“We need to speak with some of the elders.” Jaeson smiled easily at the young golden-haired witch.
The woman blinked at him, returning the smile. Samiel watched the witch nearly drool over Jaeson. Samiel couldn’t fault her. Jaeson’s silver-blond hair, light golden skin and muscled body were inspiring.
“They’re expecting you. I’ll take you to them,” the woman said in a low, husky voice as she stepped back leaving the door open for them to enter.
Samiel stepped into the coven house behind Jaeson. He paused to close the door before he followed. The walls of the large hallway were the same dark stone as the outside walls but had accents of white and silver. Bright flowers were placed on small tables here and there. Jaeson’s white shirt gleamed in the light from the magical lanterns hanging overhead. The woman led them down one hallway before turning onto another. She finally stopped before two pale-brown, wooden doors. She knocked first and then pushed them open.
A long, ornately carved wooden table faced the double-doored entrance. There were two smaller wooden tables to the left of the room. A black-haired woman stood near one of the small work areas, looking at something on the on top of it. Two women with streaks of gray in their hair stood beside her. Samiel could hear them talking, but their voices were so low that he could only catch the occasional word. At the ornate table, three other older women had been looking at a large book, but their eyes turned to the door the moment it opened.
The black-haired woman at the work desks was probably the youngest woman in the room aside from the witch who’d escorted them. The woman’s cocoa-brown skin set her apart from the women next to her even more than her youth. Her light gray pants and smoky purple shirt also marked her as different. The elders wore long flowing skirts and dresses not suited for action.
The woman noticed them then. She spoke a few quiet words to the elders, nodded and stepped away from them. Samiel let his eyes linger on the curves of her breasts and hips as she turned. He’d love to get his hands on those.
“I’ll see what I can find here first. I’ll talk to you if I find anything of interest,” the woman said. She nodded to the other elders and headed for the door with barely a glance at either him or Jaeson.
Determined to get at least the basic facts, Samiel focused on the elders. There’d be time later to discover if any of the local witches would complete their tri’inal, a mated triad of a witch, vampire and dragon. The last two elders took a seat behind the long, dark-brown wood table. He saw them looking Jaeson and him over as if assessing them and none of the women looked impressed or very welcoming.
“How long has your village been under attack?” Samiel watched the women’s faces.
“There have been at least five major attacks over the last few months, many other testing probes. A single merdanon sent to cause panic the first time,” one of the women at the far left of the table said. Her skin was wrinkled, her hair white, but her blue eyes sparkled with life and intelligence.
“We sent for aid. Why didn’t you or any other dragon or vampire come before now?” A slim elder with gray-streaked hair, one of those who’d been talking to the younger witch eyed them warily as if she wasn’t sure they could be trusted.
“We didn’t get any requests. Not from you or from any other town in this area. We came because the main sect house asked us to check on the coven and village since there hadn’t been any messages in months,” Jaeson responded before Samiel could.
Every one of the elders gasped. “We sent message after message. Most of the messengers never returned but we thought they were too afraid of the merdanons to come back without aid. Those who did make it back were sent more recently and they never got through the pass out of the mountains. They were blocked by merdanons and the Sorcerer.” A short, frail-looking elder with leathery skin and steel-gray hair shook her head. “Now that we know that absolutely none of our requests made it through we have to assume that at least some of the women sent have been captured.”
Samiel studied the woman. She might have been one of the oldest witches in the coven but he’d bet she’d been out there fighting with the rest of them. He could see the spirit, the determination in her eyes. He couldn’t help but admire their skill and tenacity. There were cities and towns with many more witches and wizards that had fallen under such persistent attacks.
“We’ll get them back, but first we have to discover who the Dark Sorcerer is and where he’s hiding. How have you survived so long and what did you do with the merdanon bodies?” Jaeson cocked his head to the left.
“We were lucky, but we also have some very capable witches. Surrendering wasn’t really a choice.” The elder at the end of the table stood. “I’m Elder Talia Sarash. We thank you for coming to help us.”
“There will be more dragons and vampires coming to help now that we know there is a problem. The Dark Sorcerer has to be stopped. He’s not going to stop on his own.” Samiel stepped forward to clasp her hand. He’d wondered for a while if their help would be welcomed or not. “We’ll go see what we can do to help secure the village in the meantime.”
Samiel started toward the door. He heard Jaeson’s footsteps, but then they stopped. Samiel turned and found Jaeson looking back at the elders. Samiel knew that expression. Jaeson was curious about something.
“How did you keep the animals out all night long?” Jaeson asked.
“Oh, a few of our witches held shields on the worst spots until the sun rose. By the time the battle was over, it wasn’t that long.” One of the elders waved her hand. “They’re resting right now.”
Samiel nodded. That explained a few things. It also gave him more reason to admire the witches of this coven. They took care of themselves and those around them. He turned and headed for the door. He and Jaeson could go seal those holes and give the men a chance to repair the houses. As well, they’d be able to magically reinforce the wall and hopefully prevent another breach.
