“I doubt anything you say will interest him.”
“You think not?” Athena straightened and circled the room. “You don’t think he’ll be surprised to learn of your pregnancy here?” As Tess gasped, the witch continued, “Yes, my dear, you are pregnant and my sisters and I have effectively protected that information. Your husband knows nothing about this but I’ll make sure to tell him once he arrives…if he arrives in time.”
Tess couldn’t think. Pregnant? No, it was impossible. She would know. Jaxon would know. He knew everything, didn’t he? He’d known the hurricane was coming. He had to know this. Panicking, she grasped her hands together in her lap and swallowed several times.
A chilling laugh rent the air. “I can see I’ve rendered you speechless.” The dress swished around her ankles as she twirled around the room. “Poor Jaxon will learn of his baby’s impending arrival just as I bind the child to me.”
Protective hands covering her belly, Tess tried to stand but her legs refused to obey her. “Even if I believed you, I would never let you take my child away from me.”
Athena smiled. “You don’t have any choice, love. Do allow me to explain. The child you carry will only know me as its mother. That has already been assured. Once the baby grows inside your womb, it will strive for unity with its new family. As the months pass, you will begin to feel the loss. Your placenta will tear away from the wall of your body. The pain will be excruciating and death won’t come quickly.” She straightened and sailed around the room. “But once it does, I shall have a new child and providing he shall survive, Jaxon will have a dead wife to bury.”
From neck to spine, shivers raked Tess’ body. The self-talk wasn’t working. Fear had taken root but she still managed to reply in a semi-normal voice. “It won’t work. Jaxon knows of your plan.”
“I doubt that.”
Remain calm. The refrain beat inside her head like a bass drum. Time to pull out another ace. “Have you ever faced Jaxon one-on-one? I mean since he has gained full use of his powers. I’ve heard you faced him a few years back and lost that battle. He wasn’t quite as strong then as he is now. Do you have any idea what he’s going to do to you?”
Athena continued to smile while leaning one hip against the wall. “I’m not concerned about your husband. Braeden will never let him hurt me.”
Tess considered the information, played it around in her mind before she spoke. “It must be difficult to be in love with a wizard—the one person you can never have.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t I? I saw your eyes when you mentioned his name. They were practically glowing.”
“That’s only my magic you see. What I allow you to see.” Athena bit out the words, proving Tess had hit a sore spot.
“I don’t believe you. You’re in love with Jaxon’s brother.” Tess scooted to the edge of the chair and leaned forward. “And he’s in love with you. It makes perfect sense now. That’s why Braeden saved you the night Arista was killed. He couldn’t let his brother kill the woman he loves. Under ordinary circumstances, I guess you could call it romantic but I don’t think Jaxon will see it that way.”
Athena’s face shuttered. “I’ve heard enough of this drivel. You must sleep. Dawn will be upon us soon and that will be a very special time for all of us.”
Tess rubbed her abdomen. Though she wasn’t sure she believed Athena’s declaration, she wasn’t taking any chances in the event she was pregnant. She managed to stand and walked to the window overlooking the valley, ignoring the witch’s pointed finger. “I’m not tired and I have no intention of closing my eyes when you’re in the same universe, much less when you’re in the same room.”
Athena swirled forward and planted herself at Tess’ side. “I must say you are an amazing actress. As much as you’d like me to think my words didn’t frighten you, I see the fear in your eyes. You’re wondering exactly what is going to happen at dawn, aren’t you?”
“I’m wondering what this place is going to look like when Jaxon gets done with it…and your sisters.”
Lips thinning, the witch dug her fingers into Tess’ arm. “That doesn’t matter. All that matters now is what the life inside of you will do for the Coven.”
“Jaxon will be here before dawn.” Did her voice sound as shaky as she felt?
“And what makes you so sure he’ll wait that long?”
“Because he’ll wait for the right time.” Tess had the pleasure of seeing a flicker of fear in the witch’s eyes.
“Jaxon had no knowledge of my drawing spell. More than likely, he isn’t even aware of your departure.”
Tess peeled Athena’s hand away from her bare arm, shivering at the coldness of the witch’s fingers. “I wouldn’t bet on that. Incidentally, in case you’re not aware of this, the wizards have killed from a distance, you know. Even now you could be in harm’s way.”
Athena took a step back, uttered a quick command and shuttered the window. “Sleep now. You’re in for a long day tomorrow.”
“I’m sure we both are.”
* * * * *
Jaxon’s eyes flew open. His heart slammed against his chest and he catapulted from the bed, fully clothed with a sweep of his hand. Rage wrestled with mind-numbing fear as he projected himself into the main Assembly room. His voice was a loud roar when he summoned the others.
“Athena has taken Tess.”
The wizards wasted no time in arriving. In seconds, the room filled. Charlemaine went to her son instantly, placing her arms around him. “I’m so sorry.”
