I stood outside the portal in an empty field where an abandoned farmhouse used to be. The only thing left was the huge barn the council turned into a garage when they created the portal that lead to the mansion. The whole property was warded to keep noisy humans and threatening paras away.
Glancing to Reese and Zane on my right, I said, “The house is never in the same place in the same year. I’m not even sure the locations are in this realm.”
Reese nodded. “Knowing that Carlyn created the spell on the mansion, it wouldn’t surprise me. We’re ready.”
I wasn’t so sure I was. It’d been year since I’d been in the mansion. I met Eli’s gaze and linked our fingers together. Reese and I agreed it would be easier to slip in and out if there were only four of us. Of course Zane and Eli put down their alpha feet and said they would be going with Reese and I. They others would hang at the coven.
With a nod, I stepped forward, entering the portal with Eli at my side. We exited in a jungle. Or was it a rainforest? “This is different.”
Eli chuckled. “Different good or bad?”
“Good, I think. I wasn’t expecting a rainforest.”
Reese and Zane stepped out of the portal and Reese instantly started laughing. “The last time we were on a beach. I like the beach better.”
“Me too. Brooke would love the rainforest.” My chest tightened. I missed my sister so much. Eli wrapped an arm around my shoulders, hugging me to him. I hugged him back for a moment then released him and pointed to the path in front of us. “The house should be close.”
We walked along the trail for several yards before seeing a clearing. When we emerged from the thick trees and brush of the jungle, the mansion came into view. The large, three-story stone building with vines growing up the sides blended in with the backdrop of the rainforest. It appeared abandoned. Then again that was the point.
“There is a hidden door around the side.” I motioned Reese and Zane to follow Eli and I around the mansion.
Even though the house changed shapes, the secret passages and hidden entrance didn’t change too much. At least I hoped not. When we reached the side of the mansion, I sent a telepathic message to my father. “Dad. I’m at the side entrance and have the candle.”
Eli watched me and I traced a finger down his T-shirt and waited. I released a breath I didn’t realize I was holding when I heard Dad’s voice in my mind. “Cas. Gods, it’s great to hear your voice. Come in and wait for me in my room. Be careful of the Enforcers.”
I fisted Eli’s shirt and tugged. He stepped forward and enveloped me in his embrace. A tear rolled down my cheek. It’d been too long since I heard Dad’s voice. I wasn’t prepared for the emotions to flood me all at once.
Taking a deep breath and exhaling it in a rush, I stepped back and faced the exterior of the mansion. Then I flattened my palm to the cool stone. A door appeared and opened. “Follow me. Dad said there were Enforcers inside.”
Reese frowned. “Are they living here?”
I shrugged stepped through the door into a narrow corridor. “It’s possible. Gunner said Dad had a lot of the Hunters on his side. Dad’s warning tells me there might be some here that are loyal to Harrison.”
Once we were inside with the door shut, darkness filled the space. Reese formed a magickal orb of light to hover over our heads as we walked through the tunnels—secret passages that led to several rooms throughout the mansion.
Dad’s room was on the second level on the same side as the entrance we came in through. It didn’t take us long to reach his door, which opened to his walk-in closet. I pressed my ear to the wood door of the closet and listened for sounds in his room. When I didn’t hear any, I opened the door. My heart pounded and my palms sweated as we emerged in my dad’s bedroom. His scent slammed into me and I choked back a sob.
Reese reached out and squeezed my hand. I let out a breathy laugh. “I didn’t realize how much I missed him until now.”
“I know what you mean.” Reese let go of my hand and hugged Zane by the waist. “I was in flight or fight mode for so long then self-medicating at the mental hospital didn’t help me deal with my mom’s death. Now that she back as a ghost, I’ll have to deal with losing her all over again when she leaves for good.”
My heart ached for Reese. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like.
Just then the bedroom door opened. The four of us whirled around, ready for a fight. Relief flooded me as I stared at my dad. I flew at him and wrapped him in a tight hug. He held me to him and kissed my temple. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“Me too.” I pulled back and studied him. His green eyes were clouded with fatigue and there were dark circles under them. “Are you feeling okay?”
