by Sariah Skye
I shrugged. “I’m not sure what to tell. It was just like being back in the same vision I saw my father in that time when he gave me the gem during the ritual,” I said. “The mist, the air—everything was the same. Eventually I came to a little fire in a clearing, and dozens of women wearing white robes danced around it. They welcomed me, we danced a little, and chatted…and that was pretty much it.”
Bash drummed his fingers on the counter in deep concentration. “Hmm. Doesn’t sound like anything evil.”
“She said that—Igraine—that she knew of you,” I said. “That the same magic you were cursed with made it possible, a connection. Like the same one with me, but just on a smaller scale.”
Bash lifted a brow. “Oh? Okay now that is interesting…”
“Anything else that stands out about them?” Xander questioned.
I shrugged. “I don’t know; it’s hard to explain,” I said uneasily. “I see the images in my mind,” I pointed to my temple, “but when I go to talk about them, everything gets a bit fuzzy.”
“Maybe because they’re in the Avalonian language, things don’t translate right, so you’re confused?” Xander offered, with a sidelong smile.
“Maybe.” It sounded plausible. I sighed. “I just wish we really knew if that was Merlin in there,” I said, motioning down the hallway.
“Well, there is one person who would know,” Xander said.
“Who?” I asked, and then it occurred to me. Snapping my fingers, I exclaimed, “Of course—Lachlan. Duh!”
“Hey—wasn’t he with you when you went to the Stargazer?” Bash asked, suddenly realizing he didn’t return with Xander and Mathias.
Xander nodded. “Yes, he met us there—” I opened my mouth to protest, he was supposed to meet Xander partway, so he didn’t arrive alone. Xander raised a hand and placed a finger on my lips. I scowled lightly. But he was adorable, and I couldn’t protest too much. “Don’t be mad, I am fine on my own.”
“I know, but…” I said, with a roll of my eyes.
“He said he had something to take care of and then he’d be here. He was sort of weirded out when we mentioned the wards were broken— again,” Xander said.
Bash stared strangely at him. “Why? Besides Ava’s safety, why would he care? And wouldn’t he want to be here?”
Xander shrugged. “Don’t know, man. I thought it was weird too.”
“He knows we are capable protectors.” Trystan entered the room, wearing plaid pants and a tank top. He’d smoothed out his mussed auburn locks, and he was positively beaming as he unsuccessfully tried to stifle a huge grin.
Men. Of course they’re happy after a roll in the hay.
Well…my boyfriends weren’t in the past, but it made so much sense now. Because of the human/supernatural disconnection, it never could work right. I wish I had known that at the time; I might not have bothered. Maybe I wouldn’t have thought there was something wrong with me, when I was just with the wrong people, that could never make me happy or fulfilled. Thanks, Mom, I thought wryly to myself.
But we—Trystan, Xander, Bash, Mathias, and I—there was a good chance we could. I grinned at the prospect.
“Oh dear god, we know you knocked boots,” Xander protested loudly, feigning irritation—or at least, I hoped he was. “You don’t have to be so obvious about it!”
“Och, ye want obvious, eh?” Trystan wrangled an arm around Xander’s shoulders, and the two of them pretended to punch each other like brothers. They both grinned like fools and laughed and I felt relieved. They were okay.
I exchanged an eye-roll with Bash at their antics.
“Like a couple of dogs, I swear,” I snickered.
“Aye. Speaking of dogs, they’re all in the back bedroom; gave our guest quite a fright when he walked in,” Trystan chuckled.
I giggled. “I would have like to of seen that.”
Mathias came storming down the hallway, half of the dogs in tow. His expression was thunderous, but he patted Percy on the head as the dog walked in tandem with the large Roman. He offered no words, just crept into the kitchen, and began taking various cookware from the cabinets, setting them on the stove or counter with louds bangs.
“Oh shit, he’s stress cooking,” Xander kidded.
Mathias briefly glowered at him over his shoulder. “I am hungry. Figured you were too, but maybe I’ll just cook for myself.”
I let out a disappointed sound. He smirked from from the side of his mouth at me. “And Ava.”
