She grinned, throwing me a little wink when Justina stood. She knew we were there for business, not to catch up. And, yet, seeing her brought back a sad time in my life. She had held me in her basement with Kalic when the Dark Crawler was inside me. She had stopped them from killing me outright.
“This is Julian.” Antonia introduced the man who stood next to her. “He’s the leader of the shapeshifters. As you know, they’ve kept to themselves for centuries. Until recently.”
Kurt indicated that our guests should take a seat. They accepted, sitting across from us and relaxing in their leather chairs. There was no threat, no underlining current. We were all there for the same reason. To keep our people safe.
“Latest I heard is that you’ve found where this fiend…” Antonia spat the word from her painted red lips. “…is hiding.”
Leaning forward, Justina looked at each of them. She respected Kalic as much as she did Antonia. He might be her husband and not a leader, but he was the man who would always keep Antonia afloat. He was her rock. Someone she had relied on for hundreds of years. Would I ever find someone like that?
Glancing at Gerard, I wondered how the conversation with his sister had gone. He claimed that she had done well with her life, moving on despite her attack. So, why couldn’t he?
“Yes. But, the place is heavily guarded. Not only by witch magic, but by vampires and shapeshifters.” Justina’s gaze roamed across both leaders. Their expressions were stoic, and yet, a tick in the jaw of Julian alerted me to his position. He had no idea.
“What do you mean?” And, neither did Antonia.
“We scoped out the place last night. Shapeshifters and vampires were on guard around the grounds of the estate. Do you know anything about this?” Gerard got to his feet, too on edge to stay seated for long.
“Of course we didn’t. We would never allow our people to become involved with witch business. No offense.” Kalic waved away my open mouth.
Yeah, it was best not to interfere with the politics between each group. Each coven, or band of supernaturals, had agreed to co-exist in peace. If that pact was broken, London city would become a hunting ground for those that would tear down its streets and kill the humans. The Dark Crawlers were already preying on humans too much as it was. However, the government was working on a way to eliminate them for good. That wasn’t a fight I was interested in joining.
“Julian, I must admit, I don’t know much about you or how your world works.” Justina’s expression was soft, her attitude welcoming.
The man wasn’t exactly warm, his demeanour a little cool, although he wasn’t a risk. He obviously wasn’t used to being in such high esteemed company.
“I’ve been working more closely with Antonia since Kalic and I became friends. After some of my people went rogue, I needed to step out into London, just to show a little control.” Straightening his royal blue tie, he looked at me. “I’m ready to work with the agency to make sure peace is kept in London. I can’t have shapeshifters doing as they please. As you can imagine, they’re powerful and… not very discreet.”
What did Julian shift into? He looked like an exotic snake, especially when his tongue flicked out briefly. Wait, he wasn’t watching me, he was looking at Kingsley as he slept on my shoulder.
“Please don’t tell me you eat rats?” My raised eyebrows made him pause.
Throwing his head back, he howled with laughter.
Kalic and Antonia joined in, the hilarity spreading around the room. What had I said?
“No,” Julian said through guffaws. “I’m not going to eat your familiar. I’m an eagle, yes, but every animal is my friend. I only eat when I’m in human form. I’m vegan.”
It was my turn to laugh. The others joined in at the irony. Yes, it would make sense that he didn’t eat animals, considering he was a leader of people who morphed into them.
“I applaud you,” I muttered, wondering how he could resist a burger.
He shook his head as he grew serious again. “You wouldn’t eat your familiar. It’s a similar thing.”
It was nice for someone to talk to me as if I was a witch. I’d felt so disconnected from both worlds, I’d forgotten how it felt to fit into one.
Smiling at him, I relaxed. He had good energy, which always warmed me to a person. I could feel it from across the room. He was open, honest. Something that hadn’t been obvious straight away.
“You represent the witch world, we represent ours,” Antonia said, glancing at Kalic. “What about the warlocks?”
