“It’s okay, it’s just Kai.” I thumped him on the head to make him settle down.
“Do you see the cat? How can I not bark? She’s staring at me with those evil cat eyes.” Kai said before growling at the cat again. I rolled my eyes.
“The cat is not evil. She’s probably as smart as you.”
“Bite your tongue, woman. You’ll encourage it.” Kai kept his eyes locked on the relaxed cat, and I noticed Garvin inching down the wall. He shook his head as he muttered, “Surrounded by crazies.”
Sinclair grinned at me and I felt a laugh bubble up. Crazy was an accurate enough explanation for us. My gaze flickered over the people in the room. I felt overwhelmed at the realization that these people were here for me and Sinclair. I’d spent years determined to find my sister, believing she was the only person in the world who cared about me. The people in this room proved me wrong. We’d created our own families it seemed, a tribe of crazies who fought for one another. I still couldn’t figure out how my sister had joined forces with Milo’s dad, but here he was and observing Portia with Milo, I was grateful they were. He’d missed his family, the flashes I’d seen of his past when we kissed had made it clear to me. Even when he hadn’t agreed with them he’d stuck by them, and he’d never given up the hope that he would take his sister from the life they’d lived. I knew now he’d sacrificed a lot to keep me safe and protected.
Perhaps I should have been creeped out that he’d watched me from afar the last couple of years, but the knowledge that I would have done the same wouldn’t leave me. We were kindred spirts, in fact everyone in the room was. I’d never seen a true coven, but as I scanned the room I knew I was in the midst of one.
“Perhaps we should introduce ourselves. Have a seat.” Evan was our voice of reason, and an elder, so we all found a seat at the table. “I’m Evan Marshall Davis.” There were a couple of gasps, and Garvin wagged a finger at him.
“Let me guess. You’re their granddaddy.” He shot a look toward Sinclair as her wide eyes took in the sight of her grandfather. “Girl, I’m telling you right now, this has movie written all over it. Your family is a damn soap opera. You better make sure they cast someone good to play me. I’m just saying.” A toss of his head and he sat back, a small moue on his lips.
Evan smiled faintly. “You would be correct, young man. I am their grandfather. Mitchell Davis is my son.”
“You’re not evil.” Sinclair declared abruptly. She gave a sideways glance to Luke and whispered, “No shadows.”
The words triggered a memory inside of me. Fear trickled through me as her words reminded me of our father, and seeing who he truly was the first time.
Sinclair had warned Mommy that he was surrounded by shadows which snaked around him and made her scared. The harsh scent of sulfur always announced his presence to me, the smell triggering a choking fear inside me. He was the first person in my life who was evil. I’d come across others over the years, the men who’d kidnapped Evan the most recent, but I’d forgotten the memory of our father or perhaps I’d just driven it deep down so it couldn’t hurt me.
“No, I’ve made mistakes, but I’d like to believe nothing I’ve done has been evil.” The weariness he carried was apparent at his admission. The actions of the son weighed on the father as well as the child.
“I’m Luke, I’m with Sin. I’m a police detective that pulled her over for speeding and found the love of my life.” He smiled, clearly smitten and open minded since he was surrounded by the supernatural.
“You’re her protector, but you have no magic.” I propped my head on my hand, studying him. I’d felt a sense of kinship to him, and according to my story, protectors’ magic complemented ours, but he wasn’t magical.
“Protector? Is that part of the prophecy? I knew the moment we touched we were meant to be together, but you sound like it’s something more.” Sinclair’s questions buzzed around in my head and I realized she didn’t know what I knew, none of them did.
“Perhaps you should tell them the story of the three sisters. And they can tell us what they know.”
“I know what Portia told us. I’m afraid I’ve spent most of my life in the dark about all this.” Sinclair’s admission was rueful and she strummed her fingers on the table until Luke captured them. “I’m Sinclair Davis, by the way. I was abandoned at six, grew up in foster care until twelve. My power came in then and I ran away, spending the next few years surviving on the streets. At least until I met Garvin.” She nodded at him and he picked up.
