by Hazel Hunter
Down the glass staircase, they found Raina in a sunken living room, relaxing with a mug of coffee in front of a central fire pit. But Gillian nearly stumbled when a little monkey at her feet starting chittering.
“Ah, you’re up,” Raina said standing. The little monkey––though now Gillian could see it wasn’t quite a monkey––scampered up Raina’s leg and hugged her around the neck. Raina ruffled the fur behind her familiar’s ears. “Don’t mind Travertine. He’s protective. Marmosets sometimes are.”
The adorable little creature cocked its tufted head at them. The puffs of white hair at the sides of his head made him look like an old man. The set of his little mouth made him seem grumpy. Gillian smiled at him, and he cocked his head the other way. As quick as a flash, he had clambered back down Raina’s leg and taken off for another room.
Raina gestured to a door behind them. “Come on. I have some food for you here.”
“You’ve been too good to us,” Gillian said, as she and Shayne followed her into a sparkling and modern kitchen. Raina indicated the kitchen island, and Gillian sat down obediently. “You’ve helped us so much.”
“It’s more or less the rule when you’re out this far. If someone needs help, you offer it. Let alone Wiccans besieged by Templars.” She eyed Shayne. “I assume I have you to thank for getting rid of them.”
He nodded his ascent.
Raina set out a giant round of sourdough, a large block of cheese and some gorgeously red tomatoes. As Gillian and Shayne ate, Raina poured two mugs of coffee, then retrieved hers from the living room. The meal was a light one, but savory and satisfying. Shayne drained the last of his coffee and set the mug down.
“You saved our lives,” he said quietly. “That’s not something we’re going to forget.”
“Nor should you,” Raina said with that quick grin of hers. “But right now, what I want is information.”
“Information?” asked Gillian, blinking.
“That thing chasing you. That wasn’t any ordinary spirit haunting.”
Gillian made a face. “It was a Templar, or at least it used to be.” She hesitated, unaware of how much she should tell someone who was a stranger.
Raina nodded understandingly.
“If it puts your mind at ease, I’m a witch with a coven, not a rogue. I belong to Lena DiTomassa’s coven down south, but we’re spread out. I’m out here because it sharpens me and helps me hone my gift.”
“You’re a spirit walker?” asked Shayne.
Raina nodded.
“Yes. When I found Gillian, I was patrolling.”
“Are you saying you can leave your body?” Gillian asked in surprise. “I’ve never heard of that before.”
Raina cocked an eyebrow at her. “Really? That’s interesting, Gillian, seeing that’s how we met. You were doing the same thing.”
Gillian shook her head.
“No, not at all. I can read the past in objects. It’s called psychometry. Spirt walking? No, I can’t do that at all.”
“But you did,” said Raina gently insisting. “That Templar drove you to push your limits.”
Shayne scowled, closing his hand over Gillian’s. She wondered if he could sense her nervousness.
“Most Wiccans only have one skill,” Shayne said. “Some talented ones may seem as though they have several. But they are simply permutations of the same one.”
“That’s what I’m saying,” Raina said. “Gillian must be quite talented.”
Gillian shook her head, almost angry with the whole conversation. It was Marceline who had first understood Gillian’s talent for reading the past. It was why she’d been allowed to research Tenebris.
“It was an accident,” Gillian insisted. “It was the Templar who did it. I was in a trance for a while, and then it felt like I could rise from my body. I left it, and then he chased me. I can’t do it again. I wouldn’t know how to start.”
From the curious way Shayne was looking at her, she knew she must sound angry. Raina, however, only shrugged.
“Well, time will tell in that case. You may be right, and it might only be a coincidence. But it’s something to keep in mind. Now tell me what in the world you two were doing in the mountains this late in the season, without so much as a real tent between you.”
Gillian and Shayne took turns telling her about what they had gone through and why. When Gillian mentioned Tenebris, Raina’s eyes narrowed.
“Now that is interesting,” she said softly. “Throw in the Templars, and it starts to make sense.”
“What do you mean?” Gillian asked.
“Well, you had four Templars come for you. I’ve fought Templars. They don’t particularly muster in numbers unless they have a coven to attack.”
“Plus those Templars weren’t just out to kill some witches,” Shayne said thoughtfully. “They were targeting us, or more specifically, they were targeting Gillian.”
“Me?”
“Yes. They were prepared to kill me. Hell, they wanted to kill me, but that’s no surprise. That’s part of my normal day. However, they wanted to take you captive. Four Templars would have killed me to bring you in.”
“But why?” Gillian said, her voice rising. “I’ve never heard of Templars who wanted to capture Wiccans before. They…they don’t do that…do they?”
Raina’s face was grim.
“No, not usually,” she said. “But at heart, they’re all a bit insane. Perhaps they thought you had something that would help them. Perhaps they want to use your skills.” Raina shrugged. “Perhaps you know something you shouldn’t.”
Shayne shook his head.
“We don’t have enough information to say, one way or another. But one thing I think we can rely on is those four won’t be the last.”
And icy shiver shot down Gillian’s spine.
