by Linsey Hall
“What you do see is true.” Dread was like oil in my stomach making me ill.
“Yes. That’ll be two hundred dollars.”
Shit. Did I even have cash on me? My hands shook as I tried to search my pockets, but Claire’s hand appeared in front of me, thrusting out a wad of bills.
“Thanks for nothing, pal,” she said.
“That was hardly nothing!” Indignation laced Aethelred’s voice.
Claire hoisted her bag of sandwiches. “Then thanks for the sandwiches.” She grabbed my arm. “Come on, we’ve got another job.”
I followed her down the alley, my mind racing. “What am I going to fail at?”
“I don’t know, but I fail at stuff all the time. What’s one more thing?”
“Yeah, but the things on my plate are pretty huge lately.”
She stopped, turning toward me. Her gaze was sad. “I know. And you’re trying your best. We’re all trying. We can do this.”
Could we? Whatever control high I’d gotten from killing that demon had faded, replaced by the gnawing worry and fear. Shadows, Cade, curse, end of the world, queen of the demons.
All of it was just too much.
But I couldn’t break down, no matter how badly I wanted to.
I sucked in a ragged breath. “Come on. We’ve got a demon to find.”
The rest of the day went quickly. We forfeited one demon to another mercenary, who’d gotten there before us, so by the time we reached a dimly lit bar at the dingiest corner of Darklane, I was ready to do some damage.
“Split up?” Claire asked at the door to the bar.
“Yeah.” We wouldn’t have long inside before someone booted us out. This place was a hell of a lot shadier, and a hell of a lot more private, than the gambling den from the other day. Mordaca’s name wouldn’t help us here.
We hurried inside. Smoke choked me almost immediately, along with a cacophony of dark magic signatures. Fortunately, the place was crowded with bodies. Claire and I split up immediately, pushing our way through the crush. BO and perfume overwhelmed the scent of magic—these demons were here to get their freak on.
Our target was supposed to be a tall, slender Whispa Demon with pale skin and no eyes. Just imagining it made me shudder.
The bar was crowded, standing room only, but it took only seconds to determine he wasn’t in the room. Though there were some creepy looking figures, there was nothing as bad as the Whispa demon.
I shoved my way toward the back of the bar, hoping to find a kitchen or supply closet.
“What the hell are you doing here?” growled an unfamiliar voice from behind me.
I sent my elbow into his gut and hurried on. My desire to make another kill and collect another power was almost choking me now. I hadn’t been able to get Aethelred’s words out of my head all afternoon. They’d just grown and grown and grown.
And he was never wrong.
There were two doors at the back. My dragon sense pulled me toward the one on the right. I tried the handle, but it was locked. So I fed my ice power into it, loading it up until the thing was brittle as glass. All I had to do was yank hard, and the thing shattered.
When I opened the door, the first thing I saw was a demon looming over a chair. It was tall and spindly, with long horns and pale, pale skin. No eyes. There was a figure in the chair, but I had eyes only for the demon. Bloodlust—power lust—roared in my head.
I wound up an icicle and hurled it at the thing. This time, the weapon found its mark. The demon was either too slow or too absorbed to notice it coming.
When the icicle sank into the beast’s skinny back, it stiffened, shrieking in the most horrible voice.
Claire burst into the room behind me, gasping. “I’ll get the person.”
She raced for the figure in the chair as I hurled myself at the demon, leaping onto its back. I barely registered Claire dragging the victim from the room and slamming the door behind her. I shot another icicle through the chest of the demon.
Hunger surged through me as the life faded out of the monster, disgust on its heels. What was I turning into?
Music and voices continued to blare outside as I watched the life quickly fade from the demon. Blood dripped from its mouth, coating fangs that had probably just been sunk into its victim’s neck. This wasn’t a vampire, but it was damned close.
