At least this time she didn’t hurt.
“Eldon?” She propped herself up and glanced to her left.
Eldon sat cross-legged in his spot, grinning from ear to ear. “It worked.”
Her attention shot to the center of the circle. The Kamens were gone. “Where did they go?”
Preshea pushed herself upright and Tim followed her example.
Eldon pointed to the picture frame on the wall they’d opened earlier, now exactly as they’d found it. “They’re back in a safe spot.”
“Why does magick always make me fall on my ass?” Preshea grumbled as she rubbed a shoulder.
Tim frowned. “They’re in the safe?”
“Yes.” Eldon lifted a brow. “Only now we’ve bound ourselves to them and each other. No one can retrieve them alone, and no one can retrieve them without us.” He extended a hand and pulled Rho to her feet.
“Smart.” Rho stared at the wall, trying to imagine the stones hiding just behind it.
Preshea rubbed her stomach with a hand. “Is that it? Are we done now? Because I’m starving.”
Eldon laughed as he pushed himself to his feet and extended a hand to Rho. “That’s it. Until we find the next one.”
Rho grabbed his hand and rose to her feet. “And then we get to go through all that again?”
“Every time,” Eldon answered.
Tim rose and stepped over to the frame. “So that’s where we’ll keep them?”
Eldon nodded. “Safest place in the house, especially now.”
“Great, more magick. Super cool.” Preshea stood in the doorway as if she were ready to bolt for the kitchen. “Can we eat now?”
“Go.” Eldon waved a hand. “Adelle’s probably ready for you.”
Preshea took off down the hall, and Tim followed, leaving Eldon and Rho alone in front of the painting.
Rho stared up at it in wonder. “You know, your tricks never fail to amaze me.”
Eldon stood alongside her. “You’ll probably be able to do that someday. If you practice.”
She hadn’t really thought about that. If she truly was a Siphon, he could be right. Although the idea of wielding magick the way Eldon did made her stomach clench. She couldn’t imagine having that kind of power.
And she didn’t want to think about that. Not right now. “I thought you promised me a coffee.”
His eyes narrowed as if he knew she was trying to change the subject, but he answered her anyway. “I did promise that, didn’t I?”
“You did.”
“Then we’d better go so I can hold up my end of the deal.”
She smiled and followed him into the kitchen without another word. Preshea sat at the table, her sister to her right.
“Hi, Vectra,” Rho said, extending her hand. “I’m Rho.”
The girl shook her hand gently and spoke in a soft voice. “Nice to meet you.” The girl seemed a little jumpy, wriggling nervously in her chair. Rho couldn’t blame her. She’d been kidnapped by someone she trusted and watched her sister get hit with fae magick. That was enough to set anyone on edge. Eldon pulled out a chair and Rho took it, settling in between Vectra and Tim.
“So, are you feeling sick yet?” Tim asked, eyeing the death mark on Rho’s forearm.
Rho shrugged a shoulder. “So far, so good. I’d be better if I didn’t have a fae queen to worry about, but you know. Such is life.”
“What?” Tim’s mouth turned down as his brow lifted.
The weight of Eldon’s palm rested on Rho’s shoulder. “Rhyannon has accused Rho of theft. She claims her Kamen was stolen.”
“That’s bullcrap,” Tim said.
“Well, it’s a little true.” Rho shrugged. “We did end up with the fae Kamen, and there’s no way I’m giving it back. What I can’t understand is why she wanted them all to begin with.”
Eldon squeezed her shoulder. “I’m not sure, but I plan on doing some research in our family archives.”
Jess peered out from behind a kitchen cabinet. “And I’m searching for a counter spell to that death mark.” Adelle emerged behind her, but remained quiet.
“But I’m not sick,” Rho said.
“Yet.” Jess’s brows knotted as she bit her lip.
“We won’t risk you.” Eldon pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “From now on, someone will be with you at all times. We need to make sure the death mark doesn’t carry any negative side effects.”
