Gregory and Evrain waited in the center of the clearing, their silhouettes outlined in gold. Imelda was the first to leave her vehicle. If Dominic had been expecting flowing robes and pointy hats, he was disappointed. Imelda was wearing well-cut black trousers and a thick dark red sweater, which seemed to hint at her lust for blood. The eight women who came to join her were less dramatically dressed—one or two were young and attractive, but the rest were completely unremarkable. Under normal circumstances, no one would have given them a second glance and there was no way of knowing that together they formed the most powerful Coven in the northwest. Most of them cast covetous glances toward Evrain as they moved to stand in a loose circle.
Gregory took Evrain by the hand then led him to the center of the circle, where he gestured for him to kneel. Evrain dropped to the ground and looked up at his godfather, waiting for the signal to begin.
“Why is he kneeling?” Dominic whispered.
“Because he has to be stable when he channels and he may not be when Gregory cuts his palm. It’s also part of the show for Imelda. Gregory wants Evrain to come across as less of a threat than he actually is. Perception is everything.”
“Imelda, do you have the knife and goblet?” Gregory asked. The evening was clear and still. The sound of his voice carried to where Dominic, with a clear line of sight, waited with the others.
Imelda approached Gregory. She extended a simple dagger of gray steel. From what Dominic could see, its handle was not ornate—there were no jewels or mysterious designs that caught the light. The fact that it was clearly a tool, designed to be efficient and useful, made it all the more horrifying to Dominic as he looked on. The copper goblet she handed over was very similar, made from plain, unadorned metal.
Imelda took a few steps backward but not so far away that she couldn’t see exactly what was going on. Evrain extended his arm, allowing Gregory to grip his wrist loosely. With his free hand Evrain began to make gestures and muttered the simple incantation that allowed him to manipulate fire.
Dominic shuddered as Evrain began to channel. He locked his knees, accepting the deep-seated ache that always came with Evrain’s use of his power. Coryn put an arm around his shoulders but said nothing. Damon gave him an understanding nod.
Evrain was absolutely focused on what he was doing and a small, delicate flame hovered in the air above his outstretched hand. A perfect tapered shape, it was blue at the base, deep orange at the center, fading to silver at the tip where wisps of dark smoke disappeared into the air. Perhaps it was a side effect of the channeling but Dominic could see every detail and hear every word with absolute clarity. As Evrain continued to whisper words of power, Gregory took the knife and made a small incision in his palm, beneath the flame. Evrain didn’t falter as Gregory turned his hand over and allowed deep red droplets of blood to fall into the goblet. To Dominic, time slowed as drop after drop splashed into the metal cup.
“This is taking forever,” he muttered. Coryn patted his shoulder.
“It will. A drop of blood is not much. It will take a while to even half fill the goblet.”
Finally Gregory curled Evrain’s fingers into a fist and patted his arm. “You may stop now, Evrain.”
The flame disappeared with a soft pop and Evrain relaxed with an audible sigh of relief. He remained on his knees and watched Gregory hand the goblet to Imelda. Dominic could almost feel the wet warmth of blood squeezing between his fingers and the throbbing pain of the cut on his hand.
“I hope you’re satisfied that we have done everything as you requested, Imelda. Now conduct your tests and we can finish this once and for all.” Gregory sounded cold and stern.
Dominic wanted to run to Evrain but he held his position. Nathaniel took a step away from Damon, his entire body poised and alert.
“You expecting trouble?” Coryn whispered.
“Something feels wrong.” Nathaniel swiveled around, checking every direction, but the light was fading and it was hard to see. “There’s a vague scent on the winds…I can’t quite pin it down. Smells like rot.”
“Imelda’s taking the goblet.” Dominic held his breath. He had to let it out eventually but breathing seemed an irrelevance under the circumstances.
Imelda’s eyes had narrowed at Gregory’s icy tone, but she took the cup and handed it to another woman, who walked away toward one of the vehicles. She was perhaps halfway between Imelda and the car when a dark figure appeared from nowhere, grabbed the goblet from her grasp then threw her to the ground where she lay unmoving. Imelda’s cry of outrage was silenced as the mysterious figure walked toward her.
