‘Davis,’ he greeted.
‘Charles,’ he nodded his gaze wandering to the open bottle sat on the coffee table. ‘I see you found my good scotch.’
Charles took a seat on the sofa, crossing his legs casually as he lifted his glass in a mock toast.
‘It’s not bad.’
‘Not bad?’ Davis replied in amusement, ‘that’s a ten thousand dollar bottle of Macallan 1939.’
‘I’m celebrating.’
‘Isn’t that a little premature?’ Davis poured himself a glass.
‘I’ve waited twenty years Davis,’ he answered. ‘To the days ahead.’
‘To the days ahead’ Davis raised his glass and took a sip, savouring the taste.
‘So what is happening in Mercy? Are the police still chasing their tails?’
‘Morons,’ Davis scoffed, ‘they’ve only just discovered the remains of the second sacrifice. I mean honestly, do they need us to put up signs?’
‘Patience,’ Charles replied smoothly. ‘They still have their part to play.’
‘If we can trust them to do that,’ Davis frowned.
‘Was the second sacrifice marked with the serpent seal?’
‘Yes.’
‘Has anyone figured out the significance of the brand?’
‘No,’ Davis frowned, ‘like I said, morons. They are still so fixated on your daughter they are not using what little intelligence they have.’
‘Morons,’ Charles agreed.
‘Exactly.’
‘Did you leave Olivia my little gift?’ He rose restlessly from his seat and wandered back to the window.
‘Yes I did.’ Davis swallowed the rest of his drink in one go, staring thoughtfully into his empty glass. ‘I have to admit Charles that was a little sadistic even for you, she is your daughter.’
‘I’m well aware of that,’ he murmured absently, ‘but I need her to remember that night.’
‘There’s something else,’ Davis murmured, ‘she’s more powerful than we expected.’
‘Explain,’ he turned around curiously.
‘She has extremely potent wards set up around the perimeter of her property. I touched it for just one brief moment and her power,’ he shook his head, ‘it’s raw and not quite disciplined. She hasn’t had the proper instruction or guidance but I’d say she hasn’t even begun to tap the edges of what she is actually capable of.’
‘Did you cross the line?’
Davis shook his head.
‘I didn’t want to risk it.’
‘Then how?’
‘I paid some pizza delivery kid in town fifty bucks to deliver it and keep his mouth shut. He didn’t know her and had no idea of the significance of the doll; therefore he had no trouble crossing the protection line.’
‘Devious.’
‘I have my moments,’ he shrugged.
‘I think it’s time to step up the schedule. We haven’t much time; all five sacrifices must be completed by the winter solstice.’
‘What is it you want?’
He seemed to consider for a moment, his eyes narrowing.
‘Send my daughter the package.’
‘Are you sure?’ Davis raised one brow questioningly.
‘Let’s throw them a bone.’ He turned back to the window, ‘we wouldn’t want them to be late for the final show.’
Theo stepped out of Olivia’s car and glanced up at her house. It was quite a jolt to see it. He’d dreamed of this particular house for years and he still couldn’t quite get used to the fact that things he’d seen in his imagination were real. Turning back he watched Olivia climb out of the car and lock it. Sometimes he wondered if this wasn’t all some elaborate dream, or maybe he was really dead. Maybe he’d died in that fire and this was his afterlife, stuck in a never ending hallucination. He shook his head, what a morose thought.
Olivia looked up and her clear gaze caught his and held. It was in that moment as the wind caught her long dark hair making it tumble over her shoulder in a riot of loose curls and when her lips curved into a smile he realised he didn’t care. If this was a dream then he never wanted to wake up because he was right where he wanted to be.
Olivia caught Theo staring at her intently and smiled at him. Jeez the guy needed to learn how to lighten up; he looked as if someone had just run over his puppy. She rounded the car casually glancing back to the edge of where her protection wards held. She’d had a brief moment when they drove over the line when she had wondered if it would allow him to pass. She had to admit, even to herself, that she’d still had some doubts about Theo, about his true intentions towards her and whilst she still didn’t have a clue, she knew one thing for certain. He didn’t intend her any harm. She released the breath she hadn’t realised she was holding and the knot inside her relaxed.
