Chapter 42
Ceridwen stepped into the great library and made her way to the stone hearth where Evangeline sat in Bran’s lap on the floor. Merova and Halstien were near them, holding each other. Nate and Savon were off to the side, speaking in concerned whispers.
For the millionth time, Ceridwen found herself missing Myrddin more than she ever imagined. He’d been her everything, and yet, fate always dragged them apart. Perhaps they were foolish to try to hide what they felt for each other. Or maybe he never truly loved her as much as she believed.
One day, she’d have the means to free him from his prison and they could see what happened. Unfortunately, as much of the future she could see, her fate was never fully unveiled, and neither was his.
Still, these couples gave her hope that love could prevail. Perhaps it would, even in her case.
Now wasn’t about her, though. Right now, it was all about Evangeline and Bran figuring out their roles in this war against the last of the dark mystics. The Dark Templar and HARP may be mostly destroyed, but there was still enough pull from the inner core of HARP to do real damage.
She took a seat on the couch to wait until they were done with their quiet discussions.
* * * *
Robert came back to Tremaine and Preston after dropping Halstien and Merova off. The blade Merova pulled was created on a thought. The power worried him. However, she had been content staying in a cave for decades.
Ceridwen would know whether or not Merova was safe to be free in the world. Not that he had a right to say one way or another, but being able to create anything imaginable? If the power fell into the wrong hands, they could end the world.
Tremaine tore his attention from the statue that had been Zariha and lifted a brow. “Is Evangeline well?”
He nodded. “When I left, yes. Halstien said something about him binding her to him. I thought that happened when they mated.”
Tremaine shook his head. “Some types of Fae can do it. If one dies, the other will. It goes beyond mating. It’s even more than what Fae do naturally.”
“Is it dangerous?”
Tremaine shrugged. “Can be, if the wrong people know how to use it against them. But if she was that close to death, it may have been the only way to save her. And if I had the power, and either you or Liz, or our boy was hurt, you can bet your ass I’d do it in a heartbeat.”
Robert smiled. “Hadn’t thought of it like that.”
“We should get out of here,” Preston suggested. “It’s getting harder to breathe.”
Robert reached out and both took his hands. Then they were back in the library.
Evangeline and Bran were locked in a kiss while Merova and Halstien embraced each other. Savon and Nate were on a couch. Ceridwen stared at the fire with a tear sliding down her face.
Robert had to wonder what her story was, and who she’d lost. Most likely Preston’s grandfather. That put a whole new spin on things, didn’t it?
His phone buzzed in his pocket. He checked the texts. First, Olivier had escaped, and the enforcers on duty hadn’t figured out how yet. Then he was recaptured, and somewhere between leaving the cell and finding Genevieve, physically aged decades. The picture was shocking. Neither he, nor Preston had found anything magical on him.
Preston took a look at his phone, then cleared his throat. “Evangeline, does your father have a record of the artifacts he has lying around?”
Evangeline climbed to her feet, blushing. “He has records, though I didn’t look at most. I was busy looking for the genealogy. I can take you there.”
He took another look at her and Bran. “Are you completely healed?”
She nodded. “Thanks to Bran. Why?”
“Was going to offer to take you to my sister who is a healer. If you needed.”
She smiled. “I’m fine. Let’s see what my father has.” Evangeline crossed the distance and touched his head, giving him the memory of the attic.
“We can take care of it,” he offered.
She shook her head. “I should go. I want to see if there’s anything my sister or I might want, and I’m not taking artifacts.”
“Of course. I imagine you and your sister will gain the house once he’s judged. I can’t imagine him going free after all he’s done.”
“I hope they kill him. He’s as good as a murderer.”
“I’m sure that’s what he’ll get,” Tremaine offered.
Evangeline turned to Bran. Savon threw her arms around her. “You scared me. I thought Bran was going to lose you.”
Nate hugged them both, then dragged Bran into the mix. “Yeah, me too.”
Bran shook his head. “She’s fine.”
Savon turned to Merova and shook her head. “You nearly killed her.”
Merova gulped. “That was the last thing I wanted. I’m sorry.”
“If Bran hadn’t fixed her, I would have done far worse,” Savon promised.
Nate pulled her into his arms. “She didn’t mean to.”
“Doesn’t mean I want to lose a friend, or my brother to lose his mate.”
Evangeline took Bran’s hand and took them back to her father’s house, leaving them all behind.
Robert, Preston, and Tremaine appeared a second later.
“Didn’t want to deal with that?” Preston teased.
“Really doubt she meant to stab me. Besides, Zariha is gone now. Let’s figure out what my father has stashed away.”
Robert held up a hand. “Your father escaped. He went to Silvertail Ridge, which means he was free for a few hours. However, Jay called, and he’s back in custody. And your sister left him bloody. The mage who picked him up sent a picture.” He showed them the phone.
Her father looked like he’d aged fifty human years since she last saw him. And blood was smeared across Genevieve’s knuckles. “What the hell happened?”
He lifted a shoulder. “Jason didn’t ask. He told me so I could get to the bottom of it. And we will.”
“Let me call Genevieve, find out if she took anything off him.”
“Thank you.”
She dialed and Genevieve answered. “Hey, Evangeline. What’s going on?”
“We’re going to Dad’s. We need to go through the attic. Have any idea where I’ll find records of what he’s found?”
Genevieve blew out a breath. “Neil took a few rings and a necklace off him. But he aged when I yanked a button off his shirt. It was different than the rest. He went from how he looked to an old man in seconds.”
“Probably some kind of glamor. I wonder if he has those on all his clothes, or if it’s easily attached.”
“Not sure. Do you need a hand there? I might be able to show you where stuff is.”
“Yeah, might be a good idea. Where are you?”
“The office at Fang’n’Claw.”
“I’ll be there.” Evangeline hung up and turned to the rest of them. “My sister wants to help.”
“She probably has an idea of where things are,” Tremaine answered. “Can’t hurt. But maybe stop by your home and change.”
Evangeline looked down and winced. “Yeah, good idea.” She glanced at Bran. “You too?”
He nodded. “Probably best.”