She sat cross-legged in front of the fire and towel-dried her hair. Kai climbed onto her lap and curled into a ball as she worked through the snarls, bringing a measure of calm and reassurance to her.
“I know. I should have listened to you,” she said to her familiar. “Then I wouldn’t be all wet. I also wouldn’t have experienced that amazing connection with a man I’m supposed to hate.”
Kai lifted his head and met her gaze as though to question her sanity.
“You don’t understand. None of you do. I know he’s supposed to be all big and bad, which he is. Trust me. I’ve had firsthand contact with those muscles and that iron will. But there’s something more. I can’t explain it. Maybe he’s right. Maybe it’s because he held my fire and I stole his sword. But I know this, no matter what you or my sisters say, I’ll never be able to stay away from him. Never.”
Kai sighed and nuzzled tighter against her.
She breathed in the scent of burning logs and closed her eyes, searching for the part of her still connected to Dru. It wasn’t as easy to find without him in her head, but after a moment, she recognized the red pulse.
Then it disappeared. Panicked, she dug deeper. This time, what she considered his heart beat grew stronger. Dru?Are you there?
She sensed his presence, but he didn’t respond. She thought his name again…but nothing.
When her phone rang, she nearly jumped out of her skin. She rolled and grabbed it from the bedside table, frowning at the unknown number. No one called her. Except her sisters.
“Hello?”
“Claire.” Dru’s voice came across the phone in a sexy rumble that rolled through her, leaving goose bumps on her skin.
“How did you get my number?”
“I’ve had your number from the moment we met, my petite warrior. A good soldier doesn’t miss an opportunity to find out anything and everything about his target.”
“You looked at my phone?”
“I’ve looked at everything you own.”
A delicious shiver tickled her as she remembered their encounter less than an hour prior. “I’m sorry you had to leave.”
“It was for the best. You and I are dangerous together.”
“I’m not afraid.” Memories of saying that to him at their first meeting sparked in her mind. So much had happened since then. She should despise him, but she couldn’t. “I wish we could sit and have a conversation like normal people.”
He snorted. “I’m not sure I could be normal if I tried.”
“Me, either.” She smiled though he couldn’t see. “I suppose we’re kind of past that, aren’t we?”
“Mmm…” He paused for a long moment. “Claire?”
“Yes, Dru?” She loved the sound of his name on her lips, the deep timbre of his voice in her ear.
“I’ve something to tell you. I need you to listen carefully because you will need to take the basic intel I give you and then continue to decipher on your own. I’ll tell you what I can, but you cannot ask questions of me. It would put us both at grave risk. Ask your sisters for help if need be.”
The way he phrased it left her curious and a little afraid. “What is it?”
“There is something in Port Townsend that’s far more dangerous than anything you or your sisters have encountered.”
“That’s pretty vague. This thing is not you or the other Horsemen?”
“No questions, remember? I cannot tell you much, but I caution you to pay close attention to your encounters with others. Anyone could be lethal, even if he, she, or it doesn’t appear to be so. Trust no one but your sisters.”
A shiver unfurled inside her, along with a tremendous amount of confusion. “Can I trust you?”
“Yes, my love. You can trust me. You and I are bound to each other now. I think you know this. Listen to your heart. You’ll find me there, and you can trust what it tells you.”
Thoughts fired through her brain left and right. “Is that all you can say? I have so many questions.”
“‘Tis all. More, and I will be discovered. I will do my best to protect you, but this is a power greater than mine. Or yours. Do not ask more. Do not think of more when you’re thinking of me. Do not forget we are linked.”
“Okay. I will be watchful. But when I’m safe in my bed, I will think and dream only of you.”
He chuckled. “I would enjoy that very much. With the gods’ favor, perhaps one day we can put this behind us and have that casual conversation you desire. For now, I need to go before others discover me and discover what I’ve told you.”
“I do have a question that has nothing to do with what you’ve told me. I need to know the truth. Did you or one of the other Horsemen steal Grim?”
