Page 14 of Gift from the Source (Source of Elementra #5)

Willow

There are so many voices floating around the throne room, I have to reread the words written in the Vito book multiple times just to concentrate.

The Vitos, all current living ones, are in an uproar over what’s been discovered. Between my men—with the exclusion of Draken, who’s pacing around with V on his shoulder—and the Vito parents, the walls are echoing with their raised voices.

Poor Gaster is trying his best to calm them down while simultaneously trying to deny the information. He can’t wrap his mind around the fact this slipped by him when he was there and lived it.

Keeper is sitting beside me as a silent companion, reading the words just as I am. It’s all here. The truth is laid out, written in fact by the Matriarch two generations ago.

I’ve voiced my suspicions that the Summum-Master’s—shit Malvolio Choice’s—hatred festered sometime between Drudy’s rule and the guys’ great-grandmother’s. I never would’ve guessed, though, that once upon a time, the Vito line was friends with him.

Persley Vito didn’t mince her words, though.

She stated clearly that they, the Dews, the Neworts, the Beylas, and the Choices all were well acquainted with one another. Some even on the level of friendship and all it took was the current Matriarch’s death for friends to become foes.

She did, in fact, rewrite the history of the realm.

My first question after Cas shadowed us to the throne room and summoned everyone was how did he know Elementra hadn’t blessed the line? They’ve been ruling for two thousand years now and from my perspective, they’ve been blessed.

Sure, horrible things have happened, but horrible things have happened to many families across the entire realm.

He briefly and quickly asked if I remembered the power that surged through the arena at Lyker’s trial. That made my throat close, but I nodded as I’ll never forget that experience. He went on further to explain that that was Elementra blessing his ruling.

The previous Matriarch that died, resulting in the Realm Trials, had explained to Persley and the other council Primaries of the time that the power creates an undeniable tie to the realm itself once her blessing has been passed.

Persley admitted in her writing that there was no surge of Elementra’s power.

The collective excitement and uproar of the crowd mimicked what that would’ve felt like and Persley never admitted otherwise. She knew on a soul level that tie was missing. She used the information given to her by the previous ruler to base her story.

“Do you or do you not feel like Elementra has blessed you, Mom? It’s a simple question.” Caspian’s tone finally drowns out everyone else’s voice.

“It has always felt like I have the tie described by Persley and Drudy in the book. Not to mention the things I have ruled, the hard decisions made, always felt like I had Elementra’s approval. Maybe it isn’t as deep as it should be, but there’s most certainly something there,” Aurora states with a faraway gaze.

My heart hurts for her. Her whole world and everything she’s known is being flipped upside down. I know that feeling all too well. She never wanted this, and now she’s finding out, the Realm Trial her family endured was never even finished .

Thinking about everything the Vito family has been through…it seems that they’ve been living through trials ever since.

“Elementra has blessed us. There’s no doubting that. Look at everything we have. So just put that aside,” Gaster says, waving his hand around at all of us in the room. “What I don’t understand is why he’s dragged this out for so long. I understand wanting revenge for your family, even though in the laws of the trials, you know what you’re signing up for. We’ve all sought revenge one way or another.

“But Persley died so long ago. From everything we’ve learned, he may have been the one to kill her. Regardless, she spared his life and when she died, he should’ve been thrilled. He was given a second chance in life. One where there were no restraints and responsibilities all the time.”

The room erupts once again in noise, only this time, it’s everyone agreeing with Gaster. They insult the Summum-Master in every way, shape, and form. Of course I agree with what’s being said, but unfortunately, I understand his motives that no one else seems to see.

I grit my teeth so tightly at that thought, I’m positive Keeper can hear it. Disgust crawls through me at just the thought of agreeing with anything to do with that monster.

“Little wanderer,” Draken purrs and I snap my eyes up to him.

There’s understanding swimming in his cobalt blues and my chest pinches for a whole other reason. He gets the Summum-Master’s motives as well. The two of us have just gone about our issues completely different than he has.

