by T. G. Ayer
Drake was almost free.
Chapter 22
Mel
I slammed the garish bronze knocker on the door, watching as the lion’s head bounced off the dark wood. The door swished open and Nathaniel’s corpse-like butler stared at me, eyes cold black chips. “The Master awaits you downstairs.” Then he moved aside for me to enter. As soon I stepped over the threshold, he shut the door and stalked off.
Raising an eyebrow, I followed as he led me to the stairs to the necromancer’s underground lair. The butler halted at the top of the stairs then bowed and left me there, disappearing down the hall in shadowy silence. My heart thumped as I hurried down the stairs. The door was shut and I swallowed, praying Drake and I would get out of here fast. I pounded on the door and waited, feeling the cold of the underground stone seep into my bones.
The door opened fast enough and Nathaniel stood there, a satisfied smile on his face. He waved me inside and I walked to his desk, slinging my bag forward to withdraw the blank keys. Over in the far corner stood Drake, a perfectly carved statue watching in stony silence.
Not long now, Drake.
I dropped the metal disks on the table and they clanged together, the musical sound ringing around the stone room.
“Ah, well done, Ms. Morgan.” Nathaniel clapped his hands together and hurried to the desk. He stood close to me as he reached for the keys, so close I could have easily stabbed him in the gut. But that would be a mistake. I hardly knew if Nathaniel was strong enough to regenerate himself. I could just be killing myself by trying to end his sorry life.
I took a step back and waited as he examined the disks. “Are you satisfied?”
He nodded but his attention remained on the keys.
“You have what you want. Now let Drake go.”
His eyes drifted to me, lips curling into a cold smile. “Did you think it would be that easy?”
Icy dread filtered through me. Nathaniel was going to cheat me. I gritted my teeth. “We had a deal. Do you plan to dishonor that deal?” He stared at me as if considering how best to answer my question. “It’s not hard, Nathaniel. Yes or no.” I shifted a little to face him head-on. “But before you speak, let me remind you that I am not a meek little human bowing at your powerful feet. If you renege on this deal, I can promise you I will not be quiet about it.”
His face darkened, his jaw a granite curve. He gripped the keys in tight, white fingers and I wondered if he was stupid enough to try to break the deal. The glare he sent me had shivers running up and down my spine. He knew he would have to kill me to ensure his dishonor wasn’t revealed.
“Oh and don’t think you can just kill me and be done with it. A number of people already know I am here; they also know what you did to Drake and what you made me do to save him. They will not be inclined to keep quiet should I conveniently disappear while visiting you.”
I watched as he stewed on my words, his eyes darkening. He glanced over at Drake, then back at me and shrugged. “You are no good to me dead,” was all he said.
I frowned. Heaven knew what he meant by that, but I certainly didn’t want to stick around to find out. I walked to Drake and looked at Nathaniel over my shoulder. “Release him.” Not a request, although I wasn’t quite sure what I would do if he didn’t free Drake. The hum around me reminded me his lair was protected by a powerful spell, so jumping was not an option.
A moment went by in which I glared at Nathaniel. And then he flicked his hand at Drake. I spun back to Drake and watched, holding my breath. The stony solidity eased, the gray color lightening.
His skin scrunched as he moved his facial muscles. I met his gaze and let go of my breath. Drake stared back at me, relief so evident in the glossiness of his eyes. He blinked slowly. I stepped closer in case he fell forward, watching as his color gradually returned. But he didn’t move.
Soon he looked like Drake again, no longer giving me that stony hard-faced gargoyle stare. He frowned and glanced down at his body, tilting his head. He tried to move but it seemed his body hadn’t received the message yet. I looked over at Nathaniel, who stood watching, his fingers tracing the keys unconsciously. He paid no attention to me, his gaze remaining on Drake.
When I turned my attention back to Drake, I sighed with relief. He was moving his shoulders, struggling against the hold the spell had on him. At last, he stepped forward and sagged against me.
