16. CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
T hey had been riding hard for days when they finally staggered into Cora’s tavern, streaks of dirt painting their faces like war stripes. Rowan’s hair was loose and tangled with the remnants of brambles they’d pushed through during their frantic escape. Casimir had fared no better.
“Bloody hell! You look like you’ve been dragged behind a horse.” Cora’s hair flamed under the dim tavern lights as she rushed toward them.
“More like through the underworld with the Reaper’s hell hounds snapping at our heels.” Rowan rubbed her eyes with the heels of her palms.
Upon hearing the Reaper’s name, Cora seized Rowan by the arm. “We need to get you out of sight.”
They followed her outside, where the late afternoon air was refreshing with the scent of pine, spruce, and damp earth. The underbrush crackled beneath their weary steps. A cottage emerged from the shadows of the surrounding forest. Its exterior was covered in ivy and charming window boxes filled with vibrant scarlet paintbrush flowers and northern blue violets. Inside, it exuded warmth and comfort: simple yet plush furniture, an enormous fireplace, and heavy drapes that promised a safe haven from the outside world.
“Sit.” Cora gestured to a pair of overstuffed armchairs, which seemed to hug their tired bodies as they collapsed into them .
Rowan’s eyes met Cora’s, her vision blurring with unshed tears. “Lilith—my mother sent us to you,” she began, her voice wavering. “The Reaper’s castle was a nightmare. It was unspeakable.”
“Shhh, dear.” Cora poured a generous amount of amber liquid into a goblet. “You’re safe here. The Reaper won’t find you.”
Rowan’s hand shook as she accepted the drink, the golden liquid reflecting the light streaming in from the window. “He held us prisoner. He tortured Casimir. And my mother—she’s trapped. She’s lost to us.” Her voice cracked as she recalled how her mother had sacrificed herself to ensure they escaped.
“Your mother’s stronger than you know,” Cora said firmly. “And so are you. After all, you’re her daughter.”
“How do you know her?”
Cora sighed. “It’s a long story, so I’ll give you the short version. Your mother and I have been best friends since we were children. And ever since that bastard got his grip on her, I’ve been trying to find a way to set her free.”
“Why can’t she escape him?”
“It’s complicated. Necromancers hold power over the dead and the undead.” Cora glanced meaningfully at Casimir, who sat silently, his expression unreadable. “Powerful necromancers can bend the will of those who’ve crossed into death’s domain. Vampires exist in that liminal space. But the Reaper—he’s different somehow. He’s become increasingly powerful using Lilith’s abilities, and now he controls her.”
“But why’d she join him in the first place? She obviously regrets it.”
Cora rubbed her temples as if staving off a headache. “He was an informant for the Vampire Council, and he was trying to uncover local witches.” She leaned back in her chair, her gaze distant. “The Council feared our powers and our independence, but the Reaper had ambitions beyond the jobs the Council sent his way. He wished for dominance and unrivaled power.”
Cora clenched her fists in barely suppressed anger.
“I haven’t been able to piece together how long he was secretly surveilling witches, but eventually he discovered Lilith’s powers and coveted them for his own. The silver-tongued devil infiltrated her inner circle and found out that her parents were recently deceased. By that time, I had already moved away to open my tavern.”
“Go on.” Rowan gestured for Cora to continue .
“He exploited her isolation and vulnerability to gradually win her trust. Once she let him into her life, he began to weave his manipulative web around her. She longed to make a positive difference in this world, to fight for better rights and freedoms for women. He promised her all of that, and more, if she joined him.” Cora’s eyes narrowed. “But it was all a lie.”
“I can understand why she worked with him initially . . .” Rowan took a fortifying sip from her goblet. “But I still don’t understand why she can’t just use her powers to escape him now. How does he control her?”
“I believe it’s because of the Locket of Herois.” Cora paused, placing a hand on her chin in thought. “The necklace your mother wears. It’s not just a simple piece of jewelry. That’s why I tasked you with retrieving it. I think it holds the secret to the Reaper’s control over her powers.”
Casimir leaned forward, his eyes reflecting his thoughts. “So, if we get the locket—”
“We break his control over her,” Cora finished for him, nodding gravely.
Rowan slammed her drink down on the end table. “Then we have to go back.”
