Witch Fury ew-4

by Anya Bast

  Theo was forced to take his sword back up and block Adam’s jab. “Gods damn it, you’re a fucking pain in the ass.” “Like that’s news.” He slashed upward toward Theo’s chest and Theo blocked his swing. Metal clanging on metal filled the air anew. The hit reverberated down his arm. “Admit it already.” “Don’t make me hurt you, Adam.” Theo growled.

  Adam took a swing that Theo blocked at the last second. “Just admit it.” “Yeah, okay, fuck! She’s cute!”

  Adam raised an eyebrow and turned on his heel, bringing his blade down fast and hard toward him. “Now we’re getting somewhere.” Theo had only a moment to wonder why Adam cared what he thought about Sarafina before he was on the offensive and back in the battle again.

  * * *

  THE IMPRINT OF THEO’S KISS STILL WEIGHED ON Sarafina’s lips. The time that had passed since he’d pressed her up against the wall hadn’t diminished it. In fact, every time Theo looked at her — which was never directly these days — the memory became even heavier.

  She shifted on the small couch she sat on and tried to focus on Thomas’s update and not on Theo, who leaned against a nearby wall with his arms crossed over his chest.

  They’d gathered in one of the Coven’s general meeting/ receiving rooms. All of them were lushly furnished with overstuffed couches and chairs and had fresh flowers on the tables.

  Somehow, some way, she’d been admitted into the Coven’s inner circle. She’d gone from non-magickal office worker, to being a suspected warlock, to being a confirmed fire witch who was intimately involved in the most powerful witchy organization of the realm.

  She couldn’t think about it too much without seriously doubting her sanity, so she didn’t. Going with the flow seemed the best way to proceed at this point.

  Sarafina assumed she’d been included in the inner circle because of her as of yet unknown special status. That she was of interest to Stefan Faucheux and his pet daaeman, Bai, was not in question. But for whatever reason they’d decided to include her, she’d been summoned along with about fifteen other witches to listen to periodic updates made by Thomas and Micah.

  Even Isabelle’s perfectly groomed and highly fashionable mother, Catalina, was here for this discussion. Catalina, so Sarafina had been told, was doing her best to mend her relationship with her daughter. Apparently, when Isabelle had been growing up, Catalina hadn’t parented her well. However, now she was trying her best to make it up to her daughter, and so spent a lot of time at the Coven.

  Today there were representatives from the East and West Coast Covens, too, an occurrence she’d gathered was rare. The Chicago Coven was not only the witchy headquarters for all the Midwest and the South, it was also the largest coven in the United States. However, there were smaller covens in Boston and San Francisco as well. Today Eleanor Pickens, an earth witch, had come in from the San Francisco Coven, and Darren Westcott, a water witch, had come from the Boston Coven.

  The news they’d borne had not been comforting.

  “There have been two killings that seem daaeman-like to us,” said Eleanor. She nodded at Darren, who sat on a chair not far from Sarafina. “Darren says they’ve had one in their area, too. Now, it could be a sick serial killer, but seeing as how the murders are scattered all over the country, it seems unlikely. The victims weren’t witches, but they were dismembered and disemboweled like an Atrika would do it. Not killed for blood magick, but likely for sport.” “So you’re suggesting Atrika are loose all over the country?” Micah interjected.

  Eleanor shrugged. “You tell me. I’m just stating the facts. We’ve already established that the warlocks are getting rowdy everywhere, kidnapping more often, and taking bigger risks to build up their ranks. We’ve already established that there’s at least one Atrika Earthside.” Eleanor jerked her chin at Sarafina. “The one that’s so interested in her.” What a depressing thing to be known for.

  Eleanor continued, “We don’t know how that one came through, so it’s not really a big leap to assume that others came through, too.” Silence.

  Sarafina shivered, imagining more than one Bai loose in the world.

