Chapter Twenty
They passed a green and white sign that read, Welcome to Conjura. Hacen rolled his eyes. If ever there was a warlock town, it would have a name like that. Making it obvious seemed like a bad idea to Hacen, but the coven had been around a long time, so what the hell did he know.
The town was about the size of Saint Lakes. Warlocks were notorious for being loners, and very few covens existed. Hacen felt a little like he was on an African safari seeing an endangered animal for the first time.
Tommy coming from a coven like Conjura didn’t surprise Hacen, though. His warlock was a joiner if ever there was one. He’d cast his vote and do what the majority decreed.
Hacen was the loner and might have been a warlock in some past life, not that he believed in such things. A part of him regretted joining Nicolono’s coven of vampires. There was a small pocket of tyrants who agreed with Nicolono’s leadership. The majority of his coven had wanted him out a long time ago, but they were scared of his cruelty. Hacen had fallen in with the group of tyrants without care. That lack of caring had been his first mistake.
Hacen’s heart beat a wild rhythm in his chest as they passed storefronts on the main street.
Fane sat beside him in the back seat of Ramsey’s truck. He kept his hands in his lap, and he remained as relaxed as if he were going to the beach, instead of getting ready to kill a bunch of warlocks. In contrast, Hacen shifted from one ass cheek to the other every few minutes. He also went from pressing his forehead to the glass window to letting it rest on the back of the seat.
All he could think about was Jules’ face when Nicolono held him, and Tommy’s message. That one word, help, seemed appropriate for both of them. The tears that had streaked down Jules’ face and the way his arms had reached out for Hacen conveyed that nicely.
It all haunted him until he could think of little else.
“Thomas is in a cell with two of the warlocks that came to Saint Lakes. He’s okay.” Lucas, who sat beside Fane, reached across him and took Hacen’s hand. “He’s pissed off at the situation and worried about you. And me for some reason. But otherwise, they haven’t harmed him.”
Hacen let out a breath he hadn’t even realized he was holding and shut his eyes. He squeezed Lucas’ hand. “I thought I felt his emotions, but without the full connection I wasn’t sure.” He would rectify that as soon as he had both of his mates with him.
He’d also do whatever the hell they wanted him to do as long as both of them made it through.
“Someone blocked him from casting his magic.”
Mother Estelle, who sat in the front passenger’s seat, turned. “See if he can use some of your magic to break the spell.”
Lucas bit his bottom lip and let go of Hacen’s hand. “I’m not sure how.”
“Concentrate on your magic and project it out to him. He’ll do the rest after that. He’s a very knowledgeable warlock. And strong.” The last part Mother Estelle directed to Hacen. Her eyes held a softness he hadn’t seen directed at him since his grandmother still walked the earth.
Hacen smiled and nodded. “He’s both. Yes.”
“You needed the reminder.”
“That I did. Thank you.” Hacen reached out his hand to her. Her eyes widened, but no one was as surprised as him. Letting Mother Estelle know he was coming around was easier than he thought, and he got a smile for his efforts.
Lucas broke their silent conversation. “Turn right at the next road. They’re about a mile down on the left.”
Hacen’s stomach seized. His hand gripped the gun hanging from his belt.
The truck engine shut off after they rolled to a stop on the roadside. Silence reigned for about a second before a door closed from one of the vehicles behind them. There were four in total, and the sound of the door was distant enough to tell him it came from one of the last cars.
All he wanted to do was charge in there and get Tommy, but he stayed in his seat until Ramsey opened his door. If there was anything Hacen had learned during the battle with Nicolono’s coven, it was that Ramsey stayed clear-headed in times of crisis.
Fane followed him over and slid next to Ramsey almost as soon as his feet hit the ground. Ramsey put an arm around his waist before whispering in his ear. It wasn’t meant for Hacen to hear but he did anyway. “When you go in there, be careful. I can’t have you getting hurt again.”
“Death comes to us all eventually.”
Ramsey growled, and his eyes turned reptilian. “Just be careful.”
Hacen stopped paying attention after that because he felt an increase in stress coming from one of his mates. It didn’t matter to him which one’s emotions were so high. It affected him the same way regardless. He balled his hands into fists and held them so tight his nails pierced the skin on his palms.
Lucas came around the corner and took one look at him. He nodded knowingly before focusing his attention on Ramsey and Fane. “We have to go. Thomas is in trouble.”
