Witchlock

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

  Evalle finally calmed herself enough to hear the concern in Nicole's voice. "Where will you land in this new mix?"

  "Rowan knows I'm not a dark witch, but I'm not much for committees and politics either after the white witches turned their noses up to me as a child. I've agreed to be on Rowan's advisory board, which was her way of bringing me in without making a statement by doing so." Nicole sounded amused at Rowan's maneuvering. "I'll help Rowan because she's the only one watching out for the best interests of everyone."

  Trey McCree was a Belador with unmatched telepathic power and usually the central call-in point for all Beladors during a crisis. He was also married to Sasha Armand, Rowan's younger sister, who had erratic witch skills at best, based on what Evalle had heard.

  Rowan, on the other hand, was the most powerful white witch that Evalle had ever met.

  She'd hold a firm line when it came to gaining what she wanted to form this council, and right now, it sounded as though getting Adrianna on board was high on her priority list.

  Adrianna did not need one more pressure at the moment.

  In another day or two, none of this would matter if Adrianna, Evalle and Storm failed to stop Veronika and Witchlock.

  Evalle considered telling Nicole about Veronika, then changed her mind. There was nothing to be gained, and Nicole would stress, or use her powers trying to help and potentially end up a victim to Witchlock if she drew Veronika's attention.

  They had to rescue Ragan. Evalle wanted the specifics of the plan, and she wished Adrianna would call already. She told Nicole, "I'll talk to Adrianna, but no promises."

  "I understand, but tell her that this council is serious. If she can't meet them halfway, she'll need to leave this area for her own safety. Once the council is formed, Rowan intends to inform VIPER that anyone outside of the council's jurisdiction will fall to them."

  "I'm not seeing the problem or reason for Adrianna to leave, because she works for VIPER."

  "Think about it, Evalle. What will those Tribunal deities do if any witches become a problem at that point?"

  It hit Evalle like a blast of cold water. "They'll call in the Medb and make it the Medb's problem since that will be the most powerful and organized dark force on the coalition."

  "Exactly. And at that point, the Medb will see Adrianna as an obstacle. They will seize any opportunity to eliminate a powerful witch from another coven, especially one who works with VIPER. Rowan and the others want to establish a power base--and their autonomy--before the Medb become entrenched in this region. Other areas of the country are forming similar councils, which will all send a representative once a year to a summit meeting."

  Nicole was different from other witches in that she had some unusual gifts that didn't fall under traditional witchcraft, and her significant other was Red, a human woman who hated all this woo-woo, as Red termed it.

  Evalle asked, "Is Red good with all this?"

  "She will be. I've explained that it will protect me to join with more of my kind. Adrianna is going to need that protection, too." Nicole changed subjects without slowing down. "I have to go in a moment. Why do I sense that you are unhappy?"

  So hard to keep anything secret around a friend with Nicole's abilities. Evalle said, "Hold on." Then she told Feenix, "I'll be right back."

  He lifted a chubby, four-fingered hand in his okay sign, still intent on stacking the toys that Lanna had suggested Evalle buy for him. Lanna had realized he needed some way to practice motor skills and reasoning.

  Evalle should have figured that out.

  Just like she should know how to be Storm's mate. She entered the bedroom, pushing the door shut and dropped on the bed. "I think I made a mistake, Nicole."

  "About what?"

  "Storm moving in with me. He had a nice house that was above ground where he could come and go. I have to live underground, but he doesn't. And I know he's willing to do it, but that's going to get old quickly." Might have already.

  "Have you talked to him about it?"

  "No. We haven't had a minute alone since he brought me home that first night. If I ask him about it, you and I know he won't complain. Then he'll work even harder to hide how much he doesn't like it here."

  "You might be wrong, Evalle."

  "Feenix ate half of Storm's silver belt buckle. It had a jaguar head carved into it. The buckle also had two yellow diamonds in it, but thankfully those don't taste good to Feenix. Still, it was a piece of art and worth a fortune, and most important, Storm's dad had it made for him."

