“Probably not,” Tremaine admitted. “We need to, at least, deal with Anthony’s branch. There are others. Most of which operate in the shadows. We may never figure out the members of those factions, but as long as we get rid of the branches that are after us, it should be fine.”
Robert frowned. “Who’s to say they won’t send more?”
Tremaine snorted. “In the past, if they lost too many of their people trying to take someone in, they would stop all effort. Doesn’t matter if they want to recruit, or take them down. They calculate the risk, and someone decides how many people they are willing to lose in an effort to gain what they want. It’s why I’m surprised they are coming after us so hard. Though Anthony and Jules do enjoy revenge. They won’t always give up when they should.”
“What do you mean?”
Tremaine shook his head. “I overheard part of their conversation with the inner core. They had a target. In fact, we know him. Lonny, from Ward Tower Security. Of course, their interest in the fae was before he started the company with Toryn and Scotty. However, they wanted him bad for some reason, but Lonny managed to wipe out several hunting parties. And neither Jules nor Anthony wanted to give up. They finally had to because they were punished. I didn’t even see Anthony for a week afterward. His superiors left him in such bad shape, not even Jules could heal him, and he was part siren.”
“Lonny?” Liz smiled. “Hyter sprite, right? Mischievous. But why would they pursue him?”
“Never found out, but they wanted him bad. I’m not sure if the Inner Core had any reason to be searching for him, or if he was part of some plan. They held Jophiel for a couple years to study him. I know they study and try to breed new hybrids. Inner Core members do all sorts of shit I don’t want to think about, but we need to stop them. That much I do know.”
Robert jumped back into the conversation with a hopeful question. “So, if we do enough damage, they’ll leave us alone?”
“If we take out some of their top officials, I believe so.”
“And if their goal is to wipe out this world to recreate their own, we still need to find a way to stop them for good,” Robert added.
“Do we? They’ve been here for thousands of years and haven’t made enough progress to make a dent,” Tremaine said. “I have a hard time believing they’re suddenly going to have all their pieces in line to do what they want.”
Liz rolled her eyes before putting in her two cents. “Anything’s possible. And if they’ve been working on it forever, and you’ve only seen parts of the puzzle, who’s to say they aren’t a lot closer to finishing it than you believe?”
Tremaine glanced back at Robert. “Hope. In the end, that’s all we have. Besides, if Branches of Emrys’ goal is to stop it, then I think it’s safe to say they won’t succeed.”
Liz hoped he was right.
* * * *
Robert cracked the journal and froze. Inside was an envelope addressed to him. His father’s handwriting. Everything the three of them had just discussed slipped from his mind as he carefully broke the seal and opened the letter.
Dear Robert,
There is so much I wanted to protect you from. I had hoped to find a way around the curse that finally took my life, but if you’re reading this, that wasn’t the case. Or maybe they found another way to kill me.
I know you must be thinking I didn’t trust you or wasn’t proud of you, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. You were always a shining beacon of hope. When Liz came into our lives, I saw the way you fell for her, and how you slowly drew her out of her shell. I want nothing more than the two of you to be happy.
The secrets I kept were to protect you and Liz from the harsh reality of the battle our family has always faced. I had hoped you could carry on as if a secret war wasn’t raging around you every day of your life.
I’m sorry if you feel I didn’t trust you to carry the torch. You will never know how many times I wished I could have remained blissfully ignorant and simply loved my family without having to deal with the burden of the Branches of Emrys.
Please know, that Ceridwen, or Ms. Murdock, as you know her, has our best interests at heart. By ours, I mean everyone in our world.
As for being a mystic, yes, you are. More so than mage thanks to your mother being half and me being mostly mystic. I don’t imagine your brother or sister would know how to find this book, so I’m writing to you, hoping you have found the happiness you deserve, and if you choose to join the Branches of Emrys, you do so knowing you have always made me proud. I do so love you.
If Ceridwen is right, and you and Liz accept my closest friend into your heart, know that I would always bless any union that makes you all happy.
Your loving father,
Wilhelm
Robert stared at the note and looked up to find Tremaine gazing into Liz’s eyes, pleading with her about something. She wore a blank expression.
“Come here, Liz. Please.” Tremaine took a step away. “You too, Trem. You should both see this because it seems someone expected us all to be together.”
“What?” Liz asked softly.
Tremaine slowly approached the desk and looked at the letter. He read it all the way through. “Shit. Ms. Murdock knew.”
“Does it matter if she knew?” Liz asked, bitterness sneaking into her voice. “Does it change anything?”
“No. Just because she had the insight to know what would be in my heart, doesn’t change what’s there,” Robert said.
“Hell, Christian saw the three of us together before it happened. You didn’t let that stop us,” Tremaine pointed out.
One corner of Liz’s mouth twitched. “True. And you’re right, it changes nothing. I’m just trying to figure out where being a mystic leaves Robert in the scheme of things. When we’re done dealing with HARP, does he return to being the Magister?”
“Liz, if you don’t want me going back, I won’t,” Robert promised.
“I never said that. In fact, I still think you’re the best man for the job. The thing is, you’ve believed yourself to be all mage all this time, and you aren’t. Does that change the situation?”
