Witchlock

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

  Tzader nodded, thinking Quinn and Lanna wanted lunch. Maybe some casual time would give his friend a moment's reprieve from grieving. "Where to?"

  Lanna stepped forward. She glanced all around, watching until no one was near them and said, "I must use some majik for Cousin. I do not like him unhappy."

  What the hell were these two talking about doing?

  She started for the door, chatting away. "Then we will go to hotel and I will shop. I have not been outside in forever. This will be wonderful day. You will see, Cousin."

  Quinn muttered, "No, it won't."

  But he didn't elaborate.

  Tzader waited for Quinn to leave and followed him.

  Quinn had been adamant about Lanna not using her majik because a crazy wizard was after her, and he would know when she drew hard on the elements. But it sounded as if Lanna thought she wouldn't do enough to bring any attention to her location.

  The only way Lanna could make Quinn happy was by bringing back Kizira. That wasn't happening.

  Chapter 15

  Tzader climbed out of his 1970 Hemi 'Cuda when the road, if you could call it that, ended deep in the woods ten miles from VIPER headquarters. A smattering of leaves clung to the branches, but November had just started and those would be gone soon.

  Quinn stepped from a metallic silver Audi S8 that was probably still running on its first tank of fuel. He paid it no more attention than he would a rusted-out pickup truck.

  Lanna jumped from the car and hurried to catch up to Quinn's long strides. "This is much better, Cousin. I am tired of being inside."

  "I'm sorry for keeping you indoors so much, Lanna, but I can't risk Grendal getting his hands on you."

  "I am not worried, Cousin."

  "I'm not either. If he shows his face around me, I'll be the last thing he sees before his head explodes."

  Tzader could appreciate Quinn's need to protect Lanna from the wizard, but Quinn had struggled with using his mindlock in the past. He paid an emotional price when he entered anyone's mind and suffered guilt if he had to terminate a threat with his powers.

  He had never sounded so willing to kill without question.

  Lanna's smile dimmed but she pushed through the brittle moment and asked, "What did you need me to do?"

  Quinn became very quiet, staring at the ground. "I need you to find someone, and tapping that much of your majik may draw attention from Grendal. But I won't let him harm you."

  "I understand." She might mean what she said, but she was not happy about it now that she realized Quinn needed more than some majik. Once she pulled from the elements, she'd have to be kept locked away safe, and the poor girl was desperate for a little freedom.

  Tzader asked, "Why ask Lanna when we have VIPER resources?"

  Quinn sighed heavily and raised devastated eyes to meet Tzader's before he swallowed the emotion that had brought on that look. "I haven't shared this with anyone, but as Kizira lay dying in my arms ... " He took a breath and Lanna's eyes turned watery. Then Quinn continued, "As she was dying, she said I had to protect someone she referenced as her. I thought she meant Evalle, but she said the name was Phoedra."

  "Who is that, Cousin?"

  He tried to smile. Major fail. "The daughter we had that I never knew about."

  Lanna's gasp covered Tzader's reaction. Lanna sputtered, "When did ... why ..."

  Quinn lifted his hand to stop the questions. "We met thirteen years ago by accident. I was in Chechnya, running patrols in towns where strange attacks on people were happening that no one could explain, so of course the Beladors sent us in to investigate."

  Tzader said, "I remember hearing something about that, but the European Maistir was handling the problem."

  "Right. I'm not up to telling the whole story about how I met Kizira."

  That was understandable when every time Quinn said her name he grimaced as if someone had stabbed him. "We spent two weeks together during which I had no idea she was Medb. As royalty, she could shield her Medb scent. I had stepped in to stop a warlock from attacking her and almost died battling four at one time. When I woke up, she had me tucked into a cabin and was healing my wounds." He stared off into the distance and said, "Evidently we produced a child."

  "She should have told you," Lanna whispered. "You would have cared for this girl."

  "Yes, I would have," Quinn agreed. "But Kizira was wise to keep our daughter hidden from the Medb and she kept our relationship secret to pro ..." His voice broke. "To protect me." He cleared his throat again. "Anyhow, Kizira died before she could tell me Phoedra's location."

