The problem, of course, was that the roads didn't always comply with what the wand told us to do.
"Turn right!" Malinda said.
Devin snorted. "I have all-wheel drive. But my Impreza can't exactly cut through fields."
"Turn right when you can. Wherever we're going is that way."
We didn't have an option to turn right for another mile or so. Devin turned off the state highway we were traversing and into a single-lane road.
"You aware of any Order outposts out here?" I asked.
Devin shook his head. "Not really. But I was a low-level hunter. I wasn't initiated into the inner-circle until, well, you remember."
I chuckled. When we confronted Wolfgang at the cathedral, it was during a ceremony supposed to represent Devin's initiation into the inner circle. It was an elite body of members, subject only to the elders, privy to the Order's deeper secrets and methods. Tom was a part of the inner circle, of course. But that didn't mean Devin had any inside information. From what Devin's mom had told me, back at the asylum, very little Order business was ever discussed at home. Not only because Tom wasn't supposed to talk about the Order's secrets, but because Debbie wasn't exactly thrilled by the prospect of Devin getting involved with the Order. Not because Debbie disagreed with the Order's views—at the time she embraced them—but because she knew a hunter's work was dangerous. No mother wants her child to be put in harm's way. As proud as they might be, even soldiers' mothers tend to be reluctant to embrace it when their children enlist. While I wasn't a natural mother, I sort of understood that now that I was responsible for Malinda. I didn't want her to come along when we left for the cathedral. I knew she was probably safer with us at the time than she'd be left alone. Still, I didn't like the fact she was following us into a conflict with Mina and the soul-suckers. Now, though, I couldn't have been prouder. If it wasn't for her, we wouldn't have a clue how to find Mina and the grimoire. And if we couldn't get to her, if we couldn't get to the grimoire, there was no telling how many people would die by the angels Mina commanded.
I looked out all the windows—the sides, the back—constantly surveying the horizon for the angels. If we saw them approach, we'd have to pull over, pile into one seat like sardines, and cover ourselves with Mina's cloak.
Thankfully, I didn't see any evidence of anything celestial on our tail.
"I think we're getting close," Malinda said. "My wand is glowing brighter. It's warmer than it was before."
Devin continued driving until the wand pivoted as the road turned, taking us directly toward the identified location. We passed a dirt road leading to a barn. Malinda's wand quickly pivoted to the right. "That's it."
Devin slammed his breaks, shifted into reverse, and backed up before shifting into drive and turning down the weed-covered path that led to the barn.
I grabbed my crossbow and stepped out of the car. Devin and Malinda did the same.
"You guys can wait here."
"Hell no," Malinda said. "We're here to help."
I sighed. "You don't have any battle spells."
"Don't I?" Malinda asked, smirking.
"You do?" Devin asked.
Malinda shrugged. "Hailey has taught me a few tricks. Let me help. I promise I can fight."
"But you can barely walk," I said.
Malinda shook her head. "Trust me, Mom."
I nodded. "Alright. All I need to do is get my hands on that grimoire. I know what I need to do."
"You do?" Devin asked. "You still need to ... you know?"
"I don't need to drink your blood. That's not the answer."
Devin nodded. "That's a relief."
I chuckled. "You're telling me."
There was a small door on the side of the barn. I kicked it open. With my crossbow ready, I fired a few bolts into a circle of Order members seated in the middle of the floor. I struck a few in the back. It wouldn't kill anyone, but hopefully, it would spook them enough to send them into a tizzy. To get them out of the way.
Blood was splattered all over the place—presumably the remains of Tom Miller. The scroll of the grimoire was unrolled, held open by what looked like gold bricks. As if common bricks wouldn't have done the job. Unless gold was a part of the spell Mina used to summon the angels.
The whole scroll emanated a bright light. Mina was huddled over it, speaking into the light.
