internal command demanded I wait.

Several good-looking men resided around a single figure mostly hidden from my view. His back was to the rest of the party, a cocky demonstration of his power. I couldn’t see his face but his presence demanded authority. He casually leaned back into his chair. Muscular, broad shoulders tightened and contracted the material of his jacket with every move. The back of his short black hair shined luscious and smooth under the light’s reflection. Those who approached him would dip their heads in respect and they seemed both entranced and afraid.

He cocked his head to the side as if something had caught his attention. He stood up and searched the room. His profile revealed a defined, strong jaw and as he turned, his guarded steel eyes captured mine. At least six-three, he towered over the other men, his muscular build athletic but not bulky. All tight, lean, mouthwatering muscle. I recognized him. The man from the club. The one able to frighten away monsters that had come for me. When he smiled, the entire universe flashed before my eyes, and I was thrown into a vision.

We are naked, entwined in total ecstasy. Our bodies, slick with sweat, rest on a thick, fur rug. We roll back and forth, him on top of me, me on top of him, and back around again. He flips me one last time until I’m towering over him. He sits up and dips my head back, pulling my hair tightly in his hand as he possesses my mouth.

“I’ve waited an eternity for you,” he says.

My body burns with fire again. Everything about this man consumes me. His presence, my drug. I’m helpless, intoxicated, without a way out.

In one second, I’m back in the present, thoroughly flushed with need and desire. Heat travels through my body and my breath hitches in my throat. Who was this man? Why did he evoke these visions and desires? A small smile played on his lips.

“Abby?” Dorian’s voice broke the spell and pulled me free. “We need to go,” he said. His eyes followed mine, and he met my savior’s gaze with hostility. Dorian took my hand and guided me down to a private sitting room where the others waited for us.

“Who was that?” My mind swirled with emotions.

“No one of consequence.”

Once inside, Dorian sat me in the largest leather chair directly across from Daegus. Before anyone had a chance to speak, the door creaked open again as a man and two women entered. The man had a large waist and white hair that in any other circumstance would have made for humorous Santa Claus jokes. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

One of the women was exceptionally tall, head-to-head with Dorian’s six-foot-plus frame. But where he was thick with muscle, she was lean and bony. Her perfectly straight red hair reached down to her thighs and made her look elf-like. The other woman was much older, perhaps in her eighties in human years. She had a mix of silver and white hair pulled back into a bun. Unlike the other three strangers, this woman had a gentle kindness to her features and her presence put me at ease.

“This is her?” the redhead asked as she turned her nose down at me. Daegus, this woman and Santa, all made me feel worthless, their expressions full of disgust and doubt.

“May I present Abigail Davenport, the Keeper,” Dorian said from his position behind my chair. He rested his hand gently on my shoulder and offered a slight squeeze. “Abigail, this is Sydelle Jovius and Pius Cretle. Along with Daegus, they form the top tier of the Council.” He gestured his head at each of them as he spoke. “And this is Isadora Veyhanna, High Priestess.”

Sydelle turned to Daegus. “You’re telling me that this simple child is going to put an end to the Black Walker? You can’t be serious.”

“It’s what the prophecy claims. A child of the mortal world,” Dorian said.

“What abilities has she manifested?” Pius asked.

“None,” I said, but not one of them paid attention to me.

“None—at present.” Dorian added, “But there’s still time.”

“She’s shown no ability?” This time it was Daegus who spoke, his voice clipped. “Dorian, we’ve entrusted you to ensure that this is who we seek. Now you tell us she has no ability?”

“I’m certain that she is the Keeper, and I do believe her powers will come.”

Daegus rubbed at his chin again. “Her time has long come and passed.”

“Believe?” Sydelle scoffed. “This is the fate of the realms, not some silly game. What about the others?”

Others? What the hell were they talking about?

“No. I tested all of them against the stone. None of them brought about its glow except her.”

“Can we be certain that this is the right person? Perhaps there is another. One we’ve missed?” Pius asked.

