by ML Guida
“So, you’ve summoned me, Morgana? Your powers are waning, shriveled witch,” the lass said. “Death is around the corner.”
Natasa pointed at William. He had the sensation of a fingernail scraping down the back of his neck, and he glanced over his shoulder to see who was behind him. No one. He held the demon lass’s gaze and refused to look away. She tried to instill fear in him, and damn, ’twas working.
Mariah choked on a sob.
William gripped her hand harder. She clutched him tight, her hand shaking.
“Silence,” Morgana barked at Mariah.
Natasa glared at Mariah. “So, this is your granddaughter. I can feel your power, girl. But you’re no match for me.”
“Leave her alone,” William growled.
Natasa laughed. “Ah, yes, the dragon. Soon you shall both be under my power.”
Morgana clapped her hands. With a loud pop, the fire roared. Nastasa snarled, her red eyes dimmed. “You’ll not dismiss me so easily. I’ll—”
But the flickering flames smothered away her hateful voice. The fire snapped. Darkness blanketed them. As chills ran up William’s spine, he strained to hear the demon’s foul voice. But there was nothing.
Mariah leaned close. He released her hand and draped his arm around her quaking shoulders.
Someone clapped. The fire ignited in the hearth.Warmth returned into the brick room. Morgana burned sage, the sweet smell lifting William’s spirits.
Curious faces stared at William and Mariah. All except Ronan. His glare could have stabbed William’s heart.
Mariah’s face reddened, and she wiggled away from William.
Morgana coughed, her face growing pale.
Mariah wrapped her arms around her. “Grand-mère.”
Morgana waved her hand. “I am fine, chérie.” She clutched her fist to her chest. “Just a little weak. My heart’s not as strong as it used to be.”
Jonas hung his head. “I am afraid ’tis true, child.” He sniffed and rubbed the crease between his eyes. “Your Grand-mère has foreseen her death.”
Mariah cupped her mouth and shook her head.
“You know ’tis true, mon chou.” Morgana hacked and cleared her throat. “You heard what Natasa said. I have a year, maybe two left.”
Tears welled in Mariah’s eyes, and William wanted to pull her into his arms, shielding her from the pain of losing someone she obviously loved dearly.
A telltale muscle in Kane’s jaw fluttered, and his eyes blackened. He pulled out a pistol, aimed it at the fireplace. “It smells like burnt flesh. How the bloody hell could that demon get in here? I thought you said dark magic couldn’t penetrate this room.”
“Oui,” Morgana said. “It cannot. You have nothing to be afraid of, Capitaine. You were never in danger.”
“I never said I was afraid,” Kane growled.
William bit back a smile. Not every day an old woman accused his big brother of being a coward. Kane glowered at him.
“You should all be wary,” Morgana said. “You are going into danger again, Capitaine.”
“I don’t need a history lesson,” Kane grumbled as he shoved the pistol back into his belt.
Morgana clasped Mariah’s hand. “Mon chou, you are the one who possesses the power to save your brother.”
“You are much more powerful than I am,” Mariah said. “I have never gone up against a demon.”
“Two demons,” William corrected, his voice soft and foreboding.
“Baw!” Morgana said. “You underestimate her, garçon. She is not going to be doing this alone. You have more power in you than you realize. ’Tis why the demons want you.”
“I am not going to be their bloody pet,” William said.
“You shall not be their pet if you combine your powers with my granddaughter’s,” Morgana said, pride boasting from the last word. “I’ve grown old these past years fighting the dark forces in our world. My life force is waning and stripping me of my power.” She put her gnarled hands on Mariah’s face. “But, mon chérie, yours is strong.”
William wanted to throttle the daft crone. “Against two demons? You’re sending your granddaughter to her death.”
Solstice barked, as if to argue with him. What was it with that dog? Could familiars read human minds?
“You have no faith, garçon,” Morgana said. “Only the two of you together can hope to defeat Natasa.”
“No, Grand-mère, we need you. You are the only one who can get Lark back.”
