Tainted Waters: A Dark Paranormal Fantasy Novel (Paranormal Peacekeepers Book 1)

by Lucretia Stanhope

Alice? Could the power she had worry Kheelan? It had manifested quickly under the oracle’s tutoring. Another mystery that needed addressed. Why did the oracle take an interest in teaching Alice? More curious, why did he take a personal interest in her?

  Too many questions. His mind wasn’t as sharp as it should be, or he would have answers. They would have to wait. He was healing and needed rest. Regardless of why, the dirty elf left.

  He walked back to find Alice undisturbed, still sleeping.

  “WE’VE BEEN HERE hours.” Chester’s tone filled with frustration. “Without the elf’s assistance things will get difficult. Do you know another way to reach him?”

  Davina closed her eyes, balling her fists. She wanted to shout and curse at Kheelan, but that wouldn’t help. “No. He will come.” Her voice lacked its usual conviction, because she didn’t believe the words. He would have been there already, even if it were to toy with them.

  “I can give this a little longer, but, damn it, we need his cooperation to keep you out of trouble.” He kicked the toe of his shoe into the earth and lifted his eyes to meet hers. “Do you understand how bad this could be?”

  “I do.” She wrung her fingers. “What happens if he doesn’t show? Were you given a deadline? Orders?” Davina knew she might need another plan, even if it meant throwing Kheelan to the PPK.

  “Next, I’ll go to the cave. After I assess the situation, I can start negotiating with them.” The features on his face pinched, expressing that he wasn’t happy with that. “I’ll still be as mindful of your wishes as I can. Without undoing the hex, I’m left with little leverage.”

  She closed her eyes. “Let me go with you. I might be able to sweeten the pot.”

  “Can you do anything for the water?” Chester still held hope in the back of his mind that Alice would have made progress on that. She did have both the grimoire and light elf within herself.

  “I will do what I can.” Davina looked around, not feeling anything that would indicate Kheelan, no breezes, no scents, nothing. “He’s not here.”

  “We shouldn’t delay. No one is expecting us back at the coven for a while.” Chester scanned the woods while he talked. “Do you honestly think he will come or are we wasting time waiting?”

  “No. He’s not coming.” Davina felt in her gut he wouldn’t. “Something must have happened.”

  “Okay, hey, relax, I’m still on your side.” Chester turned his focus back to her. “You can go to the coven, if you like. I’m used to facing dangerous creatures, but I understand it can be intimidating.”

  Davina thought about the options. There were two ways she could play it. Insist on going and try to gain some advantage, or let Chester play savior as he seemed to want to. To appear vulnerable might engage his hero mode and grant her more leverage than she could get for herself.

  It struck her like a bolt why Kheelan didn’t show. He would only abandon her for one reason. One dark elf in particular. The ruler of the cave clan was out, in the woods. Kheelan must have known things had tipped. Why would the elf leave the cave?

  Same reason as before. The swamp. Alice. Flashes of intuition came on so hard they were almost tangible visions.

  She glanced at Chester, continuing to play damsel. “I don’t know. I’m afraid. You go. I will trust you.”

  Chester put a hand on her shoulder. “Thank you. I won’t betray that. Go to the coven.”

  “I’ll gather a few things first.” Davina already started working out how long it would take to get to the swamp. When had Kheelan started out? He hadn’t met with Alice or the dark elf yet. The woods would be alive with the magic of battle if he had.

  She watched Chester leave, cast a spell to increase her speed and stamina, and started toward the swamps.

  As she navigated the woods, it occurred to her she wasn’t sure what her intentions were. Three options played over and over as she hurried over the underbrush. Help Kheelan take his revenge and kill Alice. Help Kheelan take his revenge and save Alice. Kill Alice and Kheelan and save herself. The last option sounded best. No loose ends that way.

  When she found her grimoire missing the last night, thoughts of killing Alice eased her anger. First the necklace and then the family spells. Saving Alice didn’t rank high, though keeping her alive long enough to retrieve her book from the elves, might be prudent.

