My jaw dropped.
"We, as in the Elders in the southeast, didn't realize what she was doing until it was too late. Too late being two years ago. One of her housekeepers reported her activities to a Hive and they investigated. But by that time she'd already lost herself to Arcane. Dryden didn't know this and he warlocked her as punishment for what she'd done to that girl. He was the only Witch strong enough to do it from a distance. Until last night, no one had heard from her since. I assumed the warlocking killed her at the time. Apparently she found Edmund Blackwood and joined his order of Magicians. But even he kicked her to the curb. Hard to believe anyone is bad enough that Blackwood wouldn't keep them."
I played last night's events in my head. The darkness and the thousands of black robes coming out of the neighbors' houses. "Did you see what she did? Last night?"
"Yes. That was Arcane." Arden said this last part with a distant look on her face. "She and Ina were friends for a while. Did you know that? I didn't approve of them together which…well," she shrugged and refocused on me. "Did you see Olivia's face?"
I sensed sadness from Arden. Not something I was accustomed too. I also assumed the three women were close friends at once, and then Arcane was what came between them.
And that Ina wasn't really human anymore.
"Yeah. But I couldn't see her, you know what I mean? She was blurred. The edges of her face weren't well defined."
"Ah. Then the darkness has marked her and she's hiding it," Arden pursed her lips.
"Marked her?"
"Yes. Arcane Magic behaves like a…like a parasite. It infests the body, the mind and the soul. And when it's called enough, when it's used in a powerful spell, it manifests into a single place in the body, making a mark. Most marks are on the inside, which makes the Arcane Witches hardest to find. But I'd heard Olivia's mark was on her face."
I almost put my hand to my chest where my own mark had started. Had she not seen it? She'd seen the wolf bite, but not the mark?
Arden continued. "I have a suspicion the bodies the cops found are a direct result from Olivia's experiments. If they don't stop her, she'll evade the cops again."
Cops. Crwys!
I sat forward and slapped my hands on the mattress, palms down. "Crwys! What happened to him? I saw that monster; the one that attacked me and it looked like it really hurt him. He wasn't moving."
I didn't like the expression that passed over her face. "Yes, it hurt him. But my people couldn't get to him. The Vampire he runs with wouldn't let us near him. He took Crwys Holliard away. We're not sure where they are or if Crwys survived. The captain has called your cell phone several times."
Fuck her. I didn't plan on helping that harridan again. I somehow knew Crwys was alive. If Levi took Crwys away, and wouldn't let Arden near him, I assumed he did it to protect Crwys because he couldn't protect himself. I also knew Revenants' blood had healing qualities to it. But…if humans drank Revenants' blood it turned them into Ghouls. If Crwys drank it…what would it do? I was pretty sure Levi knew what Crwys was, he just wasn't telling me. And that made me think it was something really bad.
I had to have faith that when Crwys was better, he would come to me. Or Levi would bring me news. They both knew a connection had formed between Crwys and I during our whirlwind romance ten months ago. And that connection had never faded. Which was how I knew he was still alive.
"She has a Codex."
"I know about it. It's an old artifact. And I know Cromwell's very eager to find it," Arden said.
"He told me to find it. If I do, he'll lift the warlock."
Arden's expression shifted. She looked irritated. "What? Why is he holding that warlock over your head? You were cleared. You know you have the right to a Tribunal. I can represent you."
"Before I saw Olivia had it, I might have taken you up on that. But I think getting it away from her is more important. If I succeed and he still doesn't remove it, I'll give you a call." I tried to smile, but I was worried now. Seeing the Codex had been a bit of a relief. There was my salvation. Arden would help get Kyle back and I knew she'd use her resources to do it. But I would still have the mark on my chest and the Arcane would be there.
"Sam?"
"What about Bastien? The Alpha?"
"He was wounded, but I'll let him tell you his story as soon as he returns."
"Returns? Is he out looking for Kyle and Jack?"
"No," Arden's expression changed again. I'd love to play poker with this woman. She'd be an easy mark. "He's out taking care of family business. But he'll be back so we can make plans."
