Denai Touch: Excalibar Investigations Series (11 page)

As much as he wanted to stay, he simply scooped Cate into his arms and teleported away.

She was still unconscious. He used his powers to clean the wound and energy to force her body to heal itself. He put her to bed, wondering how the hell he was going to explain all of this when she woke up.

Cate walked into the kitchen, no doubt in her usual search for morning coffee. She looked a bit worse for wear, but at least she was better than the night before. Jason hadn’t had much sleep, but fortunately he didn’t need it the way other Magickind did. He braced himself for what was about to come.

“Ow, my head! I feel like I was hit by a lorry,” Cate groaned as he passed her a mug of coffee. “What the hell happened to me?”

“I just want to say I’m sorry. Last night will never happen again.”

Cate frowned. “What you mean?” she asked. “What happened?”

It was his turn to look confused. “You don’t remember?”

“I remember going to the club, and having a drink with Jade and Mel. Goddess, I must have had one too many. I feel like hell.”

“You only had one drink.”

“I did? Were you there too?”

“Let me get this straight. You really don’t recall anything from last night?” asked Jason, hardly daring to hope. “The club? The attack?”

Cate shook her head. “No, everything is a blur. Did you say attack? Tell me everything that happened.”

“We left the club together and a couple of demons attacked us. You hit your head and I took care of them.”

“Why would demons attack us?”

Jason hesitated; she had enough on her plate without having to worry about the Covenant coming after her. She would find out eventually and he hated lying to her, but sometimes it was necessary to protect the people you loved. It seemed to be one falsehood after another lately and he hated it, but he could never tell the truth. He wondered how long her memory of the night before would stay gone.

“I must have hit my head pretty hard. Are you sure I only had one drink?”

“Yeah, I think so,” he held out his hand, “here, you should feed.”

Cate took Jason’s hand and his skin automatically tingled at her touch, their magic hummed and his body burned with desire. Blue static flashed between their palms and his mind instantly went back to that kiss. How good she had felt in his arms and how sweet she tasted.

Colour filled her cheeks and she looked brighter. “Thanks.”

A shrill ringing made them both jump. Cate groaned and swore. “What the hell does Gran want now?”

They both went into the living room, where the crystal ball was flashing brightly. It had to be Seline, or possibly Cate’s father, since they were the only ones who liked to communicate this way. Jason silently cursed too, Seline must have found out about the attack. Nothing ever got past the Grand Mistress. He’d meant to contact her, but had been too worried about Cate.

Cate touched the crystal and a small hologram appeared. “Gran, it’s eight o’clock. We’re not late for work.”

“Good, because you’re not going to work this morning, Catherine. You are taking the day off.”

“What for?”

“To prepare for your ascension, of course!” Seline snapped. “You cannot work, given how unpredictable your powers are.”

Jason silently prayed to any gods that might be listening, that Seline wouldn’t mention the night before.

“But you said I could carry on!” Cate snapped back. “We still have a case to solve.”

“You’re not the only Enforcer in the Tower or Denai in this city, Catherine. Miss Fabre and the team can manage without you for a while, or shall I assign the case to Angela?”

“No fucking way!” The words were out of his mouth before he could stop himself.
Talbot, you are a fucking dead man!

Cate gave him a bright smile and it made impending death seem worthwhile.

“Forgive me, my lady,” he bowed his head. “I only meant that we can manage without any assistance. Cate might need my help, but I’m sure Jade can manage.”

“Yeah, and Jade can always find a partner.”

“Very well, but you must prepare. I expect you to attend the circle tonight.”

Cate rolled her eyes and folded her arms across her chest. “Fine, I’ll meditate and be a good little witch.”

“Talbot, I expect you to be in my chambers within the hour.”

Cate frowned and Jason knew he really was a dead man. “What for?” she asked.

“I’ll be there, my lady.” Jason replied, and the image blinked out.

“Why does she want to see you?”

“Probably to lecture me on how to help you prepare for the ascension. I’d better get moving.”

Jason stood nervously outside the doors of the Grand Mistress’s private chamber. Seline would no doubt have heard that something had happened the night before, and even if she didn’t know very much, she would grill every last detail out of him. The Grand Mistress was not someone you could hide anything from, nor would a wise man dare try if they valued their life and sanity. He had known a few Grand Mistresses in his time, but Seline was by far the scariest one of all. She was pure steel, cold and unyielding. Strange that Cate could be descended from such a woman, but McCrays could be sweet one minute and cold bitches the next.

Jason took a deep breath as he walked in. He’d tell her the truth, of course, but he prayed she wouldn’t find out about the kiss.

Seline sat on her throne-like chair, looking every inch a Queen, but a Grand Mistress was so much more than any monarch could ever be.

Jason bowed low; only a stupid man would dare disrespect this woman. “My lady.”

“I heard about the incident last night. Why was I not informed Catherine was injured?”

“I planned on coming to tell you this morning. Cate is fine, I healed her.”

