With the stone in the center of her palm, she willed herself completely still while trying to maintain a close watch on the doorways.
A glow emitted from Eldon’s palms, one centered over Rho’s and the other near the edge of the massive painting. He nodded. “From whence this magick once was bound, let this spell now be unwound.” His voice was soft but the words were commanding as the blue fire at his hands grew brighter. “And send it now to bind in stone, let its origin of life be known.”
Blue fire poured from Eldon’s hand hovering over the tracker, traveling through his chest and dumping into the stone in Rho’s hand. The stone began to glimmer, not in the familiar shade of blue but in a bright, fiery red.
In a rush, the blue light evaporated.
Eldon opened his eyes and turned to Rho. He glanced down at the stone. “Strange.”
“What?” She stared at the luminous red stone in her hand, watching as its brilliance began to fade. The stone was slightly warmer to the touch, but as Eldon had promised, she’d been unaffected by the magick.
He bent forward to examine the stone but didn’t touch it. “Not what I expected.”
A nervous knot tightened in the pit of her stomach. Was there a reason he wouldn’t touch it? “Did the spell work? I don’t feel anything.”
“You shouldn’t.” He shook his head and leaned a little closer. “But the spell definitely worked. It’s just not fae magick.”
“Oh?”
He lifted his gaze to meet hers. “A mover was behind this spell.”
“What? How?” With the way Rhyannon had gone after the Kamen the last time, she’d thought that surely one of the fae had been sent to track Cadence. But a mover? That confirmed Cadence’s worst fear. Whoever had placed that tracker was definitely a magick mover and knew enough about the leader to know where to find her and how to trace her movements. This had to be an inside job.
Now they had more than the fae to worry about. Either someone else was after the Kamens or Rhyannon was recruiting. Even worse, that person had managed to follow Cadence to Paris and watch her long enough to know the team was here. Now they were all in danger.
“I could be wrong. Reading impressions isn’t one of my specialties. I’d really like a second opinion.” Eldon blew out a long breath before grimacing. “You know I’m going to hate to ask you this.”
That didn’t sound good. “Then don’t.”
“I have to.” He clenched his jaw, the muscles beneath his cheekbone pulsing. “I need Trinador to look at this.”
“Shit.”
“I know.” Eldon reached out and took the stone from her hand. After he tucked it away in his pocket, he reached across to take both of her hands in his. “I can go by myself if you don’t want to see her again. I know you don’t like me being around her, but we need her help.”
“Why?” And why did the one person Rho felt threatened by always have to be the one person with the skills to help them? Not again.
“She can read into this impression.” His eyes were serious as he squeezed her hands.
“Why can’t you do it yourself?”
He shook his head. “I’m not that good.”
“And she is.” Of course she was. Damn mover was great at everything, apparently. And entirely too attractive.
“Yes.”
Rho sucked in a deep breath and closed her eyes, trying to clear her mind of negative thoughts. Trinador wasn’t a bad person. Actually, she was a very nice person who had put her own ass on the line for her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend, so she probably deserved an award for her unbelievable patience. And this wasn’t about Rho; this was about the team. They had a mission, and the only light she could see at the end of the tunnel was tracing that tracker back to its originator. Someone was working against them, and possibly with Rhyannon. If they had more than one enemy, they needed to know.
“Fine.” Rho sighed. “I don’t like it, but we don’t have any other choice. Whoever was tracking Cadence obviously knows about the Kamens, and that person must be looking for them. Maybe even looking for us.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
She bit her lip as she considered their options, wishing there was a better way to get what they needed. Trinador had been through enough. The last thing she wanted to do was bother her for help again, but from where she sat, they didn’t have any other choice. “I’ll let you go to her house, but on one condition.”
“Name it.” Eldon nodded.
“I’m going with you.”
An hour later, Eldon strode hand in hand with Rho up the stone path to Trinador’s picturesque cottage. With the Collective leader’s instructions to get out of town ringing in the back of his mind, they’d made quick time of navigating the metro to get back to the outskirts of Paris. Time was ticking, and their research here was nearly complete.
