by Fawn Lowery
“You have a nasty mouth.” She conjured up a bar of soap and flung it inside Tiana’s cage. “Wash your little mouth out.”
Ronna hurried from the room, racing down the stairs to the great room.
Holding sentry. Holding sentry. What the hell does that mean?
She conjured up breakfast and considered her options. She didn’t have many. Given the fact that it was daylight, and Marcus was useless during the day, she felt compelled to have to wait until dark. Even if she managed to infiltrate Drucella’s bedroom and find him, he couldn’t be awakened.
She heard Tiana ranting upstairs. She would leave her in the cage until she figured out what to do with her. Fairies were vain little creatures. She would soon turn her attentions to looking at herself in the mirrored walls of her cage and grow silent. Satisfied that Tiana couldn’t escape, she turned her thoughts to solving the riddle of where Marcus' brothers were imprisoned.
She tried to recall what she had seen in Drucella’s castle. There was nothing that gave the impression that a full-grown man was hiding in, not until the magical doorway opened up and Marcus stepped through it. Why hadn’t she been quicker in warning him? She raked her fingers through her hair, agitated with her inability to identify danger when it was right in front of her nose.
She recalled Tiana’s words and finished her breakfast. She had been in such a rush to get away that she hadn’t paid much attention to anything except finding a window to escape through—she tried to picture the rooms she flew through before she broke out of the castle. She remembered an enormous fireplace with a blazing fire filling its opening. A multitude of candles were placed about the area, emitting black smoke from their tallow wicks, a large table was in the room strewn with parchment rolls.
She left her seat at the table and paced the floor, her brows drawn together in contemplation. For the life of her, she couldn’t recall every item in every room. The castle was vast and since her mind had been had been consumed with the threat of danger and her need to escape. She simply hadn’t taken notice as she should have.
She wracked her brain. What else had she seen in Drucella’s castle? What had she seen that a man could hide in—or become imprisoned in? God forbid she have to return after dark and search every room in the castle.
Something at the very back of her mind refused to allow her to believe she couldn’t remember anything more. A niggling little thought made her concentrate really hard in search of the answer.
She mentally retraced her movements from the moment Marcus stepped through the magical door of Drucella’s spell and disappeared. She had been so frightened at finding him gone from her side that she panicked. She tried to recall her exact movements, tried to picture in her mind’s eye all the objects she had flown over as she headed toward the window in the great room.
“Suits of armor!” She paused her feet. “I saw three suits of armor in the foyer.” She felt her hopes rise. “And Tiana said Marcus’ brothers were standing sentry. They are indeed standing sentry—silent sentry at Drucella’s front door!”
CHAPTER 14
Ronna’s plan wasn’t etched in stone. She knew from her brief encounters with Drucella that the witch was unpredictable. She hoped to be able to sneak into the castle before dark and see for herself whether Marcus was in Drucella’s bed.
The mere thought made her grit her teeth. But then, she supposed that Drucella had, perhaps, placed Marcus in her bed just to make her jealous.
“And by God it worked!”
She conjured up the magic and shape shifted into a bird. Winging her way across the English countryside, she headed toward the castle on the edge of the cliff. Low tide wasn’t until later, but she needed the benefit of daylight to do a bit of investigating. Should she catch the opportunity, she would fly inside and conceal herself until Marcus awakened at dusk. Then, together, they would take on Drucella.
She wished she had a better plan. She wished she were more adept at using her witchcraft skills. Shit! Until she awakened Marcus, she wasn’t even aware of many of her skills. And, her curiosity peaked suddenly, she wished Drucella had gone into more detail concerning the amulet she wore around her neck, but then the witch was hell on wheels and only wanted her dead. She hadn’t exactly been open for conversation once Ronna had pissed her off.
She saw the castle on the horizon and looked for a suitable spot to overlook the grounds. Choosing a turret at one end of the castle, she lit and took in the view of the countryside. Beyond the hillside lay a small cluster of outbuildings and she could see several people milling about.
