TWENTY-SIX
After taking the canal to the edge of the central tier, Layla and her companions walked through one of many gates leading to the residential district, which was more spread out than its professional counterpart.
Every home was unique, built and maintained by different families with artistic talent, wild imaginations and magic, and they all utilized nature instead of manmade materials. The land was no longer separated into tiers, so many of the homesteads had to compensate for the incline of the mountain, and they did it beautifully by burrowing into the hills, climbing into the trees, sitting on oddly shaped foundations, and defying gravity. Fences were rare, serving as art instead of barriers, and curtains fluttered in all the doorways, windows and terraces. Domesticated animals of varying breeds lounged in gardens or roamed around with their owners, not one of them restrained, and several residents stood in their yards with their neighbors, gossiping as Layla passed.
After walking a couple hundred yards on the beaten path, the houses thinned, and Layla spotted a sky-blue sign with a white circle in the middle. Had she read her complimentary handbook, she probably would have known what the sign meant, but as it was, she had to look to Quin for the answer.
“We’re free to fly now,” he explained, kneeling to remove her heels, “but we’re required to stay visible. If we hear a loud whistle, we have to land as soon as possible to make room for healers or guards responding to an emergency. If you intercept other flyers, those travelling north or south pass over those moving east or west. Always move to your right if someone’s flying toward you, and you’re required to yield every time you take off or land.”
Layla looked to the sky, finding the sunlight filtering in from the same position it had when she entered the city – the apex of the dome. “Which way is north?”
Quin pointed up the mountain. “Avasummus.”
While he stowed their shoes, she repeated the rules in her head, making sure she had them memorized. Then they took each other’s hand and soared into the sky.
The address Jade had given them led to a large estate on the outskirts of the western residential district, where Jade and two other witches stood in front of a stone mansion, awaiting Layla’s arrival. The woman to Jade’s right looked a lot like her. Only the cut and color of their hair set them apart. Jade’s was long, straight and dark red, while the other had shorter, strawberry-blonde waves. The woman on Jade’s left was much older, one of the oldest-looking magicians Layla had ever seen, but her abundant wrinkles and brittle, gray hair didn’t stop her from moving forward with haste and grace.
“Welcome,” she greeted, smoothing her skirt while watching her guests land. “You must be Layla.”
She finished with a bow of her head, so Layla smiled and nodded. “And you must be Jade’s gran.”
“Great-grandma,” she clarified. “I’m Diamond Centuriani.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Diamond.” Layla glanced at Jade, who chewed her lip while watching the meet and greet through her lashes. “Your great-granddaughter says you have ten guesthouses and room for the Crusaders to camp.”
Diamond’s cheeks reddened. “I’m afraid Jade got ahead of herself. The guestrooms haven’t been used for months, and we haven’t had time to prepare them for you.”
“We can prepare them for ourselves,” Layla countered. “It’s just a little dust, right?”
“Mostly, but I won’t have an angel of justice cleaning my property while I still draw breath.”
Layla pointed a thumb over her shoulder. “The Crusaders will do it. We’ll pay you well.”
“It’s not about the profit. Just having you here will increase the value of the property.”
The strawberry-blonde rolled her eyes and jumped into the conversation. “Gran’s worried you’ll think she’s rude if she puts you in dirty rooms, and she prides herself on being a good hostess.” She walked forward and extended a hand. “I’m Emé, Jade’s sister.”
Layla accepted the handshake. “Nice to meet you.” Then she returned her attention to Diamond. “You’ve been a wonderful hostess so far, and you can’t be blamed for the lack of notice. If our presence is an inconvenience, we’ll figure out something else. Thank you for your time.”
“Wait,” Jade called, rushing forward. Then she made sure the guests stayed put before addressing her grandma. “At least show them their options.” She turned toward Layla, all but desperate in her insistence. “It’s not an inconvenience. It’s an honor. Right, Gran?”
“A tremendous honor,” Diamond agreed. “The only inconvenience is my need to please. Follow me. I’ll show you what I have and let you decide.”
“Thank you,” Layla returned, letting Quin cast protection spells on her bare feet.
