by CJ England
Elijah rubbed his hands together in glee. “Did they go back to A Crown of Thorns?"
"I don't know. I guess I could find them if I had to.” He made his voice sound supremely unexcited about the whole thing.
"Buck up, boy! You have shown your mettle once today for your clan's sake. Prove it to me again."
Lucas kept his face stony, as he inclined his head in agreement. “As you wish, Clan Leader."
"Have Joseph take over your duties here. Then off you get. Report back to me tomorrow with any information. We will keep you on this for a while and see where it goes. Then we can decide if it is to be permanent or not."
Lucas knew he needed to put up a token fight for his job as manager. “I don't want to be reassigned. I am good at my job here."
Elijah glared at him. “If I think you would be of better use elsewhere, that is my prerogative. Now go!"
Stiffly, Lucas bowed to his Clan Lord, and made his way from the room. Finding Joseph, he told him of the temporary change in his status. Sourly, he explained what the boss wanted and what would be expected. Not fifteen minutes later, he stepped through the front door and made his way to his car.
He jumped, as a figure in black came flowing out of the shadows. Lucas recognized him as the vampire who had helped him when he had collapsed onto the floor.
"I am Noah. My Master bid me wait here, so you would know where they have gone."
Lucas opened the doors and started the car, as the tall vampire folded his length into the seat beside him. “Where to?” he asked.
"Our Lady has gone to The Magick Box."
* * * *
The Magick Box was a tall stone edifice that bordered the Lower City's edges. Humans and nonhumans alike came to visit and watch the magick shows that went on every night. It also boasted a small café, and an herb shop that catered to witches and witch pretenders. Of all those who had supernatural abilities, witches were the only ones who could freely live in either world, as long as they didn't call too much attention to themselves.
Kira gazed up at the building. It was in the shape of a stone castle complete with drawbridge. It looked absolutely authentic. The only thing out of place was the brightly lit sign that showed the name The Magick Box in neon letters. A picture of a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat flashed off and on.
Gallegar took her by the hand and led her across the lowered drawbridge. “This place is run by the city's Society of Witches. They do a good business for themselves.” He looked around with a businessman's careful eye. “Yes, this would appeal to a human. Just the right amount of trickery and flash."
Kira only had eyes for the figure that stood just inside the opened doorway. It was a young man, dressed in a long, blue, flowing robe covered in stars and moons. He carried a long black wand and was waving it in the air as he motioned them inside the door.
"Come in ... come in,” he intoned, his words cheerful and bright. “You still have time to catch the last part of the show. Let me show you to a table."
Kira shook her head. “That will not be necessary.” She heard the proper words unfurl in her head. “I seek an audience with your high priest."
The young man's face went from welcoming to suspicious in the blink of an eye. The long black wand disappeared, and in its place was a shorter, weathered piece of wood. “The high priest only sees those who have made an appointment.” The tone was final.
Gallegar shrugged with apparent unconcern. “Then make one for us.” He allowed his power to roll over the robed figure. “Immediately!"
The young man gasped as he realized he was dealing with a vampire and not a human. His gaze shifted from Gallegar to Kira, and then to Gabriel, who stood silent and menacingly behind them. He moved his wand slightly and Gallegar allowed his fangs to show in a tight smile as he blocked the spell the young witch tried to throw.
A Vampire King's power was much greater than this fledgling witch's.
Kira stepped in and put a hand on the witch's arm. “I wish your High Priest no harm, but an audience is what I seek, and an audience I will have. Now please ... go fetch him for me."
For a moment the witch was torn. He was charged with his Master's safety, but he knew he was no match for two vampires, and he didn't know what the woman was. She made the air tingle with magick, but he knew not what form it took. He made a decision and lowered his wand.
"I will ask if the High Priest will see you. Please, come, sit and enjoy the show while I inquire.” He led the way inside and through a velvet curtain.