“I’m going to check on our guest and try to call Lachlan,” Bash said dryly.
“You do that, laddie.” Trystan moved to one of the pantries and pulled out two bottles of red wine. “I’m going to get us situated here.” He set the bottles down in the center of the counter; wine glasses were already waiting for us on the table.
“Good idea,” I said, and reached for the bottle of champagne that was already open from earlier. I poured myself a glass, nearly spilling it over, and set the bottle down with a clunk. Xander thrust his glass in front of me.
“Me too. I have a feeling this is going to be a long, long night.”
I frowned in reluctant agreement, pouring him a glass. “Xan, I think you’re right. Drink up.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
An hour later, Rhys still hadn’t emerged from the bathroom. Mathias furiously cooked and stirred on the stove, Bash paced in the hallway outside the door, and Trystan, Xander, and I kept pounding down the wine. We were all relieved when Mathias plopped large platters of spaghetti and marinara sauce in front of us because we were starting to get a little too tipsy; not a state we wanted to be in if a madman was showering in our home.
I had just taken a huge bite of my dinner, and I about choked to death when a devastatingly gorgeous man came sauntering carelessly into the kitchen, wearing only a pair of gray sweats. He was towel drying his long brown locks, flippantly tossing them over his shoulder. His face was clean shaven, revealing very handsome features and a prominent chin cleft. He wasn’t as muscular as the guys, but still stocky and broad, his chest full of black hair that trailed…
Well I didn’t get to look, because Xander growled, and proceeded to cover my eyes with his hand. He was laughing, but it was forced; like he was pretending not to be jealous.
Trystan mumbled something disgruntled in Gaelic, and a wide-eyed Mathias nearly dropped his plate.
I dropped my fork, and exclaimed with my mouth full of noodles, “Holy fucking shit!”
Rhys wrapped the towel around his neck and spun around. “Better, huh?” He grinned widely at me, revealing a clean, straight smile.
Bash was behind him in a heartbeat, slamming him with two hands into the nearby wall. Bash was the shortest of the bunch, but he was taller than Rhys by a good four inches. He wrapped his elbow around his neck in a headlock. “How did you do that? Is that a glamour?”
Rhys struggled to hold up his hands in surrender. “I’m a sorcerer! I can only alter small things about my appearance, not outright change things like Morgaine! If I could, don’t you think I’d make myself taller or something? Seriously, you can do wonders with a shower and a good razor!”
Xander still had his katana sheathed in a belt, hanging off the side of the chair. He gripped the purple handle, narrowing his eyes menacingly. “It’s okay, Bash. We have it covered.”
Bash reluctantly released him but didn’t appear to be eased by Xander’s words. He drew a small silver stunner gun from a holster at his waist, cocked it, releasing the safety like a normal gun, and pointed it at him. “Dragonmetal, bastard. If you’re lying…”
Rhys’s brown eyes widened like saucers, nodding slowly. “I know, I know.”
Mathias set an extra plate at the end of the island table, glowering at Rhys. “You’re welcome to eat, but we want answers when you’re finished.”
“Hey, I can eat and talk!” he said thankful for the food and rushed over to take a seat. He grinned when he sat just around the corner from me, but Mathia
s glared, and he slid his chair over, allowing for Mathias to sit between us.
“Look, guys…I’m not stupid enough to get between four incubi. Especially ones protecting Avalon—that would be suicide, okay?” Rhys insisted, not wasting any time digging into his meal. “I can see the protective bond you all have between you.”
Trystan’s eyes were the first to raise. “Ye ken? What does it look like?”
“It’s like a gold ribbon, very faint but it’s there.” Rhys said, shrugging, with his mouth full.
“How can you see that?” I asked, twirling noodles around my fork.
He swallowed a large bite, and smirked. “Who do you think invented the magic?”
Bash slammed his fists down on the table angrily. “This is ridiculous.”
Rhys shrugged again. “You’ll believe me eventually. But I can tell you the story—everything. About how Avalon was formed, the witches there, even what it looks like. I speak the language,” he inclined his head at me for confirmation, and I nodded. “Not even Lancelot can do that. Nor Arthur.”
