Deadly Design

by Brandy L Rivers

  She saw the wisdom in their warning. So far, she hadn’t felt an urge to speak. And Erik held her hand, smiling over at her from time to time to ensure she was okay. The trial was nowhere near what her mother warned her about.

  The jury took only a few minutes to come up with a verdict. Guilty on all counts. Darien was sentenced to death. She glanced over her shoulder to see her mother cling to her father, relief glowing over her features.

  Finally done with the trial, Monique followed her parents out of the New York Headquarters with Erik. He kissed her temple as they stepped outside.

  Darien’s mother and the sister of Benicio stepped in front of Monique with a spell on her tongue.

  Erik moved between them and erected a shield that absorbed the spell. She could hear the dead whispering as they fortified his spell.

  A shiver traveled down her spine as the wretched woman hissed, “You’re a monster. All of you are monsters. You’re not fit to be part of the mage community.” She spat at the shield. “And you, Erik Mortale, you’ll fall to the demons like those of your type. Sooner or later the dead won’t protect you, and something darker will slither in and take over your soul.”

  He shook his head. “I don’t let anything take possession of me, and I avoid the dead as much as possible,” he replied coolly.

  “Necromancer, filthy death worshiping necromancer,” she growled.

  Erik’s eyes closed as he took a slow breath. “You can say what you will, but I work for the Silver Council. I may have a few extra abilities, but I wield magic the same way my peers do.”

  Robert appeared before the shield and blocked Monique’s view of Ofelia LaPorsche. “You’d be wise to remember you’re speaking to a Silver Council enforcer and his girlfriend. Your son is the one who murdered six people, hoping to put a law-abiding citizen out of business.”

  “Because they have no right to steal clients from hardworking mages.”

  “Mages are no better than anyone else,” Elizandra said from beside Robert. He hadn’t even noticed where she came from.

  Monique’s mother walked toward Mrs. LaPorsche. “You are what’s wrong with the Council. Always assuming you’re more important than everyone else. What have we ever done to you?”

  Ofelia’s hand whipped out, and Mother staggered backward. Erik dropped the shield as Monique moved to catch her mother. Blood flowed down her dress and before she could cover the wound, Robert translocated her mother away while Elizandra wove a spell, knocking Ofelia out and binding her in glowing, magical binds.

  Monique screamed, “Where is she?”

  Her father knelt before her, capturing her face. “Monique, angel, you need to calm down. They’ll deal with Ofelia. Your mother—I can only pray Robert took her to a healer.”

  Erik helped Monique to her feet and pulled her against his chest.

  She fell against him, tears flowing. “The wretched beast stabbed my mother.”

  “She’ll pay for it,” Erik promised, his voice breaking.

  Robert was before her in a moment. “Want to go home?” he asked her.

  She nodded.

  Robert touched Monique, her father, and Erik, and they were in Erik’s apartment a moment later.

  Monique sank onto the couch. “Where did you take her?”

  “To my sister. She’s the best healer I know. She’ll do everything in her power to counter the curse and heal her.”

  “But it doesn’t look good, does it?” Father asked.

  Robert shook his head. “Honest, I have no clue. I’ve seen my sister heal things that were supposedly unhealable. As soon as I know something, you will.”

  “And Ofelia?” Monique demanded. “Is she truly going to pay for that?”

  “With her life. Your mother did nothing to deserve the attack.” Robert walked to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “She attacked a witch who made no threat and was rightfully upset from the insults she threw. There is no doubt the Council will execute her with her son regardless of what happens to your mother.”

  She nodded sadly. “I hate this. I knew she shouldn’t have come.”

  “Unfortunately Darien’s juris insisted.” Robert insisted, “Stay with Erik. He’ll ensure nothing happens to you.” He glanced over at Armand. “I can take you to the infirmary. If there’s news, you’ll be the first to know.”

  “Not me?” Monique whispered.

