by Nikki Landis
“I see.” It made sense, even if I thought he overreacted.
He frowned, grabbing my hands and holding them as he searched my eyes and rubbed his thumb over my skin. “We got off on the wrong foot, little witch. Tell me I’m not too late to try again.”
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why does it matter now? Why do you feel the need to say all of these things tonight?”
“I’m not a sentimental guy, Cass, but you make me want to be more, feel more, and,” he paused and let out a breath, “have a connection that I’m lacking in my life. With you, we click, even if it’s sometimes hostile.”
He was right about the connection. There was a spark whenever we touched. “What do you want, Kayde?”
“Haven’t I been specific enough?”
“No,” I blurted, more confused than ever.
“You, Cassandra.” He leaned closer as my eyes widened. “I just want you.”
“You’re not at all what I thought,” I whispered, believing for the first time that Kayde had an interest in someone besides himself and actually cared about what happened to me. “I can’t –”
His lips met mine in a kiss that made my toes curl. His hand rested against my cheek as he pulled back. “Cassandra,” he murmured. “The past doesn’t matter. All I care about is the future.”
“Kayde,” I chided. “You’re not part of this group, remember? You said so yourself when I asked.”
“Maybe I lied, maybe I didn’t want you to know how I felt.” He shook his head and I wasn’t sure what thoughts he focused on. “Your father asked me to watch out for his beloved daughter, but Cass, from the moment I arrived, I’ve been here for you.”
“You’re not making any sense –” I started to repeat.
He cut me off with another kiss, this one longer and stronger. “You talk too much.”
A loud guffaw interrupted us, and I knew Damian heard him say that. I’d never live it down.
‘Sorry, pet, but he’s absolutely right.’
‘Whatever.’
“Little witch, if you’ll have me, I’d like to give us a chance.”
This conversation felt surreal. “I’m not sure how this happened, but . . . okay.”
“Welcome to the Cosan,” the sexy, cynical vampire cut in.
“Fuck off, Damian.”
“It’ll probably happen sooner rather than later.”
“Not with you,” Kayde retorted.
Ryder smirked as he entered the room. “Maybe he just wants me.”
The loud expulsion of laughter made me giggle.
“Fucking hell, I’m only interested in Cass.” Kayde’s look of disgust was comical.
“Like Damian said, welcome to the Cosan, sexy.” Ryder’s words caused them all to laugh and I smiled wide, thrilled to have my four guys and not the least bit ashamed to admit I cared for and wanted them all.
It occurred to me I was linked to each member of my Cosan in a different way. Gabe – by heart. Damian – through the mind. Ryder – by spirit. Even Kayde – bonded through magic and our enhanced senses as well as the link to my father.
Each connection was vital to my survival.
All four men were meant to be mine, just as I was meant to be theirs.
Maybe the Third Eye knew exactly what it was doing and my Cosan were a confirmation of the bond and power I would need to defeat Roman English.
* * *
Gathered around the kitchen table about a half hour later, we munched on traditional Samhain snacks as Kayde sat in the vacant chair to my left and reached for my hand, squeezing lightly before he intertwined our fingers.
“None of you mentioned what happened to those souls in the lanterns,” I reminded them, finishing my third cookie. “Did any of you set them free after the Thrall were destroyed?”
Kayde shook his head. “I was too concerned for you.”
Ryder smacked him on the back. “He sure was, Cassie. He wouldn’t let go of you until Gwen made him step away.”
“Ryder wasn’t far behind and I forgot once I saw you were injured. Sorry, sweetheart.” Gabriel bent down and kissed my cheek. “You were far more important.”
I turned to Damian expectantly. “Well?”
He looked uncomfortable. The vampire was never less than perfectly confident and in control. “What?”
‘Damian, tell me.’
‘Listen, those souls were suffering, so I – ‘
“Oh, wow. You did, didn’t you?” Surprised but incredibly pleased, I let go of Kayde’s hand and tackled Damian in a bear hug. “I can’t believe it.”
“Stop. It wasn’t a big deal.”
“Yes, it was,” I argued. “I’m so proud of you, Damian.”
