“You agree, don’t you?” He said, his tone soothing. The tingling in her arm intensified and she glanced down.
Leda found herself nodding in agreement, the questions slipping away as she accepted all he’d said. They had to capture a killer. Who wouldn’t agree with that? She’d seen the pictures, knew his crimes. “Okay, let’s do this. Tell me what you want me to do.”
“Good girl, Agent Leda Williams.” Bret patted her head, but she only vaguely thought of it as demeaning and inappropriate. “Now, listen to me very closely. You’re going to be a hero. You’re going to solve a horrific crime. You’re going to catch a killer.” He leaned closer to whisper in her ear. “You’re going to kill Thomas and Calum McKibben.”
* * * *
“What if they left?” Calum paced the narrow tent. His father and uncles had stopped drinking and sat solemnly around the long table. The knights who were not family had been urged to seek other quarters this night. Not all of them knew the wizards’ secrets.
“Breton does no’ run, lad,” Stephan the Short said. “It’s no’ in him.”
“He’ll keep coming, destroying anything in his path,” Peter the Wise inserted.
George the Mad added, “That one’s head is golfing with muddy bog sand.”
Henry the Bald slapped his brother on the shoulder. “Right you are, George!”
George mumbled and nodded.
“We can only hope he does no’ realize what this woman means to you, Calum,” Peter the Wise said thoughtfully. “Maybe he’ll let her go.”
Calum reached for the front flap and peeked out. Madame Sabena instantly stood before him. “The guest cars are leaving, all but one. Lady Leda has a distinct signature to her energy. She’s here.”
“What signature?” Calum asked.
Madame Sabena arched a brow. “You feel she’s special. Don’t ask what you know. Your instincts are as strong as mine.”
“There’s the wench that stole the apple,” George said, grinning. Sabena laughed and went to kiss her husband on the head. The others looked away from the loving couple. None would wish the pain of loss on George, but seeing their happiness only reminded Calum’s uncles and father of the loss they had all suffered.
“What do you say, lad?” Thomas asked.
“I’m tired of being hunted for his sick ideals,” Calum said. “I say it’s time to stop Breton once and for all.”
* * * *
Leda didn’t think, didn’t question, as she made her way across the nearly abandoned fairgrounds. Evening was much different than day. The crowds had parted, leaving behind the re-enactor staff and they were partying like it was 1499. Most of them hung out at the bleachers—cheering and carrying on in drunken fits of laughter. The sounds of horses hooves could be heard beating over the grounds. A few couples walked, hand in hand in the moonlight. They were more interested in each other than in Leda’s covert movements.
Somewhere out in the surrounding landscape, Bret hid from view. She felt him watching her, but didn’t care. She had her mission. She knew what she had to do.
The knights’ tent came into view. Looking at her hand, she gripped the gun Bret had given her and remembered his words. “Shoot them in the heart. Hit Calum, then Thomas and get whoever else you can. I’ll be right behind you, backing you up.”
Leda had pursued perps through numerous landscapes—from forests to rundown city blocks to some really high-class neighborhoods. None compared to the Renaissance Faire fairgrounds. Magic filled the night, infusing everything around her until nothing seemed real. Staying completely focused on the job was normal, but not like this, not with a single-mindedness that couldn’t be swayed no matter how hard she tried to think of other things. The soft sound of music filled the night. She couldn’t be sure what any of the instruments were, but they sounded like flutes and guitars. Canvas flapped in the breeze. The country air smelled fresh and clean, yet tinged with dust and hints of nature.
She didn’t need the map to know where she wanted to go. Her body was drawn forward, perfectly in tune with her surroundings. She knew where Calum waited for her, that he waited. The fact didn’t frighten her.
The knights’ tent seemed to stand out eerily amongst its smaller neighbors. Its canvas walls seemed brighter than what would be considered natural, as if absorbing and reflecting the rising moon. The guard was gone, leaving the opening unattended. As she neared the front flap, she glanced around to make sure she wasn’t being watched. No sounds came from within the tent. Had the knights left? Ran because they knew the FBI was onto them?
