She didn’t like it, but she nodded. Deep down, she knew he was right, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t going to try anyway. It wasn’t in her nature to just go with the flow. Just because he’d bitten her didn’t mean she had to like it. Okay, so maybe some small part of her thrilled over the idea of belonging to a handsome, powerful man like Cade. Then there was the sensible part of her, which was screaming for her to run!
“I’ll let myself out,” he said. “I’ll give you three days, then I’m coming for you.”
“For what? You think I’m going to give up my life and just move in with you?”
He sighed. “We obviously have some things to work out, but, yes, I expect you to remain by my side. I can’t watch over you if you aren’t nearby. I have enemies, Breena, men who would love to get their hands on you. If there’s even a whisper in the community that I’ve taken a mate, all hell will break loose. Literally.”
Breena turned from him, drifting across the room to stare up at the moon. Damn mischief maker. She had little doubt that had it not been a full moon, her wand would have been perfectly content to remain home this evening. Instead, it had led her to the werelock’s door. Some days, it just didn’t pay to be a witch.
Chapter Four
Cade rolled his neck on his shoulders and glanced at the time again. He’d been working on a particularly nasty spell for the past four hours, something that should have taken him an hour or less. Instead, his thoughts kept drifting to his sexy witch. Breena He hadn’t seen her for two days. It was starting to feel more like two years. His wolf had been pacing inside his head from the moment he’d walked out her door. The beast wasn’t happy leaving his mate behind. Cade wasn’t too happy about it either, but there wasn’t much he could do about it. If he’d ordered her to come with him, she would have hated him for it. He wasn’t entirely certain she didn’t hate him anyway.
He’d hoped that she would come to him, forgive him for what he’d done. It wasn’t like he’d set out to ruin her life. Yes, being with him could add a bit of danger to her probably humdrum existence, but they’d have each other. Mates were so rare, especially for someone like him. It wasn’t often a werewolf and a warlock mated, and it was even rarer for them to have offspring. In his entire lifetime, he’d never met another of his kind, hadn’t even heard whispers of one existing. The last known werelock had been in the sixteen hundreds in England, at least, one that was documented.
There was a crash at his front door and then he heard the voices of his gargoyle friends. They seemed agitated, so he went to investigate. He wasn’t expecting company, but people did stop by from time to time, usually someone who needed his help.
Cade opened the door and ducked as something flew straight for his face. He whirled, expecting an attack, but froze in disbelief when Breena’s wand hovered in front of him. Something told him she hadn’t sent it to him, but it meant his little witch would be visiting soon. Or better yet, he’d have a reason to visit her.
He was about to reach for the wand, when it began whipping around his body, creating a funnel. The papers at his desk blew off; knick knacks on nearby tables fell to the floor. As the wand flew past his face again, he reached out and snatched it out of the air, holding it tight. He felt the energy pulsing through it and watched as it began to glow a deep, dark red.
It only took a moment for him to realize what was going on. The wand was there to warn him. Breena was in trouble.
Cade snatched his keys off the hook by the door, locked up, and ran to his motorcycle. Translocating would have been quicker, but he wasn’t sure if he’d need a way to get Breena back to his place. As it was, he flew through the streets, up and down hills, speeding around corners. He pulled up to her house with screeching tires, killed the engine, and ran for the door.
His heart nearly stopped in his chest when saw it was partially open. What he could see terrified him. Cade pushed open the door and stared at the devastation that had once been Breena’s home. Furniture was ripped apart and toppled, picture frames were smashed onto the floor, and the curtains had been shredded and hung in tatters.
He forced himself to think logically and began moving through the house one room at a time, searching for his mate. When he stepped into her bedroom, his heart stuttered in his chest. Someone had ripped the bed linens to shreds, deep claw marks having torn them to bits. Only two things could have done that—a shape-shifter or a demon. The mattress lay half off the bed frame. The dresser lay broken on the floor. The mirror on the wall had been smashed and there was a hint of blood on it.
