I did my best not to react when he noticed me. He didn’t try to hide it as his eyes roamed my body. The heat from his stare warmed my skin. Rowan pushed off the wall with raised eyebrows but said nothing. I was about to be disappointed, and then I saw him swallow hard. He coughed, trying to play it off, but he was too late. I sashayed over to where Ariel stood, suddenly confident in my six-inch stiletto heels.
Rowan cleared his throat. "Let’s go.”
The casino followed the same color patterns as the rest of the hotel, except we no longer heard the music playing in the hallways. The constant clinking of slot machine handles and the tinkling of change in plastic buckets filled the air. Most never took their eyes off the slot machines as we casually made our way inside. We passed masses of patrons around the blackjack, poker, and roulette tables. There was lots of noise and the occasional cheer, but for the most part, we heard sighs from those ‘oh-so-close’ calls.
We came to stand in front of a closed golden door—two muscular guards in tuxedos blocking our path. The rounded sign above the door read “club privé” in lowercase letters. I turned to Rowan and whispered, "Is he in there?”
Without answering, he faced the two guards.
"We’re guests of Nevin,” Rowan spoke in an ominous tone. “Let him know his nephew has arrived.”
The brown-haired, stoic guard nodded and then ushered us inside.
The exquisitely decorated room had a contemporary art deco style. Interlocking chains hung from the ceiling, and I didn’t even want to know their purpose. A beautiful female poured drinks behind a private bar filled with rows of top-shelf liquor. We stepped onto the raised floor and saw a group of well-dressed men sitting around a dark wood poker table. A slew of exotic women in tiny dresses stood in the background next to a few men who had to be bodyguards.
Most of the suited men at the table were dark-skinned, except for the radiant one sitting in the middle of the table. He looked up from his cards, and his hazel eyes instantly enamored me. Even though there was a good distance between us, I could see the slight green tint around his irises. His layered brown hair was spiked and styled toward the middle.
Aware of my stare, he smiled in my direction. A black and purple checkered skinny-tie hung loosely around his neck over a fitted black shirt. His forearms were exposed, showing his sun-ripened skin. When he rose from the chair, I noticed that his black, khaki pants fit snugly around his hipless waist. He had a lean but still muscular build. Energy radiated around him. His warm aura was soaking into my skin. The palms of my hands began to dampen.
Without a doubt, he was an incubus.
Nevin made eye contact with each of the gentlemen sitting at the table. "I apologize for this interruption, but I must attend to my guests.” He snapped his fingers, and another mortal hurried to sit in his seat. "Ronald will take my place until I can return.” He sauntered over to where we stood and met eyes with Rowan. "It’s been years, Nephew. Let’s go catch up somewhere. Please follow me.”
Nevin led us through a hidden door covered by one of the glass and metal screen partitions. The empty room we entered was the exact copy of club privé. We each scanned the area while Nevin observed us. He strode over to me, and I took in his musky scent while I admired the flecks of green in his eyes. They seemed to spin. The color gradually transformed into a golden ring of fire. Out of nowhere, I had this desperate need to touch him.
"I don’t believe we’ve met, my lovely.” His voice was soft and comforting. "My name is Nevin.” He held out his hand for me to shake. Our hands were only inches apart when Rowan stepped in between us, slapping my hand away. Pain shot through my arm, jolting me out of his trance.
"Enough with your tricks, Uncle,” Rowan snarled. "I didn’t bring her here for you.”
Nevin backed up a few paces, smiling mischievously at me. "Too bad. I do enjoy the redheads.”
Ariel came to my side, rubbing my back while I tried to catch my breath. Rowan had warned me that he would use no restraint with his seductions, and I guess I underestimated how powerful it would be. In just those few moments, he was all I desired. The fire I’d seen in his eyes made me wonder how many mortals had died under the weight of his stare. I replaced the desire I felt with anger.
Nevin chuckled as I fumed silently. "Well then, Nephew, if you didn’t bring me something to play with, what’s the purpose of your visit?”
