Chosen Destiny (23 page)

a portal directly to the steps outside it. The actual sect house was protected by shields to

prevent someone forming a portal inside it now that they knew a Sorceress had turned

to the dark arts. The door opened as her foot hit the top step and the young trainee

witch stepped back allowing Meagan to enter. Meagan nodded and headed for the

council room. She really hoped her suspicions were unfounded but regardless she

needed answers. Not that even confirmation of all of Lissandra’s claims would make

her relax her guard. She wanted to know everything she could before they went to the

ruins.

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She knocked at the thick doors. The door opened and a young witch came out as

Meagan walked into the council room. The elders sat at the table. She stopped a good

distance from the table out of respect. She waited until the elders noticed her. Elder

Sarash looked up and smiled.

“Is there something you need?” Elder Sarash asked.

“Just a little clarification.” Meagan felt a little awkward asking about it. It could be

that something was might be wrong at the ruin, but she couldn’t ignore everything that

seemed off about it. “Lissandra tells me we need to go to the ruins. She’s kind of young

for the mission if it turns dangerous. A couple of things seemed a little strange. And her

behavior threw me a bit.”

“We didn’t assign that to Lissandra. She is a young witch. I suggested she be

included in the group. We told Carrie about the mission.” Elder Sarash stood.

Meagan easily saw the concern on her face.

“I don’t know if Carrie sent Lissandra to gather witches, but something feels wrong.

I wanted all the information before I went anywhere with her.” Meagan shrugged.

“Carrie could have done that, but she shouldn’t have passed the duty at all, much

less to someone as inexperienced as Lissandra. Your concern is understandable,” Elder

Haral said. Her frail form straightened and her thin gray hair shifted on her shoulders.

“What do your instincts tell you?”

“That there’s more to this than a simple mistake or laziness. I’ve enlisted some

dragons and vampires to go.” Meagan lifted her chin.

She half expected some kind of remark from the elders. Especially Elder Carit, an

older woman who was one of the most outspoken of the group on some subjects. It

wasn’t often that they worked even with the wizards in the village on missions. When

they did, it involved the town. Anything else was usually one or the other.

Elder Carit slowly pursed her lips, but nodded. “That’s probably for the best. We’ll

want a full report on what happened as well as to speak with both Carrie and

Lissandra.”

“I’ll tell them after the mission.” Meagan turned and left the room.

She walked down the hallway toward the door. As she rounded the corner, she saw

Samiel and Jaeson just entering the coven house. They smiled when they saw her. Both

men were dressed in dark colors. It seemed to be their standard dress when they were

expecting trouble. Samiel wore dark blue and Jaeson black from his shirt to his

gleaming boots.

“We’re getting some hard looks,” Jaeson began.

“From a young woman with pale blonde hair and green eyes,” Meagan supplied.

She’d known Lissandra was likely to pout.

“Yes, is it us or because you went to see the elders?” Samiel nodded and put an arm

around her.

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“I think it’s you and me. She wasn’t happy when I insisted on contacting you.” She

hugged him and leaned into him.

“Give us a quick run-down of everything.” Jaeson leaned in to kiss her cheek.

Meagan looked around to make sure no one was close enough to hear. She lowered

her voice. “Lissandra found me in the street and said the elders wanted us to check the

ruins. She’s young and doesn’t have much experience so I was a little concerned. When

I suggested contacting vampires and dragons, her reaction made me even more

curious.”

“She wanted to just go? What did the elders say?” Jaeson tilted his head. His long

silver hair swung over his shoulder.

“Basically. They didn’t give the mission to Lissandra.” Meagan stepped back. It was

time to go to the ruins. “They gave it to another woman. Either that woman sent

Lissandra to gather witches and there was a misunderstanding or something is very

wrong.”

“We’re prepared for trouble,” Samiel said.

She nodded. “Let’s go. Something doesn’t feel right about this.”

Samiel looked at Meagan. The woman never ceased to surprise him. She’d been

having trouble adjusting to working with him and Jaeson. He’d admit he was having

problems adjusting himself. She was a strong witch and had worked alone yet she’d

sent for them. It showed that even though she was a little cautious, she trusted them.

She’d shown it before, he just hadn’t thought about it.

They left the coven house and went down the steps to the group of witches,

vampires, and dragons. Jaeson would have informed the other vampires of Meagan’s

concerns. They’d make sure the dragons in the group would be ready for an attack.

“Everyone ready?” Samiel hooked an arm around Meagan’s waist.

“We’d already be there if we hadn’t waited for everyone. It should be an easy

check.” Lissandra crossed her arms over her chest.

Even when she was trying to look angry, Lissandra had a distinct pout. He saw

Meagan’s eyes lift to the sky. Her eyes moved over the group. He knew she’d noticed

that Gaellon was there but Lassan wasn’t. Five men, including Jaeson and Samiel, as

well as six other witches waited to leave for the ruined village of Gaeil. He put a hand

on her shoulders.

“He’s gone to do a flyover of the ruins to spot any obvious traps,” Samiel said. “If

he’d found anything, he would have roared.”

“That’s good. Let’s go. This isn’t going to feel any more right until we’re finished.”

Meagan straightened.

“Don’t worry. We’ll take care of this. No one’s getting hurt.” Jaeson touched her

shoulder.

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She smiled and straightened. Samiel knew just by her expression that she was still

worried. He wasn’t sure about this mission himself. There was too much that was

wrong with the situation. They’d all need to be on their guard.

“Gather together. I’ll form a tunnel to a spot just outside the ruins.” Samiel looked

around the group.

“I’ll make the tunnel. I know exactly where we need to be.” Lissandra stepped

forward.

“We’re not going straight into a trap. We do this safely.” Jaeson’s voice cut the off

before she could finish her sentence.

