by Linsey Hall
Two hulking guards stood by the entrance, their tuxes straining at the seams. They eyed us as we approached, and my heart thudded slightly harder. We didn’t need any trouble here. Not at this phase of the operation. You couldn’t fight your way to information—not easily at least.
I tried on my snootiest expression—I had no idea if it actually worked—and sailed through the entryway, intensely aware of their gazes burning into me.
It was an elegant space with small tables scattered around the bar. Two bartenders in sharp white shirts and black ties shook their cocktail shakers in a complicated rhythm that looked like a dance.
“I bet they could make something fabulously pink,” I said. Caro had told me these guys were some of the best bartenders in the world. “Not that I should drink it right now, but…”
“We’ll come back. When this is all over, we can do a vacation here.”
I smiled briefly, liking the idea. “At a criminal underworld hotspot?”
I glanced around, taking in the sharp eyes of most of the guests. Supernaturals of all varieties, these people were here doing business—the kind that could get a person killed.
“Live dangerously, aye?”
“I don’t need much help with that.” I let go of his arm and sauntered to the bar—or at least, tried to—then leaned on it and smiled at the bartender.
It took him ages to notice me, but when he finally did, he smiled and spoke like I was the only person in the world. “And what can I do for you, miss?”
“We’re here to see the Conductor.”
The bartender’s brows rose briefly. “Who sent you?”
“Mordaca and Aerdeca, from Darklane.”
“You’ll find the Conductor in the private bar. Tell one of the guards you need to see him. He’ll take you there.”
“Thank you.”
Cade and I departed quickly. As soon as we made it out of the bar filled with mob bosses and underworld types, my shoulders relaxed slightly.
It was probably too soon to relax, though. We were going to the private bar. Wasn’t that normally where all the bad stuff happened? In a room in the back?
Cade stopped near the guard on the left. Though they were equal in height, the guard was a good hundred pounds heavier. Even his neck had bulging muscles. All the same, I’d bet money Cade could wipe the floor with him.
“We’re here to see the Conductor. The bartender told us that you could be our escort,” Cade said.
The guard glanced back into the bar, then nodded, seeming satisfied. “This way.”
We followed him across the lobby and up another set of stone spiral stairs to a quiet room at the top. It was round, with windows on all sides. No doubt one of the gothic towers.
A man sat in a comfortable chair by the window, sipping from a glass of golden liquid. His magic radiated from him, a strong fizzing sensation that wasn’t quite comfortable.
What the heck was he?
“Some people to see you, boss,” our guard said.
The man looked up, keen eyes taking us in. He had to be in his fifties, with sharp features that reminded me of a ferret’s.
The guard stepped out and shut the door behind him.
“Mordaca and Aerdeca sent us.” I stepped forward. “We are looking for a Baeseldox weed, and they said you might have a lead on it.”
“Ah. Mordaca and Aerdeca.” He stroked his chin, a nerdy, villainous move I’d only ever seen in movies. Was this guy for real? He gestured toward chairs next to him. “Come closer.”
I stepped forward, shivering at the weird feel of his magic. It grew stronger the nearer we got—and way less comfortable. Leave it to Aerdeca and Mordaca to hang out with weirdos like this guy.
Cade took the seat next to him, leaving me farther away. I appreciated it. “Do you know of any Baeseldox weed nearby?”
“I do. But the information will cost you.”
“Mordaca and Aerdeca are calling in their favor for the growth potion. Whatever that means.”
The slightest hint of a flush rose from his collar, and I suddenly got the idea. I clenched my jaw to keep from making a sound.
He nodded sharply. “There’s been rumor that some Baeseldox weed is growing beneath the city castle.”
“Gravensteen?” Cade asked.
“The very one. There’s supposed to be an underground river and waterfall. At the base grows the flower.”
“Why is it so hard to get to, then?”
