by Jami Gray
“Wait.” Darius reached an impressive magical knot. “Give me a minute.”
It took a few breath-stealing moments to untangle the mess. Only then could he and Gavin continue to work on dismantling the two spells. Unfortunately, when they uncovered the last piece of the spell, it revealed an unexpected treasure.
“Ahhh,” Darius murmured. “Aren’t you a pretty one?”
“What the hell is that?” Gavin’s voice was strained as Darius began to pluck at the dark magic lying like a thin blanket over Sullivan’s severed remains.
“Just keep the containment spell in place, otherwise there will be more than these bloody pieces to pick up,” Darius warned.
To disable this little gem, he’d have to trust in Gavin’s strength to contain the disrupted magic. This was a complex melding of some very old, rarely used magic, the kind tied to blood and spirit. Most Kyn would never touch such power since it could so easily backfire on the user. Could Natasha have crafted this? As she was a scion of the House of Secrets, the probability was very high. Hidden knowledge was their bread and butter. This could be her.
Darius managed to unravel a piece, only to realize he tripped a trigger. “Son of bitch!” he hissed, abandoning his work as he threw up the strongest protective shield he could. “Shield!” he yelled at Gavin, hoping his warning gave the other man enough time.
The nasty spell detonated, like a mini bomb. It slammed against his mental barrier, clawing for a handhold but finding nothing to grasp. Across from him, Gavin winced, his own shield holding steady under the barrage. The energy from the lethal blast washed over both of them, only to come up against the containment spell.
“Gavin!” Raine’s voice sounded muffled even though she stood just inside the doorway.
The magic around Gavin flared, the dueling energies fluctuating before resettling into familiar patterns. Yet Darius noted Gavin’s magic appeared stronger, deeper now. Busy keeping his own shield in place, Darius couldn’t afford to look closer, but he filed away the anomaly. Too many damn questions kept popping up about these Kyn. It was frustrating.
“Darius, can you help me constrict the containment spell?” Gavin gritted out, his eyes glowing a deep, emerald green, while his jaw flexed under taunt skin.
Unwilling to waste energy on words, Darius simply added his strength to Gavin’s and began to restrict the magic into tighter and tighter confines. Finally, the containment spell hovered over the middle of the bed, the magic roiling inside the globe like some dark disease.
“Any ideas on how to get rid of that?” Gavin asked.
“Yes.” Gathering the spell, Darius pulled it with him into the Side and let his demon slip free. Almost as if it knew what was coming, the energy within the globe became agitated, pulsing against its confines. A black flame engulfed the globe and, within seconds, nothing remained but ash.
Sometimes, wielding the touch of death wasn’t such a bad thing.
Chapter Eleven
“Wanna share why tall, dark and sinister has it in for you?” Raine asked Natasha as they stepped into the living room, ignoring Fahd who still stood at the foot of the stairs.
“I’d rather discuss why you think I’m being framed.” Natasha fought her urge to pace by settling into a rather comfortable chair. Catching Fahd’s dark look, she held it with her own, keeping her condescending smile in place just to irk him. When red rode under his skin, she dismissed him and turned to Raine. “Do you think what lays in that room is beyond me?”
Raine snorted. “Please. I have no doubt you could do much worse.” She leaned against the wall, arms crossed, her gaze intense. “The thing is, you’d never leave anything behind to find. This—” She waved one arm in the direction of the hall. “—is a great big fuck you. What I can’t figure out is, is it to you or to us?”
“Us?”
“The Wraiths,” Raine clarified, then her gaze darkened. “My money’s on you.”
With utmost care, Natasha crossed her legs, brushing her hands over her pants. Losing her patience right now would accomplish nothing, except cost her the tenuous alliance she and Raine currently shared. Unfortunately, Darius managed to push one too many of her buttons, leaving her a tad off-balance. However, with Fahd playing audience, it paid to remain careful in her conversation. “It would be more beneficial to identify who would set such a clumsy scene.”
