Dominic leaned back in his chair and linked his fingers together. “This was during the height of the paranormal wars. The humans were desperate to find a way to defend themselves. They found an ancient spell that was supposed to protect them, but they needed three powerful witches to cast it. They also needed a host and chose a human to be their ultimate soldier. Each caster was given a section of the spell. They formed a triangle, while the human stood in the center.
“When they finished chanting the spell, they were ordered to burn the pages. That should’ve been the end of it. When they lit the pages, though, something went wrong. Something was unleashed. It consumed the witches. The soldier they selected as host was violently rejected.”
“They all died.”
Dominic nodded. “The humans weren’t prepared. They didn’t have any safeguards in place. The witches were drained of all their power, no big deal, but the human was basically boiled alive.”
“And that’s it?”
“Pretty much. Rumors spread through the covens pretty fast, and they couldn’t get anyone else to cast for them. It wasn’t long before the spell just vanished.” His eyes were grave when he met her gaze. “Ancient magic is a primitive, brutal force that can’t be controlled. It takes an amazing skill to be able to wield it and extracts a bigger punishment when cast. One spell can kill.”
“What do you know about Primes?”
“They’re loners, not a part of any coven. Primes are rare, their training rigorous. If there’s trouble the witches can’t resolve, they request a Prime’s assistance. They are then placed on a list, the most critical added at the top. Primes are usually issued a magical weapon, it can be a shield or armor or even a blade.”
Raven’s interest sharpened, remembering the broadsword strapped to the biker’s back. “What is the purpose of the weapons?”
“For the Primes who have the honor of being chosen, it will strengthen their magic. The weapons also block magic from another caster.”
Things were beginning to click into place. “Whoever is killing these people has access to this wild magic. The witches were targeted because of their access to the Primes.”
Jackson crossed his arms. “You believe your wild magic is the ancient magic, and it’s searching for a host.”
She began pacing. “They need someone strong enough to contain the wild magic.”
“And who better than one of the Primes, some of the most powerful magic users ever born.” Durant stretched out his legs, a picture of complete contentment. “But you forgot one important fact.”
Raven waited for him to finish.
“You’re no longer on the case.”
Jackson pushed away from the door, his buttoned-up shirt hugging him tight enough to distract her, and he fixed his gaze on her. “You think they’ll come after you next.”
Both Dominic and Durant came to attention, but Durant spoke first. “Explain.”
“The wild magic showed an interest in me on three separate occasions, but never attacked. I think it’s waiting.”
“But for what?” Taggert didn’t sound pleased at all.
“That’s what we need to find out.”
But after three hours of scouring every book in the library, they only had more questions. The phone rang. Raven dropped the book she was reading, grateful for the reprieve. When she touched the receiver, a wave of foreboding nearly drowned her. When the phone rang again, everyone stopped to watch.
Taggert wandered closer. “What is it?”
“Bad news.” Taking a deep breath, Raven picked up the receiver.
“We need your help.” Heloise’s voice was strained to breaking.
Raven didn’t trust the woman one bit. “What happened?”
“You were right. There’s something wrong with the Prime.”
Being right gave her no pleasure. There was something in Heloise’s tone that sent a frisson of unease twisting through Raven, a primitive instinct that urged her to run. “Where are the bodies now?”
The silence on the phone was deafening. “You knew this would happen.”
It was an accusation. “Not exactly. I tried to warn you.”
“But I didn’t listen.” There it was again, almost like there were two voices speaking. “Two of the bodies were hacked apart. The rest are just gone.”
“Have any other people gotten sick suddenly?”
“About half a dozen have fallen ill.”
Urgency had Raven tightening her grip on the phone. “Check to see if they have been bitten.”
“Bitten by what?”
“The corpses. There was a spell tied to them. Once released, I think their purpose was to infect anyone who has magic.”
Heloise’s voice grew grim. “Infected with what?”
“I’m not sure. I won’t know until I can see those who were bitten. Where is the Prime now?”
“He disappeared right after seeing the bodies.”
“We’ll have to assume he’s been infected as well. You can’t trust him. Evacuate as many people as you can.”
“If we leave, we risk spreading the infection. That’s unacceptable. You need to come here and settle this mess before more people are killed.”
Funny how what should have been a plea came out more like a demand. “Fine.”
As soon as she agreed, she heard the dial tone.
Taggert took the phone from her grip and put it back in the cradle. “You heard?”
They all nodded. Jackson scowled at the phone. “You don’t have to go back. We can figure something else out.”
Durant and Dominic didn’t bother to say a word, they already knew she wouldn’t be swayed. Dominic closed the book he’d been reading. “It’s most likely a trap.”
“I agree.” Durant rose and stretched. “I’ll head up stairs and get ready.”
She narrowed her eyes on Durant, watched him leave the room, searching for any remaining stiffness from his injuries. Jackson stepped in her line of sight. “Take me with you.”
She shook her head.
He didn’t budge an inch at her rejection. “You need me. I’m an enforcer, your strongest fighter.”
