Denai Touch: Excalibar Investigations Series

by Tiffany Shand

  So much for the tender moment they’d shared. “You haven’t been a mother to me for a very long time, so stop trying to act like it now.”

  “Cate, this isn’t the time or place to be arguing about this.”

  “You’re the one who started it!” Cate hissed.

  A kinetic blast sent Cate hurtling through the wall behind her. She felt the wood and plaster break as she crashed into the next room. Pain exploded all over her body from her back to her neck. She was certain she’d broken something this time. There was a cry of alarm. She looked up to see Bethany standing there.

  The other Denai backed away. “How did you find me?”

  “I’m the Second Grand Mistress,” Cate tried not to wince as she got to her feet.

  The smell of sulphur filled the air as the rest of the wall was incinerated in a flash of silver. It seemed Ceri could take care of the Deva, Cate realised, when she saw him being thrown into the room on the opposite side of the hall.

  “You injected one of my team with your drug and now she’s dying.” She leant on a piece of protruding wood from the wall for support.

  Bethany smiled. “You killed Freya and destroyed my lab. It was the least I could do.”

  “I saw some of the things you did to her. I never imagined you were just as twisted as Raven,” she said in disgust.

  Bethany gave a harsh laugh. “Freya was already half mad when Raven gave her to me. At least I made use of her.”

  “You’re going to come with me, and give Jade an antidote.”

  “I would never do that.”

  “I wasn’t asking,” Cate said and her eyes burned with power. “Your Deva is busy, so that just leaves you and me.” She raised her hand, letting the full power of her compulsion pulse through the air.

  “I’m protected by the power Raven gave me. You can’t make me to do anything.”

  “I found you, didn’t I? There’s no Council or Covenant here to stop me.” Cate saw fear flicker in Bethany’s eyes. “You thought Freya was strong enough to stop me, but you were wrong. She was a powerful conduit, maybe nearly as powerful as my mum, but it didn’t save her. Stolen magic and being juiced up on that drug of yours won’t do you much good.”

  Bethany straightened her back. “You might stop me, but you’ll never be able to save your friend. Pandora has to be taken in small doses. Its pure form kills and there’s no way to stop it.” She smiled as a fireball formed in her hand.

  As the fireball came at her, Cate raised her hand to deflect it. “Do we really have to waste time doing this?” She dodged another one. “Ooh, looks like your drug is starting to wear off. Guess you shouldn’t have wasted it on Jade.” She blasted Bethany with her kinesis, slamming the other witch against the wall.

  Cate held out her hand and Bethany flew into her grasp. The compulsion was instantaneous. “Tell me how to save Jade,” she commanded.

  Bethany looked dazed and laughed. “You can’t. There is no cure. The drug burns away the immune system and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.”

  She gripped Bethany tighter. “There has to be a way. You made it. You must have had a way to reverse its effects.”

  “Why would I? It never mattered to me if the test subjects died.”

  “You must have had an antidote for yourself.”

  “No. I mastered it.”

  Cate’s eyes flashed black and Bethany slumped to the floor unconscious. “Mum?” she called.

  The battle between Ceri and the Deva was still raging as Cate staggered to the doorway. She quickly secured Bethany with cuffs and transported her somewhere secure. Mum, let’s go.

  You go. I’m busy.

  Shaking her head, Cate teleported away.

  “Where’s Cate?” asked Steve, looking over from his screens as Jason teleported in.

  “I was about to ask you the same thing,” Jason replied. “She left me a note, saying she’d gone with Ceri to find Bethany.”

  “What? How the hell did that happen?” he demanded.

  “Bloody Devas came and attacked us when we went back to the compound. I was knocked out and woke up in what must be Ceri’s house.”

  “Oh goddess, I knew this would happen!” Steve slammed his fist down on the console, making his screens blur. “Bugger it!”

  “I know she’s your mother, but how do we know Ceri hasn’t got some kind of hidden agenda? She could be as ruthless as Seline when she needs to be.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. Mum would never do anything to hurt Cate.” Ian came in.

