Denai Touch: Excalibar Investigations Series (20 page)

“For now.”

“What about afterwards? I did a scan of the area and saw the massive amounts of energy you used. If they know where you are now then–”

“That’s my problem, not yours.”

“The hell it isn’t. You’re part of our family, our team, and we look out for each other.”

“Devas have found me before and I’ve dealt with it.”

“Yes, but three? Even you aren’t that strong. You leave whenever Devas get too close.”

Jason nodded. “Right, I lead them away until I lose them again.”

“Is that what you’re going to do now?” Steve demanded. “Don’t think we haven’t noticed you and Cate are–”

“Nothing’s happened,” he interrupted.

“Not yet. Don’t break her heart. I know my sister and you’re the only man she’s ever cared for.”

Jason sighed. “We’re supposed to be saving Jade, not discussing my personal life.”

“What are you going to do?”

He shook his head. He honestly didn’t know. His first instinct was to run, but he couldn’t. “I can’t leave Cate, not now when I finally have the chance to be with her,” he said. “Anyway, are you sure there’s nothing we can do to slow down Jade's condition?” An image of Jade appeared on screen and she looked bad. “I can use my earth element to heal a bit – perhaps I could slow it down.”

“It won’t work. Ian has already tried. The drug is making her stronger and acting like a poison. It’s resisting any attempt to purge her of it,” replied Steve. “Ian is still trying to come up with an antidote, but we’re running out of time.”

A bleeping sound came from one of the computer screens. “Hello,” said Steve, tapping away on his keyboard. “We’ve got company.”

Jason tensed. “Devas?”

“No, it’s not coming from outside the house. It’s coming from the dungeon.”

“You have a dungeon?”

“It was Mum’s. We have everything.” An image appeared on screen of Bethany, bound to a chair, similar to the one Raven had used. “My invention,” Steve said proudly. “Of course others use it now too. That's the downside of my creations.”

“Looks like Cate sent us a gift. I’ll go down and have a chat with our guest.” He smiled and cracked his knuckles.

As he walked down to the underground cell, Cate appeared beside him and he breathed a sigh of relief.

“Are you alright?” she asked as she fell into step beside him.

“I’m fine. You?”

“My bruises have bruises, but I’ll be alright. How’s Jade?”

“Still alive. Where…”

“Later.” She moved past him and into the cell. “Bethany, tell me about the drug. Use your knowledge and tell me how we can save my friend.”

Bethany shook her head. She looked tired and confused from the compulsion. “No – way…”

Cate’s eyes burned brighter as she increased the strength of the compulsion. “Get Ian down here. Maybe he can get her to talk.”

Ian joined them and they hounded Bethany with questions and magic, but no matter what any of them tried, it did no good. Feeling dejected they wearily headed back upstairs to check on Jade, who was now unconscious and her vital signs were getting weaker.

“Ian, tell me there’s something else you can do.” Cate pleaded. “There must be a spell, a potion, something that can heal her.”

“I’ve tried everything I can think of, sis,” Ian replied and his shoulders slumped. “There’s nothing more I can do. I'm sorry.”

“That’s not good enough! She’s my best friend. I’ve known her since we were born. I’m not going to stand back and watch her die!”

“Immortal means you get to live a long time, but it doesn’t mean you can’t be killed,” said Steve. “We love Jade too.”

“Then do something!” Cate snapped. “Mum! Get over here!”

There was a flash of gold orbs as Ceri appeared.

“Mum, are you hurt?” Ian asked in concern.

Ceri looked a bit dishevelled but smiled. “No, darling. I’ve never been better. It’s been a while since I had a good battle like that.” Her smile quickly faded. “You haven’t found a way to save Jade have you?”

“We were hoping you might know something.”

Ceri shook her head. “Healing isn’t my gift. Ian?”

Ian shook his head.

“Can’t you channel Ian’s power and do something?” demanded Cate.

“If he can’t heal her, then neither can I.”

“Fine, then there’s only one other thing we can do. Mum, show me how to travel back in time. Physically.”

“You can’t do that,” Ceri protested.

“I’ve done it before. It’s how Jason first met me.”

“No, Cate. I mean you can’t change the past. It’s the first thing your father and I taught you.”

“Sod the rules! I’m not going to watch her die.”

