by Liv Brywood
Trapped and desperate, I think about my guys. I’m glad they were spared from Lexus’ wrath, but they won’t know what happened when they realize I’m gone. I didn’t leave any sign of struggle. They might think I left on my own volition. They have to know I’d never leave them, right?
18
Nyx
It’s hard to stand here at the checkout counter of Thyme and Country and keep a smile on my face. Numbers aren’t my thing, and after hundreds of transactions, my brain grows numb. Normally we would have stopped for lunch already, but there are too many customers. I hope Iris isn’t working her hands to the bone. I was hoping I’d get to go back to the workshop to help her make wreaths.
A snotty middle-aged witch with a short haircut approaches me. She wants to see the manager because we’re out of rose hips. A scowl darkens her face. There is no joy in this woman whatsoever.
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but this is all the rose hips we have left.” I spread my hands and try to evoke friendliness with my smile. “I can’t wave a magic wand and make more appear.”
“Wave a magic wand?” She sneers. “Is that supposed to be a slur against me because I’m a witch? That’s it. I demand to speak to the manager.”
“Of course,” I mutter. “I’ll go grab Remus right now.”
I turn to get away from the shrew and almost run right into Torak.
“Where’s Remus?”
“He’s in the parking lot helping a lady put a seventy-pound bag of nightshade soil into her trunk.” His brow furrows. He glances behind me at the angry woman at the cash register. “What’s up?”
“Just a bitchy customer.”
“Another one?”
“Yep. People have their tail feathers in a fucking fluff today. Watch your back around these witches.” I tap him on the shoulder and head out to the lot.
I catch Remus as he closes the trunk and makes pleasantries with the elderly witch patron. When he sees me, he can tell I’m agitated.
“What’s wrong?”
“Some grouchy customer wants to see the manager.” I point my finger at him. “That’s you.”
“Right.” Remus smiles at the elderly witch, then heads for the store. “Go ahead and lock up. We’re closing in five minutes. I need a break.”
“Hell yeah.” I clap my hands and eagerly go to do his bidding. I can’t wait to see Iris. It’s been a long day.
When I get back, Remus has sweet-talked the crazy lady into purchasing a substitute herb for her potion. She leaves with a smile on her face. I have to hand it to him, he’s smooth.
After the last customer leaves, Torak and I take care of the dirty work while Remus counts down the cash drawer. People in Bonfire Falls are on edge, and with good reason, but it’s good for his bottom line.
Once the store is properly stocked, cleaned, and closed, I take a quick peek into the workshop. It’s empty. She probably gave up on us and went into the house to get some food.
I’m the first one into the main house. I check the living room. There’s no sign of Iris. The TV is off. A cup of tea sits on the end table. When I pick it up, the ceramic is cold. My heart sinks, and I sense that something’s amiss.
I move through the house as I call her name. The kitchen is empty. By the time I get to the upstairs bedrooms, I’m in a frenzy.
“What’s the matter?” Remus yells from downstairs
“Iris isn’t here.” I stop at the top of the staircase. “I don’t think she’s been here for hours.”
“Calm down. Have you checked everywhere?” Torak asks.
“Everywhere but the garden. Come on.”
We search the herb garden and the lavender field. She’s not in either spot.
“Are you sure she wasn’t in the workshop?” Remus asks.
“I only took a quick look. Maybe she was hiding behind something as a joke?”
I lead the way as we head back to the workshop.
Inside, our eyes are immediately drawn to a crushed lavender wreath on the floor. My hands clench into fists as Remus walks over and picks it up.
“Something’s wrong,” he says. “She never would have left a wreath on the floor like this.”
“We were right next door,” I say. “How could anything have happened without us knowing?”
“Lexus.” Torak’s tone is dark with fear.
I glance around the workshop but find no evidence of foul play.
“You might be jumping to conclusions. How did that witch sneak in here and snatch her without us knowing?”
