High Priestess Read online

  She leaned back on the door and clutched her right fist to her heart. Holding her breath, she fought against the emotions that strained to break free. She drew her sleeve across her eyes then released her breath and sucked in more air through her nose. Held it in. Her entire body trembled, but she wasn’t sure if it was anger or something else. For fifteen years she’d held it together, pushed all the pain, the fear deep down where she didn’t have to deal with it. Now it was coming at her from every direction. First Mick, then Ena, Riley … and now the entire friggin’ country thanks to that reporter from NNN.

  They were right, too. She was falling apart. She was on the brink of losing it. She was going to have to deal with it all somehow and she didn’t damn well want to.

  “Rave?” Riley said softly as she tapped on the door.

  Raven pressed her back harder into the door when she heard the handle twisting. Why couldn’t they just go away and leave her the hell alone?

  “Mick’s here. She said she needed to speak with you.”

  Raven threw her head back and it hit the door with a thud. Shit, damn, bugger, hell. She drew in a deep breath then let it out slowly, trying to relax her tense muscles as she exhaled.

  “Send her in here.”

  Stepping away from the door, Raven flicked on the overhead light and made her way to the sitting area in front of the sliding glass doors leading out to a small deck. She stood at the window staring out at the darkness. Just knowing the lake was out there calmed her. She closed her eyes for a moment and pictured the light dancing over its rippling surface. It cleared her anger and anxiety better than anything else could.

  Mick stepped into the room wearing jeans and an untucked button down shirt. She had her jacket in her hands and was wringing it like a wet rag. That reminded Raven of the wet tea towel in her own hand and she tossed it onto a side table. “Have a seat,” she said, nodding to the chairs beside her.

  Mick crossed the room and dropped onto the edge of one of the chairs, placing her elbows on her thighs. “I wanted to apologize for this afternoon.”

  “You’ve got nothing to apologize for.”

  Mick’s head flew up. “I froze. I freaked. I was no help to you whatsoever.”

  “Is that how you see it? Because what I saw was someone who I gave an order to who carried out that order. I asked you to stay back and call me if you heard a vehicle approaching. You did that. You let me know his location, so we could make a run for it. You didn’t freeze.”

  Mick stared up at her with her mouth agape and Raven lowered herself into the chair next to her.

  “Look, until you’re in that type of situation, you have no idea how you will react. But, I guarantee that you will dissect every moment of this afternoon and critique your own behaviour until you can’t stand it any more. Then, the next time you’re in an intense situation, you’ll respond differently. You’ll be less fearful. You’ll have already played out in your head how you want to react.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. The first time I was in a dangerous situation, I nearly peed my pants.”

  Mick laughed. “I don’t believe that for a minute.”

  “It’s true.” Raven stood and went to the window again, staring out. “If you’re hungry, there’s tons of pizza in the living room.”

  “I could go for pizza.”

  Mick crossed the room, her steps a little more confident than when she’d come in. She turned at the door and said, “Thanks, DC.”

  When she closed the door behind her, Raven went back to staring out at the black night.

  * * *

  Just when Raven was beginning to think Riley, Kiran, and Mick were never going to leave her living room, there was a knock at her bedroom door and Riley stepped in, closing the door behind her.

  Raven shifted her body, giving Riley her back, and continued to stare out the window. She couldn’t handle looking at Riley. Not in this room, where they’d fallen asleep wrapped up in each other night after night. Images of hot sex and tender caresses flooded her mind.

  “You haven’t eaten,” Riley said.

  “Not hungry.”

  “Rave?”

  Raven heard Riley’s exasperated sigh from across the room.

  “Go home, Riley,” Raven said quietly. She was calm after spending more than an hour at her window and she wanted to stay that way. She was hoping for a good night’s sleep, if her uninvited guests ever left.

  “I thought you wanted me to stay tonight.”

  “There’s no reason to. Paigo is behind bars.” She knew why Riley wanted to stay. She needed someone to take care of and she thought Raven needed her care. She didn’t.

