Wilder, J. C. - Shadow Dweller 4

by Redemption(lit)

  "Charge this place with candlelight."

  She lit the paper.

  "For I must do what is right.

  "What I need is knowledge gained,

  "For my power must not wane -

  "I need a keeper of the A' bhais Cadail,

  "In this quest, I must not fail.

  "For all my life this knowledge will reside with me."

  She dropped the paper into the pot.

  "This is my will, so mote it be!"

  Maeve watched as the paper burned with little smoke, the flame a pure blue tipped with gold. It licked at the paper, scorching before engulfing. One moment, the paper was there, the next only the scent of charred paper and wild sage remained. Curious, she sat straighter and looked in the small cooking pot, noticing it was completely clean.

  How could that be? Did this mean it worked? She hoped the magic would work for her, time was running out.

  She closed the spell book and slipped it into a lower drawer where it would be safe from prying eyes. Gathering her tools, she tucked the pot into the drawer next to the book before shutting it.

  She retrieved the chronicle on killing a vampire. She wanted to reread the text one more time in case she'd missed something.

  Magic - a spell known as a binding spell can immobilize a vampire. Be warned, while there are several types of binding spells, only the A' bhais Cadail spell will work on an elder. The A' bhais Cadail is handed down generation by generation through only a few lines of witches and the knowledge is held sacred. The lineage is of the utmost importance and only a witch of pure lineage and intention can wield the spell. Should the intention of the witch be of a dark nature, chaos will be the result.

  A frown formed. Should she have included pure intention in her spell? She continued reading.

  The purpose of the spell is to incapacitate the vampire by putting them in a hypnotic state, rendering them unable to strike physically or mentally. At this point, it is recommended the vampire be beheaded and incinerated-the body independently from the head. The ashes should then be disposed of in separate places, many miles apart-burial or scattering of the ashes is acceptable.

  Should the vampire be of an extreme age, the ashes should be dumped in the sea where they will be lost for all eternity. Should they be buried, there is a chance that even a single drop of blood could rejuvenate some part of the vampire's soul.

  Fascinating.

  A vampire can be rejuvenated even after he'd been burned to ashes? She wrinkled her nose. It looked like a beheading was in her future. It was bound to be messy.

  "What are you reading?"

  Quinn's voice interrupted her musing. Steeling herself, she lifted her head to watch him walk toward her. Dressed in worn jeans and a black thermal shirt, he was devastatingly handsome. Images of those hands on her body flooded her mind, causing her breathing to quicken. Never had she experienced such a heated reaction to a man. Less than two hours had passed since she'd left him napping in the gym and already she wanted him again.

  "These books represent Sinjin's life's work." She waved her hand at the volumes shelved behind her. "They're the chronicles of the Shadow Dwellers."

  "Is that so?" He towered over her chair before leaning down. Capturing her chin, he kissed her. A devastating kiss filled with possession and promise. She leaned into his mouth, wanting more of his particular brand of magic.

  With a murmur, he broke the kiss. Leaning back against the desk, he crossed his legs and studied her. Whatever he saw in her expression must have satisfied him as a smile curved his mouth. He looked away to study the shelves.

  Hot and flustered, she licked her lips, groaning inwardly as the lingering taste of him teased her senses. This man should be illegal in at least forty-eight of the fifty states.

  "Wow."

  She blinked, wondering if he'd read her mind. Instead, she saw he was impressed with the sheer number and size of the volumes that filled the shelves. Knowledge filled each book and, from the look on his face, Quinn wanted to dive into them as much as she did.

  She smiled. So they did have something in common besides an uncommon hunger for each other. "It's a heady thought, isn't it? All that information, ripe for the plucking."

  "How many have you read?"

  "Barely enough to scratch the surface. Sinjin's funny about people reading them."

  He nodded as if he well understood the value of secrets. "It's pretty chilly in here." He motioned to the broken window frame. "Do you want me to fix the door?"