“I’m sorry, but we don’t have the power to change what is meant to be.”

“Then what the hell good are you? Are any of you?” She turned to go and Jason tried to reach for her. “Don’t touch me! I know what Devas mean. I saw it in your eyes when they attacked us. So go ahead. Run. It’s what you do best.” She walked away from him.

Cate finally let the tears start to flow as she headed up to Jade’s room. Inside, her heart ached. Jade had been her best friend all her life, their mothers had been best friends and they had grown up as sisters. Jade was as much part of her family as her brothers and Jason were. She couldn’t imagine life without her.

To Cate’s relief Jade was unbound and now covered with a blanket. To her surprise, Jade looked up when she came in.

“Hi sweetie,” Jade smiled weakly.

“Hi honey, how are you feeling?”

“Like crap. I know it must be bad, but it doesn’t hurt so much now.” Jade looked up at her. “I’m dying, aren’t I?”

Cate wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her jacket. “No, you’re not going to…”

“You never could lie to me, Catie.”

“You haven’t called me Catie in years.”

“Yeah, you said you didn’t like it. Said it reminded you of your mum.”

“I had a real blast from the past today. Ceri–”

“I know. I’ve seen her too.”

“Remind me to be angry with you later.” She half laughed.

“How long?”

“I don’t know.” She shook her head and tears filled her eyes again. “Sorry.”

Jade reached up and took her hand. “Don’t cry, sweetie. It’s okay. I always hoped I'd go down in the line of duty. Die a hero.” Jade struggled and Cate gave her hand to sit up and then hugged her. “Thanks for always being such a great friend. You’re my bestie, always. I love you, sister witchy.”

Cate laughed and hugged her back. “Love you too. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s not your fault. We’re a team. We were partners, even before Jason.”

“I’ll get Steve to call your parents.”

Jade shook her head. “No, I couldn’t bear to see them.”

“Don’t you want to say goodbye?” she asked in surprise.

“No, they know I love them. Just promise you’ll stay until it's over.”

Cate nodded and clutched her hand. “Bet you never got through your list of guys, did you?”

Jade smiled. “I got almost halfway through. Jason is on that list, but I knew I’d never get him. He’s always been yours.”

“Yeah, I’m not so sure about that.”

“Hey, you’d better tell me everything that happens with Jason after I’m gone. Remember we can still talk on the other side. I’ll talk so much you’ll be sick of me.”

“You’d better!” As she clutched Jade’s hand, Cate could feel the drug burning inside her body, as Jade’s life force started ebbing away.

Cate closed her eyes whilst Jade chatted away. If she was so powerful, why couldn’t she prevent this? Did being the Goddess Marked mean losing everyone she loved? She felt a sudden flux in power, triggered by the onslaught of emotion and didn’t bother to rein it in. Her eyes glowed bright silver when she opened them again.

“Cate?” Jade asked in alarm. “It’s okay, I’m alright. Don’t…”

She gripped Jade’s hand tighter, feeling the burn and pulse of energy flow into Jade, who gasped as orbs engulfed her body. “Cate…”

Jade slumped back onto the bed and the machine started bleeping madly. Oh Goddess, what had she done? “Ian! Ian, get in here!”

Ian came running in and shoved her aside. Cate looked at the monitor and saw the flat lines. She knew what that meant. “I – I…”

“What did you do?” Ian demanded as he ran his hands over Jade’s stomach. Suddenly the monitor bleeped and lines started waving across it. “The drug – it’s gone!” Ian touched Jade again. “I don’t sense it." He turned and smiled at Cate. “You did it, sis. You saved her.”

Cate glanced down at her hands. “I – I thought I killed her. I used my Touch. It just happened – I didn’t mean to.”

“Your Touch must have burned the drug out,” said Ian. “It’s gone. I need to run some tests to check for any lasting damage, but I think Jade is going to be all right.”

“Are you sure?”

“She’s weak, but with a few days rest she should be fine. Well done, sis.” Ian hugged her and she broke down again.

Jason and Steve came in, followed by Ceri.

“Jade is okay,” Ian said. “Cate got rid of the drug.”

“Not sure how though,” Cate sniffed.

Steve, Ian, and Jason hugged Jade and told her how relieved they were that she was okay. Her brothers then both cuddled Cate.

“I vote we all go out and get drunk after this,” said Jade.

