Gray witch, p.24
Gray Witch, page 24
As fast as I had summoned them, I cut off the spell, hoping the director hadn’t noticed the odd color.
“Marvelous.”
That one word was the only bit of praise he had ever given me, and I could tell by the war of hatred and love across his face that he meant the word for his son, who had created this spell. Not for me, who had merely executed it.
Either Dad had known, after he fought with Parish, that I would end up here, or he sought to fulfill his promise to share the secret of flight if I wrote to him. Before he disappeared. With Mom. For good?
This, at least, gave me the grounds to prove I had killed Parish. Had I not known the director better, I might have suspected he made his bargain in haste to cling to the only person of his blood left. The truth was more likely that he needed me as his shield until Dad was in a grave. For real this time.
“Your magic,” he began as I folded my hands behind my back again. “It’s in flux.”
So much for him not noticing. I should have known better than to think it would slip past him.
“Not in flux.” I felt the truth in that. “Evolving.”
“Careful the book doesn’t evolve you beyond recognition,” he said slyly. “What a pity that would be.”
This was the hard part, the road I didn’t want to go down, but I had to sell myself.
“I’ve mastered my addiction.” I pasted on a cocky smile. “The grimoire won’t best me.”
Nestled in the valley between my breasts, the pendant pulsed. Just once. Before the choker quelled it.
“You’re an addict, and you always will be.” He seemed pleased by that. “If you’re already using the book, then you’ll be back to your old self in no time.” He laced his fingers across his lap. “I’m glad you stopped by, Deputy Director. It’s been a pleasure.”
The lies had done their job, convincing him I was following in my father’s footsteps and well on my way to eating my next heart. He must have assumed that Asa would fall by the wayside too. He was right about that. If my hungers controlled me, I wouldn’t have room in my life for anything but sating them.
Almost out the door, the director called, “I expect a handwritten copy of that spell on my desk Monday.”
Molars grinding, I crossed the threshold and strode out the front door of the compound with purpose.
This was not the life I wanted. This was not a job I ought to have. This was…our best chance at survival.
Asa waited for me in the SUV at the gate, and I’m not sure I had ever been so happy to see him.
“I would ask how it went,” he said, “but I’ve already gotten the group text.”
“Group text?” I strapped in. “What did it say?”
“I’m pleased to announce our new deputy director,” he read, “my granddaughter, Elspeth Bathory.”
“His…granddaughter?” I snatched his phone. “He outed me? To the entire bureau?”
“You’re falling in line, as far as he knows.” Asa plucked his phone from my fingers when it looked like I might cock my arm and throw it out the window. “He’s letting everyone know to be on their guard around you.”
“No.” I slumped in my seat. “He’s painting a target on my back and passing out free arrows.”
As much as I wanted to stay curled up in a ball in my own bed, in my own house, we had preparations to make. I had secured the stolen artifacts in my safe last night, after we got home from Mississippi, but we had a meeting scheduled for the butt crack of dawn, and we couldn’t afford to be late.
I’m not proud of the cereal bar I crammed in my mouth on the way out the door, but it had to be done. I offered to share, but Clay informed me he would rather die than eat breakfast out of a box claiming its contents were inspired by real fruitlike flavors.
On an overgrown tract of land outside Samford, the three of us walked into a barn full of daemons.
They were…terrifying.
It gave me hope they were up to the task.
“My lord,” they boomed through the space as they hit their knees and slammed fists over their hearts.
A slight female with red skin and black leather dragonfly wings flitted over to us.
“Primipilus Moran,” Asa greeted her. “It’s good to see you.”
“It’s our pleasure to serve.” She bobbed her head at me. “You must be Princess Rue.”
A strangled noise caught in my throat, but I managed not to choke on my own spit. “That’s me.”
However, I did elbow Asa for not warning me about the use of the title.
I was not a princess.
