by Brenda Drake
It startled me when his hands came down on my shoulders. “Easy there. You’re nervous. Take a breath and tell—”
Carrig came into the hall. “Is there some’ting wrong?”
“I believe this is a private meeting,” Arik said.
“No, it’s okay. He can stay.”
I inhaled and released the breath. “We found letters in Jacalyn’s room. She had a baby. My mom helped her hide out in Boston until the baby was born.”
“I did na know she had a baby,” Carrig said.
“Well, she did. Her baby—” I couldn’t bring myself to say it. If I did, what would happen to him?
“It’s all right,” Arik said. “Go on.”
My heart was hammering so hard it surprised me that neither of them could hear it. On the one hand, I couldn’t believe it could possibly be true, but on the other, it made so much sense. So much horrible sense. I gulped, then said in a rush, “When Conemar had a grip on my throat, something familiar struck me about his face, his mannerisms. Just now, in that room”—I pointed to the den for effect—“I saw his face again. The eyes, the nose, the hair, and the jawline are all the same.”
“Who is it?” Arik said.
I had to force out the words. “I think Nick is Jacalyn’s son, and Conemar is his father.”
“He has parents. I’ve seen them,” Arik protested.
“Nick’s mother is always telling a story about how she couldn’t get pregnant for several years,” I said, my mind racing to put it all together. “They had tried everything, but nothing worked until they had Nick. One day, Nick’s mother said it a little differently than her normal way. She said, until Nick was given to them. I remember it clearly because she corrected herself right away, making sure I understood that she had indeed had him.
“Before my mother died, she and Nick’s mother were best friends. I think Jacalyn wanted to hide Conemar’s son from him, and my mother helped her. Don’t you see? It all fits. We were raised together, sort of what my mom said in the letter. We had classes together. Even took Italian lessons together. Who does that?”
“The only way to know for certain is for you to perform a truth globe on him,” Arik said.
Although that’s what I should do, the idea churned my stomach. “I can’t. What if I’m wrong? And if I’m right—well, it will devastate him.”
“Why don’t you ask him?” Nick leaned against the doorframe.
Chapter Twenty-Six
“I’m pissed, Gia. We’ve been best friends since diapers, and you couldn’t come to me about this before them.” Nick unhitched himself from the doorframe and stalked over to me. “Don’t you know me by now? I’ve always wondered why I was taller than my parents were. Why my nose, face, and eyes didn’t match anyone’s in my family.”
“I’m so sorry, Nick,” I said, shaking. “It just clicked now. I’m not even sure I’m right.”
He pulled out a photograph from his pocket. “I stole this from my mother’s dresser. It’s been in my wallet for years. I wanted to ask my parents about this, but I let them keep their secret. As long as they’re happy, I don’t care if I was adopted, but now the hint of it makes me wonder who I really am.”
“Okay, now I’m pissed.” I crossed my arms. “Why didn’t you come to me with that?”
“I assumed you got it. You’re always teasing me how I don’t look anything like my family, and I must be my ma’s yoga instructor’s son.”
I looked at the floor. I had been so mean to him. “I’m such a shit. You’re right. That had to be awful.”
He handed me the photo. A crease from where he’d folded it in half ran vertical across my mother’s face. Jacalyn and Nick’s mother sat on an old orange couch with my mother wedged between them. My mother held up a pink baby dress as she balanced the remains of a present on her lap. Jacalyn’s belly was a round basketball, and Nick’s mother was as slender as ever. My mother and Nick’s mother both wore wide smiles, while Jacalyn’s face was pinched and sad.
I turned the photograph over and read the neat script on the back. “Baby Gia’s homecoming—5 May.” My gaze met Nick’s. “I don’t get it.”
“Since you and I are only a few months apart, my mom should be pregnant in this photograph, but she isn’t, and this woman”—he placed his index finger on Jacalyn’s face—“is about seven months, wouldn’t you say? I want you to perform that globe thing on me. I need to know the truth.”
My heartbeat sped up again. I shook my head. “We don’t have to. You’re right. You have parents. They love you, and you love them. What does it matter?” I didn’t want him to face the fears that I had. Once he knew for sure, he could never go back to normal. His entire world would change.
