The lift arrived, and the door opened. There was a demon inside wearing a white uniform. He glanced at us for a long moment and then his eyes moved over to Ronan. I tried to act like we were meant to be here, just wheeling the sick patient away.
“Are you going down, mate?” Zachary asked, and the demon nodded. We got inside, although I had a feeling that this was a bad idea. We should have waited for the next one. The lift started moving and my heart pounded between my ribcage way too fast.
The strange demon glanced down at the unconscious Emma and frowned. I couldn’t tell if he was concerned or simply curious. Either way, he was already suspicious. The silence had stretched for a long uncomfortable moment and it seemed that the lift was moving down at snail speed.
“There aren’t any demons on the psych ward who are part of hospital staff,” the stranger finally said, and glanced down at Emma. I shifted my weight to the side, ready to knock him out if he asked for it.
“Mind your own business, mate,” Zachary snapped out and then the demon moved his eyes to me. Seconds later his expression changed, growing with shock. His eyes started to gleam with pure demonic energy.
“Maxine, your appearance,” Ronan hissed, reminding me that I’d forgotten to drink my potion since he last brewed it. I touched my face and then realised that I was back to being my own self.
“You’re that mongrel girl who killed the prince,” the demon said, pointing down at me, and a second later Zachary, slammed his hand over the emergency button, stopping the lift somewhere between the sixth and seventh floor.
These accusations were really beginning to piss me off, so I lifted my right leg and twisted my body around ninety degrees and, a moment later, I had him pinned down with my boot to the wall behind. He most likely had no idea that my magic was taken away from me, that I was just an ordinary human.
“Zip it, demon, or you won’t make it out of here alive,” I snarled. His eyes were even wider, and he looked as if he wasn’t expecting that kind of strength from a woman. The phone that I found at Paul’s was now vibrating inside my pocket. “Zach, the phone in my jeans. Answer it. That might be important.”
His hand went down to the side of my jeans. The demon didn’t move, looking pretty freaked out. He must have realised that he didn’t stand a chance. There were three of us against one, even if we were only humans.
“Yeah, all right. Got it. Five minutes,” Zach said and then hung up and looked at me. “Rodriguez is on the way here. Someone has sold us out.”
I chewed on my bottom lip, pushing myself to figure a way out. Seconds rolled by and I knocked the demon out stone cold with my fist, not even thinking about what I was doing. Ronan shook his head but didn’t say anything. I let him slide down on the floor, then started taking his hospital gown off.
“Put this on. That might buy us a few minutes,” I said, tossing the gown to Zach.
“We are wasting time, Maxine,” Ronan reminded me, so I pushed the emergency button, getting the lift moving down again.
By the time the door opened downstairs, Zachary was already pushing an unconscious Emma toward the exit.
I grabbed some random guy in a hospital uniform and put on my acting hat again.
“This patient fainted in the lift, he needs help,” I told him, and then followed the others, not looking behind. People were staring at me, but no one dared to stop me. I should have brought more of the potion with me, but now it was too late. We all had to get out undetected.
We barged outside, and Ronan managed to get us a taxi. He tampered with the taxi driver’s mind when he was reluctant to transport Emma. The driver put his foot down and, several seconds after, we were finally moving. Behind us I saw Rodriguez running inside the hospital building. I leaned back in the seat, breathing hard and thinking that this was a close call.
The taxi driver was given the address of the pub and, as we were moving through the streets of London, Emma started coming around.
“Two weeks in the psych. God, I thought I was going to be stuck there forever.” Zachary was saying, shaking his head.
“Nameless betrayed us all. Alexis was waiting for me in her chamber. She and Rodriguez knew we were coming,” I said, massaging the nape of my neck. There was so much tension in my back, and my fist hurt like hell.