Cora held up a hand, a grimace on her face. “Before you make any hasty decisions, there’s something I must say. I’m sorry. For sending you into that place without knowing the full extent of the danger. Please understand that I would never intentionally put you in harm’s way, but you were insistent, and I knew the Reaper wouldn’t hurt you.”
“How could you possibly know that?” Rowan demanded.
“I—”
Rowan jerked to her feet, her chair screeching against the wooden floor. “We could’ve been killed. Casimir was tortured!” Her anger boiled over at the memory of his wounds, the smell of blood and charred flesh, and the sounds of his pain.
“Listen.” Cora’s voice remained steady despite the escalating tension. “The Reaper wants to use your power, just as he uses Lilith’s. You’re valuable to him alive. Your gifts are extremely rare—almost unheard of.”
Rowan’s body vibrated with outrage. “You had no right to gamble with our lives.”
Cora’s gaze held steady, her face a picture of weary resignation. “I never gambled with your life. I was always certain you’d come back alive.”
“You were certain?” Rowan spewed out the words, slapping a hand on the table. “You played games with our lives based on your hunch! ”
“No,” Cora said, the volume of her voice lowering in contrast to Rowan’s yelling. “I made the decision based on my knowledge of the Reaper’s greed for power and control. If you recall, I tried to warn you away from seeking answers about your past.”
Rowan’s nostrils flared as she took in a shaky breath, trying to steady her rage. “That may be so, but we should’ve had all the information.”
“And what would you have done differently? Would you have given up your search for answers?” Cora leaned back with her arms crossed over her chest.
The silence dragged as the two women stared each other down. Rowan was resentful of Cora’s portrayal, and yet she knew she couldn’t fault its accuracy.
Beside her, Casimir rose from his seat to stand at her side, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. She drew strength from his touch. “We would’ve prepared ourselves better,” he said, his voice like gravel underfoot.
“And maybe we could’ve prevented some of the horrors that took place,” Rowan spit out.
Cora sighed heavily and nodded. “You’re right.” She looked genuinely apologetic and a red flush stained her cheeks and neck. “I’m sorry. I can’t take it back, but I do regret it.”
“Rowan.” Casimir squeezed her shoulder gently. “Let’s not forget what’s on the line here. Your mother’s freedom and your future.”
“Both of which would have been lost had the Reaper decided otherwise.” Rowan glared at the tavern owner.
Cora’s words were sharp and urgent. “I know now that I made a terrible mistake. I thought your vampire wouldn’t help if he knew the truth, and I clearly underestimated the Reaper’s power. But I swear on everything I hold dear that I’ll do whatever it takes to help you. While it doesn’t excuse my actions, I can offer you protection, and instruction in the arcane arts.”
The room fell into a tense silence. Rowan’s mind raced as she weighed their next move. Casimir watched her, his internal battle evident in the tendons corded on either side of his neck.
“I still would’ve helped you,” he told Rowan, his voice even. “I’ve my own score to settle with the Reaper, and we’re in this together—whatever may come. But getting proper training in the use of your magic could’ve made all the difference.” His glacial blue eyes bore into hers, sincere and unwavering. “Cora’s offer of shelter and training isn’t one we should dismiss lightly. ”
Rowan pinched the bridge of her nose as she took a moment to consider the decision before her. The memory of her past failure to wield her necromancy was still fresh in her mind.
After a brief silence, she pinned Cora with a pointed stare. “You already betrayed us once. Why should we give you another chance?”
“Because your mother is my best friend, and I’ll do anything to save her. With the proper guidance, I’ve faith that we can not only rescue her, but also defeat the Reaper.”
“Defeat the Reaper.” Rowan savored the words. Gradually, her posture relaxed as she considered the possibility.
Cora leaned forward in her armchair, her eyes filled with a renewed light. “Yes. I might not be a necromancer, but all magic shares roots. Channeling energies and directing will. I can guide you in the right direction.”
Rowan’s caution remained, but Cora made a valid point. They had limited allies and choices, and were surrounded by enemies. “Do you truly think you can train me so I’m strong enough to rescue my mother?”
Cora gave her a self-assured smile. “I don’t just believe it, I know it.” Despite the bleakness of their circumstances, her unwavering confidence was contagious.
Casimir squeezed Rowan’s shoulder once again, his presence a steadying force. “We need all the help we can get. Cora’s knowledge is invaluable. Before your mother spoke of it, I thought necromancers had died off a long time ago. The symbol left with you at the orphanage gave me a hunch, but I wanted confirmation before jumping to conclusions. It’s highly unlikely that we’ll find another necromancer who can teach you. Cora’s our best chance.”
