by Guida, ML
Mariah put her hand on his arm. “Please listen to her.”
Mariah took the chain, and before he could argue, placed it over his head. Her sweet breath brushed onto his cheeks, and inhaling her flowery scent, his muscles relaxed. The jade stone lay against his chest, warming him, soothing the tension, and soreness gripping him.
He clasped the stone. “What exactly will this stone do?”
“Your dragon is angry. When you transform, the stone will calm the beast, and you can control it. If you take it off, your beast will be in control, and all who you love will be at the mercy of a raging dragon.” Morgana’s grave voice did nothing to ease the unrest inside him.
“We learned how not to kill when we fed, William,” Kane said. “You’ll be able to do the same.”
How could a small stone keep his dragon from murdering people? He needed to run away and find someplace where no humans lived, where no demons dwelt, and where no one would be in danger.
As if reading his mind, Morgana said, “If you retreat, Natasa will find you and control you.”
At the name Natasa, Solstice growled, baring her teeth.
William lifted his eyebrow. “Natasa?”
“Oui. She is coming, looking for you.” She hushed her voice as if she were afraid someone was listening.
Kane stood, put his palms on the table, and leaned toward Morgana. “Speak plain. Who is Natasa?”
“I will show you.” Morgana closed her eyes, lowered her head and murmured a French chant.
“Grand-mère,” Mariah gasped. “No.” Her face paled, and her violet eyes rounded.
“What are you doing, witch?” William clasped her hand, and she squeezed it tight. He could feel her trembling.
The flickering fire dimmed, the warmth vanishing. Black smoke swirled out of the cauldron. William cringed at the stench. He exhaled and could see his breath.
“What’s happening?” Ronan rubbed his forehead. “I feel dizzy.”
Morgana opened her eyes. “Evil is a sickness.” She pointed at the fireplace. “Look.”
Solstice snarled, staring at the flames, her hair standing on end.
A pair of red eyes peered out of the smoke. The smoke churned into different colors of red, black, and white and whirled around the glowing eyes until a lass’s face formed. As the air turned colder, the face became clearer and sharper. Flaming red hair highlighted her white skin and ruby lips. She was beautiful, but evil reflected in her eyes.
The air seemed to be sucked out of the room, and William labored to breathe. A hand squeezed his heart, and fear penetrated deep into his soul.
“So, you’ve summoned me, Morgana? Your powers are waning, shriveled witch. Death is around the corner.” The lass’s voice was evil and eerie. And excited.
Natasa pointed at William. He had the sensation of a fingernail scraping down the back of his neck, and he glanced over his shoulder to see who was behind him.
But no one was there.
He held the demon lass’s gaze and refused to look away. She tried to instill fear in him, and the hair on the back of his neck shivered. Damn, ’twas working.
Mariah choked on a sob.
William gripped her hand harder. She clutched him tight, her hand shaking.
Morgana glared at Mariah. “Silence.”
A bone chilling spread across Natasa’s face. “So, this is your granddaughter. I can feel your power, girl. But you’re no match for me.”
“Leave her alone,” William growled.
Natasa laughed. “Ah, yes, the dragon. Soon you shall both be under my power.”
* * *
Morgana clapped her hands. With a loud pop, the fire roared. Natasa snarled, her red eyes dimmed. “You’ll not dismiss me so easily. I’ll—” But her foul voice faded.
But the flickering flames smothered away her hateful voice. The fire snapped. Darkness blanketed them. Cold chills ran up William’s spine.
Mariah leaned close. He released her hand and draped his arm around her quaking shoulders.
Someone clapped. The fire ignited in the hearth.Warmth returned into the brick room. Morgana burned sage, the sweet smell lifting William’s spirits.
Curious faces stared at William and Mariah. All except Ronan. His glare could have stabbed William’s heart.
Mariah’s face reddened, and she wiggled away from William.
Morgana coughed, her face growing pale.
Mariah circled her arms around her. “Grand-mère.”
Morgana waved her hand. “I am fine, chérie.” She clutched her fist to her chest. “Just a little weak. My heart’s not as strong as it used to be.”
