Sea's Sorceress (9 page)

“Last night was the first night in months where I slept. Really slept. He’s good for me.”
And there goes the phone.
“I have to catch that.”

“Well, I’ll let you get back to work then. You’re good for each other. If you do need something, call me. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help if you need it.” Kate finished her toast.

Rhiannon nodded. “I know, and I will.”

* * * *

Rhia wiped down the bar, checking under-counter stock as she went, starting the process of preparing for the evening shift. The lunch crowd had thinned out to the usual two or three stragglers. It had been so busy at lunch, she and Skye had barely spoken to each other except to pass along orders. She’d felt his gaze fall on her when he’d come out of the kitchen. The same intense heat she’d found in his kiss, his touch the night before burned in his eyes this morning.

He found little excuses to touch her, tucking a stray curl behind her ear, a brush of his fingers against hers as he took an order ticket from her. She hadn’t been able to ignore the whispers and curious stares over his attention. Rhiannon looked toward the door as a bell chimed the arrival of customers.

Skye’s niece Allaina, a dark haired girl with pixie green eyes, walked in holding the hand of a tall man with mahogany hair and dark amber eyes. His stride was easy and confident, but there was an underlying aura of power surrounding him. Even if she hadn’t known the wizard, she would have recognized his element.
Fire
. The pair took seats at the bar.

“Hi.” Allaina greeted her with a glowing smile.

“Hello. Shouldn’t you be at school today?” Rhia smiled, and then glowered at Devin.

“Nah. Mom said I could have a free day.” The child made air quotes when she said the word
free
. “I’m supposed to be sick, but I’m really resting from the whopper spell Dad did Saturday. Except I didn’t need to, so Dev said I could practice
flashing
.”

“Umm. That’s really a bad idea, Allie, not to mention illegal.”

“Allie cat.” Devin warned with a low growl that reminded Rhia of a lion warning off a cub from danger. “Not that kind of flashing. If there weren’t so many witnesses, I’d show you.” His laugh was warm and rich.

“It’s cool, Dev. Uncle Skye already told her all about it. It’s like teleporting. One minute you’re here and then you’re somewhere else.”

Rhiannon laughed. “I see. So the student surpasses her teacher?”

Devin smiled. “Ages ago. It seems I owe Allie an ice cream sundae, if you have the makings on hand. A bet of sorts.”

“I think we can manage that. What kind would you like?”

“I want caramel without the nuts, but lots of whipped cream if you have it,” Allaina said.

“And for you?”

“Just coffee, and if you have any of Skye’s apple pastries left, I’ll have one of those. Is he around today?” He winked at her.

Oh. He knows. He can probably read my face like a book
.

“He was, but takes a bit of time off after lunch before the evening rush. He may be out painting on the cliffs. Be right back.”

Even when Skye wasn’t there, the kitchen still felt like his. She opened the freezer, got out a tub of vanilla ice cream, set it on the counter and then pulled a jar of caramel topping, a pastry, and a can of whipped cream out of the fridge. Thirty seconds should be enough to warm the apples. After programming the microwave, she found the ice cream scoop in the drawer by the sink and began to build the sundae until she had three layers of caramel and ice cream, then she drowned it in whipped cream. For the top she added chocolate sprinkles. “Mmm. Looks like a sugar coma in a bowl.”

She arranged the dishes on a tray and used her hip to open the swinging door.

“Here we are. A caramel sundae for the lady.” Rhiannon set the ice cream in front of the giggling young girl. “And coffee with apple tarts for her handsome companion.” She gave Devin the coffee and pastry.

“Thank you.”

“Thanks, cousin.”

“You’re very welcome. Enjoy.” She moved to continue setting up for the dinner rush, but Devin stopped her.

“I wondered if you have a free moment. I’d like to speak to you in private.”

“Sure. Follow me into the kitchen.”

“You’ll be all right here for a bit, Allie cat?”

“Yep. Go ahead. Ice cream is even better when it’s victory spoils.” Allaina waggled her eyebrows and stuck out her tongue at Devin.

Rhiannon cocked her head in question. “Victory spoils are the best kind. So what was the bet about?”

“I told Dev that mom was pregnant and he bet me a sundae it wasn’t possible. I won. Mom’s pregnant. Dev didn’t believe me until he saw the ribbons of blue in her aura.”

“That’s wonderful. I saw her this morning. I’d say the morning sickness must be kicking in.”

“Yeah, she was sick as a dog before I left for school, but she thinks she has a stomach bug, so it’s a big secret. Dev says she should find out her own way. That it will mean more. I want a brother.”

“Well we’ll be right through there if you need us.” She motioned for Devin to follow her, and pushed open the swinging door.

* * * *

Pulling out a chair, she motioned for him to have a seat. “What can I do for you?”

Devin joined her at the table. “You look happy, Rhiannon. Love suits you. I miss that sometimes. Having someone so close to you, I mean. Someone who understands you, knows your flaws and accepts you completely. He grieves with you, hurts for you.”

“Daemon’s Fire. The spell must be hardest on you, to live for years and watch those you love fade and die. Lose the ones you come to cherish to time, while you never age. I’m sorry for you.”

“It was hard on everyone. You have a kind heart. As Briella did.”

“I have her memories, but I’m not sure why. Am I her? Is she still trapped?”

