“I can’t. You’ll take my magic. I can’t live without my magic.”
“No, Ella. I promise you. Never again. You’ve got to trust me, baby. Step down onto the spur. Then, grab my hands. I’m not sure how long the rock will hold your weight. Please, Ella. I don’t want to lose you.”
Gabriella nodded her head and, testing her weight, put her foot down on the spur. The spur shuddered but held. The ground was moist from all the rain. Garrett scooted forward on the ledge so he could better reach her. She put down her other foot, stepping lightly. He should be able to grasp her wrists if she held them up.
“Hurry, Ella. Grab my hands.”
She reached up with one hand, using the other to maintain her balance. He grabbed her wrist, sighing in relief. “The other one, sweetheart, so I can pull you up.”
Ella inched closer and reached for him. He grabbed her wrist as the spur shuddered and started to tip. Garrett heaved with all his might and pulled her up over the edge. The ground shuddered as the spur dislodged from the side of the cliff and fell to the rocky shore below.
They lay there panting, covered in mud as the rain pounded. Garrett leaned over and pushed the wet hair back from her face, leaving a streak of mud behind. “You’ve got to give me a chance. I don’t want to face this world without you.”
His blood ignited as he took her lips. He teased and tantalized, feeling her hesitation. Finally, with a moan she opened to him. He dove in, tasting and claiming. This woman was his, chosen by destiny to stand at his side. He deepened the kiss, feeding from her lips, devouring her sweetness.
“You guys might want to get out of the rain. The cliff’s edge is already unstable.” Damek stood over them. “And I’m fine, in case you were worried. I called for backup. Josiah and Calder will be here soon to take the others to headquarters.”
Garrett looked into Ella’s stunned gaze and groaned. What was he doing? They were both wet and muddy, not to mention exhausted from their struggle and use of magic. Slipping his arm around Ella, they sat up and Garrett reached for Damek’s hand. With a tug they both stood at Damek’s side. “Let’s get back to the inn. I know I need a shower.” Garrett pulled Ella close to his body and tucked her under his shoulder.
§
“She’s sleeping,” Venetia said, walking into the sitting room. “She should be right as rain by tomorrow morning.”
“It’s good that you took her in.” Garrett’s heart hurt knowing Gabriella had run from him. She should have been able to trust him.
It was past midnight, and he was exhausted after everything that happened. He leaned forward on his chair, his elbows resting on his knees.
“Yes, but her foot is caught in destiny’s door. It won’t let her hide. This is the tip of the iceberg. Something dark is at work, and you two are the first step in defeating it.”
Garrett nodded his head. Venetia was a powerful water witch seer from the first water bloodline. He knew not to take her words lightly. “This vision she has of me killing her …”
“Visions can change, and so can the outcomes. It’ll be up to you to save her. She will try to save her sister, even stepping in front of a bullet. What are you going to do about it?”
“I’m going to keep her safe.” What else could he do?
“The strength of two conjoined will always be stronger than one.”
“What are you saying? Go through with the Destined One ceremony? Bind her to me?” Would Ella agree to go through the ceremony?
“Your powers will merge. It will take both of you to save her.”
Garrett rubbed a hand over his eyes. Damek and the other Guardians had ported back to headquarters with the prisoners. The man who fell off the cliff died on impact.
Mabel had been informed of the incident and gave Garrett leave to stay with Gabriella until she felt well enough to return to London with him. The only one left from Brenna’s coven was Brenna herself.
That should have been welcome news, but Gabriella had shared what she saw in the scrying mirror tonight. Venetia might be right when she said this was the tip of the iceberg.
“You should go to bed. Things will be clearer in the morning.” Venetia said to Garrett, as she rested her hand on his shoulder. The touch was comforting and reminded him of his mother. Venetia smiled and headed for the stairs. “I won’t offer you the couch. I know you’ll want to be with your Destined One.”
“I just want to know she’s safe. I could have lost her tonight.”