Diamond led the way around her mansion, which looked nearly as ancient as the land beneath it, and even though it was clean, it wasn’t quite as tidy as most of the estates Layla had seen in the city.
“It’s been in my family for the better part of a millennium,” Diamond revealed, motioning to her home. “Centurianis held council positions for hundreds of years, but the current council wouldn’t be able to pick us out of a lineup.”
“We prefer it that way,” Jade added, but she failed to explain why.
“I’ve considered selling,” Diamond continued. “The girls don’t want it, and I can’t keep up with it, but when we stopped taking guests, the value took a dive. Back when my husband ran things, it was quite the hotspot for visitors.”
Layla halted to take in the scenery. “I can see why.” They’d rounded the back of the mansion, which had an enormous garden of wildflowers that stretched into the jungle and offered views of a crystal-clear lake fed by a single tier waterfall. “Is the lake on your property?”
“It is. That’s where your companions will camp if you stay. You can see some of the guesthouses near the top of the waterfall. There are five on this side of the spring, and five on the other side of a bridge. There are stairs ascending the cliff, but we can fly up if you’d like.”
“Sure,” Layla agreed, still struck dumb by the gorgeous view.
Most of the Crusaders lingered in the garden, but around a dozen flew with Layla and her family to the top of a cliff that was at least thirty feet high and much wider. Aside from the mountain spring feeding the waterfall, the bluff held five round cottages, which had thatched roofs and stone walls climbing with moss, and five treehouses, all of which had three levels that were surrounded by balconies as they climbed high into tropical timber.
Diamond landed near the entrance to the cottage closest to the cliff’s edge and immediately fussed with the details, trimming the walkway, pruning the shrubs, and dusting garden chairs. “This is our best cottage. The girls started cleaning it for you, but I’m afraid it still needs work. Your companions are free to look at the others while I show you this one.”
Quin gestured for their family to check out the property. Then he and Layla followed Diamond and her granddaughters into the fairytale cottage. The curtained entrance led to a bohemian-themed, circular room equipped with a kitchenette, fireplace, dining table, desk, and comfy seating area, and it had one door opened to a washroom, but Layla didn’t see an entrance to a bedroom. Considering it was their best cottage, it was quite modest, and Layla wondered how cramped the others must feel.
Sliding a finger across the mantle proved Jade and Emé had dusted, but Diamond pulled dishes from the cabinets and gathered linens. “These need to be cleaned,” she told her granddaughters, passing them over. Then she sent the runners and rugs outside with a wave of her hand. “Usually we’d have the place spotless and stocked with fresh food and flowers. We used to pride ourselves on customer service. If my husband’s watching from the afterlife, he’s shaking his head.”
“You’re too hard on yourself,” Layla insisted, checking if the sofa unfolded into a bed. It didn’t, and the beams spanning the high ceiling proved there wasn’t a loft. “I’m sure you would have gone the extra mile if you’d known we were coming.”
“If I’d known you’d be interested in my cottages, I would have made them shine like new.” Diamond stopped working and turned toward her guests. “So, what do you think? I’ll only charge enough to cover the upkeep and supplies.”
“Nonsense. If we stay, we’ll pay a fair price. But I’m not seeing a bed. Where are we supposed to sleep?”
“Oh,” Diamond exclaimed, slapping her hands over disheveled hair. “Silly me.” She rushed from the kitchenette to the far side of the large, stone fireplace and waved a hand, opening a trap door to a winding staircase. “I forgot to show you the best part, but it’s also the part that needs the most cleaning, so please forgive the mess.”
Her voice muffled as she descended the steps, and after making sure Quin was coming, Layla followed their host into the dark hole. The stairs corkscrewed several feet into granite. Then the walls opened up to a huge cave furnished with a king, canopy bed, a sofa, two padded chairs, and a coffee table crafted from the biggest geode Layla had ever seen. Stone built-ins covered other amenities, including an armoire, a sunken bath, a second washroom, and a walk-in shower. But the bedroom took up a tiny portion of the cavern, which was home to a section of the property’s lake.
