Denai Touch: Excalibar Investigations Series

by Tiffany Shand

  The coven was already gathered when Cate arrived. Seline glared at her as she hurried over. You’re late! The Grand Mistress said accusingly. You’ve been gone for two days. Where were you?

  I was busy searching for Myrus and leads on the Grimoire.

  You should be here preparing for your ascension. Did you find anything?

  Cate shook her head. No.

  You’re hiding something from me. I can feel it.

  Cate sighed. Keeping everything a secret was going to be impossible. I’ll explain after the circle. There are a few things I need to tell you.

  Seline’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. What do you have to tell me?

  Not now, Gran. You have a circle to lead.

  Does it have to do with Talbot?

  Not just him.

  Seline said nothing else and turned back to the circle.

  “She isn’t going to take it well,” Ceri commented.

  Cate frowned at her. “What do you mean?”

  “About the bond. Yes, I can feel it and you’re glowing. It’s hard not to notice. She’ll get over it eventually. She never liked your father either.”

  “Are you angry too?” she asked nervously.

  “No, but I advise you to be cautious. You bonding with a Nuardan is going to cause a few shock waves. I can’t say Kal will be very happy either, so make the most of this time,” said Ceri. “Go away for a couple of weeks and enjoy yourself.”

  You really think Gran will let me? Cate asked in thought, so Seline wouldn’t overhear them.

  You’re your own woman. Don’t let Seline control your life. Once you have ascended, I think it’ll be time for you to get some training and learn more about your Ashrali side. You need to learn to control your new powers.

  New powers. She hadn’t used them to see how strong they were. In truth, she was afraid of what might happen, but she would have to know sooner or later. Maybe it was time for a break. Elaris and training could wait for a couple of weeks, she decided, and she couldn’t wait to see Jason.

  Seline took her hand and a feeling of dread suddenly came over Cate as the usual invocation was said. Gran–

  Hush, Catherine!

  But Gran, something… Suddenly her senses became flooded with feelings of pain and despair; the sound of a thousand screams echoed through her ears.

  There were more cries as one by one each of the witches doubled over, writhing on the ground in pain.

  Cate covered her ears and could barely see through the images flashing past her vision. Closing her eyes, she reached for her magic, desperately trying to block it all out and gain control, but it only seemed to make it worse.

  Cate? She could hear someone shouting her name, but it was a whisper amidst the chaos.

  Cate saw figures moving and someone yanked her up; the familiar burn of anti-magic drowned out the agony as Tasha gripped her arms behind her back. She saw Raven, Marcus the Null, and several Mija hovering nearby. The entire coven, including Seline and Ceri, lay on the floor, overwhelmed by the same onslaught that had crippled her.

  “What are you doing to them?” Cate demanded.

  Tasha smiled. “Impressive, isn’t it? We finally found a way to overpower you all.”

  Marcus dragged Seline to her feet. Blood was pouring from her eyes, but she glared up at Raven defiantly. “I knew you would show your hideous face sooner or later. How dare you defile my temple?”

  Raven slapped Seline across the face, hard enough for her head to snap back.

  Cate? I’m coming. Now the chaos was gone she could clearly hear Jason and sensed Devas outside.

  How can I sense you? she asked in surprise. Tasha is holding me.

  The bond and the ascension must have magnified your powers.

  What about the Devas?

  Let me worry about them.

  What are you going to do? Phelps has hold of me. I can’t move.

  Cate saw a flash of lightning outside the temple and knew he was already here. It gave her some small hope, but she didn’t know what good his powers would be against two Nulls.

  “It’s my temple now.” Raven smiled. “I’ve been waiting for this day for so many centuries, but I commend you, Seline. You’re the only Grand Mistress who has given me a good fight. You diminished my ranks and almost destroyed my Covenant. Even your daughter did this to me.” Raven motioned to her scarred flesh. “But of course, this day was inevitable. It’s my destiny.”

  “It’s your destiny to die a slow, agonising death,” spat Seline and struggled against Marcus.

