Destined Magic Page 12

  “I don’t understand. Why not come after me and kill me?” Garrett’s father ran his hands through his hair.

  “I would guess that the enemy wants the support of the people,” Mabel said. “So he doesn’t want to kill you outright. By killing the Guardians, he can blame their demise on you and your leadership. You would be disgraced, and a call for a vote of confidence could be called.” Mabel folded her hands on her desk. “We need to find out who is behind this. The air witches couldn’t find any trace of Elise and Councilman Brant. Wherever they ported was outside the city. Brant is an expert on magical items. Maybe they need him to use the branding iron they are using on the blood-cult members.”

  “They seem to be using it fine as it is.” Garrett leaned forward. He glanced at the clock on the wall. When would Gabriella call? Was it safe for her to be at Venetia’s?

  “Magical items can have more than one purpose,” Mabel said. “We aren’t sure yet, which magical branding iron they are using. Safara went to the Fire-House to speak to Councilman Brandreth. They are looking into the vault to see if something has been removed from the collection of artifacts. After Elise and Brant were taken, extra guards were assigned to the house and vault.”

  “Mabel and I can recharge the armor and lock the spells in. But we’ll need someone you trust to stand guard until your mission tonight.” Garrett’s father stood up and headed for the door.

  “Damek or Josiah can stand guard,” Garrett said. “I’ll go see what they found out and then send them down.” He stood. Mabel nodded in agreement and moved to the door. Garrett’s father reached for her hand.

  “Keeping it close to home, eh? All right. We better get to it, Mabel. Send some food down with your cousins, Garrett. Working that much magic will leave Mabel and me drained.”

  “Yes, sir, coming right up,” Garrett said. Preparing the spells and then casting them would leave his father and Mabel more than hungry. They would have to rest and recoup afterward. Now, if he only knew who was behind leaving the Guardians defenseless?

  §

  Gabriella searched for that inner place of calm. She slowed her breathing as she visualized her favorite place, a small cove where her parents used to take the family before her father died. She visualized the white sparkling sand and the beautiful turquoise water as it foamed and rolled onto the beach. The sun warmed her skin, and all her cares flew away on the salty breeze.

  “That’s very good, Gabriella.” Venetia’s voice came from far away. “Now, hold that feeling. See yourself sitting on the beach, listen to the water rolling in and out. Now, I want you to think about Brenna. Slowly let the vision change to the basement of the Blue Dolphin. Don’t lose the calm of your beach. You are just watching. You aren’t a part of what is going to happen.”

  The sun slowly darkened to the light of one light bulb in a socket on the ceiling. The floor turned from white sand to dark earth packed hard from the many feet that had pounded it. Walls of stone surrounded her as the air lost its freshness and took on the smell of moisture and stone in an enclosed space.

  Brenna appeared at the top of the stairs. One hand wrapped around the arm of Gabriella while the other waved a gun. Panic slammed into Gabriella, and the vision disappeared. She wasn’t in the basement or at the beach. She sat in a comfortable chair in Venetia’s magic workroom off the kitchen.

  “Oh, dear. I’m afraid we’ll have to try again.” Venetia patted her on the arm. “You really must let go of your fear, Gabriella. Nothing can happen to you in this space. I have warded it against all magic, and with a wave of my hand, I can lock us in safe and sound. Would you like some tea before we begin again?”

  “That would be lovely. I’m so sorry, Venetia. I don’t know why I can’t get through this.” They had been working on getting through this vision for the last two hours.

  “Not everyone sees her beloved sister shoot her. Now, you sit here and let me get the kettle on.” Venetia rose from her chair and went into the kitchen.

  Gabriella heard her humming as she poured water into the kettle and set it on the stove. A few moments later, something crashed. Gabriella rose from her chair as the door to the workroom closed and locked. The entrance glowed with blue light. Venetia had locked her in and set the defenses.

  Gabriella ran to the door and pulled on the handle but it wouldn’t budge. She banged on the wooden surface but nothing happened. Finally, she saw a small light through the keyhole. She crouched down and peered through.

  Two men, wearing black robes, held Venetia’s arms, while Brenna pointed a gun at Venetia’s chest.

