“You should talk. Do you miss me that much, or are you bored already?”
“Maybe a little of both.”
Denny chuckled. “You’re calling to see what my plan is, aren’t you?”
“Give the girl a gold star. Hell, yes, I’m calling to see what your plan is. World class witchers haven’t been on this soil in over thirty years. We’ve all got witches to protect, right? So, what are you doing about it?”
“Doing? Nothing right now. I’m going on a date that hasn’t left the start blocks four times in a row. I’m hoping to get laid.”
“Awesome! With that smoking hot brunette dominatrix with the control fetish and the extra long fingers?”
“No.”
Dead silence.
“Come on, Silver, cough up a name. Throw me a bone. Give me something.”
“Keep your witch close by, Anna. I don’t know what’s really going down here, but let’s be safe, not sorry. Never sorry.”
“You got it. If you need anything, anything at all, you know where to find me.”
“Thanks.”
“You might not have heard from her, but rumor has it that Peyton is having a seriously hard time adjusting to normal life. Don’t end up like her, okay? Smell the roses. Eat chocolate. Have steamy sex.”
“I will. Thanks.” Hanging up, Denny stared at her phone a few seconds. Annalee was a great little hunter—a superior fighter, and a good friend. Denny could only hope she wouldn’t need to bring her in on this.
An hour later, Denny was hugging Brianna at the door to the Pacific Rim Restaurant.
Denny loved how solid Brianna was in her arms. A big-boned gal, to be sure. Not some frail waif, but a well-built woman with petite facial features and keen blue eyes that never missed a beat.
“For a minute there, I thought the universe was conspiring against us, yet again, for this date.”
“Neither wild horses nor the hounds of hell could have kept me away,” Denny said, her lips lingering near Brianna’s cheek. She smelled of mint and lemon, her long blond hair woven into a thick plait that hung down her back. She always reminded Denny of a Valkyrie, or Norse warrior.
“I never expected poetry from you, Denny Silver.” Brianna pulled back and examined Denny. “Nor did I anticipate you looking so delicious.”
Denny brought Brianna’s hand to her mouth and kissed the back of it. “You keep that up and we won’t make it to dessert.”
Brianna moved closer. “And the problem with that would be what?”
For a tight moment the two women stood looking into each other’s eyes. Denny broke the spell by asking, “How is it Cassandra has let this slide? She made it perfectly clear—”
“You mean you don’t know?”
“Know what?”
Brianna grinned as she pulled Denny into the restaurant and followed the hostess to a private, secluded booth. “Iris didn’t tell you, did she?”
“Tell me what?”
“She made a deal with Cassandra. Said she would join our coven on one condition: that you be allowed to be a free agent romantically. Completely free.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“Not even a little. That little witch of yours is well aware of the power she possesses, and she had no problems swinging that weight around. She told Cassandra it was her job to take care of you holistically, and that meant your heart as well.”
Denny’s hand went to her mouth. “Oh my. Cassandra must have been beside herself with irritation.”
“Actually, I think she found it bold and daring. She may be a lot of things, Den, but she always puts the coven first. Always.”
“So she took the deal.”
“Yep. Cassandra gave her word that she would never interfere in your love life in any way.”
“Wow.”
“Iris adores you, Den. She really does. She’s going to be an excellent partner.”
Denny sighed. “And I crushed her today by sending her away.”
“You’re not sending her away. You’re doing what any other hunter would do in your position—you are getting her out of harm’s way.” Brianna leaned closer. “Speaking of which, witch hunters? What the hell, right?”
“I know. I don’t know if they fear Iris’s potential or our combined force, but it appears they may very well be after her. I just wish I knew—”
Just then, Denny’s phone vibrated. The number that flashed made her heart seize. “Excuse me.” Picking up the phone, she said, “This is Golden Silver.”
“It Princess. Your mother gone. Come quick.”
Denny’s heart instantly banged inside her chest as the Hanta awoke. “Wait. Hold on. What do you mean gone?”
