Indigo Spell (40 page)

“Athena, don’t!” Another witch called out, desperation in her voice. “You don’t know what’s out there!”

Athena tapped one finger against her chin. “Perhaps Hestra is right. I don’t see the rest of your family. They could have a trap set outside. I don’t trust you, Wizard.”

“Any more than I trust you, Witch. But look around you. My family is already here.”

Athena pivoted in time to see Rane and Braeden emerge from the bastion of water she’d constructed. She took a shaky step forward, her face contorted with disbelief. “How… That’s not possible! That picture has been on this wall the entire time. They couldn’t have gotten into it unless—” she broke off, turned again. “Unless they were there inside it before I released the spell.”

Jaxon lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “You should always be prepared for the impossible, Athena. Has battling with the Assembly these last twenty years taught you nothing? Now, while my brothers take care of this trickle of water, you and I are going to take this outside. In fact we shall all adjourn to the fresh air of the great outdoors.”

“You don’t want me close to my potions,” Athena noted.

He laughed harshly. “Your potions do not frighten me. In fact very little you do frightens me.” His feet left the ground for a brief moment before settling back against the concrete. All eyes were on him. The witches continued to stare in stunned disbelief. “But if it makes you feel more secure, I give you leave to take whatever bottles of magic you desire.”

Jaxon lifted his hands and pushed against the wall closest to Tess’ side. The concrete rumbled and swayed before it gave in to the force of the power moving it. The wind and rain poured in, drenching the floor and his robes. He turned, angled one hand toward the open air and swept it wide. The floor began to oscillate, spinning the gathered wizards and witches into empty space.

Screams penetrated the air as the slab of concrete hovered several feet above the ground while Jaxon smiled.

“Jaxon,” Tess called him out of his enjoyment.

He came to her side, lowering the shield. Gathering her in his arms, he held her, tightly, safely. “You are safe. You are going to be okay now.” Stepping out into the air, he drifted gently to the ground, keeping her tight in his embrace.

Her insides knotted with panic. “The shield. It’s gone. Athena—”

“No.” Brushing her hair away from her face, he lowered his voice to soothe her. “I’m with you. Remember, as long as I’m with you, no one can harm you. Athena can’t touch you.” His voice was a whisper, meant for Tess’ ears alone. “Anyway, right now she’s a little busy staying aloft. Look.” He pointed toward a flying section of cement that held Athena’s dancing form. “She has never liked flying. She will not chance using her magic against you now. She is too focused on keeping the concrete in the air because she hasn’t figured out I am still controlling it. Now I want to get you out of here. Mother will go back home with you and—”

“I’m not leaving you here.”

Jaxon’s demeanor changed once more. His voice became stilted, forceful. “You do not need to be here.”

“I’m not going to pace the floors at home while I worry about you.”

“You cannot help me, Tess,” Jaxon pointed out with more harshness than was needed.

She touched his face with her fingertips, her eyes filling with tears. “Don’t you think I know that? Don’t you think I know what I have to give won’t help you at all? Maybe this isn’t about my helping you. Maybe it’s about you helping me.”

Jaxon touched his forehead to hers. “I am helping you, baby. That’s why I need to know you’re safe.” He lowered one hand, sliding it across her abdomen. Closing his eyes for a second, he whispered words to Tess’ ears. “You are protected. Nothing can hurt you…or the baby.”

Tess’ gaze flew to his eyes. “I’m really pregnant then?”

He nodded. “Yes. That is another reason why I need to know you are out of Athena’s reach.”

Tess stood her ground, determined to fight her husband’s decision no matter what. “I’m not leaving you, Jaxon.”

“I’ll watch over her.”

The voice had both of them spinning around. Jaxon shoved Tess behind him and turned to face his fellow wizard. “Andion.” Eyes narrowed with distrust, he approached. “Why would you offer to help my wife?”

The elder wizard smiled. “Perhaps it is because I will not be the one fighting Athena today. That is your duty. If my protection of your wife makes your task easier, then we all benefit. I will take care of her. As you know, none of the witches can touch her as long as one of us is with her. Do not worry.” Andion approached, holding out one gnarled hand, which Tess didn’t take. Instead she stared at him with a mixture of suspicion and disbelief.

