Moon vow, p.7
Moon Vow, page 7
“Tempest is as much my enemy as anyone else’s here. You can count me in, and I’ll do my best to get the rest of the Beltanes onside too,” he said, his voice solemn.
Casey grinned at Daniel and did something surprising. He reached out and shook Daniel’s hand. Over Daniel’s shoulder, she saw Kagali beam with delight, and despite her misgivings, Karisa sighed in relief. This would work. It had to.
A thick plume of smoke settled near a window on the first floor, not too far from the entrance leading to the underground classrooms. It twisted and swirled as it tried to make its way through a crack between the rock and the windowsill.
“Leaving us so soon? I thought you were enjoying yourself here. It must be nice to see your son on such a regular basis. Do they know who he is yet, who you really are? Or perhaps the question should be, ‘Do they know what you’ve done?’”
The smoke appeared to hesitate and shimmer before it changed and regained its true form. Now Rebecca stood at the window, but she didn’t turn and address the person speaking to her. Instead, she looked out the window and stared in the river’s direction.
“I don’t know what you mean. You must have me confused with someone else.”
Cruel laughter echoed behind her.
“Oh come now, of course you do. I remember you from university. Always top of the transmutation class, weren’t you? No doubt your boy is just as talented, but he has his father’s blood in him. I knew that the moment I spotted him. Of course, the disguise fooled me for a while, as did yours, but you forgot something important. Such an insignificant detail to some, but not to me. Those blue eyes of yours got you so much, didn’t they? You should have changed them, too.” More laughter followed. “Let me guess... They’re all up there now wondering what to do next. What do you suppose they’ll come up with? Shouldn’t you be in there finding out so you can tell me all about it?”
Rebecca shivered inwardly but remained still while staring out the window. She concentrated on looking cool, calm, and collected, the exact opposite of how she felt.
“I’ve done all you asked of me,” she said, giving up all pretense of innocence. “They know Shoneah is a prisoner and they’ve made plans to rescue her, but I don’t know what they are. Wicasa was secretive about it. He gave Garrett a parchment, but since he is a Beltane and a Huxley, he will have destroyed it by now, so I can’t tell you what it said. Daniel was shocked, but happy to see me there.”
“What of the stupid excuse for a werewolf, Kagali? Does he suspect anything, or was he too busy being captivated by your charms to tell if you were lying?”
The voice was closer now and Rebecca shook outwardly this time. “He suspects nothing. None of them do,” she said, hating how her voice quivered too.
“Not even the Peacekeeper? She wasn’t suspicious of you at all? How interesting and unexpected.”
Rebecca bit her lip. She wasn’t about to tell this monster Karisa had indeed detected something about her, although Rebecca could see the witch didn’t understand what it was. If she were honest, she didn’t understand the connection she sensed between them, either.
“Well, Rebecca, I must say, you’ve done well. I guess all this time in hiding has taught you a few new tricks. Who’d of ever thought a Mistral could lie so well and turn their loyalties so easily?”
More laughter and Rebecca curled her fists in anger.
“My loyalties are to my son, and I will do whatever it takes to keep him safe. If you hadn’t recognized us and weren’t in a position where you could harm him, I wouldn’t be here now. We wouldn’t be having this conversation, and I wouldn’t have been forced to betray Wicasa, Trey, and the others. I despise you, your savior, and all you stand for. I hope Karisa destroys you all. Whatever they’ve sent her here for, I hope you all get what you deserve and that is to die slow and painful deaths just the way Daniel’s father did. Just the way you’ve no doubt done to others.”
Another chuckle echoed behind her.
“You know nothing about me and what I’ve done for Tempest. What do you mean sent here for? Where is she from? Did you find out what Tempest wants her for? Tell the truth, my dear. You know what will happen if you don’t.”
A coughing, almost choking noise surrounded Rebecca but quickly died away.
