by CJ England
Fifteen minutes later, she was clean and feeling much better about things in general. She was drying her hair when she heard a knock on the door. Donning a large robe that hung on the back of the door, she opened it.
Danolas stood, leaning sleepily against the doorjamb. His sweats hung low on his hips and he was scratching his chest absently. His long blond hair was mussed and he had sleep lines etched into his cheek. Kira thought he looked adorable.
"Let me know next time you get out of bed,” he yawned, and stretched his lithe frame. “I need to keep tabs on where you are."
"Sorry.” Kira bit her lip, repentant. “I just wanted a shower, and I did not want to wake you."
He pushed himself off the doorjamb and walked into the bathroom. “That's okay ... just wake me up next time.” He turned and looked at the robe she was wearing and a grin split his face. “Nice robe..."
Kira blushed. “I do not have any clothes. I seem to be losing them rather rapidly. First there is the set I left at Lucas', then the bloody ones at Benjamin's. Now, these dirty sweats. What am I to do?"
He walked back into the bedroom and grabbed something out of the closet.
"My backpack!” She snatched it out of his hand.
"I spelled it out of Gallegar's club last night, while you were saying good bye to everyone. Figured you might need it."
Kira pressed a kiss to his whiskered cheek. “Thank you so much. It feels good to have my own things back."
"Get dressed. While I take a shower, you can look at some of the places my friend found for you to live in. One of them might just suit your fancy. Maybe before everyone gets here, we can run out and get you a few things to wear. I'll even feed you dinner."
She grinned at him. “I will be quick."
"No woman can be quick,” Danolas retorted with a laugh.
She was fast enough. He had just gotten together his clothes for the day when she popped out of the bathroom. She was still drying her long white blond hair, but was dressed other than her shoes. Today she wore a pair of softly faded jeans and a dark blue T-shirt with a scoop neck. She looked fresh and very young.
"Very nice.” Danolas wagged his eyebrows teasingly at her. He watched as Kira efficiently pulled her hair back into a long ponytail.
"It will keep it out of my way when we explore The Haunted House,” she explained.
Danolas pulled her over to the laptop computer he had booted up and left sitting on his bed. “Here are the six houses Sarah came up with. They are all located in the upper city, but close to the border.” He showed her how to access the information about each of them.
"There is also one other place you may want to consider. It is a building Gallegar owns here in the Lower City, about three blocks from here. It has three stories to it. The lower has a restaurant and a couple of shops, but the rest is empty office space, with a big loft at the top. We might be able to convert it for you. It's under the file name Gallegar.” Danolas picked up his clothes. “Take a look at them. If you see anything you like, we can check it out later."
He disappeared into the bathroom, and Kira soon heard the shower running. She sat down on the bed and chewing her lip in concentration, managed to pull up the pictures and info on each of the houses for sale. She had just begun to go through the pictures of Gallegar's building, when Danolas finished in the bathroom and joined her on the bed.
He too was dressed casually, in jeans and a white T-shirt.
"See anything?"
Kira nodded enthusiastically. “There are three houses that caught my eye, and I think I do like the look of this loft Gallegar owns. Could we look at them all?"
"I'll give Sarah a call and set up things for tonight. If we aren't going anywhere else?” He raised his eyebrow at Kira questioningly.
Kira blushed. “I don't think so. At least as far as I know, the joining is complete. I do want to help Patrick though. I promised him we would be over tonight."
Danolas picked up the phone. “I'll set things up with Sarah for four-thirty. That way, we can take a look at the houses and then go over to Patrick's and meet Gallegar.” He spoke on the phone for a few minutes to the unseen Sarah. “All set,” he said, putting the phone down.
"What about the loft?"
"We'll have to wait for Gallegar to see it. Maybe later tonight. Now, how ‘bout we go do a little shopping?"
Kira's face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Can I get some of that choc ... o ... late ice cream?"
Danolas burst into laughter. “All you want, my Lady!"
