Wild Darkness (A Bound By Magick Novel) (14 page)

One of the people at the table shouted at Helena. “How could you let this threat go unchallenged? It was a mistake to let the witches head this up!”

Faine growled. Helena gave him a look.

Cade stood, gaze narrowed as he addressed the wolves. “We knew about this issue. The leadership of every Pack knew about this. And we all made the same decision based on the information we had. The disappearances had stopped. We had bigger threats to deal with. If you have problems with those decisions, look to me and the heads of your clans. It was the witches who saved us by getting rid of the Magister to start with. Don’t forget that.”

The wolf who’d been so angry was just afraid. Tosh could see it. Hell, he understood it because if these people were afraid, things were far worse than he’d ever understood.

“What’s our next step then? What do we do?”

Helena took a deep breath. “Our informant tells us the mages have let Carlo Powers know about some arcane magickal texts that might help bring the Magister back. We’ll let him continue to think that, but I’ve seen those books and they didn’t have anything like that in them. However, those books contain other things we don’t need PURITY or Hayes and their ilk knowing. We’ve worked with the leadership of the rest of the Others here and they’re already investigating their own leaks. We need to plug up that information immediately.”

Meriel stood, putting a hand on Helena’s shoulder. “There is a reason we remained secretive for so long. The powers we have come with responsibility. We don’t know what the mages know, nor do we have the total extent of the information that’s been shared with Hayes. We do know it has to be addressed before any more damage can be done.”

Meriel turned her gaze to Tosh. “Senator Sato, we’ve revealed things totally unknown to humans. Well, or so we thought. But we’re heading into some more controversial territory in a moment and I need you to make a choice. You can leave now and we’ll escort you back to the airport and be sure you’re protected until you get home. Or you can stay and help us.”

“That’s not a fair choice if I don’t even know what you’re going to say.”

“Life isn’t fair, Toshio.” Molly finally spoke. “Meriel’s mother was murdered after she’d helped send the Magister out of our world. We all lost people close to us. We continue to because of monsters like Powers. He is hell-bent on our genocide. He is colluding with the same people who preyed on us before the Magister and who worked with it to bring our end. We are done with peaceful attempts at problem solving when it comes to these groups.”

A chill worked through Tosh at that. “I understand. I do. And in your place I might very well make the same choices. But the fact remains that I’m an elected official. I can’t be here while you discuss illegal things. I’ll continue to support you all through the legislative process. You know I believe in your right to exist safely. I am dedicated to helping you. But I can’t break the law. Or know about it. I’m sorry.”

“I’ll stay.” Delilah remained in her chair.

“May I speak with you before I go?” he asked Delilah.

She nodded.

Meriel turned her attention back to the group. “Let’s open this to a question-and-answer session while they’re talking.”

“We can’t just let him leave here knowing this,” one of the wolves at the table spoke up.

“If Carlo Powers and Senator Hayes know this, Senator Sato can know it. He is under protection. No one is to harm him or impede him in any way.” Cade Warden spoke and his tone shut all the wolves in the room up immediately.

“Thank you all for the opportunity you’ve extended to me. My door is always open to you and I’ll keep Molly apprised on the legislative developments.”

He and Delilah left the room.

Molly and Helena caught up with him just outside.

“Tosh! Before you go I wanted to say thank you. Your help has been immeasurable to us and our cause. I’m sorry it has to end this way.”

Tosh took Molly’s hands, squeezing them. “I’m sorry too. But I understand why you’re reacting the way you are. And I respect it.” He hugged her and then Helena.

“My people will get you back to the hotel or the airport. Whichever you choose.” Helena kissed his cheek and she and Molly were gone, leaving him alone with Delilah, who frowned.

“I’m sorry I can’t stay.”

“I’m frowning because you smell like another female now.”

“What?”

She leaned forward and kissed his cheek, over the spot Helena had. Then he turned his head and caught her mouth the way he’d wanted to for so long. He pulled her against his body as she wrapped her arms around him.

“Now you smell like me,” Delilah spoke against his lips before stepping back. “I approve. Will you stay at the hotel? I’ll come back once I’m done here. I don’t know what will happen after I hear whatever I hear. But I’d like that drink and dinner you promised me.”

