He sat. “Yeah.”
“Once upon a time, one man and one woman lived on Earth.”
James rolled his eyes. “Adam and Eve.”
“No, no. Before that.” The Historian sat. “Adam and Lilith. Both possessed powers most humans have long since forgotten—mastery over the animals and elements—Magic. Unfortunately, they didn't suit. Adam wanted a submissive woman and Lilith needed a stronger mate. She fled Eden and shacked up with one of the Grigori, an Angel named Samael.”
Lilith winked. “I guess it was fortuitous.”
For the first time ever, he had a reason to like his name.
“Samael bit Lilith, giving her eternal life and for many years they lived happily together, until one day, Lilith saw that Adam's new wife grew fat with child. Lilith couldn't bear children and became jealous. For years she shadowed the humans, stealing the lives of their infants, until three angels came to tell her to leave. She refused and battled with them.”
“That makes no sense. Angels are more powerful than all of us.”
Augustina crossed her legs. “You forget, as both vampire and witch, her power rivaled the angels, and so, in the end, God intervened. He destroyed her immortality and struck Lilith's soul in two, forcing her two halves to reincarnate time and again until they learned humility, compassion, and love. Once the three lessons were learned, her immortality would return and she’d resume her place in the world.”
“So there are two of us?”
The Historian nodded. “Two halves of the same coin. Night and day. One of you burns bright as a beacon, the other remains shrouded in starlight. She will not be known, her Magic will not be felt, until she has been transformed.”
Lilith nodded.
“Who—”
The Historian shook her head. “Don't ask. Speaking her name would put her in danger and she is not ready.” She looked at Lilith. “But you know. In your heart, you know who I speak of.”
“I think so.”
James sat back. If he had to take a guess, he’d assume the other half must be Trina. That woman was as dark as Lilith was bright. Then again, Crowley hadn’t acknowledged Trina when he came to Haven House—so perhaps not. “You worked with the Council for centuries. Why did you leave?”
“Because Julius Crowley became a threat. Always lurking around, asking questions.”
“About what?”
“Who. The question is, about who. I'll give you one guess.”
“Lilith.”
“Mm.”
Lilith shivered. “He killed the old coven during the Clearances. Him and those monsters, the Nephilim.”
The Historian tipped her head to the side. “Is that what happened?”
James' gaze sharpened. “I would've expected you'd know.”
“Why? Because I'm a seer?” She shook her head. “Visions get murky around that male same as they do around you, Lilith. The only things I can tell you about him is what I've seen for myself.”
“And what's that?”
“He wants the Original.”
“To what end?”
“I can't say with any certainty.”
“Can you guess?”
“There have been signs for centuries now.” She shook her head. “Signs of the End Times. Signs that the balance will be tipped.”
“Like what?” Lilith asked.
“The portal to Machon closing. The Clearances. That's when it all began. After that—?” She opened her arms in a sweeping gesture. “Mankind has advanced more in the last three hundred years than at any other point in history.”
James shrugged. “Humans have technology now. They've needed to worry less about survival in the last three hundred years.”
“Yes, yes, but why? Why this sudden burst of inspiration? Mankind hasn’t had such an explosion of knowledge since before the Great Deluge.”
Holy Christ. Was she saying what he thought she was saying? The Watchers. They must have been giving humans information.
She held up her hand. “Don't answer that. We're done.”
“What about Crowley?”
The Historian lifted her hand in a staying gesture. “I'd remind both of you this conversation—no conversation—is ever private.”
James didn’t want to let it go. If he could get the answers, perhaps he’d have a chance at defending himself and Lilith against the Council. “Crowley is helping them, the ones who have gone rogue.” He must be in league with the Watchers, at least the Watchers who weren’t helping him and Lilith.
“I cannot tell you more.”
“Crowley suggested I come here.”
She stared. Her lips parted. “Why didn’t you tell me that at the beginning?”
He'd never seen this woman rattled. Not even the night he'd faced her in that back alley in Seattle. She showed fear then, but not like this. Her gaze darted around the room as if she might find someone lurking in the room, eavesdropping.
But then, maybe she would. “You fear the Watchers.”
“Everyone with a lick of sense fears the Watchers.” She stood. “You need to go.”
“No. I'm not leaving until you finish answering our questions.”
“I've said all I can say with certainty. The rest is for you to discover on your own, and, if you are wise, to never speak aloud.”
“James,” Lilith said, tugging at his arm, “we should go.”
“No. Are they in on this? The Watchers? Whose side are they on?”
The change in the Historian was instantaneous and dramatic. Her skin split apart along heretofore unseen seams, a thick dark mass billowing out from within.
Lilith grasped at his arm, pulling him back.
“Damn it, she's hiding something.”
“She'll be hiding our bodies if we don't get out of here.”
The Historian loomed over them. “Leave, Guardian, or I'll make good on the old woman's curse.”
“Fuck.”
He let Lilith pull him out into the hall and closed the door behind them. “The Watchers—”
Lilith covered his mouth. “Don't say it out loud. There's a reason she didn't want us to speak of it.”
“How the hell are we to come up with a plan?”
