by R L Medina
“Rose!” Javi leapt the distance.
He pushed past Grayson and threw his arms around me. I returned the hug, stomach knotting. It hadn’t been that long since I’d seen him, but all the emotions and memories came barreling back.
“Is your dad here?”
“No. It’s okay. He doesn’t know.”
“How did you find me?”
He glanced at Brady. “He texted us. We came as fast as we could. Took a portal.”
“We need to get in the back. Now,” Michael growled.
Javi whipped toward him, shoving me behind him. “She’s not going anywhere with you, wolf.”
The music died. A few heads swiveled toward us. Growls echoed in the room. I groaned.
“It’s fine, Javi. Let’s go. It’s okay.”
My friends stood, gawking at me. It warmed my heart to know they’d missed me. That they’d come after me, breaking school policy and literally throwing themselves to the wolves. But if we stood around much longer, things were going to get ugly. Already, the tension stirred.
I motioned for Michael to lead the way and tried to give my friends a reassuring look like I knew what I was doing. Grayson refused to meet my eyes. His anger stung, but he was there. If he didn’t care, he wouldn’t have come. How much did he remember? Was it only the compulsion ring my tío had wiped from his memory?
Shiloh gave me a hug so tight, I had to gasp for air. “Rose, we were so worried when you didn’t show up at school. Javi said you went back to Spain, but I couldn’t believe it. Not without saying goodbye. What’s going on? What are you doing here?”
Guilt filled me. They didn’t know. They couldn’t know. Only Javi knew the truth. What did I tell them now?
“I’ll tell you everything. I promise.”
Her eyes searched mine, worry flashing on her face.
Michael led us away from the curious stares and to the back. The door swung open and out stormed Rafael and the twins. Still no Lucian.
Rafael strode toward us. “What is this?”
“Raf, it’s okay. They’re friends of Rose.” Michael stood between us and the alpha.
The wolf’s eyes were wild with fury. “What are they doing here?”
I tensed.
Grayson still carried his gun and both Brady and Javi had drawn their own weapon. Even Shiloh was in alert mode.
Around us the club had grown deadly quiet. I was acutely aware of the eyes on us and the precariousness of our situation.
“Raf,” Michael warned. “They’re just kids.”
Javi scoffed. I shot him a dark look. Now wasn’t the time for him to argue. If the wolves didn’t see us as threats, they’d leave us alone.
“Take them to the back. Now.”
I started to move, but Javi grabbed my wrist.
My friends weren’t budging.
“It’s fine. I promise. You have to trust me, Javi. They’re helping me.”
“Helping you with what?” Grayson interrupted.
Rafael watched me carefully. Trying to catch me in a lie? Heat rushed across my skin.
A loud clang sounded, breaking the tension. Lucian thrust the door open and eyed us.
“She’s here.”
The witch.
“Rose?” Javi still gripped my arm.
I sighed. “They found someone who can help me. I promise, it’s okay.”
“Help you with what?” Grayson snapped.
Javi nodded to me in understanding and released my arm.
Rafael edged closer to Grayson, a steely look on his face. My heart squeezed. Grayson stood his ground, geared for battle in his black sporty uniform, and determination written on his brow. Damn. He was a sight.
Javi shot him a look. “Let it go, Chapman. We’ll tell you what’s going on inside.”
Grayson scowled. Brady and Shiloh watched the wolves, wariness written on their faces.
Rafael motioned us in and waited for us all to obey. Grayson, still clutching his gun, met his stare with more bravado than I could ever hope to feign.
His gray-blue eyes met mine and I could see it there written on his face. Uncertainty. Anger. And something else… relief? Javi urged me forward, snapping me out of my musings.
Once Grayson entered the room, Rafael slammed the door shut behind us and stood in front of it, arms crossed.
“Who let you in to the club? How did you get past security?”
Brady cleared his throat. “Your wards expired. Probably should have someone look into that. The bouncers suck. And we’re GRIMMs. We can get in anywhere.”
Grayson threw him a glare. “Shut up, Brady.”
