Midnight's Kiss (37 page)

“I count seven, no’ including Jason, but there could be more. And then there’s Ronnie.”

Arran fisted his hands. “I feel her magic, but I can no’ locate her, because of the spells.”

“She could be anywhere in that massive house,” Charon said.

“Get me inside, and I’ll find her,” Arran vowed.

Fallon leaned his head back, and in an instant he had released his god. Black covered his skin, and onyx claws extended from his fingers. His eyes were black from corner to corner, and he lifted his upper lip to growl, revealing his fangs.

Arran had already called forth his god, but he smiled as the rest released theirs.

“It’s time for Jason Wallace to die,” Fallon said.

Arran rotated his shoulders as Charon and Malcolm took their positions.

The only one inside the Wallace mansion who was going to survive was Ronnie.

CHAPTER

THIRTY-EIGHT

Aisley leaned against the corner of Jason’s office, the one he showed visitors. Mindy was sitting on the edge of his dark cherry desk, running her fingers across Jason’s shoulders as he leaned back in his chair.

The office was covered in expensive layer paneling, and on the walls hung paintings she knew cost more than her car. Rugs of various sizes and colors were placed haphazardly on the floor.

There were two dark leather Chesterfield couches facing each other with a coffee table between them. Near one set of large windows sat two chairs.

Behind Jason’s desk were bookshelves stocked with first editions she would bet her soul he’d never read, much less opened.

He’d been on his mobile for a good ten minutes already. And with every minute that passed, his delight increased. Aisley knew whoever was on the other end of the phone couldn’t be good for the MacLeods.

“Are you sure?” Jason asked the caller.

Jason’s smile was that of a cat who’d just gotten into the cream, and it left Aisley cold. She knew that smile. It was the one he gave her when she’d begun the
drough
ceremony. The same one when she had given her blood and soul to the Devil.

“Perfect. She’s lonely, so you should get in easily,” Jason continued.

Aisley wondered who Jason was talking to, but more important, who were they talking about? Not that Aisley could do anything about it.

Knowing only makes it worse.

It was the truth, and even when she knew she was better off not knowing, she couldn’t help but find out. Just more sins heaped onto her black soul—a soul destined for the fieriest pits of Hell.

“So he’s no’ in his village now?”

Aisley looked down at her chipped nails when Mindy glanced her way. There was much Jason had going on that Aisley didn’t know about. He’d alluded to something the day before that would surprise everyone.

And knowing Jason, that could be anything.

“Keep at her then,” Jason said. “Do whatever it takes. She’s close to him, so we’ll get him one way or another.”

A few moments later and Jason ended the call. No one had moved in his office since he got there. Dale and another Warrior Aisley hadn’t bothered to get a name from stood on either side of the door as sentinels.

Two female
droughs,
sisters who Aisley couldn’t tolerate being near, sat in the overstuffed chairs by the window.

And on the sofa was none other than Dr. Ronnie Reid.

Aisley looked at her from beneath her lashes. Ronnie was pale, and though she tried to hide it, her hands shook. From pain or fear?

Though Aisley wished it were otherwise, Ronnie was right to be afraid of Jason. Aisley had been foolish for not realizing just how much magic her cousin wielded. Until it was too late.

Ronnie sat with her back straight and one leg crossed over the other. Her left arm was heavily bandaged, and she held it close to her body.

She had a wealth of wheat-colored hair that fell to her waist, though it was in desperate need of a good brushing to get the grass and debris out from when she’d fallen.

Aisley thought of the female Warrior she’d stopped Dale from killing. Why had she done that? If Jason discovered what she’d done, he’d torture her, making every second feel like an eternity.

Aisley thought it amazing that the female’s power was invisibility. There was something about the Warrior that Aisley couldn’t allow to be killed. She didn’t know what it was, but she didn’t want the female’s death on her conscience.

It brought a smile to her face, wondering if Jason knew that she had kept a Warrior alive. He had a little red book that listed the Warriors from MacLeod Castle and their powers, but was the list complete? Jason thought it was, but she wasn’t so sure.

Aisley hadn’t seen it, but if Jason knew there was a female Warrior and she had the power to turn invisible, he’d have alerted them.

