“You’re an interesting witch, Claire de Moray.”
“How so?”
“Harder than your other sisters, I’d say. Not much gets by you.”
“Not much gets by them, either.” She wouldn’t let this friend of Justine’s insult any of her sisters.
Lucinda laughed. “You misunderstand. Tierra and Moira seem to carry more of a nurturing spirit. Not meant to impugn you or them. Just an observation. You are more focused, less likely to be led astray.”
Claire was sure her sisters would disagree after the previous evening’s activities. “What’s your point?”
She turned from Claire and studied the contents of the cupboard. “How about this one? It contains strawberries and grapefruit. Both good for fostering new relationships and trust.” She grasped the container and presented it to Claire.
Claire smiled and took the offering. “As you wish.” She scooped the contents into the tea infuser and poured in steaming water. She removed a red and orange ceramic mug from the cupboard as she prepared her next move. She wished to hell Aerin would hurry and strengthen their forces.
She placed everything on a tray and carried it to the table. She waited for Lucinda to sit before she took her seat.
“My point is, Claire, and let me be quite direct. I’ve studied you and your sisters for the past few months. I wasn’t prepared to tip my hand quite yet, but I can see, we’ve reached an impasse, and our relationship will not progress further until I disclose full details.”
“You would be correct.” Satisfaction drilled through Claire. She knew she’d been right not to trust her. Dru had warned her of impending danger, and this woman with her timeless beauty and impeccable manners was one of them. “I’d like to know why you’ve been watching us. You and who else?”
Lucinda shrugged, her silk jacket sliding over her slender shoulders. “Only a handful of us. This thing is already out of hand, and the more that know, the worse it will be.”
“This thing?” Claire poured tea into a cup and handed it to Lucinda.
“Four born of one. The breaking of the Seals. I’m sure you recognize the severity of your actions.”
Claire nodded. She wouldn’t mention the Horsemen or their failed attacks. Either Lucinda already knew, or she could figure it out on her own. Imparting that knowledge wouldn’t help Claire or her sisters. “We did not plan to break the Seals. They were mistakes caused by a lack of knowledge on our part. We’ve put measures into place to prevent another broken Seal.”
Lucinda nodded thoughtfully. “That’s good to hear. It’s always best to be prepared. Much better to prevent the pregnancy than try to figure out how to get rid of the baby afterward, I always say.”
Claire fought to keep her breathing even. The woman knew. She could play her passive-aggressive games, but Claire wouldn’t give any information. “I agree.”
She snorted. “Ah, Claire. Such distrust. Really, you have nothing to fear from me. Truly, I come as a friend.”
“If you say so.”
“Listen.” She tilted her head in a friendly manner. “I sensed Tierra’s pregnancy the moment I took her hand. I also sensed she wasn’t prepared to tell Justine yet. I’m not going to disclose her secret any more than I’m going to cause other harm to you or your sisters. I’m here to help. Can’t you see?”
Claire studied her, watching for telltale signs of deception. “How can you help us?”
“I know things. Spells. Ways to protect against opening more Seals. Ways to protect you and your sisters against the Horsemen.”
“What do you know about the Horsemen?” She couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
Lucinda laughed, a genuine, hearty laugh. “Too much, I’m afraid. They come across as deadly characters in some heroic effort to save the world, but they have their weaknesses, their Achilles heels.”
“For instance?” Claire pressed.
Lucinda bent to retrieve her bag from the floor just as Aerin appeared at the entrance to the kitchen, just beyond Lucinda’s view. Claire gave a slight shake of her head. She didn’t want anyone or anything to interrupt Lucinda’s flow of information.
Aerin signaled she would head toward the greenhouse, and Claire smiled, pretending the gesture was for their guest.
Lucinda pulled a rectangle wrapped in red velvet from her bag and set it on the table between the two of them. “This is a gift for you and your sisters. A sign of goodwill and hope for fostering good relations.”
Claire stared at it, sensing the strong, almost familiar magic coming from the package. “What is it?”
