Dark Rising Trilogy

by DeAnna Browne

  Nikki jumped in. “We’re here to warn Mr. Bates. Help him with some upcoming trouble.”

  “And why would you do this? Because you’re just sooo nice?”

  “Because I want a spot on his coven. I’m here to prove myself.” Nikki met his eyes.

  “By turning tables on Scarlett’s coven and ratting them out?” This wizard’s deathly gaze made Caleb move closer to Nikki. “Maybe you do deserve to try to prove yourself. I hate rats. And you’ll have to convince me you’re not full of it if you want a meeting with Mr. Bates.”

  Caleb stared at the man more closely. Before they’d left, Scarlett and Gail told them about one man who they could find an ally. Not everyone agreed with how Bates rose to power.

  “Why do you care about those witches?” Nikki asked.

  “Never said I did.” He tried to be nonchalant, but it was too late to hide that defensive nature. That’s why the man was there, to see what they had on Scarlett.

  “Is your name Patrick? Friends call you Pat?”

  He froze, a quiet coldness falling over him. “Tell me right now why I don’t kill all of you.”

  Caleb prayed he was playing this right and interrupted their conversation. “Because Scarlett and Gail would be very disappointed.”

  “I thought you came to rat them out.”

  “Things aren’t always as they seem.” Alex twirled a knife in his hands.

  “So then why are you really here?”

  Caleb didn’t speak right away but glanced at Nikki. This was the decision that mattered. They didn’t just need to kill Bates but replace him. They didn’t have the power to do this alone.

  Nikki nodded and turned to explain. “Scarlett is going to take on Lazaro—”

  “What?” Patrick sunk into a chair, his eyes wide. “Why the hell would she do that?”

  “She’s not by herself. We’ve been collecting allies all over the Americas. My father is working with her.”

  He stiffened at the mention of her father and paused a moment. “I sure as hell hope he’s stronger than you and can take care of her.”

  “He’s strong enough, and our list of allies is growing daily.”

  “Did you guys really think you’d find any here? Bates is a loyal follower of Lazaro and a member of his private coven. He wouldn’t ever give away that kind of power.”

  “We’re not giving him a choice,” Caleb said. “We need you to take over as coven leader.”

  Patrick stood abruptly, a wild look in his eyes. He stood to pace and ran his hands through his hair. After a moment he turned back to them. “And she sent me three Mundanes and you?” He motioned to Nikki.

  “Like Alex said, looks can be deceiving.” Nikki did not back down under his scrutiny.

  It took another thirty minutes of Patrick asking questions about what happened next, about Scarlett, her plans, how she was personally doing and more. When he learned she was pregnant, Caleb worried he might explode. The man pulled it inside, but there was no denying how hurt he was by that. If the girl he loved was impregnated by Lazaro, he’d feel the same. After some time, the shock finally wore off.

  Patrick rubbed his face and turned his bleak gaze to them. “You think your plan will work?”

  “I do. We just need to have you replace Bates.” Caleb knew they didn’t have time to waste. They had been over this several times. The clock was ticking.

  “This is a lot for me to take in. I didn’t wake up thinking I’d challenge Bates. Let’s go over it one more time.” Patrick leaned forward. “I will tell the others you’re under my control. They will still have some defenses, but after a couple beers, it shouldn’t be too hard. You need to go after the man that brought you here, the blond. Two of you take him. He won’t be easy.”

  “Okay.” Caleb turned to Alex, who nodded. They would handle it.

  “The majority of the coven isn’t a fan of Bates, but no one ever had the drive to take him over. Luckily not everyone is here, but there will be enough.”

  Nikki stood. “Let’s go.”

  Caleb understood her hurry. The waiting to fight was worse than the fight itself. One’s mind could play out all the mistakes in a million different scenarios.

  “You in a hurry to die?” Patrick asked.

  Caleb answered. “If I’m going to die, then I’ll die. Prolonging it won’t help. Except I may starve to death in the meantime.”

  Patrick stood. “Sorry for the inconvenience. I’ve learned a lot in the past thirty minutes.”