  “And of course you automatically jump to her defence,” Steve snapped.

  “Mum is not like Gran. She loves Cate as much as we do. She’s just here to help.”

  “She did save us from Raven’s Deva,” Jason admitted. “Ian is right. I don’t think she would do anything to hurt Cate, but where the hell are they?”

  “If Cate is with mum, then she’s safe. Our main concern is Jade,” said Ian and glanced anxiously at the screen. “I’m doing my best, but she’s getting worse. We can’t let her die – she’s part of our family too.”

  “Then let’s hope Cate can find Bethany,” said Steve.

  “My powers aren’t slowing the drug down. I need more to work with.”

  “Keep trying,” said Jason. “I’ll check on Jade.”

  “I wouldn’t go in her room right now. She keeps shifting and she’ll attack anyone who tries to go near her,” Ian said. “I gave her a sedative strong enough to knock out a giant, but it’s not had much effect.”

  “Need a hand?” Jason asked Steve.

  “Two sets of eyes are better than one.” Ian left and Steve turned to Jason. “Are you safe here from the Devas?”

  “For now.”

  “What about afterwards? I did a scan of the area and saw the massive amounts of energy you used. If they know where you are now then–”

  “That’s my problem, not yours.”

  “The hell it isn’t. You’re part of our family, our team, and we look out for each other.”

  “Devas have found me before and I’ve dealt with it.”

  “Yes, but three? Even you aren’t that strong. You leave whenever Devas get too close.”

  Jason nodded. “Right, I lead them away until I lose them again.”

  “Is that what you’re going to do now?” Steve demanded. “Don’t think we haven’t noticed you and Cate are–”

  “Nothing’s happened,” he interrupted.

  “Not yet. Don’t break her heart. I know my sister and you’re the only man she’s ever cared for.”

  Jason sighed. “We’re supposed to be saving Jade, not discussing my personal life.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  He shook his head. He honestly didn’t know. His first instinct was to run, but he couldn’t. “I can’t leave Cate, not now when I finally have the chance to be with her,” he said. “Anyway, are you sure there’s nothing we can do to slow down Jade's condition?” An image of Jade appeared on screen and she looked bad. “I can use my earth element to heal a bit – perhaps I could slow it down.”

  “It won’t work. Ian has already tried. The drug is making her stronger and acting like a poison. It’s resisting any attempt to purge her of it,” replied Steve. “Ian is still trying to come up with an antidote, but we’re running out of time.”

  A bleeping sound came from one of the computer screens. “Hello,” said Steve, tapping away on his keyboard. “We’ve got company.”

  Jason tensed. “Devas?”

  “No, it’s not coming from outside the house. It’s coming from the dungeon.”

  “You have a dungeon?”

  “It was Mum’s. We have everything.” An image appeared on screen of Bethany, bound to a chair, similar to the one Raven had used. “My invention,” Steve said proudly. “Of course others use it now too. That's the downside of my creations.”

  “Looks like Cate sent us a gift. I’ll go down and have a chat with our guest.” He smiled and cracked his k
nuckles.

  As he walked down to the underground cell, Cate appeared beside him and he breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Are you alright?” she asked as she fell into step beside him.

  “I’m fine. You?”

  “My bruises have bruises, but I’ll be alright. How’s Jade?”

  “Still alive. Where…”

  “Later.” She moved past him and into the cell. “Bethany, tell me about the drug. Use your knowledge and tell me how we can save my friend.”

  Bethany shook her head. She looked tired and confused from the compulsion. “No – way…”

  Cate’s eyes burned brighter as she increased the strength of the compulsion. “Get Ian down here. Maybe he can get her to talk.”

  Ian joined them and they hounded Bethany with questions and magic, but no matter what any of them tried, it did no good. Feeling dejected they wearily headed back upstairs to check on Jade, who was now unconscious and her vital signs were getting weaker.

  “Ian, tell me there’s something else you can do.” Cate pleaded. “There must be a spell, a potion, something that can heal her.”

