The Umbra King (Vincula Realm Book 1)

“She’s my Aeternum,“ Caius said as he slammed open Samyaza’s door. “Did you know?”

The Angel’s shirt disappeared from his torso and reappeared in his hand. “I suspected.”

Caius fought the urge to rip off Sam’s wings. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

An Aeternum was a Royal’s eternal mate.

“I didn’t know for sure,” Sam said as his pants were magically replaced by pajama bottoms. “Had I told you my suspicions, and they were wrong, you would have been devastated.”

It was true. When Adila locked Caius in Vincula, he feared he would never meet his Aeternum. Once born, it was guaranteed the Royal would meet their mate by the time the Aeternum was twenty-five. He didn’t know if the rule still applied to him since he was banished from Erdikoa, and no one knew what happened if an aeternum died before meeting the royal. It’s never happened before.

“I refused to disappoint you after all you have been through,” Sam replied.

“You could have found out. All you had to do was ask if she could see color!” Caius boomed, unable to control his rage. “It was that simple, Sam, and you just, what? Decided I didn’t deserve her?”

Sam was across the room in a flash and shoved Caius against the wall. “Never question my loyalty to you again. Grey-scale sight is not exclusive to Aeternums, and I knew you would touch her, eventually.”

Aeternums were born with grey-scale sight, and when they met their destined Royal, they saw them in color. Once they touched, the Aeternum’s grey-scale sight lifted, confirming the bond.

Caius slumped against the wall. “My nightmares were getting worse,” he said, his voice strained. “I should have known.”

Only they weren’t nightmares. When a mate was in danger, the other received a vision. It was to help them protect one another. Caius’ life had never been in danger, sparing Rory the horror of one.

As Caius knew all too well, visions were as close to being there as one could get without being present. The mate sees the event as it happens through their mate’s eyes, though often times it was blurry.

Sam laid his massive hand on Caius’ shoulder. “You had no way of knowing, but now that you do, what are you going to do about it?”

Caius could use his friend’s support, but he already knew what Sam would say. “I’m not telling her.”

Sam’s hand dropped. “It is not like you to be stupid.”

Caius glared at his friend. “She hates me, and until that no longer holds true, there is no point in telling her.” Another thought occurred to him. “Why didn’t you tell me the executed inmate attacked Rory?”

“His death was reported to me,” Sam replied. “His throat was ripped out of his body and lying on his chest. I did not want you doing something stupid, and he was already dead. It did not matter.”

“Her safety matters,” Caius growled. “Do not keep things from me again.”

Sam’s voice was hard when he said, “Control your temper, and I won’t.”

Rory trailed Max through the gardens as he worked, touching every colorful flower she could. Seeing the colors of souls was nothing compared to seeing the colors of the realms.

“Max, what’d you do to land yourself here?”

The old man continued pruning the bush he was working on. “Broke a bastard’s legs with my shovel.” His tone was unsettlingly casual.

Rory squatted beside him and pulled at a few weeds. “Why?”

“My wife’s leg was mangled in a vehicle accident. Even with a cane, she walked with a limp.” He sat back and wiped his hands on his pants. “A young man not much older than you walked by our house.” He looked at Rory’s surprised face. “We lived in the Munin compound.” That made sense. Most people lived in apartments, and the houses were all on the outskirts of town, primarily in the compounds.

Rory’s eyes were saucers. Max didn’t seem antisocial, nor did she ever expect a Munin to be violent.

“He called my wife a name I will never repeat. Our front yard was small, and it didn’t take many steps to get to him. I swung my shovel and broke his legs, so he’d know what it felt like to be in my wife’s shoes. I leaned over him and told him something for only his ears to ensure he never spoke about her again.” He shrugged. “I’ve been here for three years. My time will be up next month.”

Rory tried to unpack his confession. “What did you say?”

“That I would slam my shovel into his prized jewels if he so much as looked in her direction.” He returned to his work. “And I meant it.”