“The Viscount who lives in the castle isn’t keen on sharing.” A wheezy chuckle escaped him. “No one has seen him in decades, and it’s impossible to get into the castle. And since there are rumors of an active torture dungeon, no one is trying.”
Well, I was going to try. With Rowan’s life at stake, a measly torture dungeon couldn’t keep me away.
“Do you have any ideas how we could get in?” Cade asked.
“None whatsoever. You’ll have to go see what you can find.” He stood, gesturing for the door. “I’ve fulfilled my debt to Aerdeca and Mordaca. You may go now.” The words were hard.
Right. That was clear. And we’d gotten what we could from him. I stood. “Thanks.”
His lips pressed together as he stared at me. No doubt this meeting hadn’t gone as planned. Not that he’d had time to expect much, but he hadn’t expected us to mention the growth potion, it was clear.
I made quick work getting to the door, wobbling only once. The air vibrated with magic from the bar, bringing with it a tense discomfort. Cade followed me down the stairs. We didn’t hesitate as we made our way quickly across the lobby and down the main stairwell.
The night air was warm as we spilled out onto the dimly lit street. I sucked in a grateful breath. “Give me a pub any day. I don’t care how good the drinks are in there.”
Cade nodded. “Aye. Perhaps we’ll vacation somewhere else.”
My mouth quirked at the second mention of a vacation. Maybe it would really happen. Was I ready for that?
I had no idea. And right now, it didn’t matter.
Outside, I sucked in a deep breath. Even the air felt cleaner out here. I hurried toward the potted bush and grabbed our bags, tossing one to Cade. “Let’s find a public restroom, then go scout out the castle.”
I could make us invisible—and it’d be kind of thrilling to change out in the street, even though no one could see us—but I really should save my power.
“Aye, good plan.”
We hurried down the street until we found a public restroom. As fun as it’d been to wear the dress, I was glad to get back into my jeans and boots and leather jacket.
I met Cade out on the street. He was back in his black tactical gear, which was also much more suited to sneaking into a famous castle with a torture chamber.
“According to my phone, the castle is back this way,” Cade said. “Let’s stash our bags and go.”
We hid them behind some three-dimensional wall art, then hoofed it down the street. Couples strolled along, many of them students, and musicians played beneath a bridge, making the night seem so lovely and normal.
But until I had Rowan back, lovely wasn’t a state of affairs that I was familiar with.
“We shouldn’t be far,” Cade said.
About ten minutes later, an enormous castle appeared across the street. It was a hulking beast of a thing.
I shivered. “It just screams torture chamber.”
“Now, now. That’s just in the basement.”
I chuckled as I studied the imposing front. “There are no guards.”
“They don’t need any. That door looks impenetrable.”
“And no one in the city would mount a siege anyway. Who wants to get into the torture chamber besides us?”
“Not a clue. Let’s check the walls.”
We skirted around the castle, trying to look casual and keeping our distance, until we reached the back, where the river was located. Rivers flowed all through Ghent apparently, and the castle’s back wall plunged r
ight down into the murky water.
“That has some possibilities, right?” I asked.
“Let’s find out.”
We found a bridge to cross the water so we could check out the entire back wall. Old buildings sat on our side street, with the even more ancient castle looming in the moonlight.
“It really is a beast of a thing,” I said.
“I don’t think I’ve ever said this before, but that building is creepy.”
“Ha, if it scares you, then I want no part of it.”
But for Rowan, I’d find a way into that creepy castle, no matter what it took.
Movement at the castle wall—low down near the water—caught my eye. I dropped down behind a large bush, reaching up to drag Cade with me. He dropped silently, and we peered between the leaves.
“It’s a boat,” I whispered. “Coming right out of the wall.”
9
“There has to be an entrance at the base of the castle wall,” Cade murmured.
I squinted through the dark. That stretch of wall was in the shadow of the moonlight, which made it hard to see, but I called on the magic of Heimdall, asking my eyes to sharpen.
