She shivered. “Are you going to get one too?”
“I’d get a matching one. If you’re interested. It would be small, and if you like it, you could always do more.”
She laughed. “I have heard they can be rather addictive. We’ll see how the first goes.” Jacinda climbed into the driver seat and he joined her.
He dialed Tomahawk, who answered after a couple rings. “Hey, man, figured you’d be with Dad longer.”
“Yeah, well, you know how that tends to go. Jacinda and I are on the way out. I’m trying to convince her to get a small dove on her inner wrist. I want a matching one. Think you can fit us in?”
“Sure, that shouldn’t be a problem.”
“We’ll be out there before long.”
“See you then,” Tomahawk said.
He opened a map application and plugged in the address for Inktastic. She started the car and drove away from the longhouse. “Talk to me, Chatan. Why is it so hard to believe he could have kept the secret about your mother? It even explains how he could let her go even if he loved her. I’m sure there’s more to it too.”
“I’m sure there is. But I don’t see how that helps us until you look at the journals. And honestly, I’m not sure learning the whole story will help at all.”
“Maybe not now, but eventually. Look, it’s none of my business, but you shouldn’t shut your father out when he wants to help you understand why. And if what he says is true, he may have been afraid of how you would react to learning the truth.”
“You think he was right to keep the secret.”
“It’s not that simple. I think he was right about the knowledge breaking your heart. You love your mother very much, you miss her. She may have meant well, but she locked away a part of you. It was there, I could feel it even before you realized it was there.” She sighed. “Just like my mother kept me from coming out to Wanatoga as long as she could. You know, I wonder if there is anything in your house that might tell you why she did what she did.”
“Where?”
“Your house in Wanatoga. You said you didn’t spend much time there. That it hurt too much. What if she left something behind?”
He dropped his head. “We don’t have time to make that trip.”
“Why not? Robert said he’d help us. If he can take us from Kansas City to Seattle in a blink, he can drop us off in Wanatoga.” Not right now, but tomorrow? Maybe?”
“You’re right. Shit. Do you think I should hear him out?”
“Your father?” Jacinda asked.
“Yeah.”
“Definitely.”
He sighed. “I’m not going back there with all of the Branches of Emrys there.”
“Got a feeling that’s not all of them, but I don’t blame you. I’m not ready to deal with all those people. I need to figure out the journals first.”
“And you wanted to drive.”
“Because you’re upset, and rightfully so. You drove when I was a mess. It’s my turn to drive for now.”
He turned toward her. “Why would he hide it for so long? It’s been twenty years. He could have used that to get me to like him more.”
Jacinda smiled. “I think he still loves who she was before the curse. He doesn’t want you to forget all she did for you. It may not be right, but he did it out of love, for both of you.”
He let out a strangled sound.
She took his hand. “Told you, whatever happens, I’m on your side. Whatever you choose. Even if it’s not to talk to him again.”
“And what if I want your advice?” he asked softly.
“Then hear him out. Get the information before you make a decision. That’s the best thing you can do.”
“Tomorrow.”
“Sounds good.”
He squeezed her hand. “Maybe after we check the house.”
“That’s a solid plan.”
A small smile spread across his lips.
She glanced over. “So, tell me more about your brothers. What should I expect?”
He sat the seat back and closed his eyes while he told her all about his brothers and their families.
Chapter 13
Robert came back into the room and walked straight to Ceridwen. “Now do you see how much of a mess those secrets cause? Every one of the people you’ve recently brought in had to learn the hard way about the Branches without telling us a damned thing from the beginning.”
“I get it. With the way things are finally changing, the mages finally accepting those that aren’t their own, it makes sense. But for the longest time, the mages wanted to believe they were the only ones worthy. Without the Dark Templar hunting down those that were more powerful than mages, it’s safer.”
Draecyn moved closer. “I can’t change the past. There are so many things I wish I had done differently. We’re trying to right the wrongs. Give us a chance.”
“I am, but damn it, this is a mess. How far back was her family part of the Branches?”
“That’s complicated.”
“Uncomplicate it,” Robert answered.
Ceridwen shook her head. “Most of her bloodline didn’t want anything to do with us. A few have joined, but before Mina, it had been centuries. None of them still live. Thanatos got to them before we could figure out how to stop him.”
“Why don’t you know?” Liz asked. “He’s one of yours, is he not?”
She shook her head. “The shadow mystics are far different than the rest of us. And once they bond to someone like we believe one did to Thanatos, it becomes a new beast entirely.”
“What should we be searching for?” Brent asked.
Olivier rubbed a hand over his face. “I can give you records that go all the way back to when Thanatos became what he is. He was one of my ancestors.”
“Oh, perfect,” Preston muttered. “I never liked you much to begin with, and now you’re going to tell us you’re descended from some evil asshole?”
Matoskah held up his hands. “Stop, bickering is going to get us nowhere. Right now, we have a source we might not have had otherwise. And if we have to worry about anyone in Olivier’s family, it’s Lars. He’s been acting strange lately.”
