Surrender, Book 3 The Elfin Series Read online

  He had to duck around the hanging herbs and bottles in the priestess’s small shack. She’d been insistent that he keep his prisoners there where she could ensure that no harm would come to them as they were a part of the spell. If he allowed himself to lose his temper and cause one of them harm, it could alter the spell in an unpredictable way. He didn’t remember asking her to include them in the spell, but then he knew better than to be anything but precise when dealing with Voodoo magic. A priestess would take liberties where she could if the one bargaining wasn’t smart enough to cover all the angles. Tarron wasn’t about to name himself a fool, but, perhaps, he should have paid closer attention.

  He shook his head to himself—what was done, was done. It couldn’t be changed and he’d deal with whatever the consequences were as long as Cassandra was his.

  “The wind be changing.” The priestess’s voice jarred him from his thoughts as he stepped out onto the old porch. As if on command, the breeze suddenly changed direction. Tarron didn’t show her an outward reaction though on the inside he shivered. She was powerful, there was no doubt in his mind, but even a Voodoo priestess had weaknesses.

  “Does that mean something?” he asked her without looking away from the dim scenery around him.

  “Maybe,” she answered vaguely.

  “Could be that your female is on her way, or could be that there is a storm brewing. Nothing is certain in magic; it moves according to its own will.”

  That wasn’t very comforting to the dark elf. He was growing impatient with waiting, but he refused to give up the advantage of fighting on a turf of his choice. He would just have to be patient a little while longer and take comfort in knowing that soon he would have what he should have had long ago.

  “We’ve recovered all of the Rapture that was taken and disposed of the humans,” the warrior standing in the doorway of Lorsan’s office announced.

  The dark elf king stared out over the casino through his one-way glass not bothering to look at the male. He wanted to growl that it was their own incompetence that had caused them the work of recovering the precious drug. But there was no point in rehashing it. It was done; the Rapture was once again in his possession. Though what he had left wouldn’t last forever. He needed to get in touch with Tarron and find out where they stood on getting a new lab up to make more, but the mad scientist had up and disappeared. It wasn’t unlike Tarron to go MIA occasionally, but Lorsan was annoyed that the dark elf had chosen the present moment to pull one of his disappearing acts.

  “Make sure nothing happens to it again,” Lorsan barked. He heard the warrior mumble something and then the door closed. Only a few seconds after the departure of the warrior, he felt the presence of his Chosen. Lorsan turned just as she stepped through the mirror on the wall across from him.

  Ilyrana stepped into the room, her dark gown flowing around her. The elfin material clung to her curves and Lorsan admired her briefly before looking up at her face. “Have you made any progress?”

  She walked over to him and ran a finger up the lapel of his suit jacket. Her lips turned up in a slight smile. “You are all business these days, my love. Have you forgotten how to play?”

  Lorsan placed his hands on her hips and pulled her closer. He hadn’t forgotten how to play, but there were more important things to do, and until those things were taken care of, everything else would have to wait. But, he knew his queen and he’d have to let her down gently or face her wrath. “You know I love to play, especially with you.” He paused, staring into her eyes, letting her feel the truth in those words. “But we have important things that have to be managed first. Then, my beautiful Chosen, we can play all you want.”

  She let out a dramatic sigh. “Fine, but I will hold you to your words, king of mine.”

  Lorsan felt as if he’d dodged a bullet. With all that he had to deal with, a perturbed mate was not something he needed added to his plate. He pressed a chaste kiss to her lips. “And I will honor it.”

  “The book seems straightforward,” she began as she stepped back from him and began to pace as she let her thoughts take form. “There is our people’s history and events, but woven into the words are powerful spells. I dare not read it aloud because I have no idea what the repercussions would be. This book was written by the elders. I think only they could fully decipher the messages it contains.”

  “Does it tell of the future? Does it mention humans?”

