Unplanned Series Book 4: Unplanned Spark
Автор
Lee C Conrad
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Witch-scientist Dr. Simone crosses hostile lycan territory to help the Fae solve a deadly pregnancy crisis—only to be pulled into the Fae king’s war council. As Simone’s research uncovers strange reactions in royal blood, King Kane realizes she’s his rare “spark,” a bond that can restore his failing magic. With demons and the Red Coven closing in, Simone must decide who to trust before her work—and her heart—make her a target.
Witch Doctor
SIMONE
I was excited and nervous. I’d always wanted to travel over the mountains to visit the territories here and learn. To engage people and research so I could help the future of multiple species. For a while, I thought it would just be a pipe dream with the way I lived, or rather, was monitored.
My family had fled over the mountains with a lot of other special humans, fearing the old wars and being used by other species—long before I was born. I’m third generation since the wars. Sadly, some things never change. This was my first time making the crossing myself.
My family in the past were well-known witches. We were mortal witches and had magic, of course. So I mixed human science and magic in my work. To me, these were the same things: you used objects, energy, and materials to make things and change them. Science was alchemy. I just had a leg up in that I could use my own energy to do it sometimes.
My family was brought into a military installation after my father was wrongfully accused and detained as a domestic terrorist.
In the human territories, you had to get a permit to practice or use gifts, which was stupid. To a witch or sorcerer, it was like breathing to use magic. We were positive my father was targeted because of his substantial gifts. Not because he was bad. That was the start of the end for my family’s happiness.
For me, when they found out I was like my dad, that was when I was forced to be what they wanted. Especially with my high scores in my schooling and magic. They wanted me to work with them on biological weapons, to make illnesses and viruses that would target specific species.
I was stunned they would want to do this, and I was going to say no. To refuse and call them all sorts of names, but a voice in the back of my head said no. You should see what they’re doing, because then you’ll know how to undo it. Sometimes to help you have to play dirty.
I was a quiet personality, so I was unassuming to most. I’d earned a lot of trust with nonhumans, and that was what led me to where I was now, driving through lycan territory toward the Fae. Part of me was very nervous right now.
Lycans were notorious for their tempers, and this was Axel’s territory. Not going to lie, I was worried they’d stop us and detain us. Things weren’t good over here with the war threatening, so anything was possible.
That was a big reason why I was so surprised when I was first contacted by the Fae. Fae were rare: why would their territory ever reach out to humans? Was it a trick? Were they looking to trick women into their territory with their struggles? I shook my head at myself with that thought. The military was getting to me with their paranoia.
Then I called and spoke with Kane and Jasper, and I realized it was no joke, that they were in dire need. At first, they didn’t tell me much. They just asked if I could advise on some difficult pregnancies and women’s health.
I was happy to do so, and then, when it seemed they felt trust was there, I was told the real reason. I made sure to only talk over secure channels, and I was excited to speak to Luna Layla and her second, Grace.
I might have been a little more eager to meet them and talk with fellow colleagues and women who were doing the same things I was. Healers who could do with a touch what I did with magic. Maybe I was fangirling a little. I knew Layla was mated to the rather feared and hated Alpha Axel.
I was a homebody, so this was stepping out of my comfort zone a lot. Meeting these people was like meeting celebrities, so I was nervous. I liked sitting at home on my couch, reading my books, both for fun and research. Coffee was my best friend, just like my cat, Moon. That’s right. I was a witch with a cat.
God, I loved this little furball. I looked over at her in her carrier next to me and stuck my finger in to pet her, and she purred at me happily. I would literally have killed someone if they’d tried to hurt her. She was my family, and yes, I realized how cliché it seemed: a witch with a cat.
A black cat with a little white patch on her chest. I was so happy they were allowing me to bring her. To be honest, I was just going to sneak her in with magic if they’d said no. Another annoyance in finding a partner: they never liked how much I cared about Moon. I looked up front as someone spoke.