On the other side was a roomy theater set with many tables, most filled to capacity. At the far end of the room was a raised stage hung in black and lit with spotlights. A magician was exhorting the audience to watch as he magically levitated his buxom female assistant. The young witch led Gallegar, Kira and Gabriel to a quiet table in the back of the room.
"Please wait here. I will check with the High Priest.” He turned and disappeared back through the velvet curtain.
Gallegar pulled a chair out for Kira, and then took the seat next to her. Gabriel stood watchfully behind them. The magician on stage had finished his levitation trick and was now working on turning the woman into a tiger. Gallegar watched for a few moments, but his vampiric abilities could see through any trick, so the show held no enjoyment for him. Kira however, had never seen anything like it, and she watched with wonder as the woman turned into a large Bengal tiger.
Her eyes were round with amazement when she turned to Gallegar, who was waving a waitress away.
"How did he do that? Does he use magick? Can he get her back?"
Gallegar chuckled, and lifted her hand to his lips for a soft kiss. “It is an illusion, A Ghra ... There is very little true magick used in one of these shows."
Kira looked disappointed. “None at all?"
Gallegar smiled. “Some. But the witches are careful to save true magick for more important things. Using magick is like any other supernatural ability. It is a gift that comes at some cost to the user."
"It weakens them?"
"Not exactly.” Gallegar frowned, watching the magician return the woman to the cage that had seconds before held the big cat. “Their power is not infinite. Like mine, it must renew itself. Any witch that uses power indiscriminately, does so at risk to themselves."
They watched the show, but Gallegar saw Kira growing restless as time went on. Even though she hadn't said anything yet, he knew she was here to join with another, and that made his stomach roll.
When they had left The Howling, he had started to drive back to his club, but Kira had asked him to come here instead. The Power had given her yet another command. Kira was so delicate and gentle it bothered Gallegar she was being used this way. When she gazed at him with eyes filled with worry, it took everything he had inside himself not to pull over and hold her until the fear was gone.
Now, he felt helpless as they waited for the High Priest to make his appearance. He was just about to go find the witch who had left them there, when he saw Kira's head whip around as someone came through the heavy curtains.
He was a tall man. Lean and graceful, his sapphire blue eyes gleamed with intelligence as he strode toward them. His waist-length white blond hair was held by two small braids that stretched back from his forehead, until it mixed with the rest of his hair behind his ears. He had a strikingly beautiful face saved from being feminine by a strong jaw and firm lips.
He wore a flowing white robe of silk and he carried in his right hand a long staff, where on the end, a blue stone shone with otherworldly light.
As Kira watched him, she saw his face was lit not by trepidation as with all the others she had approached that night, but with a fierce gladness, as if he had been waiting for her. Her power told her immediately this was the High Priest and he was the one she sought. As he neared her, he stretched out his hand, his joy at her presence radiating from his features.
Without a second thought, Kira slipped from the chair and put her hand in his. She
opened her mouth to speak the words the Power had given her, but the High Priest swept her into his arms, and without a single word, his mouth came down on hers in a passionate kiss.
Gallegar leapt from his chair in amazement and anger. He felt Kira's shock in his head. She didn't struggle against the embrace, but neither did she respond to it. Gallegar could feel his control begin to slip as the kiss went on. His power reached out and wrapped itself around the couple. He snarled out loud, as he felt the witch's power deflect his own. They were too evenly matched.
Danolas, High Priest of the San Francisco Society of Witches, felt the vampire's fury, but didn't understand the reason for it. At long last he held in his arms the answer to the dreams he had been having for almost a year. He recognized her power in the city long before his acolyte had come to him to inform him of her presence. He had been working out a spell to help him find her, when young Jorad had appeared in a panic before him.
That she was a witch with powers equaling his own, he had no doubt. He whispered a spell into her mouth, welcoming her to his castle.