Cate noticed that Jason kept his distance from her and then disappeared whilst they were still talking.

Cate reluctantly went home. She knew this was going to be much harder than seeing Ceri again and almost losing Jade. Jason was there, having already teleported out and was sitting on the settee when she came in.

“Did you talk to Ceri?” he asked.

“No, I’ve had all the pain and emotional upheaval I can take for one day,” she said and took a deep breath to prepare herself for more. “I’m sorry for having a go at you earlier. I thought I was going to lose Jade and…”

He got to his feet. “Cate–”

“Don’t, okay? Just don’t try to say goodbye. Don’t tell me you’re sorry because I don’t want to hear it!” she snapped. “You have to leave, I know that. I’m just glad it’s now, before we went any further.” It didn’t stop the pain though. With Jade it had felt like someone was tearing out her heart, but this… this went so much deeper. But she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of tears.

“I love you.”

“Don’t say that! Only you could ever hurt me this much!”

Jason came over and put his arms on her shoulders. “Before you have a go at me anymore, just listen. I’m not leaving.”

Cate stared up at him. “But – but you have to – the Devas…”

“I know the risk, but I’m not running away. You need me to help you through the ascension and I just need you.”

“But they saw you, they know you’re here.”

“The Ashrali can throw a whole army at me, but I’m staying.”

“You should go.”

“Do you want me to?”

“Of course not, but–”

Jason kissed her tenderly. “Good, because we can find a way to make this work. I can’t just walk away, not when there’s finally a chance for us.”

“This is insane.” She hugged him. “Maybe we shouldn’t even go down this road.”

“Bit late for that.” He wrapped his arms around her and stroked her hair. “At least we caught Bethany.”

“True, let’s just hope we can get some answers out of her,” she said. “Then maybe tomorrow we can have that date.”

Cate walked out of her bedroom to find Jason sitting in the living room. She smiled. “Hey, know what today is?”

Jason looked up. “Yeah, it’s Thursday.” He took a sip of coffee. “Not like you to smile this time of the morning.”

“It’s an important day. You
do
know what day it is, don’t you?” Surely he couldn’t have forgotten.

“We have the day off now we’ve captured Bethany and you have more time to focus on the ascension. I think we celebrated enough last night at the club.”

Had he really forgotten that today was the ten-year anniversary of them becoming partners? “You really don’t know?” She couldn’t help feeling a pang of sadness. She thought the day meant as much to him as it did to her. Apparently not it seemed.

Jason frowned. “Are we going to visit Niara again?” he asked, “or are you going to see your mum?”

“No, mum and I already talked. Whilst I’m not exactly ready to welcome her back with open arms, I do want to see her again,” she said, “but not today. Today’s about us.”
If only you’d remember,
she thought.

Jason smiled, leapt up and kissed her, taking her breath away. “Happy anniversary! You should have seen the look on your face.”

“Ha, ha,” Cate rolled her eyes. “That wasn’t funny.”

“You didn’t really think I’d forgotten, did you?”

“Maybe for a second.”

“Don’t be daft, I could never forget the day we became partners. It was the second happiest day of my life.”

“What’s the first?”

“I’ll tell you later.” He reached under the table and pulled out a bouquet of orchids. “These are for you.”

Cate smiled. “They’re beautiful.”

“They’re your favourite. I’ll make a start on breakfast.”

“No, you made me breakfast last year. Now it’s my turn,” she said. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to attempt cooking. I thought I’d take you out. Let’s get out of the city, go somewhere people won’t recognise us and spend the day together. Have a real date.” Cate watched him hesitate. “Forget about the rules, the Covenant, and anyone else who might be after us. Today is about us and we’re going to celebrate our anniversary. I told the others we’re unreachable, so they won’t bother us,” she said. “I just want one day where we can be ourselves and not have to worry about anything, and that’s going to be today.”

Jason slipped his arms around her. “I’d love that and I know the perfect place.”

Static flashed around them as they reappeared outside of a small, old-fashioned cafe. Looking up, Cate saw it was called ‘Alberto’s’. “Where are we?” she asked.

“In a little town called Stoneridge.”

“Stoneridge? That’s in the Middle Kingdom, not far from Elaris.”

Jason nodded. “All Magickind are welcome here, they don’t turn anyone away. Not even fugitives.”

