Indigo Spell (38 page)

Chapter Fourteen

The night winds called to her, whispering her name in the darkness. Tess left the bed silently, her footsteps soft against the carpet. In a matter of seconds, she’d dressed. The whispers grew louder, drawing her to places beyond the safety of the citadel. She didn’t try to resist the urge even though she knew the witches were summoning her. Her powers would be ineffectual against the strength behind the Coven. And the spell had been cast. It ensnared her, washed over her. She had no choice but to follow.

Her body shimmered in the gray mist outside the window, flowed across the skies and into realms unknown. As she materialized into the glowing light surrounding the tower, Tess looked up, drew her coat closer around her and waited silently. The minutes ticked by and still she waited, keeping her eyes trained on the window of the tower.

Lightning flashed, sparking the ground at her feet but she didn’t move. Thunder rumbled in the distance and on the strike of the next bolt, Athena swept down to the ground, her eyes glowing, teeth gleaming in the darkness. “Tess, how nice of you to join us. But there’s no need for you to stand out here in the storm. Please come in.”

Tess gave her captor a disdainful glance before sweeping past her to enter the tower. “Why have you brought me here?”

“I see spending time with the wizards has allowed you to forget your manners.” The witch floated up the steps leading to the main chamber. Her long, black hair swept out behind her, creating a curtain of silk. Beneath the white linen dress she wore, her shapely body moved with perfect seduction. Her every movement was a complement to her power.

“Extending courtesy to you would be an acceptance of your intrusion upon my life.”

The tart words made Athena’s eyebrows lower for a second before she relaxed. “No matter then. We have much to discuss.”

“I have nothing to say to you.” Her feet slapped against the concrete as Tess climbed, the power of the spell still guiding her. Doubting her own abilities against the powerful witch behind her, she placed one hand against her stomach to quell the tide of nausea.

“Fine then. You can listen while I talk. After all, you’re going to be here for quite some time. I do want you to be comfortable. In fact please make yourself at home.”

Tess shot a glance over her shoulder as she reached the top step. “No, thanks. I won’t be staying.”

Athena reached around Tess’ waist and turned the porcelain knob on the oak door. It creaked open before bumping against the wall. The musty smell of old papers combined with the odor of incense and the nausea in Tess’ stomach intensified.

Athena laughed, a perfectly musical sound. “I can assure you, the spell is quite strong. Not easily broken.”

“Neither is my husband’s will. He will want me back and he will get me back. I pity the person who tries to stand in his way.” Tess’ voice carried the warning to the witch’s ears but Athena didn’t seem concerned. “But then I would imagine you would know all about what my husband is capable of.”

“That’s true. Jaxon and I have been battling it out for years. And we’re both still alive and well. He has tasted my powers and he no longer considers me a weak adversary. He made that mistake before.” She swept a hand straight ahead. “Please. As you can see, there is no danger awaiting you. This is one of my favorite places in our tower. From here, I can see the world below and even catch a glimpse of Mystique when the clouds move.”

Tess didn’t allow the witch’s words to relax her. She glided past her and into the chamber. “You said Jaxon made a mistake before. Was that when I stabbed your sister witch?” She ran her hands along the concrete wall, touching the glass globes holding books of ancient spells. Behind her, Athena’s anger was almost palpable. She’d struck a nerve. “Oh, I’m sorry. I do hope she wasn’t in too much pain.”
That’s it, Tess. Stay calm. Don’t let her see your fear.

Athena bared her teeth in a poor semblance of a smile. With just a nod of her head, she dragged a chair from the darkened corner of the room. “Sit down. My sisters are otherwise occupied or they would have been here to greet you as well.”

Tess ignored the chair and allowed the mystical calm she’d gleaned from the Serenity Chamber to encompass her soul. It kept her unruffled in the face of danger. The spell she carried with her demanded complete tranquility. To attempt to use the power behind the spell otherwise could endanger her life. “Really? I should think you would not be so eager to meet my husband again. Wasn’t Arista your sister?” She shook her head, a perfect imitation of compassion. “I can only imagine the pain you’re going through. I was an only child but to lose a sister, well, even the thought is horrible.”

Athena’s jaw clenched and Tess heard a sound, like a slow hiss. Another strike. “One would think you wouldn’t be so smug considering where you are.” The witch strolled around the room, her hips rolling with each step.

“Do you think the wizards hadn’t anticipated you would make such a move?”

The question gave Athena pause before she gave her captive a pitying smile. “Oh, I believe I still have a few things up my sleeve of which you are not aware.” She waved a hand toward the chair and this time Tess had no choice but to sit.

Athena stooped and leaned in closer, her eyes gleaming. “And since you are so sure your husband and his,” she waved a hand in apparent disregard, “family will join us soon I’ll just save the little announcement until their arrival.”

“I doubt anything you say will interest him.”

“You think not?” Athena straightened and circled the room. “You don’t think he’ll be surprised to learn of your pregnancy here?” As Tess gasped, the witch continued, “Yes, my dear, you are pregnant and my sisters and I have effectively protected that information. Your husband knows nothing about this but I’ll make sure to tell him once he arrives…if he arrives in time.”