Rory coughed to hide her laugh, and she saw his lips twitch. “And you’re almost out of here? That’s great news!” She deflated, the weight of his departure growing by the minute. “I’m sure your wife misses you.”

He nodded. “I miss her every day. If I didn’t lose my memory, I would check in on that mother of yours.” He looked up with kind eyes. “You are good, Rory, and she deserves to know that.”

Rory patted his arm, unable to form words. Instead, she reached forward and plucked more weeds. They worked in a comfortable silence until a loud whistle pierced the air.

They both turned to find Asher and Bellina winding their way along the path with big smiles on their faces. “I told Asher your sight was fixed, and he insisted on coming to see for himself,” Bellina said as they approached.

Rory stood and wiped her hands on her pants before offering a hand to Max. “You can’t see through my eyes,” she teased.

“No, but I can quiz you. What color is this?” Asher asked, pointing to his green shirt.

She tinkered out a laugh. “Green. Happy now?”

He picked her up in a bear hug. “Congratulations! Bellina said the king fixed it?” Rory grinned widely. He reminded her of Keith.

“Yes. I’m as surprised as you are,” she replied. “Had I known he possessed the ability, I would have announced my grey-scale sight the moment I landed in the throne room.”

Bellina placed a hand on Rory’s arm. “We’re going out to celebrate.”

Rory’s stomach flipped. She’d avoided the town since her attack, especially since news of Ronny’s death spread, but Bellina looked happy, and Rory couldn’t help but give in. “Sounds good.”

Asher smiled, and Rory’s gaze caught on his hair. Her mouth parted in awe as she stepped forward and ran her hands through it. “Auburn,” she whispered. “It’s beautiful.”

She would never know Asher’s reply because he was ripped back and slammed to the ground. Rory and Bellina screamed, and Max pulled them both back.

Everyone looked around for the attacker, but no one was there. The garden was completely abandoned and there were no retreating footsteps to be heard. Rory ran to Asher and kneeled beside him. “Are you okay?”

He was gulping for air between coughs as he rolled over onto his stomach. Pushing up to his knees, his head swiveled to search the gardens. “Someone grabbed me,” he stammered. “I felt their hands on me.”

“There was no one there,” Bellina insisted, and her voice was bordering on hysterical, but Rory was calm as she watched shadows swirl and dissolve.

She knew exactly who did it, and her eyes scanned the garden for the king.

That evening, Rory, Bellina, and Max stepped through the palace gates to meet Cat, Tallent, and Kit. They were going out for dinner and drinks, and Rory was excited to see them in person.

They were walking down the sidewalk, talking excitedly, when a man stepped in front of them. It took her a moment to place him, but then she recognized him from the throne room. Bruce Stewart, Rory remembered.

“Are you Aurora Raven? The Butcher?” he asked.

Lo appeared out of thin air, surging forward from the shadows, and growled. Asher jumped back and glared at the cat before turning his attention back to the man.

Bruce backed up and held his hands up, eyeing the beast wearily. “I mean no harm.” He looked back at Rory. “Are you?”

“I am.” How did he not know? She was certain the inmates would have filled him in, warning him to avoid her.

The man’s eyes shined, and he took a step forward with his arms spread wide. Lo released a vicious growl and pounced on his chest as Asher tugged Rory back and Max stepped in front of Bellina. Rory huffed. While she appreciated their protectiveness, she could defend herself.

“I was going to hug her,” Bruce cried. “I swear! She saved my daughter!” Lo’s lips pulled over her teeth in a lethal snarl.

“Wait!” Rory yelled. “Lo, don’t hurt him, please.”

Lo stood over him and refused to let him up, and Rory walked around to peer down at the man.

“Your daughter?” she asked.

He nodded vigorously. “Her name is Sera. A man, one of your victims, tried to rape her, but you stopped him. She recognized your face on the news.”

Rory’s hand flew to her mouth. She always wondered what happened to those she saved, but for obvious reasons, could never seek them out. People surrounded them now to watch the spectacle.