Keeping her behind him, Jaxon took another step toward the older wizard. “You tell me now I should trust you when you have tried to end her life?”

Andion dipped his head. “Would you rather risk putting her in further danger by sending her home? None of us knows if Athena has prepared for such a move on your part. She could have one of the witches waiting as before.”

Jaxon and Tess exchanged glances. “It’s true. We haven’t considered that.”

Jaxon glowered at her. “You just want to stay.”

“Yes, I do. I want to make sure you’re safe.”

“I am perfectly safe. I am more than capable of taking care of myself.”

Andion agreed readily. “He is perfectly capable, Tess. Now shall we go?” This time, the wizard took her arm without her consent and began to guide her toward the open wall. “May the Fates be with you, Jaxon.” He held out his hand in a gesture of comradery.

Jaxon took it but Tess saw the lack of conviction on his face. He still didn’t know whether Andion was a wizard to be trusted. To that end, she would keep her own guard up. “Protect her with your own life.”

The warning behind the words rang clear. “As she will be the wife of our leader, I can do nothing else.”

Jaxon’s fingers closed around the wizard’s hand. “I am putting my heart in your hands.”

Andion inclined his head. “My knowledge is not feeble. I know this already.” He pulled his hand away and cupped Tess’ elbow. “Shall we go?” He guided her away across the sodden grass before she could argue. Once they’d reached an area he considered safe, they stopped. “We shall stay here.”

She tipped her head back to see Andion’s face and studied the flowing white beard, the long, silky strands of snowy hair. “Why did you really volunteer to protect me?” Any conversation was better than allowing her thoughts to focus on the upcoming battle.

“Because I am afraid of the witches,” Andion returned in a dry tone of voice.

“You know, I think there’s hope for you yet.” Suddenly Tess’ heart lurched in her chest. Charged with energy, the air thickened around her and made breathing difficult. The darkness reached out for her, a signal to a powerful evil. “Andion, this isn’t right. Something’s going to happen, something we can’t control.”

The elderly wizard looked down into her upturned face and for once, she thought she saw a flash of understanding, compassion even. “There are many things we cannot control. We have to accept them as well as the changes they bring.”

“Are there going to be changes today?”

He looked away. “Many.”

Tess didn’t like the sound of that. “You’ve seen something, haven’t you? You can see things.”

Andion tossed her a glance before returning his eyes toward the concrete rapidly approaching the ground. “I can but I cannot share them. These visions are not given to me to change the outcome. They are given to me to prepare the Assembly for the changes which will take place.”

“So you’ve told Falcon then?” Silence greeted her question. “Jaxon at least?” Her fingers bit into his arm. “You’ve at least told Jaxon, haven’t you? Is he walking into a trap?” Her voice grew hushed. “Andion, you have to tell me if my husband is walking into a trap.”

Shocking them both, he covered her hand with his. “The trap is not for him, my dear. That is why I offered to protect you. With Jaxon occupied, you would be vulnerable.”

Her breath escaped on a sigh that was half relief and half terror. “So Athena has a Plan B.”

Andion frowned. “I know nothing of this Plan B. I simply know she is not willing to relinquish her chance at overthrowing the Assembly.”

“Will she succeed?”

“The visions did not tell me that.”

She wanted to smack him, kick him, anything to pull the secret out of him. Why couldn’t he understand that she needed to know what would happen? For her own sanity. “So what did they tell you?”

“Only that she will try.”

“She’s been trying for twenty years. I think you got an old vision.”

Andion squeezed her fingers before he released her hand. “Athena has tried before, yes, but this time she is much closer. Her magic is stronger and with the added reinforcements of the other coven, she will be a forceful opponent.”

Tess tugged on the arm of his robe until he looked down at her. “You’re scaring me. Is Jaxon in trouble?”

His face softened for the first time since she’d met him. “Unfortunately we are all in trouble.”

