“I’m out of here,” said Shazia, throwing her hands into the air. She jogged past Gage, who moved towards the squabbling pair, and a moment later, her footsteps sounded in the corridor as she hurried away.
With the rest of the room occupied by the fighting duo, I tiptoed forwards, picked up the talisman and hurried out of the room, closing the door softly behind me. Hardly believing what I’d just accomplished, I gaped at the talisman as the shouting continued. Slipping it into my purse, I took Shazia’s lead and hurried to the stairwell without a moment to spare.
“Stella, where have you been?” Seren jogged to catch up with me as I reentered the floor, less than ten minutes after leaving. I decided that it was best I showed my face here. With luck, no one would know I’d ever left. “Do you have your voting paper? We can cast our votes now.”
“Right now?” The talisman seemed to get heavier by the second, and I shifted my bag from one shoulder to the other. All I could think about was taking it back to my hotel room until I could work out what to do with it.
“Stella? Voting? C’mon.” Seren hooked her arm through mine and tugged me forwards. I took one last pitiful glance towards the elevator and allowed her to propel us on. “This is it,” she carried on. “The Council is going to undergo major changes. Where’s your slip?”
I unzipped my bag enough to shove my hand in and grope for it, until I felt the thin sheet of paper under the talisman. I dislodged the carved wood and pulled the slip out, waving it at her. “Here.”
“That way,” she said, giving me a push towards the booths. Daniel stood in another one, his back hunched over as he made his mark. “I’ll be over there with David and Astra when you’re done.”
I took the booth next to Daniel. It was a surprisingly simple procedure. Squares of white paper with each candidate’s name printed in a box. A stubby pencil was provided at the booth and I simply crossed through the box with Étoile’s name before slipping it into the ballot box. I expected something more extreme, magical even, but apparently the age-old method of voting still counted for something here. What was really interesting were the four empty boxes lining one wall of the room. Apparently, all witches, regardless of whether they attended the Summit or not, and despite their level of interest in the proceedings, were allowed to vote. Their slips dematerialised as they cast their votes, and while I was watching, they begin to reappear and fill up the waiting spelled ballot boxes.
The vote over, for me anyway, and my chest feeling tight, I went outside to find Seren waiting, her face tense. I spotted Shazia a little way off, looking flustered.
“I’ll be back in five minutes,” I told Seren. “Can you get Daniel? He’s just inside.”
“No! You can’t go now. We have to wait.”
“Bathroom,” I lied. “Really gotta go.” Without another word, I walked out, forcing myself to keep at an even pace and neatly dodging anyone who might try to talk to me. I took an empty elevator down and ran to my room, my bag cradled in my arms.
Inside, I shut the door with a sigh of relief and sank onto the bed, my hand tight around the handles. Taking a deep breath, I unzipped it and pulled out the talisman I’d just stolen. I dropped the bag on the floor. The talisman was heavier and smaller than I’d expected, and the wood was very smooth. I turned it over, running my fingers over the exquisite carvings. It was beautiful. No wonder Shazia became so intrigued. I could only imagine the level of skill it took to create something like this and, more interestingly, how much magic it took to spell it. I could feel it, but like Shazia, I couldn’t work out how to activate it, which was probably just as well, given that it would probably hurt me.
The problem now was, what to do with it? Technically, it wasn’t mine, but the ownership issue was a dubious one at best. I was certain it didn’t belong to the witch who’d stolen it. There was a definite argument for why it belonged to the wolves, but the idea of returning it, knowing what Noah planned to do with it, made me feel unsure of their claim for rightful ownership.
It struck me as strange that I’d come to the Summit as a defendant and now I was acting like judge and jury, not to mention thief. Who was I to decide who got to possess the talisman? And who was I to take it anyway? Truth was, I wasn’t sure what I should do with it. I knew one thing though, I was certain I didn’t want to be caught with it in my possession. Did anyone know I had it? I was fairly certain I hadn’t been seen, and for all I knew, they were probably searching the room for it at this moment. I was just grateful they were still holding it when Shazia left, so that no suspicion would be cast upon her.
