by Anya Bast
“And send Bai to me. All I can do is try and reason with him. He’s already tipped our hand.” “Right away.”
It took Bai a long time to answer his summons. Long enough for Stefan to down two glasses of Scotch and become even more agitated. However, even though he had leverage over the demon, Stefan wasn’t dumb. You didn’t push an Atrika and expect to keep your head, leverage or not.
The demon entered and Stefan studied him for a moment over the rim of his glass. All the daaeman, regardless of breed, were tall and muscular. Physically intimidating. All of them — all that he’d seen, at least — were also good-looking in human terms. The Atrika were especially beautiful. Chiseled features, handsome faces. He’d never seen a female demon, but reportedly they were also attractive.
Stefan supposed their good looks had helped to lure women — and men — way back in ancient times to mate with them. It was a sort of weapon, built into their DNA. Perhaps he should be grateful, since it was those couplings, with a little magickal help, that had produced elemental witches. It was the daaeman from which all witches sprang.
Those randy daaeman.
“I don’t enjoy answering when you call,” Bai said, first thing. His voice was thick with the sharp, blunt syllables of the accent common to the demons. “Like a common mongrel.” Bai was one of the few who spoke English well. That was why Stefan put up with him and all his demands.
Stefan’s hand tightened on his glass and he forced himself to release his grip. “Et merde. J’en ai assez,” he murmured to himself. “I’m sorry, my lord demon, but we need to have a conversation about your rash interaction with the woman, Sarafina Connell.” Bai’s face relaxed a degree, his jaw unlocking and his thick lips parting a little. “Sarafina? What of her?” “The agreement was that you could have her after you finished your task. You have not yet finished your task, therefore you cannot have her yet. Do you not recall the agreement, or is there some reason you cannot comprehend it?” Bai shifted and his eyes flashed red. Most demon’s eyes only went red when they were about to go on a killing rampage. Bai’s eyes went red whenever his emotions got the better of him and that seemed most of the time. Bai was an especially dangerous demon. “That was the agreement before you lost her.” “I didn’t lose her.” “You miscalculated the factors related to her induction.” “No, I was perfectly correct to assume her history would make her a good candidate for us. Without the meddling of the Coven and with a little more time, I feel sure I could’ve won her to our cause.” His jaw locked as he thought of the raid on the farmhouse. “But I know exactly where she is and when this is all over, she will be yours. Until then, no contact.” “Do not give me orders.” Bai’s eyes flashed red again and Stefan’s breath choked in his throat for a moment.
For a moment he almost took a step back, away from the demon who had been denied his candy, but retreating would make him appear weak. And that would be suicide.
Bai bared his teeth, now pointy and sharp, a mouth full of fangs. “You are making an error. I care not for anything but Sarafina. She is mine whenever I decide to take her.” He jumped from the room — in that eerie way they had of bending space to travel between two points — and Stefan was alone.
EIGHT
“SO THAT’S TWICE NOW THE DEMON HAS VISITED you.” Theo watched Sarafina shift uncomfortably under Thomas’s gaze. She was flanked by Claire and Isabelle. Mira stood nearby. The three had immediately taken her under their wings.
“Yes,” she answered. “The first time was like he was simply watching me. Watching me sleep. The second time he was knocking around in my apartment like he owned the place.” She shuddered and her voice hardened. “Then I hit him with the baseball bat.” Thomas averted his gaze and looked out the library window for a moment before speaking. “Since Stefan just brushed off the incident at the farmhouse, we’re going to assume that he’s found a way to ally with one or more Atrika.” “Bai is obviously pretty cozy with Stefan,” Sarafina answered. “Had the run of the house, apparently.” “My point exactly.”
Micah sat in one of the leather chairs near Thomas’s desk. He shook his head and frowned. “But that seems totally impossible. The Atrika are unable to open any portals between Eudae and Earth.” “It’s my understanding that Rue, the head of the Ytrayi, is the only one with enough power to do that,” Claire broke in. Her lips twisted in an odd smile. “I remember it well.” Yes, so did Theo.
