by L. Danvers
Suddenly, his armor of cockiness and charm faded, and it was just him. “What’s so wrong with caring about me?”
I swallowed. I was trapped on an airplane with him. There was no escaping this conversation. And even if I wanted to, he could easily compel it out of me. Not that I thought he’d do that. But, either way, I might as well tell him the truth.
Eyes hooded, I said, “I don’t know. I guess it’s that everyone I’ve ever cared about has been taken away from me. And I don’t want to add you to the long list of reasons behind my abandonment issues.”
“So, you’d rather push me away than risk being... what? Happy?”
I didn’t know what to say to that. This wasn’t how life was supposed to work. I wasn’t supposed to be a witch. Vampires and werewolves and witches weren’t supposed to exist. I wasn’t supposed to have a psychopath for a parent, or a twin who might become evil and try to kill me one day. I wasn’t supposed to be saying goodbye to my best friend, possibly forever. And I certainly wasn’t supposed to meet guys by being trapped in their castle of horrors for years.
And did I actually care about him, or was my head still fuzzy from drinking so much of his blood? I didn’t know. Only time would tell.
But how was I supposed to put all that into words without sounding like a bumbling idiot?
“Grace?”
“I can’t think about you right now. Not in that way. Not until all of this is long behind us.” I looked at him, and for once, I felt like the bad guy. I didn’t want to hurt him. Really, I didn’t. “I need some time, okay?”
He shrugged. “I can respect that,” he said as he folded his hands behind his head and reclined into his seat. “Lucky for me, I’ve got all the time in the world.”
His phone buzzed, so he reached into his pocket to check it.
“Who is it?” I asked.
“Why?” he teased. “Jealous?”
“Seriously, Xander.”
He read the message quickly. “Melissa. Looks like protests have begun in Charleston. She’s safe, though. The Book Slayers are hiding in plain sight. No one would suspect them.”
“The Book Slayers!” I bolted upright. “That’s it! They have to have grimoires in their library, right? Xander, do you think you could get them could research some spells for me?”
IT TURNED OUT HAVING a secret sect of vampires on speed dial came in handy.
Not only did they manage to find some helpful spells in their grimoires, but they also filled us in on Reed’s whereabouts. We weren’t the only ones ticked off at him for what he’d done. And we weren’t the only ones conspiring against him.
Tonight, the boastful leader of the Carlisle coven was hosting a ball to celebrate what he referred to as “the liberation of the witches.” So, all we had to do was sneak into the party and find Nick. After we convinced him to help us, we’d make our move.
And if he didn’t agree...
Then we’d find another way. I could incapacitate him if I had to—knock him out temporarily without hurting him. That would buy us enough time to deal with Reed before Nick told him anything.
I hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
Either way, with a few more spells in my arsenal now thanks to the Book Slayers, I was sure we could pull this off.
Grace
I hooked my arm around Xander’s as he escorted me up the grand staircase at the entrance to the venue. It was easier than expected to fit in. It was a masquerade ball, so I didn’t have to worry about altering our appearances. Thank goodness. The last thing I needed was to weaken my powers right before I faced my father.
Xander peered down at me through his black mask. It was decked with a Medusa-esque bronze charm that sat between his brows, surrounded by various flourishes. It was a bit much, but it was better than the copper wolf mask he wanted to wear. As if that wouldn’t raise suspicion. Thankfully, I’d talked him out of it.
I had to admit, though, he did wear that suit well.
I, on the other hand, was having a princess moment. I’d never had the opportunity to go to a high school dance, so I figured if I was going to have to dress up anyway, I might as well pick something I’d enjoy wearing.
I settled on a golden mask bedazzled with sequins and feathers. But the dress—that was the real showstopper. The bodice was pretty enough—black sequins in a V-neck cut. But the skirt was covered in black and gold feathers, like I was a phoenix rising from the ashes.
I wobbled as I took another step—it’d been a long time since I’d worn such high heels. Maybe flats would have been a better call. But honestly, was I really going to wear flats to a masquerade?
“Whoa,” Xander said, helping to steady me. “You okay there?”
“I’ll be fine. Walking in heels is like riding a bike... I hope.”
I quieted myself as we reached the doorman, who was holding a notebook in his hand. The guest list, no doubt. With a forced smile, he asked, “Names, please?”
After a quick scan of the area to make sure no one was within hearing-distance, Xander leaned in and locked his gaze on the doorman. “We’re not on the list, but you’re going to let me and my friend into the party. And you’re not going to tell anyone.”
Entranced, the doorman nodded. “Of course,” he said, motioning us toward the door with his hand. “Enjoy the masquerade.”
“Why, thank you,” Xander said with a smug grin.
And then we walked inside the hotel lobby and made our way to the ballroom. With a cheesy bow, Xander pulled the door open so that I could enter.
Stepping through the threshold, I marveled at the décor. A grand crystal chandelier hung over the dance floor, casting the polished wooden boards in brilliant white tones. Meanwhile, it looked like a peacock had thrown up all over the tables. They were covered in plum and turquoise and feathers.
