Sweeter Tease (Sequel To Sweet Tease)

Chapter Fifteen

{Octavia's Point of View}

We had been discussing what Ichure knew from her years of trying to find the Anuubi.  She knew much more than we would have ever figured out on our own.  I sighed, rubbing my face in frustration.  Winifred and Janessa had gone to work that morning, so I only had myself, my father, and Ichure in the meeting room.  Ichure had informed us that one of the reasons we were unable to find them was because they were underground, based out of Egypt.

They had gone so far underground that the only reason that we had heard anything about them was because Ichure had been dealing with Cassandra.  I rubbed the crease between my eyes.  This whole thing was both confusing and frustrating.

"I was going to ask what trouble that stupid blood bag got into, but then I realized that I stopped caring a long time ago."

Ichure squirmed in her seat, as if she wanted to say something.  Clearing her throat, she leaned forward and pointed out a spot on the map close to where the Anuubi lived.

"After you dumped Cassandra, she moved here, to Egypt.  The Anuubi collect a certain amount of female newborns for what they call the Resurrection.  They will raise the child as a vessel for their Goddess."

Ichure explained.  I wasn't sure where she got her information from, but the more we knew about this cult, the better.  My father nodded, staying more for moral support than anything.

"I haven't figured out how yet, but the Anuubi have access to specific genetic make-up to determine if the newborn will be compatible with the criteria that they have for the Goddess."

I nodded.  I wasn't sure, either.  I still had to find a moment to ask my mother about the "Chosen Warrior" status that Ichure mentioned the last time we spoke.  

"Somehow, Cassandra had gotten aligned with the leaders of the Anuubi.  She made this elaborate plan to kidnap you specifically.  When she showed up after you found your mates was when she had planned to take you.  Obviously it didn't work in her favor."

Ichure laughed lightly, which had me raising an eyebrow.  I wasn't as impressed as she was.

"When she found out that you had gotten Janessa pregnant, it infuriated her.  She couldn't understand why you got your mates pregnant and not her.  She made a point to bring up how you always used condoms when you had sex."

I blushed hard and coughed loudly, which had my father laughing loudly.  My father's laughter got Ichure laughing.  It was a few moments before she was able to speak.

"I chose to ignore the fact that we were stealing a loved child from another family.  I will never forgive myself if something happens to her."

I narrowed my eyes at her slightly.  It didn't make sense to me why she was helping us get my daughter back.  I held my growl back as she kept talking.

"The Anuubi expected a child from Cassandra, and when you wouldn't give her one, she became desperate.  She made her hasty plan of contacting the Anuubi directly about the daughter when she didn't fall pregnant.  On the way to the converted hospital they had acquired, they picked me up.  I had just gotten back from Thailand with the Phurba that we used on Janessa."

Ichure shifted in her seat, uncomfortable again.

"I did something to her.  We didn't have a machine to check the baby, so I used my hand to violate her on several occasions and I wasn't nice about it.  When I finished checking the baby the last time, I cut her open and took the child, not caring about her organs or anything."

Ichure flinched at my deep growl.  I still wasn't against murdering her when this was over.

"After Cassandra took the baby, I watched her leave before I came back.  I should have done more, but I cast a simple preservation spell on her so her body wouldn't turn to ash as she died.  I wasn't able to sew her back together as well as I should have, but I pushed her organs back in, and hastily sewed her back up."

I watched as Ichure shifted her weight again, still looking nervous.

"When I was sure no-one was in the building, I helped her out.  I took her as far as I could safely, without them noticing.  When we got as far as I could go, I cast both a protection and invisibility spell on her.  When I was confident that they wouldn't be able to track her, I teleported her to the forest outside of your home.  I wasn't able to do much after that, but I'm glad she made it home safely."

On one hand, I was furious beyond belief, but I was also giddy because she had managed to get my wife back to me safely.  I guess Ichure could feel the conflict of my emotions because she reached over and placed her hand on my forearm.  I felt my wolf relax under her touch, and I whimpered softly.  She stepped closer to me and I shuddered.

"When we get your daughter back, I'll leave the choice to you on whether or not we pursue the mate bond we share."