by Nikki Landis
“She’s trying to work magic.” Morgan rushed forward and whacked me across the top of the head as I cried out. “Cease struggling, Cassandra, or I’ll decapitate you and drop your head on the front doorstep of Howe manor.”
Bitch. My head throbbed as my eyes closed briefly and I felt Roman release the hold on my neck.
“I said not to touch her!” he shouted, slapping Morgan across the face as she faltered. “She’s mine, Morgan.”
Morgan hissed as she stood, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth as she sneered in contempt. “As you wish.”
Roman picked up two bowls from the ground that held crimson liquid. My blood. He dipped a finger into one of the bowls and marked my forehead with a symbol I couldn’t see and then proceeded to mark my stomach, arms, and legs as he ripped my clothing apart to expose my skin. The two bowls were set on the ground opposite one another at my head and feet.
Lifting his arms, he began to chant as Morgan joined him. Their voices rose into the air as pain lanced across my brain and settled into every organ in my body. The agony tore and ripped at my composure as screams launched in quick succession from my throat. My voice cracked as my vocal cords became raw. I fought against the binding of the ropes and the strong weaving of Roman’s spell.
“Kayde,” I croaked, knowing he was the only one who could stop this ritual. His anti-magical abilities were probably the only thing that could save me now.
My Cosan must be blocked. There was no way they would allow this torment and torture to continue. Could they hear me? Did they sense the rogue witch and the evil presence that clung to his body like a demonic shadow?
The chanting increased as I closed my eyes, certain my death was near.
“Cassandra . . .”
The disembodied voice was reminiscent of my mother.
“Fight, sweetheart. The ancestors are with you.”
Pulling from my reserves, I began to draw on every ounce of available strength I could find from deep within. At first, there was nothing and I nearly gave up. After a moment, I could sense the slow but deliberate replenishment of my energy and inhaled a deep breath as the pain began to recede.
“Something is wrong, Roman.”
“Shut up! Keep chanting!”
Pulling and sucking the waves of energy and power into my body, I finally had enough to break free. The ropes snapped and broke simultaneously as I sat up and pierced the two witches with my vengeful stare. “Damned and broken, fate will heal, burn and destroy my enemy with zeal.”
My finger pointed at Morgan as she lit up like a firecracker on the fourth of July. Her body ignited in orange and crimson flames as she flapped about wildly, screaming in terror. Roman stepped back and observed with a wicked grin. He never intervened or tried to save her. Morgan’s skin darkened to ash as she fell to the ground and oozed bubbling blood from her crispy frame. Singed and destroyed, she would no longer inflict torment on another living soul.
Sinister laughter caught me by surprise as I turned to the rogue witch whose eyes glowed with a feral delight. “You are so much more than I hoped.”
Unable to discern his meaning, it didn’t occur to me that Roman would attack again so quickly. With a swipe of his hand my throat was slit, blood trickling down my neck in a crimson waterfall.
“So beautiful, sweet Cassandra. Until we meet again, my darling nemesis.”
He disappeared as I fell to my knees, my hands clutching at the skin of my neck and the severed nerves and arteries. My system was shocked, my brain frantic to find help. I could hear my Cosan but knew they were too far away from my location to make it in time. My plan had failed. Roman English was far more cunning than I first realized.
A mournful howl pierced the air as I clawed my way forward, the moon hanging low in the sky as I collapsed, the blood loss and trauma so severe I doubted I would ever open my eyes again.
Chapter 11
“She’s near death.” Aunt Gwen’s voice sounded far away. “Wake up, Cassie.”
“Come back!” Gypsy screamed. “You can’t leave me!”
The chaos that surrounded me faded into the background as I heard my ancestors’ approach and felt their strong presence. Each one chanted, their voices rising in a cacophony of healing power. I felt my body rise and levitate off the ground. My mind played through a consistent barrage of memories, some older with my mother and father and others newer that contained my Cosan in particular. Why I was reliving the pivotal and emotional moments of my life like flashbacks, I wasn’t certain. Maybe my ancestors wanted to remind me why I needed to live and how greatly I was loved. Maybe it was motivation for all those who would suffer if I didn’t survive.
