Morgan, pushing to her feet, raised her hand to get everyone’s attention. “I believe Caitlin wanted us to conduct the Cause-of-Death test.” The Cause-of-Death test had been outlawed by the Grey Council as unnecessary and cruel. They argued that it was better that a loved one be allowed to move on as quickly as possible rather than prolong the grieving process by concerning themselves on the hows and whys of a person’s death.
The treasonous suggestion wove through them all until it crested into one word that shook the room in raw anger.
“Yes.”
And in a matter of minutes the ceremony began.
A female Wizard knelt beside Caitlin and lit a small bundle of white sage. Slowly the woman allowed the smoke to trail over Caitlin’s body. Sage was used to cleanse dwellings and people of evil and negative energy. When controlled with a spell, it had another use. Using sage to question the Grey Council’s judgment was viewed as an act of treason, punishable by death. Nods ofapproval confirmed that everyone believed the test was worth the risk.
The pungent odor filled the air, combined with ancient words. All were riveted on the tendrils of silver smoke and its message. It could detect if a magical creature was deliberately harmed or murdered. If the smoke remained in its natural grey shades, the cause of death was as the Grey Council proclaimed. If, on the other hand, it sparkled with pulsating blood-red lights, the cause was more sinister.
Morgan eased down next to the female Wizard conducting the test, while one of the women went to guard the entrance to Caitlin’s quarters.
The silence bore down, and as the smoke drifted around the room a loud gasp broke the silence. Directly over Caitlin’s heart were pinpoints of light that sparkled and shimmered like a miniature fireworks display.
The female Wizard holding the sage spoke for the first time. “It is confirmed. Our sister was murdered.”
A collective gasp was followed by a knock on the door. Tension crowded the room as Morgan spun toward the sound, holding her breath.
“A female Troll,” the surprised woman guarding the entrance announced.
Morgan’s mother had told her of such creatures, magical, gentle, and faithful allies of female Wizards. “Quick. Show her in.”
Chapter Nine
The female Troll, who had arrived with Constantine, the president of the Talons, as his concubine, entered and touched her bowed forehead in respect. When she raised her eyes, her gaze was directed at Morgan, but her thoughts touched them all.“I am known as Cassandra and seek your forgiveness for the intrusion during this time of mourning, but you are all in grave danger. Tonight, unless you can conjure a protection spell, the Grand Vizier will succeed in murdering more of your kind. I am here to help.”
Whispered conversation ebbed and flowed, building, growing, until there was a powerful undercurrent of controlled energy. All welcomed Cassandra. Once, in the time before the shift from female to male power, female Wizards, in alliance with others of their gender, were part of a warrior people. It was this long-buried spirit that shone in their eyes after centuries of absence.
Morgan made eye contact with each one in silent understanding. What they had learned concerning Caitlin’s death had rocked them to the core. If someone could kill one of them, no one was safe. Morgan felt a renewed strength as though her friend’s life force had passed into hers.
Morgan’s deep sadness transformed with each breath she took, replaced by a new strength of purpose. For too long she had stayed on the perimeter, ignoring the signs. With each year that passed, Vlad welcomed the dark side of Wizardry and pushed back the good. Emboldened, he had killed Caitlin and, no doubt, countless others.
She gazed at the sparkling lights still hovering above Caitlin’s heart as Morgan’s hands clenched at her sides. She fought the instinct to strike out in revenge. But even as her mind’s eye plotted the attack, the light of reason took root. Vlad was wellprotected, and she knew her chances of reaching him to end his reign of terror would fail. She must assure the safety of the young Wizards first.
Morgan focused her thoughts on Cassandra, allowing them to travel to her sister Wizards as well.“Cassandra, we are honored by your presence and willingness to help us. We accept your offer.”
Morgan raised her voice, taking on the mantle of leadership. “No one must learn what we have discovered. Extinguish the sage and cleanse the room of smoke. There is much to discuss and little time before they call us for the second day’s ceremony. When the male Wizards are all under your spell and asleep, that is when you all will escape with the young Wizards.”
A collective gasp and a hum of whispered conversations surged through the room like a river overflowing its banks. Morgan knew her words tested the beliefs of all her sister Wizards. They had been raised to rely on the male Wizards for their survival.
She raised her hand to still the growing unrest. “Someone killed Caitlin because she spoke out against the leadership and was of an age where no one would suspect it unusual if she died. The oldest among you and those who have spoken out in protest are the most vulnerable. Therefore, I advise that all of you should leave and take the young Wizards with you. But as is our custom, it is your choice to stay or leave. I have already made the decision to remain on the island to assure that our plan will succeed.”
“Cassandra. Come with me. We have much to prepare before I must return to the Fire Wizard before he awakens.”
Chapter Ten
After finalizing plans with Cassandra and bidding goodbye to her sister Wizards, Morgan was numb and felt as cold as ice as she entered the tent where Rowan slept peacefully. Candles had burned down, and a soft breeze pushed against the sides of the tent. It would be dawn soon, but first she had a task she must complete, and with it a new day.
Leadership had been thrust upon her at a time when she had believed she had nothing more to contribute. When Caitlin died, her first thoughts were to run and hide and grieve. Caitlin was their rightful leader and had been killed because she posed a threat to the Grey Council. She had been raised to lead and was calm under pressure. Morgan was not calm. All she wanted to do was find Caitlin’s murderer and kill him. She could not. At least not yet. Her first duty, which would be her last, was to assure that the young Wizards and her sister Wizards escaped the island.
With new resolve, she slipped into bed with Rowan, and the moment she did, the Fire Wizard brand over her heart warmed. He must have felt hers as well, for he opened his eyes and gathered her in his arms.
Silently, she welcomed him, knowing that this would be the last time they made love. If he sensed her brand, she had no way of knowing and did not want to ask. Time slowed, and her heart ached with the gentleness of his touch as he kissed her and once more drifted back into a deep sleep.
Moments later, her eyes filled with unshed tears as she eased away from Rowan and the warmth of their bed. The frigid air hit her body like a physical blow as she dressed. Outside their tent, all was quiet. Even the music had stilled. The only sound was the breeze rustling through the trees. It seemed to whisper forher to hurry. She had spent more time with Rowan than she had intended. Leaving him was harder than she had expected.
She wanted to stay and bask in the fantasy that he loved her. She could not. Lives depended on her. Once the Talons and the Grey Council realized the female Wizards had escaped with the young Wizards, they would turn the island into a blood bath, looking for them.
