Chapter 7 – Rorik #2
There’s a reason why I was brought here and why Ethan appeared to me.
“Your sister is fine. We can talk about her later, but I need you to tell me what you know about the witch who was helping your family.”
Ethan opens his mouth to speak, then snaps it shut. His brows furrow. “Ciara? She hated me.”
“Witches don’t hate without reason. You must have wronged her in some way. They’re known to hold grudges.”
It’s probably how black magic was created. Witches know the answer but refuse to divulge that information. I’ve always believed it was because some witch with a grudge couldn’t contain her anger and infused her fury with her magic to create the dark energy.
“I could tell she was being deceitful, yet my father didn’t listen to me when I told him. He already hated me because I no longer wanted to be part of the hunt. Then the witch made me forget…”
The ghost’s voice catches. His blue eyes glaze over with tears. To be honest, I didn’t know spirits could have bodily functions, but at this point in my life, I’ve seen it all and then some.
“The witch cast a spell on you?” I ask, though it’s more of a statement.
He nods. “I was helping the monsters, acting as a spy and leaking information when I could. When the hunters were targeting the sphinx, I tried to warn her. I knew my father was going to make a move at that supernatural conference. I urged the vampire queen to cancel it.”
I remember this. There had been a note placed on an SUV before it blew up. That note must have come from Ethan.
“When my father found out, he told the witch to alter my memories so I’d believe I hated monsters and wanted to hunt them.
Then when I died… when my own father fired the gun that killed me…
my memories all came rushing back. Anyway…
” Ethan sighs and walks to a wall on the far side of the room.
“There’s a hidden room here, but I can’t open it.
I can’t even pass through the walls. You might find more of whatever you’re looking for inside. The witch was in there often.”
I walk to the wall he points to and feel around, pushing here and there until finally a portion gives. It slides back enough to show me a room full of books and shelves with trinkets.
It reeks of magic.
I slide the door open completely and cross the threshold. Pressure builds inside my head, and I waver slightly on my feet.
The magic is almost too overpowering.
I’m surprised I was able to open the door at all.
“Whoa,” Ethan says beside me, and I flinch, forgetting he was here.
I silently curse for letting a ghost startle me. I don’t get startled. Ever. It’s easy to be fearless when you cannot die.
“Have you not been inside here?” I ask the shocked entity.
“Not that I can remember. I’m pretty sure I wasn’t allowed.”
I scan the room.
Stacks of ancient books gather dust. Stained papers that are likely hundreds of years old sit in piles. Chalices are tipped over on dirty shelves. Candles, crystals, herbs, and unidentified liquids are stored in jars and bottles. Necklaces, rings, and other jewelry overflow from an antique box.
The magic is potent.
“How did the coven miss this?”
More importantly, how did I miss this room? How did I not sense the magic the moment I walked in?
“I was here when they arrived,” Ethan explains.
“Ciara used other rooms to cast spells, but this hidden room is where she went when she didn’t want to be bothered.
She kept it well protected so the coven walked right past it.
They said something felt off, but they couldn’t figure it out.
They eventually attributed it to lingering magic left behind by the spells Ciara was using to help the hunters. ”
So, Ciara cast a diversion spell on the room. Or an invisibility cloak. She didn’t want anyone getting inside. Had she planned to return? Why hasn’t she?
“Only me, my father, and older brother knew about this room,” Ethan adds.
Dean, Ethan’s brother, was captured during the battle with Ciara and the hunters.
I would have gotten the information about this hidden room when I dipped into his head.
I was on my way to do just that when I ran into my little lamb and stole her away.
But I also have no doubt Ciara cast a strong enough spell on Dean’s thoughts and memories to shield anyone trying to get into his head.
Her magic might be weakening, but she’s still able to cast strong spells. I just don’t think they’re holding as long as she intends.
This room is like a treasure trove. Certainly I can find something in here to help me track Ciara down.
It’s going to take me days to sort through everything. Maybe weeks.
Will my little lamb miss me while I’m gone? I’ve been watching her on the cameras even though she’s stopped trying to escape. I just like knowing where she is at all times.
Aurora’s still angry about finding them so every time she walks by one, she flips it off.
Because she knows I’m watching.
I find it endearing.
I don’t have one in her room, though, and I think it’s why she hasn’t demanded the cameras come down.
I think she likes me watching. She enjoys putting on a show of anger for me.
If she’d just let me explain… but how can I tell her she’s most definitely my mate? She’s not ready for that conversation. She won’t even talk to me now. If I try to tell her our souls are destined to be together, she might… Well, I’m not sure how she’d react.
Vampires having fated mates, or blood mates as they’re called, is rare.
We’re believed to be soulless. It’s not that we don’t have souls; they’re just suppressed—some more than others.
It explains why some vampires go feral. Those who have completely lost their humanity can no longer access their soul.
We were made to be evil beings, but even death and destruction can become taxing on the damned. Over time, immortality fucks with our heads.
We are cursed and cursed beings don’t get to experience love.
Which is why it’s unheard of for me to possibly have another soulmate, especially when I’ve already experienced having two mates. I don’t deserve another.
But I have no doubt the daughter of the witch who cursed me being my mate is some sort of karmic destiny.