Chapter 12

Twelve

"Fools. All of them. They have bested powerful foes in the past, but nothing like me. They have no idea what they're dealing with. Even Perizada, the great and mighty high fae, is clueless. Before all is said and done, they will be on their knees begging for my mercy. Mercy is for the weak." ~Celise

Celise sat in a shadowy corner booth of The Succulent Realm Tavern , watching as fae, elves, warlocks, and other supernatural beings danced to the provocative music. Although it was forbidden to use magic in these neutral establishments, power leaked from the supernaturals, brushing against her skin like electricity. Celise absorbed the energy, storing it like a cistern for later use. The Nushtonia she'd found, the book of the dead, held many secrets, including this handy little ability, allowing her to siphon small amounts of power from other supernaturals. The book was more powerful than she'd ever expected. When the sprite had been searching for it, Celise had done as much research as she could without raising suspicions. But much of the knowledge she sought was contained within the libraries of the fae or djinn, places she couldn't access without attracting unwanted attention. So when she'd finally gotten her hands on the book, much of its amazing power was still unknown to her.

And when Celise discovered she could use the book to absorb dark magic, she began frequenting these seedy supernatural establishments, feeding off the debauchery like a succubus. She'd even gained an audience with the vampire king, allowing the book to absorb his dark, royal blood.

Celise didn't particularly enjoy visiting brothels, but it was necessary for her plan. They were much the same, just with different names. But while the sprite had originally begun coming for the power, she'd found another reason to visit. Celise had met someone while spying, or attempting to spy, on the Colorado pack. She was shocked to find a gypsy healer, considered precious to the Canis lupus , wandering the woods alone, looking lost and forlorn. Celise recognized her from the sprite realm but had never spoken to Jewel Black. She decided not to reveal that she knew who Jewel was.

At first, Celise considered abducting the female, but when Jewel began talking to her dead mother, Celise decided to approach her instead, hoping to understand why she was in the woods, conversing with a woman who couldn't hear her. She thought back to that day, smiling at how easy it had been to convince the strawberry-blonde healer to buy what she was selling.

"Please don't be startled." Celise stepped into the small clearing where the young woman stood. Jewel had been picking flowers and pulling the petals off, all while speaking aloud.

"I knew you were there."

Celise frowned. "How?"

"I could feel your magic."

Celise tilted her head, narrowing her eyes. "What's your name?"

"Jewel Black," the woman answered simply. "What's yours?"

"Celise." She watched for any sign of recognition. Jewel didn't seem to realize she was the rogue sprite on the supernatural most-wanted list.

"It's nice to meet you." Jewel bowed her head slightly before bending down to pick another flower, pulling the petals off as she had done with the others.

Celise leaned back against a large tree, crossing her arms. "What are you, Jewel Black? I can feel your magic, too, but something is off about it."

Jewel glanced up, the sunlight filtering through the trees, making her strawberry-blonde hair glisten. Her pale skin looked like porcelain, and though she was beautiful, she appeared exhausted.

"I'm a gypsy healer," Jewel finally said after a moment's hesitation. "Among other things," she added cryptically.

"Hmm." Celise hummed, examining Jewel as if she were a newly discovered species. "What other things, if you don't mind me asking?"

Jewel paused before speaking. "I have some … witch abilities." Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Celise's eyes widened in surprise. She had heard of gypsy healers with witch powers but didn't know which ones they were.

"I see," Celise said thoughtfully. "And do you use your powers often?"

Jewel shook her head. "Not if I can help it. I don't like the way it makes me feel."

Celise nodded, understanding the sentiment all too well. She had felt the same way when she first started using the Nushtonia . The dark magic had been intoxicating, but it had also been terrifying.

"I understand," Celise said gently. "But sometimes, our powers can be a great help. They can protect us and those we care about."

Jewel's eyes rose, meeting Celise's. "But at what cost?"

Celise frowned, unsure how to answer. She had made her own sacrifices to gain her power, but she wasn't sure if Jewel was ready to hear about them yet. "I don't know. But I know that we don't have to face our struggles alone. We can help each other."

Jewel looked at her, her expression thoughtful. "I don't even know you. How could I possibly trust someone to help me when I have no idea of her motivations?" A V formed on her forehead as she scrutinized Celise.