Rafael ignored him and turned back to me. His eyes narrowed. “You called them?”
“No.”
His face hardened.
Realizing, he didn’t believe me, I scowled. “I swear.”
The last thing we needed was a fight.
A feminine huff echoed. I turned to see a woman standing in the middle of the room, hands on her hips. The witch? She glided toward us, her long jeaned legs reminding me of a runway model.
Flaming red hair framed her pale face. Her bright blue eyes roamed over us, thin lips pinched together.
“Cleo.” Rafael inclined his head toward her.
She glanced at him and back to us. “I’m not reading everyone’s fortune.” Her eyes narrowed on Rafael. “I didn’t come to perform some cheap parlor tricks, Raf.”
Woah. What was her problem?
“I know. They’re not all here for you. Just her.” He pointed to me.
Her glacial glare snapped to me. “Sit down.”
I bristled at her rudeness but did as she asked.
The others stood around us. My heart thrummed wildly in my chest. This was it. She could help me find the wizard. It had to work.
“Give me your hand.”
Without waiting for a reply, her cold fingers pressed into my palms. With her other hand, she retrieved a big glass ball and placed it on the table in front of us. Tightening her grip, she moved my hand toward it and splayed my fingers against the cool glass.
“Don’t move,” she ordered.
“What is going on?” Grayson looked from me to Javi.
“Just wait.” My cousin replied.
Cleo started chanting in some strange language. My eyebrow arched and I glanced at the others to see their expression. Javi, Grayson, and Shiloh looked worried, but Brady just looked skeptical.
The glass vibrated underneath my hand, making me gasp. She pressed my fingers harder against it before I could yank my hand away.
“I said don’t move.” Her voice deepened.
A chill crawled up my spine. Something was happening. My instincts warned me to get out of there, but I had to see it through. We needed answers—I needed answers.
Cleo’s eyes were closed, her eyelids fluttering. Silence filled the room. Her lips pursed and her brow furrowed. A sliver of fear spread up my spine. What did she see?”
Pain etched her forehead. “I… I can’t see.” Her voice rose higher, almost shrill.
“I can’t see. I can’t see,” she moaned.
My heart leapt to my throat. What the hell was happening? I tried to pull my hand away, but her grip was too strong.
“Stop. Stop it, Cleo.” Michael’s voice was edged with worry.
Javi leapt forward. “Get her off!”
He tried to pull the witch’s hand away from mine. It didn’t budge. His eyes met mine, panic spreading on his face.
I glanced at the others. Grayson aimed his gun at the witch, uncertainty written on his brow.
“Shoot her,” Brady urged.
Shiloh’s hand was lifted, her lips moving in a chant. The wolves stood gaping at us and unmoving.
Cleo’s eyes flew open. Her ear-splitting scream filled the room. Black eyes replaced her icy blue. Pupilless black that reminded of the fairy from the prison.
“A promise made in blood cannot be undone.” A strange voice came from her mouth.
My stomach clenched with dread. Luna Negra. Someone let out a string of curses.
“We are here.” The voice came again.
A smile spread on Cleo’s face. Fear filled me. Here? In the club?
Javi tried to pull me to my feet, the witch’s grip still around me. She didn’t let go. A bright red line appeared on her neck. My eyes bulged.
“Michael, what’s happening?”
He swore and tried to shake her off. More blood poured from her neck, but she still didn’t release me.
“Shoot her, Gray. She’s dead already.” Brady’s voice caught my ear.
“Wait. Just let me finish the chant,” Shiloh interrupted.
“No time,” Javi urged.
“Do it. Shoot her,” Rafael agreed.
I stared at him in shock. She was his informant. Didn’t he care?
Javi and Michael stepped away. I clenched my eyes shut, waiting for the gun to go off. A soft pop sounded. When I opened them again, blood blossomed on her chest, spreading all over her white blouse. A strangled cry escaped me as her hand fell limp. Javi pulled me to my feet, pushing me behind him.
“Raf—” Michael looked to him.