I took a deep breath. The best thing to do now would be to leave the talisman in my room, where it was unlikely anyone would look, and show my face at the ballroom. I knew the witches were gathering there to get ready for the voting results to be revealed.
That decided it. I opened my suitcase and grabbed a sweater. I wrapped the talisman securely inside and stuffed it under some other clothing, then zipped it. Just for extra protection, I secured the zips with a small padlock and pocketed the key. Even as I stepped back, I could feel the low vibration of magic.
Edging away from it, I left the bedroom, and the further away I got, the better I felt. All I had to do was not say a thing until I knew what to do with it.
The ballroom held none of the joviality of the previous nights. Instead, we waited in tense groups as the votes were cast and counted through the rest of the morning. With so much conversation flying back and forth, I barely had to contribute, which was just as well.
“The vote will take some time,” said Laura Winterstorm. She fiddled distractedly with the cuffs of her jacket. “They count the ballots by hand.”
“I might expire from nerves by then,” said Étoile, but her rueful, little smile was without humour.
“Can’t lead the Council from the dead,” said Byron, tapping his daughter’s hand.
“Actually, I don’t believe there’re any rules against…” started Steven, stopping when Étoile and her parents turned to glare at him. He laughed. “We’ll be fine. You’ll be fine.”
“What happens after?” I asked. No one said anything to me about that bit. The afterwards seemed to be something that was deliberately being avoided so far, at least to me, and I was curious. Would it be more pomp and ceremony? Or would it fall a bit flat, with all the witches shaking hands and disappearing, promising to “catch up next time”? Would any of the candidates react poorly to losing? Or would they slip away quietly?
Steven took it upon himself to instruct me. “Once the votes are counted, and recounted, we’ll be called to the Great Room, where the Council will announce the new Leader. Then, the pro tem Council may recuse itself, if they so wish.”
“Recuse as in…” I frowned. “Resign?”
Steven nodded. “Yes. Our laws allow the old Council the option of leaving when a new Leader is sworn in. However, the new Leader may also dismiss them, or ask any former member to remain on the Council, or even retain the whole Council for a limited interim period, though the latter is most unlikely. Often the entire Council remains.”
“The current Council probably doesn’t like knowing that they are on their way out,” I murmured. “Though I thought they seemed pretty secure. Maybe they expect to stay whatever happens.”
“Some of us will be relieved to go,” Steven pointed out. He nodded politely to Matthew Donovan as the warlock walked past, and was waylaid by a couple who were outraged over his recent injury. He took his time in rotating his arm and proving his side was fully healed as he played out the scene for them. “Some of us are glad to make way for new blood.”
“But not all?”
“Is everyone ever happy?” he replied cryptically.
I wondered whom Étoile planned to appoint, if she had even chosen a Council to serve with her. I hoped she would be the “new blood” that the witches were apparently seeking. Like Matthew, she had the sympathy card — first being shot, then almost becoming the victim of a poisoning g
ave her that — but she was so much more. The events of the past few days could have turned her away from the election, yet she seemed as strong as ever. I glanced over to see where she had moved away from us. She was standing by the window, gazing into the distance. I wondered if she was thinking about Matthias, if their reunion had been brief, or if they would have another chance to be with one another, one way or the other. I wondered what the witches would think of our Leader having a vampire for a lover, if it would complicate things for Étoile. Whatever happened, whatever her decision would be, I pledged my support for her the same way she took care of me ever since saving me from a fiery death by the Brotherhood.
A commotion at the entrance pulled my attention away and I saw Gage waving at me. When he caught my eye, he mouthed, “Hurry!” I didn’t have any doubt what this was about.
