Chasing Dove

by Brandy L Rivers

  Ceridwen took the book from Brent and sighed. “Yes. And I wish I had realized sooner.”

  “Would you have been able to stop him?”

  She shook her head. “Not without Dove’s help. And I fear Jacinda was the only one who could free her. But we could have done more to protect her family if I had any damned cue what we were dealing with.”

  Brent pinched the bridge of his nose. “Are you able to track him?”

  “Unfortunately, no. I didn’t personally know him. I don’t believe I ever came into contact with him, and because I have never encountered Thanatos. If I had realized Scathane had warped Thanatos, I would have searched harder. He was the leader of the shadow mystics. The ones who have found their way here have been searching for him. Perhaps whatever bound Thanatos to the in between was a blessing.”

  Savon shifted her weight. “So, let me get this straight. Jacinda is supposed to be Dove’s guardian, and Chatan, Hawk’s? Does that mean they’ll be carrying their spirits? They’d be possessed? We don’t want that, right?”

  Ceridwen shook her head and smiled. “No, and they won’t be possessed. Dove and Hawk will pass on their magic, their memories, but what Jacinda and Chatan do with that is up to them. Dove and Hawk will move on from this world.”

  “How can you be sure?” Savon asked.

  “Their goal has always been to protect the world we live in from those who would destroy it. They wouldn’t become the enemy.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Brent snapped.

  Matoskah held up his hands. “There’s a prophecy, or rather a promise, made by Dove and Hawk, that once they found someone to take on the mantle, they would move on to the afterlife, whatever that might be.”

  “You don’t know what the afterlife is?” Brent asked.

  “It’s different for everyone,” Ceridwen answered.

  “But you’re sure Hawk and Dove won’t take them over?” Brent demanded.

  “Positive,” Ceridwen answered. “And if they did, you and Savon could fix that. That won’t be necessary, though.”

  “I hope you’re right. They need to know the risks, though,” Brent added.

  “They do. And I fully expect you to tell them both everything. And whatever you can’t explain, we will. I swear to you.”

  “You’ve been silent this whole time, Draecyn. What do you think?” Brent asked.

  “That there isn’t enough left of Dove and Hawk in that pendant to take over anyone. They’re slipping from the world and they need to find someone to pass their knowledge to. Chatan and Jacinda both have a capacity for magic I have only seen a few times. Now is not the time for secrets. They need to know the truth, so they aren’t led down the darker path.”

  “Whose truth?” Brent asked.

  Robert nodded. “Haven’t we asked that a hundred times?”

  Liz finally spoke up, “They haven’t done anything to force any of us into decisions. They have helped, even when we couldn’t commit. They are trying to present enough information for us to make our own decisions. Give them a chance. And really, if this creature has the taint of something that wants to bring the Crimson Dawn or something like it, is it worth letting the thing live? We can kill it, but we need Jacinda and Chatan to do that, right?”

  “Exactly,” Ceridwen answered.

  “Let’s hope I didn’t screw everything up by waiting so long to tell Chatan the truth about his mother and his magic,” Matoskah muttered.

  Brent clapped his shoulder. “It might take your son a little time, but he’ll come around. He tends to be as stubborn as Eddie when he doesn’t want to accept something. But once they do, and it sinks in, they handle things well.”

  * * * *

  A walk? No, Lars had somehow been off the reserve. Though one of the other people there had already reported he hadn’t left when he tried. That he went for a walk, but that idiot should have kept following instead of reporting back.

  Olivier wanted to know what the fool was doing. Lars always wanted to play with things he couldn’t control. And the spells surrounding Pine Vale Reserve blocked most of the spirits from lingering, which was why he wanted him there, so he would be protected from those who would destroy him.

  But maybe that would be for the best. He only knew about the journal Thanatos’ brother kept because of his brother’s obsession with it. And after looking through the pages, he began to wonder if he was meant to play the same role as the brother, and Lars to play Thanatos’ role.

  What a damned mess. All because he felt an obligation to his brother.

  “Why didn’t you come by sooner? Like, when you arrived?”

