Chapter 10

Seated at the large oak table in the McBrides’ cozy kitchen, Jared relaxed for the first time since leaving New Orleans. Lit by oil lamps and heated by a wood-burning stove, the room felt both safe and welcoming.

“Jared, would you like another biscuit?” Violet asked. The McBrides’ nineteen-year-old daughter was a pretty, petite girl with moss-green eyes set in a heart-shaped face and light brown hair worn in braids.

“No, thanks, I’ve had plenty.” He turned to Sylvia. “Everything was delicious. I was hungrier than I thought.”

She smiled, clearing away the plates. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“My dad told me you’re here searching for your brother,” Jack McBride said. “And you think he’s with the Montiefs.”

A short stocky man, Jack had a strong-featured face with dark brown hair tied at the nape.

“That’s right,” Jared said. “I don’t know much more.” He hesitated. Should he tell them what the spirit had told him? They were Wiccan so they shouldn’t think him crazy for listening to a ghost. Seeing the concern in their friendly faces, he decided to tell them everything.

“So, supposedly Adam is after my family for something that happened over two hundred years ago,” Jared concluded.

“And you haven’t any idea what it might be?” Sylvia asked.

“Vengeance over some old family grudge. All I know of Angelique is that she and my thrice-great-grandfather, Jean Dupre, opened the hotel in 1802, and I always believed my Wiccan magic came from my mother’s side. Now it seems Angelique also had power, which is something I’ll be asking my father about.”

“What if Adam is using Philippe to lure you into a trap?” Jack asked.

“I’m sure he is, but I have no choice. I have to go in. That’s where you can help. I need as much information about the compound and what goes on there as you can give me.”

“Sure, anything we can do,” Jack said. “But I have to warn you, the grounds and house are like a fortress.” He cocked his head. “How strong are your powers?”

Jared hesitated. His mother had told him his powers had come to him at an early age. Before he was five he was levitating small objects. By the time he was eight he could make items appear and disappear. Although there were some witches who could levitate themselves, Jared wasn’t one of them. By twelve he was an impressive swordsman, and by sixteen he’d learned to hone his energy to razor perfection. At eighteen he’d received Angelique’s mirror. “I can hold my own,” Jared replied.

“Good. Because you’re going to need every ounce of magic you have. I’m not kidding. Between Adam and his uncle there’s more power than I’ve ever dealt with.”

“We were clever enough to get our Rose out.” Sylvia said, clasping her husband’s hand. “But not strong enough to keep her safe.”

Jared glanced around the table. These were good, decent people with their sorrow etched on their faces. He placed his hand over Sylvia’s.

“I told Oscar, and now I’m telling you. I’m going to do my best to make the Montiefs pay for what they did to you and what they’re trying to do to my family.”

Oscar nodded. “Even though I just met Jared, I got a glimpse of his power. I have no doubt he can do what he says.”

“Going in after dark sounds like such a cliché, but I really think it’s your best chance,” Jack said. “I can draw you a diagram of the grounds, but I don’t know anything about the house. I do know a little about the guards and their routines.” He hesitated. “I could go with you.”

Jared shook his head. “This is my brother’s and my problem, but thanks.”

Sylvia touched his arm. “If you don’t mind me asking, when was the last time you slept?”

Jared shrugged. “I have no idea. Somewhere in Georgia, I think. After that I kept using refreshing charms.”

“Then I suggest you get some rest. You’re going to need to be at your best and being half asleep won’t help.”

“Sylvia is right,” Oscar stated. “You’ve got plenty of time before dark.”

“I can give you a draught to help you sleep if you think you need it,” Sylvia added.

“Thanks, but I’m sure I won’t have any problem. Suddenly I feel as if I can’t keep my eyes open. I don’t know how long this is going to take, and I don’t know what kind of shape my brother is going to be in when I find him. So, if you have a couple of rooms available, I’d like to rent them.”

“Sure. You and your brother can stay as long as you wish. Come with me and I’ll get you settled in.”

