Denai Touch: Excalibar Investigations Series Read online

  “Stop,” she commanded, feeling the waves of compulsion pulse from her body and through the air.

  Compulsion didn’t work on Mija the same way it did on people, but it could slow them down for a few seconds. They immediately stopped moving.

  The remaining six witches stood there, their eyes briefly glowed silver, leaving them looking dazed as they waited for her next command.

  Cate could feel her energy begin to wane. She hadn’t meant to compel the witches, but with her gun now missing she used the only other way she had of stunning them into submission.

  Cate’s eyes shimmered black as she reached for the dark side of her power once more. Die, she thought as she fixed her gaze on the remaining Mija. The wraiths shrieked as they exploded into oblivion.

  She swayed as the shock waves of power reverberated through her, struggling to keep the witches under her control.

  Cuffs, she thought, and silver orbs sparked, forming around the wrists of each witch, rendering them powerless.

  A wave of dizziness hit Cate as she released them from her grasp, her eyes returning to their normal shade of blue. Leaning against the tombstone, she took a few deep breaths to try and clear her head.

  Jade ran over. “You okay, sweetie?”

  “I’ll be alright. You?”

  “I’m good. You know you needn’t have done that. We could have killed a few Mija between us.”

  “That would have taken too long. Besides it worked, didn’t it?”

  “Yeah, but I know how much using your powers like that drains you. Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “I’ll be fine,” she insisted, but truthfully she felt ready to pass out.

  “Hey, I’m fine too – thanks for asking,” Charlie appeared at her side.

  “You shouldn’t have been here in the first place. You could have been killed! How would I have been able to explain that to your dad?”

  “You can lecture me later.” Charlie inclined her head. “But what are we going to do about them?”

  Looking over, Cate saw the wispy figures of spirits still shimmering within the circle and groaned. Despite her weakened state she could still feel the pain, anger, and desperation of the tortured souls yet to be set free.

  Jade cursed. “What are we going to do with them?”

  “I can send them back to where they came from,” Charlie’s face lit up with excitement. “See, told you my powers would come in handy.”

  “You can’t, you–”

  “You’re not exactly in a fit state to do it.”

  Cate had to silently agree with that. “Fine, we’ll send them back to the spirit world together.”

  “No way! You’ve used enough of your energy for one night. If you help you might end up in a coma.”

  “Remember who has rank here.”

  “You don’t have rank over me, only the Grand Mistress and her Second have rank over Denais.”

  “Technically, I am the Second.”

  “Whatever. Watch the medium and learn.” Charlie turned and approached the circle, raising her hands.

  Cate felt the air charge and sizzle with energy as Charlie’s hands shimmered with white light. Her body wavered as if she were a ghost herself before the spirits vanished in a blinding flash.

  The witches all sat in stunned silence, as Cate and Jade took them inside the Enforcers Tower. Most of them were crying; the one she thought to be the High Priestess and leading the circle appeared to be in shock. From what Cate could pick up from their emotions, none of them could believe or seem to understand why they had been arrested.

  The prisoners were handed over to be booked in, where they would be identified and allowed to give statements.

  Sigmund Carey, Chief of the Enforcers, entered. “You look ready to drop, McCray,” he commented.

  Cate stared at him. It was no secret that Carey didn’t approve of her or her team. Despite her training as an Enforcer, he felt her rank as a Denai and her relation to the Grand Mistress was the only reason why her team were allowed to investigate as they did. But he was right about one thing, she was ready to drop. Using so much power always drained her, and since she didn’t have her Elemental partner’s energy to feed from, exhaustion would soon claim her.

  “I have to interview the suspects and I’m fine,” she insisted. She put on her Denai face, expressionless and impassive.

  “The others on duty can manage and if we need a Denai, I’m sure Sergeant Fabre can handle things. No need for you to exert yourself anymore.”

