“Greater god?”
Probably should have paid more attention to the lessons that didn’t involve spells.
She had a vague memory of Carolyn talking about the hierarchy of deities.
Ash narrowed his eyes, the way he had when she’d mentioned Dracula.
He waved a dismissive hand. “It’s not important. Anyway, Agamon proved himself such a capable leader, he was made a lesser god, handpicked to rule.”
“Wait a minute.” Eden lowered the fry she’d been about to chomp. “You can make a god?”
“Anyone—any thing, if you want to get philosophical about it—can be made a god if given enough power.”
Eden chewed on that thought…and another fry…while Ash continued.
“But as capable as he’d been on the battlefield, he was incapable of bringing peace to the world he’d been given. The god who’d made him didn’t appreciate seeing his creation bathed in blood. He gave Agamon an ultimatum: stop the war or be replaced and made mortal again.”
“I’m guessing he didn’t take that well.”
No one liked giving up power—even worse to have it rescinded.
“He did not,” Ash continued. “He gathered the most powerful witches across his lands and gave them a task: perform a spell to give all the magical power in the realm to him. He promised he would use it to foster peace.”
“And they agreed?” Eden was aghast.
“They had little choice. Agamon was ruthless and made it clear if they didn’t perform the spell, other witches would, and it would be their own power that was taken. Either way, it would be done.”
“So, they siphoned all the magic in their entire world and gave it Agamon?”
“They did. He finally had enough power to stop the wars, but there was no peace. A world without magic meant there was no hope. The more Agamon did to prop up his rule, the worse things got. He talked of other worlds—new realms to conquer. By then, he was too powerful to kill—even for the god who’d made him. So, the witches who’d given him his power conspired to take it back—to redistribute it to the people and creatures they’d taken it from. But Agamon’s darkness had caused the power to become a shadow of itself. The magic couldn’t be salvaged, but regardless, Agamon had to be stopped.”
“They imprisoned him,” Eden said.
“Exactly. He was sent to drift forever in the void between worlds where he could do no more harm.”
“And yet…” Eden gestured to the mark on her chest.
Ash wiped a fry on the side of the basket to lessen its ketchup load. “I’m getting there. The witches who made the prison were punished for having empowered Agamon in the first place. They were allowed to live but cursed. They and their descendants would never again be witches—never be born with a spark of magic.”
“Never?” Eden shook her head. “Talk about sins of the father.”
“They were also banished from their home, sent to live here, on Earth. They became the first custodes or guardians. Always watchful for signs of Agamon’s return. The order became known as the Custos because together we are one. One people. One mission.”
“‘We?’” Eden’s eyes widened.
“You’re looking at a descendant from a line of very ancient and very powerful witches.” He spread his hands. “But those witches screwed up, so now…we atone.”
“Damn.” Eden was struck speechless and motioned for Ash to continue.
“Back when this happened, the portals between worlds were open. So, when my ancestors were banished, they didn’t come alone. They were pursued by those still loyal to Agamon.”
Eden narrowed her eyes. “If he was as bad as you say, why would anyone have stayed loyal to him?”
Ash balled up his napkin. “Even the worst dictators in history have those who love them.”
Eden shook her head in disbelief, even knowing it was true. History was filled with such stories.
“When my people reached this world, they broke into thirteen clans and went their separate ways. Each clan took one of the seals and hid it in hopes they would never be found and never need to be.”
“Then why…”
“Why are the people looking for them the same ones who hid the stones in the first place?” Quinn’s mouth twisted. “Because nothing lasts forever—not even prisons. They knew that and added a loophole to their cloaking spell—one day a year when the stones could be sensed by those who know how to look—Samhain. Generations after they were hidden, my ancestors began looking, knowing this day would come.”
“And what day is this?”
“The day when a witch would be born, powerful enough to either strengthen the seals or break them and set Agamon free.”
Eden’s flesh pebbled. “And you think that witch is me?”
“Clearly Agamon does, or he wouldn’t have his followers hunting you.”
“Carolyn once told me I had the potential to be the most powerful witch in generations.” The memory of Eden’s former mentor brought sadness. “It never occurred to me that might be a bad thing.”
“It’s not a bad thing. But power makes you a target. That’s true whether magic is involved or not.”
“Wait,” Eden said. “How did Mikel get the stones? He was a witch, so he couldn’t have been one of you.”
“Two weeks ago, the seals in our possession were stolen right out from under us.”
“Mikel stole them?”
“I have no idea who did the stealing, but he ended up with them.”
“And it’s some kind of blood magic? My blood then ‘open sesame?’”
“No,” Ash said. “I was telling the truth earlier. I have no idea what Mikel was thinking. The only way to free Agamon would be for you to break the spell on the seals. All of the seals. You can’t break a spell if you’re dead, and you can’t unlock his prison without all of the stones.”
“But we don’t have all of them. One is still missing and the other…” Eden twisted the corner of her napkin. “What does it mean that Bes’tal crushed a seal?”
