The Catalyst (27 page)
The hair on the back of Cain’s neck stood up. There
were millions of women with that name, and probably plenty of
blonde witches with it as well, but his experience with Tam had
always been one of confusion over how she could take him down so
easily with a flick of her wrist.
The demon glanced at Anna, wondering if she’d made
the connection, but the idea that Father Hadrian was speaking about
the Tam they both knew hadn’t penetrated for Luc’s mate.
“Anna, do you understand yet why this involves
you?” Anthony asked.
Her eyes widened but she maintained her denial. “No…
I… Why would it involve me?”
The vampire laughed and shook his head. “I forget
how recently you were introduced to our world. Your friend has been
keeping a monumental secret from you. Tam is the woman Father
Hadrian met in the fifties.”
“That’s not possible. I mean… we grew up together.
Since we were kids…”
“Since you were about twelve?”
Anna shut her mouth and looked down at her
hands.
“That’s what I thought. She must have died and
started a new life cycle right around that time. We’re still not
sure exactly what that means.”
The vampire king turned to the sorcerer and werecat.
“Dayne, Greta, did you do the research I requested?”
Dayne nodded. “I might have a theory. Since magic
users are human, we’ve always been a wild card. Up until now, we’ve
kept ourselves mostly secret from normal humans and considered
ourselves part of the preternatural world, but if Jack gets enough
power, he could sway magic users to his side. I think he wants to
expose the preternaturals and fight. He’s absorbing power from his
kills to make it easier.”
Greta interrupted. “I don’t think anyone considered
there could be magical and ritual significance to the way Jack the
Ripper was killing. The killings got more complex, but if he was
experimenting with the most potent methods for power absorption,
that would happen. He could become unstoppable if he kills the
other cyclers.”
“He’ll also be a true immortal,” Dayne said. “The
more power a magic user has, the more slowly they age. Considering
the nature of what he is already, my suspicion is that he’d become
unkillable. He wouldn’t have to start over in a younger human body
like what Hadrian observed with Tamara.”
Cain squeezed his eyes shut as images flashed in his
mind of Tam being ritualistically and gruesomely murdered. He
didn’t know why it pissed him off so much.
“Cain?” Anthony said.
The demon looked up, startled at being included in
the discussion. He tried to maintain a bored mask, but he couldn’t
keep the hot glow from his eyes, nor stop his hands from balling
into fists. “Yes?”
“We need you to protect the witch in your dimension.
It’s the only place we’re guaranteed she’ll be safe. If he kills
all the cyclers, and magic users come out of the closet, they’ll
band together, which risks your demons as well.”
Magic users were a demon’s one weakness. Demons were
exempt from death and could heal any injury—true immortals, but
they could still be trapped by a curse. They could still feel the
suffering of starvation. They could still be hurt.
All eyes were on him, waiting for his response. He
didn’t know how he felt about the little blonde witch, but if
anybody was killing her, it was going to be him, not some cheesy
magical serial killer with a world domination plot, and not one of
Anthony’s thugs, either.
“I’ll protect her,” Cain said, avoiding eye contact
with the others. This was killing the shit out of his reputation.
There were dramatic gasps and whispering, but he ignored it.
“Of course, killing her would be more expedient...
if you could find a way to make her stay dead.” The vampire king’s
tone was bland.
“No!” Anna said.
“Anthony!” Charlee said.
“I said I’d protect her,” the demon snarled, finally
meeting the eyes of everyone at the table. He dared them to start
something with him.
“We’ll also need you to get her to tell you
everything about being a cycler. We still don’t understand how or
why they exist or the extent of their powers,” Anthony said.
Cain growled. “Watch yourself, half-breed. I could
take you out without blinking. I’m sure you want to survive to be a
daddy.”
Charlee’s hand went protectively over her pregnant
belly, as if the child were in danger instead of the cocky vampire
standing beside the projector screen.
Anthony glared. “Don’t forget, I have magic users in
my employ. I have a coven of vampires that stretches across North
America and contacts with vampire leaders all over the world. Our
numbers are far greater than yours. Let’s not make this personal.
We’ve got a bigger enemy to fight.”
Cain was bored now. “Are we done here? I’ve got a
witch to collect.” He stood, already turning toward the door.
“Cain…” It was the first word Luc had spoken since
the demon had arrived. “Take Anna with you. She knows where the
witch lives.”
That
would
make things easier.
Luc’s mate recoiled, gripping tight to his arm.
“What? No! Come with me,” she said.
“I should stay for the rest of the meeting. My
brother can’t harm you, remember? You can’t hold a solid form
without me,” Luc said.
When she’d given her soul and became a demon’s mate,
she’d had to die first. It made her existence somewhat ghostly.
Only her mate could give her a full, solid form. Gradually, she
would gain the same powers as Luc, but it was a lengthy
process—centuries. Anna looked from Cain to Luc a couple of times.
She finally sighed and let go of her mate.
Cain headed for the door. He didn’t bother waiting
for her, assuming she’d follow. And if she didn’t, he’d just have
to find the infuriating witch on his own.
If you enjoyed this excerpt, please consider picking
up Life Cycle. Life Cycle is the next book in the Pretverse. Here’s
the book blurb:
Immortality can be a
bitch…
Tamara has lived nearly two thousand
years, trapped by a spell of her own creation. Hunted by her enemy
and former lover, she knows there is only one man strong enough to
release her from the curse. But will Cain honor her death wish, or
keep her for himself, whatever the cost?
Two ancient souls. Two weary fighters,
torn between love and hate, forced to decide if the other could be
worth living for.
About the Author
Zoe Winters writes quirky and sometimes dark
paranormal romance. Her favorite colors are rainbow and clear.
For updates on new releases, freebies, and contests,
sign up for the newsletter via the contact form at:
zoewintersbooks.com or for a free copy of Kept, by sending a
blank email to [email protected]
If you enjoyed The Catalyst, check out the other
stories in this world:
Books in the Preternaturals Series:
Blood Lust (book 1)
Save My Soul (book 2)
The Catalyst (book 3)
Life Cycle (book 4)
Available in print, audio book, and ebook.
Preternaturals Shorts: (ebook only)
Cat Fight (a Dayne and Greta Story [Blood Lust])
Dark Mercy (novella)