  “Do you need more time?” Nikki asked, even though it was clear she thought that a pain.

  He laughed. “What’s life and death? God, you’d probably fit in great with Gail.”

  Elizabeth pushed back Brianna’s hands. “I don’t need your help. I need to talk to Andre.”

  “Please, just take it easy. You don’t want to make yourself ill.”

  “No,” Elizabeth snapped and turned to the witch. “You don’t want me to be ill so I can save you and your coven.”

  Brianna pulled back as if slapped, and Elizabeth immediately regretted her behavior. “I’m sorry. But this is about my sister who is going to die if I don’t do something.”

  “Let me help you then, okay?”

  She nodded.

  Brianna brought her robe and shoes. “Let’s go.”

  As they walked down the dim hall, Brianna turned to Elizabeth. “Can you make it to the breakfast room alone? I’ll go wake Scarlett. She’ll need to hear this. Can you find it alright?”

  Elizabeth hated being treated like a child. “I have been there a hundred times,” she exaggerated. “I can find it.”

  Heading to the breakfast room, she passed Scarlett’s office where the light was on. Guess Brianna didn’t need to wake her up. As she approached the room, voices emerged from within.

  Andre and Scarlett. They must never sleep. Elizabeth stepped in the doorway and they were so engrossed in their conversation they didn’t notice her at first. She stepped back when she heard her name.

  “Do you think Lazaro knows about Elizabeth?” Scarlett asked Andre.

  “I think the girl’s dreams mean more than we know, and we’d be foolish to ignore them.”

  “Then we need to strike now.” Scarlett’s voice rose with determination.

  “We need the allies first. Even with those we think will come to our aid, his numbers are double ours.”

  “If we wait, he will get more from overseas.” She slapped something down on her desk. “We can talk to Elizabeth more about a time frame.”

  “We need to decide where to keep her safe.” Andre’s voice of reason remained calm.

  “Is there anywhere safe from Lazaro? If he has seen her in a dream, there will be no hiding for her.”

  Someone touched her shoulder and Elizabeth jumped, letting out a small squeak.

  Brianna’s familiar touch returned to help calm her racing heart. “One shouldn’t lurk in doorways.”

  Elizabeth didn’t bother to respond. Sometimes people in doorways needed to know the truth. The truth people hid because they thought she couldn’t handle it. Maybe they were right. With Becca gone and now Lazaro after her, the tightness in her chest grew.

  Andre and Scarlett, now aware of her presence, came to her side.

  “What is it?” Scarlett asked.

  “Becca.” As Elizabeth spoke her name, the fear of everything to come overwhelmed her. She trembled, wrapping her hands around her to keep them from shaking.

  “Navina?” Andre asked.

  Tears pooled in the corner of her eyes, blurring her vision. She swiped at them and fought to control her anger. “I don’t know specifics. Becca said they got in a tight spot, told me she loved me, and to tell you she was sorry.” Grabbing Andre’s hand, she emphasized her point. “I think she’s dead.”

  He led her to the couch and sat by her. “We don’t know that for sure.”

  “But the way she said goodbye…”

  “Have you tried to contact her again?”


  “She’s blocking me out. I even tried to see her future and it came up blank. I’ve never had it come up blank before.”

  “You may just be exhausted.” Scarlett motioned to Brianna, “Can you make Elizabeth some soothing tea?”

  “Of course.”

  Elizabeth burned with frustration. Why weren’t they worried? “I don’t need to be soothed. I need my sister back.”

  Andre patted her hand. “She’s probably blocking you to protect you. Try to reach her again.”

  Chocking back a sob, Elizabeth closed her eyes and reached out to her sister. There was nothing there. Becca wasn’t blocking her. Elizabeth couldn’t sense her at all. Where was her sister?

  Tears streamed down her face and she didn’t bother trying to hide the pain and anguish. “She’s dead. Becca’s dead.”

  Chapter One Hundred Eight

  By the time they emerged from the basement, night had fallen. As Patrick lead them into the house, Caleb kept a solemn mask in place. He was supposed to be under Patrick’s spell, making him docile or passive. They followed behind Nikki, remaining in character and staying close.

