Warlock Unbound: Heart's Desire, Book 4 (14 page)

Chapter Twenty-Three

“It looks like, from what we can gather, that Arthur
is
going after Godwins.” Daniel tightened his hold on Kerry. “And not just any Godwins. He’s going after the ones who rejected him, or are related to those who rejected him.”

“But…” Kerry tugged free and picked up the list of victims. “They were all blonde and blue eyed.”

“A red herring,” Daniel growled, “but not exactly that either.”

“It’s a Godwin trait.” Gen, holding Gareth, smiled bitterly. “We’re either blonde or tend to be attracted to blondes, so that hair color runs in the family. A dark-haired Godwin is considered unnatural, and the parents are looked at as if the mother had an affair.”

“That’s fucked up.” Kerry put the list down. “Blondes might be dominant, but you could have the recessive genes for a brunette.”

Gen nodded. “But I know my family. It might not make sense to you, but to the Godwins, a brunette child is an embarrassment, something to be hidden away, or even given up for adoption.”

“You’re joking, right?” Kerry laughed, glancing between Gareth and Gen. Her laughter slowly died. “You’re not kidding.”

“No, they aren’t.” Daniel saw Gareth snarl before he got himself back under control.

“That’s stupid! It’s not the kid’s fault if they have brown hair.”

“But they treat the child exactly like that.” Gen’s sorrowful expression said it all. “And there’s been nothing I could do about it until now.”

“I’m going to set up someplace for those children to go. The Godwins aren’t the only ones pulling this bullshit. Some of the so-called upper wizard families have done the same, for far less reasons than hair color. Someone like Zach would have been sent away long before it was discovered what he truly is, rather than cherished simply for being Zachary.” Gareth nodded to Kerry. “And I want your help doing it.”

Kerry held out her hand. “Consider me your Mary Poppins.”

Gareth’s crown flared to life. “Done.”

Daniel shook with the force of his brother’s deal with Kerry. Every wizard would now know the King had done
something
binding, just not what. It was up to Gareth to inform them when he was ready.

Daniel would just have to deal with the questions.

Kerry turned to Gen. “Your relatives must
love
Gareth then.”

“Oh, yeah.” Gareth rolled his eyes. “We have tea parties all the fuckin’ time.”

“And we think he’s going after the women because he believes they’re weaker than him.” Daniel was furious. Kerry was in Arthur’s sights because of her fucking hair color? Gen’s theory made sense, but only after hearing the whys of it.

“That, too, is bullshit.” Kerry glared at him as if she thought Daniel might even microscopically agree with Arthur.

“I know that.” Daniel shrugged. “Just…listen.”

Kerry nodded and settled on the edge of the work table, her hands cupping the edges. “Lay it on me.”

Oh, how Daniel wished he could, but right now all he could do was back Gen up. Everything Gen had told him made sense, in a sick, twisted sort of way. “According to Gen, Arthur has always been a bit prejudiced when it comes to females.”

“He’s always believed we were lesser beings, dragged about the world by our emotions rather than clear logic.” Gen’s expression was sad. This was her big brother, after all, and the knowledge that he’d hated her all along seemed to be an old hurt that never quite healed. “Using the females to fuel his spell
and
hurt his relatives at the same time would make perfect sense in his world.”

Daniel nodded. “Knowing Arthur’s personality, Gen figured out who the next victim most likely is.” He held up his hand and began ticking off names. “First would be Gen herself. As his sister, she was the first to reject him, the first female to defy him.”

“Plus she’s blonde and blue-eyed, just his type.” Gareth’s smile was full of wicked-sharp teeth.

“Second would be you. You’re not only the one that got away, you’re the one that sassed him when he had you tied up and terrified.” Of that, Daniel had no doubt. Kerry had been brave enough to call Davis Godwin a coward while tied up and helpless. He would be surprised to find she hadn’t said far more to Davis’s sons.