  Jade probably could deal with it on her own, or there were other Denais available, but whilst it was their duty to ensure justice was served, the innocent protected, and the guilty punished accordingly, not all Denai witches used their gifts to force the guilty to tell the truth.

  Cate glanced over to where Charlie sat on the bench. “Okay. I have to take my niece home. Jade will take statements,” she said. “Good night, Carey. Come on, Charlie, let’s go.”

  As she passed Carey, she couldn’t help but pick up on his emotions – resentment and loathing. It was harder to block people out when she was tired.

  She thinks she’s above it all, that the rest of us are useless, all because a stupid prophecy says she will defeat Raven, he thought bitterly.

  Argh! She had to get out of there.

  Cate's three-bedroomed house stood alone. The security scanner at her front door cast a beam over her, checking her magical energy signature before the light turned green and the heavy, oak door swung open. The hallway became lit as lamps and overhead lights automatically turned themselves on as she closed the door behind. Taking off her weapons belt, she dropped it onto the sideboard then pulled off her boots and left them by the armchair.

  Walking over to the small kitchen area, she put the kettle on and brewed an herbal tea that helped with the after-effects of using too much magic.

  Denais weren’t born immortal; they didn’t obtain their immortality until their late twenties or early thirties when they ascended and reached full power. Unfortunately for Cate, she had been born with the powers of a full immortal, magic so strong it often took its toll on her mortal body draining her physically and magically, which often led to severe headaches and nose bleeds. The only way a Denai could restore her strength quickly was by feeding from crystals, ley lines or energy from most living beings, but usually Elementals. The tea helped with the headache, now all she needed was a hot shower and a long sleep after feeding from one of her crystals.

  CHAPTER 2

  Cate was making toast the next morning when the front door opened and her senses tingled. In walked a six foot six male with short, black hair and steel grey eyes. He was incredibly handsome with a hard, athletic body and the face of a fallen angel. Power clung to him and he carried an aura of danger and raw sexuality.

  “You’re back,” she smiled and went over to hug him.

  Jason Talbot was her Enforcer partner, friend, and personal Elemental known as a Mavis. The Order of Mavis was the coven made up of male witches and elementals. Male Denais didn’t have the same powers as their female counterparts and instead used natural magic.

  Most Denais used them to feed from due to their inherent raw, natural energy. An Elemental not only protected them, but provided a constant supply of energy whenever they needed it. Cate had offered him her spare room and he’d ended up living there for the past few months.

  He smiled and returned her embrace. “Hey.”

  “Miss me?”

  “Might have a little bit.”

  “Oh come on, you were lost without me. Admit it.”

  He chuckled. “Have fun whilst I was gone?”

  “I always do, but I sure as hell missed the cooking.”

  “You didn’t blow anything up again, did you?”

  “Hey, that was one time! Don’t hold it against me forever,” she replied. “How did you get on? Did you have any luck tracking down Tasha Phelps?”

  “Nope, all my leads were a dead end.”

 
; “Phelps knows better than to stay in one place for too long. But don’t worry, one of these days we’ll get her.”

  “I sure as hell hope so. She’s Raven’s right hand. Imagine all the things she could tell us about the Covenant.”

  The sound of chiming made them both jump. Walking out of the kitchen she saw the large crystal ball on the sideboard glowing and humming with energy and she groaned as she walked over to it. Placing her palm on top of the crystal, a hologram of a petite woman with long, dark brown hair, and blue-green eyes appear in front of her. “Gran, it’s eight in the morning. Why can’t you use a phone like everyone else?”

  “Because I detest pressing buttons.”

  “What do you want?”

  “Good morning to you too, Catherine,” Seline grumbled. “I need to see you, we have things to discuss. Be in my chambers at nine.”

  She sighed. “What for?”

  “Just be there,” Seline said and the image blinked out.

  Her grandmother had a rather impressive-looking castle, made from grey stone with square towers and ramparts. Seline was the Grand Mistress, the highest moral and legal authority of all Magickind.