"Plans…you mean to rescue Kyle?"
"Yes," she stood and stepped away. "Rest. It's seven in the morning. When the Alpha returns, we'll meet." And she left, closing the door behind her.
I leaned back into the pillows and stared at the tassel floating above me. My life had become a never-ending maelstrom of dramatic events. And this time I couldn't figure out where I'd stepped in it. I think on this occasion it stepped on me. But either way, I'd made a promise to myself years ago that when I set up my shop and gathered those closest to me, I would use my power to help people, Cowen and Witch alike. And so far we'd been…marginally successful.
I put my hand to my chest and felt the mark, now it felt hard like scar tissue. I looked down, my chin on my chest so I could see it. When that didn't work, I got up, slowly, and found a bathroom just off the bedroom. Clawfoot tub, double vanity with gold fixtures, two medicine cabinets, a robe and a stack of towels. I also found clothing hanging behind the door. They were my size, but they weren't exactly my style. I liked tight fitting jeans, a t-shirt, a jacket and boots.
There were boots all right. Low heeled black boots that looked like they came up to my knees. The clothing consisted of several layers of skirts, a tight small top and jacket, all black. This was Arden's style. The feel of the fabric alone told me they were expensive.
Looking in the mirror, I ignored the pale, dark haired chick with the shadows under her eyes and focused on my chest as I pulled the gown away. The symbol really was a mass of scar tissue now. In fact it didn't really look like the symbol anymore and more like a healing gunshot wound. I pressed on it with my fingers. It didn't hurt but it wasn't pleasant to look at. Crap, was it trying to heal now and whatever was there wasn't letting it?
I experimented with the power to see if the symbol still lit up by holding up my right hand to form what I would normally call on a Salamander to do. A ball of sparkling red glitter flame appeared. The scar didn't light up. It didn't even get hot. And there wasn't that creepy voice in the back of my head.
Was there some weird difference in how I used the power? Creating the dex at the morgue, using my guns, and just making a fireball…nothing happened. But when I popped all those fountains and when I engaged with the sphere of protection Kyle had built, I'd felt the power differently. It had been harder to control, like I was a piece of gauze in front of a raging river, tasked with the keeping the river from flooding the town.
Or that's how it felt. I'd lost that battle in the shop when Prescott took Grey. And I was pretty sure I'd have lost it if I'd seen Circe taking Kyle and Jack.
Practical verses emotional? Was that it?
Dismissing the fireball I went back into the room and looked for my things. I did find my phone on a chest of drawers. It had maybe twenty percent charge on it but it might help me Google a few questions. My eyes felt hot when I closed them and my joints ached. I definitely had a fever. And I felt a weird anxiety knowing Bastien wasn't close by.
Nope. No signal. I always forgot Arden's houses were like that. No signal in or out. But then, electromagnetic fields and magic have never gotten along.
"Sam!"
The voice coming through the phone's speakers scared the crap out of me so I dropped it. Luckily it had a good case and it hit thick carpet. I stared down at it and realized I'd nearly jumped up on the bed.
"Hey, where did you go?"
That was Iva
n's voice!
I knelt on the floor by the phone and looked at the screen. There was no picture so I held the microphone end to my mouth. "Can you hear me?"
"Wow…hell yes. It's good to hear you."
"How come I can't see you?"
"Because video will use more power and your phone's down to nearly nothing."
I stared at the phone. "How is it you're doing this?"
"Do you really want me to go into the Cyber physics?"
No. Just thinking about that made my head hurt. "Where are you?"
"I'm at the shop. Where are you? I've been trying to find somebody. I came in to open and found Grey shut up in your apartment, barking, and you know I don't speak dog—" I heard Grey woof. "Sorry. Wolf. But no one is answering their phone. And get this…Captain Prescott's been calling. I called her back and apparently Crwys and Levi were supposed to attend a briefing last night and didn't show. They're not answering either."