Morgana’s eyes glistened, and she blinked. “I have felt Lark’s pain these past few months and cursed that I could do nothing. The black magic is too strong. He is under a powerful spell, a spell I cannot break from this island.”
“He’s wearin’ a yari, a choker from Coaybay.” Ronan said. “Zuto gave it to Palmer. He forces Lark to do his biddin’. When he refuses…” Ronan tightened his lips and turned his head. “He’s been fightin’ it. I swear he has.”
Mariah could see the desperation in Ronan’s face, and the determination in her grand-mère’s eyes. She bit her trembling lower lip to mask her fear. “Grand-mère, I do not possess your power. If I fail, my brother could lose his soul.”
Kane leaned back in his chair, the lines in his forehead deepening. “If he loses his soul, will he be a danger to my ship and my crew?”
“Oui, warlocks swear their allegiance to a demon, and in return, gain more power,” Mariah said. “Grand-mère has many gifts. I do not.” She turned to her grand-mère. “This is why you have to save Lark.”
“Bah,” Morgana said. “True, I have a strong gift of sight. You, mon chérie, were blessed with not only my blood but also the blood of your ancestors. Your power’s potent and more than enough to defeat Natasa and Zuto.”
’Twas Sharon all over again. William didn’t want to lose Mariah like he had his beloved wife. Sharon had faced an adversary, her older brother, and trusted she’d be able to defeat him, trusted she could reason with him, trusted he wouldn’t harm her. A mistake that had cost her life. “She stays here,” William said.
Mariah glared. “I shall not abandon my brother.”
“You are a fool, dragon,” Morgana said. “You cannot defeat Zuto and Natasa without my Mariah. The demons are still bent on capturing Captaine Knight and his daughter.”
“Never!” Kane kicked his chair to the floor. Fierceness reflected in his eyes. He’d die protecting his woman.
Yes. Bring them to Zuto.
William glanced at everyone to see if they’d heard the voice. Morgana gave him a curious look, but sipped her tea and said nothing. Where had the voice come from? He wanted to ask her, but then Kane would want to know what the voice said. How could he tell Kane that someone was urging him to kidnap the woman Kane loved and bring her to a demon? He frowned. He recognized the voice. ’Twas the same one from the dream.
Morgana put down her cup. “They are both on board your ship, oui.” ’Twas more a statement than a question.
Kane didn’t answer her, and William and the rest of the men remained silent.
Morgana snorted and turned to Mariah. “To ease your burden, I have prepared crystals, herbs, and stones to help you on your quest.” She handed her the black bag. “You must take this with you. Trust in your abilities.” She gripped Mariah’s arm. “Never doubt yourself, or you shall be at the mercy of Natasa.”
“No,” William said. “We’ll find a way to defeat Zuto and Natasa without endangering her.”
“Mariah’s the only chance you have,” Morgana insisted. “Hear me, dragon.” She pointed a crippled finger at him. “You possess hidden powers.”
The hairs on the back of William’s neck stood on end. “What powers?”
“Dragon powers differ from one beast to another and cannot be forced out. Mariah shall guide you.”
“I don’t need a governess.”
Morgana picked up her cane and smacked it on the table. “Listen, you young fool.”
William flinched and thought she
might whack him over the head with it.
“If Mariah isn’t there to guide you, you will be vulnerable to turning to the other side,” Morgana warned. “Zuto cast this dragon spell on you for a reason. I do not know why, but I know ’tis not good.”
“Aye.” Ronan nodded. “’Tis for some evil purpose. Palmer’s drunk with power. All he needs now is a dragon to control.”
“He doesn’t have me yet,” William said.
The fire flickered again. A wind blew inside the locked room, and cold air chased away the warmth. William’s hair swirled in front of his face, and his skin pricked across his naked chest. He shivered.
Kane and his men’s eyes glowed red. “Bloody hell,” Kane swore.
A strong pungent smell of death hung in the air.
“I will bring them, Master.”
The voice. It communicated with Zuto? No, you will not, William vowed to himself.
“We shall see.”
