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

by Caris Roane

  She gave herself a mental shake and turned to Landris. The red mark had already faded. Alters healed quickly. “I’ve been trying to put the spell in a mental box, which feels right. I’ve also brought my wolf to the surface and she gives me a warning when the spell starts to fade. But when I approach the future, it’s as though everything disintegrates. I can’t seem to find the bridge I need.”

  “Keep using your wolf. She’s very special. She will do a host of things for you, if you let her. Try being more wolf in the situation than fae.”

  She nodded, then invoked the spell. The moment she was invisible, she moved the opposite direction away from Grant and Landris. Once more, she knelt in the sand, palms on thighs. The spell was now permanently in the box, so that was good.

  She invoked her wolf again and for a moment practiced aligning more closely with her. She could feel her wolf-sign moving across the backs of her hands then up her arms.

  Taking deep breaths, she focused on the future but at the same time also kept her thoughts centered on her wolf. She aimed for twenty minutes in the future at her studio.

  This time, she held it together: The spell within her mind, the wolf-sign up to her shoulders, and her studio in twenty minutes. She could feel the future open. Excitement coursed through her.

  But like a water balloon hitting concrete, her control vanished, and she lost her visibility. Landris’s electrical shower rained down on her like a thousand needles.

  She allowed herself one groan of agony then invoked the invisibility spell once more. She glided behind Grant and crossed to the far side of the sandpit as far away from Landris as she could manage.

  She tried again. This time when the future began to reveal itself, she kept her emotions in check. Her wolf glided farther, this time up her neck and over her chest.

  She held the moment for ten seconds, then fifteen.

  When she felt the water balloon begin to fall and her invisibility fade, she decided to act against the electrical shower.

  She sped over the sand and once more invoked the spell. She darted off to the side just as the shower of painful sparks landed three feet away.

  This time, she groaned her relief.

  “Well done,” Landris called out. “You’re learning.”

  “You’re right. Pain is a great teacher,” she responded.

  Grant stood several feet away from Landris. He had his arms crossed over his chest as he scowled. His lips were pressed into a grim line. She was coming to understand him.

  Once more, she moved well away from Landris, knelt in the sand and opened her wolf up even farther. This time, she kept concentrating until she could feel her wolf to the top of her head and all the way to the bottom of her feet. In that sense, she was her wolf, or at least as much as she ever could be.

  The sensation was like having two pairs of eyes. She was seeing the world around her in a kind of double vision, yet each was clear.

  With her wolf fully intact, and the spell in a mental box, she kept her emotions in tight check. She opened herself to the future: Her studio, but in nineteen minutes.

  What she experienced amazed her. With her wolf serving as protection, the spell remained fully functional and she gave herself to the future. She took deep breaths and watched as the door to her studio opened.

  Kryder walked through.

  Though her heart set up a racket, her wolf had command of her and she held the images as well as her emotions in tight control as she let the future run. Kryder moved like a serpent around her studio, gliding in levitated flight, picking up objects here and there.

  She realized, however, that he must have been there often. He’d been tracking her for years, so why wouldn’t he have invaded her studio?

  At this thought, her heart began to calm down. What rose instead was a new determination to do all she could to rid Five Bridges of this menace.

  She grew very calm and watched the man who had stolen her family from her forever, who had brought her on purpose into Five Bridges as a powerful fae, who no doubt had plans for her.

  His phone rang, and he answered it. “Do you have her?” He smiled. “I’ll be there in a few.”

  His movements slowed, he lifted his head and stood more upright. He then closed his eyes. Was he communicating with someone?

  She watched him carefully, taking in who he was by his posture, his clothes, the size of his arms. He was a big man. Though he was Grant’s height, Kryder outweighed him muscle-for-muscle by at least fifty pounds. It was no wonder Grant hadn’t challenged Kryder to a sandpit dominance match.

  His face, as scarred and pitted as it was, looked like it had been through a war.

  For several seconds, she felt a sinking sensation. How were she and Grant supposed to battle this monster-of-a-man?

  When he opened his eyes, he turned and looked in her direction, almost as though he could see her. But he didn’t quite make eye-contact, so she knew it wasn’t possible.

  His smile was slow. Aloud, he said, “Tell Grant she’ll be dead in fifteen minutes. The youngest, that is. He’ll know what I mean.”

  He then laughed, waved an arm then vanished.

  Chapter Eight

  Grant started to air-pace just above the sand, though he didn’t go far before returning the opposite direction. He had no idea where Natalie was in relation to either himself or Landris. Given her recent maneuvers, he felt certain she had once again placed herself at a distance from the wizard with the intention of avoiding yet another electrical rain shower.

  This time, however, she had been silent and invisible at least ten times longer than any previous attempt. He wasn’t growing impatient so much as anxious. He hated seeing her get hurt.

  Her voice suddenly broke the silence. “Landris, I’ve made contact with the future, so don’t send your fiery rain on me again.”

  “Done.”

  Natalie slowly made herself visible at the far end of the sandpit as she levitated back in their direction. She looked pale and had a deep crease between her brows.

