He slipped out the door, stalking down the halls, the path to Seph's room mapped in his brain.
He toed into her rooms without knocking, closing the door as silently as he'd opened it. "Seph?"
Sheets rustled. "Zander?" Persephone rushed from the bed. "How did you get here? How'd you find me?"
He gripped her arms, relief pumping through him. The gratitude he felt seeing her whole, feeling her safe, almost brought him to his knees. "I'll tell you everything once we're out of here." He nodded at the bracelet. "Is it all right?"
"Yes."
"Good, I'll keep watch while you get dressed."
She didn't hesitate. Her pajama top was off, flashing her smooth back before he turned around. His fist clenched extinguishing the image of her unclothed. He’d seen her gorgeous form firsthand, but it tortured him to think of all he'd lost.
"I'm ready."
He swiveled around, noting her own jeans and tee she’d worn the day she was kidnapped. "All right. It should be easy getting out of here. Follow me and keep quiet."
She grabbed his wrist before he opened the door. "Wait. There's someone I have to get. I can't leave without her."
"Seph..."
"No." Her lips flattened. "I can't leave her. I promised I’d take her with me."
He shook his head, taking her arm. With an active plan in place, every step of their escape had been weighed, timed to perfection. Every outcome anticipated. Veering from designated routes was dangerous. "We’ll come back from her. Now we know where Voltaire is, we can return."
She jerked her arm away. "I won't leave without her. If you won't help me, that's fine. I'll go after her alone, or I'll stay."
Dread pooled in his gut. She really wouldn't leave without her. "Fine. We'll go after her, whoever she is. But we're running out of time. Where is she?"
Her shoulder relaxed. "One floor up in the servants’ wing."
Grim, he nodded. "Stay behind me."
What was Seph thinking? No one was worth risking the talisman. He intended to tell her so as soon as they were safely away.
He cracked open the door, checking the hallway. Motioning her out, their steps quick on the carpet, they made it to the end of the corridor. She bumped into his back, and he circled his arms behind him to steady her.
He cocked his head, listening, waiting. One soldier, down the hall. When the guard’s heavy steps receded, he grabbed Persephone's hand, shooting them both up carpeted steps. He'd never been more grateful for muffled sounds. He'd broken into plenty of places where he’d become silent even on stone, but Seph hadn't. And while she attempted to lighten her steps, they were still audible.
At the top of the staircase, he listened again, hearing nothing. It was darker here than on the lower levels, suggesting less security details. No doubt they assumed intruders would be captured long before.
With a questioning brow, he waited for directions from her, continuing when she gestured left.
Passing three doors, she pointed to the last one on the right.
He cracked it open, peering in the dark before pulling her through. "You have one minute."
She nodded, heading to the tiny cot shoved to the side in the closet-sized room. "Zora?"
"Hmmm?" the girl murmured in her sleep.
"Zora. Wake up. We need to go."
"Huh?" she said sleepily before her eyes widened. "Now?"
Persephone nodded. "It’s time."
Zander listened to the conversation, puzzled about what he heard. Who was this girl, Zora? And why was Seph taking her? Zander had assumed they needed to rescue an adult. A fellow prisoner, perhaps. But a young girl? A servant?
Intrigued, he waited, averting his eyes while the girl threw on clothes.
"We're ready." Seph tapped his shoulder.
He turned, viewing the pixie of a girl for the first time. Unable to discern her age, Zander noted her petite form, a tousled cap of blond hair.
"You sure?" he asked, not about their preparedness to leave, but if Seph was confident about taking the girl.
Her chin notched up, and he sighed at the determined edge of her jaw. No doubt they'd both have some explaining to do. Later.
She wrapped an arm around the girl and gently squeezed. "Remember, don't speak until we're far away. Zander will get us out, but we have to do whatever he says, when he says to do it, okay?"
Zora nodded, her wide eyes unblinking.
