“And you learned them? So why bother with a security specialist?”
She tipped her head as though pretending to think about her answer. “I can defend myself in hand to hand combat. I can also blow shit up. But I’m not technically minded, tech savvy. Hacking, faraday cages, nanotech doohickies. None of these things would have occurred to me had I not had you on board.”
“And Frankie.”
She rolled her eyes. “Okay. And Frankie.”
The laughter that followed made Leira feel as though things were all right for now.
28
Ciaran
After the wolf shifters had left, each receiving a time for their turn on patrol, Leira and Ciaran cleaned up the remains of the lunch around the fire and then returned to the cabin.
They’d cleared the kitchen, washed up and then relaxed in front of the fire with coffee and cookies from Ciaran’s stores which he was grateful had turned out not to be stale.
His mind kept returning to her revelation and he was growing ever more curious since Leira admitted she believed Aldrich was after her because of her magic. To be honest he was still struggling with coming to terms with her incredibly raw power.
He’d seen her fight back, neutralize and then defeat the djinn Aldrich had sicced on her. And she’d done it with cool confidence that spoke of experience. He was impressed and oddly enough so proud of her.
Ciaran didn’t think she needed him to protect her considering Leira was one badass warrior in her own right.
Though she’d explained what she thought was her own part in Aldrich’s plan, she hadn’t yet divulged the nature of the relic. He sucked in a breath and glanced over at her.
“If you were his main focus, then what’s so important about the relic you stole? Why would he bother with something else other than the thing he had his sights set on?”
Leira rubbed her forehead. “I suppose it doesn’t make sense anymore to keep it a secret. It’s probably that it’s just a diversion and doesn’t have the kind of power it’s said to possess.”
Ciaran didn’t reply. He didn’t want to push her. He would rather she took her time. The silence worked, giving her a few moments to get her thoughts together.
She cleared her throat and rolled her shoulders. “The relic is a very special, very dangerous book.” Then she paused and rolled her eyes. “Well the relic isn’t technically a book.”
Ciaran felt his pulse speed up. He had a feeling whatever she was going to say would be earth-shattering to a certain extent.
Leira’s expression darkened. “Ever heard of the Book of the Dead?”
Ciaran blinked. “Anubis’s Book of the Dead?”
“One and the same,” Leira replied, her voice now husky. “Well, whatever history told us about this mythical Book of the Dead was, very few truly understood that the book was in actual fact a piece of stone on which was carved the words of a spell so powerful that it would open the gates of hell and bring destruction upon the world.”
Ciaran’s blood ran cold and from the way Leira was watching him, she knew exactly how he felt. He cleared his throat. “Ok. I’m familiar with the book but to be honest very few people I know actually believed the myths.”
Leira nodded, her expression sober. “I’ve seen it. The image of the god Anubis is carved onto the side of a stone tablet. It is quite unique, even beautiful. It’s been painted with inks of various colors, though much of the vibrancy has faded.” Leira continues and Ciaran had to force himself to listen. “The book itself isn’t specific to Egyptian lore. It’s been known by various names depending on the culture but in the end, it amounts to a very dangerous spell.”
Ciaran blinked and met Leira’s concerned gaze. “How does it work? What does it really do?”
She tilted her head and studied his face. “You know when you know that the smartest option is to consider the worst-case scenario as the only possible outcome because even introducing an iota of doubt as to that option’s validity could translate into chaos and destruction for everyone?”
Ciaran was silent as he absorbed her words. “So? The worst case scenario on the table?” He waved a hand to encourage her to elaborate.
Leira was still for a long while, as though pondering the wisdom of sharing what she knew with him when she wasn’t all that sure she could even trust him—a situation he’d created with the omissions he’d made.
Then she tucked her feet underneath her and said, “The book of Anubis is a spell meant to destroy the gateways between hell and the world we exist within.”
Ciaran nodded, familiar with the concept she described. “And we know there are many hells that make up this hell described in the book.”
She gave a small smile. “If this tablet is capable of destroying those walls, the world as we know it will cease to exist. As much as we as supernaturals have an understanding of the paranormal, even we fail to understand or accept the danger the book represents.”
Now Ciaran exhaled slowly. He’d begun to feel as though something heavy had taken up position on his chest and was preventing him from breathing easily. Considering Leira’s words he wasn’t surprised he was anxious.
“Does anyone know how this book works? What do you have to do to initiate the spell?” he asked. Leira stiffened and he shook his head, raising his hands up in surrender. “I don’t mean to say I’m interested in using it. What I’d like to know is how easy is it to do the spell? What’s involved? The easier it is, the more danger surrounds the book itself.”
“And the more dangerous it is to trust the book’s safety to any specific group. There will always be temptation.”
Ciaran glanced at the book. “I have read somewhere that the spell grants the holder or the summoner a great amount of power.”
When he glanced back, Leira was glaring at him, suspicion lighting fire within her eyes. “Look, I don’t want the thing, nor do I want to use it. What I’m curious about is how easy it is to invoke the spell. Like, can you find the ingredients in your kitchen or at the supermarket? Or are we talking powdered unicorn horn and dragon-heart soup?”
