Mystik Warrior: (Dark Warrior Alliance Book 2) (5 page)

The sound of boulders scraping echoed and Jace realized it was Elvis talking. “Now you understand why I have my reputation. I’m sure you’re glad that you transferred here.” Apparently, that was Elvis’ version of pillow talk. Suddenly, that large gray head swiveled their way.

“Vampire King, you’re lucky you weren’t here any sooner and didn’t interrupt us before we were done, or you would be missing a limb or two,” Elvis drawled and withdrew from the female troll.

“Bluidy hell. Losing a limb would be preferable to my eye sockets bleeding from the sight. Elvis, you’ve ruined the bliss of my Eve. I’m surprised the Queen allows you to use her portal in such a fashion,” Zander countered.

“The magic’s vibration is irresistible, isn’t it, Priscilla?” Elvis cooed, ignoring Zander. Jace shuddered at the thought of where that VW had been. There wasn’t enough bleach to remove that image from his brain.

“Mmmm, yes it does. Who are these handsome creatures, Elvis?” The female troll purred.

“Your name is Priscilla? As in Elvis and Priscilla?” Jace blurted.

“Yes, but I’m much better looking than that human. What do you want?” Elvis asked tersely. “We have much to do before dawn turns us to stone.”

Zander removed a large ruby pendant from his pocket and held the offering out to the troll. “There has been an incident with my queen’s sister and we need an audience with her Highness.”

“Oooh, that’s beautiful.” Jace shivered at the tone of Priscilla’s voice. It grated like fingernails on a chalkboard, and the high pitch didn’t match her large frame.

Apparently, Elvis was anxious to get back to his extracurricular activities as he wasted no time palming the ruby and calling the Queen. Elvis’ eyes gleamed bright silver, growing larger than hubcaps, and a mist shrouded the area around the VW. Jace’s heart leapt with hope when Zander leaned in and whispered, “The Queen agreed to meet with us.”

Jace shoved down the desperation he felt as the enchanting Fae Queen emerged from the vehicle. Idly, he wondered if the contraption smelled vile, given where it had been.

“Zander Tarakesh, what a surprise. I did not expect to see you on such an important night for you. I do hope your mating ceremony wasn’t interrupted,” Zanahia murmured, catching his attention. The queen’s long blonde hair flowed freely down her back, and her silver crown matched her silver eyes. Jace had never seen her before, and had to admit the Fae Queen was mesmerizing.

“Your Highness,” Zander bowed and took Zanahia’s hand and kissed her pale knuckles. “The ceremony was completed, but our evening was interrupted when Elsie received a vision regarding her sister, Cailyn. I’ll get right to the point. My sorcerers tell me Cailyn is under some type of Fae spell, and as you know, Aquiel is responsible. I need your help reversing it.”

“I am glad to hear the ceremony went well. You must tell me about the experience. Surely there is something new to be learned, given the uniqueness of your mate.” The Queen’s interest was genuine, yet unease at that interest skittered down Jace’s spine.

Jace understood the need for politics and niceties, but wanted to scream. They didn’t have time for this. Cailyn did not have time for this. He had not experienced anxiety or fear since his imprisonment several centuries before, but he was buffeted by both regarding Cailyn’s condition. The longer Cailyn was under the magic, the worse she became. He feared that the longer they took, the greater chance Cailyn wasn’t going to make it. She was human, and time was not their friend.

“With all due respect, Zanahia, I doona have time to share anything aboot my mating right now. Cailyn is in trouble and we need to act quickly to help her,” Zander interjected. Jace was relieved that Zander cut to the chase.

“Yes, of course. I apologize, I am as curious as everyone else is about your mating. It was a momentous event, after all. With regards to Cailyn, I am afraid that I will not be of much help. All I can say is that if you were to ask the right people, they would tell you that seeking the Voodoo Queen is a dangerous and impossible trip. I can’t say anymore. I must protect myself and my people, you understand.” Her smile held more venom than her innocuous words. Jace didn’t stop to consider her mood. They had a place to start, and if rumors were true, the trip to Marie Laveau was going to be deadly.