Drucella’s slaves, no doubt.
She recalled Marcus saying that the coven menaced the villagers of Morganford. She thought then about Pemi. Marcus had taken the poor man to a safe haven and refused to tell her anything further. She pushed aside the thought that Pemi might be of use in helping her destroy Drucella.
The realization that she was gearing up to do battle sank in suddenly. She shivered, shaking her bird feather coat with such force that she almost lost her footing on the turret edge. Noticing that the window she had escaped from last night had been repaired she flew to the main entrance of the castle and perched atop the front door. She would have to find another way into the stronghold. The gray stone was cold and damp, her breath puffed white on the winter’s breeze. She turned her eyes on one of the servants milling about the outbuildings, silently casting a spell over the man. He headed toward the castle, struggling to carry a load of wood for the fireplace.
The servant dropped the wood beside the heavy front door and opened it, pushing it back on its hinges while he stooped and gathered the wood. Ronna darted inside, silently flapping her way to the upper beams of the great room.
Perching high on the ceiling beam, she surveyed the room. No one was around, except the servant and he carried his load of wood through the door and deposited it near the hearth, adding a log to the waning fire before taking leave.
The door slammed as he left and Ronna felt the full measure of her actions. She was inside Drucella’s castle with no immediate way of escape. And knowing the powers of perception that Drucella was privy to, the witch knew she was there. Cold dread spread through her body.
She heaved a long sigh. Before she met Marcus she was happy with her life, such as it was. True, she had no love interest—save for a brief sexual experience now and then. But she had managed to convince herself that it was okay to be a solo act—regardless if all her friends were either married or planning to get married.
She sat on the beam and contemplated her life. It was hell being a witch with powers she didn’t know about. It was hell trying to make it in the world with different powers pulling you in various directions. She made a promise to herself. Once she managed to help Marcus, and his brothers, she would return to her time period and strive to become a better witch. Maybe there was a course at the local college she could take—a course on witchcraft. She could practice at home at night and no one would be the wiser.
She forced her mind back to the situation at hand. Never mind assessing her life from several centuries in the future, she needed to clear her senses and get on with business. She gazed about the large area, spying the massive suits of armor positioned near the front door. A wave of surprise washed over her. She had flown right over them when she darted inside, being so intent on getting in and hiding that she had not looked down.
She surveyed each of the suits, amazed that they looked so similar to the one Marcus was imprisoned in. She hoped that his three brothers were inside the metal suits—it would make things easier once they disposed of Drucella. She abandoned the idea of checking out each of the suits just to be certain the vampires were inside. It was much too dangerous to let her guard down—since she was almost certain Drucella knew she was in the castle.
She jumped from her perch on the ceiling beam and took flight, following the path she had flown last night when she left the dungeon. Drucella’s bedchamber was one of the rooms off the narrow hal
lway. She needed to see for herself whether Marcus occupied the witch’s bed.
The hallway was dim and narrow. All the rooms stemming off the passageway were closed off with heavy wooden doors. She lit on a candle sconce and settled in for a long wait. Sooner or later, Drucella would come along and open the door and given the opportunity, she intended to dart inside.
Voices sounded from the end of the hallway and Ronna crept behind the stubble of a tallow candle. Daring to peek around the stub, she saw two witches coming down the narrow passageway. Her keen eyes took in their long black dresses, and then fell on the amulets they wore around their necks. They looked identical to the one she wore.
If only I could know the history of the amulet.
It would be too risky to shape shift and approach any of the witches. Drucella would be after her in an instant and then her plan to rescue Marcus would be foiled. She thought about the old book Marcus had at his house. Perhaps with Drucella’s death, she might be able to open it. Surely when a witch died, her spells were revoked. She pondered the thought.
I wonder if time spells are broken as well.
