Rachel Carrington, page 1
Under His Spell
By
Rachel Carrington
ADVANCED READER COPY: DISCLAIMER
This Advance Reader Copy is the property of Rachel Carrington. The Advance Reader Copy may not be sold, rented, loaned, or copied.
This is an uncorrected copy and may differ slightly from the final published novel, which will be available from Triskelion Publishing in November, 2004.
This work is copyrighted as of November 2004 by Rachel Carrington.
PROLOGUE
Ingrid stood over the bassinet, one hand clutching the white wicker. “My beautiful daughter. Born in the midst of chaos, you will bring peace to our people.” Pressing her lips to her fingers, Ingrid transferred the kiss to her infant’s rosy cheek.
The wind swept the curtain wide and banged the door to the nursery against the wall. Ingrid didn’t turn around to acknowledge her visitor, though she knew she was no longer alone.
“You are a fool if you believe your daughter will make a difference.”
Ingrid smiled serenely. “She was born on Ostara, Sabrina. The day when light masters dark.”
Sabrina stalked around the bassinet, bringing herself into Ingrid’s line of vision. “And every witch in every Coven will covet her death. No one wants the peace you seek, Ingrid. We are powerful witches and only through destruction will we rule the world.”
Ingrid held up one hand to silence the fall of the words. In her heart, she knew the truth. Sabrina was right, but it wouldn’t stop Ingrid from trying. The Covens had been at war for far too long, with each other and with other sorcerers. They needed peace if they were to survive. “How much longer will we live if we continue to fight one another?”
Sabrina scoffed. “We aren’t interested in surviving. We are interested in excelling, in defeating our enemies. We can do that… with your help.”
Ingrid whirled around to face the window. The sun was sinking low on the horizon, on her daughter’s tenth day of life. Soon, the ceremony would begin, the ancient ritual of commitment where she would trade her own life for her daughter’s destiny. “I must go.”
Sabrina reached out, but Ingrid backed away before the witch’s hand could connect with her arm. Sabrina’s brows lowered and her breath hissed out of her lungs. “If you won’t help us, don’t make the mistake of trying to stop us.”
Ingrid scooped up her daughter and pressed the downy head against her breast. “I will not have to stop you, Sabrina. Allessandra will take care of that.”
Sabrina froze in place. “Allessandra knows?”
Ingrid smiled. “Allessandra knows everything. She began the first Coven, not to destroy but to help and enlighten. She wanted witches to be remembered as women of strength and beauty. But you and other witches like you have turned our world into a thing of darkness, planting fear in the hearts of innocent people.” One shoulder lifted beneath the silk robe she wore. “Allessandra will not allow this to continue.”
Sabrina took two steps toward the window, paused and looked over her shoulder. “Then we shall destroy her as well.”
Ingrid tightened her grip on her baby. “You can try.”
Allessandra held out her arms, accepting the slight weight of the baby against her bosom. Though her face bore the wrinkles of age, her voice still rang with authority. Bending low over the child, she began to whisper ancient words of prophecy and promise.
Ingrid shivered in the darkness of the shadows, forbidden to speak. Transfixed, she watched the High Queen place her daughter into, a cradle of white pine interwoven with thin strands of gold.
Allessandra continued to chant until the baby fell asleep, secure in her new surroundings. When the High Queen lifted her head, her face wore a satisfied expression. “Your daughter will live a long, happy life, Ingrid.”
Ingrid’s eyes filled with tears. “Thank you.”
Allessandra held up one hand. “But her work will be difficult and will begin with the sacrifice of your own life.”
Ingrid nodded her head slowly. “I know about the prophecy.” She pulled in a deep breath. “I don’t want to leave her. Who will raise her?”
Allessandra offered assurance with her next words. “Your time has not yet come. You will know when it has. Until then, take your daughter home and enjoy her. Prepare her.”
Ingrid blinked. “But she’s only a baby.”
“She is not a normal child, Ingrid. She is a child of much wisdom and power. Teach her while there is still time.”
