“OK.”
He turned to leave and then looked back at her. “Just so you know, we may have to leave the city. The rogues have cottoned on to the fact this is no longer an easy target for breaking Coven law.”
She nodded, not caring where they went.
“I’m going out.”
Again she nodded. Reuben had a tendency to disappear every now and then to goddess knows where. Jae didn’t ask about his mysterious loner ventures. That would imply that she cared.
2 - Midnight Rebel
As Caia finished the last sentence on her report for Marion, she sighed and eased back in the chair at her desk. The light outside was fading and with it bringing memories she couldn’t dispel. It had been months now since she had killed her uncle Ethan after his kidnapping and torture of Jaeden; since Sebastian had been murdered in the crossfire.
Months since the pack had seen any semblance of normality.
She turned and, like many nights, let her gaze drift outside her window and into the darkening woods. Jaeden had been gone for months and only Caia, and perhaps Lucien, knew why. The torture she had undergone at the hands of Ethan was unthinkable, and Caia hadn’t been able to tell her family how bad it must have been for her to leave the pack. Jaeden’s father, Dimitri, was distraught and constantly demanding Lucien do something about it, but one look at Caia’s face and she had known he knew it was best to leave Jaeden to come to terms with her tragedy by herself.
She was strong enough to make it through the cage so she was strong enough to be alone.
But it wasn’t forever. Caia was giving her another month, and if she wasn’t back by then, she’d fulfil Dimitri’s wishes and bring her back to the pack herself.
Caia sighed again, her eyes drifting down and across her bed, and with it heated memories flooded her. Dear goddess, she scoffed at herself. She was lucky she hadn’t fallen pregnant! Since lykans couldn’t carry disease, nor become pregnant unless mated, using protection during sex was usually only utilised by mated couples who weren’t ready for children. Since Lucien and she had no idea having sex together would cement their ‘betrothal’ they hadn’t used any protection.
Yeesh.
She was sooo lucky she hadn’t gotten pregnant.
The close call, however, didn’t stop her from yearning... remembering. Not once was she able to look at her bed without a reminder of the night she had given herself to him; the night when for once they were in total agreement about something, safe together, passionate, happy. The moment hadn’t lasted long, and ever since there had been a constant tension between them despite their ‘united front’.
She missed him.
“Caia.”
The familiar voice sent a wave a longing through her and she turned to gaze up into his silver eyes. “Yeah?”
Lucien threw her a sympathetic look, acknowledging how tired she was. “Marion’s here.”
She smiled wearily back at him and stood to her feet, gathering her papers in her hand. They walked in silence down the stairs and into the sitting room, where Marion sat having tea, and Saffron, her faerie, stood studying her cuticles in utter boredom.
“Ah, Caia.” Marion smiled warmly in greeting.
For the past few months Marion’s weekly visits had been the pack’s only constant. Pack runs had dwindled - there had been two rather shabbily put-together ventures and even then the mood of the event had been melancholy. School was out for the summer for Mal and the others, and Caia, lucky to have made her finals, couldn’t enjoy graduation since Jaeden had missed it and she had only Alexa to share it with. Plus any plan Caia had had for the future was gone: no community college, no apprenticeships, no job, even. Her job was here, training with Marion, writing up reports on the activities of the Midnight Coven. As the weeks had gone on, as her reports proved more and more helpful, the more Marion had hinted at Marita’s growing curiosity. The day was coming when Marita would ask to meet her, for her to come to the Centre, maybe even take a physical part in the war. The Centre was the main training ground for Daylight soldiers, and because a magik’s power didn’t reach its full potential until their eighteenth birthday, you had to be eighteen to join the Centre. The same for any other supernatural being – it was kind of like joining the army, you had to be a legal adult to make that choice. From what Marion had told her it not only involved physical training and strategising, but provided classes on how to utilise your magik and element. The majority of magiks taught their children all they needed to know, but the most powerful magiks tended to be those who were taught at the Centre. It sounded like an interesting place, and Caia would go if only to get it over with, so she could just as quickly return to the pack.