“Grim? As in Grimoire? No, Claire, I did not, and as far as I know, none of the others have possession of it either.”
She let his words settle, waiting for a sign of deception. When none came, a blessed wave of relief washed over her. “Okay. Good. It’s hard enough to explain you to my sisters when you’re trying to kill them. The missing Grimoire doesn’t help.”
“I understand.”
She supposed he might. “One more thing. If I asked you not to kill any of them, either, could you promise me you won’t?”
A drawn out silence crept through the airwaves, leaving her uneasy. “It’s not that simple, love. I’m honor bound to my duty to stop the Apocalypse. If the opportunity presents itself to do just that, I don’t believe I could walk away. It’s ingrained in my very essence.”
“I thought you said I was now ingrained into your essence.”
“‘Tis true you are. Which is why you are safe from harm…at least from me.”
“But not my sisters?”
“I do not wish to take their lives, Claire. To know the damage that would do to you pains me greatly. But I cannot guarantee their safety in my presence. I would like to think I could resist for your sake, but I might have to kill one of them to save you.”
She released a weighted sigh. “I see.”
“I cannot predict the outcome of unfolding events. My gut tells me what we know is only what’s scratched on the surface. There is certainly more.”
“More information that you know but can’t say. More that none of us know. How do we fight that?” How did any of them make the world okay?
“The way any good soldier would. Make solid plans. Stay alert. Conduct surveillance. Strike when the enemy is weak, and, most importantly, never back down from a valiant cause.”
“You’re right. My sisters and I will stay strong. Though it seems we’re on opposite sides from you and your Horsemen, I believe, ultimately, we’re all fighting for the same thing.”
“Exactly. Good night, Claire. Sweet dreams.”
“Good night, Drustan.” She didn’t want their call to end…ever. But life moved forward, carrying all of them with it. Still, if she and Dru could find a way to communicate, perhaps the rest could as well. If they could find a way to work together instead of against each other, they all might have a chance. But that was like asking elements of fire and water to combine forces when neither could survive in the presence of the other. Though they did unite to create new forms of elements, which may not be a bad outcome after all.
Despite their continually darkening circumstances, a glimmer of hope burned brightly within in her heart.
Chapter Eleven
Claire stood in the sunny kitchen and filled her cup nearly to the brim with her favorite chai tea. She still housed some resentment for her sisters interrupting her potentially thrilling evening, but she longed to have everything back to normal with them as well.
Still, they’d never understand her connection to Dru, never understand what it was like to suck out a person’s soul and leave a loved one nothing more than a shell just because she showed her love. They had no idea how aching and empty that experience could leave a person.
Dru was immune to her destruction. She could love him, and he’d never die. Destiny seeme
d determined that they were a match. She had no desire to argue.
But how did she explain all that to her sisters? She supposed she had to try.
Tierra’s singing drifted in from the solarium where her sister tended her plants while she crooned with Stevie Nicks. Claire should talk to her. Tierra obviously still harbored feelings for Killian, even if she didn’t act on them. She carried his child, for heaven’s sake.
Perhaps she would understand.
Just as Claire swiveled, she caught sight of a woman with long, blond hair walking toward the pathway leading to the front of the house. The same lady Claire had nearly knocked over the day she’d run from Sirens to escape the Horsemen.
The woman stopped as though stunned by the wards Claire and her sisters had placed around the house, and Claire set down her mug, prepared to sound an alarm. Then Aunt Justine appeared, smiled at her companion, and together they approached the house.
Apparently, neither of the women meant them any harm. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to pass through the wards.
“The witch is here,” Claire called out to Tierra and anyone else within hearing distance. The doorbell rang, and Claire made her way to the front door. Tierra joined her just as she opened it.
“Girls. How good to see you. I’d like you to meet a friend of mine,” Justine said as she pushed her way into the house. She might have moved her things to the coven’s compound, but she still acted as though she owned the mansion.