She pressed lightly at the flap, opening it by small degrees as she held her gun at the ready. Whipping the flap aside, she quickly scanned the dark room, unable to see anything. Her breathing caught in her throat. None of this felt right—charging into dark tents, leaving herself exposed to attack.
Suddenly, a light grew over her and she gasped. Seated at the long table, Calum stared at her. “Looking for me, my lady?”
His tone held none of the pleasure it had earlier in the day. Gone was the light playfulness to his expression. She couldn’t see beyond his handsome face and the sinful eyes that had captured hers all day. Tousled hair framed his strong, perfect face. Her hand shook as she lifted the gun and she knew what she had to do.
“Is that what ya really want, Leda?” Calum didn’t make a move to stop her. His gaze remained steady.
“I’m here to do a job,” she whispered, trying to steady her hands.
At that, he stood, giving her a clear shot of his chest. The hard, thick muscles shifted beneath his tunic shirt, reminding her of how he felt naked against her fingers. Her body tingled, begging her mind to reconsider. Could she really kill him?
“Is that what ya want, Leda? To kill me?”
She nodded, though the shaking movement could hardly be called convincing. Could a man with those penetrating eyes really be a serial killer? Intelligence had to be wrong on this one. Looking at him now, he couldn’t be what they said he was. He just couldn’t.
“Then why haven’t ya taken a shot? I’m right here. I’m no’ moving.” He lifted his hands to the side, giving her full view of his delicious body. Despite her desire to do her job, the attraction she’d felt for him was still there. It pulled at her, begged her, tempted her to throw her weapon aside and run to him.
“Bret said ….” She couldn’t finish the words. Shooting an unarmed perp in the chest seemed wrong. She blinked heavily. “I have to.”
“I’m no’ up on your laws, love, but I do no’ think killing unarmed men is what your government encourages.” He came from behind the edge of the table. Now nothing blocked the distance between them. His hand naturally curled at his side, as if wrapped around an invisible sword. Even weaponless, he exuded power.
“I saw your eyes.” She lifted the gun once more and aimed at his chest to keep him back. “What is going on? What are you?”
“I’m a wizard,” he answered, “and as for what’s going on, I think you’re trying to kill me. But if ya decide to put the gun down …”
She tilted her head to the side, not budging.
“… I could be your wizard, if ya will still have me.”
“My wizard.” Leda shook her head. “Did I just fall into a video game?”
“Excuse me?”
“Never mind. Just, don’t move,” Leda warned.
Calum frowned and motioned his hand to the side. The gun flew from her fingers as if smacked by an unseen hand. Leda yelped in pain.
“It’s natural that ya have questions, lass.” Calum took a step forward. “I will gladly answer all of them, but first you’re going to tell me where your friend is.”
“Bret?” Leda looked at the gun. Her orders had been to shoot. She’d never failed a mission before. Something about Calum had mesmerized her. She dove for the weapon, but it slid out of her reach. Turning, she struck out at Calum. Her fist smacked against his forearm.
At the feel of flesh, Leda automatically went i
nto fight mode, striking in a series of blows. Calum’s defenses were strange and unlike anything she’d come up against. He took the full force of her blows, absorbing them. Before the fight even got started, she somehow knew she’d end up the loser.
Calum grabbed her wrist and spun her around, trapping her back against his chest. The hard, flat plains of his stomach pressed into her, leading down to the unmistakable form of his erection. “I smell Bret’s power all over ya. Who is he to ya?”
“Partner,” she answered, breathing hard.
Calum’s grip tightened. “I see. Then you’re here to help him.”
“Yes.” She nodded, liking the way his stomach flexed against her. “He told me to.”
Calum cursed. She didn’t understand the words, but the venom was definitely there. Swinging her around to face him, he grabbed her chin. “Look at me.”
Leda drew her eyes up to his. “I don’t want to shoot you in the heart.”
