A Warlock's Secrets

by Tena Stetler

  Caleb caught her arm and pulled Willow back in the seat, clicked the belt. “Sorry about that. I think the wedding is affecting her like sugar does most people.”

  Tristian sat up straight and twisted in his seat to see Willow still holding a bagel with cream cheese out to him on a plate. His stomach growled as he accepted the plate from her and took a bite. “In answer to your question, you don’t want to know,” he growled. Settling back into the seat, he glanced at his watch. We’ll be landing soon. He took another big bite. Hannah is probably on her way to work.

  As the plane taxied down the runway, Tristian recognized The Wycked Hair’s limo waiting on the end of the tarmac. He released the seatbelt and was first off the plane. Willow and Caleb ran to catch up with him. Their luggage was carted to the limo and loaded into the trunk.

  “What’s the big hurry?” Willow asked trying to catch her breath.

  “Nothing,” Tristian said in a clipped tone, folding his tall frame into the limo followed by Willow and Caleb.

  Willow chattered nonstop about nothing and everything. He tried to tune her out, but her happy chatter was hard to ignore. Glaring at her, he exited the limo and yanked open the door to The Wycked Hair Salon. The stations were full, and people milled around outside the shared doorway into The Krystal Unicorn.

  His gaze lifted to the glass-enclosed mezzanine where Bruce’s office was located. The place looked deserted. At a light tap on his shoulder, he whirled around hands fisted in front of him.

  “Easy there, guy,” Owen’s smooth voice warned. “Bruce is in The Krystal Unicorn with your sister.” No sooner had the words left his mouth than Angie came flying out of the door, crossed the polished floor, and flung herself into Tristian’s arms.

  Her momentum knocked him back a couple of steps. “Hi, sis.”

  “Hi, yourself.” She dropped to her feet, backed away, and gave him the once over. “Wow, you look great. Hannah is good for you.”

  “Isn’t she,” Willow chimed in waiting her turn to hug Angie, her best friend.

  “Oh, I think a Hawaiian vacation had something to do with that too.” Bruce’s voice boomed from behind Angie. “Good to see you, Tristian. Thanks for coming. Sorry about the timing.”

  “Yeah, the timing sucked. But what can you do?” Tristian’s frown melted into a half smile as he looked at his sister who beamed up at him. “You’ll make quick work of this assignment and get back in time to attend the pre-wedding activities.” She grinned at her brother then switched her gaze to Bruce.

  “As I told you, Angie, I haven’t briefed Tristian yet. It’s at his discretion and that of his team how they want to handle it.”

  She peered at him her lower lip stuck out in an exaggerated pout. “You—”

  Bruce interrupted her. “Don’t you and Willow have wedding things to discuss?” He glanced around. “Where’s Caleb?”

  “We dropped him off at the gallery. Said he had business to take care of and he’d meet me at the apartment. Why?”

  “No reason.” Bruce turned his attention to Tristian. “Let’s go on up to the office and discuss the situation.”

  Tristian nodded, stopped at the drink bar to fill a mug with steaming coffee, took a sip, sighed. “Delicious as usual. Got anything else to eat around here?”

  Pausing to wait for Tristian, Bruce smiled. “Tobi brought up fresh bagel’s and donuts earlier.”

  After another gulp of coffee, he said, “Lead the way.” And he shadowed his boss up the stairs two at a time. Bruce held the door to his office open for Tristian and closed it behind them.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Surprise in the Scottish Highlands

  Bruce walked across the office and stood behind his desk. “Have a seat.” He waved a hand toward the navy and maroon leather chair in front of the desk. Picking up a large file, he slid it across the desk to Tristian. “We have a situation in the United Kingdom. The Legion Commander of warrior angels has asked for our assistance. More in an observing than fighting position, at the time we spoke. As you know things change. Stefan from the Vampire Council will be meeting you with his team. There are vampires on the ground as well. Word has it that this will be his last assignment for the Council.”

  Eyebrows shot to nearly Tristian’s hairline. “What do you mean last assignment?” Surely, he wouldn’t be asked to terminate an ally.

