a monitor appeared along with a number of planar dates and time stamps, each showing a convergence.
“There were two convergences on the same plane today, the one you found her on,” Charlotte began.
“I only experienced one,” Taggart replied, looking over his wife’s work.
I knew I probably should keep my mouth shut, but if Charlotte could shine some light on the mysterious happenings, I would like to know what was going on. “There were definitely two. One happened by the plains outside the lake, two hours walk outside the door that leads to Arete. I managed it in an hour and a half since I was running.”
Maybe if I hadn’t been through so much they wouldn’t have caught me off guard.
A sparkle hit Charlotte’s eyes and I knew this was something she was passionate about. “Yes. There were two. I have a friend who’s a witch. She’s sensitive to planar energies. Her name is Serena and I’ve been trying to set her up with Adam.”
Adam’s brows rose. “She’s married. Somehow I think her husband would have a problem with it.”
Charlotte shrugged. “Jake’s Fae. He’s well aware Serena’s powers could be doubled if she finds their perfect third, but anyway, Serena believes something went wild about six months ago.”
Half a year. Yes. I could understand that timeline. I felt a warmth flood my veins and a sense of deep peace fill me.
Marcus. He was awake. I could feel it all along my skin like Marcus was rubbing a hand across my body, letting me know he was here with me. Something eased inside me. Something that was always jagged and raw seemed quieter, stronger.
“That was when I first became aware of the convergences,” I explained. “I was on one of the outer planes and I felt it for the first time. Are you saying I was there for the first convergence?”
“I’m saying you’ve been there for every convergence,” Charlotte replied, and a chill went up my spine. “I’m saying the convergences seem to be following you.”
“Or she’s creating them,” Taggart said in a deep growl.
“Or she’s completely innocent in all of this and I’m going to find a way to rip you apart.” Marcus sat up and I could feel him sending out those nasty thoughts he could have from time to time.
I glanced his way and while he was pale, he looked healthy and he was here with me. Somehow I’d always thought when I got to this point that I would be alone. I fully intended to be alone when the witches came for me. I wouldn’t let them take Marcus, but having him beside me now gave me enormous strength.
“Sorry, I fixed the cell to completely dampen telepathy and magic. You’re not the first gifted criminal we’ve had in here.” Taggart came to move in front of the cell but there was no arrogance in his stance. He almost seemed respectful. “There’s no real reason for you to be in custody. I’ve checked and you’re on no one’s radar, but I am not going to separate you from her. I’m going to honor your relationship, but I cannot allow you to harm my consort either.”
“Companion,” Marcus corrected. He stood and frowned down at his clothes as though the wrinkles there bothered him. He was a fastidious man. I had already figured that much out. I could have told him he looked gorgeous no matter what he wore, that I preferred him in no clothes at all. His lips quirked up and I rather thought he’d heard me loud and clear. I could think at him, and my words seemed to have given him confidence. “On my plane, she would be called my companion. I take it I am speaking to a vampire from the Vampire plane. You will have to excuse me. I do not know your customs.”
Taggart’s expression turned distinctly curious. “You’re really from the Earth plane? A vamp from the original plane? How old are you?”
Marcus’s hand slid against mine, tangling our fingers together. “In my plane’s time I am roughly two thousand years old.”
Adam whistled, joining his boss. “Seriously? You look like you’re in the prime of your life. I would have said you were maybe a hundred. Our life spans are two hundred for a royal, but it falls apart right around one seventy-five.”
“Vampires on the Earth plane do not age. We die and remain at the age we were when we perished and the genetic abnormality that reanimates the flesh takes over. I believe