  Raven only carried on smiling as she sat down on the Grand Mistress’s throne. More lightning flashed outside, as Tasha dragged Cate up onto the dais. “Don’t think your Mavis will save you. He’s no match for my Deva.”

  Cate smiled, despite her fear. “Clearly you know nothing about him then.” Movement caught her eye and she turned to see an old woman enter the temple. She instantly recognised her as the fortune teller she’d seen in Stoneridge. “You!” Cate said in disbelief. “I should have known you were working with the Covenant.”

  “I work for no one, witchling,” the old woman replied. “I simply go where I am needed.”

  The woman held a blood red ruby on a chain, the size of a baby’s fist, and Cate winced as its radiating power threatened to overwhelm her senses once more.

  “Impressive, is it not?” The old crone gave a toothed grin. “It is an ancient amulet from the Old World that renders all witches of your kind powerless. Not even the strongest of you can defeat it.”

  “Enough talking, Helga. Get on with it. I want my powers back,” Raven said impatiently.

  Helga turned her one good eye on Raven. “Do not rush me. This will take time.”

  “But I’ll get what I want, will I not? I will be Grand Mistress and the Goddess Marked will die by my hand. The prophecy will never come true, that is what you saw,” Raven said uncertainly.

  Tasha gripped Cate tighter. “Let me kill her now before the Nuardan tries to save her.”

  “Not yet,” said Helga. “First things first.” She pulled out a wicked-looking knife. “Hold out her hand. Show me her Mark.”

  Tasha yanked Cate’s arm forward and held out her right hand. Helga slashed her knife across the seven pointed star, so that blood dripped from the open wound. Then the crone took a drop of blood from the blade and sucked it off her finger. “Sweet, yet spicy. You have ancient power in you, girl. Not just from the witches, the power of the Elder Races,” Helga murmured. “Long forgotten, but it’s still there. Such a pity. It would have been interesting to see what destiny had in store for you. So young and so untrained, that makes you more dangerous still.”

  “I’ll kill you!”

  “No, that you will not, for I am beyond your powers. Do not think your bonded can save you. The Death Dealers have already come for him.”

  Death Dealers? Devas. She could sense them now; three of them, besides the one that served Raven.

  “The Ashrali will reward me well for bringing in a Nuardan,” said Raven. “Now your strength will restore my power.”

  “Her blood will end the curse, but you need the strength and power of the Grand Mistress to get what you truly desire.” Helga let the drops of Cate’s blood drip into a small vial that she handed to Raven.

  “You may kill me, but you will never be Grand Mistress,” Seline snarled.

  Cate reached out to Jason again and felt the burn of kinetic energy. Get inside the temple!

  I can’t. I’m surrounded.

  Damn it! She needed to do something, but with Tasha holding her she couldn’t move and fidgeted in frustration.

  Raven gulped down a potion and gasped as flames burst over her for a moment before vanishing. Cate looked away; the curse Ceri had placed on Raven was gone. She could feed again now, on whoever she chose to.

  The rest of the coven would be no help either, they were all immobilised by the amulet’s power. She didn’t think Helga was an ally, but she hadn’t thought her
an enemy either. She tried to call her brothers, but that didn’t seem to work. She sensed someone coming and felt a ray hope.

  Cate turned to look. It was Odin and he was carrying the Grimoire. “It was right where you said it would be, Wise One,” he said to Helga.

  Cate gaped at him. “How the hell did you get that?”

  “Your magic shielded it well, but I have been a Mavis for a very long time. I know the same magic you and Talbot used.” Odin smiled. “Once I knew where the book and the missing pages were located, it was simple to take them. I can’t tell you how good it feels, knowing that you fucking Denai are all about to die. And you will never enslave anyone else the way that bitch enslaved me!” He glared at Seline.

  “You let down the temple’s wards,” said Seline, realisation hitting her. She tried to make a grab for her former Mavis. “How did you break free?”

  “I freed him,” Raven told her. “Even permanent compulsion can be broken.”

  Odin placed the Grimoire down at Raven’s feet. “For you, my lady.” He got down on one knee. “I am, as always, your servant.”

