Callum’s voice was deceptively soft. “That wasn’t the deal.”
“No. But you’ll still get what you asked for.”
“And what is that exactly?” Callum asked carefully. “A twin descendant?”
Gage leaned behind me without taking his eyes of Callum and lifted the bag of blood from the park bench. “We came prepared with a sample of her blood. As you’ve said, it’s her blood you need.”
Callum stilled, and I felt the atmosphere in the air shift. “That was not the deal. Your presumptions may have severed any chance of future support by The Oaken Tree.”
The threat in his voice was imminent, and on cue, his guards sharpened their gazes on us and took a step closer. There was a split-second warning tingle before the magic in their palms ramped up.
Ian stepped forward to stand on my other side. I stood frozen, unable to move, aware of the threat from the guards. Callum was untouchable.
Beside me, Gage ignored the guards, his focus solely on Callum. “We agreed to meet based on our mutual goals. Together, we have the best chance of defeating Talorgan and his demon, but you must never forget that the descendant’s safety is my burden alone. Brydie never leaves my side and her going with you raises all sorts of red flags. The safest place for Brydie is at the Estate with me, not at the Institute.”
Callum’s eyes hardened. “That’s not your decision to make. We are her people.” He cut his eyes to mine. “Wouldn’t you like to know your people? Did you know that these men,” he gestured to Gage and Ian, “are outcasts? They went against the decisions of our Council. Are you certain that their information is unbiased? That it’s not arranged for their own self-serving cause? There is a lot you don’t know, and I’m willing to bet they haven’t shared the full story behind their abdication from the Institute, either. I am unbiased and can give you the whole picture, Brydie, including the full support of your people against Talorgan.”
My stomach fluttered. I knew Gage and Ian had secrets, but they weren’t bad people. Every move, every discussion we’d ever had, had been about defeating Talorgan, about keeping me safe, undertaking the necessary training, and the steps required to give effect to the prophecy. Besides, given they’d been living at the Estate, Nora had to have known what they’d done, and knowing my grandmother, I was sure she would never have taken them in if they weren’t to be trusted.
Beside me, I could feel Gage’s tense silence; I knew he was poised on the balls of his feet for a fight, if necessary. I could also feel Ian’s silent anger. Trusting my instincts, I faced Callum and said firmly, “I’ll take my chances, they’ve kept me alive so far.”
He cocked his head to the side. “Is that what you think they did with Nora? That they kept her alive?”
Gage snarled and began to move forward, but this time it was my hand that caught and locked on his arm. “Gage, no.”
Surprisingly, he stopped at my low-voiced order. I caught the muscle that ticked in his jaw as his eyes locked on Callum. I tugged on his arm again, reminding him I wouldn’t back down, and this time Gage cut his gaze to mine. I inhaled sharply at the intense emotions swirling in the cerulean depths and became conscious of the energy building within him, the tingling sensation on the air that was no longer only coming from Callum’s guards. He was building his fire, readying his magic for a fight. A fight we might not survive.
As if sensing the sudden tension ratcheting up in my body, Gage gave me a sharp nod, his gaze confirming that he was back in control. Grateful to pass him the reins again, I dropped my hand as he turned back to face Callum.
“The descendant won’t be coming with you,” Gage repeated. “The blood sample will still provide you with the answers you need while keeping her safe. Besides, should the sample be compatible, the need for her safety will only increase. Can you vouch for all your people that greed won’t force them to break their vows?”
The mask was gone from Callum’s face and his beady eyes narrowed on Gage. I saw intense hatred there.
The silence stretched between them. Callum finally barked, “Take the blood, Alison.”
She didn’t hesitate to step forward this time, her eyes roving appreciatively down Gage’s body as she took the bag from his hands. She stepped back and sent me another smirk before turning to carry it back to Callum.
He tested its weight in his hands. “This is only a third of what we need.”
Gage shook his head. “It’s sufficient for purpose. If it's compatible, you’ll get more after we’ve had a chance to look at the book.”
Callum eyed him. “And how long do you intend on keeping it for?”
“We thought two days would suffice.”
Without taking his eyes off Gage, Callum ordered quietly, “Mary, open a portal to the Institute.”
The old crone silently turned to the side. She muttered a command before throwing her magical vortex into the open space in front of her. There was a loud bang of noise, and I gasped, for in that space now stood a man-sized portal. On the other side of the portal, I could see a dark paved road leading over a stone bridge, and behind that bridge crouched an imposing stone castle. It looked like something from a dark dream, with numerous turrets and gaping windows. The castle looked old, almost a crumbled ruin. But that wasn’t what sent a shiver down my spine; it was how it felt—haunted by despair.
Gage spoke. “The book, Callum.”
Callum turned on his heel and began to walk toward the portal.
“Callum!” Gage shouted.
He paused, Alison at his side, the bag of blood held firmly in her hands, as he turned back to look at Gage, an enquiring eyebrow lifted as he then gestured at the other two guards to enter the portal. “Yes?”
“The book,” Gage repeated. “Give it to us.”
A cool smile tipped Callum’s lips. “I think not. You said it yourself—the deal’s off.”
And before we had a chance to reply, he jerked his head at the crone, who lifted her arms wide, the portal extending to include all three of them. The vortex roiled, expanded, and then sucked them through the portal on a loud whine of sound.
24
Tritus
3rd Century BC, Ancient Scotland
Tritus was never more conscious of the safety and vulnerability of his lover and their babe than he was now. His only thought was to get them to safety, and if he kept Talorgan talking, he might have a chance to do that.
“I struggle to believe you came all this way on the cusp of winter to tell us that. What is it you want, Talorgan?”
Talorgan pulled his lips back into a semblance of a smile. “I would have thought it was obvious. This,” he gestured pointedly at their linked hands, “should never have come about.”
Tritus felt Cailleach tense beside him at the insult.
Talorgan’s voice dropped to a dark murmur as he added, “And now there’s a babe involved.”
“Who is innocent!” Cailleach burst out, stepping out from behind too quickly for Tritus to hold her back. He held fast to her hand as she faced Talorgan; her other hand was protectively over her belly. “The babe has done no crime!”
Talorgan’s face hardened at her outburst. “That is where you are wrong! The babe is devil spawn! You have created unclean lines with this man. He is no god!” He spat at Tritus. “Any babe created from your union is not innocent—it is a stain on our future! And it is my duty to ensure that this spawn is eradicated from our world!”
Tritus roared at the threat, his blood pounding in his ears. “That will never happen!” he bit out forcefully, ruthlessly tugging Cailleach back behind him. He could feel her pulse racing, the clamminess of her hand in his, knew the fear that she was trying to hold in check was about to erupt to the surface.