“I understand. You’re a good boy, Garrett. I knew your mother, Arethusa. I knew she would raise you right. Goodnight.”
Garrett watched the older woman make her way up the stairs before he rose and let himself into Gabriella’s room. Her light breathing assured him she continued to sleep. He made his way into the bathroom and took a quick shower. His clothes were a muddy mess. But he would worry about that in the morning. Right now, he wanted to hold Gabriella close and get some sleep. He pulled back the covers on the other side of the bed and climbed in. Rolling on his side, he snuggled up against her back and threw a leg over hers. With his arm around her waist, he buried his head in her neck, breathing her scent into his lungs. Everything about this woman called to him. Sighing, he remembered the look of terror on her face when she saw him on the cliff. Could she ever forgive him for using the nullifying bracelet on her?
§
Gabriella held perfectly still. Garrett lay wrapped around her, his relaxed weight and steady breathing letting her know he slept. The morning sun filtered through the curtains on the window, and the rhythmic sound of surf hitting the beach played quietly in the background. The smell of coffee and something baking in the oven filled the air.
Part of her wanted to run away from him, and the other part wanted to know what it was like to be loved by your Destined One. There were so many tales of Destined Ones and the love they shared.
Running away hadn’t worked before, and she was almost certain that those men who attacked her last night had been sent by her sister and the blood cult. Her own sister wanted her dead. The visuals she received last night in the scrying mirror were scary and bizarre. This blood cult was much more organized than just her sister’s coven.
Garrett sighed and his arms tightened around her. A thrill of excitement ran down her spine. He nuzzled her hair, then kissed her neck. “Are you awake?”
Time to face her destiny. Pretending to be asleep seemed cowardly. “Yes. Good morning.”
“Hmm, you taste so sweet. Your skin is so soft. I think I could stay right here forever.”
Gabriella chuckled. He seemed so surprised. “Right here? I think we would starve to death.”
“Are you hungry?” He rolled to his back, taking her with him. She landed draped over his chest, her hand against his heart. She resisted the need to run her hand down his chest and feel each muscle she knew lay beneath his skin.
“Yes, aren’t you? We need to eat a hearty breakfast after using so much magic last night.” This felt so right, so normal, waking up and cuddling with him like this.
“I can think of something I’d like to eat.” Garrett licked her ear, and she shivered. It was nice to know the legendary attraction of Destined Ones was mutual.
Gabriella pushed up and away from him. “I’m getting up. I smell coffee, and I’m sure Venetia is cooking something wonderful in the kitchen.” She wasn’t going to give in to the attraction, not when she didn’t know if she could really trust him.
She slipped from the bed, surprised and a little disappointed that Garrett let her go. His gaze was tender as he watched her gather her clothes and toiletries. He sat up, and the sheet lay tented across his lap. Her face warmed, and she hurried into the bathroom and leaned against the door. She wanted to touch him, to taste his skin as he had tasted her.
A soft knock had her whipping around and backing away from the door. “Ella, I need to get a few things from my house, like clean clothes. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Save some of the hearty breakfast for me.
”
She heard the unmistakable whooshing sound of someone porting on the other side of the door. Shaking her head at her reaction to the man who was her destined love, she turned to start the shower. What was she doing? She should be porting away, finding another hiding place. Instead, she would shower and eat breakfast, waiting for the man who could love her and make her life whole—if he didn’t destroy her first.
Troubled, she stepped into the shower.
§
Garrett ported to his bedroom in London. He rushed around, grabbing clothes and taking a moment to brush his teeth and hair. He needed to get back to his Destined One. Leaving her this morning was a huge gamble if she wanted to run. He hoped she didn’t, that she would stay and work with him to figure out exactly what was going on.
He ported back into the room at the inn and heard the shower still running in the bathroom. Sighing in relief, he sat down on the bed. She didn’t run. The crinkle of paper had him turning to discover an envelope on the bed. Gabriella’s name was written on the front. The cloying smell of decay clung to the paper.
