Again I tried for the lines, but couldn’t sense even a trickle of magic. I looked around wildly, hoping for some kind of landmark, but all I could see were trees and mountains in the background, gravel and dirt on the ground, and a dark colored pickup truck parked alongside the road where they’d parked the car they’d brought me in. I tried to twist my head to see the car, but his shoulder blocked my view.
There had to be something. It was full night, and like at home the moon was half full. We hadn’t traveled that far, had we? I mean I would have known if I’d been unconscious for hours and hours, wouldn’t I?”
He was trying to be gentle, but each step was a knife to my back and shoulders. Inside I was screaming. I grunted over and over to get their attention, my noises getting louder. I had to do something. But to use my core magic for this would be wasteful. I glared at him with as much hatred as I could muster in between the tears. My head was pretty close to his neck. Maybe if I just…
“Fuck! Ow!” And he dropped me.
Shit.
I’d tumbled out of his arms, hitting the ground so hard my teeth rattled. I’d avoided landing directly on my head, but my right knee had taken the brunt, my hip and shoulder following and finally the right side of my face. I was bleeding and gasping in agony, praying he wasn’t going to try to pick me up again. The pain in my knee, back and shoulder was excruciating.
More tears. More silence.
“Unlock her.”
“She won’t like it if we do.”
“I’ll explain to Mellyn.”
“Don’t call her that. She’s wants us to call her Mother.”
“She’s not my mother.” He didn’t make a move to unlock me.
“She’s nobody’s mother, but Zora says the Goddess herself wants all of us to refer to Mellyn as Mother. Now unlock the girl. Do it. The scrawny demon needs to walk.”
Demon. They knew I was part demon? Did they also know I was related to Naberia?
The male bent down and unlocked the chain that connected my wrists to my ankles, but he left my hands and feet bound. The pain grew worse at first as my muscles twitched and throbbed, but finally I was able to straighten. Verrrry slowly. Even though I was on the cold ground with gravel biting into my bleeding cheek, it was heaven.
“Why did you bite me?” The male asked.
“She can’t speak, stupid. She’s wearing the torc. She wanted your attention and she got it,” the female chuckled. She pushed on my exposed hip with her boot, rolling me to my back. The hip and shoulder I’d landed on complained loudly. “Shit. She’s bleeding. What a waste. You’ll have to clean her up when we get her inside the house. The Mother can’t know.”
“Why me? I’m tired and hungry.”
“Would you rather one of the other males saw to it? You know what would happen to both of us if one of them used her badly.”
“Fine. I’ll do it. But she didn’t have to bite me.” He touched his neck gingerly, then pulled his hand away, looking at the blood. “I’m bleeding too.”
“Aw, poor baby. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately for you, your blood is worthless.” She gave him a look that had idiot written all over it. I was shivering again, but I didn’t mind so much, since being on the ground had its advantages. I was able to see them together now.
The bossy witch was taller than he was and a lot heftier. She was wearing black stretchy pants and a white wool coat. Her knit hat was decorated with beads and sequins and her dark blond hair was braided. I’d already become intimately familiar with at least one of her calf-high boots.
Despite the fact she looked young, like all supes, her fairly pretty face held a hard expression. This was a female who’d been through some tough times. However, I couldn’t bring myself to care. If she was on the side of dark witches she’d probably been fighting against people like me. My team had taken out a few over the years, and Garrett had probably seen to dozens more.
Dark witches used blood magic to work their spells. Blood magic required a blood sacrifice, a violent and murderous event. Children were particularly sought after, their innocence adding strength to the spell. It was the sickest kind of magic.
And here I was, cast in the middle of these bloodthirsty creeps, unable to use my own magic or even try to talk my way out of this situation. Fear bubbled in my belly; the horror of this male touching me, or this female using my blood turned my heart to ice. The medication they’d shot me up with to knock me out was beginning to sour in my empty stomach, the vile contents shooting up and out. It gave me some satisfaction to see the mess had landed right on one of the witch’s boots. If I weren’t so miserable I would have smiled.
“Well that’s just wonderful. These are new boots.” She grabbed my hair and yanked hard. My eyes filled again. “I should make you lick it up. I could, you know. I’m very powerful.”
Powerful people never had to tell anyone they were powerful. Just sayin’.
I did my best to shoot back some kind of snarky remark but those were denied to me as well as every other sound other than grunts—or maybe not. I managed a good long snort, piggy-like. The guy laughed. The witch whacked my face with the back of her hand so hard I saw stars.
“Unlock her feet. She’s walking the rest of the way. And she’d better keep up, because I’ve lost my patience with this loser.” She attached a chain to the torc around my neck. I was now on a leash. As soon as she’d finished, the male yanked me hard to my feet. My knee had started to swell up and was very painful to stand on, but I managed to get up without falling again. “Walk behind her. Make sure she doesn’t try anything.”
I hobbled the rest of the way, which turned out to be almost a mile. Some of it was uphill, which was bad, but the downhill stretch was even worse. My knee was screaming, wailing, howling, making a full out racket in the pain department even though my vocal chords had failed me. When the witch turned around I grunted loudly, and when the male nudged me from behind I gave him my very best piggy noise. I would have spit in his face, except for the fact I was so thirsty I couldn’t spare the spit.