Ingrid bowed low. “Again, I thank you.”
Allessandra placed her hand on Ingrid’s arm. “Do not thank me. What you must face I would not wish upon any mother. I wish there was another way to reunite our people.”
Ingrid bit her lower lip and shook her head to quell the tears. “I have accepted what is to be, Allessandra. It makes me proud that my daughter will be the catalyst who binds the Covens together once more … even though I won’t be alive to see it.”
Allessandra smiled. “You will see it, my child. You will witness your daughter’s success. She will need you then more than ever.”
Ingrid picked up the sleeping baby and tucked her into the crook of her arm. Looking down in the slightly puckered face, Ingrid felt a pang of longing. She wanted to stay with her daughter always, to hold her close and protect her. She didn’t know how much time she had with her or even if she would be able to make the sacrifice. Ingrid closed her eyes and whispered a prayer for strength and when she opened them, Allessandra had disappeared.
CHAPTER ONE
“I won’t take any life, least of all the life of a man who’s done me no wrong.” Skye Logan circled the fire pit, ignoring the gasps of outrage as she challenged the ultimatum tossed out to her like a dirty piece of laundry.
“You have no choice and let’s not forget this is no ordinary man. Killing him will not be as simple as choosing your weapon. Nevertheless, this is your destiny,” came a low, throaty voice, a voice rife with power and cunning. “Your new life awaits you.” A long, thin finger pointed at the floor. “Down there in the place the humans call Earth is where your challenge is. You will study and learn, become more powerful than you’ve ever been and when the time is right, you will do as you are bidden.”
Skye thrust her chin up into the air and winged a glance across the dancing flames. “That’s where you’re wrong. I won’t do it.”
The face behind the voice moved into the light. Savagely beautiful, the witch moved with speed born of magic, coming to stand face to face with the young witch who dared to challenge her authority. “You will do as you are instructed, Skye. This is the purpose for which you have been born. To fail would mean certain death.”
Though a chill licked at the base of Skye’s spine, she clenched her teeth and shook her head. “Then I choose death. It’s better than I should die than an innocent man.”
The older witches exchanged glances, one by one communicating in a manner, which Skye didn’t understand. Finally, the leader of the Coven spoke, the words whipping like tiny lashes. “As we have spoken, so shall you do, Skye Logan, and since you have assured us of your intent to disobey, you give us no choice but to insure your strict compliance. Bring out the girl.”
Skye shot a startled glance toward the entrance of the cave, her heart catching in her throat as her fourteen-year-old sister stumbled across the stones. Heartsick and scared, Skye tried to reassure Emily without sound. She used her eyes to communicate her intent, her confidence even while fear chased its icy fingers down her spine.
Emily lifted her head and tears glimmered in her eyes. “I’m okay, Skye.”
Skye managed a smile. “Of course you are, and you’ll stay that way.” She winked, faking a chuckle. “My friends have only brought you here to make sure you’re safe. There’s a…” her voice cracked. She paused and regained her composure. “There’s a situation I have to take care of and when I come back, we’ll both go home. I don’t know how long it’s going to take me, but I don’t want you to worry about me. You’ll be safe here.” She spared Sabrina a threatening look as if daring her to say otherwise.
Sabrina merely lifted her shoulders in an elegant shrug, but Skye read the body language clearly. Emily would be safe as long as Skye followed the dictate handed down to her.
Emily pulled in her lower lip with the top row of her teeth and tipped her head to one side. “I’m not so sure I’ll be safe here. I don’t really like your friends.” Though she whispered the words, Skye knew the witches heard. It gave her a small measure of satisfaction.
“They’ll be good to you,” Skye intoned with a vicious look at the leader. “Won’t you, Sabrina?”
The Coven’s high priestess flicked an annoyed glance in Emily’s direction. “Your sister will remain unharmed.” Black eyes returned to Skye’s face. “But I would suggest you be quick about your mission. You know I have little patience for children.”
“I’m not a child,” Emily protested.