About a year and a half ago, Claire had been trapped on Earth, after having lived her whole life on Eudae. After the Cae of the Ytrayi, Rue, had imbued her with a weapon called the elium, he’d pushed her through a portal and snapped it shut after her when the Atrika—the enemy of the Ytrayi—had stormed their palace. Two Atrika had managed to dive in after her and there had been a life-and-death chase all over the Midwest to avoid them.
That was how Ingrid and many other witches had been killed. That’s how Theo had ended up with a broken leg. He’d walked with a limp for months.
“Right,” answered Micah, “and we all know how difficult it is to open a portal from this side because we tried it.” “Without using blood magick, you mean,” Theo interrupted. “You don’t think Stefan would sacrifice witches to open a portal?” Micah turned and looked at him. “Of course he would, but that spell is complicated. It took Erasmus Boyle years to execute it from this side of the veil.” Micah shook his head. “I just don’t see how it’s possible that Stefan could have forged an alliance with the Atrika.” “Maybe,” Mira put in, “we should explain what a portal is. Sarafina looks confused.” Sarafina nodded. “That would be nice. It was explained in the book Theo gave me, but I didn’t really understand it.” “Who does?” answered Micah. “But here’s what we think. Eudae and Earth are layered on top of each other. The matter of each location vibrates at a different rate, creating a barrier. I call the difference in the vibrational rates the veil. There are ways to alter the vibrational rate in small patches of these tiny strings of energy, equalizing them and making a place in the veil where it’s possible to step through.” “So close, yet so far away,” murmured Sarafina.
“Yes!” Micah’s eyes lit with enthusiasm. “Once you step through the area of matter that has been equalized, your body changes in structure, mimicking your surroundings and thus allowing you to stay on that side of the veil. For whatever reason, stepping through seems to affect us more coming from Eudae to Earth. It makes you nauseous. And when—” “Be careful,” Theo drawled. “He’ll talk about this all day if you let him.” “I think it’s fascinating.” Sarafina leaned forward a little. “How do you equalize the patches of matter, Micah?” “That’s the big mystery. We know how it can be done, we’re just not sure why it happens. Blood magick will do it.” Micah jerked his head toward Claire. “Once upon a time, we were working nonstop on a way to get Claire back from Eudae. Without murdering a bunch of people, it’s nearly impossible.” Sarafina looked at Claire, questions clear on her face.
“It’s a long story,” Claire answered.
She turned her attention back to Micah. “Performing blood magick means killing people or animals?” “Witches. Specifically, witches of certain elements and levels of power. They must be killed in certain places and at certain times in order to open a portal.” “Yuck.”
“Vast understatement.”
“Okay, I have a question,” Isabelle broke in. “When Boyle broke Stefan out of Gribben, we all thought Boyle had killed him, right? Then Stefan called me later to taunt me about his continued well-being. When I asked him why Boyle hadn’t killed him, he told me other arrangements had been made. I know we’ve speculated at length that Stefan somehow made a deal with Boyle—” “But any deal would have been rendered non-executable with Boyle’s death on Eudae,” answered Thomas.
Isabelle stabbed her finger in the air. “On Eudae. Those are the key words. Yes, perhaps Boyle’s death was unexpected and threw a kink in the original deal Stefan made with Boyle. But let’s say, hypothetically, that Boyle had a backup plan and
planted something on Eudae that would help. . I don’t know. . open a doorway or leave some way for the Duskoff to make some kind of a deal with the Atrika.” Micah shot out of his chair and began to pace.