I patted Steven’s arm, interrupting a story he was telling Laura and Byron. “Excuse me,” I said. “I’ll be right back.”
“Don’t be long. The results could be announced at any point.”
“I’ll be as fast as I can.”
SEVENTEEN
Gage looked very unhappy as I reached him. He was breathing hard and the veins of his neck stood out. His cheek would sport a very nasty bruise in the coming days and his cut lip was already forming a small scab. It could have only been a coincidence that the gathered witches were too preoccupied to notice him.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, even though I could guess.
He took me by the arm and we left the lobby. I wasn’t sure where we were heading, but he looked like he urgently needed to talk. Most of all, I was relieved he didn’t look hurt beyond the bruise and small cut, although his shirt was missing a button. “Did something happen?” I asked as I followed him to an empty room and we stepped inside. I made sure I looked around for anyone to overhear us, but was reassured we could speak privately.
“What didn’t happen?” he said. “This has been the worst morning ever.”
“Ever?”
He rolled his eyes and chuckled. “Top five. I got a call that the deal was going ahead, but when I got there, things had already gone south. The talisman is authentic.”
I took a deep breath and prepared to compromise myself. “I know.”
“You know? How?”
“I’ve seen it,” I said, but decided not to say it was at the same time they’d been arguing over it. Or after. “It’s definitely not just a lump of wood.”
“The only problem now is we don’t have it. There was a fight. Noah didn’t want to pay the exorbitant fee the witch wanted — and you won’t believe who had it — and she wouldn’t take anything less. Well, less to my boss meant nothing, especially as she didn’t have the spell to unlock it.”
“Where are they now?”
“They’ve both been arrested and detained by the Council.”
“Oh no!”
“Two guards were passing by and heard the commotion. Noah might have to pay restitution for harming Mary, the same Mary who’s running for Council, but he doesn’t have the talisman, so they can’t charge him with taking it. Problem is, Mary doesn’t have it either, and she’s screaming that we’ve stolen it. My room’s just been searched, even though I swear, I don’t have it either.” Gage paused to run a hand through his hair and the vein in his forehead pulsed. “I just saw your friend, Shazia, and she’s been asked to give a statement to your judiciary. She’ll tell them that the talisman is real and what it can do. But the damn thing is gone and it’s dangerous.”
“Gone?”
“We searched the room where we met Mary and it’s just vanished. I don’t know what the hell happened to it, but I thought you should know in case anyone says anything, since you already know a little about it. I suspect they’re going to want to keep this very quiet.”
“I can’t imagine why the judiciary wouldn’t want to announce that an ancient device for killing witches has disappeared, or that your packmaster was about to purchase it.” We exchanged worried looks. “I appreciate you telling me all this though.”
“Yeah, and I wanted to tell you to get rid of that book you showed me, just in case they search anywhere else. I care about you, Stella.” He placed his hands on my shoulders and looked down at me. “I don’t want you to have to explain anything if I can keep you out of it.”
“Thanks. I’d rather leave it that I don’t know a thing,” I said, a touch ambiguously.
“Me too. Any word on the voting results yet?”
“No.”
“When you get a chance, tell Étoile what I just told you. She needs to know not to trust Noah or Mary. Hell, if this was my show, Mary would be kicked out in disgrace.”
“I’ll let Étoile know. I’m sure she’ll appreciate it.”
“I thought this would have been a helluva lot more simple than it turned out. I really thought we’d come here, do our bit to represent the wolves and go. I never thought it would come to this. Noah really fucked up. How is any witch ever going to trust one of us again after this? If it gets out that he was shopping for a weapon to turn on witches, your people could annihilate us. If this is his idea of playing the game, of gaining power, I want no part of it.”
His words chilled me. “I’m sure it won’t come to that. Étoile knows you’re a good guy. I’ll testify for you.”
“I appreciate it, but that might not be enough. I have to go. I want to keep searching for the talisman. It can’t have just vanished. I’ll pick up a scent or something, I’m sure of it. Take care, Stella.”