  “It does mention the humans, but I have no idea what it says about them,” she told him as she tapped her lips with one of her long slender fingers. “It is as if the book itself is thwarting me by hiding the true meanings of the words as I read them. I begin to grasp a thought and then it’s gone.”

  “Why haven’t you sought out an elder?” Lorsan’s words were sharper than he intended.

  Ilyrana turned slowly and narrowed her eyes on him. “Patience is an attractive attribute, my love, and don’t think me a fool. Of course, I’ve sought out the council of the elders. But there is a small problem,”

  “What problem?” he interrupted.

  His Chosen crossed her arms in front of her and tilted her head slightly to the side. Her jaw was clenched as she answered. “The elders are missing” ―she paused before continuing― “all of them.”

  “How!” Lorsan snarled.

  “Well, there is the whole you blew up the castle thing that might have killed them all.”

  Syndra pressed her hands against the inner wall exactly opposite where her mate’s own hands rested on the outer wall. He couldn’t see her but she could see him just fine, and she had to admit that he was quite the sight―tall, lean, and muscular like all of the males of their race. He might not be as powerful as Triktapic, but he was no weakling. He was a formidable opponent and any who underestimated him were fools. She only hoped that their combined power would be enough to set her and Lisa free.

  “Ready?” he asked her, drawing her attention back to the matter at hand.

  “On your count,” she answered.

  “One, two, three.” Tamsin’s voice started to shake as he began to push his magic into the wall.

  Syndra closed her eyes and drew from the source inside of her allowing it to flow like a river through her body. She concentrated on her arms and hands, pushing all of that power into them and, in turn, into the wall. The iron around her was making her weak but she didn’t give up. She kept pushing, all the while asking the Forest Lords to hold her up when she felt as though she was going to fall. The air grew thick with their combined magic and the wall began to shake.

  “Just a little more,” Tamsin told her through what sounded like gritted teeth.

  She redoubled her effort and shoved her hands against the stone and let out a low growl. She felt a surge of power run through her, and the stones in front of her shattered into tiny dust particles. There was no crash or crumbling pieces around them. It was as though the rock had been sanded away until all that remained was a pile of grains.

  Syndra didn’t have time to think about it as Tamsin’s strong arms enveloped her pulling her tightly to his chest. She could feel his trembling as he held her and his soul rose up to meet hers.

  “I’m going to kill him for this,” he whispered against her hair.

  “Not if I kill him first.”

  Tamsin pulled back far enough that he could look down at her. His jaw was tense as he looked her over.

  “I’m fine,” she reassured him.

  He cupped her face in both his hands and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “I don’t ever want to lose you.” His words were spoken softly in her mind. Tamsin’s presence there was as welcome as her own thoughts, and Syndra couldn’t help the love that welled up inside of her for the man who held her with such tenderness.

  “It’s a good thing because I don’t plan on going anywhere.”

  He kissed her one more time before stepping back. She followed his gaze over her shoulder and found Lisa standing there staring at the ground as though
it held the answers to life’s greatest questions.

  “Something interesting written in the dust?” Syndra asked her.

  Lisa looked up, raising a brow at her. “I was just attempting to give you a little privacy. But if you’re done, I am more than ready to get out of here.”

  “There is still the matter of Elora wandering around Vegas, unless Cush has found her.”

  “I’m sorry, Lisa, but when I talked to Cush he said that Elora was missing. We’ll get out of here and help him search for her,” Tamsin assured as he took his mate’s hand.

  “We also have to get the book back. That book holds too much powerful knowledge. There was a reason it was guarded by the elders at one time,” Syndra added.

  “I don’t want to keep you guys from looking for the book. I can look for Elora while you guys search for the book,” Lisa said as she stepped through the opening where the rock had disintegrated.

  “Why don’t we find out what Cush knows once we get out of here, and then we can make plans accordingly,” Tamsin said giving Lisa a reassuring smile.

  Lisa let out a slow breath and nodded. “Okay.” She clapped her hands together and rubbed them. “So, how do we find the book?”

  “The elders,” Tamsin answered. “We need to speak with the elders.”