“Lo, let him up,” Rory commanded.

The panther huffed and backed up. She planted herself at Rory’s side and watched Bruce’s every move. He stood, stepped away from the giant cat, and held out his hand. “I wanted to thank you. My wife died when Sera was a child, and she’s all I have left.” Rory shook his hand as he continued, “I did what I could to get here, to thank you. She wanted me to thank you for her, too.”

“You came to Vincula on purpose?” someone in the crowd asked incredulously.

Bruce turned. “She is a hero,” he told them, pointing at Rory. He turned back to her. “Sera tells whoever will listen. She is determined to clear your name.”

“I don’t know what to say,” Rory babbled, too shocked to form coherent thoughts.

Bruce shook his head. “If you need anything while I’m here, it’s yours. My family will forever be indebted to you.”

It was Rory’s turn to shake her head. “That’s unnecessary, but thank you.”

She turned to her friends and motioned with her head to leave. Her emotions were all over the place, and she needed to be away from prying eyes. Asher ushered her through the crowd as they watched her.

She glanced back at Bruce. He reminded her why her crimes were something she should be proud of.

As the group waited for Tallent, Cat, and Kit at the bar, Max looked down at Lo sitting next to Rory’s chair and chuckled. “Feisty little thing, aren’t you?”

The cat nipped at his hand and rubbed against Rory’s leg. She hadn’t told her friends about the attack at the lake, and since Lo didn’t plan on leaving her side, she needed to.

“I think I know why she won’t leave,” Rory stated. The others looked at her expectantly. “I was at the lake a few nights ago, and Ronny attacked me. Lo killed him.”

Bellina gasped, Max looked unbothered, and Asher’s tan skin turned white. “What?” Bellina screeched. She looked at Lo. “I thought he was executed for breaking the law?”

The day after Lauren questioned Rory, Samyaza called a town meeting and informed everyone of Ronny’s death, stating he was executed. He never said where Ronny was found. Rory knew he was mauled by Lo, and it struck her as odd.

The panther swished her tail. “Everyone thinks you wouldn’t hurt a fly,” Asher accused.

Rory looked pointedly at Asher. “I told you she was vicious.”

“Why are you so calm?” Asher asked Max.

The old man shrugged. “I’m not surprised.”

Bellina leaned forward and lowered her voice. “Why would the commander lie?”

“He didn’t,” Max said, glancing at Lo. “He attacked Rory, and he died because of it. They never said at whose hand.”

Lo stepped toward Max and licked his pant leg, and he shook his leg at her. The others busted up laughing, and Bellina looked at Lo appreciatively. “I didn’t know you had it in you.”

Lo yawned and laid her head on her front paws. Max’s blasé expression turned serious. “You don’t need to go anywhere alone outside of the palace.”

Rory knew that, and she hated the fact. “This is the first time I’ve been to town since.”

“Don’t leave the palace without one of us,” Bellina said, pointing between her and Max.

“I would say call me if you need me to walk you, but we don’t have phones,” Asher lamented.

“I won’t leave the palace alone,” she promised. “Now, can we enjoy our night?”

As if on cue, Cat popped up beside them with Tallent in tow. “Kit will be here in a half hour.” She looked at their glasses. “Where’s mine?”

Tallent steered her toward the bar. “You can get your own drink.” He waved at the table. “We’ll be right back.”

Nina sidled up next to Tallent and Cat at the bar and smiled politely. Something she said made Tallent laugh, and Cat shook her head. Nina’s face was beautiful when she smiled. Would Rory still be Nina’s enemy if she wasn’t The Butcher who caught Caius’ attention?

Nina spotted her staring, and the woman’s stance transformed, promising violence. Something about Nina had gone from nasty to downright sinister, and it sent chills down Rory’s spine.

Shaking off the unease, Rory turned back to the table with a smile and raised her glass. “To my no longer fucked up vision.”