Chapter 3

Chapter

Three

I'd survived a mansion falling on my head, only to have a ninety-page indictment land on me next.

Honestly, given the choice, I would have preferred another mansion collapse.

The charges named Sean and me specifically, as well as our pack and the Were Ruling Council to boot. The indictments alleged Sean and I and our pack had aided and abetted Valas, the now-deposed and deceased former head of the Vampire Court, during and after the coup staged by Charles Vaughan.

Charles demanded our pack and the Were Council pay restitution to the Court for our alleged misdeeds. On top of that, the charges required that Sean and I stand trial by tribunal at the Vampire Court. If found guilty, we could face up to twenty years in prison. Charles also demanded we turn Matthias over to the Court, describing him as "stolen property."

News from Northbourne Manor, longtime headquarters of the Vampire Court of the Western United States, had been difficult to come by since the night of the coup. What little we'd heard indicated Charles had focused on asserting his authority over his new territory. I would have thought he had more important issues to deal with than targeting us for prosecution, but apparently not.

I sat on the front porch steps to skim the nearly two-inch stack of documents while Malcolm read over my shoulder and Sean dealt with our angry pack. Rage made my hands shake so badly that every so often I had to put the pages down and take deep breaths. Not that I could focus very well anyway with my thoughts tumbling over each other like socks in the dryer. A trial…prison… losing Matthias …

As I read more, I veered wildly between numbness and the wild impulse to head straight to Northbourne to tell Charles to his face what he could do with these charges. Only the knowledge I'd never get through all the wards and guards protecting him kept me from doing just that.

About thirty minutes after the Vampire Court convoy departed, Carly Reese, owner of my favorite coffee shop and High Priestess of the Emerald Star coven, arrived at our house with her youngest coven member riding shotgun. They found the remains of a party, twenty furious werewolves, and one mage who wanted to burn down Vamp Court HQ and salt the ashes.

The petite High Priestess was about half the size of most of the werewolves standing in the front yard, but they cleared a path for her immediately. Even in jeans and a T-shirt that read Witch and Famous , with her shoulder-length curly hair in a ponytail, Carly's authority and power were unmistakable.

Taller and curvier than Carly, witch Katy Clark had already seen far more nightmares than most people encounter in their lifetimes. At sixteen, she'd fled the black magic coven run by her mother and grandmother and taken refuge with Carly, who'd welcomed into her into her coven, given her a job at the coffee shop, and guided her through the journey of becoming what Katy described as "a good-ish dark gray witch."

Now eighteen, Katy had her own apartment and earned a promotion to assistant manager at the shop. Along with lifelong struggles against using dark magic for good reasons, she and I had something else in common: family drama in spades. Katy's estranged mother Morgan Clark, a black witch, happened to be Charles Vaughan's consort, and her grandmother was Bridget Clark, High Priestess of the Silver Thorn Coven, who'd backed his coup.

"Thank you for coming," Sean said as Carly and Katy approached the front steps, duffel bags in hand.

"Hey, everybody." Katy flipped one of her long pink braids over her shoulder and tugged the hem of her frayed punk band T-shirt. Even someone as tough as her fidgeted under the gazes of twenty werewolves.

"I apologize for the welcoming committee." Sean scrubbed his face with his hands. "We've just had some unpleasant visitors."

"So I gathered. I'll get the story later. Hi, Alice." Carly studied me. "Well, I don't see anything right off the bat that makes me worry, but we'll take a closer look." She shooed me toward the front door. "Come on. We're going to your workshop."

I squeezed Sean's hand as I passed. He squeezed back and held on for an extra beat. I wanted to be out here with him and the rest of our pack, but my well-being was more important to him than just about anything else. So I followed Carly and Katy inside and left my copy of the Court documents on the kitchen island while we went downstairs.

