The Witch's Heart (The Rise of Orion Book 2)

by J. M. Davies

  “No, I cannot pick up any other scent than ours,” she said.

  Marcus stared at Jake, who eyeballed him as he tilted his head to the side and his forehead creased.

  “What the fuck. Why do I feel as if I’ve been left out of some vital information here? Isabella says she can read minds and Ella can what? Pick up other supernatural scents? Shit, boss, did I miss that debriefing?” Jake pushed his face into his.

  He never kept secrets from his team and he winced. There was a lot Jake and the team needed to know.

  Isabella swiveled around to face Jake head on. “I’m a witch, Jake.”

  “Yeah, right.” Jake stood back, raking his hand through his short-cropped hair as he inspected the building. “I say we skip the visit inside for today and return when we’re all on the same page. I don’t like going in blind.”

  He was right. He should know who was at his side and what they were capable of. They were here as a team, like it or not.

  Isabella lifted her head skyward and the clouds rolled in from the east, covering the sun. Darkness descended. Jake snapped back around and watched as she flicked her fingers at him. In seconds, he stood right in front of her. His arms lay clamped at his side. Once again, Isabella gazed up at the sky and blew out a gentle breath. The clouds dispersed, revealing the bright sun and letting daylight reign once more. She lowered her face to look right at Jake.

  “I’m a witch. My coven resides in New England, and it’s not something that is for common consumption, Jake. Likewise, with Ella and Marcus. Human beings aren’t the only people who reside on this planet. There are many life-forms, and we have co-existed for centuries, but the force that took Ella is a danger to us all. I can erase your memory and read your dirty thoughts, so if you’re going to freak out, do it now. I would hate to have to track you down, but I would, if you became a threat to me or my kind,” Isabella said.

  Jake shook his upper body and stepped back with his mouth hanging open, looking from Isabella to Marcus and then back at Isabella. Jake launched himself at her and gripped her shoulders.

  Marcus held Ella back as she gasped.

  What’s he going to do?

  Read his thoughts.

  Jake cupped Isabella’s face with his hands and pressed a hard kiss on her lips. She softened into his body and wrapped her arms around his back, molding their bodies together. They kissed for a few moments back and forth. Then Jake broke apart from her and stood back.

  “Okay, well now, I’m totally turned on. I knew you were special, Sparkles. This only confirms it. But if you try that shit on me again, you will pay. As for you, boss, you have some explaining to do, but I guess it can wait until later.” Jake smiled and kept his eyes glued on Isabella.

  “After that little demonstration, I feel stronger. I’ll go inside after all,” Isabella said.

  Jake grabbed Isabella’s hand and sauntered toward the giant building.

  “It was only a kiss, Jake.”

  “I know, but it’s the second one today. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.”

  Marcus didn’t move. He eyed the vicinity, uneasy about stepping inside the decaying tomb. The thought that the Elusti had brought Ella here and carried out a caesarian in such a rotting and haunting site increased his fury.

  “I am sorry, Ella. I didn’t expect to feel the way I do when I came here. I’m a controlled man. I rationalize every mission, undertake a risk analysis to assess our position after a thorough examination of all the evidence. But this place, I would never have imagined they would have brought you here. Look at it,” he said with arms outstretched.

  Ella stared at the brick building.

  I know, but it’s the kind of place that no one else would suspect either. I just want to go inside and see if I can sense anything, Marcus.

  He nodded down at her. “Stay close and do everything I tell you, understand?”

  She nodded.

  “Okay, I want to do a quick walk around the building to work out the best point of entry. Come on.”

  He trudged through the overgrown grass to study the covered windows, crumbling stone, and brickwork. The signs were situated all around warning of asbestos, and Do Not Enter further highlighted the desire to keep this building sealed. He couldn’t understand when he looked over into the distance at the modern converted housing complex why this structure remained at all. Taking a deep breath as he looked back at the imposing rectangular building, he stopped when one window caught his view.

  “Okay, it looks as if we can easily gain entry here. I don’t see any security cameras or detect any signs of recent access. Are you absolutely certain?”