  Micah cleared his throat and sat forward in his seat. “I think we should dangle a few juicy prospects in front of the Duskoff, hope they take the bait, and get some of our people in there to see what’s going on. There are a few Coven witches who look younger than they are, and who have backgrounds that would make them seem like good recruitment material. We should talk to them and see if they’re willing.” Thomas shifted and drew everyone’s eye. He walked from where he’d been standing by a wall into the center of the room. “We talked about this before and I have misgivings. First, there’s no telling if we managed to get witches undercover into the Duskoff whether they’d be privy to any of the warlock’s sensitive information. They’d be considered merely soldiers, nothing special. Second, it’s too big a risk. If the witches who go in are discovered, they’re dead. Simple as that.” “You talk about risk, Thomas,” Eleanor interjected. “What about the risk to all of us if the Duskoff have somehow allied with the Atrika? Imagine a world overrun with the most violent daaeman breed, led by the warlocks? Try to imagine the carnage to both witch and humankind.” Sarafina hadn’t been around when Erasmus Boyle had terrorized the Coven, or when the other two daaeman had come through hunting Claire. Yet she knew all too well what a creature like Bai was capable of. She thought about Maria, Robin, Nick, and the rest of her friends. What if Atrika ran amok on Earth? What if a daaeman got their claws into one of them?

  The thought was terrifying.

  “You’re right, Eleanor. I know what you’re saying,” Thomas answered. “But it’s too much to ask—” “I’ll do it,” she announced. The abrupt words made even Sarafina jump in surprise. Theo’s head swung toward her, his eyes going dark. “I’ll go. I’ll do it.”

  THIRTEEN

  HER VOICE WAS SHAKING A LITTLE. “THE DUSKOFF will let me in. Stefan was all buddy-buddy with me, remember? I can go back to him, say I’ve thought things over and I want to join them. I can get Stefan to tell me what’s up and I can find out why I’m so special to them all in one go.” “No way in hell,” Theo interjected from where he stood near the wall. He unfolded his arms from across his chest and took a step forward into the room. He seemed to fill it suddenly, and every inch of him was menacing. “You’ve got an Atrika after you, Sarafina. Have you forgotten?” “No, I most definitely haven’t forgotten,” she countered, staring up at him. Anger laced her words and made them sound hard. “That’s one of the reasons I’m volunteering. I need to find out what the hell is going on. I don’t want to just hide in the Coven and wait for him to come back for me.” Theo fisted a hand at his side and a muscle twitched in his jaw. “You’re barely a witch, Sarafina. Your training isn’t even finished yet and you’d be putting yourself right into their nest without any backup.” “That’s bull, Theo, and you know it. I’m strong. Exceptionally strong, isn’t that what you told me?” “In healing you’re exceptionally strong, Sarafina. You’re stronger than most with fire, but you lack the skill to wield it properly. You’re not ready for something like this.” She continued on as if he hadn’t spoken. “And the fact that I’m inexperienced works in my favor. I’ll tell Stefan I spent some time here at the Coven, but you-all were too goody-goody for me. I’ll tell him I want to be with the ones who can help me maximize my skills and turn a profit from them.” She paused. “I was in theater in high school. I can do this.” Theo glared down at her. “No. Gods damn it, getting the lead in My Fair Lady can’t prepare you for something like this.” She bristled. “You’re not my—”

  “Enough!” Thomas roared.

  The room was plunged into silence once more.

  “I agree with Theo,” Thomas said. “It’s too dangerous.” Sarafina gestured with one hand. “It’s perfect. I have the best way in of anyone here. Stefan was already willing to talk to me personally. All I have to do is convince him I want to go warlock and I’m sure he will let me in a
gain.” Thomas raised an eyebrow. “And Bai? Aren’t you forgetting about him? Maybe all Stefan wants to do is feed you to his pet Atrika.” Sarafina shook her head. “No, he told me that he would keep Bai under control and away from me.” Theo snorted. “Do you really think that Stefan has any control over Bai?” She turned and speared him with her gaze for a long moment before answering, “You don’t, either, Theo. No one does. I either sit here and wait for Bai to come for me, or I go back to Stefan and wait there. It’s the same damn thing. But if I go back to Stefan, I might actually glean some information that could help the Coven and maybe all of mankind to boot. Is that such a bad thing?” “Here you have me to protect you, Sarafina,” Theo ground out in response. He glanced around at the roomful of witches, all of whom had their eyes on her. “Here you have everyone to protect you.” A part of her wanted to deny that she needed protection because admitting that she couldn’t fight all her own battles made her feel weak and fragile. But all Sarafina had to remember was the look in Bai’s eyes, and it made her snap her mouth shut and swallow her denial.

