Elise, an air witch and healer, walked up and checked Gabriella’s pulse. “Garrett, you are connected with this woman on a soul level. I can see your auras merging.”
“I know, Elise. Go with Josiah. Let me take care of my Destined One.”
“Oh my God, oh my God ...” Gabriella cried hysterically.
Garrett gathered his magic and did the only thing he could think of to take away Gabriella’s pain. He put her to sleep. He cradled her small body in his arms, kissing her temple.
“I’m sorry, Ella. But we can’t save your sister if she’s killed someone. I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “Damek, shut down the bar. I’m taking her into headquarters,” Garrett said to his cousin, an earth witch.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the bar needs to close. We have an emergency situation. Please pay your bills and leave the premises,” Damek said, ushering people outside.
“What are you going to do?” Damek asked, coming up to Garrett when the last person walked out the door.
Garrett looked down at the woman sleeping in his arms. “She’s my Destined One. I’m going to keep her.”
Chapter Two
“You did what?” Mabel Avery glared at him from behind her metal desk at Guardian headquarters in London. The commander of the Guardians was a petite brunette who had a killer smile. But no one underestimated her powers of witchcraft and cunning. Belonging to the Royal house of Avery, Mabel was one of the rare Royals who could control all the elements on a whim. She had befriended Garrett after his mother died.
“I left Miss Ross at my home. She is under my sleep spell, and a guard is posted outside her door.” Garrett sat quietly. He knew too much emotion at this point wouldn’t get him what he wanted—custody of Ella. Since she was his Destined One, he had no difficulty going against Guardian policy by keeping her at his residence instead of bringing her in to be questioned.
“She needs to be charged with accessory and questioned. The council is worried about all these blood cults springing up and wants to make an example of her.”
“Well, they can find another scapegoat. Her aura is clean. She’s never been in the presence of blood magic. I know I’m asking a lot, but Gabriella Ross is my Destined One. I will protect her any way I can.”
“Your Destined One? Well, that is inconvenient.” Mabel got up and paced behind her desk, the soles of her boots echoing on the tile floor. “At the very least, she will be fined for owning the property where blood magic was practiced. Her magic house will be fined as well. We have to do something to stop this madness.”
“I have money, and so does my father. I’ll pay her fines.”
“I’ll have to clear this with the council. I only hope that having your father as one of its members will help your cause. A few of the councilmen feel that we need to have tougher consequences to stop this deviant behavior. If we don’t get a handle on these groups, the human police will start to take notice. Then, we risk the world finding out about us.”
“Are you sure that’s a bad thing? This is the world of J.K. Rowling and the Wizards of Waverly Place. We might be welcomed.”
“This is also the world of radical extremists, and we could immediately become a target. There would be witch hunts all over again.”
“We live in this world right next door to humans. Do you really think that they would turn on us?”
“This discussion is for the council to decide. Right now, our job is to stop these maniacs without endangering our people. I am going to do everything in my power to make that happen.” Mabel paused in her pacing and leaned over her desk at him.
Garrett stood and moved closer to his side of the desk. Mabel needed to know he was serious. “You have my full support. This group murdered an infant in their last ritual. I want to catch them as badly as you do.”
Mabel looked Garrett in the eye, then smiled. She was beautiful when she smiled, and as any other man would, Garrett took notice. But Mabel, seven years older, was his friend. He thought of her as an older sister, and she treated him the same way.
“Congratulations on finding your Destined One.” Mabel walked around the desk to stand in front of him. “You know how rare that is, right? I wish you all the happiness in the world.”
“Thank you, Mabel, and thank you for understanding.”
Mabel pulled him in for a hug. Garrett hugged her back, thankful that this talented witch had his back. “Please be careful. If her sisteris in this cult, sooner or later, Gabriella will be on their list to eliminate. Now, walk me out. I need to go talk to the council. Good thing they have a morning meeting on the docket.”
Garrett obediently went to the door and waited for Mabel to gather her things. When she finished, she looked like an average businesswoman on her way to a meeting, briefcase in hand.
He opened the door, and she preceded him into the reception area.
“Garrett, Mabel,” a voice called. Garrett turned to see Angeline Penwick Mikhailov, the Guardian’s new office manager. Angeline hurried over and handed Mabel a stack of folders. “Here are the files you requested Ms. Avery. You were right. With five reports being filed, there has been a definite increase in blood-magic activity in the last six months. Before that, you might have one or two instances in a year.”
Angeline had mated with Tolya, the first lycan to be chosen as a Guardian in the history of the force. Angeline smiled shyly. “Garrett, I wanted to know how Seth did last night. Were there any problems?” Now that Angeline was mated to a lycan, Seth was like a younger brother.
“He did well,” Garrett said. “It helps that magic normally has no effect on a lycan.” Seth MacDonald, a lycan, surprised the whole witches’ community when his Guardian tattoo appeared after shaking hands with Garrett’s father. The young wolf-shifter, only nineteen, was the youngest person to be chosen as a Guardian. Garrett had made sure the youth had backup at all times.