The water was only a few yards from the bed, lapping at the stone floor, and sunlight poured through a hole high in the cave’s southern wall, highlighting a tiny island that was home to a tall tree with a twisted trunk, deep-purple leaves and fuchsia flowers. Veins of geodes added sparkle to the rocky walls, catching the electric-green glow of fluttering fireflies, which were occasionally joined by twittering birds. A two-person boat rocked near the bedroom shore, and an arched gap on the other side of the misty cavern granted watercraft access to the outer lake.
Diamond had stripped the bed. Now she headed for a long curtain drawn to one side of the shoreline. “Once I wash and return this, it can be closed and sealed to separate the bedroom from the grotto, but the cave is off limits to other guests, so it’s yours to use how you please. The water is safe to swim in. The fish find a way in, but we’ve never encountered harmful specimens or bacteria. It’s a little salty since it filters in from the ocean. We have fresh water wells for the shower, bath and sinks. You’ll get a few birds in here, but they steer clear of the bedroom.”
“This is incredible,” Layla breathed, admiring the view from Quin’s side. “What do you think?”
“It’s beautiful,” he agreed. “As long as we can secure it, I have no problem staying.”
Despite his willingness to please and protect her, Layla could tell their meeting with the council still weighed heavy on him, so she shifted her focus to their host and moved the meeting along. “Do all the cottages have an underground room?”
“No,” Diamond answered. “Just this one, but the others are a little bigger on the main floor, allowing for a bedroom.”
“Do the tree houses have plumbing?”
“Yes.”
“What about those who camp? Will they have access to a bathroom?”
“Yes. They can use my lake house. It’s equipped with a kitchen, den, shower and two latrines. I’ll leave it open as long as you’re here.”
Layla averted her eyes from Quin’s aura as she asked one last question. “How far are we from the Arena?”
“Not far at all, about five to ten minutes if you fly. Our proximity to the games used to be one of our selling points.”
The situation couldn’t have been any more perfect if they’d planned it. “Then as long as you don’t mind the company, we’ll take it.”
“Of course I don’t mind. But will you let us finish cleaning up? I won’t rest easy knowing you’re doing our job for us.”
“Sure,” Layla agreed, “if you’ll accept the Crusaders help. They can work with Jade and Emé to get things in order while you and I discuss the bill. Is there somewhere we can go to get out of the way?”
Diamond beamed and waved them toward the stairs. “We can go to my conservatory for refreshments. It has a lovely view of the garden.”
After finding Drexel and telling him to instruct his soldiers to help clean, Layla and Quin followed Diamond into her conservatory, which had glass walls on three sides and overlooked the backyard.
Diamond summoned tea and cookies then motioned toward the interior door. “Would you like a tour?”
“Maybe later,” Layla refused, gazing into a formal living room. “Does that phone work?”
“Yes.”
“Can you call the mainland on it?”
“Sure. The D.O.C. will connect us.”
Layla’s pulse accelerated. “How much does it cost?”
“It’s been a while since I’ve needed the service, but it used to be reasonable.”
“Pay her, Quin. I’m calling home.”
Despite having talked to her grandparents and Benzio mere hours ago, Layla couldn’t resist the temptation of having a phone within reach, so she rushed into the dark room and snatched up the receiver. “How do I call out?”
Quin laid a few Maganthian medallions on the tea table then followed Layla into the living room, dialing the necessary numbers for her.
“It’s ringing,” she celebrated, bouncing with excitement.
Diamond had collected her wits and stood on the threshold to the conservatory. “You paid way too much.”
“This won’t be the last time we use it,” Quin countered.
Morrigan answered on the second ring, so Layla turned her back on the local, letting her tears flow through the emotional greetings, and she couldn’t contain her excitement when she revealed the place she was staying had access to a phone.
“I can call every morning and night,” she gushed to Benzio, who couldn’t reach the same level of enthusiasm over a phone call, but Layla would burn all her money to hear his little voice twice a day.
When the toddler grew too impatient to pay attention to her chatter, Layla spent a few minutes telling her grandparents about her first trip into the city. Then she offered the phone to Quin, who settled for a short talk with Benzio before updating Caitrin on their visit with the council, including their demand that Layla run a level five gauntlet.
