Don’t touch us. We bite harder, I whispered with my mind.
“NOPE. I’m outie!” Royce turned and ran out the door.
This time no one challenged him or tried to make him feel better. Checking out the hotel had been a valid thought process, but it wasn’t the Gap location. I couldn’t quite describe how I knew this, but I just did. I sensed it in my gut. For this, I made no complaints as we all flew down the six flights of stairs.
Royce pushed the emergency exit door open, and we all spilled onto the red-brick sidewalk. He skidded to a stop. “What the hell? It’s night already?”
A high-pitched shriek pierced through the night.
We all gasped then raced around the corner. Tennessee had his sword in his hand, but it was no use. Demons littered the streets. They hung from roofs and dangled from trees. Humans screamed and ran down the streets. Cars swerved and smashed into streetlights.
I spun in circles…but they were everywhere I turned.
“Get back to Headquarters,” Tennessee said with a tense voice. “Now.”
“But what about the humans?” Larissa hissed. “We can’t leave them!”
“The Stones,” Emersyn whispered, her golden eyes wide.
My heart sank. The five Elemental Stones attracted demons with their power, and we needed all five to close the Gap forever. Which meant we needed to protect those with everything we had…not just a nine-year-old and an illusionist. But we couldn’t just abandon the humans and leave them to die. I had no idea what their minds saw happening, but it was just as damaging.
Tennessee cursed and sprinted down the street.
I grabbed ahold of the braid in my hair with the leather strip of material and held it tight in my palm for three seconds. Come on, Koth. Hear me. Hear my call. We need help. NOW.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
TENNESSEE
We were still around the corner from Headquarters, and the demons were already attacking in full force. Their shrieks echoed between the buildings. I hated leaving the city of Sapiens to fend for themselves, but we had to protect the Elemental Stones. We had no idea what we were going to do with them; we just knew we needed them.
I pushed my legs to go faster. They burned and screamed in protest, but they listened. When I finally rounded the corner of the neighboring house and stepped in front of Headquarters, I gasped and skidded to a stop. My balance faltered, and I toppled backward, catching myself with one hand before falling. I scrambled back up and stared at the roof.
There, sitting on top of the pointed roof like he owned the damn place was the biggest, meanest-looking black dragon I had ever seen. KOTH! In the moon’s light and the glow of the street lamps, King Koth’s scales glistened like an oil slick. I smiled as weight lifted off my shoulders.
“Oh my God! It’s Koth!” Emersyn cheered from suddenly right behind me.
Deacon sighed. “Thank the Goddess.”
Tegan ran up to my side and stared at our backup with a wide grin. “He got here fast.”
“Who is— Is that Chutney?”
I narrowed my eyes, but it was too dark to see who it was. Then the moon dropped lower in the sky, and a soft white light washed over a head of curly brown hair. It was Chutney.
“That’s better,” Henley said with a grin.
Chutney turned and scanned the yard. Her eyes widened. She pointed to us and her mouth moved, but we were too far to hear. Then Koth’s bright violet eyes snapped to us. He threw his head back and roared. Fire shot out of his mouth like a rocket launching into space. The ground and houses trembled and groaned. Koth grabbed Chutney with one clawed dragon hand and tossed her into the air. To my surprise, she didn’t scream or panic. Koth leapt off the roof and dove toward the ground. Chutney landed on his back perfectly, like they’d practiced this a million times.
Shadows passed over our heads, then Koth and four other dragons landed right in front of us. Koth roared and growled.
“He wants to know where you need them,” Chutney shouted from up on Koth’s back. “There are demons everywhere, dude!”
“Demons are ransacking the humans.” I looked directly into Koth’s eyes, knowing he understood me perfectly well. “This house is priority, but maybe we can send a few of your guys out to clean up town?”
Koth turned his head toward the two smaller of the group. They nodded and whipped their tails. I recognized them as the twins, the ones who’d been hitting on Tegan back in Issale. One was ivory, the other charcoal gray. They puffed balls of smoke then shot into the sky and out of sight. Koth held my gaze for a moment then disappeared into the night sky with Chutney on his back.
The air shimmered and swirled with a dark shadow, then Silas stood in front of us in jeans and boots. Tattoos were inked down his chest and around his neck. His gold eyes glowed like the sun. “Tennessee, you better get ready. We’ve cleaned out the first round, but the next will be here any second.”
“Hi, Silas,” Royce said with a flirty tone and wiggled his fingers in the air toward the stoic dragon.
“Thank you.” I nodded then pointed to the massive brown dragon beside him. “Yaluk, right?”
The other dragon dipped his head then shot up into the sky, his horned tail whipping through the air.
“Yaluk will take the sky. He’s bat-shit crazy and likes it up there.” Silas’s voice was rough like he’d just swallowed fire. “Koth…well, don’t worry about him. He blends in with the night. The demons won’t see him coming until it’s too late.”
“What about you?” Tegan asked as she unsheathed her daggers.
