Bitten By Magic (20 page)

“You are Wolven. If there’s going to be a war, then the Coven will face Wolven and Vampires together.” Reginald wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

“Then it is war, lady and gentlemen,” Wilhelm agreed, his gaze full of dangerous intent. He’d lived under the punishment of peace for far too long. Now, his wife was in danger and his blood was pumping through his body with her strength giving him new life. All at once he realized the horrible sense of loneliness that had plagued him for centuries was gone as if it had never been. All due to the Witch he belonged to and with.

“Alexa is going to have a fit!” Allison smiled up at him. “I would not want to be in your shoes when she gets her hands on you.”

“Threaten me with a good time.” His sudden smile had his men gaping at him as if he’d grown two heads.

“Warren, Jaxson, get some sleep. If I’m still not back at dark, your last orders are to rescue anyone remaining inside the Coven.”

“By any means?” Jaxson asked with a yawn. Wilhelm nodded. “Well, then. Nighty-night folks, at least until I get me a little Witchy love muffin.” He winked at Allison as he stood to follow Warren to the door.

“Don’t hog all of the fun, Boss.” Warren bumped Wilhelm with a shoulder as he passed him. Jaxson stopped before him, concern mixing with approval in his blue eyes.

“Bring our Mistress back to us, Will.” He held up a hand that Wilhelm gladly clasped with his own.

“I’ll give everything to make that happen. If something goes wrong...” He shook his head as Jaxson opened his mouth to argue the point. “If it does, then you will take my place as leader for our people. And you will protect Alexa and Allison.”

“Won’t happen, Will.” Jaxson slapped him on the back before ducking out of the room. Wilhelm turned back to the Wolven couple with a heavy feeling in his chest. He wasn’t immortal. He could be killed, but not easily. The small Witch holding her mate’s hand looked fragile and courageous as she lifted her elfin chin at him. Now that his men were gone from the room he couldn’t keep his worry from slumping his shoulders as he moved forward to pull out a chair. His long body sagged into it as he placed his hands on the table.

“She should have listened to me.”

“In all those years of living you still don’t understand a flip about women. And even less about Witches.” Allison sighed as he looked up at her feeling thoroughly defeated. He wanted to be angry with her, but she was right. He misjudged his wife’s sense of purpose; in doing so, he’d placed her in the most dangerous situation. He could sense her cousin’s condemnation and couldn’t fault her for it. This was on his head and if his woman paid for his mistake, then he deserved whatever punishment the new Alphina would likely dish out.

“I know.” He shook his head, unable to look up at her.

“You are so...not alone.” Reginald’s deep voice had him raising his head to look the strong Alpha in the face. “I can barely keep my strong-willed mate home where I know she’ll be safe.” Reginald smiled in understanding. “This isn’t the first time she’s gone her own way and to hell with my intentions of keeping her safe.”

“That is because I’m not a child. I’m carrying one, but I’m an adult with a mind and will of my own.” Allison smacked Reginald’s strong chest hard before turning her attention back to him. “Alexa is a Witch, the Keeper of the Treaty, an overprotective cousin, but first and foremost she is a grown woman. One who has never leaned on or depended on a man to solve her problems for her. She doesn’t need a father figure, a guardian, or a leader, Wilhelm. She needs a partner, a lover, and a man she can stand beside. If you can’t be that man, then you should stay here hiding in your Hive and let us help her.”

“What the hell have we gotten ourselves into?” Wilhelm demanded of Reginald who smiled, showing a full set of white teeth.

“Heaven and Hell, friend. The benefits far outweigh the trouble she’ll bring you, though. Shall we go get your wife now?”

“I’ll be ready in fifteen minutes.” Wilhelm moved in a blur to get to his chambers. He’d have to be crazy to trust a Wolven, but then he’d unknowingly been trusting them with his businesses and properties for a couple hundred years already.

Several minutes later, he rejoined his guests in the library. “You’re kidding, right?” Allison crossed her arms over her chest as she squinted at the dark form before her. Wilhelm shrugged at her funny look. He was dressed in black leather from his heavy boots to his gloves. He grinned as he lifted a thick pair of sunglasses to cover his eyes. His heavy black cloak would effectively keep the sunlight from his head and neck. He knew he looked like an ancient warrior preparing for battle. And he was. Beneath the long cloak he was fully outfitted with his favorite weapons.