  “I know you’ve been helping my sister. She won’t win. The Red Wizard will triumph with me at his side. But right now, you have to die. I’m only sorry I can’t draw out your suffering.”

  Tears ran down Gabriella’s face. “No, don’t do it, Brenna.” She pressed closer to the keyhole. If she could only distract them, maybe Venetia could get away. She banged on the door, but nobody seemed to hear her.

  “Your sister has done everything to protect you. She would sacrifice her own life to save you, Brenna,” Venetia said, standing straight and tall.

  “Don’t worry. Sacrificing her life is exactly what I want her to do.” Brenna pulled the trigger three times.

  Gabriella flinched but couldn’t look away from the gleeful smile on her sister’s face. Venetia crumpled to the ground. Her sister stepped over the body and ported away with the men at her side.

  Venetia waved her hand, and the door suddenly fell open. Gabriella hurried into the room. She knelt down beside Venetia, reaching for her hand. The floor was covered with blood. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. If I hadn’t come to you, she wouldn’t have come after you.”

  “Silly girl,” Venetia whispered. “I always wanted a daughter. If I had one, I would have wanted her to be just like you. I love you, Gabriella …”

  Venetia’s eyes went blank as the breath left her body for the last time.

  §

  Garrett leaned over the desk and watched the monitor as Haytham Luften appeared to sneak down the hall toward the armory. Haytham lifted a spray bottle, and the lens of the security camera went black. “I can’t believe it. Why would Haytham be involved in this?”

  “I don’t know. It doesn’t make sense to me either. Hay has always had our backs.” Damek scratched his head.

  A sudden sense of uneasiness rolled over Garrett. He checked his watch for the umpteenth time and wondered when Gabriella would be calling. The feeling of uneasiness grew stronger. He straightened. “Something is wrong. I have to get to Gabriella.”

  “What’s going on?” Damek stood.

  “I’m not sure. I left her with Venetia.” The feeling of dread deepened. He rose and moved into an open space in the room, preparing to port.

  “I’m coming with you.” Damek joined him.

  “All right, we port on three. One, two, three …”

  Garrett appeared in the kitchen doorway. Gabriella sobbed next to Venetia’s body. He rushed forward and took Gabriella into his arms. “Are you all right? What happened?”

  Gabriella was covered in blood. He quickly looked her over, but none of the blood appeared to be hers. Damek knelt beside Venetia’s body and checked for a pulse. He sighed and reached up to close Venetia’s eyes.

  “Brenna did this,” Gabriella said. “She shot Venetia for helping me. This is my fault.”

  “Stop it, right now! This is not your fault. Stop taking the blame for your sister’s actions. You didn’t make her pull the trigger.” Garrett was so angry he wanted to shake her. He never should have left them alone. Why hadn’t he seen this coming? Instead, he held her close and let her cry against his chest.

  “He’s right you know,” Damek said, taking the embroidered tablecloth off the kitchen table and covering the body. “Nobody forced your sister to do this. She did it all on her own. How did you escape?”

  “Venetia locked me in her workroom. She had warded it to protect against all magic. Once the
door closed, I couldn’t get out, and no one seemed to hear me. I thought if I could distract them, Venetia could get away.” Gabriella rubbed her face on Garrett’s chest and sniffled, but tears continued to pour down her face.

  “I’m sorry, baby. I know Venetia was like a mother to you. She was a special woman and will be missed.” Garrett ran his hand down Gabriella’s hair.

  “You were right about Brenna. You both are. Venetia tried to tell me, but I kept hoping she was wrong. I saw my sister pull the trigger. I saw her face. She is truly evil now. She liked killing Venetia.”

  “Damek, call for reinforcements. Did you get your vision figured out, honey?” Garrett gave Gabriella a little squeeze.

  “No. I kept panicking when I saw Brenna with the gun. Maybe, my magic was trying to warn me of Venetia’s demise. She went to fetch me some tea. If she had been in the workroom with me, she might be here now.”

  “It’s easy to think you might have done something to save her. But when it comes right down to it, there was nothing you could do under the circumstances. Venetia locked you in the workroom to protect you.” Damek moved into the hallway and picked up the phone.

