Familiar Betrayal, page 1
part #4 of Elemental Witch Trials Series
Familiar
Betrayal
An Elemental Witch Trials Novel
Book Four
Lucretia Stanhope
Familiar Betrayal: An Elemental Witch Trials Novel Book Four
Copyright © 2017 by Lucretia Stanhope
All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
Printed in the United States of America
First Printing, 2017
ISBN 978-1541378483
Also by Lucretia Stanhope
Elemental Witch Trial Novels
Blessedly Bound
Burning Captivation
Fateful Attractions
Romantic Horror
Beating Hearts
Horror
Rather Be Fishing: Tales of a Reluctant Monster Hunter
Chapter One
W ith some effort, Gwen pushed opened the stiff door to the small restaurant, and stepped inside to the sound of a bell ringing above her head. The unmistakable smell of Cajun food made her feel at home, but that feeling was offset by the low light and confined space.
The warmth of the air wrapped her in a welcome embrace, as it slowly chased away the chill she’d brought in with her. It may have been bitterly cold, but at least it wasn’t snowing like it was back home. She wondered a second if she left enough wood out to keep the fire going, but dismissed it as unimportant. Sebastian or Sergei would start a new one if it went out while she was away.
A thin man with rich coffee colored skin and deep brown eyes regarded her from behind a greasy counter. She looked away, it wasn’t like her to be rude, but the instructions had been clear, down to what to order to both eat and drink. Interact with no one, and sit in the corner, both had been stressed as imperative.
She walked to the corner, not bothering to look over the room in any great detail. Food and drink was not her reason for being there, and she didn’t care about the setting. Air squished from a large tear in the cheap, red, plastic cushion when she sat down. She was glad the corner booth had a too-small, albeit wobbly table, otherwise her growing belly would have made it impossible to follow the orders.
While she waited for the man to finish what he was doing and walk over, she thought about how hard it had been to get this far, and how long it had taken.
Almost nine months and countless shady meetings in places that were much more intimidating than this little hole in the wall were behind her now. This was to be the place, the woman who could help. It wasn’t the first time she’d been assured that either, but her instincts said this time it was. Every snide remark about her being a witch, and every time she’d been called a silly child by some charlatan posing as a voodoo priestess, would be worth it if she could get her hands on Fannie.
She rested her hands on the small of her back, as the seat started to irritate her. More than likely it was the twins who had grown so big that were hurting her back, but the lack of padding wasn’t helping. She hoped to have things in order sooner, but Fannie proved harder to find, and Lewis hadn’t answered any summoning since leaving her in the time trap.
“Get you something?” The words came out in a thick drawl.
Gwen looked at the man, who had finally made time for her. “Blackened chicken, and house coffee. Burn them both.”
His tongue clucked against the roof of his mouth. “You sure about that, little lady?”
Little lady was better than silly child, she thought.
She’d already been warned off coming here by the person who told her about the place. The sternness of the warning added to her feeling this was exactly the place she wanted to be. “Yes.”
“Get you anything while you wait?” He tapped his shoe on the floor. The rubber sole making a sticking sound on the grimy tiles.
Gwen considered a coffee for real, but after looking around at the place, she thought better of having anything there. The whole restaurant was probably a cover for the queen to sell her gris-gris and whatnot. After she declined, he left without another word.
The throb in her back demanded she stand and stretch. The man only looked up for a second when she did. If she knew any way to ease the tightening muscle magically, she would have.
“Sit, child.”
She turned to see the firm tone came from a woman who was shorter than her by a few inches, which almost never happened. She was also just as round, but Gwen didn’t think she was carrying twins, too much delicious Cajun food was the likely culprit, though probably not from her own restaurant.
“Hello.” Gwen gave a smile before she slid back into her seat. In all of her dealings with these dark practitioners, she tried to remain cordial.
The woman regarded her with eyes that were such a deep brown, the black of the pupil was lost in their depths. “You the little witch stirring things up in my city? I expected something, more.”
Gwen watched mesmerized by her friendly round face and colorful dress. Even her hair was wrapped up in a bright beautiful cloth. What she wanted to say was it was only her city because she had chased away Fannie, but that wouldn’t have gained her what she needed. “I didn’t mean any harm. It is very important that I meet with Fannie. I understand you are the only place I might arrange such a meeting.”
The woman laughed. “Let’s start with chit chat. I don’t work with witches as a rule.” The nostrils of her large flat nose flared. “You can make your own juju.”
“Not this juju. I imagine you know that. I don’t have much time, what is it you need to bend your rule?” Gwen drew in a breath. Since Shane died, she had talked with more people in the voodoo community than she had the witchcraft community, over her entire life. She learned quickly they respected getting to the point and strong offers.
The woman reached a short arm out and opened her chubby palm, waving her fingers. Gwen gave her a hand and watched as she traced the lines in her palm. The woman closed her eyes and placed her other hand on top, encasing Gwen’s hand.
“Dangerous is what you are. I see you’ve already cheated death, and now you wish to tempt fate to take you again.” The woman only paused a second. “My aid won’t come cheap.”
