Chapter 4
The little shit had managed to break her sway, just long enough to give that magical feast a chance to escape.
Josephine Monvoisin paced the hospital room. Poor little David was too pure of heart to just follow orders. He questioned everything, until he witnessed Wendy Naughton.
Only, there was no one with that name. The search turned up nothing. And the bitch had managed to burn the hell out of her favorite puppet.
Mason was weak, stupid, no real drive of his own, until her. Now his only mission was to please her and had been since before she infused him with her will. He’d been easy to manipulate.
Unfortunately, David believed in right and wrong. His will was so much stronger than Mason’s. He resisted, questioned, and nearly broke her hold on his mind too many times. He’d become a liability. One she needed to avoid using in the future, which meant wiping his memory.
In some ways, with her death and resurrection, manipulating people had become easier, others harder. Those who knew their mind, were difficult to bend to her will. Those just passing through life without a goal were easy.
Mason, however, enjoyed causing pain to those he believed were evil. All she had to do was convince him that the person she wanted to take magic from was evil, they would use their power to hurt everyone, and he would do whatever she asked.
And now, he lay in a hospital bed with two charred handprints on his wonderfully sculpted chest. His skin was marred and until she could take him from the hospital, she couldn’t heal him.
His doctor would ask too many questions.
The last mage she drew magic from had been a healer. She hadn’t tested her newfound magic yet. Soon, if she could convince the doctors she could take care of Mason.
First, she needed to deal with David. She moved across the room. “A word, please?”
Fear filled David’s eyes. “What do you want from me now?” he sniveled.
“This way.” She stepped into the hall and walked to the windows at the end. David followed, glancing over his shoulder and back at her as he made his way down the hall.
“What now? If it wasn’t for you, Mason wouldn’t be in there, writhing in pain,” he hissed.
She looked into his eyes, and they dulled, then closed. She covered his face with her hands and delved into his mind, then tore any thought of herself out of his head. Satisfied, she turned and walked back to Mason’s room.
David muttered, “Where am I?”
Josephine pushed through the door, a laugh escaping her lips. Problem solved.
She moved to Mason’s bedside and touched his face.
His eyes flipped open with a moan of pain.
“There you are, my sweet. Rest. Soon you’ll be well enough to help me complete my plans.”
He smiled, falling deep into her gaze. He was so handsome, even with his face lined from pain. “I want to serve you.”
“You will.” She leaned down to whisper in his ear, “In fact, I’ll take you home the moment they let me, and remove every trace of pain. For now, rest.”
He hissed, “Make David pay. He didn’t obey you. Teach him a lesson.”
Josephine glanced toward the door. “He’s too naïve, believing in right and wrong. He won’t be a problem in the future, but he won’t remember a thing he’s done for me or you. Do not approach him. Let him slip back into his boring life.”
Mason nodded. “Of course, Josie.” The perfect puppet.
* * * *
Jacinda managed to eat a large breakfast by her standards, but certainly not by Chatan’s. She finished one last piece of bacon and attempted to take her plate to the sink.
Chatan stuffed his biscuit in his mouth and took the plate from her hand. “Oh no, Jace. You’re a guest in this house.”
She paused at the nickname. The only person who ever called her that was her father. That was it. She could remember his voice, those green eyes so much likes hers, staring back at her, while he sang strange words. She still remembered the spell but didn’t have a clue what it was supposed to do.
In fact, part of the reason she hadn’t been out to Wanatoga yet was her search to decipher the code in the book. Her father had used three different sets of arcane runes, one set from Faerie, and five more symbols she couldn’t find in any language. She was beginning to wonder if she’d ever crack the code and figure out what her father wanted her to find.
And he certainly wanted her to find something, according to the note in the back of the journal, written to her.
Darling Jace,
You were too young when I wrote this, but you’re the only hope your family has. You’re the key to unlocking the power you need to stop Thanatos. You’ll find everything you need in Wanatoga.
I wish I could be there to see you grow up, but I know you’ll do what no one else has managed. You’ll save everyone and have a bright future.
I’ll always love my little dove,
Dad
Shaking off the sudden sadness, she smiled up at Chatan. “Thank you.”
“You okay?” he asked slowly.
Loretta smiled. “You shortened her name. She’s probably trying to figure out why.” She lifted a brow at him.
Jacinda shook off the strange warmth and managed a smile. “Took me by surprise. You’re fine,” she answered, blushing.
His eyes sparkled as he watched her. “Now, sit back and relax while I clean up. Then I’ll show you around the reservation.”
Loretta asked, “Where are you taking her?”
“Thought I might start at the lake.” His gaze darted to Jacinda. “Unless you have a better idea.”
She wasn’t sure how to ask for what she needed to see. Or how to find it. “Sounds good to me.” Hopefully, he’d give her some ideas wherever he took her.
Loretta turned to her. “Come to dinner tonight.”
The request came as a surprise. After a second, Jacinda offered a smile but shook her head. “Oh, I really don’t want to impose.”
“I insist,” Loretta pleaded. “And it’s not imposing if I’m inviting.”
“She loves to take care of everyone. Honest, this makes her happiest.”
Jacinda’s gaze swung to Chatan. “We’ll see how bored he is with me by then.”
“I won’t be bored,” he promised.
“Then it’s settled. I’ll see you tonight.” Loretta hopped up and left the house.
“Where is she going?” Jacinda asked.
Chatan gathered more dishes. “She’s meeting with the elders about something that happened in the next town last night.”
She paused, staring at her hands. Were they talking about what she did to Mason? Should she be worried? Maybe she should have left, and come back later.
