Black specks flickered in and out of existence before Badb. Then green light swirled through the darkening splotches, until a portal blew open. Screams echoed beyond the portal, then wind blew through. Four men and one woman were dumped into the grass as the portal slammed shut.
Just as he’d always suspected. Gerard had taken his place. Someone had taken Liliana’s and Germaine’s places, while Anthony had taken Daniel’s. The bastard gave him a grin, but most of his teeth had fallen out, his hair growing dull. And Gerard was well on his way back to the small gray person he used to be. Then there was the man who took Lester’s place.
Gerard climbed to his feet. His clothes hung from thin limbs. “You! You can’t be here. I killed you a thousand years ago.”
Badb smiled as she stood and walked forward. Magic swirled up as the elements answered her call.
Gina growled, while Kindra cowered, turning away from the creatures.
And as much as he wanted to laugh at her, Mark had to respect the smarter decision. She was weak. He could smell it on her.
He moved forward, but Gina caught his arm. “Careful. I know you want revenge but don’t do anything rash.”
He shook his head.
Gerard locked gazes with Mark, and his smile turned cruel as he moved forward. “You’re a fool. Giving up your magic to become a beast.”
“Rather be a beast than a soul-sucking thief.”
Reality shifted, and Mark found himself in a cavern lit in glowing red light. Gerard marched forward, appearing monstrous. “You’ll never survive me.”
* * * *
Gina lost her mind when Kindra shrieked in fear. Valen pulled her away from the doppelgangers. She spun to glare daggers at Kindra. “What happened?”
“He took Mark to hell. He can only escape if he does what Gerard wants.” She started sobbing.
Valen held on to his mother, staring at Gina with huge eyes. “What the hell?”
“They slipped into another dimension,” Morrigan answered. “Might take a moment to find it.”
Robert looked around. “I don’t have time to get Tremaine,” he moved toward one of the doppelgangers. The one who looked like he might have a plan.
“Don’t even think about it. We can end this quickly, or you can go down with a bloody battle. How much do you want to suffer?”
Germaine laughed. “What do you think you can do?”
Gina shot forward, shifting to a wolf as she went, though her clothes didn’t shred like she knew they normally did. No, this was magic. In fact the earth seemed to move with her, rocks forming and following her as she charged toward the man. She launched herself through the air as rocks whipped around her, hitting the man first, then her front paws as she drove him to the ground and sank her teeth into his neck before pulling his head from his spine.
The woman who’d stood beside him a moment ago joined in, slinging a spell.
Badb blocked it and Gina shifted, flowing toward her in a puff of air. She reformed inches before the woman, blood still coating her face and chest.
Gina reached out and struck the woman. “Your leader dragged my mate away. Where is he?”
Holding her face, the doppelganger blinked, then snarled. “You killed my mate.”
“You’ve murdered countless people to take their place and deceive a whole town time and time again. You’re vile monsters.”
She sighed, glancing back at her spouse. “Gerard can’t hold Anders there long. And you’ve taken the only thing holding me to this life. Kill me. Please. I never wanted this existence.”
“What happened?” Kindra asked.
She dropped her gaze. “Gerard went to war with the wrong people. He had us strip them of their power. Then we became these things.”
Badb laughed. “Oh, he’s the one who offended them. He wanted more power, he took it. The survivors cursed you all. And as much as I feel for you, in particular, you’re still a monster. You could have just died off.”
She nodded. “Kill me. I don’t know how to stop.”
Gina reached out and dark magic flowed from her, snuffing out the woman’s life without even a cry.
The other two men stood there, staring at the two dead ones.
Gina moved toward where she sensed Mark, but she couldn’t reach him.
* * * *
Anthony and Lester dropped to their knees.
“We fell for them, just like Kindra fell for Gerard. We’ve lost our women,” Anthony said.
Valen shook his head. “Why? Why did any of you fall for one of those things?”
“Love. They hated what they were, how they had to steal life from someone. We sympathized.”
Valen shook his head. “You were a horrid man to Cora.”
Morrigan perked up, moving forward. She touched his face and the man shriveled up like a raisin.
Kindra finally turned to look. “He made Cora miserable. He wouldn’t let her go.”
Lester sniveled. “No, because she would have told someone and killed us all like you’re doing.”
“Like you’ve done to people to keep on living?” Kindra fired back. “Did they at least tell you what you were getting into when they got into your head? Or did you choose this?”
“Is that what you did? Find out the truth and fight?” he sneered.
“With help. But it’s too late for you. You’ve already gone through the change.”
“I smelled the change on you. How did you reverse it?”
“Me,” Morrigan said. Then touched him and killed him the same way.
Valen pulled his mother back. “You okay?”
“Once Anders kills Gerard.”
“Mark, you mean Mark.”
She nodded.
Chapter 34
“You were always a naïve fool,” Gerard snarled. “So easy to fall in love. And the best part was, Kindra was so weak, she didn’t fight it. She fell in line and pretended I was you all that time.”
