Denai Touch: Excalibar Investigations Series (13 page)

There was a bright burst of blue static. “I’m happy to see you too,” Jason said sarcastically.

“I need to feed, so let’s just get it over with and you can go.”

“I wondered how long it would be before you called.”

“Yeah well – we don’t have to like each other and I already have a new Mavis lined up.”

Jason’s expression darkened. “Have you now? Guess there’s not much reason for me to stay then.”

“I thought you’d be happy, you’ll be free to shag Angie without me interrupting.”

“You really think I want Angie?”

“I don’t know what the hell to think any more,” she snapped and held out her hand. “Just get this over with.”

Jason grabbed her hand, pulled her to him and captured her mouth in a brief yet passionate kiss, warm energy flooding through her, igniting her senses. He backed away just as quickly and turned leaving her standing there, dazed.

“I miss you,” he said and teleported away.

Goddess, could that man be any more confusing? They were going to talk whether he wanted to or not.

Cate returned to the main room, as the Grand Mistress stood purifying the large spell circle. It was cut into the floor and made from pure Silveron. She joined Seline on her right side with Marina on the left. She could already feel the sense of excitement and anticipation in the air as the witches gathered around. Cate could feel the strength and power emanating from her grandmother as she took her hand.

Seline gripped tighter.
Do not lose control tonight.

Right. As if she could stay in control now. As all of them joined hands, Cate could already feel the vibration of energy.

Seline started to say the usual prayer of invocation.

“We call upon you Goddess Divine,

as we stand before your sacred shrine,

We ask that you aid us in all that is right,

Denai, bathe us in your eternal light.

Help us steer from what is wrong,

Keep us on the path to which we belong.

Help us to live every day,

according to your righteous way.

Let your voice ring loud and clear,

So that we, your daughters, all might hear.

Your guidance we need in this time

Help us, O Goddess Divine.”

“Blessed be to Denai,” they all intoned.

“Mother Denai, we ask you to join us here in our circle,” said Seline, “that we may go forth with your blessing.”

“Blessed be to Denai.”

They moved in deosil, a clockwise circle as Seline chanted the ancient words. Cate could feel the power of the coven building, the auras of the other witches becoming brighter until the energy around them whirled with gale force strength and then just as quickly settled. Wisps of light glowed around them, waiting.

Seline released her hand and they all stood patiently waiting for her to continue. “Goddess Denai, we ask for your strength and guidance. Shield us from those who would wish us harm.”

Now each of them asked Denai for something they needed from her. Some asked out loud, murmuring to themselves, or others closed their eyes and asked her silently.

When she was younger, Cate had listened in on the others – sometimes without meaning to. It wasn’t pleasant to know what people really thought of you. It was harder to block things out with her ascension being so close, but Jason’s energy had increased her strength so sounds settled to a low buzz.

Give me the strength to get through this difficult time, Goddess. Not just the ascension. Help me to figure out who I really am and what I am meant to be.
Cate closed her eyes in silent prayer.

A twinge across her temples made her gasp as energy jolted through her. The dark blue book flashed before her eyes again, radiating with power.

Cate saw a woman dressed in a long, dark blue, velvet gown, clutching the book tightly. The woman was crying as she stood staring down at a block of stone. Her lips moved wordlessly as a shadow shifted behind her.

“Give it to me.” It was a dark haired woman, her eyes glittering black. Raven.

“It will never be yours!” Light suddenly exploded all around.

A violent blast of energy reverberated through her body, flinging Cate out of the circle. The force of the vision made her tremble. She gasped as energy shook the air once more.

“Catherine?” Seline was suddenly at her side. “Are you alright?”

She blinked several times. The circle, its occupants were all frozen.

“What happened?” asked Seline.

“I – I was praying to Denai, asking for strength, and then I had a vision. Gran, I saw it. I saw the…”

“No, we must not discuss it here.”

“But we’re protected within the temple’s walls.”

“Wards can fail, and stopping time may not be safe either. We should talk later, go wait for me in my chambers.”

“But the circle…”

“Is almost over. Go.”

Cate rose and teleported to Seline’s private sitting room. She knew it would be a while before her grandmother returned so she sat on the sofa and took out her phone. She sent Jason a text. “We really need to talk. Meet me at the house later. Okay?”

Her phone beeped. “OK.” He replied.

She felt both relieved and nervous. It was high time they talked. Things couldn’t continue as they were. Seline returned a few minutes later, much sooner than Cate had expected her to.

“Gran, I saw the Grimoire.”

“Tell me everything.”

“There was a woman holding the book, she was crying.”

“Who was she? What did she look like?”

