“Typical,” Cate said as Steve handed her weapons belt over.
“Look what I got, it’s a–” Ian started to say.
There was a blur of movement as Jade, still in her wolf form, came flying through the air, straight for them.
Alarmed, Cate raised her hands, causing energy to beat through the air as time stopped. Jade froze in mid leap. “What the hell?” Cate said, staring at Jade’s open snarl. “What’s wrong with her?”
“I don’t know, but she looks really pissed off,” Jason commented. “Look at her eyes.” Jade’s amber eyes were now black.
“Bethany must've done something–!”
Jade suddenly unfroze, breaking through Cate’s magic, about to strike. Steve grabbed Cate and dragged her out of the way. Jade hit the ground and turned, snarling and growling, about to advance on them again.
“Jade, stop!” Cate said to her.
“I don’t think she’s going to listen to us, Sis,” said Ian.
A bolt of lightning appeared and struck Jade, who staggered back and collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
“Is she going to be alright?” Cate made a move to go to her.
“Bethany must have injected her with something,” said Ian. “We’ll have to get her back to the lab and run some tests.”
“She must be infected with the drug. If Bethany created it, she probably took some with her,” she said. “This is her payback for us destroying her lab.”
“Let’s just get her back to the house,” said Steve. “We’ll be able to contain her better there than the Tower.”
Taking Jade back to the McCray house, they put her in a containment cell. Steve and Ian got to work taking a blood sample.
“Well?” Cate demanded as she walked into the lab, where Steve was staring at his numerous computer screens. Ian was busy tipping lots of liquids into bubbling containers.
“Jade’s been infected with Pandora,” said Steve. “From the looks of it, it’s a pure form. I’m still trying to identify the ingredients, but it will take some time.”
“How much time?” she asked. “When the drug killed our Denai victim, it was given in pure form. How long does Jade have?”
“It’s hard to say,” replied Ian. “All the others were already dead when we found them. I’m running tests, but it doesn’t look good.”
“You took some of the drug from the compound. Can’t you use that to make some sort of antidote?”
“I’m trying, but we still have to identify the ingredients.” Ian looked grim. “It’s already showing signs of attacking Jade’s immune system. It would help if I had a sample from the source.”
“Freya was the source and I killed her. There won’t be much left of her body to take a sample from,” she said feeling a wave of guilt. “This is my fault and I’m going to fix it. Keep looking for something.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Find Bethany. She’s the one who did this.”
She went downstairs to where Jason sat with his laptop. “I need to locate Bethany again.” She put Bethany’s Book of Shadows on the table.
“Are you sure that’s going to work? You found her before, because she wanted to be found.”
“Well, I’m going to find her again. Let’s get started.”
“Maybe going back to the compound would be better. It might be easier to track her from there.”
“Good idea. Let’s go.”
The building was little more than a ruin of ash and liquefied metal when they arrived.
“Jade will be alright,” Jason told her.
“I can’t think about that right now,” she replied. “Let’s just focus on finding Bethany.”
“Jade’s in good hands. You know Steve and Ian are the best at what they do.”
“Right, and now we’re going to do what we do best. I’m surprised the sweepers aren’t here gathering up the evidence for processing.”
“I haven’t reported in yet,” he admitted.
Cate frowned. “Why?”
“For the same reason Ian and Steve took Jade to their house rather than the Tower. Seline would be on our backs constantly, then Mel would find out and there’s no need to worry them yet.”
She knew Seline would see this failure as a good excuse to pull the team, and especially Cate, off the case altogether. He had done it for her.
Cate stepped into the ashes. “Maybe calling in the sweepers would be a good thing. There might be something here that could help save Jade.”
“Yes, and they would also contaminate the telepathic remnants that could lead us to Bethany.”
Cate took a deep breath, trying to ignore the worry and concern she felt for Jade. It was harder to block out the emotions thanks to the transition. Closing her eyes, she dropped her shields and let her senses roam free. Images of fire and the echo of Freya’s screams flashed before her eyes. She winced. “There’s so much negativity in this place. It’s hard to pick up on anything.”
Jason took her hand, giving her a much needed boost of energy.
She tried to focus, dropping her shields further and forcing her power to show her more. Further images raced through her mind, spinning in a kaleidoscope of colours. The air stirred around her as she felt Jason using his own magic. She moved through the blur and tried to find Bethany.
An enormous weight suddenly knocked her to the ground, snapping her out of the vision. “Jason,” she gasped as she stared up into his steel eyes. “What–?”
“Devas,” was all he said, before he jumped up and threw a bolt of lightning.
She looked up and saw there wasn’t just one Deva but three. All had long, billowing, black hair, streaked with white, and were clad in black leather. None of them carried any kind of weapon; they didn’t need to, with their power. They seemed to vibrate with it, as if their bodies could barely contain the energy inside.
Oh, goddess, she thought. One Deva was bad enough, but three was a nightmare. What could she do? Devas were immune to Denai magic. But she wasn’t just Denai, she reminded herself. She raised her hand to stop time again. Nothing happened. Bloody magic!
Cate, go! Jason told her.
No, I’m not leaving you.