“You’re not a fugitive. You weren’t even born among your father’s people.”

“In the Ashrali’s eyes I am. Sorry, we agreed to forget about all that.”

“Damn right!”

“Come on.” He took her hand. “I’ve known Alberto a long time. He won’t mind us being here.”

Jason knocked on the door and a short, fat, balding Dwarf opened it. He was wearing a rumpled apron and stared up at them, as they towered over him. “Talbot?” the Dwarf asked in an accented voice that Cate couldn’t place. “Bless the gods, I have not seen you in so long, my friend.”

Jason smiled. “Alberto, sorry to bother you so early, but we were hoping to have some breakfast before your other customers get here.”

Alberto looked at Cate and his eyes bulged at the sight of her amulet. “Denai Grand…”

“Second Grand Mistress.” Cate corrected and tugged off her amulet, relieved when the chain unclasped. “Sorry, forgot about that.” She shoved it into the pocket of her jacket. Today she wasn’t the Second or a Denai. Today she was simply Cate.

“This is Catherine, my witch,” said Jason. “I’ll pay extra for privacy if…”

“No. We don’t need privacy,” said Cate.
We’re normal people today, remember? No special treatment.

I just thought it would be easier for you, with fewer people around.

I’ll be fine. I’m with you and if we clear the place out it would raise suspicions.

“Nice to meet you, Alberto,” she said.
I’m paying by the way,
she told Jason.

No, you’re not. I brought you here, so I’m paying.

Cate rolled her eyes.
Typical male.

Alberto led them inside. They chose a table out in a pretty, little garden area. The sun was already warm, so it was pleasant enough.

“I was supposed to be taking you to breakfast. It’s my turn to treat you,” Cate said after Alberto scurried off to find menus.

“I know, but you can treat me later. I’ve wanted to bring you here for a long time.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“Because opening up to someone like this, it’s never been an option for me.”

Right, obviously!
She mentally slapped herself. “Well, I hope that’s going to change now. You don’t have to hide anything from me anymore.”

“I know, I worry when I go places that –”

“You’re doing it again!”

“Right. Sorry.” He slapped his forehead in exasperation.

Alberto came back with menus. “What can I get you to drink?”

“We’ll have two cappuccinos,” Jason replied, “With chocolate on top.” Alberto nodded and dashed off again.

“You like your coffee black,” she said.

“True. I never liked it much before we became partners, but now I do. Though probably not as much as you.”

“Probably,” she agreed and said, “Breakfast isn’t really considered a date you know, lunch maybe and dinner most definitely.”

“I can’t remember the last time I went on a real date – not that you can really call them dates. I’d just go for a drink and then – never mind.”

“It’s okay, I like hearing about your past.”

“Even about me being with other women?”

Cate scowled and he laughed. “Thought so.” He reached across the table and took her hand. “You know none of them ever meant anything to me.”

“Good, because you’re with me now.”

“Yes, I am. So is lunch when our date begins?”

“No, it begins now. We have the whole day together.”

“And all night?”

She grinned. “That too.”

“Good.”

“How did you meet Alberto?”

“About thirty years ago. I was taking time off from work, dodging a few Devas – sorry.”

“It’s okay, there are some parts of our lives we can’t avoid, and I want to know more about you. What you were like before we met.”

“After the last war ended, I eventually trained as an Enforcer. I thought it would be a good change from the army,” Jason said. “So I went to the Academy. Your mother was actually one of my training officers. She trained members of the guard, the army, and people who had ties to the coven.”

Her eyebrows rose in surprise. “My mum? Did you two…?” She cringed.

“Gods no! Never! She was married and even before I never thought of her in that way.”

Cate let out a sigh of relief. “Good, it would be too weird if you and my mum – did you ever have a thing with any of my ancestors?” She couldn’t deny the thought had crossed her mind.

“No, the McCrays are some bad-ass witches, but I made sure to stay out of their way and tried not to get involved with many Denais.”

“Witches aren’t your type then?”

“It’s not that, I just couldn’t risk one of them feeding on me and finding out I’m not a normal Elemental,” he said. “I hardly ever let anyone do so, unless it was an emergency. I made it clear to everyone that my energy is my own.”

“Yet you let me feed on you all the time.”

