by Unknown
“Why can’t you power a computer with a lightning bolt?” Lana shrugged. “You’re too damn strong. It’s one of the problems you’re going to have to face. Day-to-day magic will never come easy to you, but face a coven of rogue warlocks bent on hell on earth? You’ve got that one covered. According to my research it’s something all Own have to deal with, not just you.”
“You’re not an average witch, Zach. Hell, you’ve never been an average anything.” Gareth grinned. “This is a good thing. Didn’t you ask for a mate who could help you help others?”
He blinked. He had, hadn’t he? “I suppose.” He wasn’t completely convinced, though. “How would I know for sure if I’m an Own?”
“Don’t you trust me?”
“You may be biased, Lana. I need to ask someone who we know for sure is an Own, but I wouldn’t know where to start looking. It’s not like the members are listed in the phone book.”
Lana held up The Registry. “You sure about that?”
Zach stared at the huge book and began to smile.
Chapter Seven
“Where the hell are you?”
Jo pulled the phone away from her ear with a wince. When Roland decided to bellow he did a damn good job of it. “According to my hosts, Central Bumblefuck.”
“Why aren’t you in the hospital where you belong?”
“Because they discharged me?” She wanted to ask what the fuck his problem was but figured that would be too disrespectful even for a court as loose as Roland’s. Besides, he might tell her, and then she’d have to kick his ass. “Didn’t Ari tell you anything?”
“Don’t talk to me about Ari. Talk to me about you and the boy whose ass I’m going to kill.”
Uh-oh. She had to get him off that train of thought before it derailed. “Listen, there’s something you need to know about Zach.”
“Other than the fact that he seems to have subverted my two favorite women?”
Her head was beginning to throb again. At least the Becketts had left her in peace for her nap. Too bad it hadn’t lasted very long. “Zach’s an Own.”
Silence. “Oh. Is that all?”
Now it was her turn to be shocked speechless. “You knew?”
“Yup. Just like I know Ari is still in the running to become America’s Next Top Model.”
Jo hung up the phone. She knew better than to talk to Ro when he was like this.
Her cell phone rang. She answered, ready to hang right back up if he gave her any shit. “I’m not getting into this with you.”
“Fine. Tell me something I can believe, like horses turn into fairies during full moons.”
“Look in The Registry if you don’t believe me. That’s what I did.”
There was a disbelieving laugh. “You’re serious?”
“Ro. Please. Just look in The Registry.”
“Fine. I’ll do that. And you get your ass back home pronto, got it? We know he’s with the Evans. For all I care he can stay there.”
This time it was Roland who hung up on her. Jo sat up against the pillows and immediately dialed Ari. “Did you tell Ro you called her?”
“Uh-oh. Did he call you?”
“Jesus Christ on a pogo stick. You know how he reacts when you mention that name.”
“What else did he say?”
“That I should get my ass back home and leave Zach here.” Which was an improvement over what he’d originally wanted to do to Zach. “He didn’t believe me when I told him what Zach is, so I told him to look in The Registry.” Not even Ro’s stubborn ass would be able to deny that.
“It took us a while to figure it out. He could say it’s just a strange entry and still try and, well, you know.”
He could. Roland had been known to try and out-stubborn rocks. “Then we’ll have to wait for her to confirm it.”
“She should arrive at your location any minute now.”
Jo blinked. “Wait, I thought she was going to court first.”
“Why would I have her come here? Zach is there, isn’t he?”
Yes, but how would he react when she showed up? “I’m not certain that was the best idea, Ari.”
“Trust me. This is the best idea ever. It means she and Roland don’t get together. To me, that’s a great idea.”
Jo knew there was more to it than that. “Please don’t tell me you’ve got a feeling about this.”
Ari chuckled. “Oh boy, do I.”
“And it has to do with Zach?” Something churned in her stomach. Something that felt vaguely sick. And maybe a little green-eyed. The woman heading toward the Becketts was, in a word, stunning in more ways than one.
“Yes…and no. Keep an eye out for him, Jo. I’m beginning to think you’re right. He’s going to need you more than he’s ever needed anyone before.”
