“There’s something else.” He opened his bag and pulled out a metal ring, definitely large enough to fit around someone’s neck. I scooted backwards, both of my hands flying to my neck. My breathing became more rapid, my heartbeat erratic, my knees threatening to deposit me on the ground at any second.
“Put it away. Now.” Garrett took me in his arms while Isaiah did as Garrett suggested without argument. Neither of them wanted to see me this distressed.
Garrett sat in a chair and drew me into the one right next to his. “Can you sense any magic surrounding it?” he asked Isaiah. He rubbed his hand in circles on my back as he spoke. I placed my hands on the table and stared at them, my body temp seeming to drop as if I were back in that cellar again. I shivered violently and the throw blanket on the couch was suddenly wrapped around me. I pulled it tighter, imagining a female who’d trembled and had no blanket. Or was it a memory?
“Yes. It was forged by demons but used by witches, I believe. The device is not of my mother’s making. It was created to cause pain. Terror. To control the wearer. Naberia needs no such device to accomplish those ends. One demon in particular comes to mind as the possible forger, only my sources say he disappeared several days ago.” He looked at me with gentle eyes. “Were you forced to wear a torc?” I nodded, unable to bring myself to speak about it.
“Then we’re definitely dealing with witches. Good. We’ll have allies in this search. I’ll call the Assembly tomorrow.” Garrett was thinking ahead, working out the best way to get the most relevant info as quickly as possible. When difficulties arose he would take action. It was his way.
Isaiah gazed at me with fury in his eyes, yet he would bide his time. No words were spoken between us, but I knew whoever had hurt me would die a slow and horrible death. I made a motion to dissuade him, but then…no. My newly awakened demon energy and I wanted them dead.
The icy spot above my heart began to throb. I rubbed it with the tips of my fingers. “What is this?” I asked, the insidious feeling of panic slipping around me like a second blanket.
“A gift from Mater.”
“Can you do anything about it?
“It might harm you if I try to remove it. And I don’t know its purpose, at least not yet.”
“What are you talking about?” Garrett asked, a furrow appearing between his brows.
“You didn’t tell him?” Isaiah actually smirked. He loved one upping Garrett.
Uh oh. He wasn’t going to be happy. “Tell me what?” Garrett asked, his irritation turning the anger.
I explained about my icy skin and the uncomfortable feelings I sometimes got. “I didn’t want to worry you anymore than you already are.”
“But you told Isaiah?”
“He sensed it on his own.”
“I probed the area and discovered my mother has left a spell embedded inside Jacqueline. I have no way of knowing what will trigger it or what will happen when it is triggered. I’m sorry.”
“You touched her chest?” Silver dots sparkled in his eyes.
I huffed in exasperation. Leave it to my territorial mate to pick out the least important word in the sentence. “It wasn’t like that. He’s my uncle.” I snapped, then turned toward said uncle. “Am I a walking time bomb?” The tremor in my voice was softened by a warm kiss and a gentle hug from Garrett.
“We’ll talk later, yes?” Garrett’s private message was crystal clear.
“Yes.” And I wasn’t looking forward to having to explain myself. Again.
Isaiah answered my question, not having heard our private words. “I don’t know. It seems to be something subtle, but perhaps just as devastating.”
“Could it be a listening device?” Garrett asked.
“No. It’s contained, with no connection to its maker. In other words, she doesn’t have to be present for it to be activated and because Jackie is here on the Mortal Plain, she probably won’t know when it happens. Because the spell is cast with her blood, taken without violence, it shouldn’t kill her when it’s triggered.” He noticed my puzzled expression. “Because of the proximity of the spell to your heart, blood taken with violence would have a stronger chance of killing you.
“I can’t imagine I gave my blood willingly.”
He pointed toward the bag where the torc was hidden. “To avoid pain or death we will do many things.”
“But if I agreed because I was in pain, the blood wouldn’t have been willingly given. It would’ve been coerced from me—the blood tainted.”