  “Because you were asleep when I got here. I decided to wait to come back after I met with a group of people.”

  He nodded. “Matoskah’s son and his girlfriend?”

  That’s what Olivier was afraid of. What did he know, and what was he planning to do? And why the hell did he smell like a damned cavern?

  “How do you know about them?”

  “Mat talks about little else these days. He’s become obsessed with old legends. Don’t have to listen hard to hear the conversations. What does he think a bunch of mages can do?”

  Was that all he saw? There were mages there, but also two sorcerers who could teach his brother a thing or two about control. Of course, this place managed to keep most of the spirits out, but there were still a few. None of them malicious or looking to enter the world fully.

  “Did you meet either of them?” Olivier asked.

  He shook his head. “Wasn’t invited. I saw the gathering on my walk. Sorry I wasn’t awake sooner. I suppose I was up too late last night.”

  “Why?” Olivier asked. He already knew the answer. And he’d already removed the book Lars was so obsessed with.

  “I’m restless here. I’m doing better. Let me leave.”

  “Not today, Lars. I have a case I’m working on that requires too much. Let’s eat. You can tell me about what’s going on here.”

  “Same old shit.” He pushed his door open and motioned for the table. “Why do you bother coming if you plan to keep me prisoner?”

  “You’re not a prisoner.”

  “Yeah, I am. I can’t leave. That makes me a prisoner.” He dropped into a chair at the dining room table.

  Olivier plastered a smile on his face and placed the bag on the table, then went to kitchen to gather silverware and plates.

  The afternoon would suck. Some days Lars acted like any other guy. Now, he was acting like an emo teenager. Talk about frustrating.

  “Look, I get it. I do. But someone needs to be with you out in the world, and I can’t do it right this moment. But I’m planning a vacation for the both of us. Can you wait that long?”

  “Yeah, sure,” Lars muttered.

  “What have you been up to?” Olivier asked.

  “Sitting on my ass, going on walks, and being generally miserable because no one wants me here. No one wants me anywhere.”

  “We do, and maybe I’ll take you on a cruise. Just let me get through this case. It’s a doozy.”

  Hope lit his eyes. “A cruise?”

  Olivier smiled. “Sure. You pick a place, we’ll go.” As long as Lars didn’t get himself killed trying to take on Thanatos. He had taken care of his brother too long to want to see him die for something stupid.

  Chapter 15

  “She’s a champ.” Tomahawk rubbed ointment over the fresh tattoo on Jacinda’s wrist.

  She winked at him. “Told you I wasn’t worried about pain.”

  Chatan had to smile. He knew her secret.

  Tom chuckled. “Now, for the big question. Do you like it?”

  Her eyes lit up. “Love it. It’s beautiful.”

  “It is, looks great on her,” Chatan added.

  “Going to look good on you too,” she replied.

  Chatan looked at Tomahawk. “Ready?”

  “Sure thing. Switch seats.”

  She hopped out of the chair and Chatan sat back.
She moved close, leaning against his side. Chatan took her wrist and lifted so he could brush his lips over the new tattoo. He breathed the spell into her flesh and her skin cooled as the raw flesh mended.

  Tomahawk turned back with wide eyes and cleared his throat. “When the hell did your magic get that big?”

  Chatan took a look at her wrist and lifted a shoulder. “I guess my mother locked away my magic. I’m not sure exactly what set it free, but I’m getting that a lot lately.”

  “Kimi locked down your magic? Why the hell would she do that?”

  Chatan sighed. “I guess it’s a long story. Only I haven’t taken the time to listen to Dad. He kept it a secret so damned long, I don’t get it. I can’t wrap my head around it right now. Later, after we deal with Jacinda’s problem, I’ll talk to him.”

  “Fine, but I’ll ask you about it again later.”

  “Later. Right now, you’re giving me a new tattoo.” Chatan turned his wrist over and held it out.

  Tomahawk asked, “What are you doing after this?”

  Jacinda smiled. “Figured I’d visit the book store. I love that shop.”

