by Unknown
She visibly forced her eyes open. “Kiss me?”
“Do you really need to ask?” Zach leaned down and tasted his mate, sipping at her gently. He wanted her to rest. He had no idea what shape he’d be in when he was done with Davis Godwin. He knew he’d more than likely need her ready to take care of him. “Get lots of rest. If things go down the way I think they will, you’ll be the one tucking me in tonight.”
She smiled. “Gonna let me fuss over you?”
“As much as your little heart desires.” He damn near purred when she reached up and ran her fingers through his hair. “Love you, Jo.” The fingers paused, and Zach realized what he’d just said. “Get some rest.” He kissed her briefly one last time and hurried out of the room, ignoring her when she tried to call him back.
He had to go into this thinking that Jo cared for him. He didn’t know if he could face Godwin knowing that Jo might belong to him, but she’d never love him. He ran his fingers over the broken amulet in his pocket, the action soothing him. He’d work this out, somehow. He could start with caring, turn it into something more.
He had to turn it into something more.
He practically ran back to Chris’s office to find Gen pacing back and forth. He took a deep breath. “All right. You know more about this kind of thing than I do. Where do we go from here?”
She stared at him. “Gareth stays here.”
He was shaking his head before she’d finished her sentence. “He’d only follow us. There’s no way he’ll stay behind on this one.”
“Even to protect yours and Chris’s mates?”
“Not even. He’ll be there to protect me.” He knew that without a doubt. Gareth would never forgive him if Zach tried to leave him behind.
She closed her eyes. “He’s going to hate me.”
Zach did his best not to laugh. “Trust me. Gareth does not hate you.” Gareth watched her when he didn’t think she was looking. Everyone might think Daniel was next in line to cast the Beckett spell, but Zach was pretty sure he’d be handing the emerald over to Gareth before the week was out, no matter how much he enjoyed seeing it on Jo’s hand.
“You don’t understand.” Gen’s gaze was so full of sorrow that Zach wanted to fix it somehow.
“Understand what?” Gareth walked around the room, incense burning in a censer he carried. He muttered as he walked, “Lord and Lady, hear my plea. Protect us from adversity.”
“Gen thinks you hate her.”
The censer bobbled for just a second. “I don’t hate her. I just don’t trust her. Big difference.”
Zach caught Gen’s wince. “Bro—”
“Chris’s workroom next. I want to get this done before we leave.” Gareth walked out, all his attention on the spell he was casting.
Zach sighed. “Remind me to hit him with a nice, thick stick.”
That startled a soft laugh from Gen. “Can I pick it out?”
He turned and smiled at the Own. “Sure.” He swung his arm around her shoulder. “Let’s go battle eeeevil. Then we can beat on my brother until we’re satisfied.”
Gen blinked. “Would you ever be satisfied?”
That twinkle in Gen’s eye was more than welcome. If she stood any chance at all in the Beckett family then she’d need to loosen up quite a bit. “Good point.” He escorted her out of Chris’s office and into the workroom. He could smell the sage Gareth had shrouded the room in. “Let’s see what Chris has in his drawers.”
“Don’t you think Lana will mind? That’s her territory, after all.”
Zach turned, confused, until he saw the blush creeping up Gen’s cheeks. He shook his head. “You’re naughty under all that starch!” He beamed at her. “I like that.”
The blush deepened. “I am not.” She sniffed. “I just don’t poach.”
Zach grinned. “We’ll have you corrupted in no time.” The look that crossed her face had him regretting his words almost instantly. “Sorry.”
“No need to be.” She opened one of Chris’s drawers and pulled out a green feather. She blinked, sneezed and put it back.
“Bless you.”
“Thank you.” She opened another drawer and grabbed a sack. She began dumping semi-precious stones into it willy-nilly. Amethyst, snowflake obsidian, tiger’s eye, cat’s eye, a few pearls, all entered the sack until it was bulging.
He glanced over at the table containing his own spell and choked. There, sitting right in the middle of the Hecate’s Wheel, was a ceramic, winged pig. Between its little pink hooves nestled a green M&M. Only one person Zach knew would have the balls to do that. “Damn it, Daniel!”
