by Linsey Hall
“Speaking of sidekicks.” I pointed to Mayhem, who was most definitely Bree’s sidekick.
Bree grinned at the little pug, who flew circles around her head. We headed toward the round room, with Mayhem leading the way down the stone corridor. The castle was huge, with many different construction styles from all periods in history. This hallway looked ancient, but others looked new—like a fancy mansion.
It was a long way from our old rundown place in Death Valley, that was for sure. We’d barely survived there, so this was a major upgrade.
I felt a prickle at the back of my neck, and I looked behind me.
The Cats of Catastrophe followed along, my silent shadows. I stopped and turned, putting my hands on my hips. “I really appreciate your help, guys. But I don’t know if you’re supposed to be here. I’m kinda new myself, so I can’t really vouch for you.”
Princess Snowflake III glared at me, the little orange one raced ahead to try to catch Mayhem, and Muffin licked his butt.
“You sure told them,” Bree said.
I huffed a laugh. “As if I have any authority over cats.”
I gave them one last look, then sighed and turned around.
As we approached the round room, a strange sense of power rolled out from it. Someone in there was strong.
Stronger than almost any of the supernaturals here, besides Bree—who’d fully come into her Dragon God power—and her boyfriend Cade, a Celtic war god.
I gasped. “Do you feel that?”
“Yeah.” Rowan turned around to look at us, eyes wide. “Mega powerful.”
“Must be part of the problem,” Bree said. “Power like that always comes with problems.”
“Isn’t that the truth?” Our massive power—or at least, our potential for power, in my case—had kept us on the run for over a decade.
I slowed as I neared the entrance to the round room, drawing in the heady sense of magic that flowed out. There were dozens of magical signatures. Each type of supernatural had their own, and they generally correlated to one of the five senses. Or more than one sense, if you had a lot of magic.
But one person in there was seriously powerful and wasn’t afraid to let it be known. While it was possible to hide your magical signature if you had the skill, this person clearly felt no need.
The room was crowded when we entered. The big round table had been removed, and the space was filled with people sitting in folding chairs. A crowd had gathered near the front, so I couldn’t see who was standing up there, but I craned my neck to get a look at the person with the powerful magic. All I saw was a sea of heads and horns and wings—the Protectorate was full of all sorts.
We found a seat in the back, and the three Cats of Catastrophe joined us, each taking a seat for themselves.
“What the heck?” I muttered.
At the front, Jude clapped loudly and shouted, “Take your seats!”
People sat, and I got my first glimpse of the person with the power. My breath whooshed out of me.
Thank fates I was seated.
The man standing at the front was insanely beautiful—in a raw, powerful kind of way. He had to be well over six feet tall. Though he wore dark jeans and a black jacket, it wasn’t hard to see that he was built like a boxer.
But his face…
Like a fallen angel, here to deliver justice. But a dark angel, with black hair and eyes. Handsome, yet a tiny bit scary in his perfection.
I swallowed hard.
Next to me, Rowan whistled low in her throat. “Who’s the hottie?”
His eyes shifted toward us, passing over Rowan and landing on me.
Where they stayed.
Suddenly, it was hard to breathe. Not because he had some kind of power over me, but because I was some kind of infatuated moron. Which was a power in itself, actually.
And that annoyed the crap out of me.
I scowled at him, giving him my best hairy eyeball.
His brows rose.
With our gazes locked, it was impossible not to notice his magical signatures. Despite the dozens filling the room, his signatures cut through the others, rolling over me in waves.
His magic sounded like the low roll of distant thunder and smelled like leather and pine. It tasted of caramel and surrounded him in an aura of silver light. But the feel of it…
Like a caress against my skin. Or a warm hug. Touching.
Lots and lots of touching.
Heat filled me.
“Quit it,” I mouthed at him.
He just stared at me, a curious look in his dark eyes.
Jude stepped forward, her starry blue eyes sparkling in the light. The Undercover Protectorate was made up of different divisions—the Demon Trackers Unit, Interspecies Mediation, Research and Development, and the Paranormal Investigative Team—but if she was taking the lead, this must be some kind of issue that needed the investigative team.
“Lachlan Munroe has a job for us,” she said. “The biggest one in recent history, which leads to this all-hands-on-deck situation. But I’ll let him explain it.”
“Shit,” Rowan whispered. “He’s the Arch Magus.”
“The most powerful mage in the world?”
She nodded. “The very one.”
I’d heard of the Arch Magus before—he had command of more magical gifts than any other Magica. This was him?
I couldn’t say I was surprised. If not the Arch Magus, I’d have assumed he was some sort of god.
Lachlan stepped forward, his presence filling the room. All eyes were riveted on him, and if I had super hearing, I’d guess that plenty of hearts were racing.
Not mine, of course.
Though it was embarrassingly hard to forget the caress of his magic.
“There’s been a theft.” Lachlan’s voice rolled over the room. It was rich and deep, and tinged with a Scottish accent that sent a shiver across my skin. An embarrassing shiver.
Something touched my thigh, and I looked down to see that the sphynx, Muffin, had pressed his foot to my leg. I met his green gaze.
