Sacred Circle

by James, Rachel

  He listened to the echo of his boots tattooing on the pavement and frowned. Sienna’s essence could be restored and the energy displacement broken loose of its hold, if he could read her journal. It was foolish to think that Brianna hadn’t already worked out some kind of ritual in her head to break the spell. She was that talented. He just hoped she wouldn’t try it without his being there to back her up.

  He halted his flight, glancing up at the twinkling stars. He had to locate Tommy. He was Brianna’s only other ally and it didn’t take a dunce-capped wizard to realize that she would seek him out before long. Which direction had she taken after leaving the clearing? He was certain she retrieved the book the moment she left him, but where would she hide it?

  A black streak flashed in front of him and into the bushes, and Devlin slowed his steps. Damn pesky cat. Why was he slinking about the sidewalk in the moonlight?

  “Rrr-oww.”

  Devlin jumped as Nicodemus darted from the bushes, and came to a halt in front of him. Now what? The cat sat down, his yellow eyes glued to Devlin’s face. If only he could read the damn cat’s mind.

  “Rrrrr-owww.”

  A quick sneeze followed the cat-call.

  “I don’t know what you’re saying, you miserable beast,” Devlin declared.

  The cat meowed in response and then bolted away, through the shrubs again. Watching him go, Devlin gave a wry smile. It was stupid to think the cat knew Brianna’s whereabouts, and was attempting to alert him to her location. Women like Brianna weren’t devious. They hid in plain sight; he just needed to think like her.

  “Meditating? Or contemplating murder?”

  Devlin whirled, startled by Tommy’s silent arrival.

  “Neither. I’m attempting to locate Brianna.”

  Tommy’s smile snaked to a grin.

  “Why? Is she lost?”

  “Yes.”

  Tommy’s amusement died instantly.

  “What’s happened? What have you done?”

  “I haven’t done a thing,” Devlin replied. “She’s learned my true identity.”

  “Good God, that’s great news.”

  “She’s vowed never to speak to me again. She’s turned into a tsunami, and you know what that means.”

  “Of course. You’ll never get her to fall in love with you now.”

  Devlin’s face contorted in anger.

  “There was never any hope of that, and we both know it.”

  Tommy scuffed his toe on a clump of grass.

  “I can’t believe you were stupid enough to marry her without telling her the truth.”

  “If you had kept your mouth shut, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”

  “Hey, don’t put this at my door,” Tommy fired up. “I had no idea you were a witch in sheep’s clothing.”

  “Can the sarcasm. We need to find Brianna. She’s acquired her mother’s Book of Shadows, and I need it. It may contain the key to solving this whole idiotic mess.”

  “Then why are we standing here talking? Let’s go find her.”

  Devlin hissed through his cheeks.

  “Have you any idea how large this friggin’ compound is?”

  “Well then, let’s go and demand the Elders start a search for her. The more of us attempting to locate her, the better. We can spread out. She can’t be that lost.”

  Devlin hooted loudly.

  “I’m not about to get the Elders involved in this, Tommy. One of them is our sinner. I’m certainly not going to call attention to the fact that Brianna’s gone off by herself. I won’t put her life in danger just to satisfy my own anger at her. She’d do the same in my place.”

  “Well then, why don’t you do what Brianna would do—if she were in your place?”

  “For once, I don’t know what she would do.”

  “Yes, you do. She would be hiding the book in plain sight.”

  Devlin’s head shot up.

  “And what better place to hide a book than in a library filled with them,” Devlin stated. He bolted off the sidewalk and into the street, gesturing Tommy to follow. A second later, a dark shadow streaked across the road in front of him. Nicodemus. Up to some new mischief, he’d bet. The shadow flashed back across the road a moment later. It would be just like the cat to strike out after them and take up residence beside him as he searched for the journal. What power had Sienna really charged the creature with? Spying the library steps, Devlin gave a shiver. He didn’t want to know the cat’s power. He didn’t like cats, and the thought of them being able to read his thoughts and understand them, well, it was better not to think on it.