I had to be honest, though, the pop music took me by surprise. I pictured a witch party to be less... fun.
I could feel the magic in the room, the witches’ energy practically oozing off them. But there was only one witch I wanted to find: my brother.
I hadn’t bothered calling ahead of time. I didn’t want to risk Reed overhearing anything. And I knew Nick would be here anyway. It was better to have this conversation in person. Asking someone to conspire against their evil father was more of a face-to-face type of convo than a phone call.
Trying to be discreet, Xander casually slipped his hand around my back and asked, “Are you sure we even need to get Nick involved? We can probably find Reed on our own. He has to be here somewhere.”
“It’s not about finding him. It’s about getting him alone. We’ve been over this.”
Guiding me as we walked through the crowded ballroom, Xander gladly took a flute of fizzing champagne from a waiter. He offered it to me, but I declined. Even if I wasn’t underage, I needed to have my wits about me if I was going to pull this off.
Shrugging, he downed it himself. “Do you see him anywhere?” he asked.
“Not yet.”
“Here,” Xander said, offering me his hand.
Scrunching my eyebrows, I asked, “What are you doing?”
“We need to blend in, don’t we?”
“Xander—”
“Relax, Grace. It’s only a dance. We need to pretend like we belong here. Everyone is dancing. What do you bet your brother’s out on that dance floor?”
Sighing, I relented. He had a point. Lurking around the perimeter would only draw attention to us. So, I took his hand and allowed him to lead me toward the dance floor.
I wasn’t familiar with the song, but it had a good beat. We started out facing each other, doing a simple step-touch move, Xander keeping his eyes on me the whole time.
My stomach fluttered, and I could feel my cheeks turning bright red. I hoped the mask kept me from giving my emotions away.
I’d never noticed him looking at me like that before.
He was smiling—not one of those devious smiles that he’d perfected over
the centuries, but genuinely smiling.
He took my hand and guided me into a spin before dipping me back. My hand settled on the back of his neck, my fingers tangling in his dark hair, and for a second, everything around us slipped away.
He held me there for a moment or two, and my breath started to quicken.
For a second, I thought he was about to kiss me.
And, for a second, I thought I might let him.
But his ears perked, and he brought me upright. Feeling unsettled, I stepped back, sweeping my hair away from my face. I was about to ask him what was going on when he said, “Nick’s over there. I heard his voice.”
Nick. With a tilt of my head, I said, “Let’s go.”
It didn’t take long for me to spot Nick in the crowd. We favored each other, so even with the mask, it was easy to pick him out. He had a group of people around him, and he was tossing his head back in laughter when we approached.
Forcing my way through the group, I said, “Excuse me. Nick? Can we talk?”
He stopped laughing and looked at me, realization dawning on him. “Oh, uh. Hey.” Even the mask couldn’t hide his confusion. “Uh, I’ll catch up with you guys in a bit, okay?” he said to his friends.
He broke away from the group, and Xander and I followed after him.
Leaving the party, he pushed open a door and led us into a dimly lit hall. He looked over his shoulder, making sure no one else was around.
Lowering his voice, he asked, “What are you doing here?” His eyes narrowed in disapproval as he looked past me. “And what’s the Blood Heir doing here? How’d you even get in?”
“I have my ways,” Xander said with a wink.
“Oh,” Nick answered, realizing he’d used compulsion.
I cleared my throat. It was now or never. “Nick, I have a question for you.”
“You came all the way here for a question?”
“It’s important. And I want you to answer me honestly.”
“...Okay.”
“Do you think what Reed is doing is right?”
He stuffed his hands in his pockets. “You know that I don’t.”
Struggling to veil my disappointment, I asked, “Then why do you go along with it? Do you have any idea what he’s done? I’ve seen it for myself. Werewolves and vampires are being hunted in the Kingdom of the Silver Seas. One of them tried to kill my friend.”
Nick stared at me.
“I don’t even know how they knew about how to kill werewolves, but—”
Shaking his head, Nick sighed. “I do.”
“What do you mean?”
He scratched the back of his neck. “Dad told them.”
“He did what?!”
Nick pressed his fingers to his lips, reminding me to keep it down. “He negotiated a deal. Witches will be allowed to do our thing as long as we don’t harm humans. And, in exchange, Dad told them about the other kingdoms, what they’d find inside and how to subdue and/or kill the various supernaturals inhabiting those lands.”
I didn’t even know where to begin with that. “And you don’t think he’ll hurt humans, too?”
“Of course he will. But he’ll cover his tracks. As long as humans think we’re on their side, we’ll be safe.”
A shiver raced down my spine, and I hugged my arms around my waist.
“Why are you here, Grace? You couldn’t have come all this way to talk.”
My jaw set, and I lifted my chin. With determination blazing in my eyes, I said, “We have to do something about Reed.”
Nick’s eyes bounced between me and Xander. “I see. And you’re telling me this because...?”
“We need your help.”
His eyebrow lifted. “Help with what?”
I pressed my lips into a hard line, and he understood.
“Look,” Nick said, “I don’t like this any more than you do. But he’s my dad. Our dad.”
“Your dad’s dangerous,” Xander interjected, stepping closer toward him.
