The Return (20 page)

Gabby was special. She was even more powerful than Violet had been and she was in a league of her own, even back then. Aya knew that if she didn't do anything, the same fate awaited her. Arturius would awaken her the dark powers inside of her and use it to his advantage and it would destroy them all. Gabby wouldn't survive very long if he succeeded. If she succumbed… then she would do what she had to.

Looking up at Sophia, Aya said, "I will get your granddaughter back. Even if it's the last thing I do."

G
abby guessed it had been maybe two or three days since Arturius had taken her, but they had begun to blur together. It could even be four by now. And since she'd been here, she'd been tied to a chair in a room that had been converted into a study. One wall was lined with a bookshelf crammed with books and novels, a desk littered with papers against another wall and a sofa and a coffee table in the center of the room. The windows were closed tight, heavy drapes blocking out the sunlight, so it was hard to tell what time of day it was.

For at least two of those days a witch by the name of Rhian had been coming to speak to her. She was perhaps in her late twenties or early thirties, wild curly hair and feline eyes, her face dusted with a healthy dose of freckles. She said she was of Katrin's line and Gabby could definitely see it. Rhian was so much like the founding
witch,
even her magic had the same coppery tang.

"You're very powerful, Gabrielle," Rhian said, "and you don't even know how to tap into it without hurting yourself or others."

"And that's the only reason you're here?" Gabby didn't really believe her.

"I'm here to help you control it."

"You mean control the darkness and use it for evil?" she said, the sarcasm dripping from her words.

Rhian laughed, "Arturius said you were feisty."

"Feisty has nothing on me." It was meant as a warning, but the witch only smiled at her.

"You're one of the most powerful witches I have ever met. Your potential is endless."

"How would you know?"

"You're powerful because you come from the ether. Any time is a good time for you. The center of all things."

"What do you mean?"

"Arturius said your education was lacking, but I'm surprised."

"Why?"

"This is the basic
fundamentals
of witchcraft, Gabrielle. Every witch has a elemental affinity."

"And you said I'm of the ether? You mean the spirit world?"

"Yes," she said. "You're descended from Ismena. Her power comes from the other side.
From the thing that lives in us all.
Your power encompasses life and death."

"That's why…" she began, but clamped her mouth shut. That's why she could summon the void so easily. That's why she could walk in between life and death and come back to tell about it. Life and death
were
a never ending circle and she could tap into it without even thinking. It was natural. Her power was never ending. This is why Arturius wanted her so much. He'd seen her enter the void and he
knew
.

"Now, I see you understand a little," Rhian said, turning towards the bookshelf. It was cluttered with old books, westerns and detective novels. The previous owner of the house, Mr. Forester, had been a bit of shut in and now Gabby knew what he'd spent most of his time doing.

Rhian ran her finger along the spines of the books before pulling out
an old
leather bound tome. It was unusual and didn't fit with the other books, the house or its previous owner. When the witch sat down before her, Gabby knew it was a 
grimoire
, but it was different to hers. This one oozed something foul, like it had been coated in a thick sludge of evil.

Gabby looked up into Rhian's smiling eyes and said, "What's that for?"

"What do you think?" she said, shaking her head.

She knew that the
grimoire
was dark. That it used the same darkness inside of her. Afraid of what Rhian was going to do she tried to stall, "Why do you do it?"

Rhian smiled and placed a hand on hers. "Arturius made me an offer I couldn't refuse."

"He offered you the same thing he offered me."

"Yes, I assume it was the same."

"Control."

"Something
like
that."

"He's using you, can't you see it?"

"I owe him, Gabrielle. He saved my life. My power would have consumed me and everyone I ever loved."

"He turned you to darkness. It's not the way." How could she not see that this was wrong? It went against everything that was trusted to them.
Everything
.

She looked up from the 
grimoire
, her expression sharp. "There are other ways. They may not be conventional and they may not be pure, but it gets the job done."

"What job? What are you doing for him?"

Rhian laughed at her questions. "You're very inquisitive. When you've learnt to harness the dark inside of you, then you will understand. Then you will be able to help him just as I do." She reached out and touched her fingertips to Gabby's temples, closing her eyes. As she began to murmur an incantation, she tried to jerk away from the witch. Breaking contact would sever whatever she was trying to do to her, but it was useless. Her fingertips wouldn't budge and she began to panic as she felt Rhian's power seep through her skin.

Gabby had no choice. She wouldn't let them turn her to the dark. She couldn't. In a moment of desperation she let go of the coil of power she had kept locked deep inside of her and pushed it into Rhian with all her strength. The witch's eyes snapped open in surprise and her mouth fell open in a silent scream.

The power seemed to recoil backwards and Gabby pulled back as the shock splintered into her, Rhian's hands falling away. For a moment it was as if time had stopped. They were face to face, both sets of eyes in different kinds of pain. Then the witch let out a choked cry and fell limply to the floor.

Gabby stared down at her in shock. It wasn't meant to go that far, she was just mean to stun her. Dropping to her knees, she checked Rhian for a pulse, her hands shaking. Taking a deep breath, she pressed two fingers into her neck, hoping to god that she hadn't killed her. She couldn't have. All she wanted was to get away. As she felt a faint flutter, she let out a relieved breath.

