A Warrior's Witch: Otherworld, #7

By Stacey Kennedy

Murder has brought Talon, Master of Guardians, as well as Zia, his witch and Master of Witches, to Chicago. The manner of death appears to be a suicide, but Talon is far from ready to close the case. To avenge the Guardian linked to his past, he agrees to take on the assignment, and find her killer.

As they dive deeper into the investigation, they find themselves entering a world where BDSM is the norm. A lifestyle that Zia is uncomfortable with and, rattled by this new development, she is more than ready to return to the Otherworld. But their investigation quickly takes an unexpected twist when they discover that they're not only hunting a killer but also someone who is controlling supernaturals in Chicago.

Their mission not only brings danger, but also forces Talon to deal with decades old guilt that corrodes his soul. Every event that unfolds only deepens his fight and pushes him to face an ultimate choice—what is more important—his duty to the Otherworld or the witch he holds closest to his heart?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stacey Kennedy
• Release date: Jul 24, 2018
• ISBN: 9781988992006

Stacey Kennedy

USA TODAY bestselling author STACEY KENNEDY has written more than fifty romances. Her books are about real people with real-life problems, searching for that special thing we call love in a very sexy way. When she’s not burning up the pages, she’s living her happily-ever-after with her husband and two children in southwestern Ontario. She’s a firm believer that wine, chocolate, and sinfully sexy books can cure all of life’s problems.

Book preview

Chapter One

Duty. Honor. Morals.

It all escaped Talon as he watched the vision in front of him in horror. The woman’s light brown hair draped over her face, but not enough to conceal her identity. She was no stranger to him. Her face held a bluish tinge, the rosy color he remembered she once held on her cheeks was now gone. Her eyes shone with terror as her body trembled in fear. However, nothing stood there to give reason for her fright; no one around her caused her panic. Talon scanned the simple living room a few times over, yet discovered nothing except the putrid scent of Whitlyn’s death.

No murderer.

A gasp returned Talon’s focus to Whitlyn. She now rested on her knees. Her breath strained as her chest rose and fell in heavy movements. Confusion stole his thoughts. Am I missing something?

No. Zia, Master of Witches, murmured. "Why is she dying?

Very peculiar, Zade, Master of Vampires, added.

Whitlyn fell down on her side, her breathing rapid and forced. As much as Talon wished he could intervene, he held no power. Whitlyn had already died. The vision was a moment from the past conjured by the Earth Witch, Haven who belonged to the Council’s Guard.

Within a few short minutes, she took her last breath, and the vision settled on the same one Talon had entered on; the humble home in Chicago with Whitlyn lying dead in the living room.

He glanced at the young witch, Haven. Her innocent blue eyes in her heart shaped face were wide, as she twirled one of her brown curls in her fingers. He regretted having her here in the first place since the matter had become entirely private. But her magic to recreate scenes was a must to locating the offenders. You’re finished here. He lowered his tone. Do not speak word of this to anyone.

I understand, she said in her high whimsical tone. Be safe. Then she turned on her heels and left the house to return to the portal that would carry her back into the Otherworld.

Feeling beside himself, Talon looked at his witch. Zia’s long strawberry blonde hair flowed around her flawless skin and her stunning crystal blue eyes shined in a way he’d never grow tired of admiring. Do you make sense of this?

Zia shook her head. Do you think she did this to herself?

The thought, too horrible to even imagine, was one Talon didn’t think possible. He bent down and brushed the hair away from the guardian’s face, and his heart clenched reminding himself of their past agreement; one that had been forged centuries ago.

At the time Whitlyn lived in the Otherworld, she’d proven herself one of the greatest female warriors. But the battles wore on her. She wanted a life without death and violence. Knowing the stakes it cost the Otherworld to have her gone, she offered a solution, presented herself to bear Talon’s child.

Now, the woman who gave him such a gift had lost her life, and it sickened him. I cannot fathom she’d take her own life. She doesn’t seem the type.

But you haven’t seen her in well over twenty-nine years, Zade countered, his dark eyes questioning, as he brushed his hand over his equally dark hair.

