Something Witchy This Way Comes: A Jolie Wilkins Novel (26 page)

It seemed she was warning me, because she didn’t
want to see anything bad happen to me. Or maybe I was just extrapolating. Either way, I recognized that I had an opportunity here. Maybe I could ask my sister some of the questions that were still pounding through my mind. Whether she would answer them was anyone’s guess. But if I didn’t try, I’d never know, right?

I took a deep breath and for the next couple of seconds we just looked at each other, neither of us saying anything. I broke the silence. “How many of you are there?”

Bryn glanced at me and smiled knowingly, like she was completely on to me. “Pass.” It was her turn to inhale deeply. “Is there a King of your people too, or are you the only monarch?”

I was quiet for a few seconds, but then I realized I’d have to hand over information if I expected to get any in return. “Just me.” She nodded and narrowed her eyes as if to say,
Well? It’s your turn
. “How does one become an Elemental or a Daywalker?”

“Elementals are either born from Elemental parents or humans can become Elementals through a ceremony of magic. True Elemental power only comes with age.”

I frowned. “You’re only thirty.”

She nodded and smiled smugly, crossing her arms against her chest as she leaned back into the pillows of the sofa. “I’m considered an enigma … as I’m sure you are.”

I nodded, unable to argue with her. “And the Daywalkers?”

“Daywalkers are born that way, through the union of two Daywalkers.”

I tapped my fingers against my knee as I digested
the information. “So Daywalkers can’t turn humans like vampires can?”

Bryn frowned and eyed me. “Daywalkers and vampires have absolutely nothing in common. It’s like comparing a spaniel to a wolf.”

I laughed, I couldn’t help it. “Is that the only comparison you guys know in this place or what?”

She started to frown, but the frown slowly gave way to a smile and then a laugh. “You want to know what’s the funniest part about that?”

“Sure,” I said, feeling myself drawn to her. I really wanted to like her. I mean, she was the only blood family I had left. And what was more, she
was
likable. She was strong-willed and opinionated, yes, but she was also funny, and I was beginning to see a more sensitive side to her.

“Luce says that bit about the spaniel and the wolf all the damn time and it drives me nuts!” She laughed and shook her head. “I can’t believe I actually stole it.”

“I can see how it would get on your nerves,” I offered.

She stopped laughing, but the smile was still etched on her lips. “So anyway, no, Daywalkers can’t turn humans. The only way to create another one is through a Daywalker and Daywalker union.”

“Not an Elemental and a Daywalker union?” I specified.

She shook her head. “We have strict rules that disallow us from procreating with one another. We keep our lines strictly separate, otherwise our powers would be highly weakened.”

My eyes reached for the ceiling as surprise echoed through me. I wasn’t sure why I was surprised, but I
was nonetheless. The Lurker way of living was just so foreign to my own. “Luce said it was rare for Elementals to birth males?” I said, broaching the next question on my mind.

“It’s my turn,” Bryn interrupted, and I merely nodded, realizing she was right. “Does the prophetess actually exist?”

I swallowed hard, not wanting to answer this question. In the back of my mind I could feel Rand affirming the notion. I hadn’t realized he was still with me, and knowing he was still there caused a sense of warmth and happiness to crawl through me. I felt much less alone.

Bryn started laughing, and I glanced up at her in surprise. “Your expression was response enough,” she admitted, and then nodded. “Interesting.”

Irritated at my inability to hide my emotions, I turned to the next question on my list. “So are Elementals born of Elemental parents stronger than humans who are turned into Elementals?”

She nodded again and started playing with her hair and shaking her knee as if she had trouble sitting still. It seemed Bryn was one of those people who was overflowing with energy and constantly needed an outlet. “Humans who become Elementals by way of magic are the least powerful of our kind. Males who are born of Elemental parents are the most powerful, but as Luce told you, they rarely survive.”

“How many purebred male Elementals are there?”

She shook her head and stopped playing with her hair. “Pass.”

“Are you planning on waging a war against my people?” I asked, my voice tight.

She was quiet for a few seconds and her eyes were hollow, her lips tight. “I think you already know the answer to that one.”

