Page 54 of Night Fall
Mya nodded.
“It could be a magical locator spell. Have you ever ingested Constance’s blood?” Oaklynn asked.
Erik grimaced, then nodded.
“That would be enough.” Oaklynn fished for her bag, and pulled out an old leather book, crackling with power.
Luke’s eyes grew wide. “Is that…”
“Yes,” Oaklynn said with a nod. “It’s a blood witch grimoire. Not all of us are evil.” Her eyes touched every person in the room as her words hung in the air.
“Oaklynn is the reason we were able to create blood banks and extract platelets that specifically aid vampires. She’s a pathologist, as well as a blood witch.” Lily said, as she squeezed Oaklynn’s leg and smiled at her with pride.
“I know blood witches have caused immortals a lot of heartache over the centuries, but there’s more than just one side to us. Our abilities can heal, and we can do a lot of good. The blood witches you’ve met were turned to the magic, not naturally born, and that turning makes them crazy. Much like a rogue vampire.”
“What does that mean?” Johanna asked.
“Essentially, the magic those blood witches use is a type of curse. It can only be triggered by extreme trauma and will quite, literally drive them crazy. There’s no saving them from that madness. They will fixate on one specific theme, likely what caused them to gain access to that magic in the first place, and they will continue down that path until they die.”
Oaklynn turned another page from the grimoire. “I’m not saying that because I sympathize with them. What they’ve done is inexcusable and they deserve to die but knowing what they’re fixated on may help us to better understand why they’ve done what they’ve done. Once we know that, we might know how to stop them.”
“Children.”
Everyone’s gaze shifted to Erik, and Mya squeezed his hand, anchoring him to the present and keeping his mind from slipping into the past.
“Constance’s focus is on children,” he said.
“Could she have lost a child?” Merida asked.
Oaklynn leaned back against the couch, flicking through the pages of the book. “If that’s the case she’s going to want to make more, and fast. She’d capture powerful immortals to father her new children.”
“But we’ve never found any children at any of the places we’ve infiltrated,” Greg said, crossing his arms.
“Maybe children are too difficult for her,” Daniella said, drawing their gaze. “Maybe she wants children, but she can’t be a mother, and that’s why she’s kidnapped and turned so many humans so she can have the family she’s always wanted without having to raise them.”
“It would explain why she’s so focused on making them stronger,” Erik said, and several of their group nodded in agreement.
“That would also explain why she’s focused on you. You’re the current key to her strengthening her family,” Merida said, her expression apologetic.
Erik could feel Mya’s annoyance rising at the thought, so he squeezed her hand and then wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
“I’ve found the locator spell,” Oaklynn said, looking up from the book. “It’s not a permanent solution for her. She can only use it for as long as she has your blood and for as long as you have hers in your system. Mya said that you were under a curse when she found you?”
“Yes,” Erik said. “It kept me from absorbing the nutrients we need in blood and stopped me from using my powers.”
Oaklynn made a soft humming sound. “I have an idea of what she did to you. That spell, even after being broken, lasts for three days. That’s the connection she has with you. Her magic is still in your blood, and that’s what she’s using to power the locator spell.”
“Which means she’s going to come after me with everything she can,” Erik said, and Oaklynn nodded.
Erik watched as Greg and Daniella shared a look. It told him that they had a plan, and he wasn’t going to like it.
Greg cleared his throat. “Then we need to use that while we still can.”
Mya’s head snapped and she glared at her brother. “What are you saying, Gregori?”
“Mya,” he said softly, “we have the opportunity to catch her right in front of us.” His gaze moved to Erik. “We need to discuss taking it.”
“What are you saying,” she bit out again.
