Dangerous Magic

by Donna Grant

  “Liam said Nigel wanted the witches dead. What if the storm isn’t to keep Grayson from helping Drogan, but keeping Adrianna from reaching you and Serena?”

  Francesca’s eyes widened. “By the saints.”

  Cade knew he only had once choice. “Are you sure Grayson is coming?”

  “Drogan got a missive from him a month ago telling him he was on his way.”

  Shite! “Go to the castle, witch. Whatever you do, keep Drogan and Serena inside those walls.”

  “I’ve used my magic. The castle should be safe from Nigel.”

  “Nothing will stop Nigel from getting inside the castle if he wants in.” He gave her one last look and started out of the castle. Her hand closed over his arm, halting him instantly. He looked over his shoulder at her.

  “What are you going to do?”

  “I’m going to try and get to Grayson and Adrianna before Nigel.”

  Her brow furrowed. “You’re one man, Cade. You can’t fight an army.”

  With the darkness with him, he was an army. “Remember what I said, witch.”

  He raced from the cave before he gave in to the desire to kiss the beautiful, alluring, altogether too tempting witch.

  Cade leapt over rocks and ignored the pull of his wounds. The injury on his leg throbbed, and he felt a trickle of blood, letting him know he had reopened it, but there was no time to stop. Already it might be too late.

  He was risking everything leaving Wolfglynn to find Grayson and Adrianna, but Nigel needed the witches dead because he feared them. So it was up to Cade to make sure they stayed alive.

  Cade jumped over puddles and fallen trees. He skirted the castle through the forest. A glance at the castle told him with the lessening rain, men would be moving about. He just hoped Francesca got to Drogan and Serena in time.

  * * * * *

  Francesca stood in the cave and watched Cade race away from her. The resolve and fury in his gaze had given her pause, but she realized it was because he feared he might already be too late to help Grayson and Adrianna.

  “Be careful, Cade,” she said as he disappeared into the forest.

  Francesca made sure the fire was out before she headed to the castle. The rain had slowed, but by the time she reached the kitchen entrance, she was drenched again.

  As she passed servants, she asked them to find Drogan and Serena. Then she headed to the chamber she used on the occasions she stayed at Wolfglynn. Those occasions were rare, but sometimes the weather, like last night’s, prevented her from making the trip back to the isle.

  Phineas, Drogan’s uncle, was lord of the isle, and though he told her she didn’t have to return, she did. Phineas was like a father to her. He had known what she was and loved her for it. He didn’t exploit her gifts, but helped to hide her from a world that didn’t understand what she was. For that, she owed him her life. So she returned to him every day to dine with him and talk about the day.

  She sighed as she reached the landing to her chamber. Had Phineas fared well in the storm? He seemed to grow weaker every day, though he refused to admit it. He was always ready with a smile, greeting each day as if it were his last.

  Francesca closed the door to her chamber behind her and quickly removed her sodden gown. She longed to take a leisurely bath, but there was no time.

  She threw open the trunk before the bed and found a gown of dark green that she hurried to put on after a clean chemise and stockings. She pulled on her shoes and was combing the tangles from her hair when there was a knock on her door.

  “Enter,” she called.

  Drogan and Serena stood in the doorway.

  “Where were you?” Serena asked as she rushed to Francesca.

  Francesca smiled. “I’ve been fine. Cade took me to a cave.”

  “Cade?” Drogan asked. “Cade? The same Cade in the forest?”

  Francesca nodded. “I’ll tell you everything, but first, Cade made me promise that you both would stay inside the castle until he returned.”

  Serena shrugged and glanced at her husband. “All right.”

  “Why?” Drogan asked. “And how will we know when Cade returns.”

  Francesca sank onto her bed and sighed. She knew she couldn’t tell Drogan anything until he promised to stay in the castle. It would be just like him to go after Cade to help. “Promise me you’ll stay.”

  Serena nudged her husband.

  Drogan blew out a breath. “Alright. I vow to stay in the castle until Cade returns.”

