Brilliance (Circle of the Stars #4) - Sadie Jacks Page 0,6

at that,” Lukas said.

“Then he’ll get along great with Tag. He’s a former Navy Corpsman who had been installed with a Marine group.”

Lukas smiled although his expression showed his lack of understanding.

“Soldier field doctor,” I corrected.

Lukas’ face lit up. “Yeah, they’ll get along like two peas in a pod then.” He stretched out his hand. “Like I said, I’m Lukas. A bit of tagger-on to the god crew from before.”

Stretch put her hand in his. “Nice to meet you, Lukas.”

As they shook hands, Stretch’s head tipped to the side. “Your magic feels funny.”

Lukas’ eyes widened. “You can feel my magic?”

Atlas and Mason turned to him.

Stretch nodded. “Yes. Can’t you?”

The guy shook his redhead. “No.”

“What does it feel li—” Atlas began.

Mason laid a hand on the doctor’s shoulder. “Mon amie.”

Atlas’ face pinched. “Sorry.”

Stretch looked up at Lukas. “It feels like mine, kind of. But colder. I can feel it pulling at it, like it’s trying to gobble mine up.”

Lukas let her hand go. “I’m sorry, luv. No offense meant.”

Stretch smiled. “I’m not your love, and you didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Luv is a term of affection or endearment, corcra,” Drace said. “A bit like me calling you corcra or girl or babe.”

Hollyn smiled. “Oh, then that’s okay.”

Lukas returned her smile. “I’d love to talk to you about your cult. They sound like a bunch of wankers with a bit too much stuffed up where it shouldn’t be.” He winked. “And I’d know.”

Stretch lifted a finger. She looked at Drace. “Wait. Wankers is like a douche, yes?”

“Yes, corcra,” Drace said.

Stretch laughed. “Got it.” She turned back to Lukas. “And yes, they are. All of them. Horrid people who only cared what the Master said.” Her lavender eyes widened. “Oh shit sticks. I killed the Master.” She turned to look at me. “They’re all still over there. Just going on with their lives like nothing’s wrong.”

“And Merlin was using Patrick as a conduit,” Garreth said. The Asian dragon elder’s voice carried a thin thread of worry. “Could Merlin have access to the power of the Villagers?”

Stretch shook her head. “I don’t know. I just wanted Patrick gone. I didn’t care what happened to everything else.”

“Then it seems we need to go to the Village,” Jeremiah said softly. “If there are magical beings there with no guide or leader, then there is no telling what they could achieve if left to their own devices.”

Chapter 4 – Hollyn

“Honestly, if they’re all dead, I’m kinda okay with that.” I winced when I heard the words pop out of my mouth. I hadn’t meant to share that particular thought. Now everyone was probably thinking that I was no better than the Village assholes.

Grumpy pulled me against his chest. “We’re all okay with that. But in the interest of making sure they aren’t up to any tricks, I vote we go see what’s going on.”

I sighed. At least my men were okay with my bloodthirsty side. I shouldn’t have doubted them.

Jeremiah nodded, his shaggy hair flapping against his cheeks. “Yes. Do you travel by Gateway or directly?”

I shrugged. “I’ve only traveled out of the Village, so I don’t know how to go back in.”

Thane stepped forward. “She was able to pierce the magic at Center Point Park. I suggest we go back there and try to enter.”

**

Everyone, including the elders, agreed. It took close to twenty minutes to get everyone to the park, but we managed. And since no one wanted me or the triplets going in by ourselves, we had to wait.

We stood in the sunshine at the edge of the park. I lifted my face to the warm glow as the bustling city moved by me at a frenetic pace. Closing my eyes, I sank into the feeling of the air brushing through my hair, sliding over my skin.

I was so sick and tired of waiting. Tired of having my life dictated by other people. I’d thought I’d escaped that when I left the Village the first time. Now I had even more people telling me what to do.

I pushed aside my impatience and frustration. At least they weren’t trying to rape me or kill me. That was a bonus that couldn’t be overlooked.

There were times I missed the tranquility of the Village. Or at least the valley itself. The mountains, lakes, wide open spaces without so many people and machines.

Someone let loose a loud honk of his horn, destroying even the façade of peace. I glared at the passing car, felt the anger bubble up inside