“I’m fine.”
The two words didn’t ease my concern. I glanced at Eli and frowned. Dad noticed the exchange and patted my hand to draw my attention back to him. “I’ll be fine. Just tired. You have the candle.”
I nodded and conjured the candle in my hand and handed it to him. He took and smiled. “Thank you. I’ll put this somewhere Harrison can’t get to.”
Reese stepped forward and handed Dad a small vial that had Carlyn’s blood in it. “I was told you would need this as well.”
Dad’s eyes rounded as he stared at the vial in Reese’s palm. “Is that Carlyn’s blood?”
Reese and I both nodded. Reese was the one to explain. “Carlyn led me to her Book of Shadows. In there she said her blood was given to the coven. The wolf’s blood was given to Zane’s family. The vampire’s blood was given to a secret keeper.”
Dad bunched his brows together. Then a smile formed, brightening his features. “Yes. The Original Three left their blood behind. The blood is what is missing from the spell. Once we get the missing page from the Grimoire with the complete spell written on it, we’ll know what the spell actually is. I’ll get a message to Brooke to find the page.”
Reese glanced at me then spoke. “We know what the spell is. It’s a cleansing spell for the para bloodlines.”
“And a curse if the spell is performed without The Original Three’s blood.” I added.
“Fuck.” Dad scrubbed a hand down his face. “Zane, can you get the wolf’s blood from your Pack? At least see if your father remembers where it was hidden. I hope he does.”
Dad took the candle and the vial with Carlyn’s blood and carried it to his dresser. He conjured a wood box, placed the items inside, and then the box vanished. When he turned he must have seen my confusion because he said, “I sent it to a safe place.”
The sound of footsteps outside my dad’s room made us all freeze in place for a few moments. Dad shooed us to the walk-in closet. Once we were in there with the door cracked enough for me to look out, he picked up a book from his night stand and sat in his armchair.
Seconds later a knock sounded. Dad said, “It’s open.”
I recognized the man who entered immediately. Benson McMillian, Harrison’s right-hand minion. I saw those two together all the time when I was little. Benson always gave me the creeps.
“What do you want, Benson?” Dad set his book down and scowled at the other man.
Benson sniffed the air, which made my heart beat wildly and dread settle in my gut. “You have visitors.”
Dad laughed. “I didn’t hear the doorbell ring, did you?”
“Cut the shit Lewis. I know good and well your daughters know the secret passages.” Benson’s features took on a wicked, almost demonic look. His eyes glowed and his mouth pressed in a thin line.
Benson held up a small black remote-looking thing. Dad jumped to his feet. “Get out of my room. I will not put up with you coming in here with your crazy bullshit.”
“Go Cassia.” Dad’s voice entered my mind and I shook my head.
“Come with us.” I didn’t want to leave without him.
“Just go. Now.”
Blowing out frustrated breath, I pushed Reese, Zane, and Eli to the back of the closet. The candle and blood were safe. “Don’t die.”
On the heels of that thought to Dad I heard a gunshot. My heart dropped to my feet and without realizing I was moving, I exited the closet into Dad’s room. Benson and Dad were wrestling over a gun.
Noise out in the hallway drew my attention to the door as Hunters came in. Reese, Zane, Eli, and I went into motion, each taking on a Hunter. I kicked out, connecting with my opponent’s knee. He screamed and fell to the floor. I kicked him again, knocking him on his side.
A low growl escaped him as he pushed to a stand. I wasn’t prepared for him to heal that fast. Time to amp up the magick. With my telekinesis, I lifted him in the air and tossed him over my head. I twisted to see he landed on another Hunter.
Glancing over, I saw Zane and Eli both in half shift, holding their own with a few Hunters. Reese looked like she was playing with hers. Then she jumped up and landed on her opponent’s back, gripped his head in her hands and jerked, breaking his neck. I cringed.
