Lucien split his regard between Johnna and me as she scooted closer to me on the ground, shoulder-to-shoulder, instead of abandoning me for Niki. I didn’t want to admit how appreciative I was of that one small thing.
“If they’ve found the means to kill a Watcher, we could be in even more trouble than we originally thought,” Niki said.
“Why?” I asked, already dreading the answer.
“It means our situation is really, really bad, Willow,” Johnna replied, blowing out a worried breath, the exhalation of air moving the hair on her forehead. “They’re immortal, meaning we shouldn’t be able to kill them.”
“The Watchers are impervious to most things, but they can be killed, we’ve just never known the method,” Niki pointed out. “Other than a Watcher choosing to die, it’s never happened before. The succubi have no magic, except for siphoning souls. They also don’t have many friends and definitely no one who would share any spoils of war. I don’t even think the Watchers know how they’re doing it. I agree with Lucien. Someone is helping them. We have to figure out who this person is.”
I shivered. Briskly rubbing my arms for warmth didn’t help. “I know I’ve mentioned this before, but aren’t demons supposed to be undefeatable too?”
“Those in the Mortal Realm have never gotten it right. Only the Summoned are evil forces, as you described. Regular demons are no different from Lucien or Niki.” Johnna turned to her uncle. “Didn’t someone say earlier there are Summoned fighting for Tarja?”
Lucien nodded. “Not many, but yes, there are a few dozen. However, it’s only a matter of time before her army breaks through my inner wards. Once they get to the prison, they will have an unlimited supply of Summoned to choose from.”
“Not necessarily,” Niki interjected, as I struggled to fight off exhaustion. All the adventure and tears had caught up to me, but somehow I kept my eyes wide and focused on the conversation going on around me as Niki expounded, “The Summoned know about Johnna and her healing ability. We have the one thing the succubi can’t give them. Hope.”
Lucien’s eyes narrowed as he stared at Johnna. “It might work and give us enough time to either push their army back or transform enough to reinforce my own army. I’ve also sent Danielle to lead the Fallen in Malachi’s place until we can get him back.”
“Who’s Danielle?” I asked as the kernel of an idea popped into my weary mind. “Never mind—Lucien, I know Niki said the succubi don’t have any magic, but can they perform spells?”
He looked thoughtful. “I don’t really know. For obvious reasons, not a lot is known about them.”
“I know I’m new at this, but I’m thinking they must be able to do some kind of magic. When Tarja appeared in our camp, she was able to control us. She somehow immobilized us. We couldn’t talk or move, and Johnna couldn’t do her magic.”
My gaze touched on their faces, thankful they weren’t placating me. Without Malachi, my nerves were scattered and pinging all over the place badly enough. Though I was getting better dealing with bad situations, I’d hate to think how I’d be right now without these three. My family, now. And I reveled in the amazing feeling.
My thoughts moved to the realms and all the people living in them. It was hard to wrap my head around the reality I’d been forced into. Nothing I’d ever been taught or believed to be real actually was.
“Now I know how Alice felt,” I whispered, pressing my palm against the sudden ache in my heart as it once again locked on Malachi. I know you can’t hear me, and I’m good with that. It’s crazy, especially when I’m with everyone, but I still feel so alone. I really need to know you’re okay. My heart hurts so badly, Malachi. They killed Zander . . . They killed my father.
The moment his mind touched mine, the agony hit me, swamping my mind and body. He was in so much pain. Malachi?
Be brave, kitten. His silky voice wound through my head, taking the edge off my nerves. I’m sorry about your father, but you have a hidden strength inside of you. When your need is the greatest, it will answer.
Where are you? Tell me and we’ll come get you.
Just let go. His voice faded away, leaving me empty inside.
Malachi? My nerves frayed as I prayed with everything I had he would be all right. What little energy I had slipped away. Please don’t leave.
“Willow?” Johnna’s worried gaze met mine.