Standing Gabby turned towards the door. It was time to get out of here before someone came looking. When her nose tickled, she wiped her face with the back of her hand and gasped as it came back wet, her blood smeared across her skin.
The power was too much for her
,
she knew it
. Her head felt like it was stuffed with cotton wool and it was only getting worse. She needed serious help, like yesterday.

Gabby needed to get to Aya. Aya would be able to help.

Pressing an ear against the door, she listened for any sounds in the hallway, but only silence greeted her. There was no way of telling who was in the house without her power. Cautiously, she turned the knob and eased the door open, peering through the crack to the hallway beyond. Abruptly, she was pushed back into the room as the door opened, banging against the wall. Arturius stood just inside the room, his eyes on her.

Gabby glanced to the floor, where Rhian lay unconscious and back towards the Roman, who was now surveying her with amusement.

Before he could speak she said, "What do you want from me? You better start talking."

Arturius just stood there staring at her, his expression indecipherable.

"You can see what I can do. Tell me, or I'll…"

"Sweet, poor, Gabrielle," he murmured sitting on the sofa, the door wide open. What an arrogant asshole. He knew she couldn't run from him and had to rub it in her face.

"I mightn't be able to run from you, but I'm not afraid to hurt you either."

"You know," he glanced to Rhian, not perturbed in the slightest. "I think I might like that."

Gabby scoffed, making the Roman laugh at the disgusted look on her face.

"I do so love getting a reaction out of you," he said. "Do take a seat, Gabrielle. We're not going anywhere."

She sat heavily on the sofa opposite. "Tell me what you want and I might be more willing to co-operate," she tried to counter.

Arturius didn't say anything for a moment, content to sit and stare at her. She could see him trying to decide if he should tell her anything. Or at least, how much was too much. Leaning forward, elbows on his knees, he said, "My brother is looking for something and I want to find it before he does. That's where you come in."

"Is that why you kidnapped me?" she asked, offended. "You want one up on your
brother
?"

Arturius laughed, "One of many reasons."

"What's he looking for?"

"That I won't tell you until Rhian has finished her work," he said, looking down at her again. "That is, if she deigns to wake up. You're really a spectacular piece of work, love, if I don't say so myself."

"You'll never make me do anything for you," she said, holding her chin up defiantly.

"Oh, Gabrielle," he smirked. "Do you think you were the first to say no?"

She narrowed her eyes, watching him warily. She wasn't sure how long she could hold out against him and Rhian. They wanted the darkness to take her. She'd fight them tooth and nail for as long as she could. Aya would come help her. She had to.

As Alex pulled up in front of the manor, Aya let out a sigh. He'd asked no questions about what she had seen when Sophia had touched her, but she was sure he could guess. She'd never felt so vulnerable in her life.

Casting her thoughts aside as they got out the car, she focused on Gabby. They had to work out a plan to get her back. Alex would show them the house from Sophia's vision and then they would plot. Aya was confident that she could get her back before Arturius could awaken the darkness inside of her.

Walking inside and standing in the doorway to the parlor, Alex in tow, Aya smiled. After Sophia's vision, she had a new sense of purpose where Zac was concerned. She wouldn't let Morgan worm her way into his heart. It wasn't a case of who saw
who
 first. She loved him even before she understood what it was. Ironically, she always liked to sit in the study.
Mainly because it annoyed the hell out of him, but now she understood.
It was where she had first felt it.

Seeing him standing there in the parlor brought back the memory Sophia had given her even sharper. She wanted to press herself against his body and kiss him like it was the last time. But, Morgan was sitting on the sofa, her back to them and she felt it. It washed off her in waves, making her gag.

Aya stumbled to a stop, grabbing Alex's arm. "Run," she hissed and when he hesitated, she pushed him away. "Run!"

Zac snapped to attention, his face falling into surprise, "Aya?"

She heard the front door slam and the engine of Zac's car start. She hoped to god that Alex would get away before he was caught.

"Aya?" Zac was in front of her, shaking her by the shoulder.

"They're here."

"Who?"

She glared at Morgan who was on her feet looking guilty as hell. "Ask her," she jabbed a finger at the blonde vampire.

Zac looked at her, the confusion clear on his face. "What did you do?" he roared, making the blonde vampire shrink back.

Aya shook her
head,
it was too late to run now. A familiar presence was hovering outside. They'd have to fight their way out of this one. Turning her back to Zac and Morgan, she snarled as Arturius sauntered into the parlor a sickly look of triumph plastered on his ugly face.

"Nice to see you again, Aeriaya. Sorry about last time, but you know how much I like surprises." The Roman lent against the
door jamb
, crossing his arms against his chest.

Aya narrowed her eyes, feeling the familiar coil of power awaken deep within her. It would be so easy to end him now, but if she did, they mightn't find Gabby.

"Don't be like that, love," he said, grinning at her.

"You've no right to call her love, asshole," spat Zac from behind her.

Arturius laughed, pushing himself off the wall and walked into the parlor, seemingly unafraid of her. "I can do whatever I want, Zachary. Don't you ever forget that.
"
His gaze shifted to Morgan and he winked. "And that goes for you too, blondie."

Aya didn't have to turn around to know that Morgan was afraid. She hadn't been betting on this.

"Where is she, Arturius?" Aya snapped, cutting to the chase. "Where's Gabby? Tell me now and I'll spare you this time."