“Marion.” She smiled back at her, and sat across from her on the sofa. “Saffron.”
The faerie smirked at her, which was more of a response than anyone else got out of her. She was beginning to think the shapeshifter liked her.
“So.” The magik smiled brightly, but Caia detected the strain in that expression. “What news from the Dark Coven?”
Caia obediently handed over her written report. “You asked me to look specifically for any mention of the New York Króls. I found out that Nikolai has asked the attack be abandoned. Too risky in light of the instability of the Midnights.”
Nikolai Petrovsky was the new Regent of the Midnight Coven, and had been appointed by their Council since Ethan had gone ‘missing’. The fact that Gaia would not imbue Nikolai with trace magik when the Council put him forward as the new Head, led the Midnights to believe that Ethan was still alive somewhere. For now the Council had voted in Nikolai’s rule as Regent. Of course they were blithely unaware of Caia’s existence. Caia sighed deeply, and looked between Marion and Lucien, unsure of their reaction to her next piece of news. “In fact... Nikolai has asked that all attacks against us be abandoned until there is definitive news of Ethan’s whereabouts.”
Lucien quirked an eyebrow as he glanced at Marion, like Caia, interested more in her reaction than anything else. Marion for her part had stiffened in surprise. Even Saffron had looked up from her nails in interest. After a few minutes of silence Marion cleared her throat.
“Well... that’s unexpected.”
Well yeah.
“But what does it mean?” Caia asked impatiently.
The witch shrugged. “You should know better than anyone what it means.”
“Well I don’t. Nikolai is strong, and his emotions are not as easy to read through the trace as it is with the others.”
She nodded, “The Petrovsky’s are an influential family, have been for many generations now.”
Caia knew this; she had felt the respect he garnered from other Midnights and the reasons why. His decision to stop attacks against the Daylight Coven confused Caia, not only because she couldn’t feel the reason from him - only what he told the others - but because lately her connection to the Midnights was raising some questions. She was feeling emotions from some of them that suggested the war as it stood was not exactly what she thought it was… or had been led to think it was.
She snapped out of her own musings to find Marion frowning at her. “Caia, it doesn’t mean anything significant. Nikolai is obviously just rallying the troops until he feels the Coven is secure enough to return to their tried and tested style of warfare.” She curled her lip distastefully. “Neanderthals that they are.”
Lucien smirked and turned to Caia. He seemed to read her confusion and smiled reassuringly. “Marion’s right. The Dark Coven is just a little shook up right now. They’re taking precautions, but it doesn’t mean anything.”
If that was true, then why didn’t she feel so sure?
Caia nodded, reluctantly, because what she was about to impart, was just going to further their belief that Midnights were not to be trusted to play ‘the game’ with a cool head. She took a deep breath. “Well, despite Nikolai’s orders he has a rebel in his midst. A guy called Pierre du Bois?”
A wrinkle of concentrat
ion appeared between Marion’s eyebrows. “Du Bois? Du Bois? I know that name, but it’s not one belonging to the old families. What is he up to?”
“This warlock has gone behind Nikolai’s back and raised a small group of dissenters against Nikolai’s decision. It seems he has a problem with one of the city packs from here. The MacLachlans?”
Lucien grunted in surprise. “The MacLachlans live... what… 300 miles north of here but... they’re not a huge pack.” His eyes swung to Marion. “What are the Midnights doing going after a relatively small pack?”
“The MacLachlans are an old Scottish pack,” Saffron spoke up, moving gracefully closer to them all. “They sprung up around the end of the 13th century in Renfrewshire, Scotland, and have gifted the Daylight Coven with great Rogue Hunters throughout the centuries. I’ve worked with...” She shrugged elegantly and perched down beside Marion, studying her mistress as if she would find the answer in her face. “Hmm... what?... eight, nine generations of Rogue Hunters from that pack.”