“She’s not a proper witch as we know it, although what she is exactly, I’m not sure. She traveled here from another realm, although I don’t know how she managed it. They were talking about something called the Janus Gate. It’s at the Department of Magical Affairs. Karisa didn’t use it to get here, though. Wicasa thinks Tempest wants to use her to open this gate so he can travel to their realm to find more magic and power. Karisa mentioned something about a prophecy uniting the four guilds against him, something to do with her sister. That’s all I know. I thought it better to leave before they realized how many questions I was asking and became suspicious.”
There was silence behind her for so long, Rebecca wondered if she were alone again. She made to turn, but stopped as the chilling voice reached her ears.
“You’ve done well, Rebecca. Tempest will be most pleased with you. As am I. Rest assured, if you continue with this good work, I will make sure your son stays safe here at Takoda, and when the time comes, we’ll talk about you and your son joining us in your husband’s place. I think you’d better run along now. I’ll call for you again when I need you. In the meantime, I will keep a close eye on you both.”
Rebecca chanced a glance over her shoulder, but there was no one behind her. Her enemy was gone. Tears splashed down her cheeks as she rested her forehead on the window and stared out toward the river again. A river she couldn’t see in the dark of night, but it was nowhere near as dark as her mind and her heart.
What was she going to do? After all Wicasa and Trey had done for her and Daniel, here she was betraying them and casting her soul to ruin for all eternity. Would they understand she was sacrificing everything for Daniel? Would her son ever forgive her? He had no idea how much she loved him. She’d given him life and would do anything to protect him. She would die for him. Unfortunately, there were others who knew that and had played upon it. They had threatened her son and were in a perfect position to do so. She couldn’t go to Wicasa, and she certainly couldn’t go to Trey. They were watching them too. Transmutation might well be her specialty, but it wasn’t enough to fool the despicable creature speaking to her a moment ago. It wasn’t only her eyes that gave her away.
Vanity had made her keep the beautiful blue that had brought Trey to her. He’d often told her they reminded him of a calming sea, a place where he at last felt at peace. A peace she’d betrayed and shattered because of her love for Daniel. Well, maybe they wouldn’t forgive her, but hopefully they’d understand why she’d done what she did. Maybe Tempest and his followers would underestimate this Peacekeeper and Wicasa, too, and their plans would come crashing around their ears.
With a sigh, she wiped her face with her jacket sleeve and stared up and down the empty corridor. She had more work to do before the night was over. She’d struck a bargain, and she must keep to it. Once more, she pointed her wand at herself and turned back into the plume of smoke. Her last thoughts as a witch reflected on her old broomstick, the one Daniel now played Magical Lacrosse on. The one that combined with Daniel’s flying style that was so like her own and had been instrumental in giving away their true identity.
If only she could work out who that person was.
11
TRICKY MIRRORS
“Do you think you should check on Garrett?” Elowen asked.
Karisa’s shoulders dropped. “No, he wants to be alone and think things over, and he must meet with that shadow mage in a little over an hour. It’s best to let him be. I think he learned more than he expected tonight.”
Bryn snorted and threw his hands up in the air. “You think he learned more than he expected?” He regarded her with suspicion, but whatever question she expected, it wasn’t the one he asked. “You didn’t inspire us to win lacrosse, did you?”
“I was cheering for you, but with no magic involved. No offense to Beltane, Daniel.”
“None taken,” Daniel said, before raising an eyebrow at her.
Elowen sighed and clasped her hands together. “Poor Garrett.”
“Since when do you care about that idiot?” Bryn addressed his little sister.
“They took his mother, Bryn,” Elowen said. “How would you feel if it was ours? I get there’s no love lost between us, but if Karisa says there’s some good in him, then I believe her. Even if we’re never on the receiving end of it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”
Reuben gave her a strange look. Karisa frowned. Both he and Casey had lost their mothers, even if it was to different circumstances and in different ways. She could feel their pain, too. She sat on Wicasa’s desk again, not meeting anyone’s gaze.
