Wicked Deal (Shadow Guild: The Rebel Book 2)

by Linsey Hall

  “I’m going to retract it now,” he said.

  I could feel it flow back into his body like water. His heart rate slowed slightly, and I focused on the feeling of his magic, trying to imagine doing the same with my own. When he’d pulled it all inside of himself, I could almost feel him building a wall within his soul.

  “Wow.” I whistled out a low breath. “Amazing. I can feel it.”

  “You try.”

  I mimicked what he’d done, trying to recreate it for myself. It went better than when I’d practiced with Eve and Mac. But then, they’d had a totally different method.

  I liked Grey’s better.

  It took a few tries, but I improved.

  “That’s better,” he said. “Now, keep that wall built inside you to contain it.”

  “I’ll work on it.” A yawn stole over me, and I reached up to stifle it.

  “We need to rest.”

  I nodded. I was so tired, I could barely stand. “I’ll get out of here.”

  “No.” He gripped my arm, then released it quickly, looking startled. “The sorcerers will be out for blood.”

  I winced. “We need to explain to them what we were doing there.”

  “Miranda is trying. And if she doesn’t succeed, I will. But right now, it’s better if you’re not wandering the streets alone after breaking into their tower. You don’t want them to catch you.”

  “I really don’t.”

  “There’s another bedroom here. In the morning, we’ll go together.”

  I nodded, wondering how I’d handle sleeping so close to Grey. Could I even sleep, as worked up as I was?

  14

  Grey

  The next morning, I woke from dreams of Carrow. The sun was just rising, and the golden light reminded me of her hair.

  Weak.

  Disgusted, I dragged a hand over my head and climbed out of bed. So much had happened last night. My mind was still spinning, but I forced it to the back of my thoughts.

  No time for that now.

  I pulled on loose cotton pants and strode to the room where Carrow slept, passing the bookshelves that hadn’t held my interest in years.

  As I passed, one title caught my eye.

  Poetry.

  The faintest bit of interest flared, and I frowned.

  That was odd.

  I shook it away and went to her room, knocking on the door. “It’s morning.”

  “I’ll be out soon.” Her voice sounded sleepy, and the idea of her curled up in bed made heat flash through me.

  I returned to my room and had a record-quick shower, then dressed in dark trousers and a T-shirt, topping it with a black jacket. It’d be better to blend with the shadows, considering what was coming.

  I tapped my comms charm. “Miranda?”

  There was no response.

  I frowned, hoping that she was safe. The sorcerers were highly unlikely to hurt her, and she could take care of herself. All the same, I worried.

  A few moments later, I met Carrow in the living room. Her hair was damp from her shower. Miranda has brought her some clothes before heading to the Sorcerers’ Guild—black jeans, T-shirt, and leather jacket, her usual uniform. We were dressed alike, I realized.

  “You need to stop getting me clothes,” she said.

  “I don’t see why.”

  “We’re wearing the same outfit.”

  I cracked a smile. “Good. We’ll blend in.”

  “You need to get back to your suits. We look like a weird match-matchy couple. This isn’t Disney World.”

  We’re not a couple. Never could be. “That’s not really my scene.”

  “I can only imagine.” She turned to the door. “Let’s get out of here. Mac said they would meet us at eight. They found something.”

  We left my place and headed through town. It was early enough that the streets were quiet, but I kept my guard up anyway. The sorcerers tended to be night owls, but if Miranda hadn’t convinced them to relax, I needed to be alert.

  We reached Carrow’s place a few minutes later, and she led me up the stairs to her small flat. It was nearly empty. A single couch was pushed against the wall, and the books that I’d brought her sat on one cushion.

  Carrow looked between the books and me. “Thanks again.”

  I nodded. “Nice place.”

  “Mac is helping me furnish it.”

  “I like it.”

  “A bit different than your place.”

  “Nice all the same.” I shrugged. “I don’t much care for my place, anyway.”

