Midnight's Temptation

whereabouts. There would be no more games of hiding and trying to gain the advantage.

He already had the advantage. And he was going to make full use of that fact.

Jason walked up the stairs onto the main floor of the house. His last session with Aisley had been productive. She was a strong woman, but no one could stand up to the torture he knew how to dole out.

While he’d been hitting her with physical torment, he’d been delving into her mind while she tried to keep from screaming.

How simple it had been to find the sadness that still gripped her over the loss of her daughter. Jason had used that grief to lure her to the dark side.

She’d been so strung out on drugs and malnourished that Aisley would have done anything for anyone. Lucky for him he made her believe her magic was weak but would be strong once she was drough.

He’d tempted her with whispered words of bringing back her daughter and getting revenge on her parents. It was the latter that Jason thought she’d carry through with. When she hadn’t, he’d taken matters into his own hands to prove a point.

His steps slowed when he felt something touch the shield he had around the mansion. It wasn’t magic to keep people out, but rather to call Druids to him. Only droughs, or those Druids who had evil festering inside them, would be able to pass through the defense.

Jason opened the front door and stepped out onto the entry. Six Druids stood at his gate looking confused and uncertain. The first walked through the barrier without hesitation. Two more followed.

He didn’t need droughs. In fact, the ones coming to him would only be a diversion to the Warriors. He’d take all Druids that came to him if he didn’t worry about an attack of conscience as Aisley developed. He had to be sure everyone with him wouldn’t betray him again.

“Welcome,” Jason said to the three droughs. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

The youngest of the group, a skinny teenage boy, had dyed black hair and skin powdered white, with black eyeliner and lipstick. “You do know what I am, right?”

“Do you know what I am?” Jason asked. “I’m your leader, lad. Keep that chip on your shoulder around everyone but me. I plan on ruling the world in a matter of days. That’s after I kill some Warriors and Druids.”

“Count me in,” Emo boy said and came to stand beside him.

The girl had on a waitress outfit and bright red hair that stuck out in short spikes all over her head. “Can I use magic?”

“Of course,” Jason answered.

“Fine. I’m in. As long as you don’t tell me what I can and can’t do with my magic I’ll follow you.”

Jason motioned for her to stand on his other side. That left the remaining female who looked to be in her mid-forties. She wore baggy, frumpy clothes and had dark circles under her eyes.

“And you?” he asked her.

“I’ve a family.”

He shrugged. “It’s your choice. Me or your family. Though, I’m no’ sure why a drough would have any choice at all.”

She shoved her frizzy, graying hair behind her ear and came to stand in front of Jason. “I’m Matilda.”

“And I’m Jason Wallace. Your new master,” he said as he looked at his three droughs. 

CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

Phelan looked out the castle window at the dawning of a new day. They had been up all night discussing how to attack Wallace. Tempers were short and everyone was exhausted. They were also divided.

The only ones not present were Aiden and Britt who were still working on finishing the serum to combat the drough blood.

Despite the urgings of Cara, Phelan had no interest in getting some rest. Every time he closed his eyes he saw Aisley, felt her in his arms, tasted her on his tongue.

“He’s taunting us,” Ronnie said. “Our answer shouldn’t be an attack.”

Arran brought his wife’s hand to his lips to kiss it. “Sweetheart, you’re no’ used to our ways yet.”

She rolled her eyes. “I may be an American and still new to the castle, but it’s obvious to me. Jason is setting a trap for us. We’d be fools to walk into it.”

“Wallace, Declan, Deirdre,” Fallon said. “They’ve all set traps, and we’ve gotten away.”

Sonya’s lips flatted as her amber eyes caught Fallon’s gaze. “Yes. We lost friends in the process. We all remember how powerful Deirdre was when she regained her body. I’ve a feeling Jason is going to be worse. I agree with Ronnie.”

“And I agree with my wife,” Broc said.

Ian nodded from his position straddling the bench. “As much as I’d like to find this wanker and end his miserable life, I doona think going to the mansion is the right call.”

“We willna be able to lure Wallace back to Dreagan,” Charon said.

Ramsey shook his head of black hair. “That was a onetime thing, I agree. Will the Dragon Kings be willing to help if we need them?”

“I can talk to them, but we’d be better off thinking it’s just us.”

Galen walked out of the kitchen with his fourth plate of food in an hour. “Agreed. I doubt Wallace will come here either.”

“Then where?” Tara asked with a mug of coffee held between her hands as she snuggled beside Ramsey. “We can’t exactly have a battle in the middle of town.”

Phelan smiled and looked at Charon. “There is one place we can.”

“Ferness,” Charon said.

Fallon gave a reluctant nod. “How long do your people need to evacuate, Charon?”

“No’ long. I’ll make the call now,” he said and got to his feet.

Talk would then turn to strategy. Phelan didn’t need to hear it. It was always the same. The Druids would be protected by a few Warriors while the rest of them attacked. It had worked countless times in the past.

The problem was, Phelan wasn’t sure it would work this time.

For the next hour, he listened as the Druids argued with the men about how they would benefit from being closer to the action and the Warriors answering with a resounding no.

Phelan knew how strong Aisley’s magic was. He’d felt it, seen her use it. Days ago he would’ve been happy to have her by his side in battle.

He looked around at the couples as they sat together smiling, sharing whispered words and silent looks. He’d never been jealous of any of them until now. Until Aisley.

She’d opened up his heart and shown him something new and wonderful. To know she had done it only to betray him stung his pride like nothing else could.

As a Warrior, he should have seen through her beauty and words. He should have felt her black magic. It didn’t matter how much he wanted her. He should’ve known.

He didn’t know how long he was lost in thought until he felt a hand on his shoulder. Phelan looked up to find Laura beside him.

“We’re all going to rest for a few hours,” she said. “I know you Warriors don’t need sleep, but we do.”

Phelan nodded and rose from his seat. “I think I’ll … go do something.”

“You know we’re here for you, Charon and I.”

“Of course,” he said hastily and looked around at the empty hall.

Laura patted his arm. “Of course. Get some rest, Phelan.”

He waited until she was up the stairs and out of sight before he sank back onto the chair and dropped his head in his hands. He had to stop thinking of Aisley.