I stared at her in horror as his words sank in. “I had him—I had Malachi. He said I needed to be strong.” Without my link to him, I felt more lost and alone than ever. “Why would he tell me to be strong then just fade away?”
“This is good though. It means Malachi’s still alive. We can work with that.” She squeezed my hand, and I laid my head on her shoulder.
“Wait—you can mind speak with Malachi?” Lucien’s black brows pulled into an intimidating frown. I nodded and yawned, watching him glance at Niki. “In over two thousand years—nothing. Now, in the last two months there are two matches?” When his eyes focused on me again, I caught a glimpse of tiny, dancing, crimson flames in their dark depths.
I had no idea what he was talking about and part of me didn’t care. I just wanted to find Malachi . . . and sleep away the pain.
“Lucien, do you know who the spy is?” Johnna asked.
“I believe so.”
She pursed her lips in a tight, feral snarl. “Let’s use it to our advantage.”
I listened to them as my eyes slowly closed.
“What do you have in mind?” Niki asked, his voice moving closer.
“Subterfuge.” Johnna’s voice seemed to be fading.
I heard something about her grandparents and the two of us rescuing her mom, and something about someone named Gaia before exhaustion pulled me under into a deep sleep.
~ ~ ~
Johnna
I cradled Willow’s limp body, her head heavy against my shoulder. Rocking slightly, I finger-brushed her light brown hair, tucking one of the faded purple highlights behind one ear, then continued to stroke through the silky twists and curls.
Willow’s cries had been beyond heartbreaking. I knew that pain well. Losing my mom had been agonizing, but at least I’d known her. Willow had just found her father. She hadn’t had a chance to get to know him.
I laid a trembling hand against Willow’s pale skin, feeling the steady thump of her heartbeat. Closing my tired eyes, I concentrated on the metals coursing through the miles of arteries and veins, but after a few minutes I reopened them and stared down at her sleeping face with a frown.
“There’s nothing there. Where did they go?”
“Johnna? What’s wrong? Where are who?” Niki asked, kneeling beside me.
I grasped Willow’s arms then laid my palms against her stomach and lastly, her thighs. With each touch, my frustration increased. “Niki, something’s wrong.” My gaze met his. “Her blood’s changed. The metals are all gone.”
“Explain.”
My lips pinched as I glowered at Niki. “Seriously? Have you not heard a word I said?” I swept an arm down the length of Willow’s prone body. “I healed her several times in the Nightmare Realm and when we were in Lucien’s castle. It’s like her blood went on a metal diet.”
I glanced up at Lucien. “Do you have any ideas? I know I’m still relatively new to this wonderfully pleasant and very inconsistent world of yours, but surely this isn’t a regular occurrence, is it?”
When my gaze dropped back to Willow, recognition dawned. “Oh, my gods. Why didn’t I spot it before?”
“Spot what, imp?”
“The first time I saw her, I thought I recognized her or maybe I’d seen her before. Look at her, Niki. Who does she remind you of?” I didn’t give him time to answer. “She has Gaia’s cute upturned nose and my mother’s eyes. They’re even the same shade of
blue. What if . . .?”
I let out a slow breath. “I’ve never seen a picture of my Aunt Cassia, but it all makes sense. I thought it was a coincidence when Zander said his Cassia. It’s not an uncommon name. I don’t have any proof, and unless Gaia can rescue Mom, I would just be guessing—”
“But you think Willow is your cousin?” Lucien asked.
I nodded. “I do.” Another small sigh escaped me. “And Malachi will kill me if she isn’t the same as she was before he left. I don’t understand why my magic won’t help her. He trusted us to take care of her.”
“She must be taken to the North Castle—for her safety and your own,” a gravelly voice boomed behind them.
I jumped, pulling the unconscious girl to my chest, my senses homed in on the intruder. And as with Willow, I got nothing. His blood contained no metal either.
“Joachim?” Lucien bowed. “It is a rare occurrence when you leave the North Castle, yet you’ve done so twice in only a few hours. I am indeed honored.”