“Forgive me, sire, but your orders confuse me.” She linked her hands at her spine. “The missive led me to believe you wish for us to protect this town.” She waited a beat. “Full of humans.”
“Those are your orders, yes.” He gave her a moment to digest that. “However, if you’re unable to fulfill that simple task, then I’m more than happy to appoint a new centurion.” He gestured to a male behind her with orange spikes jutting down his sides. “Tiago would serve in your place with honor.”
“Yes, sire.” Tiago jogged over. “It would be my pleasure.”
Moran whipped a blade from her belt, pivoted toward Tiago, and sank it in his gut then kicked him over to groan and bleed on the moldering hay.
“That won’t be necessary, sire.” A line furrowed her brow. “I merely wished to ensure our first mission for you is a successful one. If you desire these humans be protected, then we will guard them with our lives to our last man.”
Sympathy for Moran’s plight won out over caution. Here she was, called into service for the first time, and rather than a battleground, she found herself assigned to a quiet town full of mortals. I could see why she would be confused, maybe a little offended too.
“I assume we have your discretion.” I waited for her nod. “Then I will tell you this. I’m planning a coup against my grandfather.” Her blank expression told me word hadn’t reached them, but it would soon. “The director of the Black Hat Bureau.”
The slight widening of her eyes was all the surprise she betrayed, but an eager glint quickly replaced it.
“You have chosen your mate well,” she congratulated Asa. “She is a fiercer creature than I had heard.”
“Yes, well, this town is my home. These people—these humans—are my family. I’m giving you the most important task I will ever assign.” I read her doubt and was quick to allay her worries. “Enemies have already attacked my chosen family, and that was before I picked a side. The director, and all his enemies and allies, will target this place. It’s your job to ensure I don’t lose the war by coming home to fight every battle for myself.”
“Yes, my lady.” She bowed lower than before. “It is our honor to serve and protect.”
“My cousin will be our liaison.” I couldn’t think of a better go-between than Aedan. He had a personal stake in the outcome of any fight. And, as much as I hated to admit it, her name was Arden. “He’s Aquatae. I assume that won’t be an issue for you?”
“We have several in our number,” she assured me. “Our legion is comprised of many different species.”
“Good.” I shook her hand. “It was a pleasure to meet you.”
Leaving Asa to finalize our plans, I stepped out for some air to find Clay wearing an odd little smile.
“You made a boo-boo.” He tweaked my nose. “You told her your cousin would play liaison.”
“And?” It hit me a minute later. “I admitted my cousin is a daemon.”
If she dug into my family history, she might realize I was Haelian Sea royalty, and that would not do.
“Don’t beat yourself up over it.” He shrugged. “Now that you’re mated to a daemon, people will feel validated for suspecting your dad wasn’t pure black witch.” He watched me sag on my bones. “Moran is sworn into Asa’s service. Hand down an order not to spread the gossip, if that’s a yowling cat you want to wrap in a straitjacket and then shove back into the bag before you toss it in a river.”
“I’m glad you caught it.” I turned to go back but bumped into Asa halfway. “I need a word with Moran.”
“She won’t tell anyone about Aedan’s relationship to you. Neither will the others.”
“Did everyone catch that but me?” I slumped where I stood. “I’m slipping.”
“You’re exhausted, and you’re stressed about your father. And your mother. And your grandfather.”
“I’m the deputy director.” I heard myself say it, but it didn’t sound real. “Me.” The person who, a year ago, would have cheered Dad on while he burned down the establishment. “I can’t brain right now.”
“That’s why you have me.” Asa gripped my shoulders, steadied me. “And Colby. And Clay. And Aedan.”
The way he broke it up made it easier for me to balance the scales in my mind. I had a lot on my plate, but I had even more going for me. I could do this. I could make this work until I decided which team to ultimately choose. Either way, Dad wouldn’t survive, and that gutted me.
Almost as much as him ditching me for the ghost of my mother.