Jonas hung his head. “I am afraid ’tis true, child.” He sniffed and rubbed the crease between his eyes. “Your Grand-mère has foreseen her death.”
Mariah cupped her mouth and shook her head.
“You know ’tis true, mon chou.” Morgana hacked and cleared her throat. “You heard what Natasa said. I have a year, maybe two left.”
Tears welled in Mariah’s eyes, and William wanted to pull her into his arms, shielding her from the pain of losing someone she obviously loved dearly.
A telltale muscle in Kane’s jaw fluttered, and his eyes blackened. He pulled out a pistol, aimed it at the fireplace. “It smells like burnt flesh. How the bloody hell could that demon get in here? I thought you said dark magic couldn’t penetrate this room.”
Morgana nodded. “Oui. It cannot. You have nothing to be afraid of, Capitaine. You were never in danger.”
“I never said I was afraid,” Kane growled.
William bit back a smile. Not every day an old woman accused his big brother of being a coward. Kane glowered at him.
“You should all be wary.” Morgana looked at each one of them. “You are going into danger again, Capitaine.”
“I don’t need a history lesson,” Kane grumbled as he shoved the pistol back into his belt.
Morgana clasped Mariah’s hand. “Mon chou, you are the one who possesses the power to save your brother.”
“You are much more powerful than I am. I have never gone up against a demon.” She slumped in her chair and her tone sunk into fear.
“Two demons,” William corrected, his voice soft and foreboding.
“Baw!” Morgana flicked her hand. “You underestimate her, garçon. She’s not going to be doing this alone. You have more power in you than you realize. ’Tis why the demons want you.”
William sat straighter in his chair. “I am not going to be their bloody pet.”
“You shall not be their pet if you combine your powers with my granddaughter’s.” Morgana’s voice boasted with pride from the last word. “I’ve grown old these past years fighting the dark forces in our world. My life force is waning and stripping me of my power.” She put her gnarled hands on Mariah’s face. “But, mon chérie, yours is strong.”
William wanted to throttle the daft crone. “Against two demons? You’re sending your granddaughter to her death.”
Solstice barked, as if to argue with him. What was it with that dog? Could familiars read human minds?
“You have no faith, garçon.” Morgana dropped her hands. “Only the two of you together can hope to defeat Natasa.”
“No, Grand-mère, we need you. You are the only one who can get Lark back.”
Morgana’s eyes glistened, and she blinked. “I have felt Lark’s pain these past few months and cursed that I could do nothing. The black magic is too strong. He is under a powerful spell––a spell I cannot break from this island.”
Ronan drummed his fingers on the table. “He’s wearing a yari, a choker from Coaybay. Zuto gave it to Palmer. He forces Lark to do his bidding. When he refuses…” Ronan tightened his lips and turned his head. “He’s been fighting it. I swear he has.”
Mariah could see the desperation in Ronan’s face, and the determination in her grand-mère’s eyes. She bit her trembling lower lip to mask her fear. “Grand-mère, I don’t possess your power. If I fail, my brot
her could lose his soul.”
Kane leaned back in his chair, the lines in his forehead deepening. “If he loses his soul, will he be a danger to my ship and my crew?”
“Oui, warlocks swear their allegiance to a demon, and in return, gain more power,” Mariah said. “Grand-mère has many gifts. I do not.” She turned to her grand-mère. “This is why you have to save Lark.”
“Bah.” Morgana waved her hand. “True, I have a strong gift of sight. You, mon chérie, were blessed with not only my blood but also the blood of your ancestors. Your power’s potent and more than enough to defeat Natasa and Zuto.”
’Twas Sharon all over again. William didn’t want to lose Mariah like he had his beloved wife. Sharon had faced an adversary, her older brother, and trusted she’d be able to defeat him, trusted she could reason with him, trusted he wouldn’t harm her. A mistake that had cost her life.
“She stays here.” His voice was final, but Mariah gave him a look that the fight wasn’t over.
Mariah glared. “I shall not abandon my brother.”