As my vision adjusted, shadows smoothed out and light glowed very faintly. “Yep. An arched gate.”
The boat cleared the heavy metal gate and drifted into the river. The gate began to slide silently down behind it, and kept going, long after it reached the surface of the water.
“The gate goes under the water, doesn’t it?” Cade asked.
“Yep. No swimming under.”
“It’ll be enchanted, too, I’d wager. Not that we can afford a loud break-in in the middle of the city.”
“No. I don’t want to fight whoever is in that castle.” I squinted at the boat as it passed. It was long and low, with an open cargo section behind the driver, who sat up in the bow. The thing didn’t move fast—it was impossible to in this river. Big barrels were stacked behind him. I strained my eyes in the low light, finally catching the world Bier. “That’s a freaking beer delivery.”
“Well, it is Belgium.”
“Let’s follow it. That boat is our ticket into the castle.”
Cade grinned. “I like how you think.”
We waited a while, long enough to let the boat get nearly out of sight, then hurried after it.
“Thank fates these things are slow,” I muttered.
Thirty minutes later, we arrived at a large stone building with many windows. It pressed right up against the river, and the boat floated in through another gate.
There must be a lot of interior wharfs in the city.
I scanned the exterior wall that was perpendicular to the water, finally spotting a side entrance on the sidewalk. “Let’s try that. This place can’t be that well-guarded.”
“Belgians are serious about their beer.” There was humor in Cade’s voice.
We hurried to the door, which was a modern metal thing set into the old stone walls. I tested it, knowing it was pointless. Yep. It didn’t budge. “You’re right. Serious about their beer security.”
“But you’ve got skills.”
“That I do.” I grinned and dug into my pocket, pulling out my little lock picking kit. They’d gotten rusty since Venice and needed a workout. “Can’t keep these in a dress.”
“Certainly not.”
Though I had liked wearing it. Just not for work. I glanced around the darkened streets, glad to find it empty. Seemed like we were in a more business-y district or something, since no one was walking from bar to restaurant. “Keep an eye out, okay?”
“Aye.” He positioned himself behind me, trying to shield me as I knelt on the cold ground.
I slipped the little picks into the lock and fiddled about, using the skills I’d honed over the years. Finally, there was a click.
“Jackpot.” I pulled the picks free and stood.
I yanked open the heavy door, and slipped inside the darkened corridor, Cade at my back.
“Best to do this at night,” Cade said.
“No kidding. I’d hate to run into any of those beer-protecting Belgians.” I strode silently down the empty hall, seeking an entrance to the tiny harbor that must be inside this building.
It was a simple structure, with wide wood floor planks and white walls that looked to have been added long after the original construction. A light glowed from ahead, and I followed it to a heavy wooden door.
I pressed my ear against the surface, listening. There were no voices, so I slowly pushed it open, peeking inside.
Hundreds of barrels lined the walls, and beyond them, the water glinted darkly. I glanced at Cade and nodded, then slipped inside. He followed, closing the door silently behind him.
We ducked behind some barrels, taking in the room. It was large, probably a third of the size of the whole building.
A man was tying the little boat off to the dock. I waited anxiously as he finished, debating our options.
Finally, I leaned toward Cade and whispered, “I’m going to threaten him into giving us info. Can you glower at him and hit him with your war power? Put the fear of fate into him?”
He nodded.
Good. I didn’t relish the idea of scaring the guy, so no way I could actually torture the info out of him. Not even for Rowan. She wouldn’t want me to do that to an innocent delivery man.
But that meant we had to make the scaring good.
“On three,” I whispered, then counted down.
At three, I slipped out from behind the barrels and silently rushed up to the poor sap, who was now bent over his paperwork and scribbling furiously. He wasn’t much bigger than me, so it was easy to wrap an arm around his throat and tug tightly.
A blast of electric energy shot through me, throwing me off him. I slammed to my back, pain ripping at my insides as confused panic flashed in my mind.