The Voodoo Queen was a myth as far as he knew, so he had no idea how to find her. He wracked his brain for other options, but there were none. “We don’t have time to go to New Orleans and seek Marie Laveau. Cailyn is not stable enough to make what is sure to be a treacherous journey. If you don’t help us, she is going to die,” Jace cursed impetuously. Sweat poured down his back as palpitations slammed his heart against his rib cage with his anxiety.

“Calm doon, Jace. Zanahia, surely there is something more you can offer. I know you doona want to see an innocent suffer,” Zander implored, trying to appeal to the Queen’s empathy. Zander had lost his mind if he thought this female was going to give them any helpful information.

The Queen paused and clasped her hands in front of her body. “I am truly sorry, Zander.”

Elsie sat on the bed next to Cailyn and laid her head in Cailyn’s lap just like they had done countless times when they were children. They’d always had a special bond due to their unique abilities. When they were little, it was Cailyn that Elsie went to when she was teased ruthlessly by her peers. It was Cailyn who had taught her sister how to cope, and made it better.

Elsie had had premonitions for as long as Cailyn could remember, and the other kids called her names and ostracized her for them. Cailyn had learned early on to keep the fact that she was able to hear what others were thinking to herself. It only took her parents threatening to take her to a psychiatrist and have her medicated for her to realize that she needed to keep her ability secret and pretend she was normal. She didn’t have anyone looking out for her, or helping her, so she made certain that Elsie’s sanity was never questioned, and she had the support she needed to cope.

It wasn’t easy being different. It had been difficult for Cailyn to make friends as a child when she knew what the other kids were thinking, both good and bad. It only worsened when she became a teenager and could go out on dates. Dates were short-lived most of the time because she wasn’t one to sit at dinner with someone while they thought about her breasts or having sex with her. She hated how men lusted after her body and didn’t see her as a person.

Her telepathy was one of the reasons she vowed never to get married. She wanted to be accepted by someone who knew about her ability. She wanted to be able to share all of herself with her spouse, without seen as psychotic. The fact that she could hear the thoughts of her parents, thoughts that were never meant to be shared, had also put Cailyn off of getting close to anyone, especially romantically. The truth can be very hurtful. That desire changed when she met John. He was different. Sure, he desired her, but he also saw
her
. He loved how devoted she was to Elsie and Jessie, he appreciated her work ethic, and never griped about her long hours. She had not yet shared her abilities with him, but that was more about old fears than him rejecting her. She was sure that he would love her despite her abnormality.

She came out of her thoughts to realize her sister was watching her. “I want to call John, but I need to tell you something first.”

“You know you can tell me anything,” Elsie reassured.

“I know,” Cailyn paused, thinking about how best to tell Elsie. No pretty words came to mind. Nothing to do but tell her. “I broke off my engagement with John.”

Elsie’s mouth dropped open and did an imitation of a fish before she responded. “When, Cai? Why, what happened?”

“Several months ago. I don’t know how to explain it, but this has to do with Jace. Things got to the point where I felt like I was doing both of us a disservice if I didn’t call things off until I got my head on straight.”

“Oh my God! I had no idea that you and Jace had a thing going. How have you hidden it? Why in the hell didn’t you tell me sooner? I’m your sister, and I know you have Jessie, but I thought we were closer than that,” Elsie questioned, the hurt clear in her eyes. Cailyn felt terrible for keeping this from her sister and needed to make it better.

Cailyn took a deep breath that sent pain shooting through her chest. When she tried to lift her hand to run it through Elsie’s hair, her arm wouldn’t respond. Her body was simply too fatigued to move. She settled for getting her hand to her sister’s arm. “It’s not like that. Jace and I don’t have anything going on at all. Before earlier today he had not said more than a few words to me. I wasn’t even sure he remembered my name, or who I was other than your older sister. My problem was my reaction to him. From the moment I met him I was enthralled. I thought about him constantly and still do. I just couldn’t continue my engagement to John while I wanted another man as much as I did…and do,” she whispered, trying to muster some energy.

