Chapter 17
We sat around the dining room table waiting on the others to arrive. The mood was somber with very little conversation. The men all looked in deep contemplation, and I was right there with them. I knew nothing about magic or spells, but I did understand that if we couldn’t get into the palace, all of us, catching those who were taking women would be impossible. All the entrances had been checked and Quinton couldn’t get in. With those wards, or whatever they were all over the palace, once the abducted women were in there, we wouldn’t be able to get them out.
“We can’t send anyone in under cover,” Emil said quietly, “because they wouldn’t be able to get out.”
“Kinsley’s out for good.” Michael said. “She has an ability, and if they’re blocking those, they would know right away.”
“If it’s blood magic, would it only affect us though?” Quinton rubbed the back of his neck. “Did you talk to Romulus?” He looked to Michael.
He nodded. “Briefly. He was going to look up a few things and then one of us can take him over, so he can test things out.”
“Is everyone else all right?” I touched my finger to my swollen lip.
Michael watched my hand for a second. “Yes, they’ll feed and exchange blood and they’re back to full strength again.”
“That was unnerving.” Emil leaned back and crossed his arms. “What about getting the cameras installed?”
“I’ll take them to the caverns once I see everyone is doing okay.” Quinton told him.
“You take at least four guards when you go.” Michael pointed to him. “That’s from now on, not just to install cameras.”
Quinton nodded. “I agree with that. I’ll make sure everyone has porters on too.”
Emil sighed. “Is this getting better or worse? I feel like this is a pivotal moment.”
“We’ve cut down their numbers by hundreds since this started. I know it might not seem like it, but right now they’re desperate.” Michael glanced to Quinton. “For them to be bringing their hostages over here must mean they’re running out of places to hide on the other side.”
Quinton turned to Emil, “finding them on this side will be easier, we know the lay of the land.”
Emil pulled out his phone and looked at it and sighed. “Rena is having another bad spell.” He looked to his brothers, then to me. “I’m going to go see if she needs anything. Abraham isn’t all that good with nauseous women.”
I offered him an understanding smile. “I’d like to meet her, when she’s having a better day.”
He stood up. “I don’t know when that will be, just keeping anything down right now is a challenge.”
“Peppermints.” I tilted my head. “The woman that used to visit all the pregnant girls carried a bag of those white mints with her, said it helped.”
“I will give that a try.” Emil inclined his head.
“Talk to Clairee and see if she has any safe herbs to use, too.” Michael rubbed the back of his neck. “She’ll probably have suggestions for everything.”
“I’ll speak to her when I get back.” He turned to the door. “Don’t go into battle without me.”
Crissy and Victor came from the kitchen. She smiled. “I feel better.” She went to her chair.
Victor sat down and picked up the coffee urn. “I just spoke to Elder Arian, she’s charging remote cameras, as many as she can get her hands on.”
“Good. Quinton is going to take some guards and one of the science techs to go put them in the caverns.” Michael took the urn when Victor held it toward him.
“Am I trying a few other spots? Balconies or entrances?” Quinton stood and went down the table to pick up the water pitcher.
“I have mixed feelings about that.” Victor said. “Perhaps try the other areas once we have the mages check them out.”
Crissy nodded. “And stay off the roof. Those flashes of light are either on or near it.”
“Do you know any more than that, heart?” Victor inquired.
“I’ve been trying to fit them together.” She shook her head. “I’m missing a piece.”
Victor squeezed her hand. “Perhaps some quiet time in your tower will help.”
She nodded. “I’m going to go there after I eat something. My stomach is gurgling.”
“Romulus will have to go onto the roof to determine which spell was used in our parents’ room.” Quinton said, “but we won’t linger any longer than necessary.”
Crissy nodded. “Okay.” Frowning, she looked at me and then back to Victor. “I need to talk to witches and mages.”
Victor’s eyebrows went up.
