Tremaine laughed. “Your first instinct was to run, but when he proved he wasn’t going anywhere, you couldn’t leave again. You saw him hurting and immediately sought to comfort him.”
“Love is a hard thing to resist. I was so scared when he came back that I was going to have to choose. Something happened during those years, and I fell for you too. Even if I couldn’t have had you, choosing wasn’t an option. It would have torn me apart.”
“You’ll never have to, doll,” Tremaine promised.
“Ever,” Robert added.
“Anyway, we can pick up Amalie, then we’ll go to Draecyn, and finally back to Fallon for tattoos?” Liz confirmed.
“That’s the plan.”
Liz gathered the dishes and rinsed them for the dishwasher. After that, Robert touched her shoulder, and the three of them stood outside of Amalie’s quarters at the compound.
* * * *
Liz stared at the door, wondering how to explain to Amalie that Draecyn was still alive. She had no clue what she would say or do. Would her mother freak out as badly at the truth as she had?
The door opened, and Amalie smiled. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Liz blurted out the answer. “Draecyn is alive. He survived, barely, and hid in a rift, and we found him yesterday, released him, and now he wants to speak with you if you’re willing.”
Hope lit Amalie’s face. “He asked to speak with me?”
Her mother wasn’t nearly as dumbfounded as Liz. She’d tried to fight what she felt for Robert. Her mother seemed ready to dive right back into her father’s arms. Guilt twisted through her.
“I’m ready,” Amalie stated.
Liz and Tremaine touched Robert’s shoulder while Robert took Amalie’s hand.
They appeared in Draecyn’s storage. The place seemed larger than before.
Draecyn stood beside a table. When he looked up and found Amalie’s hopeful smile, he dropped the book and froze.
Amalie took a few cautious steps, searching his eyes. “Are you still letting guilt keep you from me? I’d welcome you with open arms if you would only forgive yourself for what you couldn’t control.”
“Even knowing I kept our daughter from you for decades?” he asked in a whisper.
“Yes, because I know you did so with the best intentions.” She sighed. “You were right. She was safest with the mages unless the secret came out. I can’t fault you for your choices.”
Amalie walked toward him, reaching for his hands.
Draecyn whispered, “And you forgive me?”
“Of course, my love. I was never whole without you.”
He pulled her into his arms and held on tight.
Liz wandered off, feeling like hell for not embracing her own emotions when Robert had showed back up.
Robert caught up with her. “Don’t do that. We both did the same thing. Our stubbornness prevented either of us from righting our wrongs.”
“So many wasted years,” she whispered.
“But we have eternity to wash those doubts away. I love you. Tremaine loves you, and we needed that time to find where all of us belong.”
She agreed with a nod.
Robert pulled her against his body before brushing his lips over hers. “You keep telling me not to think about it. You don’t get to either. Now let’s see what we can learn.”
Christian entered the room, sporting a wide grin. “If you’re ready, I am. I’ve been practicing all morning.”
Robert placed a soft kiss on Liz’s cheek, then took one from Tremaine before following his nephew away.
Tremaine turned her toward him. “No more of that, Liz. You promised.”
“Sorry. Gave me a new perspective when Amalie all but pleaded for Draecyn to take her back.”
Chapter 30
Several hours later Robert translocated the trio to Inktastic. Tremaine and Liz sat on the counter while Fallon tattooed an intricate Celtic knot in the shape of a triangle. Each corner was woven with a different element. Lightning for Liz, fire for Robert, and water for Tremaine. The elements met in the middle.
Fallon grinned over at Liz. “You like the design?”
“It’s perfect. Thank you. You always take the basic idea and improve it.”
Fallon nodded. “I’ve known all of you for a long time. I like personalizing what I can.” Turning her attention back to her work, she shrugged. “I’m only surprised Robert chose his inner wrist. It’s an easily noticed location.”
