Cursed of moon

Chapter 23

Kaillen and I trained for six hours. It took that long for the hunter to feel appeased enough to consent to my plan. But I’d improved, even in that short timeframe. Each time I had his magic in my grasp, I used it to my advantage, before returning it to him. We also practiced with cloaking spells. He hid multiple objects under very heavy spells, and then I used his power to see past them. Most of the time, I could, and even though it wasn’t easy and I was far from perfect at it, I did have one advantage now. My wolf.

In Ontario, when Kaillen and I had been training daily, I would have succumbed to the fatigue from what we’d done today. But each time exhaustion had threatened me this afternoon, my wolf surged forward, offering me her strength, resilience, and enhanced healing properties. I hadn’t used her during the battle, since I’d pushed her down, but now she was insistent, and I could see why.

Having her work at my side, allowed me to continue training beyond what I’d been capable of before, and she healed me. The fatigue vanished, and I was able to train the same maneuver again and again.

A huge dose of gratitude filled me each time she helped me so willingly, and I was begi

After receiving a text from Fallon saying that he and Barnabas were back in Culasberee, Kaillen and I ended our training, cleaned up, and ventured to the café around the i

Most of the seats were filled as the inhabitants of Culasberee were out enjoying family di

As soon as we all sat, I said, “I want to capture Jakub tonight by using all of your powers to enhance my magic to lure Jakub to us, and with any luck, your magic will also allow me to see through his cloaking spell.”

Barnabas gave me a delighted smile. “Well, that’s quite the introduction.”

“I know. Sorry for not giving you a heads-up earlier.”

Fallon shrugged. “We took longer in the capital than intended.”

Kaillen sat at my side with a protective arm around my shoulders while a scowl twisted his features. My mate had been in an irritable mood all afternoon even though he claimed to be onboard with my plan. But I knew his instincts were screaming at him to lock me up so nobody could hurt me. It was only sheer will on his part that had stopped him from doing so.

Barnabas leaned forward in his seat. “So you really want to draw that little spineless sorcerer to us? I have to admit, that’s ballsy.” Given the vampire’s grin, I could tell he approved.

“We can’t guarantee he’s little,” Fallon replied, totally deadpan. “We never saw him.”

Barnabas scoffed. “Surely anyone who hides behind a cloaking spell is little.” He angled in his seat to face Kaillen better. “Have I told you that I like her?”

The hunter grunted. “Once or twice.”

“Well, let me just say it again. I think she not only smells mouthwatering, has a delectable body, and is quite possibly the most gorgeous—”

“No need to continue.” Kaillen bared his teeth as crimson fire began to roll in his irises. In the café’s dim fairy lights, his dark hair shone ebony as the scent of jasmine and night rose from him. “I get it. You like my mate. For your own self-preservation, I would advise you to stop reminding my wolf of that. He’s a bit on edge right now.”

Barnabas conveyed a mockingly i

I rolled my eyes and forced myself not to sigh in exasperation as the vamp once again got his kicks from riling my mate.

Kaillen’s only response was another rumbling warning sound.

“It’s just too easy,” Barnabas said under his breath to me when Kaillen’s fingers curled around my shoulder.

I was pretty sure Kaillen was two seconds away from leaping across the table and smashing a fist into his friend’s face.

“You might want to tone it down a notch,” I said quietly to Barnabas, and then raised my eyebrows when Kaillen hauled me closer to his side, the scent of night-touched jasmine so potent I was swimming in it. At least, my wolf was content.

She preened and rumbled in happiness and urged me closer to my mate.

Fallon watched the entire exchange with a smooth face. The fairy was nothing if not an expert at hiding his emotions. The entire time I’d known him, his smell had stayed muted. I again wondered how he did that or if he truly didn’t experience many emotions.

“What about you? What do you think?” I asked him.

Fallon inclined his head, his yellow hair as bright as a banana. “I’m game to lure him in.”

“And you’re both okay with me feeding off your magic? I’ll give it back to you. I just need it to increase my footprint and see through Jakub’s cloaking spell when he arrives.”

They shared an intrigued look.

“Will it kill us?” Fallon asked.

“No,” I replied. “I’ll return it before that happens.”

Fallon shrugged again. “Sure, why not.”

The vamp stroked his chin. “I would love to.”

I clapped my hands. “It’s settled then.”

Barnabas rubbed his hands together just as a tray floated toward us and our drinks and food appeared. The spelled serving platter began dispersing the plates and glasses to us as the café’s magic sparkled in the air.