Kurt held his hand in the air. “I’ve spoken to Maxwell Maddocks. He fully supports what we have to do. However, his people are the ones who are under threat. It’s your people who are helping the culprit. Will you let us kill them?”
If my eyes could’ve popped out of my head, they would’ve. Kurt had just asked the leaders of two groups whether we could kill their people. Was he crazy? Or, had he taken some stupidity potion before he had entered the room? He might be amazing at herbology, but his brain cells were working against him.
Antonia’s dark eyes connected with my gaze. I had been a little useless in keeping in contact, but we’d always shared a bond. A bit like Justina and I. We understood one another.
“The vampires that are helping the witch slave trade are traitors as far as I’m concerned. I trust Devon… and yourselves, of course, to take action the best way you see fit.”
Leaning her elbows on her heavy wooden desk, Justina smiled gently at the vampire leader. “We won’t automatically kill them. However, if we can’t make them surrender, that may be the last case scenario.”
My soul was vibrating with an unfamiliar feeling. Antonia had said that she trusted me before the others. That was a compliment. One that I promised to myself I would honour. The vampires would need to be punished, but the bloodshed had to be kept to a minimum.
Julian watched Justina, his gaze penetrating. And, yet, she stayed still, not backing down when he tried to intimidate her with his leadership power. She wasn’t in a leadership role for a coven of witches, but she was the head of the Hunted Witch Agency. It was a well-deserved and respected position. She deserved the praise that everyone gave her. She got the job done, even if it took her years.
“I’ve worked on several cases in between this one. I have personal vested interest in capturing those that commit these atrocious crimes towards witches. I was kidnapped once too. My father was killed by the man who tried to drain my magic. But, I don’t let it cloud my judgement. I have one goal only. To end the suffering of those that are being kidnapped. If I have your support, that end might be in sight.”
Her head was held high as she spoke. The words were projected to everyone, but they hit Julian in the chest. His slight nod and narrowing of the eye told me more than any words. He saw that she meant what she said. She would find those responsible. It didn’t really matter what he said. She had the government behind her, she would do what was needed.
“You have my permission to take down the shapeshifters involved in safeguarding those who have been committing these atrocities. By any means necessary.”
Getting to his feet, Julian came over and extended his hand again. Justina took a deep breath as she got to her feet. Antonia came up behind her shapeshifter friend and put a hand on his shoulder. When she put her hand forward, it was face down. The others automatically realised that she was offering a show of solidarity. Their hands went on top to join in her gesture.
“It’s agreed,” Antonia said, her Eastern European accent strong. “We get these bitch witches and end this once and for all.”
Chapter Sixteen
It was time. Nothing was going to get in the way of capturing the most hunted witch in recent history. And, I was going to play a part in bringing her down. She must have been an Essex witch. My thoughts had been trying to process my family history and how she could be connected. How else would she have my mother’s spells from her grimoire?
“Okay, guys, you’re up in five.
Hold tight.” Justina’s voice came through the walkie talkie.
They had dropped us off next to a back entrance. We were dressed in black to blend in with the night. Surveys of the castle had been sent over by the government. The short track we were hiding on was tucked away within the woodland surrounding the estate.
“I’m glad I wore the same colour as you,” Maxwell said as we hid behind one of the high bushes.
Yes, for some crazy reason, Justina had allowed the leader of the warlocks to be a part of our mission. Apparently, he had vested interest. Considering the witch inside was trying to get enough power to wipe out the whole of the warlock race, I suppose I had to agree.
“Just make sure you keep an eye on us. We have the reflective strips on our jackets so the moon can show you where we are.” Gerard zipped his jacket.
Mine was snug around my small frame, forcing me to have my dagger tucked into an outside pocket. Usually, I wouldn’t mind, but today I’d put a lot of my warlock magic inside. It was starting to become a habit. One that I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue.
“What did Becky say last night?” Gerard asked as we waited.
She had called me just as I was leaving the agency. Gerard had driven me home, listening to the conversation. I hadn’t enlightened him when I came off the phone, too wrapped up in my own world to even say goodbye.
