“When will you be off duty?” She leaned into him, nudging him softly.
Her touch sent his mind in a different direction, one that included drinks, Nikki, and being alone together. All things that they didn’t have. “Maybe when we’re not surrounded by unfamiliar magicians and your father isn’t sleeping in the room next to me.”
A smile lit her face, and something sparked inside of him. He realized he would do a lot for that smile. Reaching down to take her hand, he found comfort in such a small act.
“Don’t let my father discourage you. He used to be quite a romantic, if the stories Sylvia tells are right.”
“Your father can tear into me with a tsunami or bury me in an earthquake. He does discourage me. Not to mention, Leon has pulled a gun on me and he’s not one to hesitate to pull the trigger.”
“You don’t seem like the type to scare easily.”
Lifting his shoulder in a shrug, he didn’t want to answer that question. Caleb had faced more than he thought he ever would in the last year. No, he didn’t scare easy. After his parents died, the thought of death didn’t bother him. But the thought of giving his heart away again… well, that scared him more than what Andre or Leon could ever do to him.
Chapter Ninety-Four
The afternoon sun had fallen, and a sheet of clouds came over in its place. A light scattering of showers was falling when Becca woke from her late nap. Darion and Navina had headed into town to grab food and supplies. Since Becca had been feeling stronger, she’d told him to take Navina as well. With being stuck in a room all day, it was no wonder Navina had been homesick. Becca would be sick of these walls as well, if she was conscious as much.
They also needed supplies from town because they might be leaving soon, if Becca was up for it, as Darion put it. It didn’t matter if she was up for it or not. She knew every day they were gone hurt Navina and her mother, and Becca would love to be back with Elizabeth too. So, Becca took a nap, knowing they would have a busy night, and maybe their last one here.
Standing to look out the small window, she watched the rain drizzle down. They better be coming back soon. With the dark clouds coming in from the ocean, it would probably only be getting worse. Behind her Darion and Navina walked in, easing any worry.
“It’s raining,” Navina told her, her shirt damp and wet.
“I see. Are you cold?”
“No.” She dropped Becca’s bag on the floor, heavy with supplies.
Darion handed her a small paper plate. “Dinner. We ate earlier.”
“Thanks.” Becca sat, unfolding the meal of chicken and rice on her plate. It looked great. Becca’s appetite had been returning with force lately.
“We even got some fruit.” Navina showed her two large pieces of fruit, green with a hint of red. “They’re called Mangos.”
“Cool.”
“Darion said we can cut them up after you eat.”
“Deal. Are we still on for tonight?” she asked, before digging into her meal.
“If you’re feeling well enough.”
Becca nodded. She’d been feeling stronger that afternoon. With Darion’s help, she could pull it off.
“Good, finish eating. Then I promised Navina I’d teach her another card game that makes poker look like a weak man’s sport.”
“You’re on.” Navina narrowed her eyes.
The night passed in games and mangos as the rain pounded over them. The three of them were very competitive, so when Darion taught the two girls the card game Cut Throat, it fit perfectly. Navina even once tried to use magic to get the card she needed. Then they started to set rules for magic and cheating. They laughed and swore, and for a few minutes the heaviness of what they were trying to accomplish lifted.
Becca watched Darion interact with Navina, like a big brother or maybe even a father. His patience and compassion for this girl touched her heart. And for a brief second a future flashed before her eyes. Not just any future, but a future with Darion and the possibility of a family.
Living on her own in the city since she was a teenager, she never wanted a family, ever. There was too much pain in this world, and little guarantee of safety. But if they could even the playing field by taking down Lazaro, then maybe they could have a future.
“You still playing?” Navina nudged Becca with her magic.
Snapping out of her daydream, Becca played the next card. “Of course. Who else is going to keep you honest?”
They played until Navina started yawning and then insisted she get some sleep. She didn’t want too, though, and begged to help.
“If we need you, we’ll wake you. But if we have to leave tonight, then we need you to sleep,” Darion said. “Want me to tell you a story?”