  “You’ve been to Edenton?” Tomahawk asked.

  “Passed through, didn’t stay. Only talked to two people while I was here. And that was a few years ago.”

  “Both people you met were at the book store?” he asked.

  She nodded.

  Chatan looked into Jacinda’s eyes and Tomahawk started the tattoo. Time seemed to stand still and fly by all at once. Before he knew it, Tomahawk wiped the tattoo clean. Chatan didn’t give him the chance to spread the ointment, instead choosing to heal it immediately.

  Tomahawk chuckled. “You know, I remember when you were just little, and you healed my broken finger when I fell off my bike. Later, she swore you never did it. She told me I was imagining things, but I knew it wasn’t Dakota.”

  “I don’t remember that.”

  “You were maybe one. God, you were tiny. I was screaming bloody murder, and you crawled over, grabbed my hand, rubbed your cheek on my palm. Next thing I knew, my hand was fine.”

  Jacinda smiled. “Healing must come naturally to you if you were doing that so young.”

  Chatan nodded, though he wasn’t sure what to do with that. He blew out a breath. “I don’t want to hate Mom.”

  “You shouldn’t.” She traced the pattern on his wrist. “Your father said he didn’t want you to hate her.”

  “But he knew, and he didn’t fucking tell me.” He swung his legs off the seat and stood up. “Sorry, I know this isn’t your fault. I’m being an ass.”

  Tomahawk squeezed his shoulders. “Hey, I get it. Dad pisses me off sometimes too. And that secret was huge. But think about it from his point of view. That kind of knowledge would hurt you, no matter how you learned.”

  “Yeah, look, I’m not ready to talk to him. We just found out all sorts of shit that affects everything, and I honestly don’t know anything other than I want Jacinda in my life, now and forever.”

  “That’s how it is when you find your woman. And Jacinda seems to be the voice of reason. Give her a chance to talk you down when you get like that, because she’s already doing wonders.” Tomahawk backed away.

  One corner of her mouth turned up. “Listen to him.”

  Chatan grinned at her, then said, “I may call to come over early.”

  “You know you’re welcome. I do have one more client, but I bet Dakota would love to meet Jacinda early.”

  “I’m looking forward to the barbecue, but I get quiet around a lot of people.”

  “So does my Darla.” Tomahawk shoved his hands in his pockets. “I think you’ll like her.”

  “We’ll see you later,” Jacinda said, stepping out of the room.

  Chatan watched her go.

  “You going to tell me that story?” Tomahawk asked.

  “What story?”

  “How you found her.” Tomahawk grinned.

  “Later. Promise. And what do I owe you?”

  “Nothing. I wanted to do this for you and her.”

  Chatan rolled his eyes. “This time, I’ll let you get away with that. Next time, I want to pay.”

  “And you will. Now get out there. I’ll see you tonight. Your niece misses you.”

  “I miss Annalise too.” Chatan hurried down the hallway and found Jacinda looking through one of the books full of work Tomahawk had done over the years. Maybe she was thinking of getting something larger?

  * * * *

  Jacinda picked up one of the books with Tomahawk’s work. There was a dragon coiled around a woman’s thigh that stood out to her. It was beautiful. Too big for her, but it gave her an idea of what she could do. The more she looked, the more her idea formed.

  He could create a piece and tailor it to the person’s body. It was amazing. And the fact protection could be woven into the design was impressive to her, though it made sense.

  In fact, she knew of people who wore enchanted clothing and jewelry. But was the magic limited to what the artist could cast?

  A hand closed around her waist and she looked over at Chatan with a smile.

  “Book store first?” he asked.

  “If you don’t mind.” She set the book back.

  “Not at all.” He took her hand and brought her across the street. “I like books, as long as they have a heavy dose of fantasy.”

  “I love to read. And maybe soon I can read for fun again.”

  “As long as you curl up beside me when you do.”

  “Might not be able to concentrate then, but I’ll try.”

  They stepped into the bookstore, and Jacinda smiled as she walked past the counter to look for Roxana Night’s latest book. She picked it up with a smile and started for the counter.