Rowan’s resolve crumbled under the weight of their combined arguments. A heavy sigh escaped her as she sank back into the chair. “Fine.” Her eyes flicked between them. “I’ll stay. I’ll learn.”
“Excellent.” Cora jumped up from her seat and clapped her hands together in excitement. Then she turned to Casimir, her beaming smile slowly replaced by a stern expression. “You know my rule, vampire. No feeding on my property. And I expect you to behave like a perfect gentleman around Rowan. There are two bedrooms available. Make use of them both.”
Casimir gave a slight nod. “Understood.”
Cora, however, wasn’t satisfied yet. Her gaze remained firm as she continued, “I need to make sure you understand me clearly. Rowan’s here because she needs help, and for that, she needs a clear head. I don’t need you messin’ with her head, her heart, or her lady parts while under my roof.”
Rowan choked on her drink, cheeks flaming as she spluttered. Her eyes shot toward Casimir, wide with shock and embarrassment. He appeared nonchalant, wearing a neutral expression.
“Cora,” Rowan gasped, mortified by the tavern owner’s frankness. “It’s not . . . we’re not . . .” She struggled to find the right words. “Our relationship isn’t like that,” she finally managed.
Cora simply shrugged, her tone unapologetically straightforward. “It never hurts to make things clear.”
“I respect your rules,” Casimir said smoothly, sparing Rowan further embarrassment.
Cora bid them goodnight, leaving to tend to her patrons. An awkward moment stretched between them at her departure.
Interrupting the silence, Casimir gestured toward the bedrooms. “Shall we nod off, then? It’s been a long journey.”
Rowan dipped her head in agreement, and they separated to get ready for bed in silence. She was still triggered by Cora’s words, especially knowing that Casimir didn’t feel the same way about her as she did about him.
The moon was high in the sky when Rowan jolted awake, her heart threatening to leap out of her chest from the nightmare still gripping her. She’d been back in the Reaper’s castle, feeling the cold grasp of his hands closing around her throat. The panic lingered as she struggled to calm herself.
Pull yourself together, Rowan. She wiped the sweat from her brow and tried to steady her breathing. But the shadows in the corners of the room seemed to grow larger, more menacing. The silence was suffocating.
Steeling herself, she rose from the bed. She hesitated, her hand resting on the doorknob that led to Casimir’s room. A war raged within her—a battle between her fear of vulnerability and the desperate need for comfort.
It’s just for tonight, she told herself, trying to justify her need for his presence.
Pushing open the door of his room, she stepped inside. The sight of him, strong and serene in sleep, eased the tightness in her chest .
“Casimir?”
His eyes snapped open, the predator ever alert. “Rowan? What’s wrong?”
“I can't stop thinking about what happened at the Reaper’s castle. I’m not used to sleeping alone, and I . . .”
He lifted the corner of the sheet in silent invitation.
She crossed the room, slipping into bed beside him. His body was cool against her warmth. She nestled closer, seeking the comfort of his touch, letting out a shuddering breath as his arms encircled her.
“Shh.” His fingers traced soothing patterns along her spine that made goosebumps erupt on her skin. “You’re safe.”
“Thank you.” She allowed herself this moment of weakness, knowing tomorrow she would have to be strong again.
“Shall I distract you with tales of my escapades, or would that be too much excitement for one night?” Dark humor laced his tone.
“Maybe just hold me.” She felt the need to clarify almost immediately. “That is, if you can refrain from biting.”
He let out a low chuckle. “Where’s the fun in that?” Despite his teasing, his embrace remained gentle, a silent promise not to harm her.
She allowed herself to melt against him, the tension gradually seeping out of her body. The nightmare that had seemed so real moments ago faded as Casimir’s presence enveloped her. Rowan couldn’t shake off her heightened sense of awareness of every point where their bodies touched. Desire rippled through her, causing her to squeeze her thighs together.
“Better?” His breath tickled her ear, feeling like a caress across her skin.
“Much.” She suppressed a shiver of pleasure that coursed through her body. As best as she could, she pushed her feelings for him aside for now. She needed to get as much rest as she could to train with Cora tomorrow.
The pull of slumber tugged at her, and the comfort of Casimir’s presence chased away her jumbled thoughts and the darkness of her nightmares.