The Scarlet Dagger

by J. E. Cluney

  “I wish I could’ve heard her voice. We’ve found out what the scarlet dagger is, we just don’t know why we need it.” I sighed before I went on to tell her about how Walter said Ollie was tangled up in it all too. Then the whole Claire thing and being influenced, Joseph Murphy, and whatnot.

  “This is insane. It must be so stressful. I hope Mr Brady can get this all sorted out,” Emma said as she played nervously with her amethyst pendant. “A killer warlock—just who we want on the loose.”

  “I know. I’m sure we’ll figure it all out,” I said, trying to force myself to believe my own words. I fell short though, and Emma gave me a sad smile.

  “No extra news from the other side?” I asked, praying perhaps someone else wanted to lend us a hand in figuring all this out.

  “No, sorry.” She sighed unhappily as she looked down at her hands.

  “That’s okay.”

  “I can do a reading if you want?” she offered as she pulled her messenger bag into her lap, the rainbow pentagram keychain catching my eye.

  “Sure, why not.” I shrugged. Although my last experience hadn’t been overly fun, it had helped me get more of an idea about what was going on.

  She shuffled back on the bed before pulling out the wooden case for her cards and set them down on the bed.

  “What is it you want to gain insight on?” she asked, throwing me back to the day in the diner when she’d first done a reading for me.

  “What’s going on with this scarlet dagger and Ollie. What our future holds,” I said softly, and she nodded as she waved her hand over the cards.

  The cards glowed green as they rose into the air and began shuffling, then after a moment, they settled down in three piles.

  She reached out, offering me her hand, and I accepted as she waved her free hand over the piles, her eyes glowing faintly. I felt her power tingle as it rippled through me, swirling in with my own. It was a warm, welcome sensation, and I relaxed as I let it do its thing.

  She picked up the pile off to the left and moved it closer to her, cocking her head in thought before she gave me a careful look.

  “You sure you want me to do this?” she asked uncertainly.

  “Yes,” I said with a firm nod. “I want to know what’s going on. I need to know.”

  She sighed as she held her hand over the cards, and they rose into the air with an eerie green glow and began shuffling. Four cards floated out and landed on the bed before me, and I stared at the gold backing of them, my heart skipping a beat.

  She flipped the first one over, pursing her lips for a moment.

  I eyed the witchy woman represented on the card, wearing creepy black robes and surrounded by red magic.

  “‘The Wicked Witch’ symbolizes trickery and magic. The feeling I’m getting from this is that there’s magic at work, someone has been working for a long time at whatever is to come, and the past is shrouded in trickery. I wonder if this is to do with Walter and his father?” she mused.

  “What kind of trickery?” I asked, shifting uneasily at her words.

  “I can’t say, but I do think this has more to do with the Murphy family,” Emma said softly before she flipped the next card.

  This one had a robed figure cast in shadows and was difficult to make out.

  “‘The Hidden Figure’ can mean secrets are your present. This has to do with Ollie, but I’m getting the sense that not even he knows what is hidden from him.” Emma bit her lip as her eyes faintly glowed green.

  I remained silent as she flipped the next one.

  “Lovers?” I frowned at the couple embracing on the card.

  “Yes, ‘Lovers’ symbolizes…well, lovers, trust, relationships. As long as you trust in those you love, you will find your answers. Together, you can face what is to come. You are stronger together,” Emma said firmly as she eyed the last card.

  She flipped the final card over as she sucked in a breath, and my heart skipped a beat.

  It had a raven depicted, with its wings spread wide and piercing red eyes that made me shudder. The depiction was awfully realistic, and I could’ve sworn its eyes glinted magically.

  “‘The Raven’ symbolizes conflict. It is your future to come. This one is vague, and I’m getting a feeling of a battle of sorts to come,” Emma said, frowning as her grey eyes tinged with an eerie green met mine.

  “With Joseph?” I asked softly.

  I could feel all my mates watching on through me, curiosity winning out.

