The Summoner's Path (D'Vaire, Book 10) Read online

  His familiar didn’t respond with words. Derwin glared, then stomped off to the cottage. He was gone long enough for Dre’Kariston to slip into blackness. Some minutes later he was jostled awake by a hard hand on his shoulder.

  “If you wanted water, why are you resting?” Derwin demanded.

  Dre’Kariston didn’t bother to answer; he had no strength to continue the argument Derwin wished to have. Luckily for Dre’Kariston, after Derwin filled the cup, he helped him raise his head high enough to drink. The moisture hit his throat, and it was the best thing Dre’Kariston could remember tasting.

  “You shouldn’t have used magic while you are in such a state. The cottage is half-burned. Where will I sleep?”

  Closing his eyes, Dre’Kariston allowed the darkness to overtake him once again. The last thought filtering through his mind was that he hoped summoning Derwin wasn’t a bigger mistake than simply allowing himself to die.

  * * *

  Over the course of a few months, Dre’Kariston struggled to survive with the cantankerous Derwin assisting him. His body was immersed in a battle of malevolent energy which he did not want inside him. This was not the dark path he was drawn to but a twisted evil that he was glad he’d extinguished with Carvallius’s death. Fevers raged through him, and his skin was still covered in festering wounds, though they at least scabbed. Derwin fetched water and procured food for them while he kept up a steady stream of insults and complaints in Dre’Kariston’s direction.

  “Are you with fever today?” Derwin demanded.

  “I do not feel overly warm. My thanks to you for carrying me inside.”

  “It would’ve gone much easier with magic.”

  “It is too dangerous for you to cast, and I cannot be relied upon to funnel you with more power. Should your well dry up, you’ll die.”

  Derwin’s dark blue eyes were hard. “And without me so would you.”

  “I’m very grateful for your presence,” Dre’Kariston said as he rubbed his wrist against the coarse blanket Derwin tossed over him.

  “Your brother should be here assisting you instead of off hiding somewhere.”

  “Do not speak ill of my brother. No doubt I will find him when I’m well again.”

  “I do not see how the most powerful warlock alive can simply be missing. Why do you keep scraping your arm over the blanket?”

  “I feel a burning sensation,” Dre’Kariston revealed. It’d started minutes ago and had grown to an intensity he couldn’t ignore, even though he was littered with injuries.

  Derwin reached down and pulled Dre’Kariston’s hand toward him. “You will damage yourself further. Allow me to see what new hurt you’ve acquired.”

  “The pain is profound.”

  The color drained from Derwin’s face when he peered down at Dre’Kariston’s wrist. “It is not a cut,” he whispered.

  “You’ve gone pale. What is it you see?”

  Derwin’s eyes were damp when they met Dre’Kariston’s. It was the first time he’d witnessed any tenderness in the angry familiar. “Have a look…though I wish I could keep the truth from you.”

  Dre’Kariston swallowed as fear had suddenly dried up all the moisture in his throat. He didn’t want to see his arm when the possibilities danced through his mind, but T’Eirick and Saura hadn’t raised a coward. When his wrist was close enough to his face, Dre’Kariston couldn’t help the scream that tore out of him. “No!” he shrieked.

  “Rest easy, you’ll harm yourself,” Derwin responded softly as he tried to stop Dre’Kariston from thrashing on the bed.

  “They cannot be dead. They cannot be,” Dre’Kariston shouted, but his parents were already gone. There on his skin was the symbol granted by Fate as the Grand Summoner of his people. Though he was born with a faint one, it was now bright silver and inescapable. His mother had borne a lion as Grand Summoner, but now his people would be represented by the dragon given to him and his brother.

  “You mustn’t carry on so,” Derwin chastised, though his tone was gentle.

  Dre’Kariston’s tears were hot as they slipped down his temples and into his matted hair. “I hate the Cwylld and that damnable Carvallius. I wish to kill him all over again.”

  “I am so sorry,” Derwin said. He swiped a cool cloth over Dre’Kariston’s heated brow. Dre’Kariston didn’t wish for his comfort and tried to push him away, though he lacked the strength to do so.

  “Go away!”