  “He’s been released by Lady Rose. His service to her and the Council is at an end. He’s free to seek other living arrangements and jobs.” Bruce tented his fingers and leaned back in the chair.

  “That isn’t usually the way those things end,” Tristian said warily holding Bruce’s gaze.

  “Well… I assure you it is this time. There was some kind of arrangement between Lady Rose and Stefan when she first contacted him as a rogue vampire. I don’t know all the details.”

  “Wow, that’s got to be a first.” Tristian shook his head and eased back in the chair.

  “As I said, things are changing. You’ll leave at first light tomorrow through the portal in the basement. But that’s not the only reason I called you here.” Bruce blew out a breath and sat up straighter angling his head toward Tristian. “Angie and I will be leaving for an extended period of time a month or so after the wedding. I want you to handle things in my absence.” Bruce paused.

  “Me—take on all your responsibilities—for how long? What if I’m needed in the field?”

  “You’ll send in one of your team leaders and his crew.” Bruce said matter-of-factly. “We’ve had our differences. But I trust you to make the right decisions in my absence. My father will be your backup, if necessary, but I don’t see that happening.”

  “You expect me to stay here?” Tristian bristled.

  “At first, so you get a feel for the position. Later I see no reason why you can’t control your teams and assignments from Maine. The only difference is you will be orchestrating the action, rather than leading the teams. You’ve trained your top leaders well, it’s time they executed the missions.”

  “But I’m a hands-on kind of guy.”

  “Were. Things change—for both of us. I have your sister to consider. And you—Hannah, her family, and a family of your own—someday.”

  “Wait—Hannah and I are—”

  “Yes? Don’t deny your feelings for her. Everyone can see it. With your head elsewhere, you are too great a risk in the field. That’s not a bad thing. We evolve, so do our relationships.”

  “So, you’re taking me out of the field entirely?” Tristian shoved up from the chair and paced the floor, pausing at the window to stare out. Part of him was relieved. This made things easier with Hannah. But he was an enforcer, responsible for his life and those of his men. What if he sent them into a situation that…? “No.”

  “Yes, after this unique assignment. Apparently, this is the last of a long-standing battle between the angels and dark demons who have wreaked havoc on the financial markets of the British Isles among other things. Originally, their target was world financial markets. However, due to divine intervention, the demons stopped in their tracks. But the hidden agenda didn’t come to light until it too late and the vote took place withdrawing the UK from the European Union. Utter financial chaos ensued worldwide for days.”

  Tristian shifted in his seat, fingers gripped the chair arms as his interest grew.

  “The Warrior angels were able to win the battle in the Scottish Highlands using the mists to travel to the past and return to present day. Unfortunately, while that was ongoing, the dark demon’s influence in the United Kingdom was devastating, though they couldn’t get a foothold in Scotland. When their subterfuge came to light, it was too late.”

  Tristian opened his mouth to speak, but Bruce held up a hand to silence him.

  “Let me finish. Now the angels have rooted out the primary actors and destroyed them. The vampires involved have been neutralized. Except for a few high-ranking creatures that were probably calling the shots and are on the move, time slip
ping through the highland mists. Latest intel has them trapped in present day somewhere in the Scottish Highlands where Nathanial and his legion are holding on, but barely. He needs your help to magically contain them in present day while he and his warriors surround and capture or kill the holdouts.

  Stefan is there, in the event their intel is wrong and vamps are embedded in the demon’s ranks. You’re to refrain from entering the fray unless invited by Nat, the legion commander. Any questions?”

  Tristian returned to his seat and remained silent for several minutes, mulling over the information, playing scenarios out in his mind. “I understand the assignment. Will someone be at the portal when we arrive in Scotland? Or are we on our own?”

  “As you know, battles are unpredictable. You’ll be porting to the outskirts of the highlands. From there it’s your call.”

