Blind Magic: The Sanctuary Chronicles Read online

  Ian put a plate in front of her. The scent of melted butter and eggs with bacon made her stomach growl in anticipation. “Eat, and we can go and see Layla afterwards.”

  Violet and Valeria moved to grab a plate and sat as Asher approached with a fresh pot of coffee.

  “Well, I’m not sure it’s a good idea to leave the area.” The Alpha of Sanctuary started filling up the mugs.

  Sera’s heart thumped. “Why, Asher?”

  “I just spoke with a couple of Sentinels before you all came down, and they definitely saw the shadow lurking at the outer edge of the forest. I had ordered them not to engage, but they kept an eye out for it. So far, it seems that the Sanctuary, our sentinels and strong magical protections warded it off, but I can’t guarantee it won’t attack as soon as you drive off.”

  “Would a phone call be enough?”

  Ian’s suggestion was a possibility, but she would prefer a face to face with the witch-cat.

  “Can’t she come here instead?”

  Sera winced. “I don’t remember the last time Layla left that brick building of hers. Abrams is the one taking care of everything on the outside.”

  Violet groaned in frustration. “Girls! I’m with two of the most brilliant witches I know, and I’m the only one with an idea. A portal.”

  Even if she couldn’t see her, Sera turned her head toward Valeria, considering her words. “That’s not a bad idea. Especially since Valeria did one previously.”

  Valeria hesitated. “I did, one year ago and because my father guided me. But I can try once more.”

  Asher pushed his chair away. “Is it dangerous, this portal? And why didn’t you talk to me about it, mate?”

  Sera lifted her hands and silence returned. “Asher, a portal is kind of a tear in the fabric of space and time. I’ve heard great witches are capable of time traveling, but jumping from place to place is much easier, accessible. However, it’s the magical spell that’s difficult to weave. I asked Valeria because she had already done it using her elemental magic. And no, there is no danger. Worst case scenario, you arrive in the wrong place.”

  “How many people can transfer into this portal?”

  Valeria inhaled, probably debating Ian’s question when the door opened.

  “If there’s a portal, I’m in!”

  Violet mumbled something about annoying vampires when Finn entered, his voice deep and enticing.

  “Finn!” Sera pushed from her chair and went to the vampire, arms outstretched. “How are you? You disappeared, and you were wounded, that wasn’t safe!” Before she could make contact, Finn took both her hands and, in a very gentlemanly gesture, kissed her knuckles. Ian growled, and Finn laughed.

  “Calm down, wolf, she’s all yours. But I intend to keep a protective and very platonic eye on her. Want it or not. So, you intend to time jump? I always knew you were a powerful witch, Sera. I strongly recommend New York in the Roaring Twenties… here we come!”

  Sera shook her head. “Not time, space only. I need to speak to Layla, and Asher told us that the shadow that pursued us is still lurking nearby.”

  Finn gently swiped his thumbs over her knuckles before leading her back to her seat. As soon as she was settled, Ian took her hand to put it on his thigh. The vampire walked around the table and went to sit on the opposite side, the furthest from Violet. Sera reminded herself to talk to Violet as soon as she had the chance. There was something weird between the two of them, how they interacted.

  “Yes, I just came down the main road and I could see it from a distance in the forest. It hasn’t tried to come closer, Asher?”

  “No. But I’ll update the Sentinels. Coffee?”

  “Thanks.”

  Ian turned on his chair. “Care to tell us where you disappeared to? You were seriously wounded, that makes you both vulnerable and dangerous.”

  “You don’t have to remind me of who I am, wolf.” Finn’s voice was harsh when he answered, before he sighed. “I was more dangerous remaining here. I had lost too much blood.”

  “I thought that magical blood would help you heal better and faster than human blood, Finn.” It was rare to hear Violet speak in a softer tone, almost tentatively.

  “Don’t do that again. It’s preferable to dump me in a forest so I can slaughter a deer than risking your life like an idiot. You’re a witch, Violet, you know better.”

