Curious, I searched inwardly, using mental fingers to test the walls and bonds in my mind. I felt the link to Kat, and the fainter one to Edgar. My walls seemed solid, keeping Kat’s ire at bay. Pushing beyond my walls, I opened myself up.
As if I were in a field at night, I could sense everything close to me, like a ring of light surrounded by pure darkness. Outside of that ring, the unknown waited. Something trembled like a lost animal, but I couldn’t quite see it.
Pressing closer to the edge, I reached into the dark, feeling around like a blind person. I touched something soft, something that felt so much like the fur my feet had brushed against when I woke up. Nervous but excited, I grasped and for a moment I felt a connection. A third bond.
No way! It was weak, but it was there, and in that fleeting instance, I felt a loving presence. As it faded away, I reached for it again, trying to hold on, and wrapped it in what little love I could feel.
Sliding my gaze up, I found Nick staring at me with eyes wide as saucers and grinning ear to ear. The corners of my mouth curled up, and for the second time in twenty-four hours, I felt happy.
Encouraged by yet another interesting development, I plunged into that darkness again, hoping to touch the bond with Nick again, but also, wondering if there might be one for Elena. I found nothing though.
Nick’s bond is weak, so maybe Elena’s is there and I just can’t find it. Maybe it will come with time like my powers were supposed to. Or, maybe it’s only Nick.
Giving Nick another smile, I turned back to Tabi. She peered at me, studying my expression, but didn’t press the matter. We sat in silence, lost in thought. I sensed Nick watching me, but I didn’t have the energy to keep trying to connect with him.
Time and patience. It’ll take time and patience. One I have in spades, the other I’ll have to learn.
Chapter Ten
As I sat there in companionable silence, I studied Nick’s smiling face while he watched out the window. I thought about how little I could give him. My emotions may be returning to my control, as much as emotions can be controlled, but who knows how long it’ll be before I can really return his feelings.
A surge from the blood bond sent me sitting bolt upright. Tabi had the same reaction. We looked at each other, then at the guards.
“Nick,” I blurted. “Something’s happened. Kat’s furious.”
“David is too.” Tabi grabbed my hand.
Nick turned to Killian. “Watch over them while I wake the rest of the guards.”
Killian took Nick’s place at the window, facing it so he could look out and see the stairs as well.
“They’re coming,” Tabi told him. He nodded, his lips set in a hard line.
Tabi and I scooted to the end of the sofa, trying to take up as little space as possible. The sounds of angry footsteps echoed up the stairwell. Kat’s fury preceded her, making me cringe.
As she and Edgar entered the room, she saw my reaction and cut off our connection so abruptly, I nearly fell off the sofa. She sent me an apologetic look before going to stand at the window next to Killian with Edgar in his chair behind her.
David sat next to Tabi, gently covering her hand with his. Yvette took her place on his other side. Benjamin dropped into the remaining armchair, tiny sparks sputtering from his fingertips. The rest of the group found a wall to hold up or a corner to glower in.
Unable to take the tension anymore, I cleared my throat nervously. “What happened?”
Edgar looked away, scowling. David sighed heavily. No one answered.
After a few awkward moments, Kat spun around with her arms crossed under her breasts and her chin jutting out. She’s practically breathing fire. Not good!
“That bitch is tossing around ultimatums like candy at a parade!”
“Calm yourself, Katherine.” Edgar reached up to squeeze her arm.
“I will not calm myself! She has the gall to demand we make her queen or leave, and you want me to be calm.” Her eyes flashed red and the room warmed briefly before she shook her head and began pacing in front of the fireplace.
He folded his hands in his lap, looking deflated. “She has allowed us time to make our decision.”
“That woman is trying to gain control of your clans, Edgar.” A beautiful white-haired woman entered from the stairs. A man with the same white hair followed. They both moved with an ethereal grace, appearing old and young at the same time. My brain almost refused to make sense of these people.
“You are correct.” He nodded solemnly. “I know you are, but… This is just so unheard of.”