  “The piano did look a bit dusty.”

  “It’s been a while since I’ve had the interest.”

  She turned to me with a considering gaze, but said only, “Coffee?”

  I nodded.

  She brewed a pot as we waited, and by the time Mac, Eve, and Quinn showed up, she had mugs poured for everyone.

  Mac stepped into the room and raised a bag. “I brought muffins.”

  “Always thinking with her stomach.” Eve grabbed the bag. Her raven followed her silently. “We found something, though.”

  Quinn gave me a long look, and I smiled coldly at him. I knew what he was thinking: I wasn’t good enough for Carrow. As much as I hated it, I agreed.

  The women sat on the couch, while Quinn and I leaned against the walls on opposite sides of the room. Carrow passed around the coffee mugs and took a muffin, then looked at Mac. “I hope you found something good, because we didn’t get much, and it’s supposed to happen tonight.”

  Mac leaned forward. “We talked to half a dozen people, and I used my powers on all of them. Two saw the dead guy hand off a key to someone else.”

  “And one of them heard mention of a magical power source.” Eve looked at Carrow. “The power sources are like batteries. Small objects imbued with great power that can be used for spells.”

  “Similar to the ones used to power the spell that hides Guild City?” I asked.

  “Just like.” Eve nodded. “But a different one.”

  Quinn nodded. “They couldn’t find the hidden ones, of course.”

  Naturally. I’d concealed them well when we’d installed the spell to protect Guild City. “How are the key and the power source connected?”

  “The key opens the container where the power source is stored. Once it’s out and they say the magic words…” Mac made a wide gesture with her hands. “Boom.”

  Carrow sat up straight. “It’s the power source for the spell. I didn’t get it before, but now I do.”

  “You know the spell?” Mac asked.

  “Yes.” I detailed our meeting with Mariketta and how I’d taken her memory, just like Ivan’s goons had. “Once they have the power source out of the container, the spell will make the magic inside go haywire. The power will explode outward, taking down Black Church and the protective spell that hides us.”

  “We need to beat them to it,” Quinn said.

  We had no idea where they were now, but… “They’ll be at the church tonight,” I told the others.

  “We’ll go wait for them,” Eve said.

  Carrow frowned. “Mariketta said we had to go under to approach.”

  “What does that mean?” Mac asked.

  “I honestly don’t know. And she said we could only make it through at dusk.”

  “That’s too late,” said Eve. “We need to get there earlier. Like, now.”

  “Agreed,” I began, but before I could elaborate, a massive shockwave rushed through the air, nearly sending me to my knees.

  Mac yelped in surprise, and a ceramic cup hit the floor and shattered. Outside, people shouted and screamed in alarm.

  Carrow sprang up from the couch, her eyes wild. “What was that?”

  “I have no idea.” I strode to the window. A massive, glowing blue dome rose over the rooftops of Guild City near the Black Church. The dome was partially transparent but sparked with magic. “It’s started.”

  Carrow hurried up and peered out. “Holy crap
. What is that?”

  “A protective shield,” said Mac, a scowl in her voice. “They’ve put it up so we can’t get in.”

  “We need to evacuate the city,” Carrow replied.

  “They’re trying,” Quinn said. “But it takes time, especially with so many supernaturals who can’t blend with society. And not everyone believes in the threat.”

  I pointed to the dome out the window. “That will make them believe.”

  “Fair point,” he allowed. “But what about those who can’t leave? The ones tied to this place by their magic?”

  “We need to stop this before it happens,” said Carrow, then sprinted for the door and down the stairs.

  We followed, the four of us racing down the street after her. Supernaturals spilled out of their houses, staring in fright at the dome hovering over the center of town, trapping untold numbers inside.

  Carrow led the way, weaving through the streets swiftly and accurately. We reached the edge of the dome moments later. It gleamed transparent blue, like glassy water, and arced over a huge section of town.

  On the other side, people ran screaming out of their houses, horror on their faces.

