Immortal of Darkness Read online

  Gwen walked over and knelt down next to the bed. Gingerly, she brushed Julianna's dark hair away from her face, feeling the hot, clammy skin underneath her fingertips. Gwen took Julianna's hand in hers.

  Grimmly bent down close to Gwen's ear. "I will leave ye. Gwendolyn," he added seriously, "remember, if she canna help us with what we need to ken, we canna risk going back to Cain."

  Gwen nodded. She knew Julianna was their only hope in finding out how to break the spell with the torque and Ramsey's hold over Cain. She also planned to ask Julianna if she knew how to rid the evil spirits from within Cain. Her own plan that she hadn't confided to Grimmly.

  The door shut soundlessly behind Grimmly as he left Gwen to Julianna. Gwen's shoulders immediately sagged. Her gaze dropped to their entwined hands. "Oh, Julianna," she whispered, "everything is such a mess. What will I do?" She glanced up and saw that Julianna still slept. One side of her face appeared peaceful and normal, like it had always been, the other, bright pink, rippled skin with the eye slouching down at the corner.

  The normal eye of Julianna blinked a few times and opened. "Gwen," she croaked. "Water." Julianna lifted her arm and pointed toward the nightstand. Gwen quickly grabbed the small cup and helped Julianna to a drink. After a series of gulps, Julianna leaned back on the pillow, squinting up to Gwen. "'Tis really you?" Gwen nodded as she held Julianna's hand against her cheek. "I thought I might never see you again," she said, closing her eyes.

  "I was so worried for you," Gwen started. "You just left the house one morning and never came back. I didn't know if you were dead or alive. This time period would be the last place I thought you would be."

  "I would never deliberately desert you! I had to leave for your safety, Gwen."

  "I know. Grimmly told me what you did."

  Julianna nodded and inhaled a weary breath. "Since you are here by my side, I take it Ramsey's men found you?"

  "Amongst others."

  "Are you well?"

  Gwen almost sobbed aloud. "Nay! Far from it. Cain visited me in the twenty-first century and brought me back here with him." Julianna sat up a little more, after a fit of coughing and another drink. She listened to Gwen retell the past days.

  "And that is why I need your help Julianna," Gwen said with tears in her eyes. "You have to get better."

  Julianna patted Gwen's arm. "Gwen, I'm feeling much better than I probably look. And in answer to your question...yes, there is a way to save Cain from Ramsey's hold, but I think 'tis near impossible to do," she added sadly.

  "Tell me," Gwen said in earnest, "I will do anything!"

  "We need some of the evil that is inside him to help with the spell, but I don't know how we will get close enough to Cain without Ramsey capturing, or killing us."

  Gwen sat back on her heels and covered her face with her hands. "I can't lose him Julianna...I can't!"

  Gwen felt a firm hand tug at her wrist. "What is that?"

  Gwen followed her gaze to the small tattoo on her wrist. It flared red and hot for a brief moment. "I-I read a spell from one of the spell books we hid," she said with shame, avoiding Julianna's glare.

  "You read from Cain's book?" Julianna asked in a stern tone, as though she scolded a child.

  "Yes."

  Julianna turned Gwen's arm, inspecting the mark. "I dinna believe it," she murmured.

  "I'm sorry, but he fell through the roof and demanded the books. I-"

  "-no, 'tisn't that ye disobeyed me," Julianna said. "Do you know anything about those books?" Gwen shook her head. Julianna patted the bed. "Sit. Every sorcerer has books that belong solely to them," she began. "No one else can read from another's books, but...it seems you can."

  "What does that mean?" Gwen asked warily.

  Julianna pushed back a piece of hair from Gwen's face as she stared lovingly into her gaze. "It means your mother was right."

  "My mother?" she whispered.

  A smile crossed the normal side of Julianna's mouth before reaching out and fingering the locket around Gwen's neck. "'Twas your mother's. She wanted to make sure you found it, when the time was right." The wistful smile left her face as she pulled back her hand, letting the locket fall back against Gwen's chest. "When your mother was pregnant with you, she confided in me that she saw her stomach glow a sennight before you were born. We both wondered if any powers from her supreme magic would be passed down to you. But when you were birthed, you were nothing but a beautiful, normal baby girl.

