The Phoenix Charm

by Helen Scott Taylor

  “Tell Michael he’s not trapped.” Devin set Tamsy back on the windowsill, smoothing her ruffled fur. “Tell him to follow you.”

  She retreated into the depths of Tamsy’s mind, loosed her consciousness so she could sense Michael more strongly, and reached for him.

  He surrounded her in an instant, the zing of his energy making Tamsy’s heart race.

  “Michael?” Devin blinked and turned a circle, staring around the room. “I feel you, ya akhy”.

  From inside Tamsy, she couldn’t hear Michael speak, but his hope surged through her.

  Before she realized what he intended to do, Devin grabbed Tamsy beneath his arm, her bottom sticking out behind indecorously.

  “You’re with me,” he commanded Thorn.

  Thorn looked up from the Monopoly board. He opened his mouth to argue, but obviously changed his mind when he saw Devin’s adamant expression. He rose with a farewell to Brian and followed Devin down the steps.

  Cordelia grasped for the feel of Michael, trying to hold on to the wisps of his presence and drag him along.

  At the base of the tower steps, Devin peered out, then hurried the short distance to the quadrangle. He sprinted across the open space, Thorn on his heels, and then made his way down a corridor.

  When they reached Devin’s room, he entered and slammed the door behind them. Cordelia stared through Tamsy’s eyes at the astonishing sight there. Nightshade lay on the bed, one arm strapped up with white bandages, while Eloise sat next to him on the bed, watching over him, holding a cute baby nightstalker asleep in her arms. Laid out on the bed beside Nightshade were Michael’s body and her body.

  “Dee!” Thorn tried to rush to the bed, but Devin grabbed his arm and held him back.

  “Wait a moment. Give her space.”

  Michael’s presence seemed to expand to fill the room, then contracted rapidly. His body gasped in a breath. Relief surged through her and Tamsy to see that Michael was safe. But the sensation dissipated quickly when the fact sank in that she now had to make the jump to her own body.

  After striding to the bed, Devin set Tamsy down beside Cordelia’s body. She stared at herself through Tamsy’s eyes, the experience surreal. Her skin was so deathly pale, she wondered if she could ever revive.

  Blinking, Michael touched the new scar on his chest where Cordelia had healed his stab wound.

  “Cordelia?” Michael pushed himself up on his elbow to look at her and winced.

  “Nauseated?” Devin asked. When Michael nodded, he continued, “That’s normal. Give yourself a few minutes and you’ll be fine.”

  Michael lifted her hand and kissed her fingers. Sorrow shivered through her, chased by a burn of shame. While they were in spirit form, he’d seen her memories. He knew every intimate detail of what had happened between her and Dragon. He knew she’d led Dragon on. He knew she’d caused her father’s death. When she returned to her physical form, how could she ever look him in the face again?

  Michael’s eyes lifted to meet Tamsy’s. “Come back to your body, sugarplum. There’s nothing to be scared of.”

  His psychic presence wrapped around her, gentling and soothing. Tamsy started to purr, the rolling vibration filling the chamber.

  “Well, the cat likes you,” Devin said to Michael with a wry grin.

  Michael reached toward Tamsy, hesitated, then stroked her face. Tamsy closed her eyes and angled her head to expose her throat for rubbing. “Please come back, Cordelia. We’ll sort out whatever it is you’re worried about.”

  “And we need to get you all out of here,” Devin added. “We haven’t long before Gwyn ap Nudd sets the wild hunt on Tamsy.”

  Michael sat in the chair staring at Nightshade, still prone and unconscious on Devin’s bed. Despite the direction of his gaze, his awareness was focused behind him on Cordelia. She sat with Eloise and Rhys, softly explaining what they should expect when they reached Trevelion Manor.

  With his encouragement, she’d finally left her cat and returned to her body. But she wouldn’t look him in the face. Foolishly, he’d hoped for celebratory cuddles and kisses when they found their bodies. Instead, she’d given him a quick hug before falling into Thorn’s embrace.

  Michael had never felt more alone than he did now with his bond mate so close, yet so distant. He touched the small translucent ring of her Magic Knot. Was she still upset over her memories of Dragon?

