Chapter Twenty-Five

Meeting in a Castle Ruins Takes an Unexpected Turn

She leaned forward fighting the wind as she walked up the winding trail to the castle ruins on the rocky cliffs. Pulling her coat close around her, she tugged her hat down over her ears. Gavin touched her on the shoulder and said something, but his words were lost in the strong gusts buffeting them rounding the bend.

“Bruce could’ve found a more out of the way meeting place, but I’m not sure how,” she grumbled.

“Had his reasons,” he yelled over the howl of the winds.

She stopped and stared at the crumbling stone castle and shook her head. A groan echoed through the stone structure when Gavin pushed open the heavy wooden door which barely hung on its hinges. Inside the castle at the far end of a huge room stood Bruce and Angie, Tiarnan and Erin, Hannah and Tristian, Bridget and Quinn warming themselves in front of a stone fireplace with steaming beverages in hand.

The roaring fire sent up orange and blue flames a couple feet high. Gale was snuggled down in a large overstuffed chair several feet back from the fire. Her feet were tucked beneath her.

“Guess we’re the last to arrive,” Gavin whispered.

She shot him an incredulous look and backed out the open door blinking up at the crumbling structure.

“Come on, Synn. You can admire the architecture—or lack thereof—later,” he urged.

“B-but…” She paused and took two steps through the door and rubbed her eyes, not believing what she was seeing for the second time.

This time Bruce’s booming voice echoed off the stone walls as he turned to face them. “Welcome. Come warm yourself by the fire before we proceed. You look absolutely frozen.”

“The castle is enchanted.” Gavin waved an arm in front of him. “I’ve heard stories about them, but never been inside one.”

Her mouth formed an O, and her gaze flitted around the huge open room. Stone staircases hugged opposite sides of the walls towering up to what appeared to be second and third floors. Paintings on the walls depicted bloody battles on one side and a magical faerie land on the other. Portraits of Bruce and Angie, and Andre and Matiah hung on either side of the fireplace. “Is this your place?” Sidling next to the fireplace, she glanced in Bruce’s direction. Ohhh…it was so warm.

“No… It belongs to my father. He prefers the tropical climate of Tahiti these days but keeps this for special occasions. It shields against prying eyes or magic of any creature. Consequently, the venue fit our needs today.”

“I don’t mean to be disrespectful, my lord, but this is my battle. Baltizar brought his minions here to disrupt the lives of innocents because of me. I can’t allow anyone to become collateral damage because of me.”

Bruce looked thoughtful, tented his fingers, and rocked back on his heels. “First, it’s Bruce. Not my lord. You know better, Synn. Second, you may be his intended target for revenge. However, he’s crossed the line once again regarding Brandy and Stefan. This time disrupting their wedding plans. I owe a debt to Stefan for saving Angie’s life. Baltizar’s behavior is traitorous. We’re going to terminate him and anyone connected to him.”

Heat rushed to her cheeks. “I see.”

“I don’t think you do, but here’s what I have in mind.” He took out a large rolled sheet of paper and spread it out on a massive wood table in the center of the room. With a nod from her husband, Hannah fired up her laptop and projected a grid on the stone wall along with a time line. They all gathered around to get a better vantage point.

****

In a star strewn night sky, a few wispy clouds floated across the full moon. She stood in the backyard watching Storm race around like a Tasmanian devil, squeaking a toy and enjoying freedom from the leash. Gavin came up behind her and wrapped an arm around her.

She’d felt him coming and leaned back against his broad chest, tilting her face up to his. “Is he really willing to annihilate a whole race of dark demons to eliminate Baltizar?”

He searched her eyes for a moment, brushed his lips over hers. “I don’t think it will come to that, but to answer your question—yes. If they’ve acted on Baltizar’s behalf, their days are numbered. It’s not like they didn’t know whose bidding they were doing—especially after he was banished to the seventh level of Hell.”

“What if he’s in their mind, controlling them?”

“As he did you? Breaking free is their only chance, as you did. No use rehashing this, it’s not our decision to make. Bruce is determined to end him once and for all, including any followers who might rise up later and challenge. As Bruce stated in the castle, he’s been in contact with commander Nathanial North of the elite legion of angel warriors. Commander North gave his go ahead with offers of assistance if needed. His legion stands at the ready. Baltizar’s days are numbered, one way or the other.”

Her eyes widened. “I guess I missed that briefing.”

He shrugged. “I believe the final straw was his attempt to abduct you in a business establishment full of mortals. Under normal conditions, Tristian and his team would handle the assignment. Since you wield the sword, wear the gauntlets, and have made it clear you want to finish him—”

“How can I be expected to wield Fae magic of the Kilara when I’ve held the sword only once and kinda controlled the gauntlets last night. Yet, never felt their power together. The lives of my friends, family, and others depend on my ability to cause the fatal blow to Baltizar.” She slumped against him. “This is a lot.”

“Aye, it is, but you’ll not be battling him alone. Tristian can end him and will if necessary. Be careful what you wish for—you’re being given the chance.” He took a couple of steps back, gently gripped her shoulders, and turned her to face him. “You got this.”

I sure hope so. Living here had changed her. There was a time when an assignment was given, she’d carry it out without a thought as to harm to herself or the intended victims. Her actions didn’t have consequences, unless she failed—which never happened until Brandy and Stefan.

She rubbed the back of her neck. If she was honest, she’d always known her life in servitude to Baltizar went against something buried deep inside her. The others carried out his commands without consciences or remorse. Yet it seemed she was fighting against herself even though he assured her his bidding was what she was meant to do.

Now she knew why. Deep down, she wasn’t a vicious demon, but half Fae and half demon. She straightened a little and squared her shoulders Her ancestors were members of the elite Guardians Guild protecting man and magic kind—not destroying them.

“Hey lass, where have you gone?” He waved a hand in front of her face then leaned down and kissed her nose. “Your dog is digging up me flower garden. Ma will not be pleased.”

She blinked and searched the yard. Sure enough butt in the air, front paws throwing dirt everywhere was her pup. “Storm. Stop that right now.” Sprinting out to the middle of the yard, she reached down, grabbed the pup by its mane, and shook once. “No. No. Bad dog.” She snatched the pup up holding Storm so the flailing muddy paws faced away from her as chunks of mud went flying in every direction. She kicked the dirt clods into the foot-deep gaping hole. Staring guiltily at the mound of rich, black dirt piled up with bulbs and roots sticking out every which way, she turned to Gavin. “I’m soooo sorry.”

He snickered. “In the grand scheme of things, that’s minor.” He knelt, scooped the dirt into the hole, placing the bulbs and plants upright then tamping the soil down. Pushing to his feet, he brushed his hands together in an attempt to dislodge most the dirt and mud from his fingers. “Let’s get that mud ball in the house and cleaned up. Tomorrow, I’ll replace the fence around the garden. I was going to clean it out anyway. The growing season is over.”

She was silent for a couple of beats. “If we are going to have an on-going problem at the pub with his minions, I can quit.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. Your Overlord said business as usual until the veil thins around All Hallows’ Eve and his plan is put into action.”