Storm Of Magick Part 18

"Do you know where my other leather coat is, the one that I was wearing when I had the accident?" I asked.

"It's hanging up in Ronan's room, where all your other clothes are hanging. Why?" Paris asked. There was jealousy in his voice, but I didn't have time to a.n.a.lyze it or deal with it.

"Because in the pocket is an amulet that I took off of Rafe before we escaped. It may come in handy. Can you hold a spell?" I asked.

"I think so," he answered.

"You can't think, you have to know. We have to hide Rafe, Caleb, and the scrolls. If we're not already too late," I said. My gut said we were but I had to try. Palmira had shown a lot of interest in Caleb. But, she needed Rafe and the other scroll to do her ritual. What Caleb had to do with this whole mess was beyond me.

I told Paris the spell. It would take both of us to hold it and we faced each other, palms together as we chanted. We whispered it so we wouldn't draw attention to ourselves. I felt the spell go out in search of its targets. It hit something and bounced back.

"Brace yourself!" I suggested, my eyes getting larger.

"What are...?" Paris started. He had an 'oh f.u.c.k' look on his face.

I could feel the spell rippling back to us. It hit us hard, throwing us against the stone wall. I slid down and sat on my a.s.s. Paris sat next to me. I was p.i.s.sed and he looked shocked.

"Palmira blocked the spell. We have to get down there to see what's going on. You up for it?" I asked.

"I'm always up for a good fight," he said with a grin.

He got up and reached his hand out to me. I took it and got to my feet. We started down the stairs, hugging the uneven stone wall. I held my Ruger close and pointed at the ceiling.

"What's the plan?" Paris whispered. He was close enough that our arms touched and our magick jumped between us.

"Don't get killed." It seemed like sound advice to me. If Paris thought I had more of a plan, well, I hated to burst his bubble.

I don't know why we were being so quiet. The bad guys must have heard us enter the building, and if that didn't do a good enough job, the spell throwing us on our a.s.ses did.

"You get the scrolls and I'll get the amulet. Don't argue, we don't have time and you know I'm right," I said in a low voice.

We made our way to the bottom of the stairs, to the entry to the living room. Paris pulled open the heavy old door. I went in first, ready to shoot anything that moved, but the room was empty. Not a good sign. The light was on and nothing seemed to be out of place.

"I don't like it. At this time of night, this place should be crawling with Ronan's people. Be careful," I said, walking back to the corridor.

Paris gave a nod. I started down the hall. I hugged the wall but kept looking behind me. Okay, so I'm a little paranoid, it's good for keeping me alive. I wouldn't do anyone any good if a bad guy came up behind me. My gun was still in my hand, but not pointed at anything, yet.

I held the Ruger up close to my chest and walked slowly, trying not to make any noise. I didn't care for the tiny recessed lights but it was Ronan's home. They didn't help much at all: they were too far apart and not bright enough for this s.h.i.+t.

The first room I found myself in front of was the room where I'd left Blaze. The scent of lavender filled my nose. I opened the door to find my brother still in the bed, asleep. Caleb was in human form, sitting in the corner chair. Both safe and away from harm. I let out a breath that I didn't realize I was holding.

"Caleb, are you okay?" I asked in a low voice, slowly closing the door.

He wore gray jogging pants and a dark t-s.h.i.+rt. He didn't get out of the chair; he looked too weak and tired. His skin was pale and he pretty much looked like s.h.i.+t all the way around.

"I'm okay, a little weak from s.h.i.+fting. But, Palmira's here - she has everyone. I don't know where she's keeping them. Ronan told me to stay with Blaze. He's been s.h.i.+elding us from her," Caleb answered.

I walked to him and couldn't help but give him a hug. "You stay here. I'm going to end this s.h.i.+t with that psycho b.i.t.c.h from h.e.l.l," I said with a small smile, holding his face in my hands.

Well, that answered the question of why I couldn't reach Ronan before. It's too hard to hold a spell and not draw any attention to yourself, no matter how powerful you are.

Caleb gave me a sad smile. I opened the door and peeked out into the corridor. It was clear, and I cautiously moved down the hall til I came to Ronan's room. I sensed Connor inside, and opened the door to find him pacing around the room in a tight circle. His sword stuck up over his right shoulder. I thought it was a beautiful weapon.

"Connor, do you know what's going on?" I asked, returning my gun to its home to give my hand a break. You can only hold a gun for so long before your hand starts to cramp. I walked to the closet to get the amulet out of my other coat pocket. I grabbed it and stuck it in my pocket, closing the door behind me.

"I am unsure. When I woke, Ronan sent me a warning signal. I was told to wait here for you," he said in his soft, rolling Scottish voice.

He still wore the same black leather pants and black boots. But, he'd changed his green silk s.h.i.+rt to a deep brick red one. Connor was definitely easy on the eyes. I shook my head. Business, Logan.

"Do you feel well enough for a battle?" I asked.

"I am Scottish, we are always ready for a battle," he answered with a huge smile. A smile that said, 'I get to kill things.'