“Autumn was right.” She smiled at me, “the herbs I keep seeing aren’t from here.” She paused. “or there, my side. I think I know what they are.” She nodded, “and I think they have something to do with the spell that made us sick.” Nodding again, she dug in her pack and pulled out her notebook. She flipped through the pages and then held it up. “This is the plant. I couldn’t find it in any of the books.” She bit her lip. “Even the old ones.” She poked it with her finger, shaking her head, she looked at Victor, “don’t you find that strange?”
Victor glanced to Michael, who held up his phone. “I’m on it.”
Michael got up and went into the kitchen.
I wondered what it was like to remember everything you read. Had she been sitting there flipping through books in her head?
“As far as days go, today is a ten on the scale of suckage.” Daxx said walking in with Troy.
“It wasn’t fun.” Crissy agreed.
Mitz came out with a tray and set it on the table, then hurried back through the door.
I got up and followed her. She went past me with another tray before I could get through the door. I shook my head at her speed and hurried to get the last tray on the counter. When I turned, she took it from my hands.
“Thank you, love.” She looked at my swollen mouth, “It’s a joy to have you around.” Turning, with the tray, she went back into the dining room.
Arius and Paisley came through the door on the far side.
“That,” Paisley waved a hand around, “was an epic fail for our team.”
Arius wrapped his arm around her. “We did free those women and get a few more traitors.”
I pointed to the dining room. “Crissy is onto something.”
Arius’ eyes lit up. “Hopefully it leads to retribution.” He nodded. “I’m definitely in the mood for that.”
Rafael came in the door behind him. “With you there, brother.” He looked around the kitchen. “Food on the table?”
I smiled, then remembered my fat lip. “When isn’t there food on that table?”
They went back out to the dining room. I watched Michael tuck his phone back in his pocket. “Is that possible?” I motioned to the door. “Using some kind of plant to make the others so sick?”
He sighed. “I have come to learn that just about anything can be, with magic and,” he waved his hand in the air, “spells, and ill intentions.”
“Will Clairee know?” I crossed my arms, so I wouldn’t do something stupid like touch him.
Michael’s gaze was on my swollen mouth. “If she doesn’t, she will find someone that does.”
I shook my head. “Before those jerks grabbed me, I never would have believed any of this is real.”
Rubbing a hand on his jaw, his eyes locked on mine. “About this morning…”
I held up my hand. “Now is not the time to talk.”
Inclining his head, he motioned to the door. “We should go back out. This is going to take quite a bit of planning.”
I nodded and turned to go when he grabbed my chin.
“Could you please stop using your face to block punches?” His voice was barely a whisper.
I looked up into very serious blue eyes.
“I’m fine, Chase.” Alona said quietly as they came in the door.
Michael released me and stepped back.
Chase walked past us, giving Michael an odd look and ushered her into the dining room.
I followed him quickly, remembering that Daxx had said to not be alone with him. I won’t mention that when I was near him, my heart skipped in my chest like it did after a five-mile run.
Chase stood there, looking at the others seated at the table. “Tell me we know something.”
I moved to the far end of the table and sat down.
“Crissy may have a lead on what they used to disable everyone.” Quinton said around a mouthful of food.
Chase looked to Crissy. “I don’t suppose you glimpsed the person responsible?”
Crissy shook her head. “No faces.”
Sitting down, Chase gave Troy a hard look.
Troy nodded. “I’m with you there.”
“I will blast them through a wall if I find them.” Bethany growled as she came into the room.
“You might have to get in line.” Leone said as he came through the door. He watched her sit down, then looked around. “Do we know how they did it yet?”
“We’re waiting for Clairee and Romulus.” Troy informed him. “Crissy saw what they used; we just have to find out what it means.”
Leone gave an abrupt nod. “Good, because when I find out who the sick…”
Arius snorted, “agreed.”
Shaking his head, Leone sat down.
“This is going to take meticulous planning and coordination, with a very short timeline.” Victor said while looking at the brothers.
“We’re going to have to block off the secret stairs.” Michael put food on his plate.
I had to wonder if anything stopped them from eating. My stomach growled as I had the thought. Okay, so eating right now would be all right, I supposed.
