Saved by the Spell (Of Mystics and Mayhem Book 2) Page 20

  Staring into the water, an idea formed. Rubbing the charm dangling from the gold chain around my neck, I called to the one person I knew would move both heaven and earth to help me. The only person I trusted. My mother. Seconds later, Gaia’s image floated on the surface of the water.

  “I knew somehow you’d figure out how to contact me or Johnna. We were getting worried, dear.”

  “I know and I’m sorry. This is the first time I’ve been alone to even try.” I bent over the water and whispered, “I don’t know how long I have until Zeus returns. Can you get me out of here?”

  “Zeus? He’s behind the disappearance of you and Gerard?”

  I bit back a sigh. “Not now, Mom. Can you get to me here?”

  Gaia’s face moved through the still surface of the pool, looking at the tower of rocks piled overhead. Her gaze stopped on the mossy surface. She smiled.

  “You bet I can.” Gaia’s face blinked out but returned a moment later. “Called in a favor.” She grimaced. “Ouranos will collect at the worst time too. He always does, but it can’t be helped now.”

  “Maybe if you talked to him more often? After all, he is your husband—”

  “Don’t start with me, Sabine. Now, are you ready?”

  I nodded, waiting for the sudden pull of my mother’s earth magic as she drew me through the pool and back into her maternal, comforting embrace.

  ~ ~ ~

  Willow

  “You need to come back now, Willow,” a low, gravelly voice whispered near me.

  I floated, a wonderful, light feeling totally foreign to anything I’d ever known. I didn’t want to stop. I’d never been able to float. Instead, I sank. This was definitely an out-of-body sensation, but I didn’t care. In this brief moment, I felt no pain, no anger, and no sorrow.

  “Open your eyes, little warrior.” The gravelly voice spoke in a monotone, as if emotion was unfamiliar, and he didn’t know quite how to talk to me.

  “Don’t call me that.” I cracked one eyelid and glared at the platinum blond man. A sharp pain knifed through my heart as I stared harder. The male standing next to me could have been my father’s twin. I couldn’t believe how much my chest hurt, like my heart had been ripped from it. I wanted to return to the emptiness.

  He inclined his head toward me. “I am sorry. It will not happen again. You prefer to be called Willow?”

  I nodded and fought to breathe normally. With each inhalation, my mind cleared, and the weight across my chest lightened. Not completely, but enough to know I would survive. With effort, I pushed up until I sat propped against a soft headboard that felt like sheepskin.

  The room appeared surprisingly cheerful in a Dark Ages sort of way. I examined my barren surroundings, noting only a few pieces of furniture: the bed, a small table, and a single chair. Dark gray walls added to the nondescript design. I looked everywhere but at the Watcher. Not yet. I continued to take in the room until I couldn’t put it off any longer and met his silvery gaze.

  I knew who this was but at the moment, I didn’t much care. “He’s really dead, isn’t he?”

  Joachim dipped his head to one side. It was such a tiny, quick move, if I hadn’t been so focused on him, I would have missed it.

  “Tarja?”

  “Yes.”

  I hated the shaky feeling creeping through me. “Where is everyone?”

  “There is much yet to be done. They are seeking out Gaia, Johnna’s grandmother, to rescue Gerard and Sabine. To have any hope of winning this war, we need their help, especially Gerard’s.”

  I fidgeted with the thin blanket, pulling it up under my chin more for comfort than need. “Is it that bad?”

  He nodded. Again. A man of few words. I liked him a bit more. “How long was I asleep?”

  “A few days. They tried healing you several times, but it didn’t work.”

  I did a quick mental check of my body but found nothing out of the ordinary—everything moved and seemed to be working as it should. The last thing I remember was falling asleep against Johnna in the tunnel. “What happened? Was I sick?”

  I watched in amazement as his lips curled upward into a serene smile, transforming his stoic face into perfection. Like my father, he was beautiful. What was it with beautiful men in this place? If I thought about it too much, my inferiority complex would get a complex. As it was, I had too many other, more pressing things to fill my head than the irony of a bunch of gorgeous people living in Hell.