“That’s Symeon!” Damon cried.
“Fuck. He used a concealment spell. That must have been his stench I detected.” Nathaniel edged forward, herding everyone else behind him. Dominic eased sideways. He wanted to keep a line of sight on Evrain.
“Symeon.” Gregory’s flat tone showed no surprise.
“How the hell did you get here, Malus?” Imelda wasn’t as restrained. She spoke with barely suppressed fury.
“It seems you do not have as firm a grip on power within the Octis Coven as you thought, my dear.”
The oil slick of Symeon’s voice made Dominic want to wretch.
“Some of your revered colleagues are contemplating a change of leadership. They have been giving me what you would not, including the handy spell that got me here unnoticed.”
Evrain made to stand.
“No. You stay put. I like you on your knees.”
Dominic was glad he couldn’t make out Evrain’s expression.
Symeon dipped a finger into the goblet then withdrew it, coated in glistening red. He put it to his lips, tasting the blood with relish. He frowned, taking another lick, before his features tightened with anger.
“Agrimony! You poisoned him with agrimony.” He cast the goblet aside, spilling the precious contents onto the ground. Imelda screamed and jumped forward, grasping desperately at the cup as it rolled away from her.
“It’s useless, you stupid bitch,” Symeon snapped. “I don’t know how they did it but his blood is tainted. This is your fault. If you’d left it to me this would never have happened.”
Imelda got to her feet. “If I’d left it to you, Symeon, Evrain and Dominic would both be dead and we would have nothing. As it is, it seems that we have both been outwitted.” She gave Gregory a wry nod. “I don’t suppose you’d care to tell me how you did it?”
“No.” Gregory didn’t smile. “But be assured that Evrain’s blood will never be of any use to you.”
Imelda turned to the women now gathered behind her. “Sisters, resolving our differences is not something that should be done in the company of warlocks. Octis should conduct its business in private. I apologize for wasting your time, but we will reconvene at the usual place at dawn.”
Symeon didn’t seem bothered as the women melted one by one into the darkness, taking their fallen colleague with them. He waited as car engines started up and the vehicles moved away. Imelda remained where she was.
Gregory glared at Symeon. “You never give up, do you? Even you can’t be so stupid as to think you stand a chance against three of us. You are no longer of use to the Coven, power struggle or not. Without their potions you are impotent.”
Dominic was sure the choice of descriptor was deliberate.
“Well, that just depends now, doesn’t it?” Symeon grabbed Imelda and pulled her against his chest. From beneath his long, black coat he pulled a gun. “For once I agree with you. I’m not stupid. But this gives me an advantage, don’t you think?” He pressed the barrel of the gun to the side of Imelda’s neck.
“What makes you think I give a damn about what happens to her?” Gregory asked.
“Oh, I’m sure you don’t really care. However, your ridiculous sense of morality will not allow you to see a woman harmed, however much of a bitch she is, if you can prevent it.”
“And can I prevent it?”
“Of course. I’m not
fond of littering the landscape with corpses.”
Nathaniel shunted Dominic backward. He tugged Damon along too.
“Symeon must know we’re here, Nathaniel, but not Damon,” Dominic whispered.
Nathaniel gave him a sharp look. “What are you saying?”
“Damon should hide. He may be able to help.”
“I don’t want him putting himself in danger. He’s not wearing that stab vest this evening.”
“You have to let me do it, Sir.” Damon was already moving deeper into the trees. “We need any advantage we can get.”
Dominic understood why Nathaniel was so torn, but eventually the warlock nodded and Damon slipped away. Dominic turned his attention back to the clearing.
“Bring the rest of your friends over here, Gregory. They must be feeling left out.”
Even though he could hear Symeon’s command, Nathaniel waited until he got a signal from Gregory before moving. Dominic and Coryn walked behind him until they were next to Gregory and Evrain.
“Well, isn’t this nice? All four warlocks together in one place. Much as I’m enjoying the company, you, Gregory, are going to leave. You’ll take Nathaniel and Coryn with you. Dominic, get on your knees beside Evrain.”
“No!” Evrain shouted.