I was consumed with thoughts after Bryn left, and I didn’t know what to focus on. Realizing that I was also exhausted, I opted for bed. I decided to give my brain the hiatus it so desperately needed so I could conserve my strength for the next day. I exhaled a long breath and started for my bedroom, still feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. What would tomorrow bring? While I was eager to learn more about Bryn’s history and my own, I was nevertheless wary about the source of the information. I wondered how much Luce was coloring the truth, how he was using it to suit his own ulterior motives.

I closed the bedroom door behind me, pulled off the white sweatshirt Bryn had given me, then took off the equally nondescript white T-shirt and the blue pants, which reminded me of hospital scrubs. I piled them neatly over the back of the chair and stared at myself in the mirror. I was wearing only my bra and underwear. I turned to check out my profile and noticed I really didn’t look pregnant at all. As soon as the thought entered my head, I felt a bout of nausea again. It was like the baby was reminding me she was most definitely there with me. I smiled as I magicked the nausea away, still studying myself. No, I didn’t look any bigger. In fact, my stomach looked flatter than it usually did, and overall it appeared that I’d lost at least five pounds. That didn’t surprise me, considering the fact that I hadn’t been eating much lately.
’Course, the stress alone had probably caused the weight loss.

I have to be better about dealing with this stress
, I thought to myself. For the baby’s sake, I had to stay as healthy and worry-free as I could. It was a monumental task that I had no idea how to accomplish.

Just take everything one step at a time
, I advised myself.

I turned from the mirror and walked over to the bed. I was about to settle myself in for the night when I had the sudden and distinct feeling that I wasn’t alone. I felt the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention. Something wasn’t right—it was an instinctual response and one I’d learned not to ignore.

Before I could take another breath, I heard a swoosh, interrupting the otherwise still air, and felt someone appear just behind me, pulling me into him as he cupped my mouth. I began struggling against him until his scent bathed me in its spicy male cleanness. I stopped my struggle and felt relief flood through my mind and body.

“Poppet, do not scream,” Sinjin said.

“Sinjin,” I breathed when he pulled his hand away from my mouth. I gripped each of his arms and hugged myself with them, grateful to feel his presence behind me. I didn’t even care that I was basically naked because my response wasn’t sexual. It was pure joy. I spun myself around and threw my arms around his middle, pressing my head into his chest as I hugged him. I could feel his surprise at first, but moments later he wrapped his arms around me in return.

Then I looked up at him with shock in my eyes. “Sinjin … how did you—” I started.

“I tracked you, love,” he responded with that devilish smile I adored. He was dressed all in black, as always, and he blended in with the night, indistinguishable from the shadows.

“You tracked me?” I repeated in a whisper, suddenly afraid that my quarters might be bugged.

Sinjin smiled at me again, and all the stress that had been building inside of me dissolved. It was strange because I recognized our precarious position, but there was something about Sinjin’s easy coolness that absolved any panic. I took his hand and squeezed it as I smiled at him, so incredibly happy to see him, and to know he was okay.

“Yes, my pet,” he said as he grinned down at me. “I have sampled your blood. Do you not remember? I can track you no matter where you are.”

Then I realized that Sinjin knew where we were. I closed my eyes for a second and focused on opening the bond with Rand. I knew he wouldn’t respond well to Sinjin’s presence, but desperate times called for desperate measures. I could immediately feel Rand’s awareness flowing through me—the telltale sign that we were connected. I opened my eyes and glanced up at Sinjin. As soon as Rand recognized him, anger flashed through me, but it was immediately tempered by a sense of relief. He had to realize the reason Sinjin was here.

“Where are we, Sinjin?” I whispered.

He ran his fingers down the side of my face and smiled as Rand’s anger became almost palpable.

“In the Black Forest of Germany.”

“Germany?” I repeated as anger flowed through me like lava. That rat bastard Luce!

I knew that Rand needed to break our connection so he could concentrate on locating the camp, in order to rally our troops and wage battle.

I nodded as I tried to pass on the feeling that I understood, that it was okay for him to leave me. And even though Rand and Sinjin had never been friends, I could tell that he was happy that Sinjin was with me. It actually elated him that there was someone who cared about me and wanted to protect me in this godforsaken place. Strangely enough, I could feel his gratitude for Sinjin pass through me. I recognized it as Rand’s peace offering.

