Chapter 30

The sound of running footsteps echoed off the stone walls of the hallway. The cavalry was coming, too late to be of any real assistance. Jessie rose slowly to his feet before offering his hand to help Magnus up. By the time both men were on their feet, they were surrounded by guards who grasped Magnus' arms roughly, assuming he'd made some sort of escape attempt.

"Get your hands off him! Jessie snarled. "He just saved my life, and the lives of others who would have been killed if that demon got loose in the Gard!"

"What demon? What are you talking about Bradshaw? The captain of the guard asked, suspicion written in the grim lines of his face. His eyes fixed on his subordinate's face as he tried to determine if the man could be under the warlock's thrall.

Jessie glared back at his captain, giving him an 'as if' snort before filling him in on what had happened, and pointing to the black, foul smelling ichor that covered the floor as proof of his statement.

Reluctantly, the captain agreed that perhaps they owed a debt of gratitude to the warlock, but he was still a prisoner, and as such must be returned to his cell immediately. Jessie shook his head sadly, this was a fine way to repay the man who had saved him. Still, he demanded that Magnus Bane be treated with respect, and so it was oddly like an honour guard that escorted the warlock back to his cell that day.

~~~~!~~~~

Vladimir Druganin sat behind the heavy, elaborately carved wooden desk, and smiled to himself as he read a newly arrived fire message. His plans were going well. A sudden, soft click alerted him to the arrival of his Circuitor and he said; "Dante, come in, come in. Have a seat." This last bit was said with a corresponding wave of his elegant hand to indicate Serpens should take one of the two black leather guest chairs in front of the desk.

"You look pleased." The Circuitor said as he settled into one of the chairs.

"Yes, I have just received word that McKenzie as been dealt with. We no longer need be concerned that Hellfire Club's secrets will be spilled by the application of the soul sword."

"How have you managed to get to him in the shadowhunter stronghold!?" Serpens asked, a combination of curiosity and awe in his voice.

"It was a simple matter really, I merely had a pill delivered to him, that he perceived to be the Curatio. In actual fact, it was the reverse, removing every remaining vestige of the cure and forcing him into the final stages of demon pox. I expect it caused considerable consternation among his guards. Now, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit Dante?"

Dante Serpens smiled as he answered; "Well, I think I have even more good news to add;" he stated. "I have located Morag Nightshade."

"Well done!" Druganin said, returning Serpens smile with one of his own. This really was turning into a very successful day. "So, give me the details."

"She is staying with the boy in a small cottage on the Northern coast of Ireland. The place is warded, but it won't be a problem for me."

"How did you track her? Druganin prompted. The vampire liked to have all the details of any plan with which he was involved. You didn't get to be his age by taking foolish risks.

"Morag Nightshade is a healer, so I had a club member watch the healer's network to see if she tried to contact anyone that way. It was tedious work, but at last it paid off. The stupid woman contacted Catarina Loss, and we were able to track her location."

"So what are your plans for getting her and, more importantly, the child?" The Abbot asked, giving Serpens his undivided attention as the warlock outlined every detail...

~~~~!~~~~

Morag Nightshade sat on the porch of her eccentric, witches hat of a cottage and watched as the last vestiges of the portal magic dissipated. It had been two days ago that Catarina Loss arrived bringing the first news of the outside world to a very anxious Morag. The visit had been bittersweet, as Morag now knew that Aidan Briosag survived the battle at Eilean Donan, but lost his long-time friend and ally, Hamish. Alec and Magnus had also survived, but were now facing serious, potentially deadly legal issues. Catarina was on her way to Alicante, having been called as a witness in Magnus' trial before the Court of Assize, and it would likely be some time before Morag had any more news from the outside world.

Morag scooped up young Aiden, the child struggling to be brave about the departure of his Aunty Cat, the first person from home he had seen, the first person that gave him hope he would eventually be reunited with his daddy and papa. Morag gently kissed the child on his cheek, and told him again how much his drawings would mean to the two men who were his whole world. The little boy had worked very hard, the evening before to finish them so that Aunty Cat could take them with her.

"I'll make us a cup of hot chocolate and we'll have a story by the fire;" Morag told the child, hoping to distract them both from their sad thoughts. She added another log to the fire which was snapping and crackling cheerfully, before moving to the stove to heat the milk. Magnus would have snapped his fingers and had two steaming cups of hot chocolate ready in seconds, but Morag found a measure of peace in simple, everyday tasks.

A short while later she had the drinks ready, extra milk in Aiden's so it wouldn't be too hot, and settled into an arm chair to read. They had been working through an age appropriate version of The Arabian Nights. Aiden love the tales of Aladdin's Lamp, and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. Morag had just nicely settled into one of the voyages of Sinbad when she felt the first assault on her wards. They had been found, and not by friends!

The healer dropped her book and raced to the window. Several men stood near an outcropping of rocks that marked the edge of the cliff down to the sea, and the boundary of her wards around the cottage. Her eyes were drawn immediately to the tall, thin man in front. The small horns peaking through his long, white hair told her he was a warlock, and the deep, purple magic, roiling from his finger tips was powerful. Morag knew her wards would not hold for long.

Quickly the healer scooped up Aiden, who had followed her to the window, and moved to one of the small bedrooms. There was no time to plan, no time to think at all really, as she gathered her magic to create the portal she hoped would take them to safety. The swirling magic had just begun to take shape when she felt her wards fail, and seconds later, the cottage door burst open splintering with the force of the blow that struck it.

Morag leap forward into the portal as a blast of purple magic swooshed past her shoulder, searing her skin. The portal began to wobble, and the healer prayed it would not collapse before taking her and Aiden to their destination...