“I did. When Hugh threatened to rape me I laughed and asked him what he’d use since he didn’t have a dick. And I told Arthur he was nothing more than Daddy’s little bitch boy.” She grinned viciously. “I got one hell of a beating for it, but I’d do the same now.”

Daniel grinned right back, so proud he could burst. She was a true wolf’s mate, savage when need be but nurturing as well. “That’s my girl.”

“The last victim would be Meredith Godwin, Aunt Vivian’s daughter.” Gen grimaced. “She, like my aunt, wants nothing to do with our branch of the family. If she saw Arthur she’d spit in his face.”

“She’d do the same to you if I allowed either of them in my court,” Gareth growled, his shoulders tense. “I hate that bitch.”

“She’s a little older than Arthur’s preference, but killing her would hurt my aunt more than anything else in this world.”

“And cause a war between Gen and the rest of the Godwins until death do you part.” Kerry pinched the bridge of her nose. “It could conceivably continue down generations, just as the original Beckett-Godwin feud did.”

“Exactly.” Gen sighed and turned to Gareth. “We might need to—”

“No. I’m not allowing either of them back at court.” Gareth’s expression said it all. There was no way he’d bow to Gen on this one.

Daniel couldn’t blame him. Vivian Godwin had done everything in her power to remove Genevieve as his consort, all because Gen was a warlock. Not only was she a warlock, she was a
Godwin
warlock, a disgrace to the line. Having Gen reign beside Gareth had shoved Vivian into doing more than merely disowning Gen. Vivian had tried to turn both court and council against Gen, earning not only Gareth’s wrath but the rest of the Becketts as well. Gareth had eventually been forced to dissolve the Council and exile Vivian Godwin, and her closest allies, from court.

No. Gareth would not allow Vivian back, not for all the magic in the world.

Gen nodded. “Very well. But we can send someone to guard Meredith until this is resolved.”

Gareth slowly nodded. “That I can do.”

“Thank you.” Gen kissed Gareth on the cheek, making him smile.

“Getting to Gen will be damn near impossible for Arthur.” Daniel knew exactly how close an eye Gareth was keeping on his mate. More than once he’d shadowed Gen when she didn’t know it. It had paid off at least once, when Vivian had decided to confront Gen on her own and try to shame Gen into leaving Gareth. He doubted Gen even knew his presence had been deliberate rather than coincidence. “The same goes for Kerry. One of us will be guarding her at all times.”

Gareth shot him a determined look. Yes, Gareth would watch out for Kerry, just as Daniel looked out for Gen. “So that leaves Meredith?”

“I think so.” Gen didn’t seem to notice the by-play between Gareth and Daniel. “Truth be told, I can’t think of anyone else who might be an eligible victim.”

“Then we place plenty of guards around her, unseen ones. If he takes her, we have him.”

“We should make sure he’s not after either Gen or Kerry.” Daniel waved his hand. “We can set up wards and charms to alert us if he’s on the move.”

“Excellent idea.” Gareth clapped him on the shoulder, preparing to leave Daniel’s workroom. “You take care of that.”

Daniel tilted his head. “Why is it whenever I come up with an idea I’m the one to make it happen?”

“I have no idea.” Gareth waved. “See you tomorrow. Don’t do anything I would do.”

Kerry coughed. “That leaves a lot of stuff still open, you know.”

Gareth winked at her. “Don’t be too sure of that.” He closed the door behind him. Daniel could hear Gen squeal followed by the thundering sound of footfalls racing from his apartment.

He turned to Kerry, his mouth open to ask her if she wanted to go to bed, but her upraised hand stopped him. “I know, I know.” She blew her hair out of her face. “Don’t go anywhere without the secret service, stay in your apartment or Gareth’s at all times, no heading down to Starbucks for a quickie, bug Gareth until he lets Gen out to play with me—”

“I trust you.” His wolf wasn’t so sure, but Daniel silenced it. Locking Kerry up, appealing as that was, wasn’t the answer. “You know what you’re doing.”