  He aimed his words at Isabella; she was the one who had seen the image of this building inside the doctor’s mind. Ella didn’t know the location and was under the influence of drugs and God knows what in her system.

  “That might be the case, Drayton, but I know this is the place. I also know we’re not alone.”

  Marcus watched Ella’s features harden as they stared at the hospital. Her heart ramped up speed and her shoulders tensed. Waves of fear and apprehension flowed through her veins.

  Isabella and Jake stepped closer, each looking left and right as the sky clouded over and moans lifted into the air. The wind picked up speed and whistled through the low trees on the edge of the garden. Their position was hidden from the road by a bank of thick green bushes and trees. They had parked a good distance away, leaving the Humvee at the housing complex, not wanting to draw attention to their presence here.

  “Who else is here, Ella?”

  “Spirits and something else but he’s cloaked.”

  “What the hell does that mean?” Jake asked.

  “It’s when an entity doesn’t want to be seen. I can get a whiff of their scent but not enough to identify them,” Ella said.

  “Focus. Jake, stay close to Isabella. We all need to be vigilant. If at any time I say abort, we’re out of here immediately.”

  “Ladies, I have to ask because you obviously have talents us mere mortals don’t. Please, feel free at any time to put them to use if we need protecting?” Jake smiled.

  The girls laughed.

  “Speak for yourself, Jake. I’m a gifted man—ask my wife,” Marcus said.

  “I will help as much as I can,” said Isabella.

  “Me too,” Ella said.

  “Once we’re inside, judging from the sensations Isabella and Ella are getting, we’re treading into unknown territory. This is code orange on the risk assessment. A perceived threat. Expect anything. Focus on your surroundings and don’t lose sight of one another. Weapons drawn and targeted. Once inside, we split into two teams. Isabella, you’re with Jake. We talk through the headsets. If you spot anything, get in touch immediately.”

  Everyone nodded. Working with Ella at his side added to his mounting tension. There was no fucking way he could work with her like this ever again. He had mastered his technique of blocking certain thoughts from her and she still fought to control her thoughts. He swiped a glance sideways; her jaw lifted. She looked determined. He touched her shoulder and she met his gaze with her mouth held tightly closed.

  “I’m right at your side, okay?”

  She inhaled. “I know.”

  Jake moved to the large window that contained twelve panes of glass and pulled out a small screwdriver from his pocket. He looked back at the group as he worked to jimmy the window to gain access.

  “I used to have to break into my home when I was a teenager after nights out with the boys and Diana.” He smirked at Isabella.

  She folded her arms and frowned. After a moment or two when the window didn’t budge, Isabella pointed her hand at the window, spoke several ancient words and it lifted with ease.

  “Ha, you would have been very handy back in those teenage years,” Jake said.

  He waved his hand to direct Isabella inside first and helped hoist her up as she climbed in through the window. Ella followed next, and then Jake. Marcus kept watch behind
them as each jumped inside until it was his turn. Waiting a moment longer to ensure that they weren’t being watched, he swiveled around and jumped up to clamber inside. The instant odor of damp and rot hit his senses, and he covered his mouth.

  The room they stood in was a small office. The white-washed walls were peeling, revealing peachy mortar and large wavy cracks, like veins spread out. Single black wires hung from the ceilings with light bulbs, some broken and some still intact. Built-in bookcases filled the wall on the right, and a large overturned desk lay sprawled on the floor. A thick layer of gray dust covered everything like a carpet. Stringy cobwebs hung like Halloween decorations. Papers and books were strewn on the floor.

  “Beyond this room, there’s no natural light. Put your goggles on, ladies,” Marcus said, studying each one in turn.

  “I could light the building up but the spirits here don’t like the brightness. It will annoy them. They’re sensitive souls,” said Isabella.

  Jake, as per habit, already wore his and stood at the doorway, ready with his pistol in hand. He checked his weapon as he searched the corridor and studied the only exit point in front of them. He took careful steps out into the hallway and Isabella followed. Marcus proceeded in the opposite direction, down the long narrow corridor. His night vision goggles allowed him to navigate his way, sidestepping broken bottles and pieces of furniture that littered his path.