“There is no other. Everything is in line. She is the Keeper,” Dorian answered sternly.

“Perhaps it’s time to consider an alternative,” Sydelle said.

“There is no alternative.” Isadora silenced the room. The fire crackled in the corner as she rose and gripped her cane. Like her, the aged wood was strong and resilient, strengthened by time. She took the last few steps and closed the distance between us. Gently, she ran a single finger down the side of my jaw. Her eyes lit up, the crystal blue glowing iridescent. “She bears the mark . . . and more.”

“Child,” Isadora said. “I know there is much to be uncertain of, but you must trust in what your heart tells you. You are the Relic’s Keeper, but your self-doubt will only cloud your chances of defeating this rising dark.”

I looked up into her kind face. “I didn’t ask for any of this. I don’t want any of this.” Tears formed in the corner of my eyes.

She softened and a look of pity crossed her delicate features as she leaned forward and whispered, “I know child, but only you can do this.”

F
ear crept through my mind like a slow poison, terrified that if I accepted this role, I wouldn’t live through it. In stories, the hero succeeds and lives happily ever after but in the real world, the hero is changed by the darkness they see—or they’re destroyed by it.

“This isn’t just about the Black Walker trying to eliminate you, Abigail. If she has the chance, she will take the Relic from you,” Isadora said.

Sydelle interrupted her. “The Relic chooses its Keeper, Isa. It cannot be taken by anyone.”

“Not unless they possess the scroll.”

A wave of panic tore through the room stifling the air. “That’s impossible. She can’t have found it. No one has ever found it.”

“Not yet, but I sense her search. If she does succeed, we may be too late.”

“What are you saying?” Daegus asked.

“I’m saying that neither the Temple nor the Council can handle this alone any longer. It’s time.”

“Time to what?” Dorian said.

“Align with the Summoner.”

Pius almost choked at Isadora’s words. “Align with him?”

“This is insanity,” Dorian said. “You want to us to turn to the Dark Summoner? He’s unpredictable and ruthless. We can’t trust him, especially when we don’t know where his allegiances lie.”

“He helped us stop the Black Walker the first time. You may all choose to forget, but I will not,” said Isadora.

“And how do we know he won’t turn on us? Make an allegiance with her instead?” asked Dorian.

“We don’t. But he is exactly what we need. She would never expect us to turn to him or the
Triae
. Which is exactly why we need his loyalty.”

“He’s loyal to no one,” Dorian said, his voice bitter.

“He will be to Abigail,” Isadora said.

“Why?” he asked. “What could possibly make him loyal to anything?”

She turned her head to me and smiled. “Because they are
elhun
.”

Dorian’s words choked out. “You’re saying that he and Abby are
elhun
? That’s not possible. I thought he and Yasinda were
elhun
.”

“What’s
elhun
?” I asked. I’d recognized the word. I’d heard it once before, I just couldn’t remember where.

Dorian studied the fire. “It means fated, Abby. Destined for one another.”

“Like as a couple?”

“Yes.”

Daegus and Sydelle exchanged a serious look.

“Isa, when did you see this?” Daegus asked.

“Only now, but it is truth. He will stand by her. He has no choice.”

“Then it must be.” Daegus snapped his fingers once and the man who’d answered the door earlier appeared. “Bring him.”

The butler nodded his head once and slipped from the room.

Dorian slammed his fist down onto the table. “You realize that he sent the
Triae
Reagan after her years ago. Are we all going to forget that fact? He’s known something long before, and yet he’s never felt the need to mention it.”

“He must have known. Must have seen the Keeper coming somehow,” Isadora said.

“You must see that he can’t be trusted, Priestess.”

“I do not see, Dorian. We have no other choice but to put our faith in the prophecy. You cannot let your private anger toward him dictate your behavior in this matter.”

Dorian stopped himself from arguing further.

Nervous butterflies swarmed my belly while we waited for the arrival of the Dark Summoner. They’d call us fated. Destined. According to these people, this man and I were soul mates. But how was that possible? I’d never been one to believe in destiny and the power it supposedly had over our lives. I would not accept some kind of arranged marriage.

