Sky Warriors: Poleuthan's Thief (Sky Warriors Saga Book 1) (46 page)

Showl smiled and a wave of warmth filled their minds and connection, her sincere words brought him
overpowering relief from his burden of guilt and a great sense of joy.

“I believe I am the lucky one to have
found you.”

She grinned widely at the revelation, basking in his opinion as their relationship deepened to a new and personal level with an intimacy they had never shared before.

Chapter
23: Dancing in Shadows

Music floated through the air as they entered the large mansion. Ange and Showl were followed by Daren who leaned heavily against Vera. Ange had been unable to explain how she and Showl had changed from armor to party attire again despite going through the notions of changing in one of Daren’s bathrooms and then coming out with no armor to carry around after a few minutes...

Daren and Vera were already suspicious as to Showl’s nature but Ange had assured them it was simply better not to ask and accept the inexplicable anomalies.

In her heart she desired to tell them the truth more than anything, but she knew it would provide them no solace for the life she would have to live away from them or the danger of simply knowing could put them in if they knew too much.

Showl on the other hand assured her it was fine if she told them a little so long as none of the information was too revealing.

So she hesitantly told them that she might never see them again after tonight. Daren had been mortified by her words and insisted that she could now stay with him, he had a home and business and could provide her a long and comfortable life.

She was touched by his offer but told him it was simply not possible, fate had given her a different destiny, one that could cost them their lives if she stayed in touch. They had been stricken and confused by her words, insisting that she explain and how they could help. She felt guilt for worrying them but told them it was best if they simply stayed out of it.

Grudgingly they stopped asking but Vera had quickly asked if it was her new family that she had been accompanying that had enemies and why they were attending such a party.

Ange after confiding in Showl told them that their enemies were attending the party and they could not allow them to obtain the artifact Mr.
Lockharch had acquired. So Ange and her friends intended to steal it first before the reception was over and slip away.

Vera had smiled stating that Ange was still a thief no matter what fancy garbs she wore, the education she attained, or the company she kept. She had then offered to help steal the artifact for them but Ange had immediately refused her, remembering the wards the others had mentioned.

Daren then insisted he would attend the party, much to Ange’s and Vera’s protests. But he was stubborn and insisted he would spend as much time as possible with Ange before she disappeared on him again.

Guilty, Ange had been unable to fight back his demand.

Now Ange hesitantly slipped on her ring as they stayed at the entrance of the estate and Vera took Daren to a seat nearby. At least no one was by the entrance, except the man outside that had let them in.

“Ileana,”
Ange spoke hesitantly through the bond that suddenly connected them all together faintly. She was careful to restrain her emotions and try to be respectful to their human leader.

A dim acknowledgement returned to her as she felt the powerful and ancient girl connect to her. Ange was shocked by the overwhelming mental presence that resembled that of a dragon’s as Ileana spoke in return and Ange idly wondered why Amaris had not seemed so alien when they had spoken through the rings before.

“You’re just in time. But why are you speaking to me through a bond you know you are not meant to use unless there is an emergency till you’ve earned the right to wear it indefinitely?”
she asked calmly.

Ange grimaced at the pressure Ileana exerted and replied boldly.
“I have a favor to ask.”

Surprise filled the link as she waited for Ange to continue.

Ange sent an image of Daren, as she glanced at him in the chair, weak and sickly, his skin a horrible yellow tone.
“Could you please help him?”

“This is your acquaintance, I take? You’ve reached an understanding?”

“He’s a friend,”
Ange corrected a bit impatiently.
“And yes, I’ve forgiven him and found out the truth. Please help him,”
she begged, loathing to do so but she felt responsible for Daren’s health, he was her brother in all but blood and she had to help him.

Ileana analyzed her feeling for a silent moment and Ange realized she had allowed the girl into her thoughts more than she had realized. But it didn’t matter now, she painfully waited for her to reply.

“Very well,”
Ileana replied.
“Wait there.”

Ange stared down at the ring shocked for a moment that Ileana had agreed to help as they both disconnected from the link.

“This wasn’t a good idea,” Vera snarled. “You should have stayed home,” she hissed at Daren, her voice unusually motherly.

Daren shook his head stubbornly. “No, I will spend time with Ange one last time even if it kills me,” he insisted.

Ange groaned in despair. “Since when have you’ve been so pigheaded?”

“Since I thought you were dead,” he retorted.

Ange frowned, unable to reply. She sighed relieved as Ileana and Grace walked from the grand room and into the foyer.

“I trust you have not revealed much?”
Ileana asked pointedly as she walked forward.

“No,”
Ange promised trying not to flinch under her mental presence.
“Are the Adherent here yet?”

“Not yet,”
Ileana replied gravely.
“For tonight, do not remove the ring,”
she ordered.

Ange nodded once, nervousness starting to build in her, a feeling she was still not accustomed to.

Ileana approached Daren, who stared at her with piercing green eyes, meeting her gaze quizzically despite her intimidating demeanor and that of Grace.

“I am Ileana and this is Grace,” she introduced.

“Daren Steele,” he replied gruffly and Ange realized he was suspicious of them, even cold.

Grace stepped forward and smiled gently, her eyes scrutinizing him carefully. “You do not appear well enough to attend a party,” she observed with a friendly tone.

Daren gave her a grim smile. “If this will be the last time I’ll ever spend with Ange then my health is not what’s most important. I won’t let things end as they did last time,” he stated meeting Ange’s eyes.

She frowned at him displeased.

“I see,” Grace replied with understanding. “Then let me see how I can help you.”

He stared up at her surprised. “You know medicine?”

