by Claudy Conn
She smiled and said, “If I may. I have reason, as you do, Jason, to want to put humans in the ground. However, Apollo has a vision of peace and I support him. I, however, do think that at times, to achieve our goals…collateral damage will, even must occur. My compromise is that instead of taking an oath to win without killing, we consider killing only in life and death situations. We have the power to get done what we must without killing lesser beings. However, if the humans make it impossible for us to exist, well then, we will do what we must to exist and hopefully one day, co-exist.”
The buzz around the room was deafening and Jacie held hope that many of Niall’s team members would find ‘compromise’ acceptable. It was in that moment that Jacie realized her suggestion had come from the heart. It was what she believed. Would Apollo be disappointed in her? Oh, but she hoped not.
Niall put up his hands and said, “I have always led you into battle with but one goal, to win not just the battle, but the war. This is a way to it. Join me now in this compromise.”
There was some rattling between the Cumas and supernaturals, but Jacie could see that it appeared that they would do whatever Niall asked of them.
This done, Jacie began to mingle, offering her hand as she worked her magic, quietly surveying each member she conversed with. She was attempting to make her way to Aya, whom Niall had pointed out as the immortal witch from her coven.
As Jacie made her way towards Aya, the witch glanced at her and left through the street door.
Jacie frowned and went to Niall. “Did you ask Aya to go somewhere for you?”
Niall did a quick scan around the room. “No, in fact, I told her to make herself available to you, as you are Celine’s goddaughter.”
“Right, I don’t like this, Niall. Even from across the room, I got a twitch—a vibe, when I looked her way.” Jacie shook her head. “Everyone I have…er…talked to so far is clear. I am 99% sure those I scanned are not our spy. I need Aya back here. Is there any way you can get a hold of her and ask her to return?”
“What kind of vibe?” Niall asked.
“Dark. Our coven does have a history with Dark Magic, but this…this was something that made me…uncomfortable. Have you asked her to use Dark Magic to help the supernaturals?”
“No, of course not,” he said, and looked worried. “I will try to link with her.” He moved off to a corner as Jacie waited.
He turned to Jacie. “She doesn’t respond.”
“Try again. Tell her I will come find her if she doesn’t return,” Jacie said on a hard note.
She watched and saw from his face that he had gotten through.
“She is coming in,” Niall said.
Aya, a tall lithe woman with fair skin and blonde hair, walked directly towards Jacie, a sneer on her face. She swished her pale blue dress around herself and folded her arms across her middle. “I returned because I chose to, not because of your absurd threat. You are just a child. I have lived an immortal life for a century. Do you think your magic can compete with mine?”
Jacie eyed her and said, “I didn’t threaten you. I merely said I would come and find you, as I am on limited time. I have no wish to compete with you, but tell me, Aya, would you use your skill in the Dark Arts to win what it is you are after?”
She eyed Jacie contemptuously. “Celine never recognized me. I was supposed to be elevated to her side in the coven. She chose another. Now, she sits imprisoned and powerless to do anything about it, while I am free.”
Here was their traitor.
“Does she know?” Jacie stalled for time as she conjured a spell to freeze her coven witch in place. “Does Celine know you are the one who betrayed your own coven?”
“Now she does. She has closed off our link, but it is time for me to leave…”
Jacie had silently cast her spell and now, fingers crossed, hoped it would work.
Aya frowned as she snapped her fingers and her cloud of black appeared but could not take her away.
“What have you done?”
“What do you think? Aya, Dark Magic can never defeat the Light. I have encased you in a prison of Light Magic. You aren’t going anywhere until I say so.”
Niall stood sick at heart as he stared at the lesser witch. “How could you?”
“How could I not?” Aya screamed. “She passed me over. I was called a lesser witch for one hundred years. I had proven myself over and over and yet she passed me over.”
“Celine must have seen the Dark in you, as I did.” Jacie turned to Niall. “I remembered. I know the words. I know how to contact Celine…I know…” Jacie was excited and moved away from them.
The Cumas in the room had gathered around the witch, their weapons ready should she escape the spell that held her in place.
Jacie opened a path to Celine’s mind and called, Godmother…?
* * * * *
“Retaal…what is wrong?” Shoula said softly as she rubbed her hands down his sleeveless arm.
Retaal stepped away from her and frowned. “What are you doing, Shoula? You know better.”
“Know better than what? You and I have always had fun, haven’t we? I’m just looking for a little play time with you,” she answered, and smiled provocatively.
“You and I haven’t had…er…play time, in a very long time,” he said impatiently. “So what is this about?”
“Just that…I would like to be with you again,” she said, and cupped her breasts for emphasis.
“No,” he said.
“Why? Is she, that witch, better than I am in bed? I doubt it,” Shoula snapped.
“She is my mate and I won’t discuss her with you,” he snapped.
“She went off with Niall and they seemed very cozy,” Shoula baited.
Retaal flinched and Shoula smiled. “Ah, have I hit a nerve?”
She had in fact, because Retaal felt an ire burn through him. What the hell was taking them so long? Why wasn’t Jacie back yet?