“I know,” he tensely replied, avoiding Layla’s stare. “I’m well aware of the risks… I don’t know if I can… Yeah. They threatened to charge her for the snag we hit in Galway. They’re not cutting us any breaks.”
Diamond cleared her throat while fussing with the refreshments, trying to look busy, but she could hear every word. “You left children behind?”
Layla turned away from Quin’s frustration and took a seat at the table in the conservatory. “I did. Four of them. A toddler and infant triplets.”
Diamond kept her gaze down while clutching her heart. “I can’t imagine. Did I hear him say you’re running a level five gauntlet?”
“Yes. It’s the only way the council will give me full access to the Buried Library.”
“You’re going to risk your life for access to a library?”
“Yes, but it’s more than that. I need the council’s respect and cooperation.”
“None of that will matter if you die in the gauntlet.”
“If I die in the gauntlet, I’m not the witch I’m supposed to be. Guess that’s one way to get rid of the Crusaders.”
“May I ask why they’re with you?”
“They’re bound by their vows to protect and guide the witch I’m supposed to be.”
“The earth angel?”
Layla looked up from the cookie she was breaking instead of eating. “You’ve heard the rumors.”
“Some of them. Emé and Jade get the gossip in the taverns and bring it home to me. Then there was this.”
She summoned an article that looked like it had been cut from a bigger publication. Then she passed it over for Layla to read the headline. Glowing Witch Ends the Dark Elite’s Reign of Terror. Angel of Mercy or Death?
Layla’s stomach turned, so she stopped reading and pushed it away. “Yep. That’s me. What did the city decide? Mercy or death?”
“I haven’t a clue what the popular opinion is, but in this house it’s the former.” She hesitated. Then she vanished the article and summoned a picture frame, holding the glass to her chest. “May I show you something?”
“Sure.”
Diamond smiled as she sat in a chair next to Layla, exposing a photo of two magical couples, one middle-aged, one in their twenties, and the latter held two small toddlers. “That’s my son and his wife,” she revealed, pointing out the older pair. “And that’s their daughter and her husband. Those little cuties are Jade and Emé at two years old.”
Layla had wondered where the siblings’ parents and grandparents were, and though part of her wished she could remain ignorant, she was about to get the heartbreaking details. “They’re twins?”
“Yes. Emé got her dad’s hair, but if she dyes and straightens it, she can fool everyone but me. I’ve had them since they were six.” Her wistful smile wavered as she touched her wrinkled throat and swallowed. “They were born in America, New Mexico. My son moved there to be with his wife. I thought my world was ending the day he told me, but he came home twice a year, and we visited them for the holidays. After meeting his coven, we couldn’t blame him for leaving. If not for our business, my husband and I would have moved there ourselves. Maganthia is wonderful, but there’s nothing quite like a mainland coven. Their isolation from outsiders and their dependency on one another forms the most beautiful relationships I’ve ever witnessed.”
Layla’s heart ached as the description made her even more homesick. “I agree. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than with my coven.”
“My son felt the same way. That’s why he stayed when Agro came.”
Layla closed her eyes and inhaled through her nose, bracing for the rest.
“It was a stroke of bad luck,” Diamond continued. “Agro was in the area on unrelated business and saw the twins playing outside their dad’s shop. My son sent the girls here for a visit in case Agro located the community, but the rest of them stayed to help defend their coven. We never saw any of them again, and those sweet babies were told they could never go home.”
Diamond paused and wiped away tears, but Layla trembled in her effort not to bawl. When Quin’s hand came down on her shoulder, she shuddered. Then she turned her face into his forearm and drew a deep breath.
Curling her fingers around the seat of her chair, she stilled her hands and emerged from hiding. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“But you don’t have to be,” Diamond insisted, shifting toward her, “because you served the justice we couldn’t. The day the girls and I heard Agro was dead was one of the most uplifting days of our lives. The relief we felt can’t be measured, and we owe it to you. That’s why Jade brought you here. She knew Emé and I would want to meet you, and after the blessing you gave us, she was compelled to help you find a place to stay.”