Rho snorted as she glanced up at him from where she sat. “What, you mean other than death?”
“That’s not funny.” Eldon’s grave expression made her hold back further snide commentary. “And I’ve volunteered myself for sentry duty, so you’re stuck with me.”
“Imagine that,” Rho muttered. Now that they were… something, he’d want to watch over her twenty-four seven. “Who made that decision?”
“Me,” Eldon answered quickly. “And the team.”
Rho inspected the faces of her teammates. “All of you?”
“You’re a member of the team. We need you.” Tim’s watchful eye made her a little uncomfortable, like he was waiting for her to burst into flames.
“Yeah, you’re not all bad.” Preshea’s smile was devious, as if she’d been granted special permission to annoy the hell out of her.
Rho glanced up at Eldon again. “You coordinated this, didn’t you?”
“Of course I did.” The smile that touched his lips was both sweet and cunning. Clearly he was proud of arranging for her protection and well aware she’d hate it. But even if she was a little annoyed about being watched over, she couldn’t fault him for caring.
“Fine.” She heaved a loud sigh. “I agree to be babysat.”
Chatter took over the kitchen table as Jess brought out a heaping pile of spaghetti. Adelle set a stack of plates on the table before disappearing back into the kitchen.
Rho pulled her mug of coffee to her lips as she watched them all dig in. Staring out the window, she noted the changing sky. She only had a few more minutes until the daylight would zap her strength, but she wanted to stay in this moment a little longer.
Eldon was alive. Vectra had been found. And they had two Kamens locked away safely in a magickal vault that only the team—together—could open. She still didn’t quite understand what she was, how to channel the power she had, or how the death mark would affect her, but they were all here, in one piece.
At least until they started hunting the next Kamen. Which she had a feeling would be very, very soon.
Acknowledgments
There will never be enough words in the world to describe how thankful I am to those people who helped and supported me in my journey to finish this book. But I’ll try.
Thank you to my parents, who read tons of books to me as a kid, back before e-readers when that meant many trips to the bookstore. Thanks to my husband for being supportive, even when it meant spending hours tied to my computer. Thanks to my Grandmother for making up stories about dragons, princesses and fairies to make me go to bed and give me something to dream about.
To Deanna, my amazing critique partner; Rhonda, my witty and wise editor; Minx, Heather and Leslea, my wonderful beta readers; Claudia, my ridiculously talented cover artist; Ashley, my ninja typographer with an eye for style; and Sara at Victory Editing for spotting the little things I would have never seen; thank you, thank you, thank you.
About the Author
Chauntelle is a writer with a special love for the genres of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. She also adores musical theater, walking around barefoot, wearing scarves and eating chocolate – not necessarily in that order. When she’s not busy working in the Houston oilpatch, you find her spending time with her husband at the lake. For more updates and information on her latest rele
ases, please visit her website at www.clbaughman.com.
www.facebook.com/Chauntelle.L.Baughman
Influential Magic
by Deanna Chase
Chapter 1
The ugly concrete building loomed before us, making my body itch with unease. I gritted my teeth and tried to mentally prepare for the long flight ahead. There was a reason faeries hated airplanes. Metal had an unfortunate way of draining our energy.
“You didn’t have to walk me in,” I said to Talisen, my brother’s best friend and the guy who’d just spent five hours transporting me from Eureka to the Sacramento airport. “I would’ve been perfectly fine if you’d dropped me off at departures.”
“Are you kidding?” Talisen draped a casual arm over my shoulders and made a show of stretching his legs. “One more minute in the truck and my limbs would’ve seized up.”
I eyed his lanky but muscular body. Tall, broad shouldered, and tan from his long days of working outdoors in my mother’s nursery. He’d dressed nicer than usual today. Gone were his faded blue jeans, scuffed work boots, and pop-culture T-shirt, replaced by olive khakis, a short-sleeved, button-down shirt, and black canvas shoes. “I think you could’ve survived until you hooked up with your lunch date.”