“Tell them,” he says as he stops his pacing and smiles softly at me.

“Tell us what?” nearly everyone asks.

Time to put on your big girl, vulnerable panties.

“I understand his motives completely,” I mumble and blow out a breath as I shut the Vito book. Everyone attempts to start talking once again, but I hold my hand up, asking them to stop. “It was the way in which Persley spared him. It was the things she said to him. It was a combination of it all. She made it very clear that she saw him as less than. She didn’t respect him or his abilities. She didn’t mince her words when telling him he was unworthy and that he was just a fortifier .

“She said that he never attempted to strike her or any other family, but for all we know, he in fact did. We all know what being a fortifier means. So he possibly was giving it his all and it’s only because of him, the Choice family were the last to stand against the Vitos.”

I blow out another breath that echoes through the silence now penetrating the throne room. My men’s bonds flare and I don’t have to focus on them to know that they see where I’m going with it now. It’s becoming clearer for them, but I still need to spell it out.

I need to say it out loud.

“I know what it’s like to be told repeatedly that I’m unworthy, useless, and just a woman. My need to prove myself started so young. It became an obsession that you all still witness every day even if you don’t notice it or call me out about it. I fixate on a task, a lesson, a new gift, whatever it is…Until I master it. It drives me crazy. I have multiple different reasons to want to succeed and prove myself. Now.

“At first, it was simply for survival. I needed to survive what I was facing in the nonmagical realm. Then I came here, started discovering myself and my power, and that survival started shifting. I want what’s best for myself, our Nexus, the people of the realm—of course—but on the darker side that I don’t talk about, I want revenge. I’m not satisfied with only the death of Franklin. I want the Summum-Master’s, Donald’s, Silvia’s, Drin’s, Claven’s, the Gales’, the Everglows’, any and everyone’s who’s betrayed our people.

“I want revenge for myself, my innocence, my mom, her Nexus, CC, Tilly, Eryken, everyone we’ve lost. The biggest difference between my motives and his is all of you. Because of all of you, I’m not drowning in selfish need to prove myself as the most powerful. I’m not, nor will I ever get to a point in my life where I’d be willing to risk innocent lives for my revenge. But I have no doubt, without the love and relationships I have with you all, I would get there.

“If I survived what I went through, only to be alone in the end, I’d go crazy. His need for revenge has festered because it’s become a lonely obsession. He now needs to wipe all of us out so he can prove to himself, to Elementra, to everyone he isn’t just anything but everything. ”

The heavy sigh that escapes me is a strong force of wind. I muster up as much reassurance on my face as I can when everyone’s emotions trample my chest. Their anger, sadness, and understanding are all potent, and they each know where I’m coming from on a much deeper level now.

“I obviously didn’t say all that to justify or defend anything he’s done. I merely put it into perspective what two sides of the same coin can look like. His reasoning may have started small in hindsight, but hatred is a powerful motivator. It also makes him incredibly dangerous. Maybe even more so than we thought. We all have something and someone to lose. He doesn’t.”

That little added tidbit shifts everyone’s focus. A wave of deadly and protective determination flows through the room, making me sit up a little straighter.

“We’re going to keep this Realm Trial revelation a secret. I honestly don’t even know what to make of it. I’m not sure if word got out, would the five move in on us and attempt to have another trial or what. I don’t see the people revolting against us, but you never truly know,” Aurora says, looking at her Nexus.

“I don’t believe the Summum-Master would want that secret out anyways. One, that identifies him as who he is. Two, if another Realm Trial were to commence, all the plans he’s worked toward would be null. If we were to lose, he’d have to shift his focus entirely onto the new family and he’d never get the satisfaction of killing us himself,” Roye states quite bluntly, earning himself a small love tap from Dyce.

“He isn’t going to kill any of us,” Corentin declares sternly, then turns to Tillman. “We need to start stripping his forces. We know he has us in numbers, but we haven’t a clue about the true power he alone holds. We start cutting him from the bottom up.”

