The Banshee's Desire (18 page)

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Authors: Victoria Richards

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"He ran away the moment he saw you destroying the Brotherhood." Gabe stepped forward.

"You should have run, too."

"No!" Toby shouted. "No! Your anger is at me! Don't take it out on Gabe!"

"He plotted against us, conspired against us."

Jacqueline raised her hands, ready to snatch at the quivering life force she saw in Gabe.

Toby stepped in front of his son.

"Then you must kill me, too," he said.

She paused, conflicted.

His face, his eyes--they were so beautiful. Memories of their time together came back, softening her anger little by little, piercing through the black veil of hate in her head.

"Oh, Toby," she whispered and dropped her hands. "What have I done?"

She dropped to the ground, weeping.

He pulled her into his arms, rocking her softly as he kissed her hair.

Through her tears, Jacqueline could make out the bodies of those she'd killed.

How could she have been so crazy? So foolish?

How could he still hold her? Still treat her like she was worthy of his love?

She wasn't worthy.

She was evil.

Jacqueline pulled away and touched Toby's face. It was still the face she'd fallen in love with all those months ago, but there were tiny lines around his eyes, worry lines. She'd put them there. There were small flecks of gray dotting the beard he kept closely trimmed. Had those sprouted because of her, too? And why had she not noticed those dark spots under his eyes?

As she watched, she could literally see his face start to age, as if holding Death in his arms was sucking away years of his life.

"Oh, no," she whispered and pulled away. "I'm killing you. Just being near me is killing you."

Jacqueline stood, trembling.

"I have to go." With a quick glance at Gabe, she said, "Just so you know, you and I aren't done here."

There was nothing left to do.

"No! Jacqueline! Stay with me!" Toby shouted.

Ignoring him, she closed her eyes, channeled her new powers, and left the man she loved behind.

But she couldn't leave the grief. It trailed behind her, a long train of agony and despair that was to color her world for a long time to come.

****

"What will you do now?" Gabe asked.

The sky was beginning to turn orange as the sun rose higher.

Toby didn't notice it. All he could think of was Jacqueline and what she thought he wanted. Her death.

"I don't know," he said. "But I have to find a way to get through to her."

"She's killed the council."

"All except Gwydion." Toby looked at Gabe. "He seems to think you and he have something in common. Do you know anything about that?"

Gabe looked away, uneasy.

Toby nodded, accepting.

"Is that your plan now? To hook up with Gwydion, join forces since you're both a different breed of wizard?" Toby asked.

God, he felt so tired.

"I'd thought about joining the council," Gabe admitted. "Maybe getting rid of Gwydion altogether. Derek suspected that Gwydion was like me. It was one of the reasons he kept me alive. He wanted to show his dad that he could take over the entire council."

"He wanted to use you, son."

"I know," Gabe said. "But that doesn't mean I wasn't on board with the plan. Under new leadership, the Brotherhood could become more tolerant."

"Tolerant? Yeah, right," Toby said.

They were silent a moment, observing the chaos left by Jacqueline.

"Tell you what. You help me get Jacqueline back and I'll help you with your goals," Toby said.

Thoughtful, Gabe looked at his father. Then gently, he placed an arm around Toby's shoulders, supporting him as they walked away from the castle.

"Alright. Where do we begin?" he asked.

"With Morrigan," Toby said, rubbing his chin. "Something tells me we're going to need a bigger Box of Souls."

"How do you summon a Celtic goddess?"

"Very carefully."

"Then let's get started."

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