  “In a way you were,” he answered. “You were heartsick.”

  I rubbed my face, disgusted by the oily residue on my skin. If I asked nicely, would he let me take a long, hot shower?

  “I am the Watcher King, but you may call me Joachim. There’s something we need to discuss. It won’t take long and after, I will show you where you can bathe and freshen up.”

  I held up my hand, pretending not to notice the slight tremor. “Wait a minute. You can read my mind too?”

  He looked at me blankly. “No. It is what I would desire in your situation.”

  I let my hand drop back into my lap, winding the blanket’s thin material around one of my fingers. “Oh, well, okay. You’re right. A long, bubble bath sounds terrific.”

  He handed me a glass of water. It turned out to be the freshest, sweetest water I’d ever tasted.

  “We must first discuss your future. You have decisions to make.”

  I choked on the water. Coughing and breathing at the same time was very overrated—and embarrassing. Especially when the offending liquid squirted out through my nose. Ignoring his rich chuckle, I cleared my throat and wiped the water off my face with the underside of my blanket. “What’s so important about my future that I have to decide right now?” I eyed him warily as I waited for his reply.

  He didn’t speak but stared intently, seeming to measure my worth, until I wanted to disappear. “Well?” I asked again. From previous talks with Lucien, I’d gathered Joachim was normally a man of few words and quick action, which he’d already proven, but his current hesitation was a surprise. I figured the leader of the supreme court of Hell would have more oomph to him.

  “This is—difficult. And a bit unusual.”

  “Just spit it out. Like you’re ripping an adhesive strip off a scab. Seems to work for me.”

  “Willow, it was your father’s wish you take his place if he was killed.”

  I stared at Joachim and blinked. Once. Twice. Maybe spitting out the words wasn’t the best way after all. My vision turned hazy, the room and the king’s face blending together.

  “Willow? Are you feeling worse?” He moved closer, the skin between his brows deeply furrowed and his lips downturned. I focused on the worry swirling in the depths of his silvery gaze and slowly my dizziness faded.

  “Nothing oxygen wouldn’t cure,” I gasped, trying to suck some in. My brain felt frozen, as did my heart. “Honestly, I don’t really know how I am at the moment.” I frowned at him. “Why would my father want that? From what he told me, a Watcher’s job is too important to allow just anyone in—and he didn’t know me. Besides, I thought all Watchers were male.”

  “This is true. Well, it was true.” He rested his elbows on his knees and clasped his long fingers together between them. “Your situation is a bit different. There has never been a female Watcher, and I now find myself in unfamiliar territory.”

  “Welcome to my world.”

  “I would be remiss if I didn’t explain what would be expected of you, should you choose to honor your father’s wishes. As a Watcher, first and foremost, you will be expected to render punishments. An Erinys judges those who have sinned and decides the appropriate punishment. We carry that punishment out. We are the guardians of Dark World and protect all who live here from themselves and from others.”

  His voice
lowered, and any hint of emotion disappeared. “I have to warn you, this is not an easy life. There is a lot for you to learn. This world and the races living here are not known to you. All Watchers have an unshakable sense of what’s wrong and right, but unfortunately, temptation and sin are strong. Nothing is ever black and white in any world, and we must be able to see all sides. The most difficult task I have had to do is sentence those I considered friends to eternal torture and death.”

  “Wow.” I fidgeted, the bed’s comfort gone.

  He arched a brow. “You have questions?”

  I shook my head. “No . . . Maybe . . . No. It’s just a lot to process.”

  “Before he left, Zander told me about your past—only relating those times where your magic controlled you.”

  I pushed myself into more of a sitting position against the headboard, uncomfortable about where this conversation was headed. “I’m never going to be able to forget my past, am I?”

  “Do you want to?”