To me, the Watcher leader uncannily resembled Zander, and I was grateful Willow was still out of it. To see someone who closely resembled her father, so soon after learning of his death, would be too much for anyone to deal with.
“I have come to collect Zander’s offspring.”
“Over my dead body,” I snapped.
Joachim’s swirling silver gaze speared mine, and I gave myself a mental FYI. The next time I wanted to snap at someone with the power of life and death, I’d tape my mouth shut.
Niki moved forward but jerked to a stop when Joachim’s hand rose, holding him still.
“This is not about you, enforcer. I will not hurt your mate, no matter how insolent she is. Her part in this war has yet to be played.”
Joachim turned toward Lucien. “I can guarantee Willow’s safety. You cannot. It was her father’s last request she be placed under my protection until her mother is found. I am here to honor his request. And more.”
“I admit, with the ease Tarja has broken through our wards with the assistance of her spy, I welcome your help,” Lucien confessed, placing his hand on my shoulder when my mouth opened in protest.
Legs spread shoulder-width and arms crossed over his wide chest, Joachim glowered but allowed Niki to move closer to me. “You said, and more. What exactly do you mean, Watcher King?” Niki’s voice remained tightly clipped.
“I came to offer each of you sanctuary. A group of Summoned took possession of this castle about thirty minutes ago. The Bastille is no longer safe. Tarja’s army has breached the wards and taken the castle.”
Lucien scowled. “And my people?”
“I would like to know what you do to garner the respect of your imps, Demon King. Several of the kitchen imps created a diversion and all but one made it to the North Castle. I believe they called him Kesh.”
Lucien shook his head but his gaze dropped to Willow, a tiny smile lifting the corners of his mouth. “Willow told me she didn’t trust him. I believe she said he was shifty.”
I grimaced. “She said the same thing to me too. I should have paid more attention to her.”
“They have broken into the tunnels.” Joachim issued the warning in his matter-of-fact tone as a loud thumping echoed from the tunnel behind them.
As the first Summoned demon rounded the corner, Lucien manifested a pyre of lightning and threw the sizzling bolt at the Summoned’s oversized chest, stopping him in his tracks. The demon disintegrated in a sulfurous cloud and quickly dissipated as another Summoned pushed through what was left of his comrade. With loud snarls, the rest charged. Lucien sent more fire bolts into the melee, and sulfur quickly filled the narrow tunnel.
“Get the girls out of here, Joachim. Let’s go, Niki.”
“Right behind you, boss,” Niki yelled back, throwing his own fire bolt into the next Summoned’s chest as Lucien’s shimmering form vanished. More Summoned charged into the room as Niki apparated behind him along with Joachim, who already had one hand on the top of my head and his other across Willow’s forehead.
The horrifying sight racing toward us dissolved.
Chapter 19
Sabine
“You never could follow orders, Sabine.” Zeus’s gruff voice picked through each word as if trying to hold on to his ferocious temper. “Your sole purpose is to pronounce judgments on the guilty—”
“Like you, nephew?” My tone dripped with sugary sweetness. “Your power plays were tiresome in our youth. Now they’re just pathetic.”
“Now may not be the best time for family lectures,” Gerard mumbled in my ear.
Zeus’s eyes narrowed, his gaze never leaving mine. Without warning, he grabbed Gerard’s arm and pulled him away. Gerard’s thin body bobbled back and forth as he tried to stay upright. Because of his human blood, the Nightmare Realm had affected him more than it had me. Even the small amount of force Zeus used nearly knocked him over.
My arm flew forward, fingers splayed wide toward my husband. “Gerard!” I bit back my concern, knowing it would only give Zeus more ammunition. Instead, I used the private mental path only true mates had. Please don’t fight him. Your life isn’t worth it, and I can’t live without you. Please, honey . . .
Without taking my eyes off Gerard, I asked Zeus, “What do you want from us?”