Layla mustered a small smile. “Mission accomplished, but we’re still paying. Well, the Crusaders are paying. Please let them.”
“Very well. Since it’s them and not you.” A blank sheet of paper replaced the photo of Diamond’s family. Then she tallied up the price of a week’s stay and slid the invoice to Layla. “You can stay as long as you’d like.”
“Thank you.” Layla passed the paper to Quin, who tucked it away without a glance.
Diamond stayed quiet as her navy-blue eyes searched his face and aura. Then she cracked a motherly smile. “You don’t say much, do you, young man?”
Layla took Quin’s hand. “It’s been a rough day. He’s usually more social than I am, and he’s probably the nicest man you’ll ever meet.”
Diamond gave a knowing nod. “Meeting with the council is rarely a good time.”
Quin sat and leaned into the conversation. “I thought Maganthians had a good relationship with the council.”
“We maintain the peace and an excellent quality of life. That’s what matters most.”
“Sure, but I’m not interested in what’s right. I’d like to know what’s wrong. Jade mentioned you prefer the council not know who you are. Why?”
“They want my property. It was given to my family centuries ago as a thank you for ten generations of council members, but my grandfather spurned them. He served during America’s Great Depression. The big ol’ softy spent years trying to get the council to extend their charity beyond the city. Then world war broke out, and when news of the Holocaust reached him, he was moved to help the allied forces. He asked the council to fund and form a coalition that he could take to Europe, but they refused. When the death toll reached millions, he resigned from the council and attempted to organize his own mission trip, but he couldn’t do that without alerting everyone to the council’s apathetic position. The uncharitable reputation didn’t sit well with many of the serving members, so they stripped him of his title and benefits and did their best to ruin his name. He eventually made it to Europe with a small team, and he came home with the peace of mind that he did everything he could to help, but his absence gave the council time to smear his character. He couldn’t find work, so he built the resort and advertised it to mainland magicians. When the city noticed his success, they tried to reclaim the property with official letters declaring him unfit for ownership due to his stripped title, but he was prepared to fight and die for his home, so they never enforced it. They merely harassed him until his dying day about it. Then they tried to bully my gran.” Diamond chuckled and took a sip of tea. “Little did they know, she was tougher and far more stubborn than her husband. Now we get letters every time someone dies and ownership goes to the next person in line, but we just ignore them, and they’ve never tried to physically remove us. I haven’t heard anything from them since my mom died around ten years ago, and I’d prefer to keep it that way.”
Layla grimaced. “They won’t be happy I’m staying here. They’re not too fond of me. Our presence could result in further harassment.”
“So be it. Like I said, I’ve been thinking about selling. Now that Agro’s dead, Emé and Jade would love to return to the U.S., and I’m thinking about going with them. Only memories keep me here.”
“We’re glad they have,” Layla countered. “Your hospitality is a huge help.”
“That makes me so happy. For nearly fifteen years, anger and fear haunted us. It’s an honor to help the woman who freed us from those shackles.”
“Do you know anything about the current council?” Quin asked, intent on dealing with their problems.
Diamond slowly shook her head while thinking it over. “Not much. I can’t even tell you their names. I’m sorry.”
Quin sighed and leaned back, running a hand through his hair, but then he donned a polite smile. “That’s okay. Thanks anyway.”
He returned to solemn silence, so Layla stood and wrapped up the meeting. “Are there any rules we need to follow? Quiet time or something like that?”
“No,” Diamond answered, rising from her seat. “Just cast a silencing spell if you get noisy after sundown.”
“How about your phone? May we use it anytime during the day?”
“Absolutely. Day or night. I’ll move it in here and leave the back entrance open.”
“Thank you,” Layla breathed, taking Diamond’s frail hands. “You have no idea how much we appreciate that. You’re a godsend, and we’ll never forget it.”
Diamond’s face and aura brightened as she patted Layla’s knuckles and led her toward the garden. “It’s truly my pleasure. Even more so if you’ll answer a question for me.”
“I’ll do my best.”
Diamond halted on the threshold, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial tone as she leaned close. “Did you really rip out that bastard’s heart?”
Layla cracked a smile and winked. “I did, reached right down his throat and yanked it from his gaping mouth.”