The door handle turned and the breath I’d just taken caught in my throat. I moved to stand beside Dorian, using him as a shield to hide myself from something I wasn’t ready for.

“Lord Blake, thank you for joining us.” Daegus’s words were polite, but his tone was acidic. Everyone else seemed only moderately affected by his arrival, but not me. My body came to life and I was breathless, as if all the air had been sucked out of my lungs.

“I’ve never been a fan of your formalities, Daegus.”

The Dark Summoner’s rich masculine voice was hypnotic, alluring, and held a lethal edge. He was across the room and yet I experienced the heat of his mouth as if he stood behind me, his deliciously warm lips placing hot feather-light kisses along my neck.

Get a grip, Abby!

“Yes, of course. My apologies,
Kieron
.”

At the sound of his name, a strange aching stormed my heart.

“You’ve asked for an audience, Daegus, and I’ve obliged. What do you want?”

“We want to ask your allegiance against the Black Walker.” It was clear that Daegus didn’t like asking for anything from anyone but especially from this man.

“My allegiance?” Kieron laughed, the deep sound echoing through the room. “Since when have I ever given allegiance?”

Unbearable curiosity forced me to turn and look at the most captivating man I’d ever seen—for the third time.

“It’s you.” The words fell from my lips when I hadn’t meant to say them aloud. For only a moment, something inside of him reacted to me, just as I did to him.

“You’ve seen him before tonight?” Dorian asked, both curious and angry.

“Almost three weeks ago. He was there—in the club. The same night . . .”

I didn’t finish my sentence, too afraid to admit the context of my vision out loud. I didn’t want them to know anything about my visions.

Kieron raised his brows and Dorian urged me on. “The same night what, Abby?”

I was saved by Isadora’s interruption. “The Black Walker has risen and she comes for the Keeper. If you have any interest in self-preservation, now is the time to act.”

The three men who’d entered with Kieron snickered at her words. They were spread out around the room, their tall, menacing figures taking up a lot of space. The one who stood closest to me wore thick, black sunglasses. His skin was slightly sun-kissed, and he was more bulky muscle than lean. When he noticed my appraisal, a crooked smile broke through his thick brown mustache and goatee. The second man looked to be the youngest. He had that charming model/surfer look. Something about him seemed more open and friendly than the others. The man who stood to Kieron’s right was the most frightening, with milky-white hair cropped close to his head and white eyes hooded by thick black brows.

“I don’t follow your rules, woman. I never have.”

“Yet now you must,” Isadora said. “This girl is not only the Keeper, she is your
elhun
. But I suspect you already knew that. That is why you sent the
Triae
to watch over her, isn’t it?”

He was silent; his face and eyes betrayed nothing. He took a seat in one of the large mahogany armchairs. One leg casually relaxed across the other as he leaned back into the cushion, his elbows comfortably resting on the arms of the chair. He was an inch or so taller than Dorian, with a hint of dark stubble shadowing his arrogant, square jaw. I hated myself for finding him so attractive, but it was hard to resist that kind of primal magnetism. Every inch of his massive frame oozed power and control, and although he was still several feet away, his presence managed to crowd me. He wore a rich black suit and crisp white dress shirt; his tie hung loosely around his neck. The opened top buttons casually revealed the smooth tan skin underneath. I couldn’t help but be irritated by how sexy he looked.

He tilted his head, his smoky gray eyes appraising me. “What do I get for offering her protection?”

“You get to live. And continue being the selfish bastard you are,” Dorian said.

Kieron placed his hands under his chin and threaded his fingers. “There are ways, though difficult, to rid oneself of this kind of magic. If you’d like me to protect her, then I must benefit in some way.”

“That’s not possible.
Elhun
is more than ancient magic, Kieron. Not even you could destroy it,” said Dorian.

A sinfully sexy grin lifted one side of his mouth. “Are you certain?”