  His gaze refocused on Nightshade and anger crawled through him. He did not blame Nightshade for his father’s behavior. Yet having lived through Cordelia’s anguished memory of Dragon attacking her and slaughtering her father, Michael’s fury burned for release. What other atrocities had Dragon committed?

  Devin strode back into the room after checking on Gwyn’s plans and locked the door behind him. “We need to get you all away from here. The huntsmen are ready to call out the hunt-Gwyn is going down to the kennels now.” He paced over to Michael and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Feeling better?”

  Michael rubbed a hand over his face. “Aye.”

  Hunkering down at his side, Devin said, “She’ll come around, ya akhy. Be patient.”

  Michael glanced over his shoulder, and Cordelia’s back stiffened when his gaze found her. “I hope so.”

  After standing, Devin moved to the side of the bed. “Pity we must wake the stalker. He needs more rest to allow his shoulder to heal. One of us had better give him a dose of the red stuff to boost his energy before we leave.”

  Michael pushed wearily to his feet. “I will if I must.”

  “You’re weak after your ordeal. He can sink his fangs into me if he’s quick.” Devin gripped Nightshade’s good shoulder and shook him. “Hey, sleeping beauty, time to rise and shine.”

  Nightshade grumbled drowsily.

  Devin dragged a pointed fingernail across his wrist, before waving it beneath Nightshade’s nose. When blood welled into the cut, the stalker’s lips twitched, and his needle-sharp fangs slid into view. His nostrils flared while he blinked awake. His gaze slid from Michael to Devin. “I want to bite you,” he croaked, his voice thick with sleep.

  “No surprise there then.” Devin grinned.

  Glinting seductively, Nightshade’s eyes fixed on the djinn. “Draw the curtains around the bed and lie with me, dark one.”

  “Not this time, my friend. The bloodletting must be purely medicinal, I’m afraid.” Devin sat on the edge of the bed, rolled up his sleeve, and offered Nightshade his wrist.

  Nightshade grunted derisively.

  “Take it or leave it, stalker. Either way, you need to be on your feet and out of here in a few minutes. I suggest you chalk this one up to necessity and put your ego back in its cage.”

  “I’ll make you swoon, Master of the Darkling Road,” Nightshade said, his voice husky with promise.

  “Doubt it,” Devin retorted, his tone all business. “But give it your best shot.”

  Leaning back against the corner post of the bed, Michael crossed his arms, interested to witness what would happen.

  Nightshade held Devin’s left wrist to his mouth, tensed his jaws, then raised his silver eyes to Devin’s face.

  When Nightshade bit down, Devin’s breath hissed in, then rushed out on a low moan. Michael grinned, despite his mood. The djinn’s chest heaved, his breath coming faster. His right hand trembled against his thigh before his head fell back on a groan. After counting to ten, Michael gripped Nightshade’s good shoulder to stop him from taking too much. “Feeding station is closed now, boyo.”

  In the blink of an eye, Nightshade surged to his knees, his lips drawn back on a snarl. With blood dripping from his fangs, he grabbed Michael’s throat.

  Michael held his position and raised an eyebrow, confident that his friend would never hurt him.

  Nightshade blinked, his fangs retracted, and he sat back on his heels. “Err, sorry,” he said, licking blood from his lips. “Instinct.”

  Cordelia and Eloise had jumped to their feet. Rhys was watching Nightshade,
his inquisitive silver eyes taking in everything. “Oh crap,” Nightshade said when he noticed them.

  “That was cool,” Thorn said from where he was playing with Tamsy on the floor.

  “No. It wasn’t.” Cordelia’s chest rose and fell a little too fast, her face bloodless.

  “I’m sorry you had to see that.” Nightshade cast a rueful glance over the women, his eyes settling on Rhys.

  Shaking her head, Eloise said, “Don’t apologize. I’m even more certain now that I’ve made the right choice in bringing Rhys to live with you.”

  Cordelia stared at Eloise in disbelief. “Why?”

  “Because Nightshade is the master of his instincts. In that same situation, Dragon would have ripped out Michael’s throat without a thought. Rhys needs to learn control. I think Nightshade is the right person to teach him.”

  “Oh.” Cordelia nibbled her lip. Michael watched her mouth, the slow burn of desire flaring to life in his belly.