Daniel sauntered into the room, staring at the bag in Gen’s hands. “Like the shineys, huh?” Daniel snatched the bag out of her hands. “What’s this for?”
“Marking out a Hecate’s Wheel.” Zach took the bag back and handed it to Gen. “Speaking of which, nice pig, asshat.”
Daniel smirked. “You’re welcome, buttmunch.”
“How did you know?” Gen rolled her eyes and tucked the bag into her purse before turning to another drawer.
“Know what?”
“That the stones are for a Hecate’s Wheel.”
Zach pulled out his own supplies, already familiar with his brother’s workroom. He added them to the large travel pouch he’d strapped to his waist. He looked like an idiot with the damn thing on, but it was perfect for a male witch on the go. “I just did.”
“Instinct.” Daniel’s voice was full of both humor and a brotherly derision that had Zach rolling his eyes at Daniel. “I’ll never understand it.”
“Good thing you don’t have to then.” Zach began snatching things. For some reason he felt the sudden urge to hurry. “We have to get moving. Something’s going to happen soon.”
“What do you need?” Daniel dropped the last of his supplies in his bag as Gareth came back in the room.
“Sea salt, black cord—lots of it—some of the lavender incense and whatever you think will help against multiple warlocks.”
Daniel and Gareth exchanged a look and began their own hunt for things they might need. Gareth poked through Chris’s drawer, pulling out bits of incense. He scented them before putting most of them back. “Protection spells are done. You adding anything?”
Gen nodded. “One moment.” She picked up three candles and placed them in a triangle. Then she took Zach’s amulet and placed it in the center with the wolf side up. She lit the candles and lifted her face, her hands up in the air. She braced her feet apart and closed her eyes. Her body lit with green light.
“Candles three, pure and white,
Protect those sleeping here this night.
Mates of wolves, ladies fair,
Keep hidden from harm and despair.
Brother Wolf, wild and free,
Protect them from adversity!”
Over the amulet a shadow rose. In the distance Zach heard the cry of a wolf. The shadow bowed once to Gen, then dissipated into the air.
Gen lowered her arms, the glow fading. “That’s the best I can do.”
“That works.” Gareth looked stunned.
“Your athame, Zach.” Zach turned and snatched the sheathed blade out of the air as Chris tossed it to him. “Your wand is over there.” Chris pointed to the table where the Beckett mate spell was still set up. “Is the perimeter secure?”
“As far as I can tell none of your wards have been breached.” Daniel strapped something to his hip but Zach couldn’t quite see what it was. “I’m ready.”
“Ready.” Gareth slipped an herb pouch into his pocket. Over his head he’d slipped a clear teardrop crystal on a silver chain. He had a white-handled dagger strapped to his side.
“Give me one second more and I’ll be done.” Chris picked up some amulets. “I’ve been preparing for a return of the Godwins ever since I faced Cole. These should help all of us.” He handed each of them an amulet similar to the one he’d given Zach the day before his duel with Cole. On one side was the carved fig
ure of a howling wolf. On the other was a Hecate’s Wheel. He handed the first one to Zach. “This one I made especially for you.” He turned to Gen. “I’m sorry I don’t have another one prepared. I wasn’t expecting more than one Own.”
“Let alone a Godwin Own?” The slight bitterness in her voice had Zach wincing in sympathy.
Chris moved to stand in front of Gen. “My mate trusts you. So does Zach.” Chris smiled. “That’s good enough for me.”
“Thank you.” The soft smile Gen gave Chris had Zach smiling in response.
“Can we go before someone breaks out in song?” Daniel rolled his eyes and waved everyone toward the door.
“I can sing ‘Kumbaya’ in the car.” Gareth snagged Daniel’s arm and pushed him out first. “Remember what happened the last time I did that?”
“Zach didn’t stop howling for a week.”
“Literally.”
“Mom was pissed.”
“Can I help it if I have an amazing singing voice?”