“Here, put your arm around me,” I said, struggling under the gargoyle’s weight. He was so heavy I strained to support him and was very near collapsing beneath him. He seemed to understand, throwing his arm over my shoulder and taking more of his weight onto his legs. I glanced over at Nathaniel, who had lost interest in my reanimated friend and was back at his desk, caressing his keys. “Let’s get you home,” I said as I guided him to the door.
“Wait,” Drake said, stopping our progress.
“What?” I met his gaze. Seeing the fury in his eyes, I shook my head. “No. We have no time. And he is too powerful.”
“The bastard turned me to fucking stone.” He gritted his teeth, his jaw pumping with anger.
“And he will turn you to fucking stone again if we don’t get the hell out of here now,” I growled softly, not even daring to check on Nathaniel. Knowing how quietly he moved, chances were he was right behind us.
I tugged Drake forward and expelled a sigh of relief when he grunted and let me lead him to the entrance. As I pulled open the door, I glanced at Nathaniel whose face was dark, his eyebrows looming over shadowed eyes.
He nodded at me and a shiver ran up my spine. Maybe it was the smug smile on his face, but something told me he was not yet done with me.
Chapter 23
Mel
I jumped back home as soon as we got to the main floor of Nathaniel’s house. I didn’t bother to wait until we had left the building. Didn’t care if it seemed rude. Besides, I wouldn’t have been able to support Drake for much longer. We arrived in the kitchen just in time. Drake pitched over and would have landed on the floor had we not appeared directly in front of the gigantic kitchen table. He fell onto it, gripping the edge to support himself. I pulled a stool over and placed it behind him, and he slowly sank into it, relief shining on his face.
“You okay?” He nodded at my question, giving me a wry grin. “So you can say ‘I told you so’ any time you want,” I offered, a sheepish smile turning up my lips.
He shook his head and sighed. “No. There’s no point. And besides, you got the spell and saved the kid, right?” He stared at me, intent on my answer.
“Of course, I got her,” I said, wondering if Cross had arrived yet. I pointed to the ceiling. “She’s probably upstairs. And the father should be here by now too.”
The doorbell rang, echoing along the passage to the kitchen. I gave Drake a warning look that said stay-where-you-are and headed for the entrance. I flung the door open and Chloe stood on the porch, smiling.
“Hey.” We spoke in unison, then laughed. I gave her a quick hug and shut the door. Though not before scanning the street in front of my house. Empty. Good.
I closed the door and waved Chloe into the kitchen. “I think Drake may need you more right now.” She raised her eyebrows in question, but with Drake sitting not twelve feet from us, I shook my head, then nodded in his direction. He’d tell her if he wanted to, although he probably knew she’d find out anyway.
As Chloe entered the kitchen, I took the stairs two by two and went in search of Mr. and Miss Cross. I found the little family in the spare bedroom, sprawled on the floor; Martin Cross reading his daughter a story while she lay curled on the carpet, her head on his lap, hugging a multicolored teddy bear close to her chest.
I leaned against the door, and would have left them to it, when Samantha opened her eyes and grinned at me.
“Mel. You’re back.” She scrambled to her feet and ran to me, throwing her arms around my waist.
I fluffed her curls and said, “You been taking care of your dad?”
&nbs
p; She nodded, her blonde ringlets bouncing up and down. Cross met my eyes over her head and gave me a smile so filled with gratitude and emotion that I had to blink away hot tears. He got to his feet, holding the little storybook tight in his hands. “Thank you, Ms. Morgan.” His voice broke and he cleared his throat.
I smiled. “It’s my job, Mr. Cross. I do the best I can.” He nodded, but I wasn’t sure he totally understood. This could have gone the wrong way. I could have brought home a body instead of this bouncy little spark of a kid. Maybe he didn’t want to think about it. And maybe that was for the best.
I looked down at Samantha and said, “Right, Squirt. I have someone downstairs I would like you to meet. And I think you will like her very much.”
“Is she your friend?” she asked, her forehead scrunched. When I nodded, she said, “Then I think I will like her, too.” I laughed and headed out the door.