A Victorian style two-story farmhouse loomed ahead. The driveway was empty of cars and the front lawn had long ago gone to seed. The absence of potted plants or comfortable chairs on the porch didn’t surprise me either, judging from the whiffs of blood magic I was getting from the male and the female. An old fashioned well sporting a bucket on a rope which hung from a rusty metal wheel had pride of place in the center of the scraggly yard. I could just see the corner of a barn around the back of the house although I didn’t catch the scent of horses or other livestock. As we drew closer, the scent of an herb garden to the right of the house teased my nostrils, a necessity for any witch, even one that used darker magic.
The bitchy witch pulled on my chain, jerking my head to the side and making me stumble. I winced, my knee wobbling, growing more unsteady. I wouldn’t make it up those stairs if she kept forcing me to move faster than my body could manage. “Hurry up, demon. She’s waiting.”
I dug in my heels and tried something new, whistling as loudly as I could. The strident sound rang across the yard. I was furious—my anger a burning inferno. My cheetah claws were pushing on the inside of my fingertips. But the shift required magic, the magic all shifters and werewolves used to transform to their other selves, and I was denied even that release.
“Shut up!”
I whistled again, narrowing my eyes at the female who held my life in her hands. Come closer, witch. Close enough to kick. Close enough to bite. Close enough to kill.
I’d forgotten about the male behind me, who grabbed my bound hands and wrenched them upward. My knees gave out from the pain, but I could not scream. Instead I blacked out.
Chapter Seven
I must have only been unconscious for a minute, because the creeps were standing in the same place still arguing. Honestly, I was surprised they hadn’t done each other in.
“You could have dislocated her shoulders.”
“I stopped her fr
om whistling, didn’t I?”
“This one isn’t going to last a day when Mother sees her attitude.”
“She’s not going to be too happy with you for forcing her to walk here. Look at the female’s knee,” the male pointed out.
“You’re the one who dropped her, you asshole.”
The male shot back angrily, “This has been one big cluster—”
“Shush. Mother might hear.”
“You two need help?” A big guy was walking down the steps. He took a look at me sprawled on the dry, cold grass, the scent of blood and worse drifting up to his sensitive nose. “Damn. What did you two do to her? She was supposed to be delivered in good shape.”
“Told ya,” snapped the male.
The big guy squatted next to me. I’d closed my eyes, so he lifted a lid. “I’m Joel and I’m gonna carry you in?” I shook my head. No way. “I wasn’t askin’ for permission.”
He lifted me as carefully as he could, but by the time he lowered me onto the carpet in an empty first floor room, I was on the verge of passing out again. Joel unlocked the cuffs, but I had no energy left to even rub my wrists. Instead I sprawled on my aching back, my hands lying on the faded carpet like dead fish. I wanted to go after the other two, but my muscles were too weak to move in any productive manner, let alone punch or claw at someone.
Without magic or even the strength of my species, I was pretty much a sitting duck. Bathed in pain, eyes unable to focus, my mind wandered along crooked paths. If I could make a piggy noise, maybe I could quack like a duck or moo like a cow. Howling like a wolf could be an asset, especially if a pack lived nearby—wherever the hell we were.
“Get up.” The bitchy witch was back, but was she speaking to me? I mean there was no way I was going to be able to get up without major help. “I’m not going to ask you again,” she growled. Well, that was good because I wouldn’t be able to move even if she did so what was the point?
“I don’t think she can. Look at how pale she is.” The male kidnapper sounded concerned, but then he hadn’t been too fucking concerned when he’d practically dislocated both of my shoulders. All because I’d whistled. Jeez. Guess I’ll stick to the piggy noise.
“Have you injured my prize?” It was a new voice, that of a more mature female, but I wasn’t curious enough to open my eyes. “Attend me, children.” With a light wash of Influence her rich tones urged me to obey. I opened my eyes in curiosity.
I was shocked to see that my kidnappers were on the floor, prostrate before a woman who appeared to be in her mid-fifties. Witches and sorcerers lived a long time, but unlike other supernaturals they aged and eventually passed on, usually after their second century. It was the same for sorcerers. This particular witch seemed to have at least another half century to go, give or take a couple of decades.
She was dressed in a gown that looked like a wealthy woman’s costume in one of those PBS Masterpiece shows, and she strode across the room with grace, despite the obvious weight of all that fabric. If I’d known I was coming to a fancy dress ball, I would have worn my new jeans.
“You may rise, Jacqueline,” she announced with sonorous tones. Definitely politician material. The kidnappers began to move but the older witch’s voice turned cold. “You two reprobates may stay as you are.” They immediately resumed their submissive poses.
I rolled to my stomach and made an attempt. Really, I tried my best. But my arms were trembling as I pushed myself up, and the moment I put weight on my knee, that was it. I was back on the ground, grunting, my forehead against the dusty rug.
“Joel. Help her.”
The large male rolled me over and picked me up with one arm under my knees and the other around my waist. “Get her a chair, Freddy.”