  She smiled then because she had fulfilled her promise to Cade. So much had happened yesterday and last night. So much she hadn’t had time to think about.

  “Fran.”

  She blinked and looked at Drogan. “I apologize. It’s been…eventful.”

  “How ‘eventful’?” he asked with a narrowed gaze.

  It was all she could do not to laugh. “Cade didn’t touch me.” That wasn’t precisely true, but Drogan didn’t need to know everything.

  “I see.”

  Was that disappointment she saw in his eyes?

  “What did happen?” Serena asked. She had her black hair in a braid that fell over her shoulder.

  Francesca sighed. “You know of the wolf attack.”

  “Aye,” Drogan said. “None of the wolves have ever attacked.”

  “Cade said it wasn’t one of your wolves.”

  Drogan began to pace. “It was larger. And solid black. There are no black wolves around here. That doesn’t mean one couldn’t have roamed into our forest.”

  “Cade said it came from Nigel.”

  Drogan stopped in his tracks and stared at her.

  Francesca folded her hands in her lap. “I saw Cade fight the wolf, and I followed him when he walked away. I wanted to talk to him some more.”

  “I don’t understand,” Serena said. “You said ‘some more’ as if you’ve spoken with Cade before.”

  “She has, love,” Drogan said. “Yesterday morning she came upon Cade, and he spoke with her.”

  Serena shook her head. “I can hardly believe it. He’s never spoken with anyone at Wolfglynn.”

  “I surprised him,” Francesca said. “At any rate, I followed him, and just as I was about to ask him about the wolf, he heard something.”

  Drogan grasped one of the chairs before the hearth and lowered himself into it. “There’s something else out there?”

  “Before Cade was able to see what it was, the storm broke. He took me to a cave that he uses.”

  Serena placed her hands on her husband’s shoulders. “That’s where you’ve been all night? We’ve been worried sick.”

  “Aye, I’ve been there. Cade left again, though. He wanted to find out what else was in the trees.”

  “What was it?” Drogan asked.

  “A man. Liam.”

  Drogan shook his head and shrugged. “The name means nothing.”

  “It meant something to Cade. He knew him and trusted him. Apparently this Liam was sent by Nigel.”

  “To kill me?” Drogan asked with a sneer.

  Francesca licked her lips. “Nay. To kill me and Serena. He wants us dead.”

  Drogan paled. “Why?”

  “I don’t know. Liam told Cade he was breaking from Nigel, and he was giving Cade the warning that Nigel was on his way here to kill us.”

  “I take it Cade believed him?” Serena asked.

  Francesca nodded. “I asked him the same question, and he does.”

  “So where is Cade now?” Drogan asked. “In the forest? I need to speak to him.”

  She exchanged a glance with Serena. This was the part she had been dreading. Drogan was not going to react well to the news that he’d been tricked to staying in the castle.

  “Drogan, stop scowling,” Serena scolded. “Let Fran finish.”

  Francesca gave her a smile of thanks. “Cade had a suspicion this morning that the storm wasn’t natural.”

  “Aye, I had my own suspicions,” Drogan said. “It wasn’t ordinary.”


  “And neither is the storm that’s heading this way,” Serena said.

  Francesca nodded. “We deduced that as well. I thought it was Nigel’s ploy to keep us all here, but Cade realized the true reason for the storms.”

  “He’s keeping Grayson away,” Drogan said and surged to his feet. He raked a hand through his hair. “Cade went after Grayson, didn’t he?”

  Francesca nodded. “He realized Adrianna would be in as much danger as we are. He’s trying to reach them before Nigel.”

  Drogan turned and punched the small table that stood between the chairs. It splintered and crashed to the floor.

  “I should be with him.” Drogan’s voice was harsh, haunted.

  Serena rubbed his back as if she could take away his pain.

  Francesca rose to her feet. “It’s because he cares for you so much that he is going to such lengths to keep you safe. Respect what he’s doing.”

  Drogan lifted his golden gaze to hers, his eyes sparkling with anger. “He’s going to get himself killed. He doesn’t stand a chance alone.”

