by Shyla Colt
Cristobal grabs my hand and gives the gash a slow lick. I shudder, gasping as something tightens low in my belly. “Why does it feel like that?” I whisper.
Later. The words are a sensual caress. My hand tingles as the skin repairs itself thanks to the healing properties of his saliva.
“Okay, guys, I’m going to dismantle our circle.”
“Then what?” Marcellus asks.
“I’m going to search for the trace so we can follow a thread.”
He closes his mouth, and I thank the four guardians as I sit and ponder the words.
“What’s wrong?” Cristobal asks.
“I’m thinking of the best way to find what was left behind. It’s hard to cast a spell for someone you know next to nothing about. This is a high traffic area. I’m looking for a needle in a haystack.” It hits me. “I need a map. We’re going to do a tracking spell. It won’t be one-hundred percent because we don’t know enough details about this person, but it should get us somewhere in their vicinity.” I rise, cutting an opening into the circle as a sense of urgency hits me.
“Percival? Hurry,”I say. Percival nods before he flashes away, leaving us to wait.
Chapter Eleven
“This is the place?” Marcellus asks dubiously as we enter the parking lot of the tiny store.
“It’s rightish. Remember I said I didn’t have enough to get an exact locale. I’m not sure how off we are.” I step out of the passenger side and observe the area. We’re on the outskirts of a campground. This general store is the only thing around for miles. Looking at the wooded area, my heart drops. How can we cover so much ground when they’re shielded?
“We need to split up. Can you do a spell that will allow us to detect magic?” Cristobal asks.
“I can spell personal items to act as a compass tuned into magic for a time.” I don’t tell him that I’m drained from blood loss and spell work. I keep the link between us tightly closed off. “Hand me your family rings.” I hold out my palm, and they deposit the cool metal jewelry with the family C on them. I close my eyes and imagine a compass, and the ring growing hotter when near the source we’re looking for. I pour my energy into the rings until I feel they’re fully charged, and bring them to my lips and whisper, “With this ring may we find, the one who’s committed this crime,” I whisper.
I sway slightly and right myself.
“Louella,” Cristobal barks, instantly at my side.
“Sorry, head rush. I’m fine.” I will my hand to stop shaking as I hold it out, palm open.
They grab them, slipping them on.
“The closer you get to magic, the hotter the ring will be. Not enough to harm you, just enough for you to notice. The farther you get, the cooler it will become.”
“Once you find something, send out the call, and we’ll follow,” Cristobal says.
“Happy hunting.” Luz flashes a wicked grin before she takes off into the woods.
Marcellus and Percival follow, leaving the two of us behind.
“You’ve done too much.”
“No, I’m fine. I just need a minute.”
“What you need is— ” He freezes. “Marcellus found something.”
I envy their speed. Cristobal turns to me expectantly. “Ready?”
“Yes.” He turns, giving me his back. He crouches down, and I climb onto his back. It’s far better than being carried bridal style. He takes off like a rocket. I tighten my hold around his waist and neck. The landscape is a blur of green. I can smell the damp soil, autumn leaves, and fresh air. The forest welcomes me home as I reconnect with the trees, the land, and the air. Out here, there’s no buzz from the city. I take a few moments to refuel, accepting the energy nature is offering.
Suddenly, a massive weight slams onto my back. I cry out when I’m jerked away from Cristobal. I slam into a tree, my back scraping against the rough bark. My body protests. I can’t make a sound with the wind knocked out of me. Pushing to my knees, I find myself alone in a circle of trees. My eyes dart back and forth. I feel the rush of wind a split second before I’m tossed onto my back. Instinct kicks in. I blast the invisible force with power. A hiss follows. I train my gaze on the place where the baby vamp landed. Where is everyone?
Power slams into the barrier a moment after I finish casting a shield. On my back, I chant the secret reveal spell. My mouth slams shut. Her power is great, and she has the advantage of being able to see me. I could join her in the ranks of invisible, but it would drain what was left of my power, and I need that. I free myself from the silence and call out mentally for Cristobal.
She has a barrier up. None of us can cross it. He says.
Can I hold them off, and dismantle the spell before they both rip me to pieces? The rush of wind comes, and I throw soil, outlining the shape. I throw a blast, willing it to hit the witch. Her grunt of surprise tells me I hit my target. I freeze the baby vamp in its place and work feverishly to untangle the web of wards placed around the area. My body is shaking, and I’m straining to use every ounce of power that remains inside of me. My well is on E. I’ve performed a number of complex spells back to back, and unlike my opponent, I don’t have the aid of another power source.
I keep a small shield up as the first ward gives. Sweat dots my brow. My shield takes a hit. It wavers but holds. My grip on the vampire slips slightly. My chest aches. I’m dangerously close to draining my magical core. The wall sealing Cristobal out of my mind is bulldozed. My muscles clench. I shake as I’m flooded with new energy.
My senses sharpen. I can smell the vampire and the magic flowing from the witch. I don’t stop to think about what Cristobal unleashed, I act. With a wave of my hand, I down the next three wards, and set the vampire on fire. Horrid screams fill the air. The smell of burning flesh fills my nostrils. The cloaking spell fails, and I see the wretched, feral creature rolling on the ground, fighting the green-tinged flame.
