Sorcerer: Betrayal: Power of Air (Book 4) by D. L. Harrison

choice. 
    “More than that, if at least one of the council lives, maybe
the vampire nation won’t go crazy.  I don’t want to be responsible for all the
vampires that would go rogue without someone there to put the fear of death in
them to keep them in line.
    “Lastly, I’ll let you live simply because Diana loved you
like a daughter loves her mother, and would have wished it.”
    I shook my head, “I’ll stop by tomorrow, and you can let me
know.”
    I just couldn’t talk to her anymore right now.  I was too
angry, and at the same time numb and empty.  I felt helpless, because there was
nothing I could do to undo what happened in that elevator.  It was absolutely
stifling.  I didn’t think Ceara was doing that much better to be honest, we
both needed time to come to terms.
    I wrapped myself in the power of air, and bade it take me
home…
     

Chapter 9
    Thursday, June 9 th , 2016, 2:16 PM
    “ Why are we here Ben?” Aitheria asked softly.
    Her hand caressed my cheek gently as she stood on my
shoulder.  It felt like a warm caring breeze.
    “Ria.  I killed her.  I’ve killed before, self-defense,
protecting others.  But this… I don’t know what to do with this.  I should
have…”
    Aitheria sent, “ It isn’t your fault.  It wasn’t her fault
either.  The guilty parties are already dead, by your will and magic.  Why are
we here?”
    I sighed, and looked around my apartment.  It already looked
dusty.  I’d meant to go back to the pack house, but a part of me didn’t.  So I
ended up here. 
    “Do you suppose she is with him now… her mate that died so
long ago?”
    Aitheria didn’t have an answer, though I really didn’t
expect one.
    I finally answered her question, “The pack is throwing a
barbeque, remember?  I just didn’t want to ruin things and bring everyone
down.  The truth is I’m not entirely sure why.  We’ll go soon.”
    Aitheria was silent, but she was still a comfort.  I hadn’t
lost anyone I really cared about since my mother.  I considered using my fire
magic to suppress my emotions, but knew that would be a bad idea and cause more
harm in the long run.  Finally, I said out loud what I was thinking.
    “She knew Ria.  She knew me, and she knew what I would do. 
She didn’t ignore my warning not to touch, she counted on it.  She… it was her
choice.  It was the only way she could follow the council’s orders, and save me
at the same time.  Why didn’t I see that before, why didn’t I look?”
    Aitheria sent in a whisper, “ Because you’d have never
done what the council did.  Using a woman to kill the man she loves, because
she is oath bound.  It never would’ve even entered your mind to use someone in
such a foul way, not even as a jest. ”
    I stayed in the apartment for an hour, and let my grief run,
and took comfort from my oldest companion Ria.  It was hardly enough, and it
would be a while before I was back to being myself, but eventually I had to
pull myself together, and get home.  I knew the pack had worked a half day
today after laying a foundation.  Most of the pack would be there already,
including Sierra.
    I pulled the power from the air around me and had it take me
home, this time to my new home where I belonged.
     
    It seemed as if I couldn’t do anything right today. 
    As soon as I appeared in the yard, I was swarmed by the pack
who gave me supporting and comforting looks, touches, and hugs.  Even Carrie
who was still wary of men outside of her mate gave me a tight hug.  It hadn’t
even occurred to me until now that the pack would feel my emotional state over
the bond.  I should have blocked it, or at least, muted it.
    No one asked me what happened, but I could see the question
in all of their eyes as I looked around.  Then my thoughts stuttered as I saw
Aiya there as well, looking at me worriedly while holding Todd’s hand.  I
almost smiled, guess it was getting serious.  How the hell could I tell them
now, with a