I did my best not to react when I came into his view. My ankles flinched in my green stilettos, I started to wonder if I was setting myself up for a humiliating fall. I bit my lip waiting for his reaction. For a moment, I fantasized he would see me in all my glamorous getup, take me into his arms and crush his lips into mine.
Rowan stood straight up with eyes widened, but said nothing. I was about to settle into a letdown when I saw him swallow hard. Yeah, he noticed me for sure. Feeling confident, I sashayed to the side so Ariel could step out. She was incredibly beautiful, but he didn't react to her entrance.
Rowan cleared his throat. "Let's go.”
The casino followed the same color patterns as the rest of the hotel, except we no longer heard the music throughout the rest of the hallways. The constant clinking of slot machine handles and the tinkling of change in plastic buckets filled the air. Most never took their eyes off the slot machines as we casually made our way inside. We passed masses of patrons around the blackjack, poker, and roulette tables. There was lots of noise and the occasional cheer, but for the most part, we heard sighs from those ‘oh-so-close’ calls.
We came to stand in front of a closed golden door with two muscular guards in tuxedos blocking our path. I noticed a rounded sign above the door that read, club privé in lower case letters. I leaned to the side of Rowan's shoulder and whispered, "What are we doing here?”
He spoke in an ominous tone to the guards. "We're guests of Nevin. Will you let him know Rowan is here?”
The brown haired, stoic guard nodded, then went inside the golden door.
He returned and opened the doors to an exquisite room in a contemporary art deco style, complete with interlocking chains hanging from the ceiling. There was a private bar filled with rows of top shelf liquor. We stepped onto the raised floor and saw a group of well-dressed men sitting around a dark wood poker table. A slew of exotic women in tiny dresses stood in the background next to a few men who had to be bodyguards. Most of the suited men at the table were dark-skinned, possibly Arabic, except for the radiant one sitting at the middle of the table.
He looked up from his cards, and his almond shaped hazel eyes instantly enamored me. Even though there was a good distance between us, I could barely see the slightly green tint around his irises. His layered brown hair was spiked and styled toward the middle. Aware of my stare, he smiled in my direction, the palms of my hands began to dampen. A black and purple checkered skinny-tie hung loosely around his neck over a fitted black shirt. His forearms were exposed, showing his sun-ripened skin. When he rose from the chair, I noticed that his black khaki pants fit snug around his hipless waist. He had a lean but still muscular build. An energy radiated around him. His warm aura was evidently soaking into my skin.
Oh yeah, it was the incubus for sure.
Nevin made eye contact with each of the gentlemen sitting at the table. "I apologize for this interruption, but I must attend to my guests.” He snapped his fingers and another man hurried to sit in his seat. "Ronald will take my place until I am able to return.” He bowed, walking to where we stood. He met eyes with Rowan. "It's been years, Nephew, let's go catch up somewhere. Please follow me.”
Nephew? Duh, Liana's brother.
Nevin led us through a hidden door covered by one of the glass and metal screen partitions. The empty room we entered was the exact copy of club privé. The three of us positioned in a straight line while Nevin checked us out. He stopped in front of me and I took in the musky scent of his skin. I admired the hazel in his eyes as they seemed to churn slowly. The color gradually changed into a golden ring of fire. My limbs felt limp, I was fully relaxed. All I could think about was touching him.
"I don't believe we've met, my lovely.” His voice was slow and comforting. "My name is Nevin.” He held out his hand for me to shake, I slowly lifted my arm from my side.
Our hands were only inches apart when Rowan stepped in between us, slapping my hand away. Pain shot through my arm. I jolted as if I’d just woken up from a trance.
"Enough with your tricks, Uncle,” Rowan growled. "I didn't bring her here for you.”
Nevin backed up a few paces, smiling mischievously at me. "Too bad, I do enjoy the redheads.”
Ariel came to my side, holding my arms while I tried to catch my breath. Rowan had warned me that he would use no restraint with his seductions, and I guess I underestimated how powerful it would be. In those few moments, he was all I desired. Envisioning the fire I’d seen in his eyes, I wondered how many mortals had died under the weight of his control. Anger replaced desire.
