Free Emanate: Insight Series ((Insight) Web of Hearts and Souls) by Jamie Magee

Livingston was possessed by her essence; she was drugging him with the perfume she wore. I made my move. Made sure he saw it, saw her response. We fought. Nearly to the death. Jason stood between us. In the end, each of us convinced Livingston that she was toying with him, manipulating him. He agreed to wait until his soul called him to find someone. He swore to me if his beacon led to her, he would end my life the moment after he brought her home.”
    “It le d to Beth,” I said, almost to myself.
    He bowed as if he were accepting applause.
    “You just told me Rampart Warriors do not seek soul mates.”
    “Most , yes. Some, though, have no choice. They feel a burn. The worst pain you could fathom. It is a fated call, meaning that the life of a Rampart has asked them to leave the borders they felt called to defend to create more defenders. Those warriors know that the women they are called to will no doubt bring forth the next generation of warriors, that they will continue to defend our world.”
    “So it’ s not rare?”
    “Apparently not for the Chambers and Haywood bloodlines . Most that feel pulled away do not do so until they are staring the age of thirty in the eye. Imagine the upset this world felt when myself, Jason, Ashten, and Livingston all backed away with a fevering burn at the infant age of twenty. This world knew then that war was imminent.”
    “Is that when you decided to tell my father of my fate? When he swore not to conceive me?” I said , still jaded that he would accuse the noblest man I had ever known of such a thing.
    “I told him that when we were twelve, then again at fifteen. By then, he was already called to the role of a Rampart Warrior…by then, it was easy to speak such words.”
    “Words he forgot.”
    Justus smirked as his deep gray eyes narrowed on me. “It is my understanding that women have a way of making you forget your convictions. Some with a mere glance.”
    He was making my head spin. I felt like the floor was moving , even though I was standing still. None of this made sense to me, but deep down I felt a withering voice begging me to listen to it. To understand all of this.
    “I still see no need for warriors in Chara.”
    “You live in the safe haven of the warriors’ personal homes. Do you honestly think that you would see war from your front porch? Or even hear whispers of its approach?”
    “You don’t have to be a smart ass.”
    He adjusted his stance, clearly holding back his anger. “Then let me be blunt, Sovereign. When you walked through the gates of Chara for the first time, you did nothing less than ensure the end of time. With nothing more than a glance, you had seized the heart of the most powerful warrior known to live—and you didn’t stop there. Within a month’s time, you pulled more warriors from the line and led them to lovers. You created a pattern, a warning. Surely, you have felt the honor the world gives you. Surely, you have noticed how their gaze, when aimed at you, reflects nothing but humbleness. They are seeking salvation. Salvation that will not come if the war within you remains.”
    “The war within me ceased with the last trial. I’m at peace.”
    “No. The war of your soul and ego has just begun.” His eyes glided slowly across my body. “It’s time to wake up, Sovereign. Because if you do not, you will never ascend to the life plan before you.”
    Before I could respond , the air in the room grew frigid; it was a cold that I knew all too well. The shadows across the wall began to move, and sadistic whispers echoed around us.
    Justus stood at attention , immediately moving to protect me, but before he reached me ash wings invaded my line of sight. Donalt. I never saw his face clearly, but I would know him anywhere. No reflex in existence could have been fast enough to move out of his way. I felt his hand on my stomach. I felt ice soar through me and my breath leave. Something sprayed across my face, and the instant it did