  “I really am concerned about you, Rave. I’m worried that dealing with losing your mom, pursuing a case against your abuser, and the media finding out about your past is too much. I’m worried you can’t handle everything that is happening right now.”

  Raven wanted to laugh, but she was worried it would trigger the tears she’d been fighting for days. “I can handle losing my mom. I can handle Gregor Paigo. I can handle the damn media. Do you know what I can’t handle, Ri? I can’t handle losing you. So, unless you’re ready to take me back, it’s probably easier all around if you just leave.”

  There was a long silence followed by two soft clicks of the door being carefully opened then closed.

  A gust of air released from Raven’s lungs and her body deflated against the window. For a moment there she thought maybe, just maybe, Riley was going to take her back. How many times over the past couple of days had Riley said she cares about her? She really couldn’t take much more of this. Every time Riley rejected her was like losing her all over again. The ache in her chest seemed to increase every time they parted. She wanted her lover back. Her loving, compassionate, nurturing, sweet, sexy lover.

  I’m so sorry, darling angel.

  And … she’s back.

  You don’t have to suffer alone, Rave. I’m here for you. I’ve been in your shoes. I know what it’s like to lose the one person who holds your heart.

  “And we all know how you got through your lonely nights, pining for your lover.” Ena sighed and Raven figured she’d get some peace and quiet now.

  Will you tell me why you cheated on Riley?

  Raven snorted. “I’ve been asking myself that question for weeks.”

  You’re not usually attracted to men. Have you asked yourself why, all of a sudden, you were attracted to Jax?

  “Raging hormones?”

  People don’t normally change their sexual orientation just because they’re horny.

  The short hairs on the back of Raven’s neck stood up. “What are you trying to say?”

  Maybe I’m suspicious because of what happened to me, but it doesn’t make any sense, Rave.

  “So you think someone put a spell on me so that I’d sleep with Jax? What possible reason would anyone have to do that?”

  Hey, you’re the detective. I’m just an old witch.

  Raven laughed and it felt good. It felt good to finally have a short conversation with her mother without getting defensive and angry.

  CHAPTER 10

  FOR THE FIRST time in her life, Raven called in sick. She figured she could still work Ena’s case and by not going to the office, she could avoid LaCroix’s interrogation about the allegations flying around that Gregor Paigo molested her. She’d taken the chicken way out, too. Instead of calling LaCroix directly, she left a message with the night sergeant.

  It was a mild morning, so she pulled on a sweater and curled up in a Muskoka chair on her deck, sipping her coffee. Birds chirped madly in the woods surrounding her cottage and the light breeze pushed waves into the shore with a slow whoosh, whoosh. Raven took a deep breath of fresh, clean air and smiled. It had been a long, cold winter and she missed mornings like this where she could just sit and unwind.

  She allowed herself a good half hour to bask in the morning sunshine then hit the shower and got herself ready for the day. She
opted for a pair of loose jeans and a royal blue button down shirt.

  There were only a handful of cars in the parking lot at the lawyer’s office. She pulled the Charger in next to Ena’s Mercedes. She supposed that Kiran’s navy training would ensure he didn’t turn up late for appointments. He was sitting in the waiting room in a fitted charcoal suit and a royal blue shirt. Raven nearly laughed. At least she wasn’t wearing a tie and a suit. His tie was a few shades lighter than his suit and had a gold tie clip in the shape of an anchor. Very navy.

  “Nice shirt.”

  Kiran smiled. “Good morning, Raven. How are you today, then?”

  “Good. You?”

  “Fine. Fine.”

  “Isn’t Adara coming?”

  “No.” Kiran shook his head. “She only asked for the two of us.”

  That’s odd. She fully expected Adara to be there. She hadn’t returned Adara’s phone calls, but she was going to at some point. Maybe she’d take a run over there after she told the lawyer she didn’t want Ena’s house.

  The reception desk was a long, arcing counter of dark wood matching the heavy double doors which Raven suspected led to the offices. The firm name was displayed in brass letters across a wall painted deep blue.