His senses on high alert, he led Seph and Zora to the exit, avoiding people where possible, and knocking others out when it wasn't. The girl impressed him, holding up admirably well under the circumstances. What had she witnessed while under Voltaire’s control? No doubt it was horrifying. Was no one looking out for her?
That must be it. Seph would never take the girl from her family.
“Look out!” Zora screamed a second before fire shot out ahead of them… exactly where they would have been had she not called out a warning.
Zander pushed Seph and Zora against the wall, protecting them from the blast. “Damn it!”
He chanted a quick charm, allowing him to view around the corner without risking his neck. He cursed softly.
“How many are there?” Persephone asked.
His jaw clenched as he glanced down at the wide-eyed girl before meeting Seph’s eyes. “Ten.”
Her mouth trembled.
Ten magically trained soldiers. They’d barely escaped after fighting off five hunters. If Persephone used the bracelet again to defeat them, she might die. Her body could only handle so much, and the talisman had left her drained last time.
He blindly shot magick around the corner, hoping to hold them off long enough to get Seph and Zora to safety. “Go. I’ll stay and hold them off. If they’re worried about me, they might overlook you.”
Seph’s lips pressed together. “I’m not leaving you.”
Panic filled him. If she wouldn’t leave, she’d be recaptured. Or worse. He couldn’t let that happen. “There’s no choice. One of us has to stay and fight. You have the talisman. You need to get out of here.”
He jumped into the hall, flinging blue magick ruthlessly, taking out a guard, wounding another. “Go!” He launched to the other side of the corridor, using it as a shield.
Seph still wouldn’t leave. She whispered something to Zora, and the girl bit her lip, nodding in agreement to whatever Persephone had said.
Why wouldn’t she leave?
If something happened to her…
He chanted, funneling magick into a ball, each sweeping pass of his hand building power. This wasn’t his first fight against terrible odds, but this was the first time he feared losing. He had to push himself, his reserves. Give all, and hope they made it out alive. If Seph wouldn’t leave, he’d give his life to protect her.
Whatever was needed.
The air shifted around him, raising the hairs on his skin. Such power…
He glanced over to Seph and Zora, the girl’s hand gripping the bracelet on Persephone’s wrist.
Confusion halted his power. The ball of magick slowly dissipated.
“Ready?” Persephone whispered to Zora.
Ready for what? Was she channeling Zora’s power through the bracelet, somehow making the talisman’s burden less? If such a thing were possible, Seph would have mentioned it to him earlier. Right?
Seph and Zora stepped into the hall.
“No!” he yelled. One blast from the soldiers and they’d die.
Powers arced toward them from down the hall.
Zander threw magic, praying it would intercept, hoping he’d given enough to spare them.
Seph chanted quietly with Zora’s hand still attached to the bracelet. The magicks in the air slowed before puttering out like a flame doused in water.
Before he could shield them, power surged from the duo, fanning down the hall like a shock wave, knocking out anyone within one hundred feet in front of them.
Zander stared at the unconscious bodies, unable to comprehend such power
. “How…”
Zora gingerly lifted her hand from the bracelet, rubbing her palms together as if she experienced pins and needles.
Seph swayed after the loss of Zora’s touch. Zander reached her in two strides, taking her in his arms. “Seph?”
“I’m all right.” She groaned. “Weak, but I don’t think I’ll pass out.”
He glanced between her and the girl, his throat tightening. He wanted to ask the hell had happened, but it’d have to wait. “Let me help you.”
They stepped over bodies on their way to the exit, lucky that no one else stopped them.
They flew into the cool night, the first whiff of freedom.
Unshielding his car, they climbed in, and Zander didn't waste a second before speeding down the road into the quiet night.
Harsh breaths haunted from the backseat, then a sob. The girl broke down.
Persephone cooed, hugging Zora in her arms and whispered assurances.
Gripping the wheel, Zander berated himself. If he’d known a young girl needed help, he would’ve never hesitated getting her out.