  The atmosphere turned to frost, and before Violet could spit out any reply, Finn spoke. “If you leave the premises, Sera, better have bodyguards. There’s no way to know how this thing can track you. Even going through a portal. If it can’t transport in the same way, you may buy some time, but not much.”

  Focusing on the task at hand, Sera nodded. “I agree. The bonus is that the store is impregnable. As secured as Sanctuary, if not even more. And it’s only a hop there and back.”

  Ian shifted on his seat. “I agree with Finn, you need back up.”

  Tempted, Sera dismissed too big of a travelling party. “I think the best thing to do is to have Asher and Valeria remain here. Sanctuary is still under attack. And retaining some sort of routine will help fool the shadow if it stays around. She can tell me how to forge a portal, so we can all come back.”

  “She can show me too, because I’m not letting you go alone.” Sera wasn’t surprised to hear Violet volunteer and suspected that it was a way to tell Finn to stand down. It seemed that their fragile truce was over.

  “I don’t like it, but I guess you’re right. I’ll stay with Asher, but promise me that you’ll call for me or us if you need it. No more solo for you. Promise.”

  “Come on, you know me better than that, Valeria. I’m only a weak little blind lady. What can I do all alone?”

  Sarcasm may have dripped from her words, but most of all, she wanted to avoid making any promise.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  It was the first time and the last time he portal traveled. And even when he made this promise to himself, Ian knew he would break it. Sera’s safety was much more important than his queasy stomach and shaky legs. His wolf wasn’t feeling much better and couldn’t believe that a simple tunnel of wind could affect him that way.

  Once he was certain that he wouldn’t empty his stomach on Layla’s waxed floor, Ian drew a deep breath and hurried to Sera’s side. In this place, she moved quicker, knowing the safe path by memory. Even when she wasn’t certain of the way to go, it was so easy to forget her handicap. Her smile, confidence and determination blurred everything else.

  The strange Abrams came out of a door behind the counter, clearly surprised.

  “Miss Sera! How good to see you. I hope you are well. Especially since everything that has happened.”

  “Hello, Abrams. I’m well. Where is Layla?”

  The man looked back. “Upstairs in her apartment working on orders. Do you want me to call her?”

  “What’s going on?”

  Ian almost flinched when the white cat jumped on the counter. He hadn’t seen her approaching. A magical cloak most possibly. Only Abrams seemed unperturbed by her sudden appearance.

  Gracefully, Layla sat, her tail curling around her paws. Her vivid green eyes encompassed the entire party before settling on Sera. “Darling, are you alright? I knew you found refuge at Sanctuary, but I was worried sick after what happened at your apartment and then on the road.”

  “Ian and Finn took the brunt of the attack, suffering greatly, but they made a complete recovery. Let’s say we were lucky.”

  “If you had listened to me, and stayed here...”

  “Layla. Can we talk?”

  The witch-cat blinked, clearly not used to being interrupted, and probably even less by Sera’s determined tone. “Of course. Would you care to come upstairs, I can make tea.”

  Before Ian could protest, Sera took another step toward her friend. “What I need to ask can be heard by my friends. At this point, as their safety is compromised because of me, I would say they have that right.”

  Those l
aser-beam green eyes were far from happy by her statement. “Well, if that’s the case, I’ll skip the formalities and basic hospitality. What is that you need to know, Sera?”

  The way Sera stood changed. Ian noticed that her confrontational stance was replaced by nervousness. Immediately, his hands went to her and he touched her back in comfort. A faint smile shivered on her lips, the only sign of acknowledgment.

  “What am I, Layla?”

  For a long moment, the entire troop seemed as if frozen in time. The silence was oppressive and even Abrams looked as if he wished to be somewhere else.

  Finally, Layla spoke. “I think this is better to be done seated. And with some tea. Follow me. Abrams, please take care of the calls.”

  Ian followed Sera, his hand firmly on her lower back. As they accessed the small staircase heading upstairs, her hand sneaked behind her and she linked her fingers with his. Somehow, it settled him. Their bond was so fragile, but so vital and important, he still felt as if the wind could change at any time and bring a storm that would break them apart. He couldn’t let that happen.