  Dismissing the feline’s erratic scurrying, he crashed through the shrubbery on the left side of the library entrance, skidding to a halt when he spotted the rebar in place. Barreling up the steps, he signaled Tommy for help. Together, the pair shoved the bar up and dove through the door as soon it swung open.

  The smell was the first thing he noticed as they crossed the entry-way. Candle-wax—sandalwood, to be exact. His gaze drifted to the ceiling, noticing the alternating prisms of light flickering. What the hell was Brianna doing? Trying to burn the place down? He angled around the reception desk and into the main room, skidding to a halt upon spying the tables shoved aside and a large circle etched on the wood floor of the room. He threw his hand out, preventing Tommy from walking over the sketched lines.

  “Stay back.” Scanning the circle, he studied the placement of the candles around the borders. Definitely gateways. But for what purpose?

  “What the hell is Brianna up to?” Tommy asked. He fanned the air around him. “The air reeks of rotting corpses.”

  Devlin lifted his hand.

  “Give me a minute to think.” He dropped to his haunches and inspected the floorboards. “Gateways, no Guardians yet, and no gifts.” He felt heat against his shoulder.

  “What do you think? Is it one of Brianna’s circles?”

  “Not likely. It feels wrong.”

  “Wrong?”

  “I can’t put my finger on it, but the closest thing I can equate it to is a Venus Fly Trap. There’s something I’m missing here, though.”

  Devlin felt the heat on his shoulder vanish.

  “I can’t imagine what. Even with my limited knowledge, I can see candles representing doorways,” Tommy bent down and inspected the center of the circle. “What do you suppose this book represents?”

  “Book?” Devlin’s heart leapt at the word and he bolted to his feet, knocking Tommy out of the way. “It’s not just a book, Tommy. It’s Sienna’s personal journal. No, don’t touch it. It’s the trigger.”

  “Trigger?”

  Devlin shot to his feet, ignoring Tommy’s question. The ritual was underway, though not yet in full motion; however, when the designated trigger set off, the true intent of the circle would kick in. And it wasn’t hard to imagine who the target would be when it did set off. Like mother, like daughter. He felt his arm snatched roughly, followed by a husky growl.

  “Talk to me, Devlin. Tell me what the circle means.”

  Devlin brushed the fingers from his sleeve.

  “We’re out of choices.”

  “I’ll go with you.”

  “You have to stay here.”

  “The hell I will!”

  Devlin’s gaze softened.

  “Look, I’m thinking of Brianna. If the book is meant to lure her, as I believe it is, she needs to be warned. One of us has to stay here in case she attempts to touch the circle.”

  A cranky sigh emanated.

  “Well, in that case, take your ass out of here.”

  Nodding, Devlin pulled out a chair.

  “Sit here and wait for Brianna. And whatever you do, don’t let your curiosity get the better of you. If you interfere with the circle, you’ll be lying alongside Sienna Sage.”

  Tommy dropped into the chair, pulling out a handkerchief and wiping his beaded brow. Devlin spun about, angling back around the reception desk, sliding to a halt when he spied N
icodemus barring his way.

  “Rrr-oow!”

  Ignoring the cat’s cry, Devlin sidestepped him. He didn’t have time to cater to a crazed cat. A second later, a heavy pressure hit the back of his calf. What now? He looked down at the black bundle righting itself on the floor and taking a surly stance in front of him again.

  “Get away, Nicodemus.”

  “Rrrrrr-ow, rrrrr-ow.”

  “It’s no use talking to me. I have no cat skills.”

  As if understanding his words, the cat spun about and scampered to the basement door. He paused in front of it, looking back at Devlin, and then at the door again. Devlin studied the glow of the overhead light, assessing the cat’s posture. Was the obnoxious pest trying to converse with him?

  “What the hell’s going on? Why haven’t you gone?” Tommy asked, coming around the reception desk.

  “The damn cat’s keeping me here,” Devlin replied.

  The eerie sheen of Nicodemus’s fur underwent a drastic change as the cat raised its hackles and hissed at the pair. All at once, Brianna’s aura floated through Devlin’s senses. She was below. He could feel her essence once again. Had the damn cat relayed it to him? He stepped forward, trying the door handle, not at all surprised to find it locked. He jiggled the doorknob, looking for a key. Suddenly, a large pounding erupted from the other side of the door.

