“My sister does amazing work with ink, though so does Chatan’s brother.”
Chatan ran his thumb over the back of her hand. “We just went for tattoos. I was thinking you need something to go with your bracelet.”
She gave him a funny smile. “Why?”
He sighed. “I like to do things for you.”
“Fine, then I’m picking something out for you.”
Devlin chuckled. “May I see the jewelry?”
Her face scrunched up as she tried to slip it off. It wouldn’t budge.
“Interesting,” Devlin said and held out his hand. “You don’t have to remove it.”
She placed her wrist in his hand. He quickly turned her arm over and examined the bracelet. “This is old. Ancient, really. The magic is somehow combined. I mean, I’ve seen spells cast together, and wards worked together, but this is something more.”
“We know that part. And it has something to do with this.” She pulled the necklace over her head and handed him the hawk and dove.
Devlin looked it over and handed it back. Then he smiled at Chatan. “I can’t offer her any more protection than she already has. And with that tattoo, she’s pretty much covered.”
“Still, I want to find something that won’t look out of place with the rest of her jewelry.”
He nodded. “Come this way.” He brought him down the counter, and Jacinda wandered off to look for something she could see Chatan wearing.
She’d been looking for only a few minutes when she found a hematite arrowhead with a hawk carved into it. Smiling, she picked it up and made her way back to Chatan and Devlin. She kept the arrowhead hidden in her hand while he looked at a selection of rings.
“You realize I’m not fussy about jewelry. Right?” she asked.
Chatan gave her a sideways glance before going back to what he was doing.
Devlin lifted a shoulder. “He’s determined.”
“While he’s looking, why don’t you ring me up?” she asked.
Devlin moved back to the counter. By the time he rang her up, Chatan came over with his own choice.
“Want them wrapped?”
Jacinda glanced at Chatan. “If he’ll wear his out, then no.”
Chatan shook his head. “You haven’t done gifts much, have you?”
“No, but it’s not going to be much of a surprise to see what you wound up picking. So why not exchange them now, as opposed to later?”
“Sure, but next time, I’m wrapping it so I can watch you open a gift.”
“All right.”
Devlin shook his head. “You two are cute. But, Jacinda, please wander elsewhere while I ring him up, then you two can exchange your gifts at the same time at least.”
“Sounds good.”
* * * *
Chatan sighed as she walked over toward the doors. He looked back at Devlin. “She can’t just let me do something for her.”
Devlin laughed. “Would you rather she expected you do everything for her?”
He groaned. “No.” Then he placed the ring on the counter. It was a white gold band with amethysts filling up most of the space. Something about it drew him to the piece.
“Why this one?” he asked.
Chatan shook his head. “I can’t share that story. Sorry. But I think amethyst is her stone.” Jacinda didn’t want the world to know what she could do. But she had turned a flower into one on instinct. The ring made sense to him.
Devlin glanced over at Jacinda. “Watch out for her. She has the type of magic many would try to control her for.”
“Trust me, I know. Which is why there aren’t enough enchantments in the world, but she’s right. She can protect herself.”
“Oh, I understand that dilemma.”
“Thank you, Devlin. Have a good day.”
Chatan hurried to catch up with Jacinda. “Hungry? I know we’re eating soon, but we could grab a snack at In Too Deep.”
“Sure.” Outside, she turned to him and placed the necklace in his hand.
He took the ring out of his pocket and flipped her right hand over, sliding the ring over her middle finger. “I think I’ll always think of you when I see an amethyst.”
She laughed. “Tell me if the necklace was a poor choice.”
“Anything you choose will be perfect.” He opened his hand and smiled. “And this is honestly perfect.”
She leaned up to kiss him. “Good, because the ring is gorgeous.” Grabbing the necklace, she slipped it over his head. Then she looked up and down the street. “Where are we going?”
“This way.” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close.
“Why does it seem you know everyone, everywhere?” she asked.
He chuckled. “Remember, I spend a few months a year up here. It’s my second home.”
“Here, or Seattle?”
“I move back and forth between the two. And I haven’t spent much time on Pine Vale Reserve in five or so years. Lisanna always manages to show up when I do. I try to avoid her.”
Light danced in Jacinda’s eyes. “Does she want you now?”
He snorted. “She wants one thing from me, and it isn’t love.”
“I’m glad she’s a fool.”
“Me too.” Though, there was a time it broke his heart. No more of that. The only reason Jacinda left was to save him, out of love. Now he knew what to fight for, and Jacinda was it.
He opened the door for her and she stepped into the bar. He didn’t see anyone familiar except for Jess, who was behind the counter.
Taking her hand, he asked, “Are you opposed to alcohol?”
Her nose wrinkled. “Never tried it, in all honesty. I don’t want anything strong, but I’m open to suggestions.”
He smiled. “I have an idea. They carry a berry cider you might like. Sweet, hardly any alcohol.”
“Sounds good.”
“And loaded potato skins?”
She nodded. “Oh, I love those.”
He grinned. “You do?”
A giggle bubbled up as she nodded. “I lived on junk food, remember?”
He pulled her closer. “I’ll learn to cook for you.”
