“I have an ace up my sleeve in case they aren’t forthcoming with information.”
“Spill. What do you have?”
“Nope, I can only reveal it if they don’t cooperate.”
“You’re no fun.”
“Oh, I’m lots of fun if you’d give me a try.”
“You’ve already talked me into doing two dates with you.”
“And you enjoyed them.”
“Maybe.”
I was spared from the conversation since we’d arrived at the Sisterhood.
We walked up the sidewalk, but unlike my last visit, things felt different. Before there was a heavy and unnatural stillness. No birds, insects or anything living, it was only the shadow creatures. They served as guard shadows, most normal people had dogs for that.
The living tunnel was the same though. A tangle of trees, flowering plants, and even ivy grew right up to the edge of the path and extended over it. I was too irritated and my nerves were too strained from resisting my battle rage to enjoy the raw and untamed beauty.
The tunnel stayed motionless with no creepy plants, attacking shadows, or sink holes, which instantly made me apprehensive. It was almost like the Sisterhood was expecting us. And not having murderous shadow creatures waiting to attack us was their equivalent of laying out a red carpet in welcome.
“Don’t you find it odd that there are no defenses? Last time we were here, they went all out to keep us out, but now there’s nothing.”
“It is suspicious indeed. I don’t think I need to remind you to stay alert.”
“Nope, I got it big boy.”
Lochlan smirked, but didn’t respond.
“And you better not be looking at my ass,” I said.
He laughed. “But it’s such a nice view.”
The man was incorrigible, but hot men were allowed a flaw or two.
It only took ten minutes to reach the door, which was carved from what looked like a single piece of light wood like maple or pine. It was framed with a mural of carvings. There were animals, winged creatures, trees and flowers – all very life-like. There was no knocker, doorbell, or door knob.
“Any idea how we get in?” asked Lochlan.
“Shouldn’t they have predicted us coming since they are psychic and all. Why didn’t they just meet us at the door?” I asked.
I could just make out what sounded like chimes coming from inside.
“Do you hear that?” I asked.
“Yes.”
The door opened and one of the Sisters stood there in a long, white, hooded robe.
“Took you long enough. Don’t have all day. Either come in or don’t,” said Cassandra from somewhere behind the sister.
I grinded my teeth. How bad would it be if I beat up one or two of them? It could be excused away as a moment of insanity.
I followed the younger woman further into the house. Lochlan was behind me several steps – supporting me, but still trusting me to hold my own. He shouldn’t. Even after my almost melt down at the Wolf Agency, he naively trusted me. He would restrain me if he knew how close I was to unleashing my magic. It pushed against my mental barriers, responding to my anger.
The room we were escorted into showed Cassandra reclining across a purple velvet chaise. It was a sensual pose for such a creepy skeletal and aged person. She had a glass of bubbly liquid in her boney hand. She was so ancient that her wrinkles had wrinkles, but her power was just as strong as ever. It was a palpable thing and as we drew closer, I felt a pressure from her probing me, searching out my magic.
A smile cracked her face and she cackled, shaking hard enough to splash the liquid out of the glass. Is she having some sort of mental break?
A couple of the Sisters rushed over to check on their Priestess. She shooed them away and speared me with her steel-gray eyes. Once Cassandra got a hold of herself, she carefully set her drink down on a side table and fixed her eagle eyes on us.
“I see you’ve changed since we last met. How does it feel to free yourself and your magic?” She laughed, “It’s a wearisome burden to control magic such as yours, is it not? I can help with that.”
“I’m fine. I have it under control.”
Cassandra smirked. “It’s not the first nor the last time someone thinks they have things in hand when they don’t. I’ll be waiting for your next visit, Marty.”
“What the –”
“That’s not what we’re here for,” cut in Lochlan. “I recently met with friends of yours, King Kazar of the djinn.”
“How is he?”
She wasn’t even going to deny knowing the king?
“He’s fine and currently has Zander in his keeping for the foreseeable future. And I was told that you sent the djinn after Zander.”
“Everything you said is correct,” said Cassandra.
“Why?” I asked.
“I’m not completely heartless. Contrary to what you witnessed between Zander and me, this was not a random or vengeful decision. I had a vision and I followed what I was directed to do. Zander has his own path to walk if he wants redemption. Either he succeeds, or he won’t, but at least now he has the opportunity to undo the curse.”
Sure she was all sorts of nice and helpful. I was calling “bull s**t”. That woman didn’t have a benevolent bone in her body. I’d like to break a few bones to get her talking, but I didn’t see Lochlan letting me employ such heavy-handed techniques. Darn his noble intentions.
“We also are here to ask you about the shadows.”
“And why do you ask about them?”
“Because shadow creatures attacked us last time Zander and I visited. Oh, and there is a shadow mage cavorting with them and they are infiltrating the Fae Realm.”
“You mean the Shadow