He moved closer, sniffing at the speck, hoping it would give him a clue as to who had his mate. When he realized it was Breena’s blood, he wanted to howl in outrage. Whoever had her had hurt her. And that was unforgiveable. He would find them, and he would make them pay. With their lives, if necessary.
As much as he wanted to charge out the door and tear the city apart looking for her, he forced himself to take his time looking for clues. In the kitchen, he found a knife with black blood on the blade. His worst fears were confirmed—a demon had Breena. While it could be any demon, Cade had a feeling he knew who had her. Asmoth.
The demon had asked for his help months ago, needing a spell to help him move up the ranks in Hell, but Cade had refused. He hadn’t wanted to get in the middle of the demon’s war, but it looked like he was part of it now whether he wanted to be or not. He had no doubt Asmoth wanted to negotiate for Breena’s release. A trade. Breena for the spell. As much as he hated to give in to the monster, he didn’t see that he had many options.
He glanced around one last time, looking to see if he missed anything. Satisfied that he’d found everything necessary, he closed the door and headed home, Breena’s wand tucked safely inside his shirt. He was surprised the demon hadn’t taken off with it. Maybe the wand had managed to escape before the demon had a chance to locate it.
When Cade got home, there was a message tacked to his door. The parchment was old and faded. The writing looked like it was dried blood. He had little doubt that it was from Asmoth without even reading it. He scanned the lines quickly, his anger mounting as he read the demon’s demands. It seemed that because he’d refused to help before, Asmoth was now demanding more than just the spell to release Breena. He wanted Cade’s servitude, or his life.
He’d forfeit his life long before he’d serve the demon, but he hoped it didn’t come down to that. No, he had to think of another way to best Asmoth. He paced his living room, Breena’s wand clutched in his hand. Cade hoped the spirit imbuing the wood would give him some sort of inspiration, give him some clue as to how to go about saving his mate. So far, it wasn’t working. He continued to pace, the motion calming his racing heart and helping clear his mind. As his emotions came under control and his mind became less clouded, he had an idea. He wasn’t sure it would work, but it was worth a try.
For the second time that afternoon, he jumped on his bike and hit the streets. His destination wasn’t far. At least, his first destination wasn’t. His plan would take a good portion of the day. He only hoped he had that long. Cade doubted Asmoth would wait long for his response. The demon would probably visit him soon, or worse, summon him. He’d been to Hell once or twice and couldn’t say he was anxious to visit again anytime soon.
Cade pulled his bike down the short drive of a white clapboard house on the other side of the jungle, killing the engine as he came to a stop. He didn’t even make it to the porch before the door swung open. The alpha was looking at him with a bit of hesitation and a healthy dose of fear. He knew there were few things the alpha was afraid of. He just hoped demons weren’t one of them.
“Micah,” he said by way of greeting.
“What can I do for you, Cade?”
“We need to talk. I need a favor.”
Micah nodded and moved back, allowing Cade into his home. Cade looked around, noting that the place was rather tidy, with just a beer bottle on the end table and a plate of pizza beside it. Apparently, he
’d interrupted either a late lunch or an early dinner.
“What’s so important that it warrants a visit from our resident werelock?” Micah asked.
“My mate has been taken.”
Micah’s brows lifted. “I didn’t realize you’d taken a mate.”
“It’s new. Her name is Breena. She’s a—”
“Witch,” Micah interrupted. “I’m familiar with her.”
“Some of your pups were harassing her the other night. It worked out in my favor, I think. She’s a little upset with me at the moment, and now that she’s been taken, I’m sure she’s even more perturbed.”
“Perturbed?”
“All right, she’s probably downright pissed at me.”
“So who has her?” Micah asked.
“The demon, Asmoth. He asked me for a spell a few months ago and I refused. Now that I’ve taken a mate, he’s decided to use her as leverage. He wants a spell and my servitude. The spell I could do, as much as I would hate to, but the other is out of the question. It would be bowing down to him and giving whatever he wanted whenever he wanted. Nothing good could come of it.”