“I don’t give a shit what you did. I’ve moved on.” He circled Gerard, waiting for the bastard to make any mistake. Wherever they were, it didn’t matter. He knew Robert, Tremaine, and Preston could pull off some crazy shit. And magic seemed to surge through him like electricity through a live wire. He wasn’t used to the magic flowing through him, but he couldn’t complain.
Gerard surged forward, his body bursting apart into a wall of flame. Mark called upon ice and a chill worked through him. Gerard rushed past with a scream.
The cavern flickered, but they didn’t bust out of the dimension. And he knew they were in another dimension. Things were flipping through his head, someone else’s memories.
Gerard wound up on his knees across the cave. Steam rolled off him as he stared back. He looked pathetic with spittle hanging out of his mouth while he panted.
“Why won’t you die?” Gerard snarled.
“Because it’s your time to die.” Mark moved forward and caught Gerard’s throat with both hands. Pure energy flowed through him into Gerard. As Gerard aged and withered, the dimension faded away, leaving them in the field of grass.
“Your turn,” Mark hissed, flinging Gerard to the ground.
Badb appeared, crouched over Gerard. She slashed his throat and plunged a blade into his chest. His skin blacked then cracked. Black ooze seeped out of the shell that was Gerard as Badb moved away.
“The curse is broken.”
Just like that it was over. Mark turned to find Gina and ran to her. “Are you okay?” He caught her face, staring at the blood around her mouth. “You shifted?” he asked. That didn’t make sense. Her clothes were intact.
She nodded. “I took care of a couple of them. The woman let me. The man was stupid enough to open his mouth.
Morrigan lifted a shoulder. “I took care of the other two.”
Mark looked at Badb, who smirked.
“You killed Gerard, but I wanted to be sure he was beyond coming back. I owed him that much.”
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Mark turned to Kindra, who stood there looking relieved, while Valen stared at Mark. “You’re truly you? And okay?”
He nodded. “Need me to shift to prove it?”
“But you were using magic.”
Badb smiled. “I may have been a little overzealous in mending Gina while I was inside her. And there was an abundance of magic between them. I managed to fuse his true magic with the wolf. He wasn’t just a witch, but part Sylvan. Now that was not something I expected.”
Mark shook his head. “Sylvan?”
“Druids descended from a type of caster who were similar to that, and Sylvan Fae. You’re mixed, but there was enough that I opened those paths for you. Even if you never use the magic, you’re already a wolf. You’re not going to grow old, but it may be nice to know how to use it.”
Robert walked toward him. “I know a werewolf who is also half Sylvan. I’m sure he’d be happy to help if you want to learn.”
“I may need to.”
“Gina, you’re something similar. You could learn from them too.”
“Sure, okay.”
Robert looked around. “Any chance you can take care of the others in the same way? Otherwise I’ll have to come back and figure out what to do with the bodies.”
Morrigan waved her hand and all five burst into flames that only burned seconds, but the bodies were gone.
Mark turned to Kindra. “I’m sure Druciela would allow you to stay with her. Cora too. You probably need someone who knows what it’s like to break from a coven. That is, unless you want to go back to them.”
She shook her head. “I can’t face them. The more I realize what I did, the less I want to face them. I can’t. I wish I could, but I can’t. They’ll hate me.”
“Then moving on is the right thing. Just don’t expect me to want to be there.”
“I know. I wish I could apologize, but there aren’t words.”
He blew out a breath. “You weren’t in control. I knew it then. But I’m over that, and I’m happy with Gina.”
“I can see that. Thank you for giving me more time with our son.”
He laughed sadly. “I wish I had known you were back, that you lived, that he was alive. I would have asked for help getting you away from there. Even if it wasn’t to be with me.”
Valen moved to Mark and hugged him. “We can’t go back to Brightwater, can we?”
He shook his head. “I doubt it.”
“Melanie’s parents live close to Edenton. At least a lot closer than Brightwater. I’ll come to visit, if you’d like. Both you and Mom, at different times.”
“Same time is even fine,” Gina offered, moving closer. She looked at Kindra and smiled. “You’re much clearer now than when I saw you after our abduction. Your aura had been a mess. Flowing with the same vile ick that was in Gerard’s. I’m glad you’re free.”
Kindra nodded. “Make him happy.”
“I will, each and every day,” Gina vowed.
Robert reached out and touched Kindra and Valen. They disappeared. When Robert came back he took Mark and Gina home, with Morrigan and Badb and Preston. From there he took Preston.
Badb touched Gina’s face. “You’re my blood. I’ll be seeing you.”
“You’ll have to teach me more about my bloodline.”
“You’ve got it.”
Morrigan smiled. “I will too. But we must go.” She opened a portal and Badb left with her sister.
Mark turned to Gina. “It’s over.”
She nodded. “And we’re starting our family. And it’s a little bigger with Valen.”
In fact, Valen pulled himself from his mother’s grasp to rush over to Mark. “You had me so worried when you disappeared.”