  I stared into the swirling liquid silver of his eyes and, for the first time, really considered my answer. Did I? When I asked myself if I could forget the pain and agony I suffered growing up, I knew what my answer was.

  “No.” My voice sounded softer and huskier than normal. “My past is a part of me and who I am. Who I will become. Everything I’ve experienced, both good and bad, have molded my beliefs. Molded me. I need to remember them. No matter how painful those memories are.”

  His smile erased some of my self-doubt. For once in my life, my decision came to me as clear as a church bell. “I will honor my father’s wish. You might regret offering once my training starts.”

  His rich laughter washed over my jumbled nerves. “It wouldn’t be the first time.”

  My anxiety about Malachi still churned in my gut yet accepting Joachim’s offer had lightened my burden somehow and gave me hope. There was nothing I could do to help Malachi. Not at this moment. But I would. Somehow I would find the strength inside of me. The strength he believed in.

  The strength I needed to believe in to find him.

  Chapter 20

  “Your first lesson, Willow, will begin as soon as we meet up with Johnna and Gaia,” Joachim said.

  My gaze locked with his. “Have they found her parents yet?”

  “Yes and no.”

  I heard the hesitation in his voice, but Johnna was my friend. “That was a little too cryptic for my taste. I know we just met, and you don’t know me. You know of me, but you don’t know me. I’m tired of always being in the dark. I think I’ve proven myself quite capable of handling most situations, especially the worst ones.” I jutted out my chin. “Spill it.”

  The swirly-eye thing he gave me was disorienting, especially without any blinks, but I stood my ground. And tried not to blink back.

  “You are right. You have proven yourself. From now on, I will endeavor to keep you informed. However, there will be times when I won’t be able to honor this promise to you.”

  Sitting back, I tried to give Joachim a smile, hard to do—something as simple as a smile—when my life was in the proverbial trenches. Johnna flashed into my mind, and I remembered how I’d wished to become more like her. Thinking of my previous desire and also how I felt with Malachi by my side, my lips managed to curve upward.

  “Thank you, Joachim. And I do understand. You’re the king. Not telling me everything is to be expected. I am grateful to you for acceding that much.”

  He dipped his head to one side in the old-world style I was growing used to. I wouldn’t mind if chivalry made a comeback.

  “The women went to seek help from Ouranos. Not much gets past the sky god, in any world.”

  I groaned. “Strangely enough, mythology class wasn’t one of my favorites.”

  “It probably would not have helped you much. Humans rarely get the history right. Their minds aren’t evolved enough yet.” He paused, his brows furrowing. “Although, there are a few writers who are close.”

  I wondered for a minute who they might be, but I was more concerned about what was happening now. “Did Ouranos know anything?”

  “He told them their answers lie with Zeus. Cryptic as usual for the sky god.”

  “I’m beginning to think being cryptic is a job requirement in Dark World.” I chewed on my bottom lip, missing Malachi. What if we couldn’t find him in time?

  I gave myself a mental slap. Thinking like that would get me nowhere. I didn’t care what I had to do. I would find him no matter how long it took me.

  “You must be prepared to leave in case they need you, so you should probably take the bath you wanted.”

  I shook my head. “I couldn’t even begin to think about leaving. What if Malachi—”

  “I believe I can manage to take care of whatever might happen. Your family needs you, too.”

  Stunned, I pondered what a difference a few days made. I wasn’t used to considering family. I let out my breath in a loud whoosh. “Fine. Do you know when Johnna and the others will arrive?”

  “I expected them back before now but getting to Sabine might have taken longer than expected.”

  I nodded, my mind returning to my missing demon. “Uh, Joachim? Have you heard anything about Malachi?”

  “Lucien and I suspect where he’s being held. I sent one of my men to verify his location. He, too, should be here soon.” He started to leave but hesitated. “The Watchers have never had a female in our ranks before, nor has anyone outside our race ever assumed someone else’s position. I say this as a warning. You might find yourself with a few changes over the upcoming days.”

  “What kind of changes?”