  “She told me she loved me. She said she had wished for a daughter like me.” Gabriella looked up at Garrett, her face ravaged with grief.

  “Don’t let her love make you feel guilty. Venetia made her choice to protect you. Your sister made her choice to kill. What choice will you make?” Garrett held his breath.

  “Brenna has to be stopped. The Red Wizard behind all this has to be stopped. I won’t rest until I know their evil is removed from the world.”

  “Good girl. I’m proud of you. I know seeing someone you love choose to blacken her soul hasn’t been easy. We’ll capture Brenna tonight at the Blue Dolphin. Then, we’ll make her tell us what this Red Wizard has planned.” Garrett wouldn’t let it turn out any other way. He needed answers, and Brenna was the key.

  “Garrett, Calder and Kendria are porting in,” Damek said from the hallway. “Venetia was their aunt. They’ll take care of the body.”

  “Why don’t we go back to the townhouse and get you cleaned up?” Garrett wasn’t sure Gabriella was ready to leave. Would she want to wait for the family to arrive?

  “Damek will stay with Venetiauntil they arrive?”

  “I’m not going anywhere, little one,” Damek said. “Go home and let Garrett clean you up. I’ll make sure Venetia is taken care of.”

  Gabriella nodded her head. Garrett wasn’t taking a chance on her changing her mind. He picked her up and ported them immediately to the master bathroom in his townhouse.

  He set Gabriella down and turned on the water in the shower before slipping off his shoes. Then, he pulled the blood-soaked shirt off over Gabriella’s head. Tears continued to flow down her cheeks. Next, he reached for her pants and pushed them off. Still wearing his clothes, he thrust his hand under the faucet to check the temperature before picking Gabriella up and carrying her into the shower. Nothing mattered except getting Gabriella clean. The warm water turned pink as the last of Venetia’s blood washed away down the drain.

  Chapter Twelve

  Gabriella had cried until no more tears would come. She walked naked into the master bedroom and to the dresser to get clothes. Garret cleaned up the bathroom. He tried so hard to care for her.

  Anger warmed her skin and reddened her cheeks. What had she ever done to her sister to deserve this? Hadn’t she tried to help, tried to save her from making the wrong choices? She had devoted her life to giving her sister a chance at a good future. But the one thing she couldn’t do was control her sister’s choices. Garrett was right about that. The only person she could control was herself. She slipped on underwear and moved to the closet for a clean pair of jeans and a shirt.

  Garrett stood naked in the doorway of the bathroom watching her, his face lined with worry.

  “I’m okay. I can do this,” Gabriella said.

  “I would feel a hundred times better if you would stay home tonight. Let me take care of Brenna. I promise you, we will take her alive.”

  “No, I have to be there. I need to know I did something to stop her before she kills another innocent person.” Gabriella slipped into her jeans.

  “I wish you would use the potion. I can’t control what will happen tonight. Someone might get hurt, even killed.” Garrett walked over to the dresser and pulled out a pair of briefs.

  “I am aware of that, but I refuse to hide behind magic. It’s bad enough that you are taking my place.” Gabriella slipped on a pink cotton shirt before fastening the buttons.

  “Dammit, don’t you understand? I need you to be safe. I don’t want to lose you.” Garrett ran his hand through his wet hair. Then, he crossed the room and grabbed her by the shoulders.

  “Silly man, I don’t want to lose you either.” Gabriella reached up and smoothed his mussed hair. “I need to be there, Garrett, for my own peace of mind. I should have taken you to Brenna that first night at the Blue Dolphin. I didn’t realize how evil my sister had become.”

  “You did take us to Brenna. You sent your waitress, and we followed her. Brenna’s getting away wasn’t your fault. The fault lies with the Guardians.”

  “You’re missing the point. I need to know my sister can’t hurt anyone else.”

  “We have only a few hours. My father and Mabel should be almost finished protecting the armor. I want you by my side until the last possible minute. Then, you must promise me that you will do what Damek and Josiah say.”

  “I promise. Believe me. I know I’m not Guardian material.”

  Garrett quickly slipped on a pair of jeans and pulled a cotton T-shirt over his head. “Don’t sell yourself short. You tried to distract Brenna from hurting Venetia. You weren’t cowering in a corner. I’m proud of who you are, proud that you are my Destined One.”