“Arthur is dead.” Mathias said, deadpan.
Rhys smirked. “Is he?”
My fork fell to the plate with a large clank. “What now?”
“You better start at the beginning,” Xander said, trying to keep deep, baritone voice level.
Rhys pointed at his empty wineglass, and Mathias grunted.
“Would you care for some wine?” He asked snarkily, feigning a pleasant smile through gritted teeth.
“Why yes, thanks!”
I snorted in my spaghetti as Rhys winked at me. Begrudgingly, Mathias poured him a small amount. “You get more when you talk.”
“Fair enough!” Rhys lifted the crystal goblet, and slammed down the entire contents, wiping off his mouth with the back of his bare hand.
“Och, put on a shirt, will ye?” Trystan grumbled.
“I thought this was okay? You were running around naked. Thought maybe this was some sort of orgy situation.” He wiggled his brows, and I swear all four guys stood up, quick with lightning, fists, or weapons at their sides.
Rhys chuckled loudly, motioning for them to sit. “Kidding!”
“Sorry, dude. I have my fill of these four, I’m not looking to add to the harem, kay?” I said to him.
He shrugged. “Suit yourself. Anyway, you all know about Camelot, right? Arthur, Knights of the Round Table? That story?”
“Of course,” Mathias replied. “Everyone knows it.”
“Well, the witches that worked making spells for Uther’s army—that’s Arthur’s father, you know—they were only minimally powerful. Charms and things like that, no actual magic. It was all fine and good for the healings, and minor skirmishes from rival kingdoms they needed to deal with. It wasn’t until another rival king began employing the use of demons did they need to up the ante,” Rhys said.
“Vortigern.” Bash supplied.
Rhys looked surprised. “Well—yes, how did you know?”
“A guess, really. There are many records of him being a major antagonist of the Pendragons. It seemed around that time the demons emerged, though there wasn’t any mention of how or why,” Bash said, smoothing his fingers over the edge of the silver weapon. He was trying for intimidating, and it was working. I was intimidated at least. And a little turned on but…we didn’t need to go there, right now.
“A very good guess,” Rhys praised. “As you may or may not know, our land was very different then. Fae, trolls, dragons, all lived on earth with humanity in general peace for a long time. They are powerful, but it’s hard to compare with the demons Vortigern was utilizing. The only magics that come close are that belonging to dragons and a few sorcerers. Of course, sorcerers with magic strong enough to take on demons was…well extremely rare.”
“Wait.” I had been nervously eating and listening, and I dropped my fork again on my plate at the mention of demons. “What kind of demons? Like—beings from Hell?”
Rhys considered this. “What you might consider Hell, yes. Really, it’s just another realm. There are realms on top of realms—different worlds—all stacked essentially with what you know as Earth and the current universe. Most of them are peaceful and keep to themselves. Others, like the demons get restless and because of their natural strength, aggressiveness, and general cruel tendencies, and they have a habit of invading others’ realms in search of various things. Sex with other creatures to satisfy bizarre needs. Power. Treasure. You name it.”
“So, demons—these demons that Vortigern used—were bad?”
Rhys smirked. “Who’s to say? One’s ‘bad’ is another’s ‘good.’ They did some things that humanity would definitely quantify as ‘bad’. But some are actually decent. Like, the ones that spawned the first incubi and succubi.”
Xander laughed shortly. “I would hardly classify beings stealing other humans’ life-forces for their own petty, selfish needs to be ‘decent’.”
Rhys clicked his tongue, shaking his head. “Oh, you poor delusional, confused man.”
Xander slowly inched his body towards Rhys, leaning over me as he glowered. “I am far from delusional, outsider. Don’t make that mistake again,” he said, turning over his hand in front of me, and sparking a shock of lightning.
Rhys didn’t balk but seemed impressed. “Oh, that’s nice! Glad to see there’s some true power amongst you!”
I set a cool hand on Xander’s forearm, patting gently. “Let him finish, please.”