Nevin chuckled as I fumed silently. "Well then Nephew, if you didn't bring me something to play with, what's the purpose of your visit?”
"We need to know if King Taron is being held here,” Rowan bluntly stated.
Nevin, not looking at all stunned by our request, found a cushioned leather chair and sat down. "And why would you assume I know where he is?” he replied, coyly.
Rowan huffed under his breath, clearly annoyed by Nevin's answer. "Well for one, you're not denying it. And two, you're not exactly known for following the rules.”
He put his hand on his chest as if insulted. "You wound me with your accusations. What would I have to gain from attacking the House of Paralda?”
Images of Dad trapped or imprisoned somewhere rushed into my mind. If he was here, he was slowly dying with every wasted second that Rowan spent going back and forth with Nevin. I pulled my arms loose from Ariel's hold and shortened the distance to where Nevin sat. "Enough with the games already. Is he here or not?”
Nevin's lips curled into a wicked grin. "Very well my lovely, I will take you to him. All I ask for in return is a kiss from you.”
I blinked and Rowan was standing directly in front of me. "That request is not anywhere near the vicinity of possible.” he said through gritted teeth. "You will not barter with Kalin.”
Nevin laughed, not at all intimidated my Rowan's anger. "Why Rowan, you defend the halfling so staunchly. Have you fallen for her? And after all these years, I thought I could no longer be surprised.”
He's fallen for me?
Rowan ignored his remarks.
Nevin tapped his index finger against his lips. "Very well Nephew, you've been most entertaining this visit. Come with me, I will take you to him.”
Nevin directed us toward a hidden door. We stepped inside, finding ourselves standing in a large secret room. It was empty, minus one single light bulb that hung from a wire in the ceiling. The clicks of two sets of footsteps turned my attention toward the shadowed corner of the room. A woman and man came into view. A cold shiver raced down my spine.
What had we just walked into?
The woman had dark brown hair with piercing evergreen eyes. Her long gown had a slit all the way up to her hip. Her arms were crossed in front, and she peered at Rowan with the same disgust that Liana had at the council meeting.
The man next to her had the identical shade of slick, black hair and deep brown eyes with a prominent nose. He had on a black suit with a white buttoned shirt beneath. His stare bore into Rowan. "Hello, brother.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
"Valac? Selene?” Rowan faced Nevin with rage in his eyes unlike anything I had ever witnessed. "You’re supposed to be dead.”
“Surprise, surprise,” Selene huffed. "Aren’t you happy to see us?”
Valac put his hand on Selene's shoulder, which seemed to calm her. "Of course he’s not. After all, he is the reason we were sentenced to death.”
"You nearly started a war with the air court trying to rescue our mother. That’s why you were exiled,” Rowan said, fury in his tone.
The air had chilled. My stomach tightened as if I could sense something terrible was about to happen. Instead of speaking, my glare raced between the three of them.
"Now Rowan, you're being quite rude. Aren't you going to introduce us to your friends?” Valac stepped toward us and Rowan moved in front, blocking his way.
Valac’s voice sounded so familiar. There was a calm confidence in his tone. I was sure I had heard it before.
Rowan released his sword from its sheath, pointing it in Valac's direction daring him to come any closer. "Why are you here, Valac. Perhaps I will bleed the truth out of you.”
Selene moved into a protective stance in front of Valac. "How dare you threaten him! I see you haven't changed at all, Rowan. You're nothing more than the deserter I remember. The one who cost our mother her life!”
This was going bad on an epic level. I froze with my hands over my mouth, everything stilled inside of me.
"Our mother died because she ordered me to kill Kalin. Had I followed her order, it would have started an all-out war between the courts.” Rowan snarled.
"Enough of this,” Valac ordered to his sister, then returned his attention to Rowan. "We didn't come here for revenge, brother. We came here to ask you to join us.”