  “Pfeiffer, Pfeiffer, and Coles,” Raven read the firm name aloud then lowered herself into one of the plush black leather chairs and brushed her boot over the thick pile of the dark blue carpet. “I guess they do alright.”

  “It would appear so.”

  Okay, so he was pissed at her for what she regurgitated out last night, but what was she supposed to do when they’d been ganging up on her, talking behind her back. Lord knew what they were saying.

  “Mr. Hayes, Ms. Bowen. Would you follow me, please?” The receptionist, a tall blonde wearing black stilts and a tight fitting mini dress the same tone as the navy blue carpet, stood in front of the desk. Raven felt completely under dressed. Why hadn’t she worn a pair of dress pants at least?

  She followed Kiran and the blonde through the double doors, down a hallway passing offices on both sides with glass walls and doors facing the aisle. The inside row, on the left, had no windows, but the offices on the right featured views of Lake of Bays with the sun glistening off its surface. How did anyone get any work done? Raven would be staring out at the lake all day.

  They were led into a conference room with a long table, stained dark with layers of lacquer giving it a smooth as glass finish. Black leather chairs circled the table. Kiran and Raven pulled out a chair and sat side by side. Across the room, a large flat screen TV faced them. The receptionist picked up a remote from the counter behind them and turned the TV on. “Kiara will be with you in a few minutes.” She stepped out of the room, closing the door behind her.

  Raven looked at Kiran. “Does this feel a little weird to you?”

  He shrugged then they both jumped when Ena’s voice filled the room.

  “Hello, Kiran. Raven.” Their heads whipped around at the same time to find Ena smiling at them from the TV.

  “Jesus.” Raven slapped her hand over her heart to keep it from leaping out of her chest.

  “By now you’ve probably figured out you are father and daughter.” Ena stopped speaking and her gentle blue eyes glistened. Her long, mahogany hair was pulled away from her face with clips and flowed down her back. She’d always been slim, but her face appeared almost skeletal, her eyes shadowed with dark circles.

  It was the first time Raven had been face to face with her mom in twelve years. Sure, she’d heard her voice for the past few days, but it wasn’t the same as seeing her face. She caught her bottom lip between her teeth to keep it from quivering.

  “You’re both probably angry with me for not telling you about each other. I’m not going to try to explain myself right now. I’ve made each of you a video you can watch in private.” Ena swiped a tear from her cheek with a bony, trembling hand. “God, how I wish I was sitting in that room with both of you. I wish I could be there when you first meet and recognize each other. You’re both so much alike. Everyone who knew you before you left, Kiran, knew Rave was yours. And everyone who’s met you since you came back, those who knew Rave, knew you were each other’s. I kept waiting for the two of you to run into each other in town or for someone to say something, but it never happened.” She swiped a hand over her cheeks again. “Anyway, that’s for another time.

  “Rave, my darling angel.” Ena looked straight into the camera with her eyes glistening like the lake on a sunny day, crow’s feet crinkling at the corners. “I’ve waited for so long, but Adara kept telling me you weren’t ready, that you wouldn’t talk about why you hated me so much. I should have come to you years ago.” She sniffed and someone slid a box of tissues in front of her. She pulled two out and dabbed her eyes. “You’re not supposed to come to the end of your life and have so many regrets. I’ve made so many mistakes. God, I’ve missed you every day for twelve years, two months, and sixteen days.” She dropped her head into her hands and her shoulders shook.

  The screen went black and then the image of Ena reappeared. She was no longer crying, but she looked just as miserable.

  “Kiran, I know I’ve explained this to you, but Rave has never heard it, so please, bear with me, my darling. The house and the land have been in the Bowen family for over a hundred and fifty years. It’s your legacy, Rave, passed down from mother to daughter as I hope that you will one day pass it to your daughter.” She waved a hand in dismissal and said, “You’ll do a much better job of it than I did. You have Kiran’s sensibility there.