They aren’t here for you, they’re here for me. They’re Ashrali Devas. You need to go before they kill you.
She hesitated. No, she wasn’t going to leave without him. Come on, let’s go.
They’ll follow me.
The ground beneath her feet shook, as the Devas hurled kinetic blasts at Jason. Cate closed her eyes, ready to give into her power and fight back. She waited, expecting to feel the sudden rush of magic, to feel the Goddess in her emerge. Nothing happened. Oh, for the love of Denai! she thought and pulled out her gun.
There was a booming in her ears as the shots rang out. The lead Deva didn’t so much as flinch as the bullets sliced their way through flesh and bone, without leaving a mark. Well, it had been worth a try. The Deva turned his attention to her and raised his hand. Cate teleported out before the blast could hit her, but she wasn’t so lucky the second time. It knocked her to the ground, forcing the air out of her lungs.
Around her, fire, air, and lightning lit up the sky, as Jason use the elements to try and hold the Devas off.
Jason, let’s go. We’ll be safe at Niara’s.
Before she could blink, a Deva had her by the throat. “Silly witch, your powers are no use against us.”
“Wanna bet?” She grabbed his wrist and tried to drain him.
He only laughed and slapped her, hard. “I don’t need my powers to kill you, witch.”
When Cate felt a sudden flare of power, she gave into it. Kinetic energy rippled from her hand, as she used her full strength to force the Deva away. Her magic rippled uselessly against him.
She heard a cry and watched in horror as Jason fell to the ground, the elements beating madly around them. Cold fury burned through her. Raising her hands she drew in the furious energy of the storm. Her hair whipped around wildly a
nd she looked down to see her fingers spark with static. She shot fire and lightning from her hands and then unleashed a tornado. All three Devas were sent flying.
Cate hurried over to Jason. Locking eyes with one Deva who was back on his feet, silver fire exploded around as she shielded them from the other two. She put a hand on Jason’s chest and teleported them away.
Cate hit the floor as they materialised. She felt drained and didn’t know where the silver fire had come from, but she had seen the surprise on the Deva’s faces. “Grandma?” she called. Looking down at Jason, she saw he was still unconscious.
“Niara isn’t here,” said a voice.
She looked up, stunned. There stood a woman with long, brown hair and blue eyes. She was beautiful, with an athletic body, and wearing jeans and a dark tunic, with boots. It was her mother, Ceri.
“Mum?” Cate gasped. “What the hell–?” She glanced around the unfamiliar room. “Where am I?”
“Safe. Are you hurt?”
“No, but I was aiming for Niara’s house. How did I get here?”
“I brought you. It’s safe, the Devas can’t follow you.”
“How did you – wait just a damn minute! You can’t just –”
Ceri moved over to look at Jason. Oh goddess, Jason! The shock at seeing her absent mother again had almost made her forget. “Is he hurt?” Cate asked, anxiously.
“No, just stunned by the look of it.” Ceri raised her hand and Jason vanished. “Don’t worry, he’s upstairs resting.”
Cate stared at her for a moment. “Is this a lame attempt to try and come back into my life?”
“You may not have seen me, but I have always been watching over you.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”
“No. I know nothing I do or say can make up for leaving you. But I want you to know that I’m here to help you through the ascension.”
“I’m managing just fine by myself.”
“We both know that’s not true. Your powers are unpredictable. They either fail you or you lose control completely.”
“Just show me where Jason is then I’m leaving. Sorry, but I really don’t have time for a tearful reunion.”
“I know, but won’t you at least let me explain?”
“No. I just need Jason and to go back to the crime scene.”
“He will be unconscious for a while, but I can help.”
“I don’t want or need your help. I already have a partner.”
“I can help you find Bethany.”
Cate turned to go and hesitated. Jason was unconscious and Jade was running out of time. She sighed. “Fine, but this doesn’t change anything.”
CHAPTER 20
After leaving a written message for Jason, Cate and Ceri teleported back to the crime scene. Cate glanced around and braced herself, half expecting the Devas to still be there.
“They would have left the minute you did,” Ceri commented.
“Wish I could kill them,” she muttered.
“You can, or at least you should be able to when you learn to control your powers.”
“You mean that silver fire thing?”
“It’s called Phoenix fire. You get it from me. I’m half Phoenix.”
Cate‘s forehead creased. “You’re half bird?”
Ceri laughed. “No, not that kind of Phoenix. The Phoenix are one of the Elder Races. They are Elementals who control a special kind of fire.”
“Ian and Steve don’t have that power.”
“No, but they are very powerful in their own ways.”
Cate closed her eyes, but it was hard to concentrate with Ceri there. She felt movement and opened her eyes to see that her mother was now beside her. “Let me help,” Ceri held out her hand.
“How?”
“I’m a conduit. I can–”
“Use my powers? No way!”
“Your powers are unpredictable. I’m only going to help you focus them better. You need to learn more control after the ascension.”
“I suppose you can help with that too?”
“Indeed I can.”
“Where have you been for the last fifteen years then?” she demanded, eyes flashing.