Zach followed his idiot family out of the house. “Guys?”
The brothers stopped.
“Thank you.”
He could see Chris struggling to say something that didn’t sound unmanly.
“How many times do we need to tell you? Becketts stick together.” Daniel turned to the car. “Hey!”
Gen smiled serenely from the passenger seat. “I call shotgun.”
Zach laughed and slipped into the back. She was going to do just fine.
Ow. Something slapped against her thigh. Jo reached down to brush whatever it was off. Maybe Chris’s cat Alasdair had jumped on the bed and accidentally scratched her.
She frowned. It was hot. She didn’t remember it being this hot. Jo reached up to wipe the sweat from her forehead and sighed. Maybe she was running a fever?
She took stock of how she felt. Achy, tired, dirty and sweaty. Sounded like a fever. She winced when she stepped on something sharp.
Wait a minute.
She opened her eyes and blinked in shock. Or a hike through the woods. Where the hell am I?
Jo stopped dead in her tracks. She was surrounded on all sides by trees.
What the fuck?
“Keep moving.” Something poked her in the back, hard enough to send her tumbling forward. She landed hard on her hands and knees. “Not that I mind the view, but my father is waiting.”
Jo turned and stared into cold blue eyes. How did I ever think Zach’s eyes were cold? This blond-haired man could give lessons to an iceberg. “I’m moving.” She stood slowly, careful not to give the man more of a show than she already had. “You’re a Godwin, I presume?”
The toothy smile she got in return was supposed to be warm. Jo shivered in response. “Arthur Godwin. I’d say at your service, but really? I’m not.”
“Goodie.” Jo turned and began walking through the trees. She reached for her magic, but it was like trying to swim through tapioca. Shit. They’re blocking me somehow. “How did I get here?”
“Trade secret.”
“That trade secret wouldn’t have glowing red eyes, would it?” Only something as powerful as a demon could have gotten past the protections on Christopher Beckett’s land. Summoning anything, let alone a demon, into the physical world took a tremendous amount of energy. No wonder the Godwins had turned to human sacrifice. They were doing more than feeding the demons, they were letting them loose!
“Smart girl.” The wand he held prodded her in the back once more. “Go on. It wouldn’t do to be late.”
“Great.” Jo studied the landscape around her. “Why do I get the feeling I’m on a small island on the Jersey side of the Schuylkill River?”
“Damn. Gen figured that out, did she? We’ll have to do something about that.”
Fuck. It sucks to be right sometimes. “This is the part where someone straps me to an altar and sacrifices me to some dark hunger, right?”
“Not yet, but soon.” He nudged her in the back again. She was going to be bruised all to hell if he kept that up. “Anxious to get started?”
“Oh sure. I just love the idea of soul-sucking monsters hovering over me.”
“Almost there,” Arthur crooned. “You’re going to be beautiful writhing on the altar.”
“I’m sure.” Jo swallowed down her nerves. She had to hold it together. Zach would come for her.
And he was going to be pissed.
“Arthur. Bring her here.”
“Yes, sir.” Arthur took hold of her arm and forced her toward an older man in a dark, hooded robe.
“Davis Godwin, I presume?” She couldn’t help the shaking of her voice. They’d told her it would take two hours to get from Chris’s house to here. She had no idea how much time had elapsed since she’d gone to sleep and woken up on the island.
The man reached out and tilted up her chin. “Johra Yashodhar, next in line to run the Yashodhar coven.” He turned her head gently from side to side, examining her. “Very pretty.” He touched the mark on her shoulder with savage satisfaction. “And marked. Excellent.” He stepped back, releasing her. “That will take care of Zachary Beckett once and for all.”
“What will?”
“Your death. His life force is now tied to yours. Once I feed your soul to the dark ones, your lover will follow you.”
“Follow me where?” Jo was horrified. If she got sacrificed they’d both spend eternity in hell?
“Into death. Possibly further. Who knows? I’m not sure I understand all of the ramifications of the so-called mating.” He gestured to Arthur. “Tie her to the altar.”
“What about the other one?”