He pulled the glass door open for me. “Date?”
“Yeah. Yesterday I heard you tell a client you weren’t available this afternoon because you had a date. I assumed that’s what this was about.” I waved my hand up and down, indicating the change in his wardrobe choice.
He laughed. “I was talking about you, Willow.”
“Oh.” I smirked. “Sorry excuse for a date. Is dropping your best friend’s sister off at the airport the best you can come up with? Maybe you need lessons. Remind me the next time I come home to set you straight on what a normal twenty-four-year-old would consider dating.”
“Ha! Look who’s talking. You didn’t even so much as look at any other dudes this summer, let alone go out with one. Pathetic, really. No, thanks, I’ll get my lessons elsewhere.”
His words hit a sore spot in the middle of my chest, and I was grateful we’d reached the ticket counter so I wouldn’t have to continue our regular banter. David, my ex back in New Orleans, had dumped me right before I’d left my store, The Fated Cupcake, in the hands of my trusted assistant so I could run my mom’s shop while she recovered from an accident. Other than missing New Orleans; my dog, Link; my shop; and my best friend, Phoebe; it had been fun and distracting hanging out with Talisen nearly every day.
David had become a distant memory. Almost.
I paid the extra fee to check my bag and met Talisen near the security gate.
He held his arms out and sent me a rueful smile.
I tilted my head and eyed him suspiciously. “You don’t expect me to fall for that do you?”
His smile widened. “Get over here.”
Wrapping my arms around his waist, I buried my head in his shoulder. “Thank you for this summer,” I whispered.
He placed one of his large hands on my head and gently stroked my hair. “There’s nothing to thank me for.”
Hot tears burned the back of my eyes. I squeezed them shut, forcing the emotion down. “Beau…” My breath caught on a silent sob.
“It’s all right, Wil. He’s been with us. He’s with us every day.” Talisen squeezed me harder, and I knew we were both picturing my brother on that fateful day four years ago. He’d been smiling and laughing only a few hours before we’d found him lifeless in my mother’s lavender fields.
I pulled back and nodded.
Talisen eased his grip but didn’t let go. His deep green eyes bored into mine. “Don’t stay away so long this time.”
“I already promised Mom I’d be back for Christmas.”
“Good.” He laced his fingers around a lock of my hair. “Your hair looks nice lightened by the sun.”
Warmth spread to my belly. All the time spent outside this summer had left streaks of gold in my wavy mane. “I’ll get highlights for December.”
“Don’t. Natural’s better.” Faeries didn’t usually mess with chemicals. And I wouldn’t either. But there were natural hair dyes. Still, Tal knew the one quality I really loved about myself was my long, slightly curly auburn hair. “Text me as soon as you get there.”
I grimaced and patted my pocket for my phone.
He rolled his eyes. “You didn’t leave it at your mom’s did you?”
“Um…” I plunged my hand into my purse, frantically searching for the iPhone I never used. My fingers wrapped around something hard and cool. “Got it.”
Talisen took it from my hand and pressed the on button. “Your battery’s almost dead. Try to charge it before you get on the plane.”
I snatched it out of his hand and tossed it back into my purse. “Yeah, yeah. You’re worse than Phoebe.”
“She’s just given up on your lazy ways. Promise you’ll let me know when you land.”
I nodded.
“Good.” His expression turned serious and he seemed to really look at me. Then he leaned in as if to whisper something, but instead brushed his lips lightly over mine, lingering slightly longer than a casual goodbye kiss. “Stay safe,” he said against my lips and then turned and walked out of the airport. I stood still, stunned, my hand against my tingling lips as I watched him go.
Where had that come from? Flustered, I headed for the security gate.