He held her at arm’s length. Sympathy would make him crumble. He needed strength now more than ever. Dropping his hands, he drew in a deep, steadying breath. Knowledge punched him in the stomach and he lifted his gaze, sweeping it around the room at his family. “My God.”
Falcon stepped forward. “What is it?”
“Tess is pregnant.” Jaxon shook his head almost violently. “This is impossible. Athena couldn’t have prevented me from knowing that.”
Silence fell for a brief moment before Falcon responded. “There is one spell but it would be almost impossible for a witch to obtain all the necessary ingredients she would need.”
“We’re talking about Athena here,” Rane shouldered his way forward to take a protective stance beside his brother.
Charlemaine gasped. “If Athena has access to that spell, she’ll be—”
Jensen broke in with a loud cough. “What’s the best course of action?”
All eyes turned to Falcon but this time the leader stepped back, sweeping one hand toward Jaxon. “This one is your call.”
Jaxon struggled to collect his thoughts, to process the information. “The protective spell—it will keep Tess safe until we can get to her.” Even though his voice rang with assurance, his eyes were blanketed with apprehension. “By now Athena will be expecting us. If she knows the exact moment of our arrival, she’ll be able to prevent our entrance into the tower, at least until we can reverse the shielding spell.”
“She could possibly have a shield in place now,” Braeden ventured to guess.
Falcon shook his head. “It wouldn’t hold. Athena needs it to be at its strongest. She would wait until she knows of our arrival.”
“Which is why we should go on the wind,” Andion suggested, for once appearing concerned.
Jaxon shook his head. “Too easy. Athena will be prepared for that.” He turned toward the window, directed his cold eyes toward the sky. Instantly the heavens began to swirl, twist in the fury of the created storm, in harmony with the turmoil of his emotions. “We will go with the elements.” He lowered his gaze from the window and recited a quick spell. “Athena will be focused on me and Falcon, looking for us. All of you stay out of sight until I give the signal.” In quick bursts of breaths, he detailed the rest of the plan, explaining every aspect, taking into consideration each threat.
“Take care to shield yourselves. Athena will expect all of us but she d
oesn’t know how we’ll get in.” Jaxon waved the wizards toward the window.
As they disappeared into tiny raindrops, Falcon remained behind to press a reassuring hand against Jaxon’s shoulder. “You handled yourself well. You will make a good leader and we will get Tess back. Have no doubts.”
Jaxon’s eyes flashed. “I do not doubt.” His face hardened into a tight, inscrutable mask. As the sky below them streaked with lightning, he contorted his body, shot toward the spark of electricity and joined it, sizzling across the sky.
* * * * *
Where are you, Jaxon? Tess reached out to him, anxious to feel him. He’d touched her before. So why not now? Why couldn’t she feel him?
“I know you’re trying to unnerve me.”
The sound of Athena’s voice snapped Tess back into focus. “Is it working?” A sharp inhalation told her Athena was more than a little disturbed.
“Your husband does not frighten me.”
“I’m sure that’s what you were saying when he had his hand around your throat.”
With a muttered oath, Athena flung herself toward the door. “Though I commend your efforts to convince me your savior will come, I must be off. There is much to accomplish before the rising of the sun.”
A soft whisper of wind grazed her cheek and Tess released an audible sigh that had Athena turning back around. She gauged the tension in the witch’s body, saw by the nervous shifting of her legs that she was aware of Jaxon’s approach.
The knowledge comforted Tess. She felt the brush of his love, heard the whisper of his voice reassuring her. He was projecting himself, alerting her to his imminent arrival.
Though she felt relief now, she wondered how much relief she would be feeling once the wizards swarmed the tower. The final battle would be ugly. There would be no preventing that. And she didn’t have to be a wizard to know the witches wouldn’t stand a chance in the face of her husband’s rage.
As if to regain the upper hand, Athena sailed toward the fireplace and held her hand over the open flame. The fire licked at her fingertips but she didn’t flinch. “The spell I’ve cast won’t wear off. You will not be able to leave no matter what happens.” Tess searched her memory and tried to recall the discussion she’d had with Charlemaine. There were no unbreakable spells, at least not where the wizards were concerned. Their combined energies could topple cities, destroy nations and level a coven. “Then it will be broken.”
“Not without harm to your child.”
Calling the witch’s bluff, Tess glared across the distance. “You wouldn’t risk harming the child you want so desperately.”
Athena paled a little and turned her attention back toward the fire. “Ah, good. My sisters have arrived. A little earlier than we had planned but I thought it would be best to move things along since you seem so positive Jaxon will arrive sooner rather than later.”
* * * * *
A thin witch with straggly brown hair moved into position beside Athena. “We must wait until dawn.”