“But all I’m doing is trying to find Tenebris. It’s a Wiccan place. It’s history, and it’s important to us. Why would they care about that?”
“We don’t even know that’s what they’re after,” Shayne said. “When we get back to civilization, I’ll do my best to find out. The Magus Corps might be pissed at me, but they’ll want to know what’s going on. If Templars are involved, the Magus Corps needs to be as well.”
“The Magus Corps is not going to stop me from finding Tenebris,” Gillian said, bristling. “This is my life’s work. I don’t care if the Templars are going to rain fire on us. This is an important piece of who we are and where we came from.”
“The Templars have never been the sort for psychological warfare,” Raina said thoughtfully. “They’ve never had the foresight to do anything beyond massive raids. Why bother killing the soul of Wiccans when they can just kill the body?”
“Because the body has proved decidedly tough to kill,” Shayne said, with a little pride.
“Maybe you’re right,” Raina said, nodding. “If they want to try something new, the destruction of what should be a sacred site to all Wiccans everywhere might be a big blow.”
“A site that most Wiccans don’t think exists, though,” Gillian protested. “Most Wiccans wouldn’t even know what Tenebris is. Those that do think it’s a fairy story, like Tir Na Nog for the elves.”
“We don’t know what they want,” Shayne said. “Except for you.”
Though Gillian had been ready to defend her point, she couldn’t argue with that. She slumped a little, defeated.
“If it helps,” Shayne said. “I want you too.”
He lifted her gloved hand and kissed it. Though it didn’t really help, it made her smile a little.
“I think you two ought to lay low for a day or so. I can message the coven down south to get you a lift to wherever you are going.”
“Well, first we need to head to–”
“Raina doesn’t want to hear it,” Shayne quickly said. Gillian blinked at him. “Sorry,” he said. “The less people know of your plans, the less they can tell others.”
Gillian drew in a sharp breath at what
Shayne was saying. When she had started her quest, she hadn’t thought there’d be a cost, let alone danger to other Wiccans. The idea of the Templars who had chased them down coming to Raina’s beautiful home and harming her made Gillian feel sick.
“Oh, but now he’s scared you.” Raina’s smile was gentle. To Gillian’s relief, she didn’t take her hand, but instead, she rested her fingers on Gillian’s forearm. “Trust me when I say I can take care of myself. I have sent more than my fair share of Templars packing. I’m not afraid of them.”
“Though I don’t doubt your ability to defend yourself,” Shayne said. “I’d suggest spending some time with your coven. Those Templars weren’t foot soldiers. They were hunting.”
“If I see the need, I’ll run for the coven. However, I’ve been on this land for a very long time. I have a few tricks up my sleeve.”
“I’m sorry for all of this,” Gillian said.
“Because you were attacked by Templars?” Raina said. “Tosh! But if you’re sure you won’t stay, it’s still early enough for someone from the coven to help you on your way.”
Gillian looked at Shayne, who solemnly nodded. “It might be best.”
• • • • •
Once she’d gathered Max from her coat, Gillian had parked herself in front of the toasty fire. Though Shayne perused Raina’s bookcases or fetched wood from outside, he never wandered far from her. As Raina exited her high-tech office, Shayne came to Gillian’s side.
“The pilot who was flying your plane, Jen, managed a safe landing. The minute you two bailed, the firing stopped, so that tells you something.”
“I’m glad she’s all right,” Gillian said, relieved.
Raina nodded. “If she could, Jen would hop back out here to pick you up.”
Raina must have seen Gillian’s puzzled look.
“Jen is safe, but her plane didn’t fare so well.”
“Oh,” Gillian said, staring at the floor. Shayne put an arm around her waist.
“A pilot from another coven will be coming. Also, Lena’s been in touch with Marceline, and she has a message for you.”
Gillian looked up, startled.
“What is it?” she asked cautiously. “I’m not going back to the Baltus Institute, not at this point.”
Raina grinned.
“Nothing like that. Apparently, she was ready to go on a full scale Templar hunt when she heard about what happened. She said, ‘It sounds like you’re on to something big. Don’t let them take it away from you. Call if you need anything. We’ll come running.’”
Gillian grinned. That sounded like pure Marceline. Raina grinned a little and turned to go. Impulsively, Gillian touched her arm.
“We can’t thank you enough,” she said.
“Tosh,” Raina said. “It’s one of the benefits of being out here. Occasionally, I get to help people.”
“Are you sure you won’t head to your coven?” Shayne asked. “If just for a few days.”
Raina shook her head.
“I thought about it, but this is my territory. If Templars want to come looking for me, let them. I’m not afraid.”
But I am, Gillian thought, biting her lip.
Shayne sighed. “Well, it’s not like I can talk,” he said. “I’ve done a metric ton of stupid things in my time.”
Raina laughed, but stopped abruptly when she glanced up the stairs.
“Travertine!” she said. “What are you doing?”
The little marmoset was at the top of the stairs, dragging Gillian’s backpack. Raina gave Gillian an embarrassed smile.