“I’m thinking the list of who has something to settle with you is damn long,” Raine drawled, dark humor dancing in her eyes.
“Longer than you know,” Fahd muttered, then he shut his mouth when both women looked at him.
“Want to share?” Raine invited.
He flicked a veiled look toward Natasha.
Oh yes, Fahd had ideas, but so did Natasha. Of course, one of her top names lay in pieces in the bedroom and the other was currently working with Gavin to uncover the one behind the mess. “Please share,” she murmured, curious to see if any new names came up.
“I’d rather not say unless there’s actual proof.” He straightened, one hand passing over his chest, as if her marks still stung. “I’d hate to be the one behind an unjust punishment.”
Really? Did he think she’d let him off that easy? Especially after his earlier behavior? “Perhaps, in an effort to preserve impartially, you could give the names to Raine. Let her question them.” There was no mistaking her thinly veiled command or the prowling essence of her demon as it surged forward.
He stiffened, his jaw showing white through his skin as he clenched his teeth in frustration. “Matt and Isolde have not been shy in their opinions on your recent policies.”
“If we were to list those who disagreed with my policies, there would be many names beyond those,” Natasha said. “Neither one has the patience to create such a subtle spell. Nor would the rest of the Amanusa feel confident in following either of them. The house would descend into chaos and turmoil under their continual bickering. Besides, this does not fit with their—” She paused. “—behavior. Neither would be quite so obvious.”
“The foundational spell was very complex,” Raine said. “That doesn’t jive with leaving such a transparent scene behind. Hence the reason I think you’re being framed.”
“Unless that’s exactly what she wants you to think,” Fahd offered.
Raine scoffed. “Sorry, that’s just too easy.” She turned back to Natasha, her eerie silver eyes disconcerting. “Something bigger is at play here.”
For a moment Natasha could see Ryan in his niece. The glimpse of a shrewd, quicksilver mind, maneuvering through the twists and turns of any given situation, tweaked against a tucked away portion of Natasha’s heart. She had no doubt someone was setting her up. For once, she was glad to have Raine here, since she seemed to see the same thing.
Ryan’s death, the isolation of her new position rested heavily on Natasha’s shoulders. It was startling to realize how truly alone she was for the first time in hundreds of years. She forced an unconcerned curve to her lips. “Do share.”
“How much do you know of this Sarielian Order?” Raine kept her voice low, her question darting off the expected course.
“Nothing concrete,” Natasha answered, wanting to see where this would lead. “Throughout the years, there have been bits and pieces attributed to them, but nothing that would help here.” The information Ryan shared came from an alliance he had forged before her time. But Fahd’s presence hindered her from sharing. Perhaps she’d wait until she could confirm the nebulous inklings gaining form in her mind.
“So, for all we know, Darius could be involved.” Raine looked down the hall, a worried frown creasing her forehead. “Maybe working with that Aimeric guy.” Color leached from her face. “Gavin!” She ran toward the back bedroom just as a wave of concussive magic hit.
The force of it whipped across Natasha’s skin like fine razors. She was up and moving before Fahd, coming up behind Raine to peer into the room.
The two men faced each other over Sullivan’s remains while so
me sort of glowing orb hovered between them. As she watched, the orb expanded and contracted, as if fighting to free itself from some invisible binding.
Gavin visibly strained against the reverberating energy, the cords standing out along his neck. His lips were pulled back in a grimace, his eyes glowing a deep, jeweled jade. Next to Natasha, Raine’s face tightened, her fists curled, her attention focused solidly on Gavin. The air shifted, and suddenly Gavin’s tension dropped, his formidable shield strengthening, causing the trapped magic to shy back.
Fascinated, Natasha studied the couple, realizing they were combining their magic somehow.
A low grunt from Darius yanked her attention to him. The air around him shimmered, then an inky stain began to spread from him and surround the turbulent globe hovering over the middle of the bed.
“Any ideas on how to get rid of that?” Gavin’s question came out tight.