  Tzader asked, "She couldn't have left you a letter or something?"

  "Not being a Medb priestess. Flaevynn, that miserable whore of a mother, had access to Kizira's thoughts. Kizira was clever. I'm sure she had ways to hide those thoughts from a surface scan, but she would never trust leaving anything tangible when it could mean the life of our daughter."

  Lanna put her hand on Quinn's arm and he smiled sadly at her. She said, "I will find her. Do you have something of hers for me to touch?"

  The teenager had proven herself fearless when it came to protecting others, but she earned Tzader's admiration with her loyalty to Quinn at that moment. She put his needs above her safety and wish for freedom, but she had the full protection of the Beladors even if she didn't realize it.

  Tzader studied the young woman. "Can you do that, Lanna?"

  "Yes. I have many gifts. Some do what I want. Some do not, but no one is better at finding others than I am."

  No lack of confidence there. Tzader liked this kid. "You should train."

  "That is what Brina told me would happen when we came back, but ..." Her voice trailed off and Tzader was sure it had something to do with the look on his face. "I am sorry, Tzader. She will remember that she cares only for you."

  "Lanna," Quinn warned and she quieted.

  "She did nothing wrong, Quinn. Right now I welcome any encouragement."

  "I know. I also know what it feels like when a wound is constantly reopened."

  Tzader didn't want to shift the focus to his problems, not when Quinn had suffered so much and now had to find a twelve-year-old child he never knew about. Tzader told Lanna, "Brina is a woman of her word. She'll see that you're trained."

  "I would like that." Turning to Quinn, she said, "Cousin?"

  That was all the prompting he needed to get back on track.

  Quinn pulled a braided hoop a quarter inch thick and the size of a bracelet from his pocket. He held it up. "Kizira managed to tell me to hold on to this bracelet. She wove it of my hair when we were first together. I now see black threads through it, which I believe must be the color of my daughter's hair."

  Every word came out of Quinn with pain, but saying "my daughter" sounded as if it damn near broke him. His hand shook. He said, "Anything you can tell me will help because I have no clue where to begin, but I know Kizira has Phoedra somewhere not just anyone will locate."

  Nodding at Quinn, Lanna closed her eyes and murmured something too low for Tzader to hear. The air, dead calm just a moment ago, now swirled and picked up momentum, shaking the leaves.

  All at once, Tzader heard whispers here and there. He turned right and left, then looked at Quinn, who gave him a sign to wait.

  When Lanna opened her eyes, she said, "I ask for help and have been told yes. If I cannot see your daughter and where she is clearly then the spirits will help me, but I must show them what I can first." She held out both hands, palms up and next to each other.

  The second Quinn dropped the braided bracelet into Lanna's hands, black smoke bloomed into a cloud and billowed up, blanketing them in a dark fog. Voices screeched everywhere.

  Lanna started screaming.

  The smell of burned skin singed Tzader's nose. He fanned his arms to find her.

  When he could finally see her she was on the ground holding her hands to her chest and crying. Quinn had the bracelet in one hand, holding it far from her and his othe
r arm around her shaking shoulders.

  "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Quinn kept repeating his apology in a voice raw with horror.

  Tzader squatted down in front of them. "Let me see, Lanna."

  She was taking short, halting breaths and shaking hard, but she opened one hand that looked as if acid had been poured on it in the outline of the bracelet.

  Tzader said, "Let me send her to our druids in Treoir. Darwyli should be able to heal her hands faster than anyone here."

  Quinn's eyes were swollen and full of agony. "I should never have done this."

  Lanna, trooper that she was, sniffed and wiped her nose on her sleeve. "Was not your fault, Cousin."

  "Yes, it was. I should have had someone else look at it first. I just ..."

  "You protect your daughter. I know. Do not let anyone else touch that."

  Quinn turned her to face him. "Why?"

  "It carries Medb majik so strong I think only Medb can use that to find her. I am sorry. But I know you do not want to hurt others."

  Hugging her close, Quinn said, "I'd rather cut my arm off than ever harm you. I'm so sorry."

  "No problem, Cousin. I want to see Darwyli. He will heal my hands and I want to stay to see Brina. She needs help."

