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Intriguing plan. Unlikely to work, but intriguing.
Cerberus’s eyes grew colder, deadlier as he swung them toward Miller. “I have other descendants from your bloodline, human, and don’t need you for my final purposes. To live, you must have value for me. This is your value. Discover how Blood Coven descendant powers are activated.”
“Let’s say I agree. Why are you so sure of a win?”
The bloodless smile. The otherworldly gaze. “Because I am descended from the Cambion and Niviane. I am Hades’s hound. I am the prophecy.”
Miller swallowed hard. Settles that. He was face to face with the reason for the formation of Custodes Templii. “I’m a cautious bloke. I need time to consider.”
Chapter Five
Galena balanced a fragile teacup and saucer on one knee and a small plate of goodies on her other. Because she was here to get information about the young Dolph who was unmasked as Cerberus, she played nice, sipping a strong Darjeeling, eating raspberry scones, and not breaking a single damn piece of china. It was touch-and-go when she dropped her napkin. She could only juggle so many items, but she bent to pick the escaped cloth off the floor without an accident.
While she chewed the last bite of scone, a grin curved her lips. Success. She had managed cup, saucer, napkin, plate, utensil. Whew. “How old was Dolph when he came to you for training?”
“Let me think. He started just before his Awakening, stopping a few years after. So, somewhere between twenty-two to twenty-six.” The witch Karla artfully stirred sugar into her tea, her delicate pinky crooked.
“Why did he stop? Most mages attend school longer.”
“He became far more skilled than I, and the young Dolph had no problem showing it.”
“He was confident?”
“You could say.” The witch popped a bite of scone into her mouth.
Karla gathered their tea things once they had finished, carrying everything to the kitchen on a silver tray. She returned to her chair in the sitting room.
Galena crossed her bare legs, more relaxed now. She guessed Karla didn’t think shorts, a tank top, and combat boots appropriate tea attire. “I get the impression you want to tell me more about the warlock Dolph.”
Karla cast her gaze to the floor. “I was acquainted with his mother. She was a proud girl who became a harsh woman. There were rumors.”
“What kind?”
“Abuse.” Karla shifted in her chair, clearly uncomfortable. “When her offspring wasn’t perfect. If her high expectations were not met, she administered severe punishment though he was a child.”
“Such an upbringing has consequences.”
“As an experienced trainer of many young mages, I agree.”
“What is it you’re trying to tell me, Karla? I’m here representing the Firebrands. Only truth can help us. Dolph leads Arisen Dawn. They seek the subjugation of humans along with the purity of our breeds. Surely, you understand we oppose his goals. To defeat him, we must learn how his twisted mind works.”
Karla glanced around as if spies snooped on their conversation, ready to jump from behind the drapes or sofa to run a sword through her.
“Your observations are safe with me.” Galena scooted forward in her chair. “If you are worried, I will help you pack so you can move into the stronghold. Many Aeternals have found sanctuary with us.”
“What about my cat, Felix?”
Galena angled her head to gaze at the huge male, an unfriendly feline, more likely to claw your eyes out than purr. “He’ll be welcome.” She hoped it wasn’t a lie. He’d make a tasty snack for Chiara’s four wolfhounds. As if he read her thoughts, a growling Felix bared his canines. Or he would terrorize the dogs. The odds were fifty-fifty.
Karla unclenched the hands resting in her lap. “We’ll come with you. I am surprised nobody asked about Dolph until this moment. Years ago after he quit our sessions, I warned leaders about him, reporting him to the director of the Ministry of Culture who supervises all training programs. Don’t get me wrong, I was happy when I learned I would no longer see him.”
Galena felt like a dentist. Open mouth, insert pliers, pull stubborn molar. “Why were you glad when he stopped attending? Please come clean.”
Karla stiffened her spine, her chin tilting upward. “He was very, very good. And very, very bad. He scared me. No matter the task I set, he turned it dark. Once, I asked him to employ a spell to capture and release a werecat. He trapped it with ease. Then he faked incompetence when it died, apologizing for his lack of skill, promising to do better next time. He had such a look on his face.”
“You were sure he had skills to use the correct spell?”
“No doubt. By the way, the werecat in question was skinned alive, his heart cut out. But the gleam in Dolph’s eyes? No denying his pleasure.”