Silas’s eyes glowed even brighter. “You guys do your thing. I’ll be circling the house. If we can sense the Stones inside, the demons can even more so. I’ll be making sure none of these bastards get in that house.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
TEGAN
One of the best parts about being a witch was our ability to heal quickly. Especially for a Coven-member. Cards had more magic than civilians, so we could take more potent healing spells and potions. Sometimes just a good meal or hot shower recharged us.
But as I lay there trying to peel myself out of bed, I called bullshit.
Sure, the fight with the demons had lasted all night. We’d managed to rid the evening of them about two hours before sunrise. It had started at sunset. I tried to wrap my brain around a fight that lasted that long, and pain pierced through my forehead. Apparently even thinking hurt too much.
I tried to move, to roll onto my side even, but my body just wasn’t having it. My head was the only part of me I could move. I glanced to the left to where a cot was wedged in the opposite corner of the tiny room. The dragons had fought alongside us all night without complaint, then took whatever space they could find to pass out in. Someone had definitely slept in the room with Tennessee and me, though I couldn’t have said who. Either way, it was vacant now, so there was no one to help me up.
I sighed and gave up my fight. Tennessee, can you come here a second, please?
A few moments later, heavy footsteps stomped down the hall, then my chest burned like a bonfire. The door swung open. Tennessee strolled inside looking overwhelmingly handsome in his black jeans that had a rip across one knee. He’d swapped his V-neck shirt for a long-sleeved crew neck, and I liked the way it hugged his muscles.
He arched one black eyebrow. “Did you need something, or did you just want to look at me?”
I chuckled and it sent tremors of pain down into my limbs. “I always want to look at you.”
He gave me that sexy smirk I loved so much then sat down on the bed beside me. Up close, I realized his hair was damp and looked like he’d actually brushed it.
He narrowed his eyes and pressed the backs of his fingers to my cheek. “Are you okay?”
Here goes nothing. “Can you carry me downstairs?”
His eyebrows rose to his hairline. “W-what?” He chuckled.
I groaned. “I can’t move. Everything hurts.”
“Then it
sounds like you need to stay here and rest.”
“No.” I frowned and gave him my best pout face. “Please, babe, just carry me down there so I can be with everyone? Katherine can give me some stuff, and so can Larissa. Please?”
He shook his head and got back to his feet, but there was a smile on his face. Without another word, he leaned down and scooped me out of bed like I weighed no more than a pillow. I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my face against his shoulder. The heat from our soulmate glyph burned through his shirt and into my skin, and it was like cozying up by a fireplace. He carried me out of the room and into the hallway.
“I love you,” I whispered.
He looked down and smiled. “I love you, too.”
I sighed and relaxed in his arms as he carried me down the stairs into the living room.
Royce’s boisterous laughter was the first thing I heard. “What the hell is this?”
“Seriously?” Cooper growled. “Did she really call you up there just to carry her down?”
Tennessee chuckled. “Where would you like me to sit you down, love?”
“Closest to the food, please.”
He arched one eyebrow at me.
Fine. I bit my lip and glanced around the room. Most of The Coven was there in varying levels of dress and all looking completely wiped out. Everyone was spread out, but over in the corner of one sofa was an empty seat occupied only by a big, fluffy white blanket.
“There.” I pointed. “Next to Willow.”
The door to the kitchen swung open, and my parents walked through. They took one look at me in Tennessee’s arms and paled. I waved.
“Are you okay?” My father stumbled forward in a panic as Tenn sat me on the couch. “Why are you not resting?”
My mother rolled her eyes. “She can rest down here just fine. I’ll go get Katherine.” Then she disappeared back into the kitchen.
Tennessee sighed and sat on the edge of the coffee table, like he was afraid to get too far away from me. He smirked. “Better, Kitten?”
“Yes. Thank you.” I looked over his shoulders and around the room to everyone else. “So, what have I missed?”
“We came up with a few more places to look for the Gap,” Paulina filled me in without hesitation. She took a sip from her mug then pointed to a chalkboard propped up on the bench.
“We were wondering…um…” Chutney stopped and glanced around. Her cheeks flushed.
I frowned. “What?”
Emersyn, who was sitting on the couch across from me, leaned over the arm rest to look around Tennessee. “They want to know if you’d like fresh eyes on the Book of Shadows, or the New Book. Though not because we think you’re incapable or anything.”
I opened my mouth then closed it. How do I answer that? I didn’t mind help, and fresh eyes were always a good idea…but I didn’t want everyone to look. Actually, it wasn’t really a want but more of they shouldn’t. Though I was still searching for the explanation for that feeling.
“That’s not a good idea,” Uncle Kessler whispered, saving me. He winked at me, like he knew I was struggling to answer. “There are many, many things inside those books. There’s a reason only the High Priestess and Hierophant ever have access.”
There was a moment of awkward silence that I hated but didn’t know how to fix.
“We were also discussing the Sapiens,” Easton said suddenly with a chipper voice.
Lily beamed up at him. “More specifically, the danger they’re all in.”
Oh. I cursed. That was a big problem. The night before, Dace and Tyce had spent hours taking down demons trying to destroy the town.
I nodded and looked to Tennessee. “What are we going to do about that?”
“Do about what?” my father asked.
“The Sapiens,” Braison answered then yawned.