Symeon fired the gun into the ground in front of Evrain. “How many deaths do you want on your conscience, Evrain?”
Dominic dropped to his knees. He grabbed Evrain’s hand.
“Oh, how sweet.” Symeon moved the gun back to Imelda’s temple. “Now, I want you, Coryn and Nathaniel to make your way over to your car, get in it then drive away. I can see the lights from here. Once you are a suitable distance away I will let this silly bitch go.” He pulled back the hammer on the gun with an audible click. “Do as I say or I pull the trigger and believe me, I won’t hesitate.”
Evrain cast a panicked look at Gregory. “I won’t sacrifice Dominic for this woman after what she’s done to us. No moral code is worth this. Let him shoot her. He won’t have time to get to the rest of us and I’ll fry him where he stands.”
“No you won’t, you little upstart. I’m not quite as powerless as you all seem to think.” Symeon twitched the fingers of his free hand. Blue flames writhed around his fingers.
“That potion will wear off soon enough, Symeon.”
Dominic twitched as Evrain channeled, matching Symeon flame for flame. Gregory put a restraining hand on his shoulder. “Evrain, you’re better than that. It may seem like what you want to do right now in the heat of the moment, but how would you live with it? This isn’t the person you are and it’s not the person that Dominic would want you to be.”
“That’s right.” Dominic added his agreement.
Gregory squeezed Evrain’s shoulder. “Have faith, boy. Take the right path now or you will regret it for the rest of your life.”
“Very touching. Now leave before I get overexcited and shoot something just for the hell of it.” The red in Symeon’s eyes darkened.
Dominic took in the expressions of his friends. Gregory was somber, Coryn calm. Nathaniel looked like he wanted to create a tornado to swallow Symeon and Imelda. The three men walked slowly away. Dominic listened to the car’s engine start up then the crunch of tires in gravel as it pulled away down the lane. Even though he knew it wasn’t the case, he had a sense of abandonment. It seemed that he and Evrain were on their own. He hoped Damon stayed hidden and didn’t try anything stupid. He didn’t have any power. He was just flesh and blood. He could be hurt.
Symeon gave Imelda a sharp shove, making her stagger then drop to one knee. “Get out of here. Threaten me again and I will come after every single one of the bitches in your fucking coven. Believe me, I won’t stop until you are all gone and your little girl’s club will be a distant memory. I have more allies than you know.”
Imelda had the sense to keep her mouth shut. She stood, brushed the dust from her pants then staggered away toward her car. Once she was gone, only one vehicle remained—the car Evrain and Dominic had arrived in. Dominic guessed Symeon must have some form of transport hidden close by. It wasn’t as if he’d flown in on a broomstick.
When Symeon moved the gun to point at his head, Dominic flinched. Once more he was proving to be Evrain’s weakness. If it weren’t for him, Evrain could call the elements and bury Symeon like the worm he was. Dominic bit his lip. He squeezed Evrain’s hand, trying to convey his love, his regret and his shame for being such a liability.
“It seems that yet again I have the upper hand, Evrain. This time you won’t get away from me.” Symeon laughed. “By poisoning your blood, you’ve reduced your value and now all I have left is revenge—and it will be sweet.”
“You’re insane, Symeon. Why don’t you retire gracefully and use the little power you have left for good?”
“Preaching doesn’t suit you, Evrain. Leave it to Gregory—his moralizing is enough for all of us. You’re not like him. You’re different. Much more like me in fact.”
In Dominic’s hand, Evrain’s fingers felt ice-cold.
“I’m nothing like you,” Evrain spat.
Symeon shrugged. “We’ll see. Our experiences color the way we live our lives. Before I kill you, I’m going to make you watch while I violate your lover. I’m going to do things to him that you couldn’t even begin to imagine. And when you’re gone, I’ll keep doing it until he can’t even remember his own name, let alone yours.”
Dominic felt the slight vibration that always preceded Evrain’s channeling. Evrain was poised and ready to move the moment Symeon dropped his guard but the white haired warlock seemed full of purpose.
The gun didn’t waver for an instant.