  She knew that all too well, but something in Cade’s gaze had told her he knew he would be all right. She had to trust in him, trust that he could get Grayson and Adrianna to Wolfglynn safely.

  “He’s going to die.” Dorgan’s voice was harsh with emotion.

  “No, he won’t,” Serena said.

  Francesca jerked her gaze to her friend. “You’ve seen it? You’ve seen how he will die?”

  Chapter Eight

  As he ran, Cade loosened his hold on the darkness. He needed to find Grayson, and the only way to do that was with the darkness. He just prayed he’d be able to pull the evil back in.

  “Yes,” the darkness cooed. “Grayson is surrounded. He’s going to die!”

  Where?

  “Not far. To your left.”

  Cade grimaced as the darkness fought to control him, to turn him into the very thing that Nigel wanted, needed. But Cade fought it.

  He tripped over a fallen log and landed hard on his side. Mud and leaves clung to his tunic as he jumped to his feet. He followed the darkness’s orders and turned left even as he continued to fight the evil.

  Cade lost track of time. He was so absorbed in fighting the darkness he had no idea where he was, but he had to let the darkness guide him, to find Grayson and Adrianna.

  “Yes! Fight. Kill them. Kill them!” the darkness screamed.

  Cade came to a halt and moved behind a tree. He closed his eyes and struggled to get his breathing under control. His leg ached mercilessly, and his side and lungs burned from his exertion.

  “Join Nigel’s army,” the darkness urged. “Be the man you were destined to be.”

  Cade ignored the voice in his head and took stock of Nigel’s men. He had indeed sent an army. The men slowly made their way around Grayson’s camp, swords drawn and ready. Cade needed to get to Grayson. He didn’t want to fight Nigel’s men until Grayson and Adrianna had started toward Wolfglynn.

  Shite.

  There was only one thing for Cade to do, and it was almost too risky to consider. But he owed it to Drogan. To Francesca.

  He closed his eyes and let the darkness surround him like a shadowy mist. It became difficult to breathe, to think. He pictured Grayson, but his face quickly disappeared. He thought of Drogan, but even his closest friend faded.

  Then his thoughts turned to Francesca, her soft lips and scent that drove him mad with lust. Only then was he able to remember who he was, and what he needed to do.

  Cade took a deep breath and stepped away from the tree. He walked among Nigel’s army, never once seen. He stepped through the perimeter Grayson had set up around his camp. Grayson’s men had their swords drawn, because even though they couldn’t see anything, they felt the evil of Nigel’s army.

  He continued on until he came to the large tent. Only when he was inside did he force the darkness away. For a moment, the darkness rebelled, and Cade thought he might lose all. With his hands fisted and his jaw clenched, he turned his mind once more to Francesca, praying the thought of her would somehow help get the darkness under control.

  Little by little, the darkness was tamped down. When Cade opened his eyes, it was to find Grayson standing in front of him with a sword at his throat.

  “Who are you?” Grayson demanded.

  Cade looked at the black‐haired warrior with his silver eyes. Grayson would have fit into their group easily, which was why Drogan had taken such a liking to the man.

  “You know me,” Cade answered.

  Grayson narrowed his gaze and swore. “Cade?”

  He was impressed. The warrior had only seen him once, and it had been a year ago. “Aye.”

  “How did you get past my guards?”

  Cade glanced over Grayson’s shoulder to find a woman with golden hair staring at him with probing blue eyes. Adrianna, he presumed. “It isn’t just your guards I got past, but an army as well.”

  “Damn.” Grayson lowered his sword and raked a hand through his hair. “You were right, Drina.”

  The woman smiled and placed her hand on Grayson’s arm. “Of course I was right.” Her gaze moved to Cade. “I sense a great...darkness around you.”

  Cade took a step back and turned to Grayson. “It’s better for all if you keep your distance. There isn’t much time. You need to get the witch to Wolfglynn posthaste.”

  “Why? What’s out there?”

  “Nigel.”

  Grayson swore again and sheathed his sword. “The bastard had the chance to kill me before.”

