by King, Thayer
“I wanted to tell you myself.”
“I worked so hard to raise you to take over the family business. You could have been the best of us. Instead, you align yourself with one of them. Nikita is more of a daughter to me than you ever were.”
Mystique tightened her lips. Mama Skye was more of a mother to her than Meadow ever was, but she refused to lower herself to this game of trading barbs. “So I guess this is goodbye.”
Her mother shook her head. “You would choose one of them over your own family?”
“Was I ever family to you? Or was I just the spawn of a witch?”
She laced long delicate fingers together in front of her on the desk. “You’re my daughter.”
“But I’m also a witch. You never could forgive me for that, could you?” At five, she’d wished for a puppy. Meadow had been sitting on their porch watching over her and her cousin Nikita as they played in the yard. The neighbors had come home with a new golden retriever puppy. He was the cutest thing Mystique had ever seen. That night at the dinner table she’d wished for one and instantly a chubby ball of fur had appeared in her lap. It was her first bit of magic and her last. Meadow had scooped up the pup and put him in a box. She’d scolded her for making wishes, telling her that they were evil and she was never to do it again. Though she hadn’t entirely understood why wishes were bad, she’d recognized the revulsion in her mother’s face at her actions. The next day Meadow had taken the puppy to the animal shelter.
“I would have if you’d stayed and fulfilled the promise you displayed as a child, become my proper successor.”
Mystique stood. There was no point in staying. They would never see eye to eye. Meadow would only be satisfied if she turned her back on the half of her that was a witch. The bakery, while profitable, had never been their true family business. Special clients came to this office whenever they were having an issue they could not solve through ordinary means.
She studied the knives her grandfather had created from ancient metals known to be fatal to supernatural beings. Their family had hunted witches for centuries. They captured them, judged them, and if they were found to be evil, they dispatched them to the devil.
Chapter Thirteen
Sean stood before Mystique’s door. He didn’t knock. He knew she was gone. Placing his hand on the knob, he concentrated on the desired outcome and twisted. The door swung open. Right away he spotted the note on the pillow in the otherwise empty suite. He’d sensed that something was wrong all day. Unfortunately, he had been unable to get away any earlier. He read Mystique’s letter several times. There was no explanation of where she was going or why, merely that she would see him once she returned to Beverly Hills.
He crumpled the paper and dropped it into the trash can on his way out. Damn her, she hadn’t even ended the letter with an “I love you.” He could feel her love for him through their connection but she refused to admit it or commit to their relationship.
He paced his suite, trying to think through Mystique’s disappearance rationally. Shoving down primitive emotions, he recalled that she’d said she had family in Asheville. She’d said they weren’t close but family ties were difficult to ignore no matter how much people might wish to forget them.
Sean pulled out his cell and called Neva. “Neva, hi, um, question. Did you book a flight for Mystique?”
“No. She’s gone? What about the wrap party?”
He sighed. He’d hoped she would have asked Neva for help. It had been a long shot. Mystique was very independent. She would have planned her trip on her own. “Yeah, she’s gone, but I think I know where. Thanks, Neva. Hey, are you near a computer? Could you book me a flight to Asheville?”
“Give me a sec. I’ll use my phone.” He resumed pacing while his assistant checked for flights. “Hm. Looks like there are no more flights today, but you could catch a plane out in the morning.”
Instinct was riding him to find his mate now. Her unhappiness pressed upon him. “Never mind. I’ll find another way. Thanks again.” He disconnected, thinking furiously. Driving would take too long. North Carolina was a large state.
He could teleport. He’d never learned how to do it. It was difficult and dangerous if you didn’t know what you were doing. Only the strongest of witches could do it. He’d never considered himself particularly talented. But now with the strength of his bond with Mystique, all manner of magic was possible for them both.
Fortunately, he knew an expert on witchcraft who could help him with teleportation. He called his brother. “Keith, I need a favor.”
“Sure, what is it?” He sounded distracted. Sean could well imagine his brother sitting in front of his computer spinning one of his science fiction tales or performing research for another book on witch lore.
“I need to learn how to teleport.”
“Sure thing. Next time I’m in town, I’ll give you some lessons.”
“No, I mean I need to know now.”
“It’s not something you can grasp in a few minutes. It takes a butt load of power and can sap your abilities for hours.”
“Keith, Mystique needs me. I have to go to her now.”
“It’s that urgent?”
“Yes.”
“I can’t talk you out of this?”
“No.”
Keith mumbled something he couldn’t make out. “It might work since the two of you are bound.”
“How do I do it?”
“Think of Mystique. Concentrate on what attracts you to her mentally and physically. Focus on how much you want to be with her. It’s a complex form of wishing. Keep your phone close so you can call me in case you only manage to teleport half of yourself.”
He tensed. “Is that a possibility?”
“Probably not,” Keith said and disconnected before Sean could say more. He frowned, stashing his phone in his pocket. Keith’s tone hadn’t reassured him.