“Get out there and find them,” Rafael snapped.
The wolves transformed and raced out the door. Javi, Grayson, Brady, and Shiloh stayed behind.
Rafael turned to me. “Stay here.”
“Stay? No. We have to get her out of here.” Javi glared at him.
Rafael growled at him. Javi didn’t flinch. The wolf pushed by him and bolted out of the door, slamming it shut behind him. Locks clicked.
Grayson slammed a fist against the door. “Hey! Let us out of here.”
Brady yanked his hand away. “Yeah, Gray. Maybe you should shut the hell up before the witches find us.”
“They’re not going to find us,” Javi interrupted.
My head whipped toward him. Did he have an actual plan or was he just being foolishly optimistic?
“What are you thinking?” Shiloh asked. Her eyes flitted to Cleo and back to Javi.
If the dead witch disturbed her, she didn’t show it. Was I the only one still recovering from what happened? Guilt filled me. She’d only come to help me. If the wolves hadn’t called her…
“Snap out of it, Rose. We need to get you to safety. Then we can worry about the witch.” Javi’s sharp words made me flinch.
“Are you going to tell us now what the hell is going on?” Grayson stepped between us.
I met his burning gaze. There was so much to tell, but if the witches were there, we didn’t have time.
Javi spoke for me. “After we get her to safety.”
“Safe from the witches?” Shiloh asked.
I opened my mouth but fell silent. How was I supposed to explain the blood oath and my mom’s past?
“A promise made in blood cannot be undone,” Shiloh repeated, realization shining in her eyes.
Grayson spun toward her and back to me, eyes wide. “You’re… you’re one of them.”
My throat turned dry. The look of betrayal on his face cut me deep.
“No. She’s not. Not if we don’t let them get her.” Javi, ever my champion, came to my rescue.
Brady let out a whistle. “Didn’t see that one coming. Damn, Gray. You—”
Grayson shot him a lethal look. All humor vanished from Brady’s face. I turned to Grayson, wanting to explain myself, but he wouldn’t meet my eyes.
Javi cleared his throat. “There’s too much to explain right now. We have to go. We can’t just hide here and hope they don’t find us. This isn’t warded.”
“How do you know?” Brady drawled.
Javi’s eyes shot to the slumped witch. “Look what happened to her.”
“That’s because she was linked to the others somehow,” Shiloh interrupted.
Brady gave an exaggerated sigh. “Can someone please just make a decision already? Are we staying or going?”
“Rose?” Shiloh turned to me.
All eyes, but Grayson’s, fell on me. I shrank back from their weighted stares. My head spun and I couldn’t get the images of Cleo out of my mind. What were we supposed to do? I didn’t have the answers.
Taking a steadying breath, I tried to calm myself. Just survive. I could do that.
11
“I think we should… go?” I shrugged. “If they’re here, they’re going to hurt everyone trying to get to me. I want to get away from here as far as possible.”
“We’ll go back to the academy.” Grayson spoke. His gaze darted to me and away again.
My chest tightened. Was he going to turn me in?
“No. We can make a ward here. Wait for the GRIMM to arrive. Safer than trying to go out there,” Brady argued. He looked to Shiloh and Javi for backup.
She hesitated. “I don’t know, Brady. We don’t have a lot of time to set up a ward, and we didn’t bring many runes.”
“I… I think you guys should go back to the school. Without me. I never wanted to bring you into all this mess. That’s why I ran.”
Grayson met my eyes. His face still hardened, I couldn’t tell what was running through his mind. But it didn’t look like he was going to be forgiving me any time soon.
Javi shook his head. “Hell no. I’m not letting you leave again.”
“But, Javi. What about your dad? And the others? Is it safe to go back to school?”
Everyone fell silent.
“You can come back to the house with me.” Javi’s voice was measured and calm.
I felt myself tense. No. I couldn’t go back and face my tío. Be forced to live as a prisoner again?
A loud clang sounded from the club. Snarls and roar followed. Cold tendrils of fear snaked around me. Grayson spun toward the door.
