Spring had just found a spell to restore the family’s antique scrying mirror when Alastair stepped into the attic. She squirmed at the sight of his lifted brow. While she’d never believe he’d stoop to spying on her, the man had an uncanny knack for knowing things.
“Uncle. To what do I owe the pleasure of today’s visit?”
He flashed a half-smile at her formality. “Do I need a reason to visit my beloved niece?”
“Yes.”
At Alastair’s deep bark of laughter, Spring bit back a giggle. Although rarely used, Alastair Thorne’s laugh made everyone around him want to join in. It was hard to believe she’d feared him once. All too soon he turned serious.
“I suspect you know well my reason for popping in today. Thor’s Hammer. We need to speak with your young man and devise a plan. I have the coordinates of the artifact.”
“Uh…” How could she tell him that she and Knox were in the middle of a war?
Alastair narrowed his shrewd eyes and took in the mirror. “Hmm. His handiwork?”
“Yes.”
“What did you do?”
“Why is this my fault?” Sure, she’d peeked into Knox’s bedroom, but it was only to get even for his stunt in the barn. In her defense, she had no idea he was a metal element. But either way, Knox had absolutely no right to destroy their antique mirror.
“Because despite your righteous, wide-eyed expression, you can be a little she-devil at times, and the boy doesn’t strike me as someone who bends mirrors in half all willy-nilly.”
With a scowl at the twisted up mirror, she said, “He’s not a boy. And he’s quickly becoming a pain in my ass.”
Something akin to cackling exploded from Alastair.
“It’s not funny, uncle. You did this. You brought him into my life again. I was ready to move on.”
“No, you weren’t, child,” he countered softly. His voice was filled with so much sympathy it made Spring’s stomach hurt. “You love him. You always have. And while I understand his perceived rejection stung, Knox had his reasons.”
“What reasons?” She desperately wanted to know. Perhaps if she could understand those reasons, she could move beyond the humiliation of the past. Because at the moment, each of those memories was too difficult to swallow.
“Those are for him to reveal. But he’s always had your best interests at heart.”
“I don’t believe you. Or him.” She swiped at a tear that escaped down her cheek. “It’s a game to you both. You only want the artifacts, and he wants to prove I’m the naive child he always accuses me of being.”
Alastair shook his blond head and ran his hand over the mirror to restore it to its original form. “Look, dear heart. What do you see?”
Knox had regenerated all the plants in his room to healthy once more. As they watched, he brushed a fingertip over a leaf of the last one and smiled.
“I see him obsessing over plants. So what?”
“Look closer. Do you remember giving him those same plants?”
Shock made her eyes bug. Long forgotten memories of bringing him the occasional gift flooded her mind. She studied the foliage of each pot. They were the same ones she’d given him! “He kept them? Why?”
“Because they were from you, Spring.” Alastair clasped her hand and squeezed. “From a precocious little girl who wore her heart on her sleeve. I’ll tell you a little secret that few people know.”
Her head whipped up. “What?”
“Carlyles only love once as well. They fall just as hard as the Thornes, but they are more stubborn than our clan by far. A little dumber, too.”
Spring hugged her uncle. She was helpless not to because he’d given her the most exquisite gift of all: understanding and the knowledge that Knox loved her in return.
“Should I make him suffer?”
“Absolutely. But not too much. Despite looking like a Greek god, the boy’s ego is fragile.”
She laughed and rested her cheek against the area of his heart. “I was raised to believe you were a bad person. I’m glad you’re not. I love you, Uncle.”
The heart next to her ear picked up its pace, and the rumble of his deep voice was echoed in his wide chest. “I’m sorry to hear you feared me, dear girl.”
“Oh, I was really more fascinated by you.” She pulled back to gaze up at his sad face. “You are a legend in this family. Your power. The mystery surrounding your death at Lin’s hands. Your resurrection. But I’ve learned you’re human like the rest of us, and I like you more for it.”
The dark emotion never left his eyes, but he smiled all the same. “I like you, too. Now, call Carlyle and get him here. We need to discuss your trip.”
“I don’t have his number.”
“Stop stalling. I know you’ve read the grimoire from front to back. You can call without ever having to dial a number.”
“How do you always know when I’m lying?” she asked, curious despite herself.
“Your right nostril twitches.”
Her hand flew to her nose. “It does not!”
“No, but if I tell you the truth, then you’ll find a way to disguise it, and I’ll lose the advantage.”