Robert chuckled. “I’m not worried about someone seeing a little ink. I’m man enough to realize some people may have an issue with my choices, and I’m fine with that. As long as these two are happy, I am.”
Taking the damp paper towel, she wiped off the rest of the ink and blood. “You’re done. Who’s next?”
Robert stood, lifting his wrist to take a better look at the design. “Fallon, it’s beautiful. Thank you.”
“Of course. I’m glad Gabriel could tell me what he did to Trem’s tattoo.”
Liz slid off the counter and pressed a soft kiss on Robert’s new tattoo, healing the skin with a thought. It was easier after Ms. Murdock had explained the differences between mage and druid healing compared to what she needed to do. She wasn’t healing, exactly, so much as creating new tissue, replacing the damaged.
Robert took her hand and kissed her palm. “It wasn’t hurting.”
“Fallon would have given you salve for it anyway. Besides, practice makes perfect.”
“Very true.”
Liz sat in the chair and offered the same wrist to Fallon.
Switching the needles quickly, Fallon glanced up to meet Liz’s gaze. “So, is it true HARP is back and looking for hybrids again?”
Liz nodded. “Yup. That’s why Sorcha, and Siobhan are helping out at the shop for the moment. Seems there are a couple more hybrids around than we realized. One HARP is particularly interested in.”
“How so?”
Robert straightened his cuff. “Seems I’m part mystic. And Christian’s unique circumstances make him nearly all mystic. It’s why he hasn’t realized his power as more than clairvoyance and empathy until recently.”
Fallon’s brow arched. “Interesting. And why are you telling me?”
Tremaine chuckled. “Because all of us know you can keep a secret. And if you do more work on Christian, or if Emily ever asks for a tattoo, maybe you could work similar wards.”
“Thank you. I’ll remember that. Though I doubt Emily is budging anytime soon.”
“Probably not.”
“Devlin would be willing to work something like that. He’s already familiar with the process. Wouldn’t even have to ask any questions.”
Robert smiled. “Perhaps while you’re being worked on, I’ll run down there and see.”
Liz looked up, her brow arched. “Whatever you do, be careful.”
“Promise. It’s only a few doors down. And I can hop there and back before anyone’s the wiser. You did say you saw Anthony in the streets.”
Fallon looked up from her work. “As in the leader you all were talking about a while back? Him and Jules?”
“Yeah. Only Jules is dead, and Anthony is probably losing his shit,” Tremaine explained. “Don’t worry. I doubt he has an interest in tattoos. He has his own protections set up.”
Robert sighed. “I’ll go check with Devlin and be right back.”
“Come straight back here if you see anything out of place.”
“I will. I won’t be long.” Robert disappeared.
Smirking, Fallon shook her head. “Why are you all so worried? I mean, I get HARP is after you, but you work together. It will be fine, like always.”
“Hope you’re right.” Liz closed her eyes and tried to let all thoughts slide away with the buzz of the tattoo needle.
* * * *
Robert appeared in the back of Devlin’s shop and spotted the one Liz had described as Anthony. The man visibly shivered as he looked around.
Before
Anthony checked the back, Robert slipped into the storeroom and warded the entrance from all but Devlin. Then he worked an illusion that would hide him from view unless someone entered the small space.
“Is someone here?” Anthony inquired.
“Just us. I’d sense someone entering,” Devlin answered in his smooth tone.
Robert was fairly sure the druids would still sense a mage in their midst, but their individual magic should be nearly impossible to track by Anthony. Although, he could feel any place Tremaine had warded… the book shop and Christian’s place. Chances are, they followed him, recognized the wards, and chose to take him. They didn’t necessarily know what Christian was yet, or Robert’s abilities either, for that matter.
“You’re certain?” Anthony insisted.
“Very. Now, are you truly interested in jewelry? Or are you simply wasting my time?” Devlin snipped.
“The bells on the shop door rang, and Jamie called out, “Oh, Dev, baby, thought you were getting out early today.”
