“Until a point we can. The moment the doppelganger stepped into the picture, everything changed, and maybe part of it was her, but most of it, I’m willing to bet, was Gerard. She’s more afraid of him than in love with him, but she doesn’t realize it yet.”
“How do you know?” she asked.
He let out a breath. “She was pregnant at the time she met Gerard. Barely. And he convinced her it was his. And in a way, with his taint, he is more Gerard’s than Mark’s.”
“Mark has a child?” Gina asked.
“He’s an adult now. She named him Valen. But he’s never met Mark. And he is loyal to his father, though he’s been a complete disappointment to Gerard,” Robert explained.
“I wonder how he’ll take that news,” Gina muttered.
“How about the fact his parents were training Mark to become the next high priest? We’re missing pieces of the puzzle,” Robert explained. “I need more information to figure out what was really going on.”
“Does that part matter?” Gina asked.
“May explain why he was targeted. Of course, it’s up to Mark whether or not I dig into his memories.
The fact he wanted Mark’s permission gave her comfort. “Sorry.”
“For?” Robert asked.
“Wondering if what you did was right.”
Robert ran his hands down his lapels. “Some situations call for extreme measures. This was one of those cases. She wants to figure out where you live so she can follow you back to Mark. Either to help the doppelganger or to warn Mark. She doesn’t even know what she wants more.”
“Where are they?” she asked.
“Their old home. They had abandoned it until the investigation was over. They came back months after. They’ve been there ever since. In fact, she still lives in the home she lived in with Mark. And the worst part is that those things are reverting back to their natural form, which means they will need to find a new person to become soon. And with Mark still being alive, Gerard will go after Mark again.”
“And Kindra is stupid enough to give him anything he wants?”
He nodded slowly. “Part of that is being brainwashed. Gerard got into her head, messed with her memories. Then he bound himself to her so thoroughly, she believes she loves him. It’s not real, but she doesn’t understand. And if we don’t stop this cycle, she will become one of them.”
“I want her dead,” Gina hissed. “She knowingly let that thing try to take Mark’s life, and now she wants to do it again. No way in hell do I want to let that happen.”
“You don’t want her to suffer?” Robert asked.
Shaking her head, she backed away. “No, because there is always the chance they could escape again. If that happens, the cycle starts again. I’d rather have her truly dead where she can’t harm anyone else.”
Robert nodded. “That’s a relief. You’re less about revenge, than preventing worse.”
She blew out a breath. “I won’t lie, revenge is tempting. But I don’t want anyone else suffering because I want to prove a point.”
Robert smiled. “I knew I could trust you. Now we should get back before Mark freaks out. Hopefully Tremaine kept him calm.”
Preston chucked. “Doubtful. I’m sure he’s pissed right now.”
“Then it’s good I left my phone behind,” Robert answered.
* * * *
The sun blared in Kindra’s eyes. She blinked. Sitting in the car, the windows down, the beach before her. And no recollection of how she got there. She sat up straight and tried to remember what happened to the woman she was supposed to meet.
Details slowly came back to her. She’d driven to Neah Bay on the tip of Washington’s peninsula.
Jada Tolon was married to Matt Tolon. They were both werewolves, and happy. Anders had become Matt, giving up all he had with Kindra.
And the small part of her mind spoke up, All your fault.
Maybe it was. She had stabbed Anders to protect Gerard, but she couldn’t remember why now. Had it been her choice? She didn’t think it had been.
And something seemed wrong with her memory about Jada. Similar to how memories surrounding Gerard always seemed off.
Everything was fuzzy. Maybe she needed to leave it all behind and figure out what she really wanted, what she truly thought.
Chapter 10
The second Gina disappeared, Mark was on his feet, marching into the kitchen. Sure enough, they were gone. He spun around and glared at Tremaine. “Where did Robert take Gina?”
One corner of Tremaine's mouth tipped up. “I’m guessing to meet with Kindra where Gina is less likely to slaughter her.”
“You think Gina would slaughter Kindra?” Mark balked.
“Yes.”
Druciela smirked. “Oh yes, definitely. I saw the look in her eyes when you started to explain what happened to you.”
Mark rubbed at his face. That didn’t make sense. He’d never gotten the sense she would be that protective. She was always the one he wanted to protect. But when he thought about it, that wasn’t fair.
“At least you’re smart enough to see how you view her.” One of Druciela’s brows arched. “You need to change that. Gina is a lot stronger than anyone gives her credit for. Her mate is in danger. And she’s a werewolf.”
Mark nodded slowly.
Tremaine leaned forward. “Relax. Robert won’t let anything happen to her. And I’m sure he picked Preston up on the way. You need to trust him, even if not her.”
“I trust Gina more than anything. Can you blame me for worrying?” Mark demanded. “She was taken by vampires for two days. Someone attempted to make her something else, and another entity stepped in.”
Tremaine sat up straighter, looking Mark in the eye. “Which won’t last. Look, things are going to change for her. Possibly you. And until I get some clarification, I don’t want to worry you further. So let’s focus on what you know about Gerard and the other doppelgangers. Because I have a feeling they aren’t going to wait long to find you.”