Ari’s words sent a shiver down her spine. The woman was uncannily accurate about these sorts of things. She had a habit of detecting problems before anyone else even knew they existed. “I know.” And that was why she wasn’t going to obey Roland and return to court. She’d have to explain herself when she finally did return, but at least she’d have Ari’s backup. “I have to explain to his whole family what he is.”
“How did they take your arrival?”
She tried to figure out the best way to explain to Ari that they all reacted like they’d rather have a rash in unmentionable places than her on their doorstep. “It was okay.”
“Ah. Gotcha. Keep me posted.”
“Ro’s in the room.”
“Yuppers. He’s carrying The Registry and he has a really funny look on his face.”
Jo snickered. “Better you than me.”
“Thanks.” Jo could hear the wry grin in Ari’s voice. “And Jo?”
“Yeah?”
“Roland and I will want invitations to the wedding.”
Ari hung up before Jo’s jaw was done dropping.
“Crazy witch.” Jo swung her legs over the side of the bed and scrubbed her hands on her jeans. She wrinkled her nose and wished she’d grabbed her suitcase out of the car. She could seriously use a shower and a change of clothes. “I hope to the gods the Becketts give Genevieve a better reception than they gave me.”
She heard the doorbell ring just as she reached the bedroom door. “Damn.” She opened the door and hoped to hell she was up to dealing with the shit storm she was certain was waiting for her.
Teaching kids was turning out to be a piece of cake compared to dealing with the Beckett brothers.
By the time she got down the stairs the door was open. Gareth stood there, his expression a mix of heat and curiosity. “Can I help you?”
From the look on his face Jo had a feeling she knew exactly what he’d like to help Genevieve with.
The blonde shook her head, her blue eyes serene. “I’m looking for Johra Yashodhar. Have you seen her?”
Here we go. “Genevieve Godwin, I presume?”
The reaction she got was nothing like what she’d expected. Gareth snarled, the sound completely inhuman. Hair sprouted from his arms. “Godwin? Did you say fucking Godwin?”
Genevieve held up her hands. They were surrounded by a green glow, like sunlight through new leaves. “Peace to you and yours, Gareth Beckett. I have no quarrel with you.”
He growled. Jo wondered what the fuck she was supposed to do with a pissed-off werewolf. She hadn’t exactly lined her bra with silver bullets. So she did the only thing she could think of. She got between them, grabbed him by his furry ears, and used her Brünnhilde voice. “Gareth! She’s an Own!”
“I don’t care if she’s fucking Mother Theresa. She’s not getting in this house.” Gareth’s voice was deep, full of growled threats.
Jo bopped him on the nose. “Bad dog!”
He rubbed the tip of his nose and stared at her, but at least his eyes looked human once more. “That hurt!”
“Good.” She took hold of his ear and pulled him away from the door. She ignored his, “Owowowow,” until after Gen was in
side. “Leave the nice priestess alone or I’ll make you sit in the corner. And don’t think I won’t.”
“She’s a Godwin.” Gareth rubbed his abused ear.
“So?”
Gareth stared at her. “You really are clueless, aren’t you?”
“Jo, why are you abusing my broth—hell-o, what do we have here?” Jo turned to find Zach kissing the back of Gen’s hand. She had the sudden urge to rip Gen’s pretty blonde hair out of her head strand by strand. “I’m Zachary Beckett. And you are?”
“Genevieve Godwin.”
Zach paused. One eyebrow twitched upward. “Godwin?” He glanced over at Gareth and straightened up. “That explains a lot.” He ran his fingers through his dark hair. “You’re one of Hecate’s Own, aren’t you?”
Jo stared at Zach. How did he know that? Had he heard her yelling at Gareth, or could he somehow tell just by touching Gen?
Wait. Had he finally figured it out?
Gen was giving Zach her soft, sweet smile. “You’re the one Arianna wanted me to speak with. I have a few things I need to discuss with you.” She shot a look at Gareth out of the corner of her eye. “If that’s all right with you and your family, of course.”