My body weakened, I fought against the urge to stop fighting and fade into the light.
“Cassandra, it’s not your time, my daughter.”
“I’m so tired,” I whispered, unsure if my voice carried any sound.
“We’re with you. I love you.”
I didn’t know how much time elapsed before the voices in the room became clear and distinct and I no longer felt so disconnected. My body rested against cool silky sheets as my awareness returned.
“Cassie,” Gypsy cried, her wet tears landing on my hand as I felt her squeeze.
‘Precious, please speak to me.’
‘Damian.’
His relief blanketed my mind. ‘Oh, pet, I’m so sorry we couldn’t find you.’
‘What happened?’
‘We heard you screaming.’ Damian’s voice faltered like he was about to cry. ‘I thought we lost you.’
‘You nearly did.’
‘What happened?’
‘He found me.’
‘The rogue witch?’
‘Yes, I didn’t feel him. I should have known. Why didn’t I know?’
“It’s alright, precious.” Damian squeezed my hand. “He must have blocked you.”
“What’s she saying?” Gabe asked, his voice close. The agony in his tone was unmistakable.
“She didn’t feel his power or magic. She didn’t know who it was until it was too late.” Damian lowered his forehead to my wrist, and I thought I felt something wet. Was he crying black tears again?
‘I’m dying.’
‘No! Stop, the ancestors will heal you.’
‘Not this time, fangboy.’
“Stop!” he yelled aloud as the room silenced. “You’re not going to die!”
Ryder must have used his power to bring us to the spirit realm the exact second that sentence left Damian’s lips. We appeared into the rainbow filled colors of a hazy mist as his thread trembled and some of the colors seemed to flicker and fade.
“Your string, the thread,” I whispered, my hand rising to my throat.
“Don’t speak, not yet.” He fought back tears as his hands cupped my cheeks. “I’m losing my will to live, my reason for existence. Your death . . . means the death of us, too.”
Why didn’t anyone tell me this before?
Ryder pulled me into his arms as he placed a gentle kiss on my lips. “You’re cold, Cassie. I’m sorry we didn’t reach you in time.”
My head lowered to his shoulder and I sighed. “It’s okay.” Speaking still hurt so I didn’t say anything else.
“I brought you here because this isn’t the end, angel.” He tilted my chin up and placed another soft kiss on my lips. “The power and strength of your entire Cosan flows within you, not to mention your ancestors. This day has done nothing more than reveal your enemies and for that, I’m glad.”
I shook my head, but he pressed a finger to my lips.
“The rogue witch will pay, and I make it my mission to find and destroy him.” Ryder’s forehead met mine. “We belong to you, Cassie, but,” he paused and smiled as he brushed a stray hair out of my eyes. “You belong to us, too.”
Tears filled my eyes as I leaned in and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Ryder.”
“We have an incredible drive to live and that includes our relationship wi
th our beautiful witch.”
“Indeed, it does.” Gabriel’s voice was so close I jumped.
My eyes opened and I was back in my room. Ryder, Damian, and Gabriel were all staring at me expectantly. Without hesitation, I opened my arms wide and the four of us were caught up in a fierce lopsided hug.
“What would I do without each one of you?” I whispered.
‘Have less orgasms.’
“Thanks, Damian.” I shook my head but couldn’t help a small smirk in response.
‘Not going to agree?’
‘No.’
He chuckled at my quick answer.
A throat cleared and I glanced up to see Kayde standing awkwardly, his hands shoved into his pockets. “Glad you’re back.”
I nodded, wanting to invite him but afraid he would decline. I wasn’t sure what softened my heart toward the witch hunter. Maybe it was the knowledge that he saved my life in the Ether, or the fact that he confessed to having feelings for me. Maybe I knew he was a good man deep down because my father would never be best friends with an asshole and ask him to watch over his daughter.