“Perhaps you agreed in an effort to save your father?”
“Maybe. But then Naberia wouldn’t have allowed the witch to kill him. It would have broken the agreement.” The males looked at me with wide eyes and arched brows and I realized what I’d just said. I gasped. “A witch killed him. I remember now. She didn’t mean to kill him, but he moved and the bullet pierced his forehead.” I looked at their shocked faces. “She meant to kill me.”
“Who was the witch?” Isaiah growled.
“I don’t remember faces, but I called her something… Bitchy. She was Bitchy.”
“Can you describe her at all?”
“I can’t see any of them. I hear voices and see rooms but no people. Not even Simon.” I slumped against Garrett, burying my stinging eyes in the folds of his shirt. “He’s dead. I’m sure.”
“I’ll call the Conclave and explain what happened and what you’ve been able to recall. They may want to question you, but I’ll hold them off until you’re ready.” Garrett held me tightly. “I’m so sorry, my love.”
“I wish he and I hadn’t been at odds for so long. But this past year was good, wasn’t it?”
Garrett rubbed my back. “He was a decent man and I’m sure he would have been a good father if he’d known about your birth. Your mother did him an injustice by keeping it a secret.”
“Naberia had Adele killed because she couldn’t accept her demon bloodline. Will she come after me because I’m fighting against it?” I clutched at Garrett’s shirt more firmly.
Isaiah rose, placing the other items in the bag. “No. She could have killed you a dozen times, but she wants you alive.” He leaned closer and smiled. “I’m in the same boat. Even though I seem to be irritating the hell out of her, she keeps me alive and even tolerates my relationship with you and Charlie. I’ve been puzzling it over for some time now, but I can’t figure out her reasoning.”
“You don’t want to rule, do you?”
“Heaven forbid. I’ll return in three evenings. Write down everything you dream and anything you think might be relevant.”
“And your price?” Garrett asked.
“In return for my help with Jackie’s training the Cuvier Clan will allow me a blanket invitation, offering me access to your property including the vamp villa, without guard or restriction other than to stay out of your home unless invited. As usual, I swear to be on my best behavior.”
“For how long?” Garrett asked.
“Until the war between the fae and my mother is ended or called off for some reason.”
Garrett narrowed his eyes. “You could be a spy for Naberia.”
“Garrett Corbin Cuvier, if you believe I would do serious harm to Jacqueline or Charles, you’re a greater fool than I once imagined.”
“Um…Isaiah… A group of fae females will be coming here to train.”
“To train in what way?”
“They were mistreated under Fionna and don’t have much experience with using weapons. They need to learn to defend themselves.”
“I would be very pleased to help.”
“Sash and Rick and I will handle it, but thank you.”
“And you believe you have enough control to keep them safe?”
I frowned. “Yes.”
“You’re mistaken. Your demon will be excited by the activity, the idea of using a sharp weapon against an enemy, even a weak one, will be thrilling.”
“An enemy?”
“You’ll be sparring with the f
ae.”
“The fae are my allies.”
“How many fae have you spent time with since you’ve returned?”
“Liam and Farrell helped to rescue me.”
“And was there a reaction?”
“I don’t remember. I was weak and confused at the house and Liam was here for a short time afterward, but…no, I didn’t feel any differently about him.”
“If you’d pulled swords you would have seen him as an enemy. Practice with Brina or Kaera first. Spill some blood. You may be surprised.”
“But will you be all right around our guests?”
“Oh yes. I have complete control of every aspect of my magic. I am the demon equivalent of Steve Jobs.”
“That isn’t what I meant. I know you won’t grab a sword and decapitate one of them. But I don’t want you trying to seduce them either. They’ll be fragile and unsure.”
Isaiah laughed loudly. “I don’t know whether to thank you for the compliment or scold you for thinking me such a cad.”
“After they get a dose of your demon charisma, they may throw themselves at you.”
