12

Crone stood at the front of the temple with his brothers and father but kept Tessa in view. He’d positioned her so she was surrounded by their best and strongest, yet he was still on edge. Would be until this nightmare was over and she was safe. Lazaro leaned in.

“She is a beautiful woman, your witch.”

Crone’s heart weighed heavy. “She isn’t mine. I have to let her go.”

“Shit, brother. What happened?”

He finally looked away and focused on his sibling. “She needs to be free. If I make her stay then I’m no better than the warlock.”

“Damn. Does she know?”

“I told her. She seemed surprised but didn’t argue, which I can only assume means she’s happy about it.” He wasn’t. It had taken everything he had to let her go. Hell, in reality he hadn’t done so yet and realized the only way to stay away from her was to give up everything. It was his secret that when he gave up Tara’s power, he’d also be giving up his own. He’d realized it was the only way he could stay away from Tessa and let her have a life. He’d bargained with the witch who had bonded him that should he require it, she would break it and hand all that he was to Tessa.

“I’m sorry,” Lazaro stated. “I really think you wanted to make this work.” Before Crone could reply, their father stepped in.

“We are ready.” Efrain nodded, and the brothers joined Armand.

The temple was packed. Over three hundred Jinn had crammed inside and another hundred stood outside. They began to summon their power, concentrating on one single person.

Makayla.

In low tones, the chanting echoed across the marble floor and stone walls. Power arched and flashed in various colors until it melted together and began to swirl in the front of the room. Crone had never seen anything like it before. It was simply a thing of beauty as it took on a life of its own and began to form a doorway.

It’s working!

Crone glanced at Armand. A look of hope stirred in his brother’s eyes that hadn’t been there since his wife had gone missing.

The outline of a simple wooden door formed. Its interior still faded in and out, struggling to become solid.

“Keep at it!” Efrain yelled above the chanting.

Crone checked on Tessa. Her eyes were wide with amazement as she stared at the magic floating around the room. Her lips moved and followed the chant even though she didn’t know the language spoken. Ancient and rarely used. It was something that came to them naturally; it was so engrained into their DNA.

The door had become solid and now stood wide open. On the other side, the faint form of the queen could be seen. She turned her head and studied them, likely confused by what she saw and not sure if it was a trick. Suddenly her face lit up, and she ran.

“Armand!” Makayla sprinted through the door and into her husband’s open arms. The door shut and fizzled out as a thunderous round of applause pierced the night air. Their queen was back.

Crone shoved his way in to hug his sister-in-law. “Damn it woman, don’t scare us like that again.”

She let out a nervous laugh. “I’m so happy to be home. I can’t believe how you all managed that.” She slipped back into Armand’s arms. No doubt, the Jinn didn’t want his wife far from him.

Crone searched for Tessa, but she wasn’t where she’d been a minute ago. He made his way through the thicket of people and approached the two females that had been standing next to her.

“Did you see where Tessa went?”

They both looked at him, eyes wide with terror. “She simply vanished,” the one replied.

“As soon as the queen ran through, the witch let out a cry and she was gone,” stated the other.

Panic crawled across his skin like a thousand scorpions. “What do you mean?”

“By the terrified look on her face, I think she was taken.” The girl next to him fidgeted. “I tried to reach for her but was too late.”

“Fuck!” Crone spun and searched for his father. “Out of my way,” he growled as he shoved the others so he could make his way outside. The air was still charged with too much magic, making it impossible to use his own power to reach the outside faster. He’d have to charge his way through.

Once he finally saw the opening to the outside, he gave one last shove and cleared the entry to the temple. Outside was still crowded, but at least his magic worked and he could summon his father.

A biting grip had grabbed Tessa, its talons sliding into her skin and muscle. She’d tried to scream, but only a whimper came forth. Seconds later, she found herself whisked away from the Jinn surrounding her and shoved into a dark, stinky cell. What the hell happened?

“I’ll tell you what happened.”

Oh hell. She’d recognize Zadicus’ voice anywhere.

“When those stupid Jinn opened the portal, I took advantage. The power of black magic is far superior.”

Tessa ran to the bars and shook them. “Let me out!” She sensed the magic surrounding her and knew there was no way to escape.

“I’m very disappointed in you.” Zadicus moved from the shadows to stand in front of the bars holding her prisoner. “I would have been different than my father and his father. I would have loved you had you given me the chance.”

She crossed her arms in an effort to provide some comfort. “You would have bred me like a whore. Last time I checked that wasn’t love.” No, love was the respect Crone had shown her, and it was something she realized she felt for him also. She had been ready to tell him she wanted to stay and build a life together, but the warlock in front of her had spoiled that chance. For that, she hated him more.

“Yes, I would have had you impregnated by another. It’s part of the curse. I’m as bound by it as you are,” Zadicus snarled.