  “I want to take most my team leaders on this assignment. I’ll leave a couple with teams to handle whatever wedding duties you require. Guard the portal here and in Tahiti until we return. The teams staying behind will be experienced enough to handle any trouble that should happen in our absence.”

  Bruce nodded. “We can further discuss your new position and duties when you return.”

  “Oh, you bet we will,” Tristian said pointedly. “I’m not comfortable taking over your duties for any amount of time. Diplomatic negotiations are not my strong suit, and you know it.”

  “That isn’t up for discussion. You’ll learn.” Bruce’s voice was curt and left no room for discussion. “How tasks will be transferred is what I meant.” He diverted his attention to the computer screen, indicating the meeting was over.

  Tristian remained seated glaring at his boss. “Owen is better—”

  “Owen is not an enforcer. He doesn’t have experience in directing teams that you have, or evaluating situations and acting immediately.” Bruce lifted his gaze from the screen. “This discussion is at an end. Prepare your teams. Let me know who is accompanying you and which teams will remain here. That is all.”

  Tristian spun the chair around and shoved to his feet. “Yes sir,” he spat out and strode to the door, yanked it open and sprinted down the stairs. As he strode toward the entrance, Owen called his name from the front counter. Tristian whirled around.

  Owen tossed him an envelope. “Reservations for you and your teams are in the usual place. I understand you promoted Terra. I’ve set her up in her own room. Will she be going with you or staying?” At Tristian’s stormy expression, Owen added, “I only asked so I know how long to reserve her room.”

  “She will be heading up the team staying here. In case of trouble, I trust her abilities.”

  “Do you expect trouble?” Owen asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “No, but believe in being prepared. Daniel and his team will be in Tahiti at the portal.”

  Pushing through the Salon door, Tristian paused on the sidewalk, then waved the limo away. He needed to walk off his temper before dealing with his team in the hotel where they’d stay the night. Abruptly, he turned toward the glass door to The Krystal Unicorn. A closed sign hung in the window, there was no one inside. Glancing up and down the sidewalk, he magically passed through the glass and stood inside the shop.

  Pride swelled inside him at his sister’s accomplishments, even though she’d pledged her life to a demon. He shrugged and walked to the telephone, checked the network. As he suspected, the connection was through the secure network of The Wycked Hair Salon. As he touched in the numbers to his home office, he fervently hoped Hannah had stopped by his house on her way home, on the off chance he’d try to contact her. The phone rang only once.

  “Hello?” Rena’s voice answered.

  “Oh, it’s you.” He couldn’t hide the disappointment in his voice.

  “Who’d you expect your cyber ops sweetie?” She giggled. “You’d be right. Hang on a minute, she’s right here.”

  “Hi. I just stopped by for a second, wanted some of the leftovers from last night. I forgot to take them with me,” Hannah said carefully.

  “It’s all right. I wanted to hear your voice. Nothing to worry about. I’ll see you soon.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. Really. Take care of you.”

  “Always. You too.”

  “Bye.” He disconnected the call and felt much better. Yep, everyone was right, he was a goner. His steps were lighter as he made his way to the hotel strategizing in his head team plans for tomorrow. Going over those plans with the team would have to wait. Everyone had turned in for the night by the time Tristian arrived at the hotel.

  After a fitful night, Tristian’s eyes blinked open at the first golden rays of dawn peeking through the space below the curtains. He dressed quickly, shaved the day and a half blond stubble off his face, and stepped into the shower. When he exited the bathroom toweling his hair, Ruben still snored softly in the bed across the hotel suite. Shaking Ruben awake, Tristian said, “Get the others up and ready. I’m going out for a few minutes.”

  He knew he shouldn’t but unable to help himself, he called Hannah’s cell. It rang once and went to voice mail. She’d turned the phone off for the night. For some reason, that irritated him, though he’d told her he wouldn’t call her cell because of lack of security. After listening to her soothing voice tell the caller she was unavailable and to leave a short message. Tristian spoke in a soft voice. “See you soon. Take care.” He disconnected the call. A simple message that would mean nothing to anyone but to her. Smiling he leaned one shoulder against the wall and gazed out the floor to ceiling window at the end of the hallway.