  “Mamma is coming, little witch.” Her voice carried in the night, accompanied by the sounds of the forest denizens, who seemed to respond to her anger with encouragement.

  “THE LIGHT ELF, Kheelan, was here?” Alice laced her boots. “You should have woken me.”

  “Far as I know, there is only one of those disgusting things in my territory.” Decker chewed a root while she got ready. “There was no point in waking you. Now that it is dark, we can see what was done.”

  “But it shocked you?” Her brows pulled together while she thought about the illusions Decker made, and the grimoire Gretchen and the light elf charmed. “Does all magic from other creatures shock, or is that something you elves add in particular?”

  “We add it, it appears they add it. Jasper can teach you. It’s a mage thing, not an elf thing. Time to see what sort of magic you’ve got, little elf.” The way he said Jasper was playful and the smile on his face was large and toothy, but meant to be friendly.

  “That’s twice we were stalked here.” She took the hand he offered and stood. “You might want to consider a new stopping point. This cave is bad luck.”

  “Never been a problem before I started bringing you here. Bad omen, that’s what you are.” He laughed and flung the bag over his shoulder.

  “Bad omen?” She returned his smile. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve called me yet.”

  “We are friends now.” Both his brows popped up. “When you manage to drop the illusion, stay at my side. Do not get out of my reach.”

  “You think it would hurt me?” Her eyes grew wide. “If he has been exiled here with witches, and most light elves never see a witch, do you think…” She stopped, unable to say it.

  “Seems most likely. Don’t let any of your sweet nostalgia cloud the fact that you are a witch. He would just as soon kill you as reunite with you.”

  Her voice reflected mixed emotions. “If it is true, he loved a witch. Maybe two. My mom and Gretchen. I could talk to him. Stop all this.”

  Decker nodded toward the entrance. “If he wanted to chit-chat with you, I doubt he would have locked you in to starve. He’s not a gentle creature as you might expect.”

  Alice knew Jasper said there was a complicated history, but if he were her father, that must negate some things. He wouldn’t have locked her in if he knew. “Let me see what he’s done.”

  He flicked his hand toward the entrance.

  Her hand trembled as she reached out and touched the wall. A small pop echoed in the cave. Alice snatched her hand back. It hadn’t hurt too bad. The sound startled her more than the jolt.

  She placed her hands, palms down on the wall, ignoring the first zap. With her eyes closed, she focused on the barrier magic. In addition to something that looked like what Decker did to her when he first locked her in the cave, there was something else.

  The tip of her finger dipped into the spell. “It’s resting on top of your spell. Looks like a protective layer. A lot like yours, but the strands are glowing. I think it was yours that popped me actually.”

  “We don’t have time for this.” Decker laced his fingers together and stretched them, cracking all the joints at once. “You learned our barrier spells? Is it the same?”

  “I sort of learned them. It looks the same, glowing, but otherwise the same. Well, thicker layered.” She sighed and turned back to him. “There are no words like witch magic. Let me try something.”

  Alice held the soul name of the elf in her mind and dug her finger into the spell again, with the intention of seeing what he did. The strands wriggled, giving away their weak spots. Her fingers dug deeper, hands grasping the top layer.
/>   As before, when she worked against magic stronger than her own, blood started to flow from her nose.

  She ripped her hand away, pulling at the outer layer, while reaching her other hand in. The strands fought back, tightening and cutting into her flesh. A soft cry escaped when she shoved her hand deeper. The metallic taste of blood trickled in the edge of her mouth. Her whole body shook as she stripped the layer back, revealing Decker’s original spell.

  Decker put a hand on her back, chanting.

  Strength washed over her and for a moment the pain eased. A final pull brought her to her knees. She tilted her head up to see Decker behind her. “You can touch it now.”

  He got down on a knee at her side. “Look at me.”

  Alice met his eyes.

  Decker wiped the blood from her face and took her hands. He covered them in his own, chanting.