“Yes,” Becca spoke first, dying to hear a story as well.
Darion laughed. “Okay. Where do I start?”
“The beginning, of course.” Navina lay down on one of the mats, her eyes lowered, though she fought it every step of the way.
He began spinning a tale of heroes and monsters battling it out for the fate of the world, a simple tale that rang in Becca’s heart. Would they win at the end of the day? Would anyone ever be able to de-throne Lazaro? Or did their tale not have a happy ending? Or maybe someone else was the hero? She didn’t realize she’d nodded off until Darion touched her.
They didn’t get up right away. He curved in behind her, wrapping her up in his warm embrace. “I’d rather spend the night like this.” His words brushed against her neck.
“Me too.” She placed her hand over his. “Think we can run away to some small village and grow mangos for a living?”
“Makes sense. We can sell them and live off them.”
“The weather isn’t bad, once I get used to the humidity.”
“It sounds great except for the ten-year-old kid who would miss her mother.” Darion nuzzled in and kissed her neck.
“And Elizabeth.” She missed her sister, Caleb and the rest of the group, even if running away appeared to be a much easier solution.
“Maybe when this is all done, we can convince them to come back and grow mangos with us?”
“Can you see Leon as a Mango farmer?” The large man had muscles on his muscles with an all-business attitude.
Darion laughed silently.
“Okay, let’s get this over with. Putting it off just makes it harder to get out of this bed.” She pushed up, missing his embrace the second he let go.
“It is already too difficult, but you’re right.”
Joining hands, they performed a simple spell to combine magic. This time, Becca felt guilty for doing it, since she would be taking more than giving, but she’d need the extra energy. His powers, though strong, focused more around fire and the physical world, while Becca’s were… well, she was called an enchantress for a reason—God, she hated that name.
They silently exited their room and turned down the hall. While their room resided near the front of the house, Stewart’s was in the back. When they reached the door, Darion completed a simple spell to silence their actions, while Becca turned the knob, a bit surprised to find it was open. Guess a locked door wouldn’t stop a magician either way.
Once inside, Becca placed a spell on Isabella that would keep her asleep for several hours. She may feel like she had a hangover in the morning, but nothing major. Next was Stewart. As she entered his consciousness, they slowly backed out into the hall. She didn’t need to keep eye contact, it just made it simpler at times.
In the hall, she cast the spell. Being asleep, his mind was more impressionable. Pushing him to wake up, she spoke in his mind: I’m thirsty. I really need a drink of water.
She continually placed thoughts in his head as he slowly got out of bed. So focused on the water, he didn’t even notice them as he walked past to go to the kitchen. Following him to the kitchen, Becca maintained a firm grip on his mind. She didn’t enjoy sitting in anothers’ minds, their thoughts flitting in and out. Stewart was so groggy his thoughts wer
e weak and scattered: wondering why he was so thirsty, thinking he should go to the bathroom before heading back to bed, and such.
It wasn’t until he set the cup in the sink and turned to find Becca and Darion sitting at the kitchen table did he panic. She struggled to keep a grip on his mind. He fought for a moment, realizing they were using magic against him. Rage and fear roared through his mind, but she kept him from speaking with her power.
We mean you no harm. She told him telepathically.
He glared back at her as he gripped the table across from Darion and Becca. I let you in my home!
“We need to talk,” Darion said. “Then we will leave here, causing you no harm.”
Becca dabbed at the perspiration on her temple. “He had a very colorful reply I don’t think I’ll bother sharing.”
“How do we get to the holy temple? We want to go on the pilgrimage.”
How dare you defile the holy temple with your unbelief? He continued ranting, but Becca blocked him out.
She shook her head to tell Darion there was no such luck.
“We really didn’t want to do this the hard way. You’re not a bad guy.” Darion stood. “Minus all the crazy demon, sacrificial stuff.”