“She’s a witch.” Torak gives me a look as if he thinks I’m an idiot. I just can’t accept the fact that Lexus might have her.
“If Lexus took her, then Iris is probably at the Academy.” Remus sets the wreath aside.
“Then that’s where we’re headed,” I say.
I turn and shove my way past Torak. Low growls escape me in anticipation of the upcoming battle. The thought of sweet Iris in the clutches of that old harpy makes my blood boil. I have to save her.
“Wait.” Torak catches me by the arm. I allow him to stop me, but I give him a menacing glare. He lets go of my arm and clears his throat. “You can’t go off half-cocked. We need a plan.”
“No time for a plan.”
I’m about to leave, but Remus calls after me. “Hear him out. What do you plan to do, attack the Academy by yourself?”
“If I have to.”
“Stop walking,” Torak snaps.
I stop and give him my full attention. “All right, let’s hear it.”
“Thank you.” He rubs his chin and his eyes seem to focus on a spot in the distance. “Argus plans to attack the Academy. Let’s hope he’s gotten enough pieces in place to pull it off because we can’t wait anymore. We need to do this now.”
“We need to go see him,” I say. “Right now.”
We exchange glances. There’s not an ounce of doubt in any of our minds. We’ll do whatever it takes to get Iris back.
Torak and Remus stop to take off their clothes, but I’m in such a rush I barely slip out of my jeans before I start to shift. My T-shirt rips to shreds. Only a ragged strip clings to my flank as I lope into the dense forest.
Trees flash by as I dash through clumps of moss. I fly past clusters of mushrooms growing off the side of hollowed-out trunks. Fading sunlight flickers through the trees to cast shadows onto the forest floor.
My nose detects more than my eyes ever will. Rabbits scuttle out of my way. I scent their fear, but they have nothing to worry about. I’m hunting far bigger prey today.
We splash through a rushing river and dash up the edges of a steep ravine to take the most direct route to the wolf den. Our fear for Iris makes us much more determined to struggle over every harsh incline. I picture her face as I fight through thick brambles that cling and tear at my fur.
Torak and Remus are somewhere behind me in the woods. I’m not stopping to wait for them. They’ll catch up eventually.
At last, I break through the tree line and come upon the wolf den. Argus and several others sit outside as they tend a fire and pass around a bottle of scotch. Their conversation stops when they see me. I shift back into human form and step into the firelight.
“You seem on the verge of panic, boy. Speak,” Argus says.
“It’s Iris.” My eyes meet Argus’ gray ones. “She’s been abducted by Lexus and taken back to the Academy. We have to attack now.”
“Now?” Argus’ eyes narrow. His hands go to his hips. “This kind of thing must be carefully planned. I’ve set things in motion, but it’ll be days before I’m ready to attack the witches on their home turf.”
“We don’t have days,” I yell.
Argus’ eyes widen. He takes a step back. I’m shocked to realize how ready I am to fight him over this.
Torak bursts out of the woods and lopes up next to us before he transforms. He grimaces with the final pains of transmutation and then stands by my side.
“It’s true. We can’t afford to wa
it any longer. Every second we wait puts Iris in even more danger. We must attack as soon as possible.”
Remus joins the group and stands beside Torak. There’s a bramble still entangled in his hair. He brushes it out while he addresses Argus.
“We know Lexus’ plans to destroy the shifters somehow involve Iris. If we let her remain in the Academy’s possession, Lexus may complete her task and wipe us all out, or at least permanently remove our ability to shift.”
Argus strokes his gray beard thoughtfully and regards us. I still want to run to save Iris right away, but I’m able to hold myself back.
Finally, Argus speaks.
“Very well. We cannot allow our enemies to use our allies to further a foul endeavor.” His eyes flash to mine. The old wolf smiles a toothy smile, a hunter’s smile. “And besides, this young cub will piss himself if we don’t go soon.” He waves a hand toward me. I ignore the insult, only because I need his help.