Seven minutes, that’s all the time he had been gone. But someone who had a direct link to Gabriella had used that time to send this letter. He glanced at the bathroom door as the water turned off. He didn’t feel any magical residue clinging to the paper so the letter wasn’t ensorcelled. But was it poisoned?
The door opened, and Gabriella stepped into the room. The smell of wildflowers filled the air. Garrett breathed deeply. She smiled at him, and he couldn’t help but smile back. There was so much he wanted to share with her. But once again, the blood cult wasn’t giving him time. He stood up and pointed to the envelope on the bed.
“Someone sent you a letter. Don’t touch it,” he said as Gabriella moved forward. “I want the lab to make sure it isn’t poisoned or cursed in any way.”
She froze and looked quickly between the envelope and him. A frown marred her face, and Garrett wanted to wipe the look away. “That’s my sister’s handwriting.”
“She sent people after you last night. I don’t think you can assume it’s safe because it came from Brenna.”
Gabriella stepped back, her brow furrowed, her eyes sad. “You think she wants to kill me.”
Garrett noticed she made a statement, not asked a question. He nodded. “The man you struggled with on the cliff was trying to throw you off.”
“He said it would be easier that way.”
“He spoke to you? You didn’t tell me that last night.” He stepped closer and brushed a wet curl off her face.
“I was exhausted and scared. I didn’t think to tell you.” She wrapped her arms around her waist.
“What else did he say?” Garrett reached for her arms and pulled her into his embrace. She shuddered, then melted against him. He put his head over hers. The need to comfort her and keep her safe overwhelmed him. Nothing can happen to her.
“He said Brenna had sent them to fetch me. But then, I ran up the cliff. He caught me, and I used my magic to turn the ocean mist on his face to ice. He swore at me and said he would kill me. It would be easier that way, and they would find another sacrifice. I’m not sure if he spoke to me or to himself.”
Sacrifice? Garrett’s arms tightened around her. Brenna wanted to use Ella in one of her blood-cult rituals? Over his dead body.
Ella shuddered again and wrapped her arms around his waist, squeezing tight. “My own sister wants me dead.”
“I am so sorry, Ella. I know that must hurt. Remember that your sister has turned to evil. Her soul is blackened. She isn’t the loving sibling you once knew. We’ll figure out what to do, together.”
She nodded.
Chapter Six
“That gives us three days to figure out what to do.” Garrett sat at the table in the conference room at Guardian headquarters. Gabriella sat next to him, while the other, eleven Guardians took the remaining chairs. The letter, Gabriella’s mother’s gold ring, and the envelope left on Gabriella’s bed lay on the table after having been tested for possible poison and curses. They were clean. Brenna’s letter asked Gabriella to meet her at the Blue Dolphin in three days.
“It’s probably a trap,” Tolya said. “Your mate should stay away.” Lycans protected their women, and in this case Garrett had to agree. He didn’t want Ella anywhere near the pub.
“It might be a trap. But her sister doesn’t know that Gabriella found her Destined One and that Garrett is a Guardian. The trap is probably set for Gabriella. But we can back her up,” Damek said, leaning forward. Garrett frowned at his cousin.
“I agree,” Mabel said, giving both Gabriella and Garrett a look of pity. “This could be our chance to capture Brenna and more blood-cult members. The information you have from Gabriella and the Blacksmith suggests that this problem is far bigger and more widespread than we imagined. We need as much information as we can gather.”
“You want to use her as bait?” Tolya asked, frowning.
Everyone started talking at once. Garrett sighed and reached over to take Ella’s hand. She hadn’t said much since they found the letter and returned to London. Right now, her head was lowered and her hands were clasped in her lap. He laid his palm over her white knuckles.
She lifted her head and looked at him.
“I won’t let anything happen to you. I will keep you safe,” he promised her, hoping it was true. She nodded and entwined her fingers with his.