David leaned forward. “Edgar, the Kin have been united for such a short time compared to our lifespan. While vampires have maintained order among the supernatural world for some time, it was not always the way. Otherkin ruled themselves at one time.”
“The covens have respected the peace among the Kin and the laws created by the regional vampire kings and queens, but we are our own people,” Anaria said in a breathy, melodic voice. “We keep to ourselves, maintain our own laws, and stay out of the affairs of other Kin. Unfortunately, there are some witches that deal in dark matters and seek to gain power they should not have.”
“Our coven has had to repair damage created by Cassandra’s coven,” Arnon said. “Some damage was irreparable and lives have been lost. We are not powerful enough to subdue her, but we can assist you.”
“Thank you,” Danielle said quietly from where she stood with Julius’ arms encircling her.
“We will need someplace to go,” Anaria said. “I will not risk our families in this matter. We must protect them above all else.”
Edgar nodded pensively. “We will search for somewhere to go. I will not bow to her.”
“The location must be large enough for a circle like the one downstairs,” Arnon said. “And, we will need lodgings. If you can gather more of your people, build a large enough force, you may be able to thwart her efforts.”
“That may be difficult to find—” The noise of commotion floated up the stairs.
Chima turned, listening to his comm.
“Cassandra and Bull are at the base of the stairs, demanding to be let up,” he growled. “She’s pitching a fit, trying to order my men around, saying everything here belongs to her and we can’t keep her out.”
Edgar sighed loudly and Kat let out a throaty growl. Killian grabbed her before she could rush down the stairs.
“Get your hands off me!”
“Katherine, you must control your temper,” Edgar demanded. “Be the better woman and let’s deal with this rationally.”
“I’ll shove a ball of lava down her fucking throat!”
“No!” Edgar used their bond to smother her rage and I could feel it through both links.
Kat simmered down, but her fury was roiling just under the surface. The barriers she kept between us were frayed and leaking.
He looked around the room, scanning the faces staring up at him. Chima was quietly arranging the guards to fill every inch of empty space.
“Any other objections?” Edgar straightened to his full height, clasping his hands behind his back.
Benjamin had stood, his hands flexing, and his subtle stance ready to fight. I gave him a questioning look, wondering if I should be preparing myself for a fight as well, but he shook his head.
Regardless, I was ready. The anxious energy building inside of me made me feel as if I might burst at the seams.
Edgar nodded and Chima spoke into his comm. The entire room, filled to the brim with supernatural beings, waited breathless.
Chapter Eleven
Stiletto heels clomped up the wooden steps accompanied by heavy boot stomps. Blazing red hair seemed to enter the room before the sequined pants suit and heavily made-up face of Cassandra. Behind her, Bull followed on an invisible leash.
He’s like a whipped puppy. Doing everything she says, begging for her attention, following her everywhere. It’s disgusting.
I blinked hard. Wait. Is t
hat my thought, or Kat’s?
All it took was a glance to know it was hers.
Not good. I put up a steel wall behind the brick one in my mind, hoping it would be enough to keep her out and maintain my own ‘self.’
Cassandra took in the room with calculating eyes. Bull leaned against the corner of the wall, trying and failing to appear nonchalant.
“What can we do for you, Cassandra?” Edgar asked politely. He tried and succeeded where Bull couldn’t.
“You can leave,” she said breezily. “Now.”
“You agreed to allow us time to make our decision—”
“Well, I changed my mind. You vampires take too long to decide things. We’re tired of you taking advantage of us. You demand too much of the packs.”
“We are not the ones making demands,” David hissed.
Cassandra glared at him, pursing her bright red lips. “We voted without you. I will be queen and you will leave. Your presence here threatens the safety of the camp. Right, Bull?”
He jumped to her side, and I marveled at how this beefy, tattooed biker dude could be brought so low by this woman.
“Right. You all have to go. We aren’t safe with you here. The hunters have pictures, so they know we’re near town, and unless you leave, they’ll come looking for you here eventually.”
