Sapphire Flame: A Paranormal Romance (The Flame Series Book 7)

by Caris Roane

  You don’t have to explain. I’m feeling it, too, a need to stick close.

  Good.

  “Oh, my God.” Natalie’s words turned his attention to the first belowground floor of Neil’s home. Grant had never been here before.

  The space was palatial in size, though subterranean in feel. The walls were either exposed rock and chipped with a design or inlaid with more stones of all shapes, sizes and color. Lighting had been built into the floor all around the perimeter. Down the center of the space were seating areas in a rich purple, silver and black. The ceiling of what felt like a massive cave was inlaid with silver tiles. All of it felt purposeful to Grant.

  “You entertain here?” Natalie said.

  “Not exactly.” Neil pressed a hand to his side. “This space is more about wizardry than anything else.”

  A faint breeze flowed from the far end, then vanished. At first Grant thought it was the air conditioning system. But a few seconds later, his wolf got agitated. Fur erupted on his cheekbones.

  Natalie squeezed his hand hard. When he turned to look at her, he saw that her eyes were hunting the room like something was there, but unseen, and her wolf-sign had appeared in iridescent ripples over her cheeks.

  Grant addressed Neil. “What the hell is going on? My wolf is telling me to run.”

  “The wizard is here, the one I told you about. He’ll be doing the spell. I’m guessing you’re both sensitive to his presence.”

  “There was a breeze,” Natalie explained.

  Neil said, “Landris, my friends are ready for you and I need to retire.”

  “Landris?” Grant whispered. “Is it possible? Jesus.”

  Natalie’s voice entered his mind. Wasn’t he reported dead twenty years ago? Do you think it’s the same one?

  The wizard appeared a few feet in front of them, fading as if from nothing then coming to life on a slow reveal. He wore long, expensive-looking silk robes, embroidered down the front panels. Grant held Natalie close to his side because nothing about this situation gave him confidence.

  Power roiled from the alter wizard.

  He was warrior-sized which further incited Grant’s wolf as well. His fur now rippled over the backs of his hands and his snout had elongated slightly, enough for Grant to growl. Landris had wavy auburn-and-black hair to his shoulders, thick, arched black brows, steely gray eyes, a strong nose and powerful jawline.

  Worse, his gaze was fixed on Natalie.

  Neil said, “May I introduce Wizard Landris of Elegance North.”

  Grant hadn’t heard this older division of Elegance for a long time. He had an odd sensation he was looking at both the past and the future as he watched Landris.

  Grant’s mind began to grow loose, disjointed. He felt Natalie pull away from him. She took a step toward the wizard, then another.

  For way too long, Grant felt powerless to act, to move, to think. But he gave himself to his wolf. Though he didn’t shift, more fur sprouted down his arms and across his chest.

  He growled heavily and was about to complete the shift and attack Landris, when the wizard broke eye-contact with Natalie. She stopped in her tracks and as Landris shifted his gaze to Grant, he also waved his arm then drew his fist in a downward motion along his side.

  A wave of power hit Grant and he flew back several feet. At the same time, he found he couldn’t shift. He lay on his back on the hard, stone-paved floor but the thick sensation inside his mind was gone.

  He sprang to his feet.

  “What the hell are you doing?” Natalie shouted at Landris, her face pink with anger. “You’re supposed to be helping us and why were you trying to seduce me?”

  Landris didn’t answer her question. Instead, he turned to Neil. “You may retire. I won’t hurt them or disrupt their bonding path.”

  Neil bowed and at the same time took two steps back. “Thank you. I owe you a tremendous debt of gratitude.” He then headed to the elevator and slid the louvered metal door to the side. He began to ascend, leaving them alone with Landris.

  Grant levitated swiftly to stand beside Natalie once more. “What the hell was that?”

  “A simple test to get a taste of you both, of your power and your relationship. As I understand it, we don’t have much time. You’re in a battle with the wolf, Kryder, who I know is one of the vilest members of our Five Bridges society. He won’t rest til you’re both dead. Neil was right. At the very least, you need this spell. I apologize if I hurt either of you. Do you wish me to continue?”

