Free Daniel Taylor Between Two Worlds by Monica Davis Page B

Kitana created a portal to get the computer I had left in the hotel room we had been previously been in. At least, that’s what she claimed, but it was really just an excuse; that became clear to me later, when I found my laptop at the bottom of my suitcase. Kitana gave the amulet to me and Danny, who she left with me, so that the demons wouldn’t discover our new hiding place. She had other reasons for leaving …
    “But Marla, who was supposed to remain with us, ran after her — the little girl always clung to her mother. I hadn’t yet mastered the art of translocation, and I blamed myself for what happened next.” James lowered his head. “Just when Kitana was about to get back — she had already created the portal — several demons in long, grey robes were suddenly standing behind her and Marla. They must have detected her activities. One of them grabbed Marla from the portal. And then … then I saw one of the demons walk up to Kitana and set her alight with a blue fire. The portal instantly closed. I had always assumed that Marla had perished as well.”
    Anne was staring at James. It was evident that she couldn’t quite come to terms with what she had just been told.
    James was looking at the floor. His hands balled into fists, he sat down next to Anne and cleared his throat. He looked very sad. Anne stroked his hand for a long time, then stood up, trembling. “I think I need a drink.”
    After Anne had disappeared into the kitchen, Vanessa leaned over to James and whispered, “What do you think the demons want from Danny?”
    James said quietly, “According to the laws of succession, he’ll be the next Overlord.”
    “Yes, he told me that, but he said that he refused.”
    “I don’t really think they ever would have accepted him as the Overlord, so I have to presume that they want something else from him.”
    “The scepter.” Her heart was beating wildly.
    James nodded. “At first, I thought that they would kill Daniel because his blood is impure, but after you informed me that he had returned from the underworld unscathed … Kitana once told me that the scepter must never fall into their hands. Into anyone’s hands, not even the watchers. The temptation is too great for anyone, even for those who are pure of heart. The scepter radiates a dark magic that can corrupt anyone. It grants the bearer unimaginable power, multiplying his or her own powers many times over.”
    Many things had become clearer for Vanessa, and her fear for Daniel grew.
    They suddenly heard a clattering noise, as though a glass had fallen.
    “I’ll see how Anne’s doing,” James said quickly, standing up.
    Vanessa decided to leave the two of them alone for a while. She had so much to think about.

    When James entered the kitchen, he saw Anne standing at the window, her back to him. She was leaning on the wooden counter; next to her, on the floor, was the fallen glass. A piece of the rim had broken off. James carefully picked up both pieces and threw them in the trash can. Then he came up behind Anne and put his arms around her.
    Anne leaned back against him, shaking. “I … I can scarcely believe it all,” she said softly.
    James tightened his embrace and kissed her forehead. “I’m so sorry. I never wanted to involve you in this, but there was no choice. You were the only person I could think of when I was looking for a safe place for Daniel.”
    Anne turned around to face him. “Why me, James?”
    “You were my best friend outside the Guild,” he whispered, gazing steadily into her eyes. “You had nothing to do with anything supernatural. My son would be safe with you. I never could have given him a proper home. I was constantly on the run.”
    Anne opened her mouth as though she wanted to say something, but then shut it again. Perhaps it was time for James to explain to her how much their friendship had meant to him. “If I hadn’t been a watcher …” Although he was afraid how she might react, he continued