  “It will be a surprise for us both.”

  It wasn’t what I wanted to hear, but it was better than nothing, so I forced my feet to take me toward the shower.

  Thirty minutes later, I stood in front of the mirror, staring at a stranger’s reflection.

  I was me, but not. I hadn’t seen myself in a mirror in so long. The person reflected there was not the me I’d grown up knowing. That girl had short, curly, mousy brown hair with deep purple highlights and overly large blue eyes. I had never been tall, and my figure veered more to the curvy side.

  Now I finger-brushed gold hair, letting the loose curls fall down around my face and shoulders. I pulled one strand until it was straight. It stopped even with my breast. I stared, crowding close enough to the mirror to fog it with my breath. Swirling silver eyes stared back at me.

  This was crazy—and had to be the changes Joachim mentioned.

  I studied the clothes that’d been delivered to me while I’d taken the fastest shower ever, since the bubble bath I’d hoped for would have to wait. Not a style I usually wore, but this military look wasn’t half bad. I twisted, pivoting on one surprisingly light boot then the other as I appraised my new look, liking the way the pants hugged my hips, slenderizing my profile. Holding my arms out, I slowly turned and realized I had slimmed down a lot since my last day in the Mortal Realm. Even my breasts looked nice and perky.

  A flick of movement caught my gaze, and I noticed the cape. Where had it come from? I hadn’t put on a cape. I spun in a circle, trying to see it more clearly. I could deal with the military style outfit; however, the cape had to go. I reached up and pulled the material at the back of my neck.

  Instead of loosening the cape, a giant pair of wings unfolded from my shoulder blades.

  My eyes widened as I stared into the mirror, not quite believing what I was seeing. “Nooo. No, no, no. This isn’t possible. I can’t have wings.” I twisted around again but only made myself dizzy. I closed my eyes and automatically turned to one of my favorite coping skills for when I was overwhelmed. I felt the warmth of the pumpkin-spiced coffee, the delicious scent filling my nostrils. Or the taste of rich chocolate as i
t melted in my mouth—

  And the way my body tingled and warmed when I was wrapped in Malachi’s arms.

  Abruptly I sat on the end of the bed, no longer worried about wings, hair or eye changes, or what I’d agreed to become. A calmness filled my heart and my lips tingled, wanting to curl up as Malachi’s beautiful face filled my mind.

  What I felt for him was more than a schoolgirl crush, and it scared me to death. Every time I’d tried to get close to someone, they always ended up hating me. Seeing the disdain on his face was the last thing I wanted. I doubted my heart could stand it, but I couldn’t deny what I felt deep inside any longer. I loved him.

  I stared into my own swirling gaze and let out a stuttering sigh, my bottom lip quivering. “Look at what happened with Zander.”

  Pushing away the mounting panic, I jumped off the bed and turned away from the mirror. Suddenly needing company, I quickly crossed to the door.

  You are never alone, Willow, DC whispered and appeared on my shoulder.

  “I know. It’s just . . . well, I’m used to anger and jealousy, even hatred. The flip side of those emotions is a lot more difficult for me to deal with.”

  Malachi and Zander were right. You are stronger than you give yourself credit for. You didn’t hesitate when you accepted your father’s last wish. Watchers are the guardians of all and scary strong. It is who you are meant to be.

  I nodded, hearing DC’s words but not really accepting the meaning behind them. Opening the heavy wooden door, I peeked out, peering up and down, but the hallway was empty. I was a tiny bit surprised Joachim hadn’t placed a guard at my door.

  My stomach let out a very loud growl, and I made my decision. Since there was no guard or even imps to ask, I would have to find the kitchen myself and hope I was allowed to roam Joachim’s castle. I opened the first door I came to, but it was only another bedroom. Three more doors led to three more bedrooms. I trekked to the end of the hallway, down a narrow staircase, and then several more hallways. After a few more staircases, it didn’t take me long to realize how big the North Castle really was. Every hallway and room seemed larger than the last.