Tell me, son, he urged, injecting all the warmth and confidence into his voice that he could muster. After a long moment, the younger man nodded.
My pentagram was given to me by my grandmother, he began, gazing at his boots. She once told me it had been crafted centuries ago by a master Sorcerer, and spelled as a protection against even the most powerful evil. I was never sure about any of that until recently, but it was a gift from her and so it was special to me.
Nick frowned. Then why did you give it to Mac?
Because she needs the protection and its the strongestthe only talisman I have to give.
Why does she need protection? Does this have to do with the attack? A couple of weeks ago, Kalen and Mackenzie had gone into town separately and had run into trouble in the form of one of those nasty winged creatures with the big mouth full of sharp teeth, like the one he had locked in the basement cell. The two of them had nearly been killed by the damned thing, and wouldve been if Kalen hadnt gained the upper hand and dispatched it to hell.
Yeah. Remember, it scratched her and bit me. What I didnt tell you is Mackenzie
started hearing a voice. A sinister one telling her to do all sorts of bad shit. His expression was bleak. I tried everything, every spell I knew, but I couldnt get rid of it. The bastard, whoever he is, was driving her crazy. Literally.
Nick stood and made his way around the desk, parking his butt on the edge and telling himself not to lambast the younger man for keeping this from him for so long. What mattered now was getting answers. He waited.
So I put the pentagram around Mackenzies neck and told her never to take it off. Seems to be working.
Okay, so if shes fine, why do you feel the need to leave?
Because now the bastard is in my head, Kalen said miserably. Hes a very distinct, intelligent being. Those big-mouthed ghoul fuckers work for him.
Nick stared at him, stunned. He admitted this?
Yes, and thats not all. He said he knew that by driving Mac out of her mind, hed force me to give her the pendant, leaving me vulnerable to his machinations. Im the one he wanted all along. He somehow knows way too much about me, wants to use meand Im afraid hes slowly winning the battle.
The dread that had taken root morphed into fear. What entity was such a great physical force in the universe that it could manipulate a Sorcerer who had few equals?
There were only two possible beings on that list, and either of them taking control of Kalen would spell disaster for everyone. And why? What is his ultimate goal?
First, they had to contain the threat.
Kalen, he said, I cant let you leave. Do you understand what Im saying?
The Sorcerer stared at him for a long moment, then swallowed hard. If I go, youll hunt me down and kill me.
If you go rogue and fight us, yes. Ill have no other choice. But if you stay, well monitor you and do all we can to free you of his influence, whoever he is.
Then I guess I have no other choice but to stay, he said bitterly.
Theres always a choice.
Whats going to happen to me? Green eyes pinned Nick, begging for the truth.
The vision that had been threatening finally exploded in Nicks brain. His head fell back as the office vanished and he found himself racked with pain, kneeling in the middle of a field as cold rain lashed down like needles and lightning split the sky, then zipped down to scorch the ground.
All around him, his men battled unearthly creatures from hell and beyond. Losing ground with every passing minute. Facing their doom.
And on a high pinnacle stood the Sorcerer with his staff, soaking wet. Screaming to the heavens for help that would not come.
A detonation shook the ground and all was lost in a maelstrom of wind and rain. Of blood and tears. The world fell away.
Nick!
Dead. Was he dead?
Nicky!
Nicks eyes snapped open and he gasped, sucking air into his lungs. Kalen was crouched on the floor in front of him, shaking his shoulders, face panicked. Im okay, he croaked.
Are you sure?
Yeah. No.
Jesus, Kalen breathed. Standing, he took a step back. You scared the crap out of me.
Sorry, kid. He took a few steadying breaths.
Nick, am I going to die? he asked softly.
Oh, God. Dont you understand I wouldnt tell you even if I could? We all die sometime. But I know what you mean, and I honestly cant tell you because I didnt see that.
Technically, it was true.
Am I going to hurt any of my friends? Innocents?
I dont know.
Seconds passed in heavy silence.
All right. Kalen sighed. Ill stay.
Good. Keep me posted on any developments with the creature. In the meantime, be ready to roll. I have a feeling that lead on where Aric and Micah are being held just may pan out, and soon.
Will do.
With that, the Sorcerer walked out and left Nick alone.
So alone. As hed been for the past two and a half centuries.
Three
wasnt much left of him but a slab of meat hanging in chains, and the wicked stepsister would carve up the rest soon enough.
Was there anyone on the planet who gave a damn what happened to him?