  "As you grew up, I watched you closely, but never saw a glimpse of magic in you, nor had you ever had any interest in the gift. But now...your mother would be so proud."

  Gwen stared down at her hands resting in her lap. There had been a question she wanted the truth about, amongst many others. "Grimmly told me about Ramsey. I know he's not my father." Gwen's features filled with rage. "Did Ramsey kill my mother, or did she really die in childbirth like all of you have told me?"

  Tears came to Julianna's eyes. "He's a monster," she choked out. "Yes," she said softly, "Ramsey killed your mother after he discovered she no longer had her powers. The day before you were born, your mother made me vow to take care of you if anything happened to her. She must have known what Ramsey had planned for her."

  "Why did she ever marry him?" Gwen muttered.

  Julianna made a weak smile. "These times are hard for women. My sister and I came from a poor family. We had no dowries, so when Ramsey noticed your mother and didn't seem concerned that she had nothing to bring to the marriage, our widowed mother was more than happy to oblige. Ramsey was chivalrous with your mother at first. He acted like a besotted lad. But now, looking back, I suspect it was because he found out about your mother's rare gift. He used her as his own personal witch after they married. She was a prisoner in her own home."

  "Why didn't she fight him!" Gwen said frustrated. "If she was so powerful...."

  "She wasn't a strong willed woman. When one gets beaten down for so long, they often wonder why they should get up at all. Until you came along, she didn't fight for anything. But after you were born, and even though she had lost all her magic from the pregnancy, she finally stood up to Ramsey. She didn't know if her magic had passed to you and was afraid what Ramsey would do with you if he found out.

  "That's when I lied and told Ramsey that you'd get your powers when you turned six, that was when your mother had discovered hers. I bought some time for you, even if he wasn't the nicest father. On your sixth birthday, with no indication that you were magic, I whisked you away, knowing Ramsey would kill you. I later sent a message to him, informing him that you were a normal child and that I'd care for you, that he never had to see or think about you again."

  Gwen clenched her jaw. "Then why was he after me? Why did his men time-travel to the twenty-first century?"

  "I guess he wanted to tie up loose ends. He learned that I had some magic. He felt that I owed him use of my powers since he let me have you. When I forbade him any magic of mine, he said that was fine, but that he wanted you back."

  Gwen's hands became fists in her lap. "I will kill him if it's the last thing I ever do."

  "He's too powerful. He has an old witch that is verra powerful, and whether the woman likes it or not, she has to do as he says."

  "Not for long," Gwen muttered. "She's dying." Gwen stared at the flickering flames of the candles. "I think his witch wishes Ramsey dead."

  Julianna's brow furrowed. "Why would ye say that?"

  "We spoke with her."

  Julianna sucked in air. "Is it true? Is she on her deathbed?" Julianna asked, leaning up from the bed with tears in her eyes.

  Gwen nodded hesitantly. "That's why we need to get Cain out of there," she said slowly, squeezing Julianna's hand. "Ramsey will use him as he did the old crone."

  Julianna let out a shaky breath as she turned Gwen's wrist, glimpsing the tattoo. "I think this will work for the spell."

  Gwen's brow furrowed. "My tattoo?"

  "No, not the tattoo, but what's insid
e."

  Gwen pulled back her arm and covered her palm over the suddenly searing brand. "How do you get what's inside?" she asked uneasily.

  "I ken ye love him, Gwen. I willna lie. This will hurt, but there is no other way, unless Ramsey decides to be nice and hand him over." Gwen stared down at her wrist. "I'll be honest," Julianna continued, "ye best take one of my potions before we begin the spell. It will help to ease the pain. I will have to open the tattoo and free some of the evil, but only after we have Cain in our grasp. The demons won't want out and will fight to hold on. Even that small tattoo, that teeny bit of evil, will hurt unlike anything you've ever felt."

  "Julianna," Gwen said as an idea occurred to her, "Can we free Cain from his evils this same way?"