Brianna rose and started for the door. “Shit.”
“Yes! Mother gone. Come see me in room. Hurry.”
Twenty-five minutes and four phone calls later, Denny parked in the accessible parking space and leapt from the car, Brianna right beside her.
Once in Gwen’s room, Denny found Princess pacing.
Gwen was not there. Her bed was empty, but the sheets were all catawampus. Her wheelchair was also gone, meaning someone had used it to get Gwen out of the building.
“Okay, Prin, tell me what happened. Tell me what you know.”
“That tall blonde woman, Ballery, come. Took her. Left note.” Princess reached into her pocket and pulled out a note written on a small yellow notepad. It read:
They’ll use her and everyone you love. Run, Golden. Distance yourself from everyone while you can. It is the only way to keep them safe. Don’t worry about Gwen. She is safe so long as she is with me, but leave Savannah, Golden. Leave tonight. Take the map and go. Just go. Hesitation will cost lives of those you love.
V.
Brianna stood next to her and read over her shoulder. “Jesus.”
Denny lowered the note as tears filled her eyes. “She took my mom...without even telling me where. Or why. This is crazy.”
“Maybe so, but at least your mom is with her. She probably is safer with Valeria than anywhere else in the world.”
“I can’t just go, Brianna, I have––”
“You have to go is what you have to do, love. Valeria isn’t an alarmist. She isn’t one to run from a fight, so if she tells you to go, then you need to do just that.”
Wiping her eyes, Denny hugged Brianna, then handed her the keys to the Prius. “Please go tell Cassandra. Tell her I am leaving Savannah and you all have to leave tonight.”
“But—”
“No time, Bri. Valeria’s message is clear, but it’s not just to me. There’s some trouble brewing and you all need to be clear of it. We all need to scatter to make it harder for them to do whatever they plan on doing.”
Brianna took the keys. “All right then. How will you get home?”
“I need to feed my Hanta. I’ll be fine on foot, but you all need to clear out as quickly as you can.”
“You sure?”
Denny nodded before taking Brianna’s hand in hers. “So much for liftoff. I swear to God, I thought we might actually have that date this time.”
“I should have taken you to bed the moment I looked into your eyes tonight.”
Laying her hand on Brianna’s cheek, Denny lightly kissed her lips. “I’m not letting this stop us, Brianna. It’s a speedbump. Nothing more.”
“Good, because I wouldn’t let you.” Brianna hugged Denny and kissed her long and slowly. “Stay safe, hunter. Come back for me.”
As Denny watched Brianna get into her car, she wondered if that would ever be possible.
“Anything?” Denny asked when Ames opened the front door of his battered grey Victorian to let her in.
Ames was Denny’s tough hearted mentor, kind-hearted friend, and level-headed ally. She knew if anyone could find Valeria, it was Ames.
Ames stepped aside to let Denny enter the house. Then he leaned out the door to make sure no one had followed her. “I’ve got eyes everywhere, but damn it, Goldy, Valeria is one of
the strongest witches I know. It would be nothing for her to disguise them and hide out in plain sight. Her powers are…well…even I am afraid of her.”
Denny strode across the room and peeked out of the curtains. “My mother is catatonic, Ames. Can’t be that hard to find a statuesque older woman carting around an invalid. Surely you have connections that can break through her spells.” Denny sat on the stool and ran her hands through her hair. “I know...breathe...calm down. Blah, blah, fucking blah. I’m trying to get a grip here.”
Ames laid his hand on her shoulder. “Honestly, the fact that you arrived here without red eyes tells me a great deal about how controlled you are. Well met, my hot-headed friend.” He slid onto the stool next to her. “If they took a private jet, which is my guess, then we still have a chance to find them, but no, I don’t know anyone who can break through that woman’s spells.”
“They don’t want to be found.”
“It would appear that way, yes. Let me ask you this: do you trust Valeria?”
Denny swallowed hard. “I do. Yes. I think. I don’t know. Hell, nothing is as it seems any more.”
