by Linsey Hall
I needed to let go of this stupid concern.
Finally, the damned charm buzzed in my pocket.
Thank fates.
I pulled out the mirror and looked into it, spotting Venderklein standing at the door, speaking to a man with red eyes.
One of Anton’s, definitely.
A moment later, Christoph shut the door on the man and turned back to the room, moving toward a coat he’d hung on the peg by the wall. He was getting dressed to go out, no doubt to find the appropriate target for Anton.
It was my cue.
I stood, leaving the room. I nodded at Miranda as I strode out into the afternoon light, turning to head toward Hellebore Alley. It wasn’t terribly far from my tower, and by the time I reached it, Christoph was likely out on the street.
I turned down the dark road and moved swiftly past the shops, headed down Nightshade Lane toward Christoph’s flat. I was about twenty yards away when I spotted the slender man hurrying toward me, his head bent low.
I ducked into a darkened nook before he saw me, slipping on my leather gloves. I’d have to touch him, and the idea sent a frisson of distaste through me. When he passed, his head was still bent low as he muttered to himself. I reached out and grabbed his arm, yanking him inside.
I clapped a hand over his mouth to silence him, grateful for the glove I wore, and forced his head up so that his gaze met mine. “Do not make a sound.”
My magic wrapped around him, making his eyes go blurry and his muscles slightly slack.
“That’s it.” I removed my hand and propped him up against the wall.
He stared back at me.
“What did Anton’s man ask you for?” I asked.
“They want a seer whose gift works by touching objects.”
Carrow had that talent. Ice streaked through my veins.
Was it coincidence, or did they really want her? For a moment, I debated changing the plan. I couldn’t give him Carrow’s name.
I shook myself. No. I’d made a promise. And we had a good plan. More than that, Carrow was strong. She would be okay.
I held his haze with my own and spoke, the words feeling like glass in my throat despite the fact that I was honor-bound to say them. “You will tell them that a supernatural named Carrow Burton has that gift. She will be found tonight at an outdoor party at the Witches Guild tower. There will be many opportunities to catch her alone and in the dark.”
The words made bile rise in my throat, and I vowed that I would be there to stop the kidnapper before he laid so much as a finger on Carrow.
Christoph nodded. “I will tell them that.”
“When do you normally give them a name?”
“Roughly two to three hours after they request it. Doesn’t take me long to find a person.”
Disgust surged. When this was over, I would beat him to within an inch of his life and evict him from Guild City. He’d sell out his grandmother for a cigarette, and I didn’t want his kind here. “You are truly the dregs of the gene pool.”
Irritation flickered in the man’s eyes, and I raised a hand to his neck, gripping it. The desire to crush his windpipe was strong—too strong.
I drew in a steadying breath, knowing that I was teetering at the edge of something here. I’d lost my memories of Carrow, and it had left me unsettled. Angry and always on the edge.
“In two hours, tell Anton to send his goon after Carrow.” I shook him slightly. “Do not deviate from those orders.”
His eyes had properly blurred, indicating the effectiveness of my power, and I nodded, releasing him. “Now go. Walk around town as if you are doing your normal business, then return home and do as I have commanded.”
He nodded and turned, striding out into the street. His stooped posture remained the same, and I watched him head down the road as if he were continuing on his way. I’d need to keep an eye on his apartment to make sure he did as I said, but it was clear he would not disobey me.
I pulled my phone from my pocket to send a message to Carrow, hesitating just briefly.
I could go tell her in person.
Desire pulled me toward that option, fueled by the need to see her.
No.
I couldn’t. Cyrenthia had been clear. We needed to stay apart.
I typed the message and hit send.
16
Carrow
That night, Mac, Seraphia, Eve, and I sauntered down the street to the Witches’ Guild party. It was a truly last-minute affair, the idea cooked up less than twenty-four hours ago. As expected, Guild City had responded quickly.
Only the witches knew that it was a trap for the kidnapper, but everyone else liked a good party, and the witches threw the best. I hadn’t yet seen Grey, but I knew he’d be there.
The sound of the party echoed through the clear night as we neared, shouts and laughter sounding down the quiet, cobbled streets of Guild City. On the horizon, I could see the colorful sky lit up with magic, marking the spot where the festivities were meant to go down.
If this didn’t work . . .
“We’re screwed if this doesn’t work, aren’t we?” I asked.
Seraphia nodded. “I’ve been reading more about the goddess Anat, and you were right, their actions parallel those of cults in the past. They seem to be obsessed with her.”
“Ritual murders, though?” Eve shook her head, a disgusted expression on her face.
Her raven made a harsh noise of agreement, but she didn’t seem to hear it.
“We’re lucky they’ve been collecting people for one big event and didn’t start piecemeal with individual murders,” Seraphia said.
“Like it’s all some horrible game, and they’re setting up the board,” I said. Was I the last piece? The fact that they wanted someone with my power made me seriously nervous. I shivered. “They want to make a splash.”
“Exactly,” Seraphia said. “They’ll imbue her with power that satisfies her dark side, so when she rises, there will be no balance.”
“We’ll stop them.” I stepped out into the courtyard that surrounded the Witches’ Guild tower.