Eldon extended a hand and pushed the doorbell then gave Rho’s hand a gentle squeeze. The protection circle he had surrounding them both was strong, thanks to the supply of energy from the major ley lines near Trinador’s home. No wonder she loved this place. Moments later, the hand-carved front door opened and a familiar face emerged.
“Eldon? I thought you’d left town already.” Nick tilted his head.
Eldon’s brows lifted in surprise. He’d figured Nick would’ve gone home by now, not stayed to babysit Trinador. Had he been here this whole time?
Eldon cleared his throat. “Not quite. I was hoping to have Trinador give us some advice before we left. How is she?”
“Better. Still not a hundred percent.”
“Can we see her?”
Nick glanced back toward the house and sighed. “I doubt she’ll be up to performing any magick just yet, no matter what she says. Her aura isn’t fully healed.”
Eldon shook his head. “We don’t need her to work any spells. I just wanted her input.” He patted his front pocket. “Actually, maybe you could help, too.”
Nick wasn’t great at reading imprints, but he did know quite a bit about magickal history. If Trinador could tell them where the magick originated, maybe Nick could tell them how it got there.
“I can try.” Nick shrugged.
With a quick glance at the periphery, Eldon leaned forward. “Can we come inside?”
“Sure.” Nick scanned of the cottage’s exterior before adding, “But take it easy on her, will you? She still isn’t back up and running again, even if she tells you otherwise.”
Rho cleared her throat. “Thank you for taking care of her. I feel bad for the way we left things.”
“I don’t mind. Trinador’s a sweet girl and a good friend.” Nick nailed Eldon with a hard stare. “She’d do the same for one of us if the roles were reversed.”
The sucker punch of guilt landed squarely in Eldon’s gut, and he grimaced. Nick was right. Trinador had done nothing but help them, despite being thrown into a bad situation. She deserved better.
Stepping aside, Nick pushed the door open to allow Eldon and Rho to enter. The aroma of burning incense hit Eldon’s nostrils, and he rubbed his nose quickly to hold off a sneeze. Clearly Nick had been working a little healing magick today.
A delicate cough stole Eldon’s attention, and he snapped his head toward the source of the noise. Another healthy dose of self-loathing settled like a rock at the pit of his stomach as he took in Trinador’s frail appearance. She was lying on the couch, the peach chiffon of her nightgown and matching robe draped across her tiny frame and spilling over the couch and onto the floor. Her cheeks were pale instead of their usually pleasant pink color, her lips thin and colorless. The pillow was covered in golden ringlets of her shoulder-length hair, and she turned her head to glance toward the doorway.
“Eldon? Rho?” Trinador rubbed her eyes then blinked furiously. “I didn’t know you’d be stopping by again. Nick, why didn’t you tell me we had guests?” She moved to push herself up on the couch, but Nick rushed to her side before she could try to stand.
“Because I didn’t
know they were coming. You still need your rest,” Nick answered, setting his hand on her shoulder in an effort to keep her sitting.
Eldon studied his best friend for a moment. What was he up to? He’d stayed to take care of Trinador, sure, but now he seemed—almost protective. He’d never seen his best friend like this, especially with a female.
“Sorry to disturb you,” Eldon said quickly. “I know you’re not feeling well.”
Trinador’s expression hardened. “Nonsense.” She gave Nick a sidelong glance. “Is that what he’s been telling you?”
Nick patted her shoulder. “You need your rest.”
“Don’t tell me what I need. I’m a big girl.” Trinador brushed his hand off her shoulder.
With a smile, Nick reached out to tuck a blond curl behind her ear. “Never said you weren’t.”
Yeah, there was definitely something going on with those two. Eldon fought to keep his expression clear as a strange wave of jealousy and contentment washed over him. He didn’t have feelings for Trinador, but they did have a past. Seeing her with anyone else, even if he didn’t want her like that, invoked some strange sort of possessiveness in him. But Nick? It had been years since he’d seen his friend act like this. And Nick deserved happiness. If Trinador made him happy, even if the affections were one-sided, he’d happily stand back and keep his trap shut.