  After a moment, he glanced back to check Ella was close behind. She stood at his back. He glanced at the floor as rats scurried around. Ella screamed and grabbed his arm.

  I’m sorry. It ran over my foot.

  Rats—it’s to be expected. You need to be quiet, Ella. You’ve announced our presence to those sensitive souls.

  Sorry, I was focused on what’s in front, not the damn floor, Drayton.

  He carried on down the long corridor, which turned left into an expansive open foyer area where the ceiling lifted to the second floor. Jake and Isabella came into view from the opposite side. They all turned around, studying the high domed ceiling and reception area. At the front was a large and heavy desk with shelves behind filled with loose papers all covered in dust. Papers littered the floor as well as more broken glass, odd chairs, discarded cans, and rubbish. On either side of the front desk, there was a sweeping curved staircase that led up to the second floor. To their left and right were multiple doors, some open and showing long rooms and others closed. A little farther down was an alcove with smaller stone steps that descended to the basement.

  He tapped his headset. “You go upstairs. We’ll head for the basement. I’m still not convinced we’re in the right place. Christ, this place doesn’t look touched in years. Anyway, twenty-four minutes on the clock.”

  He moved to the stairwell that descended into the basement. In some places, the stone steps were chipped and chunks were missing. He dodged the broken steps and held his pistol out in front as he zigzagged down. The air was thicker and more pungent the lower they went.

  Some steps are broken—be careful or you’ll fall.

  He pressed on, thudding down the steps, until he reached the bottom. He was used to wearing the night vision goggles that enabled them to not only navigate their way in the dark but to seek out heat signatures using the thermal trackers in the goggles. The infrared light that was picked up by the heat emitted from people or animals glowed green. The color was used specifically to make it easier to view for longer periods of time. The smell differed from upstairs; it was damp but a strong odor of bleach assailed his nostrils.

  Ella, how are you doing?

  I’m okay. I’m right behind you. I—

  Standing in the hallway there was a whiteboard with graffiti and rude pictures drawn on it, but as he swept his gaze down the long corridor, the area appeared clean. Sparkling clean. Ella tugged his arm.

  This way.

  Her voice wavered and he reached to pull her back, but she charged in front of him and pushed through a set of double doors. He raced after her inside the adjoining room and came to a complete standstill as he glanced around, examining the cleanliness. A fully outfitted anesthetic room faced him, ready and waiting. Two gurneys stood on either side of the room. Carts sat next to them, stocked high with supplies. The walls held oxygen tubing and suction. Modern resuscitation equipment and machines surrounded him.

  “Jake, Isabella—get down here.”

  Monitors were fixed to the walls and discarded surgical gowns lay at his feet. He kicked the uniforms away and swallowed down his fury; it wouldn’t help anyone right now. Bloodied sheets, swabs, and gloves lay in trays and in the open waste bins. Sharp boxes stood idle and the room swam around him. Ella had been held here. The blood was hers. Sniffing the air, he knew without question this was the fucking place. Cupboard doors lay open and the shelves were equally stocked with supplies. He turned his gaze back in front and saw the doors swinging. Ella had darted through to the room beyond.

  Damn it, Ella.

  He charged at the door, pushing with all his force, and dashed through. Inside, a sterile and empty surgery lay, with a high ceiling and a set of enormous round lights focused over the center stage. There were no windows in the room, but there wasn’t a speck of dust either. Steel mobile carts surrounded the long operating table. Machines sat at the head of the slim table and blood splattered over the floor, where more bloodied gauze swabs lay. In the corner, a small resuscitation unit was tucked away.

  Ella stood there with her hand pressed down on the small cotton sheet. Her heartbeat thumped and thumped.

  A high-pitched cry filled the room, amplified to the fullest. A baby’s. Marcus could hear the cries all around him. A healthy cry. The doors swung open and he pointed his Glock at it. In darted Jake and Isabella, each with their weapons pointed out in front.

  Fuck.