The room quieted, and Garrett turned to find everyone looking at him. He looked over at Mabel. She was their leader. Her decision would be final.
“I know I’m asking a lot,” Mabel said. “But this opportunity is too good to pass up. What have you found out from the coven members who attacked Gabriella?”
Haytham Luften, air witch and lead interrogator, spoke up. “Most of them refuse to talk. But the youngest one, a seventeen-year-old boy, decided to be brave. He told me they meet in secret. That this Red Wizard uses powerful spells to shield their meeting places. He truly believes that there is nothing we can do to stop them. The kid likes to brag.” Haytham shook his head, making his white-blond hair fall over his eyes.
“That information isn’t exactly new, but it does coincide with what we learned from the Blacksmith. Gabriella, you said when you tried to scry where your sister was located, the cult knew you were doing so?” Mabel asked.
“Yes, Brenna looked right at me and said we would be meeting soon,” Gabriella said immediately, her voice firm. Garrett squeezed her hand. He was proud of her.
“There’s more,” Haytham interrupted. “All the cult members are marked on their left breast with a hexagon made up of equal triangles. It looks almost like a brand burned into their flesh. The boy didn’t seem to remember how he got the mark, but he bragged that it allowed the Master to identify his cult members.”
“Wait, I’ve heard of something like that,” Safara Pyralis, fire witch, said. They all turned to look at the caramel-skinned beauty at the end of the table. “I was doing some research on paranormal artifacts for the council. I remember there were several that were used to brand people, subjecting them to the will of their Master. Councilman Curtis Brant would know more. The Fire-House has always had the job of collecting and destroying or deactivating harmful magical items.”
“So, whoever this Red Wizard is, he got his hands on an old artifact that lets him control the cult members?” Josiah asked.
“Well, that explains how he has managed to keep things hidden for so long,” Mabel said. “This artifact, we need to know what it is and everything it can do. Elise, I want you and Safara to contact Councilman Brant. If you need help doing research, take Angeline with you. Haytham, keep working on the cult members. If you find out anything else, contact me immediately. Whatever cases you’ve been working on, unless they are life or death, can wait. I want all our resources directed toward finding out what exactly we are facing with this Red Wizard. This meeting is adjourned. We will meet again at days end.”
Nearly everyone
rose from the chairs and started leaving the room. Garrett stayed put and continued to hold Gabriella’s hand.
Mabel stopped next to them. “I think Venetia may be on to something about Destined Ones being a weapon to fight this cult. Get the ceremony done. I want you two bonded. I’m sorry it couldn’t be under better circumstances.”
Garrett looked at Mabel and then at Gabriella. Their leader was ordering them to go through with the Destined One ritual? Would Ella agree? “I won’t force my Destined One to bond with me if she isn’t ready.” His voice didn’t reveal the turmoil going on inside him. He wanted to do the ceremony, wanted to bind Ella to him. But he wouldn’t force her, nor would he allow the Guardians to do so.
“Well, Gabriella?” Mabel asked. “Will you go through with the ritual? I can have everything we need in place by tonight. I’m sure Garrett’s father will want it done at his estate. If you are willing, I will preside. The ceremony will have to be quick. Is there someone you would like to invite to join us?”
“Can you give us a minute, Mabel? I think Ella and I need to talk.”
“All right, but not too long. I’ll have to prepare.” Mabel walked toward the door. She stopped and looked back as though she wanted to say more. Then, she turned and left the room.
Garrett pulled Gabriella onto his lap. He held her close a minute before he spoke. “You don’t have to do this. I’m not going to let them force you into something you don’t desire.”
“You don’t want to go through with the ritual?”
Garrett heard the quiver in her voice. He couldn’t let her think he didn’t want her. He ran his hand up her arm. “Of course, I want to. The minute I saw you, I was entranced. I even thought someone tried to bewitch me. I never expected to be gifted with a Destined One. But being a Destined One is nobody’s business but our own.”
Destined Magic Page 6