Leira smiled and then let out a soft laugh. “No. It’s not easy. In fact, you’d have to be trained specifically for the spell. Any random person can’t just grab the book and chant the spell. The book is more likely to destroy the invokee than answer the call like a genie ready to grant endless wishes of power and mayhem.”
“So? Does the invokee have to be powerful? A necromancer or a warlock perhaps?”
She nodded, her expression going dark.
Ciaran leaned forward, ignoring the tablet inches from him. “How about a warlock necromancer?”
Leira’s eyes widened. “I suppose yes. There aren’t many though.”
“I do know of one who is powerful enough. And vicious enough.”
She swallowed and nodded slowly. “Okay. Maybe we can start with him. Could we perhaps make a list of who could want this tablet and why?”
Ciaran smiled at her and glanced out the window. “We know of one warlock necromancer that has come a little too close for comfort.”
Leira gasped. “You’re talking about Aldrich?” She scowled, staring off into the distance for a few seconds. “It’s possible. Considering he wants me, he could simply be looking for a djinn with more power than his previous goon.”
“Or perhaps he needs the kind of power you have flowing through your veins. He must have a good reason to have targeted you so specifically.”
She sighed. “I wonder if he started out looking for the book and stumbled upon me? The other way around sounds a little weaker as an argument.”
“Not as weak as you may think consider the kind of power you possess,” said a voice from near the window.
29
Leira
Leira surged to her feet, hands held out in front of her, a growling wolf suddenly at her side as she stared at the newcomer. Then she threw her hands in the air in defeat and walked a circle, hands on her hips.
At last she faced the woman. “What are you doing here? And I thought we couldn’t appear and disappear like the myths claim?”
High Priestess Arania stepped away from the glow of the light from outside the window and approached Ciaran and Leira. “I apologies for my unannounced arrival. It’s imperative that I speak to you, Lady Leira.”
Leira shook her head, taking a step away. “Don’t call me that. And how did you know where I am?”
The wolf growled again as though waiting for Leira to give him the go ahead to pounce. As satisfying as it would have been to see Arania terrified, even for a second, Leira sighed and said, “Ciaran, this is High Priestess Arania of the Djinn. My mentor.”
Leira held Arania’s gaze as Ciaran shifted into his human form. She felt him look over at her. “Your mentor? She’s the one who taught you all those moves?”
Leira smirked. “Yes, she’s the one.”
Then Ciaran focused on Arania, taking a step toward her. Leira wanted to tell him to treat Arania with care because she tended to be unpredictable, but she kept silent. He wasn’t stupid. He said, “Why are you here? And why appear out of thin air instead of arriving and knocking at the door like normal people?”
Arania raised an eyebrow. “Because we would prefer my presence remain a secret. Alerting Menephilos to my presence would only cause more mayhem.”
“Menephilos?” Leira whispered, her ears ringing again at the mention of the name.
“Who’s that?”
“Menephilos is a warlock necromancer who is believed to be one of the many immortals still roaming our plane of existence. His determination to remain alive has driven him to locate every spell or power that could add a few more years to his life. Have you heard of Sayeera?”
Ciaran frowned. “The mythical firebird? The phoenix?”
Arania nodded, her expression taut. “Yes. Sayeera was abducted and held captive by Menephilos for over a century. Many believed her to be dead but he had simply kept her in a cell and regularly drained her of her life-force.”
Leira’s mouth hung open. Finally, she found her voice. “Sayeera? My….”
“Yes, child. You were special the moment you drew your first breath. Is it any wonder that your power far exceeds any of that of the most powerful of the djinn race?”
“But how? She’s a phoenix.” Leira shook her head, aware that Ciaran was listening to every word they spoke, listening to truths only now revealed to her. “I’m a djinn. My father is a djinn.”
Arania smiled. “You do know how children are made, child. Verastis and Sayeera were bonded for life. Their union produced you, Leira.”
Leira shook her head. “This makes no sense. If she’s been gone for over a hundred years then how can she be my mother. I’m thirty-six. Not five hundred or whatever.”
“She was discovered almost forty years ago. Locked up within those dungeons after Menephilos discarded her. It appeared that he’d found another source of power, or perhaps believed he’d drained her of what she had left. Verastis had never stopped looking and only stumbled upon her existence by accident. She’d used her power to initiate an explosion. The building collapsed and the local emergency services found her and dug her out. She’d been recovering in a care facility when he finally found her. He brought her home and tended to her as she recovered. But she was never whole again, never as powerful.”
Leira didn’t want to talk about a mother she never knew. This revelation right now was unfair. She couldn’t allow herself time to fully digest the truth. So she shoved aside her shock and chose the route of logic. “So he knows I’m her daughter? How would he have known if I didn’t even know myself?”
Arania opened her arms, a gesture indicating her own ignorance. “Perhaps he sensed your power? Or maybe he saw something in you that reminded him of her. He did spend decades with her.”
Leira stiffened, her blood turning to ice. “Do I know him?”
Arania gave Leira a sad smile. “Is it not obvious yet, dear?” For once there wasn’t a hint of nasty in the older woman’s voice.