The Order members, previously circling her, screamed as I fired a couple more bolts. They were starting to part out of the way, but they still might cause some problems. I glanced at Devin. I didn't need to say anything. He knew what to do. Devin didn't have his wand. But he didn't need precision at the moment. He thrust his fist forward, sending a torrent of flames toward the group.
They scattered with screams.
Mina looked back at us, shaking her head.
"You're too late, Nyx."
"Am I?"
"The legion has been unleashed. As we speak, they are reaping the harvest, separating the wheat of the world from the chaff of sinners—vampires, witches, people like you."
"People like me?" I asked.
"You know what I mean," Mina said.
I grunted. "Stop them, now."
"Stop them? They're already on their way back to take you. Why would I do that?"
Several of the Order members regrouped, attempting to change our position. Devin blasted them with flames, forming a wall of fire on the ground between them and where Mina and I stood.
"You might be surprised how many people you love, Mina, who the angels might kill."
Mina shook her head. "If they are sinners, like you. Closeted in their perversions. They will deserve what is coming."
"You claim to follow the Bible," I said. "But you allow hate rather than love to fuel your actions. Is this, truly, what the Nazarene preached?"
"You deign to lecture me on the meaning of the Scriptures?"
"You take a few obscure passages and raise them to the top. As if that was the main point. But Jesus himself declared the love was the greatest commandment. The same Jesus who the Bible says loved the world, even the world that rejected him, a world of sinners, so much that he died for them. That's what your Bible teaches."
"Yet the angels do my bidding, no less. If I were really so in conflict with the Scriptures, do you think a mere spell would be able to thwart them from their true divine purpose?"
"That scroll is not what you think it is," I said. "It was not written by the Christ. It was penned in his blood by people who meant to take what he sacrificed to use for evil."
"Judgment day is at hand," Mina said. "Continue talking. The celestial sword will silence you soon enough."
I shook my head and fired a bolt at Mina. I knew it wouldn't kill her. It would barely hurt her. But maybe it would distract her.
I dove past her toward the grimoire. She fired a blast of celestial magic out of her hand at me, sending me tumbling in the dirt.
"Nicky!" Malinda shouted. "Do it now!"
I didn't know what she planned, but I didn't hesitate. I sprang to my feet and dove again at the grimoire even as the whole barn started to shake, as withered boards fell from the ceiling and crashed around me.
Mina extended her hand again. But nothing happened.
I glanced back at Malinda. She had her wand focused on Mina. A chain of red energies coursed from the tip of Malinda's wand to Mina's wrists.
"What is the meaning of this, witch!"
Malinda smiled. "Hailey sends her regards. She learned a few things from fighting you before in New Orleans."
Mina screamed. The two angels crashed through the wall of the barn. The whole place was coming down as they charged after me.
Take and eat...
I remembered his words. They echoed in my mind. My teeth had pierced his flesh. I bit the scroll, tearing it in two.
"How is this possible!" Mina screamed.
The scroll blasted apart, an explosion of golden energy knocking us back. The angels, too, exploded and blew th
e remains of the barn apart.
I flew a good twenty feet through the air and landed on my back as a support beam from the barn fell toward me. I used my speed, rolling out of the way as it crashed to the ground.
Malinda was lying on the ground, face down, but she held her wand steady, binding Mina in place. More beams were falling. I ran after Malinda and grabbed her by the waist, pulling her out of the way as debris crashed into the place where she had lain.
Malinda extended her wand to fire her spell at Mina again. A glow surrounded Mina, and she disappeared as Malinda's spell passed through the place where Mina stood before.
"Damnit!" Malinda shouted.
"We'll get her another time," I said. "We have to get out of here."
"Where's Dad?" Malinda asked.
I looked around. "Devin!"
I didn't hear anything.
"We have to get out of here. Let's hope he made it out already."
I grabbed Malinda, lifting her from her feet, and ran out of the barn as the whole place collapsed in a pile of rubble behind us.
I looked all around. "Devin!"
No response.
"Oh my God!" Malinda cried. "He was still inside!"