“We’re almost to the first checkpoint. They’ve required an escort at the North Territory’s edge. Be on your toes—lycans are pissy animals. Stay alert if they try anything or attempt to separate us,” Andrew said, and I just gave a nod. Sergeant Andrew. What a dick.
He was here to gather information and be a pain in my ass. That was for sure—he and his man, Leon. My original team was supposed to have three others, but there were some intense talks. I told them what the inhuman territories said, and the military did what they wanted anyway.
Honestly, I thought they were going to get us into serious trouble. We were lucky so far. This checkpoint might not go well. What if they stopped me from going to Fae territory?
After all, my approved team was stripped from me, and Andrew told me who was coming instead. I said absolutely not. I had to submit all those on my team to King Kane and get approval.
The Fae wouldn’t let us in if we did that. Not to mention, we’d have to go through Axel’s territory to get there. Axel hated my territory’s military, that was for sure.
“Yeah, stay sharp as we approach the checkpoint. Make sure you tell them we’re part of your medical team, Simone. Don’t go off script,” Leon said.
He was Andrew’s right-hand man. I was just silent. I loved how they wanted me to lie to these people. They were honestly asking for it. I was anxious as we stopped at the checkpoint.
I just felt like this might go horribly. Leon rolled down the window for the men waiting.
“Papers and state who you are and the number present,” the rather intimidating man outside the window demanded.
Leon handed over papers, lied smoothly, and the man, along with a couple of others, stepped away and read the papers. They talked and seemed to be on the phone as well. I swallowed, sitting in the back and waiting for them to let us through. Finally, after several long minutes, two men came toward the car.
It had already been told to the Fae and lycans meeting us that there would only be three of us. The gear we had was in the back of our large car. I currently had Moon on my lap, petting her through the crate to ease my nerves as we waited to be let through the territory to the Fae.
“We’re going to escort you. Follow us, and there will also be another car behind you. No funny business. Understood?” the main checkpoint guard said.
Leon nodded and saluted him with a bit of sarcasm. I almost wanted to roll my eyes. Leon could humble himself as well. The lycan eyed him and then moved toward one of the black cars parked at this small checkpoint.
The building to the left of the road has active patrols waiting for their shift. The lycan who spoke with us went to the parked cars and pulled out onto the road.
Only then was the bar blocking our way across the road lifted, and Leon put the car in drive and started to follow the black car as we were directed. Another car pulled behind us to follow. I swallowed. Something didn’t feel right about this. I glanced behind us and then forward.
My gut told me the lycans might not believe all of us were supposed to be here. After all, I’d submitted the names of my team and pictures. I had no idea if the lycans had that information or not.
I’d sent it to the Fae. Andrew said he’d resubmitted what I’d sent to include the lycans and the change. Now I was thinking this might be a sign that the change hadn’t been okay.
I knew Axel didn’t want a military presence. He’d only okayed me and my team. No military; he’d been explicit about that. I had clearance, so that was all that mattered. If the human military wanted to disregard warnings, that was on them.
We were leaving the North Territory and crossing into the main area of lycan territory, though Axel was in control of it all. So far, nothing crazy, so maybe my nervous intuition was wrong.
It was a pretty drive through remote wilderness. I wasn’t sure how long we drove—maybe an hour—and then we suddenly stopped. I frowned. This was earlier than we should have stopped for Fae Territory.
We were in the middle of nowhere, and the vehicles we’d been following blocked us in. I immediately tensed. Middle of nowhere? Good place to hide bodies.
Andrew looked tense too. I sat forward, looking at the deserted, remote location. The lycans in the car in front of us got out and walked toward ours.
Several of them now had small weapons in hand. My heart slammed against my ribs. Oh my God.
What if they thought all three of us were lying and here illegally? Were they going to shoot us? My mind went wild, and I silently cursed Andrew for putting us in this position that might just cost us our lives.
