Manipulations (Mists of the Fae Book 10) Read online

  Manipulations

  Mists of the Fae

  Book 10

  by

  Jaime Marks

  Mist of the Fae Series

  Revelations

  Secrets Past

  Shades of Redemption

  Protectors and Kings

  Connections

  Choices

  Dynamics

  Bound in Blood

  Shattered

  Manipulations

  Mates and Bonds (Coming February 2017)

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, distributed, stored in, or introduced to any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, without the express permission of the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes only.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are fictitiously used. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. On a side note if you happen to be a Fae and think you have a claim that you have been portrayed in this book by all means feel free to contact me in writing so we can debate the semantics of your existence ;)

  Certain content and scenes may not be suitable for readers under the age of 18.

  This is an adult paranormal romance novel and recommended for an adult audience.

  First Kindle Edition, November 2016

  Text copyright © 2015 Jaime Marks

  All rights reserved.

  Dedication

  To my friends that have faith and hold me up when I fall and my loving B. who supports me and helps me with all this. Thanks, couldn’t do this without you.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Prelude

  Kyle doubled over in pain just as he began the incantation. Forcing himself to continue he held his focus. His teeth grit through the pain as he used every ounce of strength he had left to protect the girls and their young. He had no idea if Byryn was alright or not, where Steph was, or even if he could hold this spell long enough, but he had no choice but to continue. The Dark Lord’s essence couldn’t touch them directly.

  “Kyle!” Astryn called out from inside the sphere he held them in, saving them from the wrath of Lazurys.

  “Stay,” he commanded through his teeth and began the incantation again.

  Star paced slowly around the small sphere. He could feel her concern and fear. “Soryia…I need you…to help…me hold this.”

  She shook off her thoughts and turned listening to the words. Seeking his mind for what she needed she began chanting with him. Her strength added to the barrier and held it in place, keeping them safe. Focusing on her chanting kept her calm.

  Astryn was the issue. She had no interest in ritual, which was generally fine, but all she had to do was sit there watching him endure this, knowing Byryn was going through the same. The only saving grace in this was that he could protect her…for now.

  The door to their chambers opened as someone entered but he couldn’t spare the focus to even look at them. If he let his attention wander for even a second, he could lose it. It was hard enough through the pain.

  “I thought you two might enjoy…Father!” Plates clanked dropping to the floor.

  Wytheryn was by his side in an instant, but didn’t touch him. He knew Dark ritual when he saw it. Kyle ran through the incantation again. Star spoke it with him as Wytheryn knelt there waiting. It was like being suspended in a state of unending pain. There was nothing he could do but ride it out, trying to keep the presence of mind to protect the girls.

  “Byryn?” Wytheryn questioned as the spell terminated once more.

  “Earth,” he managed through his exhaustion and pain.

  Wytheryn cursed in frustration as he watched him. Kyle knew he wanted to comfort him, but there was nothing he could do. He couldn’t risk touching him. Assisting either himself or Byryn at this point would mean a penance for whoever was foolish enough to interfere with Lazurys’ will.

  Slowly the pain began to ease and he lowered himself to the ground. He couldn’t move. Everything ached. “Keep, chanting,” he ordered Star, waving Wytheryn off when he went to move for him. “No, not yet.”

  The second wave was far more intense and it hit just as suddenly as the first. Wytheryn jumped back in surprise but Kyle had seen Alayne punished plenty of times. The male had a penchant for going against Lazurys’ wishes to further his own goals and this was about making a point. Lazurys would never let them off that easy.

  Chapter 1

  Byryn groaned and rolled over as the torture finally ebbed. He needed to get to the girls. He could only hope Kyle had found some way to protect them. His mind was too jumbled and strained to sense them out even, through their bond. Glancing around he already knew Steph was gone, but unfortunately, someone else stood waiting.

  “It wasn’t meant to be that intense. The punishment should have inflicted all four of you. Kyle somehow managed to deflect it from your mates causing the essence that attacked you to rebalance between the two of you instead,” Pravyous offered studying him. “It’s been a week and the Dark Lord’s penance has been paid. You have three weeks to decide. Each punishment will increase in intensity. How long do you intend to continue fighting your destiny? And must you be foolish enough to allow your penance to be paid here on Earth? I have better things to do than to babysit you.”

  Byryn grunted as he tried to catch his breath, “Didn’t…exactly…plan it.”

  His brother sighed as he measured him cautiously. “I can help you heal, but I know you’ll deny me.”

  “It’s only…pain,” he ground out, forcing himself to sit. “I’ll survive.”

  Pravyous smirked as he watched him force himself to his feet. “Now you’re beginning to remind me of my brother.”

  He levelled him with a stare but chose not to play his game. The prick was baiting him and he wasn’t in the mood. Unfortunately, right now he had information that Byryn needed.