Athena’s breath hissed out—a sound of unparalleled fury. The mousy witch backed away. The leader of the Coven removed her hand from the fire. It glowed an angry red. Slowly she approached Tess, her face an expressionless mask. “I do believe I have had enough of this conversation. It’s time to rest now and when you awake, all will be settled.” As she walked, she began a rhythmic chant. Soon her sisters joined in, their voices uniting in the dim light of the fire’s glow.
Her breath caught somewhere between her breastbone and her throat, Tess waited. The witches were close now, close enough for her to see the blackness of their eyes, the combination of delight and intensity on their faces. Athena reached out. Immediately Tess swept her hands up and shrouded her body with the protective shield.
Athena’s hand bumped against the unseen safeguard. Energy crackled and sizzled and the witch shrieked, stumbling backward. The scrawny witch caught her and pressed her back to a standing position. “What have you done?” Athena demanded, her eyes glittering like ebony diamonds.
Tess managed a shaky smile, careful to keep her focus on the spell. “Did you think my husband was the only one with the power?”
“I’ll take you apart piece by piece!”
Another witch, a darker version of Athena, placed a restraining hand on her sister’s arm. “The spell can’t last for long. She hasn’t got the strength to hold it.”
“It might be long enough for the Assembly to get through our little surprises,” Athena snapped, whirling around. “Stay here and watch her. The second the shield drops, make sure she doesn’t have any more tricks up her sleeve and bring her to me.”
Her eyes became bitter pools of black as she looked over her shoulder. “I will have that child, Tess.” Her voice rang with confidence.
Tess lifted her eyes and connected her gaze with the witch’s. “If I really am pregnant, do you actually think Jaxon will let you get anywhere near the child? Do you think I will?”
The threat was quickly dismissed with a scathing laugh. “Your powers are insufficient against my magic. What you have now you have learned through hours of lessons. My magic is inherited, passed down through the ages. I am a witch of old. My coven has lasted centuries and it will still be standing the day you cease to breathe. Which might be sooner than you think. Our dear Jaxon will be so heartbroken to lose his heart’s desire and his child in the same day. How will he endure the pain?”
How close are you, Jaxon? “You won’t be around to see his pain. He will extinguish your life as easily as you snuff out the light of a match.”
“A brave statement for someone who faces her own mortality. The instant that shield is down, you are mine.”
Jaxon was with her again. Perhaps he’d never left but either way, Tess felt the strength flowing from her body, instinctively knew the touch of his magic. Somehow he was helping her, keeping the shield aloft to protect her. “You’re relying on the mistaken belief the shield will fall.”
“Your strength will not hold for long.”
Tess’ lips curled in a knowing smile. “Perhaps it isn’t my strength alone which holds this protection in place.”
Athena and her sisters exchanged worried glances. “Jaxon would not be so stupid as to provide you with magic of his own. You aren’t capable of controlling such power.” One by one the witches inched closer to the shield.
“My husband trusts me. He knows my abilities better than you. Ask yourself why the shield is intact. Surely an ordinary human would have dropped it by now. Or at the very least lost her focus long enough to allow one of you to slip through. Why don’t you try to touch me again, Athena? That scream of yours alerted the others to the pain you must have felt.” Tess’ voice was soft but acrimonious.
Athena raged with her fury, storming closer to the bubble of protection. Common sense brought her up short and while Tess smiled, the witch twisted with hatred. “You will die at my hand.”
Thunder rattled the walls, boomed against the floor as lightning struck the ceiling and danced along the wiring. “And you will die at mine.” The deep voice resonated throughout the chamber, startling the witches. With stares of fear, they turned as one, staring in horrified splendor at the wizard who’d materialized just over Athena’s right shoulder.
Athena turned in slow motion, her face blank and emotionless. “Jaxon, how wonderful to see you again. Your little wife told me you would be coming. Her savior. And Falcon. I’m not surprised you joined our little party. How utterly predictable. Would the two of you like to have a seat? Perhaps we could discuss this over a pot of tea.”
As Jaxon trained his blazing eyes on Athena, Falcon sealed the exits with a blast of his breath, ensuring no one could exit or enter the tower.
“What I want is a coffin with your body in it and my wife safe at home.” Jaxon’s voice was a guttural rasp filled with rage.
“Now we really should discuss this like rational adults. After all, in her condition, Tess shouldn’t be upset.”
; Jaxon’s gaze seared a streak across the concrete floor, the tip of the bolt lancing scant inches short of Athena’s foot. “I’m not here to play games or waste time. Let’s be done with this here. Now.”
Athena chortled and sailed across the room to the large portrait of an angry, storm-tossed sea. “Have you seen this picture? Hand painted by a fellow witch, it has hung in this tower for centuries.” She ran her hand across the textured canvas.
Jaxon’s eyes narrowed. “I am not interested in the artwork.” From a distance, Tess saw the tautness of his muscles, the way they bunched beneath the indigo robe, which swirled about his massive frame. He looked larger than life, big, powerful. Unrelenting. And destructive.
Indigo Spell Page 32