Kayde’s eyes remained locked on mine and a brief moment of understanding passed between us. “Cass,” he whispered, so low I wasn’t sure anyone else in the room was paying attention.
Gabe’s sudden kiss broke our connection as the azure eyes of my wolf stole my concentration. “My Cassie,” he murmured. “We’ll find this witch and end him.”
He was quickly replaced by Damian as he pressed a sensual kiss on my lips next. Ryder held me close as my three immortals assured themselves that I was going to survive.
“Cassie,” Gypsy’s tearful voice called out and I cried as she jumped in the middle of the guys and tackled me. “Don’t you ever leave my side again.”
I stroked her hair and smiled, knowing there was nothing either of us could do about that. “You know that’s not possible, right?”
“I know,” she sighed, “but this is too much. I want a chance to beat this rogue witch down.”
“You met him, Gyps.”
“When? I think I would know . . .” she trailed off and then sat up straight, smacking the mattress in frustration. “That guy Roman. He was the witch, right?”
“Yep. Roman English. One of the witch families from the Salem Witch Trials.”
“He’s not part of the thirteen.”
“No, he’s not.”
She frowned as Kayde approached us. “He’s one of the damned.”
Gypsy looked surprised for a moment. “How did he find you? Why didn’t we notice who he was?”
“I think he blocked us somehow. The damned sold their souls in payment for extra powers and abilities. Maybe that means Roman’s black magic is more than voodoo. The damned made a pact with the devil, remember?”
“I know, Cassie, but this doesn’t make sense. Was he alone?”
Good question. “No, another witch was there. Her name was Morgan and she was a nasty piece of work.”
“Did she hurt you too?”
Sighing, I gripped her hand. “She did but I sort of burned her to a crisp.”
Damian burst out laughing as Gabe and Ryder smirked.
‘I love how ruthless you can be, pet.’
No surprise there.
Gypsy sighed dramatically. “I’m not sorry she’s dead.”
“Neither am I,” I agreed. “There’s something else you all should know.”
“What is it, Cass?” Kayde moved closer, instinctively. “Are you alright?”
“I’m not sure, but I believe Roman now has a small portion of my essence.”
“How the hell did he get a piece of your soul?” Gypsy bounced up from the bed and began to pace. “Correct me if I’m wrong, mom, but how can another witch steal a fellow witch’s essence?”
My aunt had been quiet for the last few minutes, probably processing all of the information I was sharing. “It’s nearly impossible, but . . . if he used the Thrall . . .”
“Exactly. I think he did. Those bites . . . they literally felt like I was being siphoned each time.”
“You probably were,” Kayde interjected.
‘Fuck, pet. This is bad.’
‘Thanks, I’m quite sure I figured that out already.’
“How do we get it back?” Gabriel asked with a growl. He yanked my body close and inhaled the skin of my neck, his wolf concerned and sniffing my scent to ensure I was covered in his essence. Lycan. The need to mark me was so strong I felt his body tremble. “You do smell a slight bit different,” he admitted. A low rumble started in his chest as he jumped up and glanced outside my window. “Something is close.”
Gypsy and I were both by his side in two seconds flat.
At first, I saw nothing in the darkness, then the moon illuminated my yard and I caught the plump little bird cawing from the wrought-iron fence.
The raven.
“It’s just a raven. I see it all the time,” I confessed.
“You do?” Gyps reached for my hand. “You know that ravens are believed to be spirits of loved ones that have come back to watch over you, right?”
How did I forget? Why didn’t it occur to me that this little black bird was here to help me?
“He flew down to us when you were injured,” Ryder replied, his expression thoughtful.
“I’m pretty sure that little raven helped us find you, Cassie when that rogue witch blocked us.” Gabriel opened the window and leaned out, sniffing the air. “He smells the same, a hint of fresh rain and mint.”