That’s true, Talon agreed. It’s quite possible she could’ve come into hard times. He’d always suspected Whitlyn’s offering to him came from the duty she owed to the Otherworld, but he also believed the solution a viable one. It gave back to their forces, while it allowed Whitlyn to live in peace in the Earthworld among the humans and leave her position as part of the Council’s guard.

But what happened?

If you’ve done this to yourself, I’m sorry you didn’t trust in us to come home and get you the help you needed. Talon placed his hand on her forehead and her cold skin chilled his palm. His heart bled. If someone has hurt you, it’s my promise that I’ll find out who and deliver their punishment.

Silence filled the room, and Talon appreciated it. His thoughts ran rapid with whats and whys. Finally, after a long moment, Zade cleared his throat, bringing Talon’s attention to him. I note a strange scent around her, but I cannot place it.

As guardian, Talon didn’t have the enhanced scent capabilities Zade possessed as a vampire; only impeccable warrior skills. He couldn’t smell anything unusual here. Inhaling deeply for good measure, he sighed, unable to catch a trace of it. I’d suspect whatever you’re scenting is what caused her death.

Odd, to say the least, Zia said.

Talon agreed with a nod. Clearly whatever Whitlyn had either taken—or been given—claimed her life. However, the question remained, what was it?

After a squeeze of his hand on Whitlyn’s frigid flesh, he closed his eyes and an entire world of guilt rest upon his shoulders. He’d find out what happened because he owed Whitlyn that, and so much more. She’d given his life meaning with the gift of his son. Gave him something he never thought he’d have as a Master. An oath he’d taken long ago to always put the Otherworld first. A personal life wasn’t in the hopes and dreams of a Master of the Otherworld. His role centered on keeping the Earthworld protected.

Do you want me to go and get Kyden? Zade asked softly.

It was true his son, Kyden, was part of their Guard and should be involved, but Talon hesitated. The secret of his birth hadn’t been kept from Kyden, but his son never discussed it with anyone. Talon equated it to the fact that his mother didn’t exist in Kyden’s eyes; to disown one’s duty to the Otherworld was the gravest of all betrayals. Talon never harbored ill feelings toward Whitlyn for her choices. The battles could be trying at times, and she sought refuge from all the death. He never judged her for those wishes.

Talon’s pause was more centered on the uncertainty about how Kyden would respond to the sight of his dead mother. So many unresolved emotions surrounded Whitlyn. Too many in Talon’s own soul to even make sense of now. Determined he only had one choice, he shook his head. Leave him out of it.

Talon! Zia exclaimed.

Her curt tone matched her unhappy expression. Even with her grimace, though, she still exuded beauty. All Kyden knows of his mother is that she wanted a life away from danger. Those are the reasons she gave birth to him and left, never to return. We’ll handle the assignment, find out what happened to Whitlyn, and I’ll tell him once it’s resolved.

You will tell him though, yes? Zia urged.

I will. Talon’s heart ached, for Whitlyn and for Kyden. Even though he had no relationship with Whitlyn and there had never been love between them when they spent a month together producing Kyden, he respected her. The time they’d shared was a wonderful memory.

What do you want to do? Zia asked.

Talon considered. In most cases, they used trackers who worked for the Council; werewolves who hunted out the killers by scent. But there was no killer here to find. He sighed. Let’s take her to someone who can identify this unknown scent lingering around her. He gathered the lifeless Whitlyn in his arms. He might have only given her a passing thought over the years, but her death would be vindicated.

* * *

With Zade returned to the Otherworld, Zia lifted her head and inhaled the fresh air and lush forests around her. Approaching the country home surrounded by Utah mountain beauty, Valor, Patriarch to the Wolves, strode out of his house with purposeful steps.

The leader of the werewolves help didn’t come often, but with the heightened scent gifted to him because of his leadership over the Alphas of the United States, he’d know more than anyone what happened to Whitlyn.

Zia followed Talon as he held Whitlyn so gently, carefully, as if she’d break in his strong arms. He possessed the strength to cause death in a mere flash, yet he rarely ever showed that side, to her anyway. This gentleness in such a hard, thick body was what captured her heart.

Seeing Whitlyn dead had been a shock. Zia hadn’t heard of the guardian since the night she left the Otherworld after giving birth to Kyden. At the time, she and Talon hadn’t been involved, and she understood his need to birth a youngling.