I reached out for its magic, trembling. When the ephemeral thing vibrated against my fingertips, I sighed, pulling it free. Once again, that comforting sense of control welled over me. It was only after I’d fully absorbed the gift that I even stopped to discover what I had taken.
Sound. The gift of muffling or creating sound.
Strange, but handy.
It was probably how this monster crept up on its target.
Was I the monster now?
No. I shook the thought away. I needed the power. More than that, at this very moment, I needed the calm sense of control that came with taking it.
The door creaked open, and Claire’s voice sounded. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” My voice was shaky as I climbed to my feet. In fact, my limbs were also pretty damned shaky.
Claire reached me, her expression concerned. “You don’t look all right. Your eyes are pretty bright. How’s the power-taking? Aren’t you worried about taking too much?”
I shook my head. “Cass has a ton of powers and she’s fine. I’m fine, too.”
Skepticism flashed across Claire’s face, a familiar frown.
“How’s the victim?” I asked, wanting to distract her. I was also genuinely concerned. I remembered seeing blood on her as she’d been dragged away.
“Fine. A few bites, pretty shaken up, but she’ll be okay eventually. What power did you get off the demon?”
“Sound. I think I can make it or muffle it.”
“Not bad.” She pulled her phone from her pocket and checked the time. “Then that should be enough for the day. It’s eight and we should quit.”
We were used to working late hours. But from her tone, it was obvious what was wrong. She was worried about all the powers I was taking. Or that I was starting to act weird.
Maybe I was.
But these were extenuating circumstances.
“Ready?” Claire asked.
“Yeah.” I let her drive me back to my place, though I desperately wanted to hunt for the last two demons on her note cards.
When she dropped me off in front of Ancient Magic, I leaned down so I could see through the car window. “Thanks again for today. You’re a great friend.”
She smiled, but her brow was wrinkled in concern. “You just take care to practice those powers.”
“I will.” I watched her drive off, then raced up into my apartment, trying to practice my new sound power so that Nix couldn’t hear me run by her place. It muffled my footsteps a bit, but not totally. Like Claire said, I’d need more practice.
Fortunately, Nix didn’t hear me, and I was able to grab my keys and hop on Scooter, tearing away from the curb in record time.
I’d memorized Claire’s note cards, and there were still two demons left to find.
Chapter Eleven
The first demon was a bust. Another mercenary had gotten to him. Disappointment was bitter and tinged with desperation.
But the second was sitting in a tree outside a kid’s window in a pretty little neighborhood at the edge of town. Inside, I could see a five-year-old sitting on a window seat, playing with a doll.
Fucking creeper.
I shivered as I watched him, as much from cold as from anticipation. I hadn’t even stopped to properly clean my face after it’d been sprayed with demon blood. I’d been too excited to get out here.
A group of chattering teenagers ambled down the street. One was practicing his fire magic, tossing a glowing ball up into the air to impress the girl next to him.
Shit. Witnesses. I didn’t need witnesses. Especially not more kids.
The demon caught sight of the teenagers. Briefl
y, his eyes flared.
Was he going to go for them?
He began to shimmy down the tree. From his haste, I’d bet he was going to run for it. Otherwise he’d wait till the teenagers were below him and strike. But there were too many of them, and fire kid could light him up. Anyway, his sort was a coward, waiting till a five-year-old was asleep to sneak in and eat him.
Disgust rose in my belly, competing with the desire to make the kill.
I couldn’t let this asshole get away.
I wound up an icicle, raising my hand to throw.
Something gripped my arm.
I gasped, spinning. Nix was holding on to me.
“What the hell?” I demanded.
Beside her, Cass waved her hand. The ground next to the tree rose up and grabbed the demon, then swallowed him up to his neck until only his head stuck out of the earth.
“It’s time to go home,” Nix said.
Cass called Claire on her phone, stating our location and problem.
“But I’m working.” Desperation quivered in my muscles. When would I find another clearly evil demon again? This was the last one on Claire’s list! “I’m collecting powers, just like we agreed on.”