Nick placed his hand on my cheek. “I’m not afraid, Gia. Besides, we have each other, and you worry enough for the both of us.”
“All right, you two,” Carrig said. “This be pointless. You won’t know if he be Conemar’s son unless you perform that globe. So get at it, already.”
“He’s right,” Arik added. “Let’s see the truth.”
Nick held out his hand. Arik poked Nick’s skin with the tip of his dagger and a ruby drop splashed into my cupped hand.
Within the shimmering skin of the globe, Jacalyn lay in a hospital bed, cuddling a baby swaddled so tightly I was surprised his face wasn’t as blue as the blanket.
“Not to worry, my beautiful boy,” Jacalyn said softly. “Katy has put a charm on you.” Her fingertips ran over a cross-like brand on the side of the baby’s head. “It’s different from baby Gia’s brand, for this one protects your soul. I pray you never learn about your father. Conemar will never know you exist.
“I wonder what they will name you, dear one. If it were up to me, I would name you Tiege. It means the rule of the people, and you are destined to rule, my son. Within your blood flows the energy of two powerful wizards—one good and one evil. May you take after your great-grandfather, Gian, and not your father.”
She paused when Mr. and Mrs. D’Marco came into the room holding hands and looking nervous. The D’Marcos looked a lot younger.
Jacalyn’s eyes didn’t leave her baby when they came in. Instead, she gazed lovingly at the bundle in her arms. I felt just as awkward as the D’Marcos seemed as they waited for Jacalyn to acknowledge their presence.
When Jacalyn finally tore her gaze away from the baby, her wet cheeks glistened in the fluorescent light. “Your mummy and daddy are here, little one. I have chosen a lovely family for you.” Jacalyn kissed the baby’s head. “Good-bye, little one.” She handed the baby to Nick’s mother. “What will you name him?”
“Nicklaus,” answered Mrs. D’Marco. “Nick for short.”
The image cut out and the globe hardened to an icy shell that exploded on my palm, cutting my skin. I screamed. “What happened?”
A pixie-like woman dressed in dark green was half-hidden behind a statue of a wizard, cackling her amusement. Arik darted across the corridor and caught the woman before she noticed him.
“Who—” Carrig began. “Blimey, I know you. You drugged me, you banshee.”
I winced at the pain stabbing my palm. “Who is she?”
Nick pulled off his T-shirt and wrapped it around my bleeding hand.
Arik dragged the woman into the light.
“Aunt Eileen?”
She looked completely different. Gone were the loose black clothes and the teased crimson mushroom. Instead, her green shirt and black pants hugged her curves, and her red hair fell softly around her face. The black cat-eye glasses and heavy makeup were also missing, replaced with light makeup and pink lip gloss.
Sinead blew into the hall, followed by Bastien and Demos. “What’s all the commotion?” She spotted Arik holding Aunt Eileen and yelled, “Let her go! She’s an ally.”
“No, she’s hurt Gia,” Arik said.
Bastien stormed over to me and bent down. “You’re injured?”
“I’m okay,” I said, leaning over to see ar
ound him.
Aunt Eileen struggled in Arik’s hold. “She’s probably aiding Conemar,” he said.
“Lorelle, is it true?” Sinead asked Aunt Eileen.
Lorelle? Why is she calling Aunt Eileen that?
“Oh please,” Aunt Eileen said. “You had your chance to serve Conemar, but you wanted to shack up with an overgrown elf.”
Carrig pulled his knife out of his belt. “Watch your tongue, banshee, or I’ll slice it off.”
Sinead eased Carrig’s arm down with a gentle hand. “Don’t let her antics upset you. It happened a long time ago, and I chose you, not him.”
Wow. Conemar’s a player. He’s been with Jacalyn, Sinead, and Aunt Eileen. Gag.
Sinead slanted a look at Aunt Eileen. “How did you get into the shelter?”
“Our queen gave me carte blanche to get in.”
“Why would she do that?”
“I told her you were in danger, sister.” There was so much hate in Aunt Eileen’s voice.
“Okay,” I cut in. “Who is Lorelle, and what happened to my aunt?”
