Midnight's Captive(51)

“We’ll find her,” Phelan said from beside him.

Charon nodded, unease beginning to creep up on him again.

He was the first to see the tree with the flowers blooming in bright vibrant colors at its base. Laura’s trail led right to the tree, but the flowers were out of place in the deep shadows.

Ramsey knelt on one knee and peered close at the flowers. “Magic did this. Mie magic,” he said, and turned his head to Charon.

“Laura has no magic,” Charon said.

Lucan leaned a hand upon the pine as he looked at the flowers. “Are you sure?”

“I’d know. I looked for it often enough,” he grumbled.

“Someone blew up your cabin,” Phelan said.

Broc’s wings shifted, his lips pulled back in a scowl. “Someone is also preventing us from using our power. I doona like it.”

Charon ran a hand down his face. “I’ve known Laura for two years. No’ once did I ever feel magic from her. She’s no’ a Druid.”

“Oh, shite,” Lucan said, and backed up a few steps. “Laura had visitors.”

Phelan gaze lifted to Charon filled with regret. “Lots of visitors. And by the looks of it, Laura left with them willingly.”

Charon couldn’t believe it. Wouldn’t believe it. Laura knew how dangerous Jason was. He had told her. Why would she go with him?

There was a gust as Broc jumped into the air and his wings caught the wind. He maneuvered through the limbs until he soared above the trees, his body skimming the top branches.

It was a huge chance he took taking flight in the middle of the day when a mortal might see him. Charon stilled, waiting, hoping that Broc found Laura.

Suddenly Broc dived between trees and swooped to land in front of Charon. His face was set in hard lines as he shoved his blond hair out of his eyes. “I found her.”

Charon released the breath he hadn’t known he was holding, a smile forming. He’d be happy once she was back in his arms.

“She’s with Jason.”

The smile died instantly. Charon swallowed, his mind racing with possibilities as he met Broc’s gaze. He knew the depravity that Jason could do. Charon wouldn’t leave Laura to suffer that alone.

He’d known there was a chance he’d have to fight Wallace again to get Laura free. And he was prepared for that.

Charon walked around Broc to head in the direction the Warrior had flown. He hadn’t taken two steps before Phelan blocked his way.

“Where are you going?” Phelan demanded.

“To get Laura.”

A half smile pulled at one side of Phelan’s lips. “Good. I’m coming with you.”

“We all are,” Ramsey said.

Charon turned to look at Ramsey, Lucan, Ian, and Broc. “Nay. You four have wives. Go home to them. Protect them. Who knows when Jason will strike next.”

“You can no’ do this alone,” Lucan said.

“We willna let you,” Ian added.

Charon cursed and began to pace.

“You know it’s a trap,” Phelan stated as he held up a hand and let his claws elongate one finger at a time. “Jason expects you to come for Laura, and when you do, he’ll kill you.”

Charon halted and leaned his head back to look at the sky through the thick branches above. “Aye. I know.”

“And you would walk into such a trap?” Lucan asked.

Charon lowered his head and glanced at Phelan. Only he knew the depth of Charon’s feelings for Laura, or as much as Phelan could guess.

“Laura is my responsibility. I vowed to keep her safe. I promised her Jason wouldna harm her.”

Phelan leered, the need for blood shining in his blue-gray eyes. “Then we get Laura back.”





CHAPTER NINETEEN



Aisley followed behind Laura Black. She was surprised the mie had believed the lies Jason told her, but then again, Jason could be very convincing when he wanted to be. She had firsthand knowledge of that.

But Aisley also had a sneaking suspicious Jason used magic when Laura didn’t immediately believe him. Jason was predictable when it came to using his magic.

“What is it?” Mindy asked mockingly as she waited for Aisley to catch up with her.

Aisley didn’t so much as glance at her hated nemesis. Mindy thought she was a rare beauty, but the thick coating of makeup and the bright red nails and lipstick did nothing to help her pallid complexion.

“Try a new shade of lipstick. That one makes you look like a damned vampire,” Aisley said.

Mindy gave a gasp of fury and sank her nails into Aisley’s arm. “How dare you talk to me that way. Do you know what I mean to Jason?”

“Oh, I know,” she replied, fighting the urge to gather magic in her palm and slam it into Mindy for touching her.