When he was done, both healers had aVburned into their flesh, forever markedashis.
“Now, there is something I believe we need to address before you resume your task—the task I’ve created you for. You blamed your previous pathetic attempts on your lack of knowledge. I’ve done some research, though my own historical texts are scarce since the Great Purge. What I’ve found is that the darker the soul of the female subject, the more effective the spell. And they must give a blood sacrifice for the ritual to be complete. I have not found anything that was documented indicating anything special other than this. That said”—he paused as he narrowed his eyes on them—“You are gypsy healers. Your magic is very, very different from mine. And as we’ve discussed, Jewel, magic is driven by its wielder’s motivations. Perhaps something in your magic is altering the spell. As much as I utterly loath admitting it, I do not know what effects the mixing of our magic will cause. That’s the burden of being the pioneer in afield.”
Anna chuckled, though it sounded weary. “So you consider yourself a pioneer? In witchmaking?”
“No, in gypsy-witch making. It’s never been donebefore.”
“That you know of,”Jewelsaid.
Volcan didn’t rise to her bait. “It’s never been done,” he repeated coolly. “I do have other news that I shall share with you. I am sure it will be very uplifting to you both and give youmuchhope.”
“Then why are you telling us?” Annaasked.
Volcan’s lips turned up in a smile that probably looked as evil as he was. “Because then I get to see the renewed sense of purpose snuffed out when I remind you that you will belong to me whether I am aliveordead.”
“Fine,” Jewel said. “Give us our hope,please.”
“There are some wolves knocking at my door. They’re attempting to blow my house in by the hair of their chinny,chin,chin.”
“Did you seriously just make reference to a children’s story?” Anna asked as she pushed herself into a sittingposition.
“What wolves? Where?” Jewelasked.
Volcan smiled at her. There was the hope he was wanting to see. “They’re at the veil to this realm, attempting to undo my spell. They’ve even brought a djinnwiththem.”
“A who?” Annaasked.
“You’re full of questions for one who has been tortured for three months,” Volcansnapped.
“THREE MONTHS!” Annaroared.
“What about the wolves!” Jewel yelled at thesametime.
“Never you mind, Jewel., Dalton is not amongst the group. I’m sure by now he’s given up on you. There’s that hope snuffing I was talking about. No bond, no word from you, for all he knows, you’re dead. But it is cute that they’ve sent out a little multi-species rescue party. They could be the poster group for interspeciesrelations.”
“Can we please go back to the part where you said we’ve been tortured forthreemonths,” Anna said. “Don’t you think that was a littleexcessive?”
“Nonsense.” He waved her off. “I left all of you intact. I didn’t turn your brain to mush. Really, you gotoffeasy.”
“Easy?” Jewel asked in a voice so soft he had to lean closer to hear her. “You think being carved like a turkey for three monthsiseasy?”
“Jewel, my sweet, you’re going to be a full-fledged witch before too long. The light in you is fading so fast. You’re going to have to get past a little torture. There are much bigger things going on than you, Anna, and your booboos.” Both women started to speak, but he waved his hand and their mouthssnappedshut.
He clapped his hands and rubbed them together. “Now, it is time,” he told them. He forced them to their feet once again and then, with a flick of his hand, they were in clean clothes and looked as fresh as if they’d just showered. He couldn’t have them traipsing around looking like death warmed over, now could he. “You are to continue your task. And I expect better results.” He stepped closer to them and enjoyed how they flinched a little as he reached out his hands. Pressing a palm to each of their chests he muttered a spell and endowed them with some of hisabilities.
“You will be able to flash now. I need you to be able to travel quicker. You simply think of where you want to go, and you will be transported there. Example, if you want to go to a city, think of that city and then think of a specific place like a dark alley or an empty bathroom. You don’t have to know where the alley is or the bathroom’s location. Just give the magic an idea of what you want, and it will do the rest. You don’t want to simply pop up in the middle of a busyhighway.”
He grabbed their arms and flashed them from the cell and then reappeared in a corridor. “Stay right there. You cannot flash from this castle until I lift my magic. You will be taking your guards with you.” Volcan flashed into the cell that held the twowarlocks.
“Wakey, wakey,” he sang as he shot a small bolt of magic at eachwarlock.
“Damn,” Z cursed as he jumped tohisfeet.
“That really isn’t necessary.” Sly growled as he too rose tohisfeet.
“Necessary? Maybe not. Fun? Most definitely. I think you will find that I went rather easy on you considering what my girls went through. I won’t be as forgiving on you if I have to bring you back here again. You are to protect them, you are to assist them, and you are to make sure they are successful in their task. You will remember what is at stake. If you fail to do these things, I will rip her beating heart from her chest. Your sister and your matewilldie.”
The two warlocks glared at him but gave him nods of understanding. He flashed them into the corridor where Jewel and Annawaited.