The thought assailed her then that she may not be able to awaken Marcus' brothers. In that case, what could she expect from the vampire? Would he keep her there and make her continue to try and break the spell—perhaps until she died of old age? Would he reconsider and let her return home?
Or will he sink his fangs in to my neck and kill me?
She had tried not to think of Marcus as being dark and dangerous, though she knew he was a creature of the night. He was seductive and sexy, strong and manipulative. He had powers she was not privy to in his vampire state.
The witches drew near, paused at the door of the bedroom, as if listening for sounds inside, then, apparently hearing none, continued on down the hall. Ronna watched them disappear around the corner, their voices a low hum. The last time she had seen either of them they were cast upon the wall of the spell room. Perhaps Drucella had a change of heart—since being able to capture Marcus again.
She mentally berated herself again for being so foolish in opening the portal to the hidden room and not warning Marcus before he stepped through the doorway.
If I could kick my own ass—
A noise startled her suddenly, making her shrink behind the candle stub. The door of Drucella’s room opened and Drucella stood in the opening. She could feel her menacing presence. A wave of evil leeched into the hallway.
“You have infiltrated my domain. Present yourself.”
Fear shot through Ronna’s body. It was one thing to believe Drucella knew she was in her castle—but an entirely different thing to be suddenly discovered. Realization wavered at the edge of her brain. Should she materialize and do battle with Drucella—perhaps die at her hand before she got the chance to save Marcus?
“Come down.”
A force stronger than any magic Ronna had ever felt suddenly gripped her bird body. She felt her feet moving from the metal perch and her feathered form inching forward. The next she was aware of she was landing on the floor and shape shifting into her human form.
She blinked her eyes as she took form right before Drucella. The force held her fast, filling her senses with a feeling of complete helplessness. She couldn’t think beyond that of knowing she was returning to her mortal body.
“You dare to think you can defy me? You play games and insult my abilities.”
Drucella’s top lip rolled into a sneer, exposing perfectly proportioned teeth, white and gleaming amid bright red lips. Her eyes were dark sage, boring into Ronna’s face with every bit of menace she could summon. She gnashed her teeth. Shaking her head in fury, she ordered Ronna inside the bedchamber.
Compelled to obey, Ronna entered the room. It was cold and dimly lit with one taper candle in a far corner. A breath caught up in her throat when she saw Marcus asleep on the big bed. She wanted to run to him and gather him in her arms, to protect him from the harm lurking inside the room. But, she was unable to perform any deed aside from staring at his motionless body.
Drucella swept past her, gliding on seemingly invisible feet. She stopped beside the bed where Marcus lay and whirled around, facing Ronna. A venomous look wreathed her face. She smiled slowly and calculatingly.
“You are very foolish to think you can save him from me.” She raised her hands over her head. “He belongs to me.” She levered her arms to one side and crossed them over Marcus' prone body. A spray of red sparks shot from her outstretched hands.
Ronna jerked back in surprise as Marcus' body began to tremble. He shook violently, his body at Drucella’s mercy. He flailed about, though still in his vampire state of sleep.
Drucella waved one hand and he stilled.
“You see. I have all power over him.” She sneered. “And over you—for you are one of my coven.” Her eyes lowered to the amulet around Ronna’s neck.
Ronna raised one hand and grasped the amulet. A million questions came instantly to mind but she was fearful of voicing even one of them.
Drucella rounded the bed and came closer to Ronna. “You are fearful of me.” She pulled herself up to her full height, towering over Ronna. “And rightfully so. I have the power of the dark one at my fingertips.” She raised one arm and clenched her fist. “I will destroy you and then I will end Marcus’ life. He has betrayed me.”
Ronna swallowed nervously. Drucella had just voiced her worse fear. She intended to kill her and then Marcus.
What have I got to lose?
“You are angry at Marcus because he did not return your love.”
Drucella clenched her jaw in anger. “He laid with me on that very bed—“
She whirled round and aimed a clenched hand at the bed. A bolt of lightening slammed against the wall above Marcus’ head, echoing into the room with a loud boom.