“So what do you need from me?”
“I was hoping the pack might back me when I decide to go against him. The only way to get her back without giving up too much of myself is to fight. But I won’t win against him alone. The pack, however, would distract him long enough for me to work my magick. I’ll come prepared with some spells and potions, but I’ll need a window of opportunity.”
Micah gave him an incredulous look. “And you think the pack will be strong enough to go up against a demon? We’ll be slaughtered!”
“I’ll give you protection charms, it’s the least I can do. I know they won’t be foolproof, but—”
“I need to think it over. You’re asking a lot.”
“There isn’t time! I know he’s going to ask for my answer soon. I need to know if the pack will back me.”
Micah sighed.
“If it helps, I’m going to the warlocks next.”
“I’d ask you to swear to keep the pack safe, but I know you can’t do that. Will you at least promise me that the warlocks will aid us, watch over my packmates?”
“I’ll get them to swear to it,” Cade promised. “It’s the least I can do.”
“Then you have our assistance,” Micah vowed. “I don’t like the idea of that sweet witch in the hands of the demon. Hell is no place for her.”
Cade wondered just how well the alpha knew Breena, but thought it best not to ask. If his mate had been intimate with Micah, he wasn’t sure he wanted to know. Obviously, there were men in her past, and he judged her age to be at least fifty or so, which meant there were probably more than he’d like. If there was one thing he’d learned during his long life, it was that you didn’t ask a woman her age, not even a paranormal one.
Excusing himself from the alpha’s house, he made his way to the head warlock’s house. It would take forever to meet them one at a time, and time was something he didn’t have. Not if he wanted to save Breena, and his own neck as well. He arrived at Jared’s and wasn’t surprised to find the warlock waiting for him. He knew Jared was not the man’s original name, but his name had been lost centuries ago. Only those closest to him knew who he really was, and Cade was fine with that.
“So your little witch is in trouble,” Jared said as Cade slung his leg over his bike.
“I’d ask how you know, but you seem to know everything.”
Jared smiled. “It’s my job. And you’ve come to ask for my help.”
“Yes. The wolves have already agreed to help, but they wanted my assurance that the warlocks would watch over them. I already promised to make them charms.”
“You’re one of ours, in a way, so of course we’ll help. I can’t guarantee that all of the warlocks in the area will come, but I know of four that will for certain. And, of course, I’ll be there. Just tell me what you need us to do.”
“Watch over the wolves, help battle whatever back-up Asmoth brings with him. I’m taking on the big demon by myself. I’ll make sure I’m prepared, but I need a distraction. If someone can keep the other demons occupied, I’d be grateful.”
“What if there aren’t other demons?” Jared asked.
“Then try to keep Asmoth busy. It will make things go smoother and a whole lot faster.”
Jared nodded. “Consider it done. When do you want to attack?”
“I’m expecting a summons either today or tomorrow. Is there any way you can cast a spell that will encompass the warlocks and wolves, bringing them to my side when it happens?”
Jared tipped his head to the side. “I can do that. It will take a bit of magick, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”
“If Asmoth doesn’t come by morning, I’ll summon him. I’d rather fight this battle here than in Hell. I think it would give us the advantage.”
“Go home and make the charms, create your spells and potions, and when you’re ready I’ll know. I’ll translocate all of us to the field on the outskirts of town. If there’s going to be a battle, I want it to be far away from innocent bystanders.”
“Thank you, Jared. I won’t forget this.”
Cade rode back to his house, deep in thought. While he had his people in place, there was still much to do. He only hoped he was prepared enough to save his witch, and not get everyone killed. He doubted the alpha and head warlock would thank him for putting their people in danger. They obviously knew it wasn’t going to be a walk in the park, but he hoped he could pull it off without anyone dying.