  Patrick made small talk as he walked through the house. Most of the men sat in a room watching a large television. Something Caleb had never even seen before.

  “Hey, Patrick, are you taking them up?” One man turned away from the television.

  “Yeah. Thought it won’t hurt.”

  “Well, she’s a looker, so at least Bates won’t be empty-handed.”

  Playing the part—a little too well, Caleb thought—Patrick laughed. “That’s what I thought.”

  “Did you already frisk them for weapons? I’m willing to double check the girl. Sometimes they can get creative with their hiding.” The man leered at Nikki and Caleb fought the urge to throw a knife in his eye. Not that his aim was the best, but he could hit that fat face at least.

  “Maybe after,” Patrick said.

  They continued through the mansion, and Caleb was surprised at how easy it was for Patrick to get access for them. Granted, he was the number two in the coven. That couldn’t have come easily.

  Upstairs, there was another television blaring somewhere in the distance. They continued down a hall with plush carpet underfoot. A large glass window in the hall showed a beautiful night and a great dark expanse.

  Patrick knocked on a set of double wooden doors. After a moment they opened.

  “Are the visitors worthy of an audience?” A voice spoke from within.

  “Their information is valuable.”

  “Very well. One moment.”

  Patrick remained facing forward, not giving anything away. Caleb started running through his own mantra. Becca wasn’t the only magician that could read thoughts, and keeping any thoughts in the forefront of his mind made them easy to find. He focused his thoughts on the simple task of cleaning his weapon.

  Inside the room, the luxury continued and opened to a den or office of sorts.

  William Bates sat behind the desk, which gave him more protection. His features were average, ugly underneath the expensive clothes and haircut. “Is a coup really on the rise?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “Those bitches really think they can take on Lazaro? Are they that dense?” Bates tipped back his drink, finishing it off.

  “They have allies and have grown in strength,” Patrick said.

  Caleb stayed back next to Akio, who stood by the door. He waited for the signal and focused his thoughts. Akio needed to be the first to die before he made it out the door to tell the others.

  “Do you have the names and cities? We will be rewarded for the information.”

  “I do.” Patrick nodded.

  “Then what does this girl want for her information?” Bates pushed back from the desk and headed towards Nikki with a predatory purpose that set Caleb’s nerves on edge.

  Focus. Focus.

  Then finally Patrick said those little words Caleb had been waiting to hear this whole time. “That depends on you.”

  While pulling out his knife, Caleb flipped around and threw it at the enforcer. Marcus and Alex did the same thing. Caleb knew he’d have a shield of some kind, so he didn’t even bother waiting to see if the knife made its mark before charging the man.

  Obviously, Bates had burned a few too many bridges rising to power, because the man didn’t stay to defend his leader and instead turned and fled. Unless his leader didn’t need help. Marcus and Alex chased the man down the hall while Caleb checked on the fight behind him.

  Blood dripping down from his nose, Bates fought Patrick. Nikki lay on the ground, writhing in pain. For a split second he was torn on where the biggest threat lay. If they didn’t kill Bates, Nikki wouldn’t have a chance. Caleb knelt for the small gun in his boot that Patrick gave back to him. They didn’t plan on using guns as it would alert the whole house, but when Patrick fell to his knees, Caleb pulled it out.

  Aiming, he unloaded shot after shot. One, two, three, they didn’t hit him, but as Caleb stepped closer Bates took a step back. His power appeared to be fading.

  Nikki appeared at his side now, while Patrick used the desk to pull himself back up. As the magicians fought him with power, Caleb did his worst. The last shot left the chamber. Caleb dropped the gun, reached for another knife, and let it fly.

  The throw was off, but not by much. Instead of that ugly face, the knife sunk into his neck, dropping Bates to the floor. It was a short acquaintance for Caleb but still too long. Caleb caught his breath for a minute, watching the door.

  Alex and Marcus had reentered into the room empty-handed. Alex shook his head. “We couldn’t catch him before he made it downstairs.”