“But you know she would never harm your mother, right?”
“I can make that assumption, but the truth is, I don’t really know her. What I know, I’ve heard from other people. So, no. I don’t know that I know that. Does that make sense?”
“It does, but when you aren’t sure what to do, it is usually best to let it be. What’s the harm in letting it be?”
“Letting it be? You mean, to do nothing?”
“Exactly. Just as Cassandra is taking the coven to safer ground, so too is Valeria.”
Denny nodded. “Yes. Yes, of course. Valeria would do anything to protect my mom.”
“Correct. So it’s safe to assume Gwen is all right. Probably safer than anyone else at this moment.” Ames handed Denny a business card. “I have a guy. He’s got eyes on all small airports in and out of the country, and Europe in particular. We’ll keep searching, but I don’t think that’s the best use of your time. You leave that up to me.”
Denny cocked her head in question. “What is the best use of my time? Everyone I know or love has fled or is fleeing, Ames. From me and all it means to be me.”
“Not from you, Goldy. From here. There’s a difference. Besides, this isn’t time for a pity party, so buck up and prepare for the inevitable battle.”
Denny slowly turned. The Hanta stirred within her. “Buck. Up? Careful, Ames. I’m riding the razor’s edge here.”
“No, you’re not. What you have is a Hanta vibrating inside you, wanting to take action. I can see behind your eyes you’ve got control.”
“Barely.”
“But still, you do, and I am so proud of you. It is not easy when so many emotions are bubbling to the surface and the people you care about are hightailing it to higher ground.” He rose and poured them both coffee. “So, tell me what you know. Not what you think you know. What you know.”
Denny reached into her pocket and slid the note over to him. “This is what Valeria left.”
Ames read the note several times. “What does she mean ‘take the map and go’? What map?”
“I have no clue.”
“No, Goldy, you must have a clue. Valeria is counting on you to have one. She wouldn’t have used the word map if she didn’t think you had one, or had access to one. You’ve got to think, Goldy. Somewhere in your lair, somewhere in your life, is the map Valeria is talking about.”
Denny nodded. “Okay. I’ll see what I can do. I’m really glad I came to you first, Ames. I guess as long as I feel Mom is safe, I don’t need to panic.”
He patted her shoulder. “Exactly. What you need to do is feed the Hanta, get it strong, and be prepared to fight, because believe me, Goldy, that’s what’s coming our way, and it’s gonna be unlike anything you’ve ever faced. Witch hunters play by no one’s rules.”
“They don’t want me. They want a witch. My witch, I assume.”
“You’ll see as soon as the Hanta feeds. Just pay attention to the world around you.”
“Pay attention. Right. Like I’ve not been doing that twenty-four-seven since I became a hunter. Ames, we need a plan for sending these cretins home in body bags.”
“Killing humans isn’t part of the gig, kiddo. As much as you might want to take them out, that’s a sure fire way to wind up in prison. You have to rethink this.” Ames rose and pulled out his signature banana nut bread. “Witch hunters go back as far as Legacy hunters. The only real difference is they are human. That very fact changes the way you handle them.”
“I don’t give a shit if they’re God’s cousins! They can’t come to my city and hunt my friends and my family and think I’m not going to come after them.”
“Goldy—”
Denny came off the stool. “Not this time, Ames. I need answers. When I get them, I am going on the offensive. I’m not sitting around here playing patty-cake waiting for them.”
“You understand why they seek out Iris, right? As the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter, her potential for greatness threatens the church, the Fundamentalists, and all the rest of the crazies. Not that the witchers are crazies. They’re not. They are well-organized and highly trained—”
“Assassins? Killers? Murderers?”
The words hung in the air between them.
“I have killers searching for my witch in order to terminate her and you think those same rules don’t apply to me? I am an assassin, killer, and murderer, and if that’s who they want to face, so be it.” Denny slid off the stool. “And FYI, Ames, look at my eyes. Look at this.”