Argus turns to address the pack members who have ventured out from the cave to find out what all the screaming is about.
“What say you, pack brothers? Shall we gather the army I have amassed these last few weeks and go on the hunt?”
The pack howls. Their voices join in a chorus that reverberates off the trees and echoes through the woods. Argus joins in the howl, and soon, so do the three of us.
“All right, then.” Argus turns to address us once more. “We’ll gather in the town square of Bonfire Falls in three hours.”
“Three hours?” I’m exasperated. Why can’t they sense the urgency of this matter?
“Silence.” Argus glares at me until I’m compelled to take a step back. “Three hours is the fastest I can pull this off. Unless you want to challenge me for leadership of the pack, you will wait.”
I could probably take him, but I don’t want the responsibility of running the pack.
“We’ll meet you there in three hours,” I say.
Argus nods before barking orders at the pack.
Remus, Torak and I shift back into wolf form and head to Remus’ house. Fortunately, there’s not much time to kill after we make it back. We get dressed and grab weapons. I spend the last forty minutes seated on my Harley in the Thyme and Country parking lot, arms crossed over my chest as I wait on the others. Waiting is killing me.
Remus finally comes out of his garage mounted on his four-wheeled ATV. It’s quite useful on his farm, and now he’ll ride it into war. Somehow, it seems appropriate.
When Torak putters up on a red scooter, I can’t help but sit there with my jaw on the ground. I stare. Mr. Rockstar rides a scooter.
“Are you serious?” I shake my head in disbelief.
“Don’t be a jerk,” Remus calls me out. “It gets great gas mileage, and it’s easy to park.”
“Yeah, and it’s a great way to remain a virgin.”
“Hey, I’m not a virgin.”
“Don’t remind me.”
“Asshole.”
“Let’s go.”
We rumble out of the parking lot and hit the highway. Well, Remus and I rumble. Torak’s scooter makes a high-pitched whine. It’s embarrassing.
Remus and I are kind of assholes about it too. We speed way ahead of him and force him to do crazy stuff to keep up, like take a hill too fast. He flies a good four feet in the air. Sparks fly from the scooter’s chassis, but Torak keeps it straight. When he sees me grin back at him, he flips me the bird. It would be fucking hilarious if I wasn’t so freaked out about Iris.
We pull into the center of Bonfire Falls. I’m shocked to see how many people Argus has gathered. Of course, most of the Wolf Clan is here, but there are also quite a few of the Bear Clan present. The Dragon Clan is missing, of course. Pussies are still up the mountain, hiding. They wouldn’t come down unless they were being directly threatened. I hate those guys.
Then there are the witches. Lots of witches. I’m surprised so many of them share Iris’ views on the Academy. I guess the use of dark magic goes against their beliefs too.
Argus rumbles in on his huge chrome motorcycle and raises his arm in the air. Everyone mounts up and falls into formation behind him.
Some of the witches double up with the Wolf Clan. Since Remus’ ride is a four-seater, he gives a lift to three of them.
One of the other witches begins a chant. A black void opens in the middle of the street and a skeletal horse strides out. Its nightmarish whinny sends chills down my spine. The witch leaps into the saddle and then joins the army. Fire sparks from its hooves as it gallops.
Soon, we’re racing down the highway toward Dark Magic Academy. I should draw a measure of strength from my pack, but inside, I’m terrified. What if we’re too late to save Iris? What if I never see her again?
I’ve told her I love her. She needs to know that I’ve always loved her, and I’ll love her forever. If we survive this war, if I get to see my sweet Iris again, that’s the first thing I’ll say to her.
19
Iris
As I predicted, the magical restraints eventually wear off. My limbs ache from being held in place for so long. I stand in the center of my old room and stretch. The restraints were one of about a dozen problems I needed to solve. One down, and about a million to go. I don’t know how I’m going to get out of this place, but there’s got to be a way.