“And you’re not?”
“I’m on your side.”
“This isn’t going to stop, Nick,” I said. “He’s never going to stop. People are dying out there, and it’s all because of him. He’s deranged and hungry for power. You have to know that’s a dangerous combination. What good is it for us to have these powers if we don’t use them for good?”
Nick scoffed. “So, you think you’re a hero now?”
“No,” I answered firmly. “But if I can stop him and don’t, then I’m no better than he is. And neither are you.”
Nick lifted the mask from his face. Holding it in his hands, unable to look at me, he asked, “What are you wanting me to do?”
I placed a hand on his shoulder. “I need you to get Reed alone.” And then I explained the plan.
Grace
“Have you considered the possibility that he might betray us?”
I shot Xander a glare. “He’s my brother.”
“And he’s Reed’s son.”
I shook my head. “You don’t know him like I do.”
“You barely know him either.”
Ignoring him—mainly because I didn’t want to admit that he was right—I pulled out the desk chair and sat in it.
Nick had brought us up to Reed’s suite. The plan was for us to hang there until the party was over. It’d be the perfect time for us to make our move. Reed would be exhausted—and drunk if we were lucky. His defenses would be down. And he’d never suspect Nick of setting him up. With the element of surprise on our side, and the handy trick the Book Slayers had taught me to amplify my power, tonight, Reed Carlisle as we knew him would cease to exist. He’d become good.
“I still think you should be prepared to use the back-up plan,” Xander pointed out.
“He’s not going to betray us,” I said again. Xander had told me his Plan B on the plane. I’d told him it was never going to happen.
“Fine,” he said, propping himself against the desk and looking down at me, the lines still imprinted on his skin from where his mask had been. “But know this: I did not come across the world to have a fast-one pulled on me by your brother. We’re going to finish what we started, no matter what it takes. If he crosses us, or if the spell doesn’t work, I’m going to do whatever I have to in order to make sure we get out of here alive.”
My stomach knotted. I hoped Nick was the person I thought he was. Because if he wasn’t, and he did betray us, I was afraid of what Xander might do to him.
And I was even more afraid of what I might let him do.
Because this was our one and only shot.
WE HEARD THE BEEP OF the card reader, and Xander and I took our positions. I stood behind the door. Meanwhile, Xander slipped into the bathroom, ready to serve as backup.
I hoped I wouldn’t need it.
The handle turned, and the heavy door to the hotel room squeaked as Nick pushed it open. Reed had his arm draped over his son’s neck. He looked like he’d partied hard. That was good. Just how we’d hoped.
Slurring his words, Reed mumbled about how that was the most fun he’d had in years. Nick helped him toward the bed. He hadn’t even noticed me.
Everything was going according to plan.
When the door latched, I made my move. I muttered the same spell to it that I’d used with Xander on the plane. We didn’t need hotel guests overhearing this.
Realizing he and his son weren’t alone, Reed sat upright.
Nerves on fire, I began uttering the spell the Book Slayers had taught me. The same one that allowed Reed to take control over Xander’s mind.
Laughing maniacally, he started walking toward me.
Crap.
“You stupid, stupid girl,” he said, a joyful rage burning in his eyes. He wasn’t drunk at all. “You really think I don’t know what you’re up to? May I remind you of the carnage I caused at your vampire friend’s hands?”
With a dip of his chin, Reed starting muttering something, too. Another spell.
&nb
sp; He’d threatened me once. Now, I was afraid he was about to follow through.
Not waiting for a monologue, I shouted, “Nick, give me your hand.”
Reaching out for my brother’s palm, I lifted my other hand. A surge of energy thrust out from it, but Reed expertly dodged it. “NICK! What are you doing?” I cried. Why wasn’t he taking my hand? He was going to choose me over Reid... wasn’t he?
He looked back and forth between the two of us, indecision paralyzing him.
I couldn’t believe it. Xander was right.
I was nothing to Nick. Just some sister he’d only recently learned about.
I should have let Xander compel him to help us. I thought trusting Nick was the right thing to do. That letting him choose for himself was the right thing to do. But I realized now that I’d made a grave mistake.
With a twisted grin, Reed lifted his hand. My throat constricted from the inside. I tried to fight it. Used everything I had. But his hold was too strong.
“Nick,” I pleaded, barely getting his name out. My voice was so raspy, so strained, I didn’t even recognize it.
I may not have been able to save myself, but maybe I could still stop Reed.
One hand instinctively covering my throat as I fell to my knees, I held up my other palm. Closing my eyes, drawing on my inner strength, I began implementing Plan B.
Reed laughed, amused out how pitifully weak I was compared to him.
“Dad, please,” Nick begged. “You don’t have to kill her.”
“Nick,” I managed, my head falling as Reed’s spell got the better of me. My voice was so faint. All I needed was his hand.
“Let this be a lesson, son,” Reed said. “This is what happens when witches mingle with lesser supernaturals. They believe they’re more capable than they are.”
Realizing that I was in serious trouble, Xander burst from the bathroom and, before Reed had even turned around, compelled Nick to help me.