He snorted, his expression a mixture of surprise, annoyance, and pleasure. “This is bad for my ego.”
Always the smartass. “Whatever.” I rolled my eyes at his comment. “Just take a compliment, vampire.”
‘It’s true, precious. This is bad for my rep.’
Ryder and Gabe chuckled.
“How could it possibly be a bad thing?” I stuck my finger into his chest as he snarled playfully, pulling me into his lap. “Get over it.”
‘You’re turning me on, pet.’
Kayde shook his head, ticking his chin toward the vampire. “Because it gives the impression that the vicious and tough vampire is a bighearted softie.”
Ryder laughed so hard over that, I thought he would fall off his chair. “You’re part female, vampire.”
At that comment, Gabriel joined in. “Sweet Damian.”
‘Thanks a lot, pet. I’ll never live this down.’
‘But it makes me so happy.’
‘Right.’
I cupped his cheeks and pressed a passionate kiss to his sensual lips. Damian’s green eyes began to glow before he leaned in and deepened the kiss, his tongue dueling with mine.
Several of the guys groaned before we parted lips.
‘It might be worth the reward.’
“Thank you, Damian. Those souls were in torment and begging for release when I saw them. With the Thrall gone, they deserved to be free.”
‘I know, precious.’
‘It meant a lot to me.’
‘Exactly my motivation.’ He winked as our eyes met.
“There’s something else,” Gabriel interjected. “We didn’t discuss how to retrieve Cassie’s essence back from that rogue witch.”
“Right,” Kayde agreed, “and it won’t be easy.”
Ryder sighed aloud. “I’m not letting Roman get away with this. As a ghoul, I can try to track him through my brethren. Once we have a location, we’ll be able to close in and take him down.”
“And how do you propose we do that?” Gabriel asked, folding his arms across his chest. “He blocked all of us last time, even the hunter.”
“Kayde?” This wasn’t great news. If Kayde’s anti-magic didn’t work, we were all doomed.
“It’s true, Cass. It took me far too long to penetrate his shields.”
“Why?” Ryder sat back in his chair, watching Kayde closely. “You’ve got some sort of anti-magic thing going on. Even if you haven’t shared what it is, I’ve seen it in action. Shouldn’t you be able to disable his shields and prevent attacks?”
“In theory, yes, but he wasn’t using normal magic.”
Damian held me tighter. ‘Is there such a thing as normal magic?’
‘My ancestors are normal.’
‘Salem witches? I don’t think that’s considered normal, pet.’
Maybe he was right about that.
“You think it was dark magic. Blood magic,” Gabriel added.
“Yes,” Kayde confirmed.
“So, what’s the plan? What do we do?” Gabriel stood, a low growl in his throat. “I’m not waiting around for Cassie to be hurt again.”
“Agreed.” Ryder planted his hands on the table and looked around the room. “We need a plan.”
“We
could enter the fade,” I suggested, playing with a loose thread on the hem of my shirt.
Four pairs of eyes landed on me with a swiftness that made my spine tingle. None of them seemed happy.
“No way, angel.”
“That’s suicide, pet.”
“Forget it, sweetheart.”
The only one who didn’t answer yet was Kayde. Our eyes met and he nodded. “It’s the only way to retrieve her essence. If we don’t return the missing part of her soul soon, Cass will begin to show symptoms.”
“Symptoms of what?”
“Decay.”
Damn. Out of the frying pan and into the fire. First, the Thrall. Now, a lost portion of my soul.
It was always something. Were all witches as prone to bad luck as I was?
“Which means we’ll all start to decline, too.” Ryder shook his head.
Kayde began to pace, ignoring Gabriel who growled in his direction. “We’re all connected. I understand that her life and health directly affect each of our own.”
“You’re not in the Cosan, at least not as far as the ancestors are concerned. Your health isn’t affected the same way we are,” Ryder pointed out, glaring at Kayde. “We’ve discussed this at length. You’re included but until you obligate yourself to the Howe lineage instead of only Cassie, you won’t be as vulnerable as the rest of us.”