"Join you?” Rowan questioned.
My blood ran cold as I realized where I had heard his voice before. Valac was the one in the castle basement with the air elemental. I glanced down at his shoes. They were the same pair I remembered. "You! You're the voice I heard in the air castle basement. You're the one who took my father!”
"Is she right? Have you taken Taron?” Rowan roared.
Rowan and Valac stared silently at one another for a few awkward moments. "Yes,” Valac finally replied, bluntly. "His disappearance was an essential part of my plan to return to Avalon and reclaim the fire court throne for our family.”
Rowan turned his attention to Nevin. "And what part do you play in this? Surely, you didn't help them out of the kindness of your heart.”
Nevin slyly grinned. "Definitely not. I offered my services in exchange for my freedom. Once Valac becomes king, I will be allowed to return to Avalon or any other place of my choosing.” He chuckled. "How could I refuse his offer?”
Liana wasn’t involved at all. Nevin betrayed her because she was the one who exiled him from Avalon. I had to learn the rest of his plan. "Jarrod is ready to lead an army against the fire court. How can that help your cause?”
Rowan spoke first as if he had already worked it out in his head. "The fire court won't last long against the air and woodland courts. Liana will be lucky to survive, but I'm sure there's a plan in place for her to die, leaving the fire court without a leader.”
Bile rose into my throat. I scowled at Valac. "You're talking about hundreds, maybe thousands of deaths.”
"Collateral damage,” Valac replied, completely impassive. "The court has already weakened under Liana's reign. I will return it to its former glory.”
I shook my head. "What you are suggesting is senseless.”
The clicks of footsteps caught my attention. Several elementals appeared out of the shadows. They had the black-feathered wings of the fire court. Settling behind Valac, each held swords raised as if they were waiting on a command.
"I'm going to ask you once more, brother. Join us.” Valac held out his hand. "We'll put the past behind us and rebuild the fire court together.”
All my anger and pain bubbled to the surface, and I charged toward them. "What have you done with my father?” I demanded.
Rowan rushed me, grabbing my shoulders and pushing me back several feet. I ended up next to Ariel. She stood stunned by my side. "Be ready to run when I give the signal,” he said with desperation in his tone.
"What are you going to do?” I asked.
His eyes bore into mine with a sadness I wasn’t expecting. "I'm going to get you both out of here.”
Both? He didn't include himself. What's he going to do?
Rowan dropped his sword to his side, making his way toward his siblings. "I will join you on one condition.”
Valac laughed. "What's your condition?”
Rowan peered over his shoulder at us for a second, then returned to face Valac. "You let them go.”
"No, Rowan! I won't let you,” I shrieked. This was all my fault. Rowan didn’t want us to come with him because he knew it was dangerous. I forced him to bring me, and now he was sacrificing himself so we could escape.
"Remember what I said, Kalin.” In less than a second, Rowan had his blade pointed at Valac's neck. The men behind Valac jolted, but he held out a hand. They didn’t move. "Now, go! Run!”
"Don't let them escape!” Valac screamed. His men turned their attention on us.
Ariel tugged at my arm, pulling me backwards, but I couldn't feel anything. I was numb. The only sound I could hear was my own panicked heartbeat. I watched in dismay as everything crumbled in front of my eyes. I wanted to burst into tears, or at the very least, vomit.
This can't be happening!
"Come on, Kalin!” Ariel screamed. "We've got to get out of here!”
Unbearable was the only word I could use to describe the next several minutes. Once we ran out the door, I could no longer see what was happening. I heard swords scraping together and a few pained wails, but I didn’t know if one of them was Rowan.
We ran through the crowded casino attracting tons of attention. People must have thought we robbed the place. My legs burned as we continued down the streets of Las Vegas. Ariel glanced over her shoulder a few times to make sure I was still behind her. We didn’t stop until we returned to the location of the pathway that brought us here.