  “The fight is not over yet.” Patrick stood over Bates, pulling out Caleb’s knife. At first Caleb thought he may be mourning his old boss, but then remembered he was a magician. There was magic you could pull from such a recent corpse.

  Shuddering, Caleb turned away and steadied his resolve. He changed out his clip. “I only have eight more bullets.”

  “I still have two full clips.” Alex rubbed his short hair.

  “Me too,” Marcus added.

  They hadn’t talked too much about this next part. Caleb guessed part of them wasn’t sure if they would make it this far.

  “I need to give them a chance. These are my brothers. Most didn’t like Bates any more than me.”

  “How do you get them to listen then?” Marcus asked.

  Shouts traveled up from downstairs, and not ones that sounded friendly.

  “Kill the enforcer.” Patrick turned to Caleb. “You’re fast. I’ll break his shields and you shoot him. No one else. Then the others will listen.”

  “Okay.” Caleb nodded and turned to Nikki. “Are you strong enough to keep going? You can wait up here, pick up any that come at us from behind.”

  Her drawn color and red eyes didn’t look good. He couldn’t guess the toll the fight with Bates had taken, but he knew it was a lot. Even weak, she gave him that look. The one with her brows angled down, her eyes alive with annoyance, and her full lips pinched. The one that said: You idiot, of course I’m coming.

  “Marcus, pull up the rear with Nikki.” It was the safest place Caleb could put her. He respected her powers, but he wasn’t going to put her out front as a target.

  Nikki looked like she was going to object, so before she could Caleb shut her up the only way he could. Grabbing around her waist, he pulled her towards him and kissed her. It wasn’t sweet or gentle or at all how he wanted it. But it had a hunger he could no longer repress. He had wanted to do that for months and had talked himself out of it more than he was willing to admit.

  “Hey, Romeo, you’re on.” Patrick called to him.

  Nikki pulled back. “About time.” Her face flushed and alive with heat. “Just remember who my uncle is. He trained me well, just like you. You take front, and we got your back.”

  With one more light brush of a kiss, she stepped away. A coldne
ss fell over him at the loss of her touch, but he needed that coldness right now. He pushed away the slew of emotions tumbling through him and began to focus.

  “You ready?” Patrick asked.

  “Yes.” He gripped the gun in his hand. He was ready.

  As they walked downstairs, the shouts continued, but they didn’t sound like battle cries. Instead several men argued, Caleb wasn’t sure over what. Patrick took the lead, while Caleb and the other two watched out for the enforcer.

  Entering the kitchen, the men turned to them, no fight in their stance. Caleb did a circle, not letting his guard down. With magicians you never could.

  “Where’s Akio?” Patrick asked.

  “He left,” an older man with cropped hair answered. “Came down and just took off through the back. We heard him leave. What happened? We heard the shots.”

  “Bates is dead. I killed him.”

  The man plopped down in a nearby stool, obviously surprised. “Someone finally killed that bastard.”

  Other murmurs of surprise, shock and a couple of relief floated around the room.

  Another dark-skinned man leaned on the counter. “How long have you been planning that?”

  Patrick checked his watch. “A whole thirty minutes. That’s probably why it worked.”

  “Bates never had a chance to see it coming, especially with a group of Mundanes.” The man motioned to Caleb. “I guess Akio wasn’t that loyal after all. He took off without a word.”

  Nikki swore. She rarely swore. When he turned to her, she swore again, louder this time.

  “What is it?” Caleb asked.

  By this time Patrick and the others were looking at her too. Her eyes flashed around the room, fear in them. “He ran off to tell Lazaro. He’s not loyal to Bates, but Lazaro. He’ll know.”

  “Know what?” another of Patrick’s men asked. “Patrick will replace him. This is coven politics, only the strongest survive.”

  She turned to Caleb. “This is why we had to move up the timetable. Dammit, how could we be so careless?”

  Patrick turned to his men, dealing the final piece of news. “He might tell him I’m the new coven leader, but Akio is also going to tell him there will be a war. And we’ll be bringing it to Lazaro’s doorstep.”