  Claire, sitting beside her, touched her knee. “Everyone needs protection against the Atrika, Sarafina, even the great and glorious Theodosius Winters.” Sarcasm bit into the last few words. Perhaps Theo was getting on Claire’s nerves, too.

  “So maybe Theo can go with her.” That came from Micah. Everyone turned to stare at him. Micah spread his hands. “Theo has had little direct contact with the Duskoff since he was a teenager. Mostly, he hunts down wayward warlocks and lawbreaking witches away from the organized structure of the cabal. He did have that skirmish with Stefan a couple weeks ago, but there are earth charm glamours that can be used to change his appearance enough for him to avoid recognition. He might be able to go in with her.” Thomas pursed his lips together and examined Theo. “I don’t know.” “I don’t want Sarafina in there.” Theo growled.

  “We’ve established that at length,” Thomas responded drily, rubbing his hand over his chin. “Let’s consider our options.” “There’s nothing to consider.” Theo snarled.

  Thomas shot him a dangerous look. “Last time I checked, you weren’t the one in charge of Sarafina.” “You made it my job to guard her. Putting her in the middle of a nest of warlocks and within reach of a daaeman who has an unhealthy fascination with her is not guarding her.” “We need to do what’s best for the Coven,” Sarafina answered evenly. “I will do whatever I can to help defeat those who might mean innocent people harm.” She turned to look at Thomas. “You said Mira can’t break through the Duskoff’s warding?” Mira spoke from across the room. “It’s smooth as glass and ten thousand times stronger. I can’t find a way through and none of the earth witches can find a way to break it. I’ve been all over it, every inch, and I can’t find a flaw. It’s almost as if it’s not made by witches, like it could be. . well, I hate to say it, I really do, but it could be daaeman warding.” She shook her head. “I can’t hear a thing unless it’s said outside Duskoff walls and they’re being very careful never to slip.” Sarafina turned her attention back to Thomas. “So how else can we gather the information we need? Someone has to go in.” Thomas said nothing in response. He only stared at her stormily. She was right and everyone in the room knew it, no matter how much they might not like it.

  Theo swore under his breath.

  “Look, let’s leave off on this issue for now,” Thomas said. “We’ll consider it. I’m not saying it’s a good idea yet, just saying it bears more scrutiny.” “You can’t win a war without taking risks,” Sarafina added softly. “And this is shaping up to be a war, right?” Theo jerked his head to stare at her, dark eyes narrowing.

  The witches filed out of the room. Sarafina watched them go, noting that Theo hung around by the door, waiting for her, undoubtedly.

  Oh, goody, a scolding.

  “That was pretty gutsy,” Darren drawled in his Boston accent from where he sat in an armchair near her. He had glossy black hair and a Vandyke that made him look just a little wicked.

  “Is gutsy a synonym for stupid?” Her hands were shaking.

  God, what had she just volunteered for? Was she totally insane? She was a paper-pusher, a cube farm animal, a freaking data entry professional! She was not James Bond.

  Darren laughed. “No, I didn’t mean it that way. I meant I think you’re brave.” “Well, thanks. Maybe you’ll say something nice at my funeral. Hey, by the way, I’m sorry for your loss.” His smile faded. “You mean the air witch, Emily. She was a member of our Coven. She lived mostly with the non-magickals, though. Her skills were so low-grade she really considered herself nothing more than a human with a few spooky abilities. I didn’t know her all that well.” “Any idea why they would have been interested in her, seeing as how she wasn’t very powerful?” Darren shook his head. “No. Really, we have no idea.” He frowned. “I guess she was vulnerable enough that she could be taken easily, so they did.” Sarafina nodded.

  Theo shifted near the doorway and continued to look pissed off. Of course, he always looked pissed off. Did he want her to hurry up so he could berate her?

  Yeah, whatever.

  She turned her attention back to Darren.

  “It’s just weird,” Darren said. “She wasn’t even powerful enough to use in a demon circle. Why they snatched her and then turned around and killed her. .” He gestured into the air, trailing off. “We don’t know.” “None of this makes sense.”

