The Return (The Witch Hunter Saga)

  "That's why…" she began, but clamped her mouth shut. That's why she could summon the void so easily. That's why she could walk in between life and death and come back to tell about it. Life and death were a never ending circle and she could tap into it without even thinking. It was natural. Her power was never ending. This is why Arturius wanted her so much. He'd seen her enter the void and he knew.

  "Now, I see you understand a little," Rhian said, turning towards the bookshelf. It was cluttered with old books, westerns and detective novels. The previous owner of the house, Mr. Forester, had been a bit of shut in and now Gabby knew what he'd spent most of his time doing.

  Rhian ran her finger along the spines of the books before pulling out an old leather bound tome. It was unusual and didn't fit with the other books, the house or its previous owner. When the witch sat down before her, Gabby knew it was a grimoire, but it was different to hers. This one oozed something foul, like it had been coated in a thick sludge of evil.

  Gabby looked up into Rhian's smiling eyes and said, "What's that for?"

  "What do you think?" she said, shaking her head.

  She knew that the grimoire was dark. That it used the same darkness inside of her. Afraid of what Rhian was going to do she tried to stall, "Why do you do it?"

  Rhian smiled and placed a hand on hers. "Arturius made me an offer I couldn't refuse."

  "He offered you the same thing he offered me."

  "Yes, I assume it was the same."

  "Control."

  "Something like that."

  "He's using you, can't you see it?"

  "I owe him, Gabrielle. He saved my life. My power would have consumed me and everyone I ever loved."

  "He turned you to darkness. It's not the way." How could she not see that this was wrong? It went against everything that was trusted to them. Everything.

  She looked up from the grimoire, her expression sharp. "There are other ways. They may not be conventional and they may not be pure, but it gets the job done."

  "What job? What are you doing for him?"

  Rhian laughed at her questions. "You're very inquisitive. When you've learnt to harness the dark inside of you, then you will understand. Then you will be able to help him just as I do." She reached out and touched her fingertips to Gabby's temples, closing her eyes. As she began to murmur an incantation, she tried to jerk away from the witch. Breaking contact would sever whatever she was trying to do to her, but it was useless. Her fingertips wouldn't budge and she began to panic as she felt Rhian's power seep through her skin.

  Gabby had no choice. She wouldn't let them turn her to the dark. She couldn't. In a moment of desperation she let go of the coil of power she had kept locked deep inside of her and pushed it into Rhian with all her strength. The witch's eyes snapped open in surprise and her mouth fell open in a silent scream.

  The power seemed to recoil backwards and Gabby pulled back as the shock splintered into her, Rhian's hands falling away. For a moment it was as if time had stopped. They were face to face, both sets of eyes in different kinds of pain. Then the witch let out a choked cry and fell limply to the floor.

  Gabby stared down at her in shock. It wasn't meant to go that far, she was just mean to stun her. Dropping to her knees, she checked Rhian for a pulse, her hands shaking. Taking a deep breath, she pressed two fingers into her neck, hoping to god that she hadn't killed her. She couldn't have. All she wanted was to get away. As she felt a faint flutter, she let out a relieved breath.

  Standing Gabby turned towards the door. It was time to get out of here before someone came looking. When her nose tickled, she wiped her face with the back of her hand and gasped as it came back wet, her blood smeared across her skin. The power was too much for her, she knew it. Her head felt like it was stuffed with cotton wool and it was only getting worse. She needed serious help, like yesterday.

  Gabby needed to get to Aya. Aya would be able to help.

  Pressing an ear against the door, she listened for any sounds in the hallway, but only silence greeted her. There was no way of telling who was in the house without her power. Cautiously, she turned the knob and eased the door open, peering through the crack to the hallway beyond. Abruptly, she was pushed back into the room as the door opened, banging against the wall. Arturius stood just inside the room, his eyes on her.

  Gabby glanced to the floor, where Rhian lay unconscious and back towards the Roman, who was now surveying her with amusement.

  Before he could speak she said, "What do you want from me? You better start talking."