“You’re also a shifter. If a witch steals control of your animal, I’m not sure I’d be able to harm you…even if it meant saving my own life.”
That shut him up.
“I need you here if things go wrong. You need to lock the place down in case there’s trouble.”
“But he’s right.” Taggert straightened the desk, avoiding her scrutiny. “You’ll need backup.”
“Yes.” She’d be damned if she put more of her people in danger. “This has gone way beyond something the witches can handle.”
She reached for the phone and dialed a number she’d hoped never to call again.
Donaldson answered on the first ring. He was the leader of the ParaConsulate, a group of the strongest branches of the paranormal community. They ruled with a heavy hand to keep the paranormals in line.
“You have news of my son.” There was no greeting, just a demand for an update.
His son was a marked rogue. They were considered dangerous, ruthless, and most of all vicious, the reason for their kill-first rule. Donaldson’s son, Griffin, was like no one else she’d ever met. There was no separation between his wolf and his human side. Normally, such complete immersion would drive a shifter insane, but Griffin was too strong of an alpha. He’d helped her on a case and in return, she’d saved his life. Twice.
“Nothing new. The last I heard, he was settling into his new position as a paranormal liaison.”
“I imagine I have you to thank for that.” There was no emotion in Donaldson’s voice, but she could tell he was pleased. It meant his son was safe from being killed outright. Humans considered him law enforcement and wouldn’t take kindly to having one of their protectors killed. “Now, tell me why you called.”
“It’s business.”
“Of course. What can I do for you?”
After expl
aining the situation, she waited for his questions, but he didn’t ask anything. “What do you need?”
“Some backup.”
“If you asked for help, it will be seen as a favor.” It meant she would be indebted to the Council, the last place she ever wanted to be again. Thankful for his warning, something she was sure he didn’t offer to just anyone, she quickly re-phrased her request.
“I’m not asking. I’m apprising you of the situation. The problem could spill into the human world if something isn’t done.”
“Then I’ll see what I can do.” Once again she found herself left with the dial tone.
“You need to be wary.” Dominic stood behind the desk, the air vibrating with his agitation. “If they send people, they may take orders from you, but they’re not part of your pack. Anything you do, anything you say, will be reported back, both to the Council and the individual packs.”
“Understood.” Raven wiped her hands on her pants. Now the deed was done, she was nervous.
“I’ll go with you.” Dominic shoved the chair in behind the desk.
Raven was flabbergasted. “Are you sure that’s wise? I’m not connected to you in any way. If you get into trouble, I won’t be able to help you.”
Dominic raised a brow at her, impervious to her dire warning. “I’m more than capable of taking care of myself. I know the dangers and how to protect myself.”
So why didn’t she feel any better? She opened her mouth to argue when he raised a hand.
“You can’t stop me, so why not think of a way to use me to your best advantage.” Neatly cornered.
“I don’t like this.”
“Duly noted.”
She could argue all she wanted, but the stubborn cuss wouldn’t relent. “We leave in an hour.”
She exited.
On the way up the stairs, she felt Rylan stir.
You must wait until nightfall. I won’t be any good to you until then.
Raven would never get used to hearing his voice in her head. There’s no time. You’ll have to catch up when you wake.
It’s a trap. His fury came through loud and clear, but there was nothing she could do but be prepared. With the connection still open between them, she felt him try to move. It was as if his body was cast in cement. Trapped. Imprisoned. She’d have gone insane in his place. And for all his effort, only his finger twitched.
She wanted to wait, Rylan would be the perfect weapon against the witches, but she didn’t have a choice. Trap or not, the place was a school. Kids were in danger. The longer she waited, the more they were at risk.
I will follow as soon as I’m able.
It sounded more like a threat. The instant darkness fell, she knew he’d come for her.
When she entered her bedroom, Durant was standing in the middle of the room.
Waiting for her.
“I’m going.”
“You’re injured. They tortured you.” She still couldn’t get over that. “You can’t want to go back and help them.”
“I’m better, and I don’t give a damn about the witches. I’m going for you.”
He was asking her to trust him, not treat him as less than pack. “On one condition.”
He braced himself.
“Take off your shirt.”
Durant instantly complied. She slowly walked around him, amazed to find all signs of the burns gone. His skin was completely smooth, stretched tightly over the sleek muscles of his chest, abs and back, and she couldn’t resist brushing her fingertips along his shoulders, before dragging them down his chest. He leaned into her touch as if craving more.
Raven reluctantly pulled back, curling her fingers to keep from exploring the rest of him. “The wounds might be healed on the surface, but they’re still present underneath.
“I’m good enough. If you don’t believe me, then look.”
He was inviting her to use her gift to judge the extent of his injuries. She weighed her options, but his unrelenting expression warned her that she didn’t really have any choice. She shuffled closer. All she could smell was his enticing leather scent. It threatened to distract her into doing something naughty…like touch him more than was necessary to read him.
She placed her hands over his chest, hovering just out of reach. Tempting heat reached toward her, begging her to close the distance. She slammed her eyes closed, hoping that if she couldn’t see the temptation, it wouldn’t exist.
