Free Denai Touch: Excalibar Investigations Series by Tiffany Shand Page A

start tracing this call.”
    She took a deep breath and, concentrating on her magic, answered the phone. “Hello?” she said as Cerys.
    “Cerys? Oh, thank the goddess,” Bethany Turner’s concerned voice came on the line. “Are you alright? My associates, Colbane and Fronika, told me you had been arrested for practising dark magic. Is this true?”
    “Yes, I was so scared, Beth,” Cate made a sobbing sound. “One minute we were in the circle, the next Enforcers came and had us on the ground. It was awful.”
    “Oh my dear, I’m so sorry I wasn’t there. I should have been there for you all. This is a complete misunderstanding.”
    “That’s what I tried to tell them. Beth, you know we’d never do any kind of dark – magic,” she said and stuttered. “They released me on bail, but they came and searched my shop. They – they said I would have to go to trial and face a Denai. They said they had evidence. Beth, you must do something.”
    “Believe me I will, but the Enforcers will have you under surveillance. You must leave the shop and come where they can’t find you.”
    “You mean you’re really going to help me?”
    “Of course. A High Priestess looks after her coven.”
    “What should I do? They only granted me forty-eight hours before I face a Denai. I’m afraid she might compel me to say lies. You said the Denai coven weren’t to be trusted.”
    “Indeed they’re not. Don’t worry, just come to this address tonight. My people and I will be there to greet you.” Bethany recited an address. “Be there at 7pm, don’t be late.”
    “Declan can come with me, can’t he?”
    She heard Bethany hesitate. “Of course.”
    “Oh thank you, Beth! You have no idea what this means to me.”
    Cate hung up the phone, and said, “Looks like my plan is working.” She then entered the connection with Steve and Ian.
    “Maybe. Did you pick anything up from the coven members?” Jason asked.
    “I could only touch the surface, when I tried going deeper that bitch Ronnie’s amulet hit me,” she rubbed her aching temples. “I couldn’t read Colbane at all – not even a hint of thought! Antes felt like a robot, Colbane probably used his compulsion on him, and all Fronika kept thinking about was all the things she’d like to do to you. One thing I could sense was they’re planning something.”
    “What?”
    “I couldn’t get proper details, but did sense it was a circle or ritual of some kind. Some covens have weekly or monthly circles depending on the phases of the moon,” Cate walked over and touched the large LCD screen on the wall and made a calendar appear. “It’s the full moon tomorrow night, we both know what a powerful time that is.”
    “Did they suspect us at all?”
    “I don’t think so, but it’s possible, given the lengths they’ve gone to in an effort to shield themselves. I’ll call Steve and tell him to put that address under surveillance and ask if he knows where those amulets might have come from.”
    As soon as evening came, they drove to the address in a hire car, a beat up little Honda. Unfortunately, they couldn’t take any weapons with them, concealed or otherwise, since the coven would be sure to check for them.
    Jason asked. “Why do I suddenly have a very bad feeling?”
    “I’m the one who’s supposed to get those,” replied Cate.
    “Well, I have one and when I get them something bad inevitably happens,” he said, brow wrinkling.
    “We’re going to find out exactly what this coven has been doing and if there’s a trap we sure as hell won’t be falling into it.” She touched the tiny ear piece inside her ear. “Goddess to Tower.”
    “Tower here,” Steve’s reply came through loud and clear. “Are you sure you don’t want any backup? At least let Jade be there.”
    “I don’t want to draw any unwanted attention,” she replied. “Having backup nearby could give the game away. But we’ll call if we need help.”
    “Look like they’re