Celise tipped her head forward just a small amount. "I understand. But I promise, I only want to help."

"What are you? Your magic is familiar, but you're not fae, and from your attire, I'd say you're not an elf, either. What gives you the ability to help me? You don't even know what I need."

Celise considered whether to reveal her identity and decided that if she wanted to earn Jewel's trust, she needed to be honest. Lies made everything harder—keeping them straight, telling more to cover the previous ones—it was exhausting. She'd dealt with it when planning her revenge on Perizada and all those involved in her sisters' deaths. It had been a pain in the ass.

"I'm a sprite. And I possess a very powerful book." She watched Jewel's reaction. "When I found you, you were talking aloud, mentioning your mother." She didn't miss Jewel's slight flinch. "Where is she?"

Jewel glanced at the flower, now petal-less, and dropped it into the small pile of flowers she had destroyed, a mini flower graveyard. "She's dead," Jewel said flatly.

"You don't talk about her much, do you?"

Jewel shook her head.

Celise shifted, turning so only one shoulder rested against the tree. "How did she die?"

"She died protecting me. Why do you want to know?"

Celise detected a hint of wariness in the healer's tone. She lifted a brow and shrugged. "If I'm going to raise your mother from the dead, I need to know if her death was natural. Was it violent or peaceful? The circumstances affect how much power I must use."

Jewel's eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. Her face grew even paler. "No one can raise the dead." Her voice was barely above a whisper, as if she dared not hope.

Celise tilted her head from side to side. "True and false. Not just anyone can raise the dead. You need certain powers … and a certain book that magnifies those powers."

Jewel pursed her lips. "And you have this book?"

Celise nodded. "I do."

"Why should I trust you?"

"You shouldn't." Celise chuckled. "But then again, has anyone else offered to bring your mother back?"

"What do you want in return?"

Smart girl. "A favor, the time and nature of which I'll choose."

Jewel rolled her eyes. "What could I possibly do to help you?"

"You're a gypsy healer, and a witch to boot." Celise motioned to her. "Your magic is as unique as the book I possess."

Jewel continued to watch Celise, likely considering the possibilities and consequences of what Celise was offering and asking in return.

Celise decided to push a little more and appeal to the woman's emotions. "I assume you have a mate?"

Jewel nodded.

"One day, you'll have a child. You'll experience the joy of new life, watching your offspring grow and flourish. But you'll miss out on having your mother there to share in that joy. She could offer you wisdom and support. You've no doubt mourned not just her loss but the loss of everything her death has stolen from you. I can give that back to you."

"What would I need to do for you to perform the magic? The only kind of magic I know that can raise the dead is dark magic." Jewel paused, biting her lip before continuing. "Blood magic."

Celise considered the healer. Jewel was more knowledgeable than she had anticipated. But then, she had witch magic, which meant she'd been exposed to dark magic. Celise's mind began turning as she considered the implications. If Jewel had dark magic inside her, how much more powerful would she be if she accompanied Celise to one of the taverns? She could feel Jewel's power, likely just her healer magic. Jewel probably tried to suppress the dark magic, especially if it made her uncomfortable. Again, Celise decided that lying wasn't the right approach with Jewel. "You're correct. It takes blood magic. But"—she held up a hand—"just because it's blood magic doesn't mean it has to be evil. Not all dark magic is used for sinister reasons."

Jewel looked skeptical.

"Hear me out," Celise insisted. "If we're raising your mother for good reasons—if it's not meant to harm anyone but only to bring you joy, then how can that be evil?"

Jewel pressed her lips together, her brow furrowed. "I suppose it isn't. Not really. Although it goes against the natural order of things."

"That doesn't necessarily mean it's evil," Celise pointed out.

Jewel shrugged. "I guess not."

"We'll need to magnify your power," Celise said carefully. "There are different ways to do that. But the book I have helps me absorb power. If we go to a place where there is dark magic, I can absorb it. If you join me, the dark magic in you will grow." She held up a finger to stop Jewel as she opened her mouth. "And I can siphon it right out of you. You won't be walking around with a bunch of dark magic running through you."

Jewel's mouth closed. She slipped her hands into her pockets, the flowers long forgotten. Her eyes wandered around the forest, and Celise let her be, giving her time to process everything without pushing. Finally, Jewel looked back at her. "Okay." She nodded. "But my mate is going to ask questions, and he'll follow me."