Chapter Three
The first of the other dragons and vampires began arriving just as Samiel and Jaeson finished strengthening the wall. Walking over to meet them at the double, black metal gates, Samiel recognized many of those who’d arrived and was happy to see that more than one set of dragon-vamp pairs were among them. He saw Danan and Grae near the front. Behind them, Maxim and Jadin strolled into town. Jaeson had told him Gaellon and Lassan would be staying to help the other village in these mountains. A few single dragons and vampires had arrived as well. In total, about eight dragons had come to help. That should be more than enough to deal with the Dark Sorcerer in the region, especially with the help of these witches.
Samiel strolled forward and clasped Danan’s forearm. “It’s good to see you. They don’t know what’s behind this but the Dark Sorcerer has been persistent.”
Jadin looked around the area, his eyes running over the buildings and people. “I’m surprised to see this town as intact as it is. The other village didn’t fare as well. How did they manage it?”
The vampire appeared as astounded as he had been. Samiel could understand that. This village and the witches here were unique. They’d held firm in a desperate situation that would have had many people running.
“Apparently cooperation, determination, and an inability to accept defeat,” Jaeson explained.
“Well with an attitude like that, we’ll have a step up on the Dark Sorcerer.” Maxim nodded and smiled.
Samiel led the way into the small town. Groups of witches stood watching them. One of them, a tall, thin redhead separated from the group and stalked forward. Her lips were compressed into a tight line. She almost vibrated with anger. Samiel wondered whom it was directed toward. He didn’t think it was the dragons and vampires although he would have understood if it was. They’d been waiting for help for a long time.
“You’re here to destroy the Dark Sorcerer? What are you going to do about the minion the elders are protecting?” The woman put her hands on her hips.
Samiel blinked. That was the
first he’d heard of anything like that. It sounded absurd. The elders wanted to save the village, not give it to the Sorcerer. Still it was the kind of accusation that couldn’t be ignored. He wondered why the woman hadn’t said anything before now.
“Why don’t you take us to this minion they are protecting and we’ll decide what needs to be done.” Jaeson crossed his arms over his broad chest.
Samiel smiled as the woman drew in a sharp breath.
“What’s to be decided? She needs to be killed.” The woman shook her head.
“If she even is a minion. Only when we feel her magic will we act. There’s a certain taint to the magic that’s unmistakable.” Jaeson took a step forward. “We’re not going to chance killing a witch who isn’t a minion. Witches who turn to the dark arts are rare.”
“So lead the way.” Danan gestured to the street ahead of them.
She frowned and turned heading down the street. Samiel followed. If there really was a minion, he doubted she was still in the town. She wouldn’t want to face a group of vampires and dragons. There was also something strange about the redhead’s attitude. She seemed to have thought that they’d go kill the woman only on her word. They wouldn’t ever do that sort of thing. There were too many ways mistakes could be made.
He again mounted the steps to the sect house. The woman in front of them pushed open the doors. She looked left and right standing totally still for a moment. Apparently, she didn’t know where the supposed minion was. She stalked down the hall, stopping the first person she saw. After a few quiet words she again led the way with confidence. They went deeper into the sect house, beyond the elders’ council. She pushed open a large single door and entered. Stepping into the room, Samiel realized they were in a library. Floor to ceiling bookcases lined the room and even more bookcases stood in rows across the room. The minion was supposed to be here? The woman’s story didn’t fit even more now. Minions and Dark Sorcerers lived to cause trouble. Unless she decided to burn it down, there wasn’t much trouble she could cause here.
The woman led them through a corridor of shelves to the back of the vast library. Three women stood around a table littered with stacks of books. They didn’t even appear to notice when the group of dragons and vampires drew close.
The woman pointed to the black-haired woman who’d been in the elder’s council room earlier. The sleeves of her violet shirt were rolled up to her elbows. She was slightly bent forward and the cloth of her gray pants molded to the full curve of her buttocks. The ends of her hair curled a bit as it hung near midback.
“That’s her. Do it now before she flees,” the woman demanded.
All three of the witches at the table turned to face them frowning at the group gathered at the end of the shelves. Samiel rolled his eyes. There went the element of surprise.
“We need you to do a bit of magic. She believes you’re a minion or a Dark Sorceress.” Jaeson stepped forward an encouraging smile on his face.
“Oh Lady, so she and her friends finally found someone gullible enough to believe them.” She rolled her eyes. “I don’t have time to keep proving myself. They won’t believe in any case. They’re the ones who will be giving me trouble.”
Samiel watched in astonishment as she turned back to the books. She peered a bit closer at the one open in front of her before moving it to the side and opening another thick volume. He couldn’t ever remember being so thoroughly ignored. The witch obviously didn’t consider them any kind of threat.
“We’re not going away until you prove yourself to be what you claim you are.” Danan stepped to the front of the group, his large form dwarfing that of the accuser as he stopped just in front of her.
“Then you can stand there and wait. I don’t claim to be anything but a witch trying to get some work done. I’m too busy to cater to your whims and her delusions.” She looked up at them only briefly before turning and walking over to the shelf on the wall. Her fingers ran over the thick tomes as she searched for something.