She hated that the female had been shot. But at least Aisley gave the Warrior a chance, though it was a slim one. She’d had a choice once and made the wrong decision.

But like many things, that decision had altered the course of her life. She was on a course she couldn’t veer from, one that was destroying her a day at a time.

She turned her head and looked up to find Dale watching her. The hulking Warrior gave a nod that barely moved his shaved head, but it was enough for her to know he was watching over her.

Odd, for someone who had always relished her independence, she liked knowing Dale was there. A friend—somewhat—in the viper’s nest.

“So,” Jason said as he rose from his chair and walked around his desk to lean against the front of it. He crossed his ankles and stared at Ronnie. “Are you ready to begin?”

Ronnie’s brows rose. “Now?”

“No time like the present, my sweet archeologist.”

Jason’s sneer was cold and calculating, just as he was. It sent a shiver down Aisley’s spine.

“You don’t seem to understand how this works,” Ronnie said.

Jason placed his hands on the desk next to his hips. “Enlighten me.”

“I don’t hear the artifacts until I’m near them. So I can’t simply point west and say there’s something there while sitting here.”

Aisley liked Ronnie’s harsh tone, but it wouldn’t serve her well. Something Ronnie would learn soon enough. Right now Jason was being lenient because he needed her cooperation. If only Ronnie knew Jason didn’t have the leverage she thought he did.

“How close do you need to be?” Mindy demanded as she came to stand beside Jason.

“Within a few miles.”

Mindy rolled her eyes. “You’re a Druid, bitch. Use your magic.”

Aisley bit the inside of her mouth to keep from smiling when she saw Ronnie narrow her eyes on Mindy.

“If you think you can do better, why don’t you go find them?” Ronnie retorted icily. “Oh. Wait. That’s because you can’t.”

Aisley coughed to hide her laughter, but Mindy heard it just the same. Mindy pushed off the desk, her high heels clicking on the wood as she stormed over to Ronnie.

“I’d advise you not to mess with me,” Mindy stated.

Ronnie slowly stood until she was eye to eye with Mindy. “What are you going to do, tell your boyfriend?”

Mindy let out a rage-filled scream and jerked her hand back as she readied to strike. Aisley straightened the same time Jason lifted his hand. With that simple movement, he effectively halted anything Mindy tried to do.

Aisley’s hated enemy stood frozen, her hands clawing at her throat as Jason cut off her airflow. “It’s a good look for Mindy. I vote you leave her like that.”

Jason sighed dramatically, and Mindy suddenly bent at the waist, choking and gasping for air after Jason lifted his magic.

“Too bad,” Aisley mumbled.

When she looked at Mindy, it was to find Ronnie watching her. Aisley lifted a shoulder in a shrug, and went back to leaning in the corner.

Ronnie wasn’t sure what to make of the
drough
in the corner. There was animosity between her and Mindy that seemed to go deep.

Even if Ronnie’s eyes were closed, she’d know the sound of the
drough
’s voice. It was the one who had stopped Dale from taking Larena’s head. But it was also the voice that belonged to the person responsible for shooting Larena with the X90.

Was Larena dead? And if the
drough
was going to kill Larena anyway, why not have Dale take her head?

“I apologize,” Jason said.

Ronnie swiveled her head to him. He hadn’t so much as twitched from his position other than raising a hand. Mindy now glared at Ronnie as she did the
drough
.

“I’d think as leader you’d have better control of your … team,” Ronnie said.

Jason smiled. “They get a wee bit heated at times, but I control them.”

“So I see. Is this how you’ll control the world?”

“Of course.”

Ronnie was careful not to hit her injured arm as she lowered herself back to the couch. “You’re only one man. How do you figure to rule the entire world? You can’t be everywhere at once.”

“My faithful companions, of course.”

“Of course.” Ronnie knew she was pushing her luck, but the longer she put off whatever he wanted the better. “Tell me, how well do you think your lover will do keeping everyone in line? She likes to hurt people. I can see it in her eyes.”

“She willna be ruling anyone,” Jason said.

Mindy whirled around to him. “What? That’s not what you promised me!”

“I promised you’d have a position of power, my sweet. I never said what that position was,” Jason said calmly.