  “I’ve tried everything I can think of, sis,” Ian replied and his shoulders slumped. “There’s nothing more I can do. I'm sorry.”

  “That’s not good enough! She’s my best friend. I’ve known her since we were born. I’m not going to stand back and watch her die!”

  “Immortal means you get to live a long time, but it doesn’t mean you can’t be killed,” said Steve. “We love Jade too.”

  “Then do something!” Cate snapped. “Mum! Get over here!”

  There was a flash of gold orbs as Ceri appeared.

  “Mum, are you hurt?” Ian asked in concern.

  Ceri looked a bit dishevelled but smiled. “No, darling. I’ve never been better. It’s been a while since I had a good battle like that.” Her smile quickly faded. “You haven’t found a way to save Jade have you?”

  “We were hoping you might know something.”

  Ceri shook her head. “Healing isn’t my gift. Ian?”

  Ian shook his head.

  “Can’t you channel Ian’s power and do something?” demanded Cate.

  “If he can’t heal her, then neither can I.”

  “Fine, then there’s only one other thing we can do. Mum, show me how to travel back in time. Physically.”

  “You can’t do that,” Ceri protested.

  “I’ve done it before. It’s how Jason first met me.”

  “No, Cate. I mean you can’t change the past. It’s the first thing your father and I taught you.”

  “Sod the rules! I’m not going to watch her die.”

  “I’m sorry, but we don’t have the power to change what is meant to be.”

  “Then what the hell good are you? Are any of you?” She turned to go and Jason tried to reach for her. “Don’t touch me! I know what Devas mean. I saw it in your eyes when they attacked us. So go ahead. Run. It’s what you do best.” She walked away from him.

  Cate finally let the tears start to flow as she headed up to Jade’s room. Inside, her heart ached. Jade had been her best friend all her life, their mothers had been best friends and they had grown up as sisters. Jade was as much part of her family as her brothers and Jason were. She couldn’t imagine life without her.

  To Cate’s relief Jade was unbound and now covered with a blanket. To her surprise, Jade looked up when she came in.

  “Hi sweetie,” Jade smiled weakly.

  “Hi honey, how are you feeling?”

  “Like crap. I know it must be bad, but it doesn’t hurt so much now.” Jade looked up at her. “I’m dying, aren’t I?”

  Cate wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her jacket. “No, you’re not going to…”

  “You never could lie to me, Catie.”

  “You haven’t called me Catie in years.”

  “Yeah, you said you didn’t like it. Said it reminded you of your mum.”

  “I had a real blast from the past today. Ceri–”

  “I know. I’ve seen her too.”

  “Remind me to be angry with you later.” She half laughed.

  “How long?”

  “I don’t know.” She shook her head and tears filled her eyes again. “Sorry.”

  Jade reached up and took her hand. “Don’t cry, sweetie. It’s okay. I always hoped I'd go down in the line of duty. Die a hero.” Jade struggled and Cate gave her hand to sit up and then hugged her. “Thanks for always being such a great friend. You’re my bestie, always. I love you, sister witchy.”

  Cate laughed and hugged her back. “Love you too. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. It’s not your fault. We’re a team. We were partners, even before Jason.”

  “I’ll get Steve to call your parents.”

  Jade shook her head. “No, I couldn’t bear to see them.”

  “Don’t you want to say goodbye?” she asked in surprise.

  “No, they know I love them. Just promise you’ll stay until it's over.”

  Cate nodded and clutched her hand. “Bet you never got through your list of guys, did you?”

  Jade smiled. “I got almost halfway through. Jason is on that list, but I knew I’d never get him. He’s always been yours.”

  “Yeah, I’m not so sure about that.”

  “Hey, you’d better tell me everything that happens with Jason after I’m gone. Remember we can still talk on the other side. I’ll talk so much you’ll be sick of me.”

  “You’d better!” As she clutched Jade’s hand, Cate could feel the drug burning inside her body, as Jade’s life force started ebbing away.