"Is King Taron of House Paralda being held prisoner here,” Rowan bluntly asked.
Nevin, not looking at all stunned by our request, found a cushioned leather chair and sat down. "And why would you assume I know where he is?”
Rowan growled, clearly annoyed by Nevin’s answer. "Well, for one, you do not deny it. And two, you’re not exactly known for following the rules.”
"You wound me with your accusations.” Nevin put his hand on his chest as if insulted. “What would I have to gain from attacking the air court?”
My patience grew thin. If my father was here, he was slowly dying with every wasted second that Rowan spent going back and forth with his uncle. I pulled my arms loose from Ariel’s hold and approached Nevin. "Enough with the games. Is he here or not?”
Nevin’s lips curled into a wicked grin. "Very well, my lovely, I will take you to him. All I ask for in return is a kiss from you.”
Before I could respond, Rowan re-positioned himself directly in front of me. "That request is not anywhere near the vicinity of possible,” he said through gritted teeth. "You will not barter with Kalin.”
Nevin laughed, not at all intimidated by his anger. “My dear nephew, you defend the halfling so staunchly. You’ve fallen for her, haven’t you? And after all these years, I thought I could no longer be surprised.”
Rowan ignored his remarks.
Nevin tapped his index finger against his lips. "Very well, Rowan. You’ve been most entertaining this visit. Come with me. I will take you to him.”
Nevin directed us toward a wall, where a hidden door appeared out of nowhere. We stepped inside the secret room. It was empty, minus one single light bulb that hung from a wire in the ceiling. The click of footsteps turned my attention toward a shadowed corner of the room. A cold shiver raced down my spine as a female and male came into view.
The female had dark brown hair with piercing evergreen eyes. Her long gown had a slit up to her hip. Her arms crossed in front, and she peered at Rowan with the same disgust that Liana had at the council meeting.
The man next to her had slicked-back, charcoal black hair and deep brown eyes with a prominent nose. He had on a black suit with a white buttoned shirt beneath. His stare bored into Rowan. "Hello, Brother.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Kalin
I had never seen Rowan look this furious.
“It’s a family reunion,” Nevin said, clapping his hands. “Aren’t you thrilled, Nephew?”
Rowan’s jaw clenched tight, and his hands were white-knuckle fisted at his sides. I wasn’t a mind reader, but I had a strong suspicion Rowan was not excited. “You’re supposed to be dead,” he snarled.
Nevin casually strode over to me. “I apologize for my nephew’s rudeness. He should’ve introduced you.” He motioned his hand toward the two individuals I suspected were Rowan’s brother and sister. “This is Valac and Selene.”
“I figured as much when Valac called him brother.” I backed up a few paces, needing to distance myself from the powder keg Nevin had created.
“Adopted brother,” Rowan corrected.
“Why do you look so miserable, Rowan?” Selene asked, flipping her long hair over one shoulder. "Aren’t you happy to see us?”
My eyes shifted back and forth between them. I wasn’t sure what to do. Rowan thought they were dead, but the fact that they’re here means they escaped exile. They must’ve been hiding in Avalon, but where? Someone within the fire court had to help them. And what were they doing here now?
"He’s not happy to see us,” Valac replied. “He had us exiled.”
Rowan’s face was blood red like he was about to explode. "You nearly started a war with the air court when you tried to rescue Prisma. That’s why.”
“She was our mother,” Selene said with a passionate, yet pained voice. “What choice did we have?”
“It’s okay,” Valac put his hand on his sister’s shoulder. “It’s important that you stay calm. We don’t want any accidents this close to mortals.”
Accidents? Valac made me wonder what happened to her when she got angry. Would she turn green, quadruple in size and destroy the place? The tension in the air was as thick as butter. My stomach tightened. This situation was all wrong. I couldn’t explain it, but I sensed something terrible was about to happen.
Selene put her hand on top of Valac’s and smiled. “You’re right, of course.”