  To her annoyance, Cate found Elsie there, a Dwarf woman and Seline’s personal secretary. She was four foot with long, glossy, black hair, worn in a severe bun, and sharp, brown eyes. She was always stylishly dressed. Elsie made Cate feel scruffy in her jeans, black shirt, boots and leather jacket, but she avoided dressing like a lady unless she had to. Worse was that Elsie always affected an air of superiority which Cate hated, probably why the two of them had never liked each other.

  “Oh, I didn’t realise you were coming,” Elsie commented in a cool voice.

  Most Magickind always showed at least a hint of respect for a Denai, no matter who they were, but the Dwarf had never attempted to hide her dislike and disapproval of Cate. However, she was all smiles whenever Seline was around.

  “Didn’t know your short arse would be here either,” she replied. “Gran wants to talk to me. You can get lost now.”

  “The Mistress told me of no such thing. It would not hurt for you to dress a little more appropriately when being in your grandmother’s presence. But at least you are not covered in blood or dirt for once.”

  Seline chose that moment to walk in, and Cate was half disappointed that she and Elsie wouldn’t get to trade their usual insults.

  “That will be all, Elsie.” Seline was five foot four and wore a long, lilac, silk gown; she’d never embraced modern clothing. She had an aura of power, which no doubt came from centuries of being the ruling Grand Mistress. Elsie curtsied and left. “I heard about what happened in the graveyard last night. Are you recovered?”

  Nothing ever seemed to get past the Grand Mistress or her network of spies. Cate sometimes suspected that Seline had people watching her every move. “I’m fine. I fed from Jason before I came here.”

  “Good, he shouldn’t have been away from you for so long.”

  “Gran, we’re not joined at the hip!”

  “I did not give him leave. That idiot Carey should have cleared it with me first. Besides, his lead on Tasha Phelps led nowhere,” Seline replied. “He is your Mavis – he should be there when you have need of him. That is his duty.”

  Cate sighed. “Why’d you call me then? Obviously, it’s not to talk about Jason.”

  “My spies have informed me that there are rumours of Raven searching for the Grand Grimoire.”

  “Why would she be hunting for it now? It’s been missing for over three thousand years.”

  “I doubt Raven has ever stopped looking for it. The book is an object of power. It contains our family’s knowledge and the Covenant could use it against us, if it should ever fall into their hands. Goddess forbid!” Seline moved past her desk. “If Raven has any knowledge of the book’s whereabouts I want to know.”

  “Goddess Gran, imagine if we could find the book after all this time. We could have an important part of our heritage back!” Cate felt a rush of excitement.

  “Perhaps,” Seline agreed, eyebrows drawing together in concern. “But let’s not raise our hopes. It is my belief the book will not reveal itself until it’s needed most.”

  “Gran, it couldn’t be needed more. The Covenant might not be as strong as it used to be, but they’re still as much of a threat and our numbers are getting less every year.” She glanced over at the huge, old grandfather clock. “I have to get to work.”

  “I’m not finished yet,” Seline snapped, as if it were an offense to leave without first being dismissed.

  Cate silently sighed, as her grandmother walked over to the table and picked up a small, wooded, square-shaped box and held it out to her. “This is for you.”

  Cate’s brow furrowed in confusion. “What is it?” Seline wasn’t one to give gifts unless they served some sort of purpose.

  “Open it.”

  Cate flipped the lid. Inside was a beautiful, large, silver, star pendant with seven points – the symbol of the Denai. It was similar to the one that hung around Seline’s own neck, except this one glittered all over with tiny diamonds within a circle.

  “I can’t wear this.”

  “You can and you will! I am officially naming you my Second.”

  Cate gaped at her grandmother. “What? No way!” she protested. “I’m not ready!”

  “I only named your aunt Kalin my Second because you were too young at the time, but you have completed your training. It’s time you took your rightful place as the Second Grand Mistress.”

  “I’m too young and I haven’t ascended yet.”