“Come on, we have to go,” my cousin urged.
“The back is locked.”
Grayson ran up to it with a raised hand, chanting. We joined him.
“Unlock it,” Javi demanded.
Grayson’s eyes narrowed at him. “I’m trying. You’re welcome to help. Any of you.”
Shiloh stepped up and threw a hand over the knob. The heart-shaped locket around her neck rose into the air as she chanted. My eyebrow arched. Her conduit was a locket?
All the time spent with her and I’d never noticed or asked. Guilt needled me. Here she was risking her life for me and I was a crappy friend.
Javi joined them while Brady and I watched. A realization struck me. My sword could open locks. It broke the entire door at Tío’s house to help me escape, but Michael had kept my sword and it was too late to get it now.
“Let’s go. Javier, you lead. I’ll bring up the rear.” Grayson took charge.
My cousin waved his gun in acknowledgment and went first, scanning the alley before waving for us to follow.
“Hurry. Come on,” he urged.
Shiloh, Brady, and I followed, Grayson stood guard behind me. My heart raced. Noises came from inside the club. Howls and screams. Glass shattering and wood breaking. Were the wolves okay? Could they take on a whole coven?
“Go.” Grayson broke my thoughts.
I glanced at him. His forehead creased in worry, but his jaw was clenched. The unfairness of the situation burned me.
“I never asked for this, Grayson. To be pledged to the witches or to join the GRIMMs. I didn’t want any of this.”
He flinched, and I realized right away, those were the wrong words.
“No… I don’t mean—”
“Just go. We can talk about this later.” His voice was hard.
He shut the door and motioned me forward. The others stood, waiting for us.
“Come on.” Javi called from ahead.
The cool night air made me shiver. Light from the club went out, enveloping us in darkness. Further down, streetlights shone. The sounds from inside El Palacio echoed behind us.
“What is that smell?” Brady spoke first.
I smelled it too. It smelled like… somet
hing burning. I turned to find the club roof on fire. My eyes bulged. The witches work?
Screams echoed from inside.
“We have to help them.” I glanced at Javi.
He shook his head. “No. We can’t, Rose.”
Shiloh and I shared pained looks. How could we just let them burn? My stomach knotted. This was my fault.
“I’ve notified the agents here. We have to move. Come on.” Grayson ushered me forward.
“The GRIMMs will come. It will be okay.” Shiloh assured me, though she bit her lip as if unsure of herself.
I shuddered. Were the wolves okay? Michael and the others?
“We have to go.” Grayson nudged me along.
Nodding, I turned to follow. Nausea rolled in my gut. The screams rang in my ears, striking horror through me. A numbness filled me.
They’re dead and it’s all your fault.
We rounded the corner, exiting into an empty street. Ahead, stores and shops lit up, the lights colorful and bright. A stark difference to the bleak situation we were in. People laughed and went about their lives as if everything was fine. Did they not see the fire? How could they not see it or smell it?
“Where are we going?” I asked as we ran.
“Portal,” came Javi’s short reply.
“It’s in one of the shops,” Shiloh explained.
I glanced back at the club.
Voices grew louder. I turned to find people pouring out of the buildings, pointing to the smoke and flames.
Javi swore. “The fire’s gotten past the wards.”
Grayson shared a look with him. “We should follow protocol.”
Javi ran a hand through his hair. “We don’t have time to sweep all these people. Let the agents handle it.”
Brady scoffed. “You don’t even know how to do a proper sweep, Gray.”
Grayson’s lips flattened. “I can do an effective one.”
“Javi’s right. No time,” Shiloh interrupted.
Fire truck sirens wailed, startling me. Would the GRIMMs get there first? What if the witches attacked the firemen? Just ordinaires trying to do their job.
“Come on, the portal is this way.” Javi waved us past the gawking crowd. Too concerned for what was happening at the club, no one noticed us rush by, with guns and all.
It was the first time I felt more like a GRIMM than a normal person. A cold realization struck me. That to be one of them—a GRIMM—meant never truly being part of the human world.