“Oh Cai, you should have told me. I would have understood, and may have been able to help. You have always looked out for me, it’s time I returned the favor.”

“I didn’t want to ruin your mating ceremony, and before that you had enough on your plate and didn’t need my crap. Besides, what could you do? I need to figure out why I am drawn to him and what to do about it. I still love John, yet am unable to deny wanting Jace. And, now I feel this connection to Jace, making matters more difficult.”

“Your life isn’t crap, and you are my sister. I will always be here for you no matter what is going on. And you’d be surprised at how much I understand what you are going through. I mean, I loved Dalton and made a vow to him for life, and never thought there would be another for me. Yet after he was killed, I found myself yearning for…” Elsie trailed off, her eyes going saucer-wide as she put her fingers over her gaping mouth.

Cailyn’s gut clenched with fear. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know what her sister was thinking right then. “I wonder if you could be Jace’s Fated Mate. It sure sounds like how I felt with Zander.”

Cailyn felt the blood drain from her body. She couldn’t be this man’s mate. She lived in San Francisco, and loved another man, despite what she was feeling right now. “I can’t be. How would I know? How did you find out?”

“Fated Mates find out when they have sex with one another. There isn’t another way that I know of. I have no idea who we could ask about this. I wish they were back already, maybe Zander has some answers.”

A knock at the door interrupted their conversation. “Please don’t say anything to anyone until we talk some more,” Cailyn begged Elsie, as Orlando peeked his head into the room, his gaze going straight to her sister. Cailyn held Elsie’s gaze, and was relieved when she nodded minutely.

“Hey, O. What’s up?” Elsie asked, turning to the Dark Warrior. His white-blond hair was sticking out in every direction. Cailyn had to admit the guy was good looking, but paled in comparison to the sexy sorcerer. From the moment she’d met Jace, he had become the standard against which she judged all others.

“Just wanted to come and check on you guys. How are you feeling, Cai?”

“I’ve had better days. I wish the pain would go away. I have no energy for anything, and between the two I can barely function, but Jace and Zander will be back soon with the cure.” She had to believe that they were going to bring something back with them to help her. She refused to accept that this spell was going to kill her.

“You both need to be prepared that they may not have the answers you want. The Fae are fickle fucks and not likely to help. But we won’t give up. We will all search every corner of the realm for a way to lift the spell,” he promised, sitting on the bed next to Elsie.

“I’m so sorry, Cai. This is all my fault. You would be safe at home if it wasn’t for me,” Elsie whispered.

Before Cailyn could respond, Orlando interjected. “You can’t blame yourself. As you have learned, no one is safe from the ravages of this war,” Orlando replied solemnly. Cailyn knew Elsie better than to think his words placated her.

Another knock echoed throughout the room. “Hey Chiquita, Cai, you both look beat. Is my partner bugging you again?” Santiago asked entering the room with grim purpose. The lines set into his face told her something was up. She said a silent prayer that Jace and Zander were okay. She didn’t know if she could take any more bad news right now. He and Orlando were homicide detectives with Seattle Police Department, as well as Dark Warriors, and she hated how she hoped it was a human issue on his mind.

“What’s going on? Have you heard from Zander or Jace?” Elsie asked sitting up.

“I haven’t heard anything from them. Here, I brought you one of those energy drinks that you love. I figured you could use a pick me up. O, I need to talk to you about a call I got from the Lieutenant.” The obvious tension in Santiago’s voice had Cailyn chomping at the bit as to what he had to say.

Something was up and she wanted to hear what it was, but she didn’t have the relationship that her sister did with these formidable warriors. Cailyn was still intimidated by their presence, especially these two. Orlando was a feline shifter and she had seen him shift into a rather large snow leopard during the battle outside Confetti. Santiago was a canine shifter and she watched him become a huge wolf. Seeing them become wild animals coupled with the archdemon, Kadir, who looked like an incarnation of the devil, made for some of her most frightening moments.