* * * *
“He’s entranced ya.” Calum touched the side of her face, just now seeing the cloudy glaze over her pupils. He released the jealous anger he’d been holding onto since she’d ran out on him. “If ya are dealing with a wizard like him, why did ya no’ take precautions?”
“Wizard?” She said the word like she read it from a fairytale.
Calum let go, feeling the fight leave her. He wanted to keep her in his arms, but had a feeling it was best to give her space for the moment. The altruistic gesture didn’t last. Her round, wide eyes looked into his and he had to touch her. Gripping her arms, he pulled her into his chest.
He had to kiss her. Calum leaned forward, bringing his mouth to hers. It wasn’t like the first time. Leda hesitated against him. She’d been confident and wild before. This time, she seemed fragile and unsure.
“I’m confused. I think you’d better start at the beginning,” Leda said against his mouth, not moving to deepen the caress. “None of this seems real.”
“All right.” Calum didn’t release his hold, but he withdrew his mouth. His lips ached to press forward. He wanted nothing more than to repeat what had transpired between them earlier in the day. “I was born in 1313 during the supernatural wars. My mother and father were split for a time and I was raised by her family. Later, I moved in with my father. He taught me to sword fight and—”
Leda closed the distance, pressing her mouth hard to his, cutting off the answer she’d asked for. She moaned softly. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I don’t want to wake up.”
Chapter Six
Leda gave into the dream. It was the only explanation that made sense. Wizards? Sexy knights? Strange missions that didn’t follow protocol? Every nerve had itched to pull the trigger and kill him. But one look into his eyes and she couldn’t do it, not even in a dream.
The taste of Calum’s lips felt right, so firm yet yielding beneath her own. When he touched her, she couldn’t think beyond the next caress. Her hands slid into his hair. The silky locks tickled the backs of her fingers.
Suddenly, the canvas of the tent slapped noisily behind her. Calum swung her around, jerking her mouth from his as he threw her hard through the back flap. She caught a fleeting glimpse of a figure in the doorway. Arms caught her easily as she stumbled into the back room, gripping her with a hard strength as she struggled to break free. The firm hold brought her mind crashing back to reality.
Calum ducked through the back flap, his back facing her. She blinked, terrified to see a flash of metal tear through the tent, nearly crushing his head. It was the mace, the spiked ball swinging wildly as a man stepped through the hole.
Leda tried to process what was happening. She looked over her shoulder to see her captor. Thomas nodded at her, before turning his eyes back to Calum.
Thoughts crashed in on her and she quickly sifted through the facts. This wasn’t a dream. Calum wasn’t the mace-wielder. Than who …?
Leda tensed, seeing Bret. His fingers curled around the base of the mace. Wild eyes darted about the room as he swung the weapon over his head. The green glow was something she’d never seen in the stoically work-oriented man before. Was he possessed? Surely, her mild psychic ability would’ve detected anything evil in him. He was her new partner after all.
“How the hell did I not see it?” she whispered, more to herself than anyone around her. This couldn’t be right.
“You can’t have a gift, deny it and not use it, then expect it to be strong,” Thomas said seriously, still holding her. How the hell did he know about her gift?
“Let me go,” she demanded. Thomas laughed softly. “Bret! Stop! Something’s not right. This isn’t our mission.”
“Easy there, my lady, Calum’s got this,” Thomas said.
“No, but, I’m—” Leda again tried to break free, but Bret’s vicious swing cut her off. “Bret!”
The knight finally let her go, leaning down to grab his discarded sword from the floor. Bret swung again, keeping the blow steady as he kept Calum back.
“You should’ve known we’d find you,” Bret said.
“Ya should’ve given up in Cincinnati,” Calum answered. That’s where Bret had lived before he moved to the New York branch. What was going on? She was so confused.
Leda slowly backed away, scanning the room for a weapon. She wished she had the gun, but vaguely recalled dropping it on the floor.
“Calum!” Thomas yelled.
“Thanks, da,” Calum answered holding out his hand without looking. Thomas tossed the sword. The weapon landed perfectly.
Da? Thomas was his father?