“A trap… Are you saying I’m trying to lead you into a trap?” Lissandra’s hands

landed on her hips.

“If you can’t see why we’re concerned, you’re either naïve or trying to lead us into

danger.” Meagan’s voice was calm and controlled, a stark contrast to Lissandra’s shrill

outrage.

“I’m not trying to lead you into danger,” Lissandra protested.

“Then step back and let those with more experience take the lead.” Meagan slid her

hand over Samiel’s arm.

He didn’t know if she was showing support or if she realized she was touching

him. Regardless he enjoyed the contact. He watched the young witch Lissandra. He saw

the indecision on her face. She was obviously unsure what she should do. Finally she

shrugged and nodded.

Gaellon formed a tunnel. It had been decided to travel by the vampire tunnel. If this

turned out to be a dangerous situation, they didn’t need any disorientation slowing

them down. Not to mention the momentum of a normal tunnel. They needed to watch

every step. Samiel stayed by Meagan’s side. The black mist surrounded them, then

faded, leaving them on the rocky ground outside the ruins. Lassan leaned against the

wall, waiting for them.

“Nothing’s moving here and this feels wrong.” Lassan came away from the wall,

his face too serious.

Leaving wasn’t an option. They had to check the ruins. If there was a Dark Sorcerer

or traps here, they needed to clear them. They couldn’t leave it for someone else to find

and trigger them. They couldn’t let the Dark Sorcerer believe he’d won in any way.

“We’ll split into five groups. There will be at least one vampire or dragon with each

group.” Jaeson looked at the assembled witches.

Samiel expected an argument at least from Lissandra. The woman had resisted their

involvement from the start. She stared at them, totally silent for a moment. Her chin

lifted and she glared at them.

“I want to be with Meagan to see her face when she realizes that there is no danger,

that there’s no trap here.” Lissandra glared at Meagan.

“I think she’ll be interested in seeing your face too.” Jaeson’s voice was dry.

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Something in Jaeson’s tone told Samiel more than his words. “You sense magic.”

“The Dark Sorceress is here.” Jaeson nodded. “I’ll go with one of the other groups.

If you need help, send up a signal.”

“I can take care of our witch.” Samiel frowned. He knew the prod had been meant

to draw a reaction. Jaeson had been doing that more often now. Samiel was happy with

the change. They were getting even closer now. Meagan’s arrival in their lives had

added more than a third to their bond. It had broken down walls that kept them at a

distance from each other.

“Just make sure you do and no letting your dragon arrogance take over.” Jaeson

grinned just before he kissed Meagan, a hot quick melding of the lips.

Samiel shook his head. Meagan laughed softly. He loved the sound of her laughter.

He forced his mind away from the softness and happiness she brought. They had a

battle to fight. Then he could focus on his woman and his vampire. He looked over at

the young witch, Lissandra. She looked stunned and a bit disbelieving. He didn’t think

she’d actually believe there was danger until the battle started. He wasn’t sure if she

was part of the setup or if she’d just been used to get Meagan here. Until he knew, he

wasn’t letting Lissandra out of his sight. She wasn’t getting a chance to hurt Meagan.

They moved into the ruins. At times, it was hard to tell what was supposed to be

the street and what had been buildings. Some of the weathered gray-white stone walls

had disintegrated into rubble. Chunks of rock were everywhere. Most of the walls that

did stand reached only about head height. A
merdanon
couldn’t hide behind the pieces

of wall anywhere near them. Which was good, but that still left the
tandini
.

“I just felt a surge of power. I don’t know who did it or if one of our groups has

been attacked.” Meagan’s eyes ran over the area in front of them.

“Keep your eyes open. That probably wasn’t one of our people.” Samiel looked

away from her and back to the street behind them.

He knew she had a shield up around them all, but he put one up separating

Meagan from Lissandra. Meagan was a professional, but she was loyal to her coven. She

had her doubts about Lissandra, but Samiel wasn’t taking chances. The woman’s

behavior alone made her suspect.

The street in front of them stretched ahead without any sign of danger. He knew it

probably wouldn’t last. The Dark Sorceress was here. He didn’t know what she’d do

when she learned dragons and vampires were here as well as witches. Her plan might

suddenly change. If Meagan had come here alone, the Dark Sorceress would certainly

have tried to kill her. He heard a skittering sound at the end of the street, but couldn’t

see anything. The sound grew louder and more skittering.

“Uh-oh.” Meagan’s soft voice reached him.

From the corner of his eye, he saw her wave her hand. Dust and rock rose in front

of them, whirling spiraling into a tight vortex. Cracking sounds echoed as the rocks

slammed into each other, pulverizing into a fine powder. The brown mass flew down

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the street. As it settled back to the street, shapes began to take form. It wasn’t
merdanons
.

The Dark Sorceress had summoned some of the false
tandini
.

“Do that throughout the ruins. The Dark Sorceress probably didn’t just send those

here.” Samiel looked at the advancing horde of creatures. There had to be thirty or more

creatures in front of them.

“I’m doing it now.” Meagan’s words were clipped, short.

“What was the uh-oh about?” Samiel summoned a ball of fire.

“I think I might know who’s behind this,” Meagan said.

“How?” Samiel hurled the flaming orb down the street immediately forming

another. The ball hit and one
tandini
fell to the ground. There were too many left.

“The invisible thing. I know only one witch who used it regularly.” Meagan swung

her sword, sending a ball of energy down the street. It hit one of the creatures.

“Who is it? The one who was supposed to lead this mission? We haven’t seen any

sign of her.”

“No. I don’t know where she is, but I’ve never seen Carrie do anything like this. I

think this is Doria’s work. She’s a friend to both Lissandra and Carrie, but even worse,