  “Right now, it’s best if you aren’t at Headquarters. They will only let one person in the room with her. Stay with Erik. Please.” He took Armand and disappeared.

  She doubled over, sobbing. Monique held no hope for her mother surviving.

  * * * *

  Erik scooped Monique into her arms and carried her to the bedroom. He lifted the blanket and pulled her underneath while she cried her heart out.

  Erik’s heart broke for her. The light had faded from Vivian’s eyes before Monique even caught her. He’d watched as her ghost slipped from her body and followed Monique.

  Vivian’s spirit seethed in the corner. Anger flowed through the room and he wanted to cast her out, but that would only ensure Monique knew the truth.

  He was trapped, unable to say a word about her mother’s untimely death and trying to comfort her without giving her false hope. There was no good answer in any of this mess.

  He pulled Monique close and combed his fingers through her dark hair.

  “She’s gone, isn’t she?” Monique asked through sniffles.

  “Shh. I’m here. Right here,” he murmured, trying to ease her pain.

  Vivian hissed. “You fucking prick. Tell her I’m here. Tell her I love her and will always watch over her.”

  He shot her a look that sent her stumbling back. He whispered, “I’ve got you, Mon.”

  “Tell her I’m here!” her mother shouted.

  Monique shivered in his arms. “Is she here?”

  He pulled her head against his chest and settled his head on the pillow, praying she’d drop it. Her mother was too angry to offer any comfort, and he had a feeling anything she said would go against him and everything they proved today.

  “I love you, Monique. No matter what, you’re my everything.”

  “She’s not coming back to me, is she?” Monique whimpered.

  Could she? Sure, if she could find a Deathcaller willing to make the connection for her. Or someone who would bring her corpse back.

  He wouldn’t. Everything happened so fast. There was no mystery. Ofelia LaPorsche brutally murdered Vivian for having the gall to defy her. Ofelia was the type of mage he wanted to prove wrong and knew he would never sway them.

  “Tell her what your precious mages did to me!” Vivian demanded.”

  Monique sniffled, “If she were dead, she’d go to my father…wouldn’t she?”

  “Probably,” Erik answered.

  “Tell her I’m here so you can tell her the truth. Tell her the mages murdered me in cold blood. Don’t drag her down with the Silver Council.”

  He closed his eyes and held on tight. Her mother’s bitterness wouldn’t help anyone. Sharing her message would only hurt Monique and introduce doubt.

  As much as he couldn’t stand Vivian, he never wished her harm. Monique loved her family as she should. Whatever caused Vivian’s fear was deep-seated and nothing anyone said or did would remove it.

  Vivian would only come between them if he allowed her to spew her negativity. There were a few options, none of which he would resort to unless forced.

  Monique kept crying, and Vivian worked herself up into a fit.

  Minutes ticked by until Monique fell asleep. He closed his eyes, pretending not to notice the ghost in the corner. Nine times out of ten, that was enough to make a ghost leave him alone.

  Not Vivian. Nope, she continued to rant and to scream until Monique was so deep in sleep he was willing to risk the spell to force her out of the room.

  He reached the wall and wove the spell in a whisp
er. He hadn’t had to resort to that in years, and it was only a temporary reprieve, but he would have peace to care for Monique the rest of the night.

  Though he was certain Robert would be back to break the news at some point.

  * * * *

  Armand sat beside his dead wife, holding her hand between both of his. He didn’t think he had many more tears left. She’d been ripped from the world in an instant for her heated temper. And the amazing thing was, Vivian hadn’t actually done anything to provoke the woman.

  Sure, she was mad, but she didn’t attack, wove no curse, but was stabbed by a lunatic anyway.

  Preston had recently informed him that Ofelia was still down in her cell raving like a lunatic. In a few hours, the Silver Council would execute them both. The rest of their family—he wasn’t sure what to think of the scattered remains of the LaPorsche family.

