Enraptured: Immortal Chronicles Book IV

by Britt, Samantha

  Alex leaned forward to answer. “It was retrieved from a London vampire. He is a collector of ancient magical artifacts.”

  Charmian scowled. “What does a vampire need with magical artifacts?”

  Alex shrugged. “I believe acquiring such valuable items makes his negotiations with the magical community more… productive.”

  “Blackmail,” Charmian stated coldly.

  “That is one way to put it,” Alex allowed. He looked to Darcie. “Fortunately, we were able to obtain it with very little trouble.”

  Darcie held in her unamused laugh. She wouldn’t say being kidnapped by Lord Brian was “very little trouble”, but she guessed Alex wasn’t including that in his story of how they obtained the spell book.

  “Possessing The Veritas is of no consequence,” Master Ben said. “Only ancient bloodlines were able to tap into its powers. There are no witches or warlocks powerful enough to wield any spell in that book.”

  “That is not true.” Charmian spoke with quiet confidence.

  Beside her, Darcie watched her mother’s spine stiffen. “Don’t.” Jennifer stared at the immortal with imploring eyes.

  Charmian’s gaze softened when she looked at Jennifer. “I am sorry, but there is no way around it.”

  The witch and immortal stared at each other, neither one saying a word. The rest of the table observed the pair and those around them. No one knew what was going on.

  Finally, Darcie could not take the loaded silence anymore. “What are you talking about?”

  Charmian opened her mouth, but Jennifer shook her head.

  The immortal saw the movement and sighed. “If you do not say it, I will.”

  “Say what?” Darcie’s eyes moved between the two women. “What is going on?”

  Jennifer squeezed her eyes shut and turned to look at Darcie. She swallowed. “You are aware of my abilities–that I am the most powerful witch in the Nightsbane coven.”

  Darcie nodded. She thought over the sentence and then said, “Are you saying you think you are strong enough to use The Veritas?” Hope filled Darcie’s chest. Truth be told, she was nervous to handle the magical book of spells. Her mother was the more experienced witch. If she could use the book to defeat Adir, that would be ideal.

  Unfortunately, Jennifer shook her head. “I have tried to use The Veritas with Mistress Lola, but I have been unsuccessful with tapping into its powers. But that wasn’t what I was going to say…” She trailed off, looking back at Charmian. Jennifer’s gaze pleaded with the immortal. Whatever she was going to reveal, she did not want to do it.

  “Mom,” Darcie said softly. Jennifer turned back to her with sadness in her eyes. “It’s okay, Mom,” she reassured. “Whatever it is, just say it. It will be okay.”

  Her mother’s lips tightened. “I’ve concealed so much from you. I am afraid you will stop forgiving me.”

  Darcie moved the hand Des held and reached over to touch her mom. “It’s okay. Just tell us.”

  Jennifer closed her eyes and exhaled. “Charmian is your grandmother. She is my mother.”

  26

  Darcie sat in stunned silence. Everyone else in the room appeared just as dumbfounded. Whispers and wide eyes filled the table, Jennifer Bane’s grand reveal was surprising to all except her and her immortal mother.

  It was Lome who broke the silence. “But that is forbidden,” he exhaled in a disbelieving tone. He shook his head like he was trying to wake up from a confusing dream. “The Council decided it long ago. You helped make the decision.” His implication was not subtle. Charmian went against her own rules. How could she do such a thing?

  Meeting his gaze, Charmian did not falter. “I will face the consequences of my actions, but the truth needed to be revealed. Darcie is my descendant, as we all knew, but she and her mother contain more of my bloodline than any other existing witch or warlock. As such, I have no doubt Darcie will be able to use the spells within The Veritas.”

  Darcie barely heard the immortal’s words. She was too preoccupied with thinking about what the information meant. Darcie tried to remember the traveling grandparents from her childhood, but their faces were little more than a blur. She wondered if they even really existed.

  “If this is true, why doesn’t Jennifer utilize The Veritas?” Des asked. Darcie observed him. He looked just as shocked as she was, but his posture conveyed a level of calm she could not replicate. Her hands were shaking.