  Tzader said, "If that's okay with you, Quinn. I'd love to take Lanna to Brina after she's healed. Lanna would be safe from Grendal there, too."

  Lanna nodded, staring up at Quinn with large blue eyes.

  He leaned over and kissed her head. "You'll be safe in Treoir."

  "And not locked inside, yes?" she asked, face full of hope for any freedom.

  Quinn agreed, "No. That wizard can't touch you there." He asked Tzader, "Would you watch her for a moment? I have a thermal blanket in my car."

  Tzader did, too, but Quinn looked like he needed a stiff drink. Barring that, a moment to breathe would help him. "Sure. Might want to bring her some water, too."

  As soon as Quinn walked away, Lanna turned to Tzader. She shivered from shock, but she blew hair out of her eyes and said, "You must help Brina."

  Did she think he didn't realize that? "I know."

  "I mean, you must help her in dreams. She will remember if she sees you in same place. I feel that will be good."

  "What do you mean if she sees me in the same place?"

  "When traitor attacked us and we were gone, I told her how to find someone in dreams to help because Cousin was not sleeping so I could not reach him. I told her to find someone she cares much for. Had to be you. She slept. Did you not see her in dream while we were gone?"

  Unbelievable. "Yes. It was vivid, but I was so tired I thought I was hallucinating."

  "Do you see her in dreams now?"

  "Haven't slept long enough to dream."

  "Does not take long, but you must want to see her badly for her to find you. Does she dream now?"

  He tried to process that he could be with Brina in a damn dream state. "Macha said Brina is having nightmares."

  "She looks for you in dream, then maybe panics when she is alone. Go to her."

  "But she doesn't remember me when she wakes up."

  Quinn returned and wrapped her in the thin Mylar blanket, then held a bottle of water for her to drink from. "We need to get you to Treoir."

  Quinn helped Lanna stand. She looked shaky and still rocked forward and back gently, but she told Tzader, "Brina will find you in dreams. She wants you."

  Just how much did this teenager know about him and Brina?

  Lanna's mouth quirked. "She tells me nothing. Your face tells much."

  "You're scary, you know that?" Tzader said, unable to keep the smile from his voice. If Lanna could help him bring Brina back, he would personally insure the young woman got trained and anything else she needed.

  "Finish up, Lanna," Quinn said gently. "We have to take you to Sen so he can transport us."

  Sending Quinn to Treoir was not a good idea, especially if Quinn had to talk to Sen for more than three seconds.

  Tzader offered, "Let me take Lanna so I can get her to Brina where I know she'll be in good hands. Brina's prickly these days and if she doesn't recognize you it could be a problem."

  Quinn frowned, but said, "I understand."

  "Would you do me a favor and keep an eye on Evalle?"

  "Of course. Why?"

  Lanna perked up, all ears.

  Tzader took one look at the teenage snoop and sent Quinn a telepathic message. I talked to Storm. Evalle isn't adjusting well or something. I have no damned idea, because I don't think Storm is treating her badly.

  That's a change of tone coming from you.

  Tzader glared back. I never said Storm was a bad guy. I just didn't like any hardtails around Evalle, but now that she's mated I want to be sure she's happy. I haven't had time to talk to her and to be honest I need some time on Treoir with Brina.

  Quinn's joking ended. Go. I can handle things here.

  Once Tzader had Lanna packed into his car, he called to Evalle. Are you busy, Evalle?

  No. I'm sitting on my hands staying out of the sun like a good little girl since you didn't want me outside.

  She sounded pissed. He said, Did you want to come to headquarters and visit Sen?

  No, but neither do I want people telling me what to do everywhere I turn. I'm tired of everyone else making decisions for me. Is Storm still there?

  No, he said he had some business to take care of then he was heading home. Said that you two had plans tonight.

  What business? Really pissed.

  How should I know, Evalle? I'm not his keeper.

  No, he doesn't have one, but everybody thinks I need one, including him.

  Tzader's protective instincts kicked in. Are you okay?

  Yes! I'm fine and I have some business of my own to take care of tonight. What did you need?

