Master DuCane called Ismael, and the three of them met in the sub-basement. Guards had been posted in the sub-basement, in the basement, and at the entrance to the basement. There were also mystics on each floor to monitor the Codex's power and activity. Louis had, he thought, left nothing to chance, but he had miscalculated, and something or someone had gotten through.
“When was it last seen?” Ismael asked Silas.
"They were monitoring every fifteen minutes, so when they noticed it was gone, it had been missing for no more than fifteen minutes," Silas explained the schedule and the layers of guards he'd put on the job.
"It's been missing now for thirty-five minutes," Louis stated, and looked around the room and at the enchanted box that had held the Codex. He was trying to pick up a trace, a scent,a sign of what had happened. The book itself was so powerful that it overshadowed everything else in the room.
“Whoever took it knew a cloaking spell strong enough to dampen its impression. It would have to be something significant because that book is strong.” Silas added to the discussion. “I was hoping to be able to follow its trail, but no one has been able to pick it up since it left this room.”
Louis stood at the doorway to the room and took in everything, every aspect, every movement of the air, and then it hit him. He looked over at Ismael with a dark gaze. "Tarek Azar." He stated.
****
Tarek sat with Cal on the terrace off the east side of the cottage. It was a lovely space with a view of the rose garden in all its glory. They sat and drank interesting cocktails that Cal put together. He was currently sampling a tequila sunrise. They’d had a delicious lunch, and Cal was planning something special for dinner.
They'd talked, and Tarek learned about Cal's position in the Coven. He'd started as a soldier and then moved to guard duty. His plan was to, in time, rise to the level of team lead, but that takes years of experience and some exemplary performance. Tarek learned that Cal's life was solidly in the DuCane Coven; it was his home and his identity. Tarek hoped that there would be a place for him even with his non-exemplary past.
“You’re a man with many skills, Tarek, and the Master will recognize your unique abilities. You will be a good fit here."Cal was so confident that Tarek didn't have the heart to disagree. He could hope, and that was about all he had.
Master DuCane was a smart and discerning man, and he did not let just anybody move in next door. "You're not just anybody, Tarek, you are my beloved, and that means far more than you realize."
"You have to stop reading my mind, darling." Tarek used the endearment, and Cal melted into a puddle at his feet.
“Am I your darling, sweetheart?” He teased.
"You are my everything, Cal, my everything." That had Cal moving to pull Tarek from his seat and up into Cal's arms, where he kissed him senseless. Things looked like they were progressing nicely, but then Cal's phone rang. He was a guard, and considering their situation, he answered immediately.
Tarek could hear only one side of the conversation, but it appeared that Cal was being summoned. He explained once he closed the call. “Tate has something he wants me to see. It has to do with the witches you were dealing with, or he believes it might.” Tarek nodded.
“Stay here, it's getting dark, and I'd appreciate it if you'd remain inside until I know what's going on. Guards are surrounding the cottage, so you will be safe here."
Tarek understood Cal’s worry and his need to make sure he was safe, so he did not fight him on this. He needed Tarek to be safe, so he would stay in the cottage and wait for him. "I'll wait for you.”
“Thank you.”
“You had better be careful," Tarek added. "The witches I was dealing with are a nasty bunch."
"I'll be careful, and I won't be long." Cal kissed him hard but quick and then took off around the side of the cottage. Tarek gathered their drinks and headed inside. After an hour had passed, he started to pace the living room, worried about gaining the upper hand. Stupidly, he hadn't gotten Cal's cell number, so he couldn't call him, nor did he have Tate's number.
He stepped outside, not sure of his plan but needing to look around. When he stepped onto the walkway at the back door, he saw a folded paper lying on the steps. He bent down, opened it, and began to read.
His heart fell, and panic took him for a few seconds before he got a hold of himself. He would be no use to Cal if he fell apart now. He tossed the paper on the small iron table by the back door and took off.
They had Cal, Malfane had Cal, and if he didn't bring them the Severine Codex before morning broke, then they would kill him. He was to bring it to their original meeting place, and the exchange would take place there before dawn. If he failed to show or failed to bring the Codex Cal would die.
Tarek moved quick and quietly through the garden around the guards and made his way to the Palace. He could still feel the Codex pulsing. The thing had been in his possession long enough to have left a mark that would take time to dissipate.
The pulse was still strong enough that he could find the Codex wherever DuCane had secured it. He had to work fast and did not have time to involve others or get caught in the act. Cal was depending on him, and he would not let him down.
****
Cal hated leaving Tarek alone, even for a short while. Tate found something that led him to believe there might be an intruder on the grounds, but he didn't want to sound the alarm if it was nothing.
Considering the mood of the day, he feared he might just be seeing boogeymen everywhere. That made Cal chuckle. As he turned the corner at the edge of the rose garden, not far from where he was to meet Tate, he felt something coming up behind him, and it was coming fast.
He turned just as a thick white mist aggressively engulfed him. So many things rushed through his mind as darkness invaded and consciousness faded, foremost being Tarek and his safety. He collapsed to the ground unconscious in the dark.
The mystic that had incapacitated him spirited him away with the same magic that had gained him entrance to the Coven grounds. No one saw, and no one followed. He dropped the note composed by Malfane at the cottage before taking the vampire to the meeting place. Malfane was paying him handsomely for this vampire, so he didn’t want to be late.