  Arturius just stood there staring at her, his expression indecipherable.

  "You can see what I can do. Tell me, or I'll…"

  "Sweet, poor, Gabrielle," he murmured sitting on the sofa, the door wide open. What an arrogant asshole. He knew she couldn't run from him and had to rub it in her face.

  "I mightn't be able to run from you, but I'm not afraid to hurt you either."

  "You know," he glanced to Rhian, not perturbed in the slightest. "I think I might like that."

  Gabby scoffed, making the Roman laugh at the disgusted look on her face.

  "I do so love getting a reaction out of you," he said. "Do take a seat, Gabrielle. We're not going anywhere."

  She sat heavily on the sofa opposite. "Tell me what you want and I might be more willing to co-operate," she tried to counter.

  Arturius didn't say anything for a moment, content to sit and stare at her. She could see him trying to decide if he should tell her anything. Or at least, how much was too much. Leaning forward, elbows on his knees, he said, "My brother is looking for something and I want to find it before he does. That's where you come in."

  "Is that why you kidnapped me?" she asked, offended. "You want one up on your brother?"

  Arturius laughed, "One of many reasons."

  "What's he looking for?"

  "That I won't tell you until Rhian has finished her work," he said, looking down at her again. "That is, if she deigns to wake up. You're really a spectacular piece of work, love, if I don't say so myself."

  "You'll never make me do anything for you," she said, holding her chin up defiantly.

  "Oh, Gabrielle," he smirked. "Do you think you were the first to say no?"

  She narrowed her eyes, watching him warily. She wasn't sure how long she could hold out against him and Rhian. They wanted the darkness to take her. She'd fight them tooth and nail for as long as she could. Aya would come help her. She had to.

  As Alex pulled up in front of the manor, Aya let out a sigh. He'd asked no questions about what she had seen when Sophia had touched her, but she was sure he could guess. She'd never felt so vulnerable in her life.

  Casting her thoughts aside as they got out the car, she focused on Gabby. They had to work out a plan to get her back. Alex would show them the house from Sophia's vision and then they would plot. Aya was confident that she could get her back before Arturius could awaken the darkness inside of her.

  Walking inside and standing in the doorway to the parlor, Alex in tow, Aya smiled. After Sophia's vision, she had a new sense of purpose where Zac was concerned. She wouldn't let Morgan worm her way into his heart. It wasn't a case of who saw who first. She loved him even before she understood what it was. Ironically, she always liked to sit in the study. Mainly because it annoyed the hell out of him, but now she understood. It was where she had first felt it.

  Seeing him standing there in the parlor brought back the memory Sophia had given her even sharper. She wanted to press herself against his body and kiss him like it was the last time. But, Morgan was sitting on the sofa, her back to them and she felt it. It washed off her in waves, making her gag.

  Aya stumbled to a stop, grabbing Alex's arm. "Run," she hissed and when he hesitated, she pushed him away. "Run!"

  Zac snapped to attention, his face falling into surprise, "Aya?"

  She heard the front door slam and the engine of Zac's car start. She hoped to god that Alex would get away before he was
caught.

  "Aya?" Zac was in front of her, shaking her by the shoulder.

  "They're here."

  "Who?"

  She glared at Morgan who was on her feet looking guilty as hell. "Ask her," she jabbed a finger at the blonde vampire.

  Zac looked at her, the confusion clear on his face. "What did you do?" he roared, making the blonde vampire shrink back.

  Aya shook her head, it was too late to run now. A familiar presence was hovering outside. They'd have to fight their way out of this one. Turning her back to Zac and Morgan, she snarled as Arturius sauntered into the parlor a sickly look of triumph plastered on his ugly face.

  "Nice to see you again, Aeriaya. Sorry about last time, but you know how much I like surprises." The Roman lent against the door jamb, crossing his arms against his chest.

  Aya narrowed her eyes, feeling the familiar coil of power awaken deep within her. It would be so easy to end him now, but if she did, they mightn't find Gabby.

  "Don't be like that, love," he said, grinning at her.