“Why are you here, Valac?” Rowan released his sword from its sheath, pointing it in Valac’s direction. A few more steps and his blade would be against his throat. "Tell me before I bleed the truth out of you.”
"You will not take one more step.” Selene moved closer to Valac. “I see you haven’t changed at all, Rowan. Once again, you’re choosing the air court over your own family. Perhaps you are nothing more than a shadow prince.”
Selene had a sweet, almost chirpy voice, while Valac was a rich baritone. His was a voice I was sure I had heard before. Had we met in the mortal world? If we had, I think I would’ve remembered. I stayed quiet while searching my memory, trying to make sense of it all.
"Prisma committed treason,” Rowan snarled. “If I had followed her order, Kalin would be dead, and we would be at war with the air court. If I made any mistake, it was begging Taron to spare your lives.”
“Spared? Shall I remind you, Rowan?” Selene questioned. “We were sent to the mortal world to age until we became weak and powerless. It’s a humiliating death. Now tell me, Little Brother, how did you have us spared?”
"Enough of this,” Valac snapped at his sister. Then he returned his attention to Rowan. "We didn’t come here for revenge, Brother. We came here to ask you to join us.”
"Join you?” Rowan snickered. “You must be joking.”
My blood ran cold as I realized where I had heard his voice before. Valac was the one in the castle basement with Jarrod. I glanced down at his shoes. They were the same pair I remembered. "It was you,” I screamed. “You’re the voice I heard in the castle basement. You’re the one who took my father!”
"Is she right?” Rowan roared. “Have you taken King Taron?”
Rowan and Valac stared silently at one another for a few awkward moments. "Yes,” Valac finally replied, bluntly. "Taron has to suffer for what he did to our family.”
Power surged at my fingertips. I was about to summon all the energy I had and make him pay for kidnapping my father when Ariel stood in my path. “Let Rowan handle this.” I tried to move past her, but she didn’t budge. “You don’t know what they might do to your father if we attack them.”
I didn’t want to listen to her. Every ounce of my being desperately wanted to destroy them both. But Ariel had a point. They admitted to kidnapping my father. Now I had to be smart and figure out where they might’ve taken him. I’d follow Rowan’s lead for now, and see if he could get the information we needed.
Rowan turned to Nevin. "And what part do you play in this? I know you didn’t help them out of the kindness of your heart.”
“No one is that kind, especially me,” Nevin slyly grinned. "I offered my services in exchange for my freedom. Once Valac becomes king, I will be allowed to return to Avalon or any other place of my choosing,” he gushed. "How could I refuse his offer?”
Rowan narrowed his eyes at his adopted brother. “So that’s the answer. You want the throne.”
Liana wasn’t involved in any of this. Nevin had betrayed his sister because he knew she would’ve never release him from exile. I’d only been around him a few minutes, and I could tell he was too dangerous to be allowed to roam free. "Jarrod is ready to lead two armies that will decimate the fire court. How can that help your cause?”
Rowan spoke first as if he had already worked it out in his head. "King Orion will want to avoid mass bloodshed. He’ll send in a small group of mercenaries to kill Liana. That will end the war and leave the fire court intact and without a leader.”
Jarrod had told me he was sending in a small group to search for my father. It appears that the group had an all-together different mission. Bile rose into my throat. "Do you think the fire court will welcome you with open arms after you murder their queen?”
"They’ll never know,” Valac replied, completely impassive. "Remember, I wasn’t the one who ordered my aunt’s execution.”
I saw the whole thing now. Once Liana was killed, and King Orion would be held responsible for initiating the war. If Jarrod spoke against him, which he absolutely would to clear himself, Orion could be tried and executed. With my father gone, I would rule, unless I never returned. Was that why they lured us here? So that the throne of the air court would go to Jarrod?
The clicks of footsteps caught my attention. At least fifty armed knights appeared out of the shadows carrying iron weapons. Black-feathered wings sprouted from their backs. They were fire court elementals. Valac had been busy during his supposed exile. He was building an army of his own, but for what purpose? I had more questions than answers, but one thing I knew for certain: we walked right into a trap.