There were footsteps, then smacking and kissing, presumably Devlin and Jamie as the bells rang again.
She snorted. “Never thought you were getting rid of him. He has malicious intent.”
“I was trying to push him out of here. I dodged every question he asked.”
“What did he want?”
“Information about a few people. Do me a favor, and stay here for a moment.”
“Of course. Better tell me later.”
“Hmm, later, don’t forget.”
He approached the storage room. Devlin’s head cocked to the side. “Nice illusion.”
“Thanks. Didn’t want your visitor to know I was here. Never expected he would be.”
“Ah, yes. Anthony Regale. One of HARP’s highest ranking officers. He was asking about Elizandra. Also mentioned you. Seems to have a thing for Tremaine. Can’t quite tell if he loves or hates him.”
Robert’s brow arched. “That so?”
“That’s the impression he gave me. Though, I’m sure hate is winning for now.”
“Why do you say that?”
Devlin glanced toward the doors. “The few times I met him, he was with another man. Jules Regale. They tried to play themselves off as brothers, but they were lovers. Neither are remotely the same type of fae.”
“Fae?” Robert knew that, but wasn’t sure why it surprised him that Devlin knew.
He nodded slowly. “Yeah, fae. Why?”
“We know about them. We’re hunting them, in fact. They are mages. Used to be high-ranking Silver Council members until they disappeared nearly two hundred years ago.”
“They read like fae. Anthony is some kind of air fae. Jules an interesting combination of siren and djinn.”
“Not mage?” Robert asked.
“Like I said, he doesn’t read as a mage.”
“What do I read as?”
“Mage,” Devlin answered slowly. “Why?”
“Curious. Recently found out I was more, but neither of them seems like mage to you?”
“No. They don’t.”
“And Liz and Tremaine?” Robert prodded.
“Both mage. The only time Liz didn’t feel like a mage was when she worked the spell we used to take out DeMarco.”
“Interesting. Why?”
He shrugged. “Sometimes the magic someone uses has an effect on how they seem.”
“Hmm. Good to know.”
“What are you, if you don’t mind my asking?”
“You have to keep a secret. With my position in the Silver Council, no one can know.”
“Would never tell. Not even Anthony. Hey, why wasn’t Jules with him?” Devlin’s brow furrowed.
“Liz killed him yesterday.”
“How?”
“She drowned and froze him. I shattered him. Preston burned the remains to ash.”
Devlin shook his head slowly. “That should do it. Many people have tried over the years. I knew fire wouldn’t kill him alone. He was definitely siren, but mixed with fire fae.”
“Or mage,” Robert queried.
“Maybe, but I’ve never seen a pure mage withstand fire the way he could. That takes fire magic from the fae.”
Robert nodded. Explained Preston’s immunity. “Thank you. Did you happen to see anyone else with him?”
“He’s been wandering Edenton a few days now. Sometimes there’s a woman with him. She has dazzling pale eyes. Not sure the color. Dark hair, and pale skin. Petite. She seems meek, but I’m sure she’s so much more than Anthony is. I don’t know what else to say.”
“Thank you. Oh, before I forget. I needed to see if you could enchant a ring for my sister. Something to block people from sensing what she is.”
“Mystic as well?”
“Yes. She’s learning her skills. Maybe Christian while you’re at it.”
“Give me a day and I’ll have the pieces ready.”
“Thank you. I truly appreciate it.”
“Anytime. You gave me the benefit of the doubt when I wasn’t sure anyone would, especially in your position with the Council.”
“Sometimes, we find ourselves in situations we can’t control.” Robert smiled and disappeared.
* * * *
“Damned Edenton,” Anthony muttered. “Nobody is talking. Not a single soul.”
Anastasia shrugged. “You shouldn’t be surprised. The Silver Council is changing. Something Jules told you would never happen, but he was often wrong. About many things.”