He took a deep breath and turned off the lights. He closed his eyes and concentrated on Mystique. Inhaling, he thought of her scent, clean and peachy, of her skin so soft and beautiful. He pictured her face that morning as he’d kissed her. Of the little mole to the left of her lip that he liked to kiss.
Nothing. Half an hour passed. Maybe he couldn’t do this. Fear and anger clenched his gut.
He refused to give up. Mystique needed him. He tried again, focusing not just on the physical, but also on their love for each other. Sean used their connection to pull himself to her. The distance between them seemed to evaporate. He could smell her, feel her presence. His body was light. He felt himself flung forward as though he were travelling very fast. His stomach dropped like he’d taken a dip on a steep rollercoaster.
When he opened his eyes, he was alone in a darkened bakery. He growled with frustration. So much for sensing Mystique. “Where the hell am I?” The bakery logo in the window declared the name to be Somethin’s Cookin’. The name didn’t ring any bells. A quick tug on the door verified that it was locked. The bell attached at the top of the frame tingled.
Sean ran a hand through his curls. He’d have to find the key. He didn’t want to break the glass as it would probably alert the police. And he didn’t have the strength to teleport himself again so soon. His arms and legs were shaky from his last journey.
Making his way towards the glass display of sweets, he could make out the sound of approaching footsteps. Overhead lights illuminated the bakery and then he was facing a tall, dark skinned woman with short cropped hair. She stopped upon seeing him but she didn’t appear frightened or surprised.
“As you can see, we’re closed. You’ll have to come back in the morning.”
“Of course. But since I’m here, I was looking for my wife.” His bond with Mystique was more lasting than marriage, but that was too difficult to explain. He hoped that saying she was his wife would buy him this lady’s assistance. “I think she was here earlier today.”
“Hm.” Her disinterest was apparent as she crossed to the door. “I was certain I loc
ked this.”
“She’s from this area,” Sean continued. “Maybe you know her? Her name’s Mystique.”
“Mystique?” She turned to him and her dark eyes flashed over him before her lips tightened. “Yes, she was here earlier.” With a final glance at the locked door, she returned to the counter. “Follow me.”
Sean frowned. “You know her? Where is she?” She didn’t respond. He hurried to catch up with her as she led the way to an office. The plethora of knives on the wall had his eyes widening. He paused at the threshold until she invited him inside. He was wary and remained standing as she sat behind a large desk. “You know Mystique?”
“I’m sorry. I failed to introduce myself. I’m Meadow Gray, Mystique’s mother.”
Sean studied her but could see no resemblance. Their eyes were the same dark shade but perhaps it was the bitterness in her gaze that made them appear so different. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Gray. I was worried about Mystique. How was she when you saw her?”
She gave a casual shrug of her slim shoulders that answered nothing. Picking up a telephone, she dialed a few numbers. “Could you join me in my office, please?” She listened for a second. “Yes. Thank you.”
He was becoming uncomfortable but he couldn’t say why. “Where is Mystique?”
“Actually, I can’t say.” Another shrug. “She didn’t tell me where she was going when she left.”
He ran his hand through his curls. “Does she have other family? Friends here?”
“Mystique has not visited in some time. I doubt she’s remained in touch with friends. I’m sorry that I could not be more help.”
“You don’t seem concerned.”
“And you, witch, seem overly so.”
He heard a noise behind him. He half turned and then pain exploded at the base of his skull and his world tilted sideways. The last thing he saw was a pair of wicked black leather boots with impressive five inch heels come to a halt before him. And then all was darkness.
Chapter Fourteen
Mystique turned away from the view out of her hotel window and massaged her temples. She had a sudden sharp headache. Nausea had her clutching her stomach. She fumbled through her purse in search of pain medicine. Unable to find it, she dumped the contents of her bag onto the bed. The bottle dropped out last, bounced on the other items, and rolled onto the floor. Groaning, she dropped to her knees to scoop it up.
Cursing childproof caps, she opened the container and removed two pills. She filled a glass with water from the bathroom tap. She hated lukewarm water but decided now wasn’t the time to be picky.
Mystique swallowed the pills quickly and decided a nap would be a good idea. She’d rented a car. She would use it later to go out for dinner.
Turning out the lights, she curled up into a ball. She didn’t even remove her clothes, simply pulled the covers back and slid onto the cool sheets.
She woke with a start. She glanced at the alarm clock on the nightstand. It seemed that only minutes had passed, but she had been sleeping for an hour. She squinted into the darkness trying to figure out what woke her. Flashes of a dream came to her. Spinning, nausea, pain….
A knock sounded at her door and she realized it wasn’t the person’s first time knocking. She turned on the light at the bedside and rolled out of bed. Her head felt somewhat better.
A quick peek out the peephole revealed a slender young woman about her age with her long black hair styled in two fat braids tossed over slim shoulders. Dark shades were perched on top of her head. She had large exotic eyes that reminded one of a cat. Her ears and fingers glittered with rows of silver.
Mystique swung the door open and enveloped her cousin Nikita in a tight embrace. “Kita, it’s so good to see you. I’ve missed you so much.” They might have been cousins but they were raised as sisters.