“No.” Cass nodded, her gaze soft. “You’re freaking out and going nuts. You were supposed to quit with Claire hours ago.”
“We hadn’t finished.” My voice quivered.
Okay, yeah. Maybe I was freaking out a little.
Cass wrapped her arm around my neck and pulled me close for a hug. “Come on. Let’s go home.”
I drew in a shuddery breath, trying to calm the rising panic in my chest.
I was never like this. Calm and cool was my deal—not this freaked-out, nearly crying mess I’d become.
Nix squeezed my hand. “Let’s go.”
“Yeah. Yeah, okay.” I followed them to Cass’s car. Someone could come get Scooter later. Right now, I needed my deirfiúr.
“So what’s the deal?” Cass asked.
I stared down into my mug of red wine, letting the comfort of my trove seep into my pores. We sat on an old couch in the middle of my trove, surrounded by piles of books and lucky talismans. This was where we always came whenever one of us was having a bad time. Since it was my turn for things to go to shit, we were in my trove.
I sipped the wine, appreciating my friends’ patience. It took me time to sort through the mess in my head, anyway.
“Stealing the demons’ powers makes me feel in control,” I finally said.
“Yeah, I can understand that,” Cass said.
“But you already are in control,” Nix said. “You don’t need to go doing that kind of thing.”
I stiffened. “I only choose evil demons. And I was a mercenary, if you recall. It’s not exactly out of character for me.”
Nix nodded sympathetically. “No, you’re right. I get it. I just mean that you’re using it in the wrong way. To feel better for a while. I mean, you were sneaking out like an addict after a fix.”
Her description was so apt that I couldn’t argue. That’d just make me look guiltier. And hell, I was guilty. Of freaking out at the very least.
“It’s just that if I don’t kill Roarke’s brother, the one who cursed me, then I’m susceptible to the Shadows’ control. Then really bad things will happen. But I can’t kill Roarke’s brother. And I can’t become susceptible to the Shadows.”
“No, those are both awful,” Nix said.
I nodded. “So my only hope is to be strong enough to be sure I can kill a Shadow.”
“You can,” Cass said.
“And I saw Aethelred today.” The words spilled out of me. “He said I’m going to fail at one of my goals. An important goal.”
There was silence from both sides of the couch. It didn’t make me feel better, but at least they were taking me seriously.
Finally, Cass said, “I can see why you freaked out.”
Nix smiled sympathetically. “Yeah, you’ve got some pretty important goals lately.”
“Exactly.” I let out a shuddery laugh, then sipped my wine.
“But you’re not alone,” Nix said.
“I know. I have you guys.”
“And all our power,” Cass said. “Between all of us, we have a pretty insane arsenal. Whatever the Shadows throw at us, we can defeat it.”
“Not according to Aethelred,” I said.
“Even if he’s right—”
“He is,” I interrupted.
“Yeah.” Cass nodded. “He’s right. He’s always right. You’re going to fail at something. But just one thing. You have a lot of things you need to accomplish. We’ll manage the rest. Together.”
“But you need to quit going rogue and stealing powers,” Nix said.
“It was just one night,” I said. But I could hear the weaselly complaint in my voice. I was better than that.
“We don’t have any more nights to spare.” Nix sniffed deeply. “And it seems like you had quite a night. Two new powers?”
I nodded. “Sound and weather.”
“Those are good. But you need to practice.”
Nix, always with the practice. But she was an excellent conjurer. Practice had served her well.
“Okay,” I said. “No more stealing—unless the demons drop into my lap. And I’ll practice.”
“Now.” Nix pointed to the stack of books in front of me. “You’re still pretty shit with your telekinesis, and tomorrow is going to be a big day.”
She was right. My failed attempt to launch a table at the demon today was evidence of that.
I called upon my telekinesis power. I held it inside myself, just under the surface, getting used to it.
Nix fluttered her hand. “Now lift the books.”