“I couldn’t do this without you.” I pressed my face into his shirt. “Even if you did let them call me princess.”
“I could have gone with Future Queen of my Heart.”
“Hardy har har.” I tweaked his nipple and savored his yelp. “Let’s go home.”
“About that.” Asa pointed up to where Moran hovered above us, her outline shimmering with daemonic glamour. “She’s escorting us.”
“You know what’s most annoying about that?”
“That you requested them, issued their orders, and therefore can’t complain if they fulfill them?”
“Yes,” I grumbled without heat. “That.”
“Careful what you wish for,” he began, his lips tipping up at one corner.
“A dae prince might just give it to you?”
“Yes,” he agreed with a different kind of heat seeping into his gaze. “That.”
18
Few things set my soul at ease as much as coming home. It didn’t matter if I had been gone for a week, a day, or an hour. I experienced the same rush of ohthankgoddessI’mbackwhereIbelong every single time I pulled up the driveway and saw my little house, on my little plot of land, in my little town.
Knowing Colby was safe inside? Within our wards? Comfy at her rig?
Priceless.
As Asa threw the SUV into park, Moran and two other females rushed to open the doors for us. I wanted to wave them off, to tell them we could do it ourselves, but I had to take it slow with them. A lifetime of conditioning wasn’t going to wash out in a day. So, I smiled, thanked them, and tamped down my guilt.
About to offer them refreshments, I threw out a hand for balance as the world tilted under my feet in a vertigo spin that reminded me of…the rose delivery. The way reality twisted around me and only me.
No. No. No.
I was not dealing with this today.
An explosion of heat fanned my spine, and I whirled to find the last thing I wanted to deal with.
Orion Pollux Stavros, High King of Hael, future FIL, and royal pain in my butt smiled at me.
In his hands, he held out a tray of cupcakes from the fancy bakery Asa used to send me treats.
Up to this point, I had been annoyed with his sense of entitlement. Now the violation as he stole a thing that belonged to Asa and me alone tempted me to immolate him.
“You’ve returned my gifts.” He ignored his son, convincing me ash was a good look for him. “I’m hurt.”
Too tired to play, I strode toward him with my hands empty and down at my sides where he could see them. I didn’t want him to tense before I got close enough to slap yet another Band-Aid on yet another problem in our ever-growing stack.
Among them the fact Stavros might not be able to track me while I wore the choker/pendant/grimoire, but he knew where I lived, and the y’nai were quick to tattle my arrival. Their loyalty to Stavros was the only excuse I could fathom for his immaculate timing.
“I don’t have time for this.” I accepted part of the weight of the tray. “I don’t have time for you.”
Maybe he thought I was flirting. Maybe the words didn’t fit my actions. Maybe he was just an idiot.
Grip firm on the corner, I spoke the words Asa taught me to get rid of unwanted gifts.
The cupcakes, and the daemon king holding them, vanished.
Gasps rose behind me, and I turned to find Moran and the others watching with slack jaws.
“Don’t you ever get tired of him being all I’m a sexy king, come have my babies?”
Crickets sang in the distance. A frog or two joined in. The warriors before me? Not a peep.
“Really?” I stared at them. “No one?”
“They aren’t in a position to ignore the high king,” Asa reminded me. “They may not be magically bound to obey him, but they have no choice if he commands them, as his subjects, to his bed. Whether or not they agree with you, they will never refuse him.”
“Good point.” I rubbed the back of my neck. “I’m happy to tell Stavros he’s an asshat enough for all of us.” I dropped my arm. “Blink once for yes. Keep staring for no.”
They kept staring, which was disheartening, until I noticed tears gathering in the corners of their eyes. I had the privilege to tell Stavros where to stick it. (Hint: Not in me.) I also had the power to back up any threats I made to him. These females, they didn’t have that option.
“I need to grab a shower.” I dipped my chin. “Aedan will be in touch.”
Cheeks warm, I made it halfway to the wards before a light tap on my shoulder brought me up short.