  "Oh, well, yeah-I guess so." She glanced at the sheet of plywood and supplies she'd left by the jagged opening. "I meant to get to that, but I sat down to read instead."

  He grinned. "That's understandable." Dropping a quick kiss on her mouth, he walked to the window and inspected the shattered glass. After locating a trashcan, he hefted a hammer. Tapping at a section of the broken glass, he removed the larger pieces and dropped them into the can. He tucked the handle of the hammer into his belt with a movement that proclaimed familiarity with tools.

  A man who loves books and knows his way around tools. Quinn was definitely a catch. If he could cook and change the oil, all bets were off.

  Except you have to throw him back.

  Disturbed, Maeve stuck a piece of paper in the book she was reading and closed it. True, she would have to throw him back. A man like him deserved a better woman than one with revenge on her mind. She set her book on the desk. "Do you mind if I ask you a question?"

  "Sure." He reached for a large section of dangling glass.

  "I've heard stories about Mortianna's powers."

  "Mmm. Most of them are probably true." Crash. Another piece met its brethren in the trashcan. "I think she enjoys the notoriety. However," he gave her a hooded look. "That isn't a question."

  "You're impatient."

  His look turned to heat, and she struggled to not squirm in her chair. She remembered all too well which one of them had been impatient in the gym earlier. Her cheeks warmed with the memory before she shoved it away. "Is she the most powerful witch in the world?"

  He shrugged. "Possibly. It isn't as if powers can be measured in distance or size. I think the assumption is that, because Mortianna is the oldest, she must be the most powerful. That may or may not be true. I'd hazard a guess there are a few who could hold their own with her."

  "Is being a witch something you're born to or taught?"

  "In my case, a little of both. I was born of two very powerful witches, so it's a given I'd have some powers." He chuckled. "My father said he knew I'd inherited some of his powers when he found me levitating four feet above my cradle. I was seven months old."

  She grinned at the mental image of a baby floating over his cradle. "That must have been a shock to your parents."

  "Just my father. We were alone by then."

  Maeve paused. She'd never considered this. "You weren't raised by your mother?"

  "No."

  She bit her lip. If he wasn't raised by Mortianna, would he still know the spell? "But you were raised as a witch?"

  "Yes." He dropped another piece of glass into the bin before pinning her with his gaze. "Why all the questions?"

  She feigned a shrug. "I've never met a witch before. I'm curious."

  His gaze turned assessing as she struggled to look unconcerned.

  "I was raised a witch and I've always known my heritage," he said.

  "How does one learn spells?"

  "There are several ways. Most family lines have a Grimoire, which is commonly referred to as a book of shadows. It outlines spells and incantations. Others learn verbally. Many spells are never written down and they can only be learned by word of mouth."

  "Like the A' bhais Cadail?"

  Quinn faltered, a shard of glass wavering before he dropped it into the can. "That's one of many binding spells and one of the oldest. It's never been recorded that I know of."

  She fought the urge to leap from her chair and pace. Getting information out of him was
like pulling teeth, difficult and frustrating. "Were you taught this spell?"

  He dropped the last piece of glass before facing her, tension radiating from every inch of his body. "Why do you want to know?"

  "I was reading in this book that the safest way to kill an elder vampire is to use this spell. I'd never heard of it and I wondered if it was common knowledge." She cringed inwardly at the out-and-out lie. Normally, she considered herself an upfront and honest person. Lying didn't come naturally.

  "No, the A' bhais Cadail isn't common knowledge simply because it's too powerful for most witches. The use of this spell on any living creature would render it unable to defend itself. It would be helpless."

  She could scarcely conceal her relief. The book was right. She needed that spell to bring down Mikhail and redeem herself. "And you know it?"

  "Yes." He picked up the sheet of plywood and held it over the hole in the window, measuring with his eyes. "What you and many others fail to realize is that witchcraft is more than bad poetry, wicked old hags and eye of newt. It's a religion, a way of life, and it isn't to be taken lightly."