Tess couldn’t think.
Pregnant?
No, it was impossible. She would know. Jaxon would know. He knew everything, didn’t he? He’d known the hurricane was coming. He had to know this. Panicking, she grasped her hands together in her lap and swallowed several times.

A chilling laugh rent the air. “I can see I’ve rendered you speechless.” The dress swished around her ankles as she twirled around the room. “Poor Jaxon will learn of his baby’s impending arrival just as I bind the child to me.”

Protective hands covering her belly, Tess tried to stand but her legs refused to obey her. “Even if I believed you, I would never let you take my child away from me.”

Athena smiled. “You don’t have any choice, love. Do allow me to explain. The child you carry will only know me as its mother. That has already been assured. Once the baby grows inside your womb, it will strive for unity with its new family. As the months pass, you will begin to feel the loss. Your placenta will tear away from the wall of your body. The pain will be excruciating and death won’t come quickly.” She straightened and sailed around the room. “But once it does, I shall have a new child and providing he shall survive, Jaxon will have a dead wife to bury.”

From neck to spine, shivers raked Tess’ body. The self-talk wasn’t working. Fear had taken root but she still managed to reply in a semi-normal voice. “It won’t work. Jaxon knows of your plan.”

“I doubt that.”

Remain calm.
The refrain beat inside her head like a bass drum. Time to pull out another ace. “Have you ever faced Jaxon one-on-one? I mean since he has gained full use of his powers. I’ve heard you faced him a few years back and lost that battle. He wasn’t quite as strong then as he is now. Do you have any idea what he’s going to do to you?”

Athena continued to smile while leaning one hip against the wall. “I’m not concerned about your husband. Braeden will never let him hurt me.”

Tess considered the information, played it around in her mind before she spoke. “It must be difficult to be in love with a wizard—the one person you can never have.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t I? I saw your eyes when you mentioned his name. They were practically glowing.”

“That’s only my magic you see. What I allow you to see.” Athena bit out the words, proving Tess had hit a sore spot.

“I don’t believe you. You’re in love with Jaxon’s brother.” Tess scooted to the edge of the chair and leaned forward. “And he’s in love with you. It makes perfect sense now. That’s why Braeden saved you the night Arista was killed. He couldn’t let his brother kill the woman he loves. Under ordinary circumstances, I guess you could call it romantic but I don’t think Jaxon will see it that way.”

Athena’s face shuttered. “I’ve heard enough of this drivel. You must sleep. Dawn will be upon us soon and that will be a very special time for all of us.”

Tess rubbed her abdomen. Though she wasn’t sure she believed Athena’s declaration, she wasn’t taking any chances in the event she was pregnant. She managed to stand and walked to the window overlooking the valley, ignoring the witch’s pointed finger. “I’m not tired and I have no intention of closing my eyes when you’re in the same universe, much less when you’re in the same room.”

Athena swirled forward and planted herself at Tess’ side. “I must say you are an amazing actress. As much as you’d like me to think my words didn’t frighten you, I see the fear in your eyes. You’re wondering exactly what is going to happen at dawn, aren’t you?”

“I’m wondering what this place is going to look like when Jaxon gets done with it…and your sisters.”

Lips thinning, the witch dug her fingers into Tess’ arm. “That doesn’t matter. All that matters now is what the life inside of you will do for the Coven.”

“Jaxon will be here before dawn.” Did her voice sound as shaky as she felt?

“And what makes you so sure he’ll wait that long?”

“Because he’ll wait for the right time.” Tess had the pleasure of seeing a flicker of fear in the witch’s eyes.

“Jaxon had no knowledge of my drawing spell. More than likely, he isn’t even aware of your departure.”

Tess peeled Athena’s hand away from her bare arm, shivering at the coldness of the witch’s fingers. “I wouldn’t bet on that. Incidentally, in case you’re not aware of this, the wizards have killed from a distance, you know. Even now you could be in harm’s way.”

Athena took a step back, uttered a quick command and shuttered the window. “Sleep now. You’re in for a long day tomorrow.”

“I’m sure we both are.”

* * * * *

Jaxon’s eyes flew open. His heart slammed against his chest and he catapulted from the bed, fully clothed with a sweep of his hand. Rage wrestled with mind-numbing fear as he projected himself into the main Assembly room. His voice was a loud roar when he summoned the others.

“Athena has taken Tess.”

The wizards wasted no time in arriving. In seconds, the room filled. Charlemaine went to her son instantly, placing her arms around him. “I’m so sorry.”

He held her at arm’s length. Sympathy would make him crumble. He needed strength now more than ever. Dropping his hands, he drew in a deep, steadying breath. Knowledge punched him in the stomach and he lifted his gaze, sweeping it around the room at his family. “My God.”

Falcon stepped forward. “What is it?”

“Tess is pregnant.” Jaxon shook his head almost violently. “This is impossible. Athena couldn’t have prevented me from knowing that.”

Silence fell for a brief moment before Falcon responded. “There is one spell but it would be almost impossible for a witch to obtain all the necessary ingredients she would need.”

“We’re talking about Athena here,” Rane shouldered his way forward to take a protective stance beside his brother.

Charlemaine gasped. “If Athena has access to that spell, she’ll be—”