I’m not sure how long I’ve been here. Lexus conveniently removed all time-telling devices from my room. Either that, or that klepto witch Zarina, who lives two doors down, broke in and stole my stuff. I’ve been here long enough for my fear to shift into anger.
Lexus is a terrifyingly powerful witch. Now I have to fight her on her own turf, and I’m all alone. Lexus threatened to kill the men I love, so in a way, I’m glad they’re not here. No matter how scared I am, I can’t let her win. She’d kill my guys out of spite. I’ll do violent, unspeakable things to her before I let her harm Remus, Nyx, or Torak.
Have they figured out what happened to me? They’re smart guys, and wolves are excellent hunters and trackers. No doubt they’ve picked up my scent. My heart wants to leap out of my chest when I imagine that they’re on their way to me now. But if they’re on their way here, that means they’ll have to face off against Lexus and her pupils. I can’t let them do that alone. I have to get out of here.
I pace the length of my room as I try to come up with a plan. I try the doorknob even though I know it’s locked both physically and magically. I thought maybe the magical lock had worn off, but it hasn’t.
I charge at the door, slamming my shoulder into it until I’m on the brink of dislocating my shoulder. The door is just as locked as it was ten minutes ago and now my shoulder hurts.
Brilliant, Iris. Absolutely brilliant.
I weave a small healing spell to dull the pain, but it won’t stop the bruise that’s already developing.
I turn to my desk and scour the drawers for anything useful. I find a pair of scissors and attempt to cut through the vines over the window. The vines are so strong they fracture the scissor blades.
“Damn it.” I throw the broken scissors across the room.
I stand in the center of my room directly across from the door and take a deep breath. I don’t want to use too much magic to escape. I want to save my energy for fighting, but it looks like I don’t have a choice.
I start with the obvious spell, a firebolt. I blast the door, but it’s been fireproofed. I laugh at the irony. Years ago, I pointed out to an instructor that wooden doors made locks pointless once the school taught us how to summon fire. Now I wish they hadn’t listened to me.
I turn around and send a firebolt at the vines. It only destroys some of them, but it might be enough. I rush to the window and clear away as many remaining vines as possible. I try to open the window, but it won’t budge. It’s been magically locked.
“Ugh!”
I run to my bed and tear up part of the comforter. It’s thick enough to protect my hand as I punch through the window.
The st
ained glass was over eight hundred years old. I feel terrible about breaking it, but it’s the only way out.
I peek through the hole and look for ledges or footholds that I can use to climb down. Of course, I’m not that lucky. I brush my fingers over the wall. It’s slicker than I recall. If I were to climb out, there’d be nothing to stop me from falling straight to my death. I broke that window for nothing.
“Shit.”
I can’t break through Lexus’ spells. She crafted them with dark magic. All witches study dark magic in theory. We learn how to prepare ourselves against it, but we’re never outright taught how to use it. It’s not uncommon for a witch to learn dark magic from an outside source, but I’m not one of those witches. I have no idea how to craft a dark spell, let alone undo one made by a powerful, evil witch.
If I’m going to get out of here, I need to find something stronger than the blackest magic from the evilest of hearts.
“There has to be something else. I’m missing something. I know I’m missing something.”
I look in my closet on the off chance that I’d stowed some contraband items in there. I hadn’t.
However, I find an old gift Nyx gave me years ago. I’m ashamed to admit I’d forgotten it. It’s one of his leather jackets. His favorite, if I remember correctly. The dark leather is worn and soft. When I press my nose against it, it still smells like him despite the fact that he hasn’t touched it in years.
As I run my hands over it, I notice something I hadn’t noticed when he first gave it to me. Just inside the right sleeve, where the leather ends and the silk lining begins, is a hand-stitched red heart no larger than my pinkie nail.
I clutch the jacket to my chest and fight the waves of tears that threaten to spill over. I can’t get upset now, even if missing him and the others is more painful than I ever imagined. The thought that I might never see them again is enough to make me go insane.