I was about to dive back into the rubble, to throw pieces of lumber aside and dig him out of there. But then, an explosion of flames consumed the whole pile of what used to be the barn.
I shielded my eyes and covered Malinda with Mina's cloak. I wouldn't' burn. Too much fire, too much heat, though, and I might turn to steam. It was something I tried to avoid. I wasn't sure if that happened if I'd be able to find my way back to my human shape.
As the flames burned hot, I tried to move. I could feel the heat tickling my back.
I ducked under the cloak with Malinda. I held her tight as the tears started to flow. "Devin... I can't lose him..."
Malinda peeked around the edge of the cloak. "Um, you might want to take a look at this."
I pulled the edge of the cloak around my face and saw him. Fire coursed around his body. But he was unharmed as he stepped out of the rubble. Devin turned, extended his hand, and lowering it, extinguished all of the flames. A pillar of smoke took its place, towering into the sky.
I quickly leaped to my feet and ran to him. He wrapped his arms around me as we held each other tight.
"We did it, Nicky. The grimoire is gone."
"And you're alive!" I said, choked up with tears.
Devin chuckled. "You're made of water. The one thing I never have to worry about is you might drown. I'm a fire warlock. Did you really think I could die in a fire?"
Chapter Thirty-Three
We picked up the weapons I'd left in the woods near the cathedral. The fire Heather set there had spread. By the time we got there, the place was just a shell of what it was. It was a stone building. It still stood. But it would be a while before the Order could make use of it again.
Devin drove back to the apartment. I let Malinda ride shotgun. Call me a softy. But she deserved it. We never would have been able to find the grimoire, much less stop Mina, without her.
We were all three a mess. We smelled of smoke. I suppose giving Malinda the front seat was a calculated gesture of generosity. I wanted the shower first.
As we made our way to the apartment, a familiar but not altogether welcome face greeted me, leaning against the wall in the hallway.
"Detective Cavanaugh. What are you doing here?"
"I've been here a while. I was hoping to find you. You weren't answering your phone. Are you alright? You look like you've seen better days."
I chuckled. "Camping trip. The fire got out of hand. We decided to cut it short."
"That would explain the soot in your hair."
I stared back at him. "It's in my hair! Oh, Lord!"
"I'm sorry to drop in on you like this, but after all that's happened, I was worried for your safety."
"My safety?" I asked. I knew police had been to the apartment Brucie said as much. I assumed they'd come to search the place. Apparently, my assumption was misplaced.
"Can you tell me anything about the girl, Rose, who auditioned for you at your club?"
I snorted. "Not a lot to say. She had a beautiful operatic voice. She and Katie, the other girl, were friends."
Cavanaugh nodded. "We're pretty sure that the name she gave you is false."
I cocked my head. "Why do you say that?"
"I'll just say there's no record of anyone by her name who remotely fits her description anywhere."
I nodded. "Do you think she's the... you know... was she responsible for the deaths in my club?"
Cavanaugh nodded. "Obviously, we can't declare guilt. That's not our place. But she's clearly a suspect."
"I'm sorry," I said. "Would you like to come inside?"
Cavanaugh nodded. Devin unlocked the door and opened it. The detective went in first. Devin and Malinda followed. I stepped through the doorway last and closed the door behind me.
"Please have a seat," I said, gesturing to the couch.
"I think I'll stand," Cavanaugh said.
I smiled. "Good. I will, too. Don't want to ruin my couch."
"Must've been some fire," Cavanaugh said.
I snorted. "You have no idea. Anyway, so other than the fact you can't find any information on her, why are you convinced Rose was responsible?"
I knew he'd never find her. I knew who she had been. But how was I going to possibly explain the truth—that Rose was actually a woman who'd died in her eighties and was resurrected to her youthful form by a mystical grimoire?
"Initially, we suspected Katherine Troyer. She had a motive. She'd engaged each of the victims shortly before their deaths. We went to her house to execute a search warrant."