  When she drew close, Grant asked, “What’s happened?”

  She shook her head and tears filled her eyes. “You know the female wolves you thought you’d saved?”

  “Yes.” A cold chill passed through him.

  “Fifteen minutes from now, one of Kryder’s team will have re-captured the youngest and brought her in a van to some kind of underground structure. This is what I’ve seen.”

  “Shit.”

  “What do we do? I don’t know what to do.” She sounded frantic.

  Grant thought for a moment and pivoted in Landris’s direction. “First, get us back to Neil’s place as fast as you can.”

  The process of having Landris bespell them again and making a return trip through a hall that seemed to go on forever, took less than a minute. The timing was another sign that Landris had employed his wizardry.

  The elevator came next, a short if cramped ride. During the ascent, Landris said nothing to either himself or Natalie. But upon exiting, he wished them both well, then vanished. Grant would have thanked Landris for his help, but the wizard had either gone invisible or had left. Seemed typical of his character. Landris was not an engaging man.

  Grant found Neil near the fireplace and saw that he was doing better. He was walking around, though his complexion was almost chalk-white at this point.

  Grant gave him the short version of what was going on then guided Natalie to the front door. Neil wished them well.

  Grant said he’d be in touch later since they only had a handful of minutes to find the young wolf and keep her from Kryder’s depredations. How difficult that would prove, he had no idea, especially since he and Natalie were just figuring things out, how to work together.

  Before they took to the air, Grant invoked their invisibility. The brief command, ‘Begin both’, set everything in a glow as it had been in the Elegance sandpit. Natalie confirmed she was seeing the same glow as well.

  Once in the air and flying swift
ly in the direction of Revel Territory, he drew his phone from the pocket of his leathers and contacted Ryan. He gave him the details, but Ryan said he didn’t know where the woman had been taken. It was part of the process of keeping their safe houses a secret.

  Grant ran through a dozen curses in his head then turned his mind to the problem at hand. He asked Ryan to try to find out the wolf’s location, but he wasn’t hopeful he could accomplish the task in such a short time.

  When they reached Natalie’s backyard and landed on the grass, he gave her the update. He then asked, “What about your futurism? Can you give it a shot?”

  “Of course.” She reached for his hand. “Just ground me and I’ll see what I can do.”

  He wasn’t sure exactly what she meant except he knew that looking into the future caused her pain.

  Her gaze shifted back and forth over her garden as she spoke aloud. She then told him about Kryder being in her studio and added, “What’s this wolf’s name?”

  “Alanna.”

  She nodded in swift dips of her chin. She drew a deep breath that was almost a gasp then closed her eyes. Her grip on his hand tightened.

  This time, he could almost feel the future opening to her. She winced and panted through a couple of painful breaths. “I see her. Oh, God. I know where she is. We’ve got to hurry.”

  She released his hand then took off into the air. He was just smart enough to follow swiftly in her wake and not ask questions.

  She flew directly west toward Blackwater Bridge that connected Revel to Savage Territory. She only began to slow at the point where the Graveyard met the massive ditch of barbed wire that separated the two territories. In past decades, many had been fought at this border until the Tribunal made the tough decision to create deep, wide boundaries and filled them with massive broken up cement blocks topped with huge amounts of barbed wire. No one could cross. You either flew over or used the bridge.

  But it was here, at the ditch that Natalie stopped dead. I would have sworn this was the location, that this was where we’d find Alanna.

  I know she’s here. Grant said. I can feel her anguish.

  Grant looked down at the ditch then he understood. Dammit, there’s something here, underground. That he could sense the structure felt more fae to him than wolf. He took Natalie’s hand as he floated next to her. We should stay connected.

  Good idea.

  Touching her strengthened the odd fae abilities that had begun to emerge within him. Focus on Alanna. Stay with her. I’ll navigate.

  Will do. Her voice in his head eased him.

  The connection to Natalie helped him to know what was going on beneath the ditch, beneath the earth. He scanned the area. What exists here is hidden and it’s enormous, but it’s below the earth. There’s something else as well. I can feel it, but it doesn’t make sense.

  I know what you mean, she responded. I’m calling my wolf. She can see better than I can.

  As they floated in the air together, he watched wolf-sign appear on Natalie’s cheeks and for a moment, his own wolf wanted to tilt his head back and howl. Sudden desire for her raced through his body, but he clamped down on it. His breathing grew rough as he suppressed his ever-present desire for the woman.

  He kept his gaze pinned to her, however. She was the key to finding Alanna.

  I see the aura of the complex, now. There’s an invisibility spell at work.

  He followed the line of her gaze which was turned to the north. Not in Savage then. But in Revel?

  She turned her head slowly, though not to look at him. Instead, she was scanning the southern horizon. The complex is in both territories. I think, yes, I’m almost certain, the underground layout is beneath the border ditches, including the ones near the Graveyard which makes sense. If this compound, or whatever it is, exists in both territories, what better location than the area beneath the connecting ditches? Who would ever imagine it was there?

  She then made an about-face. I’m starting to understand, Grant. The compound also rides below the border with Elegance. Whatever Kryder has done, he’s connected to all three. This must be part of the Dark Corridor that Landris was talking about.