“What if they propose violence?”

“I hope they do. Toshio, they want to eradicate my people. To think they can control something like the Magister is insane. It doesn’t just endanger us. There’s no way to stop a cancer like Carlo Powers, not when he’s dead set on destroying us. Not with words. This is my family. These are the people who have suffered with me after the Magister killed so many of us. And Powers and Hayes, for that matter, have been working to bring that creature back? No. It ends here. It’s time to make a real stand. I understand that you can’t take that step. But if you would fight in a war against a nation that threatened ours, you should be able to get why my choice is different.”

He blew out a breath. “Put that way . . . yeah, I understand, and yes, I’ll go back to the hotel. Come to my room when you finish up.”

He left with a heavy heart.

HELENA
had been thoroughly shaken by the phone call from the witch who’d uncovered the leak to Hayes’ office. Worse, what they’d found in the man’s computer had exposed a network of Others who’d been working with the anti-Other groups and the mages.

To
bring the Magister back
.

Why? Why? Who’d want that after what had happened?

One of the witches they’d uncovered had been a male who’d known the location of the haven in Indio. A Gennessee witch. Someone Helena knew on a casual basis had sold out innocents to the Magister.

She was sick about the entire thing.

The witch who’d been the leak in Owen—the one Lark had uncovered just before the Magister had attacked the final time—had compatriots spread across different groups of Others across the country.

Helena had seen a lot in her time. Had dealt with stupid people, selfish ones. Greedy ones. But this was something she could not comprehend at all. What Other would cooperate with beings who wanted to eradicate them from existence?

Lark was handling the questioning of the witches that’d been identified as leaks. Money seemed to be the main factor for them. But if there was more to it, Lark would find it.

Helena blew out a breath. It was over and done. All they could do was root out anyone left and tighten up their security.

Delilah Sperry came back in and Helena nodded to Meriel, who rapped her knuckles on the table to get everyone’s attention.

“Clan Owen, along with Gennessee and our confederation of covens and Clans, proposes a declaration of war.”

“Lycia has declared war and will sit on your council.” Simon spoke, his voice rumbling through the hall.

Helena narrowed her eyes at Faine. Clearly that’s what he’d gone and done while she’d flown back to Seattle. That he hadn’t just told her was an issue they’d have to work through, because right then she wanted to punch him for it.

Not the going back home part. Not even the declaration of war part. But the not telling her what he was up to part. Partners her ass.

“I have been declared a Liaison between Lycia and your Council,” Simon said.

“Why? What’s your involvement here?” Rebecca Gennessee spoke from her place via the video screen.

“My mate has been threatened on multiple occasions. My home—my
den
was attacked while my mate, my brother and his protected were there. The male who shot Lark is dead. My honor is satisfied there. But this is not to be taken lightly. No one threatens my family this way. I can be part of your solution or not. But war has been declared and regardless of how you all choose to move, we will not stop until Carlo Powers and those he’s working with are no longer a problem.”

Lark’s gaze shot to Helena a moment and then back to Simon. She hadn’t known either. Simon was in trouble too. Ha. Helena looked to Faine, who sat, back straight, regal and strong.

Helena realized she’d forgotten that Faine was a prince. A Lycian wasn’t a werewolf. He was something entirely different and she’d lost sight of that. This underlined it. His protected? What did that mean?

She didn’t want to look too closely at the way it had made her feel when Simon had said it. She liked it, damn it. She shouldn’t. Faine was a handful and he’d decided she was his before she’d even agreed to it. Though, frankly, she obviously had because he wasn’t maimed and she’d let him sex her up. Ha,
let
him. She’d sexed him up right back and she knew before he’d touched her that he’d had some imprint thing happening. He’d been up front and she’d been playing with fire like a fool.

But it wasn’t the time to obsess on that because there was more to do.

“Fair enough.” Rebecca shrugged slightly. “Lycia has been a solid ally. We welcome your assistance.”

Cade Warden nodded. “Earlier today the wolves also made their declaration of war.”

Max de La Vega lifted a finger. “The jaguars as well. And through us, the other cats are also on board.”