  “That is not important. You wanted to have the experience of being an Enforcer and I let you because I knew it would make you stronger.”

  “No! I absolutely will not!”

  Seline’s icy eyes widened. “I am your Grand Mistress, you will do as I command.”

  “As my grandmother you shouldn’t force me to do something I don’t want to. But then you never consider my feelings in anything, do you?” Cate asked, back in control.

  “Catherine, you knew this day would come. With your mother gone, you are next in line. It’s time you started embracing your destiny,” Seline told her.

  “I make my own destiny, no matter what that prophecy of yours says!” Her eyes started burning with power, which was better. She wouldn’t give Seline the satisfaction of tears.

  Seline glared at her. “You will do as I say or –”

  “Or what? You’ll banish me? Give the power to someone else?” she retorted. “Goddess! If only such a thing were possible.”

  “You were raised and trained to one day take my place. Like it or not Ceri is gone and you are all I have left.”

  “Do you have any feeling inside of you at all?”

  “What I feel is irrelevant. Kalin has been able to take your mother’s place temporarily, but that time is over.”

  “So you just expect me to give up my job and my life to be your damned Second?”

  “Being Second is not so bad. You will have to perform some duties in my place, but you wouldn’t have the mantle I bear. We are what has stopped this world from falling into chaos and destruction. If not for us, Magickind would still be divided.”

  Cate shook her head. “I can’t be what you want me to be. I won’t.” She would have given anything to have her mother there with her, which was a rare thing. This was the first time in many years she had wished for her mother to return.

  Seline sighed. “Goddess, help me. You are just as stubborn and wilful as your mother.”

  “I wonder where she got that from.”

  “Fine. I shall agree to a compromise.”

  Cate laughed. “Compromise? You?”

  “I will name you my Second, you will have the rank and authority that comes with it, but Kalin will continue to sit on the council and deal with affairs of state. However, I expect you to be there at certain ceremonies and circles and to wear the amulet of course. And you must stand in my p
lace or Kalin’s if we have need of you.”

  “I can still be an Enforcer?”

  “You are good at what you do, and it would be a shame to let your talents go to waste.”

  “Okay, that’s fine by me.”

  “Catherine, I expect you to do as you’re told and abide by the rules of the Coven and Council. More importantly, I expect you to start attending circles more often.”

  “Fine, I’ll be there – if I can.”

  “Then it’s settled.” Seline gave her a smug smile raised her hand and the amulet suddenly appeared around Cate’s neck. “As my Second, I expect you to keep me more informed on the progress of your cases. No more hiding things or not filing reports as you often do.”

  “Yes, Gran,” she paused. “You don’t know the power will pass to me. Mum is still alive – as far as we know.”

  “She is dead to both of us, and certainly not worthy of ever becoming Grand Mistress.” It was the first time Seline had spoken of her absent daughter for a long time, yet her face still held no hint of anger or sadness.

  Grand Mistress through and through, Cate thought silently.

  CHAPTER 3

  “I can’t believe this.”

  Cate and Jason were in the lift inside the Enforcers Tower, going up to the twelfth floor where their office was located.

  “What?” Jason asked. “Going after the Thorn could be the break we’ve been hoping for.”

  “Not that, you idiot! Look at this thing!” She tapped the large, silver, seven pointed star that now hung around her neck.

  It was made from pure Silveron, a special metal that could channel and magnify magical power, and studded with tiny diamonds. A diamond wasn’t just a sign of wealth or power; the stone could repel all sorcery and provided protection.

  Only the Grand Mistress herself wore a large silver star, showing her rank and power so all would recognize her. She was the highest authority, was one of the leaders of the United Magickind Council, had dominion over all royalty and others of rank, and commanded the Guardians and Enforcers. Only the Second Grand Mistress was equal to her in rank. The position was traditionally passed from mother to first born daughter, the power automatically transferring when the previous Grand Mistress died or willingly abdicated.