“All exits and balconies will need to be covered.” Leone nodded, then reached over to pick up a tray so Beth could get food.
Arius got up and poured a coffee. “I think we need to monitor the cameras for a few days to see what we’re up against.”
“Agreed.” Victor took a bite from his plate.
“What about the tunnel entrances? We’ll need those closed off, or something else to stop their help from arriving.” Daxx looked at her plate but hadn’t yet taken a bite. “Or do we want more hostages to arrive? They think they’re safe here.”
“While we’re figuring out all that, we need those cameras placed and to find a way around that spell and the wards on the doors.” Rafael nodded to Leone when he held up a tray. Taking it from his brother, he started to fill his plate. “Are the wards and spells to keep us out, or others in?”
Michael pointed his fork at him. “I’ve been wondering the same thing.”
Quinton shrugged, “we could drop Romulus down in the bedroom and see.”
Leone smirked. “I don’t think that would help him solve the problem.”
Daxx snorted. “Great motivation though.”
Clairee walked in with another woman. “It took me a few moments to locate Roberta.” She motioned to the petite, black-haired woman beside her. “She is our specialist in herbal magics.”
Crissy stood on her chair and held out her notebook. “They used this to make all of us sick.”
Frowning, Clairee went to her and took the notebook. She looked down at it then to Roberta. “Is this what I think it is?” She turned it and held it for her to see.
Roberta went to her quickly and snatched the book from her hand. “Oh dear, it is.” Her brows furrowed. “It shouldn’t exist.”
Daxx threw up her hands. “What? What is it?”
Roberta handed the notebook back to Clairee. “The common name is Witch’s Curse. I had thought it was eradicated centuries ago.”
“Witch’s Curse?” Bethany looked from her to Clairee.
“It has an almost unpronounceable Latin name, but yes.” Clairee said with an abrupt nod.
“And it does what, exactly?” Beth sat forward in her chair.
Roberta looked at her for a moment. “You know in the movies where they use wolfsbane on werewolves, and vervain on vampires?”
Bethany nodded, her eyes wide.
“This is the botanical option for blocking magic and abilities. The side-effects can be lethal if exposed too long.”
“Son of a bitch.” Arius whispered.
“So where would they find it if it was eradicated?” Chase looked to his twin.
“We’ll have to test to be certain…”
Victor cleared his throat. “If Cristy has seen it, we can be certain.”
Clairee nodded and looked to Roberta. “The fates never mislead her.”
Crissy sighed, “no, they just don’t send explanations.”
“So where did they get it?” Leone put his arm around Beth’s shoulder.
Roberta looked at Clairee and a look passed between them. “We have samples in the archives, for reference. In case it reared its ugly head in the coming centuries…”
Clairee rubbed a hand across her forehead. “To our knowledge, and searches we cast periodically, there are no other plants of that kind out there—in any realm.”
Troy sighed and glanced briefly to Chase. “Are your samples still secure? Marcus has had many traitors hidden among us.”
Roberta shook her head. “It would take fifteen years or more to cultivate a single plant strong enough to use, to affect as many of you that it did, that quickly—it would take several decades.”
Quinton sat back and gave her a bored look. “Willis Hubert has had centuries to plan this, waiting a decade for a plant to grow seems likely.”
Roberta’s eyes went wide. “I’d heard rumors that the Hubert line was at it again, but,” she looked to Clairee, “I’m going to go check the archives.” She rushed from the room.
Clairee handed Crissy back her notebook. “I looked into the blood magic spells, that they could have used on the wards.” She looked to Troy and then Chase. “Romulus will know more about the warded doors, but I believe it is geared toward Royal blood and breaking it is not going to be easy.”
“And they’d have to have samples of our blood to make the spell?” Leone asked glancing at his mate for a moment before looking back to her.
Clairee nodded. “Most definitely.”
Troy rubbed the bridge of his nose. “Only places that have our blood are your temple, the doctor’s records, and the registry vault.”