She pulled her hand back, folding them together around her stomach. “Thank you. I didn’t imagine it would. What is it you require?”
When the woman flicked her eyes to Gwen’s belly the room grew cold.
“No. That is not negotiable.” Gwen started to stand.
“Sit yourself. I don’t charge the unborn. Hard to miss those babies though.” She snorted and shook her head. “It’s your vendetta, you will pay the price.”
Gwen looked out the dirty window. The sun would be setting soon, they needed to wrap this up before Sergei or Sebastian woke. “The price?”
“Do you have artifacts?” The woman narrowed her eyes. “You did want her summoned to dispatch yourself, no?”
It wasn’t relevant how the woman knew what she wanted. All she cared about was taking her head. “Yes, I have items from them both. I will require them both to be summoned.”
“It won’t be easy. You understand I too take risks trusting a witch to dispatch one such as her. Lewis, he can’t be killed. He is pure magic.” Both of her brows raised when Gwen didn’t seem shaken at the mention of Lewis.
“I’ll be prepared for Lewis. Fannie as well.” She stood and arched her back. “The cost?”
“Blood, I will give you the proper vessels and means of collection, but you must personally collect the blood. Vampire, and familiar.” She paused and watched Gwen. “Not just any will do, royal vampire and shapeshifting familiar.”
“You summon Fannie and I give you the means for immortality? Seems steep.” She looked to the woman who stood beside her now.
“That’s the cost. Take it or leave it, witch. You’ll not find anyone powerful enough, or foolish enough to help you otherwise.” Large wooden bracelets clanked together when she clapped her hands. “Shall I retrieve the vessels?”
“That’s fine. If you can bring her to me, I will pay your price.”
The woman walked toward a door in the back, her long colorful skirt swishing as she moved, dragging on the ground. She returned and placed two silver items on the table. “Collect it yourself. This is your debt. To deceive me would add to the curses you already carry, child.” Her nose twitched. “No half-bloods either, Sebastian is a tainted eternal and no use to me as either.”
Gwen picked up one of the silver objects. It was a small, thimble sized container with a long needle sticking out. The other looked similar, but the needle was hollow and looked more delicate. She held out the one in her hand. “For vampires?”
The woman nodded. “You do it yourself. Mind who you pick.”
“I’ll do it myself.” Gwen frowned at the needle. “Do I return them here? Order chicken again?”
She laughed a deep, room-filling laugh. “You come right on in, we’ll be expecting you.”
“They die, don’t they? The ones I pick?” She put all the vessels in her purse.
“Eternals don’t die.” She shook her head. “So eager for your revenge. You’d best not be picking any monsters you like.”
Gwen held on to her purse strap tight, as if guarding her new treasures. “Why? If they don’t die. Do you hurt them? Will they suffer a curse?” She frowned. “There is always a catch.”
“No child, I won’t be hurting them, it is your debt. They will be linked to you, I’ll do that myself, when you return with the vessels. Your donation will be required, the power of three and all. I know you understand.” The woman licked her tongue over her teeth. “It won’t hurt. Not today.”
Gwen rubbed her temples. She was weary of the games and double speak they all used. While they seemed to respect straight talk they seldom used it themselves. “Linked how? What exactly is the debt? That will affect who I select.”
“As it should. I expect you to take time and choose wisely. Who you choose will be linked to you forever. They will be a source of misery to you.” She blinked slowly and watched Gwen with a smile. “Never ending torment.”
“For me though, not them? Not my children?” Gwen sat back down, she needed more details. “I need to know only I suffer the cost. There has been too much passed down my family already.”
The woman stood at the side of the table and placed both hands on the edge. “No one dies for it. Those close to you may well suffer some misery as a way to torment you. That is fully up to the person who’s fate we link to you to decide.” She tapped her finger nails on the table. “Or you leave Fannie, and her curse assures one of those sweet babies and one from each succeeding generation will die.”
A breath blew out from her nose. She could still talk it over with Sebastian, at any point before she returned to the woman. It would end the curse of death and if they were only linked to her, she stopped mid thought. “This debt is paid when I die? It won’t carry? These creatures I pick will be linked to just me?”
The woman laughed so hard her whole body jiggled. “Only you. Forever you.”
“Fine, I will see you soon.” Gwen stood and walked out to the sound of more laughter.
Night was starting to blanket the city, and with it came the parades and festivities. Mardi Gras season carried so many good memories, she decided to linger a bit as she had each time she happened to be at a meeting on a parade night.
The sounds and smells allowed her to forget sadness and rage for a little while. People danced, drank, flashed body parts, and the most important part, were happy to be alive. She moved through the writhing crowd that seemed to grow as soon as the sun went down, trying to get closer to the actual parade. Being short meant she wouldn’t see anything unless she was right at the edge of the crowd.
A cold breeze danced across her neck and she spun, tugging her jacket closed. It’s winter, she scolded herself. The monsters would not steal her joy in her city. A few more steps and she was able to see the floats and their masked riders.