  One corner of his mouth tipped up. “I know her.”

  “Who?” She frowned, her head tipped.

  “Roxana, well, Roxy. She’s a friend of Jackie and Eddie. In fact, you like coffee, we could probably find her at the coffee shop Jackie works at. She’s usually there early, with her husband and their little girl.”

  “Doesn’t Jackie work for Brent?”

  Chatan lifted a shoulder. “Yeah, but they both work a few shifts at the Jitterhouse every week. Brent does it to keep an eye on Others, I guess. One of Jackie’s closest friends owns the coffee shop. And Roxy is close to her, too.”

  “Oh, I don’t have any idea what I would say to Roxana.”

  Chatan lifted a shoulder. “She’s cool. Just treat her like anyone else. Oh, and she’s in a band. If they’re playing while we’re here, and we’re not busy, we could go to her show. And hey, Eddie is in a band too.”

  “A concert?”

  He took her hand. “A gig. It’s in a bar or club.”

  “I see.”

  His brow arched. “You wouldn’t go?”

  “I would. I find it interesting how many things I never really considered that I’m now doing with you.” Then she turned to him with a smile. “Are you going to get a book?”

  “I have some at home I need to read. Everything started with Josephine and I haven’t read for a while.”

  “And when do you think we’ll go back home?” she asked.

  He pulled her closer. “Where is home, Jace?”

  “Your house, back in Wanatoga. As long as we can travel from time to time, I’m happy to be there.”

  He grinned. “Really?”

  She bit her lip and dipped her head.

  “Well, there’s more shopping I want to do. Not here, so buy your book, then we’ll explore.”

  * * * *

  Matoskah answered his phone the second it rang. “Chatan?”

  Tomahawk laughed. “No, but I assume you know you screwed the pooch with him.”

  “Did I ever. Do you know where he is?”

  “Yeah, and I’m going to tell you, but you can’t tell them I told you.”

  “I won’t. I swear. But they’ll likely figure it out.”

  �
��I can live with that. Look, the little he said, I understand why he’s pissed off. You should have told him sooner.”

  “Maybe, but you know how much he loves his mother. I don’t want him to hate her.”

  “But sitting on shit like that always hurts. It was never going to be easy to tell him, but he needed to know.”

  “You’re right. Help me out. I want to fix this,” Matoskah pleaded.

  Half a laugh escaped Tomahawk. “Dakota is hosting a barbecue for him and Jacinda. A welcome to the family. We’ll all be there. I even called Eddie to bring Jackie, and of course Brent, since he’s her grandfather. Shit, that’s weird to think of.”

  Matoskah chuckled. “Why?”

  “It’s Brent. I always think of him as a knowledge freak. Anyway, I’ll see you tonight. Don’t tell them I told you where to be.”

  “I swear.”

  Tomahawk sighed. “Why didn’t you tell anyone?”

  “About Kimi?”

  “Who else?”

  “Because I failed her, then I hurt Chatan by turning to another woman. Am I wrong for finding someone else so fast?”

  “No, but he was just a kid who didn’t understand why you forgot his mother so fast.”

  “I never have. Arisa gets it too. She has never forgotten her previous husband either. We were both broken from our loss.”

  “Dad, I get it. I need to warn Dakota you’re coming.”

  He groaned. “Is he mad at me too?”

  Tomahawk chuckled. “Nope, but he’ll want to know there may be a potential problem later. I’m sure it will be fine. Don’t worry about it. I need to go.”

  “See you tonight.”

  * * * *

  Chatan pulled Jacinda into Enchanted Baubles. She had to admit she found much of the jewelry pretty, and she was tempted to try some on, but she was never big on wearing the stuff.

  “Uh, why are we here?” she asked.

  “You’ll see.”

  The druid who owned the shop smiled. “Afternoon, Chatan. Who’s your friend?”

  Chatan tipped his head. “Jacinda, and she’s a lot more than a friend. This is Devlin. He can create some amazing enchantments on jewelry.”