Kieron’s confidence unsettled everyone, most of all me. Daegus, Pius, and Sydelle looked to one another with impassive faces.

“What do you want?” Daegus finally said.

“The hourglass.”

“What?”

“Absolutely not.”

The arguments came from both Pius and Sydelle.

Daegus raised his hand in the air to silence them. “What would you do with it?”

“That’s not your concern.”

“How do we know you won’t use it against the realms?” Daegus countered.

“You don’t.”

The Council’s leader rubbed at his jaw again, something he seemed to do every time he was deep in thought, weighing his options. “We must speak privately.”

“Naturally,” Kieron said as he rose to his feet and made his way out of the room. His three men followed behind. Dorian reassuringly had his hand on my back as we left the room. Kieron leaned against the far wall, his arms crossed over his chest as he watched us with cold eyes. The palpable energy sparked between the two of them.

“For once, Kieron, this predicament is out of your hands. You have no choice.”

I turned to Dorian. “What are you not telling me? Why do you keep acting like my life and being
elhun
are one and the same?”

“Your lives are tied together now, Abby. The moment the two of you met, everything was sealed. For once, he must protect someone else in order to retain his existence.”

“What, like he’ll die if I die?” I said.

“Yes and vice versa.”

“Only until this inconvenient magic is removed,” Kieron added.

“You’re bluffing,” Dorian said.

“Are you willing to bet her life and the fate of the realms on it?”

Dorian didn’t answer him. Maybe he was willing to bet on it, but I wasn’t sure I was.

“What is the hourglass?” I whispered to Dorian.

He leaned down. “It contains the souls of the priestesses who have passed.”

“So why would he want it?”

“I don’t know.” Dorian ran his hands through his hair.

Seconds later, Isadora appeared in the hallway followed by the Council. “You will have the hourglass . . . but you must take the girl.”

What? Screw that. “I’m not going with him.” When they’d said we needed his help, I’d assumed that I’d still be with Dorian and the others, not alone at the mercy of the Dark Summoner.

“Done,” he said.

Dorian placed a hand on my cheek and spoke in quick hushed tones. “You must remember my words and heed my warning. He is many things, but he is lethal above all. He can manipulate you. He can seduce your senses, confuse your mind. You
must
be careful.”

Over his shoulder, I saw Kieron’s eyes darken and become murderous as he focused on the spot Dorian touched. They flashed coal black and then back to gray.

“I’ll find a way to contact you and I
will
see you again. Remember my words.”

“Step away, Mr. Cross,” Kieron said, fierce and dangerous. “Your presence is no longer needed.”

“Dorian.” The command came from Daegus.

As Dorian passed Kieron, he whispered, “It must be unbearable for you to finally come across an obstacle you can’t simply make disappear. You will lose this time, just as you did the last.”

I didn’t know what Dorian meant but his words caused Kieron’s jaw to clench.Dorian gave me one last look and disappeared around the corner.

Kieron sauntered toward me. The slow movement only magnified his amazing physique. Damn him for looking the way he did. “If you wish to live through this, Ms. Davenport, you will do as I say, when I say it. You will speak only to those I allow you to and you will never question me. Consider yourself fortunate that the Council has something I want, otherwise you’d find yourself in very different circumstances.”

Dorian was right. He was a ruthless, callous bastard. An unbelievably sexy one, but still a bastard all the same. And I was stuck with him. Whatever romantic notions I’d built around this man would be shoved deep into the back of my mind. There was nothing romantic about any of this. This was a business deal, brokered by people who had no interest in my actual welfare.

He nudged his head toward the path down the empty hallway.

“Where are you taking me?” I asked, uncertain that I wanted to go anywhere with this god of a man, but certain I didn’t really have a choice.

“To my estate.”

His estate? Being in tight quarters with a constant reminder of my desire for this asshole was the last thing I needed.

“What about my old life? School? My job? My home?”

“What about it?” Kieron said.

“When do I get to go back?”

“You never go back.” His deep, steady breath inflicted his full meaning. “Your life can never be as it was.”