Flanked by four witches, Rain and Snow followed Calista into the house and down a flight of steps to the coven’s makeshift prison. A single cot sat against one brick wall, and two lawn chairs occupied the center of the small room. Someone shoved her from behind, and Rain stumbled inside.
Snow rushed in with her and caught her by the arm. “Was that necessary?”
Calista straightened her spine. “The spell on this room neutralizes magic, and guards will be posted outside. Don’t make this difficult by trying to escape.”
Rain crossed her arms to hide her trembling. “There’s nothing behind my building but a trash can. How did you know the body was there?”
“His girlfriend tracked his phone when he didn’t come home.” Calista mirrored her posture.
“Jason was my friend,” Snow said. “We didn’t do it.”
“Save it for the council.” Calista closed the door, and the sound of the magic lock clicking into place pierced the silence like a nail in a coffin.
Rain looked at her sister. “You knew Jason?”
Tears pooled in Snow’s eyes, and her bottom lip trembled as she nodded. “Yeah.” She wiped her cheeks. “He was powerful too. Whatever spells Isaac cast with Jason’s magic will be hard to undo.”
Rain sank onto the cot, dropping her head in her hands. “He bound Chase’s power.”
“Oh, no.” Snow sat next to her.
“No kidding.”
“I’m so sorry.”
Rain let out a dry chuckle. “Looks like neither one of us will be getting our magic back anytime soon. If ever.” She dragged her hands down her face. “He’ll lose his rank in the pack. The council will have my head on a plate. The only good thing about this situation is that Isaac can’t get to us in here.”
Snow rubbed her hand across Rain’s back. “There you go. Way to look on the bright side.”
Chapter Nineteen
Chase stopped at a red light and ground his teeth. They’d searched every damn inch of a five-mile radius around the spot where Isaac had latched on to him the first time, and they’d found nothing. Not a trace of the tulpa or the bastard who created it. Chase would still have been out there searching if Luke hadn’t called them back in.
They’d split up, each of them taking a third of the area, so he’d managed to keep the fact that he couldn’t shift to himself so far. Sooner or later, though, he’d have to fess up and admit his problem. Sure, he might lose his rank in the pack, but he didn’t give a damn about rank. Unlike witches, a werewolf would never turn his back on one of his own. He could go it alone or he could have the support of the pack at his back. His choice.
He’d keep it to himself for the time being though, to protect Rain.
How long was this damn light going to stay red? He needed to get back to his woman. With thoughts of running it skittering through his brain, he lifted his foot from the ground as his phone buzzed in his pocket. He checked the screen and found a message from Luke: Get to the bar. Now.
Cursing, he hung a right on St. Philip and headed to O’Malley’s.
At six in the morning, the place sat empty, save for a few men on Luke’s crew having breakfast. He nodded to the morning bartender and shuffled through the side door toward Luke’s office.
As he entered the room, he found the alpha sitting in a chair behind the massive oak desk, his mate perched on the edge of the surface, holding his hand in both of hers. Alexis occupied a green vinyl chair facing the desk, and they all looked at him with grim expressions as he closed the door behind him.
A feeling of unease expanded in his chest like rising dough. If they were here… “Where’s Rain? Is she okay? If that bastard got to her—”
“She’s not hurt. She’s…” Alexis looked at Luke.
“The coven has her. Two more witches were drained, and they’re blaming Rain and her sister.”
“What? That’s insane.” His nostrils flared, and he clenched his hands into fists as he focused on Alexis and then Macey. “How could you let them take her?”
“Watch your tone.” Luke growled in warning.
Chase lowered his gaze, swallowing down his frustration. “Sorry.”
“We weren’t going to let them.” Macey’s voice held sympathy. “She chose to go with them to avoid a confrontation.”
That sounded like Rain. The pack would go to war to protect one of their own, and since he’d let them know she was his fate-bound, she was included. Rain would never let a war happen over her.
But she didn’t have a choice.
He turned and grabbed the doorknob.
