Denai Touch: Excalibar Investigations Series (2 page)

“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.

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 place 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.

“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.

Despite being raised and trained for the job, Cate never had any desire for it. She had always thought Seline would rule for many more centuries to come and then Ceri’s reign would last for millennia so she could live her life, do everything she wanted to do before that fateful day when she would have to take the mantle. That was the way it was supposed to be; she might have had a daughter of her own then. But no, everything had changed when her mother left.

“You always knew this would happen,” Jason commented.

“Yes, but it was supposed to happen in the future when I’m older, immortal and wise. Not before I’ve even made it to thirty, much less ascended,” she snapped, unconsciously tugging at the pendant and shaking her head. “I expected to have a chance to live, be an Enforcer and anything else I wanted. I had my whole life ahead, now I feel like I’ve been handed a death sentence.”

“Seline thinks you’re ready.”

She glared at him. “Whose side are you on, Talbot?”

“Yours. I’m just saying she wouldn’t have made you her Second unless she thought you were ready. She’s been training you for this since you were born.”

“Yeah, but I should be GM
after
my mum not before. I feel like going to find her and reminding her that she’s the one who’s supposed to be wearing this amulet.”

“Why don’t you find Ceri?” he asked.

Cate stared at him. “Why would I want to find the woman who abandoned me when I was ten years old?” she asked in disbelief. “The only thing worse than being the Second, is the thought of seeing her again.”

“Come on, you must have thought about it. I’ve never met my father, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t considered finding him a million times over the centuries.”

She tilted her head to one side, surprised; he rarely spoke about his past, much less his absent father who abandoned him before he was born.

“Did you try to find your dad?”

Jason shook his head. “No.”

“Why? I tried searching for my mum when I turned eighteen, but it was hard to find out much – Gran didn’t help matters. Everyone told me I should just stay away from her and in the end I came to think she didn’t want to be found. What about your dad?”

He shrugged. “Not much to tell. He left when my mum was pregnant. I don’t know much about him or if he’s still alive. Mother said the affair was brief – it’s complicated.”

“Well, at least it’s not as bad as my parents. Must be hell to be bound to someone like that and never see them like my Mum and Dad are. It’s why I never want to get married. It must be worse if your soul is bound to someone else’s and when one dies so does the other.” She shook her head and pressed her lips together in a slight grimace. “No wonder no one likes to take the joining vows anymore – no one wants a commitment that lasts forever. No relationship survives for long anyway.”

“That’s not true. Some people can stay married for centuries.”

“That’s the downside of immortality, I couldn’t imagine myself being with one person forever,” she looked up at him. “You wouldn’t bond with someone, would you?”

Their romantic relationships were something they never really talked about; the conversation was starting to venture into unknown territory. As far as she knew, Jason never had any serious girlfriends, only casual flings like she did. Hell, he spent most of his time with her, which was why everyone always assumed they were a couple.

He hesitated. “Once upon a time I’d have said no way. If I had someone I loved more than anything then yeah, I’d like to, but…it would never work.”

“Of course not. We aren’t the marrying kind. I’m too young for that commitment crap,” she said and looked at the amulet. “Maybe you should shoot me now.”

Jason smiled. “No way could I ever shoot you – you’re my partner. And don’t worry about being the Second, I’ll be right there with you.”

“Yeah, but that’s only half comforting.”

“At least she’s not thrusting the full responsibility on you. She said you can still be an Enforcer. You have the rank, but not the obligations. Kalin will still be acting in your place.”

“Ha! I bet she’ll start making me sit in on council meetings and ceremonies. Goddess, help me!”

“Try to think positive. Consider all the good you could do as the Second.”

“That may be, but people are wary enough of me as it is and now the damned media will be even
more
interested. I’ll have to compel the vultures left, right, and centre!”

“The media can’t bother you when you’re working, it’s the law.”

“Doesn’t stop them making up ridiculous stories and snapping photos when I least expect it. They think we’re a couple for goodness sake,” she said with a hint of annoyance.

“I don’t know why that bothers you so much. Let the silly buggers think what they like.”

“How can it not bother you?” she asked. “Don’t you have trouble getting women? Forget that. Stupid question, given how much they seem to throw themselves at you.”

Jason chuckled. “You don’t throw yourself at me.”

“No, that would just he too weird!”

“Oh come on, haven’t you ever thought about me in that way?”

Cate tried not to blush. “Like I said, it would be too weird.”

The doors opened to reveal a corridor with white-washed stone walls. Enforcers, technicians and other staff were everywhere. Cate got the usual glances, but people’s eyes went wide when they saw the sparkling star around her neck. She silently groaned when everyone started bowing their heads. She’d thought she’d stopped everyone from showing her the annoying formality years ago.

People here respected her, not because she was a Denai or related to the Grand Mistress, but because she’d earned it the old-fashioned way, never once using her family name or position to elevate her way through the Enforcer ranks. She’d chosen to work her way up just like everyone else and now proudly wore the badge of Lieutenant Commander Enforcer.

I should have tried to take the damn thing off!