Franco Pendergast lifted a finger before he spoke. “As you all know, the Vampires declared war the moment a car full of Elders and our protected was blown up. We have been holding off as a courtesy as these last steps were being explored. The Magister is a threat we cannot take lightly. If they find a way, they can’t be allowed to continue to draw breath.”

Cade spoke up. “More than that, that they’d plan it means they are a threat we cannot continue to let go unanswered. PURITY will stop at nothing short of our total annihilation and the human government is doing little to stop it.”

“If you all have questions, Helena, can you speak to the issue of our safety steps in general?” Meriel asked.

She stood. “Our people are working on the investigation of spies in our groups. I’ve been in touch with various enforcers, hunters and law enforcement. Our efforts will bring to ground these traitors and they will be dealt with.” She knew the shifters had rough justice for this sort of treason. As did The Gennessee.

“At the same time, we need to move forward on several fronts. The witches are urging their members to relocate to guarded enclaves. The designer of several enclave communities already in existence has volunteered to speak to you individually. We’ve tried to work with the situation already in place but the fact is, we cannot protect people. Not from the threat as it is now.”

Many nodded heads.

“There will be no return to the way things were. There will be a new normal. I’m sorry, but we can’t ignore it any longer.” Meriel sighed heavily.

“At the same time, we’ll need to create a militia. Our own army. We can get patrols up to protect our communities as well as enforcement groups to show up at crime scenes. The human police are not getting the job done in about fifty percent of calls now. They’re not protecting us so we have to.

“We need to train our people. If we can create teams that include fighters from different backgrounds we’ll be better off. Investigation, magick, defensive magick and also fighters.”

“Why shouldn’t we just go back and do our own thing? After all, it was one of your people who gave them the information they might be able to use to bring the Magister back,” one of the Vampires said.

“This network of spies and traitors seems to span across many Other groups. Money is a powerful motivator apparently.” Max de La Vega spoke. “My own brother Carlos was one of these spies. Vampires can do what they want, but the cats are happy to work together with other shifters and witches to create a militia and enforcement teams. It’s the only way. If we’re going to make a stand, let’s make it so strong the first bloody lesson can be the last. Or at the very least, make it painful enough they’ll think twice before attempting it again. They can fear us, or hate us, as long as they leave us alone.”

“I can help train soldiers.” Faine gave Helena a look and she nodded. His help would be important.

“The Vampires will join this militia.”

Well, that would be really good. Vampires kicked ass and they were practically indestructible. “All right then, let’s break down into groups and get some work done.”

•   •   •

SHE
was very quiet on the ride back to the hotel. But he knew he’d have some answering to do when they got back. He bided his time through the checkpoints and didn’t speak until he turned into the parking garage and headed to their assigned spot.

“You did a good job tonight. I know it wasn’t easy.”

She kept her gaze roving. Constantly assessing. “It shouldn’t be easy to plot the possible assassination of someone.”

Hm. Terse.

But also correct.

“Yes. It’s never anything that you should do lightly. You’re making the right choice though. He can’t be allowed to survive. Anyone who could look at the evidence of the Magister and think to bring it on purpose isn’t someone safe for the rest of the planet to be around.”

She shrugged. “Killing him in a battle is one thing. This is another. I hate it. But I don’t see a way around it.”

“If it was easy, it would happen more often. You make tough choices to protect the people who need you to make tough choices.” He pulled into the space and killed the engine.

She turned to him, her eyes narrowed. Dangerous, his woman. “Is that what you did? By sneaking off to Lycia behind my back to have your daddy declare war?”

“That’s beneath you.”

“Is it? You don’t know me very well after all to think that’s below me. You should have told me.” She got out, slamming the door extra hard. He followed, pocketing the keys.

But she didn’t head to the doors leading into the hotel. Instead she pulled her magick to herself. He saw the shift in her aura as she did. The surge in her scent held him fast as she began to work a spell.

There was something so fierce about her when she worked magick. It was one thing to watch her in battle, but this was something else. Otherworldly.

She walked her way around the car as he watched, impressed. She spoke under her voice but he heard the words anyway. Felt the brush of her power as she moved. The air in the space seemed to warm all around them.

His beast wanted to eat her up.

Until she drew a pocketknife out and sliced into her skin. The scent of her blood filled the air as she drew runes on the car.