I wasn't sure where to start first. I was sure we didn't have enough power in my phone for me to tell him everything. "Hold on." I brought the phone with me as I got up and went to a window. I was pretty sure I was at Arden's home in the Garden District given the impromptu battle last night had happened in the same subdivision.
But what I saw outside weren't the streets of the Garden District.
I saw endless trees; many of them covered in Spanish moss. Cars littered a dirt parking lot below and to the left was an elegant garden with a working fountain.
"Sam?"
I put the phone back up to my lips. "Sorry. I had to check where I was."
"Where is that?"
"Gypsy Gardens." Arden's plantation in the swamp. How in the hell did I get out here?
The door to my room opened and Arden peeked in. She looked at the bed and then spotted me by the window. "The Alpha's back. I'd hoped you could get more sleep, but he's ready to fight and we don't want him running off on his own." She looked at the phone and smiled. "Tell your friend to come while you get a shower. We're going to need all the help we can get." She left the room.
"Ivan, can you get out here?"
"You sure you want me out there?"
"Yeah. It think given the circumstances it's not going to matter right now. And bring Grey. I need her."
"We'll be there in an hour."
I tossed the phone on the bed and looked out at the swamp for a few more minutes before I closed my eyes and thought of Crwys. I blew him a kiss before I turned and headed back to that luxurious bathroom.
SIXTEEN
Bastien looked great for someone who just went several rounds with a monster. His red hair was pulled back in a ponytail and he wore a suit, which looked expensive, that was specifically tailored for his physique. I found him standing by the sliding glass doors looking out over a clover shaped pool. He had a mug in his left hand, a solemn expression on his handsome face. I could smell the chicory as I approached.
Either he heard me or smelled me, because he turned and stared at me as I approached. The stare was unnerving, especially under his golden gaze, so I stopped and looked down at myself. "What?"
"Chérie," he said and then cleared his throat. "Trés belle."
I blushed. I hated that I blushed. But I continued my walk toward him, the heels of my boots clacking on the hardwood floor. "Thank you. This isn't what I'm used to wearing."
"You should wear it more often," Bastien set the mug down on a nearby side table and took my hand in his. His skin was warm, not as high a temperature as Crwys's always was, but it felt good. "Perhaps the detective wouldn't leave you alone so much." He leaned in to sniff and squeezed my hand. "The fever's started."
I took my hand back. "Yes." I felt torn at that moment. Every nerve in my body tingled standing this close to him. I had fantasy thoughts of doing naughty things and blushed from them.
"You and the cop are together?"
"I don't know."
"So, you're not a couple?"
There was hesitation in my voice. "I don't know. We dated just under a year ago. It was fast and furious and our magic…connected. But there's not been anything solid since."
"Then perhaps I have a chance?"
Awkward. I didn't want to go down that rabbit hole so I clasped my hands behind me. "Will you give me the antidote?"
He hesitated. "Chérie…"
I knew in that one word he wasn't going to go back on his vow. He wouldn't free me from the bite until he had his people. "I see. And if she's already changed them? Transmogrified them into one of those monsters?"
"Then we're dealing with events beyond your control. I will not let you change."
That made me feel a little better. "So, why the suit?"
His face sobered and he looked out the window again. "We buried mon frére at dawn."
"Your brother? You found him?"
"Chérie, it was he who attacked last night."
I took a step back. "What?" I had very good memories of the thing that knocked me on my ass and then proceeded to slam me repeatedly into unmoving objects. And that wasn't a Lycan. Not from what I'd see of the Aces. "That's…that's not possible. How was that your brother?"
"Circe," Arden said as she joined us by the doors.
Her brows rose high on her forehead and her lips pulled to the left in a knowing smirk. "Mmm-mmm! I can pick clothes, can't I? Sam, if you'd wear things like this more often instead of keeping up with that dismal tough girl persona you've got going on, you'd grab a lot better men than Detective Holliard."
"I would agree," Bastien said.
And now we're heading into the weeds. "Ah…look, I obviously missed something while unconscious. Like getting out here into the swamp and that monster being your brother. You two care to fill me in?"