Jared turned to Oscar and offered his hand. “I may not be awake when you leave, so thanks for the ride out and introducing me to your family.”

Oscar grasped his hand tightly. “Glad to help, but I’m staying right here. I’m not about to miss this.”

Sylvia led Jared to a corner room which overlooked the ocean. An oak dresser and a chest of drawers sat opposite a sleigh bed with a hand-made quilt. He stood at the window watching as the waves lashed the rocky shore. Seagulls swooped and dove, and far out to sea he could see a freighter on the horizon. “Kendra would love this view,” he thought.

He rubbed his temples. Damn it to hell, Kendra and I should be married by now. We would have enjoyed our wedding supper, and we’d be dancing together under the stars. We waited so long for this day, and I’ve ruined everything. I’ll make it up to her if it takes the rest of my life.

He sat down on the feather bed and pulled his mirror from his backpack. He wanted to get in touch with Kendra before he went after Adam. He gazed into his mirror. “Show Kendra to me.” An image flickered, faded, then cleared. Jared frowned and peered closer into the glass. Kendra, Loren, and Deanne sat around a table having drinks. Kendra’s gray eyes were full of amusement as she laughed and tossed back her long red hair.

Well I’ll be damned. He’d prepared himself to see her angry and in tears, not out enjoying herself. He watched in disbelief as Kendra lifted her glass in what seemed to be a toast. So much for her being upset.

He picked up his new cell phone. If she’s in a bar, she won’t be able to hear me anyway. He tossed both his phone and the mirror on the dresser, kicked of his boots, and lay down across the bed.

****

“He’s on the island,” the gruff voice from behind him said.

Adam Montief stood in the library of the stately mansion gazing out the window across a broad expanse of manicured lawn to the sea beyond. Dreading each new appearance of this odious visitor, Adam steeled himself and turned.

Facing him was an oval mirror, its wood dark with age and carved with intricate pentagrams. The glass was pitted and crisscrossed with fine lines. What never failed to unnerve Adam was how much he resembled the apparition staring back at him.

“Did you hear me? The Dupre boy is on Black Island.”

“Yes, Powerful One, I heard you. I’m aware Jared is here.”

“Then I can assume this will soon be over, and I will have my revenge.”

“Yes. As soon as Dupre comes for his brother, I’ll kill them both.”

“You know I have waited centuries for this. You must not fail.”

“How can I fail? I’m the Chosen One.”

“Too much self-assurance can be dangerous. Stay alert. Do not take Dupre for a weakling. He not only carries that whore Angelique’s power, he has his mother’s as well. That is strong magic.”

Adam grimaced. “It doesn’t matter whose blood or how much power he’s inherited. I’m still smarter and stronger. Dupre and I may share Angelique’s blood, but he doesn’t share yours.”

Augustus Montief’s image smiled. “You are right. He does not. When do you expect he will come for his brother?”

Adam shrugged. “If he continues to react the way he has, he’ll come tonight.”

“Have the guards been notified not to interfere?”

“Certainly. I know what I’m doing.” Adam gritted his teeth with irritation. Augustus was constantly questioning his ability to take charge. Yes, Daman was still head of the compound, but killing Dupre was his responsibility. How he wished he could just smash the hell out of that damn mirror and be rid of the old man. He’d learned the hard way the mirror could not be destroyed. The Powerful One was determined to monitor his every move until Jared Dupre was dead. “He’ll depend on his mirror to guide him, and I’ll be able to watch. He’ll walk right into my trap.”

Augustus frowned. “You have been able to use Angelique’s mirror against him?”

“It took a while, but I broke through her protection. Do you now see I’m the stronger one?”

Still frowning, Augustus shook his head. “I would not assume his mirror will continue to be of use to you. She now knows what you have done, and she will not allow it to happen again. Are you listening to me? You need to plan for that.”

“Yes, I hear you.” Adam paced back and forth before the mirror. “Except for the section overlooking the cliff, the grounds are surrounded by a nine-foot brick wall. I have guards constantly patrolling the perimeter who will warn me if he tries to enter. The main gates are the only way in and out. Unless Dupre has learned how to fly, or can scale the cliffs, or become invisible, there’s no way he can escape me. Do you understand?”