Skye squared her shoulders and walked forward. “You won’t hurt her, Sabrina.” She kept her voice low so as to avoid any chance of Emily overhearing the underlying threat.
The witch’s mouth thinned. “Don’t make the mistake of thinking you can control me. As I have said, your sister will not be hurt as long as you do as you have been instructed.” She lifted one hand and long fingernails, painted as dark as her eyes, clicked together, a sign of Sabrina’s irritation. “In fact, we have a beautiful room picked out for her inside the tower.”
Skye’s eyes narr owed. “You never use the tower.”
Sabrina lifted one shoulder in a half-hearted shrug. “Nevertheless, we have chosen a special room for your little sister.” She circled her hand in the air and gave Skye a perfect view of an elegantly furnished room with a canopy bed, distressed white furniture, and large, stuffed animals lining the walls. “See? She will live in the lap of luxury until you return for her. That is, if you return for her.”
“Make no mistake about it, I will return for my sister.”
Sabrina’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Excellent. Now, be gone with you.”
Skye tipped her head to one side. “What? No well wishes?” She didn’t give the leader time to respond before she strolled toward the door, pausing long enough to rest her hand atop Emily’s head in one last gesture of reassurance. “I’ll be back.”
Emily nodded one last time. “Hurry.”
Sabrina made a sound of disgust. “We don’t have time for a heartwarming goodbye. If you’ll make haste, Skye, you’ll be back before Emily has time to miss you.”
Skye didn’t acknowledge Sabrina’s words nor did she look in the leader’s direction again. She kept her eyes on Emily’s pale face as she backed out the door and when it clicked shut behind her, she squeezed her eyes shut and whipped into the air.
“I must leave.” Rane didn’t waste time with preamble as he approached the Assembly. Gathered around the table, a veritable conglomeration of power and magic, the group looked intimidating indeed. Only Rane wasn’t intimidated. He was bored, tired of his life in the present. Since the fall of the Coven, he hadn’t had much to keep him occupied and a bored wizard was never a good thing.
Jaxon, the Assembly’s leader and Rane’s older brother, responded in a controlled voice, which dripped irritation, “Leave what?
“The Assembly. Mystique. This world,” came Rane’s somber reply.
Silence descended upon the power center of the Assembly and coated the room in oppression. Wizard traded glance with wizard, but all remained silent save for Rane’s mother, Charlemaine.
“You cannot leave. You are needed here.”
Rane had expected dissension, had even planned for it. His retreat from his home world would not come without a price, but for the sake of his own sanity, he would leave. “Mother,” he softened his voice, “I have no choice.”
Jaxon rounded the table, matching his brother’s stance. “The Fates have called?”
The lie slipped easily from Rane’s tongue, though he knew he would pay for his deception later. “Yes.”
Charlemaine clasped a hand to her mouth while Rane’s father squeezed her shoulder. “You have not spoken of this before, son.” Charlemaine’s voice broke.
Rane inclined his head while the pressures of every wizard’s disappointment fell onto his shoulders. “I waited, hoping that it was a mistake. But it is not so. I must leave.”
Jaxon took a step closer, placing himself eye to eye with his younger brother. “You are sure this is at the Fates’ demand?”
Rane didn’t bat an eye. “I am positive.”
Jaxon’s shoulders didn’t relax. “Then we have no choice but to honor their decision. We wish you well.”
Charlemaine leaped to her feet. “No! I will not let another son walk away from me.”
Jaxon held up one hand. “Mother, we cannot interfere with the path the Fates have chosen for Rane. He must make his own way and follow as he has been bidden. May the Fates be with you, Rane.”
Rane clasped his brother’s hand and bestowed a kiss upon his mother’s cheek. “Do not worry about me, Mother. I am but a window away from your sight.”
Charlemaine’s eyes glistened with tears. “That will not stop me from worrying. You are my child.”
“No longer a child,” Rane corrected.
She smiled slightly. “Ever the man.”
He returned her smile. “Be well, Mother.” As the lump welled up in his throat, he turned and strode away before he could question his own decision.