“That motherfucker. I should have shot him when I had a chance,” Zach said. “Emma and I left the van as soon as Ricky got caught. Someone must have swept us from the streets seconds later, because we were knocked out cold. Luckily my sister managed to escape beforehand. Next thing I remember, I was in the psych ward with some doctor who tried to convince me I needed to be isolated because I was a schizophrenic. Crazy, right?”
It was Alexis and Rodriguez’s doing. They wanted to make sure that Zach and Emma wouldn’t cause any more trouble. Nameless must have told them that I wasn’t working alone.
That bitch had kept me locked up for over two weeks, and she had stolen my magic. Now I was dreading to think what she did to Ricky and Paul. I hoped they hadn’t been tortured, because that could really break me.
“I met with Cyril incognito. He told me that Ricky and Paul are being kept in an old steel factory on the outskirts of the city. My face is plastered all over London, and there is a warrant issued for my arrest,” I explained as quickly as I could. Emma had opened her eyes and was leaning on Zach’s shoulder.
Ronan had some mild boosting potions with him that could inject her with more energy. As soon as she drank some, the colour returned to her face.
“Max, is that you?” she asked, staring back at me. I gave her a smile, although I kept glancing behind us, worried that we were being followed. On top of that, the taxi driver was driving way too slow.
“Yes, Emma, you’re safe now, just rest up,” I said, and then told them all that had been going on with me in the past two weeks. Zachary looked pretty distraught when I mentioned that Alexis had taken my magic away from me.
We didn’t have much choice, so we ended up going back to the pub. Paul’s wards were still pretty good, and I didn’t think that anyone would look for us in there. We all managed to sneak back inside undetected, and Ronan used his own complicated spells in case someone decided to snoop around. That area was often patrolled by Watchers, so we needed to be extra careful from now on.
Zachary pushed me to a room at the back as soon as he had a chance. Then he kissed me, and I allowed myself to enjoy this moment for a bit.
“Fuck, I really thought I was never going to get out. The doctors on the ward treated me like a mental head. I couldn’t even use the phone,” the detective said moving his hand over my body.
“Nameless tricked us all, even his own father. We started trusting him too soon. He must have been working with that bitch from the very beginning.”
“Oh, Flower, it’s so good to be back in the sane world.”
“I know exactly what you mean, but we still have to get Ricky and Paul out, and I have a feeling that will be much more complicated,” I said, getting back upstairs. While I enjoyed a little time out with Zach, I knew Emma needed me. Too many drugs were coursing through her system, and she needed to regain her strength. Paul’s place was small and with the additional two people it was a hell of a squeeze, but we weren’t going to be here forever.
Ronan was already brewing certain potions for Emma when we joined them upstairs.
We talked for a bit about everything that had been going on. I sat on the sofa, thinking about normality for a change. Right then I didn’t think my life would ever be the same again.
A few hours later, Zachary showed up with a few bottles of tequila—the one without magic.
“I don’t know about you guys, but I need a bloody drink,” he said and started looking through the cupboard for some glasses. I had a splitting headache but nodded when he asked me if I wanted a drink. So far, I had half of the crew back, but the most complicated rescue mission was still ahead of me. I had to get in touch with Dostojevsky. Zach wasn’t going
to be keen with the fact that we were just about to team up with one of the most dangerous mobs in the city.
“Maxine, do you think we can get Ricky out?” Emma asked, holding a warm cup of tea in her hand.
“Yes, darling, we will get them out,” I assured her. “What about Suzi? I hope you had someone taking care of her?”
“I sent her away to my mother. I miss her so much, and I want this whole thing to be over.”
I wanted to tell her that I was wishing for the same thing. My spirit had been broken way too many times, and I just wanted some reassurance things were going to go my way from now on.
I wasn’t ready to discuss the rest of the details with them. Instead I encouraged them to drink, even Ronan took a few sips of tequila. That evening we all needed to cherish our freedom. My magic was gone, but I was going to get it back, even if it was the last thing I did.
Chapter 25
“A mighty flame follows a tiny spark.”
― Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy
When the morning came, I didn’t really want to move, and I was a little bit hungover from last night. It felt surreal to remember that I used to drink until I would pass out in the pub or on my sofa. The old damaged, Maxine was long gone.
Zach had his arm around me and his closeness felt comforting. I could see myself living with him, as a normal couple, but I had another little person I had to consider, too. Summer was part of me, and at some point, we were going to be reunited.
Ronan went out early and came back with newspapers and some fresh bread for breakfast. He was used to getting up early, and he liked his solitude. Two years ago, when I lived with him, he had a tendency to disappear often enough to get me worried.
Later on, in the afternoon I started talking to Zach what was going to happen next, basically going over our plan. Emma was banned from leaving the pub, and she wasn’t too happy about that, although she agreed that she wasn’t on form.
I knew Zach was too stubborn to even consider staying with her. His position as a detective had been compromised. Alexis or Rodriguez must have tampered with his boss’s mind and ruined his career on the police force.
In the end, he insisted on accompanying me to see Dostojevsky.
“Someone has to keep an eye on you, Flower,” he argued, staring at me intensely.
“He and his people are dangerous, but if you want to get yourself killed, then be my guest,” I snapped, ready to lose it with him.
“Ronan will have to change my appearance. That way you can protect me,” he added, smiling. I didn’t like his humour or the fact that he was taking his safety so lightly.
After that argument Ronan prepared more potion for him, but when he was handed the black liquid, he didn’t seem too keen to drink it. He knew the score: he couldn’t go with me as Zachary Quinton.
I only drank a small amount that would allow me to walk through London undetected, then wear off. Andrej wouldn’t care about the fact that I was in trouble with the law and the whole city was after me. He would need to see the real me. He often sent his people to get me to play poker with him again, but most of the time I declined.
This whole operation today was going to be tricky, and I couldn’t forget that Andrej was a head of one of the most violent gangs in London. I had to convince him to help me. He had a few ex-Watchers in his ranks, and that could work to my advantage. Cyril mentioned Rodriguez had made a deal with Berith, which could only mean that the whole place was riddled with security.
We took the tube and then walked through London for about half an hour, getting to that part of the city anyone else would normally avoid.
“Zach, you have to let me do all the talking. Andrej doesn’t trust anyone, but he has a soft spot for me,” I told Zach when we got to the outskirts of the council estate in Stockwell. Homeless humans, obscure-looking teenagers, and mountains of rubbish welcomed us as we walked through the gloomy streets. We also passed a few burned down cars and abandoned houses. I didn’t like the fact that I had to do this, but this time around, I needed to have a backup.
A few dodgy-looking individuals were hanging outside the off license shop, staring at us as we passed by. Zachary noticed a few human call girls too, standing outside the building and trying to stop passing cars. It was just after eight, and the temperature dropped right down.
“I don’t like this, Max. A few of my colleagues have been shot somewhere around here. Cyril should be able to help us,” Zach said when a few youths tried to stop us to give them some money.
“We have to do what we have to do. It’s a war and this time around I’m not taking any chances,” I told him, knowing exactly what he was talking about. “Cyril is being watched. He risked a lot, and I don’t want to drag him into this mess ever again.”
“You haven’t gone out with this guy, right?” Zach suddenly asked. I wanted to laugh; the detective was getting jealous.
“No, Zach, although he did ask me out a few times, but I always declined. It’s cute, you know, even if you never admit to it,” I said, as we turned to the right. There was an old pub with a broken window on the corner, and a few people were standing outside smoking cigarettes.
“Admit to what?”
“To the fact that you’re jealous.” I chuckled.
“I’m not jealous, Flower. I just want to protect my interest,” he said, sounding annoyed.
I had drunk the potion that Ronan had given me earlier on. I was fully myself again and my looks had only just now returned completely to normal. I knew it was a risk going out like this, but I needed Andrej to recognise me.