  Cate closed her eyes whilst Jade chatted away. If she was so powerful, why couldn’t she prevent this? Did being the Goddess Marked mean losing everyone she loved? She felt a sudden flux in power, triggered by the onslaught of emotion and didn’t bother to rein it in. Her eyes glowed bright silver when she opened them again.

  “Cate?” Jade asked in alarm. “It’s okay, I’m alright. Don’t…”

  She gripped Jade’s hand tighter, feeling the burn and pulse of energy flow into Jade, who gasped as orbs engulfed her body. “Cate…”

  Jade slumped back onto the bed and the machine started bleeping madly. Oh Goddess, what had she done? “Ian! Ian, get in here!”

  Ian came running in and shoved her aside. Cate looked at the monitor and saw the flat lines. She knew what that meant. “I – I…”

  “What did you do?” Ian demanded as he ran his hands over Jade’s stomach. Suddenly the monitor bleeped and lines started waving across it. “The drug – it’s gone!” Ian touched Jade again. “I don’t sense it." He turned and smiled at Cate. “You did it, sis. You saved her.”

  Cate glanced down at her hands. “I – I thought I killed her. I used my Touch. It just happened – I didn’t mean to.”

  “Your Touch must have burned the drug out,” said Ian. “It’s gone. I need to run some tests to check for any lasting damage, but I think Jade is going to be all right.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “She’s weak, but with a few days rest she should be fine. Well done, sis.” Ian hugged her and she broke down again.

  Jason and Steve came in, followed by Ceri.

  “Jade is okay,” Ian said. “Cate got rid of the drug.”

  “Not sure how though,” Cate sniffed.

  Steve, Ian, and Jason hugged Jade and told her how relieved they were that she was okay. Her brothers then both cuddled Cate.

  “I vote we all go out and get drunk after this,” said Jade.

  Cate noticed that Jason kept his distance from her and then disappeared whilst they were still talking.

  Cate reluctantly went home. She knew this was going to be much harder than seeing Ceri again and almost losing Jade. Jason was there, having already teleported out and was sitting on the settee when she came in.

  “Did you talk to Ceri?” he asked.

  “No, I’ve had all the pain and emotional upheaval I can
take for one day,” she said and took a deep breath to prepare herself for more. “I’m sorry for having a go at you earlier. I thought I was going to lose Jade and…”

  He got to his feet. “Cate–”

  “Don’t, okay? Just don’t try to say goodbye. Don’t tell me you’re sorry because I don’t want to hear it!” she snapped. “You have to leave, I know that. I’m just glad it’s now, before we went any further.” It didn’t stop the pain though. With Jade it had felt like someone was tearing out her heart, but this… this went so much deeper. But she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of tears.

  “I love you.”

  “Don’t say that! Only you could ever hurt me this much!”

  Jason came over and put his arms on her shoulders. “Before you have a go at me anymore, just listen. I’m not leaving.”

  Cate stared up at him. “But – but you have to – the Devas…”

  “I know the risk, but I’m not running away. You need me to help you through the ascension and I just need you.”

  “But they saw you, they know you’re here.”

  “The Ashrali can throw a whole army at me, but I’m staying.”

  “You should go.”

  “Do you want me to?”

  “Of course not, but–”

  Jason kissed her tenderly. “Good, because we can find a way to make this work. I can’t just walk away, not when there’s finally a chance for us.”

  “This is insane.” She hugged him. “Maybe we shouldn’t even go down this road.”

  “Bit late for that.” He wrapped his arms around her and stroked her hair. “At least we caught Bethany.”

  “True, let’s just hope we can get some answers out of her,” she said. “Then maybe tomorrow we can have that date.”

  CHAPTER 21

  Cate walked out of her bedroom to find Jason sitting in the living room. She smiled. “Hey, know what today is?”

  Jason looked up. “Yeah, it’s Thursday.” He took a sip of coffee. “Not like you to smile this time of the morning.”

  “It’s an important day. You do know what day it is, don’t you?” Surely he couldn’t have forgotten.

  “We have the day off now we’ve captured Bethany and you have more time to focus on the ascension. I think we celebrated enough last night at the club.”