  Devin held up his punctured wrist to Nightshade. “Finish the job, ya sadeeky, or I’ll lay a wonderful trail for the hounds.”

  Nightshade ran his tongue over Devin’swrist, sealing the holes. He looked up from beneath his lashes. “I made you swoon.”

  “Nope.” Devin shook his head. “I had full control of my faculties at all times.”

  “Didn’t I make him swoon?” Nightshade demanded, turning to Michael.

  Michael held up his palms. “I’m not getting involved.” Although he suspected he could have nicked his brother’s Taser and zapped him on the arse while Night shade bit him, and the djinn wouldn’t have noticed. Not that he blamed Devin for losing control. The pleasure from Nightshade’s bite felt damn close to an orgasm.

  Devin stood and swept back his hair, tying it with a black ribbon. He handed Michael a sword belt and a Taser. Then he donned a long coat and strapped a sword to his own belt. “I shall escort you to the entrance to the Darkling Road, and you can make your escape through the Underworld. As the Darkling Road is my domain, Eloise should be able to accompany you.”

  “But we’re not dead.” Cordelia had come closer and was hugging Tamsy. A twinge of jealousy hit Michael and he looked away, unable to believe he was envious of a cat.

  “The Darkling Roads are not part of the Underworld,” Devin explained. “They’re neutral territory runningthrough all dimensions. My aim is to keep them open for all to pass.” He glanced at Eloise. “Even hum ans when the need arises.”

  “What’s to stop the wild hunt from following us?” Michael asked.

  “In theory, Gwyn doesn’t have permission to hunt the roads.” Devin patted the hilt of his sword. “But we can’t assume Gwyn will abide by the rules.”

  “I thought Eloise couldn’t leave here,” Nightshade said as he walked to her side to ruffle Rhys’s hair.

  “The slave charm confines her to the castle. The Darkling Road exists in another dimension.” Devin flicked up his eyebrows. “The metaphorical hole in the fence.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me?” Eloise clutched Rhys tightly, her cheeks flushed. “I could have taken Rhys to safety before Dragon—”

  “If I’d known what Dragon would do, I’d have got you out of here sooner,” Devin replied softly. “I never dreamed he’d…I’m sorry.”

  Michael’s heart twisted to see the distress on Cordelia’s face every time someone mentioned Dragon’s name. Nightshade’s father had better not show his face in Cornwall.

  After pulling on his jacket, Michael stepped closer to Cordelia while she settled Tamsy in her bag. They’d only known each other properly for a few days, yet he needed to touch her in a way he’d never needed to touch a woman before. Not sexual touch, although he wanted that as well, but to shelter her and reassure her. He clenched his fists in his pockets to stem the urge to pull her into the protective circle of his arms. Seeing her hurting and being unable to ease her pain nearly killed him.

  “Cordelia.” She glanced up, and he smiled. “Penny for them,” he said gently.

  She squeezed her eyes closed. “I don’t think now’s the time or place.”

  He touched her arm, the barest brush of his fingertips. When she didn’t pull away, some of the weight riding his shoulders eased.

  Shadows fell across the room and he dragged his gaze from her to stare at the window. The brilliant blue sky dimmed to gray, then faded to solid black, unrelieved even by the normal scattered pinpricks of starlight.

  Devin walked toward the door. “The wild hunt is on the move. Time to go.”

  “Tell me we don’t have to go back to that damn council chamber,” Nightshade said.

  Devin nodded grimly. “That’s why I’ve been waiting. We need the hounds out of the kennels and in the air before we risk entering the chamber. If we leave now, the timing should be about right.”

  Michael stayed at the back, herding the group into the hallway.

  “Everyone normally keeps out of the way during the hunt, so we shouldn’t meet anyone.” Devin paused before he crossed the quadrangle. “All right bringing up the rear, Michael?”

  “Aye.”

  “Let’s go then.”

  While they ran across the open space, Michael scanned the sky, wondering what the hunt looked like in full cry. He hoped he wouldn’t find out.

  When they reached the door on the other side, Devin paused long enough for them to catch up. Once they moved on, Eloise couldn’t keep up. Nightshade slowed with her, and glanced back at Michael. “Curse this injured shoulder. Will you carry Rhys for us?”

