Bewitching Jolene (Book 3) Jacobs Broken Mercenaries

chapter 19

Elliot

Well, if that isn't a blow, and the plot thickens. I look over at...

“Jolene!”

She faints, and I just catch her in the nick of time, laying her on the nearby sofa. Turning to Jacob, we share a look of concern. Lucifer is a Phoenix? So, she is part phoenix. Then why the hell isn’t she healing?

“My work here is done. I'll be leaving now. I trust you will fulfill your duties and do whatever is necessary?” Mathilda picks up her scarf, wrapping it around her neck. What the fuck are we supposed to do? Is she serious? She's just going to walk away from her niece in this condition? Jacob nods, agreeing to- I don't even know what. He may be able to let this go, but I can't.

Stepping in front of Mathilda, I turn the disgusted look the elder was displaying in her direction.

“It's that easy for you, isn't it? To just walk away? Tell me, did you ever give a shit about her or has she always been just a means to an end?”

She smiles, but there's nothing pleasant about the display.

“You wouldn't understand. Soon that thing will take over and she won't be my niece anymore. She's as good as dead to me now. My advice to you young man; don't waste your time. There’s no way she will be strong enough to perform the spell and the moment her father realizes it's her or him. Whom do you think he'll choose?”

Oh, the fucking nerve! My fists clench and it takes all I have not to break a rule that I've never before been tempted to break. This is one woman who deserves a good hit to that thick head of hers. But I won't give her the satisfaction of thinking she's worth it.

I do, however, call her a heartless bitch. Her shoulders hunch, but she continues out the door. Good riddance. Jacob throws his hands in his hair, overwhelmed with stress, no doubt.

“What do we do now?” I ask, even though I know he doesn’t have an answer. 

“We all go looking for that ring use it as an excuse to meet. When we exchange it, we try the spell? If it doesn’t work-"

“It will, we'll make sure of it!” I interrupt. The thought of losing Jolene After I just found her is too much to bare. I have to make this work. Jacob gives me a curt nod. I know what he’s thinking; it's out of our control. So, we have to take control.

“I want the best witch from the most powerful coven. How do we get in contact?”

Jacob is taken back by my initiative, only partially masking his surprise at my willingness to work with witches. I have to admit Jolene was the exception to my general disgust for them. They’re rumored to be money hungry peddlers that rarely keep their word. I was raised to never trust a witch. Low and behold, my circumstances have changed.

“I suppose Raphael is in contact with the witches. He pays them toward his club. We could start there... What are you thinking?”

“I'm thinking we prepare as best we can. Maybe if we explain the situation one of them will help.”

I can see Jacob’s wheels turning.

“Best-case scenario, Jolene gets a crash course?” I add.

Jacob reluctantly agrees but warns me the witches likely won't be willing to help, but says.

“It’s a start. We can’t risk taking her out of here. There’s too many species just waiting for an opportunity… they see her; we’ll be ambushed.”

As if sensing her imminent danger, Jolene makes a disgruntled noise and I turn to study her sleeping form. She’s so innocent and young. She doesn’t deserve this.

“I’ll go see Raphael and bring the witch back. You stay here and protect Jolene.”

If he’s waiting for me to object, he’s not going to get it. There’s no way I’d leave her side, anyway. He continues as;

“I can take Estevan with me, we’ve got plenty of time before sunrise. I’m going to call Grayson and Jace. to have them hunt down that ring. If I’ve got to fly them to Timbuctoo and back, I will. Time is of the essence… When Austin and Amanda get back, have them look for the ring and get them to get Rosa and wrath here before they go anywhere. We may be able to use a little dark magics.”

Just like that, he’s the general again. Weight of the world on his shoulders and he doesn’t have a second thought. I smile at his receding back as he places his hand on the door and hesitates.

“Elliot?”

“Yeah?” I shoot over my shoulder.

“It’s good to have you back… if this doesn’t-"

I interrupt him before he can finish the sentence. I know what he’s about to say, and failing isn’t an option.

“It will!” I tell him.