  "Oh, yeah that's bad, but surely he understood that Feenix is like a child."

  "An insecure and very possessive gargoyle child," Evalle clarified. "I have no skills for figuring any of this out. I can't cook an edible meal. We live a nocturnal life because I can't be in the sun. Storm is always understanding and accepting of everything in my life. What does he get from me?"

  Nicole laughed.

  Evalle said, "Besides that."

  "I'm sure it's not as bad as you think. Storm isn't going to leave you over an apartment."

  "I didn't say he would break up with me, but I don't want him being miserable just so we can be together. You wouldn't want that for Red."

  "No, I wouldn't," Nicole said in a solemn voice. "Talk to him so that he knows you realize what he's giving up and figure it out together. The only two skills you need to make a relationship work are communication and honesty."

  Evalle nibbled at her thumbnail, thinking on that. Nicole was right. She'd talk to Storm and they'd figure it out, even if it meant him moving back to his own place.

  She'd been over-the-moon happy about him moving in.

  The idea of him not living here made her stomach hurt, but she could hide her disappointment from him if that was the best way for them to stay together.

  She could do anything when it came to Storm.

  Her phone beeped. Evalle said, "I've got a call coming through. I'll talk to Adrianna and let you know."

  "Thanks."

  Clicking the buttons, she was glad to see it was Adrianna, who started in without a hello. "I've found a place for us to cross into the Jafnan Mir realm. It's the new sports arena being constructed to replace Atlanta's sports dome."

  Evalle pulled up a mental image of the construction right next door to the current Georgia Dome in downtown. "Storm is ... " Evalle was not going to admit she had no idea where Storm was presently. "He's at VIPER headquarters, but I'm expecting his call any time to let me know he's on the way back. Where do you want to meet?"

  "Sundown is in twenty minutes and I haven't eaten all day. I'd like to grab dinner, formulate our plan and go to the site."

  "I'll send him a text to tell him to meet us at Six Feet Under. It's across the street from the Oakland Cemetery. Go ahead and order. We usually eat much later."

  "Got it. I'm on my way."

  Evalle jumped up and changed into her riding gear. If she texted Storm before she left, he might ask her to wait for him to pick her up.

  She needed her freedom as much as he did.

  She'd text him after she got to the restaurant. Rushing out to the living room, she slid to a stop and Feenix stood up, gripping his favorite stuffed alligator in one hand.

  He took in her clothes and his face lit up. "Go ride?"

  "Not right now, baby. I have to meet someone for business."

  "Oh."

  Just kill me now. That one word loaded her shoulders with guilt. "We'll play with your blocks when I get home, okay?"

  "Ith okay." His eyes and mouth turned down.

  She squatted down. "Come here."

  He trudged to her, dragging his alligator by the tail, and stepped into her arms with his wings tucked. Then he dropped his head on her shoulder and one horn nipped her neck.

  She hugged him close and said, "You know I will never give you up, right?"

  He pulled back and two little teeth poked down over his bottom lip when he smiled. "My Evalle."

  "Yes. And you're my
Feenix. I'll be back soon, but I want you to promise me not to eat anything silver except the lug nuts."

  His gaze scooted away from hers and he sounded very innocent when he said, "Okay."

  She knew better. "Feenix?"

  His sly gaze cut back at her. "Ye-eth?"

  "Please don't touch anything that is not mine or yours, especially not Storm's."

  "Wath accthident."

  The little devil was sly enough to avoid giving his word. She said, "I need your promise."

  He tapped his little foot and finally said, "Promith."

  "Thank you. Storm is going to live with us and he will treat you nice. It would make me happy for you to be nice to him, too."

  Feenix made an exaggerated sighing sound. "I thaid promith."

  "Great. I'll see you soon."

  "Where ith Lanna?"

  "With her cousin, Quinn."

  "Come back?"

  Evalle's throat tightened. He was ripping her heart into little pieces with how lonely he sounded. "I'll ask her when I see her."

  "Yeth." Feenix nodded and grinned.

  It took so little to make him happy. I'm sucking at that, too.