“More spies?” Crissy looked to Victor.
“It would seem so.” He clasped her hand kissed it, and then released it. Grasping his phone in the other hand, he dialled it with sharp movements.
This was the first sign I’d witnessed where his emotions were showing. With a seasoned, disciplined warrior like Victor, that wasn’t good news for those causing that emotional tell.
“I need a list of all those with access to the medical records and registry vault.” His tone was cool as he glanced to Michael briefly. “Today.” He hung up and looked at the nervous witch standing behind Daxx. “Clairee, I need you to find out who has access to your archives and the blood samples you have on hand that are used for seeking spells.”
Clairee nodded. “I’m just going to go discuss the blood magic with Romulus and then I’ll get those names to you.” She nodded again and left.
Crissy looked at Victor. “I don’t know if I can see good or bad in people with magic.” She gnawed on her bottom lip.
He gave her a soft look. “You can see Bethany’s.”
Turning she looked at Beth, or more around than at her.
“Yes.” She bobbed her head. “I can very clearly. It’s good with some,” she moved only her eyes to her mate for a second, then back to Beth, “anger mixed in.”
“That’s all we need. Those you can’t make out; we’ll use other means to check.”
I felt like I’d missed something important. “What is she doing?”
Daxx looked down the table at me. “Crissy can see a person’s aura?” She glanced to Beth who nodded. “Around them. She found spies before because theirs were dark and…” lifting her hand, she shrugged, “I don’t know what, but we found them.”
“Oh.” I grinned at Crissy. “Do I have one?”
Crissy bobbed her head again and looked above me.
I had to force myself not to look up.
“Yes. Yours is pure, but fierce.”
I frowned, not knowing how that would look. “Pure?”
“Good.” She smiled. “Pure heart.” She turned to Victor. “I’m not going to my tower. I’m too distracted with wanting to know what Clairee will figure out.”
“We could go over more records and search for more women.” Alona suggested.
Chase rubbed under his chin as he gave his twin a quick look. “I’m not sure sending any teams out is a good idea right now.”
“Until we know more.” Troy finished for him.
“So, all of Alterealm is benched?” Daxx pushed her plate away, scowling.
“Our teams don’t go without one of the brothers accompanying them.” Arius said quietly.
Paisley leaned her head on his shoulder. “Until we know how they did that spell and the blood magic, I agree, we’re not taking chances with any of us.”
Several of the others nodded.
“So, what are we to do? Sit and twiddle our thumbs?” Alona turned to her mate. “I know nothing of planning, or tactics…”
“We can work on the hall map.” Crissy suggested.
Alona sighed. “I suppose it’s better than pacing.”
Arius picked up his phone and looked at it. “They found something odd on the men we brought back from the caverns. Some sort of device that actually came through to the cells.” He leaned over and kissed Paisley. “You go nowhere without Felix.” She nodded. Standing up, he looked at Troy. “May need a hand getting into their heads.”
Troy set his fork down and picked up his cup. “Did they isolate the devices in case they are trackers?”
“Immediately.” Arius picked up his plate and started for the door.
“Right behind you.” Michael said and got up. He paused and looked at me. “Your guard stays with you.” He gave an abrupt nod, then looked at the other women. “All of you.” He picked up the plate and motioned to his brothers. “None of us will be moving around alone either, unless it’s porting to and from secure locations within the chambers.” He left carrying his plate.
Victor lifted his phone. “I’ve just sent word to Ira to send all the women’s guards here, and to post additional guards at any entrances to the royal chambers.” He leaned over and kissed Crissy’s head. “He’s meeting us at the cells.” He stood up.
One by one we watched the men leave.
“Never thought I’d agree with the constant guards, but after what the plant or spell or whatever did to me, I’m waiting for Tim to get here.” Daxx said playing with the food on her plate with her fork.
“I definitely don’t want to feel that ever again.” Bethany agreed.
“It was almost as bad as the burning on my back was.” Crissy’s eyes were huge. “Almost.”