She ran her fingers through her hair. “Thanks for that.”

“So. What happened? Who called you?” It had been driving him crazy since she’d entered the workroom. She’d looked so distraught before she pasted that fake smile on her face he’d almost called off the meeting. He wanted to find the person responsible for upsetting his mate and gnaw on their bones.

“My sister.”

Or not. Damn it. Family drama he understood. “What happened?”

“She’s pissed at me.” Kerry tried to smile, but again it was fake as glass diamonds, shiny but of no real value. “She’s also pregnant.”

Daniel whistled. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks. She wants me to come and help with pretty much everything, but I’m worried. The demons have been pretty quiet lately since I told them to fuck off, but what if they could get to Bean? I don’t want that.”

Bean? “You named your niece or nephew Bean?”

This time the smile was real. “She didn’t want me to curse, and I told her the kidney bean wouldn’t know the difference. Then she ordered me not to call the baby Bean.”

“Ah.” Bean it was, then. “Don’t talk about the demons. It might bring their attention to you again.”

Her eyes widened. “Really?”

What the fuck did he know? He wasn’t a warlock. “I’m not sure, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.”

“Good point.” She blew out a breath. “How are we going to get all of this work done? Set up a school slash orphanage for kids, take care of the teens you and Zach found, get my magic under control and take care of Arthur?”

“One step at a time.” He hugged her tight, rubbing her back when she sagged against him. “It’s all we can do. We ask our family for help and we git’er done.”

She chuckled, but it was broken. “Your family, not mine.”

He rubbed her shoulder, right where his mark would go. “I wouldn’t be so certain of that.”

She clutched his shirt tightly in his hands. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

She looked up at him, her weariness visible in the circles under her eyes and her quivering lip. “For not running away the moment I arrived.”

“Pfft. As if you wouldn’t have run me to ground.” He rubbed his cheek on top of her head, scent marking her to appease his wolf.

“Like an injured llama.”

“Llama?” Where had she come up with that one?

“Don’t wolves hunt llamas?”

“Not that I’m aware of.”

“You have something against them?”

He pulled away and stared down at her. “You’re crazy.”

She shrugged. “Llama haters gonna hate.”

“Bed, crazy person.” He turned her and nudged her gently toward the door. “We’ll deal with your powers tomorrow.”

She saluted smartly and marched out the door. Daniel followed, careful to lock his workroom door, and their theories, behind him. Even if he trusted Mac and the rest of his family, he wouldn’t take any chances that others could get into his apartment and rifle through his stuff.

Call him paranoid, but he’d rather be called that than right.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Kerry shook her head as the fog lifted. In front of her was a pair of double doors she’d only seen in passing. She was pretty sure they led to the ballroom, but why would she be there? She was supposed to be somewhere else, but she couldn’t quite remember why.

Her hair was pulled up into a complicated knot, and she wore a dress of deep green silk that brushed the top of her silver heels. The silk was warm against her skin, but still she shivered in the cold chill that seemed to seep from beneath those double doors.

She could hear laughter and music on the other side, the sound of dozens of voices having a grand time. Kerry cautiously placed her hands on the doorknobs, ready to open the doors and find out what the hell was going on.

The freezing knobs made her gasp and pull her hands back, but the doors opened anyway, revealing the ballroom of the wizard king. Purple drapes, the color of wizard magic, hung from the windows. The blazing purple crown of the king was embroidered on white silk banners hung between the multiple windows, high above the dance floor. A live band played for the dancers, a soft waltz that made conversation possible. The riot of color against the black evening wear of the men was stunning.

But it was one person in particular who caught her eye. She walked over, confused as hell. “Kelly?” Why was she seeing Kelly laughing and chatting away in a ballroom, surrounded by the wizard court? Kelly wasn’t supposed to be here. “What are you doing?”