Zeus chuckled, the sound flat and lifeless as he forced my gaze to his, holding me still with nothing more than a simple thought. “Why, Sabine, you already know what I want.” The smile on his face never reached his eyes. “I want everything. Control of Dark World. The Watcher and Demon kings dead. Lucifer under my control. As I said—everything.”
My face twisted in confused horror. “Are you mad? There’s no way you can overthrow Lucifer’s control of Dark World. Even if you did manage to somehow defeat Lucien’s demon army, Lucifer will just release the Summoned.”
Zeus’ smile widened. “Dear Sabine. Who do you think is fighting alongside my soldiers? I will admit, the Summoned are a handful to control—and quite draining, truth be told—but the promise of human á la carte keeps them in line well enough for now.”
He held up his hand when my mouth opened, stopping whatever I was about to say. “You want to know what I expect from you, Sabine? Complete obedience. You are going to live here, passing judgment on those I tell you to judge.”
My heart pounded as outraged anger spread through me. “That’s not how it works. I can’t force a conviction.” Each word I spoke dripped with disgust.
“Then I suggest you find a way.” His raspy voice softened and, with a second thought, he released me from his hold. “I even have a strong incentive for you. A belated wedding present, if you will.”
A sharp tug of power pulled at me. The air in the room crackled, skittering across my skin like the aftereffects of a lightning bolt. The compact ball of dread sitting in the pit of my stomach tripled in size, infusing me with an overwhelming feeling of fear.
“Zeus, please—”
The moment my gaze met his, I realized his intent. Triumph glittered in the golden depths of his eyes. He dropped Gerard’s limp arm and a sharp snap echoed in my ears. I spun toward my husband, knowing I wouldn’t be able to stop Zeus, but I had to try. I lunged forward, to no avail.
Gerard vanished in a brilliant flash of silver light.
I screamed, “Gerard!” as the lingering smell of singed hair filled my nose. My stomach heaved.
I knew Zeus wouldn’t kill him. Without the threat holding my powers, he would lose any leverage of control he had. It wouldn’t stop him from hurting Gerard, though. I tried to calm my rising panic. No, he wouldn’t dare hurt Gerard if he wanted my Erinys powers. This thought alone kept my mind from shattering into a million pieces. Bent over, my hands gripping my thighs, I slowly inhaled until my stomach calmed. Refusing to allow him to see my
pain, I forced my exhausted body to straighten.
“Where is he, Zeus?”
“Safe—for the moment.”
“He’d better stay that way because not even the gods are immune from the judgments proclaimed by the Erinyes. Remember my words, Zeus.”
“You are as vain as your sister. Cassia thought to defy me too.”
I clenched my fists against my sides. “I knew you had something to do with her disappearance. What have you done with her, you son of a bitch?”
“More spirited than Cassia, but I would be careful of the name-calling, dear aunt. You will find your sister has been closer to you than you think. For now though,” he held out his hand, and a notebook appeared on his palm and sailed toward me, “those are your first assignments. I have thoughtfully listed the names, their crimes, and my required punishments.”
I flipped through the first few pages, then slammed the book shut and gave him my best sneer. “You’ve thought of everything, haven’t you—oh, wait. There is one problem with your plan. The Watcher King will never believe these judgments.”
Zeus leaned forward with steady, narrowed eyes. “He will if you do your job.” Straightening, he rolled his shoulders as if to relieve tension. “And you will do your job, Sabine. Gerard’s life depends on it.” In a blink, he was gone.
I dropped to the white marble floor, uncaring of its hard surface. Trying to escape was hopeless. Zeus was nothing if not thorough with his schemes. I sat on the chilly floor until my lower body numbed, as I tried to plot out my next move.
The only thing I cared for in the sparse room was the pretty water feature in the far corner. The water trickled over several medium-sized rocks, pooling in a pebble-filled basin cut into the floor. Green moss grew between the dark gray rocks and around the edge of the basin in bright slashes of color against the marble-white backdrop.
Saved by the Spell (Of Mystics and Mayhem Book 2) Page 19