  “Again, it’s vague and shrouded, but he’s involved,” Emma confirmed. “I’m sorry I can’t be more precise. I only get what I get from my magic and the spirits.” She sighed.

  “It’s okay,” I murmured, my mind reeling about the possibility of a battle.

  “This could all be related to the scarlet dagger, so you guys might not even be involved,” she said, but I knew she was just being hopeful with how her voice pitched.

  “Thanks,” I said as she started packing the cards away with a soft frown and pursed lips.

  “I wish I could give you more answers. My mom can try again?” she offered, but one look at me had her nodding understandingly.

  After last time, I was not in any rush to get another reading from her mom.

  I started asking her about the family and her Easter to distract myself, and we fell into a soft conversation, which eventually settled into an uneasy silence as we fretted over what all this meant.

  I sat down on the seat by the piano, sighing as I pulled out my phone. Emma had headed off after a little bit, and I’d decided to come down to the library to try to distract myself. Her reading had only given me more questions than answers.

  A few messages from Natalie popped up on the screen as I held it in my hand. She’d found a few videos and thought I’d like to have them.

  I opened them, my throat tightening as a wave of raw emotions washed over me as I played the first video.

  The blonde woman with my deep brown eyes sat much like me at a piano, her fingers gliding over the keys as she played a magical, serene song that made my chest ache. Her movements were so graceful and fluid, and the look on her face was one of content and sweet joy as she played the melody of her heart.

  I listened, marveling at her incredible skill, until the song ended and she turned, smiling brightly as my father walked into frame.

  “As beautiful as ever,” he said sweetly as he pulled her up into an embrace. His rich, deep voice made my heart flutter. I had wanted so desperately to hear the voices of the parents I’d lost.

  Seeing them like this, sharing their joy and love, it made my eyes tear up.

  “Is Allison still sleeping?” My mother giggled as my father whisked her around in a circle in his arms. My smile only grew at her sweet giggles.

  “Yes, out like a light.” He chuckled as he kissed her deeply.

  I pursed my lips, fighting back the overwhelming urge to sob. They were so beautiful and happy.

  I needed to focus on that, not on the truth that they were long gone.

  I watched the other videos, one of my mother on guitar, one of me and Hayley as toddlers in the yard as my parents played with us while Dixon aimed a hose at us. We were squealing and playing in the spray of the water in utter delight. There was Christmas music in the background, so I could only assume we were in the grips of one of the horribly hot Christmas summers.

  I thanked Natalie for the videos as I saved them to my phone, beyond grateful she’d sent them through.

  Now I had some videos to remember my parents by.

  Seeing them in photos was one thing, but hearing their voices, my father’s loving, gentle tone, and my mother’s sweet, soft voice, it made me feel that little bit closer to them. They felt more real now.

  I stared at my piano, smiling softly as I brought up a YouTube tutorial on my phone.

  My mother was a skilled musician, and I wanted to be able to feel closer to her, to make that knowledge a piece of me.

  To be like her.


  I watched the video, listening to the guidance as I rested my phone on top of the piano and started slowly following along.

  I battled with the frustration as I messed up a number of times, until I finally was able to play a string of keys to start with.

  I wondered what the song was in my mother’s video. Was it one she wrote?

  I hoped I could learn it too.

  I practiced and learned slowly, wondering how on earth I’d ever read a music sheet if needed, but decided I needn’t worry about that just now.

  I sat back, satisfied and pleased with myself for learning to play a series of keys that had resulted in a beautiful harmony.

  Maybe I was more like my mother than I realized.

  “Definitely.”

  I jumped, startled as I turned to find Lucas watching me from the desk, where he was perched on the edge.

  I hadn’t even noticed him enter, but then again, I’d been too focused on learning and blocking the guys out, since they’d been saddened by my own sorrow about my parents.

  “You’re learning quickly. Must be a natural,” he noted, his mouth curving into a dazzling smile as he strode over to join me on the piano seat.