  “Yes, of course,” Natalie said.

  But Grant wanted a few answers. “We both thought you were dead.”

  Landris levelled his gaze on Grant. Once more, he felt the wizard’s power flowing in his direction like a tangible wave of energy. “Forces were at work twenty years ago and I had to go into hiding. You and Natalie are two of only a handful that know of my continued existence. If you leak the truth of what you see here tonight, I will have you both killed. Do you understand?”

  “Yes,” Natalie said quietly.

  “It won’t be a problem.”

  “Good.” Landris met his gaze once more. “Ask them. All those burning questions setting a blaze through your mind.”

  The man offered, and Grant took him at his word. “What is this wave of energy I feel coming from you.”

  “A wave of energy. Next question.”

  “Can you create an invisibility spell specific to me? To Natalie?”

  “For you both singularly and together. Next.”

  Natalie asked, “Do you employ a fae to keep you informed of future events?”

  “Yes. She’s enhanced with low, safe dosages of sapphire flame.”

  “You’re serious? You would do that to her?”

  For the first time, Landris smiled. “You don’t know this woman. She devised the use of the drug. I don’t require it of her. But it helps and that’s something the two of you must keep in mind. She’s seen parts of your path over the next two nights. She’s seen you both dead and she’s seen you both alive. Your future shifts about almost with each breath you take. But one thing is certain: You must work together or perish. I’m done with your questions.”

  “Just one more and on this I insist,” Grant said.

  “You insist? You realize I could cover this floor with your blood and you wouldn’t have an inkling I was coming for you.”

  Grant ignored the threat. “Why are you willing to do this for us? I sense you’re driven by self-interest so what’s it to you?”

  “You’ve taken my measure I see. And correctly so. Self-interest is the sum of life. Nothing else matters or even makes sense. But very well, I’ll answer. I need Kryder dead and you’re my best chance at getting the job done.” He glanced from Grant to Natalie then back.” His gaze narrowed. “But I must say I’m disappointed.” His lip curled. “If you’re the best Savage can offer, then your territory is doomed.”

  “I’m not the best. I don’t claim to be. But I don’t care about your opinion of me. You and I appear to want the same thing, though I don’t need Kryder dead. Death Valley would serve.”

  “Then you’re a fool. Kryder would walk out of the Death Valley Penitentiary the same hour he arrived, then he’d come for you. But it doesn’t matter. I’ve seen enough, and I’ve changed my mind. I’m not interested in working with either of you.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Natalie would have been freaked out, certainly become pissed, if she hadn’t already come to an understanding about who Landris was. She understood him or thought she did. Just to be sure, she accessed her wolf. Even her vision changed as she saw what her wolf saw. Everything seemed expanded with colors. She saw that Landris pulsed with the energy of a specific spell.

  She spoke her mind. “You don’t fool me, Landris. All these years, you’ve hidden behind your spells. You don’t even know who you are anymore or what you really want. Survival, yes. Possibly wealth. But there’s more here because my wolf can see you.”

  He moved c
loser to her and peered into her eyes. She had never seen such pure gray irises before but with a thin white line rimming them. His power swelled over her once more.

  He used another spell and pushed at her mind, trying to gain access. But her wolf, whom she’d started to think of as a type of bodyguard, merely growled softly at him.

  Without thinking about it too much, she focused on the wizard and though it cramped the muscles of her back, she allowed herself to glimpse his future, though what returned to her seemed more like a vision of his life. She saw a woman haunting him. “She’s coming, Landris, and she’s beautiful. She’s with you now, but she lives in the shadows. One day she won’t, then all your spells will have no effect. Nothing will be able to protect your heart. Nothing.”

  His brows rose. “You’ve seen all this?”

  “Yes.”

  Landris’s lips quirked. “I can see why Kryder wants you. Few women have your brand of insight or courage. So, you’ve seen my future then?”

  “Only a very small part.”

  “What else did you sense?”