Our small basement served as a magic workshop for Malcolm and me. I'd inlaid three concentric circles on the floor and lined up warded storage cabinets along one wall. There was just enough room for a narrow work table along an adjoining wall and space to walk around. It felt cramped sometimes, especially compared to my previous home's basement workshop, but I made do because the house was perfect for us and we were lucky to find a house with a basement at all.

As Carly and Katy unpacked, I told them about the visit from Charles's enforcers and the indictment. Carly's expression indicated Charles should be glad she wasn't a black witch anymore. For her part, Katy called the vamps some bad names that made me chuckle despite the grim situation.

"I'm so sorry, Alice." Carly stopped setting up their altar to give me a long hug. She smelled like incense and spices. Had she been baking? Maybe she'd used cinnamon—and was that nutmeg?—in her rituals. Either way, I suddenly yearned for one of her signature blueberry scones.

And because she knew me so well, she handed me a paper bag with two scones still warm from the oven. "Take two scones and call me in the morning," she said with a smile as she went back to setting up her altar in the smallest inlaid circle.

I sat on the work table with my legs dangling and ate while they worked. Maybe Carly somehow baked magic into her scones because the tension always eased from my shoulders and my steps felt lighter after eating one.

When they finished their preparations, I kicked off my shoes and put them under the work table next to Carly's sneakers and Katy's combat boots before joining the witches in front of their altar.

Carly began with a short prayer. "I ask the Universal Energies to open our third eyes that we might see everything positive or negative inside and outside Alice's body. We ask Hecate to surround Alice, Katrina, and myself with your protection. As I will this for us, so it must be."

With a beautiful athame in her right hand, Carly invoked the circle by walking around its perimeter three times. "I cast this circle in love and trust," she murmured. The scent of parchment and cinnamon grew stronger. "I cast this circle with the elements of Air, Water, Fire, and Earth. I cast this circle with protection to keep out anyone or anything that may cause harm to us."

Together, in the center of the circle, we closed our eyes and breathed deeply to clear our minds and prepare for the work ahead. One by one, with each exhale, I let go of my troubled thoughts. My heart rate slowed. My shoulders relaxed. My jaw no longer ached.

As I breathed, Carly and Katy walked around me, chanting, the words indistinct. Some kind of sweet smoke swirled around us and filled my nose. The last of the tension in my shoulders eased away, leaving me peaceful. If only I could bottle this feeling.

Carly murmured, "Open your eyes, Alice."

My heavy eyelids resisted obeying, but I did as she'd asked. The air wavered around me, smelling and tasting of smoke and parchment.

Beginning at the top of my head, Carly and Katy passed their hands over me from about a foot away. They moved slowly with palms outstretched, first along my front, then my sides, and finally my back.

Time felt hazy too inside the circle. I might have been standing for five minutes or an hour—I really could not tell for sure.

When Carly rested her hand on top of my head and murmured something that sounded like a blessing, my awareness bobbed to the surface as if I were waking up after a particularly fantastic and rejuvenating nap.

I stretched, rolled my neck and shoulders, and opened my eyes. Apparently I'd closed them at some point.

While I got my bearings, Carly walked around the circle three times counter-clockwise, murmuring her thanks. "I open this circle with our thanks to the elements. Thank you, universe, for opening my third eye, and to Hecate for protecting us."

"You're both magical," I told Carly as Katy packed up their altar. The magic and scent of parchment that had surrounded us during the examination lingered in the air, soothing me even as thoughts of Charles and his damned indictments threatened to make me furious again. "No chance you could bottle this calming magic so I could sniff it when I feel like losing my shit?"

"Sometimes you need to feel what you feel," Carly said with a kind smile. "Even if it means you lose your shit."

I snorted. "You should put that on a coffee mug. I'd buy it. I take it by how calm you both are that neither of you found anything on me? "

"We didn't," Katy confirmed. "No hexes or black magic or anything else."

Maybe I just need a good night's sleep after all , I thought. "I'm sorry for calling you out in the middle of the night."