“Something that’s yours. Something I retrieved from a certain cabin in the woods just outside Port Townsend. I hope you will find it proof of my intent and my power to help you.”
“Oh my goddess.” Shivers erupted over her as Lucinda unwrapped the book. “Grim.”
Chapter Twelve
“Where did you get this?” Claire fired the question with along with an accusatory glare at Lucinda. “Who gave it to you?”
“Calm down.” Lucinda lowered her hand toward the table as though that would take the fire out of Claire’s veins. “As I explained, I’m here to help. I retrieved it from those incompetent Horsemen.” She took Claire’s hand and squeezed, sending a trusting warmth rushing through her.
“Dru?” Claire asked before she could stop herself. He’d said she could trust him. With only a few words, this woman had brought his credibility into serious question.
“He must have known, don’t you think?” Lucy said. “A book as powerful as this hidden in the torture chamber in his basement? Anyone in the house couldn’t ignore its existence.”
Dru? Claire’s fragile heart cracked as she remembered the room in the basement of his house where he’d first taken her when he’d kidnapped her. Immediately, she tried to summon his red pulse inside her, to question the validity of Lucinda’s statement, but all she found was a cold, void. Had he known Lucinda had taken it back and then closed off the inexplicable connection between them? Surely all of the Horsemen would have recognized its disappearance. Her heart nearly crumbled as the fissures deepened.
“What is it, dear? What’s brought that unfortunate look to your face?” She held up a hand. “Wait, don’t tell me. I know Drustan Geddes. Have known him for many, many years. He’s a handsome, virile man. Any unsuspecting witch or woman could easily fall for his charms. Is that what happened with you? It’s okay. You can tell me.”
Claire hardened everything inside her. “There’s nothing to tell.”
Lucinda compressed her lips, compassion hovering in her gaze. “Of course not. I shouldn’t expect anyone could be as gullible as I was. Years ago, mind you. I’ve learned a thing or two since that time, thank the goddesses.”
She sipped her tea, then set her cup down, meeting Claire’s gaze. “I mistakenly assumed because Drustan has an affinity for Fire witches that perhaps he’d tried to seduce you as well. I do beg your pardon.”
Humiliation and distress churned into a nasty cocktail inside her.
Not again.
She’d trusted Dru once, and he’d stolen her Fire. She should have listened to her sisters when they’d warned her.
But, no. Instead of valuing their insight and wisdom, she’d fallen for Dru’s lies once again, believed his honeyed words of connection and destiny. Goddess, she’d stripped herself bare for him, literally and emotionally.
The blood in her veins cooled to ice.
“I’m so sorry, dear Claire. I’ve upset you. I should take my leave.” Lucinda pushed back from the table. “If there’s anything I can do…”
“No.” Claire held up a hand, unwilling to let the only person who might understand her feelings slip away. “It’s not your fault. I should have known better. I should have listened. To my sisters. To my friends.”
The compassion on Lucinda’s face deepened. “I understand exactly how you feel. The shame, the degradation. It’s a brutal realization to bear. I’d like to be your frie
nd, Claire, if you’ll allow it. I truly think I can help you and your sisters. Knowing I’ve helped to thwart the Horsemen will bring me great satisfaction.”
Claire studied the woman, recognized the shared emotions behind her blue eyes, but she still hesitated. “Thank you for that. I appreciate your support.”
“Trust me. I know how important support can be when a man knocks a woman to her knees. Our sisters and our girlfriends provide the backbone we need to get back on our feet.” Lucinda reached out and covered Claire’s hand, sending comforting warmth to her. “I never had friends growing up. Never was able to keep a lover around long either before he fell prey to my fiery charms.”
Lucinda’s declaration caught her attention. “How do you mean?” Claire asked.
She gave a self-deprecating smile. “It’s embarrassing to speak of.” She paused for a moment. “But I feel I can be honest with you.”
Claire leaned forward.
“Unlike some, I did not have the benefit of a teacher while growing up, someone to help me control my powers. At first, I started fires unconsciously. Those around me punished me for my behavior, but as time passed, they became fearful and found excuses to push me off onto another family or home.”