“I didn’t stay away out of choice.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Cate asked. “Never mind. Let’s just get this over with.” She took Ceri’s hand, surprised when she didn’t feel a rush of thoughts and emotions. I’m really feeling a strong power. “Now what?”
“Concentrate.”
She closed her eyes and felt Ceri’s magic join with her own.
Suddenly, Cate found herself back in the past. Flames were everywhere; she could feel the heat of it and gagged at the acrid smell of burning flesh. She put a hand out in front of her, saw it move. “Are you doing this?” she asked Ceri.
“No, dear. This is all your power, I’m just helping you to focus and use it.”
She looked over to see herself rounding off with Freya. “I shouldn’t have killed her.”
“You were defending yourself. If you hadn’t stopped her she would have killed you.”
She saw a blur of red as the wolf charged after Bethany. “Jade?”
“She can't hear you. You are only witnessing the past. You know you’re not allowed to change it.”
Cate hurried after Jade and saw Bethany running away. Jade leapt, knocking the fleeing Denai to the ground. She struggled under the weight of the wolf’s body. “Get off me, you filthy beast!”
Jade’s teeth locked on Bethany’s wrist, making her scream. “Philip!” Bethany yelled.
The Deva appeared and tossed the syringe to Bethany. She grabbed it and plunged it into Jade’s side. Jade yelped and let go, her body starting to convulse.
Bethany scrambled up and shimmered away with the Deva.
Cate opened her eyes as the vision ended. “Where did they go?”
“Damn. It was clever of her to use the Deva. She knew it would make it harder for us to track her.”
“How did Bethany get him to work for her? I thought he was Raven’s Deva. And where the hell did Raven get the powers she gave to Bethany?”
“Probably took them from another Denai, like they used that poor girl’s blood to make Pandora,” said Ceri as she walked off towards the woods.
Cate followed her without saying anything, though her mind was racing with questions. They stopped when they came to the tree line, still seeing ash from the fire around them.
Cate spotted something on the ground and picked it up. It was the syringe used on Jade. “I don’t see what good this is going to do,” she said and gasped as a vision overwhelmed her.
She saw Jade lying strapped to a bed, writhing in pain before light exploded around her. Cate started to collapse, the syringe dropping from her hand as Ceri caught hold of her. “What did you see?” her mother asked.
“Jade, she – she died.” She felt tears prick her eyes.
“It’s going to be alright.” Ceri wrapped her arms around her.
Cate was surprised by the sudden embrace. She hadn’t known what it felt like to have a mother for a very long time. She returned the hug briefly, before pulling away. “I need to find Bethany.”
“Sit down, sweetheart.” Ceri motioned towards a fallen tree.
Cate took a deep breath and wiped the tears away. “I’m okay now,” she said. “I just don't know where to begin.”
“This was the last place Bethany was in your vision. It’s a good place to start,” Ceri said. “You’re the Grand Mistress now, and–”
“Second Grand Mistress. But what has that got to do with anything?” she asked. “Is that going to change now you’re back?”
“Not if Seline has anything to do with it. I doubt she told you this, but the Grand Mistress and her Second share the power. It allows the GM to sense our kind, no matter where they are.”
“But Bethany isn’t part of our coven.”
“No, but she is a child of Denai and all of those descendants
are connected by the powers passed onto us by the goddess,” Ceri went on. “You have all of Denai’s powers and now you’re the Second, you should be able to sense any witch who possesses that magic.”
“But I’ve never used my power as the Second. Hell, I’ve tried not to even think about it. But if it will help save Jade, I’ll do whatever it takes.” She closed her eyes, reaching for her magic as she cast her senses out into the world. “Nothing’s happening.”
“That’s because you’re trying to use your powers as you normally do. You need to accept the fact that you are the Second and allow that power to flow freely. Resist and it won’t work.”
Cate sighed, closed her eyes again, and gritted her teeth, knowing she would finally have to accept her fate.
Picturing Bethany, she ordered her magic to find her. For a while nothing happened. Then she felt an unfamiliar power flowing through her, coming from her amulet; realising it wasn’t just a symbol of rank, she grabbed it. All at once, her senses expanded and she felt the presence of every Denai in the city and beyond, all glowing like dots of light. One burned brighter than the others and Cate knew it must be Seline, but as she watched Seline’s light seemed to become fainter. Not dwelling on what it might mean, she caught images from the lights, seeing each and every witch, but she paid little attention to them. Her focus was solely on Bethany.
Come on, Bethany. Where are you? She thought and willed her power to show her. The lights vanished and Cate saw Bethany for the briefest second.
“I know where she is.” She opened her eyes. “But she keeps moving.”
Ceri took her hand and they teleported out.
They reappeared in what looked to be an empty hallway. The walls were a dark green, the paint peeling off in several places, and the wooden floor looked as if it had seen better days.
“Stay behind me. I have much more experience with Devas than you do,” said Ceri as she somehow managed to move silently across the creaking floorboards.
“You’re just supposed to be helping, remember? I’m in charge here,” she lowered her voice to avoid attracting the Deva’s attention.
“I’m still your mother and I’m not about to let you get yourself killed.”
Denai Touch: Excalibar Investigations Series Page 21