A lie.
His body was imprinted on her mind. She could explore him to her heart’s content, he wouldn’t stop her, but once she took that final step, he would be relentless in his pursuit of her. It stopped her from closing the last inch separating them.
Raven focused her attention on his injuries, and pushed her sight into him. After a second, she met resistance. His aura. She focused on the shield around him, studying it for any signs of damage. He looked bruised, sore definitely, but nothing like she’d expected. “How?”
“Touch of the alpha. While you slept, your touch accelerated my healing.” Durant gave a low rumble and stepped closer until she was smashed up against his chest. His aura bowed under her touch, then wrapped around her.
His emotions tumbled through her.
Warmth and love.
A lick of wildness and such hunger that she lost her breath.
She wanted what he offered so badly that she trembled with the effort it took not to surrender to what they both craved.
Durant released her and stepped away when she didn’t have the strength to do it herself. His smile was both tender and rakish, and she gulped. “If we didn’t have a case, I would ask where you put those handcuffs.”
Chapter Fifteen
DAY FOUR: SUNSET – WITCH’S COMPOUND
On the drive to the witch’s compound, all Raven could think about was the last time she’d handcuffed Durant, damn his sneaky hide. He’d let her take charge, an illusion, but she didn’t care. It allowed her to do anything she wanted without fearing that she would lose control.
As if reading her thoughts, Durant winked at her.
The bastard.
When they rounded the last curve, Raven tensed and straightened in her seat. The gates were open and canted, as if something had ripped through them. Two men loitered around the entrance, undoubtedly the Council’s men. Even though Durant had been speeding, the others had arrived first. Raven bit back her disappointment, having hoped for more support, but she understood. Entering the compound with a strong force would have been tantamount to declaring war.
The logic of it didn’t help her feel any better.
Something was in the air, a foreboding that pressed against her chest, urging her to turn back. Her creature flexed, ready to take on anyone who thought to harm what was theirs.
Even from the distance, she recognized the heavy, muscular man as a wolf. He gave a nod of his blond head as she exited the vehicle, and she returned the gesture. The other man still had his back toward her.
Vampire.
The rest of her people piled out behind her. The jaguar took one look at the gate and bounded into the woods in the direction of the familiar camp.
“Damn it.” Dominic tensed to follow when she waved him off.
“Leave him. They already know we’re coming.” Anyway, she didn’t want the jaguar near the battle. While she’d wanted to leave him in the protection of the pack, the cat had sneaked into the vehicle and refused to leave. There hadn’t been time to waste coaxing him out.
She turned to face the two strangers. “Did the Council inform you of what to expect?”
The second man whirled, and Raven blinked in surprise.
The vampire from the Red Door club. “What are you doing here?”
“I said you would see me again.” He gave her a cocky grin. “Call me Nicholas.”
The man wasn’t conventionally handsome, but he had a magnetic quality that drew humans. Curly brown hair tumbled around his head, softening his appearance, a trick that made him appear more h
uman and less threatening. She was beginning to associate those who looked more human as being more dangerous. In point of fact, it was just before sunset and this vampire was already fully awake. Even so, she felt it necessary to warn him. “This mission will be dangerous.”
Something dark and monstrous glimmered in his eyes, and his good cheer melted away. “I know how to handle myself.”
“And so do I.” Randolph, the Council’s assassin, emerged from the woods. Half her pack took a reflexive step back. Only the need to appear strong restrained her from doing the same.
She would not be prey.
He would use it against her.
Of medium stature, brown hair and nondescript features, Randolph was usually overlooked. A mistake, but it was also what made him the perfect killer. His powers were like hers, but something in him had turned dark and twisted.
Much to her regret, he found her fascinating. He believed the two of them were the next step in evolution, built to adapt by the experiments forced on them in the labs. She suspected he wanted to pit himself against her to see which one would win, but so far, he’d kept his distance and just observed.
It was unnerving not to know when he would turn on her.
“What are you doing here?” Her creature was enraged at his nearness, clawing up Raven’s insides to get out.
Wait.
Surprisingly, the creature went silent, cooperating for once.
Randolph appeared confused by her question. “You requested help.”
Again, she had the impression he imagined they were friends. She wanted to refuse, but didn’t for two reasons. She didn’t want to offend him and make an enemy. Plus, what he’d said was true…they did need help.
He took her silence as consent and stepped forward.
The creature snapped its teeth and snarled, using Raven’s eyes so they both could see what kind of threat he presented. Gold lines of energy seethed from him, a volatile power crackling with heat and hunger. He kept it so well concealed that no one ever expected the deadly, ruthless trap underneath the placid exterior until it was too late.
He held his hands out from his sides, a sign of goodwill.
By the time she wrestled control back from her creature, Randolph was staring at her with dead, icy green eyes, as if he knew what was happening and waited to see how she’d handle it. As if impressed with her mastery, he smiled. “Shall we go?”
Electric Heat (A Raven Investigations Novel Book 3) Page 15