“Yes.” Darius’s answer was curt, but the strange energy ball began moving toward him, completely engulfed by the tendrils of ebony.
Her only warning of what Darius was preparing to do was the unique tug under her skin, like a summons to her demonic side. It took a bare second for her to understand, then she made sure to stay with him.
Sure enough, he moved into the Side. His demon form snapped into focus.
Unwilling to miss his next move, she refused to allow the captivating combination of man and beast to divert her attention and maintained her observatory position in the Side.
He held the swirling magic between his lethally tipped hands, then a silent, black flame erupted. When it blinked out, his bone white claws were dusted in black.
Stunned, she slipped back into the mortal world, her mind whirling. Darius was a scion of the Blood of Death. Of the six demon bloodlines, Death was right up there with Secrets, their ability to change even the best-laid plans legendary.
Darius could prove to be much more dangerous to her plans than any one.
Darius sat next to Natasha in the back seat of Raine’s SUV while Sullivan’s neighborhood faded in the rear window. They left Fahd behind to work with Jamie’s cleanup crew. Conversation was scarce, creating an edgy silence. An alluring scent, reminiscent of spice and smoke, drifted from the woman next to him. With nothing else to do, he studied her.
The delicate lines of her face were haunting, a sharp contrast to the core of strength he knew existed within. Her platinum hair was piled into some complicated knot, the kind that tempted a man to unravel it. Long, dark lashes veiled a startling combination of blue and violet, the thin red rings, inherent to their kind, an added jeweled layer. There was no mistaking her for anything other than female. Her tailored outfit emphasized her curves. Her entire demeanor screamed elegance.
Yet the blood red color on her nails gave a hint to what truly lay underneath. A ruthless, calculating mind hid behind her composed, professional mask. A uniquely contradictory package, she drew his curiosity like few others throughout his long years.
Watching her interact with the others had been educational. Confident and self-assured, she possessed the ego and arrogance inherent to her position. No weak individual could hold together the challenging collection of Amanusa she called her own. Yet, no matter how intriguing she was, he couldn’t dismiss the possibility she had a hand in Sullivan’s murder.
Yes, it was sloppy, but if he disappeared without a sign, suspicions would have fallen directly on her. This way, there was a sliver of doubt she could work with—who would believe someone as powerful as her would be so careless as to leave such a mess behind? Doubts, suspicions, questions, uncertainty—all part and parcel for her bloodline. The Blood of Secrets were the epitome of treachery. Why should she be any different?
“Is there something on my face?” she drawled, bring him out of his thoughts.
He let his lips curl up. “Just enjoying the view.”
“Mmmm.” She turned her attention back to the passing scenery.
He shifted until he could face her better. Legroom was a bit tight in the backseat. “You realize I’ll be staying with you until we clear things up.” A statement, not a question.
She whipped her head around, the red rings around her irises sparking. “Excuse me?”
He folded his arms and held her glare, unfazed by her icy tone. “Consider it a two-fold approach.”
Her plump lips thinned, but even anger looked good on her. “Approach to what?”
“Finding out if you’re the target or the killer.”
Before she could respond, Raine cut in, “Natasha’s the target.”
He flicked his gaze to the rearview mirror, meeting those cool silver eyes in the reflective surface. “You have proof?”
Raine’s attention went back to the road, but not before he caught the subtle, non-verbal exchange between her and Gavin. “Not that you could use.”
When she didn’t elaborate, he pushed. “Care to explain?”
“Not really,” she muttered.
Gavin turned in his seat and spoke over her. “Every magic has a unique…” He visibly searched for a word before settling on, “…taste.”
“You’re telling me you can identify the individual behind the spell?” If that was true, Gavin and Raine could be problematic.
“No,” Raine grumbled. “But we can tell you who it isn’t. Natasha.”
Darius was intrigued. “You have no doubts?”
Raine and Gavin shared another one of those unreadable looks, before she turned her attention back to the road.
Gavin picked up the conversation. “Which ever demon set this in play, it wasn’t Natasha.”