A wave of dizziness made her sway. “Can’t you see that to keep this knowledge to yourself could mean the destruction of the Assembly?”

Andion shook his head. “The visions have allowed me to make certain preparations.”

“Certain preparations? You mean you’ve created your own Plan B?”

“Again, I am not familiar with this Plan B.”

“Do you have an idea which might save the Assembly’s collective asses?” Tess snarled the words.

He didn’t look taken aback at her tone. He merely sighed. “Perhaps it would be better if you were to pay attention. I believe we are about to witness history. This is the first time a wizard and a witch with the abilities of these two have locked horns in quite some time. It should be an interesting battle.”

Unable to resist, she shoved him. Andion stumbled back and stared at her. “You’re nuts. My husband’s life could be in jeopardy and you’re talking about interesting battles. Jaxon should never have agreed to let you protect me.” She took a step away from him and came up against an invisible wall. “What’s going on?”

“I cannot allow you to leave my side, Tess. You could be hurt.”

“You’ll be the one getting hurt once Jaxon finds out about this.”

“He wanted me to ensure your safety. I have done so.”

“Please lower the field. I won’t go anywhere. I just don’t want to feel trapped.”

Andion flicked a glance down at her before relenting with a wave of his hand. “If you move away from me, I will have no choice but to reconstruct the field.”

“Is Jaxon going to die?” Her voice was a whisper of fear.

“I cannot tell you that.”

“But you think a wizard is going to die today?”

The wizard’s silence was the only answer she needed. Tears filled her eyes and she tried to pray but the words wouldn’t come. Fear clenched its fist around her heart while her breath staggered in her lungs. Andion believed his silence would reassure her but the panic intensified as Jaxon readied himself to face Athena.

And Tess could only watch in horror.

Chapter Fifteen

Athena and Jaxon circled one another, two sparring partners dancing around a makeshift ring. Eyes locked, they didn’t flinch, didn’t retreat. Jaxon could hear the beating of Tess’ heart, knew panic gripped her but he couldn’t take the time to offer encouragement. To look away from Athena would give her the advantage. He had to make the first move and he had to do it when she least expected it.

The witch’s feet lightly touched the ground as she darted back and forth in front of the wizard. “Are we going to dance all morning?”

“I’m not much for dancing actually. I think I’d rather…” He dipped, rotated and touched the sky with a curl of electricity from one finger. Sparks rained down and showered Athena with glowing coals.

The witch extinguished the tiny flames with a wisp of her breath and blinked at her adversary. “Please tell me that’s not all you have because if so…” she touched her palm to her mouth as if covering a yawn, “this is going to be a quick battle.”

Jaxon’s eyes narrowed. He’d waited for the moment, that brief arc of time when Athena would lower her own guard. And now it was here. “We cannot have that, can we?”

The whirlwind approached rapidly, ensnaring the trees and grasses surrounding them. A violent circle of wind and force, it tore across the land, the squall of its descent deafening. Just as he expected, Athena looked up, prepared to deflect the tornado. Arms swept wide, Jaxon began the spell.

“May the Fates recall the words spoken a fortnight ago in Wizards’ cell. I call upon you now at last to release this ancient spell.”

“No!” Athena stumbled forward one step before dropping to her knees. She could only watch while Jaxon’s rumbling voice continued.

“Bind the witches’ evil hearts and capture the magic they hold. Free them from the darkness and give them light once more.” The whirlwind increased in intensity, circling over the gathered witches who cowered in terror.

He closed his eyes, drew in a heavy breath and finished the spell. “Give them back the lives they lost when magic first entered their own. Erase the darkness coating their souls and send these witches home.” He clapped and the earsplitting screams of horrified women rent the air. The Coven of Allesandra, together with the Coven of Ballhastra, fell to their knees, hands clasped over their ears as they writhed on the ground.

Tess gasped, tried to pull away from the clamp of Andion’s hand on her arm but he held her fast. “Andion, they’re in pain.”

“You cannot help them now. The spell has been cast.”