  That’s why she wanted to see what she could get out of Stefan. For Emily. And for the non-magickals who’d been killed across the country, perhaps by daaeman for sport.

  Darren smiled. “Thanks for thinking of her.” “Of course.”

  “Maybe, if you have some free time later today, we could get a cup of—” “Sarafina,” Theo interrupted, coming toward her. “Let’s go.” Sarafina jerked her gaze from Darren and focused on Theo. “Do we have an appointment or something, Theo? I don’t remember making one.” “Training.” Theo pushed the words out from a nearly locked jaw. “If you’re going to offer yourself up on a platter to Bai, we’d better make sure you’re well garnished.” Darren stood. “I need to go, anyway. It was nice to meet you, Sarafina.” He turned and nodded at Theo. “Theo.” Masculine challenge stood clearly on both their faces.

  She and Theo watched Darren leave. Theo shut the door behind him, then braced his hand on the back of the door and spoke. “Making new friends, I see.” “Are you jealous?”

  “Of course not.” His voice was harsh. “Flirt with whom-ever you want. That’s not why I’m pissed.” Sarafina stood. “Look, Theo, I’m not a child. I understand that I just put myself in grave danger.” Theo stared at the closed door for a moment before turning toward her. “No, Sarafina, you just promised yourself death.” He paused. “Is that what you want? I’ve met lots of people in my life who do, either consciously or subconsciously. I would not put you in that category. You are. . life. You are harmony, laughter, and magick.” She blinked and jerked a little at the awe in his voice. It was almost reverence. Okay, she hadn’t been expecting words like that. Her jaw loosened a little, dropping a degree.

  “Don’t do this.” He swore low. “Take your offer back. Stay away from the Duskoff.” “No.”

  “Sarafina—”

  She pushed past him, toward the door. No way would she stand here and let him chastise her like he was her father. He grabbed her shoulders as she went past and held her fast.

  “Let someone else go,” he said in a low voice.

  But someone else didn’t have the access that she had.

  “I can’t, Theo.” Her whole body shivered at his proximity, remembering his kiss. It was an event indelibly marked on her mouth.

  “I won’t let you get hurt.”

  “Then come with me and make sure I don’t.”

  THEO’S GAZE SLIPPED DOWN THE CURVE OF HER throat. His fingers itched to stroke the fine blond hairs on the vulnerable back of her neck.

  She wasn’t looking at him; she was looking a
t the door. An unconscious tell. Sarafina wanted away from him. Her jaw was tight and her eyes a little narrower. She was pissed off and he’d done it.

  She was right about being the best person to approach the Duskoff, but Theo didn’t care. The thought of putting her deliberately in harm’s way made every protective instinct he had go on red alert.

  Somewhere along the way he’d decided Sarafina was his to keep safe, his responsibility.

  “Yes, of course I’ll go if you go.” He paused. “But they won’t allow me near Stefan.” She looked up at him. “But you’ll be near me. That’s all that counts.” “Stefan undoubtedly thinks you’re beautiful. That won’t hurt your cause at all. Even if they let me in to the Duskoff, I won’t be able to protect you all the time because he’ll try and keep you close and me away. He’ll want you to himself.” “Beautiful?” She blinked. “What an odd thing to say. Why do you think Stefan would consider me beautiful?” He said nothing and made sure to school his expression. Fuck. Had the woman never looked in a mirror? She was light to his night — fair of skin, hair, and eye. Her body was fragile, delicate-looking, but he knew just what a wallop she packed, not only magickally but physically. He loved that dichotomy in her.

  And she was small. So small and light that he could pick her up with no problem. The sexual possibilities of their difference in sizes had not gone unexplored by him. He bet anything he could lift her, press her against a wall, and fuck her with no difficulty at all. It was also likely that he could easily flip her while they were having sex, bringing her to her knees so he could take her from behind with hardly any effort.

  Fuck if he didn’t want to try that sometime.

  Sarafina arched a fine blond brow. “Have we gone silent once again?” She made a mock moue. “And you were doing so well.” He shook off the fantasy playing out in his mind. With Sarafina it was hard for him to keep his thoughts on business. He wanted her. That want was growing worse every damn day and it was becoming distracting.