  “I have tried,” her mother revealed. “But The Veritas resisted. The book will not work for me. If I continue trying, I suspect it will drain me of my powers.”

  Darcie’s head snapped up. Her eyes widened in shock. The Veritas can take your powers?

  Beside her, Des growled. “The Veritas is that dangerous, yet you are willing to let your own daughter attempt to use it?”

  Darcie gulped in response to the threatening tone. She silently urged her mother to answer carefully.

  Jennifer straightened. “I do not want my daughter to use The Veritas. It holds immense power, and we don’t know the potential side-effects. But Darcie is an immortal.” She let the last word hang heavily in the air. It was the first time Darcie had heard her mother say it without sounding sad.

  Gradually, everyone around the table bobbed their head in acknowledgment. Darcie was an immortal. She was also, apparently, a quarter of pure Charmian blood. If anyone was powerful and resilient enough to use the magical book created by the ancients, it was her.

  The room began to spin, but Darcie grabbed onto the arms of her chair and squeezed until it righted itself. She couldn’t afford to break down; she couldn’t afford to let the newest piece of information debilitate her. Charmian was her grandmother. Honestly, it made little difference at the moment. They had a rebellion to end, and Darcie’s credentials had just been upgraded.

  She cleared her throat. “So, I am qualified to use The Veritas.” Those around the table, immortal and half-breed alike, continued to gape in shock.

  Darcie continued on, “How exactly I am supposed to use it?” She looked at Alex. “What spell do you want me to use against Adir?”

  The vampire’s eyes shined with pride as he answered, “The spell is called furari vis, and it is strong enough to help us win this war.”

  * * *

  Furari vis, Darcie learned, was a spell designed by the most powerful warlock in history. His name was Diores, and he was Charmian’s son.

  I guess that makes him my uncle, Darcie acknowledged as Alex and Charmian worked to explain the spell and its history to those at the meeting.

  The ancient spell was created as a sort of safety switch. Diores was the leader of the magical community, and he had started to realize that not all of his magical brethren used their powers for the good of all. Some, in fact, committed heinous crimes against innocents.

  As the most powerful warlock, it was up to Diores to punish the criminals, but he began to worry what would happen to the world when he was no longer around.

  Diores decided to create furari vis. The spell’s purpose was simple: whenever the words from the spell were spoken over a magical clan, every single member of the clan would lose all of their magical powers and abilities. It was strong magic, and it could easily be used as a weapon by warring clans. Because of that possibility, Diores locked the furari vis inside The Veritas. Only a warlock or witch strong enough to use The Veritas would be able to wield the spell and take away another’s magic.

  Darcie learned during the rest of his lifetime, Diores never had to use the spell. Witches and warlocks knew of its existence, and that was all it took for the immoral actions to disappear until his death. Now, it was up to clan leaders to hold their members accountable for any unlawful acts. Her mother’s past played in Darcie’s mind.

  The reason Jennifer Bane left the Nightsbane clan was because they used her skills to harm innocents from a rival group. Darcie could only wonder at the type of damage a half-immortal could cause.

  She looked at her mom with fr
esh eyes. “That’s why you are so powerful. And why I am, too.” Charmian’s blood made them stronger than other witches and warlocks.

  With reluctance, Jennifer nodded. “No one knew about my true parentage,” she revealed. “I didn’t even know until I left the Nightsbane clan. Charmian found me and told me the truth.”

  “Did your parents know?” Darcie pictured the carefree, traveling grandparents from her memory. Her mother’s eyes blurred with sadness.

  “No,” Charmian answered for her daughter. “Their minds were manipulated. They believed Jennifer was theirs.”

  Darcie balked at the ill-use of the mind manipulation. Charmian had interfered deplorably with innocent lives; all so she could hide her secret.

  Darcie exhaled, her emotions were exhausting. Her mind swam with the latest information, but she shoved the issue of her lineage aside. There were other pressing details to discuss.

