Page 4 of The Mating Frenzy
But now they must be destroyed, Xavier. I cannot risk them falling into the hands of the evil forces gathering onearth.
Xavier opened his eyes, rubbing his head, feelingdrained.
“You could have simply told us,” hecomplained.
Danu remain motionless. “Now you have the knowledge within you, and you may share it with the other wizards of the Brehon. They need to know about theirtalismans.”
“What talismans?” Ciaraasked.
“They are hidden and each werewolf must find them, for it is part of their journey toward strength and courage before she aligns herself with each wizard to assist you in your duties. Each werewolf of the Wyld must use the talisman in an ancient ceremony of loyalty before she destroysit.”
“Of course. It’s never simple,” hemuttered.
Her gaze remained even. “If Ella does not use her powers to eliminate the crystal and she lets it remain on earth, it can be used against you,Xavier.”
Ciara grabbed her silk robe and slid it on. She stood at his side, her cold palm clutchinghis.
“Used to destroy Xavier?” His mate’s voice was awhisper.
“Perhaps. It would make you even more powerful, Xavier,” the goddess toldhim.
His immortal heart raced. Xavier knew his abilities. He could flatten an entire city with his magick, but his powers were used with discretion to dispense punishment to Others who broke the laws. He was a judge and guardian of trolls, ogres, nymphs andgnomes.
But with this talisman, he could become a weapon far deadlier than a nuclearbomb.
With the crystal of Calmach, he would be more powerful than ten nuclearbombs.
Tens of thousands of innocents could evaporate with a single thought directed at them. But he could also force his charges to toe the line without threats, giving him all the time he wanted to spend with his lovely Ciara. And theirbaby.
The idea of possessing that much power gave him pause.Tempting, isn’t it? You could do anything you wished. No more rules to hold you in check. If you and Ciara wanted to vacation in Bora Bora on the beach and teach the babe how to swim, you would not have to worry about overseeing a troll gonewild.
Xavier looked at Ciara, her gaze filled with worry and love. Then he went to his mate, put a possessive hand on her belly where their child grew, safe and strong. Ciara and the baby were more important than anything to him. He could become all-powerful, but with power came the risk he could accidentally hurt them. He enjoyed being equals with Ciara, who kept himgrounded.
And then he suddenly realized what Danu had planned allalong.
“You wanted us to find our mates, to make us remember that love is more valuable than power, should we get tempted,” he told thegoddess.
Green eyes glowed with power. “Ah, my clever Xavier. You always were one step ahead. Yes, and Drust and Cadeyrn will find their mates as well. In duetime.”
Ciara rested a palm over his so both of them could feel the steady, reassuring heartbeat of their child. “Danu, can the Dark Lord use this crystal to control Xavier? Like a switch you can flip on to control alight?”
Ah, the question I dared not ask and my bride does, he told Ciara, using their telepathiclink.
Hush, my love. I must know, she toldhim.
Danu’s gaze remained steady as she regarded them both. “If one of the Dark Lord’s followers seized it and used the ancient scrolls to recite the spell to call forth its magick, the consequences would be dreadful. You would no longer be an immortal wizard protecting and judging Others, Xavier. You would be under the influence of the DarkLord.”
A deadly weapon in the wrong hands. Heshuddered.
“The Dark Lord would turn me into his minion, forcing me to do his bidding. Kill my charges, kill Skins, spread the evil and hatred.” Xavier took a deep breath. “But you would never allow that to happen,Danu.”
Danu’s gaze turned to the distant mountains and he caught the shadow crossing her lovely face. “Yes. I would be forced to destroy youfirst.”