Nikita’s arms closed around her for a brief squeeze before she pulled back. “Why is it so damn dark in here?”
“Sorry.” She flipped on a switch and went about the room lighting the various lamps. She bit her lip. “What brings you? Did you talk with Meadow?”
“I was helping her at the shop but she said she could handle it on her own. So I went to Mama Skye’s for dinner. I was surprised when she told me that you were home. What’s it been? Two years?”
Mystique nodded, careful to avoid eye contact. She’d like to spend some time with her before the fireworks began.
Nikita sat on the bed and crossed her legs. They were encased in thick black tights under a black pleated skirt. Nikita was petite. Everything about her was small and cute. Even the slick black boots she wore with the ridiculously high heels were cute. The same shoe on her size ten foot wouldn’t be nearly so adorable. “So what brings you back?”
“I was working on a film in Wilmington. We wrapped today.” She shrugged. “Since I was in the state, I decided to drop in before heading back.”
“I caught one of your movies on DVD a week or two ago. It was the one where you played a belly dancer. You’ve got to teach me those moves.”
She laughed. “It’s been a while since I made that, but I might be able to—” Her phone emitted an insistent buzz from the nightstand. “Excuse me.” She picked it up. The incoming number was listed as restricted. Curiosity made her slide the bar across the phone to answer it. “Hello?”
“Mystique Gray?” asked a deep male voice.
“Yes, this is Mystique.”
“This is Keith Savage, Sean’s brother. I got your number from Neva. Is Sean with you?”
“N-no. I’m in Asheville. Sean is still in Wilmington.”
“I spoke with Sean. He was planning to follow you using witchcraft. I wanted to make sure he arrived in one piece.”
Her hand tightened over the phone as her stomach clenched. Dread gripped her. “I haven’t seen him,” she said slowly.
“Mystique, he told me you were his mate. Is that true?”
“Yes.”
“Then you feel it as well as I do.” Keith’s voice was brisk and anxious. “He’s in trouble. Any idea where he could be?”
Her eyes met Nikita’s for a brief second before skittering away. “I might. Call me in a couple of hours. I’ll have Sean by then.”
“What’s wrong?” Nikita asked when she was off the phone.
Mystique took a deep breath. This day felt like it would never end and the hardest part was still before her. “You said you were helping Meadow. Was she alone?”
Nikita’s lips curled in a smile. “No. We’d caught one. This one evidently strolled in and offered himself.”
“Do you know who he was? What did he look like?”
“Didn’t catch his name before I conked him.” She gave a casual shrug. “He was tall, fit. His hair was black. Don’t know what color his eyes were. Why does it matter? They’re all the same.”
Mystique snatched up her wallet, phone and keys and headed for the door. “Damn it, Nikita, he’s my mate.”
“Your what?”
****
Sean hissed as the blade sliced through the skin of his abdomen. The cut was a thin gash that bled freely and stung like a bitch. He’d woken to this torment. The first cuts, the ones that had brought him back to consciousness, had been to his cheeks. He was in a dark underground room with no windows. He was sitting in an old wooden chair that creaked with every movement he made. His hands were bound behind him. His legs were tied with thick rope to the chair.
“What do you want?” he asked his tormentor yet again. Another slice of the knife was his only answer. She was methodical and precise. Her hands were steady as they worked over him. She showed no emotion as she patterned his skin into a bloody map of lesions. His shirt had been ripped open and pushed back over his shoulders.
She stood back and surveyed her work.
Sean wet his lips. “I don’t understand. Why are you doing this?”
“You know why. You’re a witch. You’re a vile abomination and you’ve ruined my daughter.”
/> “I was born this way. How can it be wrong?” He flexed his wrists, testing the strength of the rope. His magic was too weak from the earlier travel and from his injuries.
“Because you’re evil, every one of you. Some of you hide it better than others, but you’re all in league with the devil.”
“Does that include your daughter?”
“No. I brought her up right.” She casually leaned over and cut the top of his shoulder.
Sean suppressed a swear word at the sharp sting. Meeting Meadow gave him new understanding of why Mystique had been so reluctant to give their relationship a chance. It wasn’t about him at all. She was raised to be ashamed of what she was. In his family, their abilities had always been a source of pride to their parents. “So what’s your plan? Slice me to ribbons, let me bleed out and die here on your floor? We’re mated. Do you know what that will do to her? It will leave her an empty shell. That’s a dangerous thing for a witch.”
“Don’t you call her that!”
“But that’s what she is. She would be dangerous. She’s very strong, even stronger since we’ve become mates. She’s managed to refrain from using her magic, though it has to be tempting. It will push at her, call to her. She will be out of control and you don’t want that.”
“No, without you, she will need the comfort of her family. She will be more biddable and finally take her position in the family business. Because of her special skills, she will be the best of us. Who better to hunt and kill witches than another witch?”
“Is that why you advised me to sleep with him, Meadow?”
Meadow turned and Sean strained his neck to look behind him. Mystique came down the wooden stairs with a petite woman in killer heels following.