She laughed. “How about we learn to cook together?”
“That’s even better. I’m sure I can enjoy cooking then.”
Chapter 16
Olivier showed up at Robert’s house, probably the last place he’d be welcomed if Liz mentioned the shit he used to pull at the academy. He wanted her, bad, and she was all about Robert. He teased her relentlessly. God, he was such an ass.
And now…now, she was with Robert and Tremaine. He didn’t stand a chance against either, let alone the two together.
Shit, if he hadn’t been blind, he may have realized Liz was always going to wind up with Robert. Jealousy made him act the fool. At least now he realized it.
Squinching his eyes shut, he knocked on the door.
It creaked open a moment later and he blinked his eyes open to find Liz, looking utterly sexy in a pair of ripped jeans and a tank top, her colorful hair tied in a loose knot on top of her head.
Her hazel eyes pierced his. “Olivier, what are you doing here?”
“I have news about my brother and his obsession with Thanatos. We may have a big fucking problem. And by the way, when we were kids, I was an asshole. I’m sorry. You have my word I’m not like that now.”
She blinked, then shook her head. “Really?”
“Yes, I’m sorry for being the world’s biggest jealous douchebag.” He blew out a breath. “I only said shit to get under your skin, hoping you’d pay attention to me. And you never did. You were too busy paying attention to Robert.”
She laughed. “Uh, yeah, so, don’t be an ass and I’ll forget about it. Okay?”
“No more being an asshole. I learned my lesson long ago.”
“Not from me,” she said with a smirk.
He shook his head. “Nope, not from you.” The first woman he really chased taught him not to be su
ch a dick.
She stepped aside. “Thanks for the apology and the honesty.”
“Thanks for not destroying me.” He winked and slipped past her.
Olivier followed Liz to the living room. Tremaine watched him with narrowed eyes.
Liz made a motion and Tremaine shrugged, a sheepish look on his face. “What’s up, Olivier?”
Olivier looked at Matoskah. “Seems there’s some kind of rift on the reserve. His tracks lead to a rock and then disappear. He smells like the caverns we used to play in as kids. Or is there a really well hidden cave on the reserve?”
Matoskah rubbed at his face. “You know another rift bender? Because without one we can’t check for a rift.”
“There are two in this room,” Tremaine said.
Matoskah blinked, then pinned him with a look. “I always suspected you were, but who else?”
“Me,” Liz answered.
“No wonder your magic was so different than anyone else’s,” Olivier exclaimed.
She shook her head. “I recently found out. When do you want to go out there to look?”
Brent rubbed at his head. “What do you expect to find out there?”
“I need to know if he’s summoned Thanatos. I know what to look for, though I’m no sorcerer. I’m assuming Brent can figure it out faster than I can.”
“And what if we catch him there?” Brent asked.
Olivier rubbed the back of his neck. “He should be asleep. I drugged him. And if we get back and he’s not…well, shit, I don’t know.”
“How many of us need to go?” Robert asked.
“Liz or Tremaine, you, Brent, and Matoskah.”
Liz turned to Savon. “Why don’t you all stay with me? I’ll let Tremaine deal with this. He knows his powers far better than I do.”
Savon nodded. “I’d like to get back to Nate sometime tonight if possible.”
Robert dipped his head. “We’ll see what we can find in this cavern. Can you wait until we get back?”
“Of course. But there may be nothing we can do tonight.”
Evangeline offered a smile. “I can take Savon back, and if you need us, I can always bring her back, unless it’s somewhere I don’t know.”
Robert nodded. “Of course, but let’s see what we find before we make a decision. I want to be sure of what we’re dealing with first.”
“We should hurry,” Olivier said.
* * * *
Matoskah braced himself for the translocation. It didn’t always agree with him, but his stomach only flipped over before settling. He closed his eyes and reached out for those on the reserve.
He closed in on Lars’ essence and found him asleep as expected. That was a relief. “Come with me.” He hurried into the woods, down a path that had recently been cleared.
“This was where our resident rift-bender used to roam. Alexander would disappear for long periods of a time, but I never thought much of him having a rift available. He was here to be away from mages and druids who didn’t like what he was.”
Tremaine snorted. “Never knew him, but I know how those who couldn’t keep the secret of their nature were shunned.”
Closing his eyes, Tremaine held still for a long moment, then moved forward, chanting something Matoskah didn’t recognize.
A glowing green light etched a portal that formed before them. “He’s been here,” Tremaine said. “Or someone has.” He walked forward, and they followed.
A deep cavern, no light, but lingering magic. Matoskah sighed.
Robert cast a spell to light the cavern. Golden orbs floated in the air, revealing the remains of a fire, melted candles, and a ritual circle in the center of the damned cavern.
“Fuck me,” Olivier muttered. “Last thing I damn well needed.”
“Yeah, tell me about it,” Matoskah snapped.
“Now what?” Tremaine asked. It’s obvious what went on here.”
Matoskah blew out a breath. “Wait, it could have been anything he summoned. Who can replay what happened?”
Robert stepped forward and wove the spell. Nothing happened for a long time, then his brother walked in, whispering spells as he went, calling on a flame to light the candles and the fire, then Lars knelt before the circle and rocked back and forth while he chanted.