Wicasa’s eyes filled with concern. “I can see this evening’s news has taken its toll on everyone. You all look tired and understandably so. I think it’s time you all went to bed. Once we have an answer from Garrett, we’ll work out what we are going to do from there. I haven’t answered all your questions, but for tonight, let’s leave things as they are. We have a lot to do over the coming weeks and not nearly enough time to do them in. I want everyone well rested and as prepared as possible for what’s coming.”
Wicasa gestured for Minjarra and Kagali to stay behind when the students stood and walked toward the door.
“Oh, and Miss Kismet, I’ll keep all the parchments and your mother’s notebook here tonight. I think it would be for the best, don’t you?”
Aaron was slow to nod, but Lyrah didn’t look happy about that at all. She kept glancing back at Wicasa’s desk as she left the office, with Aaron close behind her. The Terrans followed them out, led by Elowen, and they headed back to their common room while the Undines moved in the opposite direction. It was a silent group that moved out into the hallway. Casey cast a sorrowful glance along the stretch of corridor, but Karisa’s hug swallowed any words of apology he intended to say.
“It’s all right,” she whispered in his ear before letting him go.
At last, they reached the entrance to their common room. The Elk bowed and opened the door.
“Did that young man find you?” the lady in the gold dress asked from her frame. She scowled at Casey, who, once again, was ignoring her. “The Huxley boy was looking for you. Not at all like his father, I would say. Guess his mother had a more positive influence in his life than I first thought.”
Karisa stepped aside so the others could go in. If Bryn’s expression was anything to go by, he’d heard enough about Garrett for one night. Casey’s sideways look suggested his mind was in as much turmoil as hers was. She knew he didn’t believe there was anything good in Garrett, either. When Petra passed, Karisa walked toward the painting.
“Yes, Garrett found us. Did you tell him where we were?” The woman hid her face behind her fan so only her eyes were showing, then she sat forward as though she’d seen something in Karisa’s expression that hadn’t been there before. Karisa figured she knew what that was. “I told my friends the truth about me tonight. Most of them accepted it, but I know some have concerns. I hope they understand why I had to keep things secret.” She released an audible breath. “You should have seen Petra put it all together once I told them of my bloodline. I was so impressed.”
Someone’s feet shuffled near the still open door. Karisa turned in time to see a flash of light brown hair in the braid Petra favored of late. After holding back a sigh, Karisa wished the golden lady good night and walked back to the door. The Elk bowed, and she bowed in return. Then she took a deep breath and prepared to face her fellow Terrans, who she was sure were all standing by the fireplace ready to launch into a thousand questions, especially Petra. To her surprise, only Reuben stood there.
“Hey,” she said, stopping beside him and peering into the fireplace. “I thought I’d be facing the firing squad or at least playing Twenty Questions with Petra.”
“She wanted to, but Elowen got this wild look and ordered everyone to leave you alone. Petra wasn’t happy about it, but she agreed. I told them I wanted to make sure you were all right.”
Reuben placed two fingers under her chin and drew her head up to look at him. She wanted to laugh because it had been such a similar move to the one Garrett had put on her. No doubt Sienna was bringing out Reuben’s romantic side.
“I meant what I said in Wicasa’s office, Karisa. I don’t care who you are or what blood runs through your veins. You may or may not have used your magic to inspire me, but it is because of you I’ve become more confident, and I don’t think I would have found that without you.”
Karisa made to protest, but he shook his head and continued speaking.
“I swear here and now, I will do anything to keep you safe and I will stand beside you should Tempest challenge you or try to get to you. Are we understood?”
Karisa flung her arms around Reuben’s neck and hugged him close.
“I understand perfectly. Thank you for believing in me. I was so worried no one would understand. I should never have doubted you all.” Karisa leaned back so she could see his face. “I was so afraid you’d fear me, and I wouldn’t be able to complete what I came here to do. I can’t do it alone. I need all of you at my side to do this, despite Petra’s and Bryn’s obvious misgivings.”
