Torment (Craving 2)

“Oh no,” I

said. But I had been expecting a visit from him and had been wondering when that would take place.

“I don’t think he means us any harm,” Jeremy said. “But there is no telling, so for the moment, stay in the car.”

“No sense in that, and I know what he wants,” I said.

“The notes on day-walking,” Jeremy said, and sighed. “What are you going to tell him?”

“The only thing I can,” I said as he slowed the car to a stop and Beyland walked towards us.

I got out of the SUV, as did Jeremy, and I greeted him, “Hi, Bey…how are you?”

“Bey?” Beyland said, brows up. “No one has ever called me that!”

“No? But it suits you,” I said.

He waved this off. “Have you found what I need?”

“Not exactly,” I said.

“Not exactly?” he snapped. “Either you have or you haven’t.”

“Well, here is the thing, big castle, lots of hiding places, and I think I came close last night. I found a cubby that my witchy sense zeroed in on and I am certain the notes were there once, but MacLeod must have moved them at some time,” I lied, and thought I was doing a damn good job of it. This sounded believable.

“I see,” he answered, studying me. “I am not sure you are telling me the truth. If you think to stall me in this matter, think again. Look at it this way. Pleasing me will go much better for you than displeasing me.”

“I know, but besides that, I made a promise and I always keep my promises,” I answered truthfully. “I was going to keep this Blood Oath because, for one thing, I had no choice, and because it would, I believed, not cause harm to humans in the end. I was sure the ancient, Ramon, would not be able to make use of the formula. He had killed too many humans and had lived too long on human blood for Devin’s formula to work for him.”

“Ah, now that I do believe. Your face gives away more than your words, Lisa’s granddaughter.”

The next thing I knew he was right behind me, holding me pressed up tightly against his chest, one palm out warningly towards Jeremy, who went completely still.

Beyland’s voice was hard, “Do not make any move towards her, warlock, and we shall go on comfortably.”

“What is this?” Jeremy argued. “You need her…and I don’t think you mean her harm just yet, so why do this?”

“Why? To show you both that I can.” He took my chin and turned my face to his. “Bobbie MacForly, do not think that a mild affection for you, who reminds me of someone I loved, will stay my hand. Do not make that mistake and do not betray me. Dire will be the consequences,” he whispered.

“Do you really believe I will betray you, or are you just flexing?” I asked.

He pushed away from me suddenly and laughed. “Oh, I do like you, Bobbie MacForly, so don’t make me hurt you. Call out my name when you have what I need.” He twitched his pointer finger and opened a portal, stepped through and was gone.

I shivered, remembering the ice cold portal he had taken me through a couple of days ago. A couple of days? Seemed like forever ago.

Both of us jumped into the SUV and looked at each other. I said what we both felt, “Whew.”

“Hairy stuff,” Jeremy said. “I can feel his power pulse in the air. I have never known power like that.”

“I know, right? It’s crazy wicked. Jeremy, are we certain Magic of the Light is stronger than Dark Magic?”

“His power makes me wonder,” Jeremy said.

Our GPS, whom I dubbed ‘the Lady Traveler’, told us to turn left onto the next road. Amazingly enough, there was a town sign that pointed to the direction of the Witching Wall.

“I’ll be damned,” I said, and sat forward as Jeremy maneuvered the sharp left turn. This meandered for a while, winded downward and took us to an even narrower dirt drive. At the end of the dirt drive, there was a small grassy field where we parked.

We looked at one another and Jeremy said, “Well, now, shall we?”