  “They’re trapped.” Carrow reached up and touched the dome with her fingertips. Sparks flared, and she yelped, drawing her hand back.

  “There’s no way through,” I said. “Not as long as the magic works.”

  “Those people can’t escape.” Eve’s voice trembled.

  Carrow turned to me, eyes bright. “That’s what Mariketta meant! We can reach the Church by going under the dome.” She frowned. “But how? Do we dig?”

  “The Dwarves’ Guild,” Mac said.

  I nodded. “She’s right. They own most of the tunnels under the city. They’ll know how to get through.”

  “Where are they?” Carrow asked. “Do they have a tower we can go to?”

  “Not a normal tower,” said Eve. “But we can arrange a meeting.”

  “We’ll go now,” I said.

  “You can get us in this early?” Mac shook her head. “Of course you can. What am I thinking?”

  “I’m going to check on the shifters trying to evacuate,” Quinn said. “I’ll meet you later. Don’t go without me.”

  “We’ll call,” Mac assured him.

  He nodded and turned, striding down the street in the direction of his guild tower.

  Carrow looked at me. “Lead the way.”

  Carrow

  Grey strode ahead, guiding us down the winding streets toward a part of town that I’d never visited before. The streets became quieter, the buildings slightly larger.

  “This is the posh side of the city,” Mac said. “Old money over here.”

  There were no shops on the bottom floors of the buildings, just quiet doors and windows with pretty curtains and flowers in the window boxes. The stately houses were two or three stories tall and attractive. Many of the Tudor fronts had been replaced with newer exteriors of plaster and brick, though they were still at least three hundred years old, from the looks of them.

  “They like it here because the Dwarves’ Guild tower is so quiet,” Mac said. “But they’re snobs.”

  Everything did look quite stiff and perfect. Particularly the clearing that was common in front of every guild tower. This one was lovely, tended grass with pebble pathways and flower beds. Everything was symmetrical and precise.

  “Too perfect for me,” I murmured.

  “Designed by some famous landscape architect centuries ago,” Eve said. “Only residents of this neighborhood are allowed to use it.”

  “Are they Dwarves like Snow White’s dwarves or Tolkien’s dwarves?”

  “There are some similarities there,” Eve said. “They do prefer it underground, and mining is their primary source of wealth.”

  “Wealth being the operative word,” Mac said. “They have a lot of it, and they know how to use it.”

  We stopped in front of the short, squat tower. It was only two stories tall and built of massive stones. The windows looked empty, and the entire place vibrated with an eerie quiet.

  “Is it abandoned?” I asked.

  “No. But most of the activity happens underground,” Mac said.

  Grey turned to us. “Ready?”

  Mac leaned close and whispered in my ear, “Try to hide your signature. We don’t want them knowing how powerful you are.”

  I concentrated, attempting to mimic what I’d done last night with Grey.

  “That’s good,” Mac said. “You’re getting a lot better.”

  I looked at Grey. “Ready.”

  The others nodded, and he knocked on the heavy wooden door. A moment later, it swung open, revealing a lovely room papered in silk and floored with gleaming wood. We entered, and I spotted a short, stout man hurrying through the entryway.

  He stopped and stared at us. His long beard was carefully braided and threaded through with gold and gems. The maroon suit that he wore was perfectly tailored, and his neon green tie somehow complimented it despite the garish shade. He was the most dapper man I’d ever seen.

  “Hello, Perowall.” Grey’s smile did not reach his eyes.

  Perowall’s brows rose. “Devil. It’s been a while since you’ve dined with us. But I’m afraid we’re not open.”

  Dined? Opened?

  Mac must have spotted the confusion on my face. Leaning closer, she whispered, “They run the most famous restaurant in town. The Cellar.”

  “Could you please make a special request of Ogden the Bold?” Grey’s voice was firm. “We’d very much appreciate it. We’ll make it worth his while.”