“When each part unravels, another barrier comes down. She reached out to Liv in dreams. Daemon calls to Skye. It’s a stronger link between them because of his empathy and sight. But no. You aren’t a reincarnation of her.”

“Why do you call me cousin, then?”

“Curse of magic. Just as I see what was, I know what will be.”

“So my future is set in stone, then?”

“No. The future is always changing, evolving with our choices, but yours is tied to Skye’s. The vision of it changes, but that one link is constant, radiating heat. I’ll show you.”

Devin took a bowl out of the dish drainer and filled it with water. He came back to the table and set it in the center. Reaching into his pocket, he drew a small pouch out of his pocket, pinched up a bit of sea salt, and spread it in a circle around the bowl.

“The water is a simple looking glass. Place your hands on either side of the bowl.”

Knowing better than to question Devin, she cupped the bowl and wasn’t surprised when his hands covered hers, but the jolt of power coursing through her was a shock.

“The vision will be clearer if I add my skill to yours. Repeat after me.
Show us those who are bound by three, Earth, Air, and Sea. As is our right, for we are their key. Hide us from their sight so only we may see what destiny has in store for she. As we will, so mote it be
.”

She followed his instruction, first repeating the words to be sure she had them right, and then both chanted the spell a third time. The surface of the water became still and turned blue before slowly fading into an image of a red-haired woman rocking a child in her arms.

“Wow. Oh, wow. Is that me? Is she mine?”

“No.”

The disappointment punched through her gut.

“That would be your daughter Meara, and your grandchild.”

The young woman lifted her head and seemed to look out of the water. Her eyes were lightning blue. Skye’s eyes. His child and hers. Oh, hers.

“She’s beautiful, so lovely.” Reaching out, she touched the face on the surface and the image disappeared. “I wish Da could see her.” She pressed a hand to her flat belly and ached to hold that child who was yet to be. Meara.

“I’ll make sure he does.”

“It will mean so much to him. You’ve given me such a gift. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Don’t be afraid to let your heart lead.”

Devin gently touched her jaw. She felt heat and then pain lifted away from the bruise left by Maegan’s temper. “No sense in marring a face such as yours.”

“Thanks.”

“On to business. Skye mentioned you could use a hand until you can hire permanent help. I’m offering mine.”

“I appreciate them. I could use help later tonight, if you’ve got the evening free. I’m down two waitresses, but if you can manage the bar, I can cover the floor.”

“Sure. What time should I be back?”

“Around four if you can, that will give you a chance to get acquainted with everything.”

“I’ll be here.” Devin patted her hand. “Don’t worry so much. Things have a way of working out the way they are supposed to.”

Chapter 9

“That was an experience to remember,” Devin said as he stretched out like a cat in the corner booth. “I will never take my waitress for granted again, even if the service is awful.”

“You get used to it after awhile,” Skye said from across the room as he flipped the sign and locked the door after the last customers. Clean-up was almost finished.

“I’ll be ready to leave in a few minutes. I’ll get packed while you count the deposit, Skye.” The swinging door closed behind Rhiannon and a cold, clammy hand covered her mouth, stifling the scream, jerking her into the cool, dark room. Vanilla and jasmine scented the space around her and she knew who held her prisoner.
Maegan.

“I hear congratulations are in order. Did he propose while still inside you?” Maegan hissed in her ear and pressed something cold and hard to her temple. A gun? “Nice little trick, that. Don’t bet your soul on the ring.”

Something hard struck the side of her face across her cheekbone. She whimpered as pain bloomed behind her eyes. Crying out, she struggled to wriggle free of the other woman’s grasp. Blood trickled sticky and warm down her neck into the collar of her shirt.

“Bet you enjoyed that? Hmm?”

Rhia’s head jerked backwards as Maegan yanked her hair. She tried to focus.
Stay alive.
Stay alert until Skye comes looking
. She tried to scream and kicked back with her booted feet, but hit only air.

“Clever girl, but you’ll be dead before he can save you.”

Rhia whimpered and shouted out with her mind.
Help me! Skye!
Have to stay alive
.

“How does it feel to know I had him first? He still wants me.”

No.
Terrified, Rhiannon closed her eyes and held on to the vision of her child and grandchild, Meara with the ruby hair and lightning eyes. She would survive this.

“Say goodbye.” The resounding click of the hammer chinked through the air.

“A shield I cast with this cry, heat the air, fill the sky.” Devin’s spell preceded his flash into the room. “Protect what is dear to me. As I will, so mote it be.”

Maegan pulled the trigger. The bullet bounced off the shield Devin created around Rhiannon, rolled harmlessly across the floor and bumped into his boot. A finger twitch, nothing more, and the bullet was in his hand. “You okay, cousin?”

“Yes.”

“What are you?” Maegan snarled.

“Fire.” The unspent cartridge disintegrated in his hand.

Something tugged at the ropes binding her hands. Skye, and he pulled her away into the stairwell.

“Don’t believe her,” he said. “I’ve never asked another. You became my wife in my heart that moment with your pledge. No ceremony is going to change that.”

“Funny. That’s what I was going to say.”

Maegan’s eyes went huge and dark as she swung the gun in Devin’s direction.

“You do realize how pointless this is, right? I can kill you with a breath, if so inclined. Drop the gun.” Devin’s smile was blade thin.