***
Six months later
Skye sneezed. It wasn’t a particularly loud sneeze, but she froze nevertheless.
Casting furtive glances over her shoulder, she waited for the approach, any approach that would blow her cover. Dressed all in black with a stocking cap covering the wealth of tawny curls, Skye felt the decadent pull of the night, helping her to hide from the reality of what she knew she must do.
She’d trained for this night for over six months. The witches had taught her well and while Emily had learned more than she ever should in the presence of the Coven, Skye had acquired the applications necessary to eradicate the life of a wizard. In theory, it appeared simple, but from information Skye had gleaned about this one wizard in particular, she doubted simple would be the proper adjective.
After reassuring herself that the sneeze hadn’t alerted any guard dogs or set off any motion detectors, Skye began to move forward, on her belly. Which always looked easier in the movies than it actually was. Sticks were jabbing her abdomen and something slithered under her. She bit back a scream and pretended it was a gentle creature, whatever it was. This mission was too important.
The brick wall was ahead, impenetrable by every day standards, but Skye had come prepared. A certified techno genius, she hadn’t needed too many minutes to fashion an appropriate laser that would lock onto the gate’s entry code. With a few punches of her nimble fingers, Skye almost crowed with delight when the gate swung wide. “So much for technology,” she whispered to herself as her agile frame dashed across the open expanse of grass leading toward the main house.
The moon was high in the sky and an occasional owl hooted in time with Skye’s footsteps across the grass. She leaped up onto the porch, secured the wire harness around her narrow waist and swung wide. Repelling herself up to the second story window took more effort than Skye had thought and by the time she arrived, she was out of breath, her heart thundering within her breast. She leaned against the coolness of the windowpane, giving herself precious moments to regain her momentum. Next to her ear, her watch ticked away the minutes, forcing her to set herself to her task.
To cut the pane was easy, just a few simple swipes of the glass cutter and her small hand was able to sneak in, unlock the window and slide it up along the frame. If her calculations were correct, she should be inside the first guest bedroom on the second floor of the old house. Her soft-soled shoes hit the carpet and Skye straightened, turning to gather her equipment and reel in the line. Okay, so far, so good. She couldn’t believe she was inside Rane Hansen’s home. Or that the wizard didn’t know she was here. Apparently, the spell the witches had used worked better than they’d intended. Meant to simply conceal her presence long enough for Skye to move past the high quality security system, the incantation’s shield had held for even longer, allowing her to move freely into the bedroom.
“Now, to find the owner of this mansion.” Skye touched one hand to the silver dagger strapped to her waist and shivered. “If there was any other way, Mr. Hansen, believe me, I’d find it.”
“You’ll forgive me if I find that difficult to believe.” The deep voice grabbed her in the dark and Skye let out a shriek of terror, flattening herself back against the wall closest to the window. Her hand clutching her throat, she tried to see into the darkness, but fear clouded her vision, making sight an impossibility.
The man behind the voice apparently didn’t have that problem. She heard him approaching her, his footsteps heavy. Skye knew the exact moment he reached her, not because he touched her, but because she could feel him, feel the heat, the strength emanating from his overwhelming body. She clutched the windowsill behind her with her free hand. “Wh-what are you doing here?”
“I live here. So it is I who should be asking that question of you.” The voice held amusement, which, the way Skye figured it, was better than anger. The wizard wasn’t supposed to have the upper hand, but for the moment, that was precisely what he had. She had no doubt that the large body blocking her pathway to freedom was much more than just a man. She didn’t have to search for Rane Hansen after all. He’d found her.
Her mind worked furiously, trying to think of a way out. The witches wouldn’t be pleased when she returned without completing her mission, but surely they’d give her another chance. They wouldn’t kill Emily. She wouldn’t let them. Of course, she had no idea how she would go about stopping them, but she’d think of something. They’d just have to accept that sometimes plans went awry, but even as the thought crept into her conscience, she knew Sabrina would not take the failure lightly.