Pulling out her keys as she reached the front door she found herself pausing, her gaze involuntarily drawn to the woods. She couldn’t see anything, she didn’t know what she had expected, maybe crime scene tape, people bustling around like Adam’s crime scene but there was nothing but an uncomfortable silence. She found herself wondering exactly where Brody’s body had been discovered. After all the woods stretched for miles around the lake, just because he was found in the woods, it didn’t actually mean it was close to her property.
‘Are you alright?’ Theo asked.
‘Yeah,’ she replied quietly, shaking off her mood, ‘yeah I’m fine.’
She fumbled with the keys, unable to unlock the door because of her trembling hands.
‘Olivia,’ Theo’s voice was a low whisper that curled around her gut, warming her from the inside and as his hand stroked the length of her spine she found herself relaxing under his touch.
‘Sometimes I wish…’ she murmured.
‘What,’ he asked curiously, ‘what is it you wish?’
‘That I’d never come back,’ she sighed unlocking the door and stepping through.
Theo threw an uneasy glance towards the woods before following her in. After hanging their jackets in the hallway she led him into the library, but as they wandered in the fire burst cheerfully into flame as it always did. Her stomach clenched as she threw an uneasy glance at Theo. Shit, she’d forgotten it did that. He said nothing, he simply stared at the fireplace, and then back at her, one brow raised.
‘I banked the fire before I left, the gust of wind from when I opened the door must have made the embers flare up,’ she replied awkwardly.
He chose not to question her explanation and when he turned his back on her to study the room, she threw an annoyed glare at the cheerfully hiccupping fire as it danced merrily in the hearth.
‘Stop it,' she mouthed at the flames and it dimmed sulkily.
‘I’m going to go and put the kettle on, make yourself comfortable.’
Theo merely nodded absently as he continued to study the rows and rows of books. He could see why she loved this room so much; he’d never seen so many books in one place. By the time Olivia had walked back in with a mug of tea in one hand and a coffee in the other he had moved on and was studying the photos on the mantelpiece.
‘I’m sorry I only have instant coffee, I don’t drink as much as Jake does so I don’t have a coffee machine.’
‘I wouldn’t know the difference anyway.’ He took one of the mugs from her, ‘thank you.’
‘You’re welcome.’
‘Is this your mother?’ He indicated one of the framed photos.
‘Yes,’ she tilted her head imperceptibly as she studied the picture.
‘She is very beautiful.’
‘Yes she was.’
‘Was?’
She’s dead,’ she replied flatly as she took the picture and turned it face down on the mantel.
Ever since her father had escaped, that night had played on her mind. She’d spent years trying to shut it out, to try and think about her mother before the night she died, but now, it was almost impossible. S
he didn’t want to admit it but the doll had shaken her up more than she’d realised and right now she couldn’t bear to think about her mother at all. It still hurt too damn much.
‘I’m sorry,’ Theo said softly, ‘I lost my mother too; you never get over the loss of a parent.’
Olivia nodded, not trusting her voice. She had no doubt losing his mother had been painful for him. She could hear in his voice the love he had for his mother and the aching note of loss and she sympathised, but she wasn’t ready to share her pain with anyone.
‘I have something for you,’ she put her cup down on a nearby table, effectively changing the subject.
He too placed his cup down and watched curiously as she climbed up on a chair and pulled a small leather bound chest from the top shelf. Placing it on the desk she opened it up and reached inside. Before she’d even withdrawn her hand, he recognised what she held in her hand.
‘My journal,’ he breathed as she placed the tattered aged journal into his trembling hands. ‘How did you come to have this?’
‘Hester,’ Olivia answered, ‘she kept it. I found it in amongst her journals.’
He turned it over in his hands slowly, as if he were familiarising himself with it again. He opened it and scanned down the first few pages to convince himself it was real.