As soon as he said those words I turned, darting out of my room and down the stairs. The front door banged against the side of the house as I ran toward the gate. The raven cawed, his focus on me as he flapped his wings but didn’t fly away.
I inhaled as I approached, smelling the same scent of rain and mint. The exact smell and combination that was as comfortable and familiar as home, the scent that only belonged to one person. One of the most important men in my life and one I loved dearly. His loss hurt every single day.
Now I understood why I kept seeing that plump little bird all the time.
My father had returned to protect me.
“Aunt Gwen?” I sensed she was behind me with Gypsy. “I think this is my father.” The moment the words left my lips I sank to the ground. My father.
How could this be? Was he stuck in the Ether all this time?
“It’s possible. I must seek the ancestors to know for sure.”
I nodded, too choked up to say another word. Another body lowered to the ground on my left and I looked into Kayde’s wide eyes.
“If it’s your father, Cass, it’s . . . astounding.” He reached for my hand and I let him take it as our gaze turned to the bird together, watching as he cawed lightly in response. “Powerful magic is at work, little witch. We need to be careful.”
“I agree.”
Chapter 12
“Can we talk?”
Kayde cleared his throat and looked expectantly at the others as the bedroom slowly emptied, leaving us alone as I sat back down on my bed. We returned inside after the raven flew away, but I knew he wasn’t far. He would stay close until I needed him, watching over the house as long as I remained on the property.
“Sure.”
Kayde stood awkwardly, rocking on the heel of his boots as my brow rose, slightly amused but definitely curious. “I owe you an apology.”
Dumbfounded, I didn’t know what to say.
“I realize that’s the last thing you want to hear right now and that my behavior has been . . . confusing, to say the least.”
“Yes, all true,” I conceded.
“You have to understand that I’m not the relationship type.” He ran his fingers through his long dark hair and tousled the strands, an almost desperate vibe emanating from his tall frame with every step as he began to pace. “I’m not a roses and forever, lovey dovey, happy and sunshine kind of guy.”
Staring into his troubled eyes, I tried to discern his
point. “You’re not doing a great job of convincing me of anything right now.”
“Yeah, well, it’s best I get this out now while I have the nerve.”
“I’m totally confused,” I admitted. “Wasn’t this an apology?”
He took a couple of steps forward and then stopped, almost at a loss. “Didn’t I say sorry?”
His uncertainty was kind of cute. “Kayde, I have no idea what you’re saying or trying to convey. What are you sorry about?”
“I was mean, short-tempered, antagonistic and rude. It wasn’t fair.”
He was and we both knew it but why did he care now? Why make the effort to apologize at this point? “I forgive you, but I have no idea why you acted that way.”
He walked forward briskly and fell on his knees before me. “I’ve got a troubled past and I don’t handle shit well, especially when I’m forced into situations without my consent.” He sighed. “I was fully prepared to hate you.”
Shocked, I had no idea what this meant. “Why?”
“Because I lost my best friend . . . and the very evil that ended his life is now after his daughter. A woman I swore to keep my distance from and now I can’t do that.”
“There’s always choice and free will,” I pointed out. “You don’t have to do a damn thing, Kayde.”
“Oh, but I do,” he contradicted. “You see, I made a promise to Gil and I won’t break my word. I couldn’t do that to him and that’s why I came here at Gwen’s request. She reminded me of my obligation and was quite persuasive.”
So, he was a rebel. Big deal. His dedication to my father was admirable, but if he didn’t want to be here, this was all kind of moot. “Why do you hate me for it?” Frowning, I wiggled a finger at him. “You aren’t making sense. You told me that my father asked you to watch over me.”
“He did.”
“Kayde,” I replied with a groan. “You’re going to have to make an effort to explain better.”
He blew out a frustrated breath. “It’s not that complicated. I was sworn to protect you after my promise and resented it. I was afraid to lose you like I lost him. It was easier to hate you from the beginning because if I didn’t care, Cass losing you wouldn’t hurt so badly.”