Barnabas lifted his glass. “We dine, then we lure that little prick to us, then you stroke our magic . . . I mean use our magic,” he added when Kaillen growled. “And then you kill him with our help if needed. I can’t wait.” He saluted everyone. “And I get dibs on his blood.”

My eyes widened. “You’re going to drink from Jakub?”

“Of course.” Barnabas gave me an affronted look. “Why would we let all of that luscious blood go to waste? It’s much better than this stuff.” He sniffed at his glass, which contained blood that was probably a few days old from a willing donor who’d been paid for the donation. “It’s best warm and directly from the source.” He smiled, his fangs lengthening again.

“If you say so.” I raised my beverage, as did Kaillen and Fallon.

We all clinked glasses, then I dug into my rack of lamb that had been seasoned with mint—the herb imported from earth. But the meat had other seasonings too. A tangier fae spice rolled across my tongue and made my mouth water even more, but my belly was growling so painfully that all of my concentration fell on attacking my food.

I knew that if I wanted to capture Jakub tonight and be finished with his games once and for all, I’d need to be strong and alert.

Good thing I’d ordered four plates of food.

∞     ∞     ∞

“We’ll lure him here.” Kaillen stood at the top of a cliff overlooking the sea. Starlight graced the sky, the three moons easily visible in the cloudless night. “It won’t be easy for him to escape once he arrives.”

A warm breeze caressed my skin, and for the first time since I’d hatched this plan, a sense of foreboding filled me.

“Tala will be exposed on the cliff,” Fallon pointed out.

“Which is what I want,” I replied. “Jakub thinks I’m the key to something. The more it looks like I’m vulnerable, the more he’ll be tempted.”

“And if he whisks you away using a portal key?” Barnabas asked.

I stiffened. It was the concern Kaillen had too. “Kaillen and I have a blood bond. He’ll be able to find me.”

Kaillen paced along the rocky ledge, dust and pebbles skittering from beneath his soles. “If you think he’s going to transport you, back off. While I’ll be able to track you anywhere, there’s no guarantee I’d be able to penetrate whatever place he imprisons you.” He raked a hand through his hair as dark energy poured from him.

I gave the vamp a look, as if to say, don’t bring up the risky stuff. It’d been hard enough to convince Kaillen to allow this plan to move forward. I didn’t need the vamp planting more seeds of doubt in my mate’s mind.

Barnabas shrugged and rested a hand on the hilt of a sword. Yep, the vamp had graced himself with a weapon from the Middle Ages. He said it reminded him of home. I had to admit, he wielded the heavy monstrosity like a champ, the skill no doubt learned in his pirating days.

“How long do you think it’ll take for him to detect you?” Fallon stood casually with his arms crossed.

“If my awakening power pulls on the three of you, and I activate the curse to Jakub—if it hits its mark—not long. My magical footprint will be really high.”

“Do you think he’ll know that he’s being manipulated?” Fallon asked.

“Not if I don’t fully activate the curse. If I only partially activate it, he’ll feel me, but I won’t be able to feel him. He’ll know it’s one-sided.”

A snarl tore from Kaillen.

I raised my shoulders apologetically. Giving Jakub direct access to me was a concern I had, too, but it was a risk I was willing to take. This ended tonight.

“I want you both ready to intervene the second he shows.” Kaillen scowled. “He’s already failed three times in trying to capture Tala. He’ll no doubt try to make this attempt a guaranteed win . . . if he’s still alive.”

“Should we get on with it then?” I pushed wispy strands of hair away from my face. A long braid trailed down my back, and form-fitting pants hugged my legs. I’d worn comfortable clothes that would allow me to easily move and fight. Battle gear was what Prisha would have called it.

Thinking of my friend made an ache form in my chest. It felt like years since we’d properly spent time together, and I hadn’t spoken to her since before my first shift. Just as soon as this is over, Prish, you and I are going out on the town together.

Kaillen crossed the distance between us in a blurred move. He towered over me, his inherent citrusy cedar scent rolling to me on the wind. Burning crimson fire stoked his irises, and the energy rising from him was palpable. “You do know that I’ve never felt like this before, right?” he said quietly. “I’m honoring your wishes, but my wolf is trying to make me shift as we speak. He wants you in his den, properly cared for and safe.”

I peered up at him, and my stomach flipped at the fiery possessiveness in his eyes. “And what do you want? Do you want to lock me up too?”

A groove appeared between his brows. “I don’t know anymore. It’s all tangled up—my feelings and my wolf’s feelings. I’m inclined to say that I want you locked up too, but I’m not sure if that’s because my wolf is trying to rule me right now.”