Page 34 of Elemental Hope (Warlocks #2)
Imelda turned to the women now gathered behind her. “Sisters, resolving our differences is not something that should be done in the company of warlocks. Octis should conduct its business in private. I apologize for wasting your time, but we will reconvene at the usual place at dawn.”
Symeon didn’t seem bothered as the women melted one by one into the darkness, taking their fallen colleague with them. He waited as car engines started up and the vehicles moved away. Imelda remained where she was.
Gregory glared at Symeon. “You never give up, do you? Even you can’t be so stupid as to think you stand a chance against three of us. You are no longer of use to the Coven, power struggle or not. Without their potions you are impotent.”
Dominic was sure the choice of descriptor was deliberate.
“Well, that just depends now, doesn’t it?
” Symeon grabbed Imelda and pulled her against his chest. From beneath his long, black coat he pulled a gun.
“For once I agree with you. I’m not stupid.
But this gives me an advantage, don’t you think?
” He pressed the barrel of the gun to the side of Imelda’s neck.
“What makes you think I give a damn about what happens to her?” Gregory asked.
“Oh, I’m sure you don’t really care. However, your ridiculous sense of morality will not allow you to see a woman harmed, however much of a bitch she is, if you can prevent it.”
“And can I prevent it?”
“Of course. I’m not fond of littering the landscape with corpses.”
Nathaniel shunted Dominic backward. He tugged Damon along too.
“Symeon must know we’re here, Nathaniel, but not Damon,” Dominic whispered.
Nathaniel gave him a sharp look. “What are you saying?”
“Damon should hide. He may be able to help.”
“I don’t want him putting himself in danger. He’s not wearing that stab vest this evening.”
“You have to let me do it, Sir.” Damon was already moving deeper into the trees. “We need any advantage we can get.”
Dominic understood why Nathaniel was so torn, but eventually the warlock nodded and Damon slipped away. Dominic turned his attention back to the clearing.
“Bring the rest of your friends over here, Gregory. They must be feeling left out.”
Even though he could hear Symeon’s command, Nathaniel waited until he got a signal from Gregory before moving. Dominic and Coryn walked behind him until they were next to Gregory and Evrain.
“Well, isn’t this nice? All four warlocks together in one place. Much as I’m enjoying the company, you, Gregory, are going to leave. You’ll take Nathaniel and Coryn with you. Dominic, get on your knees beside Evrain.”
“No!” Evrain shouted.
Symeon fired the gun into the ground in front of Evrain. “How many deaths do you want on your conscience, Evrain?”
Dominic dropped to his knees. He grabbed Evrain’s hand.
“Oh, how sweet.” Symeon moved the gun back to Imelda’s temple.
“Now, I want you, Coryn and Nathaniel to make your way over to your car, get in it then drive away. I can see the lights from here. Once you are a suitable distance away I will let this silly bitch go.” He pulled back the hammer on the gun with an audible click.
“Do as I say or I pull the trigger and believe me, I won’t hesitate. ”
Evrain cast a panicked look at Gregory. “I won’t sacrifice Dominic for this woman after what she’s done to us. No moral code is worth this. Let him shoot her. He won’t have time to get to the rest of us and I’ll fry him where he stands.”
“No you won’t, you little upstart. I’m not quite as powerless as you all seem to think.” Symeon twitched the fingers of his free hand. Blue flames writhed around his fingers.
“That potion will wear off soon enough, Symeon.”
Dominic twitched as Evrain channeled, matching Symeon flame for flame.
Gregory put a restraining hand on his shoulder.
“Evrain, you’re better than that. It may seem like what you want to do right now in the heat of the moment, but how would you live with it?
This isn’t the person you are and it’s not the person that Dominic would want you to be. ”
“That’s right.” Dominic added his agreement.
Gregory squeezed Evrain’s shoulder. “Have faith, boy. Take the right path now or you will regret it for the rest of your life.”
“Very touching. Now leave before I get overexcited and shoot something just for the hell of it.” The red in Symeon’s eyes darkened.
Dominic took in the expressions of his friends.
Gregory was somber, Coryn calm. Nathaniel looked like he wanted to create a tornado to swallow Symeon and Imelda.
The three men walked slowly away. Dominic listened to the car’s engine start up then the crunch of tires in gravel as it pulled away down the lane.
Even though he knew it wasn’t the case, he had a sense of abandonment.