“Your negligence has gotten two of ours killed,” Cassandra said, flipping her hand in my general direction. “The hunters could be in town right now. You have to go.”
Kat made to lung at her, but Killian and Edgar held her back.
“Will you not give us time to find someplace else to go?” Anaria asked.
“Nope,” Cassandra said flippantly. “The longer you’re here, the more danger you put us in. Pack up your things and leave. You have one hour.”
Kat screeched in rage, struggling against restraining hands. Cassandra gave her a smug sidelong look, her lips curling into a little smile before turning on her heel and clomping back down the stairs.
“Well,” I muttered to Tabi, “looks like we’ve just been witch slapped.”
She cocked an eyebrow at me. I shrugged in response.
“Katherine, come with me,” Edgar ordered. “The rest of you pack your things. We are outnumbered here, and have no choice but to do as she demands.”
With that, he grabbed Kat’s arm and led her to their room.
Nick and Killian escorted me and Tabi to our room where Elena was already packing. So much had happened in such a short time, I wished we could all just sit on the bed and talk about everything, especially the bond with Nick. But, now was not the time.
Even though Cassandra had been looming over our heads since we arrived, I’d begun to feel somewhat settled here in this cabin. We’d been on the run since Kat turned me, and I just wanted to stop running. I’d found some happiness in this place, and I regretted having to leave so soon.
With only a bag or two per person, we were ready and waiting in the sitting room within minutes. Others trickled in with their baggage, milling about the room, quietly voicing their concerns and asking questions that no one could answer.
Chapter Twelve
Tabi and I waited at the base of the cabin porch, staying out of the way. The older vampires stood in clumps discussing our next move. Guards moved in and out of the building, carrying baggage and what little supplies the witches had allowed us to take.
Nick, Elena, and Killian hovered around us, eyeing the growing crowd of onlookers. Danielle had said the air in the camp was filled with contempt and discontent. Those that sided with Cassandra watched us with sneers, while the others huddled farther away, too afraid to speak against the power-hungry witch.
As Chima overlooked the loading of the vehicles, Isabel stayed inside, ensuring the ritual witches knew we were still vigilant. Heavy boots of Kin loyal to the vampire clans, stomped up and down the wooden stairs. The atmosphere threatened to suffocate us with the animosity felt by all parties present.
The cabin door slammed shut, startling me and Tabi. Isabel descended the stairs with grace and purpose, her eyes hard, daring anyone to make a wrong move.
A rumbling of voices and shuffling of feet on damp grass grabbed our attention. Everyone on our side stopped, turning toward the crowd expectantly.
“Edgar,” Cassandra said with her voice raised high enough to be heard across the camp. “I am disappointed we couldn’t come to an agreement.”
He stepped forward, facing off with her, Chima at his side. “As am I.”
“We have decided that we will let you leave peacefully, but there is one condition.”
My eyebrows shot up at her arrogance.
“You are not the queen, Cassandra,” Edgar growled. “You have made enough demands—”
“The packs have voted,” she blurted.
Edgar shook his head and sighed. I couldn’t see his face, but I could sense his tightly controlled anger.
“You may leave, but the wolves want Mercy.”
I gasped and took a step back, bumping into the porch. Tabi gripped my arm. Nick, Elena, and Killian closed ranks on us as the other guards moved to create a wall of muscle between us and Cassandra’s side.
Kat’s hands glowed, as did Benjamin’s. Edgar crossed his arms and straightened to his full height, which suddenly seemed taller than I had ever seen. Illusion. He’s so mad he’s making himself look bigger.
“You can’t have her…” Kat snarled, but Edgar’s raised hand cut her off.
“I will not hand over one of my clan,” he barked. “You’re mad if you think otherwise.”
“The wolves lost two of their own because of her stupidity.” Cassandra stuck her chin out defiantly, her mouth curving into a small smile. “They want her in exchange for the lives of their fallen members.”