  Chapter 17

  Evalle made the short trip to Six Feet Under, arriving as Atlanta calmed down for Sunday night. This late in the day in November, temps had dropped into the thirties, so riding over on her Suzuki Gixxer just before sunset in full-body Aerostich, deer skin gauntlet gloves and a completely enclosed dark helmet had actually been nice.

  Not so much fun to be fully covered like this in the middle of August.

  She did appreciate Tzader trying to save her making the run to headquarters, and if she never saw Sen again it would still be too soon, but she didn't care to have everyone thinking she was vulnerable the minute she stepped out of her apartment.

  She'd killed plenty of creatures, hadn't she?

  The last demon took your dagger and disappeared, and you came damn near to dying by falling off a mountain.

  Okay, her job had pitfalls, but she was no princess to be put on a pedestal. She was having a tough enough time just being a mate.

  Inside the restaurant, the smell of fresh-cooked fish and other kitchen aromas had her close to drooling. She found Adrianna sitting at the bar, nursing what appeared to be club soda.

  Evalle set her helmet down.

  Adrianna was halfway through a bowl of chicken fajita soup and put her spoon down. "Is Storm on the way?"

  "Crap..." Evalle pulled out her phone and punched in a quick text about meeting her and Adrianna.

  As expected, Storm replied that he'd pick her up. When she sent back that she was already at the restaurant, nothing came right back, then all she got was: K, be there in 40 min.

  Bad sign. He was irritated.

  She told the witch, "He's on the way."

  Adrianna talked between bites as she finished her meal. "I've got a question. I heard Beladors around VIPER saying stuff about you being able to walk in the sun after you turned into a gryphon, but no one sees you outside in the daylight now. Are you just nocturnal by nature?"

  "That ability went away. I'm night bound from here on."

  Adrianna frowned. "I don't understand."

  "Remember when you told me the spirits would expect payment for guiding me through their world to locate Storm in Mitnal? You warned me to choose my sacrifice. I made an open-ended pact and they jumped on it."

  Adrianna studied her with compassionate eyes. "I wondered what happened after you made the offer for the spirits to take whatever they could from you where you stood."

  Evalle lifted her shoulders, trying to own the feeling of unconcern so no one threw her a pity party. "I have no regrets since Storm is back here and alive. I was willing to lose all my Belador powers to find him, but the spirits took something from me that I'd never really had anyway, so really they've only inconvenienced me. Nothing more."

  Nothing except what you most longed for after living in the dark your whole life.

  Now who was hosting a pity party?

  Sure, Evalle would like to be able to watch the sunrise or sunset with the man she loved, like a normal person, but she hadn't been dealt a normal life.

  To balance things out, she got Storm forever.

  Pretty good get on that point.

  Any more mental complaining and she'd have to put her brain into time out.

  "Can you be in the sun in your gryphon form?" Adrianna asked.

  "I have no idea. I can't shift in this world without permission." That was another constant irritation on top of all she'd been through. She had the ability to shift into a beautiful gryphon now instead of the hideous beast form she'd once been relegated to, but even though Macha had accepted Alterants into her pantheon and petitioned for recognition, Evalle still couldn't shift, not even to show Storm.

  I'm sick of other people ruling my life.

  That was why she'd left the apartment on her own tonight. Something had to be under her control. No one was ever going to tell her when she could come and go.

  Not even the sun.

  And definitely not Storm.

  Adrianna pushed her bowl away and spun on the bar stool, all five-feet-three of her dressed in a denim skirt and a dainty white shirt with full sleeves. She sported short, silver boots with spiked heels.

  How did she walk or do anything else in those?

  Ready to change the subject, Evalle asked, "Why did you pick the construction site for ... you know what?"

  Keeping her voice down, Adrianna said, "It will be free of activity on a Sunday night. There are security cameras, which I've taken care of and-"

  Adrianna's voice drifted off as her gaze shot past Evalle.

