by Eden Robins
Shaina growled low in her throat but did nothing.
Rebecca wanted to scream her frustration out loud.
“Just think about that for a minute, Becca. Two lives lost. And it will be all your fault. All because you wouldn’t help me find the Stone.”
She hated Xander.
She absolutely hated him.
She had never thought that before, had never felt hatred like that before, because it seemed so repugnant to her. But now, as she considered what Xander had done to Jason’s mom, the way he had abused and hurt her and the way he would more than likely kill her without a second thought, hate began to eat up her heart.
Taking a deep breath, Rebecca cleared her mind. No, she wouldn’t let hate guide her. It was not her way. Love and an open heart were the only way to go. She knew that without a doubt.
But she didn’t have to love Xander.
She wouldn’t hate him because that wasn’t good for her but she would do whatever was in her power to get herself, Jason and Shaina out of this unscathed and Xander, well, he would get what he deserved. The universe worked that way. Whatever is put out there came right back at you at some point in time. Either now or later a person had to pay the piper. And she knew Xander’s day was coming soon.
“Well? I’m waiting for your answer, Rebecca,” he said with a knowing smirk. “What will it be? Marry me or the gargoyle bitch dies here and now.”
As if to emphasize his words, Xander grabbed Shaina by the back of the neck and yanked her closer. Sliding a knife out of the scabbard at his waist, he held the wicked-looking blade against the gargoyle’s neck.
Rebecca’s gaze slid to Shaina. Her face held no expression and her eyes were shuttered, allowing nothing to show but cold indifference. She appeared not to care about her fate one way or another.
Whether that was the truth or not didn’t matter. What mattered was that Rebecca could not let Shaina or Jason die. She would agree to Xander’s terms if it meant saving the female gargoyle’s life.
But that didn’t mean Xander had won.
No, far from it.
Rebecca would just bide her time. A moment would come when she would have the opportunity she needed. And this time, well, this time there would be no disabling spell. It would be a fight to the death.
Xander’s death.
He was powerful, more than she had realized. She had underestimated him. But that was the last time she would make that mistake. And despite his power, despite his enhanced abilities, Rebecca would win. She had also gotten stronger over the years. And even more so now that she had discovered the true source of her witchcraft. It was all inside her. The strength, the abilities and the power—it was all there at her disposal. Now she knew exactly how to access it.
Xander was going down.
“Fine,” she said through gritted teeth. She would agree for now but she didn’t have to like it. “If it saves Shaina and Jason, I’ll do it.”
“No, Rebecca! Don’t—”
Xander stuck the knife’s tip harder against Shaina’s neck. A small drop of blood appeared.
“Shut up, gargoyle. The lady has made up her mind,” Xander said calmly, keeping his eyes glued on Rebecca. “I’ll need a blood vow, of course.”
Rebecca felt the blood drain from her face. A blood vow. A vow made by exchanging blood and creating a connection between the two people that could only be broken in death—both of their deaths. The two witches’ life forces would blend together just like their blood, which meant that if one witch died so would the other.
Think. Think. Think.
Her mind raced. There had to be a way around the blood vow. If Rebecca tried to kill Xander, she would also die. But if she didn’t he’d gain the Stone and use her to spread his evil throughout the world. And if she refused to help him Jason and Shaina would die.
She met Shaina’s gaze. She had to save her. She couldn’t let Jason’s mother die.
Jason’s face came to mind. The man—gargoyle—she loved. She wouldn’t let him die a slow, horrible death at the hands of Xander. She’d never be able to live with herself.
That was it then.
Her life in exchange for two people she cared about.
Her training, her witchcraft, her experiences had been in preparation for just this situation.
She would do what she needed to do. There was no other choice. She would find a way to stop Xander before he could kill Shaina and Jason and before he ever touched the Stone of Chandra.
She had decided.
Xander thought he won by suggesting this. He thought she would never make the choice to die. That was his first mistake. He assumed she was like him. That she would choose her own life over another’s. He was wrong. He also thought he would be safe once the vow was made. That was his second mistake.
And it was one he would never live to regret.
Shaina seemed to sense her decision as they continued to stare into each other’s eyes. She didn’t say a word but her eyes grew panicked. The gargoyle didn’t want her to make the vow. Rebecca tore her gaze from Jason’s mom and met Xander’s mocking look.
“I agree,” she said, holding out her hand, wrist up. “A blood vow.”
Xander looked momentarily surprised, as if he hadn’t been sure she would agree but then smug satisfaction filled his face. He released Shaina, throwing her sideways, where she stumbled and fell. Xander wasted no time grabbing Rebecca’s wrist, as if expecting her to change her mind.
Using the knife he had held against Shaina’s neck, Xander made a shallow slice along Rebecca’s skin. Rebecca gasped but ignored the slight burning sensation as a thin line of blood quickly appeared. Xander quickly did the same to his wrist and pressed the two together.
They both knew the words. The both knew the ceremony. All witches did. Rebecca’s head swam as they chanted together, feeling the power swirling around them, between them, binding them forever. After no more than a minute it was done. The two of them were now tied together. Their life forces were joined.
