by Kari Thomas
She heard movement from the cage beside her. The bear grumbled to slow awareness as the sleeping potion wore off. Kira studied the animal, not knowing what to expect.
She whispered a few soothing words but was wary of what might happen when the bear came more fully awake, and realized it was in a cage.
She. Aiden had said the bear was a female.
“Do you have a name?” Kira couldn’t believe she was talking to the animal as though it were the most natural thing in the world. She was even more surprised when the bear rumbled a sound, as if answering. She remembered how she had acted almost human that night, protecting her as if she were its cub. Her headache increased and she shook her head.
Would anything ever make sense, be normal again?
Until she understood better, could figure out what Warren was up to, she was pretty helpless to fight back. She didn’t know who would even think to look for her. Lena wouldn’t worry until much later, since they hadn’t known how long it would take for her to complete the paperwork at the courthouse. That meant no one even knew she was missing.
She’d left Lena’s car on the side of the road and wondered if Warren had sent one of his men to bring it back to the house, to hide it. She would, in his place. But maybe he hadn’t thought of that. One could only hope. The police would surely have question when they found Lena’s car abandoned on the side of the road…wouldn’t they? And the bear? How long would it take any of the Calhouns to realize one of their special pets was missing? She sighed in defeat. It didn’t matter. They wouldn’t know where to look.
“Unfortunately,” Kira told the bear, “it seems we’re in this mess together, my furry friend.” She sighed again, feeling beyond frustrated. “And I’m not sure what our odds are for even getting out of this.”
Her uncle had acquired powers strong enough to bind hers, if only temporarily. Something told her the impending fight would be … fatal…for someone. One way or another.
*****
That’s Lena’s car, Gavin snarled as they stood hidden in the trees across the dirt road, waiting to see if they would recognize whoever showed up. They had only been there a few moments when the Venus Poppy van drove up, and he and Aiden, still in animal forms, watched as it dropped off a man by the side of the road.
As the stranger got in the abandoned car and drove away, Gavin muttered, I don’t recognize the driver.
Aiden sat back on his haunches. The question is, what was Lena’s car doing out here, by the north end of the sanctuary…abandoned? What reason would Lena have to be out here? It’s obvious the car was running fine, so it didn’t break down. The fur on his neck bristled. I don’t like this. I’m going to check for scents around that area.
Gavin followed him, watching his back. The whole situation was odd and they were on guard for anyone returning to the area. Aiden circled the abandoned parking spot while Gavin kept watch on the road. His brother returned, growling under his breath.
Damn. The only scent I recognized was Kira’s! She must have been driving the car.
Gavin shook his furry head. But what was she doing out here? This area is past the turnoff for the estate. Aiden’s unease increased tenfold. The facts weren’t adding up. There had to be some logical explanation, but what? He searched the area again, his feline gaze going over every inch. He spotted another set of tire tracks leading off the side of the road, into the field.
Someone else was here. And Kira went this way. He and Gavin put noses to the ground and followed Kira’s scent toward the tire tracks.
At least two men. Gavin rumbled in anger. These tracks are big enough to be the Venus Poppy’s van. Could these be the two guys Jem saw the other day?
Damn, Gavin. That’s not all. Aiden mentally cussed. Riana’s been here too! Fury wrestled with logic and Aiden was close to losing the battle. He noticed Riana’s prints seemed staggered before they disappeared. He scented a faint sweet odor but couldn’t pinpoint its source. He could, however, smell Kira’s fear and wondered what she had seen, what had happened. It was obvious she had been taken, and it looked like she didn’t go willingly. He saw signs of a struggle and hoped she had been able to inflict some damage before she had been picked up and tossed in the van. Instinct urged him to follow the van’s route ─ find his sister and Kira.
He prayed the driver had been stupid enough to return to the Venus Poppy. Because, when he found them, he planned on destroying whoever was responsible.
Let’s go, Aiden. Gavin took off in a sprint, following the scent of the van, the tracks leading back to town.
Aiden passed him, a bottomless, burning rage urging him on…
*****
Warren sent Lena into Prescott on errands and closed the magic shop for the day. Lena had asked if he had seen Kira and he had mentioned, oh so casually, that he thought he remembered her saying something about going to visit a friend in the next town. As he pulled down the shades and locked the doors, he mentally went over what still needed to be done. Everything had to be in place before night fell.
When Aiden and Gavin discovered that Riana was missing, he wanted it to be too late for them to find her, or save her. He still hadn’t figured out how to separate them so he could pick them off one at a time. The last thing he needed was for them to get wise to what he was doing and muck up his perfect plans. His main priority was to complete the first portion of the Spell. It was the most crucial part.
If, for some unfeasible reason, Kira continued to defy him, he’d be forced to use Lena as a back up source of power. He pushed that thought aside, not wanting to dwell on the possibility he might need to sacrifice his daughter to ensure his success. He knew Kira was too soft-hearted for her own good, and would do what she could to protect Lena. She wasn’t ruthless enough to allow anyone to be placed in any sort of danger if it was in her power to protect them. That day in the swamp had sealed her fate in that regard. For that fact alone he was almost…almost…happy she had survived.
