“Yes. Tonight, don’t follow me. Stay here, in Edenton. Please.”
“Of course,” Cassandra answered.
“I’ll be too busy,” Alistair stated.
“Be careful,” Erik warned.
Alistair nodded, disappearing. Cassandra faded away.
“Please, call her,” Monique pleaded. “Everaud has been dead for more than two hundred years.”
He nodded. “I’ll need her number.”
She took his phone, entered it, and handed it back. “She may not have known.”
He smiled sadly. “Honestly, I hope not.” He hit talk and put the phone to his ear.
Consuela answered, “Who is this?”
“Erik Mortale. I have a friend who has taken an interest in your brother.”
“My brother is dead,” she stated.
“So is my friend.”
“Oh, what has he done now?” Irritation filled her voice.
“It’s not what he’s done, but what he is. I think he was possessed before his death. Alistair hasn’t seen the demon, but he has outbursts like that of a demon.”
Her voice barely made it above a whisper. “You’re suggesting my brother was possessed before his death?”
“I haven’t called Everaud to me, but there’s something different about him. I think it’s very likely. And I don’t offer this solution lightly, but you may want him exorcised before forcing him into another plane.”
“Exorcised? And forcing him out of this world?” she stammered.
“Look, I don’t know if he’s a source of comfort, or what, but if you care about your brother, and you want him to find peace, you need to do both. The demon is fused with his soul. Forcing them into their own planes will resolve that, but he won’t be able to come back.”
He heard the sniffle. “Possessed? I wish I’d considered the possibility.”
“Was he like you? I only know he died at nineteen.”
“He wasn’t a crimson witch, but he was a strong medium.”
“I think he may have let the wrong being in.”
“After this mess, I—I may need help sending him on. Would you be so kind as to ensure he moves on?”
“Of course. Are you okay?”
A soft laugh escaped. “Yes. I will be. Honestly, thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll see you this evening.”
* * * *
Later that night, Erik slammed his feet into his shoes and tied them.
Monique stepped in front him and waited until his eyes locked on hers. “Still worried about me going?”
“You don’t get it, Monique. It’s not that I think you can’t handle yourself. It’s that you were with Nigel, and I don’t trust that motherfucker not to do something heinous to you.”
“He’s not that big of an asshole,” she protested.
He snorted. “He’s planning to raise the dead to rip apart humans in front of other humans to make sure they freak and start a hunt for my type.”
She nodded. “You’re right. I hate it, but you’re right.”
“Which is why I want you here, safe, away from that asshole.”
“But Robert and Preston believe I can help.”
He stood up and looked down into her eyes. “I do too. Doesn’t mean I want you anywhere near that fucking piece of shit.”
“You didn’t think that about him before I mentioned I was with him.”
“Wait, hang on. I didn’t say that until after I learned he wanted to kill innocent people. It has nothing to do with being with you. I was willing to let that go. That may add to my anger, but that’s not the only reason I want to stop him.”
“Fine. Can we not fight? You’ve bailed me out of trouble more times than I care to recall. Let me do the same. It won’t happen all the time. But I need you to trust me as much as I trust you.”
“I’m trying.”
She leaned up and pressed her lips to his. “I love you, Erik.”
“Love you too. We should go, though.”
* * * *
A bold knock caught Consuela’s breath. She hurried to the door and found Declan’s smile and twinkling emerald green eyes. “You’re still here.”
“I am. Not meeting Robert at his home for another hour. Figured this way I could form the link to block anyone else from taking control.”
“May I step inside?”
She moved out of the way and motioned into the room. He stepped inside and closed the door.
“What do you need from me?” he asked.
Consuela stepped to him and covered his cheeks with her hands. His eyes darkened as he stared back and licked his lips. She felt the spark but held back the desire, afraid to spook someone still mourning the loss of his wife.
They had all the time in the world.
She whispered the words and filled him with some of her essence, blocking any other Deathcaller from calling him to them.
“When we’re done, I’ll release you.”
Concern entered his stare. “Did Victoria threaten you?”
She smiled slightly. “Doesn’t matter if she did. I planned to release you the moment we finish the mission.”
Before she could pull her hands away, he covered hers with his. “I like the way this feels.”
“But if I don’t sever the link, things can get intense between us. You’ll hear some of my thoughts, and I’ll hear some of yours. And I’ve learned that sometimes, especially when someone isn’t ready to move forward, it’s best to hang back and wait.”
“And how’s that working out for you?” he asked with a smirk.
She tipped her head. “Saved me from a few people who still aren’t ready to move forward.”
“And what if that person needs a little push?”
She licked her lips. “Let’s see how tonight goes. I have dark secrets that may come out.”
“I’m sure I’ve seen worse.”
“How?” she whispered.
He pulled her hands down to cover his chest. She felt hard muscle under the silky shirt. “The Dales held me for twenty years. I’ve seen far more than you can imagine.”
“And I’ve done despicable things.” And she didn’t regret half of them.