“I’m Garvin, like Marvin Gaye.” I shook my head, still confused by that, but a warning look from Luke kept my mouth shut. Apparently I didn’t want to know. “Roe saved me from some hoodlums years ago and we’ve been besties ever since. She’ll tell you, BESTIES.” He stressed the word, and ‘Roe’ flipped him the bird.
“Yes, besties. Will you freaking let that go already?” Her grumble was put upon at best, the affection they had for one another obvious. “The cat on the table is Serafin. She showed up along with my magic and she’s been with me ever since. She has her own method of travel.” The magically appearing cat blinked huge green eyes at us and resumed grooming.
“I’m Portia. I grew up hunting you with my dad and brother. But I didn’t agree and tried to warn Sinclair…Roe….Sin, the woman of many names. I really want to see the prophecy come true. The good part…the light not the dark.” Her nervousness was apparent as she admitted she used to be against us, but I could see the strength underneath the nerves. It took guts to stand up against your family and warn the ‘enemy’.
“I’b…” The man I’d punched attempted to introduce himself, but his broken nose made it difficult. Sinclair gave me a questioning look as she gestured toward him. “Do you mind if I?”
“I’ll do it.” I walked over to him and watched him shift away from me. “I’m not going to hurt you,” I told him exasperated. “I broke it, I’ll fix it.” He stopped moving then, trusting me and I felt a grudging respect. He wasn’t a coward. He might have some stupid ideas where my family was concerned, but he wasn’t a coward. A moment later the bleeding stopped and his nose was straight.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. But let’s be clear. You go after my family again and the only thing that’ll fix you is a body bag.”
He nodded warily as I sat back down next to Milo. He spared a small smile for his son before introducing himself.
“I’m Patrick Sullivan. I’ve spent years attempting to find the Davis girls and evidence of their father’s crimes. I’ve studied everything I could about the prophecy and made some erroneous assumptions along the way. I accidentally shot Luke, but Sinclair was able to save him and myself. I owe my life to her and to this family. I only want to protect it the same way it’s protected me.”
Tension radiated from the man next to me at his father’s words. A quick glance showed clenched fists and a tight jaw. I curled my hand around his fist, and felt it loosen. He let out a breath and attempted to relax. His father had been his enemy these last few years. He’d had a constant fear that he would have to kill his father to keep me safe, a knowledge I’d gleaned from our kiss. To hear his father openly support my family, our family, was a relief to both of us.
“I’m Milo Winchester.” Patrick’s eyes shot to his in surprise, and Milo explained. “I took my mother’s name when I left.” He held his father’s eyes. “I didn’t want to remind people what I’d represented for so long. A man that hunted children for their father’s dirty deeds.” A look of shame crossed his father’s face, giving Milo pause. “I understand. I do. I always did, but I couldn’t do it anymore. We shouldn’t have lived that life.”
“You’re right.” He cleared his throat. “Milo, I made mistakes and I can only hope you’ll forgive me. That I haven’t screwed up so badly it’s irreparable.”
“There’s nothing between us that can’t be fixed.” Patrick’s eyes glistened at his words, and I squeezed the hand I held. “I’m with Kincai
d. Her protector, her mate, her match.” He finished the introduction, claiming me in front of everyone like a Neanderthal.
“For any of you who haven’t figured it out, I’m Kincaid. The middle sister, the seer. I was adopted by witches when I was eight. They taught me what they could until they died when I was sixteen by someone attempting to take me. I survived on my own until a few months ago when these guys showed up in my life, reminding me of the prophecy and that you were coming.” My gaze skimmed over Evan and Milo before landing on Sinclair. “Now, we need to find Quinn.”
Sinclair nodded. “We believe you have the ability to find her.” I suspected as much, but I’d never had a vision of Quinn. The first glimpse I’d had was when she’d come into her magic, linking all of us. I wondered if I could use that in some way, like a homing beacon. My thoughts were interrupted as the door flew open.
“What exactly is going on here?” My boss demanded to know, taking in the assortment of individuals around the table along with the cat and dog.
“Can I bite him? Please!” Kai begged, his blue eyes eager as he stared at the irate man in the doorway.