"Don't apologize. You had every right to be worried. We're happy to be here when you need us." Carly handed me a small round amulet that smelled like cinnamon. That explained the scent I'd noticed earlier. "As you know, our world contains more kinds of magic than there are grains of sand on a beach. So keep this close to you, just in case there's something going on Katy and I can't see yet."

Darn. That added a big asterisk to Katy's pronouncement that I was hex-free. But Carly was right—some kinds of magic were beyond their sight. I'd just have to keep an eye out for any more episodes of weirdness.

Well, out-of-the-ordinary weirdness. I had yet to have one day of my life without some kind of weirdness.

"Thank you." I pocketed the amulet, picked up my shoes, and followed her barefoot up the stairs with Katy behind us carrying their bags. "Sean will be relieved."

"Given everything you've been through, I don't blame him for fretting if you faint." She opened the basement door, paused for a beat, and said, "Hello."

I peered around her and spotted Matthias standing near the door. He still wore the shirt and slacks he'd donned for the ceremony. I hadn't known they made off-the-rack men's casual dress clothes in that size. Imagine the look on the clerk's face when Matthias walked into the local big-and-tall men's store asking about clothes for a backyard wedding.

Matthias had left the Court with nothing, not even the clothes on his back. He'd shifted for the first time wearing his enforcer uniform and clothing disintegrated during shifting because of the magic. I'd escaped from my grandfather with nothing but singed clothes and a photo I'd stuck in my back pocket. There was something about the fact that Matthias had joined us naked and vulnerable that got me right in the gut.

"I'm Carly Reese. Friend of the pack and witch extraordinaire." Carly emerged from the stairway and offered her hand. "I don't think we've met."

To my surprise, Matthias took her hand and bowed over it. "I know of you, High Priestess. It's an honor to meet you." He released her hand and turned to me. "Most of the pack has left. Sean and Ben are out back. They asked if you could join them if you feel up to it."

"Okay." I gave Carly another hug just for good measure. "Thanks again. You want me to walk you out to your car?"

"I would be honored to escort you both," Matthias said, surprising me again. "If Ms. Reese agrees."

"Call me Carly." She smiled at him. "Please."

I knew that look. She'd spotted a man who was hurting. Maybe it was good luck that he'd been nearby when we came out of the basement. On the other hand, Carly would have told me it was no accident that they'd crossed paths. She didn't believe in coincidences.

While Matthias accompanied Carly and Katy to the car, I found Sean and Ben on the deck drinking beers. The pack had been busy while we were in the basement. The only signs a wedding and party had taken place in our backyard hours earlier were the arbor and string lights. Everything else had been packed up and put away.

I declined a bottle of beer and settled in next to Sean on the loveseat. "They say as far as they can tell, I'm fine," I said in response to their unspoken question. "Carly gave me an amulet just in case, though."

"You were down there a long time." Sean nuzzled my hair. "But we figured if there was something wrong she would have come and told us."

"I'm sure she would have." I rested my head on his shoulder and breathed in his forest scent. "Carly also met Matthias. He's walking her to her car."

"Good." Sean moved restlessly, even with me at his side. His wolf must be howling in rage. "I've requested a meeting tomorrow with attorney Aaron Riddell about the indictment. I'd like you there as well, Ben."

"No problem." Ben took a long drink from his beer and shook his head. "What a load of bullshit this is."

I could not agree more. "What about Nan and Daniel?" I asked.

"I called Nan," Sean said. "They wanted to come back, but I told them to go on. We can always ask them to return if we need them to. Right now, I don't think it's warranted. This is a legal process. Nothing happens overnight."

"I cannot believe this is happening to us. Damn Charles and the Court all to hell." I rubbed my temples. When I looked up, both men were watching me like hawks. "I'm fine," I said crossly. "I'm just tired."

"Let's get to bed then." Sean rose and drew me to my feet. We said our goodnights to Ben, who walked around the house to the front where he'd parked his vehicle.