It seemed that he and Evrain were on their own.
He hoped Damon stayed hidden and didn’t try anything stupid.
He didn’t have any power. He was just flesh and blood. He could be hurt.
Symeon gave Imelda a sharp shove, making her stagger then drop to one knee.
“Get out of here. Threaten me again and I will come after every single one of the bitches in your fucking coven. Believe me, I won’t stop until you are all gone and your little girl’s club will be a distant memory. I have more allies than you know.”
Imelda had the sense to keep her mouth shut.
She stood, brushed the dust from her pants then staggered away toward her car.
Once she was gone, only one vehicle remained—the car Evrain and Dominic had arrived in.
Dominic guessed Symeon must have some form of transport hidden close by.
It wasn’t as if he’d flown in on a broomstick.
When Symeon moved the gun to point at his head, Dominic flinched.
Once more he was proving to be Evrain’s weakness.
If it weren’t for him, Evrain could call the elements and bury Symeon like the worm he was.
Dominic bit his lip. He squeezed Evrain’s hand, trying to convey his love, his regret and his shame for being such a liability.
“It seems that yet again I have the upper hand, Evrain. This time you won’t get away from me.” Symeon laughed. “By poisoning your blood, you’ve reduced your value and now all I have left is revenge—and it will be sweet.”
“You’re insane, Symeon. Why don’t you retire gracefully and use the little power you have left for good?”
“Preaching doesn’t suit you, Evrain. Leave it to Gregory—his moralizing is enough for all of us. You’re not like him. You’re different. Much more like me in fact.”
In Dominic’s hand, Evrain’s fingers felt ice-cold.
“I’m nothing like you,” Evrain spat.
Symeon shrugged. “We’ll see. Our experiences color the way we live our lives.
Before I kill you, I’m going to make you watch while I violate your lover.
I’m going to do things to him that you couldn’t even begin to imagine.
And when you’re gone, I’ll keep doing it until he can’t even remember his own name, let alone yours. ”
Dominic felt the slight vibration that always preceded Evrain’s channeling. Evrain was poised and ready to move the moment Symeon dropped his guard but the white haired warlock seemed full of purpose.
The gun didn’t waver for an instant.
Symeon moved behind Dominic. He pulled him to his feet by his hair.
Evrain started to rise but Symeon gave him a vicious kick to the ribs, causing him to collapse back to the ground.
Pulling Dominic a few feet away, Symeon then slid one arm around his waist to undo the button on his pants then slide down the zipper.
He thrust his hand down the front of his pants, all the while pressing the gun into his neck.
A single tear rolled down Dominic’s face as Symeon gripped his shaft, digging his nails into the tender flesh.
“Like some pain, don’t you?” Symeon hissed.
Evrain’s lips were compressed to a thin line, his green-gold eyes glowing as he was forced to watch the violation.
Dominic thought it might be worth getting shot just to get Symeon’s hand off him.
He felt frozen by indecision. If he struggled Symeon might turn the gun on Evrain. If he didn’t, Evrain might hate him.
Behind him, a twig snapped. Evrain had given no indication that anyone was approaching and Dominic marveled at his composure. Symeon kept a tight hold on him and the gun didn’t move as he turned to face the newcomer. Damon walked toward them, hands held out to show that they were empty.
“Damon.” Symeon’s voice reflected curiosity. “How the hell did you get here?” He removed his hand from Dominic’s pants. “Seen the light and decided to come back to me?”
Damon smiled. “I’ve been here a while. Watching. Listening.” He blinked.
“And you’ve recovered from your injuries? I searched for you in the parking garage, but you’d gone.”
“I didn’t think you cared.”
Symeon’s focus was entirely on Damon. Dominic didn’t dare move. He realized that Symeon had no idea Damon had helped him and Evrain escape the Octis building and that could give them the advantage they needed.
“Where the hell did you materialize from?” Symeon snarled. “Never mind. I’m glad you’ve made an appearance. I’m sure you will enjoy the show as much as I will. I may even give you a turn with this one.” He yanked Dominic’s hair.
Evrain began to channel. Dominic tried to draw attention away from him by struggling as much as possible. He kicked at Symeon’s shins with his heels, making contact at least once. He tried to elbow him in the ribs, then bite at his arm. Symeon cuffed him hard.
“Keep still. My trigger finger is itchy and I’d prefer you to be in one piece when I fuck you.”