“It happened so fast, you know what visions are like. She was tall and her hair was … light brown.” Cate tried to remember in more detail. “She wore a blue dress, dark blue like…”

“Like a Grand Mistress would wear,” Seline sounded excited. “Who was it? Think of the portraits hanging here in the castle or the drawings you have seen.”

Seline had a vast collection of portraits so Cate had a rough idea of what some of her ancestors looked like.

“She looked a bit like your grandmother, Cercei. It was too fast. I couldn’t tell why she was crying, but I could feel her fear. She was staring at a rock when Raven appeared and there was a bright light,” she said. “That’s when the vision knocked me on my backside.”

“Was there anything else?”

Cate shook her head. “What do you think it means?”

“Perhaps it was a clue as to what happened to the book.”

“What did happen? No one seems to know. It couldn’t have just vanished into thin air.”

“We were in the old town of Myrus. It had been the coven’s home for centuries,” Seline explained. “One night when most people were sleeping, the wards which had protected us for centuries suddenly failed and the Covenant attacked. Someone raised the alarm and we scrambled to fight back, but there were too many demons, Elementals, and coven sisters who had turned to their side. Many of our Elementals were targeted during the first wave, so we would be weakened and less able to replenish our energies.

“I hurried to the temple. I knew my grandmother, Cercei, would be there for her midnight prayers. As I arrived I felt the earth tremble. There was light all around and the temple exploded, along with the rest of the town,” Seline went on. “Cercei did something to destroy the Covenant, as Raven killed her. The power of the Grand Mistress passed to my mother, and the book was never seen again. If Raven had it, we would have known.”

“What caused the explosion? Our power doesn’t work like that.”

“I believe she tapped into a source, and used its power to destroy the members of the Covenant. The explosion could not have harmed the book. It’s protected by our families’ magic,” Seline said. “It is my belief that she used the blast to mask what she was really doing. She sent the book somewhere it would be safe and protected. Somewhere she knew Raven would never be able to find it. She protected her coven and people with her last breath.”

“But why haven’t you or any of the other McCrays been able to find it?” Cate asked. “You must have some idea where she hid it.”

“If it were so easy, Raven could have used one of us to get to it and believe me she tried. Cercei cast a spell to ensure the book would stay hidden, until it was needed most.”

“But we need it now!” she insisted.

“It will reveal itself in time. It calls to you, just as I knew it would eventually.”

“Why don’t we ask Cercei what she did with it?”

“Do you think we haven’t summoned her spirit a dozen times? She will not tell and no medium has ever had the power to compel the truth out of such a powerful spirit. Sometimes she will not answer the call at all.”

“But we could try. After all, I’m a medium too. I could…”

“No Catherine, the book will come to you when it’s ready. Not before,” said Seline. “It’s late, you should go home.”

Cate went home to wait for Jason. She kept her robe on, loving the feel of the soft silk against her skin. She had half an hour before Jason was due to arrive, plenty of time to do what she wanted. Stepping into her spell circle, she lit two candles, one white and the other purple.

“Cercei McCray, I summon you to join me in my circle.” Cate stood in the outer ring of the circle and waited, but nothing happened. It seemed it was going to take more than a simple request to summon the spirit.

Cate began to chant. “Beloved spirit, I summon you to my side, across the great divide.” She pricked her finger letting the blood drip onto the candle flame of each candle. “Blood to blood I summon thee, Cercei McCray. Blood of my blood, I command you to join me here in this circle.”

She had changed the word “ask” that was normally used in a spell to “command”. She didn’t think it would invalidate the call, and hoped this switch would actually make it stronger. She felt the familiar whoosh of magic in the air and waited.
Come on, Cercei. Answer my call.

Swirling white orbs appeared, forming into the translucent figure of a woman — the one from her vision.

Cate smiled. “It worked! I’m…”

Cercei folded her arms across her chest and raised her chin in defiance. “I know who you are, child.” Typical McCray — hated being summoned against her will. Stubbornness ran in the family. “I cannot help you,” Cercei added.

“Can’t or won’t?”

“Both.”

“I need your help. You have to tell me where you put the Grimoire. Raven is threatening the coven.”

“I have heard it all before and she threatens you not the coven. If you wish to protect them, you should prepare…”

“Do all Grand Mistresses sound the same?” Cate said, sounding irritated. “Raven will do whatever she can to get to me, but if I had the book…”

“The Grimoire would not be safe in your hands. You are still mortal, you could die and then all would be lost.” There was really no reasoning with this woman.

“But if I knew where it was, I could…” There was a loud bang as the front door was flung open.

Jason? No, she didn’t feel his presence. In fact, she didn’t feel the presence of anyone. Something was wrong.

Tell me. Please,
Cate said.
I’ll protect the book with my life, but if I die and they take my powers…

A redheaded woman stepped into the room.

