Basically, it had become a huge political power play.
So Teagan sent an escort of extinguishers out with Shaman Chepaney into the Cherokee Nation to search for possible victims while the rest of us stayed back to research witches and wait for the Wild Hunt to arrive. It was pretty clear that Raye and his mockers were innocent but the Human Council refused to make any final decision on the matter until all the evidence was collected. They were obviously using the mockers as leverage to keep themselves in the witch investigations. So Raye remained in limbo and Raza remained in HR.
Much to Tiernan's chagrin.
After Raza's big declaration of pursuit, Tiernan had become a vigilant companion, rarely leaving me alone. Raza in turn, observed Tiernan, usually while smirking, and I watched the both of them warily. It was an awkward love triangle which wasn't actually a love triangle, and I had no intention of making it into one. Raza was right in one aspect though; if our love was strong, his advances wouldn't matter. However, temptation is never easy to resist, especially when it pursues you so rapaciously.
Even with Tiernan's diligence, Raza still found moments to mess with my peace of mind. He had no problem flirting with me in front of others but I could deal with that, it was the rare private interludes that were difficult. I was headed back to the library from the bathroom when he struck the first time.
A hand shot out and grabbed my wrist; a hand tipped in talons. I was pulled roughly into an empty room, some kind of study, and the door was shut quietly behind me. Before I could react, my hand was lifted and a pair of sinister lips laid over the back of it, sending tingles up my arm.
“Princess Seren,” Raza purred. “You shouldn't be wandering the halls alone. Your lover would be dismayed.”
“Funny,” I pulled away but he swung me back and pressed me into the door with his body.
I swallowed hard as the firm length of him leaned against the length of me and I was able to feel every dip and plane, every curve and hollow, every twitching muscle on him. He sank into my softness and a groan was pulled from my throat by invisible hands. Damn but dragons were built; for speed and strength, and... other things. His wings extended out and then curved around us, blocking out everything but him; his face, his shining eyes, his descending lips.
“Whoa,” I slid a hand up between us and his mouth smacked into it.
He took my hand and kissed it again, as if that had been his intention all along. Then he shifted my palm to his face, holding it there as his mouth fell on my throat. I gave a startled gasp as the heat of his tongue met my skin and my hand clenched automatically on his cheek. He growled, low in his throat, the vibration tickling my skin as he released my hand and slid his arms around me.
“Seren,” he whispered in my ear. “Don't limit yourself to one man. You have only just discovered your fey blood. Its magic has yet to be truly released, it's heat has yet to be truly ignited. Let me show you how much more you could have.”
“I'm happy with what I've got,” my voice was breathless.
“I'm sure you are,” he leaned back to look into my eyes. “But I can take you higher; straight into the heavens.”
“I'm a twilight fairy, Lord Raza,” I grabbed the door handle behind me and twisted. “I'm happiest in between the earth and sky.” I opened the door and slid out. “Besides,” I gave him a sly smile. “You aren't the only one who can fly.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“We have one!” Teagan burst into the bedroom I was sharing with Tiernan in the guest house. Cat jumped up excitedly and circled Teagan. She didn't have her glamour on and Teagan gave her a second glance when he noticed.
“We have one what?” I looked up from the book I was reading;True Witchcraft. I had been hoping that the title was accurate but so far, it was not.
“A possible witch attack,” Teagan explained as he scratched Cat's head absently.
“Already?” I sat up straight and put the book down.
“The shaman has verified it?” Tiernan slid off the bed and approached Teagan.
“He's convinced enough that he's already beginning the spellwork,” Teagan nodded. “He believes this may be a revenge attack for Mr. Hocktochee's death.”
“Why does he think that?” I asked.
“Because the intended victim is a young man with Down's Syndrome, not the usual type that mockers go for,” he said grimly. “I mean witches, not the usual type that witches go after.”
“Great, now they're preying on the mentally challenged?” I huffed.
“He's lucid enough to testify to his treatment, giving the witches credit for the crime, while being an unreliable witness,” Tiernan observed. “It's diabolical.”
“Well, now it's certain,” I sighed.
“What is?” Teagan asked.
“We're at war,” Tiernan answered for me.
“Which means that we'll need to set a guard on the Council House as well as on the victim,” I added. “If the mockers were able find out about our involvement, I'm sure these witches did too.”