Hestra’s voice rose above the others, a plea for mercy as golden daggers stabbed at her skin, opening wounds. Mists of black poured out of her flesh, twisted into a braid before spiraling toward the damp sky. “Athena, please make it stop.”

At once, in unison, the wizards turned, all eyes on Athena’s wooden form. “Athena?” Falcon was the only one to speak, taking a step forward.

“What’s the matter?” Tess whispered.

Andion didn’t look at her when he responded. “The spell. It has not touched Athena. That is impossible. This spell was created by two of the strongest wizards in the Assembly. Falcon and Jaxon’s magic is stronger than the magic of any witch.”

Athena lifted her hand and dipped it inside the collar of her dress. Her fingers curled around a solid stone amulet. She extracted it and brought it into full view. “I believe I forgot to mention I had this, Jaxon.” She dangled the chain with a chortle of glee.

“The Amulet of Xeros. Where did you get that?” Jaxon’s voice pulsated with a blend of vehemence and amazement. “It has been locked inside the Serenity Chamber inside the citadel for years. You could not have had access to it.”

She rubbed the stone, a serene expression on her face. “Oh, I have my ways. Of course, you understand that I can’t reveal my source.” Her gaze included the witches still kneeling on the ground. “They are of no use to me now. With their powers depleted, they are mere mortals again.”

Falcon stepped in front of the witches to shield them from Athena’s wrath. “They will be returned to the homes they knew before magic ensnared them.”

She laughed. “Do you really think I would waste my energies incinerating a few helpless women? I have much larger potions to brew.”

Hestra stood, her face drained of all color. “What happened?”

“You happened, you idiot,” Athena snapped. “Because you let the human stab you, the wizards were able to gain access to your blood, a witch’s blood. I told you they would use it against us. Or you, rather. I, on the other hand, made other preparations.” She wagged the amulet in front of her chest. “Oh, don’t look so downtrodden, Hestra. At least you’ll go back to that pathetic existence you had before I made you a witch. Think about poor me. I’m going to have to start all over, build the Coven once more.” She tilted her head, her long, black hair falling to her waist. “I think this time around I’ll be a little more selective in my apprentices.”

Hestra opened her mouth to speak but no words came. Her body began to shimmer, to fade into nothingness. Her eyes wide with terror, she could only wait as the ground shifted beneath her until she disappeared.

Tess clutched Andion’s arm. “Where did she go?”

Andion peeled her fingers off his arm and lowered her hand to her side. “As the spell said, she has been returned to her home. Do not ask me where that is. Just know that she is fully human once again as are the others. They will resume their lives and be wiser for what they have known here. I do not believe they will be tempted again by the call of magic.” He directed a hand toward Jaxon. “Now you must be quiet. We await Athena’s next move.”

“Her next move? Doesn’t this defeat her? She has no backup.”

“It causes us some concern that she was prepared for this, that she has stolen the amulet.”

“How did she get the amulet?”

Athena tapped one fingernail against her chin, tilted her head as if considering her options. “You wonder what I’ll do now that my sister witches have been disposed of.” She hummed low in her throat. “I can assure you the fun’s only beginning. I’m alive and well and,” she threw a wink at Jaxon, “ready to play.” Stopping, she clapped her hands in mock applause. “Kudos for your abilities, Jaxon. Many years ago, that spell would have been out of the realm of your powers. I must say, you’ve come a long way.”

Tess stood on tiptoe to hiss into Andion’s ear. “Why is she just talking?”

“Be quiet,” the wizard growled in response.

Athena laughed musically, enjoying center stage. “Yes, I see all of you are trying to anticipate my next step. Falcon, you look tense. Do you think you can read my mind? Do you think you will know when I will strike next? Perhaps I won’t strike at all today. Perhaps I shall just evaporate this morning to return when I have rebuilt the Coven.”

“You have always said you do not need them, Athena.” Jaxon’s voice was softly enticing. “This was supposed to be between you and me.”

“But you changed the rules, didn’t you?”

“I ensured the battle would be between the two of us and only the two of us.” He folded his hands together, allowed a small smile to play about his lips. “You really did not expect me to trust you, did you?”