  Gabriella felt warmth fill her heart. “You always know what to say to make me feel better. Thank you.”

  Garrett finished tying his shoes. “Baby, I love you. I want you to be happy.” He pulled her close and kissed her. Their tongues tangled, and Gabriella felt her body light up at his closeness. She melted into him as her arms went around his neck. He held her a moment longer before pulling back. “We need to get to Guardian headquarters. There are still a few matters that need clearing up.”

  §

  “I’m telling you that isn’t me. I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize the Guardians.” Haytham Luften’s face was a mixture of disbelief and misery. Gabriella felt sorry for the man but sat quietly by Garrett’s side.

  “He’s telling the truth, Garrett. At least the truth as he knows it.” Mabel wiped her hand over her eyes. From her slumped posture, Gabriella could tell she was exhausted. Garrett’s father had already returned home.

  “It could have been an earth witch taking on his form,” Calder said from across the table. He squeezed his twin’s hand and passed her a tissue. Kendria wiped her nose. With her delicate bone structure, she resembled Venetia strongly. Kendria and Calder were still grieving for their aunt but refused to be left out of apprehending her killer.

  “Or it could have been an air witch producing an illusion,” Josiah said from the end of the table. Damek was downstairs guarding the armory.

  “Does he bear a mark from the magical branding iron?” Safara asked. “He might have been ordered to sabotage the armor and not even know it.”

  Everyone in the room turned to look at Haytham. He gazed around the gathering. Hurt crossed his face, but he yanked his T-shirt over his head.

  Gabriella was relieved to see that his chest was unmarked. It would have been a shame if it had been. His bronze skin had a light dusting of blond hair. His muscles rippled as he reached for his shirt to redress. He could have been a model for a commercial with his yellow-blond hair in disarray and his troubled blue-grey eyes.

  “I’ve been a Guardian for four years. Magic chose me.” Haytham sat straight, looking around the room as if he dared anyone to bel
ieve ill of him.

  Mabel sighed. “We needed to be sure, Haytham. Right now everyone is suspect.”

  “That could be part of the enemy’s plan. Make us suspicious of each other. Break our morale,” Vahni Brenton, fire witch, said. Gabriella had never seen this man before with his caramel-colored skin and dark eyes. He sat next to the lycans, who had been suspiciously quiet during the interview.

  “What do you think, Tolya?” Garrett asked suddenly as if realizing the same thing.

  “I think young Haytham is innocent, and yes, as Vahni suggested, the enemy could be trying to plant seeds of doubt among the Guardians. Seth and I haven’t been Guardians for very long. But I don’t think your traitor is a Guardian. As you know I can scent a lie. I can also smell other emotions. Deceit gives off a strong odor, as does malice. None of you reek of those emotions. Least of all, Haytham.”

  “It appears to me that Haytham is being set up.” Seth sat forward at the table. Gabriella remembered that he was rumored to be a computer genius even though he was the youngest Guardian.

  “I checked the camera outside the armory,” Seth said. “There is no sign of tampering. No paint or scratches. The security disk clearly shows Haytham spraying something on the lens. But there is nothing on the lens now.”

  “All right,” Mabel said. “Seth and Vahni, I want you to stay here at headquarters and make sure no one else sneaks in while the rest of us apprehend Brenna. The rest of you armor up. I want everyone in position before Gabriella ports in to meet her sister. Garrett and Josiah, I need to speak to you a moment.” Mabel waved her hands, and the Guardians around the table got up and headed out of the room.

  Josiah rose and walked over to stand next to Mabel. Garrett reached and squeezed Gabriella’s hand but made no move to stand.

  Mabel sighed and ran her hand over her eyes. “I’m not going to last much longer. All my strength went into the spells for the armor. Since I know Garrett is going to change places with Gabriella, I am appointing Josiah as lead. Until we know more, I want Garrett’s transformation kept a secret. Only the four of us will know that the Gabriella meeting with Brenna is actually Garrett. Now I need someone to port me to the Earth-House. Rodric is insisting I stay there until we find the traitor. He doesn’t think my apartment is safe enough.”