Magick Marked (The DarqRealm Series) (39 page)

“Sworn in blood and by our oath, our bond shall never sink. We call now on prior ties, our pledge of flesh in ink.”

Her palm tingled as the magick began to circle, traveling slowly through their hands from one person to the next. The light intensified with each pass and Rho drew a sharp breath.

“For what was once an act of force is now an act of choice. An alliance from within our souls is now given a voice.”

The ley line fire swirled faster. A tornado of energy flared around them as it gained momentum, the four of them somehow in the eye of the storm. Eldon’s eyes were still closed, brows drawn in deep concentration. Preshea and Tim both stared upwards in shock.

“Alone as four and four alone, but now a tie is bound.”

The air around them crackled with power, the tingling at her hand growing into a burning blaze. She bent forward, trying to resist the urge to pull her hand away from the source of the torture. They couldn’t let go now. Not when they were so close.

“Only by the bond of four may gifts herein be found.”

Power exploded through the air, knocking Rho onto her back. The energy dissipated instantly, somehow imploding on itself. Neither of her hands touched… anybody. A groan sounded to her right and she turned her head to find Tim, flat on his back, a mirror image of herself.

At least this time she didn’t hurt.

“Eldon?” She propped herself up and glanced to her left.

Eldon sat cross-legged in his spot, grinning from ear to ear. “It worked.”

Her attention shot to the center of the circle. The Kamens were gone. “Where did they go?”

Preshea pushed herself upright and Tim followed her example.

Eldon pointed to the picture frame on the wall they’d opened earlier, now exactly as they’d found it. “They’re back in a safe spot.”

“Why does magick always make me fall on my ass?” Preshea grumbled as she rubbed a shoulder.

Tim frowned. “They’re in the safe?”

“Yes.” Eldon lifted a brow. “Only now we’ve bound ourselves to them and each other. No one can retrieve them alone, and no one can retrieve them without us.” He extended a hand and pulled Rho to her feet.

“Smart.” Rho stared at the wall, trying to imagine the stones hiding just behind it.

Preshea rubbed her stomach with a hand. “Is that it? Are we done now? Because I’m starving.”

Eldon laughed as he pushed himself to his feet and extended a hand to Rho. “That’s it. Until we find the next one.”

Rho grabbed his hand and rose to her feet. “And then we get to go through all that again?”

“Every time,” Eldon answered.

Tim rose and stepped over to the frame. “So
that’s
where we’ll keep them?”

Eldon nodded. “Safest place in the house, especially now.”

“Great, more magick. Super cool.” Preshea stood in the doorway as if she were ready to bolt for the kitchen. “Can we eat now?”

“Go.” Eldon waved a hand. “Adelle’s probably ready for you.”

Preshea took off down the hall, and Tim followed, leaving Eldon and Rho alone in front of the painting.

Rho stared up at it in wonder. “You know, your tricks never fail to amaze me.”

Eldon stood alongside her. “You’ll probably be able to do that someday. If you practice.”

She hadn’t really thought about that. If she truly was a Siphon, he could be right. Although the idea of wielding magick the way Eldon did made her stomach clench. She couldn’t imagine having that kind of power.

And she didn’t want to think about that. Not right now. “I thought you promised me a coffee.”

His eyes narrowed as if he knew she was trying to change the subject, but he answered her anyway. “I did promise that, didn’t I?”

“You did.”

“Then we’d better go so I can hold up my end of the deal.”

She smiled and followed him into the kitchen without another word. Preshea sat at the table, her sister to her right.

“Hi, Vectra,” Rho said, extending her hand. “I’m Rho.”

The girl shook her hand gently and spoke in a soft voice. “Nice to meet you.” The girl seemed a little jumpy, wriggling nervously in her chair. Rho couldn’t blame her. She’d been kidnapped by someone she trusted and watched her sister get hit with fae magick. That was enough to set anyone on edge. Eldon pulled out a chair and Rho took it, settling in between Vectra and Tim.

“So, are you feeling sick yet?” Tim asked, eyeing the death mark on Rho’s forearm.

Rho shrugged a shoulder. “So far, so good. I’d be better if I didn’t have a fae queen to worry about, but you know. Such is life.”

“What?” Tim’s mouth turned down as his brow lifted.

The weight of Eldon’s palm rested on Rho’s shoulder. “Rhyannon has accused Rho of theft. She claims her Kamen was stolen.”

“That’s bullcrap,” Tim said.

“Well, it’s a little true.” Rho shrugged. “We did end up with the fae Kamen, and there’s no way I’m giving it back. What I can’t understand is why she wanted them all to begin with.”

Eldon squeezed her shoulder. “I’m not sure, but I plan on doing some research in our family archives.”