  Warmth raced over her, followed by a sting. She saw small cuts appear on his hands and they vanished from hers. “Decker, you?”

  “I’m not without magic.” He stood, and helped her to her feet, waiting for her to find balance before he dropped the barrier. “We are getting a late start. Let’s move. Stay close.”

  Alice started to say more, but wasn’t sure what to think anymore. She edged closer, putting a hand at his waist as darkness engulfed them. “Is he following?”

  “Not close, but he is out here.” Decker didn’t stop moving. “We need to get under the thick swamp cover. Even if things take longer and he ambushes us, the sun won’t penetrate the canopy.”

  “I’ll… do you really think he would hurt me, if he knows I’m his own daughter?” Alice felt the sting of tears, unsure of if they were because he could be and they were about to meet, or if they were angry tears that he might know already and not care.

  “Concentrate. Quiet. Kheelan isn’t the only, nor the most dangerous thing in these woods.” Decker reached back and took her hand in his.

  No Kheelan wasn’t. She tightened her hold on Decker. The most dangerous thing in the woods.

  Chapter Twenty

  “DID YOU BRING a mask?” Alice whispered. The fresh change in the scents intensified the deeper they walked in the swamps. Wisps of smoke floated toward them with an exactness that indicated magic at work.

  Cold stagnant air wrapped them in a damp embrace, making beads on their skin. A crisp aroma that had no place there, replaced the smell of rotting vegetation and muck.

  Decker stopped walking, retrieved the mask from his bag, slipped it over his head, and winked at her. “I’m always prepared. That’s why I’m the leader.”

  “Even with his, Jasper got sick in the entrance.” She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth. “Maybe you should wait here while I do the first part. That should clear the air.”

  “Judging by how far reaching this is, I don’t think you can pull it all out without some support.” He slung the bag over his shoulder, and took her hand. “That aside, there is an ill-tempered elf out here who would like to find you alone, I imagine.”

  “He’s… considering who I am, I don’t think he will hurt me.” Alice stayed close to Decker, even though as they neared the source water the thickening fog lighted the way.

  “Let’s test that somewhere safer, and preferably without me.” He picked up his pace. “It stinks.”

  “Through the mask?” Alice turned to see him nod. “That’s not good.” She stopped on the last rise. “Are we alone? You can wait a few rises back, where the fog isn’t so bad.”

  “Less talking, more magic. Do you need to see the spell again?” Decker sat the bag down, and nodded toward the water.

  “No.” Alice knelt, the fog covering her. “I can talk to you between recitations. If it is anything like the entrance, it will take several attempts and possibly tweaks.”

  “I’ll keep contact in case you need aid.” Decker put both hands on her shoulders. “You focus on what you are doing. I will be able to sense when you need help.”

  Alice drew in a cleansing breath, put her hands in the water and let the magic swirl around them. Once she had the separate elements of the water, and layers of the curse differentiated, she began the chant. The tug of power in her heart and gut let her know her soul was in touch with the magic in the environment, and it was in harmony with her will.

  The rhythm of her words vibrated in accord with her intentions. Toxins and light drifted toward the surface. The final sentence came from her with a power infused in the words that commanded the water let go of her blood.

  Bubbles drifted up and made a foam as the energy she called on rose, carrying with it more light.

  Decker wobbled. “Can you ball some of it? I need to get the light toned down and the air clearer.”

  Alice heard his request, finished her current casting, and began to wrap the amount she pulled out around itself. Wisps of fog folded in on each other, becoming a dense ball as she pulled in some from around them as well as what she removed from the water. That he needed her to stop so soon, made her anxious. “This is small enough we can disperse it, if that would help. I thought we were not alone.”

  “He’s not close, but that could change. This light is crippling. It changes things.” Decker’s voice came out strained.

  “Let’s try once and see if we can give this amount back to the universe without too much effort. I need my energy for the rest of the casting.” Alice stood up and laced her fingers in his.

  He agreed, and they performed the spell to send the light harmlessly back to the cosmos. While it wasn’t taxing, the small amount didn’t improve his air quality or help with his eyes.