He did.
“They’re not red. I’ve not lost control. I’ve got this.”
Ames sighed. “Goldy, if they were just witchers on the hunt, that would be one thing, but they’re teaming up with demons, and that makes them doubly dangerous. You’ve never faced anything like this before.”
“I’m not afraid, Ames,” Denny said, walking to the door.
“Maybe not, kid, but you’re on your own once everyone clears out. I can’t help you if you are going after humans, no matter how dangerous they are. You’ll have to fly solo on this one.”
With her hand on the knob, Denny shook her head. “That’s where you’re wrong, Ames. I am never alone. Ever.”
Standing at the entrance of her lair, Denny scanned the room slowly. She hummed a tune and tried to remember where she’d heard it.
“What song is that? It’s very pretty.”
“I think it’s called Virga Ac Diadem or something like that.”
“Eww. Latin. Whatcha looking for?” Rush asked. She was wearing a Kenny Stabler jersey and hot pants. Apparently, she had fallen into the seventies and couldn’t get out.
“A map of some sort.” Denny explained what had happened to Gwen, and about the note Valeria had left, then waited for Rush to say something.
It was one thing for her mother to be in a catatonic state. At least Denny could still visit her. But for her to be gone felt like…well…it felt a little like she had died. “Rush?”
“Baby…” Tears just rolled down her face.
“Rush? What...what’s wrong?”
“It hurts my heart that your mother can get no peace. She is one of the nicest people I have ever seen. This…it’s just not right.”
Denny bowed her head. “I know. It sucks. But right now, I need to figure out what map Valeria was talking about. I need that map, and I haven’t a fucking clue what she’s talking about. I’ve never seen a map in the house or the lair.”
Rush wiped her face. “Baby, if I knew where a map was, I’d tell you. I know every inch of this house. Every gosh darn—well, everything except those trunks in the sanc—”
“That’s it!” Denny jumped up and moved boxes that opened the door to the smaller room just off the lair. Inside the room, barely big enough for four people to stand, sat two wooden trunks, both intricately carved with detailed pictures of animals, wor
ds, trees, scenery, and more. She had discovered them awhile back, but had never been able to get them open. “You’re brilliant, Rush.”
“You think these might be the key?” Rush asked.
“I haven’t a clue, but like you said, this is the only place we haven’t been.”
“We have to get inside them.” Rush floated over to them. “I know we’ve tried, but we have to try again, baby. We have to find out where Valeria has taken her.”
Denny moved closer to Rush and the trunks. “What do you know that you’re not telling me?”
“Nothing. I swear. It’s just...for the last ten years, I’ve always known where Gwen was. I know this sounds strange, but...she’s like a mom to me. I feel sort of...lost without her.”
“I know what you mean. I was lucky enough to have Sterl—” Denny stopped. “Jesus H, Sterling!”
“What about her?”
“You know how she seems to just parse out information a little at a time?”
“Yes. It is one of her more aggravating character traits.”
“Well, maybe she knows what map she’s talking about. Maybe she has even a tiny piece of the puzzle. You stay here and think of another way we might be able to get into the trunks. There has to be a way. We just haven’t figured it out.”
“Where are you going?”
“To see my sister. I’m hoping she can shed some light on this.” Denny raced down the stairs, jumped into her car and sped to the convent, where she found her sister kneeling in prayer in her favorite rose garden.
When Sterling looked up from her prayers, she smiled softly. “Golden? What are you doing here?”
Sterling entered the convent not long after their parents died, but Denny had recently realized that Sterling knew more about the Legacy issue than she had ever let on, in part to protect the Silver clan, in part because she had wanted to steer clear of anything dealing with demons.
“This may or may not come as a surprise to you, sis, but Valeria took Mom someplace for safekeeping. They are both fine and will be fine. Long story, and little time to tell it. There’s shit going down and I need to know if you know anything about a map. Anything at all.”
Coven Betrayed (The Silver Legacy Book 4) Page 4