Kelly simply laughed, her red silk dress rustling as she bopped Kerry on the head. “Silly, we both belong here. Remember?”

Kerry blinked, staring around the room in confusion. Something definitely wasn’t right. “Where’s Dennis?”

“Who?” Kelly laughed again. “You need to lay off of Lana’s Mai Tai’s.” She turned back to the man she was chatting with, a tall, blond man with stunning dark gray eyes. “As I was saying, finding out I was a warlock was just as shocking for me as it was for Kerry.”

Kerry swallowed hard. What the fuck? “She totally freaked out,” she found herself replying. The memory of how Kelly had gone ape-shit before bonding to a fire elemental suddenly popped into her head.

“But now Kerry and I can be together again, so it worked out for the best.” Kelly put her hand on the man’s arm. Her fingertips gently caressed his forearm, tangling with his fingers. “Now, about that dance.”

The man bowed. “I’d be delighted, Lady Kelly.”

Kelly waved a cheery good-bye. “Find a partner, Kerry. This ball is for us, after all.”

It was? Why? She wasn’t part of the wizard court, not if she was a warlock.

“Perhaps you’ll accept me as a partner, hmm?”

Kelly gasped as warm, familiar arms wrapped around her waist. She wanted to bask in his body heat, her mind betraying her as it shut down at his touch. “Sure.”

He turned her, bowing as the music slowed. “My lady.” He twirled them onto the dance floor. His hand on her waist was so hot it burned. She wouldn’t be at all surprised to find scorch marks on the silk when she got back to her room.

His twinkling brown eyes showed possessiveness no one had shown her before. His hand in hers felt more real than anything else in that ballroom, even Kelly’s presence. Nothing had prepared Kerry for the depth of her attraction to this man with the deep brown eyes and hair so dark it was almost black. “Who are you?”

One dark brow rose in surprise. “Who do you think I am?”

She glared at him, unwilling to play games even with someone so handsome. “Your name.”

He flinched. “Ah, sorry, my lady. I thought you knew. I am Ryder Mastema, a friend of King Gareth’s.”

Gareth? The wizard king? Why did that name make her feel guilty? “How do you know King Gareth?”

He smiled, his perfect teeth brilliantly white against his dark-toned skin. “We went to college together.”

Ah. “So you know his brothers as well, then?”

He frowned. “Brothers? King Gareth has no brothers.”

Now she
knew
something was off. She pulled away from her partner, ignoring the anger that flashed across his face. “Fuck this place.” She whirled around on her heel and headed for the double doors, ignoring the calls of those around her to stay. She placed her hands on the doorknobs and pulled, but nothing happened.

She pushed, and still nothing happened. She was locked inside this stupid dream, more than likely playing hot and cold with a fucking demon.

“You can’t leave, not yet,” that seductive, deep voice whispered against her neck. His hands wrapped around her waist, trying to pull her back against him. “We haven’t finished our dance.”

Kerry’s eyes narrowed. “Take your hands off of me.”

“Shh.” His hands caressed her hips as his lips barely touched her neck. “We have a lifetime to argue. Let’s just enjoy the moment.”

“I said, get your fucking hands off me.” She clenched her fists, ready to do whatever was necessary to bring him down.

“Tsk.” Kelly stood next to her, blue eyes blazing in fury. “You’re making a scene, Kerry. Get back on the dance floor and stop embarrassing me.”

Kerry had every intention of hopping on her nopetopus and nope-ing her way right the fuck out of there. “I warned you.”

“Kerry—”

Kerry didn’t need to listen to one more damn thing any of the demons in this dream had to say. She’d beat them all down if she had to. She was getting out of here, and returning to…wherever the fuck she was supposed to be.

She slammed her heel down onto the top of the man’s foot. She waited a moment for him to howl and hop away from her before she spun and kicked him right in the balls. As he fell to his knees, she held her arms over her head. “Goal!”