  “How dangerous you are, yet vulnerable. But we need the invisibility spell. Please help us.”

  “You’ll have to stop me from leaving.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You heard me. If you want my help, you must prevent me from leaving this room.”

  Panic shot through her veins. One quick glance down the space showed her there were at least six exits. How the hell were they supposed to stop him from leaving?

  She glanced back at him. “How?”

  His smile grew broader. He shrugged his shoulders, then slowly started to fade.

  Grant caught her arm. “We have to track him.”

  “How?”

  “The future? Can you do it?”

  She nodded. “I’ll try. But we need him, Grant.”

  “I know.”

  She switched to telepathy. As soon as I find the direction he intends to go, you must intercept him.

  Understood. I’m at your command.

  This was on her, on her ability to do the most difficult aspect of her alter faeness.

  As Landris faded completely, his expression of ‘there’s no way you can stop me’, fired Natalie up. She mentally slid sideways into the future, ignoring the usual aches and pains. She didn’t see Landris at all, not even in a future peek. But she saw Grant’s location and that was all she needed to see.

  Go to the elevator door, face away from it and push hard.

  Grant flew like a shot. She watched him shove and sure enough he connected with something solid.

  Natalie didn’t wait. This wizard was powerful and gifted.

  She began to levitate steadily to the center of the long space. While she moved, she captured a future image. Grant, the third arched opening. Now. Do the same thing.

  Grant flew again in a straight line. He blocked the entrance and once more shoved both hands forward and hit the invisible wizard. “Jesus. I’m going to break my arms doing this.”

  Natalie chuckled. “I feel so bad for you.” Fly in a circle around me. This time, you’re going to crash into Landris.

  Got it. Grant whipped in her direction and did exactly as she’d see in the future. When he hit Landris, he brought him down. It was strange seeing Grant lying on top of something ‘not there’.

  As Grant levitated slowly, Natalie could see he was keeping his hands pinned tight to Landris’s arms.

  Landris returned to a visible state as he stood upright.

  But Grant didn’t release him. “Will you help us now, asshole?”

  Landris laughed. “Fine. You’ve proven some minor ability and whatever else I am, I’m a man of my word. But this won’t be simple.”

  He turned to Natalie and continued, “I’ll offer no guarantees. It will be hell accessing futurism and holding the invisibility spell at the same time. Even if you master it, you have no idea yet how powerful Kryder really is or the team he’s built around him against you and Grant. I give you a fifteen percent chance of survival.”

  “Yes, but tell me what you really think?”

  He chuckled again and turned to Grant. “If you decide this lovely fae-wolf doesn’t suit you, I’ll be chasing her down.”

  Natalie watched Grant’s nostrils flare as a growl left his throat. He took a step toward Landris, but the wizard vanished.

  Grant reached for him, but he was nowhere to be seen.

  He turned to Natalie. “Access the future.”

  But Natalie shook her head slowly. “Not until you calm down.”

  “I’m fine.” But his teeth chattered in his anger and his chin shook.

  “Right. Whatever, wolf.” She then grabbed the front of his black tank top, twisted it tight and drew him close. She planted a fat kiss on his lips then drew back. “Better?”

  He released a deep sigh. “Much. Aw, fuck.”

  “I know. We’re in it on all fronts. But let’s focus on the invisibility spell and would you please try not to let Landris’s flirtations get to you? I can handle him.”

  A considering light entered his eye. He even frowned. “Yes. You can.” He huffed another sigh. “All right.”

  He turned in a slow circle. “Are you ready for us, Wizard?”

  ~ ~ ~

  The kiss had helped, maybe more than Grant wanted to admit. He’d become damn possessive of his fae-wolf, more than he ought to be. He could feel the alpha part of him demanding more not just from Natalie but from life. Whatever was happening here, with Landris, had ignited something inside Grant.

  His heart pounded in his chest.

  The entire time he and Natalie had worked to stop the wizard from leaving, he’d felt like he was riding the heavens. He’d never moved so fast, never wanted to prove himself more than in that moment.