  “Thank you for your loyalty.” Raven’s fingers wrapped around Odin’s throat. Light flashed over him before his body exploded. Raven drew in a breath. “I haven’t taken a life like that in over fifteen years. I’d forgotten how good it feels.”

  Raven’s dark eyes turned on Cate. “You cannot kill her, not yet. You need the power of the Grand Mistress,” said Helga.

  Raven grabbed Seline, who stifled a scream as light started to pour out of her.

  “No!” Cate cried and struggled, stamping on Tasha’s foot. The Null gripped her tighter.

  Cate looked at Helga, who stood watching. Stop her! She directed her thoughts at the old crone, hoping she would hear. Help me. You can’t do this!

  Helga flicked a glance in her direction. This is not my doing, witch. This is destiny at work.

  You said it was my destiny to kill Raven! Or was all that a lie?

  You have the power, girl. Use it.

  Cate reached for her magic again and doubled over as she felt Jason get hit.

  “What’s wrong with you?” demanded Tasha. “Is the ascension finally coming on?”

  Seline crumpled to the floor, still alive, but a new aura of power now shone around Raven.

  “More. I need more energy,” said Raven and reached for the Grimoire. A burst of light shot from the book and it slid away from her. “I don’t have the power!” Raven glared down at Seline.

  She laughed. “You fool! You think taking my power is as easy as that? I am still Grand Mistress till I die or until I willingly give it up.”

  “So be it.” Raven strode across the dais and grabbed Cate by the throat. “Now the prophecy will never come true.” Raven’s eyes turned black as she accessed her death magic.

  Cate gasped, powerless to resist and let the magic burn through her. She collapsed to the floor, unmoving.

  “Well?” Raven demanded.

  Tasha felt for a pulse and found none. “She’s dead. You did it.”

  “Finally. Kill them all!” The hovering Mija lunged towards the defenceless witches.

  Seline glanced over at Cate. “You haven’t won yet,” she said and chanted words of power. The ground suddenly began to tremble.

  Jason hurried inside the temple. His shoulder hurt like hell, but all he cared about was getting to Cate, having seen what had played out through her eyes. He looked down as tendrils of light shot up from the ground, cracks appeared on the floor, and he felt a charge of raw, natural magic. Seline had opened the source.

  “You’re too late,” Raven told him triumphantly. “Your witch is dead.”

  “No, she’s not.” He grinned as Cate staggered up.

  Raven stared at her in disbelief. “But you were dead.”

  “Feel this!” Her hand shot out as she blasted a column of silver fire at Raven, flinging the other Denai across the room.

  Jason fired a lightning bolt at Helga, shattering the amulet. Energy reverberated through the air and the remaining witches slowly began to recover.

  “How did you survive?” Tasha glared at Cate and raised a hand to repel any magic.

  “Probably because I’m immortal and bonded to him. It’ll take more than a little touch to kill me.”

  Jason raised his hand again, but Helga vanished. Raven staggered up and made a grab for Seline.

  She smiled and stood resolute. “Don’t let this bitch survive, Catherine.”

  “Your reign is over!”

  “Yes it is, but you will never be Grand Mistress. My power will never be yours.” Seline turned and threw herself into the swirling vortex as the source opened before them. The power was incredible, sending violent waves of energy through the temple.

  “Mother, no!” Ceri screamed as she vanished from sight.

  Tasha advanced on Cate, but Jason was too quick, stabbing the Null in the chest. “Rest in hell,” he murmured as Tasha fell to the floor, dead.

  “No!” Raven screamed. Marcus grabbed the Grimoire, and the two of them fled as the temple started coming down around them.

  “Everyone out!” Jason yelled, yanking Marina to her feet.

  Cate turned and threw herself into the vortex. The world around her vanished until there was nothing but light and emptiness. “Gran?”

  “Cate.”

  She turned around and saw Seline standing there. “Why did you do it? Why did you throw yourself into the source?” She felt a sharp pang of guilt and tears pricked her eyes.

  “Because I had to protect my power and my coven. If Raven becomes Grand Mistress her own powers will grow and you might not be able to stop her.”

  Cate held out her hand. “Come back with me. Maybe there’s still time to save you.”