  “Thanks, it’s nice. I wished I could’ve learned when I was younger.” I sighed.

  “Never too late,” Lucas said sweetly, his warm hand resting on mine and sending a sweet thrill shooting through me.

  “Be better if I could sing. But I definitely can’t.” I snorted. Then again, when I’d tried to sing for Sasha that time, she’d said I had a nice voice.

  “I’m sure you can sing, you just need to learn. If it’s what you want to do, you could get lessons,” Lucas suggested as his thumb gently stroked the top of my hand.

  “I think we have too many other things going on right now. How’s Claire? Any news on the scarlet dagger?” I asked quickly as all my worries came crashing back down and suffocated me.

  “Claire will rest until tomorrow. We tried to remove more magic, but she’s exhausted and drained. We need to take it slow. And my father is awaiting a call from a contact with the Council. He’ll alert me as soon as he knows,” he shared with me. I reached into his mind, finding he and his father had increased the wardings on Maple Grove to alert them if it sensed warlock magic, and his father was alerting other Area Enforcers of the potential threat as he worked on ways to locate Joseph.

  He wasn’t too sure if their wardings to sense warlock magic would work, as warlock magic was powerful, and if he knew how to hide it from other warlocks, then they’d struggle.

  His father was now having a meeting with some witches to try to track him if they could, but Lucas was doubtful.

  “Don’t stress. My father will handle this,” Lucas said, trying to reassure me as he pulled me into his arms, his fingers gently playing with my hair and making me relax. It was hard to believe his words when even he didn’t.

  “Like he handled the wendigo?” I muttered.

  Lucas sighed in defeat, not bothering to argue. He was just as worried about all of this, that Joseph would seek out Ollie and me for whatever his reason was.

  “Why would he want me?” I asked softly as I listened to the steady thrum of his heart in his chest.

  “I don’t know, but you’re very powerful, and I imagine a banshee is something he’d show interest in. After all, he turned his own son into a wendigo, and he stole the magic from other supes in his experiments.”

  Would he come for mine?

  “We won’t let him hurt you,” Lucas assured me, his voice firm and ringing with certainty.

  I smirked as I pulled back.

  “Wasn’t I the one who saved you guys last time?” I teased, and he just rolled his eyes before dipping his head to claim my lips.

  That shut me up quick as he drew my lower lip into his mouth, sucking on it and drawing a soft moan from me.

  He chuckled as he broke the kiss and pulled away, his hands running up my arms tantalizingly.

  “You start doing that, I won’t stop, Cupcake,” he whispered, those forest green eyes delving into mine, making me quiver as his fingers danced over my arms with featherlight caresses.

  I drew in a breath, trying to force the heat down that had begun to rise and ache in me.

  “How about I take you out for a dinner date?” he suggested, those eyes flicking over me as he admired my beauty.

  I averted my eyes at the sweet sensations of adoration that flooded through me, of how he wanted me to not worry.

  Having my men looking out for me, wanting me to be completely at ease and happy, filled me with a sense of deep belonging and love. I was beyond grateful I’d found them.

  My mates.

  “What’s the time?” I asked as I automatically reached for my phone to check.

  It was mid-afternoon. The day had flown by with all the stresses and issues we’d been dealing with.

  “How about I let you rest, maybe grab a nap or something, and we’ll head off at five-thirty?” he asked tenderly, reaching out to stroke my cheek.

  I leaned into his hand, gazing back into those stunning eyes.

  “Sounds good,” I breathed, savoring his loving touch. He lingered for a moment with me, bowing forward to give me another kiss, this one gentle and sweet, before he rose to leave.

  I watched as he strode out, smiling at myself. He’d changed so much from the man I’d first met and known.

  They’d all been interesting, but ever since I’d joined the fray, the so-called sex parties they’d used to throw had vanished. Lucas had made it clear that now we were bonded and true mates, he had no interest in outside partners, although he would enjoy one of my guys on occasion.

  Did he miss having more freedom to do whatever he wanted with others?