‘I didn’t read it,’ Olivia told him gently. ‘I mean, I was going to but I didn’t get around to it and then you showed up in front of my car and I couldn’t do it. It’s one thing to read through someone’s private thoughts when they’ve been dead for a few centuries but suddenly you were real and I just,’ she shook her head, ‘it was too personal.’
A sudden loud knock at the door broke the moment and Olivia turned towards the hallway, peering through the peephole with a groan. Opening the door she crossed her arms in front of her. Her gaze hardened and she felt Theo step up behind her, hovering protectively.
‘Chief Walcott,’ Olivia greeted him coldly.
‘Miss West,’ he replied, his hawk-like gaze taking in the tall dark haired guy behind her. ‘And Mr Beckett, well this is a surprise.’
Olivia knew damn well that wasn’t true, that he’d had his deputies following her for days; there probably wasn’t much that escaped his notice in this town.
‘I thought you two didn’t know each other?’
‘We didn’t’ Olivia replied curtly, ‘now we do.’
‘Indeed.’
‘Cut to the chase Chief, why are you on my property?’
‘As you may be aware we have discovered Brody Walker’s body, not far from here.’
‘Why on earth would I be aware of that? I don’t go into the woods.’ She stepped out of her front door and out onto the porch, not wanting to give him any opening to step into her home.
‘Now that’s not exactly true is it Miss West; you went into the woods the night you discovered Adam Miller’s body.’
‘Yeah and that turned out so well didn’t it,’ she replied sarcastically. ‘I avoid the woods now.’
‘Miss West,’ his voice became intimidating as he stepped closer.
Theo grasped Olivia’s arm gently and drew her behind him. Stepping directly into the Chief’s path, the shorter man had no choice but to step back.
‘This is not your concern Mr Beckett.’ his voice was cold, dismissive.
‘The hell it isn’t,’ Theo replied calmly.
‘This is a police matter and you are impeding an investigation.’
‘I don’t care,’ Theo crossed his arms. ‘You know Olivia had nothing to do with that unfortunate man’s death and yet you continue in a childish attempt to intimidate her. I don’t care much for bullies Chief Walcott. Do not imagine for one moment that Olivia is unprotected. If you want her you will have to go through me, and I swear if you ever step one foot on her property again without good reason, Chief or not I will hand you your ass.’
The Chief’s eyes blazed and his face turned an unattractive shade of red. His jaw clenched with barely concealed hostility.
‘Chief Walcott,’ Olivia laid her hand on Theo’s arm reassuringly, ‘I can tell you now I had nothing to do with Adam or Brody’s death. You have already been warned by my attorney what will happen if you persist harassing me. Now I think you’d better get off my property.’
‘Miss West.’
She could actually hear his teeth grinding together as he nodded his head in a vague attempt at civility then turned and headed back down the steps.
‘Hand him his ass?’ Olivia whispered in amusement.
‘Law and Order,’ Theo shrugged.
Olivia chuckled lightly, Jake and his damn cop shows.
Chief Walcott had barely made it to the foot of the steps when there was a commotion in the tree line. Deputy Walker came stalking out of the woods towards her house, followed by two of his colleagues, his face a tortured mask of pain and fury.
‘Where is she?’ he bellowed, ‘where is that bitch?’
When he saw her standing on the porch he broke into a run. Theo pulled her protectively behind him, shielding her with his body as he watched the distraught man barrelling towards them.
Olivia swallowed convulsively and her belly clutched in horror. Not because of the crazy man running towards her but because she knew the minute he hit her wards they would repel him and given the look on his face, he intended her some serious harm which meant that the wards would react quickly and violently. He would probably be thrown several feet back and she couldn’t rule out bodily harm. Shit, how the fuck was she going to explain that in front of a whole audience of cops who already thought she was a deranged killer? Shit, how would she explain it to Theo? He still didn’t know what she was.