Symeon moved behind Dominic. He pulled him to his feet by his hair. Evrain started to rise but Symeon gave him a vicious kick to the ribs, causing him to collapse back to the ground. Pulling Dominic a few feet away, Symeon then slid one arm around his waist to undo the button on his pants then slide down the zipper. He thrust his hand down the front of his pants, all the while pressing the gun into his neck. A single tear rolled down Dominic’s face as Symeon gripped his shaft, digging his nails into the tender flesh.
“Like some pain, don’t you?” Symeon hissed.
Evrain’s lips were compressed to a thin line, his green-gold eyes glowing as he was forced to watch the violation. Dominic thought it might be worth getting shot just to get Symeon’s hand off him. He felt frozen by indecision. If he struggled Symeon might turn the gun on Evrain. If he didn’t, Evrain might hate him.
Behind him, a twig snapped. Evrain had given no indication that anyone was approaching and Dominic marveled at his composure. Symeon kept a tight hold on him and the gun didn’t move as he turned to face the newcomer. Damon walked toward them, hands held out to show that they were empty.
“Damon.” Symeon’s voice reflected curiosity. “How the hell did you get here?” He removed his hand from Dominic’s pants. “Seen the light and decided to come back to me?”
Damon smiled. “I’ve been here a while. Watching. Listening.” He blinked.
“And you’ve recovered from your injuries? I searched for you in the parking garage, but you’d gone.”
“I didn’t think you cared.”
Symeon’s focus was entirely on Damon. Dominic didn’t dare move. He realized that Symeon had no idea Damon had helped him and Evrain escape the Octis building and that could give them the advantage they needed.
“Where the hell did you materialize from?” Symeon snarled. “Never mind. I’m glad you’ve made an appearance. I’m sure you will enjoy the show as much as I will. I may even give you a turn with this one.” He yanked Dominic’s hair.
Evrain began to channel. Dominic tried to draw attention away from him by struggling as much as possible. He kicked at Symeon’s shins with his heels, making contact at least once. He tried to elbow him in the ribs, then bite at his arm. Symeon cuffed him hard.
“Keep still. My trigger finger is itchy and I’d prefer
you to be in one piece when I fuck you.”
The dust swirled around Dominic’s feet, moving almost like eddies in a stream. Using all his strength he pulled away from Symeon, throwing himself to the ground. Lightning cracked, striking the dirt just in front of Symeon’s highly polished boots. He was thrown into the air, landing heavily several feet away. The gun skimmed across the ground, bouncing several times. Dominic rolled onto his belly but stayed down. He didn’t want to get in Evrain’s way while he was still channeling. There was a rumble of thunder then a deluge began. The rain hammered down, pounding dust into mud in an instant. Dominic was soon soaked. In the darkness and through the torrential rain, he could barely see what was happening. Symeon was trying to get to his feet, but could get no purchase in the mud. Damon scrambled for the gun. Evrain held his arms aloft, focused on commanding all four elements.
The sound of a gunshot penetrated the natural cacophony, the loud retort shocking. Dominic could make out Damon kneeling on the ground next to Symeon’s prone form. Dominic crawled over to him, barely feeling the stones cutting into his knees and hands. The perfectly round hole in Symeon’s forehead and his sightless red eyes betrayed what Damon had done.
Damon hugged himself, rocking back and forth. The discarded gun was half buried in the mud at his side. Dominic threw his arms around Damon and held him tight, absorbing the tremors from his light body. Damon sobbed against his shoulder, his tears mingling with the rain.
When Evrain stopped channeling, Dominic’s body sagged with relief. The rain had petered out but it would be a while before the drips from his sodden hair ceased rolling down his face. Evrain came into view behind Damon.
“Damon grabbed the gun and shot him. Symeon’s dead,” Dominic said more calmly than he felt.
“I can’t say I’m sorry.” Evrain’s voice was cold as ice. “He did what I couldn’t. Is he okay?”
“Just shocked, I think. He’s soaked and cold. We should get him to the car.”
“Gregory’s car just pulled in. They must have turned around as soon as they were out of sight. Nathaniel will want to take care of Damon.”
Elemental Hope Page 18