Ronnie tsked. “Should’ve gotten it in writing, Mindy.”

Mindy looked from Ronnie to Jason. “You know I’m loyal, Jason. Why are you doing this to me?”

It was a dangerous game Ronnie played, and by the anger burning in Jason’s eyes, she’d all but crossed a boundary.

Jason pushed off from his desk and walked slowly to Mindy. He cupped her face in his hands and said, “Because you, darling, I was going to give the position of Punisher.”

“What?” Mindy asked, her eyes nearly glowing with excitement. “Really?”

“I said ‘was.’ Keep up,” Jason said flatly before he released her and turned away. He looked at Ronnie. “Happy now?”

“I’m getting there.”

“What’s your point in doing this?” Jason asked. “To prolong not doing as I asked? Do you forget that you and I made a pact? I gave you a promise bound in magic, but in order for that promise to be effective, you have to keep your end of the bargain.”

Ronnie held his gaze when all she wanted to do was look away. She was scared to the point of falling apart. The only reason she was able to hold it together was because of Andy. Somehow she had to get the both of them away from Wallace. “Point taken.”

“Good. Now, where do you suppose we begin? Is there anything else at this dig site of yours?”

“You mean the one you tore to shreds? Nothing magical. That was found already.”

Jason resumed his position of leaning against the front of his desk and tapped his fingers on its dark wood. “And where are those items now?”

“The MacLeods took them. I have no idea where they’re at.” And she prayed Jason wouldn’t make her go find them. She’d never be able to look Arran in the eye, knowing she was betraying all that they had been fighting for. Not to mention she didn’t know how she wouldn’t start crying and beg for his help.

Arran had an inherent nobility that would make him help her, but would it be enough before Wallace killed Andy? Did she dare to try something so reckless on the off chance Andy would be saved with her?

She didn’t want to die, nor did she want to help Jason in any way. But Andy was a brother she never had. How could she leave him to Jason’ devices?

Ronnie inwardly screamed in defeat. She didn’t have a choice. Jason had made sure of that. If only she hadn’t turned Arran away, if only she hadn’t run from him.

But she had, and she was royally screwed.

Jason stared at her for long, silent minutes. Her heart pounded so loud in her chest, she was sure everyone could hear it. All the while she silently prayed that he wouldn’t ask her to go to the MacLeods.

“I’ll get those lost items soon enough. I’ve a feeling there is something important among them, which is why MacCarrick was so hasty to remove them. So. Tell me what was in the chamber.”

Ronnie racked her brain for an answer that would lead him away from the MacLeods. She finally decided on as much truth as she thought he’d accept. “There was a dagger, several bowls, a small wooden chest, and other items like that.”

“I can no’ help but think you’re leaving something out. I want to know every item, Dr. Reid.”

“It’s not like I haven’t been running for my life or anything,” she replied before she could stop herself. “You try doing it and tell me if you remember every little detail from one night almost a week ago.”

Jason silently stared at her for several minutes. “We’ll move on for now. But understand, I will get the information. Now, why don’t you tell me what it was you released?”

“I didn’t release anything.”

“That’s not what the prophecy says.”

Ronnie knew everything counted on her next words. She’d failed drama class in school, but then again, her life hadn’t been on the line. “I found the prophecy, which you know. I haven’t released anything yet.”

“Yet.” Jason drew in a long breath, his persistent, smug smile grating on her nerves. “But you will. I’m going to make sure of it. Where is it you would’ve gone to dig next?”

Ronnie nearly collapsed with relief, but she had to keep it in check. She had lied, but if he went in her mind again, would he discover that? She hoped not.

That wasn’t all she was afraid he’d find. If Jason ever learned just how much she cared about Arran, Saffron, and the rest, he would use it against her.

“Ronnie,” Jason urged when she didn’t immediately answer.

She swallowed and looked at the floor. There were two places, but one she knew had many legends of magic surrounding it—the Isle of Skye.

And the other place was a small town northwest of Inverness.

“Redcastle.”

Jason looked at Dale. “Ready the cars. We leave in thirty minutes.”

Ronnie closed her eyes, unable to believe what she was about to do. She was thinking how she could get to Andy and rescue him when there was a loud boom that shook the mansion.