“It’s done,” Xander said, satisfaction evident in his voice. “Rest up, Becca, we leave this hole as soon as the sun sets.”
“Why do we have to wait until nighttime? I thought you wanted to get the Stone as soon as possible,” Rebecca asked.
Pulling her wrist back, she took her shirt, stretched it over the cut and applied pressure to stop the bleeding. She also said a small healing spell as she waited for Xander’s answer.
“Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten we have a gargoyle in our midst?” he asked with a smirk. “She can’t go out in daylight hours or she turns to stone. We need her for our journey, so we wait.”
Xander swung around without another word, walked across the room and sat down, keeping his back to the wall. Leaning his head back, he closed his eyes.
He obviously felt safe in her presence now that they had exchanged blood vows. Another mistake. When the time was right she would take advantage of his error in judgment.
Striding to the opposite wall, she slid her back down the wall and lowered to the ground. Hanging her head forward, she closed her eyes. She needed to recharge. When the sun set she had to be ready.
“Why did you do that, Rebecca? A blood vow is binding. You do realize that, don’t you?”
Rebecca sighed.
She was tired. She needed to rest. But she felt like she owed Shaina an explanation.
Lifting her head, she met the gargoyle’s eyes squarely.
“Of course I understand the consequences, Shaina. I’m a witch,” she snapped. “But I had little choice in the matter. I did what I had to do. Deal with it.”
She didn’t mean to be short with Jason’s mother. She just didn’t know what else to tell the gargoyle. She could offer no assurances or comfort yet so there was nothing else to say.
“When Jason comes for us we will see exactly who will be dealing with what,” Shaina said in an all-knowing way that made Rebecca open her eyes and glance at the older woman.
&nb
sp; Her gaze was filled with great wisdom.
“I don’t know what you know but I do know this, Shaina. I have to take care of us until I can figure a way out of this mess. In the meantime I need to rest, conserve and gather my energy,” she explained.
Shaina sat down beside her.
“I understand. I’ll rest now too. We will both need our energy for the battle ahead. As will my son. I hope he takes time to rest as well.”
“Why do you think Jason is coming?”
“I can feel him. He’s close, Rebecca. And I know my son. Once he is on a trail he doesn’t lose his way until he finds what he’s looking for. His father was exactly the same.”
“Was?” Rebecca asked, almost afraid to hear the answer. She was tired and needed to rest but the opportunity to hear more about Jason’s family was just too tempting.
Shaina nodded.
“Yes, my husband was killed not too long ago.”
The sadness and pain in her eyes touched Rebecca’s heart.
“I’m so sorry. How did it happen?”
Shaina said nothing for a very long time. She simply glared across the room at Xander. After several moments she turned to Rebecca and met her gaze.
“He was killed by a wizard. A very evil, very corrupt, very strong wizard.”
As she spoke her stare slid back across the room. The hatred in her eyes was strong and bright, burning with intensity.
“His murderer wasn’t found but now, now I think I know exactly who the wizard who did it was.”
Rebecca also stared at Xander. Had he killed Jason’s father? Was that why Jason was so wary of witches? It all became much clearer now.
“Do you believe in Karma, Shaina?”
The gargoyle didn’t take her eyes from Xander.
“Definitely.”
“Good. Because I promise you this, Xander’s Karma is just about ready to run full circle. Just like the saying, what goes around comes around, Xander is about to get his due.”
Shaina finally turned back to Rebecca.
“That’s something we both agree on. It’s a good thing. But for now we must wait, rest and be watchful,” the gargoyle said. “The moment will come and when it does Xander will get what he deserves.”
And I’ll be going down with him.
Rebecca couldn’t stop the thought. It made her sad, but at the same time she knew she had made a choice and now had to stand by it. There was nothing more to do but wait.
Jason hated waiting.
“How much longer, Malcolm?” he asked, when he saw the fairy sit back as if taking a break. Jason didn’t even attempt to hide the impatience in his voice. The longer it took the more his concern grew. He could sense his mother weakening. She was hurt and she was suffering.
“I’m going as fast as I can, man.”
“Well, go faster,” he growled and hit a nearby wall as he began to pace. Rage filled Jason at his own helplessness. He couldn’t take much more of this. His mother and Rebecca needed him.
He paced and paced and paced for what seemed like hours and was about to ask Malcolm what was happening again when the fairy spoke.
“Hold on. Just-about-got-it. One-more-second—yes!”
A loud click filled the silent room and the door slowly swung open.
“Got it!” Malcolm said, looking over his shoulder and smiling proudly.
“Good job, man. Thanks,” Jason said, slapping his friend on the back as he peered through the door.
“No problem. I knew I c—”
Jason turned around just in time to see the fairy sway back and forth for a moment before passing out cold.
Jason wanted to wait for his friend to wake up but couldn’t. He needed to get to his mother and Rebecca before it was too late. He put his ear by his friend’s mouth and placed his index finger at the pulse point on Malcolm’s neck. Assured by the fairy’s strong pulse and even breathing, Jason started to walk into the tunnel.
“Not yet, Jason.”