Who’d have thought that the niece who had given up on her craft because of events she couldn’t have stopped, even if she had tried, would turn out to be a key component to his greatest achievement. She had become the pivotal ingredient to the success of his plan, and would be the one to offer him what was his divine right. Unknowingly, it was true…but what did that matter? He frowned, puzzled over his good fortune, over the irony that Kira had turned out to be the most powerful witch in the family. Her lineage had a history of great power but still...
As puzzling as that was, he didn’t have time to figure it out at the moment. He could always address that enigma tomorrow, after he had reached the apex of his power. It was fortuitous for him that she had remained untrained, without focus. That’s what happens when you step away from your heritage and potential power-base. But she was perfect for his plans. For now, it benefited him that she was strong, yet remained pliant. Weak of intent, but strong of will.
It made her the perfect conduit.
He made sure no one was around the shop as he walked casually around the side of the house and into the garage. Tucked under his arm were a number of powerful items that he had wisely thought to procure from the shop. Better to be prepared than have to stop in the middle of everything. And they might be useful during that final incantation.
He had warded the basement door, protecting it from detection, but one never knew what a stubborn witch might try and get away with when one’s back was turned. He unbolted the heavy door and entered the lab. As he lined up his supplies on the counter, he nodded with approval toward the obedient Kira, who had not been foolish and try to escape. She sat in the exact spot she had been when he left, on the floor by the bear cage. He felt a fleeting twinge, worried for a moment about her pale complexion. It didn’t seem she’d recouped much energy since she was still sitting on the concrete floor.
It can’t be very comfortable. One would think she would have had enough sense to at least move to a chair. But it did seem she had regained some of her spirit.
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At least enough to glower at him defiantly.
He’d have to watch her carefully. He really didn’t trust her, even if she was family. She could just be acting as if she were weak and puny, and then try something sneaky, something totally imbecilic considering his far superior magic. And, if that were the case…if she did try something that caused him to act rashly…well, he would be very unhappy with her. She might even force his hand, incite him do something rash in a fit of temper. He would hate to be forced into doing something extremely unpleasant.
That would not do at all.
He was still disgusted over the fact that he couldn’t completely bind her powers. That would have made all of this so much simpler. If he could have used her as he needed, without any repercussions, it would have made this all easier on everyone. But nooo…it couldn’t be that easy. There was never a loop to slide through, a way around the rules.
There were always rules. And the ones that guided the cosmos tended to be a little more exacting than others.
She had to be willing to help him, by her own free will. Without any undo influence.
Damn ! I will have to change that pesky problem once this is all over.
He glanced at the bear and noticed she was awake. She sat unmoving, glaring, and rumbling low warnings, as if that would help. He snickered at her posturing. She couldn’t possibly believe that pitiful sound of outrage was going to frighten him. Her essence would be the final ingredient, cementing his immortality. He chuckled softly under his breath, delighted that everything was falling into place.
Just as he’d planned.
The Fates had truly been smiling on him when Sonia had come to visit, sharing her concern over the ‘Calhoun beasts’. He had been alone in the house and commiserated with her when she admitted that she had been so mad at Kyle, and the rest of the Calhouns, that she had placed a curse on Riana, the only one of those ‘shape-shifting freaks of nature’ home at the time. He often wondered if Marissa carried the ‘gene’ but Sonia had never said, and he hadn’t wanted to push the issue. He did admit to Sonia, much later on of course, that her little curse had been ineffectual, and that it had been his spell that had cinched the changes Riana couldn’t control. He had been a thoughtful, caring uncle and welcomed the opportunity to help his niece.
It wasn’t his fault that things hadn’t worked out in quite the manner she might have liked…but it had all served his purposes extremely well.
He was very proud of the way he had then been able to trick Riana, how naively she had trusted him. Knowing she was getting closer to losing the battle to retain her humanity, he had correctly summarized she’d be willing to try just about anything. All it had taken was a phone call.
He’d called her one day, when he knew her brothers would be out, and casually mentioned that he’d heard of her affliction, learned about it through the ‘shape-shifter grapevine’, and knew of a cure. She had been excited at his news and, before she could start asking pointed questions, he had explained that his wondrous remedy had been known to help others having issues with their transition but it must be handled in the utmost secrecy. She had been so happy to hear she had a chance that she hadn’t asked any more questions past ‘when’ and ‘how’. A smart female would have at least been concerned about the fact he even knew she was a shape-shifter. But she’d just accepted his story as fact.
Could it have worked out any better?
I think not.
“Well, ladies,” Warren stopped a few feet away from the two females, both glaring at him with similar expressions on their faces. One human, one not. “Are we about ready?”
Kira stood up slowly, still feeling under the weather but gaining her strength a little more with each passing minute. “Ready for what?”
“Don’t look so apprehensive, Kira. It isn’t anything bad. All I need you to do is perform a little healing spell, tap into magic from the source and transfer it to me. Simple enough. Really.”