  "You've no right to call her love, asshole," spat Zac from behind her.

  Arturius laughed, pushing himself off the wall and walked into the parlor, seemingly unafraid of her. "I can do whatever I want, Zachary. Don't you ever forget that." His gaze shifted to Morgan and he winked. "And that goes for you too, blondie."

  Aya didn't have to turn around to know that Morgan was afraid. She hadn't been betting on this.

  "Where is she, Arturius?" Aya snapped, cutting to the chase. "Where's Gabby? Tell me now and I'll spare you this time."

  "Well," the Roman pretended to think about it and rolled his eyes, "that's something I'm not at liberty to divulge, sweet one." He snapped his fingers and three vampires she'd never seen before walked into the parlor behind him. She sensed Zac tensing behind her and before he could move two of the vampires were across the room, holding him down as he roared in fury. Aya turned as the third grasped Morgan around the neck as she struggled to free herself.

  Aya felt her fury pour to the surface and her vision blurred as her vampire side began to take over. She'd only taken a step when Arturius grabbed her from behind, an arm around her neck and waist, pulling her back hard into his chest.

  "Shh," he crooned into her ear. "Don't struggle. I only have to give the world and your little boyfriend is dead."

  Aya seethed in his grasp, trying to keep herself under control. She drew sharp breaths as her fingernails dug into the skin of his arm, pushing her power back down. She couldn't take him now… Zac…

  "Bastard," she spat as his arm dropped from her waist.

  "Yes," he said, still holding her tightly around the neck. "Yes, I am."

  She hissed and writhed in his arms as something sharp and metallic pierced the skin in her neck. A strange sensation began to creep through her veins. Something warm and poisonous began spreading through her and she groaned as her body began to ache and within a few seconds, she felt herself slipping away. Arturius' clutched onto her as her world went dark and there was nothing she could do.

  "Zac…" she managed raise her hand towards his as she fell.

  No, no, no!

  As Aya crumbled to the ground, Zac's heart almost stopped. He couldn't lose her again, he couldn't. Arturius seemed extremely pleased with himself as he scooped her up in his arms. He desperately tried to struggle against the two male vampires who held him, a strangled roar of pain tearing form his throat, but even he wasn't strong enough to break free.

  "I must thank you," the Roman said to Morgan, who hadn't made a sound.

  "Morgan?" Zac asked, disbelief in his voice.

  "I'm sorry, Zac," she sobbed.

  "Oh, it's so heartbreaking," Arturius said, the sarcasm dripping from his words. "Boo hoo." He gestured to the vampires that held them and began to walk backward out of the room, Aya limp in his arms.

  "But," Morgan cried, but was cut off sharply as the vampire snapped her neck. She fell heavily to the floor, her head at an odd angle.

  Zac hissed and tried to lunge forward, but strong hands held him back. "You'll pay for this, Artie," he sneered, feeling his eyes begin to change. He didn't care what happened to him, as long as he could kill every single one of them. He couldn't let Arturius take Aya.

  "Well, look at you," the Roman laughed and gestured to his lackeys.

  As they slackened their grip, Zac twisted to the side, trying to break free. Before he could do anything else, he felt hands on his head and he was dead before he hit the ground.

  Alex ran from the manor, jumping into Zac's car, shoving the key into the ignition with shaking hands. Aya had said they were coming. He'd heard it as he ran down the hall. It could only mean Arturius was here. There was nothing he could do. He had to get out and warn Sam.

  The engine roared to life and he slammed his foot on the gas, the wheels spinning in the gravel. He was hurtling down the long drive when he saw a figure in front of him. A man was standing in the middle of the unsealed road playing some kind of twisted game of chicken. Liz said Arturius had played the same game.

  He didn't dare stop. If he did he was as good as dead. It only took him a split second to decide and he hoped to hell that the guy was a vampire. He'd run him down.

  Alex had driven around on country back roads all his life. He knew that when an animal was on the road, the safest thing to do was to hit it. It seemed cruel, but if he swerved, he'd flip the car and wrap himself around a tree. It was better to hit the animal. So with a grimace, he flattened his foot on the gas, pushing it right to the floor. The car shot forward, the vampire illuminated in the headlights. He had to give it to Zac. He sure knew his cars.