“Where are you going?” Luke’s voice held an edge of warning, reminding Chase he hadn’t been dismissed.
His muscles tensed, and he squeezed the door knob tighter. “To get Rain.”
“You can’t bust into the coven house and take her by force. She’s one of them. They have jurisdiction in this.”
“She’s not one of them.” Frustration raised his voice, so he took a deep breath to calm himself. Luke might have been his best friend, but he could tear Chase’s ass apart if he didn’t show the alpha respect. “She’s not allowed in the coven because she’s cursed. If a witch shows her any kindness, they’ll suffer for it. They’re terrified of her, so there’s no telling how they’re treating her.”
Luke glanced at his mate. “I’m aware of her problem, and the fact that I had to hear the information second-hand is another issue.” He stood and walked around the desk to lean on the edge. “They found a body behind her building. It does look suspicious.”
“I was with her all night, man. Don’t tell me you believe them.” He balled his hands into fists. If his own alpha wasn’t on his side…
“I don’t, but you need to go in there with a clear head and defend her logically.”
Chase straightened his spine. “Yeah. Of course. I will.” His head was as clear as spring water. His fate-bound needed his help, and he’d do anything to save her.
Luke cupped Macey’s cheek in his hand and gave her a quick kiss. “Get some sleep today. I love you.”
“I love you too.” She cast a worried glance toward Chase. “Be safe.”
“Always.” Luke nodded to the door. “Let’s go.”
Chase eyed the coven house as he marched up the sidewalk. No one would guess one of the best-kept houses in the Quarter housed a prison for witches in the back. Of course, no one would guess the quiet Irish pub on St. Philip held a prison strong enough to contain a werewolf either. New Orleans was full of dirty little secrets.
He stayed two steps behind Luke, silently thankful for his best friend’s grounding presence. If Chase had come on his own, he’d have done exactly what Luke told him not to—busted in and taken his woman by force.
Alan, the witch he’d threatened in the alley, greeted them, crossing his arms and widening his stance in an attempt to look intimidating as he blocked their entrance. “Come to beg for your woman’s release? Not so tough now, are you?”
Luke straightened to his full height, and Chase crossed his arms, mimicking Alan’s posture. He’d show this asshole tough. A hint of fear flashed in the witch’s eyes before he huffed and stepped aside, allowing them entrance.
Calista clicked into the foyer, wearing a pressed suit, her hair twisted into a neat knot on the back of her head. She appeared polished, but the dark circles beneath her eyes betrayed her. She’d lost sleep, whether from dealing with Rain or the loss of some of her own, Chase couldn’t be sure.
Frankly, he didn’t care. She had his love, and he wanted her back.
“Where’s Rain?” His voice came out more hostile than he’d planned, but he couldn’t hold back his anger. “If she’s hurt…”
Luke put a heavy hand on his shoulder. “We’d like to negotiate her release.”
Calista inclined her head. “I’m not releasing her. As soon as the hour is decent, I’ll be placing a call to the national council and recommending immediate execution. We’ve put up with the murderous bitch a
nd her curse long enough.”
A deep growl rumbled in Chase’s chest, and Luke tightened his grip on his shoulder. “She didn’t kill those witches.”
“Can you prove it?”
He attempted a step toward her, but Luke held him back. “I was with her all evening.”
“You don’t need to get your council involved in this.” Luke dropped his arm to his side. “We know who’s behind the murders, and we can stop him.”
Chase moved closer to the witch. “We’re not leaving without Rain and Snow. Let them go and no one has to get hurt.”
Calista stiffened. “Call off your dog, alpha.”
“Chase.” Luke’s voice was low with warning.
He needed to step lightly. Pissing off the high priestess wouldn’t help his cause. He moved back, lowering his voice and speaking through clenched teeth. “Please let me see her.”
The priestess regarded him, an amused smirk lighting on her lips. “She’s special to you, isn’t she?” She chuckled. “All this time I thought you had a grudge against witches, when it seems it’s only me you can’t stand.”