Morgana curled her lip. “You are a fool, dragon. You cannot defeat Zuto and Natasa without my Mariah. The demons are still bent on capturing Captaine Knight and his daughter.”
“Never!” Kane kicked his chair to the floor. Fierceness reflected in his eyes. He’d die protecting his woman.
Yes. Bring them to Zuto.
William whirled around in his chair at the cruel voice, but no one was behind him.
Morgana gave him a curious look, but sipped her tea and said nothing.
William was breathing hard. Where had the voice come from? He wanted to ask her, but fear kept him silent. Kane would want to know what the voice had said. How could he tell Kane that someone had urged him to kidnap the woman Kane loved and bring her to a demon? He rubbed the back of his neck. He recognized the voice. ’Twas the same one from the dream.
Morgana put down her cup. “They are both on board your ship, oui.” ’Twas more a statement than a question.
Kane didn’t answer her, and William and the rest of the men remained silent.
Morgana turned to Mariah. “To ease your burden, I have prepared crystals, herbs, and stones to help you on your quest.” She handed her the black bag. “You must take this with you. Trust in your abilities.” She gripped Mariah’s arm. “Never doubt yourself, or you shall be at the mercy of Natasa.”
“No.” William shook his head. “We’ll find a way to defeat Zuto and Natasa without endangering her.”
“Mariah’s the only chance you have,” Morgana insisted. “Hear me, dragon.” She pointed a crippled finger at him. “You possess hidden powers.”
The hairs on the back of William’s neck stood on end. “What powers?”
“Dragon powers differ from one beast to another and cannot be forced out. Mariah shall guide you.”
“I don’t need a governess.”
Morgana picked up her cane and smacked it on the table. “Listen, you young fool.”
William flinched and thought she might whack him over the head with it.
“If Mariah isn’t there to guide you, you will be vulnerable to turning to the other side. Zuto cast this dragon spell on you for a reason. I don’t know why, but I know ’tis not good.” His gut twisted at her forbidding voice.
“Aye.” Ronan nodded. “’Tis for some evil purpose. Palmer’s drunk with power. All he needs now is a dragon to control.”
William gritted his teeth. “He doesn’t have me yet.”
The fire flickered again. A wind blew inside the locked room, and cold air chased away the warmth. William’s hair swirled in front of his face, and his skin pricked across his naked chest. He shivered.
Kane and his men’s eyes glowed red. “Bloody hell,” Kane swore.
A strong pungent smell of death hung in the air.
I will bring them, Master.
The grating voice. It communicated with Zuto? No, you will not, William vowed to himself.
We shall see.
The wind died down. The fire burned brighter, and a log exploded, ash flying into the room. Sparks flew onto the rug and fell onto the dog. Solstice yelped and ran across the room, her nails clicking on the floor. Kane and Ronan stomped on the burning sparks with their boots.
Morgana’s eyes darkened. “Oui. Zuto visited us.”
“You summoned him.” Kane whipped out his sword.
Morgana laughed. “Relax, Capitaine. He can’t penetrate this room.”
Kane slid the sword back into its sheath. “But—”
“He is gone,” Morgana said. “He wasn’t here to challenge or hurt us. Not yet anyway. I suspect he has another purpose. One I cannot fathom.” She gave William a hard stare as if he had promised Zuto his soul.
“Be careful with him,” Morgana said. “He has a plan and will stop at nothing.” She closed her eyes and shook her head. “I cannot see his plan. I sense his anger, much anger. Hate. His Lord and Master blames all of you, and he is holding Zuto accountable for not bringing back Hannah and her father. Zuto is cunning, more cunning than the devil himself. Be careful, all of you. I fear before ’tis over, he will offer one of you a temptation that could lead down a dark path.”
Ronan kicked ash back into the fireplace. “How do we avoid this?”
“You must each follow your destiny. Forces will happen which you all must accept. The good and the bad.” She patted Mariah’s arm but focused her gaze on William. “You must leave with these men tonight and go to their ship.”