  “I’ll see what I can do.” He disappeared behind a heavy velvet curtain.

  “I’ve never eaten here,” Mac said. “I hear it’s really quite good.”

  “And it’s doing double duty as a meeting place to beg for help in stopping the apocalypse,” I said.

  Mac shrugged. “That’s Guild City for you.”

  “I doubt we’ll be eating, Mac,” Eve said. “So get your head out of your stomach.”

  “Fine, fine.”

  I met Grey’s eyes, but they were unreadable.

  A few moments later, Perowall returned. “If you’ll please come with me, Ogden will see you.”

  Thank God.

  We followed Perowall down a wide staircase to a lower level. The air cooled as we descended, and I got the impression of a huge underground space, even though we were only in the stairwell.

  “No one knows how big their tower really is,” Mac whispered. “It extends underground. Not to mention The Below.”

  “The Below?”

  “The tunnels.”

  “Right.”

  Perowall led us into a long, narrow room with an arched brick ceiling. Small tables lined each side, covered in creamy linen with lovely flower arrangements. Golden light glowed throughout, giving it a distinctly romantic feel.

  Perowall led us to a large table at the end, where he gestured for us to sit. He slipped away before we’d done so, but Ogden appeared a moment later. His beard was even longer and more intricately braided than Perowall's, studded with dozens of gleaming gems. It looked like the dwarven version of a crown, albeit upside down. His suit was as fabulous as Perowall’s, a brilliant cobalt with a canary yellow tie.

  “Devil.” Ogden inclined his head in greeting and sat at the head of the long table. “To what do we owe this pleasure?”

  To what do we owe this pleasure?

  He was really playing it cool, considering the situation.

  “We’re here to request your aid.” Grey gestured to the three of us. “I’m sure you know Mac and Eve. This is Carrow.”

  Ogden nodded at my friends, then pinned me with a gaze. “Never met you before.”

  “I’m new.” His intense scrutiny made me uncomfortable. Could he sense my magic?

  “Hmm.” He turned his attention to Grey. “What kind of help? Does this have anything to do with those miserable sorcerers and that magical
dome outside?”

  “They’ve been here?” Grey sounded surprised.

  “Indeed, they have.” He grumbled. “Bastards.”

  I leaned toward Mac and whispered, “What’s the deal there?”

  “Longstanding grudge. Hundreds of years old.”

  “What did they want?” Grey asked.

  “The same thing that you want, I presume.” Ogden gave a knowing smile. “They wanted help navigating the tunnels to Black Church. But we’d never help those bastards.”

  So the sorcerers were trying to help. Mariketta must have convinced them of the threat. Except these Dwarves were damned stubborn in their dislike of the sorcerers.

  “It’s a matter of life and death,” I said.

  “For you, perhaps,” Ogden said.

  “Don’t you care that the city could be destroyed?” I demanded, unable to keep my mouth shut. “Your home?”

  “This is my home.” He gestured to the restaurant around us. “And the rest of The Below. The explosion can’t reach underground.”

  I tried to keep the horror off my face. “You’d live under a city of corpses and rubble.”

  He shrugged. “That is not ideal, but we’ve got all our manpower busy shoring up the surface portions of our domain. We don’t have time to help you.”

  “We can stop this,” I said. “If you can get us there, you won’t have to worry about bodies or destruction.”

  Grey leaned forward. “I know you’re not particularly fond of the surface and that you’d survive down here even if it disappeared, but life would be better for you if that never happened. You can’t deny it. Just spare us one person to lead us to Black Church. That’s all.”

  Ogden scowled and muttered to himself, then said, “You’ll have to pay.”

  “I’ll take care of it,” Grey said.

  The Dwarf looked at the four of us. “All of you.”

  I frowned. “What do you want?”

  “Money from him.” Ogden nodded to Grey. “Potions from Eve, a vision from Mac. And what can you do?”

  “I can read information from objects and people.”

  “A psychic, eh?”