Bowing her head, Cate quickly hurried down the corridor to the Briefing Room with Jason trailing behind her, where the rest of the team was waiting for them. Steve and her other brother, Ian, sat at the table, along with Jade.

Ian was about five foot ten, with a lanky body, bleached, spiky, blonde hair and green eyes. He wore a light green t-shirt with pink flowers on, faded khaki shorts, hot pink trainers and had a ring through his nose. He was the most outgoing of all the McCray siblings and didn’t care what people thought of him, especially that he was gay. He was a medi-intuitive and a powerful healer. Steve had scruffy, brown hair, blue eyes and wore his usual faded jeans and blue sweater. He was techno-kinetic, being able to control computers and other various forms of technology with his mind.

Cate was the youngest member of the team, since Jason had worked with her brothers on and off for centuries. Jade was the fifth participant;
they had been close since early childhood, being the only two children within the coven, and had faced their training together. The team had been formed seven years ago. Cate wasn’t satisfied just performing her Denai duties so she decided to combine the talents of her two older brothers, which led her to form Excalibar. It joined their investigative skills, technology, and powers together.

Seline had been convinced the team would never work, that things should just be left as they were with the Enforcers policing, and Denais being called in to take confessions or pass judgement in trials. But they proved their grandmother wrong and gained a reputation for themselves, ensuring the laws of the United Magickind Council were followed and Demonkind and other evils were kept at bay.

“Morning,” Cate said, forcing a smile as she and Jason walked in.

“Holy crap!” Ian got to his feet and took hold of her amulet. “Sis, you’re the Grand Mistress!”

“Second Grand Mistress,” she corrected.

“This is great! We should all go and celebrate tonight at Sky.”

“This
isn’t
a good thing and I sure as hell don’t want to celebrate.” She reached for the amulet and yelped when she felt a sharp jolt of energy sting her hand as she tried to yank if off. “Ow! Bloody thing!”

“You didn’t have that on last night,” Jade observed and her brow wrinkled. “Wait, does that mean you won’t be able to lead Excalibar anymore? Is there still going to be a team?”

“Yes, there
is
still going to be a team. This just means my life is going to be more complicated.”

Cate went over to the flat screen table which served as a computer and monitor and touched it. “Right, updates on our latest assignment — apprehending
the Thorn.”

Several images of different males and females appeared on the screen.

“They’re a group of different species of Magickind and there’s eleven members altogether. Two Enforcers were sent undercover in the last six months and both vanished without a trace.”

“What did the coven members have to say about that?” asked Jason.

“They said both victims left the coven and they don’t know what happened. Gran thought it was too risky to send a Denai in at first, but now it’s our best bet of finding out what occurred.”

Jade opened one of the folders. “Do you think the Thorn could be linked to that drug case we looked at a couple of weeks ago?”

“Possibly. The drug, Pandora,
has the ability to give the user supernatural strength for up to several hours and we all know Tasha Phelps likes to mix things that really shouldn’t be mixed. That case has her involvement written all over it,” she replied. “The last Enforcer to go missing was Tia Alexander. She reported to her Commander that she caught sight of something being made in one of the coven’s outbuildings. Tia only got a brief glimpse, but she said it looked like sparkly dust. This particular group keeps popping up on our Covenant radar and it’d be a big coincidence if these two cases weren’t linked,” Cate explained. “Last night, Jade and I went to stake out the Conway coven. They’re a group of low-level witches, but intelligence tells us that Bethany Turner – the leader of the Thorn – is posing as their High Priestess.”

Cate touched the flat screen again, so a projected hologram appeared showing images of the five witches captured the night before.

“Bethany Turner wasn’t with the Conway coven last night, but I’m going to interview the witches this morning to see what I can find out about Turner, and what ties they have to the Covenant.”

“Bethany Turner is a Denai witch and she’s around the 3000-year mark. Gran doesn’t have much to say about her. Apparently Turner was one of the rare few who was trained outside our coven and is a rogue,” Cate continued.

“Probably trained with Raven and her dark Denais,” Jade replied. “Too bad we didn’t get her last night. She could be a valuable source of intel on the Covenant.”

More images appeared on screen of victims of the Pandora drug; two men and three women, their bodies covered in red welts. Ian touched the screen to zoom in and closely inspected the lines that zigzagged across the skin, almost like a rash. As well as being a healer, Ian also examined dead bodies when they were given the occasional murder investigation.

“There are ten similar unsolved cases in three other cities,” Steve told them. “Definitely looks like the work of Phelps.”

Tasha Phelps was a Null with the ability to neutralise any magic. She often liked to run twisted experiments, like creating new drugs and potions to destroy the rest of Magickind and add to the Covenant’s reputation.

“Whilst I was away in Lorden, there were rumours in the underworld that there’s more of the Pandora drug going around,” said Jason. “But the dealer only distributes it for a while then disappears.”

Jade sneered, “Classic Phelps.”

“Any idea where we might find the drug?” Cate asked.

“I’ll do some digging around, but this definitely looks like one of Phelps’s experiments. She goes to a new town or city, tries out a fresh drug operation on the unsuspecting, and when people start dying, she and her minions vanish,” Jason said. “Maybe I could go undercover, pretend to be a potential buyer or dealer.”