“Go ahead.” Milo muttered, and even though I knew Kai hadn’t intended for him to hear his plea, he moved like that was permission enough.
“Nope.” Kai paused, his tail drooping at my sharp reply.
“Nope? What exactly do you mean, Miss Kincaid?”
“On second thought.”
“Yay!” The gleeful reply was contradicted by the low growling emanating from his throat as he stalked my boss.
“Call that thing off. Seriously. I’ll have you arrested. Stop him.” His protests were cut off as he hopped through the door, slamming it behind him before Kai could attack.
The silence was broken by a small chuckle which grew into steady laughter as we watched him stare at Kai through the glass door. Kai lunged at the door and my boss stumbled back, hitting the ground and sending us into further peals of laughter.
“That’s one way of getting rid of the pompous windbag.” Evan managed to say between laughs.
“Where did Scott run off to?” Milo’s question cut through our laughter, and I realized I hadn’t seen him since I’d run out to greet Sinclair.
“I’m not sure.” I rested my hand on his forearm, noting the flex of his muscle as I did. He was tense at the idea of Scott having witnessed the arrival of my sister, and I gathered he was apprehensive of Scott’s motives. “Scott isn’t an issue. I’ve known him for years. He doesn’t have magic.”
“That doesn’t mean he doesn’t have other plans. Evil isn’t confined to magic.” His eyes were gentle as they met mine, but I didn’t miss the tiny tick of his jaw.
“I’ve never caught a whiff of evil from him. Trust me I would have noticed. Magic or not, there’s no mistaking the stench of hellfire.”
A small smile creased his face at my words, and I felt the tension in his arm disappear. “Alright, I trust you know him better than I do.” His eyes went to the door, narrowing slightly, and it let me know he might trust me, but he still didn’t trust Scott.
“Who’s Scott?” Sinclair’s question burst the bubble we’d found ourselves in.
“My ex-fiancé.”
“This sounds good. Dish.” Garvin sidled up next to us, and cast an admiring glance over Milo’s tight t-shirt. I leaned around Milo and gave him a pointed stare. He rolled his eyes at me and said, “I can appreciate the view, can’t I?”
“So long as that’s all you do,” I muttered, gripping Milo’s arm a little more firmly. I didn’t understand where my sudden possessiveness was coming from, but I had no doubt I’d bitch slap the rainbow into next week if he made a move on my man. I caught the twitch of Milo’s lips as he fought a smirk at my behavior. I pinched the skin under his arm and heard a satisfying yelp come from him. He widened his eyes at me, attempting innocence.
“Garvin.” The warning in Sinclair’s voice was clear, but he just chucked her under the chin and grinned. “Can we get back to Scott, the ex-fiancé?”
“Sure. Not much to tell. We were engaged. I met Milo and knew it wouldn’t work out with Scott. I gave him his ring back yesterday.”
“Yesterday? And you’re not upset? Why were you with him?” Garvin’s questions were pointed as he scrutinized me. It was easy to take him for a fool with the bright colors and attitude, but I didn’t miss the sharp mind, or the caring reflected in his eyes. He wasn’t my sister’s best friend for nothing. “And he’s here? Shows up at work after getting his ass dumped like it’s no big deal? Hmmm.”
“We both work here. I think we just clung to one another because it was easy. We’d been together for a while and it was convenient.”
“So where is he now?”
“That’s what I want to know.” Milo interjected, his eyes scanning the lobby through the glass wall. “He brought coffee in and then Sinclair showed up. He disappeared after that.”
“He brought coffee?”
“Yeah.” I gestured to the tray on the table with the three mugs still sitting there. Evan went to pick up his cup when Serafin leaped over his arm causing the tray to topple and the coffee to spill.
“Serafin doesn’t do anything without a reason.” Sinclair murmured quietly as we watched the coffee drip down the edge of the table.
“Can you ask her why?” My question took her by surprise.
“What do you mean?” Luke asked the question she was thinking and Garvin muttered behind us. “Oh, no. That freaky cat done got even weirder.”