“Moran?” I blanked on her title, but I remembered her name. Progress! “Can I help you?”
“I…” Her eyes glistened. “Thank you.” She set her jaw, and they cleared. “I will remember the look on his face until the end of my days.” She took my hand and bent over it, pressing it to her forehead. “I am yours to command, Princess. Ask it, and it will be done.”
“Thanks.” I patted her shoulder awkwardly. “I appreciate that.”
With a tight smile, she leapt into the sky. The others followed suit, allowing the wind to dry their tears.
“Princess Rue.” Clay toyed with the ends of my hair. “I should start braiding your hair into a crown.”
“I’m not a princess,” I grumped. “I’m not wearing a crown made out of hair.”
“I bet you would if your spit muffin donated for it.”
“This again?” I rubbed the bracelet on my wrist that was so much a part of me these days. “I wouldn’t wear a crown made out of his hair either.” I squinted at him, noticed his grin, and decided, “However, I would love to see you braid his hair into a crown. He’s the prince, after all.”
“That’s not happening,” Asa assured us.
“You have to sleep sometime,” Clay said cheerfully. “When you do, I’ll be there.”
“No, you won’t.”
“Rue will be there,” he amended. “She’s Team Hair Crown.”
A laugh I desperately needed loosened the tightness in my throat.
Though Valentine’s was still days away, I could no longer see that far into our uncertain futures.
That ambiguousness convinced me we should celebrate even the Hallmark holidays before the next disaster struck. Plus, it gave me an excuse to give a long overdue gift to someone who truly deserved it.
“Come on.” I hit the front steps. “We have a holiday to further commercialize.”
“Rue got me present?” The daemon sat on the couch. Bounced, really. “Give me.”
“Here you go.” I handed him the pink and red box. “Go on.” I nudged him. “Open it.”
Paper ripped, the ribbon snapped, and the box tore as he dug in. He pulled out a simple sterling bracelet with a name etched into the front and a message stamped on the inside of the band. It opened and closed with magic, and it was designed for shifters who lived in cities and wanted to wear a collar with identifying information when they changed forms. But that was getting ahead of things.
“Blayton Skinflayer Montenegro,” he read, his forehead creasing. “Who Blayton?”
“You are,” I told him. “If you want to be.”
“That my name?” He rubbed his thumb across the engraving. “What inside?”
“You’ll have to look.” I turned it in his hand. “It’s a message from Asa, since he couldn’t be here.”
“You will always be my brother,” he read in a stilted voice. “Asa say that?”
“He chose the bracelet, the quote, all of it.”
And Aedan made it happen while we were out of town.
“Except the name,” Colby piped up. “We all pitched in to choose one.”
“Blayton is a family name on your mother’s side, and Skinflayer was Colby’s pick.”
“Blayton Skinflayer Montenegro,” he said again. “I have name.” He checked with me. “Mine?”
“All yours,” I agreed. “Unless you don’t like it.”
“I like.” His smile lit up the room. “I go by Skinflayer?”
“It’s your name.” I patted his knee. “You can be Blay or Blayton or, yeah, Skinflayer.”
“Skinny,” Clay volunteered. “Works for me.”
“You don’t have to pick one or the other,” I reminded him. “Everyone calls me Rue, but Clay calls me Dollface. We could introduce you as Blayton and call you Skinflayer or Skinny in private.”
“Hmm.” He passed me his hair. “You pet.” He turned the bracelet in his hands. “I think.”
“How did I know?” I raked my fingers through the silky length. “You don’t have to decide tonight, big guy.”
“Rue call me Blay.” He held out his gift. “Put on?”
“Sure thing.” I let his hair go, which earned me a pout, then opened the lock. “Want to know a secret?”
“Yes,” he rushed out. “Tell me.”
“Asa can’t wear it. It will only appear when you do.” I snapped it shut then spelled it closed. “Very nice.”