“Demons don’t have charisma.” He frowned
“Oh really?” Was he pulling my leg?
“Will this help?” Before us stood an average guy of average height, nice looking but not the hunk who’d been sitting across from us a minute ago.
“Better, I guess. But no matter how you change your appearance you never seem to be able to tamp down that charisma gene.”
Isaiah grinned and bowed. “Merci, Madame. Although I know for a fact pure blood demons do not have an over abundance of charisma. At any rate, I will appear in this guise around the ladies, but I feel it is wise to continue to call me Isaiah and to be honest with them about my demon blood. They will most likely sense the truth and it is better not to start off your relationship with a lie.”
“Fine.”
“Then I shall be spending most of my days in the Demon Realm with Mother and my afternoons, evenings and nights here. I’m sure you prefer I stay at the villa next door?”
“Some of the females may stay there. Can you sleep at the Carmel villa?”
“Of course. Is there a staff?”
“I’ll call to make the arrangements.” Garrett said, scowling.
“Thank you. You are wonderful hosts. Until Friday.” He winked at me and disappeared.
Chapter Fourteen
Garrett’s skin was icy. “You haven’t fed.” I said.
“I’m not…”
“You are.” I lifted my wrist planning to bite into it, not interested in hearing all the reasons he thought he should go without blood until it was a more convenient time.
“Wait!”
“What is it?”
“My darling demon. Your fangs are showing.”
“My…my fangs?”
I jumped up and ran to the hallway mirror. Sure enough, fangs that looked nothing like my cheetah fangs had sprouted, and why had I just assumed I could have bitten so easily into my own wrist? I guess my body was on autopilot when it came to behaving demon fashion.
And that was definitely cause for concern.
Garrett slid gracefully up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me against him. His grin was ear to ear as he put his chin on my shoulder and stared at the mirror. “I like.”
I was used to having fangs in my animal form, but this was a whole new experience. I poked at my new incisors with my fingers but they weren’t going anywhere at the moment. “How do I get rid of them?”
“Please, leave them.” Garrett nuzzled my ear then moved to the sensitive spot below it. I moaned softly. “I want you to bite me.”
“You’re incorrigible.” He kissed my neck, his soft lips moving toward my shoulder. “And sexy.” He kissed across my collarbone. “And skilled.”
“Hmmm.” The humming vibration against my throat weakened my knees. He held me more securely.
“You’re supposed to feed from me, not the other way around. He continued to kiss and nibble and lick my already heated flesh. “Not…not right now…maybe later…m...maybe…soon…”
“Hmmm.” He stroked one of my fangs with his tongue.
“Oh lord.” Something rapped against the patio door. It must be windy out. “Do that again.”
“Shall I ask the crowd of females at the door to leave first?” He’d straightened up, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
“What?” I pushed away from my mate and looked at him aghast. “I can’t greet Elle’s fae friends looking like a freakin’ demon!”
“Shall I let them into the kitchen while you attempt to…” He made a pushing up motion with his two thumbs.
“Yes, please. I’ll see what I can do in the bathroom to make them disappear. And don’t look at me with those puppy dog eyes. I’m sure you can get them to pop out again.”
“It will certainly be fun to try.”
“Shameless rake.”
“You have discovered my secret.” He brushed his lips against my mouth, reminding me of what we would have been doing if the fae hadn’t shown up.
“I found out that particular secret eighteen years ago.” I stepped backwards to put some distance between us. It made thinking a lot easier. “But I love you anyway.” He laughed and reached for me again, but I held up my hand to stop him. “When you get them settled, go and feed from one of your donors.”
“As you wish, my exquisite demon queen.”
I rolled my eyes and he laughed again, turning toward the kitchen while I made a beeline for the bathroom. A few deep breaths and a cold washcloth on my face did the trick. I was in the kitchen just as the last visitor had taken her seat.