"He won't be able to come inside the establishments," Celise assured her. "His light prevents him from having enough darkness to enter. I'm sure you can come up with something to tell him."

"How will I know where to go?"

"I'll text you. Put in my contact information, but don't put it under Celise," she instructed. "Use my middle name, Elowen." She then rattled off her number. "I'll text you the names of each place and the time to meet me." Celise shoved away from the tree and walked slowly toward Jewel. "May I touch you? I need to give you some of my power. It will allow you to travel through portals and bring you right to the location I instruct simply by thinking of where you want to go. Even by car, you'll be led to my location. But you'll need to leave the protection of your pack's compound." She didn't mention that she'd tried to enter the Colorado pack's compound using a portal, only to be pushed back by a ward. Perizada's doing, no doubt.

"How can you do that?" Jewel's voice was full of awe.

"I told you." Celise smiled. "This book gives me immense power." She laid her hand on Jewel's forehead and whispered the portal spell, allowing her power to flow into the healer. "There." She dropped her hand. "It's done. Expect to hear from me in the next couple of days."

Jewel nodded, though her eyes were full of uncertainty.

Celise decided to make a quick exit before the healer changed her mind. She opened a portal and stepped through it. "It was nice to meet you, Jewel Black." She glanced over her shoulder. And just as she hoped, Jewel was watching her in astonishment. "Until we meet again." She waved and closed the portal.

A clattering sound jarred Celise back to the present. A waitress had dropped her tray of drinks. She was a warlock, so not as graceful as a fae or elf. Nevertheless, it was unusual for a supernatural being to be so clumsy. Then again, she might be high on some sort of supernatural drug. As Celise looked at the female, she noticed her glassy eyes and difficulty balancing as she picked up the mess. Definitely drugs.

Celise blew out a breath and decided to wait a few minutes longer to see if Jewel would show up. Celise had received several messages from her minions, who reported that a fae and a human female had been seen at multiple taverns. But when she asked for the human's description, it didn't match Jewel's. That made Celise wonder if Jewel had shared their secret or if she'd somehow been discovered.

The door opened, letting in a gust of air. People parted as the newcomer entered. Celise smiled as the healer walked toward her. "Jewel, I'm glad you could make it." Celise hoped the genuine pleasure of seeing Jewel didn't come across as overeagerness. Keeping the healer on the hook was a delicate balancing act.

Jewel took a seat in the booth across from Celise. "I can't stay long." Her eyes darted around. "I'm being watched constantly. It's a miracle I got off pack property."

"We'll make this quick." Celise pulled the book from her bag and sat it on her lap. She reached out a hand to Jewel and placed the other hand on the book. Then she chanted, using a spell she'd found in the Nushtonia . Celise felt Jewel's power flow into her as the dark magic in the room seemed to seek Jewel out. The first time Celise had felt it, she'd been shocked at how easily Jewel channeled the power. Usually, they did this for a half hour, but since Jewel was on a tight schedule, she only took ten minutes.

She released Jewel's hand and slipped the book back into her bag. Jewel swayed a bit, and Celise pushed a glass of fae wine toward her to keep her from passing out. "Shall I walk you out? I can open a portal and send you as close to your pack as possible."

Jewel nodded, tipping the glass up and drinking the entire contents. She sat it down on the table and took a deep breath. "Okay, I'm good."

She didn't look good, but Celise wasn't about to tell her that. If Jewel noticed she was starting to look like a shadow of herself, she never mentioned it. As they left the tavern, Celise considered that the healer never spoke more than necessary. She wondered if Jewel had always been that way or if it was a result of something Volcan had done to her—or perhaps the draining of her powers by Celise. Not that it mattered. Jewel was a means to an end.

Once they were outside, Celise opened the portal and motioned for Jewel to go through it. "Until next time."

Jewel hit the ground hard on her knees, her palms reaching out so she didn't face-plant into the forest dirt. She slowly pushed herself up, her limbs shaking with the effort. Brushing off her hands, she was utterly drained, as if her very life force had been siphoned from her body. Meeting with Celise always left her weak and disoriented, but she had no choice. She had made a bargain, and now she had to see it through, no matter the cost.