  Kryder had become an unstoppable force in the Meldorin Pack and in Savage, more than Grant had understood until now. The only clue he’d had was the certainty that unless he advanced in ability and power, he’d never be able to defeat Kryder.

  That Natalie had been a counter-force Kryder had created then monitored for years, spoke not just to the inherent danger of the situation, but to their combined potential.

  They could make a difference in Savage and in Five Bridges.

  He stared at Natalie for a long, penetrating moment.

  “What is it?” she asked.

  “We have it between us to take Kryder down. Do you believe that?”

  She dipped her chin slowly, a measured look in her hazel eyes.

  “Good.” He nodded as well.

  He turned to face Landris, who had remained nearby and respectful. His cheeks had a drawn, serious look.

  “We’re ready when you are, Wizard. Where do you want us?”

  “Not here.”

  Grant didn’t respond. Clearly, Landris had something in mind.

  The wizard said, “I have several underground properties at my disposal. We’re going to one of them, but you’re going to have to trust me. I will use a spell and you will not remember the route and you will certainly never know the location. Are you with me?”

  “Absolutely.” Natalie’s firm voice reverberated around the cave-like space.

  Landris glanced at Grant who in turn nodded.

  “Good. We’ll leave through here.” He pivoted and swept his robed arm toward the arched wall. The central rock face suddenly disappeared and in its place was the opening of a tunnel.

  “The wall had a spell over it,” Grant murmured.

  “Follow me.” Landris lifted into levitated flight and began to move swiftly.

  Grant let Natalie follow the wizard, but the moment she crossed the threshold with Grant a split-second behind her, Landris called, “Begin.”

  For a moment, Grant wanted to ask, ‘Begin what?’ But his mind soon developed a heavy sensation as though he’d been drugged. His gaze became fixed to the back of Natalie’s head and the loose, light brown curls that hung to her waist. Nothing else seem
ed to matter except taking in the flow of the curls, the pattern of her hair, her buoyancy as she flew, the way an occasional cross-breeze from a side-tunnel would push her hair around.

  He had a sense of light, of movement, but no feeling of time. He couldn’t have said whether a minute passed or twelve hours.

  The tunnel opened to another large space that he couldn’t quite make out though it was well-lit.

  “End.” Wizard Landris’s voice and his choice of word drew the heavy sensation away from Grant’s mind.

  He recalled the saying about ‘scales falling from the eyes’ and that’s exactly what the experience felt like. He turned in a slow circle because he stood in a sandpit, a very deep one with chipped rock walls rising thirty feet high. A railing was at the top maybe to keep spectators from falling in. “What is this place? I’ve never seen it before and my wolf senses tell me we’re not in Savage but in Elegance.”

  “I’m getting the same thing,” Natalie added. “What is Elegance doing with a sandpit and a very old one, I must say.”

  “Move there. Both of you and I’ll tell you.” He gestured with his hand toward the center of the pit.

  Grant saw what Landris was after. He wanted them in the middle. He didn’t hesitate to take his place. Natalie joined him.

  Grant might not like Landris and he had some hesitation about giving a man so much power over their minds and their safety. But despite it all, he trusted the wizard on an alter level, something he couldn’t explain.

  Landris made a slow circuit around them, levitating a few inches above the sand. Once he’d completed his path, he flew to a breach in the wall and disappeared. When he returned, his arms were laden with eucalyptus branches.

  He began to lay them out with the tops of the leaves pointing away from their feet. “I was one of the first alters, so try to imagine what I’ve seen and experienced in the past thirty years. A formidable wizard by the name of Caltrop, built this pit for a single purpose: To torture wolves.” He met Grant’s gaze. “The blood of your species runs deep beneath this sand.”

  “I don’t sense wolf-death here, though.”

  “I’ve cleansed it repeatedly. It tends to come back at times. I’ve had powerful witches aid me as well. But the hundreds of deaths that occurred in this pit have also created a certain kind of spiritual element that enhances the abilities of my spells to lock onto the required subjects.