He shook his head. “No. You being half druid didn’t change anything for me either. Why would me finding out exactly what I am alter our feelings for each other? Hell, my closest friend, besides the two of you, isn’t even all mage.”
Liz nodded. “I needed to hear it.”
Robert picked up the book and stepped near her. “I have what I came for. Now let’s see what Mother has stashed away.”
She turned and walked out of the room, down the hall to his parent’s old room. Glancing back, she shrugged a shoulder. “Don’t judge too harshly. I followed her one day and found her slipping into a hidden room.”
Liz stepped into Robert’s mother’s closet and went to the far corner where she shoved aside some formal dresses to reveal the solid wall.
She whispered a spell as she traced a pattern on the sheetrock.
Tremaine stayed out of the conversation but followed them to the room. His shoulders shook with a silent laugh.
Robert’s brow quirked. How did Liz know about this place?
“Here.” Mischief colored her tone as she stepped inside the secret door. “Place always gave me the creeps.”
His mouth popped open. “Then why are we going in there?”
She turned back, a smirk on her lips. “Come on. Don’t you wonder what she did in here?”
Robert sucked in a breath and shook his head. He was right back to wanting to deny something about his mother that left him uneasy if he thought about it.
Tremaine grabbed his arm and gently shoved him into the small area.
When Robert crossed the threshold, the room expanded, the walls pushing back and out. “What the…”
“I could ask the same. This isn’t mage magic, that’s for damned sure. Not even rift magic.
Liz walked the length of the room. A chair sat at the far side beside a window. The forest beyond wasn’t anythi
ng from this realm. Liz snapped up another journal with an etching on the cover and started back to Robert and Tremaine.
Time slowed. She made it three steps before shadows wound around her. The book went flying. Tremaine caught it, grabbed Robert, ushering him out as Liz and the shadows disappeared.
Tremaine slammed the door shut and caught Robert’s chin. “Draecyn’s now. Don’t ask, just fucking get us there.”
Robert did, then shoved Tremaine back. “What the hell was that?”
“Dark magic. Not of this world. The question is why was she keeping secrets?”
“You got the book, right?” Robert asked.
He nodded. “We needed answers.”
Emily and Christian ran into the open room. “Where’s Liz?” Emily demanded.
“Don’t know. Where’s Ms. Murdock?” Tremaine’s voice was calm but urgent.
She appeared in the room, a grave expression on her face. “Calm down. They have her, but they won’t for long. I need you all to keep your wits about you because we’re going to have to find her. It won’t be as simple as waltzing in and locating Liz. She’s going to get herself lost and run into trouble.”
“You promised her she was going to have this baby with both of us,” Robert snapped.
“And she will. As long as you all listen.” Ms. Murdock paused for dramatic effect as Draecyn joined them.
“She’s right. We need to form a plan. Anthony is pissed right now and wants revenge, but he’s never come up against anyone like Liz. He’s going to find himself in a world of hurt.”
“Why did you let this happen?” Tremaine was pissed.
The old lady frowned at him. “I have no control over what you all choose to do. You will need whatever is in that book to find her. That I’m sure of. So come this way, and watch what transpires.”
Chapter 33
Shadows wrapped around Liz, pulling her away from Robert and Tremaine. She tossed the book at them and shielded with everything she had, hoping she could handle whatever was waiting on the other side.
Robert had started moving toward her as Tremaine caught the book and pulled him from the room. Maybe they could figure out where the hell she was headed.
She landed on her knees in the middle of a round room of crimson with golden filigree. Gaudy. The place reminded her of someone who had too damned much money and not enough sense.
Holding back a groan, she spun in slow motion, looking for a window, door, anything to give her a clue as to where in the world, or realms, she was.
Realms—shit! Did I land in a whole other plane of existence? How the fuck do I get back from that?
Nothing. No doors, no windows. Just fucking nothing. Not even in the ceiling or floor. Not that she could see anyway.
Now why the hell did I think going through Kathryn’s creepy ass stuff was a good idea? Yeah, she was a good mother to her children, but something was always off about her.
Anthony materialized before her. A cruel smile formed on his lips as he circled her. “Just the woman I’ve been waiting for. Though now, I have very different plans for you.”
“What? Revenge because I killed the jealous bitch who wanted to kill Tremaine for fucking you?”
“Are you sure Tremaine wasn’t playing you? He’s a master of deception and can manipulate any situation, make anyone believe every word that slips from his lips.”
She snorted. “Say what you want. I know what we share.”
“I once said the very same thing. How wrong I was. He nearly ripped my world from me then. I let him go, thinking he’d come back for me. But no. He wound up with another man and woman.”
“You were a case. Nothing more. I’d feel sorry for you, but you should have known from the beginning why he was there. Maybe that’s why you disappeared from the Silver Council. Is that it? Jules thought he had a better gig lined up, and you blindly followed?” That was the most plausible. He didn’t seem to be the brains of the operation. More like the emissary than the decision-maker.