All at once, Polo stepped up to him, holding his ear to say, “Tanbel just checked in. He has found out something about Crawly. Something is going down. We are going to have to act quickly if we are to free our people in the Lower Planet.”
“Get Tanny in now,” Ret said, feeling a wave of concern. Tanny was one of their shifter operatives and very reliable. Tanny’s pack worked the streets as best they could and gleaned information from humans unaware of their shifter natures.
“He is already on his way here,” Polo said.
The steel door opened wide and slammed shut as a tall, lanky man stepped inside and nodded, smiled, did some fancy hand slapping, and came to stand before Polo and Retaal.
“Shit is flying,” Tanny said, and brushed his hair away from his eyes. “I’ve moved my pack to Bear Mountain. Safer. We have a network of underground tunnels and a few other shifter packs we can set up a perimeter with. The buzz is that ACE has a plan to move out the Cumas from the Lower Planet and then buckle down and hunt as many as they can find. You are going to have to work mighty fast if you are going to get your people out of there. Word is that another, better secret facility has been prepared to receive them.”
“When? Do you know when they mean to transfer them?” Retaal asked worriedly.
Tandy shrugged. “All I know is their mysterious Big Man gave the orders, but ACE is scrambling to find the safest, most secure method to handle the transfer.”
“Have you learned anymore about this move?” Retaal’s mind was jumping all over the place. Crawly was, everyone knew, the richest man on the planet. His power reached all the way to the presidency. He controlled ACE units all over the eastern United States and perhaps more places than that.
Retaal and Apollo had argued over approach, with regards to the vicious man who held the reins.
Retaal wanted to put more effort into finding him and eliminating him. Apollo would not sign off on the assassination. His point of view was that if they killed this all powerful man, another would take his place. Apollo felt that
first they had to reach out to humans willing to listen and negotiate.
Retaal was beginning to believe that road would lead them nowhere. At any rate, they had to get in and free their own before the transfer took place!
Where the hell was Jacie and Niall? They sure were taking long enough and he damn well didn’t like it!
“If you don’t need me, Ret, I want to join my pack,” Tanny said.
“Of course, thank you, as always, Tanny, you came through,” Retaal said, and watched Tanny take his leave, nodding to team members as he made his way to and out the door.
“This is bad, and unexpected,” Retaal said agitatedly.
Shoula glided over to Retaal and slid her hand over his arm. “Retaal…we’ll manage.” She got up on her toes and threw her arms around him as she planted her lips on his.
He put his hands on her arms to gently push her off when he heard a swoosh of air not more than two feet away.
Jacie and Niall had returned.
~ Thirteen ~
JACIE’S GAZE FROZE AS SHE stared at Retaal and Shoula. It was as though needles pierced her heart.
She told herself she was being silly. Of course he had relationships with other women in the past, but damn, this was the present, and he was kissing another woman, just after he and she were…?
Jacie looked away. Bile rose to her throat as she fought the need to strike out. Something in her stomach gurgled as unpleasant thoughts scurried through her mind. Jealousy? Oh, no, she wasn’t getting torn up because of jealousy.
Well, if Ret wanted to be with others, so be it. She wasn’t going to be a part of such a life. She should have known. Cumas…were damned unfaithful.
She silently got control of her wayward emotions. This wasn’t the time for nonsensical jealousy. This wasn’t the time for…damn, Ret just stood there with Shoula all over him still, right in front of her!
Jacie took a long drag of air. Niall leaned in and his green eyes locked with hers. “Never mind that now, Jacie. He isn’t worth your attention. If you were mine, there wouldn’t be a female alive that could get in your way and cause you concern. Like a shifter, I am a one woman kind of man.”
Though she knew Niall wanted her and now saw a way to it, his words actually hurt. She had been stupid enough to believe that Retaal and she were an item…that she and he were forever.
Stupid and naïve is what she was, she told herself.
“Stop, Niall,” she said, bucking herself up. “We have more important things to talk about with Ret’s team.”
“Jacie.” Retaal disengaged himself from Shoula and was at Jacie’s side. He made an attempt to take her hand.
She had to physically restrain herself from snarling and punching him straight in his flat stomach. She gave him, instead, a dirty look and said, “Yeah, let’s get down to business.”
Niall interjected, “Indeed, thanks to Jacie, we have uncovered our spy. Aya, Celine’s lesser coven witch. She has been spying for ACE right in our midst, in the hopes of taking Celine down and eventually leading the coven.”
Retaal eyed Niall for a moment before asking, “And you have it under control?”
“Yes, Jacie has it under control and we left my warlock, Henry, guarding her.” He shook his head, and stared directly into Retaal’s face. “You don’t know what you have here.” He touched Jacie’s arm for emphasis and looked right at her.
Niall’s gesture almost made her cry, but she was made of sterner stuff. “I will try again. I have to get through to Celine.”
“Wonderful,” Ret said, and tried once more to hold her.
This time she couldn’t help the snarl when she said, “Don’t!”
He eyed her, but at that moment Shoula took a provocative step between him and Jacie to say, “Retaal…Ret, your father wouldn’t want us to work with the rebels.”
“Not now, Shoula,” he snapped.