"Did you find what you were looking for?" I asked.
Cavanaugh shook his head. "Six officers went in. Only two, including myself, made it out alive."
I stared at Cavanaugh blankly. "Holy crap. What in the world happened?"
"It was Rose Madina. Or, whoever it was that was using that name."
"How could one girl kill four officers?"
Cavanaugh shook his head. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you what it looked like. We're still not sure how she did it. But she's dangerous."
"Why do you think she killed those people?" I asked.
"Initially, we thought jealousy motivated the killing of Amelia. In truth, we thought either Rose or Katie could be suspects. They both engaged each of the victims. Then, the footage on your camera system and your bartender's witness confirmed the young man, the one who died, had propositioned both of them minutes before he died. Again, there was a motive."
Malinda grunted. I looked at her briefly with wide eyes and shook my head. She got the message and refrained from speaking out.
"What is it?" Cavanaugh asked, turning to Malinda.
"That guy, he'd tried to seduce me before. I almost gave in to him."
"We saw," Cavanaugh said.
"Oh God," Malinda said, shaking her head.
"It's not your fault what happened,' Cavanaugh said. "He wasn't a good guy. He has quite the record, in fact. You really dodged a bullet with that guy. I'm just glad you're alright."
Malinda nodded. "I'm fine."
"I wish I had more information on Rose," I said. "I'm afraid I don't know much more than you do. You should try asking Katie Troyer. She says they were close friends."
"We have her in custody presently."
"Is she a suspect?" I asked.
"We aren't sure. We think she might have been manipulated by Rose. But we are currently holding her for questioning. Though, there's enough evidence to suggest she was at least involved at some level. Enough to warrant more than the maximum twenty-four-hour hold."
I nodded. "Well, she knows a lot more about Rose than I do."
"There's one more matter I'd like to raise. We have reason to believe Rose is up to something."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"About an
hour before you returned home, I received word the bodies, not only the two from the club, but the four officers. They were missing."
I bit my lip. "Did you say missing?"
"And even stranger, they weren't in the same morgue. But they all went missing at the same time. The bodies were being examined for cause of death. I'm not sure how she did it, but Rose must have help. Two of the coroners examining the bodies were attacked when the bodies were taken."
"How horrific," I said. "Why would a killer want the bodies?"
Cavanaugh shook his head. "I'm beginning to think we're dealing with something more sinister than common murders motivated by jealousy and anger."
"Sinister?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "That's not a word I'd normally expect from a detective."
Cavanaugh shrugged. "I don't know what other word to use. I suspect we're dealing with a serial killer. A sociopath. We'd like to offer you protection. We'll allow you to reopen the club. But we'll be providing a security detail to ensure everyone is safe."
I nodded. "How frightening."
Cavanaugh nodded. "You have my number and e-mail address. Please, if anything strange turns up, no matter how unusual it seems. Please, contact me."
"Unusual?" I asked.
Cavanaugh shook his head. "I can't speak about it any further. But if you saw what Rose did to my officers... how she escaped even after we engaged her..."
I raised my hand. "I understand certain details have to remain under wraps. I do appreciate the offer of protection."
"We'll be posting an officer outside your apartment for the time being. If anything happens, call me up. I'll alert the officer."
"Thank you, detective. And I'm sorry for your loss. For the fallen officers."
Cavanaugh nodded as he stood up to leave. "I appreciate you saying that. And one more thing..."
"Yes, detective?"
Cavanaugh scratched the back of his head. "Send us a schedule of any trips you might have to make around town."
"I have classes at the community college, and Malinda has GED courses starting tomorrow," Devin said.
"Send the times and locations to me by e-mail. We'll make sure you have an escort. And, while it probably doesn't need saying, I'd suggest no more camping trips."
I smiled. "We certainly wouldn't risk it. Not right now."
No Shift, Sherlock: A Vampire Hunter Urban Fantasy Mystery (The Legend of Nyx Book 3) Page 17