“So have I. For what I thought were the right reasons. Others because I was forced.” He shrugged. “Doesn’t matter. I’ve learned a lot since becoming a Shadowstalker. And my darkest deeds weren’t even done as a vampire.”
“I not only have command over the dead, but I feed off blood.”
He smiled slowly. “We have more in common. I’ll admit to visiting your dreams last night. I found it interesting I was already there.”
“What can I say? I’m intrigued.”
“As am I.” He lifted her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. “Perhaps we should go now.”
She nodded slowly, wishing he’d suggested something else, but knowing that they needed a real conversation before delving into a relationship.
Releasing her, he stepped back. “I feel alive in a way I haven’t in so very long. The link is welcome.”
“Your wife, was she also a druid?”
He smiled. “Yes. Though not a Dreamwalker. I’m told Shadowstalkers don’t usually dream, but I’ve retained that aspect of my life. My magic, that’s gone, but I had been avoiding using it for decades. I don’t miss it like I thought I might.”
“The bond, Declan, the longer it stays in place, the more our connection grows. I don’t know if you had anything like that as a Dreamwalker.”
He nodded. “Moira was my Sleepwalker. I could reach her even while she was awake.”
“How long ago did she pass?”
“Forty years ago.” Declan smiled. “I’ve had time to let her go.”
“What happened?”
“A curse, but that’s a long story. She chose to let it take her. We were apart for the safety of our family, but it wasn’t enough to save her.” He caressed her face. “I don
’t want to dwell there.”
“Perhaps tomorrow we can talk all night about anything but the past.”
“Sounds like a date.”
Chapter 35
Something was going to go wrong. Erik could feel it. He had no damned clue what, but he feared for Monique. He pulled her hand to his mouth and placed a kiss. “Whatever happens tonight, stay away from Nigel and Kjell. No matter what they say, or what they do.”
“How are you going to stop Nigel from waking the dead?”
He managed a tight smile. “Leave that to me.”
“Can’t blame me for worrying about you.”
“My sentiment exactly.” He huffed. “Stop, I get it. You want to help. You want me safe. And I want you safe. Period.”
Erik climbed out of the car and opened Monique’s door. “Come on, Mon. Hopefully, this will be easier than we anticipate.”
She took his hand and leaned up, bracing her hands around his waist as she stole a quick kiss. A spark trailed through him. He took her arm and led her to Robert’s door.
Liz answered with a smirk. “Good to see you two finally back together.”
He smiled, a laugh on his lips. “It’s good to be back together.” The truth of the words hit him and he pulled Monique closer. No more chasing, no more running, no more pleading with her to listen to him. She was his, he was hers, and their bond grew and expanded to encompass all of his soul.
Monique leaned her head against his shoulder.
Motioning inside, Liz let them in. “Come in.”
Consuela and Declan were sitting on the couch, closer than Erik expected. He wasn’t sure if that was a product of the bond or there was something more at play. And how weird would it be for a Shadowstalker and a Crimson Witch/Deathcaller to be together.
Erik pushed that thought aside as he looked around the room. He spotted Mike and Gwen, which gave him a sense of comfort.
“Hang on,” he told Monique before crossing the room.
Gwen glanced over his shoulder.
In hushed tones, he whispered, “Keep an eye on Monique for me. Please. Both of you.”
Gwen and Mike nodded.
“Of course,” Mike answered.
“Stop worrying,” Gwen said. “No one is going to let anything happen to either of you. We need you to take care of Nigel. And hopefully Consuela can help with that.”
“Nigel has access to vampires. Consuela can stop them with Declan’s help.”
Her brow arched. “A Shadowstalker amongst us. Interesting choice of allies, but I’ve heard only positive things about Declan.”
He rolled his eyes. “Remember we’re going after someone like me. And you’re on my side.”
She shook her head. “This is bound to be bloody. He hasn’t been a blood drinker long and we’re throwing him in with a ton of Others.”
“He lives in Edenton, for Christ’s sake.”
“True enough. I didn’t mean anything by it,” she promised.
He knew she hadn’t, but it still rubbed him wrong.
Monique wound her arm around his waist and smiled.
Preston whistled and began explaining the plan.
Mrs. Murdock appeared in the corner. Apparently, she was transferring all of them to a shielded area at once. He wasn’t sure how that worked, but he wasn’t about to argue. Faster they were there, the sooner they could stop whatever plan Nigel had.
In part, Erik hoped Nigel was ensuring Kjell was caught. That hardly made sense since he was well-known for his hatred of the Council.
In the blink of an eye, they were all standing outside the grounds. Whispers rolled toward him and he closed his eyes, reaching out with his senses. Thousands and thousands of dead rested beneath the ground.
He felt another Deathcaller, beyond Consuela. Nigel was already there.
“Where are they?” he whispered to the spirits. A couple of the mages startled at the quiet question, but made no comment.
A symphony of voices trilled through the quiet. He followed the sound, not waiting for anyone to make a move. A vampire swept in front of him and he locked gazes.
Erik firmly said, “Back down.”