  Evalle turned to find Isak Nyght strolling up to them. Men came in all shapes and sizes. This one walked in with the swagger of a linebacker on a day off. Usually, Isak showed up packing enough personal artillery, which included his custom demon blasters, to take out an entire terrorist encampment.

  At the moment, he was packing a wicked glint in his blue eyes and a sexy curve to his mouth that had to be distracting the women he passed from whatever their dates were saying. The navy, collared shirt and dark pants might be an attempt to tone down the dangerous edge, but his bomber jacket and built-in attitude brought the threat level right back up.

  Evalle had never missed Isak's appeal--she wasn't blind after all--but he wasn't Storm ... who would not be happy to find Isak here. There was a time she wouldn't have cared, but now she did. A lot. Storm was all she wanted in a man, and she wanted her man happy.

  She checked her watch. Storm still had another half hour.

  That gave her thirty minutes to get rid of Isak. Twenty-five if she didn't want the men to run into each other, which would end badly.

  Isak gave a nod in Adrianna's direction.

  The witch angled her head in a cool response.

  These two had not hit it off during their first encounter, when they'd both shown up to help Evalle corner the witch doctor so she could open a portal for Evalle to bring Storm home.

  That had been a trying time, especially when the witch doctor used majik to pin Isak and his megablaster to a wall.

  He had no love for nonhumans and correctly grouped witches into that category.

  Still, he'd pricked Adrianna's temper when he'd automatically referred to the witch doctor as an "it" even before he knew anything about the race.

  Then Adrianna had conjured up some crazy majik to back down the bitch, who'd been determined to turn Storm into a full-blooded demon. Isak's personal code of nonhumans-are-a-danger-to-the-world had never been tested until he'd met Evalle, but he'd gotten interested in her long before he realized she was not human.

  His attitude hadn't changed, just allowed for one exception to his rule.

  Evalle jumped in first before Isak could start in on her about the dinner date she'd put off forever. "I know I'm a little late getting in touch-"

  That snatched Isak's dark attention off Adr
ianna and back to her. "A lot late. You've blown off dinner three times."

  Has it only been three times? "Things have been complicated, Isak."

  "Did that guy Storm make it back?"

  "Yes and he's not that guy-"

  "Then it's not complicated any longer. You agreed to dinner a week later. It's been a week later."

  "I realize that." Evalle glanced at Adrianna, who lifted her eyebrows as if to say hmmm? No help there. "What if I absolutely promise-"

  "Tomorrow. That's your last extension. Kip asked about you and said to tell you the boys are doing good, but they want to come home."

  Who was minding the guilt gates, and why, all of a sudden, were they wide open?

  Evalle was getting bombarded everywhere she turned. Kip, Isak's mother, had spared Evalle's life when she'd been almost shot full of holes by several Nyght weapons, and then she'd loaned Evalle a Nyght megablaster for a mission to take out deadly Svart trolls who'd kidnapped a bunch of humans.

  As long as Evalle agreed to come for dinner.

  Kip had been in obvious matchmaking mode, and for a woman who barely came to Evalle's shoulder, she was frightening. Plus, as a favor to Evalle, Isak had dropped off two homeless teenage boys with Kip. Evalle and a Nightstalker named Grady usually watched over the boys, but when things heated up in Atlanta, Kip had taken them for safekeeping.

  Adrianna asked, "What boys?"

  Evalle said, "A pair of eighteen-year-old twins who are homeless."

  Isak added, "Warlocks."

  "No, they aren't," Evalle argued. "They're witches. Warlocks are dark male witches. Those two boys are not like that." She knew this would not go over well, but she asked Isak, "Can Kip watch the boys for another week?"

  "Why?"

  Anyone else would be arguing with her or snarling over her audacity, but leave it to Isak to immediately figure out that Evalle had a reason for not bringing the boys back right now. Should she tell him a crazy witch called Veronika would have no trouble grabbing control of those two after an upcoming eclipse? Not a good idea unless Evalle wanted a black ops team in the middle of everything just to protect her.

  Save me from men determined to protect me.

  Evalle said, "I'm tied up on a project right now and want to be available when the boys come back so they don't get into trouble."