  “I am here to care for you. The tears do not help. You must heal so you can lead your people to victory. I’m now the Grand Summoner Familiar, and together we will destroy the Cwylld and avenge the deaths of your parents and brother. I do not know why Fate didn’t make you the Grand Warlock with Dra’Kaedan gone, but perhaps she decided the title should die with him.”

  “Dra’Kaedan is not dead!” Dre’Kariston screeched as he wept.

  “I will leave you now, so you may rest. Mayhap when you’re stronger you will be ready to face the truth,” Derwin responded as he shuffled away from Dre’Kariston’s side.

  Impotent with fury and rage, Dre’Kariston cried as his heart broke for the beloved parents who were murdered by evil elves and one man’s thirst for power. As he lay there, too weak to even feed himself, Dre’Kariston vowed he would someday find his brother, and together they would have their revenge.

  * * *

  Several seasons passed before Dre’Kariston could rise from his bed, but he wasn’t deterred from his mission. He’d fashioned himself a cane to walk, as his injuries were still numerous and struggling to heal. Though he was nowhere near full strength, the Coven of Warlocks needed him. He was Grand Summoner, and the Grand Warlock was missing. There was no one else who could lead his people to victory over the murderers of his parents. Derwin was thrilled to be told of his plan to return to the castle of his birth, and Dre’Kariston was pleased the often irritable familiar had found a more pleasant outlook.

  “We shall travel home today,” Dre’Kariston announced as soon as Derwin surfaced from the room he’d taken as his own in the cottage.

  “Your magic has healed enough to cast the teleportation spell?”

  “You will cast it.”

  “It will be the only spell I use. I have no wish for you to give me more energy.”

  Dre’Kariston nodded as he pulled his weight up and leaned heavily on his cane to shuffle across the stone floor to where they’d set up the table and chairs. “It will not always be painful. When the battle between dark and light is over inside me, it will cause you no discomfort.”

  “I have no use for dark magic. It should be outlawed for all sorcerers.”

  “You feel the pain of Carvallius’s evil. It stems not from the darkness. You’re educated enough to know the difference.”

  “I do not wish for another argument on this matter. My magic is light, as is yours, and so shall it remain.”

  “Fetch our morning meal so we may be off.”

  “Can we not eat when we arrive at the castle? I daresay they will have quite a feast to welcome you.”

  Dre’Kariston’s brows drew together. “Our people are in the midst of a brutal war. There will be no feast.”

  “I think you prefer me in the role of servant,” Derwin grumbled as he headed to the other side of the cottage. Dre’Kariston wouldn’t find himself dragged into yet another argument with his familiar, and he wasn’t kept waiting long for something to break his fast. In silence, they consumed the charred meat of a rabbit Derwin cooked the night before.

  Once his belly was full, he motioned at Derwin. “Cast the spell and let us see how our people fare.”

  “Very well,” Derwin replied. He ambled over and stood next to Dre’Kariston as he cast the teleportation spell. When he opened his eyes after they shimmered to his home, Dre’Kariston was momentarily confused as to where he was. Though he was inside a castle, nothing stirred a memory. Unlike the warm, welcoming dwelling of his birth, this was a ramshackle structure with scorched stones and missi
ng walls. Not even grass grew beneath his feet, and though he was used to the chill breeze of the winter months, here it seemed icier. Dre’Kariston could almost feel the pain of all the deaths hovering in the air around him. His heart broke as his mind slowly processed the scene before him.

  “They are all gone,” Derwin shouted while running toward the front gate.

  “What is this madness?” Dre’Kariston whispered. His feet were frozen in place as he stared up at the remains of Leolinnia Castle.

  Derwin dashed through what was left of the grand wooden doors that had once allowed entry. Only minutes later, he sprinted back out to where Dre’Kariston was still standing. He grabbed Dre’Kariston’s cloak and shook him in a fashion so violent his cane rattled to the earth.

  “There’s no life inside,” Derwin exclaimed. “Where is the Grand Warlock? How could he have allowed all his people to die?”

  “Dra’Kaedan didn’t allow his people to die. It was the Cwylld and Carvallius who have done this.”

  “What will become of us?” Derwin asked as his shoulders slumped. He was still clenching Dre’Kariston’s cloak in his fists.