  Lisa sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. “Please tell me that they just happen to be staying oh so conveniently in a nearby hotel because they all wanted to go on vacation at the same time.”

  Syndra chuckled. “She’s funny. Don’t you think she’s funny, Tam?”

  “Definitely funny,” he answered dryly.

  “I’m taking that as a ‘no’,” Lisa grumbled.

  “Um, actually, other than Myrin, I don’t even know if any of them are alive. But if any did survive Lorsan’s destruction, I know a good place to start looking.

  Syndra looked up at him. “Is it in this realm?”

  He nodded.

  “Why do I get the feeling that I’m not going to like where this is going?”

  Tamsin gave a little tug as he pulled her after him and motioned for Lisa to join them. “Because, my love, you are most definitely not going to like going into a dark elf club.”

  “A what?” Lisa asked sharply.

  Syndra let out a groan. “Fantastic. I’m going to have to cloak the human lest she be lured under by their magic.”

  “The human you are referring to is right here and wants to know what the heck you’re talking about.”

  Syndra waved her hand nonchalantly. “It’s really no big deal. There is a popular dark elf club here in Vegas. Most of the elves there aren’t really loyal to Lorsan. They actually aren’t loyal to anyone but themselves. They simply live for their own pleasure. But for humans, being around them can sort of enthrall them. Sometimes it doesn’t turn out so well for the human.”

  “Oh,” ―Lisa laughed a tad hysterically―“is that all?”

  Syndra glanced back at her. “No, but I think it’s all you need to know for now.”

  “Why exactly would the elders be in a place like that?” Lisa asked. “Aren’t they light elves?”

  “Not all of them,” Tamsin admitted.

  “No, unfortunately, some of them were lured to Lorsan’s side, but I imagine most of them have seen the error of their ways,” Syndra explained. “But, this club is not one where Lorsan would wander, so it would be a good place for the elders to lay low.”

  “Trik has already told some of them that they are welcome to join us, but even though the elders have been somewhat split between light and dark, they still operate as a corporate group most of the time.” Tamsin paused before continuing. “I’m sure all of them will be interested to know that the missing Book of the Elves has been found and is now in the hands of a madman.”

  “Will they be willing to help?” Lisa asked.

  Syndra nodded. “Oh yes, light or dark, they both know how important it is that our history and magic be protected. I personally think the book should be destroyed, but I imagine Trik will want to speak with the Forest Lords about it.”

  They were quiet for a while as Tamsin lead them back down the corridor he had descended and all the way back to the room where he’d entered.

  “Did that seem a little too easy?” he asked as he looked at Syndra.

  “Perhaps, Lorsan is foolish enough to believe he could keep me captive.”

  Lisa shifted restlessly as she looked back at the door they’d just entered through without encountering a single dark elf. “Or he wanted us to escape.”

  As soon as they were out of the casino, Tamsin pulled out his phone and dialed Trik’s number.

  “Are they okay?” Trik asked without preamble.

  “I have them in my care and they are both fine. Is Elora still missing?” Tamsin asked.

  “We don’t know exactly where she is, but we know she’s headed to us―well, to the bayou anyway. Cush and Oakley are on their way here as well. If she asks, I would advise that Lisa stay with you two. I know she’s worried about her daughter, but we aren’t just dealing with Tarron. We have a Voodoo queen and her priestess in the mix now. Cush is going to be struggling to keep his calm. As cruel as it sounds, he doesn’t need his Chosen’s mother breathing down his neck.”

  “Understood.” Tamsin disconnected the call and slipped the phone into his back pocket.

  “So?” Lisa asked, her eyebrows raising as she met his gaze.

  “Trik said that Elora is headed to the bayou, where they are. Cush and Oakley are on their way as well.”

  “Trik talked to her?”