Becca focused on subduing Stewart, but not enough to knock him unconscious. There was a reason magicians used demons; they could multiply a magician’s power. But when she couldn’t hold on much longer, Darion grabbed a hold of Stewart, tossed him face first into the counter pinned his hands behind his back.
“We’ll get the information one way or another.” He leaned his body forward, keeping Stewart down.
Becca really wished he would have done it the easy way. She hated this, hated herself for being able to do it, but would justify it either way. Moving towards him, she placed her hands on either side of his temple and delved into his mind.
Angry words were flung at her, creating a barrier easily broken. His mental defenses didn’t hide his secrets. It was wasted energy. She loathed herself as she dug through his personal life, his life with Isabella, the church he really did believe in, and finally his main goal in life: a pilgrimage to the holy temple. Despite his pride in being a community leader, he didn’t know as much about it as he claimed. He knew enough, though.
Removing her hands, she backed away, breathing hard. “I got what he knows.”
“Okay.”
“Give me a second, and I can put him under.” Becca wasn’t good enough to change his memory but hoped to put him in a deep enough sleep to give them time to get a head start. It was a long trip, and they needed to head off as soon as possible.
Before she could cast the spell, Darion grabbed a pan behind him and hit him over the head.
“Hey, I was getting around to that.”
“Sorry. I beat you to it.” He smiled. “I was trying to save your energy. I know that takes a lot.”
Her shoulders sagged, and she slipped back onto the stool. “I guess I should be grateful.”
“Some may. What did you find?”
“There is a city called Tikal. Three to four days journey on foot. He’s never been there though, and only knows this by secondhand account.”
“Do you think something is there?”
Becca took a deep breath, recalling the feeling she had when she tapped into the group consciousness the other day. “They wouldn’t have started this whole religion, or be so protective of the information, if there was nothing there. I’m just not sure it’s what we’re looking for.”
“Me either. But can we afford not to look?”
Chapter Ninety-Five
The dining room was picture perfect, like something out of the fairy tales Elizabeth’s mother would read to her. Tall candles lined the long table with fresh spring flowers arranged with an artistic air. A mere servant didn’t do this, but an artist.
A servant, not a Soultorn, escorted Elizabeth to a chair between Caleb and another female witch she met over drinks, Brianna, if Elizabeth remembered correctly. Scarlett had introduced her to several members of the coven, who had impeccable manners as expected. A witch with white hair, Brianna, stood out as very kind, but was her hospitality genuine?
Yes, part of Elizabeth knew that Scarlett only wanted to use her power, but was that so bad? Elizabeth enjoyed the beauty and art that lived in every corner of this house. Ever since her uncle, she had been frightened of getting close to men. She trusted Caleb the most, but she had known him since they were kids.
The food arrived in several courses, starting with a fresh cucumber salad, then a butternut squash soup, leading up to the main dish, roasted lamb. It all tasted so succulent and fresh, and every dish just as beautifully plated as everything else here. Before dessert and coffee, Scarlett stood with a glass in her hand.
Elizabeth had stayed away from the red wine they served her but followed suit when everyone else raised their glass.
“I wanted to welcome our new visitors. While our coven is still deciding whether to join your cause, we do applaud your efforts and belief in fighting for a better world.” She took a drink and everyone else followed, including Elizabeth.
Scarlett remained standing, glass still raised, now focusing her words on Andre. “But after much discussion, we acknowledge the sacrifice you and your people have made and want to offer you temporary shelter on our lands in exchange for a reading by your seer.”
“It is not my decision to make, but Elizabeth’s,” Andre said.
Everyone at the table turned towards Elizabeth. She fought the desire to shrink away under the attention and considered the offer. One reading in exchange for the rebels to have a safe place to make camp, not a hard decision. “Though I am still learning, I will do my best.”
“Thank you. It can take place after dinner.” Taking another drink, she sat down and smiled at Elizabeth.
The atmosphere in the room relaxed as everyone resumed the dinner conversation. Only then did Elizabeth realize the pressure of the reading, something that she was still new at. What if the reading turned Scarlett away from their cause? Nervous, she took another drink, not really tasting the wine.