Enraged that she’d harm herself, he barely managed to hold his tongue until she stood again, her eyes clearing as she let her magick go and it misted into the air around her.

“What the fuck did you just do?” He growled instead of yelling, figuring it would be better received.

She raised her brow at his tone before she gave him her back and headed into the building.

Guess he was wrong about that.

He didn’t ask in the elevator but took the keycard from her, opening the door to his room and jerking his head for her to go inside.

“You should know that’s never going to work on me. Unless it’s your goal to get punched in the balls.” She smiled sweetly.

He growled.

She moved to grab the keycard from his hand and he grabbed her instead, carrying her inside, his mouth crushing against hers until her taste drowned him, soothed even as it excited. He tossed her to the bed and she scrambled to her knees, eyes blazing, lips swollen. She fisted her hands and it sent a thrill through him.

“You’re fucking magnificent.”

It was her growl this time. “You’re playing with something that might end up drawing blood.”

He circled her as she kept a wary eye on him. “That’s okay. Sometimes Lycian love play gets a little rough.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you, Faine.”

He sent her a smile. “You know how hot it makes me when you’re violent.”

That growl turned into a snarl and he hummed his satisfaction. But he backed off. For a moment, because they were totally going to get naked in just a few minutes.

“Why did you draw blood? Tell me now.” He crossed his arms and glared at her.

“Funny, I didn’t hear a
please
in that sentence.”

“You try a man’s patience.”

“I’ll kick his balls into his throat if he doesn’t stop this now and show some manners.”

He grinned. “Damn, I am so in love with you.”

She threw her hands up, scrambling from the bed. “You’re certifiable.”

“I am. But it’s the truth. You wreck me. Savage. Fire in your eyes, fists ready to punch me in the face or worse. You’re a walking, talking aphrodisiac.”

“Lycians are weird.”

“Please tell me why you drew your blood.”

“Blood magick is older and stronger than the normal spellwork I use. I wanted to protect your car. I used my blood to bind the intent better. If anyone touches it with the intent to harm, I’ll know. It’ll also fry their circuits.” She shrugged.

“Vicious.” He stalked toward her and she held a hand out to ward him off.

“I am. And you scampered off to Lycia with your brother without telling me.”

“I don’t scamper.”

Her look made him stop playing. “I told you I was going. Just not the why of it. I wanted to speak with my father with Simon at my side. Helena, this is a matter of honor in more ways than I can really make clear to you. Attacking while on Simon’s land, in his den? He can’t let that go unanswered. His
Ne’est
was placed in mortal danger. In the one place he’d made safe for her. To not declare war would be to invite shame. The bond between them is soul deep. He promised her on his own life to keep her safe.”

She tossed herself in a nearby chair but her hands were no longer in fists so at least the immediate danger had passed. “And you went to support him. I understand now.”

He got to his knees before her. “No, you don’t.
My
Ne’est
was put in mortal danger twice in one day too. I went along with Simon, but we both had to satisfy a promise.”

Her eyes grew wide. “What?”

He took her hands, turning them to kiss the heart of her palms. “You are my key. We haven’t performed the ceremony, but in every way but that, I am bound to you. To keep you safe. To delight you and support you. To please you and love you.”

Her mouth gaped and then snapped shut. He had to control his urge to laugh.

“This is happening very fast. Too fast.”

Really? She was going to try that one? “You’re a witch. You just used your blood to make a spell. You call magick through a metaphysical well to use. Where your clan lives the very earth at your feet receives you. Is it so hard to believe in something like this sort of bond? That some things simply
are
?”

She was quiet a long time as she pondered until she suddenly blurted, “One of the witches who was giving PURITY information knew the location of the haven in Indio. I didn’t know he was a leak. My weakness brought the deaths of twenty-two people. I am not a good risk, Faine.”

He reached out, cupping the back of her neck. “When I was a little over a hundred, we went to war for the first time. My right-hand man was my cousin. He sold information about our plans to a rival Pack. By the end of our second battle over three hundred of my men died because we were ambushed.”

Her mouth softened and she moved forward to press a kiss to his forehead. “I’m so sorry. Oh my goddess.”