CHAPTER SIX
Cal could watch, but he could do nothing else as he watched the love of his life, Fate's gift, and the man he swore to protect walk into this chaotic mess. They'd bound him both physically and spiritually with some god-awful spell.
All he could move were his eyes because they wanted him to watch, they wanted to taste his pain and bathe in his sorrow. But he knew his beloved better than they did, and he knew Tarek would have a plan. His man had skills and a sharp mind. He wouldn’t have just walked in here blind.
Then he noticed something far off, someone breaking through the tree line. It was Master DuCane, Ismael, and Silas who stood about five hundred yards from Tarek, carefully taking in the scene before them. He wished he could speak; he wanted to yell out to his beloved.
“The Master is behind you. You are not alone.” Cal channeled the thought to Tarek through their fragile bond. Tarek instantly straightened and gave a curt nod. He did not turn around but rather took the book from under his arm and held it out as if offering it to the kindred.
"Release him, and I will give you the Severine Codex.” He shouted. Malfane stepped away from the others and moved toward Cal. He stood next to him and ran his dismissive gaze over Cal.
"Give me the Codex, and I will give you your lover." He said it with sarcasm and a smirk, believing he was in control. Cal looked at Tarek and gave him calm and clarity. Tarek needed to be careful and decisive in the next few minutes.
The Master and his men were moving closer. The kindred didn’t seem to notice them, yet they were so caught up in this ugly game they were playing and were overcome by the power of the Codex.
“You’re not leaving here with that book still in your possession, so you might as well hand it over now. It's mine anyway. I hired you to bring it to me, and then you steal it away." He still wore that stupid grin like he held the upper hand.
This deluded man did not realize that his life would be sorely changed by the end of this day, and not for the better. Master DuCane had destroyed nations for less than what this man has dared to perpetrate upon him and his people.
"You never paid, so I owe you nothing." Tarek shot back sharply and clearly. "Release Cal and let him come to me. Only then will I hand it over.” He stipulated and then pulled the book to his chest. The movement caused a reaction and a surge in the crowd. Apparently, they didn’t like him getting so familiar with their book.
“Bring me that fucking book!" Malfane screamed and then raised his hand, indicating for his men to take it. “Get that book and get it now! Tear him apart!”
They started rushing Tarek, and Cal thought his heart was going to explode with panic for his beloved.
Every cell in his body was screaming. He pulled on his restraints and was trying to force his body to move.
Master DuCane and his men started running toward Tarek, and they had their long swords out, and all Cal could do was watch.
Tarek sensed Cal’s panic and soothed him with a wink. "I got this, Cal, don't worry. There are many facets to this book." He sent the message, and Cal could feel his calm touching him. The Master and his men were cutting through the kindred, backing them off, but they never stopped.
The kindred could not break through the power of the Codex, but they didn’t stop. Their sheer number could compromise the strength of that one book. Cal was losing his mind.
Malfane saw Master DuCane and screamed for him not to interfere, but it had no effect. Master DuCane was a master swordsman, as were Ismael and Silas. The kindred were paying for their disrespect, but their numbers never seemed to diminish. More rushed forward as others fell.
They surrounded Tarek, but remained a few feet away, still held back by the Codex. But how long would it keep them back? Malfane dropped back until Cal could no longer see him.
The kindred were coming in droves like water rushing over a dam.
He feared how long Tarek could keep them at bay and how many Master DuCane and his men could kill.
He tried to move, and this time his hand moved not much, but there was a movement, signaling that the spell was weakening.
He reached out to Tarek once again, pushing his strength and resolve to him.
The horde came together as one and swept toward Tarek, intent on capturing the Codex in a blitz of force.
Cal felt his heart in his throat as he continued to struggle to get free, and then suddenly the air was on fire, charged with a current sharp and focused.
Tarek had thrust the book forward and opened it, and the resulting power surge swept across the open space, cutting down everything in its path.
Cal held his breath, expecting to be similarly cut down, but the current passed over him and tore apart the kindred behind him and to his left.
He had no explanation for this, and by the look of surprise on the Master's face, he too was taken aback.
Tarek, though, seemed in full control of what was happening; he was in full control of the Severine Codex.