“I mean doesn’t she talk to you?” My experience with Kai was he didn’t shut up. From the time we’d figured out we could communicate it had been nonstop. Sinclair had spent years with Serafin, and I assumed it was the same.
“No.” Sinclair gave me a worried look, and I chuckled when I understood she thought I was a little nuts. “She’s always there, and I can see what she sees. She can show me memories, but we don’t talk.”
“I don’t think Serafin is the same as Kai. I think she’s more an actual familiar. Kai is a guardian. They’re different.” Milo told me, the arm he had wrapped around me squeezing gently.
“Wait, Kai is a guardian?” Patrick sought him out eagerly, not showing a trace of fear as he walked over to Kai. “My goodness, I never thought I’d actually get to meet a guardian.” He shot us an awed look. “So much of magic has been missing. You’re bringing it all back. It’s a blessing.” He turned back to Kai and held out his hand, causing Kai to sit up straight. He set his paw in the outstretched hand carefully and allowed it to be shaken.
“I like this guy.” Kai projected, and I heard Milo mutter, “Of course he does.” I bit back a smile and told Patrick, “He said he likes you.”
“Thank you. You’re a fine guardian and it’s a privilege to meet you.” Patrick replied to my wolf.
“I believe your coffee was laced with a sleeping agent.” Portia’s words drew our attention as she stood up from the crouch she’d been in. She’d been studying the coffee trail and I felt the faint whisper of a spell.
“A tracing spell?” I was puzzled at her use of spell. I’d done a similar spell before but it was to trace the path of someone, not discover if a drink had been tampered with. She flushed at my question and stammered her response.
“Yes…I did a trace on the coffee, following it and noticed there was a separation. Further investigation leads me to believe the other liquid is a form of sleeping pill.”
“Clever use of a spell. Why didn’t you use an ingredient spell? Would that not have told you the same?”
“Yes, but I’ve never mastered it. I know a few spells my father taught me, but they’re mostly limited to hunting. Ingredient spells are usually a household spell. Taught by mothers.”
“Of course.” Discomfort washed over me as I considered what she said. She’d never had a mother teach her spells, and her father would have deemed an ingredient spell a waste of time. Portia’s soft smile took away the sting of my momentary embarrassment
.
“At least both of you know spells.” Sinclair’s lack of knowledge was a sore point for her based on the ferocious frown I spotted.
“But neither of us can do what you can do.” Portia said easily. “I’ve seen you in action. What you can do is pretty amazing.”
I fought down the momentary jealousy I felt. Portia knew more about my sister than I did. We hadn’t had the opportunity to show each other what we could do or really talk about our lives. I’d spent months waiting for her to arrive, but she had her own friends and a life that I knew nothing about.
“It takes time.” Evan read my mind, and my head jerked toward him as he smiled at me. “We’ve all missed a lot, but we’ll make up for it. We’ll find Quinn, sort everything out and we’ll become a family.”
“Uh, yeah, he can read minds. So you know.” Milo mentioned to Luke, to his astonishment.
“Good to know.” He chuckled and shook his head. “I really shouldn’t be surprised anymore.” He took in Milo. “What can you do?”
“I’m strong.” He flashed a grin at him. “Like freakishly strong. Not too good with spells though. They tend to backfire on me.”
“So no challenging you to an arm wrestling championship?” Luke joked back, apparently not bothered by our freaky abilities. I still couldn’t figure him out. He had no magic but was my sister’s protector. It had me puzzled.
“Maybe we should get back to the coffee that was tampered with? The same coffee served by the jilted boy toy.” Garvin brought us back on point and I could understand Sinclair’s fondness for him. Once you got past the dizzying attire, he was all business.
I shook my head. “I don’t understand. It couldn’t have been him. He’s never smelled like sulfur to me. Not once in four years. Maybe someone else did it and he just brought the coffee. Maybe they’re setting him up.”
“Sometimes the simplest explanation is the correct one.” Garvin’s quiet reasoning was an effort to make me see the conclusion they’d all come to, but it wasn’t working.
Found (The Trinity Sisters Book 2) Page 11