What the hell?
Aching, I scrambled upright in time to see Cade lift the guy off his feet by his lapels, his big hand crushed over the man’s mouth to keep him from screaming.
I limped toward them. “What the hell was that?”
Cade glared at the guy and let his magical signature flare. The clashing of swords and the scent of a storm at sea filled the room, along with the silver glow of his aura. He growled, “Answer her. And if you scream, I’ll gut you.”
The man paled.
Frankly, I might have paled a bit as well. Cade could be damned scary when he wanted to be.
“Well?” Cade’s voice was gravel.
The man nodded frantically, his legs twitching in the air.
Cade removed his hand.
“I’m an electric eel shifter.” The man gasped. “I do that when I’m startled.”
“You’re not startled now?” Cade asked.
“Uh, yeah. Wouldn’t you be?” Sweat rolled down the man’s temple. “But I gotta recharge.”
“Then let’s make this quick,” I said. “And don’t stall. Because your puny electric blast can’t hurt a guy like my friend here.”
The man nodded, eyes wide. “I don’t have the keys to the safe, if that’s what you want.”
“I don’t.” I leaned close, searching his eyes for truthfulness. “I want to know how you get into the castle. Any passwords when you deliver the beer?” I reached into his front right pocket and removed the wallet that I’d seen peeping out. I pulled an ID card from the thing and read the name, then looked up at him. “Louis?”
“I’ll lose my job!” he squeaked.
“You’ll lose your life if you don’t tell us. And now I know where you live.” I waved the card at him as guilt tugged at me. We’d have to make sure he didn’t lose his job somehow. But I was willing to deal with that cleanup if it meant rescuing Rowan. “So tell me quick. How do you get in? And don’t lie, because I can freaking smell it.”
Yeah, that was an actual lie, but I liked the growl in my voice.
His eyes darted, then the words began to spill out. “Bring the boat up to the ga
te. Press the bow to the metal, then say ‘Ik heb een levering voor je van je grootste bewonderaar.’”
“What does that mean?” I asked, frantically memorizing the phrase.
“I have a delivery from your most fervent admirer. In Dutch. The gate will open. When the guards let you in, don’t move quickly. And….”
I poked him in the stomach with my finger. “Tell me.”
“If there’s another password—sometimes they don’t ask for it—it’s Pompoen.”
“Pompoen?”
“Pumpkin in Dutch. I don’t know why.”
“Fine. Anything else?”
“You don’t want to go in there.” His eyes were stark. “It’s—it’s not a good place.”
“I don’t have a choice. My sister’s life is at stake.”
“When will the next staff members arrive?” Cade asked.
Sweat rolled down his forehead. “Morning. Maybe eight hours from now.”
Cade nodded sharply. “Good. We’ll tie you up. They’ll find you.”
“You’re not going to hurt me?”
“Of course not,” I said. “We wouldn’t be threatening you at all, if it weren’t life or death.”
The guy nodded, like he got it. Suddenly I felt extra guilty for the scare we’d given him. “Sorry about this.”
He didn’t forgive me, but he didn’t spit on me, either, so I counted it a victory.
Cade lowered him to the ground and found some line to bind his hands and wrists, then he set him up in a chair near some barrels.
Before he could bind the guy’s mouth, our captive spoke. “If you’re going tonight, tell them you have the Tripel.”
“The beer?”
“Yes. The Viscount wanted more of it. Maybe it will make you less suspicious to them.”
My chest warmed. “Thanks.”
“For your sister. I wouldn’t want anyone to be trapped in that castle. But just—just bring my boat back if you can.”
I looked at Cade, really wanting to fulfill the guy’s request but knowing we probably couldn’t.
Cade’s brow wrinkled. “We’ll bring you a replacement if we can’t get this one.”
The man’s shoulders slumped.
“We’ll try,” I promised. “We’ll make this right.”