  “We have no choice but to hide until I am healed. Then we will find Dra’Kaedan and scour the world for our people. They cannot all be dead. I refuse to believe it.”

  “So, we are left with nothing, not even hope,” Derwin whispered brokenly.

  “Dra’Kaedan is still alive!”

  “Better off he was dead with the rest than shirking his responsibilities.”

  “Mind your manners, Derwin. That’s the Grand Warlock you speak of.”

  Derwin glared at him. Their faces were close as Derwin was the one holding Dre’Kariston upright. He said not a word but reached down with a hand to snatch up Dre’Kariston’s cane. Thrusting it toward him, Derwin teleported them back to the cottage and shoved Dre’Kariston down onto the makeshift bed he’d languished on while his people died.

  “Heal fast so we may find your beloved brother,” the familiar snarled as he stormed out of the cottage. Dre’Kariston closed his eyes and begged Fate to protect any living warlocks. Too weak to bother righting himself on the cot, Dre’Kariston found himself again awash with tears. Before slipping away into a troubled sleep, he sent Fate another request. He pleaded with her to return his twin to him, so together they could figure out what next step to take. He had no wish to be alone and yet, somehow it seemed to be his destiny.

  Chapter 3

  Present Day

  “Who else needs to let Fate know they are ready for their mate?” Idris called out. Dre’Kariston grinned at the wizard whose head was resting on the chest of his mate, Mac.

  Corwin, an Acwellan elf who’d lived at D’Vaire for several years, raised his eyes toward the ceiling of the living room where they were all gathered.

  “Oh, hey, Fate.…Remember me? Stuck in a cave for a thousand years? Still waiting for my mate. So, if you could help me out, I’d appreciate it. I’ll trust you with the details.”

  Dra’Kaedan laughed. “Nice of you to trust her, Corwin. Okay, Dre’Kariston, you need yours, so go ahead and give her your list.”

  “I think it would make more sense for me to scry and see if she’ll answer me directly with a name the way she did for you,” Dre’Kariston told his twin.

  “Fine, let’s go.”

  “I don’t suppose it could hurt,” Dre’Kariston replied with a shrug. His brother wasted no time, and once Dre’Kariston got to his feet, he looped their arms together. He set a brisk pace out of the living room, and it only took them a few minutes to arrive at Dre’Kariston’s bedroom.

  As soon as the door shut, locking them inside the space, Dra’Kaedan shook his head. “You really need to redecorate.”

  “What’s wrong with my room?”

  “Nothing. It’s beautiful. I like the silver and white—it just doesn’t suit you.”

  Dre’Kariston crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m the one who chose the colors.”

  “Duh, I know. But I don’t know who you’re trying to kid. You’ve always been closer to the dark.”

  “Are we talking about my decor or my magic?”

  Dra’Kaedan’s eyes, the same deep navy of Dre’Kariston’s, narrowed. “Since you brought up magic, let’s deal with both. I told you it would be bad if you accepted the dark path when there were only two warlocks, but now we have our cousin Scheredin. He’s light and can help me heal when necessary. What the hell are you waiting for?”

  “There are plenty of people who think dark magic is evil.”

  “And you’re too smart to be one of them. Come on, little brother. Del has become the world’s first dark wizard. You two could work together to change misconceptions about your brand of magic.” Like the young Idris, Delaney recently ascended to the highest rank in the wizard hierarchy. The two were dedicated to the Council of Sorcery and Shifters, which Dre’Kariston’s parents created before their deaths.

  Dre’Kariston blew out a breath. “It doesn’t only affect me, and calling me little is a stretch. You may be a few minutes older, but I’m taller.”

  “We’re definitely the same height,” Dra’Kaedan argued, which Dre’Kariston thought was hilarious. His twin was in total denial. “And I honestly don’t give two shits what Derwin wants. His magic comes from you. If he’s giving you crap about going dark, he’s only doing it to be an asshat.”

  “I can’t simply discount his feelings.”

  “Why not? He has no problem discounting everyone else’s. What the hell is his problem anyway? He seemed so excited when I first met him, but for the last couple of years he’s been determined to drive everyone crazy.”