  Orange fingers spread across the dusky horizon as a few cars made their way up the street, headlights still on. The sidewalk was deserted as he turned on his heel. Sprinting up the stairs, he walked the hall to his room and yanked open the door. His team was assembled in the room peering expectantly at him has he strode in and closed the door. After going over the detailed plans, the men exited the hotel and climbed into the waiting limo. It was a short drive to the Salon.

  Tristian touched his hand to the security panel in the back entrance of The Wycked Hair. A distinct click and he pulled the door open. The men clattered down the stairs behind him. At the bottom, he was surprised to find, several plush chairs scattered around the room. Glass top tables were arranged between the chairs, a coffee bar and little refrigerator on the far wall. A far cry from the last time Tristian was down here. Had it not been for the slight magic pulse from the corner he’d picked up on only because he’d used it before, a creature without special talents would never know the portal was here. Kudos to Bruce.

  All was quiet as Tristian and his men made their way to the magic gateway. With a wave of his hand and a silently muttered reveal spell, the portal swirled into view, pulsing in a full spectrum of blues with a silver center. In hushed tones, the men confirmed instructions once they reached the other side. Tristian was the first to pass through the portal.

  He stepped out into the misty countryside of the Scottish Highlands. The unexpected thud of a body hitting the ground and a groan had Tristian fading into the bushes as he disguised the portal with wave of his hand.

  Fog swirled so thick across the meadow that he could barely make out a dark form in the distance. The creature brandished a sword over a crumpled figure on the ground. When the sword started its downward slice, Tristian cast a spell dissipating the mist. A concussive force flung the sword out of the shocked demon’s hand. Furious, the creature’s loud roar reverberated off the rock faces.

  The figure writhing on the ground was a warrior angel, singed from head to toe. Blood gushed from a wound in his side, leaving a dark red stain on the ground. The next second, the demon rushed at Tristian. He raised his hand and sent an electrified ball of fire toward the advancing demon. The flaming ball hit the creature directly in the chest, electrical current shot across its limbs as it doubled over, howling in pain. A crack sounded from behind, and two of Tristian’s team shot flaming arrows toward t
he demon as Tristian lobbed another concussive wave of magic knocking the flaming demon against the rocks.

  The smug satisfaction Tristian usually felt after neutralizing his prey didn’t happen. Huh? Instead a sense of relief spread through him. Gray and black ash rained down as the demon succumbed to his injuries. The enforcer flicked pieces of ash from his black duster as an eerie silence settled around him. So much for staying out of the fray. He shrugged and turned toward his men, eying the previously writhing angel, who now lay quiet.

  “What the hell?” Ruben bellowed running toward his team leader.

  “Damned if I know.” Tristian rushed to the fallen warrior, bent down checking for signs of life. “He’s still breathing.” Kneeling, he placed his hand over the still body. A copper light glowed between his hands and the prone warrior. He didn’t have the strong healing power of his sister, Angie, but he had to try. The last thing he needed was a dispatched seraph on his record.

  The angel’s eyes flickered open. In a halting voice he said, “Was waiting for you—” He gasped for breath. “The darkness called to me—I couldn’t battle—too weak—” His eyes closed and head lolled to the side.

  “Shit. Don’t you dare die on me,” Tristian bellowed and increased his efforts. A coppery aura enveloped the angel, his heartbeat strengthened, color returned to the warrior’s face. Tristian got to his feet, wobbling a bit as one of his men steadied him.

  “You all right?” Ruben asked.

  “Yeah. Just give me a minute.” Tristian straightened and drew in a couple deep breaths. This healing shit sucks.

  The mist whirled and thickened, what appeared to be three warrior angels appeared beside the fallen one, swords in hand pulsing with a white-hot power. After surveying the scene, the first one stepped forward. “Tristian?”

  “Who wants to know,” Tristian demanded, shoving up the sleeves of his duster preparing to launch poison darts from his wrist gauntlets at the intruders, angels or not.