  Michael trotted up beside her and lifted Rhys from her arms. “’Tis all right, lass,” he said in response to her worried frown. “I’ll not go letting anything happen to him.”

  The cute little lad stared up at him, blinking his silver eyes. Michael’s chest tightened. So much had happened to him since his father had carried Finian to safety; he’d hardly given his nephew a thought. He longed to be back in the nursery at Trevelion Manor so he could cuddle the twins and make sure Fin hadn’t suffered any ill effects from his time in the Underworld.

  The group arrived at the council chamber panting. Devin raised a hand and everyone fell silent. “Wait here a moment.” When Devin beckoned him, he passed Rhys back to Eloise and followed his brother.

  They halted at the top of the steps, peering down into the darkness where Michael had gone to die. Thememory trembled through him, and he had to consciously steady his heart.

  “Can you see in the dark?” he asked Devin.

  With a nod, his brother glanced at him. “My night vision is one of the skills that improved when I died the first time. I wonder what powers you gained on resurrection? Have you sensed any changes?”

  “No. I’ll think about that when we’re safely home.”

  “I only ask because you’ll need every advantage possible if Gwyn sends the hunt after you. Troy says Gwyn doesn’t play by the rules.”

  Michael gritted his teeth at mention of their father’s name. “That’s rich coming from him.”

  “Troy gives people enough rope to hang themselves, then stands back and watches the show. That’s just his way. Don’t judge what you don’t understand, boy.”

  Throwing back his coat skirts, Devin drew his sword and unhooked his Taser from his belt, offering them to Michael.

  Michael held the Taser in one hand and the sword in the other, remembering how Niall used to beat the crap out of him with the wooden swords they had as boys. “I think I’ll stick with the Taser,” he said, handing the sword back to Devin.

  The idea of zapping Arian somewhere tender made him grin.

  Hidden beneath Cordelia’s hair was a lump the size of an egg. While she’d been away from her body, someone must have bumped her head darn hard. She leaned against Thorn, taking comfort from his strong arm around her shoulders.

  “You all right, Dee?” he whispered.

  She nodded even though her head had been throbbing since she’d returned to her body.

  She couldn’t tell
Thorn as he’d only fuss over her, and she didn’t want Michael to find out. He had enough on his mind without worrying about her as well.

  Beside her, Rhys had his chin resting on Eloise’s shoulder, his inquisitive silver eyes fixed on Cordelia, a tiny thumb wedged in his mouth. She couldn’t remember Nightshade ever looking that sweet. The shameful truth was she’d held a grudge against Nightshade for his father’s behavior, even when he was a child. The realization made her flush with guilt.

  Nightshade tapped Rhys playfully on the nose and the baby grinned around his thumb. Cordelia’s guilty conscience stung so much, she had to turn away. When Michael had touched her emotions, he’d fractured her carefully erected barriers to hold everyone at a distance so they didn’t hurt her and she didn’t hurt them.

  Approaching footsteps echoed along the hallway.

  Snapping back to reality, Cordelia pushed Eloise forward and grabbed Thorn’s arm so he didn’t lag behind. She shut the council chamber doors and hurried to the top of the steps where Michael and Devin were talking. “Someone’s coming.”

  “Time for you to get going,” Devin said.

  “You’re not coming with us?” Michael asked.

  “I need to run interference here. Just follow the road markers I’ve explained and you’ll cross the border into England. Gwyn can go anywhere in the Underworld, but in the mortal realm, he’s tied to Wales. I won’t allow anyone to enter the Darkling Road from here until you’re safe. Remember Gwyn can call on the spirits of the dead, so watch your backs. And whatever you do, make sure none of your lot strays from the Darkling Road.”

  Michael called the group to him; then Devin embraced him. Now that Cordelia knew they were brothers, she could see the likeness. Despite the difference in coloring, they both resembled Troy.

  “Walking the Darkling Road is like driving in the dark,” Michael said, looking around at them all, his gaze stopping on her. “You can only see as far as the are of your headlights.” He attempted a smile, but his trademark grin looked forced. Would he ever regain his carefree sense of fun, or had this trip robbed him of that forever?

  “I’ll go last and keep an eye on everyone,” Nightshade offered.