"Well, let's go find Palmira," I said, shaking my head again. I opened the door and we walked out. I felt better having someone at my back. Especially with the bad guys under our noses. I hoped the amulet would help.

I stopped, sensing movement coming towards us. Two men came running down the corridor. Man, I was off tonight. I should've sensed them way before I could see them. I knew they weren't vashon and I a.s.sumed they weren't werefox.

"Make it quick and quiet," I said to Connor.

"Why? Palmira knows you are here," he said in a matter of fact voice.

He was right. Palmira knew I was here as soon as I walked through the door. I should've known better. I heard the distinct ring of Connor's clan blade clearing its sheath. I stopped to focus, and he rushed pa.s.sed me.

"I have the one on the left!" I shouted out. It's sad when you have to call out a kill.

The tall spindly man came towards me, and if he thought I was going to play fair, he was s.h.i.+t out of luck. I held out my hand as if I was going to choke him. I whispered a spell, and his momentum and my spell together snapped his neck. He fell to the floor like a rag doll, his head flopping to one side.

I looked at Connor just in time to see him run his sword through the other man, completely gutting him. The only thing that held the torso together was the head. Yep, that was going to leave a stain.

"Overkill, don't you think?" I asked.

Connor shrugged, which looked out of place coming from him, or any of the old vashon for that matter. He was just too graceful for such a gesture. "There is no such thing," he answered. He had a point.

I walked towards the two bodies. Connor had well and truly cut the man in half from the waist up. I didn't give a s.h.i.+t right then. I felt nothing except, rather him than me. I stepped over the puddle of blood. We walked down the corridor and I peered into the living room.

Again, the scent of blood and sweat hung in the air like fog. Walking into these scents was getting old. To my surprise, the room was full. But, it lacked the two most important people I was looking for. Palmira and Rafe. I saw Paris, who looked like he'd gone several rounds with a Mack Truck and lost. His eye was swollen shut and blood trickled down from the corner of his mouth. He stood hunched over, holding his ribs.

Alex stood next to him, looking wild. His hair was messed up and his face was pale, but what caught my eye were his eyes, his amber werebear eyes. Ailin and Ronan were there too, surrounded by Palmira's goons.

I wanted to contact Ronan but I couldn't risk revealing myself. As I lingered, trying to concoct a plan, White Hair stepped out in front of me. Perfect.

Before anyone could say or do anything, I grabbed his b.a.l.l.s and squeezed. I felt the little egg shapes pop under the pressure. White Hair fell to the floor screaming and cursing, giving us away, and with that, a fight broke out behind me. Man for man, things was equal and I didn't have time to worry about Paris. I raced towards the library, mentally calling for Ronan.

He followed me down the corridor. I could feel magick coming towards me in waves as we entered the library. The air felt heavy, like when a spell is being worked. A single table light next to the scrolls lit the room.

Palmira was nude on top of Rafe. I watched her rock back and forth. No one had to tell me what was happening. I don't believe Rafe had on any clothing from the waist down. I just stood there, instantly p.i.s.sed. Palmira's skin s.h.i.+mmered with sweat, glistening with her movements. The scent of s.e.x filled the room. It was like watching an accident: you just couldn't believe what you were seeing and couldn't look away either. I just hoped no fluids had been exchanged yet.

"Palmira, I can't let this happen," I said. Rafe lay there trapped under her. His eyes were wide with fear and anger. She'd used a spell to paralyze Rafe again somehow.

"You are too late, little witch," she purred. She smiled and I saw a hint of delicate canines, her werefox teeth.

"It's never too late," I huffed.

Here's hoping I didn't get killed. Not today! Not ever. I did something that she wouldn't expect; I charged her and tackled her to the stone floor. We landed hard enough to jar my head. There was a magickal charge to her skin, like touching a ball of static. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ronan go to Rafe, trying to help get him up.

"You will not stop me!" Palmira yelled in a heated rage.

"You're going to die, you psycho b.i.t.c.h," I said, trying to get to my feet.

As I stood up, she backhanded me. I felt my lip split open and tasted blood. Palmira didn't try to protect herself. Maybe she thought that she couldn't be hurt. I drew back and hit her in the jaw with all my anger.

"I will kill you for this," she spat, tasting her own blood.

I said a spell and she went flying through the air. She hit a bookshelf and books came cras.h.i.+ng to the floor. I ran to her, straddling her. Palmira lay there, stunned for a second. I punched her in the face over and over, until my arms ached.

"You cannot hurt me, little witch. You forget I am a Queen Werefox, with a few extra gifts," Palmira said and sent a jolt through me. It put me on my a.s.s and my body tingled. I felt like I'd been shocked.

I put my hand into my pocket, grabbing the amulet. Before I could get off my back, Palmira stood over me. She grabbed me around the neck and squeezed. With one hand, I pulled at her arm, trying to get some air. I had to hang onto the amulet so I wouldn't drop it.

"Ronan," I gasped.

With that one word, Palmira stopped all movement. Ronan froze her. I pulled her hand off me and slipped the amulet over her head. Palmira's body jerked and flopped to the floor. I felt hot liquid on my thighs.