The wind died down. The fire burned brighter, and a log exploded, ash flying into the room. Sparks flew onto the rug and fell onto the dog. Solstice yelped and ran across the room, her nails clicking on the floor. Kane and Ronan stomped on the burning sparks with their boots.
“Oui,” Morgana said. “Zuto visited us.”
“You summoned him,” Kane said as he whipped out his sword.
Morgana laughed. “Relax, Capitaine. He cannot penetrate this room.”
Kane slid the sword back into its sheath. “But—”
“He is gone,” Morgana said. “He was not here to challenge or hurt us. Not yet anyway. I suspect he has another purpose. One I cannot fathom.” She gave William a hard stare as if he had promised Zuto his soul.
“Be careful with him,” Morgana said. “He has a plan and will stop at nothing.” She closed her eyes and shook her head. “I cannot see his plan. I sense his anger, much anger. Hate. His Lord and Master blames all of you, and he is holding Zuto accountable for not bringing back Hannah and her father. Zuto is cunning, more cunning than the devil himself. Be careful, all of you. I fear before ’tis over, he will offer one of you a temptation that could lead down a dark path.”
Ronan kicked ash back into the fireplace. “How do we avoid this?”
“You must each follow your destiny. Forces will happen which you all must accept. The good and the bad.” She patted Mariah’s arm but focused her gaze on William. “You must leave with these men tonight and go to their ship.”
Mariah wet her lips. “But…”
“Oui, they are vampires. Do not worry, mon chérie. You will need vampires and a dragon to protect you. The capitaine’s mate will be an ally. She can move objects with her mind.”
“You know Hannah,” Kane said, wariness heavy in his voice.
“I have a gift for her, Capitaine. A moonstone. Mariah shall show her how to use it.”
’Twas absurd to believe the crew of the Soaring Phoenix could protect Mariah. They’d failed miserably so far in protecting Hannah, almost lost her twice, once to her deranged fiancé and their last confrontation with the Fiery Damsel. “Mariah will be at risk if she comes with us,” William said. “She stays here.”
Morgana jammed the tip of her cane into William’s chest. He winced. “Look, crone.” He grabbed the tip of her cane.
“Listen, you stubborn dragon.” Morgana jerked the cane out of his hand. “She is not safe here. Natasa knows about her gifts and shall send Palmer to capture her. She will then have both my grandchildren. I shall not have it. I am leaving you in charge of her welfare. She is your destiny.”
“Destiny?” William glowered. Sharon’s ashen face flashed in front of him. Her silky blond hair tangled around her head like a wild gypsy. Ruby lips parted as if waiting for a kiss. Her green gown molded to her luscious body. Not even death could steal her beauty.
He had brushed her hair back and had kissed her stiff lips good-bye, wetting her cheeks with his tears, wishing those pouty lips would respond and kiss him back one more time. To see her green eyes filled with laughter and smile one more time. To inhale her dewy morning smell one more time. He had rested his head on her forehead and inhaled. But there was no fragrant smell, only the emptiness of death. He had been too slow to defend her, just like he had been too slow with his mother.
He gazed at Mariah. Every muscle tensed at the thought of seeing those beautiful violet eyes listless like Sharon’s. “No.”
Morgana met his steely gaze. “Then prepare to be Natasa’s slave.”
***
Mariah bit back her tongue. William looked at her as if he wanted her to toss her into the ocean and be done with her. She wanted to slap his handsome face and shake him. She was not some kind of novelty witch. “I will go pack.”
Grabbing Grand-mère’s black velvet bag, she slid away from the table and flounced out of the room. Behind her, muffled voices murmured, but she didn’t care what they were saying. Lark’s life was at stake. And if Grand-mère felt like she could rescue Lark, then she would match wits with a she-demon. Even if it meant she might die in the process.
Heavy footsteps trailed after her. She glanced over her shoulder, quickened her step, and raced into her bedroom.