  Would someone else target the DeSandres later? It was always possible. Could he continue to work his magic for all people? He wasn’t sure without the love of his life. Flawed as Vivian was, he was no longer whole without her.

  “You don’t want me to talk to Monique?” Robert asked, concern bleeding through his tone.

  He sighed. “I imagine my wife is hassling Erik to fill Monique’s head with all sorts of anti-mage bullshit. I prefer her not listen to that. Hopefully Erik is strong-willed enough to ignore her. I know how persistent Vivian can be.”

  Elizandra sat down beside Armand. “What do you mean?”

  “You realize Erik sees ghosts? And as much as Vivian hates the Silver Council, she’s going to be bugging Erik.”

  “Think he’ll tell Monique?”

  “Doubtful. He’s a smart young man. Let him help her. We can tell her in the morning.”

  Robert sighed. “Do you think Vivian did something to encourage Ofelia?”

  Armand shook his head.

  “No, but that’s not to say that it’s not possible Though she hadn’t spouted her hatred. All she did was walk toward her and make a statement. I can’t imagine my wife purposefully ending her life.”

  “I can’t either. However, I didn’t expect Ofelia to be so stupid,” Elizandra answered. “She wasn’t so unhinged when her brother was caught.”

  Armand nodded, then shrugged. “In the long run, it doesn’t matter. Though, could you take me home? I want to put everything in order for the service.”

  “Of course,” Robert stated.

  Chapter 11

  Erik was going nuts by the time Armand called to tell them he was on the way. An entire twenty-four hours had passed, and he managed to push Vivian outside the walls of his apartment and bar her from entering again.

  Monique didn’t know yet. He managed to dodge any questions. Though sooner or later the truth would come out. But he wouldn’t say a word until then.

  He dreaded the moment he had to leave the apartment for anything. He could keep her out of his space, but keeping her from everywhere else—not possible unless he forced her to the afterlife. And with that much anger and negativity—he wasn’t willing to do that. Not without a good cause. He preferred to help the dead find peace before that happened.

  Monique curled up on the couch beside him. “I hate not knowing.”

  “I know. I’m sorry I have no good answers.”

  “Do you have any?”

  He shook his head. Nothing he could say would ease the loss. Instead, he rubbed his hand up and down her arm, pulling her closer.

  “At least Dad will know.” She laid her head on his shoulder. “I can hope she’s pulling through. If you haven’t seen her, there’s a chance.”

  Erik closed his eyes and prayed they got through this. Vivian grew angrier by the moment. He worried she would attempt to get the message to Monique another way. She’d already attempted to dive into his body, which he was prepared for and prevented.

  The knock on the door sent his nerves into a frenzy. He stood and made his way to it, carefully opening the door and steeling himself against the onslaught of Vivian’s crazed voice.

  Armand smiled sadly. “Good afternoon, Erik.”

  “Hello, Armand. Come in.” He stepped out of the way, and Armand entered.

  Vivian screamed incoherently, and he shut the door, breathing in through his nose and out through his mouth.

  “Is she—is she okay?” Monique asked.

  Erik turned back, watching her carefully.

  Armand crossed the distance and took his daughter into his arms. “No, angel. She’s not okay. She didn’t make it.”

  “Maybe she moved on peacefully.” She squeezed her father, her shoulders shaking as she silently cried.

  Armand rubbed her back. “I have to assume so.” He met Erik’s gaze with a slight nod. “Your mother didn’t suffer. She was dead the second the blade pierced her chest.”

  “I wish I could see her one last time,” Monique whispered.

  Maybe it was selfish, but Erik refused to help Monique receive Vivian’s message. Hate flowed from Vivian like a broken faucet. Eventually Monique would ask him, and he only hoped Vivian let go of her anger by then.

  She peeked over her father’s shoulder. “She’s not here?”

  “No,” Erik answered sadly. He didn’t mention Vivian stood right outside screaming.