* * * *
An hour and a half later in mock exhaustion, Danolas fell into a chair at a nearby restaurant. “Women and shopping.” He pretended to shudder. “Even a newly created woman. I thought you would be different.” He dropped two bags at his feet. Jorad and Tobias, the bodyguards took a table nearby.
Kira giggled girlishly, putting down the two shopping bags she carried. “Shopping is fun. Can we go again tomorrow?” She laughed at the horrified look on Danolas’ face.
"My Lady, tomorrow I will allow Lucas that honor.” He grinned as he said it, showing her he was teasing. “Are you hungry?"
"Yes,” she looked up as a waitress came to take their order. “I'll start with a chocolate shake."
Danolas ordered coffee.
They opened the menus the waitress had brought them. After making their choices and the waitress had left, Kira looked seriously at Danolas.
"Tell me more about the Gates of Life."
Danolas looked around at the other diners. He spoke softly. “The Gates of Life are very important for most humans. Their belief system is founded on some type of life after death. To have it bound up for such a long time...” He shook his head. “It is no wonder Patrick feels such a burden."
"Who would have the power to shut them down?"
"That's something I've been trying to figure out. It would take someone of enormous power and knowledge. And what advantage would shutting down the gates have for anybody? Other than throwing the spirit world into confusion ... I can't think of anything."
The waitress brought their drinks, and Kira thanked her with a smile.
"Ummm, this is good.” She sipped at her shake. Her brow furrowed in concentration. “If we go on the premise whoever did this wanted the spirit world in confusion, what good would that do?"
Danolas looked frustrated. “I don't know that either.” He blew on his coffee to cool it. “Patrick said that his spirits are hard to control. I sense great anger and despair when we were there last night. Perhaps whoever has closed the Gates wants the discord."
Kira tapped her straw on the bottom of her glass as she thought. “Could the discord be what he is after?"
"It could be. A group of angry shades would be formidable."
"And Patrick as a new leader might not have the knowledge to control them."
Danolas narrowed his eyes at her. “You think the old leader, Sebastian, was gotten rid of?"
Kira shrugged. “It is possible. Patrick did say he went to a witch for help and then disappeared."
"No, my Lady,” Danolas corrected sharply. “He didn't go to a witch, but to a wizard. That is a very different thing."
"I do not understand."
Danolas sighed. “It is one of the biggest misconceptions about my kind. Wizards are not witches. They have nothing to do with each other.” He paused for a minute as the waitress brought their plates. After she had left, he continued.
"A wizard is not a true supernatural being. They are not immortal. They are mortals who dabble with magicks inherently evil. The cost of using these magicks is to lose their souls."
Kira stared at him in horror, her fork in her mouth. She chewed quickly and swallowed. “Lose their souls? Where do they go?"
Danolas's tone was grim. “The souls are given to the evil one. When a mortal loses his soul, he is bound for hell. A wizard is given the ability to lengthen his life, but eventually, they all die."
"And go to hell.” Kira's voice
was no more than a whisper.
"Yes, so if Sebastian went to a wizard, he went to someone who worked with evil magicks. Someone who might have been working for the evil that closed the Gates in the first place."
Kira chewed on her fork. “So getting rid of Sebastian and putting a less experienced Ethereal in his place could all be a part of the plan."
"It is a theory.” Danolas took a bite of his own meal. His stomach turned at the taste. That was odd. The food here was usually delicious. He shook it off, and looked at Kira. “We will need to ask Patrick ... My Lady ... what is wrong?"
Danolas surged to his feet as Kira slumped back in her chair. Her face had gone pale and her lips were turning blue. The fork fell from her hand.
"Cannot breathe ... feel sick...” Kira collapsed into his arms.
Danolas touched her face, searching with his magick. What he saw chilled him. He turned hurriedly to his two men, not worrying about the other diners. “Tobias, get the car. Jorad, gather our things, as well as the food and drink at this table.” He lifted Kira in his arms, staggering as he felt weakness hit him as well.