Walking alongside a float, a tall man dressed in purple, gold, and green, and wearing a gold mask walked over and placed a tiara on her head. “Laissez les bons temps rouler!”
She smiled and returned the welcome, which was French for, let the good times roll, and a customary greeting during Mardi Gras.
After he passed, she started away from the crowd, looking for a shadow. It was time to get things rolling, though not good times. Sergei would complain about her being gone, but if he had to come retrieve her, again, he would take her to Dmitry. She was careful to not be gone too much past dark, since trips to Dmitry were never pleasant.
The crowd started to thin as she made her way deeper into the side streets. The cold breeze tickled her a few more times, sending chills across her skin. Next time she would dress warmer. Sebastian and Dillon kept her spoiled at home with a raging fire day and night.
A sharp pinch made her swat her neck, and when she pulled her hand back looking for a mosquito or some sort of bug, she saw a few drops of blood. She stood on the empty sidewalk, looking at her hand, her eyes narrowed. She didn’t sense anyone near, not magical or otherwise.
The buzz of the babies had dulled her senses and she was distracted, but she should have sensed the cold presence stronger, if something had been that close. Close enough to bite. Her thumb rubbed the blood on her hand.
“Mistress.” Sergei pressed himself against her. “Take us home.”
She looked from her hand to him and frowned. She didn’t even sense him.
The babies were keeping her drained and her aura low. “Are we alone?”
His stance straightened and he looked around. “Why?”
She held her hand out to him. “It’s, never mind.” If some monster had been that quick, and taken a nip painlessly, it wasn’t anything she wanted to stick around and meet. She took his hand and stepped with him into the shadows.
“What were you doing?” Sergei demanded, once they were in her main room.
She walked over and stood by the fire, trying to shake the chill. “Watching the parade. I’m allowed some fun, am I not? Everyone has been complaining about my mood. I wanted to celebrate.”
He took a few steps to stand beside her and leaned in. “You smell of voodoo. Again. And smoke.”
“I’m sure voodoo is everywhere this time of year. They party too, you know.” She looked over toward him. “Has Dmitry told you yet if he spoke with council about Lewis?”
“No. You are not to be in that city at night. You shouldn’t even be there during the day.”
“I thought we had an understanding. You know I am able to handle myself.”
He nodded at her, looking at her shirt stretched over her belly. “For them, can’t you rest.”
“No, I am due. You are due. They are due. It’s past time she paid. Lewis too.” She was warmed enough to tug off her coat. “You know if I don’t sort this now, before they are born, the debt is continued.”
“You and I were supposed to be working on this together.” His tone was impatient. “You can’t keep meeting voodoo practitioners in dark alleys. You will attract other things.”
“You scared them. I can’t get aid or information if you are frightening them.” She looked over to him and searched his face. He’d never been a friend in any way, not like Mikhail, but they shared something with each other. She wondered if she wanted to be linked to him. Would he torment her as would be his due? Maybe Mikhail wouldn’t. Though they were only pretend friends. She knew she didn’t want Dmitry. He tormented her for the fun of it. “You are a royal soldier, that means you have royal blood, right?”
“Yes.” He drew the word out and waited for her to add more, while he studied her face.
“Is vampire blood valuable? I mean would you be upset to give some away?” She realized how ridiculous that sounded as soon as she said it. “Never mind.”
“Is that what the latest one wants of you? You’ve been giving bits and things to these people for months and are no closer to her than I am.” His face told her that he hated the fact he couldn’t snatch Fannie from the between himself.
She wondered if it might not be better to pick someone who she didn’t know. Maybe then they wouldn’t instantly want to take the due. She could prick Mikhail and not tell him, then he wouldn’t know he was somehow allowed to be a misery to her. Would the voodoo make him hate her? Could she live with that? It would mean Fannie would get her due, finally.
“Mistress?”
Gwen was startled from her thoughts. “What?”
“Who wants royal vampire blood?”
“I said never mind. It would link to me, and you and I spend way too much time linked as it is.” She sucked in a sharp breath, reached out, and placed a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that like it sounded. I enjoy our time.” That was a lie and she saw by his reaction he knew it. “It has just been a long day.”
“Your assessment is accurate.” He looked to the side and pulled back his lip. “You have company. I suggest you find another priestess to work with. Royal blood is prized, and not something you will be able to just ask for.”
She started to ask why, but he vanished and soft knocks on the door replaced him. The sound of a key in the door let her know who it was, not that she expected anyone else.
Dillon walked in with his hands full of bags from Mel’s and Kathy’s. He looked up and smiled as he pushed the door shut. “Hello, sweetestheart.”
Gwen put on her best ‘everything is just fine’ face, and walked over to help. “What is all this?”
“Food, yarn, the usual. I got it. Go sit and I will make us a plate and start coffee.” He headed toward the kitchen after dropping a bag of yarn by the couch with her. He kept talking, raising his voice while walking. “Kathy says that is the newest, something you asked for, in the shades you ordered, or something like that.”
