Page 49 of Elemental Love
“There is little satisfaction in a tame pet, Symeon. You should know that.”
Symeon laughed but the sound was harsh and bitter. “Damon serves his purpose, and he does have a remarkably talented mouth, when he isn’t using it for speech.”
Evrain winced at the image. “You said you wanted me. I will exchange myself for Dominic but I want your word as a warlock that you will allow him to go free.” Evrain gripped the edge of the table so tightly that his knuckles went white.
“My word as a warlock. How quaint.” Symeon paused. “Very well, I will bow to your antiquated sense of honor and give my word. Dominic will be freed if you come with me without resistance. Is this agreeable to you?”
“Where and when do we meet?” Evrain asked.
“Do you know the clearing in Belsevere Wood? It’s known as Inkcap Glade. It’s not far from you.”
“I know it.” Evrain had been there many times with Aggie—it was her favorite place for gathering unusual fungi. It was a damp, moss-covered clearing in the ancient oak woodland less than a mile from Hornbeam Cottage. “When?”
“Midnight. Don’t be late.” Symeon rang off before Evrain could say anything further.
For a moment no one spoke. Gregory and Coryn looked at Evrain expectantly.
“Midnight. Inkcap Glade.”
Gregory gave a small smile. “Symeon always did err toward the melodramatic. However, this time it works to our advantage. If you can stick to your role as nice, tasty bait, it will be easy for Coryn and I to get into position unseen.”
Evrain nodded and ran a hand through his hair with a tired sigh. “I just want this to be over. I want Dominic back so I can lock him up somewhere nice and safe.”
Coryn chuckled. He laid a comforting hand on Evrain’s shoulder. “You should get some rest. I don’t suppose you slept at all last night?”
“I couldn’t. Every time I closed my eyes I imagined the most terrible things.” Evrain blinked. He had to believe Dominic was okay or he’d lose his mind.
“This should help.” Gregory sprinkled a pinch of dark powder into the remains of Evrain’s drink. “Go to bed. You’re useless to us if you are too exhausted to think straight. We’ll wake you in plenty of time.”
“Okay.” Evrain swallowed the last of his tea with a grimace. “Ugh! That’s disgusting!”
Gregory laughed. “You’ve gotten too used to Aggie’s pampering, boy. Once this little problem is resolved, you and I are going to have a long discussion about your future and how best to continue your training. That’s my price for helping you out. Agreed?”
Evrain scowled as he headed toward the stairs. “Agreed.”
Coryn rolled his eyes. “Bribery, Gregory? Don’t you think the boy’s under enough pressure as it is?” His eyes twinkled with humor.
“He needs discipline. You can feel the power in him as well as I, my love. Aggie gave him a good start but he needs to be trained by a warlock.”
“Well, the lad has my sympathy.” Coryn turned back to the sink.
Evrain didn’t know what to make of that. He gave Gregory a suspicious glance but his godfather’s features betrayed nothing.
“Keep the bracelet on while you sleep, Evrain. You’re less likely to drop the place into a hole in the ground that way.”
“Got it. No dreaming about earthquakes or sink holes, much as I’d like to dump Symeon into a big chasm and close it slowly.” Evrain climbed the stairs, muttering to himself. He didn’t know what Gregory had put in his drink, but it was already taking effect. His head was full of wool and the lure of sleep was strong.
Chapter sixteen
Evrain came too suddenly, aware that somebody was in the room with him.
“It’s eleven o’clock, Evrain.” Coryn gently shook him into wakefulness. “You need to get up. You have plenty of time but Gregory and I have to leave now. We must make sure we get to the glade before Symeon. Try not to worry, okay? You won’t be able to see us, but we will be there.” Coryn gave his arm a soft pat then slipped away.
Evrain levered himself out of bed. He didn’t feel groggy, just a little disconnected. It was as if the real world had been suspended, frozen in a little bubble of time while this business between himself and Symeon played out. He took a quick shower, dried off then pulled on his clothes. He chose an all-black outfit of T-shirt and leather jacket over jeans. Symeon wasn’t the only one who could be melodramatic and Evrain wanted to make an impression.
Down in the kitchen, he ate a snack of bread and cheese because Gregory had told him to eat something, however nervous he felt. It proved to be good advice because the simple food settled his stomach. At eleven-thirty exactly, he set off down the lane. The summer night was clear, the air crisp and chill enough that his breath steamed. The sky was a black velvet blanket pierced with the tiny twinkles of a few scattered stars but there was no moon.
During Evrain’s childhood stays at the cabin, Aggie had often taken him to Inkcap Glade. Usually at dawn, with glittering dew heavy on the grass. At night there was a whole different atmosphere. Forbidding was the word that came into Evrain’s head as he walked firstly along the river, then into Belsevere Wood. The wood was a tangle of shadows and gloomy darkness, hidden away from the world about it by saplings and shrubs that were contorted and intermingled to form a dense, virtually impenetrable maze. The ancient oaks grew gnarled and twisted, their limbs reaching out with grasping hands. Underfoot, a thick carpet of leaf litter decayed slowly, giving it a spongy feel that sucked Evrain’s feet down and soaked his boots.
