Remy’s eyes softened. “Yes I can, and you will be sent home. But first, all of you must come with me.”
“Where are you taking us?” asked Tade, warily. But before he could get the answer to his question, the sound of a snarl followed by a thump filled the room. Alarm flitted across Tade’s face as he backed up several steps and held out his arms in an effort to protect the magic users behind him. “W-w-w-what was that?”
Grinning, Kieran replied, “That’s Glenn, he’s a tiger shifter and according to my spirit, he stopped someone who was headed this way.”
Tade’s eyes widened, growing bigger as Kieran’s explanation sank in. “A tiger? Did he eat him?”
“Nope, Sawyer wouldn’t let him,” Kieran said giggling. “Don’t worry, everyone is safe.”
“O-o-okay, but where are you taking us?” asked Tade.
After receiving whispered instructions in his ear from Dylon, Remy replied, “To a safe place inside where no other magic user will be able to see or touch you.”
Seeing the hesitation on Tade’s face, Kieran placed his hand on the young man’s arm, letting his spirit explain everything to him. He watched as Tade’s doubt turned first to skepticism, then to cautious hope before ending up at relief that the end of his—and the rest of the low-level magic users’—ordeal was nearly over. Grinning, Kieran removed his hand, before asking, “Now do you trust Remy?”
Nodding, Tade replied, “I do…thank you.”
“No thanks are needed,” Remy said, a gentle smile gracing his face. “I’m just restoring the rights that were taken from every one of you.”
“How are you gonna do that? I mean restore our rights…and what do you mean by that exactly?” asked Tade.
“Could you hold that thought, Tade?” asked Remy. “We’re running out of time to get to all of the others who are being kept against their will.”
“Okay…lead the way,” replied Tade.
~/~/~/~/~
Logan’s cloaked raven flew through the hallways, ducking and weaving as he avoided witches, warlocks, ravens, and other creatures on their way to points unknown. He had to admit, Dylon’s choice of a raven was spot on, especially since it allowed him access to places neither his human nor wolf form would be able to go. As he followed another raven into the central shaft, made just for the flying creatures inhabiting the Council building, Logan flew upward, looking for the exit he needed.
Finally spying it, he dove into it, nearly crashing into a bat who’d cut in front of him before heading in the opposite direction. Shooting out of the exit into the hallway, Logan’s raven slowed down, reading the names next to each door. When he arrived at his target, he landed on one of the unoccupied perches set into the wall, keeping his keen eyes on each person who approached the door.
It wasn’t long before a warlock arrived, knocking on Zohar Stone’s door before opening it. Seizing the opportunity, Logan’s raven flew in just before the door closed. Circling the room, he decided to alight on a perch near the door he could make a quick exit if the need arose. Tucking his wings in against his body, his raven settled down, cocking its head toward the human voice in the room.
Staring at the warlock sitting opposite him, Zohar waited for him to speak. When words were not forthcoming, he opened the conversation. “Everything’s in place.”
Gerard Vonner smirked at the arrogant tone Zohar used to flaunt his position on the Witches’ Council. It might certainly be effective with most magic users, but not with him. Never with him, because Zohar had no power over him, a fact no one knew except the two of them. And soon, he’d be the only one after the final stage of his master plan played out. It had taken him years of scheming and maneuvering but now the time had come. There was a new Ruler who was young and ignorant of the many ways magic could be used against him. But the Ruler would soon find he was outmatched by Gerard when the secret he'd kept hidden from the rest of the world was finally exposed. Once he exercised that power, the Ruler and all the magic world would be under his control. Just the thought of it sent a shiver of pleasure through him, making him eager to move forward. But he fought the urge. First things first. Nodding in response to Zohar’s statement, Gerard asked, “When does Kadin plan to move the merchandise?”
“Tonight, after everyone has left,” Zohar responded.
“And what are your plans for Kadin?”
Zohar grunted before saying, “Niam will take care of him…trust me, by the time the Ruler arrives in two days, no one will be able to tell him what happened to the merchandise.”
“What about the witch who helped conceal the Ruler from your guards? Have you found her yet?”
Frowning, Zohar replied, “No, but Niam swears she will be in his custody along with the Ruler’s brothers, shortly.”
Rising, Gerard’s face remained expressionless save for his intense gaze which immobilized Zohar. Then, breaking the connection, he looked down at his suit jacket, brushing off an imaginary piece of lint, before returning his attention to the man behind the desk. “Just remember the price you will pay if you fail.”
Chapter 10
Logan was torn between following Gerard or staying with Zohar as was the plan. But that was before he was privy to the conversation between the two men which totally confused him. According to Dylon, Gerard was a second tier magic user, merely Zohar’s puppet, but after hearing the implied threat fall from Gerard’s lips, Logan had to disagree. Whatever the public relationship between the two, in private Gerard clearly was the one in charge. Making a split-second decision, Logan’s raven flew out of Zohar’s office, narrowly avoiding the closing door.
Following Gerard, Logan used his mind link to tell Kieran about his change of plans and his mate assured him he’d pass the information to Dylon. Sauntering along, the warlock stopped several times to chat with other magic users before continuing on his way. Logan listened to each of the conversations, but none provided additional evidence to support his theory about Gerard’s power over Zohar or, for that matter, his influence over any other council member.
Gerard suddenly seemed eager to get back to his office but was stopped a number of times by several warlocks and witches seeking his endorsements for their requests before presenting them to Zohar. When he finally extracted himself from the last one, his anger was nearly boiling over. It was always the same—and to say that listening to the never-ending whining that always accompanied the requests was tedious was an understatement. Frankly, he didn’t know how Zohar tolerated it but then he remembered this odious task would fall on his shoulders when he seized control of the magic world unless he appointed someone to do it instead.Hmmm…better add that to my “to-do” list.
Stopping at his office, Gerard waved his hand over the doorknob to unlock it, but before he could open the door, a shadow fell over him. Looking up, his eyes narrowed at the warlock standing too close to him. Taking a step back, he asked, “What do you want?”