“She said that if I still wanted to give up my warlock magic, I would become a full Essex witch.”
Maxwell’s gasp resounded through the trees. Comforting somehow, considering we were about to raid the castle behind them.
“You’d be royalty. You could even start your own coven.” Maxwell’s tone was tight, apprehensive. Was that because of the potential of having me as a leader or because of the mission ahead?
A hand brushed my gloved fingers. Gerard. I knew just from the feel of his energy. He hadn’t given me any of his magic today. I had been practicing my invisibility spells with my pure witch magic, so I would use them to my advantage tonight.
“He may have a good point. I’d be in your coven.” His deep voice made me shudder.
“Oh, yeah, as co-leader, I take it?”
My cheeks heated when he grabbed my hand and squeezed. “It’s nice to know you’d want me by your side.”
What? That wasn’t what I had said. Not at all. He wasn’t my… well, he’d have to be more than my work partner to lead a coven with me. And, at the rate we were going, that wasn’t going to happen any time soon.
“Okay, go, go, go!” Justina’s harsh whisper made us kick into gear.
Gerard led the way. We followed the sound of the crunch of his footsteps on the leaves and the small glow of the reflective strips on his jacket. Maxwell was behind me, his feet a little heavy on the ground for my liking. It didn’t matter really, we were storming the place, not staking it out.
Justina, Kurt, and a whole team of experts were at the front entrance. Even more agents were at the two other entrances, leaving us with the hidden one.
Stepping onto the dirt track, right in front of the high wooden gates, Gerard paused. Maxwell moved forward, his arms extended out. Lifting my dagger, I stood beside him. Closing my eyes, I allowed the dark magic to filter up my body. My whole frame shook with the effort of holding so much at the same time as being connected to the earth’s pure magic. If I let go of my witch magic, I would die. I knew that.
Maxwell formed a ball of pulsing dark blue energy. I held my magic inside my chest, waiting for him to be ready. My skin broke out in a sweat as my heart skipped beat after beat. My muscles started to strain from the tension. It had never been like this. I used to be able to handle it all, and now…
Arms came around my chest from behind. Gerard was supporting me, yet again. His witch magic filtered into me, giving me the power I needed to be confident to use my warlock magic.
“Okay,” Maxwell said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Three, two, one…”
He thrust his ball forward, the large amount of magic exploding against the gates. They blasted apart as I unleashed my magic. Gerard let go as the heat of my body grew, probably searing him. The long line of red magic that came from my dagger cut a slice into the barrier spell.
“Let’s go.” Gerard was already moving towards the gate.
Dropping the power that surged through me, I followed behind Maxwell as he went through the gap after Gerard. My body was slow as I regained my breath, keeping my dagger ready for use.
The back of the castle had a small wooden door entrance. The courtyard was empty from any vehicle, apart from a motorbike. Ah, maybe Gerard would drive us out on it after our mission was complete. We could ride off into the London sunset.
“What are you doing?” The shout came from a vampire.
The only reason I knew it was a vampire was because his teeth was extended as he lunged towards me. My associates stopped in the middle of the yard as they were faced with several more of the cold skinned creatures.
Ducking, I rolled under the vampire, shoving my fist into his thigh. My blade sliced him to the bone as I pulled away, his cry followed by his body collapsing to the floor. Kicking his head to knock him out, I checked the others were okay.
“Get inside!” Gerard shouted as he punched a vampire in the jaw.
Maxwell was behind us, throwing balls of fire at our enemies. That was the perfect weapon. Pulling my own fireball into my hand, I cringed when my stomach cramped. Oh, dear, I’d used too much warlock power. My witch connection was thinning.
“Devon!” Maxwell shouted as another vampire appeared behind me.
Circling, I smiled and gave him a wink as I threw the ball straight at his chest. His howl was long, although he still moved. He surged forward, his arms wrapped around my legs as we went down, crashing to the hard ground.