“You’re not welcome here,” Moira called from the stairs.
Tierra fired an admonishing look toward her before she turned back to their guests. “Hello.” She stuck out her hand in greeting. “I’m Tierra de Moray. These are my sisters, Claire and Moira.”
“How delightful.” The classic blonde extended her hand as well, offering a weak handshake to Tierra and Claire. She nodded toward Moira, who only stared back.
“It’s my pleasure to introduce High Priestess Lucinda, from The Brehon’s Chair in Ireland.” Justine acted as though she’d just presented Her Majesty, the Queen of England.
Claire lifted a brow, never one to be impressed by titles or egos. Tierra, on the other hand, inhaled an excited breath as her eyes widened.
“Oh, my goodness.” She took Lucinda’s hand again and held it between hers. “This is such an honor.”
“I knew you wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity,” Justine said with extreme gratification. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime visit. Plus, Lucinda has offered to share her knowledge with the coven.”
Lucinda released a gracious chuckle as she placed her free hand over their joined ones. “And I see that you have other exciting news to share.”
Tierra’s face paled. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.” She pulled from Lucinda’s grasp.
Lucinda gave her a puzzled expression as she studied Tierra’s face, and then she suddenly smiled again. “Are you sure? I sense new life all around you. Are you—”
“It’s all them new plants she’s been growing.” Moira bounded down the stairs and looped her arm around Tierra’s elbow. “Her greenhouse is near to exploding with new life. Right, Tierra?”
“Would you care to see it?” Tierra asked, regaining some of her color.
“I would be delighted.” Lucinda turned to Justine. “Shall we?”
“I’m coming, too,” Moira said, not releasing Tierra. “Claire, you should start tea.”
“Tea, but—”
Moira effectively silenced her reply with a cryptic look.
“I’ll start tea,” Claire said. “And find Aerin. I’m sure she’ll want to meet our guest.”
Moira nodded, pleased that Claire had caught on to her ambiguous directions. Moira didn’t want tea. She wanted the four of them in the same room until they knew if they faced an enemy or not. Echoes of Dru’s caution returned, and suspicion reared its distrustful head.
The moment her sisters and the two guests entered the solarium, Claire raced up the stairs to Aerin’s room. She knocked once and then entered.
She found Aerin in the adjoining bathroom, soaking in a frothy tub, headphones plugged into her ears. Aerin sat up with a start as she approached.
“The fuck, Claire? You scared the goddess out of me.”
“Justine’s here. With a guest. Some high priestess from chair in Ireland. I think she figured out Tierra’s pregnant, but luckily didn’t spill to Justine.”
“God.” Aerin’s face blanched. “Hand me a towel. Wait. Chair from Ireland? Not Brehon’s Chair.”
“Yeah. Maybe. I don’t remember. Tierra seemed pretty impressed with her.” She held a fluffy blue towel to her sister and turned to give Aerin privacy.
“The fucking Brehon’s Chair is supposed to be the judgment seat of the Archdruid, a very sacred Druidic site in Dublin County. If she’s come all this way, this is serious shit, Claire.”
She caught Aerin’s gaze in the misty mirror. “What do we do?”
“I don’t know. I’m sure she’s here because we’ve opened four Seals. Certain people on this planet are going to recognize shit like that. It won’t go unnoticed.” She rushed from the bathroom into her bedroom and started pulling out clothes. “Our best option is damage control until we figure out what we’re dealing with. Get back down there. Don’t leave her alone with Tierra. Ever. I’m sure as shit she’s figured out about the baby. We can’t let her know who fathered the thing.”
“No. That would be seriously bad. Goddess. Why the hell did I open the damn door?”
“You couldn’t have known. Go back. Separate them if possible. Keep this high priestess occupied and hopefully they won’t stay long.” She paused for a moment and nailed Claire with a look. “Whatever you do, don’t act scared or guilty or anything she might pick up on. Calm, peaceful, happy. That’s the only shit going on under this roof. Got it?”
