Free Embrace the Mystery [03] Blood Rose Series by Caris Roane Page A

needs to share one more bit of news with us.”
    Quinlan’s brows grew together in a tight, concerned frown, a familiar look for him. “What now?”
    Davido moved up beside Quinlan. “It’s probably about Margetta. Vojalie said we’d get one more surprise. Tell us, child.”
    “My mother will be here in a few minutes and she’s bringing a powerful wind with her, as well as a few chosen wraith-pairs.”
    Batya turned to stare at her. “But how do you know that? A vision?”
    “It’s a mother-daughter thing, part of the reason she wants me under her control. I can, to a small degree, predict her movements.”
    Quinlan hurried toward them. “Then we’d better go.”
    Davido joined them, leaning up to kiss Batya on the cheek. “Farewell, daughter. We part here. I must return to Vojalie. We have a strict agreement about the first year of a child’s life.”
    “I know. I love you, papa.”
    “And I you, my most precious, most beloved offspring.”
    “Hug Bernice for me.”
    “Of course I will.” His gaze moved past her. “But I fear your visitor has arrived.”
    Batya glanced at the plate glass window and saw that a red wind flowed down the street. Margetta had arrived in a glow of golden light accompanied by a formidable array of wraith-pairs. She hovered beyond the window ready to attack surrounded by a thin enthrallment shield of her own making, which would in turn keep her Invictus brigade invisible to human eyes. The original mastyr vampire wraith-pairs flanked her.
    She would have moved into action, but Davido gripped her elbow gently and pathed, “ Give Quinlan a chance. There’s a mystery here with him that you must pursue and don’t be afraid of Grochaire. But above all, remember the breadth of your heritage, that you are both troll and fae.
    Before she could say anything more, her father vanished. He rarely did that, which sent a shiver through Batya. Davido had so much power, which he kept hidden from everyone and rarely used. That he could get past her shield as well as the ancient fae still stunned her. She might have asked for his assistance, but Davido had come only to support her. She knew his realm philosophies well, that each must face up to his own challenges.
    Batya must deal with the ancient fae, now also known to be part wraith.
    The next second, the new plate glass shattered and the high shrieking sound of Invictus wraiths punched through the air. At the same time a severe wind blew into the gallery, through her enthrallment shield, gathering up all the paintings and easels and carrying them past Batya, Quinlan, and Lorelei.
    As she turned in the direction of the window, the golden glow of light softened in increments and Batya could see Margetta. But the one she knew to be evil turned out to be very beautiful with a complexion as smooth as glass, a straight nose, wide-set eyes and the faintly pointed chin of the fae.
    “Mother,” Lorelei whispered quietly. “No.”
    Margetta shifted her violet eyes from Batya to Lorelei. Her gaze narrowed as though directing her thoughts, but Lorelei lifted her chin and looked away.
    Cocking her head, Margetta turned her attention fully on Batya, and not just her gaze but the force of her will as well. Ambition ruled Margetta more than anything else, to where she planned to dominate the Nine Realms at all costs, including the subjugation of her daughter.
    But like hell Batya would give in to Margetta without a fight.
    On instinct, she drew the enthrallment away from the building perimeter and into a tight protective shield around the three of them. “Quinlan, we’re ready to go.” She picked up her satchel and threw her arm around his neck. Lorelei did the same overlapping Batya’s arm. Quinlan gripped both waists.
    “I have you both,” he said. “But Lorelei, would you do better to shift into your wraith-form?”
    “No, I’m at my weakest as a wraith, especially if I fly.”
    “Okay, then. Let’s go.”
    Batya rarely flew with vampires,