My first attempt was a disaster. They thudded to the ground after hovering for only a moment. But I pushed myself harder. I could do this. It was just another power.
We spent the evening practicing my telekinesis and gift over sound. Not the weather, though. I didn’t want to ruin my books with an impromptu rain shower. After an evening with my deirfiúr and several hours of practice, I was feeling a lot better.
Still freaked-the-hell-out, but a lot better. Apparently gaining control of my magic could feel almost as good as taking it. The whole process was harder, but with Cass and Nix to help, at least I had company. And backup.
Finally, around 2:00 a.m., we were exhausted, and half a box of wine was gone.
“Thanks, guys,” I murmured. “You’re the best.”
“We’re family.” Nix reached for my hand.
“Family.” Cass grabbed my other hand. “And whatever is coming at us, we’ll meet it together.”
Late that night, after Cass and Nix had gone back to their apartments, Roarke knocked on my door. I knew it was him before I even opened it.
As soon as I saw him, I threw my arms around his waist. He was warm and strong against me, a grounding presence that felt better than stealing any power in the world.
He hugged me back, kissing the top of my head. “You doing all right?”
“Yeah,” I mumbled against his chest. “Had a bit of a slip today, but I’m doing all right now.”
“Want to tell me about it?”
I didn’t, not really. But not because I didn’t trust him. More because I was embarrassed. But weren’t those the things you should fess up to if you wanted to be in a relationship? I needed to own my mistakes, or I’d make them again. “Sure. But let’s do it in bed. I’m beat.”
We snuggled into my bed. Roarke was almost too big for the queen mattress, but we made it work. Once the covers were up and the world was blocked out, I snuggled against him and told him about the day.
When I finished, he nodded. I felt the movement against my head, which rested on his shoulder. “I can see how you might do something like that.”
“Diplomatic.”
He shrugged. “It just makes sense, is all. But you’re also making better decisions now, so it’s okay.”
“We can do this, Del.”
“Yeah.” I couldn’t think about it. “How is your brother?”
“Good.” I could hear the smile in his voice. “Very good. We spent the day together. He told me about what to expect tomorrow when we go to the Shadows’ Underworld headquarters.”
“Did he have a lot of valuable info?”
“Depends on how lucky we get.” He told me what Caden knew, but it wasn’t much. Most of Caden’s value was in leading us there. We’d have to blindly face the challenges that awaited.
“We should remove the dampening charm,” I said. “He’ll need to be able to fight alongside us.”
“Yeah. You’re right.”
“All this talk of battles to come is making me want to appreciate my life.” I looked up and grinned at him.
He smiled. “Yeah? Got any idea how you want to do that?”
“I can think of a few ways.” I leaned up and kissed him.
He groaned and pulled me on top of him. I clutched at his strong shoulders, straddling him as I devoured his kiss. My mind buzzed with pleasure as he rolled me over.
“Yes.” I gasped as his mouth traced down my neck and over my shoulders, which were revealed by my tank top. Why had I even bothered wearing clothes to bed?
In the end, it didn’t matter. Roarke knew just how to get me out of them, and I enjoyed every second.
Later that night, after I regained my senses and Roarke had drifted to sleep, I snuck away to my trove. I sat on the couch, begging Draka to come to me. I didn’t know how to summon her—only that she came when I needed her—so I used my desperation.
Because even with my friends at my back, this task seemed potentially insurmountable. I was used to obvious problems with obvious solutions—find the treasure, kill the demon. That kind of thing.
This was totally out of my league.
But Draka never came. Apparently my situation wasn’t dire enough. Which I couldn’t say I agreed with.
So I did what I always did when I had a big, dangerous job coming up. I combed through my trove and selected the best of my lucky talismans for the job. In truth, I doubted I needed anything other than Roarke’s bracelet. But it was soothing to comb through my collection, selecting necklaces and a shirt that would buoy me against what was to come.