  ‘Not at all. I’m happy. I have everything I could ever want right here, with you.’ His smooth, rich voice slipped into my mind, and I shook my head.

  I never did get any alone time with my own thoughts, but knowing he was happy with me was all that I cared about.

  I rose from the piano, closing the lid over the keys and sighing.

  My life was complete here with my mates.

  Too bad we had a crazed warlock on the loose.

  I joined Lucas downstairs, showing off the black dress I’d gotten while out shopping with Emma. It had a gorgeous halter neckline with a satin-type material, and I loved how smooth it felt on my skin. It ended just above my knees, making it a nice light dress suitable for a dinner date, while still cool enough in this horrid heat.

  I’d put my hair up in a stylish bun and popped on a nice amount of eyeliner and eyeshadow and a touch of lipstick.

  God, how I wished I could do a hot smokey eye, but makeup was not my forte.

  “Damn, gurl.” Lucas winked, although those eyes were twinkling delightfully as he took me in, gazing down my bare legs then back up to my face.

  I nervously twisted the ring on my finger from Emma as all eyes fell on me.

  Skip and Ollie were in front of the Playstation, while Marcus was on the opposing lounge with his laptop, wearing sweatpants that looked hot as hell on him.

  “You look beautiful,” Marcus said as he peeked over his laptop, taking in my attire with an approving look.

  ‘Yep, I’d snap you up in an instant and own that,’ Skip said sultrily into my mind, causing me to bite my lip as he sent a vivid scene of him taking me hard against the wall.

  Ollie just gave me the sweetest smile, but I knew he was enjoying the sight as the game they were playing sat paused and forgotten momentarily.

  “Come, we better hit the road before Skip acts out that little fantasy.” Lucas chuckled as he offered me his hand.

  “You look handsome,” I stated, enjoying his suit. For once, he was wearing a standard black suit with a purple tie. I’d grown so accustomed to the outlandish colored suits, but seeing him in a black one…well, he was absolutely edible.

  He snickered softly as I slung my arm through his, and I waved at the other
s as he led me out the door.

  We strode over leisurely to his Mercedes, where he opened up my door like a gentleman. I held his hand as I climbed in, my black wolf handbag slapping against my side as I moved.

  I adored my handbag from Marcus and had transferred all my cards over to the gorgeous matching purse.

  Lucas shut the door as I strapped myself in, and then he was climbing into the driver’s seat and starting the engine.

  It purred to life, unlike Skip’s beast, which rumbled like a hungry animal every time it started.

  We pulled out of the driveway, and I nestled into the seat as the cool brush of the air-con kissed my skin.

  “So, done more reading up on supes?” Lucas asked.

  “Not really,” I admitted. I’d barely had time with all the Easter and birthday celebrations.

  Then all the recent drama.

  “Well, if you’re looking for something different, you should try reading a book I just finished,” he suggested as he reached over to rest one hand on my thigh while driving.

  I inadvertently smiled at the sweet gesture, taking comfort in the soft stroke of his thumb on my bare skin.

  “What book?”

  “The Wolf at my Door by Sam Hall.” He smirked as those deep emerald eyes flicked over at me.

  “What’s it about?” I asked, curious at his devilish expression.

  “It’s a paranormal romance, so a werewolf type of romance, but it’s a reverse harem,” he stated blatantly.

  “Reverse harem?” I arched a brow at the term.

  “Pretty much what you’ve got, Cupcake. A harem is generally a man with multiple committed girlfriends all loyal to only him. Reverse harem is…well, the reverse. So me and the boys are your reverse harem,” he said, a gleeful grin breaking out as he waggled his eyebrows at me.

  “They write that?” I gasped. Sure, I’d read paranormal romance once I’d learned I was a pixie. Who didn’t love some hot magical romance and bedroom scenes? But this was a thing? Actual books had it?

  “Oh yes. It’s a growing genre. Might be worth reading. There’s quite a few positions in that book we should try ourselves,” he said with a cheeky wink.