But the moment they saw me, the six females including Elle, rose and nodded deeply. I nodded back, smiling to let them know they were all welcome in my home. Elle spoke. “Lady Jacqueline, these are the first who have volunteered for training. I thought it would be helpful if I introduced them before our first session.” She glanced toward the patio door. “I am very sorry if we interrupted a private moment between you and your mate.”
I shook my head and gestured for them to sit. “I’m very happy to see how quickly you were able to find volunteers.”
I went to the fridge and the cabinets and quickly put out small plates and a couple of platters with cookies and fruit. “Honey wine or tea?”
“Wine I think. This is a momentous occasion.” Elle answered, smiling at her companions. She rose to help me pour.
“Yes, truly. And we thank you,” A lavender-eyed, blond-haired female replied. Her accent was very strong.
I began to speak in Fae, and as one they seemed to relax. They wore the tunics and breeches that Brina and Kaera seemed to favor. Elle answered my unspoken question. “I told them to dress thus. Is it appropriate?”
“Yes, but you won’t be fighting today.” I glanced from one to the other. Four of them were smiling, nibbling on the food and taking sips of wine. But two females were sitting apart from the rest, holding hands. The scars on their wrists still hadn’t healed.
I continued to speak, not wanting to single those two out. “I haven’t spoken to Sasha about a schedule, so as soon as we know the exact dates and times, Elle will let you know when you can return. Make sure you’re not late. Sasha will make you work extra hard if you are.
Elle smiled warily. “Everyone is staying.” I must have shown my surprise. “We planned for them to stay here until they are thoroughly trained to defend themselves and Faerie.”
“Oh. Well, that’s fine, but won’t their families miss them?”
“The few who have families have been shunned.”
I must have misheard. “Shunned?”
One of the two on the end spoke, her voice low and rich. “We are whores who allowed males to use us as they chose. We did not fight back hard enough. We did not die, rather than disgrace ourselves and our families.”
I fisted my hands, but immediately relaxed them again when I felt a fam
iliar tingling in my mouth. My stupid demon fangs were getting ready to tear into someone’s flesh. Not that I objected, it was just an awkward time to be hunting down the fae families of these abused females. I took a deep breath as all heads turned in my direction. They wanted to hear my reaction. They needed to trust me if they were going to go forward.
I’d be honest.
“Do you know how Charlie was conceived?” Every one of them nodded solemnly. “What you don’t know is that I was also raped at fifteen by my human foster brother. He told me he wanted to ruin me for other men.” I smiled, remembering Garrett’s sweet kiss. “Did you meet Garrett?” Their smiles were shy, a few of them blushing. “I didn’t allow that boy or Kennet to ruin me. I fought to find happiness and I have. Nothing that happened to you was your fault. Now you have choices. You can sit around and blame Fionna and the males who abused you, or you can fight to find yourself again. The fact that you’re here shows me that you’ve made the correct decision.”
Several of them smiled with pride.
“When I found out what I was—a shapeshifter who could use the lines—I worked for months and months to learn to use my magic and I trained hard on the sparring field so that when I fought an enemy, I’d survive. Learning to defend yourself is a great first step, but the work will be exhausting and difficult.” I let that sink in for a few moments. “But if you give one hundred percent, it’s worth every single ache and pain because your confidence will soar. So who’s in?”
They stood again and nodded, telling me their names and thanking me for my honesty. Trust is always hard to come by, and I was only the first of the strangers they’d be working with. Plus, the others would be male. I nodded back with my hand over my heart. “You are courageous and strong. Believe it.”
Elle hugged me, tears in her eyes. “Thank you, Jacqueline.”
I wiped my own eyes and pointed at the table. “Who wants a cookie?”
They dug in with enthusiasm, chatting about simple everyday things and asking me dozens of questions about the kitchen and its modern appliances. When the snacks had disappeared and we’d enjoyed another round of honey wine, I asked Elle, “Do you have the sleeping arrangements worked out?” Several of the females were slurring their words and another was snoring with her head on the table. Guess they weren’t big honey wine drinkers.
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