  “Could you call her to us?”

  He shook his head slowly. “You don’t want that, Monique. That never goes the way anyone expects. Trust me, love. It’s not the answer you’re seeking.”

  “I want to understand why she went to that nasty woman. Why she let the bitch kill her!” Monique cried.

  He closed the distance and captured her face. “Even in death, you wouldn’t get the answers you want. I’m sure she’s angry about the events leading up to her death. She’s not going to be the same as you remember, Monique. Death can change you.”

  “I want to hear her voice.”

  “Mon, you don’t. If I brought her back to her body, even for an hour, you’re not going to hear what you want. She’s not going to sound the same. It’s not what you expect.”

  “You could bring her back to her body?”

  “No,” Armand stated. “I’ve already had her cremated. There is no bringing her back. She wouldn’t want that.” Armand locked gazes with Erik, silently begging him to play along.

  Thank God the man was smart. Erik shook his head. “Then we can’t.” He could, but he wouldn’t. And really, he was fairly certain that would only scar Monique further. Watching her mother die was bad enough, but bringing ashes back to life wasn’t pretty.

  “You had her cremated?” Monique stepped away from both of them and collapsed on the couch. “You didn’t even give Erik a chance to bring her back.”

  “You don’t want that. You think you do, but I’ve seen what happens when the dead are brought back. Erik is right. You won’t want that.”

  “I do!” she cried.

  “It’s not possible now. If she’s not here, she’s not coming here,” Armand stated.

  “I know he can bring her back,” Monique protested. She turned to Erik. “You can do things others can’t. Please, I’m begging you to bring her back to tell me what happened.”

  “You were right there, Monique. You saw with your own eyes. Ofelia lost her damned mind and stabbed your mother,” Erik protested. “She saw less of it than you did. You don’t want me to bring her back. You want your mother back, and even if I could bring her back, you would only have her for moments, not for life.”

  She pulled her legs up, burying her face behind her hands and started bawling.

  Erik walked to the kitchen to stare out.

  The weight of Armand’s gaze landed on him and lingered. He wanted to pull him aside and tell him everything, but Monique would hear. They were clearly on the same page. Maybe tomorrow he could find Armand and discuss what he knew.

  Armand took a seat beside Monique. “Ofelia and Darien are both dead. They were put to death late las
t night. Your mother has been avenged.”

  “I want her back,” she whispered. “She finally accepted Erik and me.”

  She hadn’t. She never would. She may have said it, but he knew better. The woman still thought of him as a mage. God, he hated the position he was stuck in.

  * * * *

  Monique sat on the couch, watching Erik. He could bring Mother back. She knew it to the bottom of her soul. Maybe there was wisdom in his words.

  Tears flowed. She couldn’t control them. Her mother was dead, and her lover refused to grant her the one thing only he could provide.

  Erik wanted to protect her. She understood that. Still broke her heart that he held her mother away from her.

  And with her father there, on his side, she couldn’t ask without being a spoiled brat. Her request was no different than that of a million other grieving children. And she was in love with a man who could do what she wanted in some capacity. Could, but wouldn’t.

  Tomorrow, she would go to the studio and contact Consuela Bordeaux. She was well sought after for this kind of request and would have no problems helping her reach Mother.

  “Now what?” Monique asked.

  “There will be a service on Saturday, in Edenton. Please come. Both of you.”

  “Of course,” she answered. “But tomorrow I’m going back to work. Mom would want that.”

  Father took her in his arms. “I’m so sorry, angel. Trust Erik. If he thought he could ease your pain, he would bring your mother to you if it were in his power.”

  Didn’t matter. She needed to see her mother one last time. Hear her voice again. Even for just a moment.

  “I’ll be there with you,” Dad promised.

  “If you want me there, I’ll be there,” Erik stated.

  “No, you already missed enough training. You’re almost done. I’ll be fine tomorrow.”

  “You are more important than anything else.”