  Julianna's lips thinned as she slowly shook her head. "Nay," she said softly, "he has too many." She stroked Gwen's arm. "I'm sorry, lass, but Cain would probably die a most painful, unbearable death if we tried that with him. There are two ways he can beat the monster inside of him. If, and only if, we get the torque from him. The first, he would have to fight the dark powers and urges himself, which I doubt he is strong enough to do, since he is no longer immortal. The second, well, there is little hope of it ever working."

  Gwen grasped Julianna's hand. "Julianna, if there is a chance I can save him, I'll do it!"

  "Even when death for you is the outcome?"

  Gwen sat silent a moment. "I love him," she choked out. "I would die for him."

  Julianna tilted Gwen's chin up. "We all make our own paths, Gwen. Don't make this decision if it's from the guilt you feel for leaving him all those years ago."

  Gwen looked up. Pain no longer burned in her eyes, but anger. "I loved him and I left him," she gritted out.

  "You had to," Julianna said strongly.

  "He thought I died!" Gwen stood up in a swirl of her gown and paced the small room. She spun around to face Julianna. "He lived with that thought for centuries! I always knew he was alive. He lived with the guilt that he thought he had killed me. I made him choose the path of black magic. I pushed him into it!"

  Julianna's mouth grew thin. "If that's what you need to believe, then fine, but let me tell you something, Gwendolyn. Cain was already deep into the arts of black magic when you met him. He had already been an apprentice with a warlock for three years before he stumbled upon us at Castle Knightly. He practiced in private in the dungeons of my home almost every night." Gwen shook her head. "Oh yes, my sweet," she said when Gwen covered her ears. "And one night, Cain confessed something to me. He had said he found a lass who he was in love with, but she would never approve of his extra nocturnal activities. He told me the only way he'd ever be able to join her was if he cast a spell on her."

  Gwen shook her head. "No, he wouldn't do that to me!"

  "Wouldn't he? He was going to put a little something, we witches, call a hex, upon you. A love spell, Gwen! You'd be at his beck and call and not even see what really went on in front of you!"

  "He-." Gwen sank to the floor. Would Cain really have done that? After all, he had placed the hex upon Ulrick, and had yet to remove it. Gwen closed her eyes as her heart pounded in her chest. "I still love him. I always will. There's a connection between us. I felt it from the start, from the first brush of his skin against my hand," she said quietly. "And I know he loves me. He should've known he never needed a spell, for me to love him." A memory of that bitter night from so long ago surfaced to the forefront of Gwen's mind. Cain had wanted to show her something in the dungeon. He had told her he needed to speak with her in private and didn't want Ulrick to overhear. That was the night Julianna had said they needed to leave because of her father. That was the night she disappeared to the twenty-first century. That was the night, she had used that small potion Julianna had entrusted to her. The potion of memory loss.

  Gwen sucked in a breath. She slowly met Julianna's gaze with tears streaming down her face. "Did we leave because of Ramsey? Or was it really because of Cain?"

  "Gwendolyn," Julianna said quietly, "I had to get you away and hidden far away in another time. I thought you were too young to be besotted with an Immortal. And Ramsey would have sealed you away, a prisoner until you died. It was the only thing I could do. I saved you from both. I love Cain as a dear friend, Gwendolyn, but I think of you as my daughter first. I promised your mother and myself that I would never let harm come to you, even if 'twas your own friends that were a danger to you."

  Gwen stared at her hands in her lap, quietly contemplating her life. She lifted her head, her chin pushed out stubbornly. "Nothing you say will make me change my mind. Cain has changed. I have too. I still plan to save him, with or without your help."

  "Cain is too far gone, Gwen. That's the truth of it."

  "Then why did you leave those clues for him back in the twenty-first century?"

  A pained expression covered her face. "Because I thought he would have changed for the better by now," she said softly. "I had hoped he would stop using black magic after all the dangers, warnings, and nagging I had advised. And-."

  "What?"

  Julianna sighed. "I had to have a plan if I died here and you were on your own in the twenty-first century. I knew he'd protect you once he found you. Even if he didn't remember who you were, he has always been a loyal friend." Julianna made a sad smile. "I'm sorry. I should have told you everything long before." Julianna stroked the side of Gwen's face. "You're here. You're safe with me. Let Cain go. I have a special place in my heart for him, but I know there's nothing more anyone can do to help."