Mariah wet her lips. “But…”
“Oui, they are vampires. Don’t worry, mon chérie. You will need vampires and a dragon to protect you. The capitaine’s mate will be an ally. She can move objects with her mind.”
“You know Hannah.” Kane’s voice was heavy with wariness.
“I have a gift for her, Capitaine. A moonstone. Mariah shall show her how to use it.”
’Twas absurd to believe the crew of the Soaring Phoenix could protect Mariah. They’d failed miserably so far in protecting Hannah, almost lost her twice, once to her deranged fiancé and their last confrontation with the Fiery Damsel. “Mariah will be at risk if she comes with us.” William pointed to the floor. “She stays here.”
Morgana jammed the tip of her cane into William’s chest.
He winced. “Look, crone.” He grabbed the tip of her cane.
“Listen, you stubborn dragon.” Morgana jerked the cane out of his hand. “She’s not safe here. Natasa knows about her gifts and shall send Palmer to capture her. She will then have both my grandchildren. I shall not have it. I am leaving you in charge of her welfare. She is your destiny.”
“Destiny?” William glowered. Sharon’s ashen face flashed in front of him. Her silky blond hair tangled around her head like a wild gypsy. Ruby lips parted as if waiting for a kiss. Her green gown molded to her luscious body. Not even death could steal her beauty.
He had brushed her hair back and had kissed her stiff lips good-bye, wetting her cheeks with his tears, wishing those pouty lips would respond and kiss him back one more time. To see her green eyes filled with laughter and smile one more time. To inhale her dewy morning smell one more time. He had rested his head on her forehead and inhaled. But there was no fragrant smell, only the emptiness of death. He had been too slow to defend her, just like he had been too slow with his mother.
He gazed at Mariah. Every muscle tensed at the thought of seeing those beautiful violet eyes listless like Sharon’s. “No.”
Morgana met his steely gaze. “Then prepare to be Natasa’s slave.”
* * *
Mariah bit back her tongue. William looked at her as if he wanted her to toss her into the ocean and be done with her. She wanted to slap his handsome face and shake him. She wasn’t some kind of novelty witch. “I will go pack.”
Grabbing Grand-mère’s black velvet bag, she slid away from the table and flounced out of the room. Behind her, muffled voices murmured, but she didn’t care what they were sayin
g. Lark’s life was at stake. And if Grand-mère felt like she could rescue Lark, then she would match wits with a she-demon. Even if it meant she might die in the process.
Heavy footsteps trailed after her. She glanced over her shoulder, quickened her step, and raced into her bedroom.
William stomped after her, apparently not caring that he invaded a woman’s sanctuary. He was too close, and all she could think about was when he’d awakened in her lap naked. He’d been magnificent with his sculpted body, sleep in those emerald eyes, thick hair tousled around his face. When he’d sat upright and crossed his ankles, she could not help but steal a glimpse at the dark hairs that tapered down to the juncture of his legs. His manhood had been erect, and she should have had the decency to blush, but instead, she had an impulse to caress it, to see what it felt like and pretended to lean over to grab her satchel. Mon Dieu, she was tempting fate, and now fate was in her room. Alone.
William edged closer, and his grim face turned her gut into a knot. For a moment, she was a little girl about to get a spanking for defying her better’s order. She refused to allow him to intimidate her.
“Mariah,” he said.
“I am coming with you, William.” She tried to put distance between her and him and not to inhale his charcoal scent that made her want to kiss his lips. But with his long strides, he easily overtook her.
He seized her arm and whirled her around. She was forced to look into his intense emerald eyes that were filled with warring emotions. She thought she detected concern, despair, arrogance.
“I can’t let you do this,” he said.
“You do not have a choice. Your brother is capitaine, not you, no?”
“I’ll deal with Kane,” he growled. “We can find another way. I’m begging you to stay here and be safe.” Fear flashed in those eyes.
She cupped his stubbled cheek. “I understand you are worried about my safety, but I am a witch. A powerful one.” At least, she hoped she was as powerful as Grand-mère professed her to be. She did not know if she was trying to convince William or herself.
“So, you’re brother is a weak witch?”