Mark turned to Druciela. “Anything you need, you got it. And I hope someone watches over you while you’re in there with them, so we can get you out.”
She smiled. “I’m sure one of our mage friends can cover that, but I was already given this.” She held up the talisman. “And I’m not terribly concerned for the moment. I need to go over there and see what I can learn first, and it will be best if I drive, so it looks less suspicious.”
Mark rubbed a hand through his hair. “And you need to come up with why you would want to try a coven after so long of being away from one.”
“There’s another very easy explanation.” She glanced around before shrugging. “I came from another coven that suffered a terrible fate and I’m looking for another. It will make me seem smart and powerful enough for them to let me in. They may also hope for survivors, in which case, I can lead them to a group who could determine who is a safe witch and who was a doppelganger.”
“Did you come from a coven?” Mark asked.
She nodded slowly. “Yes, but I was not happy there. I chose to leave when I was young. The politics behind a coven were drilled into my head. I’ll be able to convince them.”
“You plan to lure them somewhere?” Tremaine asked.
She tipped her head back and forth. “If it’s necessary, yes. I suppose we’ll see what I find when I go out there.”
“If I can think of anything else useful about the people I knew, I’ll share, but it’s been ages, and I have done everything in my power not to think about any of them.”
“I can’t say I blame you,” Druciela offered. “They didn’t listen to you, preferring to believe you were crazy.”
“Something like that.” He rubbed at his face and let out a sigh. It was a part of his life he had left behind. No good could come from dwelling on a past that didn’t want him.
“Is there anyone you hope is okay in your coven?”
He
sighed. “I don’t wish them ill, but I don’t give a shit about any of them. They told me I was foolish to assume the worst. Things were changing for the better.” He paced away. “How long do you think they’ll be?”
Tremaine glanced at his watch. “I doubt long. Give them time.”
“How much time?” Mark asked, though there wasn’t much bite.
“Till they get back,” Druciela suggested. “Relax.”
“I’m trying.”
“When she gets back with Robert, Druciela can go to Brightwater Bay. I’ll take you and Gina to someone who might be able to give us more answers.”
“About?”
“Badb and the doppelgangers.”
“Why do you make it sound as if they go together?” Mark asked.
Druciela leaned forward. “That’s what I’d like to know.”
Tremaine picked up his phone. “Toryn, maybe Morrigan can explain later. You’ll need to do your part. But I do know the doppelgangers definitely need to be found and stopped.”
Mark couldn’t concentrate for shit beyond that point. He’d stare out the window a few minutes, pace, pretend to drink his coffee. The longer she was gone, the worse the worry became.
The last thing his nerves needed was her disappearing after being gone two days. His wolf was uneasy having her away, even if Mark knew it was only for a short time.
There was a pop and he spun to find Gina moving to him. She wore a look of rage on her face, one that got him hard in an instant. He closed the distance and captured her face, his tongue delving into her mouth as she thrust her fingers into his hair, holding him to her as they devoured each other.
Robert cleared his throat. Mark growled as he leaned back, then turned to Robert. “At least warn me before taking her out of here.”
Robert held eye contact. “So you could protest? No, I did what needed to be done to get information we needed. And I’m lucky Gina didn’t tear her apart, because she wanted to after digging into Kindra’s mind.”
He glanced back at Gina. There was a vicious glint in her eyes. “She’s a fool. One who threw you away because she was too stupid to see what she had. She let someone fuck with her head and turn her away from you.”
“What?” Mark asked, the air leaving his lungs.
Preston chuckled but kept quiet.
Robert nodded slowly. “She was weak-willed from the beginning. She loved you, but her parents warped her perception of you. Then Gerard came into the picture, twisting her thoughts further. I don’t even think she knows what she wants anymore.”
“She can’t have Mark,” Gina hissed.
He turned and pulled her into his arms. Threading his fingers into her hair, he captured her gaze. “No one will ever replace you.”
She pushed out a breath. “You have a son, Mark.”
He held on tighter. “That doesn’t change a damned thing. I’m glad he lived after I tried to kill her, but if he threatens you or anyone else in Edenton, then it doesn’t matter. He’s grown up believing Gerard is his father, and if he’s loyal to that thing, well, there’s not a damned thing I can do about that.”
Robert cleared his throat. “I’m not sure what Valen would decide. He’s definitely loyal to his mother, but he doesn’t seem to trust Gerard. He seems to be deteriorating the same as Gerard. But I believe Kindra will choose whatever way her son does. So if we can convince him you’re his father, maybe we can stop the process.”
Tremaine nodded. “There is a way. There are only two cases I found where that happened. If we can get him away from the rest of them, we may be able to alter his course. Otherwise, he becomes one of those things, draining lives to stay alive.”
“If we can save him, we should,” Mark said. “Even if that means getting Kindra away from them. I just won’t have her in my home.”