Laughter bubbled up and out. “Fine, but promise me, when this is all done, you will take me on a grand shopping expedition in Paris.”
“Deal.”
Spring gathered her magic to her and called her familiar for the added boost. Her raven landed on her shoulder and nuzzled her cheek.
“Hello, Mr. Black. I need an assist.”
The bird answered with a caw.
“Thank you.”
Concentrating on Knox, she pushed a telepathic wave in his general direction. “Knox, I need you to come to the Thorne attic.”
His response was instantaneous, and when he arrived, his expression was not happy. “What the fuck was that?” He glowered down at her. “How did you get in my head?”
“Simmer down, son. Spring didn’t have your phone number, and I needed you here.” Alastair stepped forward and lifted the raven from her shoulder. Spring recognized the protective move for what it was.
“I wasn’t in your head,” she explained, certain she’d be upset if the situations were reversed. The idea of anyone having access to her thoughts was terrifying. “It was a telepathic call with a boost from Mr. Black. I couldn’t hear your thoughts.”
Knox stared at her as if to gauge her truthfulness. Whatever he saw in her clear-eyed return stare made him nod and look away. When she met her uncle’s gaze, he winked.
“Okay, kids, let’s get down to business.” Alastair lifted his arm to give the old bird a boost toward its perch. From his pocket he pulled two amulets with the Thorne Family crest: a raven surrounded by the five elements with the words Honor Reigns in Latin below. One he gave to Spring, and the other he gave to Knox. “There is a spell on these amulets blessed by Isis herself. They’ve been in our family for generations, so don’t lose them.”
Spring slipped hers over her head and immediately felt the ancient magic associated with the piece. “Wow! It’s like an electrical charge.”
“Exactly.”
“What does the spell extend to?” Knox asked, studying the disc at the end of the chain.
“It’s more of an early warning system to let you know should things go wrong. Preston and I have worked together in hopes of counteracting the Lin’s Blockers and added that little boost, so if you need to teleport, you’ll be able to.” Alastair paused, then added, “In full disclosure, there was no way to test against the Blockers. It could be hit or miss. However, the crowning touch is the cloaking ability it offers. No need for a spell. Use your thumb to trace an X on the back of the disc, and it will give you invisibility with the added bonus of soundproofing. More than that, and it’s up to the two of you to use your wits.” Alastair gave Spring a pointed look. “Keep the tanzanite necklace Winnie gave you on you at all times. It allows us to psychically communicate if necessary.”
A slight shiver danced along Spring’s skin. She frowned, nodded, and sent up a silent prayer in hopes she wouldn’t need to use it. “Understood.”
“There are only four days left before Lin is scheduled to retrieve his prize.”
“Don’t worry, Uncle Alastair. I’ll get it for you.” Her mother’s life depended on it, and Spring had no intention of failing the mother she hardly remembered but loved dearly.
“We will get it,” Knox corrected.
“Fine. We will get it. Whatever.” She’d done it now; committed to Knox accompanying her to South America. A small part of her thrilled to the idea of spending time with him, but the other part—her bruised ego—was vehemently opposed. “Does tomorrow work for you?”
“Yes.”
“There is no time difference, so be ready to leave at nine a.m. sharp.” Spring spun on her heel to leave.
“When did you get so bossy?” Knox asked, amusement laced his voice.
“I’ve always been bossy. I used to hide it better,” she quipped over her shoulder.
Knox shook his head and laughed as Spring left the attic.
“She’s a little spitfire. You’re going to have a merry chase on your hands, son.”
Knox started at Alastair’s words. He’d forgotten the man’s presence. “Yeah, but she’s worth it.”
“I’m glad we’re in agreement and that you’ve come to your senses.”
“Me, too. Now all we need to do is convince Spring.”
“That will be easier than you think.” Alastair frowned and changed the topic of conversation. “Something doesn’t feel right about this trip. It could be the ease of finding the Mjölnir amulet, or it could be that we know Lin will be there. But either way, something is off.”
“I feel it, too. How sure are you about your source?”
“He’s never steered me wrong, but there is always a first time. It’s not like I’ve never been betrayed before.”
“By my father,” Knox stated dully. On the night he witnessed Zhu Lin murder his father, Robert Knox had set Alastair up. And although he’d never learned the specifics, Knox did know his father’s scheme had backfired and cost him his life. “I’m sorry he did what he did. But I owe you my life for getting me out of there that night.”