Marion nodded, turning back to Caia and Lucien. “Saffron’s right. They may be small but to older members of either coven they are a well known warrior pack.”
Well that explained that.
“Pierre is arrogant and young.” Caia sighed, standing up to stretch her legs. She hadn’t been on a run in weeks and it was telling on her body. “Which is why you don’t recognise him as an old warlock. I thought because of his ability to arouse such devotion that you may have heard of him, but I’m thinking he’s just very charismatic. His trace is malevolent; his prejudice against the Daylights extraordinary considering how young he is; and... I think he might be quite powerful. Some of the others seem afraid of him. From what you’ve told me, and from my understanding of Pierre’s character, wiping out a respected and feared pack of lykans would cement his own reputation. Although I can’t feel it in his designs, he might use a victory like taking down the MacLachlan’s as a reason to take to the Council and ask them to make him Regent instead.”
“When is this attack going to take place?” Lucien narrowed his eyes, folding his arms across his chest defensively so that the muscles in his biceps rippled. His body language had become so familiar to Caia: Lucien was preparing for war. The butterflies in her stomach that had been dormant for the majority of the conversation suddenly fluttered into a riot. She had known this news was going to be the beginning of something. Something big. Something irreversible.
“Four weeks.”
Marion pursed her lips. “I’ll be back in five minutes. I have to speak to Marita. Come, Saffron.”
And the witch was gone, along with the faerie, and not for the first time, Caia envied their flawless use of the communication spell that allowed them to travel to an intended destination instantly.
I knew it.
This is big.
“You OK?”
Her gaze swung back to Lucien, whose eyes had softened with concern.
“I’m fine. Just preparing myself.”
“For what?”
She snorted. “The apocalypse.”
Lucien grinned. “Well, let’s just make sure it’s them and not us that end up in the underworld, huh.”
“Wow, talk about pressure.”
“I’m kidding.”
“I’m not.”
He sighed heavily and strode towards her. Every nerve ending came to life the closer he got, and then sizzled uncontrollably when he cupped her chin in his large hand, his eyes shining with faith and strength. “You can only do what you’re doing, Caia. Yes, you’re important to this war, but are you going to end it?” He shook his head, stroking her cheek soothingly. “One person can’t stop a war, especially when you’re not the one running the show.”
She nodded gratefully, trying desperately not to melt into his embrace. Goddess, these last few months had been hard pretending not to want any more from their relationship. Or friendship as it were, she thought grumpily. She sighed as his hand dropped away and he pulled back from her.
“What do you think Marion’s saying to Marita?” He asked gruffly, almost as if he had been just as affected by their momentary intimacy.
“Well-”
“I was merely relating the situation as it stands.” The magik suddenly appeared before them, minus Saffron this time.
Caia smiled at her. Like she had with the pack, Caia had come to know Marion well over the last few months, and despite her businesslike approach to everything, she had a penchant for mischief that was funny, depending on if you were her target or not.
“Well?” She asked expectantly.
Marion’s smile faltered, and she drew her small shoulders back as if bracing for battle. “Marita would like you to play a part in the defence of Pack MacLachlan.”
A small growl emitted from Lucien. “Isn’t it a bit soon?”
“I want to.” Caia placed a placating hand on his arm, her eyes hardened with determination. “I knew this was coming.”
Marion sighed. “I’m afraid Marita is quite adamant about it. Anyway.” She turned to Lucien with a sarcastic smirk. “Not to worry. She would like to meet you as well, Lucien.”
Caia frowned. “Wait. Are we going to the Centre?”
Marion nodded. “As soon as possible.”
“And how are we getting there? I thought it was in Europe?”