“Micah?” Thomas asked. “Could she be on to something?” Micah stopped in the middle of the room and rubbed his chin. “It’s a possibility, but there are lots of questions.” Theo shifted his weight and uncrossed his arms. “The primary question must be why Boyle would help Stefan and what possible reason the Atrika would have to agree to ally with the Duskoff. Their goals are not the same. The Atrika want Eudae and the Duskoff want more control on Earth.” “I would go so far as to say,” Thomas broke in, “that Stefan wants all control of Earth. He’s got a hell of a superiority complex. I saw it while he was in Gribben. He thinks that because witches have the power of magick we should rule over the non-magickals.” “Yes, but the Atrika don’t seem to care about Earth,” Micah answered. “So Theo is correct. There’s no motive for them to form an alliance when their objectives are literally worlds away.” “Stefan Faucheux is not a stupid man,” Thomas said, leaning forward in his chair. “I would never underestimate his ability to manipulate a situation to his advantage. I’m sure he could find something to entice the Atrika.” “Like us? As in female witches?” Isabelle answered, eyebrows high into her hairline. “I hate to point this out. I mean, I really, really hate to point it out, but Boyle took an unhealthy interest in me and this Bai demon is taking an interest in Sarafina. Maybe female witches hold a fascination for them.” “But none of the demons on Eudae took an interest in Claire,” Thomas answered. “None but one, right, Claire?” “That’s right.” Claire cast her gaze downward. “It was forbidden for any of the daaeman, any of the breeds, to show such interest in an aeamon female.” Isabelle gestured impatiently. “Yes, but those weren’t Atrika demons. Claire lived among the other three breeds. Not the Atrika.” “Point taken,” answered Thomas.
“It’s a possibility.” Micah threw his hands up. “Anything’s a possibility at this point. Again we find ourselves playing a guessing game with the Duskoff, one step behind their agenda while we try to prevent whatever they’re planning from coming to fruition. It’s a familiar, exhausting dance.” Mira moved toward the door. “I’m going in with air magick.” She meant projecting her consciousness from her body so she could travel incorporeally to another place. Strong air witches could do that. “I’ll try and find a crack in the warding around their headquarters in New York like I did when they were holding my aunt. Maybe I can find something out. Maybe they’re keeping the air witch Emily there.” Thomas nodded. “Good. Let me know if you find something out.” He turned his attention to Sarafina. “Now we need to get you sorted out.” Sarafina’s eyebrows rose. “I need sorting out?” “You need instruction. Fire is a volatile element and you need to learn how to wield it with care. To boot, Theo tells me you have more power than most.” Sarafina glanced at him and smiled a little. “I know you’re right. I mean, I saw firsthand what uncontrolled fire magick can do to a person.” Thomas nodded as he shuffled some papers on his desk. “Claire and Adam have agreed to allow you to stay with them. They’ll train you. Adam is a fire witch, and Claire has control of all four elements. They’re the best equipped to help you.” “No.”
Thomas jerked his gaze to Sarafina. Few witches talked to Thomas Monahan that way. There was a reason he headed the Coven; he had a way of compelling people to obey him.
Sarafina shifted, her hair moving over her shoulders. “Look, I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be trouble, but I don’t want to be with anyone but Theo. He’s the only one I trust.” Theo stiffened in surprise. Considering the way things had started out between them, that declaration was unexpected.
Sarafina glanced at Claire. “I mean, oh, God, I just stuck my foot in my mouth, didn’t I? You’ve all been nothing but kind to me, and I’m sure you’re all great teachers and wonderful, trustworthy people—” Claire smiled and touched Sarafina’s arm. “It’s okay. You didn’t offend me. I totally understand and I’m sure Adam does, too.” “Of course,” answered Adam from across the room. He grinned. “Go ahead, reject us.” “Adam!” Claire shot him a mock glare. “He’s just kidding. Adam is almost always kidding.” Sarafina looked at Theo and spread her hands. “It’s just, you know, he fought a demon in my bedroom and won. That’s sort of. . endeared him to me.” She colored a little and glanced away.
Adam opened his mouth and Theo shot him a look that promised much pain if the words poised on his tongue made it into the air.
Thomas nodded slowly, deep in thought. “That’s fine with me as long as it’s okay with Theo. Theo is well versed in all the elements, and he’s got a lot of control and knowledge. Still, I think you’ll learn more paired with witches of your own element.” She shook her head. “I don’t care. I want Theo.” “It’s okay with me,” Theo answered.
Thomas nodded. “It’s settled, then. You two can work out the living arrangements. Even though it would be safer for Sarafina to be close to a more experienced witch at all times, if you decide not to stay at Theo’s, Sarafina, we’ve got apartments free within the Coven.” Theo answered, “She stays with me.”