Being a Master made that dream impossible. The night she became Master of Witches was the night she gave up the right for a personal life. Her duty belonged to the ones she ruled over, and the humans they were bound to protect.

Zia never harbored ill feelings on the matter. She understood the importance of their role. Without their duty and higher strength, humans would not stand a chance against the supernaturals that lived among them. Yet, a part of her couldn’t deny she longed for the life that could’ve been if she wasn’t Master of Witches.

As Valor drew closer, Zia examined him. A handsome werewolf with a thick body, dark hair, tall frame, all showing strength, but a kind, gentle old soul lived in Valor. One Zia respected and had grown fond of over the years. His dark eyes squinted at Whitlyn in Talon’s arms. What’s wrong?

Talon laid Whitlyn down on the plush grass, the sword strapped to his bare back digging into the dirt. His armor kilt settling over his knees; to humans the magic would show a T-shirt and jeans, but a supernatural would see his guardian attire. His brown hair dangled over his forehead, his green eyes troubled as leaned back on his legs and glanced at Valor. This is Whitlyn, Kyden’s mother.

Valor’s eyes widened. Is she now? His gaze left Whitlyn to focus on Zia. I didn’t know he had a mother. I suspected she had died.

Sadly, she has now, Zia replied, understanding Valor’s confusion. Even Zia had never heard Kyden speak of his mother, and seeing Valor so shocked by this news only solidified the disparity of the situation. How would Kyden deal with this news? He might have wanted to see his mother, know more of her, but hesitated. Now he’d never get the chance to.

Zia finally understood why Talon refused to tell him of her death until he had more answers. She suspected Kyden would reciprocate in full outrage, regardless of the fact that he’d never met her. Kyden was his father’s son, after all, and both had a short-fused temper.

A shame to hear of this. Valor shook his head in unhappiness before his gazed edged with determination. What do you need of me?

We’re unaware of what killed her, Talon replied. It appears as either she hurt herself or someone has given her something to cause her death.

Valor inclined his head. She’s been poisoned.

No surprise there. The look of Whitlyn when she died showed something that she’d ingested had killed her. Do you know by what? Zia probed.

Valor’s mouth firmed into a thin line. Chemical based for sure. He inhaled again, and cocked his head with a curious expression.

Have you ever smelled this chemical before? Talon questioned.

Valor shook his head. I can’t say I have. His expression shifted to a knowing glance. But I suspect whatever the chemical is, it’s powerful if it killed a supernatural.

Zia thought along those lines too. Not common for a supernatural to die in the manner Whitlyn had. It appeared cowardly, and supernaturals tended to be far from that. She turned to Talon. I suppose our only choice is to learn more about what Whitlyn has been doing these last years. Who she surrounded herself with, the friends she kept, her enemies, and how she spent her time.

Another deep intake of breath filled the air around them and drew Zia’s focus from Talon to Valor. He knelt closer to Whitlyn, his nose at the base of her neck. You know, there’s something here that smells somewhat familiar.

How so? Talon asked.

Valor leaned away from Whitlyn, and glanced up. Years back—in the nineties, a wolf was killed in the Chicago territory that carried a scent much like this one. Not the same, but it also held a chemical base and smelled similar.

His eyebrows furrowed deep in thought, then he added, I can smell traces of the same scent I did on the wolf now on her. However, it has other traces of something in it I don’t recognize.

Well, didn’t that strike a chord? What would be the chances that two events, even if years apart, held a similar manner of death in the same city? Did you ever find out what happened to the wolf?

Valor sighed. It appeared at the time the wolf killed himself. The alpha in the Chicago territory contacted me and I did go out there, but the wolf led a troubled life. Had problems within his pack, his family, and in most aspects of his life. I concluded he used the solution to rid himself of his pain.

Zia pondered. She’d never heard of any sort of chemical having the ability to kill a supernatural. Typically, poisons used by humans would need to be ingested in large quantities to have any effect, but the scent would be recognizable. So what could this all be about?

She tried her best to focus on what she did know, what she needed to do, and tried not to get too far ahead of herself. "Whatever has caused