Staggering through the trees, Jewel made her way back toward the pack mansion. She knew the others were already suspicious, especially since her mate had practically abandoned her. But she couldn't tell them, not yet. Once she had her mother back, they would understand.

As the mansion came into view, Jewel steadied herself, trying to appear as normal as possible. When she reached the back door, there was a guard posted. It was a different one from the one who'd been there earlier when she'd said she needed to walk in the fresh air. She'd used the influence of her healer magic, and he'd just gone along with it. Jewel walked casually up to him and smiled. "I'm going to head back up." As she'd done to the other guard, she placed her hand on his arm. "Thank you for giving me some time." She let her healer magic flow into him.

"Of course." He patted her hand.

Then she slipped in through the door and hurried toward the back stairs, praying she could make it to her room unnoticed. But as soon as she entered her bedroom, she froze. Peri was there, standing with her arms crossed and eyes narrowed.

"I've never been a parent." Peri tapped her foot on the lush carpet. "And moments like these make me hope I never am. Do you know why?"

Jewel shook her head. Not that she didn't know the answer, but she was too exhausted to argue. She wanted a shower and then to crawl into bed and cry about her problems. She also wanted her mate to wrap his arms around her and tell her everything was going to be okay. But that wouldn't be happening.

"Are you even listening to me?" Peri's body took on a slight glow. That wasn't a good sign.

"Yes." Jewel closed the door gently behind her and leaned back against it. She was pretty sure she would fall over if she didn't support herself on something.

"I hope," Peri said through gritted teeth, "that I'm never a parent because right now, I am worried about a grown-ass woman who has been doing goodness knows what after sneaking out when she's been asked not to leave. I can't even imagine how worried I'd be if it was a child."

"As you pointed out, I'm a grown-ass woman. How can I sneak out of my own home if I'm grown? I have the right to come and go as I please."

Peri's brow drew into a deep V . "Not when you're keeping secrets from your damn mate, your alphas, and your friends."

Jewel flinched at the accurate accusation but still pulled her shoulders back and lifted her chin. "I don't have to tell everyone everything. Since when did being part of a pack mean sharing every bloody detail of my life? Why is it anyone's freaking business what I do?" Her voice grew louder with each word. "If I'm so grown, why the hell do I have to answer to anyone? Since I met you, I've been put in dangerous situations, I've lost my mother, wandered through a dark forest while being pursued by your crazy sister, held captive by a psycho fae, turned into a mother trucking witch—I've killed people, Peri." She slammed her hand against her chest. "I've killed innocent people. I've been carved up like a Thanksgiving turkey. I've—" Her words died as she dropped her chin to her chest and shook her head. Tears streamed down her face, and she just wanted to collapse. She was so damn tired. The room was quiet enough that after a few minutes, Jewel lifted her head to look at Peri. The high fae's posture had relaxed, and her face had softened.

"Maybe you don't have to tell everyone." Peri's voice lowered. "But what about the man who loves and adores you? What about him, Jewel? Doesn't he deserve your honesty?"

Jewel said nothing. What could she say? The answer was ‘Yes'. He absolutely deserved her honesty. Peri took a step toward her, and Jewel held up her hand to stop her. She didn't want the high fae any closer, fearing Peri would see the darkness she had allowed to grow in order to help Celise. Peri would know and then stop her, and Jewel wouldn't get her mother back. Was it so wrong of her to want the one person who had loved her unconditionally her whole life to be here with her, experiencing her life and all that was to come? How would it hurt anyone else?

Peri paused and tilted her head to the side, her eyes narrowing as her body glowed more. She took another step.

"Please." Jewel breathed out. "Don't."

Peri's lips pressed together tightly, and determination filled those pale green eyes. "I will not stand by and let you do this to yourself, Jewel Black. You look like your damn soul is being drained from you. Dark circles under your eyes, skin paler, if that's possible. Appearing as if you could collapse at any moment. I will not judge you. I will not condemn you. That's not what friends do. That's not what people who love you do. Haven't I proven that to you over and over? Haven't all of us shown you how precious you are to our pack? And by ‘our,' I don't mean the Colorado pack. I mean the one that Fane has formed in his closest circle. Let me help you. By the Great Luna, trust me."