“Kerry!” Kelly went to slap her, but Kerry wasn’t having it. She grabbed Kelly’s wrist and twisted, dropping Kelly to her knees right beside the dark-haired man. “You’re not my twin.”

Kelly hissed, her lips widening obscenely, her mouth filled with sharp, needle-like teeth that oozed a clear liquid. “You belong to us.”

“I belong to me, and you can’t have me.” She kicked the fake Kelly right in the mouth.

Kelly fell to the floor, howling in pain and rage.

Kerry spun, kicking the dark-haired man in the head before he could get up, but the heels didn’t have as much impact as she’d hoped. Ryder Mastema stood, his body and limbs elongating, stretching until he was towering over her. His spindly arms swept in front of him, barely missing her when she ducked.

“The bigger they are, the harder they fall.” Kerry ran right into the middle of the crowd, desperately trying to kick off her heels. They were less than useless now that she’d balled him; he was too tall for her to repeat the kick anyway.

Kerry was stunned as the people she ran through smeared together like sidewalk chalk in rain, their colors mingling until there was nothing left but a brownish pile of ick. The tattered curtains, no longer royal purple but blackened by fire and age, swayed in a breeze that smelled of death. The banners of the king were smudged with soot and gray with time, the purple crown’s colors darkened and running down the silk. Cracked tiles tripped her as she ran, the demon chasing her scratching its claws along the walls. Its arms had stretched so wide that its claws were shredding the drapes and banners.

“Shit shit shit.” Kerry abandoned her need to get rid of the damn shoes. She just kept running, aware she had no real weapons to fight something like this.

Was this how the demons won when seduction failed? Scare the victim into acceptance, or run them down to the point of exhaustion where the only reasonable option was to say yes or die?

Kerry would die first. She would not submit, not now, not ever.

Behind her the demon howled its rage, the sound shaking the foundation of the world. The castle tilted and cracked, part of the walls falling away to reveal a dark, endless void of pain and despair. It pulsed against her skin as she ran, thick and cloying, slowing her down despite her best efforts to keep on going.

She would not be beat. Not like this. She had to get free, had to get to…

To who? Damn it, if she could only remember!

The floor behind her began to crumble, the stones falling into the darkness. If she didn’t keep running, she’d fall too, consumed by the lake of despair, lost forever inside her own mind.

She had to keep going. No way in hell would the demon get her body.

She stumbled again, her shoes catching on another crack. Behind her, laughter filled the bubbling air as the darkness closed in on her, trying to drown her. Kerry’s life flashed before her eyes, her fight with her sister, her job taken from her, her life nearly destroyed by warlocks. She’d been unbound, her powers freed, but without a source Kerry couldn’t touch them. That wasn’t the way to save herself.

Or was it?

Kerry began to focus. If this really was a dream, then she could control it. It was her mind, not the demon’s. And this was going to stop
now
.

Kerry whirled around, picturing a solid floor beneath her feet, a floating disk that would stay above the lake and away from the darkness. To her surprise, it worked. A flaring disk of clear, green light appeared beneath her, solid as anything she’d ever stood on. Kerry stared at the demon as it once again howled in rage, shaking everything but Kerry. “I told you. Let. Me. Go.”

It hissed at her, it’s long arms stretching, reaching for her.

Kerry held up her hand. It sparked with green light, ready to fire at the demon if it got any closer. “Let me go!”

“You are mine, warlock, as are all of your kind.” Any seduction was gone from its voice. Rage and possession filled the demon’s tone, its face a twisted mask of hatred and arrogance. “Nothing you do can save you from me.”

Kerry smiled. “Think again.” She lifted her hand and fired at the demon, watching in glee as her fire sent it tumbling into the black abyss.

She fist-pumped, roaring “Yes!” as everything around her settled. The palace, both light and dark, were gone, only the white mist of her dreaming mind left behind.

“Now.” She put her hands on her hips as she looked around. “How the fuck do I get out of here?”