Page 23 of A Touch of Brimstone

Dominic frowned. “This spell is strong, like a scorched earth scenario. The spells we had that neutralized their magic, strength, and ability to teleport were all destroyed. The binding spell that kept them tethered to the room is broken. And there’s no scent to detect. Tenebras Obducit—Dark Caster—magic is immense, their spells nearly insurmountable. And this particular spell was so meticulously engineered, it will be difficult to find them.”

Despite what he’d just admitted, he didn’t seem hopeless, which I couldn’t claim. Despair was slowly engulfing me. Optimism about getting out of this situation was slowly dwindling.

“Then how will they be found?”

“You. Once we are able to unravel the spell, its owner’s signature will be revealed. I can use that to track them as long as it is unlinked from you. One thing that your little book, I’m sure accidentally, got right is that each of us comes from the same source. Depending on how you view it, we bear the mark of a curse or gift. Each and every descendant bears the mark. If I find a new vampire, within his signature, I’ll know his creator. The same with shifters. No one can hide from me, because I can find their signature.”

“Not everyone’s. You’re having a hard time finding this Tenebras person. They’ve managed to elude you.” I immediately regretted pointing that out. A wave of heat sweltered the room. The glow of his fiery eyes blasted me.

Sorry. Got it. Don’t point out Dominic’s shortcomings.

“True. They’ve never performed magic around me to be traced. Once the magic is pulled from you, I can track the source.” He took in a slow breath, the room cooled and returned to normal, and his eyes held his normal look of dying fire.

“Continue,” he urged with a faint look. “Please.” He was trying, but he wore the effort on his face along with the remnants of his ire.

I continued with the story. By the time I finished, his smile had been replaced by a rigid frown.

“I performed magic.” It was the first time I’d said it aloud. It had been in my thoughts, but I was too busy trying to distance myself from it.

“No, you were used in order for the ring to perform magic. It’s bound to you and your life energy is what’s fueling the spell. You’re blocking me from finding the owner.”

A look passed over his face that I wanted to ignore, but it was too telling. One sweeping act of violence would break the spell and return the prisoners. Swallowing my fear, I tried to inconspicuously put more distance between us while I furtively looked around for a weapon. My phone was still in my back pocket, but it wasn’t much help without the benefit of surprise. And my punches had very little effect on him.

“So, I’m a magic signal jammer?”

“To put it simply, yes. Once unraveled from you, it can be tracked.”

“Dominic.”

His name came in a deep, throaty purr from the woman who swept into the room. Although she was a deeper olive than Dominic, there were obvious familial similarities. The same dark hair—hers pulled back into a chignon—amber eyes with flecks of gold and orange that looked like fading fire, striking sharp features, and captivating beauty.

A broad smile remained on her face as she hugged him. She was clearly the affectionate one of the two; his squeeze in return was stiff and obligatory. She pressed a kiss to his cheek before she turned to me. I studied her flowy maroon V-neck bohemian maxi dress. A long slit revealed her legs and lace-up sandals as she moved. She linked her arm through his and the other she shoved in her pocket. That was the moment I envied the stylish woman. Her dress had pockets. I was sold, I needed it.

Her eyes appraised me and snagged on my finger with the marking. “This is her? She’s the one?”

Dominic’s head barely moved into the nod.

“I don’t sense any magic. How can this be?” She moved closer, inspecting me like a peculiar creature she was attempting to name. She ran one finger from my forehead down to the tip of my nose. Then pressed it like it was some strange face button that would reveal my secrets to her.

Boundaries! I thought, taking a small step back while Dominic explained everything to her. The distance I placed between us was quickly swallowed as she continued to scrutinize me with amusement. An amiable smile settled on her lips. I eased into it, relaxing some and ignoring her blatant disregard for social norms and acceptable social distance. Suddenly, her hand cuffed my neck. It was such a gentle touch that I didn’t feel threatened.

“Do you want me to kill her?” she asked in such a gentle, melodic voice it was like she was trying to ease me into acquiescence. I jerked from her hold and moved away. The genteel smile she gave me was unacceptable.

No, psycho, I’m not okay with any part of this discussion.

“Helena, no,” Dominic said firmly.

Her eyes dropped to my finger that bore the markings. “Do you think your way is the wisest tactic?” she challenged, looking over her shoulder at him. “Perhaps alternatives should be explored.” She turned back to me, her smile and countenance far too kind, easy, and welcoming for a person discussing murder.

I hated this world. I hated it so much.

She shrugged at his stern look. “Her finger. Should we re—”

“Helena,” he snapped. “She is protected. You won’t remove her finger, nor will you kill her. You have no business in this. Are we clear?”

She frowned, her mood dampened, but I was very confident it was only because he raised his voice and not the censure that accompanied it.

“Very well, we’ll do it your way. I’m off to have an early dinner.” She turned to me again. “Would you like to join me? We’re having roasted duck with beet salad and mashed pumpkin. I think you’d enjoy it.”

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