Authors: Amanda Ashley
Quinn slipped his arm around Seleena’s shoulders and drew her closer. Dinner was over, the dishes were done. The baby was asleep for the night. Two crystal goblets and a bottle of fine wine waited on the side table.
Purring softly, Freyja settled herself on the rug in front of the hearth, yellow eyes staring at the flames.
It had been a long day. Seleena had spent the morning and most of the afternoon assisting one of the village women in the birth of her first child. It had been a difficult delivery, the fate of both mother and child still uncertain. Without Seleena’s healing powers, he knew both would have surely died.
“I’m glad everything turned out all right,” he remarked. There had been times, though thankfully few, when even her magic wasn’t enough. Times when Death would not be stayed.
“I was worried the baby wouldn’t survive. It’s always so sad, when a new life ends before it’s even begun.”
He sifted his fingers through the silky fall of her hair. Married a year and he knew so little about her. “Tell me about your parents. Are they both witches?”
“Yes. My father is incredibly powerful, much like Nardik. My mother practices Earth Magic.”
“Where are they now?”
“They went to live on Gaxton Four several years ago. My father runs a school for young warlocks there.” At his questioning look, she said, “It’s a small planet on the far side of the galaxy.”
“And your mother?”
“She grows things,” Seleena said, smiling. “Beautiful things. Amazing things.”
“Do you have brothers and sisters?”
“No. There’s just me.” She locked her fingers with his, her expression thoughtful. “I haven’t seen them in years.”
“Have you told your folks about Steffon?”
“There’s no way to contact them, except by going there. My father erected a barrier around the planet to protect the young warlocks. Nothing from outside worlds are permitted inside.”
“So, you can’t write or call him?”
“Yes, but only when Gaxton Four and Brynn Tor are in alignment.”
Quinn dragged a hand over his jaw. He had never heard of the planet. Or of a barrier that would repel all outside contact. Leaning forward, he opened the wine, filled their glasses, and handed one to Seleena. “To good parents,” he said, lifting his glass and touching it to hers.
It was an odd toast, coming from him, she thought. Quinn’s mother had died when he was very young. He had never known his father. The man who raised him had been the worst cutthroat and slave trader in Bosquetown, a city known far and wide as the armpit of Brynn Tor. Jagg had raised Quinn to be an assassin. Thankfully, in spite of Jagg and the evil that surrounded him, Quinn remained a decent man.
Seleena sipped her wine; then, putting her glass aside, she stood and took Quinn’s hand in hers, a come-hither look shining in her eyes.
Smiling, he set his glass on the table and followed her into their bedroom. In the time he had known her, they had made love often, yet the passion between them had not cooled. It flamed to life when he took her in his arms, his hands skimming up and down her back as he rained kisses on her cheeks, the tip of her nose, before capturing her lips with his.
She moaned softly as they fell back on the bed, arms and legs entwined, everything else forgotten as they gave themselves over to the desire that sparked between them.
* * *
Careful not to jostle Seleena, Quinn slid out of bed and pulled on his shirt and pants. Though he could be awake during the day, the night often called to him, whispering secrets, promising delights mortals never knew.
Leaving the house, he stood in the moonlight, felt the darkness settle around him like the welcome touch of an old friend. The east wind caressed his face, carrying with it the scent of earth and foliage. Hands shoved in his pockets, he strolled toward the village square. He heard the faint sounds of beating hearts, soft snores, the whimper of a hungry infant, a child’s frightened cry.
But it was the siren call of warm, fresh blood that drew him toward a narrow dirt path lined with trees that led to a solitary house. It was a place he had visited once before, shortly after meeting Seleena. As he had the first time, he knocked on the woman’s door, mesmerized her with a glance, and compelled her to invite him inside.
Crossing the threshold, he felt a whisper of power that, without her invitation, would have prevented him from entering her home.
After closing the door behind him, he placed his hands on the woman’s shoulders, his voice low and compelling as he assured her that he meant her no harm. Her blood was satisfying, though not as sweet as Seleena’s. He took only a little, just enough to satisfy the need that was ever there, just under the surface. Sometimes he felt like he was cheating on Seleena when he drank from another woman, but it couldn’t be helped. He was what he was.