“Sex and love are not the same!”
“And what do you know of love? I know the vampire has taken his liberties with your body—I know he has given you pleasures beyond compare.” She drew in a shuddering breath. Her sage green eyes darkened with menace. “I saw him atop you in my viewing pot. I saw you climax and cling to him—I once knew those same sensations—“
Ronna took a step back, fearing any moment Drucella would raise a hand and strike her dead.
“You are a woman scorned. We are not in charge of our hearts. We fall in love not because we want to—but because of circumstance.” She clamped her mouth shut—sounding much too philosophical for the occasion.
“Marcus was not aware of the power I commanded when he betrayed me. He was too confident in his vampire state to believe I could hold him with a spell.” She threw back her head and laughed loudly. “I sentenced him to sleep ten thousand years!”
Ronna drew in a quick breath. She stole a glance at Marcus lying so still on the witch’s bed. What if she put him under the spell again?
“You fear for him. I see it in your eyes.”
“Yes.” Ronna shook her head. Tears welled up in her eyes. “Darrias turned him into a vampire. Isn’t that torture enough? Must you condemn him to a fate worse than death?”
A slow smile crept along Drucella’s lips. “Perhaps you would prefer I drive a stake through his heart while he slumbers?”
“No.” Ronna shook her head. “No. He is helpless while he sleeps. He would have no recourse against your hand.”
Drucella laughed low in her throat. She strode about the room, her eyes on Ronna. “Nor do you.”
Drucella thrust out her arms sending a blast of magic so strong that it knocked Ronna off her feet and slammed her against the stone wall of the chamber.
Ronna struggled to get her breath. Her arms were pinned against the wall at her sides, her legs were splayed open, her head was held as though by iron restraints. Her chest felt crushed with the force Drucella exerted against her.
“You will gain nothing by killing me,” Ronna bit the words out, forcing them from her throat with what little breath she could pull in.
Drucella moved so quickly Ronna barely had time to blink her eyes before the witch was so close she could feel her breath on her face. She hovered off the floor, glaring down at her.
“But I will gain much—much that you are unaware of.” Her eyes lowered to the amulet. She reached out and plucked it from its resting place between Ronna’s breasts. “I will own your amulet and it shall do my bidding.”
Bidding?
Ronna felt addled mentally but she caught the remark about the amulet.
Drucella laughed and flung the amulet from her hand, pounding it against Ronna’s breasts. “You are ignorant of its powers.” An angry brow lifted. “Marcus did not tell you of its wonders?”
Feelings were beginning to return to Ronna’s arms and legs. She was managing to catch her breath—though her body still pained in most every spot.
“Why would Marcus know about the amulet? He is not a witch. It could have no meaning for him.”
Drucella laughed. “You are wrong. It has great meaning for him.” She turned suddenly, flying across the room to land beside the bed. She stared down at Marcus, her body rigid, her brow furrowed.
Fear increased inside Ronna. Surely she meant to harm Marcus right before her very eyes.
“Tell me the meaning of the amulet, Drucella. Reveal its powers to me.”
She held her breath as Drucella turned her head and glared at her pinned against the wall, helpless.
“Before you murder me—tell me the powers of the amulet.”
A slow smile crept across Drucella’s face. “It can do little harm—since you will soon be little more than ashes at my feet.” She rose upward, hovering against the ceiling of the room.
Ronna pinned her eyes on Drucella. She hung in the air like a balloon filled with helium, her long black dress concealed her feet, her long hair floated about her face as though lighter than air. Suddenly she spun around, sending a torrent of cold wind and thick black smoke into the room.
The wind whistled and roared about the room, swirling in chilling gusts that whipped at Ronna’s clothes and tugged at her hair. The smoke was so thick and choking that for a few seconds she thought she would suffocate. She closed her eyes in self-defense and prayed that the raging currents would cease and the stifling smoke subside.