I gave our dog Rogue a treat, which he brought upstairs to his bed by the windows in our bedroom. Baby Daisy was still sound asleep on the bed. Sweet girl. That pup could sleep through anything when she was worn out. When I kissed her head, she didn't even stir.

Meanwhile, Matthias was nowhere to be seen. He might be outside keeping an eye out for uninvited guests. Esme had vanished too. She must be hunting. We'd installed a modified cat door in the window of the workout room so she could come and go as she pleased.

Sean and I changed into pajamas and curled up together under the covers. We'd left the indictments in our office downstairs, but they haunted my thoughts like specters floating at the end of the bed.

"What are we going to do?" I murmured sleepily, my head nestled against his chest. "Charles is out for our blood. So to speak."

"I don't think there's any ‘so to speak' about it." Sean growled. "What I want to know is, what does he have to gain by doing this? He can't be willing to go to war with the Were Ruling Council and our pack over Matthias and some trumped-up, baseless charges. Not to belittle Matthias, but he's a human. When have you ever heard of the Court risking so much over one human?" After a beat, he added quietly, "Other than you."

My stomach clenched. "You don't think this is about me, do you?"

"I don't know. I don't have any reason to think so yet, but Charles never does anything without ulterior motives. And he's never hidden the fact he wants you." He kissed me. "We need to figure out what he really wants. This can't just be about Matthias. That doesn't make sense to me."

"Or to me." I wriggled closer to Sean and closed my eyes. Charles, you scheming, no-good, fangy son of a bitch . What are you up to this time?

Sean wrapped me in his warmth and comfort, nuzzled the back of my neck, and slid his hand under my tank top to hold me with his bare arm over my tummy.

He wouldn't be able to fall asleep until I did. Well, his wolf wouldn't fall asleep until I did, which amounted to the same thing. So for my sake and his, I focused on breathing in his forest scent and exhaling my tension one breath at a time.

Tonight, we had nothing but questions.

Starting tomorrow, we'd track down the answers.

I am running for my life.

The tunnel yawns in front of me, pitch black and stinking of stagnant water and human waste. I see nothing but darkness. Only by keeping one hand on the slimy stone wall can I find my way forward. Any light would alert my pursuers to my location, so I run without it.

I could flee faster if not for the heavy burden I carry around my neck in a sling, but I cannot leave it behind. Its contents are precious—not just to me, but to the world .

I have to escape. I have to live. What other choice do I have?

Even this far underground, I know everything above is burning. That will be me if I am caught. I will burn brighter than the brightest star, but I will burn. My child will burn.

I hold him close to my breast as I run, praying he will stay asleep. The medicine I gave him will keep him quiet, but for how long?

Not long, not long enough , the monster sings mockingly in my mind. He will wake and begin to cry. He will tell them where you are. Leave him for the fire if you want to live.

Now his voice is all around me, booming so loudly I think they will hear him in the streets above: Did you really think you could take him and run? Stupid girl. Stupid, witless, ignorant girl.

I scream and lash out, but my magic and power find nothing to burn. He is not here in the tunnel with me. I am alone here with my child.

No, not alone. Footsteps ring out behind me, pounding on the wet stone. They are closing in. I will not make it to the end of the tunnel and escape. They will catch me, and my child and I will burn.

I spin to face my pursuers. Fire erupts from my hands. My child whimpers against my breast but does not cry.

"You will not take him!" I scream, and unleash the fires of Hell…

Someone crashed into me and pinned me flat, smothering me with their weight. I lashed out again. My fist connected with a jaw in the darkness.

My attacker cursed and grabbed my hands so tightly that I couldn't move. " Alice! " he shouted. "Alice, stop!"

I came awake all at once with a scream, like I was shot from a cannon out of sleep into the waking world. When I opened my eyes, I found Sean's glowing golden gaze inches from my own. He'd used his body weight to hold me still. His shirt smelled singed. My hands, immobilized in Sean's grip, tingled with magic.