Before leaving the house, he ran his tongue over the twin puncture wounds in her neck, then spoke to her mind, telling her she would remember nothing of what had happened. And then he vanished from her sight.
He made his way back to the village square, the woman’s blood singing in his veins.
At home again, he went into the nursery to look in on Steffon. The boy slept on his back, one arm flung out to the side, his thumb in his mouth.
His son remained a miracle in his eyes, a gift he surely didn’t deserve after the life he had led when he lived with Jagg. It had been the slave trader who sold him into slavery to the black witch Serepta. At the time, Quinn had considered it the low point in his life. Oddly enough, it had turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Had he not been Serepta’s slave, he never would have met Seleena. Never have known love. Never known what it was to be a father.
Brushing a lock of hair from his son’s brow, he returned to his bed.
And the warmth of his woman’s arms.
“You went out late last night.”
Quinn looked at Seleena across the breakfast table. She always knew when he left the house. Was it because of the blood bond they shared? Or her own magical powers? Not that it mattered. There was no hiding his midnight exploits from the woman he loved.
A smiled teased the corners of her lips. “I smelled her scent on you when I woke up this morning. You drank from her once before, didn’t you?”
He nodded, since there was no point in denying it. “Does it bother you?”
“No, but only because I know you didn’t hurt her. And because she means nothing more than nourishment. But you could have come to me.”
“I know.” He tasted her from time to time, for the sheer pleasure of it, but he had never taken enough to ease his hunger. Nor would he.
Setting her tea cup aside, she leaned toward him, one brow raised. “But?”
“You’re my woman,” he said, slowly. “My wife. You’re not prey.”
She frowned at him and then, as her eyes lit up with understanding, she reached across the table and squeezed his hand. “So when you drink from me, it’s not to satisfy your thirst?”
“Right. It’s…” He shrugged. “It’s kind of like she’s meat and potatoes and you’re a cherry tart.”
“I love you.”
“Good to know, Red, because I love you, too. Shouldn’t Steffon be awake by now?”
“I fed him earlier this morning and he dozed off, so I put him back to bed.” But there were none of the funny little noises his son made in his sleep. A hint of unease slid through Quinn’s mind as, brow furrowed, he opened his preternatural senses. With an oath on his lips, he raced down the hallway to the nursery. Swore again with the realization that the crib was empty. His son was gone.
How was it possible? Using his own preternatural powers, he had warded the house and Steffon’s room. Seleena, too, had erected magical barriers against intruders. Yet someone had breached all their wards and done it with such stealth and skill, neither of them had noticed.
It could only have been Wyrick.
Seleena ran into the room, a wordless cry of denial erupting from her lips when she saw the empty bed. “No!” She screamed the word as she sank down to her knees, arms wrapped around her waist as she rocked back and forth.. “No. No. No!” With tears cascading like rain down her cheeks, she looked up at Quinn.
Dropping down beside her, he drew Seleena into his arms. “I’ll find him,” he vowed. “And when I do, I’ll kill Wyrick with my bare hands.”
Seleena dashed the tears from her eyes. Took a long, shuddering breath. “Let’s go.”
“That’s my girl.” Rising, he drew her to her feet and into his arms. “Just wish I knew where to start.”
“Caynn.” A wave of her hand transformed her nightgown, robe, and slippers into a pair of black leather pants, a black silk shirt, and boots. “I’m ready.”
Nodding, he took her hand and transported the two of them to the same space port he and Nardik had used. He found the pilot, Dixx, sitting alone at the bar, drink in hand.
“I didn’t expect to see you again,” Dixx remarked, glancing over his shoulder. “Is the wizard with you?”
“Not this time.”
The pilot tossed back the last of his drink, then shrugged into his leather flight jacket. “Ready when you are.”
* * *
The citadel was exactly as Quinn remembered it -- a large gray dwelling at the top of a desolate rise. He followed Seleena over the wall, then cautiously led the way to the entrance.
The place looked deserted, he thought, but then, it probably always looked that way. He opened his preternatural senses. And frowned. On his last visit, the weight of dark magic had been oppressive. He had no such feeling this time. No sense of any wards protecting the citadel or preventing them from entering. No sense of any living creature, human or otherwise.