Arden put the back of her hand against my cheek, and then placed it on my forehead. "You still have a fever. This is no good. Let's go into my private parlor," Arden suggested and led us from the doors down the hall to a door on the other side of a bookshelf. From the other end of the hall this door wouldn't be visible. I wouldn't have known this room was there.
It was small, intimate, with a wood burning fireplace, two facing sofas, a coffee table and tea service as well as an antique roll-top desk to the right. The walls were painted soft blue and the furniture was more modern than the rest of the house. I sat on one sofa, Bastien sat beside me and Arden took the sofa facing us.
"The tea is English breakfast and it's hot. There's cream, milk, clotted cream, sugar, sugar substitute, honey, whatever you could possibly want. Samantha, shugah, there's some roast beef sandwiches under that dome. They're the best, and chips with it. You need to eat. Bastien's already cleaned out half of my kitchen," she smiled at him. "And charmed all the kitchen staff."
I fixed myself a cup of tea and dove into one of the sandwiches. She was right. Best thing I'd ever tasted. The beef was perfectly cooked, the cheese was asiago and the bun was toasted with butter. I nearly groaned aloud at the taste of the creamy horseradish sauce and mustard.
"Bastien, what happened? How did you three end up in Olivia Graham's house?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. I told Jack to stay in the car and I approached the door. The next thing I remembered was seeing the two detectives sitting in the front room. I was in a chair and we were drinking tea."
"Tea?" I made a face. "You don't remember Crwys or Levi coming in the door?"
"No. I awoke because I heard mon frére nearby. Crwys stood up and staggered to the window, he cursed in some language I've never heard and ran out the door. When I could stand without falling, I ran after him."
"Circe said she gave you her potion. I assume the same potion she used to create the two bodies we found."
"Oui. But how would that potion effect creatures such as us?" He winked. "It made me sick to my stomach and disengaged my mind."
It was an interesting way to say the potion knocked him out. I assumed whatever it was she'd given him wasn't the same as what she'd given his brother, or Bastien
would be a monster as well. With Levi, I assumed his demon, Ashur, protected him from the potion's properties. So what prevented Crwys from changing?
Arden spoke. "I got Kyle's text and rounded up the coven, as many members as I knew who had had any kind of interaction with Circe. We got there just as Bastien's pack did, and having worked with the Aces in the past, my group and his corralled the spectres closer to you, especially once I saw what Kyle was about to do. I knew in order for it to work, they were all going to have to be within the sphere of his power, which normally isn't that large. But with your help, using magic you should not be able to use, the spectres were showing themselves."
"My pack and I were just shifting back when something came from behind the Magician's house. We all sensed it was one of us, but somehow changed. And Jack knew it was mon frére before I did. But he was changed, chérie, altered beyond anything I had ever seen. Like the bodies we saw in the morgue, but much, much larger."
I held a mug of tea in one hand and a half-eaten sandwich in the other. "What happened to him?"
"Circe happened to him," Arden said. "Apparently since her disappearance, she's been working on perfecting another potion like the one she used on her former husband's lover."
"Did she lose the original potion?"
"Who knows? It might have been something she mixed with inspiration. Whatever it was, it wasn't written down and she's been trying to make it work. She's been using Lycan blood, their pituitary glands, their brains, any part of them she can take to mix those potions."
"We've had many disappearances over the past two years," Bastien said. "But we never suspected this was happening to them. The night mon frére and Marilla ran off, thinking to help one of our kind—they had no idea what would happen to them. Why would anyone make a potion to change another into an animal?"
"She's crazy. But the potion didn't really work," I put the sandwich down. "We saw that in the morgue."
Arden poured herself a cup of tea. "She used one of her semi-successful experiments to reap what she needed from the body. The teeth and pituitary gland, which is why the face and throat were missing. A closer look would have shown the brain gone as well. She probably took the liver and other organs too."
Elemental Moon: The Eldritch Files, Book Three Page 11