Samiel exhaled heavily. Stubborn woman. It would only take a moment. Either she was as irritated as she sounded or she had something to hide. He couldn’t quite decide which, but he doubted that she was a minion or a Dark Sorceress. It was partly her reaction. She was more annoyed than anything else and even at first hearing why they were here she hadn’t shown any fear.
“Why are you asking? Just make her use her magic.” The redhead’s fists balled and she turned a fierce glare on all of them. “Since you’re too much of a coward…”
Before Samiel even guessed what she was going to do the redhead formed a sizzling orb of magic and hurled it at the black-haired witch who was just turning away from the shelves with a few books in her hands. She gasped and stopped abruptly. Samiel saw her eyes round. The books dropped from her grasp. She wouldn’t have time to throw up a shield, probably was too shocked to even think about it. He knew she’d never expected to get attacked here, especially not with such a powerful orb. They wouldn’t have done that even if she’d kept refusing. There were easier ways that wouldn’t get someone hurt, to force the use of magic. The woman would have no time to think. He was sure she’d be hurt or worse.
Just before the orb hit, a sword and dagger appeared in her hands. The energy slammed into the blades and was absorbed by the weapons. Samiel gaped at the woman holding the blades a full moment before the truth hit him. Tiria, she was a Tiria. He took a long step forward sure she’d try to escape now that her secret was known.
“Are you happy now? Sure I’m not a Dark Sorcerer, minion, spy or whatever accusation she cares to hurl? They sent idiots to help us.” The black-haired woman shook her head. With a sharp movement of her hands, she sent the weapons away. “We’re going to need all of the Lady’s grace.”
She knelt and gathered the books she’d dropped. He could see the stiffness in her body. She was furious. Even though her movements were clipped and sharp, she took great care with the books. Her full lips were compressed in a tight line and her eyes narrowed angrily on the woman before she shook her head. She stood and walked over to the table. Tugging a chair over to the spot where she’d put the books, she sat and opened one of the books. Samiel stared at her. The woman was acting as if what had just happened was an everyday occurrence, not something momentous. How long had she been a Tiria?
A hand tapped his arm repeatedly. Samiel turned and cast quick glance over his shoulder, a little worried to take his eyes off her. She seemed unworried, but he couldn’t believe that she was so unworried. If that was an act, it was one of the best he’d seen. Jaeson stood at his side, his mouth hanging open. When Jaeson caught Samiel’s eyes, his mouth closed and he leaned close.
“Ours.” Jaeson’s voice held the stunned amazement that was so easily apparent on his face.
Ours. The word slammed into him. Their witch. He’d been so amazed at finding a Tiria that he hadn’t even thought about who she’d match. He looked at her with new eyes. She was a striking witch. Her light brown skin gleamed in the golden light. And those light green eyes were so clear it was like looking into a cold mountain pool.
“Well, she’s definitely not a Dark Sorceress or minion. I think your accusation has been effectively proven false.” Danan’s smug tone reached Samiel.
“But there are some questions about the accuser that haven’t.” Elder Sarash’s voice came from behind them.
Samiel glanced back. The elder had her arms folded across her chest. She stared hard at the redheaded woman. Anger and frustration were easily apparent. He moved so he could keep an eye on the elder and the black-haired Tiria. Although she’d made it plain that she wasn’t going anywhere, he didn’t want to lose sight of her.
“Since you’re so concerned about the witches who fought and protected this village, I can’t help but wonder where you and your other friends were. I can’t find one person who saw you during the battles.” Elder Sarash’s voice had gone cold.
The redhead’s mouth opened and closed. “I was there.”
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“Then there’s the fact that she and others were outside the shield waiting to be let in this morning. Kind of makes you wonder why they weren’t inside when the shield went up if they did help,” one of the blonde women at the table offered before she took a seat and opened one of the books.
The redhead looked stunned to find herself the focus of the questions now. “How can you all be so gullible? Can’t you see that she’s manipulating you? She’s evil.”
“She’s a Tiria. It’s not possible for her to be evil and hold those blades.” Jaeson shook his head.
Samiel was astounded by the woman’s continued blindness. He didn’t know if it was some kind of grudge she held or if she’d been fed the information. It was something that bore looking into later. His first focus was on enlightening their Tiria about just what she was to them.
“She’s not going to believe you. It’s thanks to her and her friends that Meagan was practically chased from town before she claimed the blades.” The blonde who’d spoken before looked up and her mouth twisted into a grimace.
“They are responsible for Meagan being run out of the village?” Elder Sarash asked.
“Chased through the streets?” Samiel’s brows rose. If that had actually happened it said a lot that she was back here.
“If you want to talk about it, go somewhere else. Some of us actually have things to do.” The black-haired woman, Meagan, cast an irritated glance around the assembled vampires, dragons and witches.
“Yes, some of us have things to do. Unfortunately, you’re not going to get to finish what you’ve started. We’re going to be talking to you. There are apparently a few things that you don’t understand.” Samiel took a step forward.
“Look, I know there’s something about a dragon or a vampire being my mate. That can wait. There’s too much to do. The village matters, the rest can be dealt with later.” Meagan shook her head and looked back to the book in front of her.
Chosen Destiny Page 3