“You don’t owe me anything other than to take care of my niece should you two decide to make a go of it. Try not to break her heart.”
Knox nodded at the stern warning. If he could help it, Spring would never feel unloved a day in her life. He only needed to figure out how to set to rights the wrongs of the past. One of the things he wanted to put to bed was his childhood. Until he understood why things had gone down the way they had, he’d never find peace. “What happened that night? I know my father tried to help Lin capture you, and I know he failed.”
Alastair studied him for a long moment. “Are you sure you want to know?”
“Yes. I trust you to tell me the truth.”
With a heavy sigh, the older man walked to stare out of the large window overlooking the drive.
“If you’d rather not…” Knox experienced a keen sense of disappointment. He’d hoped Alastair would be honest in all things.
“I’m taking a moment to gather my thoughts, son.” Alastair faced him and perched on the edge of the window sill. With an elegance lost to modern-day men, he crossed his ankles and shoved his hands into the pockets of his slacks. “Your mother adored your father. Marianne was obsessed with Robert and would do anything for him. I don’t think he held one ounce of affection for her. If he did, he hid it well.”
Knox remembered much the same. He nodded and remained silent.
“It was right after the war between the witches and the Désorcelers. When the new war took place only in Lin’s mind. When vengeance was his bedfellow. Robert was broke. He’d blown through all of Marianne’s money and had decided his new payday would happen when he turned a Thorne over to Lin. He convinced your mother to help him.”
Alastair looked up from studying the tips of his brown leather Salvatore Ferragamo shoes and met Knox’s gaze head on.
“Marianne didn’t care that I was with Aurora. She set out to seduce me. That night, I agreed to meet her. Not to take advantage of what she was offering, but to help her. I intended to try to convince her to get away from Robert and the damaging influence he offered.
“You were there, sitting silently in a corner with a book that seemed too adult for one so young. For that matter, you seemed too adult for a child so young. Your solemn little face broke my heart.”
“I remember you conjured candy, using a sleight of hand.”
Alastair gave him a half-smile. “I did. And although you accepted the treat, you remained serious.”
“Why can’t I recall you after that moment?”
“Your mother put you into a deep sleep. I guess she had a slight bit of maternal instinct after all. She didn’t want you to see anything you shouldn’t.”
“That makes sense.”
“Anyway, I ignored Marianne’s overtures and tried to get her to see reason where Robert was concerned. He arrived with Lin hot on his heels. They had intended to trap me, but I was able to teleport before their plan came to fruition.”
“The arguing woke me. My mother screamed my father’s name, and then a gun went off. I’ll never forget Lin’s face as he stood over my father. He was so smug, so satisfied by what he’d done.” Knox tried to wrap his brain around the sequence of events. “But you got me and my mom out. How did you manage that?”
“I teleported back within minutes with a few members of the Witches’ Council as backup. We had hoped to get the drop on Lin, but he managed to escape. Your mother was forced to face the Council, and you were placed in Phillip’s and Keira’s care.”
“I never had the chance to thank you for what you did. But I’m grateful. I want you to know that.”
“I know, son.” Alastair walked to Knox and placed a hand on his shoulder. “I get the feeling you’ve always questioned your worth. You shouldn’t. Your parents didn’t deserve you. Without a doubt they dishonored the Goddess when they mistreated her gift of a child. If I didn’t believe you were worthy, I wouldn’t send you with Spring.”
“Thank you.”
Instead of teleporting, Knox decided to walk home through the glen. The need to clear his head was strong. As the cool night air wrapped around him, he lifted his face to the sky and breathed it in.
Tomorrow, he’d start his journey with Spring to recover Thor’s Hammer. It wouldn’t be easy. Nothing in his life ever was. But at the very least, he could provide the protection Spring needed, whether she believed she needed it or not. He’d keep her safe or die trying.
Once they returned home with the prize, he intended to turn up the heat. To make her understand he was crazy about her. Make her understand his reasoning more fully for rejecting her advances until now. Make her see him as the flawed individual he was instead of the god on a pedestal that he wasn’t. And maybe help her to understand the threat that had been associated with him until now. When she did, he intended to be certain she understood how much he loved her.
In the meantime, Knox had plans of his own to make. He picked up his cell and punched in a pre-programmed number. When the man on the other line answered, he said, “I have a job for you.”