And no sense of his son’s presence.
“Steffon’s not here.” His bond to his son was stronger than that of just father to child. His blood ran in Steffon’s veins. If the boy had been there, he would have known. He had been tempted once to taste his son’s blood, but at the time, it had seemed horribly wrong to drink from an infant. Had he done so, he would now be able to follow that blood link to Steffon’s whereabouts. Then again, perhaps Wyrick might have been able to prevent that, too. The wizard’s power seemed limitless. “Where do you suppose they would have taken him?”
Seleena shook her head, the pain in her heart growing with every passing moment.
“We might as well go…” Quinn’s voice trailed off as he detected a faint heartbeat. “Wait! There’s someone’s in there.”
Hope filled Seleena’s eyes. “Steffon?”
“No. It’s a woman.”
“Could it be Annis?”
“I don’t know. I never met her, but whoever’s in there is unconscious and barely breathing. Can you magic that door open, if necessary? If not, I can probably break it down.”
“It might not be locked.”
Moving forward, Quinn placed the flat of his hand on the door and gave it a push.
It opened on silent hinges.
Seleena stepped inside. A wave of her hand lit two of the candles on the mantel. She glanced over her shoulder. “Can you come in?”
Quinn shrugged. “Only one way to find out.” He hesitated a moment, then took a step forward. He felt a faint whisper of power slide over his skin as he crossed the threshold.
“I didn’t think you’d be able to pass.”
“They’ve abandoned the place. The threshold no longer has any power to repel intruders.” Lifting his head, he took a deep breath. “This way.” He glanced into the rooms that lined the corridor as they passed by. All were empty.
The woman’s scent led them down a spiral staircase to a small open area with a tile floor. A single door opened into a large square room. A young woman clad in a dark blue robe lay sprawled face-down on the floor. Her long blonde hair was tangled, her feet bare
Seleena let out a horrified gasp as she hurried to the girl’s side and turned her over. “It’s Annis.”
“Are you sure?” Her face was deathly pale, her heartbeat thready.
“Yes.” Seleena knelt beside the girl. “She looks very much like Marri.”
“Can you do anything for her?”
“I’m afraid she’s too far gone.” Seleena looked up at him. “Can you…?”
“Would she want that?”
“I don’t know.”
Quinn knelt beside Seleena. “It’s a hell of a decision to make for someone else, Red. Believe me, I know.”
She looked up at him, her eyes filled with compassion. “We can’t just let her die.”
Muttering, “Maybe we don’t need to do anything so drastic,” Quinn propped Annis up, her back against his chest. After forcing her mouth open, he bit into his wrist, then dribbled a few drops of his blood onto the girl’s tongue.
Seleena clasped her hands in her lap, her lips moving in silent prayer.
At first, there was no change. Quinn dribbled more of his blood into Annis’ mouth. Seconds melted into minutes. And then Annis swallowed. Licked her blood-stained lips. And swallowed again. Gradually, the color returned to her cheeks. Her breathing grew regular.
Her eyelids fluttered open as Quinn lowered her to the floor. She blinked at him, her expression turning to one of terror.
“Annis, it’s all right,” Seleena said quickly, taking the girl’s hand in hers. “Marri sent us.”
Annis stared at Seleena. “Where’s my baby?” she wailed. “Where Corrie?”
Seleena glanced helplessly at Quinn.
“They took her, didn’t they?” Tears trickled down Annis’ cheeks. “They took my baby girl.”
Rising, Quinn heaved a sigh. “This isn’t getting us anywhere. Come on,” he said, lifting Annis into his arms, “let’s take her to Brynn Castle and let Marri and her mother look after her.”
Her eyes empty of hope, Seleena gained her feet. “How will we ever find Steffon now?”
“Beats the hell out of me,” Quinn said, his voice raw as he started up the stairs. “But I swear I’ll find our boy if it’s the last thing I do in this life.”
* * *
Quinn came to an abrupt halt when he stepped out of the citadel and found Nardik standing in the courtyard. “What the hell are you doing here?”