“I’m Lorelle, you stupid girl,” she said, a snarl in her voice. “I killed your aunt years ago. Oh, and it was too easy. We became instant friends at a witches’ convention in Salem.”
Lorelle shook her head, and a flurry of glittery dust blew into Arik’s face, blinding him. She slammed her heel on his toe and threw a sharp elbow into his groin. He stumbled back, losing his hold on her, and she quickly backed away from him. From her belt, she pulled out a dagger and held it up, daring anyone to make a move.
“I sliced your aunt’s throat from here”—she ran her index finger across her throat—“to there. I dumped her bleeding body off a pier and waited for the sharks to circle, and before long…sharks’ bait.”
Fury rose in me as Sinead inched toward Lorelle. “How did you know how to find Gia?”
“You told me Carrig believed Marietta had fled to America.”
The look Sinead gave her was a cross between pity and hate. “What happened to you? Why are you doing this?”
“Love. I would die for Conemar.” Lorelle smiled. She clearly enjoyed talking about her conquests. “Conemar is brilliant. He knew Marietta must have had a Pure Witch shield her and the baby, so he sent his followers to stake out the most talented ones, and we waited for a sign. My assignment was Katy Kearns because of my close resemblance to her husband’s child. It made it easier for me when Eileen told me that she and Katy hadn’t seen each other for over eight years due to a dispute. I glamoured myself to look like that hideous woman. Katy immediately forgave me, or rather, she forgave Eileen, after I groveled about how sorry I was and turned on the waterworks. What a pathetic woman.”
“You’re the one who’s pathetic,” I hissed through gritted teeth.
“Whatever. And you’re a brat. It was always Gia this and Gia that. And you were right under my nose the entire time. I never met Marty, or maybe I would have put it all together. She had a different last name, and she was already dead when I arrived. There wasn’t a clear picture of her anywhere. The ones I did find looked nothing like Marietta. She’d gained weight and cut her hair short. And you never showed any signs of magic.”
She took a few steps backward.
Arik took a few steps forward.
“Then Carrig showed up,” she continued. “We all know what happened next.”
“Wow, you’re stupid,” I said. “My name didn’t clue you in?” I wasn’t going to mention I hadn’t put Gian and my name together, either.
“Shut up, bitch.” Lorelle backed down the hall, her eyes shifting from face to face until she stopped at mine again. “I never heard of Gian. I’m fey. I skipped Wizard History in school. It was such a boring subject.”
I bit my lip, trying to stay calm, but inside I was dying. “You’re a liar. You said you loved me.”
She sent me the ugliest hate-eyes I’d ever seen. “I wanted to barf each time I said it. I’d never love a human child. When I get the chance, I will kill you. And I want my cat back.”
“Cleo?”
“I’m going to skin her for turning traitor on me. She was supposed to spy on you and report back.”
“If you harm her, I’ll scratch your eyes out!” I started toward her, rising to my knees, but Nick grabbed my arm and stopped me. “What did you do to my globe?”
“I eliminated it,” Lorelle said. “You’ll never be able to use it again.”
I pulled off Nick’s T-shirt and opened my palm. Nick’s dried blood from my earlier reading was a rusty smudge against the bright red blood oozing from the tiny cuts in my skin.
“Mostrami la verità,” I spoke the charm to ignite my truth globe. A flicker of light zapped and vanished. I tried again, and nothing, not even a flicker. “It can’t be. How—” A sob cut off my words. Nick wrapped his arms around me, and I leaned into his embrace.
“What did you do to her?” Carrig said, the vein in his forehead throbbing.
“Conemar is obsessed with her and her powers. He wants her.” Lorelle’s face brightened. “I used an ancient charm straight from a book I found in Katy Kearns’s house. It destroys globes. Were any of you aware Katy had such a book? There are some powerful charms in it. Conemar won’t want you now.”
“Good! You can have him,” I yelled.
“Where be this book now?” Carrig demanded.
“Like I’d tell you,” Lorelle said. “Oh, poor little Gia has lost her globe. Go ahead, someone tell her. Tell her she can’t be a Sentinel unless she has a battle globe.”
“Too bad for you, biatch,” I mocked, a pink globe balancing in my hand. “Oops. I have another globe. How did that happen?”