Jess peered out from behind a kitchen cabinet. “And I’m searching for a counter spell to that death mark.” Adelle emerged behind her, but remained quiet.

“But I’m not sick,” Rho said.

“Yet.” Jess’s brows knotted as she bit her lip.

“We won’t risk you.” Eldon pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “From now on, someone will be with you at all times. We need to make sure the death mark doesn’t carry any negative side effects.”

Rho snorted as she glanced up at him from where she sat. “What, you mean other than death?”

“That’s not funny.” Eldon’s grave expression made her hold back further snide commentary. “And I’ve volunteered myself for sentry duty, so you’re stuck with me.”

“Imagine that,” Rho muttered. Now that they were… something, he’d want to watch over her twenty-four seven. “Who made that decision?”

“Me,” Eldon answered quickly. “And the team.”

Rho inspected the faces of her teammates. “All of you?”

“You’re a member of the team. We need you.” Tim’s watchful eye made her a little uncomfortable, like he was waiting for her to burst into flames.

“Yeah, you’re not all bad.” Preshea’s smile was devious, as if she’d been granted special permission to annoy the hell out of her.

Rho glanced up at Eldon again. “You coordinated this, didn’t you?”

“Of course I did.” The smile that touched his lips was both sweet and cunning. Clearly he was proud of arranging for her protection and well aware she’d hate it. But even if she was a little annoyed about being watched over, she couldn’t fault him for caring.

“Fine.” She heaved a loud sigh. “I agree to be babysat.”

Chatter took over the kitchen table as Jess brought out a heaping pile of spaghetti. Adelle set a stack of plates on the table before disappearing back into the kitchen.

Rho pulled her mug of coffee to her lips as she watched them all dig in. Staring out the window, she noted the changing sky. She only had a few more minutes until the daylight would zap her strength, but she wanted to stay in this moment a little longer.

Eldon was alive. Vectra had been found. And they had two Kamens locked away safely in a magickal vault that only the team—together—could open. She still didn’t quite understand what she was, how to channel the power she had, or how the death mark would affect her, but they were all here, in one piece.

At least until they started hunting the next Kamen. Which she had a feeling would be very, very soon.

He pulled the glass door open for me. “Date?”

“Yeah. Yesterday I heard you tell a client you weren’t available this afternoon because you had a date. I assumed that’s what this was about.” I waved my hand up and down, indicating the change in his wardrobe choice.

He laughed. “I was talking about you, Willow.”

“Oh.” I smirked. “Sorry excuse for a date. Is dropping your best friend’s sister off at the airport the best you can come up with? Maybe you need lessons. Remind me the next time I come home to set you straight on what a normal twenty-four-year-old would consider dating.”

“Ha! Look who’s talking. You didn’t even so much as look at any other dudes this summer, let alone go out with one. Pathetic, really. No, thanks, I’ll get my lessons elsewhere.”

His words hit a sore spot in the middle of my chest, and I was grateful we’d reached the ticket counter so I wouldn’t have to continue our regular banter. David, my ex back in New Orleans, had dumped me right before I’d left my store, The Fated Cupcake, in the hands of my trusted assistant so I could run my mom’s shop while she recovered from an accident. Other than missing New Orleans; my dog, Link; my shop; and my best friend, Phoebe; it had been fun and distracting hanging out with Talisen nearly every day.

David had become a distant memory. Almost.

I paid the extra fee to check my bag and met Talisen near the security gate.

He held his arms out and sent me a rueful smile.

I tilted my head and eyed him suspiciously. “You don’t expect me to fall for that do you?”

His smile widened. “Get over here.”

Wrapping my arms around his waist, I buried my head in his shoulder. “Thank you for this summer,” I whispered.

He placed one of his large hands on my head and gently stroked my hair. “There’s nothing to thank me for.”

Hot tears burned the back of my eyes. I squeezed them shut, forcing the emotion down. “Beau…” My breath caught on a silent sob.

“It’s all right, Wil. He’s been with us. He’s with us every day.” Talisen squeezed me harder, and I knew we were both picturing my brother on that fateful day four years ago. He’d been smiling and laughing only a few hours before we’d found him lifeless in my mother’s lavender fields.

I pulled back and nodded.

Talisen eased his grip but didn’t let go. His deep green eyes bored into mine. “Don’t stay away so long this time.”

“I already promised Mom I’d be back for Christmas.”

“Good.” He laced his fingers around a lock of my hair. “Your hair looks nice lightened by the sun.”

Warmth spread to my belly. All the time spent outside this summer had left streaks of gold in my wavy mane. “I’ll get highlights for December.”

“Don’t. Natural’s better.” Faeries didn’t usually mess with chemicals. And I wouldn’t either. But there were natural hair dyes. Still, Tal knew the one quality I really loved about myself was my long, slightly curly auburn hair. “Text me as soon as you get there.”