His eyes met Seph's in the mirror, and the gratitude in her eyes shook him. Freeing them from the fortress hadn’t been easy, but without the power Seph harnessed in the hall, they wouldn’t be driving home now.
Hours later, they pulled up to her house, the area pitch-black with no house lights on. But that didn't make either of them uncomfortable. With his sight, he knew they were quite alone.
"Zora. We're here." She nudged the girl gently. "Come on. You can climb in bed and sleep as long as you want."
Zander watched Persephone with the girl and his heart thudded. Hard. This is what he wanted. A life with her. Children. A future. Zora wasn't their daughter, but he easily pictured their own in her place. He'd never wanted kids before, but the need was there, the desire. "I'll check the boundaries while you get her settled."
Persephone nodded, her arm wrapped around the sleepy girl as she walked her inside.
He checked all the spells, pleased when no repairs were needed. The magick they'd woven together held. He hoped their future would too.
He walked into the quiet house, following a light to the guest bedroom and watched Seph smooth the girl’s hair on her pillow before turning out the light.
He stepped back into the hall with Seph. "Is she all right?"
She blew out a breath, raking hands through disheveled curls. "Yes. She just needs rest and peace. But she'll be all right."
"Who is she?"
"Someone who needed me," she said softly. "She'll be staying with me from now on."
Surprised filtered through him, but it wasn't negative. He knew what she meant. She would raise Zora as her own. And he wanted to be by her side, make a family with her. "Seph—"
She shook her head. "Not tonight. I'm exhausted. I know things need to be said. We’ll discuss it all tomorrow."
"Okay." It wasn't unreasonable. She had to be exhausted after everything. And as much as he wanted to know how Seph had used the talisman without dire consequences, their conversation would benefit from a good night’s rest. "I'll be back tomorrow."
"Before you go,” she stopped him from turning away, “no matter what else has happened… I want to thank you for getting us out of there.”
Warmth filled him, her words planting hope in his heart. "I would do anything for you."
A sad smile formed on her lips. "Good night, Zander."
He swallowed hard. She still didn’t believe him, still continued to shut him out.
He promised himself everything would be sorted out tomorrow. They could fix this. They had to.
He needed her in his life. And tomorrow, he’d prove it to her.
11
Persephone only felt a little guilty at ditching Zander that morning after agreeing to talk with him. But her errand couldn’t be put off a moment longer.
"Are you sure about his, Seph? If you're wrong, it could hurt her." Celeste glanced back at the girl.
"You don't need to worry. She's the True One. I'm positive." Persephone smiled at Zora as she reverently touched books in the vault. Persephone had known her a little under two weeks, all while under Voltaire’s control, and yet she felt like Zora had always been a part of her life. If she weren’t absolutely sure Zora was the True One, that her destiny involved the talisman, she'd never risk the girl. If Persephone made such a mistake, if someone other than the destined one wore the bracelet, the curse would affect her the same way it had Persephone.
She’d never do that to the girl.
"If you're sure."
"I am."
Celeste glanced around the vacant common room. "I’d feel better doing this deeper down."
"You know I'm not allowed."
Her head cocked. "You've been there before. Besides, this isn't an ordinary occasion."
Hands on hips, Persephone wished Celeste would cast the counter spell already. The longer they waited, the edgier she became. "We could’ve already taken the bracelet off and recast it on Zora. You're stalling."
Celeste cleared her throat. "Only because I'm worried about you."
Persephone reached out to her friend. "And that's why I love you. You've done so much for this. The talisman isn’t your burden to bear."
"I did very little of the burden carrying. That's been all you. I just cast a little spell."
"And had to deal with the danger of knowing the counter."
Celeste growled. "It was only dangerous because you trusted him. No one would have known I had it otherwise."
Persephone couldn’t deny it. She’d made mistakes along the way, but none of that mattered now. The bracelet was safe, she’d found the True One, and Persephone would unite them, then do all she could to teach the girl, help her understand the responsibilities of such power.