No matter how hard the vampire struggles, he won’t find relief. His flesh blackens and flakes. The young don’t dissolve into dust.
The others flood the space.
“The witch escaped,” Marcellus says.
“Search for her,” Cristobal commands as he comes to my side.
“Are you okay?”
“I don’t know what I am.”
The vamp goes silent. The bones crackle as they’re eaten.
The three return empty-handed.
“She’s gone,” Luz says angrily.
“Probably teleported. If she bargained with her soul, it’d be for an immense amount of power.”
The adrenaline wears off, and I lean into Cristobal.
“What’s wrong?”
“Too much back to back.” I give a weak smile. “I think I may have worn myself out a little.” My lids grow heavy.
He scoops me up into his arms. “I know it’s bad when you let me do this.”
“Maybe I’m feeling amorous,” I murmur, fighting the exhaustion threatening to take me under.
He brushes his lips over mine. I allow myself a moment to bask in his strength. I feel completely protected now in his arms with the others flanking us.
We watch as the burned shell of the vampire collapses into itself and turns to dust blowing away in the wind.
“She’s angry now. She’ll be out for blood,” I say tiredly.
“We’ll deal with it. Now we need to get you home to rest.”
“You know a little blood will have you right as rain, right?” Luz asks.
“Luz,” Cristobal cautions.
She rolls her eyes. “We’ll scout ahead since you have your hands full.”
I snicker.
“Don’t encourage her,” Cristobal says before he takes off after her.
We reach the SUV and find another of similar make and model beside it. I tense.
“Fancy meeting y
ou here today.” The saccharine sweet voice shatters the warm glow that had settled in along with the exhaustion. I peel open my lids and find a bombshell in five-inch stiletto heels. Her long black hair falls around her shoulders, standing out against her caramel-colored skin. Her face is flawless, cupid’s bow lips accompany a long, slender nose, high cheekbones, and large, dark brown eyes. Her slender frame is accentuated by a pair of designer gemstone-studded black jeans and a black halter top that shows off toned arms.
Percival, Ruby, and Marcellus draw in closer.
She smirks, causing her beautiful face to seem slightly less stunning. “You flatter me with your overprotection. Is she so weak she can’t defend herself?” She sneers. “Or walk.”
I want to bring her to her knees, but I know better. The Master Vampire has one of the territories just outside one of our borders. That makes this political. Her past with Cristobal is well known. How could it not be? She never lets anyone forget about it. She’s always wanted to join more than just her land with Cristobal.
“Does she need to be protected from you, Etta?”
“Oh, I’m just making observations, cher. Not threats. You know I only deal in promises.” She bats her lashes at him, and I grit my teeth.
“What are you doing here? It’s a bit up north for you, isn’t it?” Cristobal asks smoothly.
“Can’t I visit friends?” She places her hands on her hips. “You used to enjoy my surprise stopovers, remember?” She peers at me, and my stomach clenches. Her smug tone tells me this was recent. I left. I had no claims. She steps closer and places a hand on his forearm. He stares at it until she removes it with a frown. “I wanted to discuss that business proposal I sent you.”
“We’ve already spoken on this matter. I won’t be swayed.”
“Hmm. That’s what you said about other things until I turned you into a liar.”
Luz growls in the back of her throat. I smile. I’m starting to question the benefits of coming out and taking my rightful place on the court. As I am, I have no right to speak up or challenge a Master Vampire. As his mate, I’d be an equal.
“Enough,” Cristobal says. His voice is like a boom of thunder, startling and powerful. All the anger is directed at Etta.
Etta’s cat-like eyes narrow into slits.
“I see someone’s in a cranky mood. Maybe if you got rid of dead weight you’d be more fun.” She pouts. “If you get tired of the knockoff and want the original, you know where to find me.” She wiggles her fingers and sashays her way back to the SUV.
“That’s one hell of a coincidence,” Marcellus says softly.
“Do you think she’s the one?” Percival asks.
“I wouldn’t put much past her if she believed it would benefit her,” Cristobal states.
“Of all the beds to crawl back into,” Luz mutters.
I stiffen. I knew it, but the confirmation stings. Her? He had his choice of women, why this one? All the time he spent telling me he was over her and now I’m questioning if he ever will be.
“I think I have my second wind.” I pull back physically and mentally.
“I don’t think that’s a good—”
“Cristobal. I’m fine.”
His eyes flash amber. I ignore him as he sets me down. Nothing but grit, stubbornness, and the lingering strength from our bond keep me on my feet. I’m born from queens. I won’t crack under pressure, or show how much I hurt. I thought I was doing a good job of holding him at a distance and remaining in control. It was nothing more than a prettily packaged lie. I rest my forehead against the cool glass of the window and let the velvet blackness suck me down into unconsciousness as the rhythm of wheels on the road and exhaustion work in tandem, overcoming me.
***
A light knock at the door pulls me from my slumber. I’ve been cocooned in a nest of blankets since we returned, sleeping off and on.