Kira felt bemused. She was caught in the High Priest's powerful arms, and she sensed him weaving a spell around her. The fact she had no fear of him prevented her from using her own power against him. The knowledge he was happy to see her was a powerful balm against the failure she had been feeling over losing Lucas. Here was someone who wanted her! Here was someone she didn't have to convince. He knew her already.
But, as she stood passively against him, Kira became aware of Gallegar's growing anger. His power pulled at her, and gradually, she was able to take control and gently push the High Priest away.
Danolas felt her withdrawal and lifted his lips from hers. He gazed down at her beautiful face and smiled. She smiled back. He wanted to pull her back into his arms again, but the anger snapping around him stopped him. She had been sitting with two vampires. Perhaps they felt protective of her. He felt the one vampire's rage, and reluctantly tucked the woman under his arm and turned to face her companion.
Immediately he became more cautious, as he recognized the Vampire King standing before him. He was in a towering fury. Gallegar's green eyes glowed with power. Danolas frowned. He had overstepped somehow. Not understanding, he backed them both away slowly, gripping his staff.
"Release her!” Gallegar ordered with a growl. Danolas slowly and carefully lifted his arm from Kira's shoulder. Gallegar held his hand out to her. “Come to me, A Ghra..."
Danolas felt the woman leave his side and go to the Vampire King. The vampire took her by the hand and folded her against his chest in a practiced and protective move. Obviously she had been in that position before. Danolas watched in surprise as the Vampire King bent down and pressed a kiss against her soft forehead.
Kira leaned against Gallegar, still a little befuddled by the High Priest's kiss and softly spoken spell. Even though she had enjoyed the feeling of acceptance in his arms, she knew without a doubt she belonged in Gallegar's. The moment he had pulled her back to him, she had felt the rightness of it.
Kira looked across at the High Priest who stood there looking as confused as she felt. She mind-spoke Gallegar.
"I still need to speak to him." Her words seemed slow and thick to her.
"I will not allow him to touch you!" Gallegar's inner voice was harsh.
Kira shook her head and looked up into Gallegar's eyes. "He does not understand yet. I must give him the words. Then he will know who and what I am."
Danolas watched as the couple shared silent communication. He felt like he had dropped in at the end of a play he had never seen before. He was confused as he watched the intimacy between the woman and the Vampire King. A spark of anger grew in him. She should be in his arms. He had foreseen it. What the hell is going on here? He saw the mental conversation end. Gallegar turned to him, his eyes still angry, yet his voice was calm.
"I am Gallegar, King of the Vampires. This is my Lady Kira. She wishes an audience with you, Danolas, High Priest of the Witch's Society.” Gallegar's words were formal. “Do you have a place we can speak with more privacy?"
Danolas stared at him ... considering the words. Gallegar was acting for the woman Kira's sake. That much was obvious. Curiosity overcame his anger. “I grant you an audience, King Gallegar ... Lady Kira. I wish to understand what is happening here.” He met Kira's golden eyes. He saw the blush rise on her cheeks.
"I had thought...” He broke off, shaking his head. “Follow me. We will go to my office."
Danolas led the way back through the curtain and into the lobby. Jorad was waiting there, his wand almost twitching with nervousness.
"All is well, my friend. Join us ... please.” After making sure Jorad followed, Danolas stepped through another arched doorway that led into a darkened room. He waved his staff, and the room flooded with light. He motioned proudly around the room.
"My little magick shop.” He led them through a large, yet homey store. The air was perfumed with herbs and spices. Crystals glowed from baskets and shone like stars, as they glittered in windows against the night sky. Books filled an entire wall. In front of the bookcase sat a pair of soft chairs and a small table. The tingle of true magick filled the air.
Danolas stepped behind the counter and showed them through another arched doorway. Kira, Gallegar and Jorad preceded him in, but Gabriel, with a glance at his Master, turned and went back the way they had come. Gallegar offered no explanation.