Jorad spelled the contents of their table into nothingness then turned to his master.
Danolas’ face was grim. “She's been poisoned."
* * * *
"Faster, Tobias, faster!” Danolas’ voice was urgent. The car squealed around the corners as it made its way back to the Keep. “We must get her behind the wards before the poison can go further into her bloodstream."
"Master ... a healing spell."
"I have already tried that!” he snapped at Jorad. “It was the first thing I tried. It didn't work."
Jorad looked at his High Priest with dismay. “If it cannot be healed, then it is a poison that has its base in magick."
"I know.” Danolas ran his hand over Kira's cool cheek. She moved restlessly beneath his hand. “I know."
The car pulled up in front of The Magick Box and Danolas quickly carried Kira inside. He felt the wards come up behind them and breathed a little easier. Now the poison couldn't do more damage. Swiftly he carried her into his office and laid her on the couch.
He laid his hands on Kira and let his magick flow through her. He traveled through her body, searching for the poison he knew was there. Fear built steadily in him as he saw the injury being done. When he reached her chest, he cursed as he saw the sickly green poison wrapped around her heart.
He spoke a stronger, more specific healing incantation to it, but was alarmed when the poison didn't even flinch. A second later, it sent a burst of green ooze at him, throwing him out of Kira's still body, sending him sprawling on the floor beside her.
"High Priest!” came Jorad's worried voice. He helped Danolas to his feet.
Danolas dropped back down beside Kira and took her cold hand in his. She was barely conscious. He looked up at Jorad, who blanched at the alarm he saw in his master's face.
"Call for Morag. Perhaps the Healer can tell us more about this.” Danolas turned back to Kira, hearing Jorad's footsteps recede quickly down the hall.
* * * *
It seemed like forever before Danolas heard footsteps pounding down the hall. He had a moment to wonder why Morag was making so much noise, before the door flew open and Lucas ran in. His pale face was covered in sweat and his silver eyes looked glassy.
"What's happened?” he demanded as he went to his knees and took Kira in his arms. Danolas didn't stop him. Maybe Lucas’ passionate presence would be a benefit.
"She has been poisoned,” he answered baldly. “Down the street at a restaurant."
"God damn it...” Lucas cursed vividly as he held Kira, his large hand smoothing back the hair at her forehead. “What have you done?"
Danolas shook his head. “I tried to work several healing spells myself, but nothing worked. I went inside psychically, but the poison is so strong, it threw me out. I brought her back to the Keep since nothing can be harmed here. Being here slows the poison."
"But doesn't stop it?” Lucas asked harshly.
Danolas drew a shaking hand through his hair. “No, it doesn't stop it. I have called for our most powerful healer. I am hopeful she can help Kira."
More footsteps were heard and Lucas looked up to see Benjamin enter. His face was wild, but he looked human, his red Suprahuman eyes covered by black contact lenses.
"Kira!” Benjamin sat down next to Lucas and took her free hand. He stared hotly at the other men. “I was on my way to my office when I felt something was wrong. What happened to her?"
Danolas quickly explained.
Benjamin shook his head. “It was like I felt it when she got sick. My chest began to hurt and I couldn't breathe. I knew something had happened to Kira."
Lucas nodded in agreement. “I was on my way here. I knew I was a little early, but I thought we could go look at houses.” His voice broke, and he touched Kira's face lovingly. “I felt like I got hit in the stomach.” Lucas looked at both men. “I knew something was wrong too."
Danolas bowed his head, his eyes burning. “I don't know how this happened. I didn't even know we were going to eat there until we walked by. How could anyone set this up? But it is my fault. I didn't protect her. I didn't keep her safe!"
"Hey!” Lucas put his hand on Danolas’ shoulder, and gave it a hard shake.” You couldn't have known this would happen. Someone must have been following you and just took a chance."
"A crime of opportunity,” Benjamin determined.