“Hmm? Oh. Yes. Make sure she’s conscious. I want her to watch what will soon happen to her.”
Other one? Jo struggled against Arthur, pulling as hard as she could. She shouldn’t have been surprised when Arthur punched her in the stomach.
Arthur shouldn’t have been surprised when she hurled all over his shoes, either.
“Hugh! Damn it! Give me a hand with this bitch.”
Another blond, blue-eyed man stepped out of the woods. “I was just checking on the prisoner.” He eyed her up and down, and Jo’s skin crawled. “Zachary’s mate.” His hand reached out and pinched her nipple with vicious intent. “Very nice.”
“She goes on the altar first.”
Hugh sighed. “Damn. I guess I’ll just have to play with the other one, then.” Hugh picked her up with startling strength and dropped her down onto a hard stone surface. The impact stunned her. “Get ready to die, pretty.”
Jo spit in his face. “Fuck you, ugly.”
He wiped the spit away while Arthur tied her down. “If you’re lucky, I will.”
Hugh stepped back and headed into the woods.
“Hugh? Dad said to tie her up where she can see the sacrifice.”
Hugh nodded and continued on his way as Arthur began tying her down spread-eagle on the dark altar.
Jo wanted to scream, but bit it back. Zach! Where the fuck are you?
Jo heard a gasp and turned. A woman with matted blonde hair was thrust to the ground in front of Hugh. Her knees were scrapped raw, her fingers bled and one of her eyes was swollen shut. She too wore nothing but panties and a T-shirt, much to Hugh Godwin’s obvious delight.
If looks could kill Hugh Godwin would be dead.
“Who are you?”
Hugh kicked the blonde in the side, eliciting a muffled groan. “Silence.”
The woman snarled but kept her mouth shut. Hugh tied her to the closest tree before leaning down and practically raping her mouth. “Be a good girl and we might let you live another day.”
Jo could tell the woman was trying to hold herself together, but Hugh’s kiss had robbed her of some of her fire. She was helpless against him and she knew it.
And so did Jo. She closed her eyes and did the only thing she could think of.
Jo prayed.
Zach? Dear Goddess, where are you?
Chapter Sixteen
A wolf was howling.
Zach doubled over, his hands clasped to his ears. “Go faster.”
Daniel turned to stare at him, but the sense of urgency only grew. They were approaching the Girard Point Bridge and everything within Zach was vibrating with the need to go go go.
Something was horribly wrong.
“What’s going on?”
Zach shook his head and clenched his hands. He barely felt the pain in his palm. The wolf’s cries were becoming urgent. “I don’t know, but it’s bad.”
Daniel whipped around. “Right. Faster.”
“I’m going as fast as I can.” Chris whizzed past a couple doing the speed limit. “We’ll need to take the first exit, try and get a boat rental. Anyone know where we can get one?”
“We won’t need it.” Zach knew he was glowing, but he couldn’t help it.
“How do you propose crossing a river without one?”
Zach turned his gaze away from the river to stare at Gareth.
Gareth matched him look for look, not the least intimidated by him. “Well?”
Zach’s lip twitched. “I’ll ask nicely.”
Gareth’s eyes went wide. “Don’t tell me, I might have a fit.”
“I’m not sure I want to know either.” Daniel closed his eyes. “Tell me when it’s over.”
“Zach?” Chris turned toward the Broad Street exit, the first one off the bridge. “Where to?”
“As close to the water as you can get me.” And then it would be up to him to get them to the island.
“Would this work better if we took the Walt Whitman into Jersey?”
“No.” If they did that it would be too late.
But too late for what?
Chris’s cell phone rang. “Lana?”
Zach’s head whipped around. He knew, knew what Lana was going to say.
“Fuck. When?” Chris’s eyes met his in the rearview mirror, and Zach knew his hunch was right. “We’ll get her back.”
“Where was Annabelle?” If Zach had to fight the Evans clan patriarch over his mate, he’d do it, but he doubted Annabelle would allow someone like Davis Godwin to take a butterfly let alone a woman.
