AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We don’t stand a chance of liberating the guys from a family of mages. We need to find Sera, and as far as I figure we’re down to one last option.”
“Taneisha,” Caden replied, as if reading my mind. “But how do we find her?”
We both pause for a moment, considering our options. Then it hit me. “Let’s go see Ray. He might have some ideas.”
“Ray as in Raymond, the minotaur?” Caden asked.
I nodded. “Ray and Taneisha dated for a time, so it stands to reason he knows where she lives or how to get ahold of her. If we can find Taneisha, we can demand she return Sera.”
Caden snapped his fingers. “Ray said he ran a meditation retreat, The Chillax Center.”
I looked up the address as we made our way back to my car. “It’s a little way out of town, but it’s only about an hour away.”
“Faster the way you drive,” he said, grinning at me.
Caden’s upbeat mood helped to lift my own, and I flipped on the radio as we drove, needing a distraction from my thoughts in the form of a boy band beat. I sped along the route to the Center hoping Ray would help us. Hoping he’d know where to find the fae that’d become the bane of my personal existence. We had to find Sera before it was too late, before Ms. Lowe did whatever mages do to extract information out of those who’d earned their displeasure.
When Caden and I arrived at The Chillax Center, an expansive metaphysical inspired retreat, I turned off my radio and immediately heard chimes ringing in the wind. We parked before the sprawling collection of buildings, each with their own unique purpose. As we walked up to the entrance, I heard birds singing in the trees and saw a rainbow of butterflies fluttering around us. We followed the path that led through the center, winding past meditation gardens and labyrinths until we came to a large open area with several benches and a gazebo in the center.
That’s where we found Ray. The minotaur was meditating in the middle of the gazebo, surrounded by candles and incense. His horns gleamed in the soft light of the setting sun and he seemed more like a mythical creature than ever before.
I cleared my throat to announce our presence and Ray opened his eyes, turning towards us with a peaceful smile on his face. “Caden,” he said warmly. “And Franc.” His voice was like velvet as he spoke our names.
“We need your help,” I blurted, before Ray could get up from his meditation spot. I explained what had happened to Sera and asked if Ray knew how to find Taneisha or where she might hide a captive mage friend, assuming she had her.
Ray sighed heavily and nodded slowly as he considered our request. “I don’t know for certain where Taneisha is right now,” he said finally, rising from his seat on the ground. “But I can offer my help in finding her.”
A Simple Question
EMRYS
We arrived at the estate in a haze of darkness and I could feel the tension in the air. The henchmen dragged us inside and down a long hallway that seemed to stretch on forever. I could hear muffled voices, but I couldn’t make out what they were saying.
The room that the hallway opened up into was a grand space, with walls made of solid stone and adorned with elaborate tapestries and magical artifacts. The polished marble floor and the high vaulted ceiling with intricate carvings and gilded details set an imposing tone. In the center of the room stood a large wooden table, its surface gleaming with wax, adorned with ornate candelabras and other expensive decorations. Around the table were several plush velvet chairs intricately carved with magical symbols. The room was clearly within a luxurious mansion on a vast estate, and its opulence was a testament to the wealth and power of the mage who owned it.
Ms. Dara Lowe was a formidable presence in the room, with her graying long dark hair and piercing brown eyes. She sat at the head of the table, her posture straight and her expression stern. Her reputation as a ruthless businesswoman preceded her, and the henchmen standing guard near the door only added to the intimidating atmosphere. A younger woman stood next to Lowe’s chair, no doubt her elder’s assistant. Despite Lowe’s haughty demeanor, I knew she had to be deeply concerned for her missing granddaughter, and no doubt willing to do whatever it took to bring her home.
The henchmen pushed us into chairs and stepped back to stand guard near the door. Erebus remained close, standing just behind our chairs. Suddenly, I regained the ability to move my hands, and I sensed Erebus had released the magical hold he’d had over my ability to speak or move. Yet, I said nothing, not yet, since I knew he could clamp back down on us at a moment’s notice.
Ms. Lowe’s gaze swept over the three of us, and she pursed her lips in disapproval before she spoke.
“I’m sure you’re all wondering why I’ve brought you here,” she began in an icy voice. “I’m looking for my granddaughter, Sera Lowe, who was taken from me against her will.” She paused for a moment before continuing in a softer tone, “I believe one or more of you know something about her whereabouts.”
My stomach clenched with fear as I realized where this conversation was heading. I knew there was no way we could hide our involvement with Sera from Ms. Lowe; she had eyes everywhere and knew more than most people gave her credit for. All we could do was hope that she would understand our situation and forgive us for our part in Sera’s disappearance. She didn’t yet know we were Sera’s mates, and I had to hope that when she found out, nothing we’d said here today would sour our potential future relationship.
Ms. Lowe’s gaze settled on me, and I felt a chill run down my spine. “You look familiar,” she intoned, her voice cold and calculating. “Nice work finding Tedros and his accomplices, Erebus,” she said to her henchman, but her eyes never left mine.
“It was my pleasure, ma’am,” he replied, his voice like slick oil. “Although, from the reports, there were two others in the group that slipped through our fingers.”
“Not for long, I trust?”
“You can be assured. I have faith Braden and his team will be successful.”
If only we could warn Caden and Franc that the Lowe clan had us, but that wasn’t an option right now. It was too bad both shifters were here, otherwise we’d have been able to attempt some long-distance telepathy. I tried to remind myself that Ms. Lowe, her minions, and the three of us were all on the same side, even if they didn’t know it yet.
Ms. Lowe’s eyes remained locked on me. “I hope you’ll forgive me for this little abduction, but turnabout is fair play, after all. I want answers, and I want them now,” she said in a steely voice. “I know Sera was last seen in your company, Mr. Tedros, and while you and your friends have returned home safe, she has not.”
I hesitated. Where did I even begin? Hey, Ms. Lowe, it’s great to meet you? I’m Sera’s mate, well one of five. Can I call you Grams too?