Reuben grinned. “They’ll come round, although the only thing I can’t understand is your attraction to Hux—, I mean, Garrett, and the fact he returns your feelings. Never thought that guy had a heart, let alone knew what to do with it.”
Karisa laughed and Reuben joined in for a moment.
“If he is who you want, I’ll try to get along with him, but if he ever hurts you, he’ll have to deal with me. Scratch that. He’ll have to face every Terran here.”
Karisa hugged him tight once more and decided that as much as she adored her sisters, having Reuben as a surrogate brother looking out for her was wonderful too. They wished each other good night, walked up the stairs together, and then turned in opposite directions to walk to their dormitories. Perhaps sleep had found the others, perhaps not, but it was almost dawn before Karisa closed her eyes and fell asleep.
Garrett reached the Beltane common room with fifteen minutes to spare. All the way from Wicasa’s office, he’d struggled with his conscience and the evening’s events. The news of his mother’s capture, and how he’d learned about it, the fact Rebecca was Daniel’s mother and had been at the Ice Breaker Tavern the night they’d kidnapped him and Karisa was struggling enough. That he’d agreed to help unite the four guilds, and the startling truth of Karisa’s bloodline swirled in his brain only added to his confusion and strengthened his headache. The headache might have been because Bozzelli tackled him to the ground. Garrett had never even seen that one coming, and Bozzelli, of all people.
When had he grown a set of…?
At the doorway, the mountain lion roared in anger at him when he said the password as though Garrett had awakened it from its slumber. The common room was empty, which didn’t surprise him given the time. Garrett raced up to his room, retrieved his scrying stone he used to contact home, and settled on his bed.
He couldn’t believe he, a Beltane, was about to do as Wicasa, a former Terran, asked. He hated to admit it, but it was the best plan available to them. It didn’t matter how powerful Karisa was, just the two of them wouldn’t defeat Tempest. It wasn’t possible.
Garrett reread the parchment and silently delivered his lines as if preparing for the greatest role of his life. He needed no mirror with which to practice his expressions. He could do those in his sleep. The shadow mage was a stranger to him, not one of the regular visitors to his home or in his father’s company. He’d have no trouble lying to him. Garrett glanced at his clock and watched the minutes tick away. Nothing stirred in the scrying stone beside him. He concentrated on looking relaxed and in control. His mother’s life was at stake, and he would do what he needed to keep her safe.
Did his father know his wife was now a prisoner of his Savior? Would he even care? Did he ever love the woman he’d made his wife? That night when Jezebeth said all those terrible things, had she been telling the truth? Had his father only stayed married to his mother because she was pregnant to him? Did that have anything to do with the fact he was an only child?
So intense were his thoughts, Garrett didn’t notice the stone’s surface shimmering. Not until a ghostly chuckle interrupted his thoughts and drew his gaze downward. He retrieved the scrying stone, ensuring the shadow mage saw him sneer and roll his eyes as though he’d better things to do.
“Well, Master Huxley, I trust you’ve made your decision. Do share it. You know our Savior doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
He released another mirthless chuckle. Garrett straightened and smirked at the wizard, who appeared to swallow whatever he’d intended to say next.
“Tell your Savior I have learned something important. I have valuable information for him. If he does what I ask, not only will he have the Peacekeeper, but I can give him information about the Janus Gate, too.”
The shadow mage vanished with a whoosh. A moment later, another face appeared before Garrett. He didn’t recognize this wizard either. It surprised him the second shadow mage didn’t bother disguising himself.
“What news do you have of the Janus Gate and what makes you think Tempest is even interested in such a thing? What makes you think he’d strike a bargain with a mere child like you?”
Garrett bristled at those words, and he wanted to hurl obscenities at the wizard. Instead, he leaned back and swung one leg up so his ankle rested across one knee and smirked. “Tempest knows my father well, and our Savior is a clever wizard. I’ve been busy seducing the Peacekeeper to obtain secrets and information from her to aid our Savior’s cause. Did he not tell you that part of the plan?”