  “He doesn’t want to kill you,” Cade said. “He wants the witches dead. All of them.”

  Adrianna’s face paled. “We have no power over him.”

  Cade shrugged. “He thinks differently. Already he’s sent someone to kill Serena and Francesca. I stopped them.”

  “The storm was courtesy of Nigel, then,” Adrianna said.

  Cade gave a quick nod. “There’s another on the way.”

  “I know,” Adrianna said. “I smell it.”

  Before Cade could ask what she meant, Grayson spoke. “Then we battle the army.”

  “Nay.” Cade made his fingers unclench. “You’ll be killed.”

  “Someone has to battle them.”

  “Someone will.” Cade had no intention of telling Grayson his plans. “I’ll create a diversion in the middle of Nigel’s army. It’ll divert attention to me. Meanwhile, you need to get Adrianna to Wolfglynn. Don’t stop. Not for the weather or anything that might get in your way.”

  Grayson nodded. “I will tell my men to help you.”

  “Nay. I don’t want your men mistaking me for one of Nigel’s. Have them stand down, but continue to guard the camp. When it’s clear, they can make their way to Drogan’s.”

  Adrianna walked around her husband until she stood in front of Cade. Her blue eyes held his as if she were searching his soul. “You plan on taking the whole of Nigel’s army yourself?”

  “You can’t,” Grayson said. “You’ll never survive.”

  Cade shrugged. “You leave that to me. Now, there’s no more time for talking.”

  He lifted the flap and strode from the tent before they could ask more questions. He prayed Grayson did as he asked, because if Grayson didn’t, Nigel would kill Adrianna. Though Cade hadn’t figured out why Nigel wanted the witches dead, he would ensure they lived at all costs. Anything to anger Nigel.

  As Cade walked through Grayson’s camp, men turned to stare at him. He saw the fear, the unease that rippled in their eyes when they looked at him. They needed to fear him. Unleashing the darkness, even the little that he had, had made it near impossible to take control again. Year after year, he had never let it loose. He had fought it, screamed at it. But never had he let it go.

  And now he was about to unleash it.

  Cade had wanted to save it until the battle with Nigel, but he couldn’t. The witches needed to be kept safe. Francesca needed to be kept safe.


  A wave of longing surged through him just thinking of her. He should have kissed her when he’d had the chance. He should have tasted her sweet lips, caressed her curves. Because once he unleashed the darkness, there would be no turning back. He would become what he feared most.

  He had been preparing to die from the moment the darkness entered his soul. He just hadn’t counted on meeting someone like Francesca.

  Walking to the edge of Grayson’s camp, he still felt the eyes of the men on him. Uneasy, fearful. They had a right to fear him. If they knew what he was about to let free, they would run for their lives.

  Cade stopped at the perimeter of the camp, near two knights. His gaze was on the gently rolling hills and the boundary of the forest, where Nigel’s army waited.

  “Whatever you hear, whatever you see, don’t leave this camp,” he told them without looking at the men. “Stay here, and don’t let anything through.”

  He reached back and unsheathed his knives as he took a deep breath. It was strange that after all these years of fighting the evil, he was about to give it free reign. He didn’t like the fear that fluttered in his stomach at the prospect of becoming what he hated the most.

  Francesca.

  He didn’t know her, didn’t understand what she was, but somehow she’d managed to touch him as no other person ever had. The witches needed to be kept alive. At all costs. He only wished he knew why Nigel wanted them dead so badly.

  Cade twirled his knives as he stepped away from Grayson’s camp. Nigel’s men began moving about. Cade smiled, eager to feel his blade sink into flesh.

  “Yes, yes! Blood. Drench your blades in blood,” the darkness urged.

  “Come out, come out wherever you are,” Cade taunted Nigel’s men.

  It took little effort to call forth the darkness. One moment he was walking towards the army, and the next his swords were flying, a red haze descending over his eyes.

  * * * * *

  “By all that’s holy,” Grayson murmured as he watched Cade walk into the middle of Nigel’s men.

  Adrianna tugged on his arm. “Grayson, we need to go.”