The sweet smell of the wildflowers planted in the greenbelt floated on the night breeze. It was a tranquil view considering all that had occurred that night. The shadows shifting through tall grasses and tree trunks were cast by the swaying tree boughs and not the creatures of the night.
“It’s beautiful here. Reminds me a little of my home. The big porch, the feel of magic in the air.” Baptiste turned around, leaning on the rail, emulating Cian by crossing his arms. “Rachoń told me you were a slave.”
“Cromwell sold my family to plantation owners in the West Indies during his purge of Ireland.”
“Do you remember Ireland?”
Cian shook his head. “You live as long as I do and you forget so much.” He often struggled to remember the names of his wife and children. His wife’s face and voice had long faded from his mind, and he feared any recollection of her was false.
“There are members of my family who claim to remember Africa. Of course, they also remember the plantations of the South.” Baptiste’s maroon eyes were thoughtful. “The Irish used to be considered subhuman. There were even ‘scientific’ arguments to support that viewpoint.”
Unsure of where Baptiste was going with this thread of conversation, Cian just slightly shrugged. “People find reasons to support their hate.”
“You see, I find it interesting that you and Rachoń have so much in common. You were both slaves, spat upon by others, and then turned by The Summoner, yet none of that seems to bind you together. I know she respects you, but she doesn’t like you.”
“The feeling is a bit mutual,” Cian admitted.
Baptiste gave Cian a slow, lopsided smile. “Well, just so you know, I am a man who makes up my own mind. I came here to fight against The Summoner because he killed the man who was my father figure throughout my life. I’m not here to undermine you, or spy for her. I am aware of your pasts, but I’m more concerned about the future. My future and that of my family.”
“I am sorry about Prosper. I had very little interaction with him, but I remember him as someone who was loyal.”
Tilting his head, Baptiste’s gaze settled on the view within the windows. The people in their cadre were settling into the back room. “I just want you to know who I am and where I stand. It’s important for us to trust one another. Tonight proves that The Summoner has his sights on Amaliya.”
“And Samantha. He somehow knows she’s a phasmagus.”
The flash of headlights down the hill made Cian a little uneasy. The street was closer than he’d like.
“A phasmagus. Unbelievable.” Baptiste grinned.
“An elemagus. That’s unbelievable.”
“There are a few of us left in the world.”
“Thanks for the help with the demon, by the way.”
“Glad to help.”
Cian rather liked the man’s measured way of speaking. It was obvious that Baptiste was not one to mince words. He respected that. “I hope you don’t mind staying with Jeff.”
“It makes sense. The witch and dhamphir are staying with you. I should be here with the phasmagus and human. It evens it out a bit. I do appreciate the hospitality.”
Glancing over his shoulder, Cian saw Aimee tending to Amaliya’s scorched arm while Cassandra watched with a worried expression. Alexia and Benchley were still arguing about matters that Cian didn’t really care about. Sometimes he found the siblings to be insufferable.
“The demons are a concern.” Baptiste was also watching the people within the house.
“Aimee will be preparing weapons against them.”
“It’s good to have a witch on our side.”
“That it is.”
While the vampire was observing the scene inside the house, Samantha and Jeff reappeared. It bothered Cian to see she’d been crying. The guilt he felt for dragging her into his dark world still ate at him. He still loved Samantha, but not in a romantic way, and he’d always want her to be safe and happy.
Spotting Baptiste and Cian through the window, Jeff hurried over to the exit that led to the porch. The hunter stepped out to join them, the door clicking shut behind him.
“Are we going to talk about what went down?” Jeff asked, his heavy brows angled in such a way that revealed his nervousness.
“In a moment,” Cian answered.
Jeff shifted around nervously. “Should we be out here?”
“The ward is in place,” Baptiste assured him, lifting his eyes toward the glimmering dome that Jeff couldn’t see.
“This place is actually very defensible,” Cian added. “I’m going to speak to Aimee about adding spells around the property to slow down any possible attacks.”
Jeff stared out into the darkness engulfing the trees. “And if they try to burn us out like they did your apartment?”
With a swipe of his hand, Baptiste expended a pulse of magic that flashed bright blue. A moment later globs of water floated into the light of the porch to swirl around him. The levitating water balls sparkled in the light. “I could summon more if you like.”
“Wow. No, no. That’s...good. Where’d you get the water?”
“The dew has fallen,” Baptiste answered.
Cian chuckled. “Impressive, huh?”
“Yeah!” The look on the human’s face was one of total astonishment.
Baptiste flicked his hand and the orbs of water splashed onto the flowers below the porch. “Now, if you’re concerned about fire, don’t be.” Baptiste withdrew a lighter from his pocket. Flicking the flame into existence, he cupped his hand over it. The fire burned brighter and hotter beneath his palm. Baptiste withdrew the lighter and flipped his hand over. A ball of fire hovered above his hand. “I can deal with fire.”
“Okay. I’m feeling a lot better about this,” Jeff admitted.
Cian clapped the human on the shoulder. “You should.”
With a grin, Baptiste closed his hand and the flame vanished.
“Now I wish you had gotten here earlier,” Jeff confessed. “I wasn’t too sure what to expect.”
“I had to put my personal matters in order. If we win, but I die, I want to make sure that my family is taken care of,” Baptiste answered. “Besides, Rachoń assured me that The Summoner was too busy setting his plans in motion to attack you right away.”
“I wish she had told us that,” Cian said, trying to keep a snarl out of his voice.
“Family first with Rachoń. Remember? Anyway, I had my will drawn up and that sort of thing.”
“You have kids?” Jeff queried.
“No. No. It will all go to my siblings and my mother.” Baptiste tucked his hands into his trouser pockets. “At least I can rest easy in the here and now as I do my duty. Of course, if we fail, it won’t matter.”
“Rachoń doesn’t believe we can defeat him.” Cian lifted an eyebrow. “Does she?”
“She’s preparing a second front, but hopes it won’t be needed,” Baptiste said. “Family first.”
It angered Cian that Rachoń wouldn’t support the endeavor he was leading. Yet, it made sense that she’d be implementing her own plans. She didn’t control such a large territory without reason. Rachoń was intelligent and strong-willed. It pained him to admit that she had succeeded where Cian had failed. She’d built up a vampire and supernatural presence that was impressive and strong enough to hold an entire state. If Cian’s small cabal didn’t succeed in stopping The Summoner, Rachoń and her group would be a formidable opposition to The Summoner.
Without another word, Cian entered the house to face the group of people that would stand with him against his creator. The family room was filled with large comfortable red sofas and chairs and heavy tables emblazoned with the Lone Star. The conversation fell silent the moment he stepped into view. Baptiste and Jeff scooted around him to find a place to sit. Arms still folded across his chest, Cian stood with his legs apart.