  Seline shook her head. “No. I was weak and I would rather die by the source than by Raven’s hand.”

  “But you’re leaving.”

  “Yes, and I’m trusting you and your mother to take care of the coven. You lead with your heart, not your head.”

  “You always said that was my weakness.”

  “I was wrong. I see that now. I’m sorry I was so hard on you, but I had to be certain you were strong enough for this day.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the truth.”

  “You protected the Grimoire. You did listen to me after all.” Seline smiled and embraced her. She couldn’t remember her Gran ever doing that before. “Be strong. Be the witch I know you can be.”

  Jason suddenly appeared at her side. “Cate? Raven’s escaping. We need to go.”

  “Yes, you do,” said Seline. “It’s time for me to leave too. Take care of her, Talbot.”

  Jason nodded and put an arm around Cate. “I will, my lady.”

  Seline’s spirit faded away just as a brightly glowing star of white light appeared, along with a ball of glowing blue light. They hovered for a moment, before surging forward and hitting Cate and Jason in the chest.

  “What the hell was that?” Jason asked, feeling his wrist burn. He looked down to see a freshly branded crescent moon – the symbol of the Mavis Order.

  “I think Gran just gave us her blessing and her power.” She grabbed his hand and said the words to close the vortex.

  Outside, the rest of the coven were running for their lives as a horde of Demons, Elementals and Mija surrounded them.

  Using her new heightened senses, Cate zeroed in on Raven, who was now battling with Ceri. “Raven must think Mum is the new Grand Mistress. I have to stop her.”

  “I’ll take care of the Covenant.”

  “But what about–”

  “My secret is already out, so to hell with it. I’ll show them what I really am.” He put a hand around the back of her head, leant down and kissed her, passionately. “I…”

  Cate smiled. “I know, I feel the same. Raven’s mine. Go take care of the Covenant.” She called her power to her. Eyes blazing silver, she let it take hold. She burned like a beacon of s
ilver fire in the night.

  A tornado of wind, fire, and lightning appeared as Jason turned into the elements and unleashed a storm on the Covenant. Cate smiled up at him, blasting away any Covenant members who got in her way. The Denai fought back, despite their weakened state.

  Ceri hurled another column of silver fire and Raven retaliated with her own red fire. Philip threw a kinetic blast, knocking Ceri to the ground.

  “You really don’t know when to die, do you, Deva?” asked Cate.

  The Deva smiled and raised his hand. Cate held out her own, a ball of glowing silver forming. She reached out to Jason and fuelled it with his magic. The fire grew larger and larger until she threw it straight at the Deva.

  Philip cried out as his body erupted in silver flames. “That’s for trying to kill my husband!” Another fireball formed and she tossed it at him. “That is for my mother and this is for me!” The third one hit him in the chest, his body exploded, and energy reverberated out from him.

  Ignoring the screams and cries of the Covenant, she moved through the mass of bodies flaming around her. Cate stalked towards Raven, hair and robe billowing in the breeze.

  “You know, I used to think you were a great and powerful dark witch to have slaughtered so many Magickind over the centuries,” said Cate. “All the races feared you. Yet I see you’ve never had real power, you’ve just taken it. Maybe you were strong once, but all I see is an old hag, waiting to die.”

  Raven turned and grabbed Ceri by the throat. “Now I’ll take her power.”

  “Let her go. I’m the one you really want. I’m the one with the power you crave. So come and get it.”

  Raven let go of Ceri and raised her hand. Black smoky death magic shot from her hands in tendrils that snaked their way towards Cate.

  She raised her hand, her Mark glowing brightly as she deflected the magic. Raven was still strong; Cate could feel the ancient power, but she pushed through it as she walked towards her. “No Nulls around to protect you now,” Cate smiled. She saw the first flicker of fear in Raven’s eyes. “Your reign is over. Your Covenant is dying around you. There’s nowhere else to run.”

  “I have the Grimoire. I have the power of the Grand Mistress. Nothing can stop me now!”

  “Wrong!” Cate’s fingers wrapped around the other witch’s throat.