Mark hugged his boy. “I wasn’t letting that bastard win. He’s caused too much pain. And I want you to have a happy, healthy, long life with your wife. Who I want to meet soon.”
“And she’s going to want to meet you. Right after I explain everything to her.”
“Take your time. I’m sure we could spend a night with our loved ones before we have you over tomorrow, if that’s not too soon.”
“Not at all,” Valen answered.
Gina hugged Valen. “I’m excited. I have a real family finally.”
Valen squeezed her back. “You’re going to love Mel.”
“I’m sure I will.”
Robert joined them. “Ready to go home, Mark and Gina?”
“Please,” Gina answered. “I need to clean up.”
He gave her a long look. “I’d say.”
“Thank you,” Mark said.
“I wish we could have stopped them all those years ago,” Robert said.”
“Hey, we made it through. That’s all that matters,” Mark answered.
Chapter 35
Kindra hugged Valen tight. She had made so many mistakes she was afraid to let him go. With his father in his life, always doing the right thing, how could her boy ever see her in the same light after learning the truth?”
Valen squeezed her. “Mom, we really should go. I need to talk to Melanie.”
“I know, but I don’t want you to go.” She didn’t want to lose him.
“I’m right here,” he answered. “You’re still my mom. And I still love you. But I need to go to Melanie.”
“And you can come with me,” Morrigan said. “I promised to help you.”
“What about your sister?”
Morrigan smiled. “Oh, I have a feeling she’ll want to stay near Gina for now. And we can come and go. It might make things easier for now. Mark has forgiven you, but he’s never going to forget and I’m not sure it will ever be easy to have you around,” Morrigan explained.
Badb touched her shoulder. “I think you all will find a balance. Though I can’t say exactly what that will be,” Badb said. “But yes, I want to stick around near Gina.”
“There’s a bed and breakfast,” Preston stated. “You could stay there. Meals are provided. I’m sure we can work something out.”
She smiled. “That would be great. I can get myself around easily enough with portals, though.” She opened one.
Preston held up a hand. “Slow down. One of us will need to check you in. They’re not going to be expecting you.”
Robert reappeared. “Who’s next?”
Preston sighed. “We’re taking Badb to the bed and breakfast for now.”
“I’ll take Kindra with me. We’ll be in my residence in Seattle.” Morrigan opened a portal and took Kindra’s hand.
Valen hugged Kindra. “Love you. Keep in touch.”
“I promise.”
“Let’s get you checked in.” Robert looked at Valen. “May as well come with me, and I’ll get you to the car.”
Preston held up his phone. “I sent a text to Christian that he was too late.”
Robert shook his head and held out his arms.
* * * *
Cora felt light burst through her and she knew without a doubt that the doppelgangers were dead. Their hold gone. And she had to wonder what had happened to their town.
Not hers. Not anymore. She planned to take Druciela up on her offer to move in with her. She needed a new start, and what better way to do that than to move in with a witch who gave up coven life to start her own.
She had a feeling she could truly learn from her. Besides, there were other witches in Edenton. Hopefully she could claim Mark as a friend now. Though she still wished she could go back in time and drag Daniel to the Council with Mark.
Then again, she probably never would have left the coven, and she felt like this was a new start.
Besides, she would only serve as a reminder to how wrong the people of her coven were if she were to go back. And she wasn’t sure she wanted to be anywhere near Kindra. Though she had to wonder what would happen to her in the long run.
She stared out the window, sipping her coffee. Time flowed by and she hardly felt it u
ntil she heard the pop. Robert was back in the room. “It’s over.”
Druciela entered the room with a smile. “Want to move in?”
Cora couldn’t help laughing. “Yes, I do. I need someone to show me how to be an independent witch, away from the coven.”
“Oh, I’m going to make you see how much better it is without all those silly ideas.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. And Dacia is up to having a new partner.”
“Really?”
“I told you she would be. She’s very pregnant. I’m sure she’ll want more time with her baby.”
“When can we go?”
Robert chuckled. “Now. Though to be safe, you can’t go back to your old home for a week. No one is sure what will happen to Brightwater Bay now that the doppelgangers are dead, but to be sure, no one is going back for at least a week.”
“Are you going to tell the coven what happened?” Cora asked.
“Yeah, they need to know. But it may be best if you aren’t there, unless you want to confront them.”
“If Mark will go, I will. If not, I’ll stay away. But they should see that one they believed was full of shit wasn’t.” Cora sighed. “I don’t know if it’s worth it.”
“They may learn a valuable lesson. But that won’t happen today,” Robert answered.
“Want to take us home?” Druciela asked.
“How about to your car, which is still parked at my place?” Robert prompted.
“Even better. Thank you,” Druciela answered.
“I can’t wait to start my new life,” Cora said.
Chapter 36
Mark moved around the kitchen, getting everything ready. He’d already gone to Oregon to visit the coven and tell them what had happened with the doppelgangers.
They were shocked, appalled, and in the end, apologized for how they’d shunned him. They tried to convince him to come back.
Woven Fates Page 26