  Grant thought for a moment. He’s used both a fae and a wizard in his schemes, so this makes a lot of sense. What else do you see? He turned to look at her again, only now her wolf-sign was flashing down her neck and over her arms. Desire once more hit him like a blow to the back of his knees. His jaw trembled as he watched her focusing on the vicinity between Elegance and Savage.

  Once more, he brought his wolf to heel.

  She turned to him suddenly and kissed him hard on the lips. I’m smelling that beautiful fresh-cut lumber scent, but just hold that thought. She then smiled and let go of his hand. She swept her arm in a circle. This is it. This is the scope of the area. There are at least three layers below, well into the earth. He’s been building this for over a decade. It must have cost a fortune.

  Grant snorted. It did. Every cent the Meldorin pack gave him, just shy of operating costs for the pack’s compound. So, are we thinking this is The Sapphire Club?

  It would make sense. She took his hand once more. My wolf sees three disguising spells that confuse the mind. I’m watching cars enter sloped driveways that no doubt lead to underground parking. Vehicles can enter from three vantage points, one from each of the territories. They’re disappearing just at the points where the border ditches begin.

  Holy shit.

  Right, she said. But how do we get in?

  We’re already invisible so how about your wolf takes us after the next car.

  Got it. She squeezed his hand and met his gaze. She even smiled. I think my wolf will know where to find Alanna.

  Then let’s do it. You lead, I’ll follow. He gave her hand an answering squeeze. But stay connected.

  Will do.

  She pivoted toward what would be the Revel entrance. With only a handful of minutes to intercept the young female wolf, he felt a tug on his hand as she took off. He stuck with her.

  She made an in-air pivot and began to descend. She gave slight tugs on his hand to indicate direction. He experienced a strong degree of confusion because of the different spells and had to make a powerful effort not to yank his hand from hers. All he could see was the ugly, dangerous mass of barbed wire and torn up concrete.

  But suddenly, just as it looked like they’d get tangled up in the barbed wire, they were through.

  The sight that met his eyes stunned him. A line of cars veered off to the right. Straight ahead was a brilliant sign in blue and silver: The Sapphire Club. Small lights flashed around the edges of the sign and blue fluorescent flames appeared and disappeared in Christmas-tree rotation.

  Holy fuck. This place is enormous.

  Small silver lettering on a black background explained the rest: Kryder Enterprises, Ltd.

  On the backs of his pack, Kryder had built an empire.

  ~ ~ ~

  Natalie saw the lettering then glanced at Grant. His fingers had tightened around hers. Maybe because her wolf was very much alive, but she thought she understood what he was experiencing. Here was one more way that the alpha of the Meldorin Pack had betrayed his people. So, Kryder used pack money to build all this.

  We could never figure out where it went and here it is. But this must be a casino, besides whatever else it is. I can’t imagine the profits.

  One more glance at all the high-end cars moving in and out of the parking lot told the rest of the tale. Whatever The Sapphire Club was, it moved a lot of money.

  A valet service brought well-shod people to the front doors. Men in blue-and-silver uniforms opened car doors and ushered the guests into the sparkling building.

  Trees and shrubs flanked the entrance and twinkled with mini-lights. Kryder had spent money on his project. A lot of it.

  Natalie didn’t allow herself to ponder the situation too much. A female wolf needed their help as in now. She focused on her wolf and held the future image of Alann
a in her mind.

  It was as though her wolf had a GPS device. My wolf knows where Alanna is, but we’re running out of time.

  Lead the way, though it will be easier if I let go.

  Understood.

  Grant let go of her hand and her breath caught. She had the oddest sensation of emptiness. Even so, she had never moved so fast. Because they couldn’t be seen, she had no trouble flitting swiftly behind a man and woman just passing through the glass doors.

  Once inside, the name of the club and its color was everywhere. There was blue on the carpet, the walls, even the ceiling. At least a hundred people milled about the foyer. Several stylish electronic panels guided the guests to various events and designated rooms. A well-guarded entrance flanked by blue velvet curtains and cordoned with silver rope and tassels, required printed invitations.

  Natalie’s wolf, however, went straight for an angled hall off to the right. She levitated swiftly, careful to avoid collision.

  I’m right behind you. Grant’s voice in her head reassured her.

  Once in the hall, guests moved into various venues with stages. Her wolf drew her at a rushed pace, however, straight toward the far end of the thoroughfare.

  A hall cut through on the left and her wolf directed her there.

  A door off to the right opened suddenly. She barely repressed a loud gasp as she almost collided with a man who emerged in a black tank trimmed with blue, definitely part of the club’s security force. He was heavily muscled and moved away from her, which meant he was going in the same direction as she.

  Her wolf told her to follow.

  He headed down what was a short hall then opened the heavy security door at the end. She passed through behind him as did Grant. Down the metal stairs the man hurried, his steps echoing through a smaller parking lot.

  Just like the vision, a van pulled up and the man drew the door open and reached inside.

  Alanna’s in there, Natalie said. This is what I saw in the vision