  Gwen closed her eyes and shook her head. When she opened her eyes, teardrops fell to the bed. "I can't Julianna. This can't be the end. I have to at least try."

  "Gwen, from all you have told me about his disturbing behavior, by the time we reach him...it most likely will be too late. He may kill us all."

  "Then, only I will go. Get me as far as the castle-"

  "-no!" Julianna yelled. "I will not let you go back to that monster Ramsey. If Cain doesn't kill you, Ramsey will!"

  Gwen slowly rose, releasing Julianna's hand, letting it drop to the bed. "Then, so be it."

  * * * * *

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Cain stared out the window of Ramsay's solar. He held the leather curtain off to the side and tried not to listen to the noises of ecstasy drifting out from Ramsey's bed chamber around the corner. Cain's latest spell request from Ramsey was to make a pair of twins appear, both with long, flaxen hair and breasts that would overflow Ramsey's hands.

  Little did Ramsey know, the two wenches were actually soulless husks, ready to disappear when Ramsey bid them goodbye. Yet, even knowing this, the sounds of excitement raced through Cain. His baser instincts teetered on the verge of losing control. Cain ran his trembling hands through his hair. Sweat beaded his brow...his groin at the ready.

  It took him a moment to realize the trio had finished in the other room, and that Ramsey called to him. Cain's stomach churned in disgust as he answered Ramsey's summons, and walked into the bed chamber.

  Ramsey arched one, bushy, eyebrow. "I'm waiting."

  Cain clenched his jaw as he stood at the threshold of the room. How he hated to utter the next two words. "Aye, Master," Cain gritted out.

  "Ah, 'tis more like it," Ramsey said with a look of evil triumph. "I wanted to thank ye is all." He nudged the two wenches so they sat up, exposing their naked, bouncing breasts. Both eagerly looked Cain's way. "Pick one," Ramsey said. "I ken ye want to bed one. I can see it in your eyes." Ramsey prodded the wench on the left. "Go on, pick a wench for the night."

  Cain's jaw ticked as the evil inside shook with need. He hated himself for what he knew he was about to do. After a moment, he gestured to the devilish wench on the left.

  Ramsey laughed. "Ye see, I can be nice. In time, you'll realize we can get along splendidly."

  Cain curled his lip. The moment the torque was off Cain's neck, Ramsey's body would be lying cold at his feet. Cain glanced at Ramsey and smirke
d. From the quick blink of fear that had passed through Ramsey's stare, Cain knew Ramsey would never release him from the torque's power.

  Ramsey was too smart, he knew he'd be a dead man.

  The voluptuous blonde, truly containing a demon inside, strolled over to Cain. She ran the fingernail of her index finger across Cain's mouth, over his chin, and down his chest, stopping at the waistline of his breeches.

  She went on tip toes and leaned in close to his ear. "Anything ye want, my lord...anything," she purred.

  Cain's last bit of self-control faded as he picked her up and strode into the solar with Ramsey's loud laughs trailing behind.

  He tossed her onto a small sofa. Immediately, her legs parted and she reached up to Cain. As Cain sunk into the fabricated female, the only vision he saw through his closed eyes was that of a dark-haired lass who he realized he loved more than his own life. He had made the right decision that night when he roared at her to leave.

  She was alive.

  That was all that mattered.

  * * * * *

  Gwen stared up at the stone ceiling from the prickly straw mattress she slept on. The Nunnery had one last vacant chamber, containing a crude mattress on the floor for Gwen to use. Grimmly had chosen to sleep in the stables with the horses, only after he had been reassured that Gwen still wanted to go free Cain. He had kissed her on the forehead and softly told her he'd do anything for his daughter.

  Julianna had bid Gwen goodnight, only after discussing everything that could, and most likely would, go wrong with Gwen's plan. But at the end, Julianna had told Gwen she loved her and Cain, and after their long friendship, and many favors he had done for her, it only seemed right that Julianna try and help him this one last time. She had said she would need an entire night's meditation to focus her positive power and energy on helping Cain.