Druid Knights 02: Knight of Rapture by Ruth A. Casie Page A

with an urgent tone.
    A spark of excitement ignited in the pit of his stomach. At last, success was more than a wish and a dream. It was within his grasp. He added his voice to the chant. His heartbeat mimicked the cadence. The runes on his body thrummed with the energy. Where once a lone sash of symbols traced up his back and down his torso to that private place of power, now the markings were embellished with magical sigils and spread across his chest and back like a close-fitting shirt. Each new addition a protection against the consequences of the powerful magick he was invoking.
    As the chant crescendoed then faded to silence, so did he. He remained quiet, dizzy from the rush of anticipation. He whispered his thanks to the Great Mother.
    Dare he hope for success?
    No, no doubts. Magick required intent, focus and determination. He had them all and he would succeed. Now with the corrected formula he was ready to try again.
    The gold pentacle that covered the floor between the scrying mirror and the hearth glittered in the firelight. The ancient design of the pentacle was there long before him. Fresh pools of melted wax and smudges of charcoal surrounding the relic confirmed the many times he and Logan had attempted to open the portal. He bent and prepared the area for the last marking. Logan would lend his voice and add the final symbol. He straightened and reviewed his changes one more time.
    All was ready.
    “Arik,” Logan called out from the other side of the door.
    His head whipped around. “Come,” Arik said. Glad that Logan was with him, he was eager to begin. Today they would succeed.
    “I’ve brought you some bread and cheese. You haven’t eaten for two days. I wouldn’t want you to waste away.” Arik saw the plate but he had no appetite. He had scoured all his books and documents for information, even those with Dark Magick. With great care he drew on select rubrics and had fasted to purify his mind and body.
    He welcomed the smile he detected in Logan’s voice. The division of work between him, Logan, Marcus, Jeannie and others had gone well. The result was his tenants were no longer at one another’s throats and the estate was running without many problems.
    Logan set the plate on a spot he cleared on the table. “You appear rested.” Logan tore off a piece of bread and gave it to him.
    He gave his brother a penetrating stare. “You’re not a very good liar.” Holding the bread, he motioned to the window. “The maneuvers went well today, very well.” He didn’t miss the pride in Logan’s eyes. “I had no idea your main battery stood ready behind the ridge. I believed your men were not prepared and that Marcus had the advantage.” He clapped Logan on the shoulder. “Your strategy was well planned and executed.” He tossed the uneaten bread onto the plate.
    “We surprised Marcus—a difficult feat,” Logan admitted. A wide grin flashed across his face.
    “You should eat something.” Logan gave Arik a parchment. “We received a message from Doward before maneuvers.”
    Arik ignored Logan. Eat. He sounded like Jeannie when the girls were small. He blew out a breath. Logan had his best interests in mind. He opened the document. “I was hoping for some word from the Council before I left.” As Grand Master they had been in close contact, but since Rebeka left they had been silent.
    “He says that they seem to have vanished. He’s never seen them go into such deep hiding. There are places he wants to investigate before he returns to Fayne Manor.” He handed the document back to Logan. Faith . He ran his hand through his hair. He had hoped the Council could help him. No, something smelled and it wasn’t pleasant. He knew he had to continue on his own. “Keep watch for him. Tell the Council what has happened and that I’ve gone to bring Rebeka back.” He paused, not wanting to say the words. “And to deal with Bran.” He tried to keep his voice even. When he glanced at Logan, he