Page 13 of Elemental Hope
“One thing members of the Octis Coven can do is brew a good potion. They can probably restore Symeon’s strength, if temporarily. As long as he helps them, they will keep him supplied with the tonic he needs to stay strong.”
“But why?” Dominic was curious. “What can Symeon do for them that they can’t do themselves? Doesn’t he represent the very thing they hate?”
“He can battle another warlock.” It was Nathaniel who answered rather than Gregory. “It is common knowledge in our world that Gregory and I are allies. Neither of us have ever agreed with Symeon’s lust for power. On this continent Symeon is their only option.”
“I still don’t understand,” Dominic said. “Forgive the dense, non-magical one, but why would a bunch of witches want Symeon to fight another warlock? What would they gain?”
“Notanyother warlock.” Nathaniel frowned as he responded. “They will want him to battle Evrain.”
Dominic’s confusion must have shown on his face. Nathaniel turned his gaze on Evrain. “They are after your blood, Evrain, and I’m afraid I mean that literally.”
Beneath the table, Dominic grabbed Evrain’s hand and squeezed it.
“A warlock’s blood is incredibly potent when it’s used in magical spells.” Coryn took up the story. “Because you are so powerful and young, Evrain, your blood is a prize worth any partnership, however corrupt. They can’t use Symeon’s, his power is only temporary. Gregory is too old.”
“You’re not old!” Dominic protested, directing his gaze to Gregory.
“Old enough,” Gregory replied. “I’m not nearly as strong as I used to be.”
“And I’m strong,” Nathaniel commented. “But only in air and earth. My abilities with fire and water are weak. Evrain, I’m afraid, is a gourmet temptation as far as the Coven is concerned because he is strong in all four elements.”
“Please stop talking about me like I’m some kind of snack,” Evrain griped.
“Hush.” Dominic smacked Evrain’s thigh. “Listen.”
Damon snickered. Evrain gave him a look that could freeze hellfire and Nathaniel cuffed him.
“Quiet, brat. You haven’t earned the right to enjoy yourself at other’s expense.”
Damon pouted but kept giving Nathaniel sideways glances.
“What can they do?” Evrain asked. “The cottage is warded well, Agatha made sure of that, and I’m quite capable of defending myself against Symeon. I’ve proved that once already.”
“Don’t get cocky, boy,” Gregory warned. “We don’t know what they’ll try, but the fact that they have people watching Dominic is worrying. You both need to be careful and vigilant.”
“Where did you get all this information from?” Dominic felt as though he was missing a page or two of the story. Everyone else was a Chapter ahead and he was still catching up.
“Damon,” Gregory said. “He…”
“Let him tell me.” Dominic cut Gregory off. “I want to hear it from him.”
Damon’s eyes widened. He chewed on a ragged, dirty fingernail. Dominic examined him closely, noting the dark circles beneath his eyes, lank hair and pallid skin. His cheekbones were sharper, as if he’d lost weight and his gaze darted from place to place, never settling anywhere for very long. He couldn’t fight the pang of pity that conflicted with his need to consider Damon an enemy.
“Don’t let him hit me, okay?” Damon’s voice trembled. “And Evrain has to promise not to zap me.” He folded his arms.
“You’re in no position to argue with anyone, boy.” Nathaniel pulled Damon’s arms away from his chest then laid them on the table. He encircled one slender wrist with his hand. “Do as you’re asked.”
“Not a boy.” Damon didn’t attempt to move his arm. “Fine.” He stared at the table rather than at Dominic or Evrain. “I was sixteen when I fell for Symeon. It was a ridiculous crush, but he was so…enigmatic. He hooked me good and lured me in with promises of power and wealth when all he really wanted was a willing body to channel through. I loved him and that was enough for it to work. To him I was a tool and a convenient ass to screw whenever the urge took him.”
Dominic shuddered. He’d had experience of Symeon at first hand. He’d witnessed the way Symeon had treated Damon and Damon was right. Any love between them had been one way. Dominic doubted Symeon even had the capacity for love.
“When Evrain defeated Symeon that night…I had no idea what to do. He’d held me in thrall for so long, I’d lost my identity. If I didn’t obey him, he hurt me. Sex became punishment. When he took Dominic I hoped he might switch his attention, but you resisted him and he took his anger out on me. I admit, I wantedrevenge, so I helped him. Then that night, everything went to hell.”
Nathaniel stroked Damon’s wrist. “Slow down. Speak clearly. Symeon doesn’t control you any longer. You’re safe here.”
Damon sniffled. He cast a quick, anxious glance at Evrain. “I didn’t have anywhere else to go. I went back to the property Symeon used to hold Dominic. He wasn’t there and he didn’t turn up for a long time. I don’t know where he went, but when he did come back I hid from him in the attic then ventured downstairs. I think I could have stood directly in front of him and he wouldn’t have noticed. He was obsessed with Evrain, screaming and yelling about what he was going to do to him, but he couldn’t even light a candle. His power was utterly depleted.”
“Symeon Malus without his power is incredibly dangerous.” Gregory massaged his temples. “Because he’ll do anything to get it back. Something we should have considered when we left him alive.”