“A great deal,” she replied with a tender smile.

Daren frowned, seeming skeptical as did Vera next to him.

Ange watched as Grace pulled out a round metallic disk with a complex and intricate surface and recognized her Key simply in a different shape. She pressed the metal to Daren’s head and the gem glowed.

“What’s she doing?”
Ange asked Ileana perplexed.

“We must keep up appearances, the Key isn’t doing anything but it’s allowing Grace to give him energy inconspicuously. She’s revitalize his body, his cells, organs, everything. Watch.”

Ange watched astounded as color returned to Daren’s skin and slowly he closed his eyes as his flesh seem to expand under his skin again. Within a few minutes his face no longer looked drawn and tired, his hands returned to normal from a bony stage and his clothes no longer sagged over him as if they were too large.

He opened his eyes as Grace removed her Key, his breath coming out strong and Ange could swear his heart sounded more vital even in her ears.

“What did you do?” Vera asked astonished as Daren sat up straight and inspected his hands and touched his face.

Grace smiled as she put away her Key. “Cellular revitalization, simply an energy surge and
protein base that provides a large supplement of nutrients to the body. It’s quite complicated,” she explained simply, putting Vera off.

Ange smiled as Daren stood up, a bit shaky as he smiled shocked.

“Thank you,” he praised.

Grace smiled sweetly. “Anything for a friend of Angeline, but do promise me you’ll look after your health more
vigorously, yes?”

Daren looked up at her nodded in promise. “Is it normal that I feel so hungry and thirsty?” he asked concerned.

She nodded. “Your body will require nutrients and substance, but do not overeat these next few days while your body adjusts.”

He nodded in understanding, grateful and his eyes full of awe.

“Wait, why isn’t he reacting badly to the foreign energy?”
Ange asked confused, knowing well that Grace must have used a considerable amount.

“Every being has a body filled with vital energy, including the energy that is stored in the brain at varying degrees. The only difference between us,” Ileana indicated, “is that our brains are wired, adapted to use that extra energy in extraordinary ways while most creatures are not.”

“Then why did I get sick before?”
Ange asked exasperated.

“Think of it like this
,”
Grace replied as she stepped away from Daren.
“Your subconscious energy works like your immune system. If is locked away, crippled, it cannot protect you against foreign energy just like your body’s defenses cannot protect you from disease if it is compromised. Don’t forget that energy is also compatible, human energy will not usually have adverse effects on other humans but a dragon’s energy can be an entirely different matter. But you have no need to worry, your friend has a surprising amount of psyche energy despite being a normal human. I made sure not to overwhelm his body but it will take it some time to adjust and wear off.”

Ange sighed relieved and thankful.

“Thank you, Grace.”

She nodded with a smile.

“Come, we don’t have a lot of time,” Ileana stated leading them to the grand room. Ange walked a distance behind as Daren grabbed her arm, bright and vital as he led her in. Vera smiled at the quickly following, with a devious smile she boldly grabbed Showl’s arm.

Ange could feel his surprise and she giggled though she had to suppress a surge of possessiveness and jealousy at watching Vera touch him so familiarly, but his expression was priceless so she let it go.

Ange stared suddenly very nervous into the grand room and the many people that were within, chatting, dancing or near the food tables while servants walked around with platters of appetizers or fine alcohol. All wore fine clothing as Daren pulled her in without hesitation.

“Breathe easy, it’s just a party,” he assured teasingly.

Ange frowned, she wasn’t nervous about the party, but the guests they were expecting.

“A nobles’ party,” Ange muttered then added amused. “Remember how we used to imagine coming to one of these and making off with all the silverware?”

Daren laughed. “That’s what you imagined, I actually pictured enjoying a dance.”

Ange giggled at his comment and stopped as he froze, nearly making her tumble.

“Great,” he snarled in an undertone.

Ange looked up and followed his gaze, her eyes befell on a familiar figure in a dark suite. A handsome face with deep blue eyes and framed with rich ebony hair smoothed back.

Jason.

Ange snarled as she glared at him.

“Ignore him,” Daren insisted, pulling her along in the direction the rest had gone.

“Ignore him?” Ange snarled in disbelief as they passed by a group of adults talking amicable to one another. “I should go over there and slit his throat and pour his blood into the punch,” she hissed.

Daren groaned. “You really haven’t changed,” he observed as he cast a sad glance at Jason before fixing his gaze ahead.

Ange stared at her friend in confusion then snarled. “You don’t think that weasel is still your friend, do you?” she demanded.

“No,” Daren murmured like a chaste child, his cheeks growing a profuse red.

Ange stared at his in disbelief as his pace quickened and it clicked in her head as she studied the turbulent and
infatuated emotions that burned his face and eyes.

“You like him!” she hissed outraged and shocked. “How can you
like
him after what he’s done?”

Daren’s face reddened further. “Shut up. I didn’t decide to like him, I just do,” he spat bitterly.

Ange stared at him surprised, Daren rarely told her to be silent which meant the situation was serious and just as annoying to him.

She let out a heavy sigh. “Thant’s just great, Daren. You having a crush on a jerk, you’re still unbelievably hopeless.”

She paused as he gave an extremely poisonous glare. “As if you’re any better,” he rebuked.

Ange snorted, almost letting out a hysterical laugh. “I don’t have a crush on a guy that tried to kill my best friend and destroyed my family,” she corrected.

His eyes showed how much her words hurt him and she regretted them. “No, but you are infatuated with a man that would take you away from everything and everyone you care about.”

Ange stopped in her tracks, making him jerk in surprise and take a step back.