Chapter 39
Throwing down the spreadsheet in frustration, Carson was unable to find any pattern to the attacks, causing him to grit his teeth in anger.
It was as if a blindfolded person had thrown a dart and wherever it landed determined when and where the acts of sabotage would occur.
Leaning back in his chair, he stared at the ceiling, trying to clear his mind of all emotions so his brain could work without being hampered.
Ticking off what he knew, Carson listed them in his mind, hoping it might give him a different perspective.
Remy was right, the attacks happened after Fionn’s father died; they are also spread across all of Artur’s businesses but the winery has suffered the ones that were most costly; the last four occurred closer together than the first ones did…
what was that date? Picking up the spreadsheet, Carson checked it, then frowned.
Why does that date seem so familiar to me?
Concentrating on the last four dates, he started with the most recent one.
That’s the date Fionn, Hunter and I arrived in Paris.
Making a separate spreadsheet, he entered that information.
He noted the attack previous to that one occurred a little more than a week before they arrived…
unusual since it was the only time two attacks had taken place that close together.
Entering that date, Carson stared at it.
Holy shit! That’s the date of Fionn’s court hearing regarding the distribution of assets—and when Hunter was kidnapped.
Quickly writing that in the appropriate column, Carson smiled grimly.
He was on to something, he just knew it, and he’d bet the attacks were connected to Fionn, not Remy.
Quickly moving on, he looked at the next date.
Of course, that’s when Fionn was declared an adult.
Now I’m on the right track ! By the time he finished, a pattern had emerged—all pointing to the young dragon.
But why, why, why Fionn? That was still a mystery.
Gathering up his documentation, Carson wished Hunter was around but he’d just have to wait till they returned from Fionn’s hoard. Looking up, he saw Mystia and his mate appear. Smiling at them he asked, “Are you finished?”
“Yeah,” Remy replied. “We went to each location but unfortunately, we couldn’t find proof the other attacks involved black magic.”
“Do you think there could be more than one person involved?” asked Carson.
Shrugging, Remy replied, “Mystia doesn’t think so and I haven’t a clue. Did you find anything?”
“Here, take a look and tell me what you think,” Carson said, handing his spreadsheet to his mate.
Remy’s eyes widened the further he read; when he’d finished, he passed it over to Mystia. “Are you sure about the dates, Carsy?”
“Yep, I double checked them.”
“Then these attacks are related to Fionn?”
“Looks that way,” Carson said. “However, this is just a working theory. Right now, we don’t know why or who’s responsible.”
“Do you think Fionn would know…or at least have an idea?” asked Remy.
“I don’t think so,” Carson said. “If he did, then Hunter would know also and he’d have said something at the meeting with Dire Enterprises, before they left for France. ”
“This information supports my hunch that the witches are selling their services,” Mystia mused.
“Right!” exclaimed Carson. “And whoever has hired them, has a connection with Fionn.”
“But all this may simply be a coincidence,” Remy said. “Okay, let’s suppose it is tied to Fionn…his father is dead…he’s an only child…his mother is gone…what about Eideard?”
“He’s dead,” replied Carson.
“O-o-okay,” said Remy, relieved that he’d never have to see him again. “What about any other relatives? Any of them stand to gain if something happens to Fionn?”
“Maybe on his mother’s side?” asked Mystia.
“Possible…his mother’s siblings were seeking custody,” Carson said.
“Do you know who they are?” asked Remy.
“No, but Fionn does,” Carson said.
“And he won’t be back until tonight, right?” asked Remy.
“Maybe sooner. Hunter said it depends on how fast his body rids itself of the alcohol.”
“Hmmm.” Not willing to wait, Remy said, “Mystia, I can use a light sphere to locate the witches responsible for the use of the black magic and bring them here for questioning. Do you see any problem with me doing that?”
“No, as Ruler of the Mystic Realm, you have absolute power over all magic users. No one can refuse you,” answered Mystia.
Nodding, Remy asked, “Carsy, how about you…any problems with it? ”
“Yeah, I think the witches should be restrained, similar to what Mystia did with the guard, but of course, allowed to speak,” Carson said.
“They will be,” assured Remy, sitting down at his desk.
“Ready?” After hearing affirmative answers from Carson and Mystia, he shut his eyes, placing his hands flat on the desk, quickly finding the tiny spark in his mind that he needed for him to begin.
Willing the sphere into his hands, Remy rolled it, watching it grow bigger and bigger until it was the size of a bowling ball.
Then, removing his hands, he waited until it stopped spinning before submerging his face into it.