Claire nodded. “I had a similar experience.” An excruciating one at that. Here was a woman who knew the depths of that agony.
“It’s a hard way to grow up, isn’t it?” She matched her expression to Claire’s. “Then, I learned to use my fire to keep others at a distance. A protective measure, to be sure. But then… there was a boy.” She smiled, her lips titling, giving her a wistful, youthful look. “We fell in love.”
Claire smiled with her, remembering her own first love, trying to forget the tragic ending.
“Things were good for a while,” Lucinda continued. “He wasn’t afraid of my powers. In fact, he worshipped me. For a month, I lived in paradise, basking in his love, giving him all of mine. Then one day, he grew sick. Very, very sick.”
“No,” Claire whispered, reliving her own experience.
Lucinda met her gaze, blatant grief registering in her eyes. “I killed him, Claire. With my love.”
“Oh goddess, no, Lucinda.”
She nodded, tears filling her eyes. “I loved him so very much.”
“I understand your suffering more than you realize. I, too, had a lover. A sweet man who was barely more than a boy when we met. I…killed him as well.”
Lucinda sniffed. “We can’t be blamed, Claire. It wasn’t our fault. With no one to explain things to us, how were we to know?”
“That doesn’t erase the pain.” Claire swiped at her own tears.
“No, it doesn’t.” She blinked away the moisture in her eyes. “But the good news is, I’ve discovered a spell to help. It’s brought an amazing amount of peace to my life. Perhaps it can help you, too.”
“What does it do?” Claire sniffed, aching for something finally to bring peace to her tortured heart.
“It can bring back your loved one.”
“No.” Disbelief and alarm jumped to life inside her. “That sounds like black magic.”
Lucinda waved her hand as though to dispel Claire’s fears. “Don’t worry. It doesn’t actually bring back the person, but the apparition will look and sound exactly like your long-lost lover. You’ll be surprised at the tremendous amount of absolution it will bring to your heart. You’ll have the opportunity to apologize and explain your circumstances. You’ll be able to love him and hug him, and though it’s not real, it feels very real. In fact, the formula for this amazing spell can be found right here in your trusted Grim.” She flipped to a page marked with a red heart. “Trust me. You won’t regret it.”
Claire scanned the spell, recognizing the simple ingredients. Goddess, how she longed to see Tommy’s face again. Especially in the light of Dru’s betrayal. She needed someone to hug her, someone to love her. “Let’s do it now.”
Lucinda shook her head. “No, not now. You’ll want to be alone for this one. It’s powerfully overwhelming when you first look upon your loved one’s face. You won’t want any distractions.”
“Okay. I understand.” She didn’t want Lucinda or her sisters to see her in such a vulnerable state. “Thank you for that warning.”
“You should put the Grim in your room for now. Until you complete the spell. Then you can share its joyous return with your sisters. They will be so happy.” Lucinda rewrapped the book before presenting it to Claire. “Take good care of this. It’s important to all of you.”
“I will.” Claire clutched the book to her chest and stood. “I’ll do that right now.”
“Good.” Lucinda stood as well. “I should take my leave now anyway. I’m sure Justine and I have overstayed our welcome. Plus, we wouldn’t want your aunt to discover Tierra’s secret just yet. I’ll find her in the solarium and let her know I’m ready to leave.”
“Thank you, Lucinda. Thank you for everything.” Claire held out her hand to her newest friend.
Lucinda shook it, sending another warm wave through to Claire. “You are most welcome, my dear. We witches need to stick together. Especially when devious men are involved.”
“Yes.” Especially then. She would need to devise a way to make Dru pay for his deceitfulness, but for now, she intended to soothe her soul first. “I look forward to speaking with you again. Perhaps you could come for dinner one night…without my aunt in tow. I know my sisters would love to spend time with you.”
“Of course. Anytime. Just send a message to the coven’s compound letting me know which day is good for you. Now, get that book to your room.”