Indignation and a hatred I’d never felt before boiled in my gut, urging me to do something. I pushed past our guards with a burst of speed, stopping at Edgar’s other side.
“That wasn’t my fault,” I yelled, “and you know it! And I’m not stupid, you bitch.”
“You’ve done many stupid things since you arrived, Mercy. The wolves will have you whether you like it or not.” She flicked her hand to the side.
Bull howled and started to shift. I heard Nick yell and an instant later he stood at my side on four large paws. Elena nudged her way between me and Edgar, her dark brown fur brushing against the back of my hand.
All around us people changed from human to animal, growling, hissing, and scratching at the ground. Overhead, several enormous birds circled and screeched. As far as I could see, Cassandra only had wolves to fight for her, and a handful of witches, but the wolves were numerous.
“Mercy, get behind us,” a deep, rumbly voice said. The words sounded off.
I glanced down to find Nick staring up at me. I stared back, confused.
“Mercy, please,” he said.
“Oh shit! You can talk?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm. Well, sorry, but this is my fight too.”
He shook his head, ears flapping against his head noisily, and let out a little growl. An enormous grey wolf appeared and I could tell by the eyes it was Killian.
“From what I’ve heard,” he said in that not-quite-clear voice, “she can handle herself. We’re outnumbered. We need her power.”
“I agree,” Edgar mumbled as Kat and Benjamin joined our line.
I looked back at the cars and saw Julius shielding Danielle, ushering her into one of the many cars lined up for our departure. A few others were doing the same, including Tabi, who hadn’t developed any powers useful in a fight.
Cassandra widened her stance and raised her glowing hands waist high. Wolves edged toward us.
“We do not wish to fight you,” Edgar called over the noise of so many angry animals gathered in one place.
“Unless you hand over your fledgling idiot,” she snapped, “you’re not leaving here.”
“Our people only want peace among the Kin,�
�� he yelled. “If you attack us, you will start a war.”
“No, Old Man,” she replied as a ball of energy grew between her palms, “you will be starting this war if you don’t comply. The wolves want blood and they will have it!”
The energy ball flung forward, hitting the ground at Edgar’s feet, and bursting with hot, crackling spikes.
As if that were the signal, Bull and his wolves rushed us, snarling and snapping.
Nick leaped forward, meeting Bull in midair. Elena lunged at an oncoming wolf, but I threw a spike of air, knocking it back. Its head hit the ground with a loud crack.
A bolt of blue lightning shot over the herd of fighting creatures, hitting Cassandra in the chest. I glanced over to look at Benjamin but instead saw Edgar raise his arms out in front of him. I looked where they were aimed and squeaked in surprise.
A blond wolf dropped to the ground mid-jump and convulsed once. What appeared to be smoke rose from its fur, but as it left the still body it formed a shape and began to glow with a misty light. The blurry outline of a wolf spirit shook itself then started to trot toward Edgar.
With a flick of his wrist, Edgar sent it after a witch. The wolf spirit pounced and latched onto his arm before he could throw a green energy ball at our side. They fell to the ground just as a muzzle snapped at my face.
With a squeal, I flung my hands up to ward it off and sent a blast of air so hard at my attacker, its eyes exploded and hide peeled away from the snapping jaw. I narrowed my eyes and reached out mentally, lifting the crying wolf and tossing it over the heads of our opposition.
I caught the surprised look on Cassandra’s face and smiled with satisfaction and sarcasm. She glared and threw an energy ball at my head.
As the sparkling ball rolled through the air, I felt a tug at my core. I peeked down and saw a faint light emanating from my center. The light reached out like a tentacle struggling to free itself from my body. Reflexively, I clamped my hands over it and shoved it back inside.
Heat flooded me and it felt as if that tentacle were splitting and spreading to my arms and hands, moving them against my will. My hands thrust forward and the light snaked out to connect with the approaching energy ball.
Witch Slap (Vamp Tales Book 4) Page 5