  “This place is a tomb. We need to leave. There’s nothing here. Come on,” he said.

  Ella stood with her back facing him and he watched as her shoulders shook. Sobs that she had held inside broke free. He stood behind her as his eyebrows dipped and his nostrils flared. All she had faced and endured had led to this shit hole. Their baby had been born here and taken from them.

  “We’ll find him, Ella. I don’t care what it takes. We’ll find him. I promise.”

  She spun around and pressed herself against his body. He gathered her tiny frame into his arms and held her, letting her tears fall.

  He’s here, Ella. Alive and healthy, but he doesn’t ever stop crying. He’s crying for you. Only you.

  Ella stiffened in his arms. She panted and moved back from Marcus.

  Did you hear that?

  “We’re leaving now,” Marcus said.

  The professor’s voice had been as clear as day. What the fuck?

  They moved as fast as they could and retraced their steps back the way they came, not stopping. Jake and Isabella ran behind them. No one talked, but thoughts swirled around inside Marcus’s brain.

  I need air. That bastard is taunting us.

  There are so many souls here.

  They reached the main reception area again. Ella pulled at Marcus’s back and he turned to take her hand, guiding her closer to him. They needed to get outside. The stale air made it harder to breathe and the unease he felt earlier now clawed at him. Ella was shaking at the professor’s words.

  Jake held Isabella around the waist as they reached the top. She leaned on Jake and was quiet.

  “What’s wrong?” Marcus asked.

  “I don’t know, but she’s spaced out. Let’s get the fuck out of here. I’m going to carry her the rest of the way.”

  Isabella moaned but didn’t resist as he hoisted her up into his arms and twisted to head down the corridor back to the window. But he stopped dead in his tracks. Marcus pushed Jake to the side and stared at the outline he could see in his goggles. The night vision equipment could detect heat signatures. All heat which included bodies, glowed green, but a blue light flashed brightly in the shape of a woman. He had nev
er seen anything like it.

  The slim woman in a long dress hovered in front of him. The hairs on his neck rose. He had never seen a ghost, but what stood a couple of feet away sure as shit wasn’t human. The figure floated at least two feet off the ground and glided toward them. Long hair flowed around her face and wicked laughter bounced off the walls as she stretched her arms out in front. The stinking decomposing smell rose. He placed his arm out at the side to stop anyone moving forward and searched for another way out.

  I need to stand. She needs me.

  Marcus pivoted around and studied Isabella as she struggled in Jake’s arms.

  “Let her go, Jake.”

  Without question, Jake released Isabella, who wobbled on her feet as she stood, and he helped to steady her. She stepped through the two men until she stood in front, removing her goggles and lighting the corridor. Marcus lifted his goggles to watch the scene. The ghostly apparition opened its mouth and screeched a horrible squealing sound. Marcus covered his ears. Isabella lifted her arms and he heard her mumble words. Her body tilted forward and a wind from nowhere blew down the corridor, forcing them back. Isabella pushed her body forward, raising her arms toward the ceiling, and her voice grew louder as she repeated the same incantation over and over. She pulled out several long slim sticks from her pocket and lit the ends with a lighter. The smell of sage wafted toward him. Isabella proceeded to wave the flame around and smoke billowed out around her. The wind died down but the creature remained.

  “Viam ad domum ire retro progredi in lucem. Dimissi fuerunt.”

  Marcus heard the Latin words spoken clearly: to find your way home, let go of the past. Move forward into the light. Let go of the past.

  Isabella spoke more forcibly; her voice deepened and her hands thrust out in front as the burning sticks continued to smoke. Above them, a swirling white cloud appeared and grew. The ghost stopped squealing and stood for a moment. Instead of a translucent ghoul, a young woman stood next to Isabella and she took her hand. The ghost was pretty, with long auburn hair and brown eyes that flashed over them before rising to look at the light that beamed from the swirling mass above them. Isabella spoke words he couldn’t hear and the woman nodded. The woman walked and then floated into the cloud, vanishing into thin air. The dark corridor returned and Isabella slumped.