  Behind him, the sun was setting into the sea, turning his hair to golden fire while giving the illusion of a halo. He resembled an angel and her conscience gave a twinge. Could she betray this man who'd been nothing but kind in order to achieve her own redemption? Dare she tell him the truth?

  Can you live with yourself if you continue to deceive him?

  She took a deep breath. "Quinn-"

  A tremendous crash came from the main hall causing her to jump. Quinn spun around, dropped the plywood and ran out the door. She leapt from the chair and followed close on his heels.

  In a dim corner of the hall, Sunni stood by a shattered vase, an expression of horror etched on her elfin features. "Something's wrong with Sinjin."

  * * *

  Chapter 7

  Val climbed out of his SUV and stretched his legs, stiff from the long and tedious drive from Guildford. He'd been unable to secure air transportation due to the haste required. Maeve's frantic summons had come out of the blue, and he'd had little time to plan, only act.

  He walked around the car and opened the tailgate to reveal a large leather sheet covering something bumpy. It stirred. He reached toward a hump he thought might be a knee and shook it.

  "Wake up, my love. The sun has set and it's time for all the good little vampires to come out and play."

  A throaty moan rose from under the covers.

  Val tugged on the leather, pulling it off to reveal his soul mate. Shai lay on a white silk duvet, her hair a mass of tangled red curls. Dressed in a tight, black velvet bodysuit with matching slippers, she looked like sin incarnate. Her leather jacket lay discarded beside her.

  "Wake up, darling-"

  Suddenly, unease prickled along the back of his neck and he raised his head. Something was watching them. Shadows cloaked the landscape surrounding Sinjin's remote home, but something lurked in the dark. He zeroed in on the forest lining the west edge of the property. Shadows moved within the trees and he caught a glimpse of beady red eyes staring in his direction. There were at least thirty of the little creatures.

  Minions.

  Why would Mortianna's army be so far afield?

  "What is it?" Shai slipped from the back of the truck, her expression alert. Pulling on her jacket, she caught sight of the minions circling around the trees. "What are they doing here?"

  "I have no idea. They don't normally leave her side unless she bids them." He pulled Shai away from the door and grabbed a black leather bag. Slamming the door shut, he took her hand. "Let's get inside and see what's going on."

  Lacing his fingers through hers, he led the way to the front door, then stopped dead in his tracks. In the center of the walk, a sword lay pointing at them. On either side of the walk was a narrow white line in the grass that vanished on either side of the house.

  "It's a salt circle. A witch is here."

  "A witch? Could it be Mortianna?"

  Val shook his head. "I doubt it. It's not her style. She'd more than likely use fire-breathing dragons. A salt circle isn't dramatic enough for her."

  Shai held up her hand, feeling the air with her palm. "We can't enter."

  "Not without permission."

  She glanced over her shoulder at the shadows, her brow furrowed. Val squeezed her hand reassuringly.

  "Don't worry, I'm not without a plan."

  "Yeah, but did you tell them that?"

  He grinned as he closed his eyes and reached inside himself. Sending out his energy, he sought Maeve within the confines of the house. Finding her, he bade her come outside and let them in.

  Within seconds, the front door opened and Maeve stepped outside, a knife held before her in a defensive stance. Behind her lurked a man who wasn't Sinjin.

  "Val?" Maeve peered into the darkness.

  "Just your friendly neighborhood vampires come to pay a call."

  "Well, come in. Why are you standing here?" Her tone was bewildered.

  "They can't come in until we invite them." The stranger stepped around her.

  Judging from the leashed energy he exuded, here was the witch who'd laid the circle. Tall and blond, his gaze was direct and unfaltering as he approached. Any man who'd stare an elder vampire in the eye was a man to be reckoned with. Val made a mental note to keep a close eye on this one.

  "How do we invite them in?" Maeve slid her knife into her boot and followed the stranger.

  "Pick up the sword and say 'All who walk in light are welcome here.'"

  Val resisted the urge to smile. Whoever he was, he was smart. If those who dared to breach the circle were of dark intent, harm would befall them. What that harm would consist of would be interesting to see.