“Do not dare to raise your voice to me! Or use that condescending tone, you arrogant pup,” Augustus roared. “You might have my power, but you still answer to me. Never forget that.”

The library door opened and Daman entered, scanning the room. “I thought I heard voices.”

“It’s all right. I was having a discussion with the Powerful One.”

Daman’s eyes darted to the mirror on the wall. “Is he still here?”

“No.”

“Is everything all right?”

Adam snorted. “If you consider having my intelligence and power questioned, then yes, everything is just fine.”

Daman fidgeted as his eyes shifted back to the mirror.

“Will you relax? I told you he’s gone. Besides, he’s just a face in a mirror. Augustus has no real power.”

Daman glanced down to where his right hand should be and in a low voice said, “Never let him hear you say that. The Powerful One still possesses strong magic.”

“Then if he doesn’t think I’m capable of taking care of Dupre, why doesn’t he do it himself?”

Daman looked perplexed. “What are you talking about? Killing the Dupres is a great honor the Powerful One has bestowed upon you. Certainly, he thinks you’re capable.”

Adam gave a dismissive wave. “Enough about him. What have you done with Philippe?”

“He’s asleep in one of the cells. I thought it best to keep him sedated until we have a plan.”

Adam could barely control his irritation. “I already have a plan. My plan is to toss Philippe out onto the lawn and wait until Dupre comes to get him, and then I kill them both. Simple and foolproof.”

“Do you know where Dupre is?”

“One of my trusted spies informed me he got a ride out with that old fool Oscar McBride. So I’m guessing he’s with them plotting my downfall.”

Daman arched his brow. “Do you think Jack McBride will come with Dupre?”

Adam shook his head. “Dupre is a soft-hearted fool and would never take a chance of anyone else getting injured. No, he’ll come alone.”

“McBride may insist because of Rose.”

Adam whirled, fury blazing in his eyes. The pain of Rose’s betrayal still clawed at his heart. He would never forget the panic and loathing on her face when she awakened in his arms after he had rescued her from her family’s house. She accused him of being some kind of monster. He would have done anything for her, and how did she repay him? By running away.

He had never experienced such rage as when she tried to use her power against him. It cut him to his core when she told him she’d rather be dead than live with him. It wasn’t his fault she went over that cliff. The echoes of her screams haunted his dreams. It was all the McBrides’ fault Rose turned on him. Perhaps after he killed Dupre, he’d get rid of them as well.

Daman raised his one good hand and took a step back. “Adam, calm down. I’m sorry I mentioned her name, but it’s something we need to consider.”

Adam concentrated on taking slow deep breaths. He needed to reserve his energy for the fight ahead. He couldn’t afford to weaken himself over things he couldn’t change. “Dupre will come alone. After it gets dark, place Philippe on the lawn. Make sure he is drugged enough he can’t help his brother. I need Dupre to do something for me before he dies. I will use Philippe to ensure his cooperation.”

Daman scowled. “This would be a lot easier if magic could be used to kill.”

“Well, it can’t, so I’ll use the next best thing.” Adam turned to where a gleaming sword hung above the fireplace. “Thanks to my skill, my trusted friend has never let me down, and I don’t expect it will this time.”

After Daman left, Adam restlessly prowled the large lower rooms of the stone mansion. Originally built as a refuge by a coven of witches and warlocks fleeing persecution in Salem, the property was purchased in the eighteen-seventies by Adam’s ancestor, Toussaint Montief. He established The Montief Academy of the Sinister Arts, or MASA. Through the next century, the academy showed young men the true meaning of their magical power, preparing them for the day when their specialized skills would conquer all other covens.

Adam crossed the wide entry hall past a painting of a stone circle in the misty fog and a wall where medieval weaponry hung. In the main salon, he halted and stared up at Toussaint’s portrait hanging above an enormous fireplace. Soon there will be no one standing in my way, and I will be the supreme master over all. A malefic grin spread across his face.