Caleb set a light hand on her arm. “You don’t have to do this.”
Her heart raced, and she realized over half of the glass of wine was gone. Removing her hand from the glass, she placed it in her lap. “I have no problem doing it. I’m just nervous about the outcome.”
“The outcome isn’t up to you. We’ll deal with it, no matter what it may be. You only have to say what you see.” He leaned closer, speaking softly. “I can make an excuse for tonight if you would rather postpone it for tomorrow.”
“No. I won’t be able to sleep until it’s done. I’d rather get it over with.”
“You’re not alone in this, alright?” His face shone with an honesty and kindness that struck her heart. If Nikki didn’t grab him up, there was a room full of beautiful women that would be lucky to have him. She squeezed his arm under the table. “I know. Thank you.”
The rest of the dinner passed with pleasant conversation and whipped chocolate dessert. It tasted amazing, but inside, Elizabeth’s stomach remained tight with nerves at what was to come.
The group of twenty or so magicians retired to the sitting room for drinks and the main event. Her head felt light, and she wished she hadn’t drunk the wine. Caleb and Nikki stayed near her constantly.
Nikki leaned towards her, whispering in her ear. “Elizabeth, are you—“
“If either of you ask me how I’m doing again, I’m going to ask Scarlett to teach me a mute spell.”
“Sorry. Really,” Nikki said, “and don’t ask Scarlett about spells. I can teach you those. I learned all the annoying ones when I was a teenager and wanted to get back at my dad.”
“Really?” Elizabeth asked. “You will have to teach me some of those.” Even though she didn’t have much power besides seeing the future, they would be worth a try.
Brianna, the kind witch from dinner, approached. She didn’t look old, but her
white hair looked soft like snow. “Let’s go take a seat in one of the chairs to prepare.”
“Prepare?” Elizabeth’s voice came out soft. What was there to prepare?
“Are there any demons you would like to call?” she asked.
“No. I don’t use demons.”
“Your power would be so much stronger if you did.”
Why would that matter?
“At this time, she chooses not to use demons.” Nikki stepped up next to Elizabeth.
And I never would. Elizabeth felt guilty for snapping at Nikki earlier as she welcomed her support now. She didn’t feel like sharing her experience with the demon Bael with a group of strangers. And anyone that lived through that would not want to get close to a demon again.
Elizabeth sat on a plush leather couch with Scarlett nearby. Andre appeared as well, replacing Nikki. “Do you remember how to do it?”
She nodded, not trusting her voice.
“Take Scarlett’s hand to focus your reading. Don’t worry, I’ll be here in case anything happens.”
She reached and took the beautiful witch’s soft hand. Her nails were painted in a pink pastel color. I can do this. Closing her eyes, she gathered her magic. Drawing the magic in, she thought of it as a ball of yarn, winding it together. As the ball grew, she spoke the spell that Richard had taught her.
Her body felt like it was transported to another time and place, where she was only a spectator in another world. Scarlett stood in an office of sorts, similar to the den where they were sitting, with a large map on a table. Elizabeth walked up to Scarlett and noticed the map was of the Americas. Lights shone on the maps. She didn’t understand the map, but knew it was important.
Then the world spun around, and the den disappeared. Scarlett sat atop a brown stallion. Riding without reins, magic sizzled from her fingers as she charged forward, screaming a battle cry that pierced Elizabeth’s ears. It was the vision she had seen before at Richard’s.
Not wanting to see Richard fall again, Elizabeth closed her eyes. Instead of returning to reality, she opened them to see Scarlett laying in bed. With her back to Elizabeth, her beautiful golden hair flowed over the bed. When she turned, wearing a thin white gown, a large belly—no, a pregnant belly—protruded from her slender frame. Scarlett would have a baby. Then without warning, Scarlett screamed. Her cries rang through the night and Elizabeth noticed red staining the bed around her legs.
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