Patrick popped in next to Benjamin, his eyes intense. He bent over Kira's still form. “Sugar!” His voice was rough. He tried to kiss her on the cheek, but his body kept fading in and out. “I'm having some trouble keeping my form. I can't stay corporeal."
A tall man raced into the room almost on Patrick's heels. His blond hair flew around his face.
Lucas hunched over Kira, growling protectively as Danolas instinctively raised his staff in defense. “Who are you? What are you ... Koran?"
Danolas finally recognized the anxious faerie. Koran had taken on the appearance of a human man with regular blond hair and tanned skin. His eyes were more amber than gold.
"Sorry,” Lucas grimaced, as Kira's brother knelt beside him. “Didn't recognize you."
Koran didn't answer, his thoughts were only on Kira. “Tell me what has happened!” he demanded.
Danolas brokenly retold the story. He looked at Koran with hope on his face. “Can you do anything? Maybe Faerie magick."
Koran placed his hands on Kira and made the same journey Danolas had done earlier. He acknowledged Danolas’ warning about not touching the poison, but felt sick when he saw what it was.
"It is magick,” he said and as he lost his composure, his skin slowly turned to gold. He frowned at it when he noticed and forced it back to tan. “It is not Faerie magick. It looks more like wizardry to me."
Danolas went white. “We were talking about wizards when it happened. We were discussing Sebastian going to a wizard for help.” He paused as he heard another come into the room.
They all looked around and saw an older witch with long white hair and a sweet expression. She walked straight to Danolas, not even looking at the group of men huddled around Kira.
"High Priest, you have need of me?"
"Thank the Goddesses. Morag, the Lady Kira has been poisoned. I can see it, but I can't heal her. Can you help her?” Danolas pulled her over to Kira as he spoke. The men parted like the Red Sea so she could get next to Kira.
Morag looked at Kira, then at the surrounding men. She nodded. “I will look, High Priest.” The old woman knelt next to Kira and placed a gnarled hand on her cheek. “She barely breathes, my Lord.” She closed her eyes and spelled herself deep into Kira's body.
Danolas and Koran knew the moment she saw the hideous miasma, because she jerked and stumbled away from Kira's body. She looked shaken.
"Do you know what it is?” Lucas asked, his voice hoarse.
Morag licked her lips, frightened.
&n
bsp; "Morag, we must know. Can you help her?” Danolas took the old healer by the elbow.
"I am sorry High Priest. I cannot help your Lady. This is a wizard's poison, brewed especially for her. It attacks the life force. It drains her very life away."
"There must be something we can do.” Benjamin rose unsteadily to his feet. He staggered a little and Jorad put out his hand to steady him.
Morag looked at each of the men. “Are these the one the Peacekeeper has joined with?” she asked sharply.
"All of us here were Chosen,” Danolas answered somewhat evasively, for Lucas's sake. “Why?"
"You all suffer with her. I can see it."
Suddenly, Danolas understood. "We shared Kira's life force." He shared his thoughts with them all. "We are sickening along with our Lady."
Morag was staring curiously as Koran lost his tan and turned golden. Patrick continued to fade in and out.
"Morag.” Danolas pulled her attention back to himself. Is there any herb, any remedy you can give to cure us?"
"No, my Lord. The only thing that can heal the Peacekeeper ... is the wizard who wrought the spell. It is no different than our magick in that way."
"Damn it, I don't buy that. We have to be able to do something.” Lucas leaned back against the couch. He too, could feel his strength slipping.
"I'm sorry, but there is no known magick that can undo a wizard's spell. We can prevent it. Sometimes we can change it. And we can fight it as it is happening, but this is too far along. No one can do anything."
"Leave us, Morag.” Danolas waved at her as he sat back down. “We thank you for your wisdom. Go and think on this. If you come up with something, let me know immediately."
"As you wish, High Priest.” Morag bowed herself out of the room.
Koran shook his head, his body tight in anger. “There must be a way. I have not just found my sister to lose her."
Chapter 17
Benjamin sank back down on the floor. Even his strength was going. “We can't just let her die."