“There’s more, Kindra is on her way to becoming one. I think her being away from the doppelgangers for two weeks removed some of the taint.” Robert rubbed his chin. “I’m not sure, but something is changing inside her, and she seems to understand and wants to stop it, but I’m not sure she has the resolve to do it.”
Robert focused on Mark again. “I want to go into your memories to figure out more of the puzzle. It seems your parents were preparing you to either take over the coven or save it.”
Mark snorted. “You can try, but the coven has always kept me in the dark. My parents included,” Mark answered.
“Still, you probably picked up more information than you realize,” Robert explained. “I can likely find it in your subconscious memory.”
“Go for it,” Mark answered.
Druciela hopped up. “I’ll let you get to that. I’m going to drive over, and I’ll call if I have questions. Let me know if you find something that could help me.”
“You have my word,” Mark answered.
Druciela ducked out the door.
Robert touched Mark’s shoulder. “Sit, please.”
Mark took a seat on the couch.
“Can I go in?” Gina asked.
A smile spread on Mark’s lips. “I have nothing to hide from you.”
Robert let out a breath. “Maybe not, but you will need to deal with the memories we uncover. I have a feeling you may have buried something important, possibly difficult to process.”
“Let her in. If she can manage not to kill Kindra after being in her head, it will make it easier to discuss what you uncover.”
Robert glanced at Gina and back. “If you’re sure.”
“I am. Otherwise, I may stay in denial. So let her jump in and have her there to keep me from that stupid shit.”
Gina sat down beside Mark.
“You’re completely sure?” Robert shook his head, clearly unconvinced.
“Yes,” Mark assured.
He closed his eyes. Robert and Gina touched his forehead.
Mark was thrust so far into his past he was just an infant in a cradle.
Mama and Dada stood there, quietly talking. Their words were soothing, lulling his young self to sleep. But he stood there as an adult with Robert on one side and Gina on the other, looking at them.
Mama murmured, “He’s the one who will save our coven. You’ve seen the prophecies.”
“Will he want that?” Dada asked.
“As long as we can keep him from the Churnskis’ girl. They’ll brainwash her into pushing things where they shouldn’t go.”
“He doesn’t have to be a saint to become the high priest.”
“No, but we don’t want him corrupted by a drive for power either. Anders is our sweet angel.”
Mark flinched at the name Anders. Then again, he was uncomfortable listening to the conversation. And still, he couldn’t exactly walk away when they needed the information.
And it was news to him that his parents wanted him to become high priest.
Dad shook his head. “The vision showed him with Kindra.”
“The vision also showed the downfall of the coven before he found a way to save them.”
“Didn’t show him as the high priest. It showed him as something else.”
“I choose to believe he can save our people as a witch.” Mom reached out toward him as a baby, and his little hand wrapped around her finger. “He doesn’t have to lose his magic, which would allow him to lead.”
Dad wrapped his arms around her from behind and kissed her shoulder. “Darling, we can only do our best to prepare him. Whether or not he becomes our leader.”
She sighed. “I want my boy happy, but Kindra will be his downfall.”
“And sometimes we have to make our own mistakes to learn from them,” Dad answered. “You’re right, though. The Churnskis are a problem.”
“Wish we could take him away and come back when it was time,” she muttered.
“Me too, but you and I both know the coven will never accept him if we do that,” Dad answered.
Mark muttered, “They never really
did.”
Robert moved them forward. Gina took his hand, looking up at him with a sad smile. “You okay?”
He nodded.
“Your parents knew you were powerful.”
“Or was it all wishful thinking?” Mark asked.
Robert’s eyes twinkled as he shook his head. “Not wishful thinking. They’re talking about prophecy. I remember the prophecy.”
“Prophecy?” Mark asked.
“We stored it in archives. I can find it for you,” Robert offered.
“How?”
“We found it when searching the town for survivors, while Tremaine got you out of there.”
Gina looked from Robert, to Preston. “But you didn’t find anyone.”
Preston shook his head. “No. But we found evidence of the doppelgangers’ victims. Only we had hoped it was the doppelgangers who had died, while the witches had fled. The bodies we found were like those described when you first saw them.”
“And no one checked since then?” she demanded.
“I went back a few times over a year. There was no trace. We didn’t know much about doppelgangers, so no, we never went back.” Robert shook his head and shrugged. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine.” Mark ran a hand through his hair.
Robert nodded in front of him. A scene unfolded before him. He was a teenager, sitting on his bed, studying a book on balance and magic.
Kindra climbed through the window and moved to the bed. “What are you reading?”
He smiled up at her. “About balance.”
“Boring,” she sing-songed, taking the book and setting it on the bedside table. She knelt before him, trailing her fingers down his chest.
His brow arched. “I was reading that, Kindra.”
She trailed one finger over his fly, causing his dick to respond.
He caught her hand. “My parents are downstairs.”
She lifted a shoulder. “I’ll be quiet. I just need you. Don’t you love me?”
He sighed. “We shouldn’t.” His resolve continued to fade. Footsteps started up the stairs and he relaxed. “Go, unless you want me in trouble for your games.”
She darted off the bed and climbed out the window. He felt her close and he closed his eyes.
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