“What do you mean?”
“She shouldn’t have been able to, but she made it past me and the others and ran upstairs.”
“Impossible! The upper floors are warded against all magic. Even Mystia can’t access them.”
“Well, somehow she did and when she found out Lucius wasn’t there, she grabbed her demon and disappeared,” Nikolai said. “I assume it was he she was looking for.”
Refusing to affirm his Second’s assumption, Vasile asked, “Was anyone injured?”
“Minor scrapes and cuts but they have healed,” Nikolai replied. “But that can’t be said of the front hall. The walls have holes in them and most of the furniture suffered some kind of damage so I had all of it put in the basement for you to look at when you get back.”
“Thanks…” Vasile murmured, his thoughts elsewhere, especially on the safety of Lucius, or lack thereof. Suddenly he knew what was the cause on his uneasiness. “I have to go, Nikolai. I don’t think you have to worry about the witch and her demon showing up again, but to be on the safe side, move the coven to the hidden rooms. Call me once that has been done.” Hanging up, Vasile noiselessly slipped out of his room, and after checking to make sure the hallway was empty, proceeded to Lucius’ bedroom.
The house was quiet as Jackson headed to his bedroom where Steel waited for him. It had been a roller-coaster of a day, but in the end, everything had worked out. Checking his phone one last time as he climbed the staircase, he grinned, reading Cody’s last message. Pausing for a moment to quickly type out a reply, he hit send before pocketing it, hoping that was it for the night. Increasing his speed, he hurried up the steps, eager to see what surprise Steel had planned for them.
Turning the corner, Jackson stopped abruptly at the sight of Vasile lingering in front of Lucius’ bedroom door. Stepping back into the shadows, he watched the vampire turn the doorknob, hearing his soft curse at it being locked. Deciding it was time to confront him, Jackson sent out his Alpha power at full strength, knowing Steel would feel it and come running. Stepping into the dim light, he stood still, realizing the vampire was affected by his power.
Unable to move, Vasile settled for speaking. “This is a first for me…an Alpha Power, so strong, it can even control a vampire as old as me. Now my question has finally been answered.”
“What question is that?” asked Jackson, slowly walking towards Vasile.
“Why my friend insisted on Lucius coming to the Blackwood Pack. I assume Brady knows about your off-the-charts power,” Vasile replied.
“He does,” Jackson said, stopping short of where the vampire stood. “Now, if you don’t mind answering my question…why are you trying to sneak into Lucius’s room? Did he ask for you?”
“No, but…”
“Then you better have a damn good reason for doing so,” Jackson growled. “I take a very dim view of anyone invading the privacy of my guests.”
Chapter 33
“My only intention was to protect Lucius from the witch and demon who are after him,” Vasile replied. “Would you please free me from your Alpha power?”
Looking past Vasile, Jackson saw Steel heading for them, worry mixed with anger reflected on his face. Pulling back his Alpha power, he shifted his eyes back to the vampire and asked, “How do you know this?”
Vasile nearly fell at the sudden disappearance of the power holding him prisoner.Damn Brady…he owes me a dinner for this.Regaining his composure, he explained, “They broke into my house, but before my men could kill them, they escaped. According to Brady, they were the ones who provided their blood to Lucius’ former master and he believes they are searching for Lucius to use the abilities they think he’s gained.”
Joining them, Steel growled, “What the fuck is going on?”
Placing his hand on his mate’s arm, Jackson murmured, “Sorry for the false alarm, babe. I thought Vasile was trying to break into Lucius’ room.”
“I assure you I was not,” Vasile said. “My only goal is to keep him safe.”
“I’m not doubting you, but why would they want Lucius? Other than translocating, which any witch or demon can do, he has nothing to give them other than what they already possess.”
“Brady didn’t tell me,” Vasile murmured. “All he said was that they were hunting him and if any alarms went off at their cottage, I was to bring him here.”
“You said they broke into your coven house, not the cottage,” Jackson pointed out.
“Lucius wanted to meet my coven members so I took him there,” Vasile replied. “It should have been a safe place but somehow they found out where he was…that’s what concerns me the most. If they could find him there, they can find him here.”
“Even if they could, it wouldn’t matter,” Steel said. “This place is warded against all magic users other than a few that are known to us.”
Vasile shook his head. “It won’t stop them. The second floor of my coven house is also warded against anyone who is not a member of my coven. However, it didn’t stop the witch from accessing it. According to my Second, she went through them as if they didn’t exist.”
“Who did your wards?” asked Jackson.
“Mystia,” answered Vasile. “She’s my friend…and a very powerful witch.”