She’d seen him at Sinclair’s several times, and somehow Anthony had never swayed Jules to take her. That was, if he even wanted her then. However, he haunted her dreams plenty.
“I bet that big mouth of yours is what earned Sinclair’s affections. If you hadn’t killed him, he’d have torn your innocence to shreds, then shut you up with his cock.”
“He’ll never have the chance. I made sure of that.”
“Touché.” His laugh warmed as he shuffled a step closer. “I can see why Tremaine finds you so attractive. He’s always loved strong-willed companions. Is Robert as stubborn?”
“You’ll never know because you’re never leaving this damned room.” Liz’s words left no doubt about her determination.
“What do you see while you’re here?”
A smirk pulled one side of her mouth up. This was some sort of game. She didn’t want to play.
“No answer?”
Her brow arched. No more words. He needed to make a mistake. Maybe if he kept talking, he would. Bastard seemed to enjoy the sound of his own voice.
“Everything you say, do, or not, gives me another piece of the puzzle. Your actions say more than words. I’m the judge, jury, and executioner, if need be. In this case, I definitely need to be. You took my mate from me.”
Liz bit the inside of her cheeks to keep from laughing. That was the cheesiest thing she’d ever heard from someone who meant to kill her. Though his reveal told her what she needed to know. Definitely air fae. Most likely Unseelie Court. Bastards thought they ruled everything. And of course, stealing one lover and killing the other would rank high among crimes. Not that Tremaine had been his lover for decades, but that made little difference to a crazed asshole.
“Still nothing. Impressive. You’re probably processing every little detail, trying to figure out my origins. Am I right?”
She continued to counter-circle him, keeping him in front. Liz wanted eyes on him no matter what he did. But as an air fae, especially the Unseelie, he could disappear and reappear on a whim, and without the sound Robert made when he popped back into existence.
“Silent treatment. Hmm, that’s right. You used to give that to everyone at Sinclair’s. So you only have a big mouth when you know you can win the fight? Is that it? Afraid of me now?”
Oh, she wanted to answer, but she held her tongue. Couldn’t change tactics now. Sooner or later he’d have to shut up and attack. It was just a matter of how far he had to swing his dick first.
Robert, Tremaine, hurry up. I’ll do what I can to kill him. That’s not the problem. I don’t know where I am, or how to get back to you.
Robert’s voice filled her head, Don’t worry, Love. We’ll find you.
It took every ounce of will to keep her expression blank. She wasn’t sure how he was talking in her head, but it was something Old Lady Murdock had done on occasion when she was a child and needed guidance.
There was a good chance Robert and Tremaine were with Ms. Murdock. Maybe she would break her no interference policy and actually fucking help for once.
“Don’t trust anyone, do you? Not your lovers, not fucking Ceridwen Mystra. I bet it hurt when she didn’t stop that monster from taking you when you were so young.”
Liz blotted out all thought. Nothing could be changed now. No blame to be had. Besides, she knew for a fact, Ms. Murdock endured worse to ensure Liz would be spared until the first man to show her a shred of decency walked in and saved her. Or at least, took her to safety. She had managed to save herself.
That’s right. I don’t need a knight to rescue me. I can deal with this fucker on my own!
Robert growled. You may not need saving, but we are coming for you just as soon as we find you.
Not what I meant, babe. Just reminding myself I am not the damsel in distress.
Never were. Doesn’t mean I don’t want to save you, Robert admitted.
Then find me.
We will, he promised.
“They won’t save you
. Tremaine has never been in this location. In fact, only Kathryn has. She used to meet with Sinclair here. Her husband’s secrets drove her into Sinclair’s arms. It’s why we’re back in his estate, deep underground. The very room where I tried to convince Sinclair to sell you years ago.”
Her stomach rolled in disgust. Old Lady Murdock had kept him away. She owed the woman an apology.
“What is it about Tremaine? Hmm?” Anthony purred. “What does he do for you that no one else can?”
He was her avenging angel. The one who always came for her when shit went wrong. Tremaine held her up, gave her strength. Not that she’d reveal that to the asshole before her.
“You know what I love about him?” Anthony crept closer.
Liz held her ground without a sound, save her breath and steady heartbeat.
“He was everything. The strength when I fell apart. Kind when I hurt. Held me when I wept. Oh, I loved Jules with my soul, but the man tore me up. Tremaine held me together, made me stronger until he nearly took Jules from me.” Anthony shook his head. “If he had just killed Jules and broken the bond, maybe I could have kept him. Made him truly love me. Because I realize now, he doesn’t know what love is.”
He does, Robert hissed in her head. He’s scouring my mother’s damned book looking for a way to find you.
I know he does, just like you.
Anthony disappeared.
Liz pulled her shields tight and breathed deep. The walls faded to white as scenes of the past played on them like movies, showing her the man Anthony knew as Tremaine.
Unsettling? A little, but she noticed something. The warmth and love in his eyes were missing. Where Anthony believed love stared back, was emptiness. What she saw here was the same expression she wore anytime she wanted to hide her true emotions.
Every single scene painted a cold man who didn’t feel anything for the prick now standing before her. No, he played a role. Like he said, Anthony was a job.
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