Charon rested his chin atop Laura’s head as she snuggled next to him. He was still rocked with the knowledge that her mother and sister had ruled her life and syphoned her magic.
“What does your family have to do with magic? Are they Druids?” he asked.
“Yes.” She bit her lip. “I didn’t know they had magic until today. I … I can’t really explain what happened when I watched you dying in the forest. I was so angry and felt so bloody helpless. And then suddenly there was something inside me, some power I had never felt before. It consumed me.”
Charon didn’t move or utter a word as he silently begged her to continue.
“It was magic. I know that now,” she continued. “It built inside me until it exploded from my hands. When I opened my eyes, the cabin was demolished and everyone was on the ground. I went to you, but you weren’t breathing. And then Jason moved.”
“You ran,” Charon whispered.
She nodded and turned in his arms so they were face-to-face. “I ran for hours or days. I don’t know. I just knew I had to get away from him.”
Charon smoothed back a strand of her dark hair from her face. “What happened?”
“I ran until I couldn’t move. I slept, I guess.” Her eyes took on a faraway look. “I heard drums and chanting, and I thought I heard voices. It was all around me.”
“Your magic.”
She blinked and focused on him again. “When I woke, I knew I wasn’t alone. Jason was there, and I was surrounded. I already told you how he used magic to convince me what he said was the truth.”
“Aye.”
“I feel so damned violated,” she ground out. “His magic didna last long, though. I was able to use mine to knock everyone unconscious. I was lucky enough to make it to Ferness. When I walked into my flat, Lacy was there. She told me she and Mum had been the ones taking my magic. Before I could deduce what she was about, she threw an apple at my head. Then I woke up here. Without my magic.”
Charon wanted to ignore his phone when it rang, interrupting his conversation, but he knew he couldn’t.
He rolled away from Laura and got to his feet. He frowned when he withdrew his mobile from his pocket and saw Aiden’s name on the screen. “Aiden?” he answered.
“Charon, I need your help.”
He was instantly on alert, his gaze locked on Laura, who still sat on the bed. “What is it?”
“I doona think Laura is working with Jason. He just called, asking about her. His questions make me think he has no clue where she is, but he wants her.”
“That’s no’ going to happen.”
“I thought you’d say as much.” Aiden paused. “Jason will call off the epidemic upon Edinburgh if Britt and I give ourselves up.”
Charon ran a hand down his face. “That means he knows you’re on to something. You can no’ stop.”
“I know. Yet, I can no’ allow innocent people to die in our war.”
“Damn,” Charon muttered, and sank into a chair. He braced his elbows on his knees and squeezed his eyes shut. “What else did he say?”
“He’s angry. He thinks he’s one step ahead of us, and he is. He always has been.”
Charon opened his eyes to see Laura staring at him. She was part of his war now, a Druid. Jason would be coming for her, but Charon would be waiting. “We have another option.”
“What?”
“I doona want to say yet in case it doesna pan out. Give me a couple of hours.”
Aiden sighed. “Is there any way Laura can help?”
“Nay. Maybe. I doona know,” Charon replied. He wanted to trust Laura, but he couldn’t put his friends in jeopardy. At least not more than they already were.
“Hurry, Charon. I’ve already got two deaths on my conscience. I’d rather no’ have more.”
Charon ended the call and returned his phone to his jeans pocket. “I have to leave.”
“To go where?” Laura asked with a frown.
He didn’t want to lie to her, so he didn’t answer.
“I see,” she said. “I told you of my magic. I told you why I didn’t have it before. I’ve nothing in which to harm any of you. Why won’t you believe me?”
Charon frowned, hating the situation. “I want to, but there is so much at stake that I can no’ chance it.”
“Because you think I’m working with Jason,” she said flatly.
“I believe what you’ve told me. I just need some time.”
“Meanwhile, you want me to stay here?”
Charon stood and put his back to her. Jason was a thorn in their side. The fact Laura had gone with him only added to the irritation. He was glad she hadn’t fought them, because he knew all too well what Wallace would have done.