My mother sat on the edge of the sofa beside me and brushed my hair off my forehead. “Katherine is bringing something for you.”
“Thanks, Mom.” I smiled and leaned into her. It was weird to remember not having her most of my life. I didn’t know how I functioned without her. My dad was awesome, but there was just something different about a mom.
I felt Tennessee staring at me, so I looked over. “What are you thinking about?”
He narrowed his eyes. “When you went all queen of darkness on us.”
I groaned and buried my face in the blanket. “Babe, I said I was sorry. You know now why I had to do it. Henley, tell him.”
Henley froze with her coffee cup to her lips. Her eyes widened.
“No, that’s not what I meant.” Tennessee ran his hand over his face then leaned forward. “I’m wondering if you should tap into that character again to get all of the Sapiens out of Salem. We need to reduce innocent casualties and exposure.”
“Let’s just start burning the city down.” Emersyn shrugged. “They’ll leave.”
Deacon, who’d been shoveling bacon into his mouth like they were oxygen, froze. He frowned and swallowed his bite. “That’s not going to punish the monsters from the trials, Buttercup.”
“No, but she might be onto something.” I pursed my lips and stared at the fire as I thought my idea through.
“Look what you did, Tenn,” Timothy grumbled from the far corner, sitting in the bay window. “You turned her dark that quick, and now she wants to burn everything.”
I rolled my eyes and smiled. “Actually, I think I know how to solve the Sapien problem at least.”
“I can’t wait to hear this,” Royce mumbled around his mouthful of cereal.
“When I was pretending to be dark, I knew I just had to make you see what I needed you to see.” I leaned forward, but my body screamed in protest. “Okay, hear me out. Cassandra’s note said to be creative and to use every Card’s gift, right?”
Kenneth strolled into my line of view. “Whose gifts do you want to use exactly?”
“It’s going to be mostly Deacon and Willow, but they’ll need help.” When the two of them sat up straight, I held my hands up to ward off questions. “I say send them door-to-door, walk down the middle of the street. Willow can make them all see a massive wildfire rolling through the town. If Emersyn creates just enough fire for the Sapiens to feel the heat and smell the smoke, they really won’t doubt it.”
Emersyn’s eyes lit up. “Then Deacon can use his persuasion to get everyone moving and out of the house.”
“That’s brilliant.” Tennessee grinned. “I say we also send Devon and Hunter, and probably you, too, Dad.”
Deacon set his plate down. “We should do this right now. It’s not even seven yet, so most people will still be home. Perfect time to get them on the road.”
I frowned. “Not even seven yet? No wonder I’m exhausted. Have any of you slept?”
“Yeah, that’s my bad. I was wicked hungry, bruh.” Easton shrugged, holding a plate of food in each hand. “I started cooking myself some eggs, then…everyone was here.”
“She makes an excellent point, though.” Tennessee shook his head and smiled. “Emersyn, Deacon, Dad, Willow, Hunter, and Devon. You up for Tegan’s idea?”
Mom rubbed her hands together and jumped to her feet. “Let’s do it.”
“Perfect. You six better get out there now before people really start waking up.” Tennessee stood and stretched his back. “The rest of us need to eat then actually get some sleep. When they get back, we’ll split up and check out each of these new location ideas. Timothy, how do you feel about that? Constance?”
“Damn good plan.” Timothy glanced over his shoulder and smirked. “But I think you and Tegan need to stay here today with Bentley. Three of you dig into those two books.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
DEACON
I was a little skeptical of Tegan’s plan, but I had to admit it was working out beautifully.
And Emersyn… Man, she was really in her element. She led the way down another residential street, her blonde hair whipping around her. Fire poured out
of her hands, drenching the pavement in scorching hot flames. But only in the center of the road, nowhere near any homes. Thick, dark gray smoke billowed into the lightening, rosy-pink and blue sky.
All around us, a soft shimmering blue mist covered the street like a blanket. Willow worked her magic with deep concentration. I didn’t know what she made them see, but the illusion must have been intense because humans scattered left and right. They screamed fire and dashed into their homes.
I felt their desire to flee.
And I pounced on it.
I wiggled my fingers and sent my magic flowing in a river of red mist. It slithered through doors and windows, creeping through the houses in search of people. I let my Devil flag fly strong in the sky.
Wake up, my magic whispered in their ears.
When I’d first been Marked and I was new to the gift of persuasion, I thought I had to actually speak it out loud. Now, I knew better. All I had to do was will it, and my message would go. One by one, each house’s residents woke in a rush.
The neighborhood is on fire. GET UP.
Gather your family. Don’t you dare leave your pets.
Hunter’s magic slid alongside mine, except unlike mine, his rolled over the humans like a calm ocean wave. It was warm and soft. I felt the humans’ desires shift from panicked to focused.
Devon cloned herself about a dozen times. Each of her clones ran into different houses simultaneously, helping people get moving.
“Kessler, the house on the right with the red door.” I pointed and nodded. “Wheelchair.”
“On it,” he said without another question and took off.
The Aether Witch (The Coven: Elemental Magic Book 6) Page 21