Tillman nods, running his hand along his jawline. As he goes to speak, Draken cuts him off. “The Choice family was from Terian. That illusionist said he’s partial to that area because of the space, but obviously he still holds the territory as his claimed one.”

“Exactly. We’ll start there. I’ll gather teams and we’ll start with where Xander’s got his illusions in place. With Keeper tearing down runes and me snatching information out of minds, we can build from there. ”

“The more runes removed, the weaker it will make him as well. Whether it’s removed by hand or just death,” Keeper adds with a bloodthirsty smirk and a shrug.

Draken tosses his head back laughing and I grin between the two of them as they share their little psycho moment together.

“We also need to get prepared for the Spring Ball. It’s two weeks away.”

The room once again falls into silence as we all stare at Caspian in shock. Never in my wildest dreams would someone have convinced me that out of everyone gathered here, he would’ve been the once to bring up a dance.

“Ready to spin my little wanderer around the foyer, huh, shadow man?” Draken teases.

“If the Primary would like that,” he says, shooting me a look that promises so much my face heats. “Other than her wants, that’s going to be the one and only time I can imagine we’re going to be in a room with all five families. Dillon and Pran will be in attendance, and we need some answers from them. If they’re as loyal as Uncle Orien has stated they are, they will have information we need.”

The teasing ceases with his words. Dillon and Pran are still quite a mystery for us all. Aurora had absolutely no clue about their interference in anything.

My skin heats for a whole other reason as I look at her and the weight of knowing what CC had to decide hangs heavy on my shoulders. The pressure eases when shadows twirl around my wrist and I glance up at their commander.

One look into Caspian’s eyes tells me he’s thinking the same thing but has no intention of ever telling her the truth.

I’m not sure if I plan to either.

I think that was something CC should’ve either divulged or he’s going to need to tell me explicitly that I need to break the news.

“Leave the planning and preparation to us. You all just be prepared for anything they may say or do during the ball. You all well know I’ll have to introduce all the Primaries to Willow. I, of course, won’t make you, Willow, like my mother did me, but don’t be surprised if some of the councilmen ask for a dance to introduce themselves,” Aurora says, smirking at the disgruntled noises floating around the room.

“They’ll be fried where they fucking stand,” Draken growls and the other three nod to him seriously.

Possessive men.

“Let’s call it a night. Dinner was dramatically interrupted and it’s getting late. We’ll nail down more details and plans in the morning rather than our normal training,” Corentin declares as he offers me his hand.

“Well, if not for that infuriating bird—”

An outraged hoot sounds around the room, cutting Caspian off. I snicker at the glare he shoots V. It turns into a full belly laugh when he lands on my shoulder and nuzzles my face. I have no doubt the little creature is doing this on purpose at this point.

“I’m doing no such thing. He’s not truly mad with me. Only mad that I was right and he had to face his fears,” V says and by the slightest bit of softening on Caspian’s brow, I know he said that to either all of us or at least both of us.

“Thank you,” I murmur.

“Don’t thank me yet. Go and get your rest. You will need it for tomorrow.”

“What does that mean?”

“You and I will be working in the Eye of the Veil tomorrow.”

The Eye of the Veil…

Shit. The amplifier room.

I thought sleep was going to evade me last night with V’s lingering plans.

It didn’t.

As soon as my men swarmed me in bed, I was out like a light. Floating away blissfully in dreamland.

Now this morning, my mind is not quiet whatsoever on the possibilities of what he has planned .

I’ve yet to find the mysterious creature this morning despite already having breakfast, checking the amplifier room, seeing the guys off to where they needed to be, and now I’m waiting patiently—impatiently—in CC’s room with Oakly and Gaster.

The anticipation is killing me, and the nervous energy is fluttering out through the rapid beat of my foot against the floor.

“I’m seriously shocked to find you so excited to go in there,” Oakly teases as I huff once again.

“I’m not exactly excited. Maybe a little. I’m nervous. He said you and I will be working in the Eye of the Veil, so that leads me to believe he’ll be joining me. Which has always been a big no-no. That just leads to so many questions.”