  “He’d prefer a less isolated life,” Dre’Kariston confessed. The truth was, Derwin had waited several hundred years to be able to assume his title, as had Dre’Kariston. Now that they were part of Council leadership, Derwin wanted to move to Las Vegas where the other leaders were. He saw zero reason to stay at the Draconis Court of D’Vaire, even though Dre’Kariston had finally been reunited with his beloved brother and best friend. Dra’Kaedan’s mate was a dragon shifter who was best friends with their king. It was ridiculous to think Duke Brogan D’Vairedraconis would be willing to give up his family just so the tiny Coven of Warlocks could be wined and dined. And neither Dra’Kaedan nor Dre’Kariston had any desire to do so anyway.

  Dra’Kaedan frowned; then his eyes hit the floor while he tapped his foot. Dre’Kariston had no clue what he was thinking, which was odd since they were normally on the same page. After several tense minutes, Dra’Kaedan lifted his head and pinned Dre’Kariston with a hard look. “Latarian’s still out there. We’ve caught Carvallius after that jerk Sigimund resurrected them both, but it’s not safe for the two of you to leave D’Vaire. But once we find her, you guys can leave. I want you both to be happy.”

  Thanks—ironically—to Chieftain Cadlyr of the Cwylld, who Dre’Kariston loved as he was a member of his D’Vaire family, Carvallius was unconscious with one of the infamous Cwylld stones on his chest. He’d been involved in a magical accident which turned his resurrected body into a skeleton who couldn’t be executed in his current state for his crimes. They were on a mission to find a solution to not only end his life but to find a way to ensure no one resurrected him again but so far, they’d made no real progress in their quest.

  “How the fuck could I be happy anywhere else but here? I spent over six centuries hiding my magic and my name while I waited for the damn necklace I’m wearing to reunite us. Not only do I love you but everyone else here as well. I’ve never been this happy. I don’t want to leave. I won’t leave.”

  With a brilliant smile, Dra’Kaedan took two steps and enveloped Dre’Kariston in a big hug. “Thank fuck. I honestly don’t know what the hell I’d do without you,” he said once he released him.

  “You’d spend all your time fighting with Brogan.”

  “I can’t help it if my mate likes to argue.”

  “Yeah, because you never pic
k a fight yourself,” Dre’Kariston deadpanned.

  “I was born fiery. Blame Mom.”

  “Yeah, you definitely got her fire.”

  “And you got Dad’s darkness.”

  “Dad wasn’t dark,” Dre’Kariston argued.

  “It would’ve made him the first Grand Warlock to do so, and he wasn’t one to take bucking tradition lightly. But I definitely think he was drawn to it, even though he didn’t say it.”

  “How long are you going to keep trying to convince me to give up light magic?”

  “Until you do it.”

  “When I’m sure it’s the right decision—then I’ll do it. Derwin did a lot for me over the centuries, and I can’t just pretend his opinion doesn’t matter. It’s bad enough that he’s unhappy being at D’Vaire. I can’t be selfish enough to compound it by changing paths.”

  “Maybe we can figure out a way to allow him to leave D’Vaire, but it has to wait until after Latarian’s found,” Dra’Kaedan suggested.

  “I’m not sure how to do that. He doesn’t just want to leave—he wants to have a huge house with everything his heart desires inside of it, and I don’t know how the hell he expects to pay for it. I’m not going to let him take Aleksander’s money to fulfill his over-the-top dreams.” Their king, Aleksander D’Vairedraconis, had a great fortune that he was very generous with, but it wasn’t enough for Derwin. Nothing would ever be enough for the familiar who was still angry over being summoned too soon and being asked to care for Dre’Kariston. It took years to fully recover from the injuries Dre’Kariston had sustained in his battle with Carvallius and once he was well, they’d spent centuries disguising their appearance and cloaking their magic under a painful spell. The Cwylld would have killed him if they’d found him, and it would have put them one step closer to their goal of eradicating all warlocks.

  “Well, let’s wait until Latarian’s found and then see if we can find a compromise. I want all of our family to be happy, and I’m also the Grand Warlock so it’s my responsibility to see that our little coven of six is content.”