“Looks like it’s time to get packing,” she said, with a little shrug.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
LOOKING OUT THE window of the plane, Gillian watched the small, grass runway fall behind them. As they gained altitude, she caught a glimpse of the shimmering river. The higher they climbed, the more the green of the pine forest seemed to spread forever. Raina was so isolated. Gillian grimaced at the thought.
She turned to see Shayne watching her.
“Are you ready?” he asked.
“Yes.” She sat up straight and squared her shoulders. “I’m going to see this out.”
He leaned in and spoke softly in her ear.
“Where you walk, I walk. That’s my promise to you.”
His breath tickled and she grinned, but then her smile faded. “We’re going to Port Ilya, but then…”
Shayne paused, staying close. “Yes?”
Gillian took a deep breath. “We’re going to the Midnight Market,” she whispered.
Shayne leaned back and she had the satisfaction of seeing his eyebrows arch. While Templars hadn’t made him flinch, the Midnight Market was something else.
“You’re certain,” he said after a moment.
She nodded. “There are things there that are nowhere else in the world.”
Shayne was silent for a long while, but then he nodded.
“All right.”
Though they were only two words, it was the way he’d said them.
I’m here. I will be here, and I will follow you as far as we need to go.
Gillian lifted the arm rest between their seats and leaned against him. In the small high-wing plane, it would be hours yet before they reached Port Ilya. Against the warm, muscular bulk of his body, she could feel herself drift away to sleep.
In her brief sleep, she dreamed, or at least she thought she did.
The tall pillars of onyx and malachite gleamed. The feel of silk on her body was soft and sheer. But through the marble halls, strange words were echoing. They were musical and terrible, familiar and yet desolate, but Gillian couldn’t bring herself to turn away. As her soft footfalls brought her closer, she could finally make out the sounds.
She died, she died, they said, over and over. She died, she died.
And to Gillian’s shock, she knew it was true.
• • • • •
Gillian’s story continues in SHADOWED (Book Two of the Hollow City Coven Series).
For a sneak peek, turn the page.
Book 2 Excerpt:
SHADOWED
Book Two of the Hollow City Coven Series
Shayne set the backpack in the corner. “Do you want me to take the floor?”
“What?” Gillian asked, shocked at the serious expression he turned to her.
“You hesitated when he asked if we would share a room––which I think we should. But with regards to the bed…” Shayne paused for a moment. “A lot has happened, to say the least. We jumped into things pretty fast.” He watched her face. “And they were good,” he said quickly. “But maybe it was too fast.”
Gillian turned away from Shayne, not wanting him to see the hurt in her eyes.
“I didn’t think it was too fast,” she said, her voice strained. “I’m…I’m sorry you regret it.”
“Gillian.” His strong arms wrapped her in a tight embrace. His breath was warm on her neck. “I don’t regret a thing.”
She closed her eyes in relief. His soft lips kissed a trail from the base of her neck to just behind her ear.
“That feels so good,” she murmured, tilting her head.
“I couldn’t agree more,” he whispered against her skin.
Up on deck, she could hear footsteps going to and fro. The timbers around them creaked a little. She’d been about to say they must be underway, when Shayne gently turned her face to him and kissed her. His mouth was almost tentative at first, but in moments his lips were kneading into hers, firm, demanding… Gillian remembered the bar.
“Oh my god,” she gasped, pulling back.
Shayne immediately let her go and stepped back. His eyebrows mounded furiously, and he mouthed a silent “what?”.
“In the bar,” she said, hugging herself. “There’s something I have to tell you.”
She told him about the woman at the bar, the words tumbling out in no particular order. Though Shayne raised his eyebrows, he didn’t interrupt. When she finally fini
shed her breathless tale, he chuckled a little.
“Your first time, I take it?” he asked, smiling.
“My…my…what?” she managed to stammer. This was not the reaction she’d been expecting.
“I’m disappointed,” he said, and her heart clenched, “that I wasn’t there to watch.”
She’d been about to attempt an explanation but stopped. Though she knew she had to be gaping at him, she couldn’t stop.
“I’ve lived eight-hundred years, Gillian. After the first hundred or so, experimentation is nice.” He watched her intently. “Are you saying you didn’t enjoy it?”
Though she felt as though she were melting under his gaze, she couldn’t lie.
“No,” she said quietly, staring at the floor.
In fact, at the moment, she couldn’t remember a kiss that had so taken her breath away.
The ship began to rock, the motion small at first, but growing steadily. She wobbled a bit. Shayne quickly closed the distance between them. But rather than embrace her, he moved her backward toward the bed. A thought occurred to her, and she stopped him.
“Wait. Are you saying you’ve been with other men?”
Shayne froze, hands around her waist, looking down into her eyes.
“Yes,” he said. “Is that a problem?”
In all honesty, she didn’t know. His one brown eye and one blue, looked between hers. She tried to imagine it––Shayne with another man––but didn’t even know where to begin. But slowly, as her hands found his rounded biceps and she gazed at his broad chest, she saw two Shaynes. She pictured him with that man, equally beautiful, both carved like Greek gods, both needing each other, one submitting to the other. They were gorgeous. Gillian blinked.
