“There is always that possibility. But it’s more likely that he is not acting alone. If only we had thought to confront him the night Caitlin died, we would have had our proof. At the time, we were more concerned for the safety of our Wizardlings. But there is a way we can find out if Vlad was responsible.”
Rowan looked up. “What do you mean?”
“If a female Wizard is powerful enough, when she is murdered, her unique tattoo, the one that represents both her name as well as her water sign, is transferred to her killer.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
The white-gold ribbons of dawn wove through the Trolls’ compound, waking its inhabitants from their dream worlds as the silver-haired Air Wizard dropped from the sky. Hunter’s bow was slung over his shoulder, and a quiver of arrows strapped to his back. He walked among them like an icy breeze, his presence acknowledged, but he knew he wasn’t welcomed. A few nodded to him; the rest let him pass unchallenged. Unlike Fire and Earth Wizards, his kind was tolerated. But he knew if they found out he’d unwittingly betrayed their trust, even that small concession would be stripped away.
When he’d told Vlad that Rowan was on the Trolls’ compound, it was without the knowledge Morgan might be with him. An unfortunate miscalculation on his part and one he intended to rectify.
Reading the message Vlad had written was the first step, accomplished with a trick of light and air his kind possessed and kept secret. He felt no remorse or guilt in deciphering the message from Vlad. In fact, it proved once and for all that the Grand Vizier could no longer be trusted. Hunter had no problem carrying out the orders of the Talons and the Grey Council to eliminate those they felt had violated the laws of either the magical community or the humans, but there were exceptions—he had never killed a full female Wizard or her children.
Now, he sensed there was a rebellion brewing and he wanted to gather more information before taking sides.
Hunter had two arrows ready, one to deliver the message to Rowan and the other to kill him if he tried to follow Vlad’s orders. Unlike Earth and Fire Wizards, an Air Wizard’s only lifelong loyalty was to Water and, by extension, the women and sea goddesses who held that element’s power.
Air caresses water, gives it strength and calms its waves with a touch. Water in turn adds healing moisture to the air and increases the power of the storms Air Wizards create. Few, other than female Wizards, knew of this unbroken connection and bond that swept back to the beginning of creation.
He deeply regretted his attack on Vlad’s yacht when the female Wizards had fled the island. When Vlad had given him the order to find them and turn their ship around, the Grand Vizier had claimed they were being kidnapped. Fool that he was, he had believed Vlad, without consulting Caitlin. It was only later that he learned Caitlin was already dead then.
The skirmish he waged on the yacht proved Vlad’s claim as false. Only female Wizards were onboard, and it was clear they were prepared to die rather than return. They had fought bravely, and Morgan had proved a strong and capable leader. He would not make the same mistake by trusting Vlad’s words a second time.
From his vantage point, Hunter watched as Rowan woke, propped on his elbow and gazed down at the sleeping Morgan. The blanket had slipped from her shoulders and Rowan pulled it over her skin gently. The unusual display of tenderness in a Fire Wizard, although common during Bealtaine, was to Hunter’s experience unknown outside the confines of the Fertility Festival. Rowan was known for his ability to stay detached. If Rowan had become involved with Morgan, Vlad’s message would indeed be a test, the kind perhaps no one could have predicted.
“Well, Fire Wizard, let’s see where your true allegiance lies.” Hunter notched the first arrow with Vlad’s message attached, leveling the tip on a point just above Rowan’s head.
The silver shaft flew from Hunter’s bow in a blur of gray light, glided through the wagon’s open window and embedded in the wall.
Rowan was quick to respond. He retrieved the message, read it, then snapped his attention toward Morgan.
Hunter pulled the second arrow out of his quiver. This one was tipped with a fatal dose of Oculist poison. A gift from Vlad. When he questioned the Grand Vizier on where he’d obtained the illegal substance, Vlad had assured him the Talons and the Grey Council sanctioned its use as necessary under unusual circumstances. Of late, Hunter was beginning to question Vlad’s motives. When Vlad ordered Hunter to kill a female Wizard, that ended debate. Killing a female Wizard was a line Hunter would never cross.
He notched the arrow against the string of his bow with Rowan’s heart in his sights and waited. If the Fire Wizard made a move to kill Morgan, it would be his last.
Rowan seemed to re-read the note a second time. Then in what looked like a fit of anger, he crumpled it in the palm of his hand. The note burst into flames and turned to ash. Hunter pulled the string tighter. Destroying the note proved nothing.
The Fire Wizard shoved off the bed and yanked on his clothes. A scowl deepened over his expression as he put on his glasses. When he reached the door, he paused long enough to glance toward Morgan again before leaving the wagon.
Hunter eased the tension on his bow, feeling a shift in the air. Vlad’s message was clear. Rowan was to kill Morgan the instant he read the order. Why had Rowan waited? Defying a direct order was an offense punishable by death. There would be no reprieve or second chances. In fact, it was likely Vlad would give Hunter the kill order.
“Lower your bow or I’ll be having a barbeque over your charred remains.”
Hunter froze and did as the Fire Wizard instructed. The Fire Wizard had found him as he weighed his options. Diplomacy won over certain death. “I didn’t hear you coming.”
“I’m a Fire Wizard, and I get super-motivated when someone shoots at me.”
“I was aiming for the wall. If I’d wanted to shoot you, you’d be dead.”
“Comforting thought. Why didn’t you shoot me when I failed to carry out Vlad’s orders?”
“Why didn’t you send flames to end me when you realized my location?”
“Curious.”
Hunter nodded. “I as well. Vlad is drawing outside the lines of his job description. Thought I would too. Especially since he doesn’t seem to have the female Wizards’ best interests at heart.”
“Ya think? Tell me something I don’t know. I’m assuming you read the message. He ordered me to kill Morgan. Why is she a threat to him?”