Sinjin pushed me away from him and smiled appreciatively as he took in my seminaked body. He reached for my shirt and pants and handed them to me. “Much as I adore viewing your perfect form in the buff, I cannot allow you to catch cold.”

“Sinjin—” I started as I threw my shirt over my head and pulled the pants up. I tied the drawstrings at my waist, but realized I had nothing to say.

“We must go.”

“Shh,” I whispered. “We might be overheard.” He nodded as if he understood, then started forward, but I grabbed his arm and shook my head adamantly. “You have to go on without me,” I said with as much strength as I could command.

He merely shook his head. “No chance.”

He grabbed my arm and pulled me forward, but I bucked against him. “I can’t explain why, Sinjin, but I know I will be safe here,” I said in a soft voice.

He faced me with narrowed eyes. “You have two options, love. You may either come with me willingly
or I shall carry you. I would prefer option one, as it requires less energy on my part.”

That was when I realized I wasn’t going to win this argument. It was better just to go with him and pull out at the last minute. How was I going to do that? I had no clue, but I figured I’d work it out later. No use wasting time on trivialities.

Even though I desperately wanted to tell Sinjin that Rand was on his way with our legion of Underworld soldiers, I was too worried that someone might overhear us. Yes, I considered writing a note for Sinjin but I figured Lurker magic would also uncover anything written. As it was, I was shocked that no one had discovered Sinjin yet, but it was probably just a matter of time. I looked around the room for anything resembling a nanny-cam, but found nothing. In the meantime I needed to play along with Sinjin and pretend that I would escape with him, for his safety. I wanted him to return to Kinloch and join up with Rand; it would be better for all of us. I, on the other hand, needed to stay here so that Luce wouldn’t be tipped off in any way.

And, yes, I was curious as to how Sinjin had breached the security of the camp but I didn’t want to break the silence in order to ask.

I threw on my tennis shoes, grabbed my sweatshirt, and followed Sinjin out of the bedroom, taking his hand when he offered it. Rather than going through the front door, he opened a window in the kitchen, which looked out on the bordering forest, and motioned for me to climb through it. Because I had to hurdle over the counter, he bent down, clasping his hands together until they formed a stirrup. I placed
the ball of my foot in his hands and braced myself on his broad back. He lifted me over the counter and I slipped through the window. Pulling my legs through, I caught my balance on the windowsill and supported my body weight with my arms. I dropped to the ground below, barely making a sound.

Seconds later Sinjin materialized directly beside me. He smiled, offering his hand again. “Shall we?”

I took it and exhaled deeply, feeling my heart pounding in my chest. Still holding hands, we started down the hill at a quick pace. When we reached the cover of the pine trees, the moonlight couldn’t find us through the thick canopy. I felt hope rise within me.

“Thank you, Sinjin,” I said softly, momentarily returning my gaze to the forest floor in front of me so I wouldn’t trip.

He raised a brow as if he thought it was strange for me to be thanking him. “I deserve no thanks, my Queen. I am your solemnly sworn protector.”

I was suddenly infused with guilt because I knew now that everything Sinjin had ever told me was true—it was just this feeling I had deep down in my gut. My protection and safety were always his priority. Regardless of what had happened between us in the past, I forgave him from the bottom of my heart. Once again he’d put his life on the line for me. “I’m sorry,” I said softly.

“Shh—” he started, but I shook my head.

He needed to hear this. I had to make him understand. “No,” I said resolutely, inhaling deeply. I must have been out of shape because trying to jog and talk at the same time wasn’t easy. “I want you to know that I’m sorry for everything that happened.” I inhaled
again. “I’m sorry I ever doubted you, and most of all I’m sorry for banishing you.” I shook my head, hating the words as they left my mouth. “I should have trusted you.”

He was now wearing an expression that was hard. “No, you were correct not to.”

Exhaustion swept through me—I was just so tired and I hadn’t eaten anything in hours. I had no energy. “I don’t understand,” I gasped, forcing myself onward.