I lobbed it at Lorelle, not sure what would happen when it hit her. A wave of energy knocked her on her butt and the dagger flew from her hand.
“You forget,” Carrig said, crossing the room. “She be the daughter of two Sentinels. Therefore, she has two battle globes.”
Lorelle clambered to her feet. “Not so fast,” Lei said from behind Lorelle, pressing the tip of her sword to Lorelle’s back. I hadn’t seen Lei come up behind Lorelle. She was quick like that.
Carrig strolled the rest of the way to Lorelle and glared down at her. “Now, tell me where this book of charms be, and I won’t send you to the scryers. Do you remember your fey lessons? You know the part, where scrying an unwilling party can cause the brain to become soggy. I’m certain you do.”
Lorelle lifted her head. “You wouldn’t.”
“Ah, it’ll be a fight, won’t it? Take her to the scryers. I’ve no time for her games.”
Arik and Demos each snatched one of Lorelle’s arms.
“When Conemar finds out he has a son, he’ll kill the lot of you to get to him,” Lorelle threatened as Arik and Demos dragged her away. “You all will die.”
“Conemar has a son?” Sinead stared at Carrig with disbelief. “Who is it?”
Bastien aided me to my feet with a firm hold on my arm and a gentle hand against my back. “Are you all right?”
I glanced at my hands. “Yeah. They’re just small cuts.”
Nick stood and gave me a forced smile. “I guess I’m not the yoga instructor’s kid, huh? I’m the Antichrist’s son.”
I buried my head farther into the down pillow, refusing to yield to the sunlight tickling my eyelids. Every muscle and nerve ending in my body ached. Some moron decided to knock on the bedroom door at the ungodly hour—I checked the antique table clock—of nine thirty. “Come in,” I called angrily.
The door eased open, and Arik came into the room.
I quickly ran my hands over my hair, smoothing it down. I yanked the comforter up to my chin to hide my ratty old Hello Kitty tank top. “Hey, what’s up?”
“I need to talk to you.” He sat on the bed and rested his elbows on his knees. “That was a gloomy funeral yesterday, eh?”
“Yeah, most are. I feel bad for Bastien’s mother with Odil missing and all. Who will replace Basti
en’s father?”
“The French Council has chosen Augustin Orfevre as Couve’s High Wizard.”
“Why didn’t they choose Bastien?”
“Bastien is still a novice wizard,” he said. “He’ll reach senior wizard soon, but only a master wizard can be considered for High Wizard. Augustin is approaching three hundred, so he shan’t last many more years. I think that’s why they chose him. All Couve wants Bastien to rule. He will be a master wizard by the time he’s twenty-five. When Augustin dies, Bastien will be ready to take over.”
“Crazy. Is Bastien going to live to be that old?”
“If not more, and if you marry him, you’d be the first of many wives.”
I shuddered at the thought until— “Wait. We’re part wizard, aren’t we? How long do we live?”
“Unfortunately, we haven’t enough of it. We live a normal human lifetime.”
I scowled. “Well, good thing I don’t want to marry him.”
He gave me a mischievous grin.
I sat up, keeping the comforter at my chin. “Pop will kill you if he finds you on my bed.”
He raised an eyebrow at me. “Déjà vu?”
I smiled, recalling the morning in my apartment before we left for Asile when he sneaked into my bedroom.
His mischievous grin returned. Black eyelashes framed his intensely focused eyes, and they studied me. I wanted to run my fingers through the dark waves of hair falling over his forehead. If it weren’t for the laws and the severe punishment, I would’ve kissed him right then.
“I haven’t been fully honest with you.” He stared at his hands. “Rather, I must seem dodgy to you. I fancied you the first time I spotted you in the library. And then I pushed you away. The laws say we can’t be together. I’m promised to another, and yet, you are always on my mind. You make me question my beliefs. With the threats lately, none of it matters any longer.”
I was tired of his jabbering, and besides, he had me at fancied. I grabbed his arms and pulled him to me as I fell back onto the pillows.
He wrapped me in his strong arms and kissed me. Our legs intertwined and his hands pulled through my hair, cradling my head with gentle fingers. I slipped my arms around his neck and closed my eyes, wanting to savor his touch.