She grinned. “Everything will work out. Soon, the coven will be on our side. Your team is on our side. We'll figure this out.”
He opened his mouth and she covered it again. “Without us tipping our hand to our enemy.”
James sighed. “Let's get you home. Come on.”
Chapter 34
Rowena grinned. Everything was set. Her spell had taken root and the Director of RI had his cure.
Almost.
He was sending men. Lots of them. They’d set up watch on her property and the next time Julius Crowley showed his face around here, those men would grab him. Dr. Edwin Moss of RI was sure the answer to his problem lay within Crowley’s DNA.
She giggled. This would be hilarious.
The Watchers would not suspect her involvement. The spell had been cast silently. She’d sought out the director on the astral plane, inspiring him through his dreams. No, the Watcher’s wouldn’t suspect her involvement at all.
And truly, there was little risk. The good doctor could try to take Crowley’s DNA until his dying breath, but it was impossible. As soon as he removed Crowley’s tissue, it would fall to ash. There was no risk of Moss accidentally making more vampires.
The infected humans would die, yes, but they would die either way.
And Crowley, Crowley would be out of her way.
Her doorbell rang and her gaze narrowed. One guess who that might be.
Rowena answered the door but before she could say a thing, Crowley launched into speech. “It seems your meddling did little but draw the witch and her lover closer together. Congratulations on making everything more difficult for all of us.”
She reared back. “Excuse you?”
“Oh, I have no need of excuses. But you may. He's turned her.”
Rowe
na’s breath caught. Dear goddess help them all. “To a vampire?”
“Oh, no. No, nothing so mundane. She's changing to something the world hasn't seen since the beginning of time. Now you do need me. I'm offering you a chance to get her back under your control. What will it be, Madam?”
She considered him for a long moment. Finally, she stepped back.
One corner of his lips rose in a mocking grin. “The words, if you please.”
“Providing you wish me no harm, you're welcome in my house for the next ten minutes, Mr. Crowley.”
Crowley strode inside. “I've always wondered what a witch's house looked like.” He made a show of observing his surroundings as he circled her living room, stopping to fondle the jars and crystals that littered the space. “Actually, I guess it's like anyone else's. A bit disappointing.” He made his way over to her sofa, passing a large wall mirror.
She sucked in a sharp breath. She expected to see nothing in the mirror—vampires didn’t have reflections. But this one did. This vampire’s reflection showed a massive, twisted skeleton. It’s alabaster bones, blackened as if they’d been charred.
He sat before she could discern any other details, making himself at home with a comfortable sprawl.
Rowena remained standing near the door. What the hell had possessed him? “What's your proposition?”
“You don't sound very enthusiastic.”
“I doubt you have anything to say I want to hear.”
“I may surprise you.” He shrugged. “Your coven is fully staffed now, is it not?”
She maintained his gaze, her eyes narrowing. As if she’d tell him anything.
Crowley grinned. “Let's assume it is. It would be the first time since Roanoke you've had thirteen mature witches in the coven, hm?”
She gave a non-committal shrug.
“I find it interesting you haven't made a move yet. Having trouble with some members?” His eyebrows popped up. “Bit of mutiny, perhaps?”
Again she shrugged, choosing to say nothing.
“Still, it's quite an achievement.” Then, in a more dramatic voice, sounding like a TV announcer, he said, “They are ready to seek revenge, to take their rightful place among the creatures of the night.” He chuckled. For a few heartbeats he did nothing but wind and unwind one of the pillow tassels around his finger. He grew serious again, gazing at her thoughtfully. “I want Lilith.”
“So you keep saying. Why?”
“She has something I want. Same as you. Why else would you have hid her Magic all these years?”
She gasped. “You know about the dybbuk?”
“I know about far more than the dybbuk.” Crowley crossed his ankle over his knee. “What would the coven do if they found out who killed off all their mothers?”
Slowly, Rowena sat.
“We both know what Lilith is. What she can do. And I imagine she'll be pissed as hell once she figures everything out. She's not stupid.”
Rowena looked away.
“My plan would aid us both.” His expression turned sly. “You've planned an induction for her tonight?”
She nodded.
“My deal is this.” He leaned forward. “I want you to induct her, and then I want to speak to her. She'll be yours again by dawn—think of the havoc you can wreak among the vampire race with her special brand of Magic.”
“What spell?”
He smiled. “A simple exorcism.”
She should’ve known. Now that she’d gotten a glimpse of what possessed him, she could understand all the risks he’d taken in an effort to get to Lilith. Still . . . . “You’ve waited all these years for her? I could’ve worked that spell.”
“No, madam. What I need will require a bit of extra finesse. Give me three minutes with your coven before Lilith arrives. I’ll have them all on your side.”
She laughed. “You think you can convince my coven in three minutes to help you?”
“I'm a mesmerist. They'll do what I say. As a bonus, I'll make sure Lilith doesn't remember anything about the dybbuk or your role in her curse.”
Hm. A mesmerist. That would be helpful. It also explained his frustration with her throughout the years. She’d spell-cast her mind when Trina was young to keep the little troublemaker from seeing her thoughts. Apparently, the spell worked against mesmerism, too.