“Shit, don’t tell me my brother has gone back to his douchebag ways.” Olivier took a seat. “Of course he has.”
“Your brother?” Robert asked.
Liz nodded. “I’ve met him. You think Olivier gives off the creep vibe, that’s normal for a Deathcaller, but Lars is something else.” She shook her head. “Remember that sorcerer we detained on our second big case? How he couldn’t stop the voices, and they drove him crazy? Well, Lars embraced the insanity. He has more conversations with the spirits than he does with living people. At least last I saw him.”
Olivier nodded.
Matoskah cut in. “And that’s the problem. He’s been silent lately. I don’t think the voices stopped, but I think one in particular is drowning out the rest. Or something. And it started the moment Chatan contacted me. I think he knows more than we want him to.”
“Like what?” Brent asked. “And how bad off is he?”
Matoskah shook his head. “He doesn’t have as much problem with the voices here. It’s why Olivier brought him to us. Out in the world he had trouble focusing on what people were saying because of the spirits. He came here to get around that, and he learned some control, but he doesn’t do well for long periods away. Unfortunately, I know he’s been sneaking away, and I haven’t heard back from the one who has been following him.”
“Why?”
“Because when Niles hears something worth hearing, he will come to me. Until then, he won’t bother.”
“Niles?”
“Old friend.” Matoskah offered a smile. “A druid who feels more comfortable in animal form than human, but you never know what he’ll shift into. And he can shift into anything.”
Brent turned to Olivier. “The books? Maybe I can go back with Tremaine and we can figure some of this out.”
“Maybe I
can help,” Savon offered. “I know I’ve been quiet, but I’ve been taking it all in. I want to do something more than sit here, and it sounds like this Thanatos is one of those things I should worry about.” She looked at Brent. “That is, if you don’t have a problem with another sorcerer.”
He shook his head. “Why would I have a problem?”
She ducked her gaze. “I’ve been told I can make the most powerful sorcerer spirit deaf.”
“I’ve heard of that but never experienced it. And I still hear a few now. Doesn’t matter though. If you can help, please do. I’m more interested in stopping Thanatos than hurting my ego.”
She smiled. “Then I’ll come with you.” She turned to Robert. “I may need your help getting back to Nate later.”
Evangeline smirked. “Or I could come along too. That way I can take you.”
“You all can come back to our house. I have a feeling it’s closest to the center for most of us,” he answered.
“Mind if I come along? I want to see what I can find,” Matoskah offered.
“Yeah, may as well get to know everyone,” Tremaine answered.
* * * *
She drove away. Lars watched her go. And for whatever reason, he couldn’t follow. Tethered. That’s what it felt like.
A year ago, he’d gone to a local bar and freaked out too many plain old humans. Ever since, he’d been stuck on the reserve, unable to leave. Matoskah would only say it was for his own good. If he wanted to go with someone, it would be fine, but not alone.
Only, he didn’t want to spend time with anyone
The moment Matoskah received the call from his son about the girl, he knew what it meant. He remembered the long nights Matoskah stayed up with Tyrell Lavelle, attempting to find a way to destroy Thanatos and the creature inside his body.
Scathane. There were stories of the power the entity offered. There were costs too, but he was willing to pay dearly to gain his freedom.
He’d never craved companionship with other people on the planet. Lars preferred the company of those he could hear and not see. They strengthened him, built him up. And he was stuck in a place where they discouraged contact with those other beings. Too many of his familiars were drowned out on the reserve.
But he had a sanctuary he could escape to. One where he could commune with those that couldn’t enter most of the reserve. And he’d heard the call of Scathane, whispering through the darkness, searching for someone to pull him fully into the world.
Thanatos’ brother had documented the story. He found him and realized what he had become. An evil being to be feared, but Thanatos was still there, powerful and growing stronger.
Things would change for Lars with Scathane in his body, but if he completed the ritual in this realm, there was a chance he wouldn’t change so drastically. Didn’t matter, he would still be free. Nothing in this world would be able to contain him.
His phone rang, and he groaned when he saw his brother’s number. He hated Olivier. The bastard had locked him away so he wouldn’t have to deal with Lars and his growing power. Olivier had never approved of his power.
The bastard brought him to Pine Vale Reserve and left him there to rot. He claimed they could help him.
Lars didn’t need help. He needed to be left alone to do what he was always meant to do.
And now he had summoned Scathane. Thanatos would die in the process, but he would take the power and all three of them would gain freedom. Thanatos from Scathane, Scathane from the shadow realm, and Lars from his imprisonment that took away most of the spirits he could draw power from.
Lars answered the call. “Hello, Oli. What can I do for you?”
“Want to have lunch? We can catch up.”
He sighed. “Where are you? Where are we going?”
“I’m bringing in lunch from that Italian place in Seattle you love.”
“You’re already here,” he quipped.
“Was, to meet with Matoskah. I left and came back thanks to a friend who can translocate. Shall I meet you at your cabin?”
“Yeah, sure. Maybe we can discuss me leaving here.”
“Let’s see how you’re doing first. You know you’re here to protect you from those who would put you down. I want my brother safe.”