“Got it.”
“And don’t tell Tierra or Moira what I just said until Justine and this woman have left. They’re too kind-hearted and will give away their feelings in a second.”
“Shit,” Claire hissed as she raced back down the stairs. She stopped for a quick second to fill one of Tierra’s pots with water and placed it on the stove. Then she made a beeline for the greenhouse.
Scents of moist dirt and greenery attacked the moment Claire entered the room. She spotted the four witches in the back corner and strolled nonchalantly toward them. Dru’s red pulse thrummed inside her, and she forced it down with a calming breath. There was no reason to be alarmed. Justine and her friend hadn’t threatened any of them. Yet. As far as she knew, this was a friendly visit. Acting alarmed might derail her and Aerin’s intentions.
“What do you think?” Claire asked as she approached. She gave the group an easy smile. “Aren’t Tierra’s skills amazing? I wish I had her talent.”
“Truly amazing,” Lucinda agreed. “We could use someone of her skill back in Ireland.”
Justine coughed, drawing attention away from Tierra. Normally, Claire would have called her for stealing the show, but this was exactly what they needed at the moment.
“I taught Tierra everything she knows. Isn’t that right, dear? Practically raised her from a babe after her mother…died in childbirth.” She blinked wide eyes and gave Tierra a fearful smile.
“That’s right, Aunt Justine. You’ve taught me everything I know.” Tierra grinned, and Claire could see right through her ruse. Smart of her sister not to give anything away. Then again, Tierra had a lot to hide.
“How’s the tea coming?” Lucinda asked Claire. “I don’t mean to sound rude, but it seems that Tierra has quite the extensive collection of brews. If you haven’t chosen a particular one for my visit, I’d love to see her selection.”
“Of course,” Claire jumped in before anyone else could volunteer. “If you’d like to come with me, I’ll show you the stash.”
She strolled away from the group as though the occasion were nothing more than a girlfriend tea party, but inside, she said a
prayer of thanks to Tierra’s goddesses for protecting her. Lucinda’s heels clicked on the kitchen tile as she followed behind until Claire stopped in front of a massive, hand-crafted cupboard that had once belonged to their mother. She pulled open both doors, displaying upwards of eighty different tea blends.
Lucinda released an excited breath. “My goodness. When she said she had a plethora, she was quite serious.”
“If there’s one thing Tierra is serious about, it’s tea. While you’re in town, you should stop into our shop. Ambrosia’s Brews and Charms? It’s down on Water Street.”
“Yes, I believe I recall noticing the quaint little shop the day I ran into you on the street.”
Claire lifted her brows. “You remember, then?”
“Of course.” Lucinda chuckled. “I never forget a face or a circumstance, even if you and your sisters look very similar. You seemed to be in quite a hurry that day if I remember correctly.” She pinned her with an exacting look.
Claire shrugged and gave a nonchalant laugh. “Late for an appointment. Again. I’m always forgetting something.”
“Really?” Lucy lifted a sculpted brow. “I wouldn’t have pegged you for the type. If someone were to ask me to describe you after only knowing you a short time, I would say you’re determined, calculating, and something of a risk-taker.” She laughed, the sound tinkling through the air. “But then again, everyone knows you can’t take initial reactions at face value. They’re only correct fifty percent of the time.”
Claire smiled, pretending to be good-humored along with their intriguing guest. “That’s so true, isn’t it? My first impression of you was someone who had an agenda, other than visiting for tea and getting to know the local witches. But anyone can see you’re friendly and social, a warm person at heart.”
Claire recognized the undercurrents of their tête-à-tête, knew she shouldn’t do anything that might cause suspicion or bring forth the ire of their guest, but she couldn’t resist letting this woman know she was on their turf now and Claire wasn’t impressed with her credentials.
The friendliness faded from Lucinda’s expression, and Claire braced for battle.
Which Witch is Wicked? (The Witches of Port Townsend Book 2) Page 7