“Enough!” Leda yelled. “FBI. Everyone put your weapons down. Now!”
Not a one of them listened and it only served to make her angry. She was not used to being dismissed.
“Bret,” Leda ordered, noticing how quiet the other room of the tent suddenly was. “Stop. I’m not hurt. If you need to arrest him, this isn’t the way.”
“Shut up, whore,” Bret spat. “I sent you to do one simple, little job and you couldn’t even do that. All you had to do was shoot him and this would all be over. You’d have been a hero. But instead, you threw it all away for a lousy fuck.”
“Hey,” Calum interrupted, drawing Bret’s attention back to him as he put his body between Leda and the madman. “It was no’ lousy.”
Leda gasped. “Oh, that’s it. Bret, put the weapon down. Make it easy on yourself.” She tried to charge forward, but Thomas showed surprising agility as he flew in front of her. She jerked away from the sword. Bret didn’t listen, instead swinging for Calum as if completely unconcerned by her.
“Da!” Calum yelled, not turning to look at her.
“Got her,” another voice answered. There was a sweep near the opening Bret had cut in the tent. Leda’s arms were once again grabbed from behind. She was too confused to react like she was trained to. Bret was the killer? Her partner, Bret? And she never realized it? Never suspected? What kind of agent didn’t see the evil right next to her every day?
And what was this with Calum? Was he a bad guy, too?
Bret swung the mace. It clanged with Calum’s sword and the chain wrapped around the blade. Calum jerked the hilt, trying to free it. The mace slid across the blade, sounding like a knife sharpening on whetstone. Leda hit her captor in the gut, making him drop his arm with an unexpected grunt. She ran forward, determined to do her job and arrest both men until she could call for back up.
“Ah, Leda! Stay back!” Calum yelled, as she passed his side, ready to tackle Bret. His cry alerted Bret just as she was jumping. He turned, the mace flinging awkwardly in her direction. The sharp spikes on the end cut into her flesh. Leda cried out in pain as white heat ran up her arm. Calum lunged forward, embedding his sword deep into Bret’s stomach. Bret’s mouth opened, but no sound came out. Leda continued forward, falling partway on top of him. Her partner was dead before she even had time to look up from the ground.
“Bret?” she whispered, instantly moving to confront Calum.
&
nbsp; She tried to lift her hand, but her arm didn’t want to work. Feeling lightheaded, she looked at her arm. Blood ran from the gaping wound. Her mind began to clear from a fog she hadn’t even realized plagued her.
“Ach, Leda, why did ya no’ stay back?” Calum growled, lunging forward to catch her. “Da, get the others. We need to perform the old magic.”
“Old magic?” Leda shook her head. The day had turned from ordinary to surreal to impossible. What other feasible explanation could there be than magic?
Thomas left them alone in the tent, taking the other knight with him.
“Why do I feel like I’ve been drugged?” She tried to focus her thoughts as they slowly cleared.
“Breton had ya under his spell. Ya should have known better, dealing with a wizard such as him.”
Leda took a deep breath, unable to hold her own weight. “You’re under arrest … for the murder of …”
“Ya are trying to arrest me?” Calum shook his head in disbelief, careful not to touch her arm.
“You killed an agent,” she said, her vision blurring from the blood loss. “You can’t take the law into your own hands.”
“Really? Where’s the body of that agent then, love?” he asked.
Leda glanced to the ground. Nothing was there. “What?”
“Sleep now,” he ordered, pressing his palm to her forehead.
Leda moaned, falling into a peaceful blackness.
* * * *
“I warned ya, son. Ya always act too rash,” Thomas said, sitting at Leda’s head. His legs were crossed, as were the rest of his family’s as they sat around her unmoving body on the floor of the tent.
Calum gave a sheepish grin. “What was I to do, da? Look at her.”
“I can’t believe after all these years my son has a bride,” Thomas announced to the family.
Leda moaned and Calum said, “Focus, would ya?”
Thomas frowned, closing his eyes as the older men pumped their energy into healing Calum’s future wife.
Faire Justice Page 5