  On top of the stairs, past another door, the room opened into a bright loft-style apartment. White like its owner, and a little cold, with very few colorful spots here and there. The area was clean and immaculate... and very human, for someone who seemed never to leave her cat form. He knew so little about the witch, even if Sera and her friends seemed to trust her implicitly, he couldn’t bring himself to do the same.

  Violet went to the kitchen and seemed to prepare tea as Layla disappeared for a moment.

  Finn whistled. “Fancy place for a fancy cat.”

  Sera went for the couch and sat, wringing her hands. Ian went to her. “Fancy is the word, but only a cat, I doubt it.”

  Violet half-laughed. “Don’t call her a cat to her face, especially if you like yourself in human form. You could become a creepy-crawly faster than you could blink. After reflection, Vampire, please insult her! That would be entertaining!”

  Finn rolled his eyes and kept inspecting the room. Ian saw money in the room. Money, calculation and power. How could a powerful witch, cat or not, willingly live as a recluse in this small town?

  Speaking of the feline, she came trotting back and jumped on the ottoman facing Sera as Violet came in with a tray of cups and a teapot. Ian prepared one for Sera, not knowing if she doctored it or not, and placed it in her hands.

  Like Finn, he declined the cup from Violet and sat beside Sera.

  “So, what do you want to know, Sera?”

  Straightening her back, Sera looked in the cat’s direction. Ian suspected that everything felt painful for her.

  “You asking me that question only confirms that you’ve been hiding things from me. From the moment you welcomed me here. How dare you, Layla?”

  Her voice rose as she spoke, and a faint magical wave prickled his skin.

  “Sera, it’s not as easy as telling or not telling.”

  “Oh, don’t patronize me! I know as well as you how difficult and complicated this world is. I poured myself into books explaining that subject for years. I thought I could trust you, that if you ever knew something about my past, you would tell me before I died of old age!”

  Finn snickered, quickly interrupted by an elbow in the side by Violet. Ian believed that Sera had a point there, and, by the look on Layla’s furry face, she didn’t like being found at fault.

  “You don’t understand the danger in you knowing the truth, or what I had to do to keep you safe!”

  The sudden outburst of the witch-cat, and especially the words made Ian pause.

  Sera extended her hand to put her cup on the tray, but Violet was quicker to take it off her hands. “Why don’t you explain it, Layla? Sera is in enough danger right now, I doubt it can get even worse.”

  The cat seemed to ponder Violet’s words. “How much do you remember of your adoptive parents?”

  Sera leaned back a little on the sofa. “They were kind, and warm. I remember his mustache tickling my cheek. And her warm hugs. The smell of cookies. The memories are sketchy now. I was grateful that they raised me, but I was only twelve when you welcomed me here.”

  “They weren’t your adoptive parents. They were your parents. Well, at least, your mother was.”

  All eyes were on Sera as they waited for her to speak. Blinking several times, the blond witch seemed unusually calm at this revelation.

  “Okay. Care to extrapolate? More details would be appreciated here.”

  “Alana and Jerome Dover were your parents. They loved you very much.”

  “You said that my father, Jerome, wasn’t my father?”

  “He was your father by heart, but not by blood. Alana was my sister, Sera. A witch, just like me, and she was already pregnant with you when she met Jerome and fell in love. They eloped almost immediately and then you arrived into this world.”

  Questions started to pop into Ian’s head. “Why this entire deception? Especially since Jerome accepted Sera as his own? It was inconsequential to hide it.”

  Layla lowered her head. “No, it wasn’t inconsequential. It was vital. Sera’s existence had to remain a secret for as long as it was possible.”

  Sera swallowed hard, clearly trying to keep her calm. “Why? Because I’m a seer?”

  “If only, my dearest child. Your mother wasn’t a seer. It’s not common knowledge, but only the mother can pass this power to her daughter.”

  “So what am I, dammit?”

  “You’re the daughter of a god, Sera.”