And sure enough what formed in the center of the damned spell was Thanatos. Matoskah couldn’t ever wipe that image out of his head once Mina showed him ages ago. And to know that thing took Kimi from him, changed her into a woman he hardly recognized because of the pain that coursed through her system, was enough to boil his blood. And that made him feel guilty. Would he ever stop feeling guilty? Arisa helped him through the pain of losing his wife even before her body had died.
“We take him in for questioning,” Robert said. “I’ll deal with it. Just show me to his home.”
Tremaine led them out, and Brent rubbed at his neck. “Something feels off about this.”
“You’re right. We need to find him,” Tremaine said.
Matoskah hurried back to the cabin, but he wasn’t there.
* * * *
Anger rushed through Lars as he woke with a start. He’d been right to cast a spell at his rift to ensure he would wake. It wasn’t the first time Olivier drugged him.
His brother was plotting against him. He knew it, he damn well knew it. But acting against Olivier would bring the wrath of the Silver Council down on him.
Lars jumped out of bed, which Olivier must have put him in, and grabbed a duffle bag that held all the ingredients for the ritual. Then he rushed to the riverbank where he could slip into a better hidden rift. There wasn’t as much room to move, but it was in another realm altogether. One he couldn’t survive in long. He could hardly breathe, but he would summon Thanatos, and perhaps, there was an escape he hadn’t found before.
He slid to a stop outside the rift and a rat ran into his heel.
Niles, the shitbag druid who couldn’t stay human to save his damned life.
Lars cast a spell that formed a spherical shield around the rat and lifted his hand, bringing the orb to his grasp. He stepped into the rift and moved to the center of the cavern.
“Should have kept your distance, Niles. But you’ll make the perfect offering to Scathane,” Lars hissed.
He set up the ritual, the orb floating a few feet off the floor. Soon, Thanatos would enter the world and take Niles’ life, giving him strength to enter the realm of the living far longer than without.
* * * *
Matoskah flexed his hands. “He’s gone. What the hell is he doing?”
“I’ll be back.” Robert disappeared.
“What the fuck?” Matoskah growled.
Olivier shook his head. “Probably went for Preston who can track anyone and everyone. At this point, we need him. I just want to know how he woke up from the sleeping powder. He shouldn’t wake up until tonight. He’s not resistant. What the hell?”
“Magic. Damn it. I should have caught the alarm sooner. I sensed it, but figured it had to do with the ritual,” Matoskah growled.
Olivier sighed. “Maybe it was there before?”
Robert reappeared with Preston. “Remember Lars Montreux? Think you could track him from here?”
Preston nodded. “He was the last one here?”
“Should have been,” Matoskah answered.
Preston started for the river.
“Something bad is coming,” Matoskah warned.
Preston kicked it into high gear, running.
Alexander used to hang out by the river all too often. In fact, he disappeared through the rift a year or two after Lars showed up.
Preston came to a stop. “A rift. Your turn.” He turned to Tremaine, who worked his magic.
This time the ground rumbled and the water at the edge of the river bubbled as the rift opened.
Lars stood in the center of a ring of candles that burned with tall, brilliant red flames. Niles lay on the floor, blood leaking from his chest. Then Lars slamm
ed a blade into his ribs.
Thanatos rose up from the ground and dove on Niles, draining his essence before rising up with a roar. The druid withered as he struggled, then he stopped moving as he died.
Tremaine slammed his hand against the air, making a thumping sound, but he couldn’t get past the shield. “This shield isn’t rift magic.”
“No, it’s my brother’s.” Olivier started the magic to bring the shield down.
Thanatos grabbed Lars by the arms and flew deeper into the swirling green mist as wind rose up and blew the candles out.
“What is that place?” Robert asked.
“Something like hell,” Tremaine answered. “We can try to follow, but there are creatures there that will melt your skin off before they eat you.”
“Oh, that’s pleasant,” Matoskah muttered. “But Jacinda may have a better chance of finding Thanatos. I know Tyrell was working on some way to track him in the realm in between worlds.”
“She still pissed at you?” Preston asked.
“It’s Chatan who’s pissed at me. But I’m going to try to fix that tonight. If I can get him to listen.”
Brent sighed. “I think Jacinda will help with that.”
“I hope so.”
“We could try going through the rift,” Preston said.
“No, you don’t understand,” Tremaine answered. “That realm is not ours. It’s not even close. We go in there and there is a chance we won’t come back. Jacinda is the safer way to track them.”
“Fuck. And if he manages to separate that monster from his host and take him on?” Olivier demanded. “He’s already murdered someone, and will have to do time, but I’m hoping we manage to stop him before he’s put down. Shit, maybe it’s better we hunt to kill, but he’s never been right.”
“Unfortunately, that’s on your brother at this point,” Robert answered. “Hopefully we can stop him, but I imagine the process to divide the two beings is going to take some time.”
“I don’t know what else I was supposed to do,” Olivier muttered. “I’ve tried to ensure he could have a good life in a safe environment. And he’s going to get himself killed.”
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