* * * *
Chatan hurried through cleaning the kitchen while Jacinda stared at anything and everything but him. And as he placed the last dish in the dishwasher, she stood silently and moved for the door.
Chatan beat her there and leaned against her exit. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“Look, whatever they’re meeting about, I should go.” She tried to take a step back, but he caught her arm and brought her closer.
He decided to play this close to the chest. “One of their scouts saw what you did before they could stop the van and get you out.”
“What?” She pulled out of his hold.
“Just hear me out. Okay?”
Her eyes narrowed, her arms crossing over her chest. “All right.”
“We suspect Josephine Monvoisin is abducting Others, taking their powers. She leaves scraps behind. That’s it.”
Her head tipped, and she bit her bottom lip. “Scraps?”
“Of flesh and bone. That’s all that’s left when she’s done.”
“I know that name. She died some years ago.”
“Yeah, but she’s back, and she’s not exactly right. I don’t know what that makes her.”
She rubbed her chin. “How is she taking powers?”
“We don’t know. We haven’t been able to prove it, but the disappearances have been happening since she came back eighteen months ago. All travelers, and all Other. We’ve been watching for the next victim. You got away. The first we know of.”
“You were there?”
“No, but I heard.” As much as he hated lying, he didn’t think he could make her understand why he kept quiet in the first place. How did he explain that his gut told him not to spill exactly how he knew?
“They know it was me?”
“No, but you came here at the perfect time for it to be you. As far as I know, none of the elders know you’re here. They only know a Wendy Naughton got away.”
“Do their authorities know what they tried to do?” Jacinda demanded, flames flickering in her green eyes.
“Not exactly. Only that a young woman attempted to steal from Morty’s Burger Stop. She somehow sabotaged a van and burned Mason.” He tried to shut himself up but was having a hard time. He wanted to tell her everything.
“They’re going to come looking for me? Damn it. I need to go.” Jacinda moved back, looking around, probably for another exit.
Taking her arms in his hands, he shook his head. “They may look, but they won’t find you. The elders don’t believe Wendy stole from the diner, nor do they think she’s you. Besides, she was a victim. One who fought back and escaped. Even if they believed you were her, they’d protect you.” Okay, they probably already knew, and they sure as hell would protect her.
“Damn it, I don’t need this.” She tried to move away, but he didn’t let go.
He closed the distance. “Yeah, well, as soon as you cross the border of the reservation, she’ll sense you and they’ll come after you, no matter where you go.”
Her chest heaved. “So, I’m a prisoner?”
Chatan released her and lifted his hands up, open, and palms out. “No. But stay for now. The elders will stop them, soon.”
“I don’t want to cause trouble for anyone.”
“Jace, you’re no trouble. None. Stay, please. You said you wanted to see things your father talked about?”
Frowning, she nodded.
“Then stay. Let me show you around, and maybe I can help you find the places that captivated your father.”
Her face scrunched up. “This was a bad idea.” Yet, she didn’t move again.
“Why did you come here?”
Her eyes closed, and her shoulders slumped as her hands fell to her sides. “It’s complicated.”
“Let me help you. You have a purpose. No one comes here without some kind of purpose, and usually, that’s just to visit family. And you don’t look like one of us.”
She snorted, glancing down at the floor. “That a problem?”
“Really think I’d ask you if I could help find what you’re looking for if I cared about the color of your skin?”
She finally really looked at him and it was as if she peered into his soul. “No, and I don’t understand why you and Loretta want me here so bad.”
“She is an excellent judge of character. She likes you. And, well, I really like you, and I want to know you better.”
She gulped. “Why?”
“Can’t think of anyone I’d rather get to know. There’s this draw I can’t ignore.”
“Oh, uh…”
He dropped his gaze, shoving his hands in his pockets. “You’re not used to compliments, are you?”
“Not around people enough to get them.” She sighed. “I’ll stay, for now. But the moment they come looking for me, I may leave.”
He met her gaze, a smile spreading. “We’ll figure it out.”
“And I’m not looking for someone,” she warned, but there wasn’t much conviction behind her voice.
He nodded. “Doesn’t mean I can’t get to know you. Everyone can stand to have more friends. And if that’s all you want, that’s all I’ll give you.” And hopefully, he could change her mind later.
“Okay, you said the lake first?”
“Let me drive. We’ll go after you put on a bathing suit.”
Her eyes widened. “We’re swimming?”
“Can you?”
“Yeah, but I didn’t expect that.”
“I’ll drive you to the motel, and you can change. Right after I do.”
“I’m just next door.” Jacinda rubbed one arm. “How about you meet me at the motel? And I promise I’ll be there. I won’t ditch you.”
One brow arched. “If you aren’t there, I’m going to be very disappointed.”
“I’ll see you shortly.” She managed to slip past him and out the door.
Closing his eyes, he focused on her scent. Like the flowers at the gazebo. He’d never found them anywhere but there. Not to mention he wanted to feel more of her soft skin.
Damn it, he needed to slow down and give her room to open up. Not make demands. And he wanted to know more about her but was willing to be patient.
He’d never responded to a woman the way he did Jacinda. She called to him from the moment he felt her magic closing in. He didn’t have a clue why, but he planned to find out.
Chatan changed into a pair of trunks. Then he drove over to her room, where she stood in a pair of shorts and a tank top, but he saw the ties to a white bikini. There was a good chance he was going to make a fool of himself, but he wanted to see her in his special place.
Eddie would laugh at his current situation. Chatan often acted first, then got to know someone. This time, he wanted to take a slower approach because this already felt stronger than anything that came before.