The corners of Diamond’s lips lifted, increasing the wrinkles cradling her eyes. Then a mischievous giggle skipped free as she gave Layla’s hand another pat. “You truly are an angel. Now go, enjoy your cottage and let me know if you need anything at all.”
Layla smiled as she took Quin’s hand. “We will. Thank you.” Then they walked away, the air between them heavy with silence as they considered their stressful day.
~***~
Layla and Quin ate lunch with the Crusaders while making sure Drexel had everyone’s names on a list for the library and Arena passes. Then they checked on their family and Timber. The latter had claimed a cottage for himself and had already sealed the entrance. Layla couldn’t blame him. Having been bound and held prisoner, he probably hadn’t achieved a good night’s rest for days, so Layla didn’t disturb him. Nor did she object to Drexel taking the cottage next to hers while posting security guards on every dwelling. Weylin and Skyla claimed the two remaining cottages; Tristan, Emrys and Bryce each got their own treehouse; Banning and Aradia took the fourth; and Brietta and Kegan had already settled into the tri-level structure closest to the falls.
Satisfied with the arrangements, Layla retreated to her cottage, and she’d vanished her fancy cape and gown before reaching the restroom on the main level. She emerged wearing nothing except underwear, but Quin was still stripping off armor. His gaze flitted over her exposed body, but he didn’t look long, nor did he say anything.
With tears stinging her eyes, Layla searched the kitchenette for a glass. Then she filled it with water before curling up on the sofa with a fuzzy blanket. “I’m sorry, Quin.”
“You don’t have to do it,” he insisted, tugging off his leather shirt. “You can back out.”
“Maybe I will, but until we know more, I’ll let them think I’m playing their game.”
Down to nothing but soft slacks, he sighed and moved to the sofa, sitting beside her before pulling her closer. “I hate this. I can’t pretend I don’t.”
“I know.”
“Something’s not right with the council.”
“I agree.”
“The council I’ve read about doesn’t demand witches run deadly gauntlets.”
“Drexel volunteered me.”
“And they were all too willing to jump on the opportunity. They expect you to fail, Layla. You realize that, right?”
“Yes.” She leaned forward, retrieving the joint he’d tossed on the table. Then she lit it with a big hit. “Do you expect me to fail?”
His arm tightened around her shoulders, and his aura slowed as he shifted her onto his lap. “No one believes in you like I do, but this isn’t about what you’re capable of. The trials you’ll face in the gauntlet are manmade. There will be opportunities for sabotage, and I have no clue how to prevent it. I can’t help you while you’re in there, no matter what kind of trouble you face. You finish it or you fall. Those are the only options.”
Taking the herb, he snuffed it out and sent it away. Then he lowered his nose to hers and whispered. “Even if the gauntlet doesn’t kill you, watching you run it will likely take years off my life. I won’t try to stop you from doing this. I’m here to love and support you as much as I’m here to protect you. But I will never be okay with something like this. I’ll do everything in my power to prepare you for it and help you succeed, but I won’t like it one bit. I can’t. I’m sorry. I would rip out my tongue if that’s what you needed, but I can’t approve of you risking your life like this, especially for access to a single floor in a library that may prove fruitless in our search for answers.”
“It’s not like I want it this way, Quin. I don’t know what else to do.”
“I know, love. I don’t have the answers either, but we need to keep searching. If we find another way, maybe we can get you out of this.”
“I have to admit, I thought this would be easier. I didn’t expect so much resistance from the council. Maybe I’ve gotten cocky.”
“Impossible. You’re doing exactly what we came here to do. I can’t count how many times I’ve looked at you today and found more angel than mortal. You’ve stepped into the roll beautifully, and I love that you can take a step back when we’re alone. It’s incredible watching you embrace the powerful witch you’re meant to be, but I prefer holding your softer side.”
“I’m glad, because being an angel is exhausting.”
“Do you want to take a nap?”
“No. I just want to lie here while you hold me.”
“Sounds perfect,” he agreed, making himself as comfortable as she was. Then they both took a cleansing breath and closed their eyes, trying their damnedest to shed the stress.