“Good point,” Damian added.
“That could be an advantage.” Gabriel stroked his chin, deep in thought. “If we all died, Kayde would still be there to bring Cassie back.”
“We’re getting sidetracked.” Damian leveled Kayde with a cold stare. “Tell us about these symptoms Cassie may experience. The rest is only conjecture right now.”
“Alright,” Kade sighed, frowning as our eyes met. “The thing to remember here,” he continued, “is that with a portion of her soul in the fade, Cass is likely to have more than a few mild symptoms. Decay is only the beginning.”
“What do you mean?” I attempted to get up, but Damian held onto me with a strength I didn’t expect. “Explain, Kayde.” I could sense his frustration.
“You’ll be susceptible to demonic attacks, possession, and your heart could become corrupted.”
The room was so silent you could hear the drip of water from the kitchen faucet as it landed in the stainless-steel sink.
“Then I don’t think there’s much choice,” I finally answered. “We have to enter the fade and retrieve my stolen essence, no matter how dangerous or risky.”
Chapter 13
“Absolutely not!” Aunt Gwen’s voice echoed from the doorway. “That’s far too dangerous, Cassie. The ancestors may not be able to keep a consistent connection while you’re in there and it’s risky. If you become corrupted, I’m not sure we could bring you back.”
“It’s a chance I have to take.” I rose from Damian’s lap and walked forward to meet her as the tears lingered in her eyes. “My soul is in danger, auntie. You know I have to do this.” I hadn’t called my Aunt Gwen ‘auntie’ since I was a little girl.
She shook her head as a few tears escaped. “I can’t lose you. Don’t you understand? I promised Liz.” She pulled me in for a hug. “It would kill me, Cassie. You’re my family. I love you like you’re my own, as much as I love Gypsy.”
A sob escaped my chest as I squeezed my aunt back. “I love you, too. You’ve always been here for me, but I have to enter the fade. This is the only way.”
“I’ll be your anchor,” Gypsy volunteered as she ran into the room and wrapped her arms around me and Aunt Gwen. “If a loved one is here to bring you back then your chances of becoming lost or corrupted decreases.”
How did she know that? “Gyps, have you done this before?”
Aunt Gwen turned to my cousin sharply, awaiting her answer.
“Yes,” she admitted, blushing. “Autumn, Seb, the Bishop brothers, Drake, and I have entered the fade a couple of times. As long as someone is anchored here, the others can return easily.”
“That’s awful arrogant and presumptuous.” My aunt was furious. “You should have told me about this. How can you be certain you weren’t tainted, or a portion of your essence siphoned like Cassie?”
“Mom,” Gypsy breathed, “I’ve done this several times. Each time we returned from the fade our circle performed a cleansing ritual and none of us have been affected.” She turned to me with a small smile. “You can do this, Cassie. You’re strong and powerful.”
I hugged her close and nodded. “Thanks, I’m going to need your help.”
“Not just her help.” Sebastian Wildes entered through the back door. “I’m not letting Gypsy do this alone. Count me in.”
“Seb, this isn’t necessary. I can handle it.”
He grabbed Gypsy’s hand and tugged her into his embrace. “Listen, kitten, we’ve been over this. I’m not letting you place yourself in danger, especially not alone. There’s no further discussion. I’m helping and I think we should include Autumn, Kane, and Karter as well. If Drake were home, I would suggest he join us too.”
“An excellent idea,” Ryder agreed. “The more power and connection here to anchor Cassie, the better.”
“Willow will be furious. Why would you girls do something so foolish?” Aunt Gwen shook her head. “Do you understand the severity? Messing around in the fade can have far reaching and dangerous consequences.”
Gyps pulled out her cell and began texting. It was silent a few minutes before she smiled. “Kane and Karter are on their way. Autumn is talking to Willow and then she’ll be over.”
Sebastian turned to my aunt. “I accept responsibility for this. It was my fault Gypsy became involved. I realize the seriousness of the situation and will do everything in my power to keep her safe from harm.”