“A wizard helped set those spells.” A taint Darius identified only because of his own heritage. “The physical damage indicates a demon was involved. That doesn’t eliminate Natasha.” He ignored the delicate snort next to him.
“It doesn’t eliminate you or Aimeric either,” Gavin pointed out in a bland tone. “Besides, you had no trouble weaving your own counter spells in there.”
“Touché, but—”
“You mentioned the spell was old,” Natasha interrupted.
Gavin nodded. “There was something strange about it, besides the age. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time to figure it out.”
Darius silently agreed.
“Anyone else notice a pattern here?” Raine asked as she navigated the streets.
“Like the age of the spell?” Natasha offered.
“Yeah, exactly that.” Raine checked the side mirror and Darius caught her scowl. “Could the same person behind this spell, be behind the one that killed Mulcahy? Both spells were aimed at heads of houses.”
“Then they’re getting better with their aim,” Natasha said. “The spell used on Ryan was probably intended for Vidis. This, as you pointed out in the kitchen, is very much pointed at me.”
“If I didn’t think it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack, I’d make you hand over that list of those who might have something against you,” the younger woman groused.
Natasha smirked. “That list is actually quite a bit smaller than you think, dear.”
“And why’s that?”
Darius caught the glint of wicked humor in her face before Natasha answered. “Those who have an issue with me, tend to change their minds.”
“I’ll just bet,” Raine murmured. A bit louder she said, “Are we taking you two to Taliesin or your place?”
“Trying to keep tabs on me?”
“Nope, I’m going to let Darius have those honors.”
“Then mine, please.” Natasha rattled off an address ending in someplace called King’s Heights. “At least I can be comfortable while playing prisoner.” She pulled out her phone, her nails clicking against the screen.
“You calling in Ryder?” Gavin might be looking straight at Darius, but his question was aimed at Natasha.
“Hmm? No, just asking him to move my meeting with Carys to my house in the morning.” She then ignored both men.
Darius met Gavin’s silent challenge. “Do you think that young peacock could stop me?” Did Gavin really think him so easily thwarted? If he wanted to take Natasha out of the picture, he highly doubted any of the Wraiths could stop him. Of course, should they all hit at once, he might come out a little worse for wear. Somehow, considering the current level of discord in the group, he didn’t think that would be an imminent problem. Once they uncovered who killed Sullivan, well, it might be time to reconsider.
Gavin gave him an evil smile, even as his eyes remained flat. “Nope, but taking him out would give Natasha enough time to roast your ass.”
Natasha’s laughter rang through the interior, and even he had to chuckle at this unexpected ruthless streak. Perhaps Gavin might yet prove to be a worthy captain.
Natasha leaned forward and patted Gavin on the arm. “Don’t worry, I don’t need a bodyguard. Darius is going to be a good boy.” Resting her shoulder against the back of the passenger seat, she turned to him with an arched expression. “Me dead doesn’t fit into his plans.”
“So sure of that, love?” Darius drawled, wondering exactly what she thought he wanted out of this mess.
Her periwinkle gaze traveled over him with a lazy sensuality. “Oh, no, not sure at all. However, I think you have something tucked up your sleeve. Something far more intriguing than our esteemed Council member Aimeric realizes.” Her gaze landed on his mouth and that tempting chest rose and fell with a quick breath.
Amused by her innuendos, and curious to see how far she’d go, he reached out and traced her plump lower lip. He ran his thumb over the light sheen, satisfied when he felt the slight hitch in her breathing. “As I said before, I don’t answer to the Council. I’m here to find out who killed Mulcahy and ensure the Wraiths have a qualified leader.”
“And once you have that information, Darius, what then?” The husky tone of her voice caused an immediate, physical response.
He tried not be distracted by his reaction to her. Her constant challenge turned him on in a big way. So few females had the courage to take him on. But this one—inside his demon purred. Oh, this one was going to be so much fun. “Then, Natasha, I do what I do best.”