Jacie felt like her head was about to explode. A rush of anger and sadness collided and took her into a wave of unreason. Usually, she could put things in their proper place and figure out what didn’t make sense. Not now? Was that his standard reply to his lovers? How many lovers did he have? Did he ply them all with words of undying love?
It didn’t make sense. She knew him. That wasn’t Retaal. Shoula and Ret didn’t make sense, yet she had seen them lip locked.
How could he have declared love, undying love for her all the while tied to this…this…awful woman?
Jacie shook it off. She had to concentrate on the Cumas imprisoned in the Lower Planet. She had to, then she caught the look of smugness on the bitch’s face as Shoula actually reached for and took Ret’s hand.
Jacie witnessed Ret then shrug off Shoula’s touch, and that also supremely annoyed Jacie. Sure took him long enough, she thought.
Ret tried to catch Jacie’s eye. “Jacinta.”
She was in a world of rage as he then actually tried to touch her. “Don’t come near me. Don’t look at me. Don’t say my name…just don’t.”
Jacie couldn’t believe that Retaal actually looked shocked, and stood quiet for a moment. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Niall grin.
“Jacie…?” Ret tried again. “I wasn’t…Shoula caught me by surprise. I wasn’t…”
“Kissing her?” Jacie filled in. “Tell that to someone else. Now, I think you should get your team ready. Once I contact Celine and get my termites on the move, we’ll have to coordinate with her.”
Jacie moved off to a corner of the room and took a chair. Finally, Jacie’s godmother responded to her call. She couldn’t believe it was that easy.
And so their plan was formed, and a time was set as Jacie’s termite army began their march.
* * * * *
Henry was able to direct one of the Cuma to encircle Aya’s frozen form with salt. Niall wanted her to answer for her crimes against them when they were done with their mission.
Niall opened a portal and his team stepped through, but Henry remained behind to guard Aya. Thus, Niall and Retaal’s teams joined in one purpose. Jacie decided she could use Henry’s warlock magic and shifted to Niall’s headquarters. “Come on, Henry,” she said. “I’ve enacted a confining spell around Aya. No worries. She won’t be going anywhere.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t travel that way. Don’t like shifting,” he said staunchly.
Jacie giggled. She liked the enormous warlock. She liked his wide open personality and knew at once he was filled with goodness. Also, it felt like coming home, being with one of her own—someone who could share magic with her. Henry winked at her and she felt safe. He was a great big father figure. His eyes were dark and full of life.
“It isn’t so different than ‘poofing’ in and out in one of our clouds.”
“It is to me. I’ve done it with Niall. Don’t like it, but…” he put his large brown hand on her shoulder and said, “never mind, we, you and I, will get this done.”
“Right. In another moment we will step onto the floor of the Dank. Celine has dropped her wards and I know exactly where her coven witches are being held. You and I will free them, get them to Retaal’s headquarters, then Celine and the other two with her will be free to escape.”
“Are they not contained with salt?” Henry asked.
She smiled. “Yes, but I am not affected by salt, and will dispel the salt and free them. Ready?”
“Ready, girl,” he said, and grinned. “But I don’t like…”
He never got to finish as Jacie took his hand and shifted him.
* * * * *
“Right,” Retaal said to his team as Niall stood with his own. “We go in as soon as we have the signal from…”
“Jacie,” Niall said. “She just came through to me. They have Celine’s coven…but she can’t shift them all. Going in to portal them out.”
“She linked with you?” Retaal asked quietly.
“Yeah,” Niall said. “Do you blame her?” So saying, he shifted out.
A few moments later, Ret’s he
adquarters were filled with immortal witches all talking at the same time.
Jacie turned to find Ret in her face and taking her arm. “Walk with me…please.”
“Not now, Celine’s witches have to link with her and assure her of their safety. I have to see to it,” she answered firmly, and walked away from him.
He caught her by the arm. “Jacie, please, don’t make me go on a mission as distracted as I am,” he said.
She immediately relented and stood with him, aware that Henry, some feet away, broke into a wide smile as he turned to talk to Niall.
“Baby, what is it? What did I do?” Retaal asked, his voice an octave higher than usual and his eyes searching her face desperately.
She heard his voice, saw he was in earnest, and put her hands on her hips. “You can’t be so dumb? Don’t you see why I am upset?”
“Because of Shoula? That is ridiculous. Before I was captured…sure…now and then, but it never meant anything, not to her, not to me.”
“Ooh…yet you allowed her to be all over you—to kiss you. I saw you when we shifted in, Retaal. You were kissing her!”
“I…I allowed? All over me? No, baby. She threw her arms around me and kissed me before I knew what she was up to. I didn’t kiss her back and did, in fact, gently push her away.”
“Let me show you something,” she said, and ran her hand up his bare arm, then rubbed her body against his before she dropped a light kiss on his lips. “If I did that to Niall right under your nose, how would you feel? What would you do?”
“I would put him in the ground,” Retaal seethed at the notion.
“Aha!” Jacie’s finger was in his belly poking away, then her fingers formed a fist and she punched him, hard.
“Oomph!” escaped him from her punch, but he grinned. “Baby…I am sorry. I was distracted. I swear I didn’t even notice her.”