Claire complied, feeling lighter and happier than she had since she’d stepped off the plane in Seattle. Perhaps Lucinda was just what they needed to turn this war against the end of time to their favor.
****
Dru stood on the corner of Water Street and Monroe, waiting for traffic to clear. The light changed, and just as he was about to step off the sidewalk, a red Civic squealed around the corner. He shot an angry look at the crazed woman behind the wheel. She responded by flipping him the bird before she plowed into the backend of a green pickup that was stopped at the next light.
“What the fuck?” Dru said to himself.
“The beasts of Hell have been released,” Bane said, coming up next to him as they watched both drivers exit their vehicles. The woman approached the old man who’d been in the truck and released a string of invective a mile long. “Someone should help that guy.”
Just as he said it, the old guy hauled off and punched the woman in the face.
“I need to get off the street.” Dru picked up the pace, heading toward Sirens. He wasn’t sure how much of the world’s atrocities he caused and how much was a result of four opened Seals.
Bane strode next to him. “Do you think you’re doing this?”
“Hell if I know. But I doubt I’m helping in any case.” He jerked open the glass door that led to Sirens staircase and stepped inside.
He took the first step and then bent forward as extreme pain slammed him. It was as though someone had thrust a cold dagger straight through his heart. He gripped the handrail, trying to catch his breath. He and his brothers might be immortal, but that didn’t mean their bodies couldn’t suffer a tremendous amount of agony.
“Jesus, Dru. What the hell is your problem?” Bane bent his head, peering into Dru’s face.
“Fuck if I…” Then it registered. Claire. She was gone. The trace of fire still inside him cried out, begging to be reconnected with its mistress. “It’s Claire. Something’s wrong.”
She wasn’t dead, thank the Gods. If she had been, her fire would have been completely eradicated from his soul. But their connection had been severed.
“What is it? What do you think has happened to her?”
Dru leveled a hard look at his friend, sensing the hope in his voice. “She’s not dead, if that’s what you’re wishing. Besides, you’d know that outcome as soon as I did.”
He sat on a step, trying to catch his breath. He removed his phone and dialed her number.
As he feared, no answer.
Bane had the decency to look regretful. “Sorry, man. It’s just… Come to Sirens. Have a drink. Let’s see if we can figure it out.”
“I need to go there. To their house. I need to know she’s okay.”
Bane snorted. “You know as well as I do, you won’t get the tip of your sword one inch inside that house without their permission. And they sure as hell won’t roll out the welcome mat. Come on. Let’s go up. Maybe the other guys will have a suggestion.”
He gave a disdainful laugh. “A suggestion to save Claire? When Hell freezes over.”
“Hey.” Bane gave his shoulder an indignant shove. “Enough with the jokes.”
Dru sucked in a breath as his body slowly accommodated the pain. He stood, then slowly made his way upward. Beads of sweat broke on his brow as he fell into his usual seat in the backroom of the bar.
By the time the Four Horsemen had gathered around the table with drinks in their hands, Dru managed regular, if shallow breaths.
“Claire’s in trouble,” Bane explained to the rest of them.
“I didn’t do anything.” Nick met Dru’s gaze head on.
“Neither did I, so cast your accusatory stare elsewhere.” Julian straightened his ascot.
Dru would have told them both to fuck off if he’d had any spare oxygen and wasn’t so damn cold.
“What’s this?” The sound of a delighted feminine voice tinkled behind him. “Are my boys fighting again?”
“Lucy.” Nick stood and gave her a peck on the cheek. “Take my chair. I’ll get another.”
“Thank you, my dearest. You always were my favorite.”
Nick grinned, and Dru wanted to remind them both that her favorite changed with each breath she took. Except for Julian. He’d never been her favorite.
Yet.
“What’s the problem here?” Lucy looked at each of them, her attention stopping on Dru. “Oh, Dru, darling. Whatever is the matter? You look like death warmed over.”
Which Witch is Wicked? (The Witches of Port Townsend Book 2) Page 8