She’d promised Zander they’d talk this morning, but she pushed the twinge of guilt away. She’d had to trick him, to deflect so he’d never suspect Zora was more than a girl.
If he knew of Zora’s destiny and that Persephone planned to turn over the bracelet, she didn't know what he'd do. Uneasy, she shook herself. She didn’t want to find out. "Let's get this done."
Celeste nodded, grasping Persephone's wrist. Words slipped through her lips almost unintelligible, she chanted so quietly.
Warmth filled her. Not uncomfortable, but enough to put her on edge. Celeste’s magick poured through Persephone, scouring, dousing as thoroughly as any solvent.
As the spell drew to a close, an invisible net loosened around Persephone, finally lifting completely.
She sucked in a breath, forgetting how unrestricted her essence was without the bracelet’s curse. She glanced at Zora, watching closely from the other side of the room. She hated placing such responsibly on someone so young, but it was unavoidable. Until the bracelet linked with Zora, until it bonded completely with her magick, it would never be safe. Zora would never be safe. And Persephone wouldn’t risk her.
The elevator slid open as she fingered the un-cursed talisman around her wrist. Zander stepped from the doors, giving her a small smile. Her heart ached, wanting him, needing him so much it actually hurt to look at him. Would the wanting ever dissipate? "How did you know we were here?"
"Lucky guess." He slid a glance to Celeste before nodding a greeting. "I thought you might check in with Celeste now you're back."
"Yes," Persephone hedged, grateful he'd given her a good excuse. It wasn't a lie exactly. She had wanted to put her friend at ease. There was just so much more Celeste needed to do.
"Celeste, would you mind giving us a minute?" Zander asked.
She frowned. "Actually I don't think that's such a good—"
"I'll be fine," Persephone interrupted. She could handle Zander on her own. Besides, he was right, things needed to be said, and she knew he wouldn't leave until they were. Persephone needed to clear him out before they performed the spell.
Saying goodbye would hurt, but what other choice did she have?
/>
Celeste narrowed her eyes, communicating her disapproval before leaving. She gathered Zora and took her to another part of the vault, leaving Persephone and Zander alone.
Bracing herself, Persephone turned to Zander. She didn’t want to have this conversation, but it couldn't be helped. They couldn't be together, and he needed to leave before she broke. "Thanks again for last night."
"I don't want you to thank me." His words were quiet as he searched her face.
She stilled, hoping he couldn't read how much she wanted to step into his arms, how badly she wanted to be held by him. She might be weak because of those feelings, after everything that’d happened, but she didn't care. She'd always needed and wanted Zander, even after he’d abandoned her. Her magick longed for its mate. Nothing could change that. But wanting and accepting were two different things. "You still have my gratitude."
"Seph," he raked a hand through his hair, "when I realized you'd been taken, I went crazy. I couldn't find you. I had no clue where you were. Voltaire shielded you too well."
If it killed her, she’d remain calm, pleasant. It didn’t have to get ugly between them. They could part as friends. "I believe it. How'd you end up finding me?"
His jaw clenched. "I tracked down Jack and forced him to give me the location."
"Ah. Jack. Yes, I knew you were friends."
He shook his head. "Not anymore. I could never be friends with someone who'd hurt my mate."
Lead pooled in her gut. "Our magicks might be mated, but we're not mates anymore, Zander."
"You'll always be my mate. The only woman for me."
She laughed bitterly, warding him off with her hands. If he wasn’t going to play fair, neither would she. Her heart bled, aching from his betrayal. "I might be the only woman for you, but there are things you want much more than me."
"I don't want anything but you. Us."
"You say that now, but a little over two weeks ago, you betrayed me. The second you found out about the bracelet's curse you told Jack, attempting to find a way to break it, to take the talisman from me."
"It wasn't like that." He scowled.
She raised a mocking brow. "You mean you weren't trying to find a way to take it off my wrist without deactivating it."
The Witching Craft (The Witches of Redwood Falls 2) Page 8