The male cowered. Consuela walked up and took over. “Go. I’ll keep any vamp I find busy.”
Erik glanced back at Monique. “Stay with Mike and Gwen.”
“I want to be there with you.”
He shook his head. “Not for this, you don’t.” With that he pulled the night around him and faded from view, hurrying across the hilly grounds.
* * * *
Nigel felt the swine closing in. Perhaps he should have cut the mage/necromancer hybrid some slack. Fool seemed to believe most necromancers could wield magic the same way.
However, Nigel had his own tricks. He called on the dead, but only spirits answered. Vampires were on the way but something stopped them from coming.
To fuel his magic, he slashed his hand and spilled blood on the ground, chanting a spell.
Erik’s words rose up, weaving magic that wrested control from the corpses.
A scream tore from Nigel’s mouth as he pushed his energy into the ground, causing a tremor through the earth. The nearest corpses crawled from their graves and turned in the direction of Erik Mortale. Bastard was rumored to be the strongest of the Deathcallers and still refused to use his magic to his full capability.
Perhaps it was fitting he was about to die at the hands of the dead he so greatly respected. The fool never did understand they were given the power to strike fear into those who would hold them down. The dead were a tool to be used to forge a new path and get their way.
A snort sounded from Erik as the corpses shambled toward him. Shadows flew away from the black spot, closing in on Nigel. Erik appeared. He hissed a few words and the corpses turned on Nigel.
He flung his hand out, and the dead fell apart. He threw up a shield and called out, “Bianca Bitshi, come to me.”
Her image flowed before him. A red-haired, blue-eyed mage who was born to a Jewish family. She went dark when part of HARP took her family. Hitler recruited them to help in his paranormal and supernatural experiments. Bianca was tortured at a young age. Something had snapped. Her magic erupted, draining the entire death camp. She’d been forever changed.
Nigel had found the young woman wandering in the forest when he was called to search for a specific dead relative. He took pity on her and quickly learned she was made of stronger stuff than he first gave her credit for. She was too young at the time, so he found her a home and walked away.
Shortly after his tryst with Monique, he ran into Bianca again, and they fell madly in love. Years later, after Bianca learned that Monique had been with him, and he still went to her for his clothing, she started chasing Monique with the intent to drain her.
Only Monique found a way to counter a dark mage’s spell. Bianca drained herself. Now that Monique had found herself back with Erik, it only seemed fitting to have Bianca destroy what they built.
“My love,” she whispered.
“It’s time for your revenge. Take Monique’s body. Come to me. I’ll ensure you live again.”
A sneer twisted her lips. “You’ll only think of her while I reside in her body.”
“That is far from true. I never loved her. Only you. Please, do this. We need to end Erik and the mages he brought to stop our plan. The Council must fall.”
Her eyes narrowed before she fluttered away, heading for the enchanter who tempted then twisted Nigel’s blackened heart so many years ago.
* * * *
Consuela quickly spread out the salt and went to work drawing the vampires to her. Declan stayed by her side, even though the whispered spell quickly drew two dozen vampires all crammed into the space. She couldn’t wrest control of all the ghosts from Nigel, but he had a stronger hold on spirits without corpses than she did. And if she wanted to scare everyone in the place, she would call on several of the corpses to possess wi
th the spirits she could take.
However, she was there to help, not make matters worse. So she stood her ground, watching as more vampires filled the circle, hissing and spitting like cats as they tried to reach beyond the wall of magic and continuously got zapped back into place.
“Holy shit!” the closest mage exclaimed. “You can really control them.”
Consuela snorted. “Yes, it’s possible, but he holds their sway. I merely pulled them to this spot so as not to scare the lot of you further.” And she could have wrested control, but it would have required spilling blood, and a literal bloodbath seemed like a poor idea.
“Oh, if I were a vamp, I’d be pissing myself that someone managed to lock me into a prison so easily. Though why isn’t he within your circle of power?”
“Declan is a friend, not a foe. Trust me.” She was tempted to make some snide remark, but again didn’t want to make the situation worse. Otherwise, she could use the vampires against the other side.
She would have taken great pleasure in forcing these vampires to her side to tear the enemy apart.
The mage offered a jovial smile. “Relax, I was only curious how you managed to force these ones into the ring of protection and not him, when he clearly has your back.”
She smiled, glancing over her shoulder to see Declan watching everyone.
“Focus on your spell. No one is getting past me,” Declan promised.
The mage smiled over at her. “I’m watching too. We’re on the same side.”
She dipped her head, knowing she really didn’t need mage support, but was not about to argue.
Chapter 36
Thousands of ghosts filled the night. The air shifted. The wind picked up. Fear trailed through Monique as she wove a spell into the cloth to ensure no one was taken possession of.
A cackle played over her senses as she wound the cloth around her wrist and tied it. An apparition appeared before her, red hair dancing around her. The crazy woman had attempted to seduce Erik many times before. Later attempted to kill her. She hadn’t realized at the time it was Bianca who had been following her.
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