  Ian stayed immobile, his eyes on Sera. He wanted to do something. To react appropriately. To offer her whatever she needed in hearing such news but was incapable of making his brain work. His mind whirled. Even in his world, gods were known and feared entities, seldom interfering in the business of the human or paranormal world. And it was better this way because when they did, it was never for the good of humanity. A few half-gods were known from legends only.

  Sera blinked again, and unexpectedly, started laughing.

  Ian looked around at Finn and Violet who were as astonished as he was, and even more by Sera’s reaction. Layla sat there, impassible.

  “Sera?”

  It took a moment for her to hear his voice, and get her emotions back under control. And when she did, the smile didn’t leave her face.

  “That’s the most ludicrous excuse I’ve ever heard. Joke of the year. Not that I don’t believe in a supreme power, but mythology is an over-the-top excuse.”

  “I wish it was, Sera, but it’s very real.”

  Violet leaned forward. “Wait a minute. So you say that Sera’s biological father is a god? A true, run-of-the-mill god? A textbook god?”

  Finn rolled his eyes. “Can you say the word god one more time, I don’t think we’ve heard it enough.”

  “Shut up, bloodsucker.”

  Layla glared at Violet and Finn before returning her focus, and worry, to Sera. “I’m not making this up.”

  Sera shook her head and crossed her arms, clearly not convinced. “Apart from being blind, I don’t have any special powers, let alone, godly ones.”

  Curious, Ian inched forward on his seat. “Wait, Sera. You told me yourself that being blind is not common. And you’re fighting some sort of power energy inside you. What if what you’re fighting is... I don’t know… Divine?”

  Still shaking her head, the blond witch looked more like a sulking, stubborn child. Which he found annoying, but incredibly adorable. Instead of arguing, he turned to the witch-cat.

  “Let’s say everything you say is true.” Sera snorted, but Ian ignored her. “Who is Sera’s father? And why would it be so dangerous for her to know the truth about her family?”

  Layla looked at Sera before speaking to him. “It’s tricky. There are stories of gods and goddesses having dalliances with humans, but they were rarely happy ones. So there were laws, restrictions, put in place by those same gods to prevent any of them from interacting directly with hum
ans.”

  “Let me guess, the laws state that if a god plays hide-the-pickle with a human female, and produces a child, they cut said pickle?”

  Layla rolled her eyes at Finn. “If only. The trouble with gods is that consequences are rarely applied upon themselves.”

  Sera rubbed her face and straightened on the couch. Ian put a hand on her back as support. “That means the human offspring is to be disposed of.”

  Violet shook her head, clearly disgusted. “That’s unfair! It’s not the child’s fault! I agree with Finn for once, the god is to be held accountable too.”

  Ian gently rubbed Sera’s back in a soothing movement. She relaxed a bit, but barely. As her unseeing eyes looked lost, troubled, he really examined her before looking at Layla.

  “This shadow following her, that’s what you referred to? Some sort of godly police force tracking her down to kill her?”

  Layla seemed to hesitate. “I’m not sure. To be honest, it’s not easy gathering information on that subject without raising questions or suspicions. And that was the last thing I wanted with Sera. I did everything I could to keep her safe, hoping it would be enough.”

  Ian frowned. “What did you have to do?”

  If he didn’t know better, he would think he saw the witch-cat cringe. “I’d prefer not to talk about it.”

  “And I’d prefer you do.” Sera’s voice was hard, sharp as a knife. And Ian agreed with her, the moment of half-truths and hidden information was over.

  “Alana agreed to keep the name of your biological father secret. For all that we knew, you wouldn’t display any particular powers apart from being a witch, and Jerome agreed to keep it under wraps too, for your safety. Unfortunately, your mother started feeling sick early on, and I suspected that this was a lot to do with your unusual ascendance. So to give you a chance, I hid Alana from the world the best I could for most of her pregnancy. And when you were born, we decided to act as if nothing had happened. We decided instead to make you appear as if you were a found child. I forged some phony story about where you came from and brought you to Alana and Jerome. We even made sure you had legal papers making you their adopted daughter.”