  “Okay, do what you can, that didn’t help.” Decker shifted his weight.

  “Decker, go. He won’t hurt me, but if you let this light and fog make you sick, he will hurt you.” Alice tilted her head and locked her eyes on his, seeing there was still the same mistrusting appearance he’d looked at her with from the start. “Go. I promise, I will do this for you. We can fight each other, trade parts, whatever, after, but you have my word, I will get this light out of your water.”

  He stood silent a long moment before he nodded. “Yes, fine. I’ll only go as far back as I need to. You are safe with me here.”

  “I know.” Alice watched him, seeing that he stopped one rise back. If things went bad, he could be at her side in seconds. That gave her a strange relief.

  She refocused on the water, amazed at how much a small drop of her blood affected things. Everything was different to the last time she reached in this pool. Whatever it triggered, swirled faster than the original spell and had a reactive quality.

  As had been her experience the last two times, the first few attempts went well. Substantial amounts came to the surface and burst free in a bright foam. Alice wrapped it into manageable balls, and looked back, seeing Decker put a bit more distance between them. With the new balls acting as lamps that didn’t surprise her.

  Alice started the chant again, with both hands in the water, feeling the amount should only take one more casting. Her intention deepened as the struggle began in earnest. The last bit fused with the water molecules and the totem, fighting every word.

  In the cave, she drew the particles into her lungs and blew them away. That wouldn’t work here, but her soul told her she needed to pull it through herself to have the power to break its bond.

  She started the spell again, this time imagining the water seeping into her through her hands. The blood from her nose flowed free, dripping off her chin. Stabs of pain radiated from her temples across her forehead.

  Her body trembled, but her words remained steady and clear. Cold wet trailed from her hands up her arms, burning as the chill intensified. Ache reached her bones, touching every nerve along the way.

  Alice pulled one hand from the water, her fingers twirling as it exited in a wound mass of harsh light. She screamed as the last tug pulled back, stinging her frozen veins. Another ball grew, not as large, but with a far more concentrated light.

&nbs
p; Violent tremors raced across her. The water splashed in a wave toward her. When the last bit snapped free, blackness crashed in on her and she fell forward.

  Decker’s arm around her waist, caught her before she hit the water.

  She muttered, finishing the casting. With the last word, a cracking thunder came from below the surface, spraying water on them both.

  He stumbled back, breaking her fall with his body as they slammed into the soggy earth. “Alice?”

  She groaned, trying to roll off him. “Fine, fine, cover it.”

  Decker sat up, pulling her against him, and running his hands over her to warm her skin. While he held her, deep words roared from him, with a commanding tone. Once the light dimmed, his aura regained its strength. “Talk to me. Are you ready for the next part? Need a healing? Do we need to cast the connection spell between us?”

  Alice sat up and looked at the floating black balls. Their shape blended into the night sky. The light from the original spell, still gave a soft glow that reflected in the shimmering darkness that encased them. “I am… drained. We might need to alter plans. That totem really fought me.”

  “Your call, witch. Do you need to get it first?” Decker pulled the mask off.

  “I think so. They anchored their spell on that thing. I’m pretty sure I need it out of the water. I may need to cast on both it and the water.” Her gaze flicked over his face and back to his eyes. “How are you? Did the fumes make you sick again? Do you need more blood?”

  “Sweet, you are a continual curiosity. It would help stop whatever I breathed in from making me ill when you need me.” He pulled her arm toward his mouth.

  “Use your knife. No biting.” She yanked her arm back. “Be easy, and only if you need it. I don’t want you weak when that elf turns up, but remember, I have casting to do too.”

  A toothy grin filled his face. “Gently then. I will work the spell between us to give you strength and healing with ease.”

  The blade on his knife flashed as he nicked her arm. The superficial cut produced a small drop of blood that he wiped with his finger and licked off. He wrinkled his face and stuck out his tongue. “I suppose if we are to be friends now, it’s best you taste so awful.”