Get it together.
I scowled at the cat and hissed, “I have it together.”
Sure you do.
I shot him a glare, then turned back to Lachlan.
Whose eyes were on me. He moved his gaze along and continued speaking. “Two days ago, I finished production of a spell that is highly dangerous. During transport to the buyer, it was stolen. My friend Decker was abducted along with it. Both need to be recovered quickly—which is why I’m here.”
Man, he was short on words, parsing them out like they were made of gold. I searched his gaze for some emotion linked to his friend’s abduction, but saw nothing.
And how did someone get the drop on the Arch Magus and manage to steal from him? Shouldn’t this guy be strong enough to protect the stuff he made?
He certainly looked like it. And his magic felt like it.
I raised a hand, but didn’t wait to be called on. Something about this guy made me throw caution to the wind. “What was the spell?”
He was being real cagey about that.
“An ancientus spell.”
Holy fates. Ancientus spells could bring back magic from the past, dangerous magic that had been locked away for good reason. They were insanely rare spells. Even I’d heard of the time an ancientus spell had been used to bring back the Black Death. It could kill thousands if used the wrong way. Or it could save lives.
But if it had been stolen and a person kidnapped…that didn’t sound like people who wanted to use it for good.
Who the hell had he been making it for?
I leaned toward Rowan and muttered, “Sounds to me like the spell never should have been made.”
Lachlan’s gaze lingered on me before he continued. “We have one clue about where the magic was taken. The City of Lights, The City of Invaders. But that name could be interpreted in many different ways, and so I need more help. I know that the Protectorate has the best trackers for the job, so
I’ve made an offer to Jude and the rest of the directors.”
Jude stepped forward. “We will divide up into teams. The spell could be anywhere in the world. It’s stored in a crystal sphere the size of a man’s fist. Each team can interpret the clue as they wish, but the one to recover the spell will be paid a prize by Lachlan. Half a million pounds.”
Whew. My jaw just about hit the floor.
This spell was that dangerous? He had to know that the Protectorate would search for the spell for free—it was our duty. But to add that kind of incentive?
I looked at Rowan and Bree, who were equally intrigued. We’d never had that kind of money. Hell, we’d always been poor, given that we’d funneled every penny into protection charms to conceal us from the ones who hunted us.
Five hundred thousand pounds was a lot.
I looked down at the Cats of Catastrophe. They looked equally interested—even the goofy orange one had his eyes glued to Jude and Lachlan.
“You guys could buy a lot of fish with that kind of dough,” I said.
Muffin gave a low meow of agreement, his tail quivering in delight.
I couldn’t believe I was having a conversation with a cat. Especially a cat wearing an emerald earring. I turned my attention back to the front of the room, unable to look away from Lachlan.
He was riveting. And suspicious.
I listened with half an ear as Jude explained that they would divide us into teams tonight and give us our partners. The City of Lights, the City of Invaders. Something tugged at my mind, but I couldn’t place it. It was a strange feeling though—sparkling like bubbles in my head. Weird.
When everyone got up to leave, I found myself drawn to the front of the room.
“What are you doing?” Bree hissed.
“I have a question.”
“Of course. Only way to come up with plans B and C is to ask questions.”
“Exactly. Gotta be prepared.”
She leaned against the wall and watched. I weaved through the crowd, headed for Jude and Lachlan. As if he could sense me, he turned.
When he pinned me with his dark gaze, I almost regretted my boldness. Almost.
3
I stopped in front of him, far enough away that I didn’t have to crane my neck to meet his gaze. I tried to breathe shallowly and not inhale the delicious scent of his magic—or of him.
“You’re the one with the questions,” he said.
“That’s me.” I grinned, but couldn’t help the flip-flopping in my stomach. I could feel the tension between us. The attraction was so obvious—on my part, at least—that I could cut it with a knife. “And I have a few more.”
He didn’t smile, but I thought he wanted to. It would have been a devastatingly handsome twist of his lips, I was sure. “What might those be?”
“Who was your buyer for such dangerous magic? Isn’t it illegal to make spells like that? Some magic has been left in the past for a reason.”
“True enough, but I was making it for the Order of the Magica.”
I swallowed hard at the mention of the magical government. They oversaw Magica—magic users like me. The Shifter Council was in charge of all supernaturals who shifted into animals. Those who were magic as opposed to those who used it.
Unfortunately, the Order of the Magica didn’t like my kind very much. Dragon Gods were so powerful, we were considered dangerous. We upset the natural balance of things. I needed the backing of a powerful organization like the Undercover Protectorate if I wanted a life that didn’t involve being on the run all the time.
“And you’re the Arch Magus.”
“I am.”
“So how did they get the drop on you?”
His right brow arched. “You think that I’m running some kind of con? That they didn’t really steal the spell?”
“A lot of people want to get within these walls.” I gestured to the walls of the room, but I really meant the entire Protectorate castle. We carefully guarded our turf. “And you’re supposed to be insanely powerful, right? More magical gifts than any other supernatural?”
He nodded curtly. “Twelve gifts.”
“And you couldn’t use those to protect your spell?”