"I can't," Jewel whispered, sinking to the floor. She drew her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. "Please Peri, I just need a little more time." If she could just hold them off until her mother was back, then they would see. They would understand.

Peri studied her, concern etched on her face. She took a step toward Jewel and knelt, only a couple of feet away.

"We want to help you, Jewel, but you have to let us in. This secrecy—Dalton going off on his own because of whatever the hell you have going on—it isn't good for you. For any of us. This is not the time for us to have any division."

Jewel looked into Peri's eyes and saw they were glassy with unshed tears. She hurt for Jewel. She cared that much. And Jewel knew Peri was right. But the promise of her mother's return was too powerful to resist. She just needed the strength to finish this.

Taking a shaky breath, Jewel met Peri's gaze again. "Soon," she whispered. "I'll explain soon."

Based on the disappointment on Peri's face and the tear that escaped and ran down her porcelain skin, it wasn't the answer the high fae wanted, but it was the only one Jewel could give. Not yet , she pleaded silently. Just give me a little more time. She leaned her head back against the door and took a deep breath. Closing her eyes, she tried to reach out to Dalton, needing a measure of his strength, but he wasn't there. He'd shut down the bond on his end. Another crack in her heart formed. She was sure it might shatter before it was all said and done. And it would be her fault.

"I'm sorry." Jewel opened her eyes. Peri was gone. Jewel sucked in a deep breath and banged her head against the door several times. She felt like her lungs were closing up, and she couldn't draw in any air.

Attempting to calm herself down, she pictured her mother's face and thought about the last conversation they'd had when Jewel had left Dalton after the bond had been broken.

"The good in both of you is fighting a battle to overcome the darkness inside. But there is a reason the Great Luna created true mates. Yes, I know the history of the wolves. But that's not the point right now. The point is, she created true mates because they are stronger together than apart. Where one is weak, the other is strong. Where one is temperamental, the other is constant, and so on and so forth."

Her heart beat harder in her chest as more of her mother's wisdom filled her mind.

"Jewel, you are the catalyst to many things. You are not the only one of your kind that will be challenged, but you are the first. You cannot walk through the fire alone. When the smoke and heat overwhelm you, you need to have someone by your side who can carry you out. Please, go back to him."

"A single strand is weaker than a braid." Jewel repeated the words she'd said alone in her room after the discussion with her mom. "A braid might survive friction or fire, where a single strand would be destroyed." She blew out a breath and, for the first time in a very long time, allowed herself to remember the last time she had talked to her mom, held in her arms.

"I chose the lesser of the two evils. That's what a parent does, my precious Jewel. We sacrifice, even though it's going to hurt. In the long run, it will cause you less suffering, but you will suffer for a time. You can't see the whole puzzle, and though you may be angry with me at first, in time you will see what I am choosing is for the best.

"I'm going to do what's best for you. That's my job, to always do what's best for you. No exception, without fail, if it's in my power. You have and will always come first. Never forget that."

Tears flowed freely down her cheeks as Jewel squeezed her eyes closed, trying to keep from seeing her mother's face in those last moments. She refused to let the rest of those words enter her mind. If she did, her resolve would falter.

Jewel hastily wiped away her tears and pushed herself to her feet. She just needed a shower and bed. She would feel better tomorrow, and when she met with Celise again, she would ask how much longer it would take. Jewel was running out of time.

"I'm doing this for you, Mom," she said into the empty room. "You didn't deserve to die. I wasn't ready for you to die." She shook her head, pushing that thought away because it would only bring forward her mother's final words.

"Shower, bed," she told herself.

As she went about her tasks, she couldn't help but reach out to her mate again. Still, there was nothing. Jewel was beginning to think he was truly fed up with her. That he was done. The tears returned in full force, and she allowed herself to weep. There was a hole where Dalton should be. She missed him. But she also missed her mother desperately. She'd never thought there'd be a day when she'd have to pick between two people she loved. But here she was. She'd made her bed, and here she would lie.

Once out of the shower, she calmed down, and a thought hit her as she put on her sleep clothes. If Peri was here and obviously aware that something was seriously wrong with Jewel, she would step in. "Shit," Jewel muttered as she realized she wasn't running out of time. She had already run out of time. It was gone. Peri would bind her. Now that she thought about it, she was shocked the high fae hadn't done it tonight.