She dropped her hands and wrapped her fingers around the bars. “Why don’t you break it. We can both go on with our lives.” Hope welled. Maybe she could talk some sense into him.

“It isn’t that simple, and why would I want to? Now I have to find a way to break your bond with the Jinn so you can bear a daughter.”

“What the hell do you mean it’s not that simple?” Hope had been replaced with rage. “Break the stupid curse then you can marry and have your own damn children. Leave mine out of it.”

He simply shook his head and walked away.

“Come back here!” she shouted, but he ignored her and disappeared into the shadows. Tessa growled and shook the bars as if they would miraculously open and set her free. There had to be a way out. Certainly, Crone would find her. After all, he’d done so before. “But he may think I left on my own.” She’d not said anything to him that would lead him to believe she wanted him for anything other than her grandmother’s power. Hell, she wasn’t even sure herself when she’d finally come to the realization that he was more than that to her. Tessa stepped away from the bars and focused on her surroundings. If she wanted to get out of this mess, she’d have to rescue herself. She’d be damned if she’d go down without a fight.

Crone was nearly insane with panic when his father finally arrived by his side.

“I’m sorry I was delayed. I had to make sure my daughter was okay,” Efrain stated before his brows shot downward. “What’s the matter?”

“He took Tessa. Somehow, when we had the doorway open for Kayla to come back...” Crone fisted his hands. “He fucking took her.”

His father stiffened. “You’re sure of this?” He looked around. “She didn’t simply wander off?”

“No. I spoke with the women near her. They said she vanished.” He had a hard time standing still long enough to explain. Old memories of death and destruction surfaced. The killing machine that he’d once been had come to life, and that man was willing to destroy anything and everyone who stood in his path.

“Deep breath, son. We need to keep a level head if we’re to find her.” He touched Crone’s shoulder.

“That’s the problem. I can’t breathe. I thought I could let her go, but I was mistaken. That witch has gotten under my skin.” When had he realized he loved her? It seemed impossible, but he wanted her more than he’d ever wanted anything, and he was willing to do whatever it took to find her and make her see things his way.

Efrain shook his head. “Do my son’s ever listen to me? Why you always think you can fight what destiny has set before you is beyond me. Armand thought he could walk away too, but look how happy he is now that he realized his error. Your youngest brother... That’s another story.” Before Crone could reply, his father had whisked him away and back to his study.

“What are we doing here?” He needed to be doing something, yet he had no idea where to begin. His father stared at him as if he were daft.

“You need to give your witch some credit. I’m sure she’ll manage her way back home.” Efrain shuffled some papers on his desk. “In the meantime. War has been declared on the warlock nation. Namely the Demois clan. We will seek out and destroy every last one of them. This kidnapping of my daughters will not go unpunished.”

Crone closed his eyes and inhaled, seeking peace. “Your daughters? And by the way, Tessa may be a witch, but her power is not her own. The woman is one hot mess.” And she’s my hot mess. He didn’t care if she turned the house into a barnyard. He gladly let her.

“Yes, my daughters, since I fully expect Tessa to become part of the family. You underestimate her.”

Crone sensed his father was hiding something. “What are you not telling me?”

The elder Jinn smiled. “You always could read between the lines. When I spent that short amount of time with Tessa, I gave her power a boost.”

His father never ceased to amaze him. “She never mentioned it.”

“She doesn’t know, but she’ll discover it when she looks.”

Crone blinked. With his patience wearing thin, he needed to tread lightly or his father would remind him in a most painful way how he was still the stronger Jinn. “Father. This is my mate we’re talking about and for the love of everything sacred...”

Efrain held his hand up. “I was mated once and I haven’t forgotten what it feels like.”

“Of course, forgive me, but certainly you realize my need to rip something to shreds.” Crone sometimes forgot how it must be for his father being alone. His mother had passed several years ago. “Perhaps it’s time you found some companionship.”

“Don’t worry about me. On to your mate. She will find the little boost I gave her, I have every faith. In the meantime, I have friends who reside on the witch’s council. We’ll go before them and ask for help in locating Zadicus.” The elder waved his hand over the desk and a map appeared. A rush of relief came over Crone, and he wanted to hug his father, but that would have to wait until he had Tessa back in his arms.

The map shimmered and a dot of yellow appeared. “The council resides here.” Efrain pointed.

Crone studied the mountainous region. “I know that area, but had no idea the council was there.”

“They stay well hidden when they reside there. Lucky for us, this is the time of year they are in session.”

“So what do we do? Simply waltz in there and hope they will see us?” He didn’t wish to doubt his father, but everything was riding on this.

“That is exactly what we are going to do. In the meantime, I have our best men standing by. Armand wanted to join us, but I knew you’d insist he stay with Kayla, and Lazaro... he went hunting for Ares,” Efrain stated.

“While I’m curious why he’s looking for the cat, I’m anxious to begin the search for my mate.”

His father snapped his fingers, and the map faded away. “Then let’s go.”