We went inside the pub that was opened to the general public. It wasn’t busy; there were only a few older humans, sitting around and drinking their pints. Some other men were playing pool at the back. The place stunk of sweat and old men. It needed a complete renovation. Paint was peeling, and the floor was wonky when we walked through it. The barman glared at both of us, and his eyes stayed on me for a bit longer than I wanted. He must have recognised me from the news.
“We are looking for Andrej,” I said to him. He blinked at me a few times, registering the name. He was tall, probably in his late fifties. Seconds later he picked up his mobile and dialled the number.
I didn’t have a chance to hear what he said, because someone poked me in the back from behind.
“I saw your face on the evening news. There is an award for you, girl,” said the stranger. A man with a long silver beard was looking at me and Zach like he knew me. He was at least a half foot shorter than me.
“Dean, fuck off, will you? Or Andrej will squash your balls,” the barman barked at him. The man spit on the ground and wiped his face, glaring at the barman with anger.
He hesitated for a second, then backed away to his table, mumbling some swear words under his breath.
“Follow Vladek, girl,” the barman said, waving his hand for me to go.
Everyone in the pub was staring at me when I nudged Zach and followed the obese Russian, waiting for us on the other side of the pub. Soon we found ourselves in a large back room. There was a table with cards, and it looked like four humans were just about to start a game of poker. There was a significant amount of cash in the middle, and I automatically thought about all the times when I used to go back home completely broke. Sometimes I would win, but my problem was I didn’t know when to stop.
“Maxine Brodeur, what a treat! I thought you would have been rotting in some royal cell by now,” the man said with yellowish blond hair, holding a cigarette in his mouth. Andrej Dostojevsky was skinny, pale, and he had very strong Eastern European features. He inhaled the smoke into his lungs, shuffling the cards in his hand. “Who is the other dude? He’s not a cop, right?”
Zachary took the identity of Devlin, so he could avoid being recognised by the criminals he had locked up in the past. It was kind of creepy kissing him. I used to drink and play poker with Devlin on a regular basis.
“A partner in crime, works with me at Doomed,” I
explained with a nervous chuckle. “Yeah, I used to shag the prince, but I didn’t bloody kill him. They are blaming me, because they haven’t got any other suspects.”
Andrej was the sort of man who didn’t believe in any reports on the mainstream media. A few years ago, he told me that the government controlled information that was shared with the general public. The man was dangerous; he had personally beheaded a lot of people, and that’s why I kept my distance from him.
“What do you want? I haven’t seen you around for ages,” he said, getting straight to the point, and nodded to the other guy. Another Russian placed a bottle of vodka on the table and started pouring clear liquid into a shot glasses.
“A favour. Two of my friends are being kept in the old steel factory. I need to get them out tonight,” I said and then told him exactly what I needed him to do. This wasn’t about magic or demonic energy. Rodriguez had people all around that factory, and I needed someone to keep them busy while I got Ricky and Paul out of there. Andrej was a sadistic motherfucker, but with his skills, he always got the job done.
He listened, drank vodka and continued to play poker. That deep burning sensation in my core to join him was making me crazy. The thing was, I hadn’t played for a while and I kind of missed it, even though that part of my life was behind me.
“I don’t like the way your silent partner is staring back at me, Maxine,” Andrej suddenly said, after I went through all the details. I had warned Zach to let me talk. A few times Andrej touched me, and I had a feeling that Zach shot him a few nasty glares. That was the downside of not having any magic. I couldn’t sense any emotions around me anymore.
“Devlin is just shy; he’s my partner. You shouldn’t worry about him,” I explained, rubbing the sweat off my forehead. The tension became uncomfortable.
“I have to make sure Maxine is not going to get in any trouble,” Zach barked, and I wished that he hadn’t said a word. Andrej liked playing games, sometimes very twisted games.
Doomed Cases Box Set: The Complete Collection Books 1- 4 & Prequel Page 89