Her heart leapt into her throat as he approached the perimeter and she involuntarily clutched onto Theo’s arm drawing in a deep breath as the crazed cop leapt. Suddenly he was yanked back by the two deputies who’d followed him out of the woods. As he stopped mere inches from the protection line, her heart hammered in chest.
‘What did you do to my brother you fucking bitch?’ He clawed and fought the two officers restraining him, howling like a caged animal, ‘WHY? WHY?’
His screams tore her heart, no one deserved to lose someone they love like that.
The Chief stepped forwards grasping the sides of his face and whispering something to him over and over again.
Cameron Walker eventually dropped to his knees, his anger draining out of him as he wept inconsolably. Chief Walcott nodded at the two deputies flanking him and they hauled Cameron to his feet and marched him back towards the squad car which was parked at the end of the road. The Chief turned to look at Olivia one last time and the look he gave her was so filled with venom and contempt she almost flinched.
Watching to make sure they had definitely gone Theo drew Olivia back inside and closed the door behind them. She felt numb, hollowed out and running on empty. Theo ran his hands up and down her arms to try and replace some of the warmth that had drained from her body.
‘I’m afraid your tea is probably cold by now,’ he murmured soothingly against her temple as he drew her close. ‘I’ll make you another.’
‘Do you even know how?’ She looked up at him as the colour began to return to her cheeks.
‘How hard can it be?’ he smiled.
‘Actually I think I need something stronger.’
He followed her into the kitchen and watched as she pulled a couple of beers out of the refrigerator, handing one to him. Cracking one open she took a deep swig and rubbed her head in frustration.
‘Are you okay?’
She leaned against the counter, allowing her head to fall back against the cabinet behind her. Blowing out the breath she was holding, she found herself staring absently at the ceiling.
‘Not really.’
‘Do you want to talk about it?’
‘Not really,’ she repeated quietly, ‘but I suppose since you’ve appointed yourself my protector
you should at least know what you’ve let yourself in for.’
Theo moved across the kitchen to stand in front of her. Leaning forward he braced his hands on the counter either side of her, effectively trapping her.
‘You don’t have to tell me anything, I would still be here with you, I would still protect you.’ His hand lifted from the counter snaking slowly around under her hair cupping the back of her neck gently as his thumb traced her jaw lightly, ‘I’d still care for you.’
‘How can you say that?’ she frowned. ‘You don’t know who I am; you don’t know what I am.’
‘Olivia, I know,’ he whispered, ‘I’ve always known.’
Her insides knotted tightly and she stiffened in his embrace.
‘Known what?’
‘I’ve seen you ever since I was a child,’ the corner of his mouth curved, ‘do you really think I haven’t seen what you are capable of.’
‘Be more specific,’ she replied carefully.
‘I know you can master fire, I’ve seen you do it.’ His voice was low and hypnotic, weaving a web of intimacy around them, ‘I’ve seen you use magic.’
He pulled her closer, pressing their bodies together.
‘You don’t see it but you glow,’ his fingers moved from her jaw to trace her cheekbone, ‘it's like looking at pure sunlight.’
‘Theo, don’t,’ she whispered, something inside her trembling as she looked into his eyes.
‘You’re a witch aren’t you?’
‘How can you ask me that so calmly, doesn’t that bother you? Doesn’t it go against everything you believe in?’
He shook his head lightly as a hesitant sigh left his lips.
‘I will tell you my story if you want to hear it,’ he pressed his forehead against hers, ‘though I fear you will think less of me for it.’
His hands slid from her face to her shoulders and ran the length of her arms to her hands, his fingers entwined with hers. Grabbing the two beers from the counter he tugged her gently away from the kitchen back to the room where she seemed most comfortable.
Olivia curled up into the worn couch tucking her legs under her, pulling her favourite throw over her and snuggling in. She looked across at the fire and it once against flared joyously into flame, bathing her in its warmth and light. She glanced nervously over at Theo who watched the flames before turning his attention back to Olivia.
Mercy (The Guardians Series 1) Page 20