  Tamsin glanced at his Chosen who raised a single brow at him. He rubbed the back of his neck as he let out a sigh. “He didn’t say that exactly. He just said, ‘She was headed to them.’ ”

  “He also said, ‘He wants you to keep your happy little butt with us,’ ” Syndra added. When Lisa’s brow furrowed at her, Syndra pointed to her ear. “Elfish hearing.”

  “If Cush is going to be with her soon, then I’m fine with staying with you two. Someone has to keep you both out of trouble anyway.” Lisa seemed to relax a little now that she’d heard something about her daughter.

  “There’s nothing wrong with a little trouble,” Syndra quipped.

  Lisa clucked her tongue. “It’s all fun and games until someone wakes up the next morning lying next to a dark elf.”

  “Not everyone is so easily lured by a pretty face.” Syndra held up her hands. “Just sayin.”

  “Really? Because you’re mated to that.” Lisa pointed to Tamsin.

  “I said not everyone. I didn’t say not me.”

  “Are you two done?” Tamsin asked eyeing both of them.

  Syndra held up a finger. “Almost.” She looked back at Lisa and Tamsin saw the wicked gleam in his Chosen’s eye. “Speaking of trouble and lying and next mornings, we are going to be in a dark elf club. That means there will be many male dark elves with, no doubt, pretty faces and alluring voices. Please refrain from jumping onto that train again. You’ve already ridden it once and look where it got you. So do me a favor and abstain.”

  Lisa frowned. “You make me sound like some sort of dark elf groupie. I was with a dark elf because I happened to be his soul mate, not because he had a pretty face and an alluring voice.”

  Syndra narrowed her eyes on Lisa and pursed her lips.

  Lisa rolled her eyes. “Okay, so it might have started because he had a pretty face and an alluring voice. But just because I was with Steal doesn’t mean I want to jump every dark elf male I see.”

  “Lisa, dear, you haven’t had any action in a very, very long time. It is not unreasonable for me to be concerned about how you might react to the attention of a dark elf male. It’s just good to be prepared. Admitting you have a weakness is half of the battle to beating an addiction.”

  Lisa smacked her forehead as she let out a long groan. “I am not addicted to dark elf males. And despite my lack of action,” she said dragging out the word, “I assur
e you I can control myself. Somehow, someway, I will manage to keep my hands off the dark elf populace.”

  Tamsin grabbed his mate’s hand and gave Lisa an apologetic smile. He started to pull Syndra with him and Lisa walked to his other side, probably hoping that if she was out of Syndra’s line of sight then she might be forgotten. Tamsin chuckled under his breath when Syndra leaned around him to look at Lisa.

  “Just to be on the safe side keep your hands in your pockets.”

  “Give me a break,” Lisa muttered as she shot Syndra a murderous glare.

  “Oh,” Syndra added. “And walk with your legs crossed.”

  Chapter 8

  “I can feel the distance between us growing. A darkness, bleak and empty, is beginning to fill me as I struggle with the pain that is spreading from the inside out. If I’m not careful, it will debilitate me until I can only dream of finding her. That’s the double sided coin of our mated pairs. We need each other and are essential to the other. It is one of our greatest strengths but it is also one of our biggest weaknesses.” ~Cush

  Cush tried not to break his teeth under the pressure of his clenched jaw as he sat in the cramped plane. He wanted to use the portals, but Trik had been against it, and though it was strange to be taking orders from a new king, he was the king, and it had been engrained in him a long time ago not to defy the king.

  The humans around him shifted restlessly. Some shot him looks from the corners of their eyes. They weren’t fools. They knew there was a predator in their vicinity and, like most prey, their instinct was to run and hide. He had no problem with humans, but in that moment there was only one half human that he wanted to see, and she was out of his reach. He didn’t understand why she’d left or what her motivation was for going to New Orleans. Cush felt angry at her blatant disregard for his feelings, but at the same time he knew something had to be wrong for her to have done something like that. He wondered if she was beginning to hurt the way he was. Did her heartache to be near him? Did her skin burn for the need of his touch? Was her soul screaming at her to run back to him just as his was screaming at him to get to her?