“Frederick,” the thinner male snapped. After getting the nod from the older witch he jumped up and was back in a flash with a dining room style chair. With a snap of her fingers the witch indicated he should kneel beside his buddy again. Joel lowered me gently and I sat, facing the witch and shaking hard enough to rattle my teeth. I wrapped my arms around my body in a feeble attempt to warm up. A draft from the hallway cooled my skin, although it was a lot warmer in here than it had been outside. I was surprised when Joel took off his jacket and wrapped it around my shoulders.
In another time and place I would have dropped it to the floor, but I was barely able to sit up straight in the chair. I hadn’t eaten in maybe twenty-four hours, and I was thirsty, cold and in pain. Soon I might go into shock. Today I was grateful for his consideration. I mouthed thank you and wrapped the leather jacket more closely around my body.
The older witch scanned me with a scrutinizing gaze, sizing me up. “You may speak now. I have released the silencing spell.”
My hands flew to the heavy neckpiece, but it was still locked in place. That meant my hours of silence had not been caused by the metal cowl. The powerful female lowered herself into a fancy brocade chair, her back toward the large picture window. I glimpsed a view of a forest and snow-capped mountains over her shoulder. Where was I?
“Water?” My voice sounded strange to my ears.
“They did not think to give you water?” I shook my head. A moment later young teen female arrived with a glass of water. I drank the whole thing without taking a breath.
“Thank you.” I returned the glass and the girl smiled and scooted away, looking like she couldn’t get out of the room fast enough.
“Now stand,” the witch said.
“I don’t think I can. My knee won’t support my body.” I attempted to clear my throat, but nothing seemed to ease the scratchiness. I smoothed gentle fingers over my neck, pressing gingerly on the bruises. Without my healing magic, my bruises would be evident for quite some time. My cheetah paced, anxious to stretch her legs and sharpen her claws. I tried to calm her by calming my nerves.
“You will rise.” Her voice had sharpened to a point. Another impatient witch. Great.
Hoping to avoid further injury, I flattened my feet on the floor, clasped the arms of the chair and pushed myself up. I was dizzy as I straightened, but I kept my eyes on the floor until I was able to feel composed enough to face this powerful supernatural enemy.
Taking in a cleansing breath, I slowly released my tight hold on the chair arms. My knees were shaking, especially the injured one, but I lifted my chin and met her gaze as I carefully moved two steps closer.
“You were injured?” The witch surveyed my body more closely.
“No. It’s nothing.” I couldn’t appear weak.
“You will learn not to lie to me. Every prisoner must learn this lesson. I will allow you this one misstep and ask again. Are you injured?”
“Yes, but I’ll heal.”
“You will not heal unless I allow you to heal. I have taken your magic.” My hand rose to the torc at my neck. “Yes, child. As long as you wear the slave circlet you will be cut off from all that you are, all that you know. You are mine now, Jacqueline, and I intend to train you to be obedient. I have been told this may be difficult for you, as you have a strong spirit and do not follow orders easily. However, I have every confidence that I will be successful.”
“Who told you I’d be a difficult student?”
“That information is not something I wish to share at this time.”
“But why am I here?”
“Are you inquiring as to why I chose you in particular, or why I wish to train you?”
“Both.”
“Neither is your concern.”
I lost my patience. “It is my damn concern!”
Her eyes narrowed and changed in color, growing copper in her anger. “You will show me respect. This is your second misstep. It will not be forgiven.” She turned toward the male on the floor to the right.
“Stand, Frederick.” He was instantly on his feet.
“You will place her in a cell in the basement. Give her no food, two buckets, one with water, one empty, no blanket. You will follow these instructions precisely.�
�
“Yes, Mother.”
“Watch her all night. If she causes trouble or is disrespectful to you, hose her off.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“Severe cold can kill a shifter,” I said, swallowing down my fear.
“But not a demon, I believe.” She stood and made to leave through the door to the right.
“I have very little demon blood.” A quarter, actually.
She turned back to me. “Do not be concerned. You blood is enough to sustain you. Tonight will not be a comfortable one, but you will learn your lesson. We will speak tomorrow.” I swayed on my feet. “You may walk or crawl to your cell, whichever you prefer. No one will carry or assist you.” She looked at Fredrick and Joel and they nodded. She stood. “Curtsy and say, ‘Yes, Mother’.”
“No.”
“There is worse I can do to you. So much worse.”
I was having trouble breathing. I coughed, pulling at the torc, but it was shrinking, cutting off my air. I sank to my knees, gagging, too panicked to worry about the sharp pain in my knee.
When she thought I’d had enough, she loosened it enough so I wasn’t gagging, although I still couldn’t take in a normal breath. “Tomorrow morning you will curtsy when you greet me and you will curtsy when you are dismissed, and as the Goddess commands, you will always refer to me as Mother.”
With her exit, the pressure on my neck ended and the torc returned to its normal size. On hands and knees I gulped in air and rubbed my neck, enraged with this female but mostly at myself. I’d been stupid. It would have cost me nothing to play along. But my pride had pushed aside my common sense. Not again. I’d be smarter tomorrow.
If I lived through the cold night.
Blood Spelled Page 4