Ignoring the sparks of light against his skin, Remy concentrated on the witches, looking for their life force trails and then following them until he reached his quarry. Withdrawing his face, Remy flicked his fingers, making the light sphere surround the two witches, immobilizing them.
Carson gazed at the light sphere hovering off the floor in Remy’s office, the suspects firmly held inside. Once he was satisfied they couldn’t escape, he turned to Remy and asked, “Is there a way to make them tell the truth?”
“Magic users,” said Mystia, “are unable to lie to the Keeper of All Magic.”
Rising, Remy walked around his desk until he was standing in front of the light sphere.
His eyes flicked over the two witches who’d stopped struggling, instead, adopting a defiant attitude.
“I am the Keeper of All Magic, Ruler of the Mystic Realm. Tell me your names.” When neither answered, Remy waited, watching the witches squirm as their fear began to grow. “Answer me!” he commanded.
“I’m Adonia. ”
“Silvaria.”
“Are you responsible for the acts of sabotage at Chateau des Flammes?” Remy asked.
“Yes,” replied Adonia.
“Why did you do it?”
Adonia looked at Silvaria, then back at Remy. “We don’t know.”
“Why not?” asked Remy.
Shrugging, Silvaria replied, “Because we weren’t told.”
“Told by whom?” asked Remy.
“The dragon who hired us,” answered Adonia.
“Do you know the name of that dragon?” asked Remy.
“Yes…Eideard MacDùghlas.”
“He’s dead.”
“Yes, we know,” replied Adonia.
“So why are you still carrying out his orders?” asked Remy.
“Because we were told to,” Silvaria said.
“By whom?” asked Remy.
“Niall MacDùghlas,” Adonia replied.
Turning to look at Carson, Remy raised an eyebrow, then seeing an imperceptible shake of his mate’s head, swiveled back to the witches. “Who is he?”
“Eideard MacDùghlas’ son,” Silvaria said.
Moving his hand slightly, Remy made the light sphere sound-proof and opaque, before speaking. “What issue does Fionn’s cousin have with him? ”
“None that I’ve heard of,” answered Carson. “Fionn might be able to tell us…are you sure they’re telling the truth?”
“Positive,” Mystia replied, “no magic user can lie to the Ruler of the Mystic Realm. There isn’t any magic spell strong enough to overcome the powers Remy has.”
“Not even black magic?” asked Carson.
“No, as Keeper, Remy is the source of all magic on earth, regardless of what kind,” Mystia said.
“What about the demon who’s working for them…carrying out the attacks?” asked Carson. “Can he do anything to hide the truth from you?”
Shaking her head, Mystia said, “Impossible.”
“Okay, but what about the demon? What do we do about him?” asked Carson.
“We give the name to Oracle. She’ll inform the Fates who will handle it,” Mystia answered.
Smirking Carson said, “Meaning the demon won’t be allowed on earth for a long while.”
“If ever,” agreed Mystia.
“Good,” Remy said.
“What are you going to do with these two?” asked Carson.
Remy thought for a moment before answering his mate. Turning to Mystia, he asked, “Any use of black magic is forbidden, is that correct?”
“Absolutely.”
“Then I plan to punish them,” Remy said .
“Before you do, they might know if there are any other black magic users,” Mystia said.
“Do you know this to be a fact?” asked Remy.
“No, but I have my suspicions,” Mystia said.
“It’s very hard to summon a demon, yet these witches have done it twice or, what I suspect is more likely, another magic user…
a stronger one…has helped them, since neither of them possess the level of magic to do so.
And if that’s the case, that magic user is helping other witches the same way. ”
“So, ridding them of their demon won’t do anything at all,” said Remy.
“No,” Mystia explained, “because the demon they used with the vampires was dealt with, and yet they now have a new demon.”
Giving a short nod, Remy waved his hand, revealing the witches trapped in the light sphere. “What is the name of your demon?” he asked.
“Kanos,” replied Adonia.
“Who helped you summon him?”
“Black Shadow.”
Frowning, Remy asked, “What is the magic user’s real name?”
“That is what he is called.”
“Does he help other magic users summon demons?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know who else is using black magic?”
“No. ”
“How do you know Black Shadow is summoning demons for other black magic users?” asked Remy.
“He told us,” replied Silvaria.
“How do I find him?” asked Remy.
“I don’t know,” replied Adonia. “He always contacts us.”
“How does he know to do that?”
“We leave a message for him at the Moaning Cave,” replied Silvaria.
“Can we go now? We answered all of your questions,” whined Adonia.