I wanted to stick my hand out, and knew she would take it and we’d head down the stairs hand-in-hand. But I didn’t. I’d already gotten too close, inviting Cross into my home. I’d crossed the line with the Cross family, and it was time to put some distance between us because I certainly wasn’t planning on keeping up a relationship with them. I had enough going on in my life. I didn’t need to play at being an aunt.
My throat tightened and I cleared it as I reached the ground floor. I didn’t look back, just headed straight to the kitchen where Chloe was holding Drake’s hands in hers and Drake was looking very uncomfortable.
When he saw me enter, he tried to tug his hands away but Chloe held on tight. I glanced at her, hiding a smile, but when she gave me a wide-eyed innocent look I wanted to laugh. She was enjoying this far too much.
“Okay, Squirt, this is my friend Chloe. She also happens to be a doctor.” Samantha stuck out her little hand and Chloe took it, giving the girl a warm smile. “Doc, this is my friend Squirt.” Samantha giggled. “Oh, I meant Samantha.”
Chloe grinned at her. “So should I call you Squirt or Samantha?”
Samantha laughed. “Samantha. But you can call me Squirt if you like. Mel calls me Stinky,” she said, grinning at me.
“Hey, I couldn’t help it if you were stinky.” I glanced back at her dad, who hovered in the doorway. “Mr. Cross, this is Dr. Chloe Murdoch and my partner Drake Darvon.”
Everyone shook hands, then Cross turned to me and said, “I think you can call me Martin. I can’t thank you enough for what you did for my family.” I nodded, not wanting to get too touchy-feely.
“Okay. Martin it is.” I moved toward the doorway and said, “Why don’t you guys come to the sitting room and get comfy. The Doc here has a few questions for Samantha.”
Everyone filed out of the room and followed me, except for Drake. I hoped he’d relax a bit. I really should have gotten him into bed.
In my front room, I waved them all into seats, and Chloe took my armchair while the Cross family sat on a wider plump sofa. I perched on the sofa near the door. I was planning on leaving the questions to Chloe, but from her expression, she wanted me to start.
I took a breath. “Mr. Cross. Sorry, Martin.” He gave me an awkward smile. “You will have to forgive me but I need to ask you what will seem like a very odd question.” I waited for him to nod before continuing. “Have you noticed anything strange in the last few months?”
Samantha’s head snapped up, her eyes meeting mine. Her face was contorted with worry. I gave a small nod and a quick smile but it didn’t seem to make her feel any better.
“I’m not sure what you mean?” Martin said. “Strange?”
“Yes. In your home, with Samantha. Anything.”
He shook his head and stared at me, perplexed. A glance at Chloe said I’d done my part and it was over to her.
“Martin, what Mel is trying to ask, without upsetting you, is if you have noticed anything odd or unusual about Samantha.” Martin glanced at his daughter who sat beside him, still clutching her colorful bear. Only now she squashed it so hard I was worried it would bust its seams.
“No. There’s been nothing strange.” He seemed genuinely confused, so I knew Chloe would proceed with caution.
But then Martin yelped and snapped his gaze to his daughter. “What?” He stared at her, so confused it looked like he was about to cry. I glanced at Chloe, who suspected what I did. Samantha was talking to her father in his head. At least he hadn’t run screaming from the room.
Yet.
The silence stretched on for a bit until Martin met my gaze, as if he were looking for me to say it was all a joke. I shook my head. “This is real, Martin. Samantha was targeted most probably for her ability. We aren’t entirely sure what the abductors were planning, but we do believe it has something to do with supernatural talent.” I took a deep breath and forged ahead. Might as well ask the biggie. “Why did your wife leave?”
I deliberately left out the word “you.” I didn’t want to scrape his wounds raw again. But he shook his head, looked at his child, then back at me. His face held a look of resolution. “Samantha’s mother didn’t leave us.”
I could have cut the silence with a knife. “Where is she?” I asked softly, glancing at the little girl who sat opposite me, completely unperturbed.