“There were twenty-five in the ambush. I took out twelve. Then they took my friend Decker hostage. I couldn’t risk his life.”
“Hmmm. One for each gift.”
“You think you could do better?”
“Maybe.” Okay, that was a big fat lie. Without the Cats of Catastrophe, six demons would have gotten me tonight.
“Where do you think the clue leads?” he asked.
My mind raced, buzzing with energy. It was a strange feeling, totally unfamiliar, and I stifled a gasp. Pain flared, making my eyes water, and unfamiliar magic flowed through me. But then the name of a city blazed in my mind.
Paris.
Follow it.
The instructions sounded in my mind, spoken by a voice not my own.
I’d asked a question, and it had answered.
Paris. I’d never been more certain of anything.
“Paris.” I choked out the word.
His gaze sharpened. “Why?”
Around us, the room emptied, people flowing out to get back to bed for a few hours. But I had eyes only for him. My mind buzzed, but he was all I could see. I couldn’t tell him that magic had told me, however. I was supposed to be a shield mage. Not a prophet or seer. New powers didn’t just develop for most supernaturals.
They did for Dragon Gods, but I certainly couldn’t tell him that.
My mind scrambled for a justification for Paris. “Lots of lights. And the Romans founded it. The most famous invaders in history.”
Hey, that was pretty good. It was even true.
“You like history?” he asked.
“Sure.” Not quite true. I liked art, and art often portrayed history. But that wasn’t why I’d chosen Paris.
“There are over three dozen cites known as the City of Lights.” He gave me an appraising look. “But you chose Paris.”
“Yep.” I shook away my nerves over the strange new magic and focused on him. “And I’m right about it, too.”
“Confident.”
“Always.” It was cocky, but a positive attitude had carried me through life. It left no time for wimping out. Sure, I had my doubts about myself and my magic, but that wouldn’t stop me from powering through. Or at least trying to.
And I was confident about this.
I felt it in my bones.
He cocked his head, staring hard at me. As if he were trying to see through me. I fidgeted, then forced myself still.
“Seen enough?” I asked.
“You’re special,” he said. “Something about your magic.”
I shrugged. “Garden variety shield mage here.”
“No one at the Protectorate is garden variety.”
“Oh, you haven’t seen me fight yet.”
The corner of his full lips quirked up in a sexy smile. “I’d like to.”
I swallowed hard. Yep, this was above my pay grade. Flirting with sexy super mages was not my usual activity. My usual was dumb movies and Cheezy Puffs. Or if I was feeling fancy, cheap champagne and my painting.
“What about you is so special?” he asked.
“Um.” Well, hell. “I can run a six-minute mile, and I’m good with cars. Like, real good.”
“That’s not what I mean.”
“I know. I just don’t have anything else.” Except for the fact that I’m a Dragon God. And yeah, not sharing that right now. My powers hadn’t developed, and I didn’t even know what pantheon I was. Until I knew that, saying I was a late-blooming half-developed supernatural didn’t interest me. What if I never mastered my power at all? Maybe it was my weak spot—always worrying about being behind Bree—but I wanted to keep that to myself.
“And you’re dangerous,” he said.
“Well, considering that I can kick ass in six languages, that goes without saying.”
“Not just the fighting.” He nodded his head, clearly having decided something. “We’ll work together on this.”
“Wha—” My jaw dropped open, and I looked around. “I don’t get it.”
“Everyone pairs up on this. I want to work with you. There’s something about you.”
“Not a guess. I know.”
“Exactly. It’s settled.”
I frowned. “Do I still qualify for the prize?”
“Aye. And you don’t even have to split it.”
I liked the sound of that. Last thing I wanted was to get paired up with Lavender and have to split with her.
From behind him, Jude caught my eye. I shot her a holy crap, what do I do? look, trying to keep it subtle.
She approached, stopping at Lachlan’s side. “I think it’s a brilliant plan.”
“You do?”
“Indeed. It’ll give you a chance to practice your skills.”
I nodded. “Right. Of course.”
Lachlan smiled. “It’s settled, then. I’ll see you in the morning. Eight a.m, the front entry.”
I nodded dumbly, watching him turn and walk away, then I looked at Jude. “You really think this is a good idea?”
“You need to get out in the real world. Training here isn’t doing you any favors.”
“No, it’s not.”
“You’re good in the real world, Ana. Your fighting skills are off the charts. I don’t know why you’re floundering at the Academy, but clearly you need a change of scenery. If you can find this spell, it’ll go a long way toward helping you make it through the Academy.”
“So I don’t get kicked out.”
“Exactly.” She frowned. “We really don’t want that. We want you here with us. But you have to pass.”
I gulped. Fates, I wanted that, too.
“Rules are rules,” Jude said. “And Arach is serious about them. I can’t go against her.”
Arach, the dragon spirit who had built this place, rarely showed up. But when she did, it was like getting hit in the face with raw power. I needed her approval to stay here. And boy, did I want to stay here with my sisters. Stay in this amazing castle where I could have a life doing good. Where I wasn’t hunted for what I was. And since the alternative was getting kicked out on my butt, alone, I had some really good motivation.