  “So, you want me to learn to use the spell?” She moved her attention to Alex, thinking the whole situation sounded too fantastical to be real. “For what purpose? Adir isn’t a warlock. Affecting that magic won’t hurt him.”

  “No, but he is using witches and warlocks all the time,” Alex pointed out. “Without them, he would be alone. Only he and the lesser immortals would be formidable opponents.”

  “And The Alliance could easily handle them with our numbers,” Des threw in.

  Darcie chanced a quick glance at him and saw his confidence; Des believed in the plan.

  “That could work,” Lucas, the werebeast leader, said after a long stint of silence. “How long does she need to train?” He voiced the question to the entire room. “How soon until we can make a definitive plan and get Adir taken care of?”

  All heads turned to Darcie. She returned the gazes with wide eyes. She had no idea how long it would take for her to use the ancient book. Why were they looking at her?

  “As soon as Darcie masters The Veritas, she will be able to control the spells within,” Charmian said, rising from her chair. Everyone else followed her lead, leaving Darcie as the only one sitting. She was so dazed, she couldn’t have moved even if she tried.

  Charmian’s auburn hair gleamed under the fluorescent light. She continued, “What do you say, Darcie? Will you work to master the ancient text and use furari vis to incapacitate Adir’s rebels? Will you help us defeat Adir and end this rebellion?”

  Darcie’s eyelids twitched; she really wanted to roll her eyes. The statements were spoken in such a way that it would be impossible for her to say no.

  So, with a fortifying breath, Darcie said, “I’ll do what I can.” She tried to sound modest. She did not want anyone to get their hopes up, but as she looked around the table, she realized it was too late.

  Lome and Eshe smiled at her with encouragement. Alex looked triumphant, glad to see his plan was accepted. Lucas, Master Ben, Mistress Lola, and other clan, pack and coven leaders wore expressions of hope.

  Darcie couldn’t find the strength to look at her mom; she suspected she would be the only one to disapprove.

  Eros winked at her when their eyes met. It was the second time he flirted with her since she learned her father was his descendant. Darcie wondered if it was time to tell him of their relation; it might stop his flirty behavior.

  Darcie bypassed the rest of the Original Immortals, especially Charmian. She had many questions for the nature-loving immortal, but they could wait.

  Finally, her eyes landed on Des. Seeing her attention, the corner of his lip lifted slightly. He surprised her by reaching out and tucking the usual strand of hair behind her ear. Then, he said, “You will be the key to ending this centuries-old feud.”

  Murmurs of agreement filled the room.

  Darcie closed her eyes and tried to convince herself she wasn’t overwhelmed.

  Talk about pressure…

  27

  “This is all gibberish. I can’t understand a word.” Darcie flopped her head on The Veritas, much to her mother’s horror.

  “Get off!” Jennifer reached over and shoved her daughter’s arms, forcing her to lift her head. “You have no idea what might happen if you make contact with the book for so long.”

  Darcie slouched in the desk chair, rubbing her tired eyes. “It’s just a book.”

  Paige scoffed from the couch against the wall. “It is not just a book, and you know it.”

  Lowering her hands, Darcie shot an annoyed look at the teenage werebeast. Paige was lounging on the couch, scrolling through her phone. Why she wanted to be in the room while Darcie trained with The Veritas was beyond understanding.

  Mistress Lola aimed for a gentler tone. “The Veritas contains many enchantments in its binding. Your mother is right to want you to minimize contact.”

  Darcie knew that, but it did not make the situation any less tiring. “I think I need a break. We’ve been at it for hours.” It was the day after The Alliance meeting–the day after Darcie had learned even more about her unique heritage. She, her mother, and Mistress Lola had been pouring over the magical book for the better part of the afternoon, but so far Darcie had no luck yielding it.

  “I think that is a good idea.” Her mother reached over and closed the book. The moment The Veritas closed, the ever-present humming ceased. Darcie had heard the sound as soon as she first opened the spell book, but it had become background noise. Now, the silence of the room was deafening. She pressed her fingers into her ears, trying to get them to pop.

  Mistress Lola noticed. “Was it speaking to you?”