“It doesn’t matter, because it’s all right with me.” Zach placed her hand on his arm. Jo let go of Gareth, stunned and vaguely hurt. “If you’ll come with me, I’m sure we can find something to discuss.” He led Gen into the house. Jo could hear him introducing her to Chris and Daniel.
She couldn’t hear their reaction. She was too busy hearing a weird buzzing in her ears. How dare he react that way to Gen? And that slut was just eating it up!
“Jo? You okay?”
She blinked a few times, startled when Gareth’s face came into sharp focus. He was right in front of her, a funny look on his face. “I’m fine.” I’m just going to kill your brother. I’m not sure why, but it’s going to happen.
“Are you sure?”
Well, he was an Own, so it might take some doing, but she was sure she could come up with something appropriately painful. “I’m sure.” She stepped past him and followed Zach into Chris’s great room. Zach was sitting on the arm of the chair Gen was in. Jo curled her hands into fists.
Beside her, Gareth growled again.
I know how you feel.
“Arianna, when she realized that Zachary was more than likely one of us, contacted me and sent me to make sure her supposition was correct.” Gen bowed her head. “She was, of course. Once Zachary’s training is complete I sense he’ll be quite formidable.”
“You’re a warlock, just like the rest of your family.” Daniel’s voice was cold. He’d placed himself between Lana and Gen.
Chris stood shoulder to shoulder with his brother, completely blocking Lana from Gen’s view. “And you’re a Godwin.”
“So are you, way back in your ancestry.” Gen sighed. “What my family has done… There is nothing I can say that can make things right. What I can do is offer to protect your brother and train him to the best of my abilities.”
“How can a warlock train a witch?” This was something Jo was intimately familiar with. She stepped in front of Gen and demanded answers. No one was going to train Zach until Jo was done with him, damn it.
“Forgive me, but you’ve done a less-than-stellar job so far. Zach was nearly ruined by both the Becketts and the Witch Court.” Jo bristled at the accusation. “If Arianna hadn’t called me when she did…” Gen shrugged. “I’m not certain he would have been salvageable.”
“Thanks a lot.”
Jo’s lips quirked at Zach’s disgruntled tone. “I don’t know. All things considered, I’d say Zach’s a lot stronger than everyone has given him credit for.” She stared right into his gorgeous eyes and willed him to see her regrets. “Including me. If he wasn’t so strong he would have been ruined. Instead, I think he’s been honed. He’ll know how strong he is when we’re done with him.”
“We?”
Jo dared Gen to disagree with her. Gen was right about one thing, Zach needed training from someone who was also an Own. But he still needed his witch training as well, something Gen couldn’t provide. “We.”
“Do I get any say in this?” Zach sounded peeved.
“No.” Jo didn’t look away from Genevieve. There was no way she was giving up her prior claim to Zach. She needed to be a part of what was happening to him, or things would wind up going to hell.
“Will someone please explain to me exactly what an Own is and why we’re not ripping that woman’s throat out? Because if I don’t get a good answer soon that’s exactly what I’m going to do, distant cousin or not.”
Jo poked Gareth’s chest. “Sit. Stay. Good dog.”
Gen laughed, the sound tinkling and sweet. Jo was really beginning to hate her, especially when Zach’s hand brushed Gen’s shoulder. “An Own is, in essence, someone chosen by the Goddess herself to police the magical beings of the world. Own are priests and priestesses, capable of drawing on Her power to contain and repair the damage done by those who disregard the Law of Three, especially those who have made compacts with forces who hold human life in low esteem.”
“Like warlocks.” Gareth shoved Jo out of the way, tugging at her until she was behind him. “Not sure I want to hand my baby bro over to the likes of you.”
How Gen still managed to sound serene when a man with big fangs was glaring at her, Jo didn’t know. “Do you believe the Goddess makes mistakes?”
She watched Gareth’s chest expand as he took a deep breath, but he didn’t answer.