We stared at each other. My chest heaved as I gasped for air and my skin felt clammy.

"Alice." He released one of my wrists so he could cup my face. "Can you hear me? "

"Y-yes." My voice sounded as shaky as the rest of me. The room spun on a wild axis.

"You're hyperventilating," he said. "Breathe slowly. You had a nightmare. You're all right. I'm here. You're safe."

I tried to slow my breathing so I didn't pass out. It took a long time. Fear gripped my chest as if someone were sitting on it. I hung on to his forearms just to feel something warm, to convince myself I was here in our bedroom and not still running through that horrible, stinking sewer.

When I managed a couple of slow, deep breaths, he freed himself from my grip and ran his hands over my body, probably checking for injuries.

"I'm sorry," I said. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"You got me with a good right hook, but I'll survive." He exhaled and kissed my forehead. "Who was attacking you?"

"I don't know. There was someone…" I shook my head, trying to make sense of it all. "Someone powerful was after me. He called me a stupid girl."

"Your grandfather?" Sean's eyes glowed golden. "You told me he used to call you that."

"I don't know." I couldn't remember the voice anymore. Only the words echoed in my mind.

"Who was he trying to take away that you had to fight to protect?" he persisted. "You shouted You will not take him ."

My stomach roiled. "My…son."

Sean froze. "Alice."

Damn it, now he was even more worried. "No, my son in the dream," I clarified. "Not my son."

"How do you know?" His eyes narrowed. "Did you see his face?"

"No, but I'm not psychic or clairvoyant. I don't see the future." I couldn't lie still on my back anymore. I rolled to my side and curled up. Thankfully, he let the subject go, at least for now.

He knew me well enough to understand I didn't want him to hold me right now, so instead of spooning behind me he lay facing me and gently brushed hair back from my face. Only then did I spot red marks on his chin.

I touched them with my fingertips. "What's this?"

"Scratches." He caught my hand in his and kissed my fingers. "You didn't know what you were doing."

Oh, no. "I hit you and I scratched you?"

"You were asleep and dreaming, Miss Magic. I'm fine. In five minutes it'll be healed." Sean rested his head against mine. "I'm just glad I woke you up before you set fire to the bed. Again ."

Despite everything, that made me smile, which was probably why he'd said it. "I've really got to stop doing that, don't I?" I asked, my tone wry.

He kissed me then, a gentle reclaiming that brought me back fully from the nightmare to the safety and warmth of our bed. I grabbed a fistful of his shirt so he knew I claimed him too and nipped his bottom lip with my teeth. My werewolf made that deep rumbly sound in his chest I loved so much.

He cupped my face in his hand so he and his wolf could hold my gaze. A shadow moved in his golden eyes: his wolf, pacing in agitation. "You fainted earlier, and now this. Do you really believe it was just a dream?"

If only I could give him—or myself—assurances. All I had were guesses and gut feelings at the moment.

"I think so." I sighed. "I've been so stressed and anxious, with my first ‘family dinner' with Moses coming up tomorrow and now this Court mess. It got all tangled up in my head and became a bad dream. I'm sorry."

"Please don't apologize." He kissed the tip of my nose. "You want to tell me about the dream?"

I told him what I remembered, which wasn't much. The memory faded like smoke in the wind.

By the time I finished talking, the last of my fear had dissipated. When I yawned, Sean moved behind me and curled around my body, his arm across my stomach to hold me close .

"No more bad dreams tonight," he whispered in my ear. "I forbid it."

"You forbid it, huh?" I chuckled softly. "Is that a new alpha power I didn't know about?"

"Absolutely." He kissed the back of my neck and left his lips against my skin as if he wanted my taste and my scent. "Only the sweetest dreams for my Miss Magic from now on."

"If only it worked that way," I said, or wanted to say. Maybe I'd just thought it. In any case, that was my last thought before sleep swept me away.