Kira found herself in a beautifully ornate room. Swaths of sapphire fabric spilled from the ceiling and hung to the white carpet in each of the four corners. In the center of the room a desk made out of solid crystal stood backed by tall elegant weeping willows. Flowering plants rested along the walls and topped side tables and file cabinets. A fireplace burned merrily on the back wall with several inviting oversized chairs before it. Danolas led the way over to them.
"My Lady?” Danolas offered her the chair nearest to the fireplace.
Instead, she walked over to him and laid her hand on his chest.
Danolas felt the immediate connection between them. “I don't understand...” he began.
Kira silenced him with a look. She took a deep breath and Danolas saw her eyes glow. A rush of power surrounded him, lifting his hair, caressing his face. He looked at her in surprised wonder. This was no witch. Her magick was totally different than his.
"Danolas, High Priest of the Witch's Society. I am Kira. I am Peacekeeper. I am for you. You are for me."
Chapter 5
Danolas felt his own magick stir in response. All the visions he'd had came together as one in his mind. Her words spoke truth to him. They did belong together. He used his own magick to sift through the impressions his visions had given him over the past year.
"I have foretold your coming. The coming of a great power that would help me rule my society. I didn't understand how the power would arrive. I just knew the minute I saw you that you were meant for me."
"Lord Danolas,” Kira spoke softly. “I am for you. You are for me. We are to be joined. Our minds must unite together.” She paused a moment before going on. “I know the Words of Death for your people."
Danolas stiffened in shock, but said nothing. Kira could feel his magick touch her power and receive the affirmation her words were truth. She knew he could see the deadly words in her mind.
"Paralot moreth togathra
Verlo tinda summar."
She felt his shiver, as the Words were made known to him. She hoped she would never have to say them aloud to him.
"Something is coming that can bring great harm to all our people.” Kira's eyes narrowed, showing by the small cocking of her head she was learning more about why she had come to them.
"What is it?” Danolas questioned.
Kira waited for a moment, but with a shake of her head said, “I do not know everything yet. I am given pieces. Like a puzzle, I must put together. But this I do know. All of our peoples must all bond together to prevent this thing fr
om happening."
As Gallegar opened his mouth to question her, they heard a knock at the door. Danolas’ eyebrows came together in a scowl and he motioned for Jorad, who was standing by the door to open it.
Gabriel came in, followed closely by Noah and Lucas. Shapeshifter power flowed into the room and Kira gasped, rushing toward them. Lucas stretched out his arms and she fell into them. She clung to him, until he lifted her into his arms and carried her toward Gallegar and Danolas.
Danolas looked between Gallegar and Lucas, and he could feel himself becoming angry again. His magick swirled around the shapeshifter's and vampire's power. “You allow this, yet you send your power against me. Why? Who is this shapeshifter?"
Gallegar's lips thinned, but his voice was neutral when he answered. “Danolas, High Priest. This is Lucas Kane of the Wolf Clan. He has also been chosen to join with Kira.” He removed a clean cloth from his pants pocket and moving to Kira and Lucas, gently dried the copious tears that slid down her cheeks.
He glanced at Danolas with a touch of steel in his eyes. “He did not kiss her!"
Kira made a snuffling noise that made her sound more like a little girl and not a woman with infinite power. She wiggled in Lucas’ arms and regretfully he let her slide to the floor. She looked up at him.
"Are you all right? I was so frightened for you. Why are you here? Has Elijah changed his mind?” Her nose wrinkled in disgust as she said the leader's name, but he saw hope in her eyes.
Lucas shook his head. “No, honey. My clan leader is still being stubborn.” He looked over at Gallegar. “But your plan worked like a charm.” He grinned down at Kira. “I'm here to spy on you."
Kira looked up at him, confusion written all over her face.
Gallegar smiled as well. “A Ghra...” Quickly, he told them all about what he had encouraged Lucas to do.
Danolas’ lips quirked in amusement and he shook his head. “And he went for it?” Lucas just grinned again. “Well thought, Vampire King. This brings Lucas to her, but what of the joining?"