I was a Healer. It went against my nature to kill. But I would to protect my family. Turning to head back to check on Dad, I stopped in the middle of the hallway. Four more Hunters charged toward me. I called to my magic from deep inside me. It came willingly and ready for the fight.
Electrical currents arced off my fingers while I telepathically called for backup. “Gunner, bring the Calvary.”
Instead of attacking the Hunters stopped a few feet from me and stared. “You need to leave.”
Shaking my head, I lifted the magickally charged hand and pointed at the blond who spoke. “I’m not going anywhere without my father.”
Just then Benson exited Dad’s room. “Seize her. She’s a rogue hybrid.” He looked from me to Reese, and he snarled and paled a little.
Interesting. He was afraid of Reese. Was because she was half demon? Really? When I glanced behind me I saw what he made him pale. Our guys were all here. Reese’s and mine. And Reese glowed.
Dad rushed out of his room. He had a bloody lip and black eyes. He also held his ribs. I glanced from him to Benson, then I conjured a gun. Benson froze, his eyes widened. “I don’t think so, Ben. Harrison is the Rogue and anyone who follows him. Do you know what happens if my Dad dies?”
Benson narrowed his eyes. Of course he knew. I continued. “The Walker family has been and will always be the true leaders of the council. Where is Harrison now?”
“Gone to collect the relics.” Benson worked his jaw. “He already has the phoenix feather and a duplicate sleeping stone.”
Reese stepped up beside me. “That’s impossible. I destroyed the stone.”
Benson laughed. “Do you think Harrison would hand it over to the demon without making another one?”
A transfer of power from one stone to another would be the only way Harrison would have a copy. However, the copy wouldn’t be as powerful. Maybe the bastard didn’t need it at full power.
Benson turned to the Hunters still standing behind him. “I said arrest them.”
The blond who warned me to leave earlier shook his head. “We don’t answer to you or Harrison.”
Dad closed the distance. “They are under my command.” He pointed to Benson and added, “Take him to a holding cell.”
Benson lunged for my father and I fired the gun. The bullet hit his temple and exited the other side. Ben dropped to the floor.
My body began to shake and I felt arms wined around me. Von held me close. Dad came over and took me from Von and hugged me. “Are you okay?”
I nodded. “Yes. You?”
“I will be.” He pulled back. “You should leave. I sent word to Brooke to get the page. And I’ll look into the truth of the feather. I’ll send the Enforcers out to hunt for Harrison.”
I kissed him on the cheek. “Come with us.”
Dad shook his head. “Harrison is on the run and I need to be here to clean up his mess and keep him out of the council.”
I hesitated. Worry churned in my heart. “Are you sure you’re alright?”
“I will be. I promise.” Dad kissed me on the forehead. “Don’t worry about me.”
Eli touched my back and Reese nudged my arm. “You should move into the Coven. And tell me more about… your job.”
I laughed. “It’s not like it’s too much of a secret anymore. Why, you interested in helping hybrids?”
Her face brightened. “Hell yes. We could use the Coven as ground zero.”
The guys all nodded and directed Reese and I to the front door of the council mansion. My heart filled with love. I studied at my guys once we stepped outside. Reese and her guys continued to the portal. “You will help me with Sunshine Lives?”
“Yes,” They said at once. Eli cupped my face. “Whatever makes you happy.”
Gunner, Von, and Dare nodded, each one touching me in different places as if they needed the physical reassurance I was okay. Joy burst in my chest and I sent it through the mating bond that linked all five of us. “I love you guys.”
Dare picked me up and draped me over his shoulder and carried me down the path to the portal. “I love you and the others are okay too.”
Eli sent his love through our personal link. Von and Gunner did the same.
I patted Dare’s back. “Put me down.”
He set me on my feet in front of the portal and kissed me. “We have a Coven to help rebuild.”
Yes, we did. And I would continue helping Sunshine Lives.
Things were good. For now. Harrison being on the run worried me. I hoped Brooke got the page before the rogue councilman did.
THE END
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