“That’s different. I never felt comfortable with others. Touch is a personal thing,” he said. “But with you it’s like…”

“Pure magic?”

“I was going to say erotic and intimate, but yeah, that too.”

Cate smiled. “I know. I never liked touching people. It makes them so open. I hated feeding and having to live off others to survive, but with you it’s blissful silence,” she said and squeezed his hand. “I never felt comfortable holding hands before.”

Alberto came with their coffees and they ordered pancakes for breakfast. She smothered hers in maple syrup and groaned when she took a bite. “Goddess, these are incredible!”

“Told you you’d like it here,” he said. “I found this place by accident. I was running from a Deva and searching for a temple. Devas can’t attack on holy ground – not sure why, but holy ground is my only refuge.”

“You should live on holy ground all the time then.”

“Anyway, Alberto put himself and his family at risk to help me. I managed to get onto holy ground, but it was close.”

“So this was your home?”

“For a few weeks, yes. It’s one of the nicer places I’ve stayed in, but they all start to look the same after a while.”

Her heart ached for him. She couldn’t imagine how hard it must have been. Always being alone and having to look over his shoulder.

“You don’t need to feel sorry for me. The past is gone and I never had a future to look forward to until I met you. I have you now and I’m happy.”

“I know you said that I helped you get through the hard times. I just don’t see how one meeting, one brief moment, could have impacted your life so much,” she said. “Did we meet more than once?”

“You know I can’t answer that. It could change my past.”

“Maybe that would be a good thing.”

Jason shook his head. “No, I know what you’re thinking. You could go back and protect me from the hell I went through, but magic can’t change what’s meant to be,” he said. “Yes, it was hard, but it made me who I am. Just as meeting you gave me the strength to get through it. You were always there for me in my mind. A strange, mysterious, and beautiful woman that I loved, and would probably never see again, but it didn’t matter.”

“I just don’t want to disappoint you. You fell in love with an idealised version of me that doesn’t exist.”

“Yes you do. You’re everything I imagined you would be and more. You’re not perfect and that’s why I love the real you even more than any kind of fantasy.”

“I’ve never done this before. Been on a date, talked like this, and held hands with someone.” She couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous.

“Neither have I. I never stayed with a woman long enough to get to know her. It was just sex and I don’t want that with us.”

“You don’t want to have sex with me?”

“No, I do, but – but I’m no good at this.”

Cate laughed. “You’re doing fine.” She took another bite of pancake. “It wouldn’t just be sex between us. I know that.”

“Right and I know you want to take things slow, so no sex talk.”

“Maybe after breakfast you can show me around. I’ve always loved exploring new places. Too bad Gran seems determined to keep me in the city.”

After saying goodbye to Alberto, they walked into the town. With its cobblestone streets and rows of small shops it was like being in a different world compared to Faliaster. As much as Cate loved the hustle and bustle of the city, it was peaceful being away from it. She and Jason held hands as they walked, browsing the windows and the market stalls. She saw him visibly relax in a way she’d never seen before and it made her relax too.

“That’s the shop where I had your bracelet made.” Jason pointed to a small jewellery store, which had a tiny window display.

Cate moved in for a closer look, noticing all the pieces were made from Silveron, set with crystals that hummed with energy. “Jade would love this place.”

“Come on, let’s go inside. Maybe I can buy you something to match your bracelet. An anniversary gift.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

They walked in. An ancient-looking female Dwarf stood behind the counter.

“Lydia, still as lovely as ever.”

The Dwarf looked up and Cate was surprised to see she was blind. “Ah, Master Jason. It has been a year since you came. I never forget a face, especially when it belongs to one so powerful.” Lydia’s attention turned to Cate. “Good gods! Child, your aura shines like silver. As bright as Master Jason’s.”

She can see auras,
Jason told Cate as Lydia reached for her hand.
It’s okay. As well as being gifted with metal, she has a bit of foresight too. It’s how she can see things.

Lydia grasped Cate’s palm firmly with both hands and her fingers brushed over her mark. Cate gripped Jason’s hand a little tighter. She felt power and wisdom from the old Dwarf, a connection to the earth, and a knowledge of gems and metals.

“You are the Marked Witch from the prophecy. But at last you have found each other. I have been waiting a long time for this day. Your love will make you both stronger.” Lydia released her hand and turned away to fumble underneath the counter.