The current continued to pulse across the open space until every witch, every member of the kindred present in that field, lay dead. Tarek slapped the book closed, and everyone stood stunned for a few seconds. Then, Cal realized he was free. The spell was broken, and his binds had fallen away.
Tarek dropped the book and started running to Cal, who was also rushing to him. They met halfway, with Tarek leaping into Cal's arms and Cal holding him off his feet in an embrace that was like a steel trap. He never wanted to let go, never wanted to be apart from this man ever again.
Tarek kept whispering desperately into his ear. "I love you, Cal, I love you, Cal." He kept repeating. “Did they hurt you? Are you okay?” The tenderness of his words shattered Cal.
The realization that the Relic Broker went to such lengths to save him and was willing to die by his side told him everything he ever needed to know about the man Tarek Azar.
Their bond was sure, and their love was pure, and their future was going to be amazing.
Fate had given him the perfect love just as she had done for so many.
"I love you, Tarek." He responded with all the emotion he was feeling, dripping from each word and apparent in the way he clutched his lover to his chest. “You were incredible, my love, utterly incredible."
“I was so worried, Cal.” He stuttered a little and buried his face in Cal’s shoulder.
"I was worried too, sweetheart." Cal kissed the side of Tarek's head and rubbed his hands up and down his back, just making sure he was well and whole and truly there.
"We were all worried." Master DuCane said as he came up and placed a comforting hand on Cal's shoulder.
He smiled and slipped his sword back into his jacket, as did Silas and Ismael.
"You must tell us what happened here." He was speaking to Tarek.
"What kind of control do you have on the Codex?
" He was friendly, but his question was tinged with seriousness, prompting Tarek to rush to explain.
Cal held him, not ready to let go just yet, but allowed him to turn and face the Master. Master DuCane was a warrior like none other. He could take on an army and still walk away with an air of calm collectiveness. Nothing could shock or disturb this man.
"I studied it before tracking it down. I was told that if you let it, the Codex could take on the holder's emotions and act accordingly.
I wanted the evil that threatened us to be eradicated, so the book destroyed my enemies.
" Tarek said, and then added when he saw that the Master was not completely satisfied.
"There's a little more to it, but in essence that's the answer.
" The Master gave him a soft smile and nodded.
“Are they all eliminated?” Cal asked.
"I don't know, there might be others, but everyone in this field who held the evil of the kindred has been eliminated."
“There is a lot more to you than first meets the eye.” Master DuCane spoke to Tarek. “The Severine Codex will remain with Coven DuCane, and you will be its overseer. That book is your responsibility." Tarek looked at him, not sure of himself yet, but sensing acceptance.
“Yes, sir.”
“I also want you to review my security measures and alert my people to any weaknesses that you discover.” The Master was referring to Tarek’s ease at stealing the Codex. “I want you working for me now exclusively, no more contracts with anyone else.”
"Yes, sir, thank you, sir."
"Is that okay with you, Cal?"
“Yes, sir. Tarek is a talented man, and I look forward to him using those talents for the betterment of Coven DuCane.”
"As do I, Cal. ” The Master patted him again on the shoulder. “Now head home and take some well--deserved time with your beloved, and congratulations to both of you."
"My car, or rather your car, is parked on the road about a half mile from here," Tarek says with a definite lilt to his tone. He was happy and relaxed, and Cal wanted to eat him up.
"Let's go home," Cal said and turned them in the direction of the woods.
Tarek paused. He turned to Master DuCane before leaving. "I saw you have Aldessa Foix." DuCane looked momentarily surprised by Tarek's words, but simply nodded.
"A lot of people out there are looking for her. Brokers and Hunters. Nasty ones." Tarek said simply, knowing DuCane would understand.
Master DuCane nodded again, filing that information away for later.
"Come on." Cal draped his arm around Tarek's shoulders, and Tarek put his arm around Cal's waist.
"Yeah, I have a lot of adrenaline to wear off," Tarek commented.
“I have just the thing for you, my love. It will wear off any and all pent-up energy.” He joked.
"Let's hurry," Tarek said with a smile, and they quickly picked up their pace.
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