Trinador rolled her eyes before turning her attention to Eldon. “So why did you come?”
“I need more help,” Eldon said.
“Is that so?” Slowly, Trinador rose from the couch. “Well, I’m glad you came by.” She turned to Rho. “I have a gift for you, vampire.”
Rho jerked her head back, eyes wide. “For me?”
Suspicion stirred in Eldon’s gut, but he held his tongue. Trinador might have been angry with him at their last visit, but she’d never been a vengeful person. She’d never hurt anyone, no matter how angry she was. It simply wasn’t in her nature. Plus, the animosity she’d had toward them both at their last visit seemed to have evaporated. This was the gentle female he remembered.
Trinador stepped toward Rho. “I’ve been thinking.” She pointed a finger from herself to Rho. “We got off to a bad start, you and I, and judging by the look on your face, you’re clearly surprised I’m not jumping off this couch to kick your ass for just being here. So I’m sorry if I was rude to you on our last visit.”
Rho gaped. Eldon imagined his reaction wasn’t far from hers, given the last interaction these two had with each other. Why the sudden change of heart?
Rho wrung her hands together. “I’m sorry we dropped in on you like that. I promise I was as clueless about you as you were about me.”
“Yeah, I gathered. Again, not your fault.” Trinador pointed a thumb over her shoulder at Eldon. “We have this one to blame for that.”
“Sorry.” Eldon wasn’t sure what else to say, but apologies always seemed to work well with women. Especially for the shock he’d put them both through at their first encounter.
“Men. Always acting first and thinking second.” Trinador shook her head. “Like I said, I’ve done some thinking. I’m not going to pretend like my aura is in perfect shape, because it’s not. But I don’t need an aura to help protect you from the death mark you’re sporting.”
Rho stared down at the fae token of death on her forearm. “Really?”
With a soft smile, Trinador nodded. She rose to her feet, only wobbling for a second before she gracefully glided over to an antique cabinet and opened the door, removing a small wooden box before closing the cabinet again. She made her way back to the couch and sat down. “Please, sit.”
Kneeling down beside the table, Rho eyed the box as Trinador set it on the marble coffee table between them.
“What’s in there?” Rho asked.
Trinador cracked the box open then pulled out a long silver chain. Connected to the chain was a thin, milky-white stone carved into a point like an arrowhead. Could that be what he thought it was? He hadn’t seen one of those for years.
“This is a moonstone.” The chain dangled from Trinador’s long, thin fingers as she extended her hand toward Rho. “Well, technically it’s a magick-infused moonstone.”
Carefully, Rho took the necklace. “It’s gorgeous.” She brought it closer to her face to inspect it then frowned. “You didn’t make this while we were gone, did you? Because your aura—”
“Heavens, no,” Trinador cut her off. “I’ve had that for a long, long time. It was my mother’s.”
“I can’t take this.” Rho shook her head and shoved the necklace back toward Trinador. “It’s a family heirloom.”
Trinador barked a laugh. “This whole house is a family heirloom.” She waved a hand toward the walls where the dozens of broken clocks were hung. “Trust me. I have plenty here that my parents gave me.” Clasping Rho’s hand in her own, she pushed the necklace back toward the vampire. “And you need this more than I do.”
“Are you sure?” Eldon stared at Trinador, trying to understand why she’d be so generous. A moonstone like that one could easily fetch a pretty penny for rarity alone. There was no telling what the magick held inside of it could be worth.
“I’m positive.” Trinador patted the top of Rho’s hand, now clutching the necklace.
“What does it do, exactly?” Rho asked.
“It’s a natural shield,” Nick interjected.