The sound of Christian’s voice stopped him, and he immediately turned around to find Daniel standing beside the ex-vamp. When he met the elf’s face, Daniel merely shrugged apologetically. Sliding a glance at the ex-vamp, Jason found Christian scrutinizing him with a serious, cold face.
“Welcome to the dungeon, Christian,” Jason said mockingly. “I’d love to chat but I gotta go. My mother and Rebecca are in danger.”
“I know, but you can’t leave.”
Jason felt irritation rise. He was tired of being told he had to wait.
“What do you mean I can’t leave?”
“It’s daylight. You can’t leave yet. You need to wait until nightfall,” Christian replied.
“Ah, in case you didn’t notice, we’re underground. The light doesn’t come down here,” Jason said, not even trying to hide the irritation in his voice.
Christian ignored his obvious irritation. His face remained calm and his voice neutral.
“You’re right. It doesn’t come down here but if you go through that tunnel you will encounter sunlight.”
Jason ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.
“And how would you know that, Christian? You just got here.”
Christian pulled something out of his jacket pocket.
“I have a map. It’s the layout of the tunnel system under this house. As soon as I was notified of the situation I managed to acquire a copy of it.”
Christian unfolded the paper and held the map up for Jason to see.
“If you look here you can see the spots where the sun can and sometimes does show through the various small openings along the way, installed for air circulation. If Xander knows you’re after him he may choose to booby trap a few of those to allow a little sunshine into our lives. And you and I both know that wouldn’t work out too well for you.”
Jason nodded. He would be no use to Rebecca and his mother if he were made of stone.
“Agreed. But somebody needs to go ahead. My mother is fading fast. I can feel it. If she doesn’t get medical attention soon she will die.”
“I understand. We can move some men into place, find out if there are any more lock spells and decode them but also, keep this in mind,” Christian explained, pointing to the tunnel map. “Xander can’t go anywhere until nightfall either, because he’s dragging your mother along with him. He obviously still needs her or he would have left her back here or killed her by now. And since she’ll also turn to stone when exposed to the sun, he most likely will only go as far as the tunnel does then he’ll be forced to wait out the day here at the end, in this room. That is the only other exit.”
“If these drawings are accurate, that means Xander will end up at Encanto Park. His tunnel ends somewhere below the park grounds.”
“Right. We’ll post men above and below ground. Either way we’ll be waiting and ready for him.”
For some reason that didn’t comfort Jason.
“Xander must know, or at least suspect, that we’re on his tail by now. Although he’s trapped like a rat in a corner, from everything I’ve learned and seen down here this rat has huge claws and teeth. He’s going to come out fighting or find a way to avoid contact completely. I just don’t know how.”
“We don’t have the how but we have the when and where. That’s going to have to be enough for now,” Christian said, placing a reassuring hand on Jason’s shoulder. “We’ll do whatever is necessary to ensure your mother’s and Rebecca’s safety. You can count on that, Jason.”
“I appreciate that, Christian. But it’s not you I’m worried about,” he said, gazing hard into the darkened tunnel. “It’s Xander. From everything I’ve learned, the warlock is capable of anything.”
Chapter Eighteen
Xander was capable of anything.
Rebecca knew that. At this point he would be desperate. And desperate individuals are usually the most dangerous. She watched Xander calmly resting across the room as if he didn’t have a care in the world. His head was tilted back again
st the wall, eyes closed and body relaxed.
She had rested and recharged for a while. Not long enough but it couldn’t be helped. She knew she had to make her move soon. When the sun set he would be ready to journey to the world of the Fae, and once there she didn’t know when or if she’d have another opportunity like this. Once they crossed into that magical realm her powers would be hindered. She had learned from her grandfather that the Fae didn’t allow magic other than their own in their world, and somehow managed to control this edict by diffusing any other powers.
Rebecca knew in her heart that now was the time, here was the place and death was inevitable.
She would do what she had to do.
She closed her eyes one last time and pictured Jason in her mind. She had been so close. So close to finding the kind of love she had always wanted. The kind of love that complemented her newfound power and her newfound awareness of herself. Her amnesia had given her a gift. The gift to start again, to live her life the way she was meant to. With love and not fear. And she had someone who wanted to live that kind of life with her, as her partner, lover and friend.
She wished she had been given more time with him. More time to revel in their love and her newfound self. More time to get to know him better. She wished she could have learned more about Jason’s life and his family.
Shaina.
Turning her head slowly and quietly, so she wouldn’t catch Xander’s attention, Rebecca looked at Jason’s mother. Her dreams of what could have been faded as she saw the shape the female gargoyle was in. She wasn’t doing well at all. She was lying on her side, curled into a ball on the floor, protecting herself even in sleep from Xander’s violence. Her breathing was labored, as if her lungs weren’t working properly, and Rebecca could see a trail of dried blood from her nose. The gargoyle was mumbling something under her breath. She leaned closer and realized that it was a healing spell.
Could a gargoyle really be a healer?
Rebecca immediately felt ashamed of that question. Of course they could. How close-minded of her. It wasn’t as if witches were the only society to have healers or magic users. Maybe Shaina was a spiritual healer or shaman also. If so, she was probably too weak to do much on her own. Her self-healing abilities were most likely the only thing that had saved her from dying up to this point.