  There was a sickening thud as his body collided with the car. But, Alex didn't stop as the vampire hit the hood, then the windshield, his body sailing over the top into the air. He didn't even look up into the rearview mirror to see where he had landed. The windshield was cracked where some body part had impacted, blood trailing across the glass in the wind. He flicked on the washers as he drove out onto the main road and let out a shaky breath.

  He had to get to Liz's. That's where Sam was. They were at Liz's.

  His panicked flight across town didn't register until he screeched to a halt outside the old hardware store where Liz's apartment sat above. Jumping from the car, he pushed through the glass door without taking a breath. Running up the two flights of stairs, he banged on her front door with a trembling fist, his heart hammering. "Sam? Liz?" he yelled, thumping the door again. He almost fell inside as Sam appeared in front of him, a worried look on his face.

  "Alex?"

  "Sam," he gasped. "He's got them."

  "Slow down..."

  Alex leant against the door, catching Liz's eye as she came up behind Sam. Clutching the stitch in his side he said, "Arturius has Zac and Aya."

  "What?" Her eyes were wide as she clutched Sam's arm.

  "Morgan betrayed us."

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  When Aya finally came to, she found herself face down on a cold concrete floor. Rolling over with a groan, she was greeted with murky light filtering in through a blacked out window that was barely three inches wide and a hand span long. Turning her head, she saw Zac laying next to her, unconscious. Sighing in relief, she reached out for him, taking his limp hand in hers.

  She sent out her mind, but could feel nothing. It was just her and the soft hum of Zac's blood. Wherever Arturius had taken them, it was shielded. Another witch in league with the devil. Why did they keep doing this? Forsaking their true calling and falling into evil? Humans were too easily corruptible. If everything had worked out the way they had planned all that time ago, she would have lived to stop this from ever happening. It was her destiny as one of the last Celestines. But, obviously that hadn't happened.

  Sitting, she looked around the room and decided that it must be a basement of some kind. Where it was could be absolutely anywhere. Could it be the same house Sophia saw in her vision? The one where Gabby was being he
ld? There was no way of knowing. They could have been out for hours or even days.

  Zac gasped for air next to her as he came round, and sat up, rubbing his temples. She placed a reassuring hand on his arm and waited for him to get his bearings. They'd work out what to do. Once he'd fully woken, they'd formulate a plan to get out of this place. Suddenly, his breathing became sharp and he began to tear at his skin.

  Her heart skipped a beat as she realized what Arturius had done. It was pay back time for Caius.

  Zac gasped for breath and sat up sharply, holding his head. He felt Aya's hand on his arm, but strangely her touch didn't seem to calm him. He felt it then and began to draw in heavy breaths. His blood felt like it was boiling inside of him. He let out a strangled cry and began to writhe, clawing at his skin.

  "Aya," he gasped, eyes wide.

  It was then he realized that he hadn't been invited in. Arturius had a human in the house and he hadn't been invited in. Before Aya could do anything, he was on his feet, hurling himself at the door. He collided with it with a bang, jarring his shoulder, but it didn't budge. He let out a strangled cry of pain as he flung himself against the opposite wall, almost cracking the brickwork. Falling backwards, he landed heavily on his back, clawing at his skin, drawing blood. His eyes became dark and he began to get up, every inch of his body burning.

  Aya was on top of him in an instant, holding him down with all her strength. "It's going to be okay," she said, her hands on his face.

  He wanted to believe her, but if he didn't get out of here now, he'd tear himself apart in the attempt. For him, it was a death sentence. Grimacing, Zac fought against her, drawing sharp breaths between his teeth, desperation taking over.

  "I can't," he gasped. "I have to get out. I can't be here. I…"

  Aya had his head cradled in her hands. They'd been through so much. Why couldn't they have some peace? She was looking down at him with such sorrow, it reminded him of that night in the clearing. The night she'd died.