  “Devlin!”

  Hearing Brianna’s muffled voice, incredible relief washed over him. The she-bear was still alive. Scanning the area around the door, Devlin hunted for something to break the handle with. He spotted a fire extinguisher on the wall next to the reception desk, and headed towards it.

  “Devlin!” The door handle rattled.

  “Hold your horses,” Tommy called through the door. “We’re working on it.”

  Devlin returned with the extinguisher, and with one fell swoop, smashed it down hard on the knob. The metal tore from its hinges, and hit the floor with a loud clank. The door flew open, bringing a stumbling Brianna with it. Devlin tossed the extinguisher to the floor.

  “Thank God! I thought you were dead.” He swept her into his arms, and in a split second, his lips were devouring hers in a punishing kiss. And then he was lifting his head. “If you ever scare the hell out of me again like that, I’ll chain you to a damn chair.” He saw the dangerous glint in her eye as she wriggled out of his arms, and whirled around the front desk and into the main part of the library. Following, Devlin watched her stop before the painted circle and study it intently. “I haven’t touched it, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  Her answer was breathless.

  “I wasn’t.”

  Devlin settled beside her.

  “Has it been cast against me—as payback for Brenda’s death?” He saw her mouth turn down, followed by a fast shake of her head.

  “That may be the end result, but it is not the reason it was cast.” She stepped across the chalk markings, and scooped up the book inside. “Mother’s journal was left as bait, an invitation of sorts.”

  Devlin hauled her out of the circle, snatching the book from her fingers.

  “You idiot! The book isn’t bait, it’s a trigger. And now, you’ve set it off.”

  Her scoff echoed as the book was snatched back.

  “Don’t you dare tell me how to read circles, or what flux they’re in. I’ve been reading circles since I was nine.”

  “And I’ve been reading them since I was six. So what’s your point?”

  “You didn’t learn to read them from my mother. And since you didn’t, you have missed the fact that Mother gave her journal to someone for safekeeping.”

  “Someone she obviously never suspected was the sinner,” Devlin stated.

  “Someone she suspected was the sinner,” Brianna corrected. “She chose to bait that someone with a false journal.”

  “. . . which is why the circle feels unfinished,” Devlin remarked suddenly. He gave Brianna a curious stare. “You’ve figured out the name of the sinner. Who is it? Francis?”

  “Right house, wrong person,” Brianna replied. “The book was a ruse to confuse Sally, but it backfired.” She broke off as Nicodemus sat down beside her ankles. “Yes, I know,” she told the cat. “I can feel it. She’s half-way into the spell.”

  Catching the exchange, Devlin’s puzzled gaze came up to study Brianna’s face, and then dropped to the cat. A disquieting thought raced through his mind and he stepped forward, grabbing Brianna and spinning her around. He saw the amulet around her neck immediately, even though she attempted to shield it from him with her fingers. In seconds, he was jerking the chain from her neck. He dangled the amulet in front of Tommy.

  “You gave her the amulet?”

  “She said she needed it.”

  Devlin’s mind veered sharply to anger, and rearing back, he rammed his fist into Tommy’s jaw, sending the man stumbling backwards. Appalled by the attack, Brianna rushed to Tommy’s side. Shielding him, she glared at Devlin.

  “Are you insane? How could you hit Tommy?”

  “I couldn’t very well hit you, now could I?” Devlin answered. He took a step forward. “Did you even bother to tell him the truth before taking the amulet?”

  “What truth?” Tommy asked, wiping his bloodied lip, and staring at Brianna.

  Devlin’s retort hardened his features.

  “She’s merged her essence with the damn cat, and in doing so, she has become the leader of this Coven. She has thrown her life in Washington away, and worse, she has thrown mine away too.”

  “I didn’t do it on purpose,” Brianna said, “Sally conjured a spell on Nicodemus and the only way to save him was to merge our essences.”

