Ascended (War of the Covens 3)

Caia had to get out of there. She had to get back to the pack, and she had to get someone to come deal with all the people who’d been at the site of the inn, because clearly she’d made quite a mess. Glancing around, she was relieved to find herself in a private room.

“Can I speak with the doctor?” she asked.

The nurse pinched her lips. “I’ll have a wee look and see if I can find him for you. The police are waiting to question you, so I’ll hurry along, eh?”

As soon as the door closed behind the woman, Caia ripped out the tube in her hand and pulled off the leads for the heart monitor, silencing it with her magik. Hurriedly, she used magik to clothe herself in jeans and a T-shirt. She swayed badly, clutching a plastic chair in the corner to push herself upright. This was no time to be lacking energy.

Her nerve endings shaking, Caia took a deep breath and pictured the dining hall in the hotel.

Everything was black, her aching body pressed against something cold. Then noise exploded all around her.

“Caia—”

“Oh my goddess—”

“Caia! You’re back!”

She felt hands tugging at her and realized she’d landed prone on the hardwood floor of the dining hall. Someone gripped her under the arms and turned her gently, and she looked up into the concerned silver eyes of her mate.

“Lucien.” She reached for him, and he hauled her into his arms, his entire body shaking with emotion as they embraced.

“I thought you were dead,” he choked and squeezed her tighter. She was vaguely aware of weeping, and people patting and stroking her back as she lay comforted in her mate’s arms.

Eventually, Lucien pulled back a little. “Can you stand?” he asked hoarsely, his eyes washing over her face as if afraid to look away.

She nodded. There was still a lot to do, and she didn’t have time to play the invalid. Slowly but surely, Lucien helped her to her feet. She stood to face a wearied and worried pack, including Marion, Saffron, and Reuben. Caia was heartened to see Ryder, Jaeden, and Vil all in good shape—she guessed they’d taken care of Marita’s lykans. As her eyes took them all in, a frown formed between her brows. Wait a minute …

“Where’s Eliza?” she asked, panicked.

Marion waved away the question. “She’s at the Center.”

“But she’s a Midnight.” Oh goddess, what if the Council locked her up?

However, Marion shook her head. “Eliza’s fine. She’s being well cared for. Penelope has taken her under her protection. She was surprised to see me alive, though.”

Caia grunted but relaxed marginally at the news Penelope was the one watching over Eliza. Of all the Council, she seemed the most ready to believe that Midnights might be all right after all.

“Caia, what happened?” Jaeden asked abruptly. “Marion took Saffron and Vil to that inn, and when they got there, there was nothing left of it. Just rubble and debris, and the ash from Marita and her magiks’ bodies.”

Marita and her magiks’ bodies! Relief flooded through Caia’s entire being. “I did it?” she asked, near breathless. “I killed her?”

Reuben grinned. “Looks like.”

She frowned, remembering the disgusting mess she’d made of Ethan when she’d used that same strange energy burst on him. “Why was there ash?” she whispered and looked directly at Marion, seeking answers. “Last time with Ethan … there was … you know …”

The witch matched her expression. “Interesting. Did you feel any different this time around, when you did whatever the Hades it is you do?”

As she forced herself to relive the moment pinned beneath Marita and the other magiks’ power, she realized her fear of Marita and her evil had been even greater than that of her uncle. Perhaps because now she fully comprehended the impact a person that powerful and ruthless could have on their world.

“I felt more,” she whispered.

“Then perhaps the energy this time was more powerful. Not to mention you’ve come along in your magik since then.”

Nodding, Caia decided not to let it worry her. Knowing Marita was out of the picture should relieve her, take the pressure off, not add to it. She leaned into Lucien and he pulled her into his side, kissing the top of her head. “I did it.”

“You did it,” he murmured.

“What happened to you?” Jaeden persisted.

“I was taken to a hospital by humans.” She threw a worried look at Marion. “We need to get back any blood tests and mess with the memories of all the people who dealt with me and the scene of the incident.”

Marion nodded militantly. “Of course. Which hospital?”

“Edinburgh.” Caia shook her head trying to remember the name the nurse had given her, but in all the chaos, she couldn’t. “I dunno which one.”

Reuben shrugged. “That’s easy. You obviously used your magik there.”