Blood and Loss (Cassandra Myles Witch Series) (7 page)

“This was no romance. Tovar was obsessed with this girl. Most
fae grow tired of their human concubines very quickly. Their glamour, left unchecked, will create a slave out of a human. They grow to care of nothing else but the fae who holds them enthralled. Anthea was no ordinary human. She was immune to his glamour. She pined every day to be back among her people. He just wanted her to forget where she came from and want only him. It is likely her ability to withstand his glamour is what made him so taken with her.

“He must hav
e experienced some sort of true feelings for her, because when he finally realized that he was not going to get her to comply, he asked the most powerful of his kind to come up with a way to allow her to return home. You see, if she left without this enchantment, she would die instantly. She would age hundreds of years in a matter of seconds. Leaving was the equivalent to a death sentence.

“
Like most things that deal with death, the magic they used was black. Like all black magic, no matter the gain, there is always a price to pay. In order for her to retain her youth, she would have to drain the life essence from others of her kind. She gained great strength and speed, but had her ability to walk in the sun taken away.

“Instead of being grateful
for his efforts, she hated him even more. She was free and all those feelings she had suppressed out of fear now had the freedom to be released. She hated Tovar and all fae. He had released her, but had made her a monster. She had to prey on her own people to live. She was once again the only one of her kind. Like most fae gifts, they are more a curse than anything. Anthea eventually figured out how to make others like herself. This too was a mixed blessing. She hated herself and what she was, but her desperate loneliness drove her to make more and more of us.

“When the idea of going to war came about
, she saw it as a way to get even. Anthea was very clever. No one she sired could refuse. She saw revenge at her fingertips. It wasn’t blind, though. A better general you could not imagine. It was her idea to bring in the druids. She knew we could not win a purely physical combat with them. The humans were too weak and we could only fight at night. We needed magic and the druids knew secrets even the fae did not. The druids used their magic to seal the fae in their own realm. That is where they have been ever since.”

Oh
, this was way too cool. I worked for Quintus for a long time and I had now heard more information about vampires in the last ten minutes than I had any other time. Vampires owed their lives to their secrets. It was second nature not to divulge anything. I must have been fidgeting again because I got a glare from Lucius. I gave him my most apologetic smile. I didn’t want to sit on Mr. Big and Brawny.

“So what has happened to trigger this history lesson?”
It was Killian who spoke this time.

“In all the 2000 years since they have been sealed up
, not one fae has escaped, until now.” He let that set in, then continued. “It took all the power of the druids and vampires to seal them in. Now if my sources are correct, one of the fae have made it back across. If one can do that, then the seals must be weakening.”

“I’ll admit I am the youngest here, but I have always thought those stories were, pardon the pun, fairy tales.”
Hey, I said that.

“As were vampires until the 50s
, Killian. We were nothing but cheesy Hollywood horror movie characters to most and now we live openly. Well, as openly as society will allow.”

The last vampire
cleared his throat. He shook his head. He seemed to be trying to say something, but nothing was coming out. “My maker was almost killed in that war. He found it hard to talk about, but I did believe him. He said that in a one-on-one fight, a fairy could very easily kill even some of the oldest of us. The thought of them walking among us terrifies me.”

Well
, the top of the food chain doesn’t like to be thought of as prey. Welcome to my world. I wanted to say something, but Lucius sensed it and gripped my thigh. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of any reaction except one of my famous dirty looks. He just shrugged. Ewww
I’d love  to have
super-strength for just ten minutes and I could wipe that smug look off his face.
Ass-hat.

Quintus put his face in his hands. When he looked up again, his eyes were rimmed with red. “Many people died during that war. Good people. Sacrifices made so those that came after could live freely.”

“What about the
weres?” questioned Emil

“They are divided and that is the only reason I know what I do. One of them felt strongly enough to tell me personally that
there is a pack that is actively helping the fae. He wouldn’t tell us where, though, and since there are hundreds of packs and some have been hidden for centuries, it is like searching for a needle in a haystack.”

Emil spoke up. “Is there a way to prevent the seals from being opened?”

“Maybe. I am working on it. If it pans out, I will let you know. In the meantime, we have to plan for a worst-case scenario. Feel out those you trust. See what they know. Any information about where this pack is would be an enormous help.”

“I will do as you ask
, old friend, but my gut is telling me there is something you are not telling us.” Killian looked at him, waiting to see if Quintus would reveal anything else. When he was met with a blank face, he turned to leave.

I got a wink from him as he walked by
. I couldn’t help but smile. Killian always joked about stealing me from Quintus. He said his assistants were more work than help. I always refused, but remained very friendly with him. A girl always needed options. The other two left without even glancing my way. I was fine with that.

When they shut the door behind them
, I leapt from the chair. Quintus put his hand up before I could even speak. “Cassandra, please. I know you have a thousand questions. Let me tell you a few things first and if I haven’t covered everything, then you may bombard me with your curious mind.”

I just nodded. It sounded like a good plan. I just hoped I didn’t forget everything I wanted to ask.

“First, let me congratulate you. I should have called you right away and told you, but the information about the fae came at the same time. You, my dear one, are going to have the
geis
lifted in one week.”

I know the timing was bad, but I ran around his desk and leapt into his arms. “I can never tha
nk you enough. I am speechless! Anything you ever need, just ask.”

His arms wrapped around me and he gave me a fatherly kiss on the top of my head. “You might want to hold on to this feeling, because I do have something to ask of you.”