As we entered the portal, Rowan's last words echoed in my mind. Each time it repeated, a sharp pain stabbed into my chest. I had always wondered if a heart could actually break. If a pain existed so strong that a heart would simply crumble into pieces. After what I had witnessed, I knew it was not only possible, but it had just happened to mine.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Leaves crumbled with each step as we made our way through the collection of trees on the side of the mountain. The sun had begun its descent, allowing only small streaks of light to break through. A soft breeze flowed through the tepid air, pushing stray hairs into my face. I removed the rubber band I kept around my wrist and pulled my hair into a ponytail.
Ariel had remained silent since we returned to Avalon. It was likely she was trying to make sense of the last several hours. Or, maybe she was blaming me for everything. I couldn’t fault her if she did. Rowan wanted to go alone because he knew it would be dangerous. Had I let him go, he might’ve been able to save himself. Thanks to my error in judgment, he was most likely captured—possibly even dead.
I wrapped my arms around my waist, trying to hold myself together. Would they have killed their own brother? If they did, it would be because of my mistakes.
Our glamours had worn off, exposing my tank top, jeans, and boots. In the mortal world, we would have appeared like two regular teenage girls, wandering through the forest together. But that was about as far from the truth as it could get. My mind switched between images of Dad and Rowan. I couldn’t think about anything else. How would I ever rescue them? How could I stop the war or find the traitor? Hundreds of elementals could die today, and their blood would be on my hands.
I rubbed my eyes, wiping away the wetness from under my lids.
When we reached the edge of the forest, the air court castle came into view. The setting sun's rays glistened off the corners, giving it a buttery glow. Piles of air and woodland elementals surrounded the castle. In the distance, several practiced sword fighting while others stood in rows as if waiting on a command. If Jarrod stuck to the plan, they would soon leave for the war against the fire court.
I wanted to march up there and stop the assault on the fire court, but I couldn't. I had no proof that Liana wasn’t involved or that Rowan’s adopted siblings had returned. If I tried to force Jarrod to cancel the attack, the elementals would follow him believing they were saving their king. From their perspective, I would do the same thing. Plus, I still didn’t know who the traitor was. I had a feeling that I would be walking into a trap if I showed up now.
Ariel took another step toward the castle and I stretched my arm out
to block her. "We can't go in there. I have a bad feeling, that's what the traitor wants us to do.”
There was an urgency in her widened eyes I hadn’t seen before. "We're out of options, Kalin. We have to take our chances and try to stop them.”
I placed my hands on her shoulders. "They won't believe us. Think about it for a second and ask yourself; what proof do we have?”
She backed up and I dropped my arms to my sides. Her eyes watered as if she was about to cry. "You're Taron's daughter. You have to make them believe you.”
I ignored Rowan's gut feeling and I lost everything. And now my Spidey senses were tingling. I refused to make the same mistake twice. "I'm sorry Ariel, but I need more time. Everything has happened so quickly and I’ve barely had enough time to process.”
"Then I'll just be forced to go on without you.” She glanced out to the elementals in the distance, taking a deep breath. There was a pained expression on her face. “My family is part of that army you see there. I won't gamble with their lives while you try to work this out.”
All this time, I had only focused on myself, my family, and whatever Rowan was. I had not once thought about her or her family. If there was an award for worst friend ever, I would be in first place by a landslide. "Ariel, please―”
She wiped away the moisture from her eyes with the back of her hand. "I feel awful about leaving you, but I don't see another choice. I have to try to put a stop to this.”
I opened my mouth to say something else, but she had already sprinted halfway to the castle. I wanted to scream her name, but knew it wouldn’t stop her. Ariel was trying to protect her family, regardless of the risk. She was brave.
Rowan had sacrificed himself because I didn’t listen to him.
Ariel walked into danger because I could not.
My mistakes could have cost my father his life.
I felt hollow, as though I had nothing left inside. As if everything that mattered to me had been lost. So I ran—faster than ever before. Maybe if I ran fast enough, I could chase their images out of my head. Perhaps outrun time itself so I could go back and prevent all of this.
Mortal Enchantment Page 15