“No? Then understand this. I was born to be Hers, just as Zach was. Trust in that, if nothing else.” Jo couldn’t see Gareth’s face, but Gen sighed. “Then test me, if you wish. I will prove myself to you, Prince.”
Zach visibly jumped. “Prince?”
Those sweet baby blues turned up to Zach. “What would you call the heir to the Wizard King?”
“Pita.”
Jo bit her lip and tried not to laugh.
Gen’s smooth brow furrowed. “What is a Pita?”
“A pain in the ass.”
“Fuckwad.”
Zach grinned at his brother. “Buttmunch.”
Gen’s expression turned pained. “Please, gentlemen. May we move on?”
“Do you shit diamonds or something?” Daniel moved until he was standing next to Gareth, blocking Jo’s view even more. She couldn’t see Zach at all and could barely see Gen. “Because you sound really uptight.” He grinned, but there was something cold and vicious about it. “Although I doubt your boyfriends complain.”
Gen paled, but held her ground. “I would ask that you not speak to me that way.”
“Lay off, Daniel.” Zach’s eyes glittered at his brother. “She’s here to help me.”
“She’s a Godwin, Zach!”
Jo held up her hands and pushed against Gareth’s back as hard as she could. He stumbled forward and out of her way. “Could someone explain to me why Godwin is the equivalent of Satan around here?”
Christopher began physically forcing his brothers onto the sofa, including Zach. “Allow me.” He pulled Lana to his side and cuddled her close. “It all started when I cast the Beckett mate spell.”
Gareth snorted. “Bullshit. It started in college when you pissed in Cole’s book bag.”
“Double bullshit.” Everyone gaped at Lana. “You guys told me the Godwins have had it in for you ever since great-great-great-great grandpa ate great-great-great-great grandma. Cole just took it to the next level of hurt.” Lana took pity on Jo’s poor confused ass. “The great grandma who got eaten was a Godwin.”
“Our ancestor jilted a witch over her, the witch cursed the family, granddad ate grandma, and the Godwins are still pissed about it.” Zach inched closer to Gen’s chair.
Jo stepped between the two and glared down at Zach. He narrowed his eyes but scooted back where he belonged.
“Cole decided to give me grief all through school, and I saw no real reason no
t to give it back.”
“They competed for everything. Grades, classes, girls. You name it.”
“Cole threatened to kill Lana. He would have succeeded if she hadn’t been more than he’d bargained for.” Chris looked so proud of his mate it made Jo’s chest ache. “He challenged me to a duel and lost.”
“He almost took your life.” Lana poked Christopher in the side. “If it hadn’t been for Zach you would have died.”
Jo frowned when Zach’s gloved hand tried to clench and made the leap. “Is that how he was injured?”
“Yes.” Now Chris was growly.
Must be a werewolf thing. She shook her head. “So why wasn’t he healed?”
“We tried, but it’s proven resistant to everything we’ve thrown at it.” Lana sighed. “Plus he was sent off to court as fast as possible. Grammy thought it was a good idea to start his training ASAP, and Chris was making noises about eating him.”
Jo blinked. “Huh?”
“Zach cleansed the spell on Chris through himself and grounded it through me.”
Yeowch. That had to have hurt. “But as the one doing the cleansing, Zach would have been just as injured as you, if not more so.”
The brothers turned as one and glared at Zach, who rolled his eyes. “Thanks a lot, Jo.”
“No one would let us see him until after Grammy was done with him.” Chris’s shoulders slumped. “How bad was it?”
She could see by the look on his face that Zach didn’t want to revisit that particular nightmare, but before she could say anything Gareth spoke up. “Let it go, Chris.”
“You knew.” It wasn’t a question. It was more like an accusation.
Gareth nodded. “Executive decision. You had enough on your plate dealing with Lana’s injuries and your anger. I couldn’t let you take it out on Zach when he was…” Gareth shuddered.
Jo studied Zach. How bad had it been? “Let me see your hand.”
Zach cradled it to his chest. “I’d rather go dress shopping.”
“Zach.” She pinched the bridge of her nose. How did he do this to her? She didn’t know whether to laugh or scream.