Trinador nodded. “The moonstone thrives off of feminine energy, which is why my mother gave it to me. You’ll notice that it changes color as the moon changes, too—brighter during a full moon and darker during a new moon. I used to like watching it change when I was little.” A smile tugged at her lips and her eyes went hazy for a moment, as if recalling a moment from the past. She blinked quickly and refocused on Rho. “This stone should protect you from whatever dark magick resides within that mark on your arm. It will shield you.”
Threading the chain between her fingers, Rho glanced up at Trinador. “Why would you give it to me?”
Excellent question. The atmosphere around it glowed with the force of pure life energy, a token only a trained mover would appreciate. Rho couldn’t see it, but that stone was practically a magickal battery pack.
Nick gazed at Trinador. “That’s quite a gift.”
“I don’t really need it right now. It’s been sitting in that box for years.” Trinador smiled. “You won’t be invincible, but the wearer of that stone cannot be harmed by evil magick. I’d originally thought that since you were a vampire, it wouldn’t work. But Nick reminded me that you aren’t entirely dead. As long as that stone touches your skin, the Moon Mother will protect you and the death mark cannot influence you. It’ll keep the dark magick from robbing you of your energy.”
“But it won’t remove it?” Rho asked.
Trinador shook her head. “That, I cannot do. At least, not yet. But this should neutralize its effects and buy us a little time while we search for an answer.”
“I’m not sure what to say. Thank you hardly seems sufficient.” Rho placed the chain around her neck, the stone resting proudly on the center of her chest. “Are you sure you want to give this away?”
Eldon marveled at the stone. After everything he’d put Trinador through, she was willing to give something like this to Rho?
Trinador met Rho’s eyes. “I trust you’ll give it back to me, when the time is right.” Rho nodded. “I will.”
Trinador turned to face Eldon. “Now what was it you wanted to show me?”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Rho settled into the plush antique chair across from Trinador, fingering the amulet now centered on her chest. It was a striking piece, and if she had to guess, a powerful one, too. The moment she’d put it on, she’d been overcome by a strange sense of calm. Almost as if the relic was telling her not to worry, that she’d be okay.
Suddenly, Trinador’s past with Eldon seemed far less relevant. To say she was humbled by Trinador’s offering would have been an understatemen
t. No one—especially not someone who had every reason to hate her—had ever offered her a token so special before. This stone wasn’t just a pretty gift; it was an offer of protection in the face of death. No matter what had taken place between those two, it was over now, and somehow the moonstone had become like a peace offering between them.
Eldon settled onto the sofa adjacent to Trinador, and Nick shifted closer to Trinador on the couch. Rho arched a brow. Something was up with those two.
“Nick, stop being so overprotective,” Trinador warned, her voice hushed.
“Not overprotective. Just cautious.” Nick set a hand on her knee and patted her gently. “You’d be in that kitchen mixing spells with a half-baked aura if I wasn’t here to stop you.”
Trinador cracked a smile. “Maybe.” The smirk left her face as she glanced up at Eldon. “Tell me why you’re here.”
Eldon sucked in a deep breath, clasping his hands together. “You can’t repeat anything I tell you.” He pegged Nick with a stare. “Nick, you either. Not to anyone.”
Frowning, Nick folded his arms across his chest and leaned back on the couch. “You honestly feel like you have to tell me that, bro?”
“Just putting it on the record,” Eldon said.
Trinador nodded. “I promise I’ll keep your strictest confidence. I’m sure you wouldn’t be here if you didn’t think it was imperative.” The last remark was dry, a reminder of their recent past and that she certainly hadn’t forgotten that he’d shown up on her doorstep with a new girlfriend seeking favors. Rho wouldn’t be able to forget, either, but she forgave him. Even if she didn’t agree with his methods.
Eldon reached into his pocket and set the agate stone on the coffee table. Leaning forward, he settled his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands together. “Cadence believes that the Collective has been compromised.”
Trinador’s jaw dropped. “What?”
“How?” Nick demanded.
Rho anticipated their surprise. As magick movers, all three of them took their orders from the Collective. The idea that someone within their trusted circle could betray them had to be unsettling.
Fate Forsaken Page 17