“You said the Dark Templar are no more.”
“That doesn’t make mages less scared of what you’re capable of. Sorcerers have always been treated differently. You know that.”
“Fine, fine, but I think you’ll find I’m doing better now.”
“I’m sure you are. Please, have lunch with me. We can discuss a trip into the world.”
“Give me a few minutes. I’m on a walk, but I’m headed back now.”
“I’ll be here.” Olivier hung up.
Lars wanted to scream in frustration. His brother was always only out for himself. No one else. Bastard didn’t want to protect him. He only wanted him out of the way.
Why else send him to the middle of nowhere, without his spirits to talk to?
* * * *
Thanatos was torn in two directions. Go after Jacinda or find Lars. Both offered freedom, but every time he went after Jacinda, her essence faded until he couldn’t trace her.
He went to the place Lars had summoned him but couldn’t breach the barrier without help. He was running out of energy to continue the search. Without Lars, he wouldn’t be able to find Jacinda in time.
The only sign of Lars he found was Lars muttering curses as he walked away. He couldn’t follow, not even through the area between realms. Wherever on earth they were was closed to him. There was only one other place he’d been blocked from in all realms.
Chapter 14
Nervous energy bubbled up. A tattoo. Something she hadn’t ever considered. There was so much she never gave a single thought to.
“Hey, what is it, Jacinda?” Chatan asked as she drove into Edenton.
“Do you think your brothers will like me?”
He laughed. “You didn’t care about my father liking you, but you want to make sure my brothers do?”
“You’re not as close to him. You don’t talk about him the same way.”
“Yeah, but Dad likes you already.” Chatan ran his thumb over the back of her hand. “There, park right in front.”
She did and climbed out as he came around.
“My brothers will love you. I promise.” He slipped his fingers through hers and brought her inside.
A man who looked like the tattooed version of Chatan smiled. His hair was shorter, but still past his shoulders. Chatan’s reached past his waistband.
“Jacinda?” Tomahawk asked with arched brows and wide eyes.
A laugh escaped Chatan. “You could wait until I introduce her.”
“Well, get to it,” he said.
“This is my brother Tomahawk, and this is Adam. Guys, this is Jacinda.”
“I never would have expected someone who looks like you,” Tomahawk blurted out. He smiled at her then. “I don’t mean that in a bad way. Honest. You’re beautiful, but you seem so innocent.”
Jacinda shook her head. “Thanks, I guess.”
Chatan chuckled. “You should see Darla. His wife looks as innocent as they come.”
Jacinda smiled. “Looks can be deceiving.”
“Sure, they can,” Tomahawk agreed. “So, you want a tattoo? This your first?”
She nodded.
“They aren’t all that painful,” Tomahawk answered.
“Not worried about that. And you do beautiful work if Chatan’s are a good example.”
Tomahawk grinned. “I like her.”
Adam shook his head. “You’re still staying for that barbecue, right?” Adam asked.
“Yeah, we’ll be there,” Chatan answered.
“Well, I need to meet my brother. I’ll see you later.” Adam hopped up and started for the door.
Tomahawk nodded down the hall. “Come on back. And you can check out what I’ve been working on since you called.”
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“Nothing big,” Jacinda said.
“Chatan said inner wrist, so I drew small pieces. Outlines mostly.” He entered a small room and grabbed a piece of paper. “If you don’t like any of these, I can come up with something else.”
She smiled, checking out the designs. One called to her. A flowing outline of a dove in flight. “I love this one.”
Tomahawk nodded. “Trust me, it won’t be bad.”
“I know,” she assured. She could block pain, so that wasn’t an issue.
Chatan picked up her hands and turned her inner wrists up. “Which one?”
“Right?” she said.
“Then I’ll do left,” he answered.
Tomahawk smiled. “I’ll do yours the opposite direction, so they’re matching, if you’re okay with that, Jacinda.”
“Sure.”
“You’re not worried you two may not last?” he asked, one brow cocked.
“I assume the bond we formed means it’s forever.”
“Yeah, usually. Though Chatan was worried he wouldn’t form one. He tell you why?”
“Mixed blood? But I’m far more mixed than he is.”
“Interesting. You going first?” Tomahawk asked.
Chatan looked at her.
“Sure.” Then maybe she could relax.
* * * *
Matoskah paced the living room of Robert’s house. Brent watched him with a steely gaze. Yeah, he couldn’t really blame him, considering the fact he’d kept secrets, knowing full well Brent would want to know.
He didn’t have a good excuse other than he thought he was doing the right thing. That the Branches had always kept secrets. As much as it sucked, at least things were changing.
Why the hell hadn’t Mina wanted Brent to know more? The man might have been able to find a way to stop Thanatos sooner, or at the very least prevent him from hunting more women until Jacinda was strong enough to stop him herself.
And now it may be too late to fix things with Chatan. All for damned promises he wished he had never made.
Brent squeezed his hands shut and released them. “So, Scathane, and we’re sure that’s who possessed Thanatos?”
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