There was one lycan who wasn’t immune to magic. Garrett thought about his brother-in-law, Brencis, and couldn’t help but smile. Meadow’s new husband had the Royal house of Avery in his lineage, and unlike the other lycans who were immune, was allergic to magic. Angeline smiled as well, probably remembering the magic confetti incident at Meadow’s wedding. “Having lycan tracking abilities has helped,” Garrett continued. “Seth and Vahni, a fire witch Guardian, are out trying to find where the other coven members are hiding.”
“Elise said you found your Destined One,” Angeline said. Garrett grimaced. The news was spreading like wildfire. Of course, Elise and Angeline were both air witches, so they belonged to the same magic house, Luften.
“Yes, the pub owner. Her name is Gabriella Ross.”
“Congratulations. I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Well, it might be a while. Her sister is a member of this new blood cult who used Ella’s basement to do their magic.”
“How awful. I’m so sorry. Ella must be terribly upset, her sister being involved. I know I couldn’t believe it when members of my coven turned away from our first commandment, harm none.”
Garrett grimaced as he remembered the day he met Angeline. Both Angeline and his half-sister, Meadow, had been captured to be used as sacrifices, Angeline for her virginity, and Meadow for her magic and life. Luckily, that event became a success story in the Guardian chronicles, and the young women were rescued, unlike the bust last night when the Guardians were too late to save the infant.
“I really need to get going if I’m going to make the council meeting,” Mabel said. “Thank you for getting these files to me, Angeline. You’ve become a wonderful asset to the Guardians, and I know your husband likes having you near.”
Angeline blushed from the praise, then giggled. “It’s nice to be able to help, especially when you have a possessive lycan for a mate.”
Angeline wasn’t much older than Seth. Garrett felt his chest tighten. He needed to keep his people safe. What was going on with all these blood cults springing up?
Garrett followed Mabel to the door. “
Let me know if you get anything interesting from interrogating the other cult members,” Mabel said. “I’ll contact you with the council’s decision about Gabriella. Try to catch some sleep. You look like hell.”
Garrett nodded, knowing Mabel was probably right. She walked out into the sunshine. He turned and headed for the basement and the nullifying cells. The coven members captured last night needed to be questioned.
§
Several hours later, Garrett walked into his bedroom, his gaze immediately going to the woman asleep in his bed. He sat down next to her and checked her pulse. Even though sun was shining in the window, Gabriella would not wake until he released her from the sleeping spell. Sighing, he got up and closed the curtains. At least, one of them had slept last night.
Mabel had reported back to him that the council approved his request to pay any penalties against his newly found Destined One. Ella had been put into his care with several conditions attached.
Ella’s pub, the Blue Dolphin, was closed until further notice, a fact that was sure to make her mad. But until all the members of her sister’s coven were rounded up, the pub would remain closed by decree from the Witches Council.
Last night, several suspected blood-magic coven members, including Gabriella’s sister, fled down the fire escape, while the Guardians were taking the others into custody. The mission would not be considered a success until all the coven members were caught.
Gabriella was his best lead on where her sister and the others might go. Getting her to agree to help find her sister for the Witches Council was another matter.
Sighing, Garrett pulled out the nullifying bracelet from his pocket, another condition of her remaining in his care. The steel bracelet engraved with magic symbols interwoven with knots would have been pretty, if its effect weren’t so frightening to one of his kind. He slipped it over Gabriella’s tattoo. It would keep her from using any magic until he released the catch himself. She would hate him for taking her powers away.
He knew what it felt like to reach for your magic and find nothing. Part of the Guardians’ training regime consisted of removing your magic for one day. He remembered the first moment of panic when he realized a huge part of his soul was missing.
Gabriella would feel very vulnerable and off balance. He didn’t know her well enough to know exactly how she would react. The fact that she was his Destined One made matters worse.
At least, they weren’t bonded yet, so he wouldn’t suffer from her losing her magic. When Destined Ones bonded, they could pull power from each other as well as share their elements. He lightly caressed her cheek, hating himself for the misery he was causing her.
Leaning down, he feathered her lips with kisses as he released her from the sleeping spell. He continued to kiss her as her eyelids fluttered and she slowly came out of the influence of the spell. She sighed, and he deepened the kiss, needing to taste her and show her some of what he felt.
She stiffened, then pushed him away. He pulled back from her, stood up and looked down at her, still lying on the bed. From the panic that came into her eyes, he knew the instant she realized her magic was missing.
“What have you done?” she screeched at him, tugging on the bracelet around her wrist.
“I’ve protected you the best way that I could. I warned you there would be consequences for helping your sister.”
“My magic. It’s gone. Have you stripped me of my magic?” Her voice filled with horror as she started to shake.
“No. It’s only temporary. You’re my Destined One. Do you really think I would strip you of your magic?” Garrett longed to comfort her, to hold her in his arms. She was terrified. He reached out and took her hand and was glad when she didn’t pull away.
“I feel so cold, so empty. I can’t take it, Garrett. Give it back. I need my magic.” She stared at him, the shock in her gaze striking his heart.