“She is in transition! Her powers could protect or completely fail her!” Seline slammed a hand down on her throne. “You should have contacted me immediately — it is your duty to…”

“With all due respect, my duty is to take care of Cate and that’s exactly what I did.” He was signing his own death warrant.

“Tell me everything that happened. Everything.”

So he did. He told her everything about being at the club – even the part about Angie – and then how they had left and been attacked. He missed out the part about the kiss and hoped Seline wouldn’t pick up on it. She wanted to know every single detail and could usually tell when someone wasn’t telling the whole story.

The moment he mentioned the price on Cate’s head the lamp on Seline’s desk shattered and her eyes flashed with power.

“Whose was the voice you heard?” Seline demanded, her hands clenched into fists as she tried to regain her composure.

“I swear I don’t know. I couldn’t sense who or what it was.”

“Did Catherine sense anything?”

“She was unconscious and doesn’t remember what happened.”

“Doesn’t she now?” Seline frowned. “Did anything else happen?”

Jason hesitated and she automatically pounced. “What happened, Talbot?”

“Well, she – sort of threw some kind of silver fire from her hand.”

Seline’s eyes widened. “Interesting.”

“I’ve never seen anything like it. Could it be an Ashrali power?”

“That’s not your concern. Is there anything else?” Not his concern? Bollocks! Cate was every bit his concern. Usually, he didn’t lose his temper so easily, but Seline could be one hell of an infuriating woman.

“She bloody well is my concern! It’s my duty to protect her!” he snapped. “If there’s something you’re not telling me…”

“Be careful, Talbot. You might be more powerful than any other elemental, given what you are, but even you aren’t invincible,” she said with a hint of warning in her voice. “I tell you what I think you need to know. You don’t have the right to know everything about my granddaughter.”

“Sorry,” he muttered, fighting to keep control. “I didn’t mean to…”

“Yes, you did, and if it wasn’t for the fact Catherine needs you to help her get through her ascension, I would have you out of my city. You’re a danger to her and everyone around you.”

“I’d
never
let anything happen to her.”

“Yet your presence here has already put her in danger. The Deva attacked last night, you’re just fortunate it was not there for you.”

It was his turn to look surprised. “What? How do you – ?”

“I know everything that goes on within my city.”

“But it must have been there for me. Why else…?” Jason frowned. “Cate? Why would a Deva come after her? I’m the one that’s hunted.”

“There are things about Catherine you do not know.”

“What things?”

“That is not important. Just know the Covenant will stop at nothing to get what they want.”

“Like I said, I won’t let anything happen to her.”

Seline gave a harsh laugh. “Catherine should leave the city, go somewhere she’ll be safe and protected by forces greater than you, but she foolishly chooses to stay here,” she sighed. “I want you to convince her that her ascension is too important.”

“We both know she won’t listen. What’s the harm in her carrying on with work for the time being?”

“The ascension could strike at any time and if the Covenant attacks and injures her, it could easily be triggered.”

“Cate won’t run and hide until she’s ascended. You know that.”

“I will
not
let her die because of her own stubbornness and stupidity. She is far too important. If Raven kills her, you know what the consequences would be.”

“I know and I’ll talk to her, but she’ll want to fight.”

“She can fight once she’s reached full power and has immortality to provide her with some protection.”

“Until then, she has me.”

“After the ascension I want you gone from my city. You have stayed long enough.”

That hit him like a knife to the heart. This was the first real home he’d had in thousands of years. He had a life here, friends, and Cate. Leaving her would be the hardest thing he’d ever had to do. Steve, Ian, and Jade had all welcomed him into their little family – no one had ever done that before – he would miss all of them. But he knew Seline was right, he should have left long ago. Yet part of him couldn’t bear the thought.

“But I’m her Mavis. She needs me.” He had to find a reason to stay.

“After she’s ascended, she’ll be assigned a new one. I already have a few candidates in mind. You knew you were only ever meant to help her through the ascension. A Mavis can be replaced and, whilst you may have done a reasonable job until now, you’re too dangerous and not worth the risk.”

Jason looked away. She was right, but it still hurt. He didn’t know why, but he thought he might have earned some sort of approval in her eyes. What an idiot he was. Neither Seline nor Cate’s father had approved of him being her Mavis, but they needed someone who could give the massive amounts of energy her powers demanded. He’d never be good enough for her. Any kind of relationship between them was impossible, forbidden even.

“Your feelings for her are becoming a real problem, Talbot. Perhaps it’s time I assign Catherine a new Mavis.”

“You said yourself she needs me, and I don’t have feelings for her.”

Seline laughed again. “Don’t be an idiot. We both know you’re in love with her. She’s very beautiful and she relies on you.”

“My feelings aren’t an issue,” he insisted.

“I warned you not to get personally involved. You know you can never be with her. She’s a Denai and half Ashrali, and you are…”

“I know what I am!” Jason snapped. “I haven’t done anything. Nothing has or will happen.” Well, that wasn’t strictly true, given the events of last night.

“Good and you better be sure nothing does happen. Her emotions will be just as heightened as her powers during the transition and being what you are, you attract females easily.”