I went back to my perch beside Lucius. I had a feeling I should sit down for this one. I took a deep breath. “Anything.”

“I believe you might be the only witch powe
rful enough to break the seals.”

“That seems like a bit of a stretch
, Quintus. I haven’t even performed magic for five years. You can’t seriously think I could undo something it took God knows how many powerful druids and vampires to put in place?”

“Yes
, I do. You ripped apart the wall between here and the afterlife.”

“I… I don’t even know how I did that. It could have been a fluke.”
I remembered that day very vividly. I even had nightmares about it, but it always felt like someone else was in control of what I was doing.

“Can we agree to disagree?” I nodded. “If I have the opinion that you could
break the seals, then the fae and whatever wolf pack is helping them may have that opinion, and if that is the case, you are in danger.”

I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want it to be true. I didn’t think it was true.
“Even if I have the mojo, it doesn’t mean I have the knowhow. The druids are gone and I assume the knowledge of how they created them is gone with them.” This was insane. Quintus had never known me when I had my magic. I didn’t know why he thought I could do this impossible feat of magic.

“All but one.”

“Who?”

He walked over and Lucius moved so he could sit next to me. He turned my head so I was looking right in
to his eyes. His voice was thick with emotion. “I was a druid. The Anthea turned me so I could live to protect the seals. It is why I always thought of you as a kindred spirit. I lost my powers the day I was turned and a part of me still feels that loss.”

He looked almost vulnerable. Then it was gone and his
mask was back in place. I took his hand in mine. I was fighting back tears. “I wish I had known. All those times I complained about not having my magic. I feel silly now.” I was on information overload. I thought I was savvy when it came to the supernatural community, and it turns out I didn’t know much more than the average Joe.

He smiled and I knew he was here in the present again. “You
almost never complain, young one, but I have a feeling that is going to change.”

“Why?”
This was bad. I braced myself for whatever he was going to ask.

“If the fae or the w
olves think you can remove the seals, then you are not safe. They will try their best to kidnap you. That is the best-case scenario. If there are people who want the fae to stay where they are, they may try to eliminate you. I need to protect you, Cassandra. I want you to allow Lucius to be your bodyguard.”

My chin hit the floor. I almost fell off the
loveseat. “When you call in a favor…wow you really know how to call in a favor. I really don’t think I need a bodyguard.”

“Then would you consent to moving back here until I think it is safe?”

“No. I don’t want that either. I love my little home and I don’t want to leave Declan. If I move in here, his head would explode.”

Quintus still had the calm look
, but his knuckles were white and his jaw was tight. “I do not care what your roommate thinks. Your safety is more important than anything.” He kissed my cheek and whispered in my ear, “If something happened to you and I could have prevented it, I would never forgive myself. I need you to agree to this.”

I didn’t want to have to deal with t
his. Declan would go ballistic. He was only human. Lucius could twist him like a pretzel. “Declan is my roommate. He has a right to an opinion about who stays in our home.”

“
You said you would do anything I asked. This is what I want, or was all that gratitude just lip service?”

Wow
, low blow. I guess 2000 years of practice and you are going to be pretty good at guilt. I was in a lose-lose situation. I didn’t want to refuse Quintus. He only wanted to protect me. I couldn’t just have a vampire move in with us and not at least ask Declan if it was okay.

“I am sure Lucius has better things to do than babysit me.” I looked to him for some help. He looked away.
Coward.

“Lucius does what I ask. If only everyone in my employ was like that.”

I felt defeated. I would give Declan the choice of me here or Lucius and me at our place. “Fine, but who is going to protect me from him?”

Quintus gave a small laugh.
“Lucius would lay down his life for you, Cassandra. He takes his duty very seriously.”

I still wasn’t convinced. I was so not getting him that
Number One Boss mug for Christmas. “I’ll talk to Declan tonight. If he is dead set against it, I’ll move in here.”

“Lucius goes with you tonight
, Cassandra. You can talk to Declan and decide where you stay tomorrow, but I am not willing to chance your safety.”

“
So there is nothing I can do to change your mind?” When he remained silent, I turned to Lucius. “Are you all ready, roomie?”

He scowled at me. “I have to gather my things. I will meet you at the car.”

I waited until he left. “Isn’t there anyone else who could do this job? Lucius hates me.”

“Lucius is hard to get to know, bu
t there is no one I trust more. He does not hate you; in fact, he always talks about you very fondly.”

I found it hard to believe the big bag walked around singing my praises. “Fine, if it will make you feel better
, I am sure we can make this work.” My words had to be forced out. This was a nightmare.

“
Now, I have one more request that I hope you find a little easier to say ‘yes’ to.” He gathered me in his arms; his breath tickled my ear. “I want to be your mentor when you have the
geis
removed.”

My heart was beating so fast I thought it would come out of my chest. I hadn’t even thought of who would mentor me. I certainly never thought it would be a druid.
When you graduate from the academy, you had to have someone oversee your progress and help guide you. Some had a mentor for only a couple years and some kept that bond forever. “I would be honored, Quintus. Are you sure you want to?”

“Why do you think that when I do things for you it is such a great chore? Did it ever occur to you that I ask for my own selfish reasons?”

I realized we were still in each other’s arms. It felt more intimate than I was comfortable with. I untangled myself from him. He grabbed my hand and kissed it before I pulled away. I just smiled and walked left. I was so smooth. I could teach a class on how to be surrounded by gorgeous men and have none of them ever make a move on you.