“Gabriella, I can’t. The council has decreed that your magic will remain nullified until we take your sister and the rest of her coven into custody. I had to fight to keep you from being locked up. As it is, you are under house arrest and have been placed in my care. If you cooperate and help us find your sister, I will take you with me when I go out to look for her.”
“If I don’t?” she asked, her gaze going from bleak to icy.
“Then, you will remain in the house under guard until I get back. The quicker your sister is caught, the quicker you get your powers returned to you.”
“How long have I been asleep?”
“Just one night. I would have told you if it had been longer.”
Gabriella nodded her head and turned away from him. Garrett didn’t want to be in this position. She was his Destined One, his one true love. He wanted to hold her and cherish her, not torture her. Nullifying her powers would wear her down until she either gave in to his demands or went insane. Either way, she would come to hate him. He lifted one of the blankets at the foot of the bed and covered her quaking body.
“Ella, I know this is a terrible choice I’ve given you. Help me find your sister so I can release your magic.”
“I don’t know what to do. I can’t help you kill my sister.” She stared pointedly the other way.
“Your sister killed an infant in her latest ritual last night. Somewhere, there is a family wondering where their precious child is and why someone would have taken her. If Brenna were human, she would be convicted of murder. Can we do any less?”
“At least, she would be innocent until proven guilty.” Gabriella whipped around and pointed at him. “You’ve already convicted her.”
“Do you want to see what your sister did to that child? She may not have held the knife, but she was part of the rite that murdered that baby. I don’t need any more evidence than what I’ve already found.”
“Leave me alone,” Gabriella screamed at him. “Go away. I won’t help you. How can you ask this of me? What if it was your sister?”
“I would know that she had to pay for her crimes. I would feel horrible about it, but I would hunt her down and turn her over to the council. That is exactly what I’m going to do to your sister.” Garrett turned and left the room, locking the door behind him. He wasn’t going to get anywhere with Ella right now. She was too traumatized by the loss of her powers to think clearly at the moment. He only hoped that she would come to her senses.
“You didn’t really think she would betray her sister, did you?” Damek leaned casually against the wall in the hallway.
“She must. I can’t return her powers until her sister is found.” Garrett glared at his cousin. Damek stood slightly taller than Garrett, but he had the same Amhurst nose and lavender eyes that showed he belonged to the earth witches bloodline. His dark hair was in disarray from running his hands through it, and Garrett realized that Damek was as upset over the situation as he was.
“Let’s port over to her apartment. Maybe we will find a clue,” Damek suggested.
§
Gabriella stared at the door and released the tears she had been holding back. She couldn’t stop shivering. She reached down and pulled the covers over her head, then turned and curled into a ball. Hoping the blanket would muffle her sobs, she let herself cry. What could she do?
It wasn’t long until the house grew quiet. Was she alone? Slipping from her bed, she wiped a hand across her eyes. She still wore her clothes from last night, so Garrett hadn’t undressed her.
She checked the door but was not surprised to find it locked. Next, she went to the window and pulled back the drapes. A large expanse of lawn gave way to a gravel drive. Down from the drive, behind a screen of trees, Ella glimpsed a car going past.
She tried to open the window, but whether from age or being locked from the outside, it wouldn’t budge. Because she was on the second floor, she had no hope of jumping without injuring herself. Still, if she could get the window open, she could make a rope from the blankets and lower herself to the ground.
She pulled and tugged on the window
before finally giving up and plopping down on a chair. What else could she do to escape? Turning, she studied the room. The large bed was situated against the back wall. There were a small chest of drawers and a door that was partially open. From the white porcelain tile that she glimpsed behind the door, Gabriella assumed it opened into a bathroom. At least, they wanted her to be comfortable.
Several photographs sat on the bureau, and Gabriella walked over to inspect them. They seemed to be from a wedding. Two young girls stood next to a woman in her wedding gown, while Garrett and another older man stood proudly on each side. Garrett was the only one in the picture with red hair. Was this his family and the girls his sisters? All their eyes were the same color, an unusual shade of lavender.
Next, there was a picture of a red-headed young boy holding hands with a man and a woman with hair the same shade as the boy’s. Garrett’s parents? The last picture was of a bride and groom, and from the dress and age of the picture, Ella decided they must be Garrett’s parents. He was sentimental, and she assumed that his family meant a lot to him. Could he possibly understand why she couldn’t betray her sister?
She opened the drawers and found male clothing. Garrett had locked her into his own bedroom. Why would he do that? She should be locked in a nullifying cell at the Guardian’s headquarters. Thinking about it made the cold and trembling start again. Her powers were gone. She felt as if a piece of her soul was missing. Rubbing her hands up and down her arms, she tried to control her shaking. How would she survive?
§
Garrett opened the door to the apartment over the bar and looked around in surprise. He wasn’t sure what he expected, but the sunny yellow walls and bright floral upholstery didn’t seem like Gabriella. He wandered through the living room, fingering the knickknacks sitting on the tables and gazing at pictures of sunset beaches and lighthouses on the walls. When he turned the corner into the bedroom, he found a large aquarium filled with tropical fish. He’d have to make sure they were fed. He didn’t want Ella coming home to dead fish.
Destined Magic Page 2