Adam raised his eyebrows across the room and Theo shot him another quelling look.
Sarafina shrugged. “I guess my decision has been made for me.” “I can’t protect you when you’re in a different apartment.” Thomas nodded. “I agree. We don’t know if Bai will come back or not.” He paused. “You’re in danger, Sarafina.” She gave him a sad smile. “It’s okay. I have some practice at that.” Theo was certain she was referring to her mother. What hell had the early years of her life been? They’d probably been a lot like his.
“I HOPE THIS IS OKAY WITH YOU.” SARAFINA STUDIED Theo’s back while he stood in the kitchen, stirring a charm in a saucepan. “I mean, that I wanted you for a bodyguard or teacher or whatever you are.” No response.
“I mean, it’s not that I have designs on your body or anything.” Her gaze slipped to his ass. Much.
His shoulders tightened a degree. “Now that’s a pity.” She grinned and stabbed at a bit of random herb on the table with the pad of her index finger. “Did I detect a note of amusement in your voice? Could it be? Has hell frozen over and have pigs grown wings?” He grunted and continued to stir his pot.
“Anyway, I’m sorry if I pushed you into doing something you don’t want.” Theo replied without turning. “Do you really think I’d do something I didn’t want?” More silence.
Well, I guess that was as much of an answer as she was going to get.
“So you don’t mind the living arrangements?” “You must stay with me. Bai might try and come after you again and it would be better if I were close. Wards don’t work on demons. Not even the kick-ass ones surrounding the Coven. Not much works on demons.” “So you won’t mind the pink panties hanging over the towel rod in the bathroom?” That made him turn. “There’s going to be pink panties hanging over the towel rod in the bathroom?” She grinned. “Actually, I wear thongs. They take up less space.” Theo’s grip tightened a degree on the wooden spoon he held.
“I’m joking, Theo, relax. Grosset won’t bother you?” Theo diverted his gaze from her face to the dog in question, who sat on the floor near his feeding dish, panting. “No, but I guess we need to buy some Alpo. He can’t live on SPAM.” “I’ll take care of that tomorrow. I have to run back to my place to pack a bag and run by the office to finalize paperwork for my leave of absence.” Her vacation had turned into unpaid leave. It was the worst time ever for her to go unpaid, considering her financial problems. Luckily the Coven was helping her make rent and pay her bills. She’d gladly taken the money, though pride dictated she pay them back when she could.
“You’re not going alone.”
“I should be fine.”
“No way.”
“I don’t want to trouble you, Theo.” “You’re not troubling me. I’ll just be doing my job. That job is you.” The way he said
it, so intensely, so protectively, made her heart miss a beat. She gave him a light smile to cover her reaction. “Wow, so you’ll be doing me. My, what will the neighbors say?” He ignored her comment. “After we return to the Coven tomorrow, we’ll go straight to the training rooms.” “Training rooms?”
Theo nodded. “About a year and a half ago the Coven came into some money via Rue, the leader of the Ytrayi. Thomas and the Coven’s advisors used it to make repairs to the buildings that were needed after we had a major battle with the Atrika. When they made the renovations, they added on training rooms for each of the elements.
She shrugged. “Sounds good to me.”
He turned back to his bubbling brew and flipped off the heat. “Who’s Alex?” She stiffened. “How do you know who Alex is?” “I don’t. That’s why I’m asking you. Your friend mentioned him at your apartment, said she wondered if you’d cheated on Alex.” She studied the tabletop. “He’s my ex. We were together for about two years, but the fire was only a flicker at first and then it went out. We stayed together too long. Mostly out of fear of being alone, I think.” “So you’re not nursing a broken heart on top of everything else?” She swallowed hard, her eyes suddenly pricking with tears. “I am, but my broken heart is for my foster mother, not Alex. I’m still grieving for her.” He set the pot to the side and stared down into it for a long moment. “I’m sorry,” he murmured without turning around. “It’s hard losing your parents.” His mother had taken off when he’d been a teenager, but considering her brutal husband, Theo couldn’t really blame her much.