“Phelps,” Cate said, stunned. “How the hell did you get in here?”

“Ungifted scum!” Cercei spat. “I hoped you were long dead.”

“Cercei? Well, I never expected to see you again. I really enjoyed watching Raven kill you.”

Cate knew she shouldn’t have been surprised; no wards or magic could keep Tasha Phelps out.

Gun,
she thought. Her weapon appeared in her hand; she turned off the safety and pointed it at Tasha’s head. “Last chance, Phelps. Get out or I will kill you.”

Cate felt Cercei tense beside her.
Do it, she is death to all of Magickind,
Cercei told her silently. A loud bang resounded through the room as Cate fired at Tasha’s head.

Tasha ducked, the bullet missing her by an inch. “You’re coming with me, McCray.”

“Like hell.” Cate fired again and Cercei flinched at the sound.

Cate didn’t want to leave the circle unless she had to, in case Tasha had brought magical company with her. Damn, there were going to be holes in her wall.

“You will never find the Grimoire now,” Cercei snarled. “You and the Covenant are all doomed.”

“Do shut up, you’re even more annoying dead than you were alive.” Tasha snapped. “Much as I’d love to play our usual games, Cate, you
will
come with me now. Marcus!” A dark-skinned male came through the front door. He gave off no energy signature either; another Null. He had Charlie in a headlock.

“Cate, help me!” Charlie struggled, trying to use her power to pull free and then cried out in pain.

“Charlie, don’t use your powers,” Cate told her niece and turned back to Tasha. “I’ll go with you, just let her go.”

Tasha grinned. “Oh, how I do love to see you break, but I think we’ll take her along for insurance.”

“Let her go. Now!” Power flared in Cate’s eyes.

“Drop the gun and step out of the circle or Marcus will kill her.”

Her gun clattered onto the floor and Cate stepped forward. She had no other choice; she couldn’t risk Charlie’s life.

“No, Catherine!” Cercei cried. “You cannot do this!”

“Be quiet!” Cate snapped. “I won’t let anyone get hurt because of me.”

As soon as Cate exited the circle, Tasha had her by the throat. She gasped, feeling the burn of the Null’s touch before everything went black.

The moment Jason saw the open front door he knew something was wrong. “Cate?” he called, casting his senses out but feeling nothing. “Cate?”

Entering the house, he searched everywhere until he came to her workroom. Candles flickered inside the spell circle and the figure of a woman stood there, her form glittering. “Oh, thank the goddess!” she said.

Jason frowned. “Cercei? What the hell are you doing here?” He stared at the former Grand Mistress in disbelief. It had been a long time since he’d last seen her.

“Remember who you are talking to, Talbot,” Cercei said, sharply. “Catherine summoned me and now I am trapped.”

“Where is she?”

“That filthy Null came and took her away with the young witchling.”

“Phelps was here?”

“Yes, there were two Nulls,” she said with disgust.

Shit! The Covenant has Cate and Charlie!
Jason cursed. “How long ago was this?”

“A few minutes I suspect. Catherine went with Phelps willingly. How could she do that?”

“She would have done anything they asked to protect her niece. Family is everything to her.” Jason turned to go.

“Talbot, you cannot just leave me here. I have to protect the Grimoire.”

“So you do know where it is?”

“Of course, I…” She swore in a very un-Grand Mistress-like manner.

“I don’t have time for this. I have to find Cate.”

“Stopping Raven is the most important thing. Break the circle so I can leave.”

Just then Steve and Ian came running in, closely followed by Jade, after Jason called them.

“Where’s Cate?” Steve immediately asked.

“She’s gone. Tasha took her and Charlie.”

Steve stared at him. “What?” he cried. “But she’s out with a friend. She told me…” Steve pulled out his phone and frantically started dialling. A loud dance tune started playing; they all looked down to see a small, silver mobile on the floor.

“Charlie’s phone,” Steve made a grab for it. “But that doesn’t mean…”

“Catherine and the girl went with that bitch Phelps.” Cercei folded her arms across her chest. “Now would someone please release me?”

Jason had almost forgotten she was there and everyone stared at her.

“Who’s that?” Jade asked and frowned at Cercei’s silver star amulet. “Shit!”

“That’s Cercei McCray. Cate had summoned her to ask about the Grimoire, when Phelps came.”

“Well, let’s get rid of her and get moving,” Steve snapped. “The Covenant has my daughter and sister.”

“I don’t know. She
is
the key to finding the book,” said Jade. “Maybe we should leave her here until Cate can compel her.”

“You will not!” Cercei said tersely. “I demand you release me at once.”

“We don’t have time for this,” said Ian. “We need to find Cate and Charlie.”