"What the h.e.l.l?" I said, not really asking a question.

I looked up to see Rafe standing over me, but what caught me off guard was Palmira's heart in his hand. Blood dripped onto me. I stared at the heart for a moment, and then got to my feet, rubbing my neck.

"Rafe, are you okay?" I asked, standing close to him. It seemed like a stupid question after what he'd been through.

"I'm better now that b.i.t.c.h is dead," Rafe answered in a far off voice, not really looking at anyone.

I was about to yell for Paris when he and everyone else filed into the room. I started walking past Palmira's body but stopped. I could sense her spirit leaving its sh.e.l.l and a foul smell that I couldn't describe filled the room at the same time.

"Ronan, I think we need to leave this room. Leo, please take your King to clean up," I asked.

"I have people on the way to dispose of the bodies," Ronan said.

"I don't need to know this and I'd rather not," I said, holding up my hand. "I'm going to check on Caleb and Blaze."

Chapter 21.

I walked out of the library, down the corridor, and into the living room, in all of its white and black glory. There were splashes of red everywhere. Bodies dotted the floor like a battlefield. Everyone followed me into the room; it was like a morbid follow-the-leader.

"Leo, can you send Doc out after he's finished with Rafe, please?" I asked.

"Will do," Leo answered without turning around. Leo took Rafe down another corridor to one of the bedrooms.

Rafe hadn't said anything since he left the library. No one felt comfortable staying with Palmira's body and that included me, but I refused to leave it alone. Connor had volunteered to stay until the clean up was done. He was either brave or stupid; I didn't know which.

I walked to Paris and squatted down next to him. He sat in one of the winged backed chairs. Rafe had given him Palmira's heart. He'd made Paris promise to give it to the cleaners himself.

"Paris, what are your injuries?" I asked.

"I think I have a couple of broken ribs and my wrist may be broken. I'll have to s.h.i.+ft before I can heal the injuries," he answered.

I gently touched his cheek. While I knelt there, several men walked in and started to clean up the bodies.

"Excuse me," I called to one man with slicked-back short white hair, a newly turned vashon, I sensed. He must have been young when he was turned. He came over to me. Being a new vashon, he wasn't graceful when he moved. I guess it was something they learned over time. I didn't remember Ronan mentioning any new vashon in town, but I let it go for now.

"I need your help," I told him. "Just open that little white bag you have there." He did do, and Paris dropped the heart into the bag. It fell to the bottom with a wet slap. "Okay Skippy, I've had a bad night. So it would be in your best interest to follow these instructions to the letter," I said, looking the vashon in the eye.

He looked at me with his mouth gaping open, motionless. He hadn't moved since he walked to me. "You need to destroy this heart separately from the body, which is lying in the library. Here's the important part, Skippy. There's an amulet around the neck of that body. Do not - I repeat do not remove it until the body has been totally destroyed. Do you understand the instructions?" I asked.

All the poor boy could do was nod his head. He started walking towards the corridor. It led deeper into the labyrinth. He stopped and turned. "Excuse me," he called. I turned back to him. "My name is Lewis!"

I smiled. "I'll remember that." I said. Lewis grinned and left. Lewis's correcting me even got a chuckle out of Paris.

"Paris, why don't you go clean up and see how Rafe is doing?" I said in a low voice.

He stood and walked in the same direction that everyone else was going. That corridor was the main vein to go deeper into the Realm. I felt the need to see how everyone was doing, and I started with Ronan. He stood next to the fireplace supervising the clean up.

"Are you okay?" I asked him.

His black pirate silk s.h.i.+rt was ripped. One of the sleeves had been torn completely away from the rest of the s.h.i.+rt and bunched around his wrist. Most of the b.u.t.tons were missing. His skin was as white as porcelain, and I could see a scar that went diagonally across his chest.

"I will be fine. I have no injuries with lasting effects. We will need to talk about any problems this situation may have caused. But I believe all will be fine," he answered. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth and he licked it away absently.

I gave a nod and moved on the next person I saw, having to move around one of the bodies. I was glad we didn't have to worry about the threat of Palmira any longer. But, I was also pleased that I didn't have to clean this mess. Okay, I was letting my mind wonder, but it was better than making myself f.u.c.king nuts.

Next, I saw Jarod. He hovered around Alex. I had mixed feelings about going to Alex, and hesitated, arguing with my own feelings. 's.h.i.+t,' I said under my breath. I had to block Alex out of my head.

I walked to him, feeling the chaos running through his head. I closed my doors even tighter to keep him out. Alex's thoughts were maddening. I stood at arms length, but before I could say a word, he lunged for me, grabbing me by the throat and squeezing.

"Alex, release her!" Ronan yelled. He moved in a blur of speed. I could see him out of the corner of my eye.

"Alex, let her go or you're going to crush her throat," Jarod pleaded, trying to pull Alex off me.

"She deserves to die for what she's done to me. I want to pop her head off," Alex said in a strangled voice.

"Ronan, we're going to have to bind his powers," I whispered in to his head.