“Is he hurt?” Ramsey asked.
Hacen felt compelled to answer. “No. Stressed. Not sure why.”
Lucas backed up Hacen’s assessment with a nod. “I’m getting the same thing. I didn’t ask him because I don’t want to ruin his concentration. His focus is intense.”
Fane pulled away from Ramsey and went to the back of the truck. He had to climb into the bed to retrieve his sword, but once he had it, he jumped down, landing in front of Hacen.
Fane strapped the sword to his side. The thing looked bigger than he was. It was almost as long as his legs.
When Fane’s gaze met his, Hacen straightened his shoulders, ready to take orders. “Your emotions aren’t calm. Adjust yourself. Your mate needs you.”
Hacen nodded. He might not like Fane’s assessment, but it was accurate. “Don’t know if I can.”
“Then you stay here with Lucas and Mother Estelle.”
Hacen stiffened. “I’m not leaving Tommy.”
Fane cocked his head to the side as if he were a curious dog. “Of course not. You’re relying on your family to help him.” Fane put his hand on the hilt of the sword. “We’re all prepared to kill for him.”
Hacen took a deep breath. “I know. I’m sorry. I’m just…” Tommy and Jules were his world. He didn’t want to live without him.
Fane didn’t entertain Hacen’s emotions at all. Instead, he turned to Ramsey. “Sage should shift and go in. Assess how many. He’s the one who’ll be the least noticed.”
“Good thinking, sweet.”
Fane waved his hand away. “I know.”
Ramsey chuckled as he walked to the other vehicles.
“Lucas and Mother Estelle stay in the vehicle. Lock the doors. See that they do, especially Lucas. He’s obstinate sometimes.”
Before Hacen could reply, Lucas made a noise in protest, but otherwise didn’t speak.
Fane’s eyebrows went up as he met Lucas’ gaze. Lucas clamped his lips shut and bowed his head.
Hacen would have found the whole exchange comical if not for the situation. “Can we get shit started, please? He needs us.”
Fane nodded and then his concentration went inward. The next thing Hacen knew Ramsey and Bennett went into the forest with Sage between them. Fane followed in their wake at the same time Garridan came up beside him.
“Get in the truck, Lucas.” Garridan didn’t even look at him.
Lucas huffed and gave Garridan a look behind his back.
Garridan stood silently beside him for several seconds before speaking in a low, deep voice. “Sage was kidnapped once. Thankfully it was Magnus who kidnapped him. Magnus was just reacting to Ladon’s rejection. He didn’t understand that Ladon hadn’t had his first shift yet. He could hurt Ladon physically if they bonded beforehand. We were just protecting him.”
“I doubt Magnus would hurt Sage. He’s never been the violent type.” Hacen knew that with certainty. Magnus was good at tracking people down. He could find someone who went completely off the grid. He was that good. But he wouldn’t hurt an innocent.
“I know that. Now. At the time, I wasn’t sure. And I wanted to kill Magnus for scaring him. Thinking about it still pisses me off.” Garridan looked off into the forest as if he could keep an eye on Sage even through the density. “Even now, knowing he’s protected, I hate that he’s going into danger.”
Hacen grunted. He knew what Garridan meant. “I get that you understand. Doesn’t make it easier.”
A corner of Garridan’s mouth turned up. “That it doesn’t. Understanding you wasn’t my point.”
“Than what is?”
“That I might hate sending Sage into a dangerous situation…” Garridan turned to meet Hacen’s gaze. “…But I still let him do what your mate needs. You’ll accept us as your family now. You’ll do it for Thomas, Jules, and Penny. But more importantly, you’ll do it because we’re doing it for you.”
Hacen nodded. “How often do I have to take orders from you?”
Garridan chuckled. “I’d say as often as I give them. But you see how Lucas takes orders.”
“With an attitude. I’m familiar with attitude. Jules has a big one.”
Garridan chuckled. “That one has a lot of sass.”
“One thing I’ve learned about him is when he’s not happy, neither are Tommy and I.”
Garridan nodded his head in the direction of the forest. “Go on in and see to your mate. He needs you.”
“But Fane said to stay here.”
“I know what Fane told you. I also know it’s hurting both you and Thomas by staying back. Don’t you think it would help him to see you?”