Alan suppressed a chuckle. Calista cast him a sideways glance, and he stared at the floor.
Chase held her gaze, silently challenging her to continue mocking his emotions. He didn’t have to explain himself to her, and he was done being civil. If she didn’t take him to his woman within the next thirty seconds, he’d force his way in.
Luke must have felt Chase’s intent because he stepped beside him, close enough to stop him from attempting anything stupid. “Listen to their story.”
She shook her head. “How will I know they’re telling the truth? Perhaps your second is in on it. Maybe he’s an accomplice to her crimes.”
“I’ll vouch for him.” Luke crossed his arms and gave her a challenging stare.
Her gaze danced between them before focusing on the alpha. “Luke, as much as I respect you, I can’t…” She tapped a finger to her lips. “Although…I do know a way I could discover the truth on my own.” She steepled her fingers beneath her chin and looked at Chase. “I offer you a trade.”
“Name it.” He’d do anything. Whatever she wanted was hers if she’d give him Rain.
“A pint of your blood. I can use it in a tracking spell to find the killer—whomever she may be—and I’ll have enough left over for…future uses.”
Her offer hit him like a meat cleaver to his heart. Of all the things for a witch to ask from him… No telling what she could do with that much blood. That much power. He swallowed the thickness from his throat and opened his mouth to respond.
Luke cut him off. “Not a chance. Werewolf blood is sacred for a reason. No witch is getting a single drop from my pack.”
Chase pressed his lips together to suppress a sigh of relief. If he’d have answered the way he’d intended, he’d be facing twenty years in the pit…if Luke went light on his punishment.
Calista shrugged and cast Chase a knowing look. “That’s a shame. Worth a try though.” Alan whispered something in her ear. She paused, looking thoughtful for a moment before squaring her gaze on Chase. “I like the idea, Alan. Unfortunately, spells that hinder free will are forbidden, even for the high priestess.”
Damn, this witch seemed to know all his weaknesses. He couldn’t give her his blood, but if he could get Rain back another way… “What kind of spell?”
“Alan suggested a truth spell. I have one; it’s very easy to make, but the serum lasts twenty-four hours. You’d be forced to speak the truth for a full day.”
“Give it to me. I’ve got nothing to hide.”
She grinned and glanced at Luke. “What if I were tempted to make him spill your pack secrets?”
Chase answered, “If the pack has any secrets, I don’t know them. I’m not first-family.”
“Interesting…”
If she didn’t wipe that shit-eating grin off her face, he’d be tempted to do it for her. He shoved his hands in his pockets to hold them still. His fate-bound was somewhere inside this house, and being this close without being able to see her grated on his nerves, making him want to snap.
She shook her head. “It’s not worth the risk. Not when I’m about to get the council involved.”
“Are there any side effects?” He couldn’t let her dismiss it that easily. If he could get Rain back, he’d endure whatever the priestess threw at him. “Besides having to speak the truth for twenty-four hours, will anything else happen to me if I take the serum?”
She scoffed. “I’m a high priestess; no low-level witch could achieve a position like this. My spells do exactly as intended. Nothing more.”
That was all he needed to hear. “You’re not hindering my free will if I’m agreeing to it. I’ll tell the truth for a day; no problem. Give it to me. I’ll sign a release. Whatever you need.”
“I’ll sign it too,” Luke added. “It appears to be the only peaceful way to solve this dilemma.”
Calista narrowed her eyes. “I don’t take kindly to threats.”
Luke leaned toward her. “And I don’t take kindly to you kidnapping someone who’s under the pack’s protection.”
“She’s not a werewolf.”
“She’s not a member of your coven.”
She exhaled slowly and nodded to Alan. “Draw up the contract. I’ll mix the potion.”
Chase unclenched his fists as the tension drained from his muscles. Good thing this hadn’t turned into a fight. A werewolf who couldn’t shift wouldn’t stand much of a chance against their magic.