“She is in a mental care facility just outside of the city.” He turned to Samantha. “I’m so sorry, Sammy, I didn’t mean to lie to you. I just didn’t want to upset you.”
She tilted her head and looked at him with the eyes of an ancient soul. “Don’t worry, Daddy, I’ve known for a long time.”
Martin wrapped Samantha in a bear hug, a soft sob escaping his lips. “Why didn’t you tell me, honey?”
“I didn’t want to upset you. You always got so sad when you thought of Mommy. I didn’t want to make you sad.”
My throat closed and tears burned my eyes. Chloe’s eyes met mine and I could see she was just as affected. Neither of us said anything while Martin absorbed the maturity of his little girl.
When he turned to me he seemed calmer, and I wondered if Chloe had been needed after all. “So, these people that took Samantha. Will they come back for her?”
“There is the possibility they will.” His face fell but I wasn’t about to sugarcoat the reality. He needed to be strong and hard or Samantha would be left with nothing. “It’s why Chloe is here. She will take you to a safe place until your home can be warded.”
“Warded?”
“A magical spell to prevent demons or dark creatures from entering your home.”
He nodded as if this was all just routine. Only the contained horror in his eyes gave him away. “Can’t you catch them?”
“Not yet. We don’t know anything much about them. Not enough to know who they are and how they operate. But we will try. I work for an organization that will be sending their operatives out to catch these guys.” I stopped speaking. I wasn’t going to promise we would catch them because I had no idea if Sentinel or Omega could find them. I hoped so, but I didn’t want to make any guarantees. They had been through enough.
“Martin. What was the reason your wife was admitted to the care facility?”
He looked pained. “She heard voices. All the time, everywhere we went. It never stopped. It was driving her insane. She chose to go. Asked to be put into solitary care.” As he spoke, his eyes grew larger as he slowly met my gaze. “Do you think she is like Samantha?”
I nodded. “It’s very likely that she is.” I couldn’t bear the guilt I saw in his expression.
I glanced at Chloe, who said, “Don’t worry, Martin. I will see about bringing your wife home. All she needs to do is learn a few techniques to control her abilities.”
He nodded, the creases of worry and guilt easing a little. “So you don’t think there is anything wrong with her?”
Chloe shook her head. “From what I heard about your daughter’s abilities, I don’t expect anything to be wrong with her mother, but let’s keep the final diagnosis for after I have visited her.” She got to her feet and
said, “I have some arrangements to make. I think it’s best you both stay here until I get things organized.”
She glanced at me for confirmation and I nodded, turning to Martin and Samantha. “Yeah, make yourselves at home. Chloe won’t be too long.”
Chapter 24
Mel
Martin headed upstairs to finish reading Samantha her story and I peeped in on Drake. The kitchen was empty. I hoped he’d taken his ass to bed. Fishing in my pocket, I grabbed my phone and sent Saleem a text. With Samantha and Drake both safe and sound I was free to help bring home the Djinn Queen. My phone pinged. Saleem’s text said Knock knock.
I smiled and went to the door, flushing at his cheeky grin. Man, he was too sexy for my sanity.
For a moment, his features darkened. “You ready?”
I nodded and led him to the living room. “I need to grab my bag, then we can get going.” I hesitated for a second, then turned and went out the door, hiding my hot cheeks. I bounded up the stairs, headed to Hacker Central, and I slipped inside as Steph glanced up at me, a smile at the ready.
“I have to go out again. You think you’re up for handling Drake and the Cross family?”
“Sure. As long as Drake calls when he needs his diaper changed.” She raised an eyebrow. I knew she was annoyed because all this babysitting encroached on her PC time.
“I’m sorry to ask you for this, but if you knew what he went through—”
She folded her arms and leaned back in the seat. “Maybe, tell me?”
I sighed and gave her the brief version, watching as her eyes popped and her face went red as I described what really happened to Drake. “Crap. Okay. No more diaper jokes.”
“It wasn’t easy seeing him like that.”