“Be right back—”

Her sister’s terse response cut Orlando off. “You cannot waltz in here sounding all serious and keep me in the dark, Santi. You guys can have this conversation right here. I’m the queen and I won’t be left out of anything.”

“It’s not that we want to leave you out, Chiquita. This is official police business and there is no need to worry you over things unnecessarily.”

“If this has to do with the Tehrex Realm, then it
is
my business.” Cailyn’s chest swelled with pride in her baby sister. She had come into her own, standing up to such fierce warriors.

Orlando chuckled, “She schooled you, bro. Is this about more skirm attacks on women?”

“Yes and there’s been another one,” Santiago relayed somberly looking at Elsie, “and the latest victim was a member of SOVA.”

Elsie’s gasp echoed loudly in the room. Clearly this was distressing for her sister, even if Cailyn had no idea what they were talking about. “What? Oh my God. What was her name? Was it Mack?” What was Elsie talking about?

“Who is Mack, and what is this SOVA?” Cailyn interjected, she’d never heard of them.

“Mack is the leader of a group called Survivors of Vampire Attacks, or SOVA, for short. They hunt vampires, or what they think are vampires, but are really skirm. Who was this victim, Santi?”

“The victim didn’t have any ID on her. All I can tell you is that she had dark hair, was five-foot-six-inches tall and was wearing a leather SOVA jacket,” Santiago said.

“Was her hair black? And short? Did she have sleeves of tattoos?” Her sister’s frantic questions had Cailyn’s adrenaline pumping.

“No her hair was dark brown and she had no ink,” Santi responded.

“Thank God, it wasn’t Mackendra. Ellen had dark brown hair, but I’ve been out of touch for a while. O, you mentioned there being more attacks on women. Has there been an increase lately, then? What are the victim profiles?” Cailyn was shocked at how her sister took control and delved right into this issue with confidence. Like a Queen.

“There has been a marked increase of female victims and missing women since your abduction, El. They are from various walks of life and do not fit any one profile. There have been blondes, brunettes, and red heads and they have been anywhere from the poor to the filthy rich. There is no clear pattern to the attacks which is frustrating, because we don’t know which areas to target,” Orlando explained.

Prickles ran down Cailyn’s spine as she realized that she and Jessie had also been victims when they were attacked and nearly killed. The scum who did this to them had plenty of time to snap their necks before they had been rescued, but didn’t. Her gut turned when she considered that the demon and Fae had something more planned for her and Jessie. She was thankful that Zander had taken the precaution to have his Dark Warriors following her, and that they made it to them in time.

“The Lieutenant is up in arms about this latest victim, thinking there is a crazy vigilante group trying to reap justice for the victims of the ‘Twikills.’ You were a part of them, Elsie, and there is no one better to help us tell Mackendra that they need to stop what they are doing. They take too much risk with their lives and now the Lieutenant wants their heads. None of us want anything to happen to your friends,” Santiago added. What was he talking about? Her sister hadn’t mentioned being part of the vigilante group. What he was suggesting was crazy.

“What is he talking about El? Were you a part of that group?” Cailyn watched her sister squirm and fidget. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one who’d kept secrets.

“Yes I joined after Dalton was killed,” Elsie said turning back to Santiago. “Mackendra isn’t going to like that at all, Santi. I can call her and setup a meeting, but she isn’t going to close up shop. She feels as if hunting vampires is her calling. Her pain runs deep…” Elsie’s voice trailed off and the room descended into silence.

“What is it, El?” Orlando asked, crossing to her side.

“I’m getting flashes of numerous women, both human and realm. They are locked up and filthy. Some of them are naked and covered in blood. I can’t see their faces clearly, but they are being tortured by the demons,” Elsie moaned, grabbing her head. Hearing voices was bad enough, but having the images in her head that Elsie had just described would give her nightmares for weeks.

Cailyn inched her fingers across the blanket and tried to squeeze her sister’s leg, offering reassurance as Elsie continued. “I don’t know where they are, but I can sense that they are important to the realm. Is there anyway the demons would be able to detect if these females were mates? I know the markings don’t appear until after sex with your Fated Mate, but is there another way?”