Chapter Five
Breena wiped the blood from her lip and winced as pain racked her body. She’d taken quite a beating from the demon who now held her in his possession. Asmoth, she’d heard him called. She just didn’t understand what he wanted with her. She’d never had any dealings with demons in the past, so why had he attacked her in her home? Her wand had been in another room when the demon had appeared and she’d been nearly defenseless against him. Breena had fought as best she could, but in the end, it hadn’t been enough.
She huddled in the corner, of the cell he’d thrown her in, wrinkling her nose in distaste at the wretched smell. Sulphur was heavy in the air, but there was an underlying scent of death and decay. It was enough to make her nauseated, and she fought to keep down what little lunch she’d managed to eat before he’d popped up in her home.
The demon stood before a cauldron of sorts, a hag beside him. Not a hag in the sense that she was an ugly woman, but a hag in the sense that she was an ancient witch who had obviously been dealing in the dark arts for a long time. Her eyes had blackened, as if the pupils had expanded to fill her entire eye, and her hair fairly crackled with magick. She hoped the witch wasn’t around when Cade came for her, and she had little doubt that he would. That was, if he could figure out who had her and where she was.
She watched as they poured ingredients into the large, black cast iron bowl. The flames beneath it danced and swayed, as if responding to some ancient tune. Breena couldn’t hear what they said, but she knew it was an incantation of some sort. It had to be, considering the ingredients that had gone into the spell. If she had to guess, she’d say they were preparing to spy on Cade, or possibly bring him to Hell. Whatever they were up to, she hoped he was prepared.
If she had her wand, she’d be of some help to him. Not much, given her current state, but she could do something. Cast a spell to slow down the demon, or maybe take on the witch. She doubted she’d last long against the woman, but she could help in some small way. Maybe distract her long enough for Cade to take her down, assuming the demon didn’t keep him too busy. She didn’t know much about werelocks other than they were feared in the paranormal community because of their dual nature. She knew he was powerful, but was he powerful enough to take down a demon?
If she hadn’t caused so much trouble during her life, perhaps she’d have a coven that would step in and help, but she’d been ostracized by her kind. M
ost witches turned their noses up when she walked by, so asking for help wasn’t a good idea. They’d probably think she deserved her current predicament. Hell, they may even help the evil witch and demon, especially those who practiced the dark arts. Breena wasn’t one of them, though. She used her magick for good, when it worked the way it was supposed to. She admitted that she had more accidents than most, but it wasn’t like she didn’t try.
The witch and demon stopped their incantation, but they didn’t look happy. Maybe it hadn’t worked? She’d like to think Cade had anticipated such a move and had blocked them, but for all she knew, their spell was just missing something. She hadn’t seen every ingredient they’d used. It was possible they’d left something out. Pressing further into the corner, she tried to make herself inconspicuous, hoping they would forget about her.
The air grew heavy, charged, and she could smell magick in the air. She knew it wasn’t the witch and demon. This magick smelled pure, not diluted by hatred and evil. Before her very eyes, the image of the demon and witch wavered, stuttered like a TV trying to go out, and then they disappeared. She cried out, not wanting to be left behind. What if another demon came along? What if she was discovered by someone worse than Asmoth?
She began to despair when something started to happen. She felt infused by warmth and love. Her skin began to glow, and then she blinked out of Hell and reappeared in the field near her town. The sight before her took her breath away. Cade stood front and center, flanked by the head warlock, Jared, and the alpha, Micah. Behind them stood several warlocks and most of the werewolf pack. It seemed they’d come to fight, if that’s what it took.
What she didn’t understand was if they’d pulled her out of Hell, why was a fight necessary? Why hadn’t they just brought her home and left things alone? People were going to die if they went down this path. She could feel it. She wanted to run to Cade, throw her arms around him, and tell him she was sorry for doubting him. Maybe if she hadn’t pushed him away, none of this would have happened. Yes, she was still upset that he’d bitten her without discussing it with her first, but maybe she’d overreacted.
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