“You too,” I said, giving him a hug. I wasn’t being entirely altruistic. If my scent were on him, maybe he wouldn’t pick it up where it shouldn’t have been. I had to bite my lip to stop from spilling the big secret I had. Much as I wanted to tell Gage his search would be fruitless, I also didn’t want to put him, or me, in any more danger by admitting I had the object. Now that the judiciary was involved, things were too precarious for me to reveal my hand. However, I did take his advice to heart. The book had to go and I needed a better hiding place for the talisman. I didn’t trust the Council to wait for permission before searching the rooms.
Hurrying back to my room, I planned my course of action. I would return the book to the library. I wasn’t sure I could do it magically, but I was fairly certain I could slip in and out of the library unnoticed. I still had no idea what to do with the talisman, but I had to think of something fast before the votes were collected, and the Council’s agenda turned to other things.
When I opened the door to my room, I was surprised to see the lights were already on. I could have sworn I’d turned them off when I left, but perhaps I’d been in a hurry. After all, I left quickly, so I could show my face. Much as I wanted to kick off my shoes in the small entryway and relax, I couldn’t. Instead, I dropped my bag on the floor and hurried into the room, only to stop a couple of paces later.
There was someone in my room.
In an instant, I went on alert. I could back away to the door, but if whoever was in here with me could shimmer, they could be behind me before I even reached it. No, the only option was to take a few extra steps and see. Summoning my magic, I created a power surge that twisted into a ball of power in each hand, perfect for disabling an opponent and giving me enough time to shimmer to safety. Or at least to scream blue murder. If Micah were next door, he would hear me.
Bracing myself, I stepped closer. When I entered the open space of the room, my shoulders relaxed and the power balls evaporated. Stretched out on my bed was Evan, his legs crossed, a paperback in his hand. Next to the bed were his boots. Clearly, he’d made himself comfortable while he waited, though he couldn’t have been here more than an hour.
I froze, looking at him. I wanted to reach up and rub my eyes, maybe even blink a couple of times until I was sure my eyes weren’t deceiving me. “Evan!”
He looked up, shut the book, and gave me a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. He looked tired and worried, like he’d slept very little i
n recent days. He wore jeans and a black sweater, clean, comfortable and practical. “There you are,” he said, like we’d barely been apart. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
“I can see that. Where have you been?” My utter surprise had me frozen to the spot and my emotions were alternating between absolute elation and slight annoyance. Where had he been? “Somewhere without phones?” I snipped.
Evan swung his legs off the bed. Two fast strides and he was in front of me. Before saying anything else, he placed his hands on my cheeks, dipped his head and kissed me, long and slow. It was enough to make me forget everything, but him. “About that,” he murmured, drawing away.
“Yeah, about that,” I repeated pointedly. “Did you get any of my messages?”
“Yes.”
“And?” And where the hell were you? Why didn’t you come? A spark of fury lit inside me. I tempered it with disappointment. Then it ignited again with happiness. My emotions were all over the place.
“I was forbidden from contacting you during the Summit.”
“Forbidden by whom?” I replied indignantly. As far as I knew, Evan was his own agent. He answered to no one. He’d made that very clear during our past conversations.
“Our legislation. Demon legislation,” he explained. “I was approached when I went to the rendezvous point for the job. A job that didn’t even exist. I was arrested and told that I could not interfere at any point.”
“Interfere with what? I was on trial for murder!”
Evan folded his arms around me and rested his cheek against mine. “I sent Micah.”
“I know, he’s been great, but why couldn’t you come? Since when do demons care about witch trials?” I paused. “You were arrested!”
“It wasn’t the trial, it was everything about the Summit. We cannot interfere, no matter what happens. I couldn’t even intervene as your boyfriend. I was reminded of that.”
Magic Rising (#4 Stella Mayweather Paranormal Series) Page 24