He gripped my thighs, his head lowering with his sharp teeth exposed. Placing my hands on his shoulders, I screamed a fire spell. His whole body burst into flames. I scrambled out from under him, smacking my leggings where they’d caught fire. Holes appeared as the skin blistered. It was minor, nothing Kurt’s herbs wouldn’t fix.
“Fuck!” Gerard’s shout was joined by a gurgling sound.
Spinning, I leapt across the yard to where he struggled with a vampire. It was hanging off his back, its head bent towards Gerard’s neck. He was… No…!
Jumping up so I could reach him, I sunk the blade of my dagger up and under the vampire’s ribs. He flinched, but he didn’t let go of Gerard. I couldn’t see my partner’s face but his body started to sag, almost falling to the ground.
“Maxwell,” I shouted. “Wood!”
A long sharp stick landed next to my feet. The warlock must have seen what was happening before I’d even reached the pair. Scooping it up from the ground, I ignored the grunt coming from the warlock leader and lunged at the vampire again, this time sinking the wood straight into his heart.
The body stilled and then burst into flames. Gerard collapsed on the ground as I patted his clothes to make sure he wasn’t caught alight. He was silent, no words coming from his mouth. My heart hammered in my chest, almost breaking my ribs as I slowly turned him over.
“Maxwell!” The word was whispered on my breath.
Gerard’s throat was almost ripped open. His eyes were closed, his breathing laboured. At least he was still alive. I could hear fighting behind me, but I couldn’t bring myself to look away from my work partner. From the man who had become a part of my life. We weren’t together, we weren’t even in love, and yet… tears streamed down my face as I tugged off my jacket and tore the bottom of my T-shirt. Leaning over him, I placed my hand above the wound in his neck. Luckily, a soft light in the courtyard illuminated us, making it easier for me to see.
“I’ve got you covered,” Maxwell called. “Help him.”
Taking a shaky breath, I pulled on my witch magic. Whispering a healing spell, I tried to push the energy out of me, but I was too weak. The warlock magic that I’d used to rip through the
barrier spell had taken it out of me.
“It’s not working!” I shouted.
Shoving my jacket onto the wound, I tied it, ready to get him out of there. If I didn’t get him to a hospital, or to Kurt, he would die.
Kurt!
The walkie talkie was on the ground. Maxwell huffed as he torched yet another vampire. It was actually the last one. No more seemed to be spilling from the open back doorway.
“Kurt, come in,” I said into the receiver. “I need you!”
The crackle of the speaker made me want to throw the stupid thing. Gerard’s lifeless body lay at my feet. His chest was rising and falling, slowly, calmly, almost peacefully.
“What’s wrong?” Kurt’s voice blasted from the talkie.
“You need to get to the back entrance. Gerard’s been bitten by a vampire. He’s not going to make it if you don’t heal him!”
Maxwell joined me as I waited for the reply. My hands were shaking so badly, I almost dropped the walkie talkie. Bending down, the leader of the warlock checked over my poor handy work. I would never make a good nurse.
“I’m on my way, but you need to get inside, Devon. We have to carry on with the mission.”
Nodding, I handed the device to Maxwell. However, my feet wouldn’t allow me to move. They were stuck to the concrete. Falling to my knees, I sat beside Gerard, shaking him.
“Wake up!”
His eyes fluttered slightly, a sharp intake of breath making me seize his face in my hands. Looking into his gaze when his eyes opened slightly, I froze. His bright green irises were stunning. They pierced my soul as he stared.
“Devon,” he somehow croaked. “Get inside-”
“No, I can’t leave you.” My whisper went ignored as he tried to move.
His cringe made my own neck hurt. He was in a lot of pain, and I couldn’t help him. Why couldn’t my magic heal him like Kurt’s did?
“Listen to me,” he whispered, his words taking all his energy. “This is the only chance we’ll have to get her. Please… I know you can do it.”
Tears dribbled down my face. I couldn’t do it, I wasn’t strong enough. I couldn’t even get enough energy to cast a healing spell on him.
Magically Bonded: An Urban Fantasy Novel (Hunted Witch Agency Book 2) Page 14