William stomped after her, apparently not caring that he invaded a woman’s sanctuary. He was too close, and all she could think about was when he’d awakened in her lap naked. He’d been magnificent with his sculpted body, sleep in those emerald eyes, thick hair tousled around his face. When he’d sat upright and crossed his ankles, she could not help but steal a glimpse at the dark hairs that tapered down to the juncture of his legs. His manhood had been erect, and she should have had the decency to blush, but instead, she had an impulse to caress it, to see what it felt like and pretended to lean over to grab her satchel. Mon Dieu, she was tempting fate, and now fate was in her room. Alone.
William edged closer, and his grim face turned her gut into a knot. For a moment, she was a little girl about to get a spanking for defying her better’s order. She refused to allow him to intimidate her.
“Mariah,” he said.
“I am coming with you, William.” She tried to put distance between her and him and not to inhale his charcoal scent that made her want to kiss his lips. But with his long strides, he easily overtook her.
He seized her arm and whirled her around. She was forced to look into his intense emerald eyes that were filled with warring emotions. She thought she detected concern, despair, arrogance.
“I can’t let you do this,” he said.
“You do not have a choice. Your brother is capitaine, not you, no?”
“I’ll deal with Kane,” he growled. “We can find another way. I’m begging you to stay here and be safe.” Fear flashed in those eyes.
She cupped his stubbled cheek. “I understand you are worried about my safety, but I am a witch. A powerful one.” At least, she hoped she was as powerful as Grand-mère professed her to be. She did not know if she was trying to convince William or herself.
“So, you’re brother is a weak witch?”
She stiffened and dropped her hand. “No, Lark is not weak. He has strong magic.”
“Yet he is Zuto’s slave,” he murmured.
“If Zuto had your brother, would you stay away because ’twas safe?”
He turned and relaxed his grip. “No, I wouldn’t.”
Taking her chance, she moved. “Then how can you ask me to stay away?”
“Because I don’t want you to see what I’ve seen, Mariah. War changes you. Watching people you love die robs you of your soul. I don’t want you to grow hard and bitter.”
His low voice caught her attention. He was warning her, preparing her for the worst. “Is that what happened to you?” she asked, her voice small. “Have you watched someone you care about die?”
“Aye, I have. And I don’t want you to go through that same pain.”
She wanted to argue that she could handle it. But could she watch her brother die? Beneath William’s stubbornness and arrogance was a
man haunted by the pain of war, and he wanted to shield her, protect her. For the past year, she’d had to be strong to care for her ailing grandparents and a headstrong brother, and to have someone take the upper hand muddled her mind.
Who had he lost in the war? Before she could ask, he clasped her hand and kissed her knuckles. “Your hand is so soft and fragrant.”
The brief kiss ignited the fire in her belly and stole the words from her lips.
His gaze shifted to her lips, which she couldn’t help but moisten. He pulled her close to him. His rapid heartbeat pounded beneath her hands. He wanted her. The heat of his body, the smoothness of his skin, and the warmth of his breath heightened her senses. Her skin tightened everywhere, and her knees weakened. She clung to his arms and parted her lips.
He crushed her to him and captured her lips. His masculine scent of a smoldering wood stirred her loins, and she opened her mouth, anxious to taste him. He did not disappoint. Their tongues intertwined, dancing together, exploring each other’s secrets. His kiss was demanding, alluring, possessive. Her legs threatened to give away. She moved her hands up his muscular arms and clung to his massive shoulders.
Ever since she had fled from France with Lark, her grandparents had protected her, kept her hidden from the men in the village. She had stolen kisses at dances, but never wanted to bring a man home, never wanted him to touch her, never wanted to have him caress her bare skin. Until now.
What was she doing? She had never kissed a man, not like this. Nothing that released the wanton passion buried deep inside her. What if she got caught?
She sighed against him, and her hands moved under his shirt and down his back, his muscles rippling beneath her fingers. His naked skin excited her, and she liked caressing him, feeling his heat beneath her hands. William stirred passions she’d never known existed. His kiss deepened, his touch took her to exotic places and set her blood on fire.
He released her, and she couldn’t breathe. Strong hands massaged her shoulders, and he pushed her onto her bed, forcing her to sit. “Mariah,” he whispered. “I can’t let you follow us.”
She tilted her chin. “If you do not, I will board another ship and follow you.”