  “Unfortunately, that reckless act has made it impossible for me to trust you anymore. And since I don’t trust you, I don’t intend to stay married to you.” His gaze scorched Brianna, and rancor sharpened his tone. “You’ve gotten your wish, Cinderella. When this madness is all through, I’m through with you.”

  “What’s going on here?”

  The voice, though quiet, had an ominous quality to it, and the trio turned, startled to find Francis and Rufus staring at them with baffled glances. Rufus was the first to take stock of the situation, his gaze landing on Tommy’s bleeding lip. His expression shriveled as Eileen, Marla, and the doctor joined them.

  “You’ve resorted to violence—a thing that can’t be allowed. You will leave the property at once—all of you.” His voice held a hint of steel, but then so did Devlin’s as he snarled.

  “We’re not going anywhere!” His glance bounced from face to face, and Devlin sensed that for the first time since their arrival, the group was intimidated by him. Realizing it was best to soften his approach, Devlin took a step towards the front door, signaling Francis.

  “Come with me. We’ve not much time.”

  “I can’t come with you,” Francis responded.

  Annoyed, Devlin rounded on him.

  “Can’t or won’t?”

  “I can’t come with you.”

  “Look here,” Devlin stated. “There’s no time for your bullshit. We’ve got to find Sally. You’re coming with me.” He took a step towards Francis and so did Brianna. She laid a hand on Devlin’s arm and her voice held a depth of authority.

  “It’s not that he won’t. It’s that he can’t.” She studied his face intently. “What type of spell has Sally bound you with? Air magic? Earth magic? What? I need to know and I need to know now.”

  Baffled by the question, Rufus glanced from Devlin to Brianna, and then, catching on, he stepped between Brianna and Francis, laying a hand on Francis’ sleeve.

  “Has Sally placed a binding spell on you? You must answer; the Ancients decree it.”

  Francis’s mulish expression collapsed under the gentle probing of his father’s words.

  “It’s not her fault. She didn’t ask for such pain.”

  “I’m not accusing you,” Rufus replied. “If I was in your place, I might do the same. But if
she has misused magic for her own personal gain, we are all in grave danger.”

  Francis’s gaze shot to Devlin.

  “Her rage is spotty, but when it comes, it’s directed towards Devlin for Brenda’s death, and for taking Brianna away from her.”

  Devlin took a step back. He had never expected to hear himself condemned so openly. Yet, for all his surprise, he knew he deserved Francis’s derisive scorn. His banishment had allowed a hidden evil to fester in Sally’s essence and take root. Not against Brianna, but against himself. They had to disrupt the ritual drawn on the floor without delay. Whirling, he moved to the circle, finding his elbow snatched back roughly.

  “What are you going to do?” Francis asked. “Sally has no memory of these psychotic breaks. Any confrontation may cause irreparable damage to her soul.”

  Devlin didn’t bother to respond. Francis’s face said it all. He felt compelled to save Sally from her dark psychosis, but in trying he had managed to become part of her spell-making.

  “We’ve got to short-circuit this circle immediately—throw her off her game,” Devlin stated. “If she is as unstable as you imply, she will target whomever she can, whenever she can. It’s clear her psychosis is accelerating. When it finally splits off, her ritual will come full circle.”

  Spinning back, Devlin studied the circle, discarding option after option in his head. A loud purr soon echoed from beside his ankles. Damn cat. He oughta be shot. And so should his mistress. But he had the right idea. They had to disconnect the circle by any means necessary.

  “Any suggestions on how we disconnect it?” Eileen asked, settling beside him and studying the markings.

  “I’m fresh out of ideas,” Devlin remarked. “What do you think, Brianna?” He turned, expecting to find Brianna studying the circle as well. When he didn’t see her, he scanned the room. A door slammed, followed by the sound of a rebar dropping. He flew around the reception desk, emitting a vindictive curse on all stubborn she-bears. Reaching the front door, he tried the handle, knowing full well he’d find it sealed shut. Exasperated, he whirled on his heels and dove back around the desk, dragging Francis forward.

  “Have you any idea where Sally might erect a circle to match this one?” he asked.