If he could mesmerize her girls into obedience . . . but, damn. She’d already cast the spell on Dr. Moss.
Timing would be everything. Perhaps she could have an obedient coven and have him removed before he used Lilith’s talents. She’d have to be cunning, Crowley couldn’t be allowed access to Lilith. She grinned.
“You have yourself a deal Mr. Crowley.” Rowena stood. “I'll call the coven together. But—”
Crowley cocked his brow.
“My daughter, Katherine, she'll be as immune to your talent as I am.”
A shudder jerked his head to the side. He clenched his jaw. “Then bind her. Keep her silent and out of my way.”
Chapter 35
Trina walked in from the kitchen as soon as they returned to Haven House. “You’re going to be late if you don’t hurry.”
“For what?” Lilith asked.
“The coven takes back their powers tonight, right?”
Lilith closed her eyes. “With everything else, I'd forgotten.”
“We can't bail on them.”
James shook his head. “Have you forgotten about Crowley? He could ambush her anywhere between here and there.”
Lilith held up a hand. “How about this, Trina can use the Transportation spell to send me. I'll go from being under your protection to the midst of the coven.”
“You can't argue that, James.” Trina folded her arms over her chest. “Not even your Mr. Crowley would be brazen enough to face a full coven.”
James relented. Not that he had a whole lot of choice. He knew how important it would be to have a high priestess in place who supported daemon-kind. He leveled his gaze on Trina. “You're going to be there, too?”
She nodded. “I’m going to show up at midnight, after Rowena casts the circle and starts the rite.”
Lilith wet her lips. “Once the circle is cast, coven members can enter, but no one else.”
“And no harm can be done to anyone within the circle.” Trina shrugged. “Unless one of the witches leaves the sacred space . . . then all bets are off.”
Lilith snorted. “Like Rowena would do that. She may have a bit of all our powers, but together, we’re still stronger.”
He relaxed a little. While Lilith was still learning to use her Magic, Trina was scary as hell with hers and it sounded like they had a plan.
Trina nodded. “Come on, let's get ready.”
Even knowing Trina with her scary Magic would be close at hand, he couldn't shake the feeling something bad might happen. “Maybe I should go. I'll stay out of—”
Both women shook their heads.
“You wouldn't be able to enter the circle to get to Lilith anyway,” Trina said.
“And if you get too close, she'll sense your presence, which will cause even more havoc.” Lilith tipped her head back to regard him. “Besides, didn't you say Will is on his way?”
He nodded. The Lycan had called. He had some news.
“You'll be so busy planning, you won't even miss me.”
James scoffed. “Don't count on it, sweetheart.” He bent down and gave her a quick kiss. “Go on.”
The two of them went into the room under the stairs and James retreated to the living room.
Ghost looked up from his book. “What did you learn from the Historian?”
If you're wise, you won't speak it out loud. “Nothing.” James glanced at the title of Ghost's book and groaned. “What are you doing with my mate's book?”
A slow grin spread on his face. “This is you're mate's book?”
He frowned. “She likes the plot.”
“Yeah, me too, man.” Ghost chuckled. “It's all about the plot.”<
br />
Walker harrumphed. “Nah, I prefer those character-driven stories.”
“Oh, this one has that, too.” He glanced up from the pages, grinning from ear to ear. “They're very driven, just thrusting the story forward, they are.”
“She's with the coven.” Trina walked into the living room as someone knocked. “I'll get it.” She turned on her heel and headed for the door.
A moment later she walked in with Will.
James made the introductions. “This is Ghost, Shadow, and Walker.”
Will looked at James. “And plain old James. You really are a relic, aren't you? How old are you?”
“Old enough to correct the accounting of the battle of Montisgard in the history books.”
Ghost folded his arms over his chest. “You're as old as Crowley?”
“Older.” James had to resist the urge to squirm under their questioning gaze. “I trained him.”
Shadow let out a low whistle. “Damn. You should've ashed his ass, instead.”
“He wasn't always a bastard.” James shrugged. “Back when I worked him, he was . . . funny. Laid back. Everybody liked him.”
Walker snorted. “That's what happens when you get too chummy with the Council.”
“Maybe.” He looked at Will. “I'm assuming you have news?”
“Yeah, some good, some bad, some worse.” He took his phone out and pulled up a map app. “So the Watchers gave our hem-it-netjer a location. We’re not sure what’s going down there tonight, but we think it has to do with the missing Guardians.”
Shadow pulled off his baseball cap and put it on backward so he could lean forward and see the map. “That's not far from here.”
James kept his attention on Will. “I'm assuming that's the good news?”
Will nodded. “The bad news is, there’re lots of vehicles not far from this house. Military-style vehicles. Whatever’s going down, it’s some serious shit.”
Great. “So, we'll have humans to deal with.”
“Yeah.”
“Military vehicles.” Walker shrugged. “What are we talking here, two? Six?”
“I’d estimate about fifteen. Maybe sixty men.”
They all swore. “For what?” Ghost asked.
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