Jason blew out the candles and Cercei shimmered away.

Confused, Jade asked, “What did you do that for? We could have used her.”

“Only she knows the secret to the Grimoire’s location and she can keep it safe now,” he said. “Come on team, let’s get to work.”

“If anything happens to them…” said Steve, brow creased with worry.

“It won’t.” Jason put a hand on his shoulder. “We’ll get them back.”

Cate woke to find herself strapped to a chair; infused Silveron bound her wrists and ankles. Her throat ached from Tasha’s burns and it took her eyes a few seconds to see through the near darkness. She was in a large room with two empty chairs and some sort of mechanical machine with a screen and wires attached to it. Was it a torture device?

She knew she would probably be tortured and was ready for it. It wouldn’t be the first time Phelps had tormented her and their past encounters had only made her stronger. She pulled at the metal bonds holding her, called to her magic, and then cried out as pain tore through her.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you. You should know that your powers are useless here,” said a raspy voice. The shadows shifted as a woman moved closer.

“Can’t blame me for trying,” Cate replied.

“You have grown since we last saw each other.” The woman stepped out of the shadows. Half of her face was covered with hideous scar tissue, so much so Cate could almost smell the burning.

“Raven.” Cate hadn’t expected the Covenant’s leader to look like this, a shell of a person. Her powers might be repressed by the Silveron bonds, but her senses were still working and detected only traces of power from Raven.

“Happy to see your handiwork, Catherine?”

What the hell was she talking about? They had never met, Cate had only seen glimpses of her in visions and then she was usually shrouded in shadow. She had certainly never done anything physically to her. Raven always sent minions to do her dirty work and now Cate was starting to see why. If she could get her hands on Raven, she thought she could kill her with a single touch.

“What are you talking about?” Cate demanded. “I’ve never done anything to you. Don’t think your hideous appearance will frighten me either. I’ve seen worse.”

Raven slapped her, hard enough for her face to sting. “Do not lie to me, girl. You did this to me. You destroyed my body, weakened my power, and cursed me to this.”

“But I didn’t. I…” Raven hit her again, this time blood dripped down her face.

“Maybe it’s true, my love. Perhaps she really doesn’t remember.” Tasha came in, holding some sort of metal rod. “She was just a child after all.”

Cate racked her brain, but she couldn’t recall anything. “Where’s my niece?”

“I’m sure Marcus is having fun with her,” Tasha grinned and laughed. “How does it feel to be powerless?”

“I’m going to enjoy killing you, Phelps. My magic may not work on you, but I’ll make sure your death hurts.”

Tasha grabbed her by the throat again and Cate felt the burning of anti-magic. Tasha’s rod crackled with electrical static as she raised it to strike her.

“No, Tasha, we cannot kill her or bring her to the point of death, it could trigger the ascension and we don’t want that happening yet,” said Raven. “We need her alive to find the Grimoire. So, Catherine, save yourself some pain by simply telling us the location of the book.”

“Why? So you can kill me sooner?” she asked coldly. “Even if I knew, I’d never tell you anything.”

“Marcus?” Raven called. “Bring the girl.”

The other Null came in, dragging Charlie with him. She looked a bit bruised and burnt around her arms, but there were no other signs of physical assault. Charlie was sobbing. Cate knew how much it hurt to be disconnected, to have your magic within reach and not be able to use it. Cate tried to give her niece a reassuring look and wished she could talk to her. Comfort her.

“Tell us where the book is or watch her die. Slowly,” Tasha said, “knowing that every second of her agony is your fault.” Marcus gripped Charlie’s arm, causing her to scream from the pain.

This was worse than any kind of physical torture they could inflict upon Cate. “Don’t!” she cried. “If you want to hurt someone, hurt me!” She struggled against the metal bonds, desperately trying to break free. But what good would her magic do, even if she could use it? Tasha would only rebound it and probably kill her. Then what use would she be to Charlie? She had to stay alive to save her niece.

“I don’t know where the Grimoire is, I swear,” Cate said coldly. “Hurting her won’t do any good.”

“She’s telling the truth,” said another voice. Cate recognised it as Bethany Turner’s.

“I wondered where you disappeared to,” Cate commented.

“I have to say, I was disappointed you didn’t come after me yourself,” said Bethany.

Cate felt a strange air of power coming from Bethany, one she’d never felt before.
What has changed? Raven must’ve done something
, she mused.

“I’ve been busy. Surprised you’ve got more minions to do your bidding, like when you sent those demons to attack me. A real Denai would do her own dirty work.” Cate smiled. “Oh wait, you can’t.”

Marcus raised his hand again to burn Charlie. “Put the girl back in her cell,” Raven ordered. “We must force her to find the Grimoire another way.”