The wizard raised one brow. “The same thing you are, I imagine,” he replied, his voice dust-dry. He glanced from Quinn to the woman bundled in his arms and back again. “The child?”
Quinn shook his head. “No sign of her.”
Nardik turned in a slow circle. “They have wiped away every trace of their presence,” he said with some surprise. “Wyrick is even more powerful than I imagined.”
Voice tinged with bitterness, Seleena said, “More powerful than
any
of us imagined.”
“They’ve taken Steffon, too,” Quinn said in answer to the wizard’s inquiring look.
“I am sorry,” Nardik said.
“Any idea where the coven would go?” Quinn asked.
Nardik shook his head, his brow furrowed in thought. “I am aware of only one other outpost inhabited by dark witches.”
Seleena tugged on the sleeve of Nardik’s robe. “Where is this place?”
“Callidori. I know nothing of it other than it is located on the other side of the galaxy.”
“I’ve never heard of it,” Quinn said.
“Few have.”
“How do we get there?” Seleena asked.
“I do not know. It does not appear on any known map, and is said to be shielded by a powerful veil. To my knowledge, only one witch has gone there and returned to tell the tale.”
“Then how do we find the place?” Quinn asked.
“Isn’t it obvious?” Seleena asked. “We need to find that witch. But first we need to get Annis home.”
* * *
Seleena begrudged every minute it took them to return to the Airship, impatiently tapped her foot until they landed back on Brynn Tor.
Nardik’s magic carried the four of them to Brynn Castle.
There was a flurry of excitement when they entered the Great Hall. Amerris jumped out of her chair and ran across the room, crying and laughing at the same time as she was reunited with her youngest daughter.
She quickly instructed servants to draw a bath for Annis, to warm her bed, to prepare her favorite foods.
Once Annis was settled in her room, Amerris returned to the Great Hall to express her gratitude to Quinn and Seleena. “You found no sign of Corrie?”
Quinn shook his head. “I’m sorry.”
“And no sign of your son?”
“No.”
Amerris took Nardik’s hand. “Is there anything we can do?”
“Not at this time,” Quinn said. “If you’ll excuse us...”
“I will join you in a few minutes,” Nardik said. “Wait for me outside.”
“Do we really need him?” Quinn asked as they left the Hall.
“I think so,” Seleena said. At any other time, she might have found his jealousy amusing, but not now. They needed all the help they could get. “Unless you know how to find the witch.”
Quinn scowled at her. Like it or not, she was right.
“Sorry I took so long,” Nardik said, joining them. “Are we ready?”
“The dark witch you mentioned,” Seleena said. “How do we find him?”
“Her,” Nardik said. “The witch we seek is female.”
* * *
It was all Quinn could do to keep a lid on his temper as they left Brynn Castle. It galled him that, once again, they needed Nardik’s assistance. He knew he was being foolish, childish, to resent the man’s presence when he should he grateful for all the help they could get. Instead of feeling resentful, he should be thanking his lucky stars for the wizard’s willingness to help.
After Nardik said his farewells to Amerris and the Queen, the three of them had returned to Seleena’s house where they gathered in the living room.
Now, Nardik sat hunched over the coffee table, making a list of witches he knew who might have information regarding the whereabouts of the dark witch they sought.
Seleena had settled in her rocking chair, her eyes filled with worry and doubt. Freyja lay curled on her lap, purring softly. Earlier, with Freyja’s help, she had tried to locate Annis. The cat had often assisted her in the use of her magic before, but even with the aid of her familiar, Seleena had found nothing. Wyrick was a powerful wizard, indeed.
Quinn stood near the fireplace, a glass of wine in his hand. He didn’t miss Nardik’s furtive glances in Seleena’s direction, knew that it was more than concern the wizard felt for his former lover.
Dropping his pen on the table, Nardik sat back. “To the best of my recollection, there are nine witches who might know Alexxa’s current location. Of course, I do not know if any of them will share that information.”
“So, how do we contact them?” Quinn asked. Knowing they needed Nardik’s help, he tamped down his dislike of the wizard, but it galled him to have to depend on another man for anything. Especially this man.
Nardik shrugged. “The usual way.”
“He’s going to send a message on the wind,” Seleena explained. “It’s sort of like witch air mail.”