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"Tate just called me regarding Cal and Tarek," Silas announced. "Cal was supposed to meet him, but when he didn't show, Tate went to the cottage, and both Cal and Tarek were gone. Tate found a note by the back door." Silas relayed the contents of the note, and all things became clear.
"Tarek gained entrance to the Palace, to the sub-basement, without being caught?" Ismael marveled. "That took some real skill and a lot of nerve."
“His beloved has been abducted and is in danger.” Louis pointed out. “He will do whatever he has to do and go to any length to secure his safe return.”
"And will gladly die trying," Silas added. Any lingering doubt as to Tarek's loyalty to his beloved quickly vanished.
“How do we find them?” Ismael asked.
“The original meeting place was at the end of County Road 48, so we start there. I’m picking up the scent of the Codex; I’ll be able to follow it.” Louis headed out with Silas and Ismael by his side. “It’s time the witches were brought to heel and taught the consequences of crossing Coven DuCane.” He stated with the fury of their fucking audacity burning through him.
They left in a black SUV, all three prepared for war. County Road 48 wasn't far from the DuCane border. When they left the SUV and walked to the open field, concealed by trees and rock at the edge of a deep ravine, they saw the kindred standing in a half-circle, their leader at the center.
Before them was Cal, tied up with ropes and chains and confined by a spell. His eyes were open, but he was not moving. Standing back on the edge of this profane conclave, holding a large book under his right arm, was Tarek.
CHAPTER SIX
Cal could watch, but he could do nothing else as he watched the love of his life, Fate's gift, and the man he swore to protect walk into this chaotic mess. They'd bound him both physically and spiritually with some god-awful spell.
All he could move were his eyes because they wanted him to watch, they wanted to taste his pain and bathe in his sorrow. But he knew his beloved better than they did, and he knew Tarek would have a plan. His man had skills and a sharp mind. He wouldn’t have just walked in here blind.
Then he noticed something far off, someone breaking through the tree line. It was Master DuCane, Ismael, and Silas who stood about five hundred yards from Tarek, carefully taking in the scene before them. He wished he could speak; he wanted to yell out to his beloved.
“The Master is behind you. You are not alone.” Cal channeled the thought to Tarek through their fragile bond. Tarek instantly straightened and gave a curt nod. He did not turn around but rather took the book from under his arm and held it out as if offering it to the kindred.
"Release him, and I will give you the Severine Codex.” He shouted. Malfane stepped away from the others and moved toward Cal. He stood next to him and ran his dismissive gaze over Cal.
"Give me the Codex, and I will give you your lover." He said it with sarcasm and a smirk, believing he was in control. Cal looked at Tarek and gave him calm and clarity. Tarek needed to be careful and decisive in the next few minutes.
The Master and his men were moving closer. The kindred didn’t seem to notice them, yet they were so caught up in this ugly game they were playing and were overcome by the power of the Codex.
“You’re not leaving here with that book still in your possession, so you might as well hand it over now. It's mine anyway. I hired you to bring it to me, and then you steal it away." He still wore that stupid grin like he held the upper hand.
This deluded man did not realize that his life would be sorely changed by the end of this day, and not for the better. Master DuCane had destroyed nations for less than what this man has dared to perpetrate upon him and his people.
"You never paid, so I owe you nothing." Tarek shot back sharply and clearly. "Release Cal and let him come to me. Only then will I hand it over.” He stipulated and then pulled the book to his chest. The movement caused a reaction and a surge in the crowd. Apparently, they didn’t like him getting so familiar with their book.
“Bring me that fucking book!" Malfane screamed and then raised his hand, indicating for his men to take it. “Get that book and get it now! Tear him apart!”
They started rushing Tarek, and Cal thought his heart was going to explode with panic for his beloved. Every cell in hisbody was screaming. He pulled on his restraints and was trying to force his body to move. Master DuCane and his men started running toward Tarek, and they had their long swords out, and all Cal could do was watch.
Tarek sensed Cal’s panic and soothed him with a wink. "I got this, Cal, don't worry. There are many facets to this book." He sent the message, and Cal could feel his calm touching him. The Master and his men were cutting through the kindred, backing them off, but they never stopped.
The kindred could not break through the power of the Codex, but they didn’t stop. Their sheer number could compromise the strength of that one book. Cal was losing his mind.
Malfane saw Master DuCane and screamed for him not to interfere, but it had no effect. Master DuCane was a master swordsman, as were Ismael and Silas. The kindred were paying for their disrespect, but their numbers never seemed to diminish. More rushed forward as others fell.
They surrounded Tarek, but remained a few feet away, still held back by the Codex. But how long would it keep them back? Malfane dropped back until Cal could no longer see him.
The kindred were coming in droves like water rushing over a dam. He feared how long Tarek could keep them at bay and how many Master DuCane and his men could kill. He tried to move, and this time his hand moved not much, but there was a movement, signaling that the spell was weakening. He reached out to Tarek once again, pushing his strength and resolve to him.
The horde came together as one and swept toward Tarek, intent on capturing the Codex in a blitz of force. Cal felt his heart in his throat as he continued to struggle to get free, and then suddenly the air was on fire, charged with a current sharp andfocused. Tarek had thrust the book forward and opened it, and the resulting power surge swept across the open space, cutting down everything in its path.
Cal held his breath, expecting to be similarly cut down, but the current passed over him and tore apart the kindred behind him and to his left. He had no explanation for this, and by the look of surprise on the Master's face, he too was taken aback. Tarek, though, seemed in full control of what was happening; he was in full control of the Severine Codex.
The current continued to pulse across the open space until every witch, every member of the kindred present in that field, lay dead. Tarek slapped the book closed, and everyone stood stunned for a few seconds. Then, Cal realized he was free. The spell was broken, and his binds had fallen away.