  “Where’s Vilyn?”

  He shrugged. “Gone.”

  “He’s Brood,” Byryn coughed. “You know where all of our blood are. Or at least you would if you had performed the Rites of the Bonded Line.” Really he could still sense them himself, but the ties had been weakened somewhat by his awakening and Claiming. It would take him time to find Vilyn on his own.

  Pravyous rolled his eyes. “I know where they are to a point. I set him free. He sensed the Elders aligning on one side and the young seeking my favor. The rites haven’t been completed because the Brood is on the brink of destroying themselves. Rather than wait for it to come to a head, Vilyn asked to abstain and remain loyal to the Dark Lord. Actually,” he shrugged dismissively, “he wishes to remain loyal to you, but only in your Darkness.”

  Byryn squinted at that revelation thinking back to Vil’s words to Steph when he coll
apsed. There was no longer any denying the potential of that outcome. They were definitely infected. Lazurys had some sort of hold on them. He may not be able to control them directly, but if they didn’t give him what he wanted he’d likely either kill them or torture them until they went insane from the pain.

  “Tell your Master we’ll be talking soon.”

  Pravyous chuckled, “Giving in already? I’m disappointed, brother. I expected you to wait for at least two more weeks.”

  He didn’t reply. He had no idea what he was going to do, but the girls were carrying their young. No way in hell was Lazurys getting near them. They needed to come up with some way to appease him in the meantime that would protect them without revealing the pregnancies.

  He stood still sensing the area for Vilyn and Ravyshyn’s essence. It was gone, hidden completely in some form of shroud. There was a faint trail of Steph’s. Her Light was still fighting the Darkness, but the trail was fading quickly inside their shroud.

  “I need to go,” he stated simply as he took to the mist.

  Byryn followed Steph’s trail as best as he could, but it was already virtually nothing. It led him to some rural area out in western Tennessee. He surveyed the area looking for any sign of them. There had to be some place nearby that they’d set up a safehold, but it was already too late. The Brood didn’t have any holdings in the area. If they masked her essence it could take him weeks to find them. She was gone and he needed a plan.

  The only solutions he could find almost made him gag, but there weren’t a hell of a lot of choices here. If he was going to save Steph and protect his family, he’d have to take some risks and make some sacrifices. He only hoped that when the dust settled they all forgave him for what he was about to do.

  Kyle looked up and breathed a sigh of relief. The barrier held. Strong arms wrapped around him, lifting him to sit and he allowed it. He needed a minute yet, but Wytheryn and the girls were losing it.

  He reached up cupping his cheek. Was he his son? His brother through the blood bond? He wondered if Wytheryn was as confused about their connection as he was.

  Holding his gaze, he tried to reassure him. “I’m fine, oryto. He’s fine. I promise it’ll be ok.”

  Wyth nodded but focused on the ground. “It’s beginning.”

  Kyle breathed deeply not willing to discuss it yet. “We’ll figure it out.” He looked to the girls hating the danger they were in now. “We just need to buy some time.”

  Byryn appeared in front of him looking about how he felt and offered him a hand. He pulled him to his feet as their essence merged, healing some of his pain. “You did good, gemyn,” he assured him quietly.

  Kyle shook his head. “Good would’ve been protecting you enough so you could follow them. I couldn’t manage both, and honestly she made her choice. They didn’t.”

  Byryn’s lips thinned but he nodded. “She did, but she wasn’t in her right mind to make that choice. Lower the barrier, baby girl. It’s safe now and I damned well need you in my arms.”

  There was a distance to Byryn. He was working through something in his mind. Kyle could sense the blocks he held in place keeping some of his thoughts from even him, but now wasn’t the time to push it. Besides, after what just happened they were both trying to sort through their options.

  She stopped chanting and it was the first time Kyle noticed the tears streaming her cheeks. She wasn’t in pain. She was terrified. Both she and Astryn were shaking.

  Kyle reached out breaking the barrier. It could last on its own another ten minutes maybe, but there was no way in hell they could wait that long. He misted to Astryn and pulled her in his arms, moving close to Star and Byryn.

  “It’s ok, mea. We’ll fix this, all of it,” he promised.

  “I don’t want our young to grow up Shade, Kyle. I’ve seen what all of you went through. I don’t want that life,” she shook her head.

  “Hey, mea look at me.” He gripped her chin stilling her as he held her tightly. He was all but restraining her, but she needed that feeling of security in that moment. She was on the verge of a full out panic. “It doesn’t matter what comes next, you’ll never have to endure that. Do you understand?”

  “Y-yes sir,” she whispered.

  “I’m serious. We went through that because our Fathers and my Grandfather were nightmares. We’re never gonna be what they were. You and Star give us Light. You and Star mean we’ll never fall that deep. I can’t explain it. It’s something you’d only understand if you’ve lived it yourself, but we have reasons to care, people to protect that we would never allow another to harm. I promise you, even if we need to cross over it’s not permanent and we will always protect you,” he swore. “I will never let anyone hurt you or our child like that.”