Watching this all unfold, sudden understanding dawned on me. Sebastian Wildes was in love with Gypsy. I wondered why I didn’t see this before. It was so obvious. He couldn’t seem to keep his eyes off her. When she was willing to place herself in danger to help me, he was here immediately to protect her. After everything that went down with Jadis, I think he wanted to prove that he was dedicated to the thirteen and would protect the Salem bloodlines.
“Sebastian, I’ve known you since you were a little boy and you’re quite persuasive, but my daughter doesn’t do a damn thing she doesn’t want to do.”
That was the truth. I giggled, not able to help it. “It’s true, Seb.”
Gypsy crossed her arms over her chest, scowling. “I can handle a lot more than you all give me credit for. So, stop the theatrics. Mom, I love you but we’re all doing this. Seb, you can help but if you piss me off, I’m sending you away.”
‘Damn, pet, your cousin is a handful.’
I snorted. ‘You have no idea.’
Gabe walked over and placed his arm around Gypsy. “I believe in you, sweetie.”
Apparently, that was the last thing Sebastian expected. He must not be aware of the strong friendship that had grown between Gabriel and Gypsy. He snarled and shoved the wolf aside, standing his ground next to my shocked cousin.
“Sebastian, are you freaking crazy?”
Gabriel let out a howl of laughter, clutching his sides as he sank into a nearby chair. “I just needed to confirm my suspicions.”
Seb blushed as Gypsy’s eyes widened. “What?”
He leaned down and pressed a kiss on her lips so fast I think she was in shock. “Gyps, surely you know I care about you.”
She blinked several times and I could see the wheels turning in her head. “But you liked Cassie . . .”
“Once, a long time ago,” he admitted, “but we’ve always been better as friends.” He looked my way, his eyes pleading, and I knew what he wanted me to say.
“Gypsy, I never wanted Sebastian that way and I’m sure our attraction was short-lived. He’s way more into you.”
“Cassie, I don’t know what to say.” She didn’t voice her attraction out loud, but I knew Gyps had a thing for Sebastian for a l
ong time now, she just believed until this moment he never returned her affection.
Seb was a self-confessed flirt. Gypsy was afraid of trusting him and becoming hurt, more than she already had. Seb’s night with Jadis was fresh in all of our minds. He slept with that deceiving little bitch. Yes, it was under a spell, but the betrayal was real.
Kayde smiled as our eyes met, clueless of the past. “It’s obvious, Gypsy. Seb only has eyes for you.” The same way Kayde seemed to be staring at me, which was more than a little shocking.
Gypsy exhaled a deep breath. “Seb, we can discuss this later. Right now,” she paused as the back door opened again. Willow and Autumn entered, followed by Kane and Karter. “We have work to do.”
Seb nodded, his expression neutral, but I caught the brief flash of uncertainty in his eyes. “Alright, Gypsy.” He didn’t use a term of endearment, but his eyes caressed her back as she turned to Willow and Autumn.
“Mom is on board,” Autumn decreed.
Willow hugged my aunt, shaking her head. “I’m not happy about this but I’d rather they made the effort with our help and supervision.”
Aunt Gwen sighed. “Agreed.”
Kane and Karter made themselves at home, snatching up Soul Cakes and talking a mile a minute. Both guys were energetic and outgoing. I’d always enjoyed their company.
“So, Cassie, we’re going to the fade?” Kane asked between bites.
“Dude, I’ve wanted to go back since the last time we left,” Karter added.
Gypsy smacked them both lightly on the back of the head. “Grow up, you two. This is serious. Cassie is in trouble.”
The twins were sheepish. “Sorry,” they mumbled in unison.
Laughing, I patted them both on the back. “It’s alright. I don’t mind a little enthusiasm.”
“Are you really in trouble?” Kane asked, his expression serious.
“Yes, Roman stole a piece of my essence and I have to get it back.”
“Who’s Roman?” Willow turned to my aunt. “Is he a demon or a witch?”
My aunt held Willow’s gaze. “A Salem witch, we believe. His last name is English.”
“One of the damned,” Willow replied with shock, sitting down hard on a kitchen chair. “Cassie, how did this happen?”