Hacen didn’t waste time arguing any further. He kept a hand on his gun as he stepped into the forest. He only had to walk a few meters in, and he could see a clearing on his left. The clearing turned out to be a yard and in the yard was Fane and Ramsey fighting eight warlocks all at once. Bennet flew overhead, blowing fire at a dome that surrounded a tall blond man. Flames wrapped around the dome, licking the ground as they fell off it like water down a window.
The man inside looked up at the same time his hands fisted at his sides.
Tommy stood off to the left. He looked pissed and had dark circles under his eyes as if he hadn’t slept in two days, but otherwise held that same straight posture and had that same mop of auburn hair.
“I can’t break the spell.” Tommy pounded his fists on his thighs as if he were an angry child at the beginnings of a temper tantrum. Hacen sighed in relief.
A dirt driveway lay parallel to the forested tree line. Snow covered the lawn just beyond the drive. The snow melted under so many trampling feet and Ramsey dragging his water monster body across it.
Hacen thought he saw Sage slither into the tree line, heading back through the forest where the vehicles were parked. He didn’t stop to check if it were him. He stepped out of the woods on to the dirt drive. As he crossed the lawn, Tommy noticed him. Their gazes met and held. Tommy's eyes widened, and then a smile crossed his face.
Hacen pulled his gun from its holster and pointed at the warlock inside the dome. His focus changed to his target. “If you take the dome down than I’ll take him out. Deal?”
Tommy nodded and began chanting. Hacen felt Tommy in his mind. Tommy calmed and drew from Hacen’s strength, which Hacen was glad to give him.
The other two men with Tommy began the same chant. The words were foreign to Hacen’s ears and sounded ancient.
Some invisible power coursed through the ground, making the earth rumble and shake. Hacen nearly lost his balance but adjusted, widening his stance.
He saw Bennett tilt one wing down to keep steady, so the rumble must have been everywhere.
Tommy and the other two warlocks were the only ones who seemed unaffected. The black of Tommy’s pupil expanded across the white of his eyes. The chanting grew louder right before the dome began to groan. The frozen ground bubbled up, belching snow and dirt.
“Shit.” He looked from Tommy to the dome and back again. The dome disappeared into the ground one centimeter at a time.
The warlock inside ducked down. His hands pressed against the dome as if he could use his strength to stop it from trapping him. “You might win this battle, but you won’t win the war.” If the trapped warlock intended for that thin threat to work on Tommy, Hacen could tell him to save his breath.
“If you kill me, you’ll never know where your mate is.”
Tommy smiled. With his black eyes, the smile looked as wicked as he had ever seen. “My mate has a gun pointed at your head, Ballard.”
Ballard fell to his knees, and his chest heaved as the panic began to take hold. Hacen could hear Ballard’s blood move through his body at an increasingly faster rate. “Not that one. The other one. The human.”
Hacen wasn’t sure how he knew Tommy met his gaze. The blackness made knowing difficult, and Tommy didn’t move his head. Still, Hacen knew Tommy wanted answers. “Nicolono kidnapped him.”
“He made me put you in the dungeon. And he took the human, so you’d leave the male witch unguarded. But I know where he’s keeping the human. I’ll tell you.”
“The whole thing was just to divide us physically?”
“Yes. Ekalis’ discontent with me worked to my advantage.” Ballard screamed when the dome had sunk so low he had to lay on the ground. “Make it stop.”
Tommy raised his hand at the two warlocks with him, and they stopped chanting immediately. The dome stilled and the ground steadied.
Ballard chanted a few words in English, and the dome disappeared. He took a deep breath and lay on his back for several seconds before he stood. “Nicolono promised me his backing on the paranormal council. He said once he was done killing the shifters, the vampires and the warlocks would rule everyone.”
Tommy’s eyes turned to normal. “Saint Lakes stands in his way.”
Ballard nodded. “You have the male witch. If we staged two kidnappings, your clan leaders would divide the strongest shifters to rescue you and the human. He could take the male witch.”
“Where is Jules?”
“If I tell you, you’ll kill me.” The warlock smirked. He wouldn’t ever tell them what he knew.
“I’m going to kill you anyway.” Hacen pulled the trigger.
Ballard’s head flew to the side as the bullet slammed into him. He crumbled to the ground, and that was the last thing Hacen saw because Tommy slammed into him, wrapping his body around Hacen’s. The tightness in his gut loosened allowing him to take a deep breath finally.
Tommy kissed him several times on both of his cheeks before pressing their foreheads together. “Let’s go get him.”