She wasn’t fooled by his benign look of innocence, and her flesh crawled at the thought of what it might mean to the ‘source’. Pulling power from anything, or anyone, was never as simple as it sounded. She glanced around the room but didn’t see anyone else. They were the only ones there…well, other than the bear. She voiced her thoughts aloud, asking who needed healing. His response was one she had definitely not been expecting and she felt dizzy, off-kilter, when she heard…’Riana’.
“Huh? What…in…the…world are you talking about? “Kira shook her head pityingly, sure her uncle had finally lost his mind. “Riana isn’t here. She’s at home…with Marissa.” When her uncle started laughing, her blood froze in her veins. His chiding chuckles soon became loud bursts of maniacal, hysterical laughter.
Warren wiped at his eyes, his tears distorting his simple-minded niece’s face. He made an effort to control his mirth when he noticed Kira’s continued puzzled frown and, when she took a step toward him, he held up his hand warningly, wiggling his fingers as if threatening to zap her again. “Ahh, sweet Kira. Best hold that little temper of yours in check. Who knows what will happen if you don’t? I promised you an explanation and I think now is the perfect time to give it.”
“I’m listening.” She watched him carefully though, ready to try and avoid any surprises he might decide to toss her way. Better to be safe than sorry. She had always heard you are supposed to humor the crazy and she was afraid her uncle had finally fallen off the deep-end. I wonder if insanity is hereditary?
He studied her closely, wondering if she really was as stupid as she seemed. “Such an innocent. How can you be so naïve yet be so strong in your craft? How, I wonder? Hmm. Anyway, back to what I was saying. Destiny revealed its purpose for me and the ‘start’ of the path I would need to follow. I found an ancient scroll in one of the caves in that infernal swamp your parents were always dragging us into. It led me to cleanse myself of my familial ties, to eradicate good, so that I might triumph. You probably don’t remember much of what actually happened that day, especially since you failed…and it was absolutely pathetic to watch, by the way…to save your pitiful family.”
Kira winced at his apt description, wondering if she was going to die with that cowardice hanging over her head. She had been unable to save her family, unable to save herself. Now...she only needed one opportunity to rectify her past mistakes. She could save Riana and Lena. She forced herself to focus on what he was saying, praying to the Goddess he would give her a hint, some clue, so that she could stop him in time.
“You never knew that when Sonia came out of her shock she remembered a few too many details for my liking. She tried to trick me into sharing. Wanted to know my secret, the source of my power. She was ignorant enough to tell me that she remembered seeing me talking to a dark ‘spirit’ right before the attack, insisted she would tell everyone all she ‘thought she knew’ unless I taught her.” Warren snorted over the impudence. “Like that was ever going to happen. And you were so lost in your own little world of guilt that it was almost too easy.
“I was able to manipulate your sister quite easily, her with her unstable mind. You never suspected a thing, didn’t really notice, now did you? All you were concerned about was that she studied, follow the ‘good witch way’. What a bunch of hogwash. That girl knew what she wanted…or thought she did…but she wanted it immediately, didn’t want to wait for those goody-two-shoes to tell her when she was ready to go to the next level. I often thought she should have been my child. But then she became a painful irritant.”
Kira cringed at the apt description of Sonia’s impatience with her studies. She had wanted Sonia do be the best witch she could be, kind and generous to those less fortunate. To help those in need. Sonia had wanted what she wanted when she wanted it. And look where her arguments had gotten them.
“She nagged me day and night, night and day…wouldn’t leave me alone to explore all the nuances of what I found. This ended up leaving me with few options. Either I could silence her…permanently�
��or find a way to use her for my own designs. That was the main reason she moved out here…did you know that? She was so eager to learn those long-forgotten secrets, ones that had actually been forbidden by your parents’ coven, that she moved in so that she could learn all she needed at the feet of her ‘Master’. But it seems I miscalculated her devotion to my teachings.” Kira could hear the disappointment in her uncle’s voice and her gorge rose at thoughts of what might have been if Sonia had continued following his path.
“She found Love. Turned her back on what I could offer her and got married. Had to go and have a child…basically became fairly useless. When she refused to return to her studies…she was proving too mentally unstable to be of much use to me anyway by then…or cooperate with my plans…well, she set the outcome of her future. It really was too late for her anyway. Then it was just a matter of pushing her over the edge. She did the rest all by herself. I hardly had to help at all.”
Repugnance at his cold-hearted dissertation churned her stomach and Kira felt sick. “You were involved with Sonia murdering Kyle, then killing herself? That was you, your evil, that Lena and I sensed in the clearing?”
“It might have been a ‘bit’ me…but it was mostly Sonia. Killing her husband was her idea. She knew what I wanted and she was determined to ‘save’ him. Claimed she loved Kyle too much to let him be a part of my little ceremony. When I saw that she was going to blatantly disobey my command, I might have cast a tiny ‘persuasion’ spell…convinced her that suicide was the only thing left for her.”
“You bastard.”
“Tsk, tsk, Kira. That’s not proper language for a young lady. Your parents raised you better than that.” He shook his finger at her admonishingly. “What would your parents think, you talking back to your elders, and using such profanity? And you can remove that look right now.