Athena swept a gaze at the gathered wizards. “And I’m supposed to trust that your wizard friends won’t jump in to protect you?”

Jaxon’s eyes glittered. Beneath the silk of his robe, his muscles bunched. “Wizards have honor, something you witches sadly lack. No one will interfere should you choose to make a move against me. In fact I look forward to it.” He held his arms away from his sides, opening himself up to the witch’s attack. She wouldn’t kill him with the first strike and he only needed one. The amulet was the only thing standing between Athena and life as a mortal. Once he broke the chain, he could kill her.

Tess’ shriek clogged in her throat. “What is he doing?”

“You have an open target,” Jaxon goaded.

Athena’s eyes narrowed. “Do you think me so stupid I would attempt to kill you now? No, I have another idea. A better one.” Her smile created a cold knot in the pit of Tess’ stomach.

The rumble of conversation to Tess’ right drew her gaze to where Jaxon’s brothers stood, arms folded, staring straight ahead as if they were about to watch a football game. Was this entire family crazy?

“I wish she would show us what it is instead of talking about it,” Rane noted from the sidelines.

Braeden nudged his brother with his elbow. “Perhaps we do not want to know her plans.”

Rane returned the nudge. “Speak for yourself.”

“Look at her eyes.”

Rane sneered. “I do not really see as much in her eyes as you do, my dear brother. After all, you have been closer to her than any other wizard. Maybe there is something you could tell Jaxon to help him out. An Achilles heel, maybe?”

“Shut up, Rane.” Braeden walked forward and came to stand at Jaxon’s side. “Athena, think about what you are doing. You are risking far more than your magical abilities. You are risking your life.”

She placed a hand over her heart. “Your concern for my welfare is heartening. In fact it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Maybe after this is all over, we can discuss our feelings.” Her eyes hardened. “Oh yes, I’d forgotten you have no real feelings for me. Isn’t that the last thing you said when you left me?”

“What is she talking about?” Falcon growled, his stance threatening.

Athena clapped a hand over her mouth. “Whoops. You mean they still don’t know about our little dalliance? Braeden, you didn’t crack under the pressure of so much snowy white morality? Perhaps I should extend the kudos to you as well as your brother.” She shook her head, a picture of sadness and regret. “Poor ignorant wizards. They didn’t know that one of their own was dipping his wand into a witch’s cauldron. And you call yourselves wise.” Her fingers brushed the amulet once more. “Do you still want to know how I got the amulet, Jaxon?”

Charlemaine entered the conversation. “You can’t mean…”

Athena’s eyes found Charlemaine’s face. “Oh good, a female wizard. Now here’s someone I can have a conversation with. Yes, my dear Charlemaine, I mean your son and I were lovers. Heavily involved. This was his gift to me.” She brought the amulet up to her lips and kissed the stone. “It’s possible he wasn’t aware of its powers but then,” she shrugged, “it’s a far greater possibility he was so enamored with me he would do anything I asked of him.”

Braeden’s teeth gnashed. “That’s enough. My family has heard enough from you.”

Athena’s face twisted in bitterness. “Oh, they must be eager to hear more.” She scanned the wizards’ faces. “Aren’t you?”

Jaxon called Athena’s attention back to where it should be. “Your fight is with me, not my brother.”

Her eyes flashed. “My fight is with whoever I choose it to be. And right now I choose, well, you shall soon see.” With a snap of her fingers, she was gone.

“Damn!” Jaxon whirled, searching the sky, the ground and scanning the tower for any lingering traces of the witch. “Braeden, do you want to tell me how she got the fucking amulet?”

“Now is not the time,” Charlemaine interrupted.

“I beg to differ, Mother. Now is the perfect time to know why my brother turned against his own family.”

Before Braeden could respond, a loud gasp cut through the tension and all eyes turned. Athena had materialized behind Tess. The witch wrapped one hand around her throat and gave a gurgle of laughter.

Jaxon leaped across the distance and landed inches away from his wife’s shaking body. “Let her go.”