Dropping the sleep clothes, Jewel grabbed a pair of jeans, a T-shirt, socks, and shoes. She would have to leave now. If she didn't, she wouldn't be able to see Celise again, and she could kiss seeing her mother goodbye.

Once dressed, she grabbed a black jacket, pulling the hood over her strawberry-blonde hair. She slipped out of her room and hurried down the hallway to the stairs leading to the back door. Jewel slowed her steps as she reached the door and took a deep breath, calming her nerves. She smiled at the guard.

His brow rose. "Everything okay?"

She laid her hand on his arm and let her healer magic flow into him. "I left my phone on the bench in the garden." Which happened to be on the other side of the grounds, with lots of trees for coverage. "And I'm going to take a little more time. I'd like to pray to the Great Luna, and I feel closer to her under the moonlight."

The male, thankfully unmated or her magic wouldn't have worked, nodded. "I understand." He pushed the door open and held it for her.

"Thank you. I really appreciate it." And she meant it.

"Take as long as you need."

Jewel smiled. She didn't nod or agree because she didn't want to lie to him. She did need fresh air, and she did need to say a prayer to the Great Luna that she wouldn't be found by Peri and get her grown ass handed to her. She started off at a slow stroll, but once she was out of the male's view, her steps quickened. By the time she reached the backside of the property, Jewel was panting like an out-of-shape racehorse. The gate was overgrown with vines, making it nearly impossible to see. She placed her hand on it and once again reached for her power. The vines obeyed, shrinking enough for her to open the gate.

She closed the gate and instructed the vines to cover it even thicker. With a quick glance over her shoulder, Jewel took off at a sprint. Her hood flew back, revealing her face to the cool night air that caressed her cheeks. When she was far enough away from the pack grounds that she could no longer see the mansion, she paused for a moment. Then, taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and reached for the dark magic that allowed her to flash. She hadn't used the ability when Dalton had accompanied her because it made her feel tainted. It wasn't something she should be able to do. And she hadn't used it coming and going earlier tonight because she didn't want to risk Celise being outside their meeting place and seeing her ability. Something in Jewel's gut told her not to let the sprite know about all her abilities. At the moment, Jewel felt so drained from her meeting with Celise that she hoped she could still do it. She needed the ability now more than ever. It made her stomach churn to think of using an ability granted by Volcan, but there was no other choice. With a surge of determination, she released the power, thought of her old home, and flashed. A moment later, she was standing on the sidewalk in front of it. It was dark, the grass on either side of the sidewalk overgrown, and there were tears in the screens on the windows. If anyone lived there, they weren't taking care of the place.

Jewel followed the pathway to the stairs. The old wood creaked as she ascended the steps to the entrance. First, she peered in the window. There was no furniture to be seen, so she walked to the door and, with a hesitant hand, grasped the doorknob and turned it, feeling a sense of unease wash over her. As the door creaked open, she was hit with a wave of disappointment as the familiar scent of home had been replaced with a musty, damp odor that permeated every inch of the house. The air felt heavy and stagnant, making it difficult for Jewel to take a deep breath without feeling suffocated. She longed for the days when the house was filled with warmth and laughter instead of this cold and lifeless atmosphere. She shut the door behind her and looked around. "What the hell am I doing?" she muttered. How had she allowed her life to become such a mess? The truth was, it had always been a mess. From her mom being the town laughingstock fortune-teller to her own friendless existence—until she'd met Peri and her merry gang of healers and werewolves.

Jewel leaned heavily against the solid wood of the closed door, her body trembling with exhaustion. With a sigh, she sank to the floor, curling up in a protective ball on her side. Every inch of her ached, drained from using her power just moments ago. Her eyelids drooped heavily as she fought to stay conscious, torn between wanting Peri or Dalton to find her and hoping they wouldn't. She longed for the comfort of her mate yet feared the consequences of being found. She pulled out her phone, which she most definitely hadn't left on the bench, and sent a text to Celise, letting her know she had run out of time. They had to move forward before Peri could bind Jewel's power and body. Once she hit send, Jewel set the phone down next to her on the floor. She blinked, her eyelids feeling heavy. The room was silent except for the sound of Jewel's shallow breaths and the steady thump of her racing heart. It felt like an eternity before she finally succumbed to sleep, the darkness consuming her fragile body.