“I’m not aiming to win a fashion award, little Witch. I’m trying to keep myself from becoming a pile of ash. Unless you have a better idea?”

“I wish I did. Have you ever gone out walking in the sunlight, Wilhelm?” Her skeptical glance at his clothing made him a little uneasy.

“Not since the blood flowing in my veins was mine, but I don’t have a choice. Are we ready?”

“I hope so. I don’t want your ash all over my new boots. It took me forever to find a pair I liked.” Her teasing smile made him shrug tense shoulders as she took Reginald’s hand and offered him the other one. “You might not like my mode of transporting, boys. Hang on and don’t let go.”

Wilhelm opened his mouth to give her a smart-assed retort when the breath was forced from his lungs. He was thanking his lucky stars that he didn’t have to depend on breathing as his body was yanked painfully through time and space. He landed hard on his knees, having lost his grip on Allison’s small fingers. He hit hard and rolled to a stop.

“I told you to hang on to me. You would think that after a couple hundred years, you would have learned to follow directions.” He kept his head down, making sure his hood completely covered his face, before he turned to look at Allison.

“You’d think.” He pushed himself to his feet with his teeth gritted. He could feel the heat of the sun burning down on his back and head. It should have burned him even through the clothing, but it didn’t. He stood still, letting it warm his flesh.

“Burning to a crisp yet?” Reginald asked hesitantly.

“I’m fine. Where are we?”

“You really can’t see through that hood, can you?” Allison turned to spread an arm out toward a tall mountain covered with trees. “I give you Witch Mountain.”

“You can’t be serious?” He turned his head at her musical laughter.

“I am. Come on, there’s a set of caves that will take us up through the mountain right to the library inside Astoria.”

Chapter Fifteen

Alexa held her head high as she walked through the freshly cut grass. Her eyes scanned the trees surrounding the small clearing all around her. They were watching her; she could feel their eyes on her as she moved toward the castle’s outer gates. She’d always frowned over the way her people refused to keep the gates closed. They were so powerful that they felt they were also invincible. They were arrogant and small-minded individuals who would someday fall because of their over-confidence.

A soft breeze kicked up as she moved through the stone archway. It was a gentle breeze, but one that held a warning that only another Witch would pick up on. She had company coming. Her eyes narrowed as she looked around the wide courtyard. Ahead of her was the enormous structure of their castle. The morning sun kept her from seeing those Witches watching her from the darkened windows, but she clearly made out the men up in the turrets. They were cloaked and waiting for orders as they stood guard on the stone walks high above her.

“This is not going to be easy,” she whispered softly as she stopped dead in the center of the courtyard. The heavy castle doors slammed open as cloaked figures filed out one at a time. They formed a line before the castle and began to walk towards her. O’Mallery’s silver robes covered a figure in the middle of the line. Alexa gripped her hood and pulled it off her head. She stood straight and tall, outwardly confident as she waited for her brethren to reach her. Inside, she was anything but calm. She was facing certain death if the members of her Coven turned their backs on her. And why wouldn’t they when their leader, the High Priest had surely given them a false impression of her marriage to the Vampire’s Elder.

Alexa bent her head as the line stopped before her. She counted thirteen members of her Coven; it was a full round of warriors prepared for battle. “I wasn’t expecting such a renowned welcoming party. I’m flattered.” She kept her voice steady, though she wanted to be scathing and sarcastic by the pathetic show of force.

“Seriously, Keeper Carver?” O’Mallery lifted his hood for his balding head to glare at her with menace coming off his hunched body in waves. “This is no welcoming party. Astoria does not welcome Vampire Poppets.”

“I am no Poppet, O’Mallery. I am the handfasted wife of Wilhelm Chambers, Elder of the Vampires. You do remember the man you had Levi Pierce bind me with? I imagine Levi was less surprised to see me there than I was to see him.”

“Master Levi met with an unfortunate accident. There is no way he could have partaken in your marriage to the devil’s spawn.” O’Mallery wiped the spittle from his chin as he eyed her with the confidence of one who knew how to cover all his bases. “Speaking of the Elder, aren’t you the courageous one for leaving him to come here in the light of day. Tell me, are you here to seek a safe haven?”