She nor Gaster attempt to hide their laughs that are directed right at me. I have half a mind to call her out about all the times she’s been anxiously waiting for something.

“Usually, I’d try to ease your mind, child. Tell you that isn’t what he meant, but with him, I’m sure that’s exactly what he meant. I have a feeling you are going to learn a very valuable lesson today. I’m quite jealous,” Gaster says.

“Does he share information with you freely? And do you know what kind of creature he is?” I ask.

“So curious.” He tsks and I grin. “He shares things to an extent and no, I don’t know the creature he is, but I know an ancient being when I meet one. He’s not of Elementra, I know that much, but he has a respect for her that tells me he and our creator are familiar enough with one another.”

I’ve gathered as much.

Just as I go to pry for another answer, a small hoot sounds throughout the room, and I hop up from my seat. “Finally.”

“Is my timing not up to your liking, filia?”

“I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just nervously excited.”

His hum vibrates through my mind before he lets out a soft purr. “Then let’s not dally any longer. Grab your mother’s book and let’s go.”

My heart drops to my stomach as even more nerves creep up. “My mom’s book? Why? I still need to get myself balanced. I usually do that in Tillman’s room. I was waiting for you to do that in case you had some sound guidance for me.”

“You will need the book. You don’t need to waste time meditating. That is my sound guidance.”

That’s all he says as he tucks his wings around himself and poofs out of thin air. I’m not sure what that trick is, but it’s different than how we transport. Our movement is silent and unseen. His, although silent, creates a small twinkle of white light like the flash of a shift.

“Well, he’s just made this even more nerve-wracking. He told me to bring Mom’s book and said not to waste time meditating.”

The humor on Oakly’s face falters and Gaster stands a little straighter. Both don’t have an ounce of worry about them, but they’re now scrambling for an answer for me.

“Whatever it is, you’re going to crush it. If he told you to bring your mom’s book, it more than likely has to do with the portals. And maybe he doesn’t believe you need to be balanced for whatever he’s going to show you.”

“Exactly, Willow. Just do as he says and get it out of your pocket dimension. He isn’t going to make you do anything or teach you anything that isn’t beneficial to you. Keep that in mind,” Gaster says.

“You’re right. You’re both right. I got this.” I exhale sharply and shake my hands out then open my pocket dimension.

With a tight smile to them and Mom’s book clenched tightly in my hand, I shadow across the palace to the south wing. Instead of popping out right at the amplifier room, I come out at the end of our hall so I can walk there and get a hold of my nerves.

Caspian’s room is the only one occupied at the moment, so I make sure to keep my steps quiet as I pass his door. He said this morning he would be in there ‘looking’ if we needed him. The other three are off at the academy, along with Keeper and Tanith.

Taking a left at the end of the hall, I expected to see V sitting outside the door, waiting for me, but instead, he’s nowhere in sight. For a second, I hesitate to turn the handle in case he made some stop before coming here, but the magic coming from inside spurs me on .

Not because it’s calling to me as usual. It’s barely doing anything.

My steps falter as I shove my way in, then shut the door behind me. V is perched on one of the spires on the Angel Aura Amethyst and other than the power of the crystals, the overwhelming magic is nulled.

“What’s going on? How are you doing that?”

“This Eye is slightly different than the one back home, but it works all the same. I can still feel the power of the realm in the crystal. Come sit down and get comfortable while I speak,” he instructs and I don’t hesitate any longer. If he’s finally going to talk, I’ll listen.

“Good to know how easy it is to persuade you.”

“With answers? Absolutely,” I tease as I sit on my platform and pull my blanket around me.

It’s not lost on me the thing he said the other day about some answers aren’t meant to be found. I just don’t know if that was a warning for me to stop all my questions or a warning to be more mindful of what I’m asking.

“A little of both.”

“Good to know.” I snort, then look around the crystals before settling on him. “So…”

“Don’t be shy with your questions now, Willow.”