  Byryn nodded holding Star’s weary gaze. “How many examples have you seen that having a mate makes a difference? Love makes a difference. Think about Wyce and Perylia, Cymeryn and Reyana, me and you, baby girl. Hell, me and Kylion, or Felycia, or even to some extent Michael. I’m never going to be that monster, and I won’t let any of you fall that far either. We love each other. The bonds between us are strong and unbreakable. Nothing is ever going to change that.”

  Wytheryn knelt before them. “My allegiance lies with you, in this and all things. I will do as you need and request. Should…should I release Narysia?” He asked quietly. “She doesn’t deserve this. Her brothers would care for her, protect her.”

  Byryn looked at him skeptically. “Do you honestly think you could?”

  He blanched and stared at the ground in front of him. “I…”

  Byryn reached over pulling him over to where they sat on the floor holding the girls. He held him with one arm, holding Star in his lap with the other. “It’s alright, Wytheryn. You’re not going to release your mate. She’d only follow you anyway,” he smirked glancing at Star before focusing on him again. “She loves you and she probably needs you more than anyone right now. We’ll protect her, together.”

  Kyle kissed his head. “You warned her this is where we might end up. She walked into this with you knowing that.” He sighed in frustration that they hadn’t seen it themselves. “But you all need to stop acting like us turning, shifting, or however it works is a given. We aren’t giving up that easily and you can’t either. This is our family, and as messed up as things might be right now, this is home. I’m not just walking away from that, but if you girls give in, it leaves us very few options.”

  “He’s right,” Byryn reiterated. “If either of you fall we’re following, because like hell am I letting either of you go through that alone. There’s a difference between going into that with us, and going without us. We can protect you, even in that world, but alone…” He shook his head. “Never going to happen. You both need to hold on and stay strong for us. You too, Wyth, because I’m not losing you or Narysia to this either.”

  “I’m yours, Byryn. Wherever this takes you, I’m yours.” Kyle watched him lay down on his shoulder as Byryn kissed his head.

  “I know, oryto.” The tension slowly crept back in. “I’m going to need your help, Wytheryn. We’re going on a mission later and I can’t do it without you.”

  “Where are you going now, Byryn? You can’t be seriously thinking of leaving with all this going on,” Star scoffed.

  Kyle watched curiously as he pulled back to look at her. He still wasn’t sharing his thoughts with him. “Baby girl, I’m not losing Steph either. It’s not happening. We saw this coming and we should’ve intervened before it got this far. We kept thinking it wasn’t our place, but in some ways it was and we let it happen.”

  Byryn sighed running a hand through his hair in frustration. “She’s been calling, trying to see John or change my mind for days. We knew she was struggling and when she took off and wouldn’t talk to Mythos we should’ve stepped in. Instead we sat back and let everyone else handle it because we had enough other shit going on and it was easier to believe the others would manage it. You’re her cl
osest friend and she’s like a sister to me. Kyle has watched over her for years and you know he cares about her. We should’ve been the ones there for her, helping her. We have to fix this and we’re the only ones who can. I promise you, I’ll get her back, but she’s not coming back for your Uncle right now, not after what he did. I can’t fix that for him. I can only get her away from Ravyshyn and help her heal.”

  Star’s eyes widened. “She’s really gone then? What the hell were they thinking?”

  “I don’t know,” he admitted, “but they’ve alienated the only thing she’s trusted since she’s been here…her faith in Mythos.”

  Kyle breathed heavily and nodded, “So she’s going with the only thing that’s made her feel safe outside of here, and that’s unfortunately John. He will take care of her, but…it’s the damage he does in the meantime that worries me.”

  His gemyn grimaced. “There’s only one other person who has a chance of getting through to her now. If they turn her, there’s only one Fae that might be able to reach her.”

  Star groaned, “You’re going after Ceryn.”

  “Her Father’s the only one she might listen to. Let’s just hope he’s not too far gone himself,” Kyle agreed. Four years of torture and breeding at the hands of Alayne was enough to break the strongest of Fae.

  Chapter 2

  Steph reformed in an old farm house that seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. It seemed like they’d been bouncing around from place to place for hours. Vilyn wanted to be sure they couldn’t be tracked.

  They released her giving her a chance to look around as she took stock of the area. Staring out the window she reached out with her essence, but there were no other Fae or Shade for miles. A barrier of some form of shroud encompassed the land preventing anyone from surprising them. The moment their essence touched that shielding they’d know and anyone who decided to approach on foot would be easily spotted. Defensively it was a fairly sound position, for human accommodations. There wouldn’t be much they could do here on Earth. None of them had the ability to cast barriers like Byryn and Kyle.