“You know why I’m here, High Priest. I do not need my husband’s backing or his permission to carry out my duties as the Keeper of the Treaty.” His head snapped back, his breathing becoming labored as he returned her stare.

“There is no way you will be allowed to keep your place in this Coven. I demand you give up your title, as well as your powers. I will not stand by while the whore of a Vampire clings to her place in our society. I cast thee out, Alexa Carver Chambers!” He began to raise his hand to her, but Alexa shook her head at him.

“You have broken the Treaty of the Tri-Species Council, O’Mallery. I will see you stripped of your title and cast out of Astoria for good.”

“Oh, really?” O’Mallery chuckled as he slid a look towards his guards. “I doubt anyone will believe you now that you’ve allowed yourself to be bedded by the undead! I regret the need to destroy you, Alexa.”

“Liar!” Alexa hissed at him softly. “You trespassed on Hive property, attacked and nearly killed the Elder when he came to save me from you. You committed several acts of aggression and malice against one of the three Species. It will not go unpunished. Your tyranny is over, O’Mallery.”

“I have thirteen to one odds that say you are wrong, Keeper.”

“That would be correct, if your count were right, but in this instance, you’re wrong.”

“Oh, how is that?” He grinned as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“I’m not alone.” Alexa turned her head as Verity’s tiny form appeared out of thin air beside her. A collective gasp echoed around them as the straight line of Witches stepped back to murmur among themselves.

“Hello, High Priest O’Mallery. Or should I call you Father since I’m about to kick your ass.” Mistress Verity tilted her head as the man, who refused to acknowledge her, turned three shades of gray.

“What is the meaning of this? Mistress Verity, have you lost your mind, or has this Vampire’s bitch brainwashed you into defying your Coven?”

“I’m not defying my Coven, Father. I’m defying you. You have spit upon the Treaty I hold in my protection. You must pay for your misdeeds. I wish I was sorry to play a part in your downfall, but I’m not.”

“Stand down, Verity. You have chosen to give your allegiance to the wrong party. Alexa is a Poppet now. You cannot believe what she says to be true.”

“Anyone who wants to remain a member of this Coven should return to the castle now. If you stay, you will be deemed an accessory to the High Priest’s crimes. You will fall beside him.” Verity slid her dark brown gaze from one hooded figure to the next. “Choose wisely, my friends.”

“Stand firm! Anyone who leaves will be held accountable by me.” O’Mallery virtually shook with his anger. Several members turned to each other for guidance.

“Do you have proof, Mistress Verity?” A tall Witch known as Vance began to speak. He was a good man, one who didn’t allow fear to rule his mind.

“If she did, then she would have brought it through better channels. Isn’t that right?”

“The only proof I need is the word of the Keeper.” Verity quickly cut the other woman in a red cloak off. “Brynna, you know me. I don’t sway easily. He has an agenda that does not take this Coven’s fate into account. Trust me.”

“I am the High Priest!” he bellowed until his face turned a deep red. “I will not stand for this treason!”

“Is this evidence enough for you?” Alexa quickly untied her cloak and pulled the sleeve of her dress down to show them the half-healed stab wound and jagged slashes from O’Mallery’s fire whip. “He intended to kill me.”

“Those marks are old! Probably left over from your testing.” He shrugged.

“I cannot be a part of this. Whatever way it goes, we are the ones who will pay.” Brynna pulled off her hood as she turned and began to move toward the castle. Others wavered until O’Mallery lifted his hand toward her departing back.

“Hold!” Alexa moved with the speed of a Vampire as she cut off the curse he’d thrown at Brynna. She turned his curse into a cloud of butterflies that flapped hurriedly around both their heads before flying up into the blue sky.

“I can’t believe it.” Brynna blinked in shock at her High Priest. “You would have cursed me...behind my back!”

“I warned you. Leave and I will punish you all!”

“Spoken like a true tyrant, Father.” Verity’s blonde curls bounced as she waved her hands in front of her. The Book of the Treaty appeared before her on her palms. The pages flipped as if by an unseen hand.

“Verity...” O’Mallery glared at her in a silent warning. One that promised she would pay for her actions against him. Alexa, along with everyone else, stood spellbound as Verity’s eyes turned jet black behind her red glasses.