  The chilling slide of steel over stone brought his attention back as Maeve lifted the sword. Her voice was soft and even as she repeated the witch's words and stepped back to allow them entrance.

  Val squeezed Shai's hand, then stepped past the salt line, pulling her with him. Power flowed warm over his skin, and he heard her utter an inarticulate gasp before the wave subsided, leaving them unharmed within the confines of the circle.

  As Maeve and Shai threw their arms around one another for a hearty hug, Val's gaze met the stranger's over their heads. He and Shai had passed the first test, but there would be more.

  An off-key whistle pierced the night, causing them to turn. Two of the minions broke from the shadows and flew at the unprotected opening. Without a sound, the stranger grabbed the sword from Maeve's hand and pushed both women out of harm's way. Just as the creatures reached the ring of salt, he replaced the sword on the ground pointing out.

  With a flash, one of the minion's brown robes burst into flames. It screamed, a piercing, animal-like sound, as it flailed about, the flames increasing. It collapsed into a burning pile just outside the ring, the scent of burnt wool and cotton candy permeating the night.

  The other one, seeing the demise of its cohort, came to an abrupt halt in mid- air. A low hiss emitted from the hood and it moved away, zipping back to those waiting near the woods.

  Val had grabbed Shai's arm as she moved forward to inspect the receding flames and pulled her into his arms. Now that she was secure by his side, he looked at the stranger, who watched him with a guarded, yet approving, expression.

  The lines were drawn. No matter what happened, both men would do whatever they could to shield their women from harm.

  "What do you think is wrong with Sinjin?"

  Quinn heard the apprehension in Maeve's voice. He glanced at her stone-faced friend. Whatever the vampire was thinking, none of it showed in his expression.

  "She's leeching his powers." Val spoke. "I've never seen anything like it.""How does she get past Sinjin's 'guards'?" Shai asked.

  "She's obviously very determined," Val said.

  Maeve frowned. "Why? What does she want from him?"

  Val shrugged. "I don't know for sure, possibly to kill hi
m. By stealing his power, she's rendering him vulnerable to her. Vampires acquire various powers as they age, some more than others. Mortianna is taking them away, one by one, literally stealing his life force."

  "She's using the A' bhais Cadail." Quinn caught Maeve's startled gaze across Sinjin's unconscious body. Good. Let her see firsthand what the spell she seeks could do. It destroys lives.

  She looked away.

  "How can we break the spell?" Val spoke.

  "We can't."

  "What do you mean we can't?" Shai stepped forward. "We can't just stand here and watch Sinjin die."

  "There's no counterspell that I know of." Quinn shook his head. "You have to understand what it is and what it's used for. She's put St. James into something like a trance. In this dream state, Mortianna can perpetrate any ill upon him she wishes. If he were awake and aware, he'd could fight back, but, as is, he's a sitting duck."

  "What if we move him?" Sunni laid her hand on Sinjin's arm. "What if she couldn't find him?"

  "Wouldn't matter. There's nowhere on earth we can hide him where Mortianna wouldn't find him."

  "We have to do something," Sunni squeaked. "We can't just let her kill him."

  "What about Mac?" asked Shai. "Can he do something?"

  Maeve shook her head. "Both Mac and Fayne are still in Colorado, trying to find Renault." She looked at Quinn, her expression solemn. "I don't think we have much time."

  Quinn looked at the still face of the vampire. He had the face of a warrior, strong and still, yet humanity lurked also. Laugh lines around his eyes and mouth proclaimed him as kind. It was easy to see how he'd beguiled Bliss. But a question nagged, one that he needed answered.

  "Did Bliss love him?" he asked of the room at large.

  "Very much so." Val answered. "She was an exceptional woman, and her loss is felt very deeply right here." He touched his breastbone in a gesture that conveyed his sorrow. "Many years ago, they were head-over-heels in love and completely inseparable. She'd begged Sinjin to make her immortal as she couldn't bear the thought of ever parting from him."