“True, but you don’t understand mages. They don’t change quickly. They never have. It’s why the Council has never accepted non-mage casters. And now their Magister is as much mystic as he is mage. His lieutenant is something more as well. He has more hybrids on his team too.”
“Everything changes, eventually. The Silver Council was meant to protect Others from humans who wanted to hunt them. They are accepting differences more frequently.”
“I never understood why we wanted to destroy the Council. HARP has always had an issue with the way the Council ran things, but I don’t see why.”
“You really don’t understand, do you?”
“Understand what?” he seethed.
“Destroying the Council stops the mages from destroying all the Rift Benders. The core of HARP believes they can rebuild their world with enough of them. That’s never going to happen. They would need a few hundred willing to work together.”
“That many? Only three made Mount Vesuvius blow and destroy so much.”
“True, but the world is far bigger than an active volcano. It would have blown anyway.”
“If that’s the case, then how did they kill Jules?”
“Don’t be mistaken. Rift Benders, when they work together, can cause mass destruction. They take matter and bend it to their will. Not always from another dimension. Sometimes from our own. They can do things I can’t.”
“What can’t you do?”
“You may be able to keep me close, but you cannot control me. Never forget that,” she warned, her tone becoming dark.
“I’m far more generous than Jules would have been, had he bound himself to you.”
“Makes little difference. He was never kind to me. Neither are you. You both expect us all to fall at your feet and obey whatever whim any of you have.”
“You never have.”
“No, because I can escape for a time, and you both lose interest quickly enough. It has saved me many times.”
Anthony smirked. “Why is it we don’t get along?”
“You expect me to be a slave.”
“How about partner?”
“I don’t believe in your cause.” She sighed. “Never have, and never will.”
“Not sure what I believe anymore,” Anthony admitted. “Only want revenge at this point.”
“Your masters will sway you. They always do.”
“No. They’ll want me to keep Tremaine alive, but after losing Jules, nothing can do that.”
“I wo
uldn’t be too sure of it,” Anastasia sing-songed before disappearing.
Chapter 31
Robert reappeared in the corner of Fallon’s room. Tremaine was already in the chair while Fallon worked on his tattoo.
Liz motioned to Robert with a raised brow. “What’s wrong?”
He blurted out. “I saw Anthony at Enchanted Baubles. He was pushing Devlin for answers, and Devlin kept blowing him off. Learned a few more interesting things.”
“Like?”
“Anthony has been questioning many people. That Jules was a phoenix. That Anthony has a female companion bound to him somehow.”
“Oh, Anastasia,” Tremaine answered. “Yeah, she hasn’t found a way to reverse the bond. She can only be away from him for so long. She doesn’t do his bidding, though. Only seems to help him when it’s in her best interest, which isn’t most of the time.”
“Why is that?” Robert asked.
“She hates him. Hated Jules worse, I believe. Jules was jealous, and attempted to seduce her, but she refused to play with either.”
“She was never either’s lover?”
“No. Anthony believed he needed her.” Tremaine shrugged. “Storm Mistresses and Masters can do almost anything.”
“The Seattle group has a few,” Robert answered.
“Yes, they do. However, Anthony apparently found that controlling one is not nearly as easy as he believed. Sure, he could bind her to him, but he can’t force her to do anything she doesn’t want to do.”
“So she may help us.”
“If we can free her. Though Anthony’s death may prevent that from happening.”
“Why?”
Fallon snorted. “If she’s bound, and not by a mate bond, she may die when he does.”
“Then what do we do?” Liz asked.
Tremaine sighed. “Kill him anyway. She’s no friend of mine. She’s far from innocent. Why do you think HARP snatched her up?”
“They took you in.”
“Yeah, but I also seemed to be pissed at the Silver Council at the time. Draecyn officially expelled me from the Council pending a trial that would never come. They fell for it and decided to come for me because I was exactly what they were looking for.”
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