“Probably that his prison is weaker.” Eden’s breath caught, and Ash leaned forward. “It’s okay, the others are intact. It’s not ideal, but one broken stone won’t free him. The pressing issue is that one of our seers, Magda, can sense the location of the final seal.”
“But it’s not Samhain.”
“The seals are weakening. I’m guessing the spell that hides them is too.” Ash said all of this as though he were delivering the weather report. Did nothing rattle him?
“Once we find this last seal, you’ll take me to this Order of the Custos?” She tapped just below her clavicle. “And they’ll get rid of this?”
“You have my word, but you don’t need it. The fate of this world depends on you not being captured by Agamon’s followers. Refusing to help you would only bring about our destruction.”
Eden washed down Ash’s story with the last of her drink.
It was still possible he was leading her into a trap; she couldn’t be sure. What she did know for certain was people were hunting her who wanted to use her to free their terrible god.
“All right then.” Eden wadded up her napkin and tossed it on the now empty platter. “Where to?”
Chapter 16
Regardless of why they were going, Eden couldn’t help but feel a flush of excitement when Ash had told her the final stone was located in Glastonbury. Glastonbury! Filled with ley lines, the Tor, and the legends of King Arthur and Morgan la Fey. An image of the Chalice Well had been her laptop screensaver for a year in high school. It made sense that an object of such magical significance, like the stone, would be hidden in a place rumored to be enchanted.
Too bad it’s winter.
For years she’d longed to attend the summer music festival the town hosted.
Her excitement waned when she learned getting to Glastonbury involved a four-hour bus ride.
She and Ash had taken the last two seats on the bus, so they wound up sitting apart. Ash mi
nded more than she did. He’d told her to take the seat closer to the front so he could keep watch from the back. It might have been false confidence, but since smearing Marcus’s potion over Agamon’s mark, Eden had felt safer, and they hadn’t encountered a hint of trouble.
Still, it was wise for Ash to keep watch, and as the rocking motion of the bus lulled her into sleep, she was glad he was willing.
Did he ever rest? He’d barely eaten, likely because Eden was so busy inhaling their lunch.
I really should have left him more fries.
A hard stop and the release of air brakes jolted Eden awake. She noticed a nearby streetlight illuminating a sign for Glastonbury Town Hall.
Ash sat beside her now. They’d changed buses in Bristol and snagged seats together.
Eden yawned and stretched before standing to file off the bus.
“I booked us a room close by.” Ash grabbed his bag from the porter as he emptied the luggage bin.
Eden’s was small enough that she’d kept it.
“A room?” Eden raised her eyebrows.
Ash appeared unmoved. “Have I mentioned the budget?”
“Right.” Eden fell in step, and they made their way down the cobblestone street.
It was evening, and many of the retail spaces had closed, but restaurants and pubs spilled over with people. Eden’s stomach rumbled with envy.
Ash noticed and pointed to a takeaway kebab spot. “We can grab something there.”
Eden spied a picture of pita bread stuffed full with falafel and sighed in appreciation. “Wonderful.”
A lone worker rushed about behind the counter, ringing people up then preparing their orders from a food bar. The couple ahead of Eden and Ash pointed to various items behind the glass, asking detailed questions before ordering. As she and Ash edged down the line, Eden marveled at how complicated these people were making kebabs.
Something snagged in her peripheral vision, and Eden turned in time to see Ash tuck a hand into his pocket. She glanced at the woman’s purse, now suspiciously open. Had Ash just stolen from her? She couldn’t be sure, and Ash’s expression gave away nothing.
Any doubt Eden had was erased when Ash paid for their meal with British pounds from his pocket.
Great, I’m on the run with a thief.
Back outside, she rounded on him. “I saw what you did in there.”
“No, you didn’t.”
Eden crossed her arms. “You’re saying you didn’t just steal that woman’s money?”
“I’m saying you didn’t see me do it.”
Eden’s mouth hung agape. “You don’t even feel bad about it, do you?”
“Would it help you if I did? Would that prove I’m a person worthy of your standards?”
“Not being a thief would do that.”
He raised the bag. “You were hungry. I did what I needed in order to solve the problem.”
“So, this time, the ends justify the means?”
“You tell me.” He pulled out a foiled-wrapped bundle. “Are you gonna eat the sandwich?”
He ambled over to a trash can and held the package aloft.
Eden fumed but snatched the wrap from his hands.
Ash had the smarts not to smirk, just led the way to their hotel.
The man at the reception desk greeted them with a polite smile. Ash provided his name, and the man began typing.
The corners of his lips turned downward. “It looks as though you requested two beds.”
“Yes,” Ash said.
“Definitely,” Eden added.
“Apologies, but we are unable to accommodate the request. All I have left is a small double.”
“What’s a small double?” Eden didn’t like the sound of this.
“It’s very cozy. Just a bit smaller than what you’d call full-sized.”
“That’s fine.” Ash slid his credit card across the counter. “We’ll make it work.”
We’ll make it work with him sleeping on the floor, Eden thought. Which was ridiculous because he was helping her, and he was paying, but she would not share a bed with Ash—especially not a “cozy” one.