Leira knew what she meant. She knew who her mentor was talking about. Menephilos. The man who had kept Leira’s mother captive. The man who had also seduced Leira and proposed marriage. Aldrich. All in the hopes of gaining control of her powers, powers she didn’t know she had.
Her head was spinning with it all and for a few seconds she thought she was going to pass out. Then she sucked in a ragged breath ready to reply.
But then Ciaran spoke as though she hadn’t paused to process the reality. “Perhaps it was your hair? I’d say that’s something not so commonly seen. Red hair yes, but the way yours is colored is unusual.”
He spoke lightly, as though he wanted to distract her thoughts, to make her feel more grounded. And she was more grateful than she could ever express because it worked. His voice and words calmed her like a gentle, loving caress and she felt herself release the building tension and horror.
Arania gave him a look of admiration. “It’s quite likely. Leira’s hair is identical to her mother’s. Odd given that she was only half phoenix, but it’s a most distinct feature. Does make one stand out, doesn’t it?”
Leira’s eyes narrowed as she studied her mentor’s face. Then she gave a cold laugh. “How did I not realize it?”
“What dear?” The woman replied though she could see the consternation flicker in her eyes.
“You fought me so hard, literally ordered me to stay. But you wanted me to go, didn’t you? All along, you wanted me to leave. To protect me.”
Arania sniffed. “Perhaps you’re reading too much into my actions, child. You chose your path despite my best intentions.”
Leira shook her head, then shared a glance with Ciaran who now looked stunned. Something in his expression was still offering her comfort though. And something else told her to be careful. Or maybe that was her imagination? She’d already questioned whether or not to trust him, but she knew Arania well. The woman always wanted something. She never did anything from which she didn’t gain in equal or greater value.
Leira let out a sigh. “Why are you here? How are you here?”
Arania rolled her eyes. “You were careless. You logged in to the records library. Left yourself logged on. Our techs managed to find a signal to bounce off and pinpointed your location. I understood that something was going on and I checked in with Ivan.”
Leira stepped toward her mentor. “You better not have hurt him.”
Arania waved a hand. “Don’t be silly dear. We just administered a few…medicinal encouragements. He told us why you were here and we had him look at the signal. He figured out how we were able to track you. Something to do with nano-bits. Can you believe he was angry with himself for not figuring it out?”
“Of course he’s upset. He tried his hardest to keep me safe and hidden. But I kept getting hacked and he couldn’t figure out how.”
Arania laughed. “Honestly. He’s a pleb. He had no idea how someone like Menephilos thinks. You cannot go up against a man like him. Hopefully Ivan understands and gets over it.”
Leira snorted. Arania had never possess much empathy or sympathy for that matter. But the woman had taken Leira under her wing, guided her through her younger years, taught her everything she knew from knowledge to fighting skills to diplomatic negotiation. Leira had understood she was being groomed for a seat at the Overwatch table and she’d refused.
One of the reasons she’d left.
And Arania had thrown a fantastic fit when she’d heard Leira’s decision. Come to think of it, the woman’s acting skills were impressive. Too impressive.
Leira folded her arms. “What do you really want? I’ve already fought Aldrich—Menephilos. Whatever. I’ve already fought him off once. Oh, and you should know he has a djinn on his payroll.”
Arania’s mouth dropped open. Then she glanced at Ciaran as though waiting for him to confirm. His reply was, “Had.”
Confused, Leira glared at him. “Had?”
“He had a djinn on his payroll. You just about ended her remember?”
Leira snorted. “Wish I’d gotten the chance to do it properly.” Her words were hollow because she wasn’t a killer. Not willingly at least.
“What happened to this djinn?” asked Arania.
Leira almost smirked but she controlled herself. “See for yourself,” she said, beckoning the priestess closer. Leira stood still and allowed Arania to place her fingertips against her temple. Then her eyes drifted closed and Leira showed her all that had happened from the beginning of her battle with Aldrich—no with Menephilos. At last Arania stepped away, her complexion a tinged grey.
She exhaled harshly. “Now that wasn’t what I expected.” Then her eyes met Leira’s. “But you conducted yourself perfectly. I expected nothing less from you.”
Leira threw her hands in the air. “Did you not just see that he killed a djinn? One of our own? Who is she?”
Arania waved a dismissive hand. “She doesn’t matter. What’s important now is Aldrich’s next move. He’ll come for you again so perhaps we ought to prepare?”
“We?” asked Leira and Ciaran in unison.
Arania looked at each of them in turn, then said, “I see.” After a pause, she cleared her throat. “What are your plans to keep Leira protected. Clearly nothing has worked so far.”
Ciaran didn’t take the bait. “Now that the nano-chips are dead, we can protect her. We can move her somewhere safe. Out of his reach.”
The priestess nodded. “That’s a good plan. But what about the Book of Anubis? That’s why you went into hiding, am I right?”
Ciaran scowled. “How do you know about that?”
Leira though let out a groan. “My searches while I was logged into the database.” She couldn’t lie to Arania now. She sighed. “Yes. I have it. Any suggestions as to where to hide it? Can we leave it with someone for safe keeping?”
Dark Moon Falls: Volume 2 Page 46