  Darcie shook her head. “No. It was more like a buzzing sound.”

  The witch pursed her lips. “Interesting.”

  Paige hopped off the couch and approached. “Is the book supposed to talk to her or something?” Intrigue illuminated her eyes.

  “The Veritas speaks to those who wield it,” her mother answered, staring oddly at her daughter. “I suppose it is a good sign that it is trying to speak to you.”

  Talking books? Darcie was very close to believing she was in a hallucination.

  Right on time to save her, Gregory knocked on the door before entering Darcie’s room. He tilted his head towards the group of women. “Pardon the interruption, but King Alexander has requested your presence for dinner.” He locked eyes with Darcie.

  She stood up so fast she bumped her leg against the table. “Great!” With a quick goodbye to Paige, Lola, and her mother, Darcie practically ran out of the bedroom and away from the troublesome spell book.

  Gregory laughed as he rushed to catch up to her. “Are you that hungry?”

  “No, just ready to be away from the book.”

  Her friend gave her a worried look. “That bad?”

  “No. I’m just tired, I think.”

  To his credit, Gregory did not persist. “For what it’s worth, I think you are handling everything rather well. I am impressed.”

  Darcie smiled. “Thank you,” she said sincerely. She reached out and linked their arms. “I appreciate it.”

  Gregory placed his long, pale fingers over her hand. “Anything to make you smile.” He gazed at her with a grin, brightening his handsome, chiseled face.

  Darcie’s first instinct was to relax. The pair continued to walk arm in arm like it was a perfectly normal thing for them to do. They had grown close the past few weeks, and Darcie knew she could count on Gregory in times of need.

  But Paige’s words popped into her head, ruining Darcie’s comfort, “You might need to put some distance between you and Gregory… He’s clearly crazy about you.”

  Darcie tried to disregard the memory, but it was no use. She could not shake away the worry that she might be leading her friend on. So, she detached herself from his side.

  Gregory looked down with a question in his eye. Darcie proceeded to stretch her arm across her chest, trying to let him gather his own explanation for why she pulled away. She did not know if he bought it.

  Des appeared at the other end of the hallway and called out, “The
re you are.” Gregory took an extra step away from her. Des was by her side in five long steps.

  “I’ve been looking all over for you.” He smiled warmly as his gaze moved over her face, lingering on her lips.

  His observation made her skin warm. “I was just going to have dinner with Alex. Are you joining us?”

  “I’d love to.” Des fell into step with Gregory and Darcie. The two men exchanged pleasantries while Darcie walked in silence between them. She hoped neither one noticed how awkward she felt. Curse Paige for getting in her head.

  At last, they arrived to one of the smaller dining rooms. Alex was already seated, but he was busy speaking to someone on his cellphone. He waved at the trio to enter as he talked.

  Des pulled a chair out for Darcie. As she sat down, he let his fingers brush against her shoulder. The caress sent a shiver down her back. When she noticed Gregory’s attention, she tried to hide her body’s reaction by rubbing her hands on her arms as if she was cold.

  Des sat beside her while Gregory claimed a seat on the other side of the table.

  “Do not delay,” Alex spoke into the microphone. “We need you here as soon as possible.”

  The person on the other end said something which made the vampire scowl. Rather than reply, he ended the call with one press of a button.

  Darcie raised an eyebrow. “Who was that?”

  Alex waved an annoyed hand. “No one. That is… you’ll find out soon enough. Are you hungry?” He changed the subject so fast, Darcie barely had time to notice.

  She opened her mouth to reply, but her stomach growled, answering the question for her. Darcie blushed as the men around her chuckled.

  “Food is on its way,” Alex told her. He leaned back in his chair and observed her. “You look tired.”

  “I am tired,” she confirmed. “The Veritas isn’t the easiest thing to read.”

  “I imagine not.”

  She shifted under his scrutiny. Looking around, Darcie realized she was around friends. It was the first time she was surrounded only by people she could trust since the previous day’s events. She decided to use the opportunity to get answers to some plaguing questions. “So… Charmian is my grandmother.”