Xander’s expression was grim, but he distinguished the spark, and sat back in his seat. He left his arm in my lap though, gripping my knee tightly, as if trying to hold on to a semblance of control.
“The original incubus and succubus demons really just came over here, looking for a good time. Their tricks lost on the demon population, they sought out humanity only to copulate with. They didn’t steal life forces or anything of the sort, just gave their human recipients the fucking of a lifetime,” Rhys explained, smiling widely. “Rarely did they impregnate their human partners. But, that’s what happened with me. I have no idea who my parents are, but they’re assumed to be an incubus and human woman; I was found at the Camelot castle’s door one rainy afternoon.”
My mouth dropped open. “So…you’re a cambion like me?”
He nodded. “That’s right. The difference is, I’m from an actual realm demon, not a cursed one. Still, it doesn’t really matter, cursed or not.” He flicked his gaze over to Bash, who still clung to his weapon; but he’d slowly began to lean over the tabletop, listening in earnest. “Does that match with any of your research, witch?” Rhys challenged him.
Bash blew out an exasperated breath. “It does, actually.”
“So, if you know all this…stuff. Do you know where Excalibur is, then so we can take it Morgaine?” I asked hopefully.
“And will it even take out Morgaine, even?” Trystan inquired.
Rhys’s eyes lit up devilishly. “If you’re looking for Excalibur, look no further than your own dear, sweet Father, Ava,” he said, sarcasm dripping from his words.
I squinted at him. “What? He said that he lost the sword while sleeping along the shores of Scotland. That the ‘Lady of the Lake’ took it back, because he wasn’t using it.”
Rhys head tipped back, and he let out a peal of crazy laughter. “Oh, that’s good!” He continued to laugh, as the rest of us eyed each other with contempt.
Mathias set a firm fist on the countertop, bringing Rhys out of his laughing fit. He glowered at him ominously.
Rhys clamped his mouth shut and swallowed exaggeratedly under the weight of Mathias’ glare. “What I mean is,” he said hesitantly, “the myth of the Lady of the Lake is just that…a myth. Really, all the witches of Avalon are the true Ladies of the Lake; they got that name because Avalon was surrounded with water. When one of the witches would appear to a soldier or someone on the battlefield, they often appeared as a woman, surrounded in sparkling mist—like a wave in the sunlight—shrouded by clou
ds and mist.”
“She would appear?” Bash shook his head.
“Yes. You see, Avalon wasn’t a normal island. It floated in the sky, completely hidden from everyone.”
“Floated?” I echoed.
“Well, it didn’t really float; simply it belonged to another realm, much like Camelot did eventually. The witches could keep tabs on the world below, simply by gazing into the water that surrounded them. The water was the barrier between worlds, but really it was some kind of portal,” Rhys clarified. “The witches had the ability to emerge from the water, to assist the soldiers who called to them, but only for a short time before they were summoned home.”
“So, basically, you’re saying that to find the sword, we don’t have to go to Scotland? We just have to figure out how to summon the witches?” I asked.
“Why didn’t Lachlan tell us that?” Mathias wondered.
“Something isn’t adding up here,” Bash tapped the end of the stunner mindlessly on the edge of the counter. Rhys’s eyes widened, and Trystan reached over to stop him.
“None of that matters unless we can even find Morgaine. There hasn’t been a sign of her in weeks—assuming that all the parchment left behind was you, and not her?” Xander asked expectantly.
Rhys grinned. “Yes that was me. I used up all my best spells trying to get to you, dammit! And I think I hurt your pet bear too—sorry. He scared me shitless and clawed at my arm, so he got his revenge. Bled out quite a bit before I healed because I’m weak.” he said sheepishly. “I searched for you in any place you’d had connection to. The club. Your home. Here. One time I accidentally shot off one of my fire spells when your bear scared the crap out of me. Sometimes it was all I could do to leave a damn note, but that was hard too with all your wards.” He shot Bash a scathing look, but Bash beamed with pride. “Well, it was mostly worth it, except I lost all my spells when you slammed the portal I was trying to open closed on me.” Rhys scowled at Xander.
“Actually, we saved all of the pages that fell so…” Xander said, with a shrug.