The magik chuckled as if she had said the funniest thing in the world. “Really, Caia, you should know better than that by now.”At their continued silence she seemed to sense that neither Caia nor Lucien had the patience for ambiguity or inappropriate amusement. “OK. We want you, you and Lucien only, to travel to the MacLachlans. Not for them exactly. You see, there is a gymnasium on Bryant Street called Magic Fitness-”
Caia snickered, “You’re kidding?”
Marion ignored her. “Go in as inconspicuously as you can.” She threw a pointed look at a rather large Lucien. “To the left of the front entrance is a doorway that takes you down a corridor. On this corridor is a studio room, studio number 3. Go in, and stand in front of the first pane of ceiling-to-floor mirror on the back wall. Caia, if you place your hand on the first pane the mirror will recognise you as a magik. Take Lucien’s hand and walk into the pane.”
“What?”
She smiled almost arrogantly. “It’s a portal. To the Centre.”
“And when do we leave?” Lucien asked quietly.
“I’ll give you a week to arrange a suitable situation for the pack.”
He nodded, and looked ready to ask another question when Marion cleared her throat, appearing suddenly uncomfortable. “There is something else.”
The hair on the back of Caia’s neck rose in warning. “Yes?”
But it was Lucien Marion was looking at.
“My sister has become aware that Jaeden Rodriguez is breaking Coven laws.”
A snarl erupted from Lucien’s throat, his entire body tense with shock and anger. “I doubt that very much.”
The witch looked saddened. “Jaeden has been killing rogue vampyres.” She pulled a piece of paper out of her pocket and handed it to Lucien, who snatched it from her. “She’s been living with a group of vampyre’s and hunting with them.”
Caia felt herself shaking. “What does this mean?”
“Usually imprisonment. But considering the circumstances, Marita has agreed to let Ryder collect her, and bring her back to the pack.”
“She’s getting off on a warning?” Caia breathed in relief.
Marion nodded, and Caia literally felt the tension drain out of Lucien. He grunted and tucked the paper in the back pocket of his jeans.
“I’ll call Ryder immediately.”
3 - Find and Retrieve
Ryder cuffed the hands-free around his ear and pressed speed dial one.
Three rings rang out before... “Lucien.”
“So you and Caia ready to hit the road?” He asked without preamble.
Lucien sighed at the other end of the phone. “Bored already, Ryder?”
Ryder grinned, his eyes darting to the rear view mirror at the sounds of sirens. The flash of light could be seen weaving between cars in the distance, and he pulled over in order to get out of the way. “Hey, do not get me started.”
“I thought-[nenaw ne naw ne naw] already.”
“You’ll have to repeat that man, police sirens just drowned out what I’m guessing is an irritating observation on my progress in this ‘rescue Jaeden from herself’ project you got me heading up.”
Lucien snorted. “I was just wondering what was taking so long.”
“I left three days ago.”
“And?”
“It’s a three day drive, not including rest br... you know what, never mind, I’m nearly there.”
“Yeah, well, Magnus has agreed to oversee the pack, so Caia and I are nearly ready to hit the road as well.”
Ryder smirked. “Nice.”
“Shut up.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“You were thinking it.”
“Thinking what?” He laughed.
“Shut up.”
“Well does this journey include a motel break, because in the interest of all romance, don’t. Last night I slept in a motel room where the carpet literally moved beneath my feet, there were so many fleas in it.”
“Beautiful.”
“Yeah well, I might just have to make a pit stop on the way back so Jae can enjoy the delights of the place.”
“You’ll go easy on her.”
Ryder groaned, as he glided into the next lane. “Yeah, yeah.”
“I gotta go.”
“Yeah. I’ll let you know when I retrieve our wayward pup.”
“Do that. Take care, man.”
“You too.”
Ryder sighed heavily as he thought about Jaeden. He was making pretty good time so he should hit the city by nightfall. He wondered whether she would be an adult about this and come in peace, or if he was going to have to physically haul her ass into the truck. He groaned and rubbed the tension out of his forehead.
River Cast: Part Two in the Tale of Lunarmorte Page 2