“Well, I don’t know what to ask now. If I’m being honest, I feel like I have whiplash. You went from telling me we’d have our time, to now apparently our time being here. It feels sudden and jarring. I don’t know what to expect or if I’m expecting too much. This is one of those situations where I’m just following your lead.”

“If I’m being honest with you, I didn’t expect the Shadow God to take my words to heart. I imagined him sulking in his thoughts and taking some time to digest what I meant. It seems I judged him wrong, and his quick discovery forced my wing. We were supposed to have more time than this,” he says with a tinge of annoyance. It sounds like it’s more with himself than Cas, though.

“You didn’t judge him wrong. Sometimes that’s exactly what he does and sometimes he devours every bit of information he can before he even tells you that’s what he’s doing. I’m not sure what you mean about us having more time. Do we not? ”

“Not as much as I would like. With that being said, we won’t waste any more of the precious moments we have,” he says with a squawk and glides down to the platform beside me. “We are going to open a portal within your mind.”

What did he just say?

“I’m sorry?”

“The reason your mind’s eye is not being pulled as it normally would is because I am a creature born of the Valorian Veil. The magic that flows through here has been infused with the magic of your creator, yes, but nonetheless, its resources and origination are from my realm. Therefore, I can control it. Right now, I am taming it for your benefit. The Angel Aura is still functioning fully with Valorian essence. Elementra has blessed it and allowed it to continue to feed from its home.”

She blessed it…still feeding from its home. What?

“Explain that better, V. When it was brought here, did it not like become hers and work off her power?”

“Well, of course, in a sense. But she knew for it to perform to its greatest strength, it would need a connection to its home. Any living creation will eventually do one or two things in this predicament. Lose its abilities if cut off from their source of power after so much time or adapt to the new power around it. This crystal would be fine if it was out in nature, but it’s been in this room and realm for eighty-six years now. It would’ve diminished significantly without her keeping its connection to the Valorian Veil active. Add in her blessing that’s surrounding it and it’s thriving just as it should.”

“It has to have been here longer than eighty-six years. The portal to the Valorian Veil closed a thousand years ago,” I say, slightly confused on his timeline.

I understood everything else, though. I remember Franklin bitching about how his power began dwindling after so many years in the nonmagical realm. Plus, Elementra wasn’t serving him anymore by that time.

“The main portal did, yes, but your mother went and retrieved this after your Guardria asked her to.”

I flinch back as though he electrocuted me.

That doesn’t make sense at all.

“What about that doesn’t make sense, filia?” V asks as though I’m the one who’s confused him.

“My mom only left this realm to go to the nonmagical. And Gaster built this room for CC after his emerging, which was when he was fifteen. He put the crystals in here. Which would mean that the Angel Aura would’ve been here for like two hundred and thirty-odd years.”

“Ah, I see. You just haven’t gotten the full story yet, is all. This would’ve come at a different time as well had Caspian not messed up my sequence of events. Go ahead and open your mother’s book for your lesson. There will be a simple explanation in there,” V instructs, and I have half a mind to argue and demand a better explanation.

The other half that really wants to open my mom’s book and get the answers from her wins.

Moving the book from my lap to sitting it on the platform in front of me, I quickly prick my finger, then say the half of my lullaby needed to open it. My dragon’s sight surfaces instinctively to aid me in this dimly lit room and I peel the cover open. Like the other two times I’ve done this now, a smile crosses my face as the ink starts filling out the page.

Our final lesson on the portals, my little dragonfly.

Once again, it’s going to be a lot of information, but it’s in your blood and will feel just as natural as breathing once it all settles. It’s a bulk of information, but unlike the other two times, the process of what you’re about to learn, you already know. You’re just applying it in a different method. The newness will come from the other places.

So it shouldn’t hit you as hard as the last lesson. You just have to prepare yourself, suspend your nerves if you can, and buckle in.

Easier said than done, Momma.

I’ve saved the best for last. Opening and connecting portals to other realms. Well, I also wasn’t given an option but to save this lesson for last, but that’s beside the point.