"I’m going to ask you once more, Brother.” Valac held out his hand. "Let’s reunite our family. We’ll put the past behind us and rebuild the fire court together.”
Valac was slippery, but I saw right through his façade. He wasn’t going to allow Rowan to rule. Rowan was the true-born son of the former fire queen, which gave him a stronger claim to the throne than Liana. Once she was deceased, Rowan becomes the last living member of his house and the only elemental standing in between Valac and the throne.
Time was up. I was done standing by and watching this nightmare unfold. My power surged once more, and I charged toward Valac and Selene. "Where is my father?”
“Kalin, please,” Rowan grabbed my shoulders and ushered me away until we were out of hearing range. “I have a plan. Be ready to run when I give the signal.”
“I don’t want to run,” I argued. “They have my father.”
“Let me do this my way. There are too many of them,” Rowan insisted. “For once, I’m begging you to listen to me.”
Tears welled in my eyes. "What are you going to do?”
He reached out and touched my cheek. There was a sadness in his eyes I wasn’t expecting. "I’m going to get you both out of here,” he whispered.
Both? He didn’t include himself. A sinking feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. “Rowan, this whole thing is a trap. They’re going to kill you.”
Rowan didn’t answer. He dropped his sword to his side and strode toward his adopted siblings. "I will join you on one condition.”
“A condition?” Valac laughed. "What’s your condition, Little Brother?”
“You let them both go.” Rowan stared at me and let out a defeated sigh. He was sacrificing himself for us. “You only need me.”
"No, I won’t let you,” I shrieked. This nightmare was all my fault. Rowan didn’t want us to come with him because he knew it was dangerous. Had he anticipated a trap? I forced him to bring me, and now he wanted us to leave him behind while we escaped. “There has to be another way.”
"Remember what I said Kalin.” In less than a second, Rowan had his blade pressed into Valac’s neck. A drop of blood ran down his throat. The knights behind Valac moved into fighting stances, but Rowan held out his palm, and they didn’t move. "Go! Run!”
"Don’t let them escape,” Valac ordered. His knights shifted around and chased after us.
Ariel tugged at my arm, pulling me backward, and I let her lead me out of there. I watched in dismay as everything crumbled in front of my eyes. I wanted to burst into tears, or at the very
least, vomit. But I couldn’t do any of those things because we were running for our lives.
"Come on, Kalin,” Ariel screamed. "We’ve got to move faster if we want to get out of here!”
Rowan was gone. What would they do with him now that he had betrayed them? Would they kill him? Would they kill my father? Once we ran out the door, I could no longer see what was happening. I heard swords scraping together and a few pained wails, but I didn’t know if one of them was Rowan.
We ran through the crowded casino, attracting tons of attention. People must have thought we robbed the place. My legs burned as we sped down the streets of Las Vegas. Ariel glanced over her shoulder a few times to make sure I was still behind her. We didn’t stop until we returned to the portal.
As we rushed into the portal, Rowan’s last words echoed in my mind. Each time, a sharp pain stabbed into my chest. I had always wondered if a heart could break. If a pain existed so strong that a heart would crumble into pieces. After what I had witnessed, I knew it was not only possible, but it had just happened to mine.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Kalin
Ariel had remained silent since we returned to Avalon.
Leaves crumbled with each step as we made our way through a collection of trees on the side of the mountain. The sun had begun its descent, allowing only small streaks of light to break through the thick greenery. A soft breeze flowed through the tepid air, pushing stray hairs into my face. I removed the rubber band I kept around my wrist and pulled my hair into a ponytail.
Like me, Ariel was probably trying to make sense of the last several hours. Or maybe she was blaming me for everything. I couldn’t fault her if she did. Rowan wanted to go alone because he knew it would be dangerous. Had I let him go, he might’ve been able to save himself. Thanks to my error in judgment, he was captured and possibly dead.
Mortal Enchantment Complete Box Set Page 24