  Now he wished he wasn't headed to Treoir yet. He'd like to revisit that conversation with Storm. But it wouldn't happen right now. I'm taking Lanna to Treoir and I'd like you to talk to Quinn.

  Why?

  There was a time that Evalle would have been thrilled at the idea of Quinn visiting her apartment instead of questioning why. What the hell had happened?

  Tzader said, Quinn's grim. Just see if you can get him to open up and talk about Kizira. Ask about Phoedra, because he'll want to tell you.

  Who's Phoedra? she asked in a softer tone.

  Ask Quinn. It's better if he tells you, but don't mention that name to anyone else.

  Okay, but I may have to leave soon.

  I understand. If you don't catch up with him tonight, then maybe tomorrow.

  Tzader withdrew from Evalle and sent one more message to Quinn. I don't know what the hell is going on, but Evalle is upset. Find out what it is and if Storm is the cause. If he is, I want him picked up and taken somewhere you and I can have a private talk with him.

  Affirmative.

  Chapter 16

  Evalle paced across the apartment while Feenix stacked building blocks made of wood and plastic.

  She checked her phone again. No call from Storm.

  Her phone buzzed. She answered without looking. "Where are you?"

  "In my living room," Nicole answered with a chuckle. "Clearly I'm not who you were expecting."

  Nicole would realize even more if she were here with Evalle, because this white witch had a lot of gifts, but Evalle valued her most as a friend. Evalle said, "No, I thought this was Storm calling."

  "Speaking of him, how's it going?"

  Evalle gave her reflex answer. "Fine."

  "That good, huh? Do you still have Lanna with you? I can keep her for a day or two."

  "No, she left this morning and it has been crowded down here, but she's not a problem. It was good to have her here so that Feenix had someone." Evalle paced again, noticing Feenix had taken a whirly toy that Lanna made for him and was trying to make it fly.

  Lanna could do that. Evalle could only throw it or pull it across the room with her kinetics. Feenix
kept trying to make it spin in the air and when it didn't, his shoulders drooped.

  The minute she got off the phone with Nicole, Evalle would play with him until she heard from Storm or Adrianna.

  Then it would be go time.

  "Evalle?" Nicole called out.

  "I'm here. What's up?"

  "The council of witches being formed is coming together, but I'm concerned about Adrianna."

  "Why? Everyone knows she's a dark witch."

  "We would welcome her as a liaison between the Medb and us, but she won't open a dialogue."

  "Adrianna wants nothing to do with the Medb. She's pretty much her own person."

  "She's not going to have the option very soon. The witches on this council are significant players and Rowan will head it up. As a sister-in-law to a Belador, Rowan will be the liaison between the council and the Beladors, but with the Medb leaders now able to enter the human realm, the chances for conflict between the Medb and Beladors increase. The council wants to insure fair representation for both groups to prevent VIPER from interfering. Witches have not had to join the coalition and they want to keep it that way."

  "The Tribunal should come up with a plan for fixing all this since they're responsible for bringing our worst enemy into the fold," Evalle said so sharply that Feenix jumped. She covered the phone and said, "Sorry, baby. Everything is okay."

  He nodded and went back to picking at his toys, but not with the enthusiasm he'd had while Lanna was here.

  Nicole said, "I understand, but you know better than to depend on the Tribunal for anything by now."

  "True."

  "The longer we delay in forming a plan of our own, the more agitated the witch community becomes and that's never a good thing. Especially when we have a significant number of Medb in our midst and we have a rogue group of solitary witches being whipped into a fervor by a young, untrained one."

  "What's that all about?"

  "Just immaturity out of control. The rabble-rouser is a witch called Hermia. Rowan has to hold a hard line on all witches for any hope of this council working and preventing VIPER interference, and she's facing having to take a stand and push Hermia's group to fall into line. Rowan would rather Hermia recognize her lack of training, take responsibility and encourage her people to separate into reasonable size groups who can govern themselves, but Hermia is charismatic and smart enough to make the right noises and push the right buttons with the solitary witches, most of whom just want to be left alone. She's not ready for coven leadership, but the call of power has gone to her head and she thinks she can take a shortcut by becoming their leader."