One layover in Houston and seven sleepless hours later, I stumbled off the jet and into Louis Armstrong airport. I’d thought of nothing but Talisen ever since I’d left California. What in damnation was that kiss about? We’d been flirting with each other relentlessly for the past nine years, but because of Beau we’d never acted on anything. Not to mention Talisen’s constant stream of revolving-door girlfriends. Now, with Beau gone, if I lost Talisen due to some stupid relationship problem… it was too hard to even think such a thought.
No, we were just friends. More than that. We were family. And that’s the way I intended to keep it. I whipped out my phone and powered it on. The tiny red battery light mocked me. So I’d forgotten to charge it. Whatever. I only needed to send one text.
The phone buzzed with an incoming message from Phoebe. Vampire sighting at Saint Louis Cemetery. Meet me there are soon as you land.
Dang it all. I hadn’t even had time to pee. I sighed and typed out a message to Talisen. Not two seconds after I hit send, the phone died.
Standing in front of New Orleans’ Saint Louis Cemetery, I checked my watch. Twenty minutes and no sign of Phoebe. Just perfect. What was I going to do, wait all night? Clutching the handle of my suitcase, I squared my shoulders and strode through the gates, dragging my suitcase behind me. I might’ve laughed at the absurdity of the situation if it hadn’t been for the very real threat I could pass out at any moment. Faeries never—never—spent time in cemeteries, and if they did, they sure as hell wouldn’t bring half their wardrobe.
The moldy dampness mixed with the stale, rancid stench of decay turned my stomach. I kept my mouth clamped shut. Tasting death would only kill me faster. I scanned the rows of tombs and cursed myself for forgetting to charge my cell… again.
Where the hell was Phoebe?
Darkness swam at the edge of my vision and panic sparked a healthy dose of adrenaline through my veins. Time was up. If I didn’t want to check into death’s hotel permanently, I had two options: find Phoebe or get my ass out of there. It wasn’t much of a choice. If I’d known where the witch was, I would’ve found her already.
Damn it! I’d never bailed on a job before. With a grunt of disgust, I fled.
My mind turned hazy, my thoughts jumbled. A second later my limbs went numb and I stumbled. Forcing myself up, I struggled to place one foot in front of the other. My eyes never wavered from the exit.
If I could just make it to the street, to one of the giant oak trees, everything would be fine.
My head would clear and feeling would creep back into my limbs. Life would flow again. Ten more feet and I’d be free, hugging the old oak, my body sucking up the life force it needed. Almost there.
A thick, honey-like sensation skimmed my bare skin. I froze.
Vampire.
Shit! I had to warn Phoebe. It was my job. I turned, intending to run back into the heart of the cemetery. But my feet wouldn’t move. The death sealed within the tombs had sucked too much energy from my body, robbing me of the ability to take one more step. I sank to my knees, still clutching my suitcase as I stared at the front gates. Maybe I could crawl my way out.
A shadow fell over me, blocking the moonlight. My breath caught. I didn’t need to look up to know what towered over me. Vampire. He was there, inches away, his presence pinning me to the ground. My strange vampire-sensing ability prevented me from moving.
Slowly, I raised my head. My vision swam and all I could make out was a double vision of a tall, dark-haired vampire. This was it. Another moment and either his death energy would suck me dry or his fangs would. I prayed I passed out before I had to endure either one.
A low, vicious growl sounded behind me, followed by a blur of white fur as a wolf leapt over me, landing with his hackles raised and teeth bared. My heart pounded with fear and relief. My mind continued to buzz in confusion, but I knew one thing. Link, my wolf, was there. Maybe I wouldn’t die.
Footsteps pounded on the bricks and a shout rang out, followed by a commotion. A moment later all the action stopped and the vampire energy faded. My limbs started to tingle and my mind cleared. “Phoebe?” I asked, glancing around.
“Right here.” She appeared by my side and helped me up. “Come on. You need a tree.”
Magick Marked (The DarqRealm Series) Page 31