“Lydia,” Calista called to a woman down the hall. “Remove the dark-haired witch from the cell and take her and the werewolves to my office.”
The mere thought of Rain being locked in a cell made his skin crawl. He followed the woman into the hall and down a short flight of steps. She opened a door and peered inside. “You come. You…stay put.”
Rain shuffled into the hallway, and Chase swept her into his arms. “Thank God, you’re okay.” He held her tight to his chest, relief flooding his veins as he breathed in her familiar scent. She was warm and safe, and there was no way in hell he’d leave this place without her.
“Chase?” Her words vibrated against his chest. “What’s happening? Am I free? What about Snow?”
“Not yet.” He loosened his grip so he could look at her, but he refused to let her go. “We have to negotiate your release with Calista.”
“This way.” Lydia motioned them toward the office.
“I’m glad you’re okay.” Luke patted Rain on the shoulder before following Lydia.
Chase wrapped an arm around his fate-bound’s shoulders and held her tight to his side as they entered the high priestess’s office. The same black cat from his last visit sat in the center of the desk, and it hissed at Luke, making a wide berth around the alpha before brushing against Chase’s leg on its way out the door.
Luke flashed him a questioning look, and he held his breath. He needed to come clean about his powers, but now wasn’t the time nor place. He was about to let a witch cast a spell on him for the fourth time in his life, and the thought soured in his stomach like two-week-old buttermilk.
“Calista will be right with you.” Lydia closed the door, the unmistakable sound of the lock sliding into place penetrating the silence.
“Did you explain what happened? Has she called the council?” Rain clutched his shirt. “She wouldn’t listen to me.”
He rubbed her back, trying to calm her. “She hasn’t called them yet. We’re going to explain everything as soon as she gets here.”
“I doubt she’ll believe us. She’s had it out for me since she found out about my—” She looked at Luke.
Chase hugged her. “He knows about your curse.” He leaned down to whisper in her ear, “But not about mine yet.”
She nodded. “I’m sorry to be so much trouble.”
Luke leaned against the wall. “We take care of our own. It’s no trouble.”
“I know, but I’m no
t—”
“You’re with Chase; you’re one of us. Simple as that.”
Chase’s heart swelled with gratitude. One—that he didn’t mention the fate-bound bit. He was waiting for the right moment to tell Rain. And two—that the alpha, and therefore the pack, had accepted her without confrontation.
Luke sauntered to the window and stared at the garden behind the house. “They’re awfully trusting leaving us alone in this room. We could easily bust out and be done with this nonsense.”
“I wouldn’t leave Snow,” Rain said. “And I doubt you could break out.”
Luke looked at her over his shoulder, arching an eyebrow in disbelief.
Chase laughed. “She’s right. They probably have a spell on the whole building. Nothing gets in or out unless they want it to. Rain had one on her shop.”
“Snow made a new one, and she hid the totems this time,” Rain said. “It’s secure.”
Luke gazed out the window. “What happened to the old one?”
“Damn tulpa tricked her.” He took a deep breath and let it out in a huff. Since Calista was taking her sweet time, he might as well come clean. “It tricked me too.”
Luke turned around to face them. “How so?”
He opened his mouth to spill the truth, but the lock disengaged and Calista sashayed into the room. The liquid inside the shot glass she carried glowed bright blue, and Rain tightened her grip on his waist.
The priestess offered him the glass, and though his throat thickened to the point he could barely breathe, he took it.
“What is that?” Wariness edged Rain’s voice as she cut her gaze between Calista and the glass.
“A truth spell.” Calista smiled triumphantly. “Your wolf-boy has agreed to take it in hopes of saving you from execution.”
Rain’s eyes widened, and she fisted his shirt in her hand. “Chase, no. You don’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I do.” He lifted the glass, but Calista rested her hand on top of it.
“Not until you both sign the waver.” She set a sheet of paper on her desk and plucked a pen from a wooden container.
Beneath a Blue Moon (Crescent City Wolf Pack Book 2) Page 21