Path Of The Broken

12. Consequence-2

Kyle controlled his impatience and concentrated on his breathing exercises. Now was not the time to show any kind of negligence towards his morning routine. Joanna granting him permission to the grounds of the estate was a victory—a small one, but still a win. If Joanna suspected even a hint of an ulterior motive in him, that small concession would be rescinded.

If he was honest with himself, in the beginning he’d had his bad days, days it had terrified him that the toxin was rising in him again. Uncontrollable power would surge into him, at levels he’d never experienced. His concentration had shattered under the assault, with pain and madness consuming him. As his control would slip, he would sink into darkness. It was Joanna that would force him into unconsciousness during those periods. She’d informed him the surges in the veil were a part of transition. He was changing, and right now his body and mind couldn’t take the overload of power. For her care and help during those dark days he was grateful. Kyle shuddered thinking of the damage he could have inflicted, out of his mind and in pain due to power fluctuations.

Yet now he was doing much better, and even the power surges didn’t knock him around as much anymore. But having lived a life, until now, of doing pretty much what he wanted when he wanted to do it, he was chafing under the restrictions. Inexplicably Joanna, who was perfectly reasonable about most other topics, turned possessive in the extreme about him. She would not consent to releasing him, she had maintained that standpoint every time it had come up. If the topic was pushed, unchecked fury would rise in her.

He realised Joanna could be the sweetest, most compassionate person, and she would have been an incredible queen. Yet there was a part of her that had broken in the Sundered attack all those years ago. In her mind he could see she tied releasing him to her inability to protect and defend Alex in that clearing all those years ago. Others trying to force her to release him spiked those memories. She would not abandon him the way she had abandoned Alex.

Kyle’s eyes flew open as the floor under him rumbled and a loud explosion sounded. He pulled the veil around himself, reaching out to that cupboard where he knew she kept his weapons and drawing them to him through the veil—a trick he’d have to consider when he had time. Grateful that when she had relaxed her compulsions to allow him into the grounds she hadn’t restricted his weapon use to the practice room, he dropped into the open space outside the estate house, appearing behind Joanna. One part of his brain noted that she was not fighting alone, but was still outnumbered. He noticed with concern that she was not a strong fighter, with Edward forced into a more defensive posture to protect her.

The next thing he recognised was that she and those with her were facing off against attackers who were all using the power. These foes might be more skilled in the use of the veil, but their blade work was shocking. His grin turned hard as he realised none of the attackers were paying any attention to him. They had sensed his arrival, but they didn’t see him as the more immediate threat. More fool them.

Kyle drew the veil into himself while jumping into the battle, his blades a blur, moving in long-familiar patterns—except this time he also drew on his experience with the veil to help him fight, making himself faster and stronger. He willed the veil to take shape even as he struck with his blade, and a barrier like a shield formed in front of him. He braced himself for the metaphysical blow that struck his shield and absorbed the shock while lashing out with his knife.

That won’t be enough to kill him, Kyle. He will heal even something you would normally consider a mortal wound.

Kyle ignored Joanna’s panicked advice, and with an effort he tried to shield himself from the distraction her concern caused. It was something he already knew from previous fights with the Sundered. It was a little irritating, but unless you were careful, they would not stay down. Still, the physical blow was enough to cause his unsuspecting target to stagger back. He paused for a moment, concentrating on healing himself. Kyle used the opportunity to slice through his opponent’s neck. With the force of the veil bound around his blade and enhancing his strength, his blade cut though his adversary’s neck and spine like butter.

“Heal that!”

Kyle staggered as a blow struck him. He shook his head, trying to recover his balance, he turned to see a shaft of twined green, silvery-grey coming straight at his head. Reacting on instinct he threw his hand up, reinforcing what he thought of as his shield. It seemed the attackers had realised their mistake and half of them had turned on him. He staggered back, trying to hold back veil attacks coming at him from several fronts against people who were more experienced at utilising the veil than he was.

Joanna’s panic flood into his mind, confusion welling up and tremors wracking his body. He almost groaned out loud; this was not the time for Joanna to interfere.

Joanna, please stop!

Kyle fell to his knees, battling to maintain his concentration and shield against multiple attackers raining blows on his shield. He saw a feral snarl and a gleam of triumph in the eyes of his opponents.

Kyle's eyes widened as he felt the ripple through the veil, a sure sign that someone was incoming. This was a signature he recognised, yet far stronger than he could believe.

Relief hit him.

Alex.

The incoming power was Alex.