CHAPTER 38
The speed at which everyone had gathered should not have surprised Caster.
Given the latest display of Ethel’s power, the renewed urgency to get this over and done with was one he welcomed with open arms.
But even the impatience he could sense from Cy, who wouldn’t sit, and in the ever-present calm fa?ade that Marcus wore as he watched them listen to Mark’s plan would not compare to his.
Caster needed to be done with this. He wanted Mark free of both Ethel and Zeke, and he would do whatever it took to get it.
“Isn’t it dangerous to go back to that darkness?” Cy asked, his full attention on Riley. “You said last time Caster only got out because of his connection to Mark.”
Riley nodded, but it was clear he was on board with Mark’s plan. “Yes. But I don’t think that they’re the same.”
“What do you mean?” Marcus asked.
Riley stepped closer to Mark, his hand pausing a beat before Mark granted him permission.
He grabbed hold of Mark’s hand and, in a rare outward display of his power, a blue flame burst from the connection to spread through his entire body.
Mark gasped but didn’t try to disengage from Riley.
Seconds passed; the blue flame changed colors from red to yellow and then back to blue, the full extent of Riley’s power singeing the hairs on Caster’s arm.
But he wasn’t afraid for Mark. He’d seen this before, been on the receiving end of it.
Riley rarely used his power in this way, but even he seemed ready for this whole mess to be gone.
Eerie silence followed the display, the magnificence of the awesome moment indescribable.
When Riley relented, there was the whisper of something, a foreign entity in the room.
Caster caught Mark’s eye and offered his support the only way he could.
Mark nodded at him, the barrier remaining intact, but he didn’t need to enter his mind to know his thoughts.
The flame covering Riley’s body morphed to a brilliant white before he released his hold on Mark’s arm and took a step back. He grabbed hold of Marcus’s desk and Caster frowned. Had that been a stumble? But Riley righted himself before Caster could question him.
“It was a spell that placed Zeke in your mind,” Riley said, his breaths shallow enough to worry Caster.
But then he cleared his throat, glancing at Caster.
“Much like how the protection spell pulled you into his mind.”
He nodded. “I suspected that’s what the attack at the Prime Alpha’s residence had been, but I wasn’t sure until you told me Zeke had been in his mind.”
“You’re saying that the spell that granted Zeke access to my brother’s mind tore my house apart? She hadn’t been there to attack us?” Dean asked.
Riley shook his head and stood straighter, though Caster still noticed his death grip on the edge of the desk. He filed that bit of information away, vowing to question his friend later.
“That’s the thing.” Mark moved to the couch and Cy followed him, sighing when his body found the comfort it needed.
Riley’s power could drain all energy from even the strongest of them.
“We keep underestimating her.” He glanced at Dean.
“That’s why I need to see into those three days. I am sure Zeke said something that would shed light on the rest of her plan. Then we take the fight to her.”
Caster’s heart swelled with equal parts love and equal parts pride.
How had he not seen this side of Mark? It would come in handy when all of this was over, and he needed help ruling.
He stifled the laugh bubbling out of his chest.
Until Mark, he’d always assumed his rule would be a lonely affair.
His mother had been convinced the Goddess would grant him the perfect partner.
But even in moments when he’d been inclined to believe her, he never would have imagined that that perfect partner would be a werewolf.
He half listened as Mark continued to argue his case to the one person whose protective instincts would not permit him to see the wisdom in it. He looked at Marcus to find the same pride he felt.
He’s brilliant.
Marcus’s assessment, spoken with what Caster could only describe as quiet admiration, was significant enough that Caster could only nod.
“…Caster is OK with it. Why can’t you see it?”
His name and Mark’s frustration drew him away from the promise of a much better forever with Mark to the present. He met the Prime Alpha’s gaze, understanding the fear he saw in them but determined to fight even him to keep Mark safe.
Dean nodded at him, the crackling challenge in the small space separating them palpable. “Then I’m coming too.”
Caster had expected that.
“No!” Mark’s emphatic denial startled him. “You need to stay here.” Mark walked towards his brother, and Caster readied his body for a physical confrontation. Mark stood in front of his brother, almost as if to hold him back. “It is still her turf, right, Riley? Which means she could see us coming?”
Riley nodded.
Mark faced his brother with enough determination to wear anyone down. “We can’t leave this place unprotected. If Caster can’t be here, you need to be.” He glanced at Marcus as if seeking his permission.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Marcus said. “The protection spells should be sufficient, but Damien’s house was just as covered, and she got through there.”
“If it's anything like last time, our bodies will remain here, helpless.” Mark’s voice was now softer, and the determination in Dean broke.
“And we still can’t trust Bastian,” Damien said, his calm mask slipping at his brother’s name. “It was very convenient how he ended up here.”
“You think he’s up to something?” Marcus asked.
“When is he not?” Cy’s frustration was borne of centuries of dealing with their young cousin’s antics, only this time they’d gone too far.
“Well. Mark is right. Our only play right now is to find out what the witch is up to.” Marcus glanced at Riley. “You’re up to the spell?”
Riley’s nod was emphatic, punctuated by his absolute control of the power filling the room.
Marcus nodded. “What do you need?”
Riley released a breath, and Caster’s worry that perhaps he overexerted himself returned only to disappear a moment later when his best friend stood up straight, determination in his expression. “More power.” He glanced at Mark. “Do you mind if Amara helps?”
Mark shrugged. “If you trust her…”
“I need her. She’s as powerful as at least five Fire Witches. And yes, I trust her. I’ve known her all my life.” Riley pointed at the door. “We should also do this outside. The combined force of my power and hers might cause some damage.”
“OK.” Marcus pushed away from his desk and glanced at Caster. “Your father has granted his permission for anything you need. But it’s your mother who worries me. How much do you want to tell her?”
“We can’t keep this from her,” Cy said. “She would kill us…”
Subdued laughter broke through the tension.
Cy was right. Their mother hated secrets.
Caster only hoped she wouldn’t object to what they needed to do.
Travelling into all that darkness was dangerous to say the least, but Mark was right.
It was time to bring the fight to her, and they couldn’t do that until they understood the source of her power.
“Right. Let’s meet on the front lawn in ten minutes?”
Marcus waited for acquiescing nods from all.
“Damien, Dean, you guys coordinate the defense. You’ll have Kyle and Julian for company, and I’ll mobilize the rest of the force, just outside the perimeter; present but not obvious. We stay ready for anything.”
“With Amara’s power, I am hoping Ethel won’t notice our presence,” Riley said. “But we need to be prepared for anything. It is the Underworld, after all.”
As everyone filed away for any last-minute preparations they would need, Caster’s feet felt heavy. His confidence in Mark’s plan, in his courage, remained, but the persistent fear that he would lose him threatened to tear his heart in two.
He was so lost in the growing despair and the counter strategy that would keep Mark safe, he failed to notice everyone but Mark had left the room.
His soulmate said nothing as he walked into his space, pressing his forehead against his.
Words would not compare to the comfort the simple action brought.
Still, he tried to hold on to it far longer than necessary, wishing the world would just let them be, but knowing that was not possible.
If they desired peace, they would have to fight for it.