“Cate is not attracted to me, she never has been. You don’t need to worry.”

“It’s settled then. You will help her to concentrate on her ascension and when it’s over you will be gone.” Seline waved her hand in dismissal.

Jason turned to go, but stopped at the door. “What am I supposed to tell Cate?”

“Nothing. She can’t know your secret…”

“I can’t just leave without saying goodbye to her.”

“I never knew you could be such a sentimental fool. I always thought you cared about nothing and no one. I imagine you would have to be that way, given your lifestyle.”

“I don’t run because I want to, I’ve had to in order to survive,” he said. “I can’t help what I am, I was born this way.”

“I suppose not, but we both know your father’s people will remain hunted and enslaved. Nothing will change that.”

“Nothing lasts forever.”

“You’re deluded. Some things will never change and even if they did, what makes you think you could ever be worthy enough for Catherine?”

“I never said I was worthy and I know damn well I don’t deserve her. But I’ve loved her for longer than she’s been alive. I’d never expect you to understand, given that you banished your daughter so you could mould Cate into your own creation. Too bad she’s a lot like Ceri and won’t bend to your will.”

Seline’s eyes darkened. “How dare you speak to me that way? I am the Grand Mistress and you are nothing more than a slave!”

Jason stormed out before he could say anything else and bury himself even deeper.

Cate sat on her living room floor, trying to meditate. By achieving a sense of calm her powers would remain controllable. At least that was the theory, according to Seline and everyone else who had tutored her over the years. It was hard to focus on being calm when her mind kept going back to work. She had to find the Grand Grimoire and stop Raven before it was too late. Her ascension was what she’d been longing for all her life, but now it was finally about to happen she was scared. Witches could die, if they were not prepared enough. Would her powers kill her?

Over the last few centuries it had become rare, but it could happen. Seline didn’t seem bothered nor did the rest of the coven. They had so much faith in the prophecy and her destiny. She hated it,
that something foretold 10,000 years ago could define every aspect of my life
. But it had been foretold by Denai herself, their mother goddess, who had blessed them with her gifts and founded a new dynasty of witches.

Cate detested being thought of as unique; there was nothing special about her. She sighed, absently rubbing at her birthmark. If she was so exceptional, why had her mother abandoned her?

Ceri had probably grown sick of the obligations of being a Denai and future Grand Mistress and left, dumping all of that responsibility on her daughter instead. One part of her duty Ceri had already fulfilled was providing a female heir to be the next Grand Mistress. Cate had had enough too, she felt suffocated here.

As much as she loved her coven and being a Denai, she was tired of being cooped up in the city and constantly at odds with Seline. There was so much more she could be doing out in the world. Cate wasn’t about to give up her duty, but it didn’t require her to stay in Faliaster.

Denais over the centuries had travelled far and wide, going wherever their services were required. Maybe she’d go spend some time in Elaris with her partner, and finally have a chance to explore some of her Ashrali heritage. Cate had grown to think that side of her was latent or non-existent, but now she wasn’t so sure. She wondered what kind of Ashrali powers might exist inside her and what they would do to her.

Closing her eyes, Cate took a deep breath, feeling a wave of calm wash over her as she let her mind drift, forcing all lingering thoughts away. She felt as if she were floating, as if her body weighed nothing at all. Her senses reached out into the universe, searching for nothing. She felt the familiar hum of the ley lines and their force called to her. She reached for it, feeling warm energy flood through her body. She hit the floor, hard.

“Ow! What the hell?” she cried.

Had she really been levitating? Maybe the sensation of floating hadn’t been just a feeling after all. So much for relaxing.

Feeling a renewed sense of vitality, she decided a quick workout was in order before reading a few of the ancient tomes Seline had insisted she study. It was an important part of preparing for the ascension. She would have to know what to do when the time came. Seline said the experiences of her ancestors would give her an idea of what to expect.

Running to her bedroom, Cate changed into a crop top and jogging trousers. As she was trying to tame her wild hair, her mind flashed back to the night before. She had lied to Jason earlier; she did remember everything that had happened. Goddess, Jason had kissed her and she kissed him back. What had she been thinking? It was Jason. They didn’t do that, no matter what people seemed to think.

She had decided it was best to just feign memory loss and pretend like nothing had happened. He seemed to want that too, since he hadn’t brought it up.

The alcohol had gone to her head, messed up her body, and made her do something she never thought she’d do. Not that she hadn’t fantasised about it. It was that weird dream; they had been drunk and done something stupid. Thank the goddess it hadn’t progressed any further and damaged their relationship beyond repair. It was the transition, it had to be. Her emotions were heightened and she was feeling some kind of insane attraction to her best friend.

You can’t be with him,
she told herself.
He’s not interested and you’re a mess.

Not that she hadn’t been attracted to him before. Who wouldn’t be? Jason practically oozed sex and power. She understood perfectly why men and women drooled over him wherever they went. But he’d made it clear they were strictly friends and that was fine by her. Yet now she had an intense ache inside her. Jade was right, she really did need some male company.