  “Along with the house and the land comes the Bowen money. I’m sure you won’t mind that I’m giving Kiran five million of it. It’s only a drop in the bucket, after all. Your trust fund will continue to be deposited into your account on a monthly basis, Rave.”

  “What trust fund?” Five million is a drop in the bucket? What?

  “I’ve also left five million to Adara in my will. I’ve instructed Kiara that she’s only to get that money if Raven can clear her as a suspect in my murder. You see, someone in the coven has been poisoning me. We’ve discovered someone has been giving me arsenic for nearly a month now. But, we’ve discovered it too late. I won’t survive the next few days.

  “Kiara has the lab results and the name of the doctor who has been treating me. She’ll give you that information today, Rave. Please, find out who did this. I couldn’t go to Simone or trust anyone in the coven.” She blew out a stuttered breath and waved her hand in front of her face. Someone off screen said something and Ena shook her head. “No, let’s just keep going, please.

  “Kiran?” Tears glistened on her cheeks and she gave them a quick swipe with a tissue. “I love you with all of my heart. You know that. I know the sea is the love of your life, but I hope you will take some time to get to know Rave. You’ll be so proud of her and the beautiful young woman she’s become. She’s so like you, my love. The protector. Yet she has my stubbornness and, Goddess help her, my fiery passion.”

  Kiran glanced at Raven and raised his eyebrows then the corner of his mouth turned up and he turned back to the screen.

  “Take care of our baby, love.” Ena hiccupped and covered her mouth and nose with her hand as tears flowed freely down her cheeks. “I know you’ll understand why it was necessary to keep Raven’s paternity as quiet as possible. She’ll need your protection now.”

  A box of tissues slid in front of Raven. She looked up to see a woman with black rimmed glasses perched on the end of her nose and dark brown hair done up in a fancy twist with a pencil sticking out of it. She smiled at Raven and nodded to the box.

  Raven touched the pads of her fingers to her face and pulled them away to study them. They were wet. She pulled three or four tissues from the box and covered her face with them. How had that happened?

  “I love you both. See you on the other side.” The picture of Ena with her shoulders vibrating faded to black.

  “I’ll give you a moment.” The woman
in the black glasses turned the TV off and slipped out of the room.

  Raven turned to Kiran. “Do you know what she was talking about? The thing with the trust fund?”

  Kiran frowned at her. “I believe Adara would have taken care of the particulars for you.”

  “I’ve never heard anything about it.” Had Adara been putting it away in a bank account for her? Why wouldn’t she have said something? Yeah, she was definitely going to have to pay Adara a visit.

  “What was she talking about with the paternity thing? Why would I need your protection?” She could damn well look after herself.

  “Ah.” Kiran’s face flushed and the vein in his neck pulsed. “You come from a line of pure witch blood, which is very rare in the present day.”

  “I know that. The Bowen line is one of the last remaining pure bloodlines.”

  “Aye, and the Hayes bloodline is one of the few others in existence.”

  Raven stared into Kiran’s ice blue eyes. If both her parents were of pure bloodlines, that meant …

  Kiran nodded as if he was reading her mind. “Aye. That would make you the most powerful witch in North America.”

  “Not really. I haven’t practiced magick since I was twelve.”

  Remember.

  That one word from Ena was a whisper, as if it had blown through Raven’s mind on a breeze. Remember what?

  The woman came back in the room with an accordion file and placed it on the table before taking a seat across from Kiran and Raven.

  “Kiran, we’ve met, but I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you, Raven. I’m Kiara Pfeiffer. Looking at the two of you is like having double vision. I can’t believe how similar you look.”

  She pulled two thick manila envelopes out of her folder and slid one over to Kiran and then one to Raven. “There’s a private video for each of you in there as well as the documents you need to sign. It will be a while before the money and the estate are transferred. Once Ena’s taxes are paid, that will move forward. But, you have your trust fund, Raven. That should be enough to keep up the maintenance on the land and the house.”