I moisten my mouth. “Yes?”
“You okay?” Luz’s voice drifts in through the door.
I smile at her concern. “Yeah, come in. This was nothing rest couldn’t repair.”
She arcs an eyebrow and steps inside. “Silencing spell?”
“Already placed. What’s going on?” I ask.
She crosses her arms over her chest. “I wasn’t talking about physically. I know you well enough to tell when you’re hurting. What Etta did was a low blow.”
“That’s her forte, though, isn’t it?”
“Make room.” Luz strides over in leather breeches and a white tank top only she could pull off as everyday clothing. I shift to the center of the bed, and she climbs in beside me. “When you left it devastated him. He didn’t show it like normal people. But it was there for those of us who knew how to look. There was a monstrous feel about him I hadn’t seen in ages. He thrives on control, aloofness, and manners. It helps keep him balanced. It’s a lesson he learned the hard way. Me too. Hard headed and hot-blooded temperament runs in our family.” She grins.
“I’ve noticed.”
“That time as full of dark days. He fell back into old habits. Etta was one of them.”
“This is the shittiest pep talk in the world.”
She nudges my side with her elbow. “Shut up. I’m getting there.
“When he climbed out of that dark place, he regretted it. He came back to himself, and it was like a man possessed. He built this place up brick by brick and climbed every rung of the ladder with a single-minded determination that bordered on obsession. I think he wanted to be the type of man who deserved you.”
“Oh, please.” The man was centuries old. The approval of one young, stupid human girl wasn’t driving him to change.
“I’m serious, Lou. Whatever went down between the two of you screwed with his head. He worked harder at understanding humans. Not just playing at being one, remembering how they ticked, thought, and felt. In a roundabout way, I think you’re the reason he is where he is. What’s the saying? Behind every great man is a great woman. Only he wants you at his side, equal, protected, and cherished.”
“Are you his spokesman, chaton?”
She scowls. “Don’t you know you have what everyone dreams of. A bond mate! The one person on the planet meant for only you. It’s not something you throw away over petty issues.”
“They aren’t—”
“Think beyond human terms. You’re going to have an extended life, Lou. Do a few years of strife and disagreement really make that much of a difference?”
I open my mouth and close it. In fifty years’ time, when everyone else I know has aged normally, and I’m still as I am today, what would life look like?
“I know it’s hard to except, but you’re different now. You have to learn how to walk a line in the middle. The way he did for you.”
Mind blown, I lean back against the headboard.
“Never thought of it that way, huh?” she asks.
I shake my head.
“We all know what it is to transition into a new and foreign creature, Lou. Let us help you. Let him help you navigate through this, the way he did for each of us. He’s good at it.”
“Well, shit,” I whisper.
“Mic drop?”
“Yes. You wench. How dare you come in here with a bulletproof case. I hear you. It doesn’t change the way I feel or why.”
“I’m not telling you to cast aside your emotions. Work through them together, so you can both learn from the past, and move forward. You can’t freeze him out forever. More so, we need you whole and on the same page.”
I sink lower in the bed, bringing the blankets up to my chin. It’s a healthy dose of tough love I need. “I hear you, chaton. Thank you for caring about both of us so much.” I grab her hand between my own. “It’s going to be okay. I don’t want you to worry—”
I pause. I can feel Cristobal coming toward the room. “
We’ll talk, and clear the air. Okay?”
Luz gives me one of those rare smiles of hers, that lights the entire room, and bounds off. Today I face the event that drove me away from home.
“It’s time we talk about that night.” I toy with the light peach silk sheets.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment,” Cristobal admits as he enters the room. He closes the door behind him He’s changed clothing. I admire the cut of the gray slacks and the contrast of the white button up shirt he’s rolled to his elbows. The matching gray vest keeps him walking the line between casual and dressed up. The shirt is open at the neck revealing the strong column of his neck. His adam’s apple bobs as he speaks.
“I know. Thank you for giving me the time I needed.”
“When will you believe that I’m always doing what’s best for you?” He sits on the bed beside me.
“Looking at it now, I can admit. I scared myself.”
PAST
“I wonder if your grand-mère knows where you’re sneaking off to, little girl.”
The voice sends invisible spiders crawling over my skin. Soulange steps from the shadows dressed in all white, from the head wrap to the skirt trailing over the grass. It’s a mockery of the dark heart that lies within her chest. Soulange Sepion is a well-known Voodoo Priestess who happens to be on a recruitment mission. Her dark eyes are abnormally bright in the moonlight, standing out against her gaunt, angular face. Her high cheekbones lead down to cupid’s bow lips curved into an evil smirk and painted black.
Fed up with the council and their limitations on magic, she’s out to form her own coven. I can tell her right now she’s barking up the wrong tree. I can smell the rebellion she’s trying to force. It’s rotten. We need people to police us. The ability to do something doesn’t mean we should explore all those venues. Magic is too dangerous to go unchecked. Consequences keep people in line. Doing away with the council, forming a coven that could rival them would be opening a door that would let darkness seep in.
“I appreciate your concern, but it’s no secret to anyone who I’m dating. I don’t slink around in the darkness.”