Their room was on the top floor, and after trekking up three flights, Eden dropped her bag and slumped into an armchair in the corner. Pulling off her boots was as satisfying as she’d expected, made better by the ottoman allowing her to prop up sore feet.
She eyed her wrap on the table, contemplating the morality of eating ill-gotten falafel. Her resolve only lasted so long, and soon she was tearing back the foil and sinking her teeth into its delicious warmth.
As she ate, the events of the past twenty-four hours pressed on her. Coupled with jet lag, by the time she’d finished her meal, she could barely keep her eyes open.
“I’m going to take a shower.” She stood and crossed the small room.
Eden wanted to sleep but needed to feel clean. Dirt from the cave was still trapped in her hair and choking her pores.
She pulled out the small toiletry bag she’d packed for Thanksgiving, overjoyed at the sight of her toothbrush.
“I’ll be here.” Ash stretched out his legs and finally removed his own shoes.
As much as she hated to admit it, Eden took comfort in knowing that.
The hot spray of water unwound her muscles. She was reveling in the relief when she realized she’d just washed away the only protection she had from Agamon’s followers. Fear seized her, and she hurried to rinse the conditioner out of her hair.
Once out of the shower, she called for Ash to bring her one of the vials. She opened the door just enough to reach for it, feeling exposed in nothing but a towel.
Rubbing the slippery liquid onto the spot on her chest, instantly made her feel better. Safer.
Until she realized she’d only brought her toiletries into the bathroom and had left her overnight bag near the bed which meant she had nothing to change into.
She called again for Ash, but this time she had to open the door enough that he could see her. He blushed slightly—a wholly unnatural look for him. Eden snatched the bag and shut the door.
She was glad the bag had been packed for the trip to Quinn’s parents. If she’d been headed to his place, she might not have included a proper set of pajamas. She slipped into the soft flannel and back into the room where Ash waited.
“Your turn.” Eden avoided his eyes, still feeling resentful that he’d seen her wearing only a towel.
What is the big deal? You’ve had guy friends see you in bikinis.
But Ash wasn’t really a friend, was he?
When he left the room, Eden gazed upon the bed with longing. But she wouldn’t share a bed with him, and it was only fair she take the chair. This was all on his dime.
She pulled the thick, folded blanket from the foot of the bed and sank into the armchair.
This won’t be so bad.
A short while later, Ash nudged her awake.
“Take the bed.”
“Huh?” Eden mumbled groggily.
“The bed.” Ash gestured. “If you sleep in that chair, you’re going to wake up crooked.”
“Where are you going to sleep?”
“I’ll be fine in the chair. I’ve spent half my life camping. My spine is already crooked.”
“I’m OK.” Eden snuggled the blanket tighter around her, but even as she did, her shoulder ached in protest. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“I’m sure.” Ash seemed as if he meant it, so Eden stood, leaving him the blanket.
She knew she should offer to share the bed. It wasn’t as though she would ever do anything with him. But the idea of Quinn sharing his bed with anyone other than her was a knife in her heart, and she just couldn’t do it. She might be back home before Quinn had a chance to move on. She wouldn’t do anything she might later feel guilty about.
Eden slid under the covers and sighed. The mattress felt like heaven compared to the airplane and bus seats she’d been contorting herself into the past day.
She
rolled over so her back was to Ash, wanting to feel alone. Wanted to imagine she was in her bed at Coventry House and everything was fine. Not that things had ever really been fine at Coventry House. For moments, maybe. Brief snatches of time between crises. But it was home, and she wished she were there, her best friend right next door.
How soon before Sarah moved on? She and Paige would grow closer in her absence. Would they welcome her back? And if they did, would Eden be a third wheel?
The intensity of leaving had made the break seem final, but maybe it wasn’t. How long could it really take to grab a stone? Surely, she wouldn’t have to linger in Transylvania. They’d do a spell, and the mark would be gone.
And Agamon?
Thinking his name made her flesh crawl.
If the Custos are such experts, they can show me how to strengthen the remaining seals. How long can that take?
Eden smiled into her pillow, imagining herself wrapped in Quinn’s arms. Hearing his heartbeat beneath her cheek.
She would see him again soon, and win him back. He would forgive her, and everything would be fine.
Chapter 17
Eden woke up smiling at the touch of Quinn’s hand on her shoulder. She felt his weight shift behind her on the bed, and his hand slipped a little lower.
But why was Quinn behind her? He always slept on the other side of the bed.
Memories crashed home, and Eden let out a strangled cry. They’d found her, they’d—
“Eden, it’s just me.”
She whipped around to find Ash, sitting on the bed, holding an open bottle of Marcus’s potion.
“What the hell are you doing?”
Eden’s hand flew to the area over her heart, where he’d been rubbing. When she pulled it back, it was sticky, the potion not yet worked in.
“You slept through the alarm, and you didn’t wake when I shook you.” Ash placed the cork back into the vial. “I thought I should let you sleep.”
“You thought wrong.” Eden massaged furiously, as much to rub the liquid in as to rub his touch out.
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