The space that was normally so barren and desolate was filled with life now. Dozens of supernaturals drank and danced and talked. Part of the wild grass had been covered by sand, and palm trees grew up out of the golden stuff. Bonfires scattered the space, brilliant orange infernos emitting colorful smoke that hovered over the guests like an Aurora Borealis. Picnic tables and games were set up, along with what looked like a match of American football, complete with a line of cheerleaders, both men and women.
“This is wild.” I took it all in, amazed by what the witches had accomplished in such a short time.
“Look at all the little nooks they’ve created.” Mac nodded toward the edges of the courtyard.
As planned, there were quiet spaces set away from the masses of people. In the shadows of the abandoned shops were benches under palm trees and blankets spread out on the grass. People already inhabited half of them, talking and flirting.
I eyed the one in the far corner that we planned for me to inhabit, eventually. It was quiet and secluded, near a little nook between two shops. A couple of alleys were located nearby, along with a segment of flat roofs that the kidnapper could hide on. We were betting that he would, in fact.
Eve gestured subtly toward the spot. “Yours is ready, just like we planned.”
I nodded, going over it in my head. We’d concocted it last night with the witches, and now it was time to put the plan into action. I was meant to spend at least two hours “partying” and appearing to grow more drunk. Eventually, I’d wander off to the shadowed corner spot to have a break, and maybe pretend to vomit. It was quiet and secluded enough that the bastard could grab me in a heartbeat and transport me away.
If we weren’t prepared.
But we were.
Massively so.
There were nearly three dozen witches scattered about, ready to fight, along with my group. Not to mention myself. No way i
n hell I’d let him take me.
“Let’s get this party started.” I strode forward, a big grin on my face.
Adrenaline raced through my veins as I approached one of the many kegs set into massive ice buckets at the base of the house. Mary stood next to them, grinning wildly and filling beers as quickly as people passed their red plastic cups.
I neared, and Mary smiled with a manic expression on her face. Her pink eyes were serious, though, if one knew to look. It was all an act.
“Hey, Mary.”
“Carrow!” She shrieked her excitement, putting on a good show for the kidnapper if he was watching. “We’ve themed it after an American college party.”
My gaze moved to the kegs. “Is that what these are all about?”
“Yep!” She discarded the tap hose from one keg and reached for another. “You have to try this one, it’s fantastic.”
She filled a glass and I took it, taking a deep sip.
Disgusting.
I barely resisted spitting it out.
I’d heard that non-alcoholic beer wasn’t any good, and boy, did this prove it. I swallowed and gave her a big grin. “It’s great, thanks.”
Her magenta eyes twinkled with knowing mirth. “Yeah, it’s the actual worst, isn’t it?”
We were surrounded only by witches and my friends, so I was able to speak truthfully. “Yep.”
“Bottoms up!” She grinned and swigged back her own cup, masterfully suppressing a grimace.
The whole point of the party was to make me look like a drunken idiot, easy prey. If everyone else looked like drunken idiots, too, it was even better. Frankly, the witches had nailed it on the theming. The kidnapper would think it was a walk in the park.
Eve, Seraphia, and Mac each accepted a cup of the terrible beer, and Mary pointed to the collection of tables set up in the middle of the courtyard. “Drinking games are over there. Get to it.”
“Thanks.” I gave her a nod and departed, my friends at my side.
Every minute, more people flowed into the party. The noise and energy vibrated through the place, and I looked around, searching for Grey.
He was there. I could feel it. I could feel him.
But where, I had no idea. I knew I could count on him being nearby when I staggered over to Kidnappers Corner, though.
The thought made me feel better.
We neared the tables that were set up with various red plastic cups in different arrays, people spread out around the tables and cheering as the games progressed. There was a lot of chanting and a whole lot of spilled beer.
The witches were insane geniuses.
“Let’s play some Flip Cup,” Mac said.
“What’s that?” I asked.
She pointed to a table where cups were positioned upside down on either edge, partially hanging over the side. “It’s that one right there. I learned about it on Google when the witches wanted help planning the party. Apparently, we have to flip cups over, and if we don’t do a good enough job, we have to drink.”
“Sounds like a blast.”
We joined a group around a table and started playing. Despite the stress of the situation, it actually was pretty fun.
Mary joined us at one point. Music blared over the loudspeakers that I couldn’t see, some kind of enthusiastic chanting that I didn’t recognize.
“What’s the music?” I asked her.
“College football theme songs, or something.” Mary shrugged. “You know, the game with the big blokes who hit each other, not proper football.”
As the music played, the chants changed in tone and phrase. Rock Chalk Jayhawk, Roll Tide, and Glory Glory to Old Georgia buffeted up against Boomer Sooner, Rocky Top, and Woo Pig Sooie.
Mary must have caught my baffled expression and said, “I have literally no idea. We basically stole every American college thing we could find and smashed it together to make this party.”
As weird as it all sounded, everyone seemed to be having a damned good time. Especially the people drinking the real beer.
We turned our attention back to the games and continued playing. As I flipped cups and tossed Ping Pong balls and sandbags at their targets, I drank more and more fake beer. So did my friends, and soon we were all pretending to move a little more awkwardly and trip a little more often.
I could feel Grey’s gaze on me the entire time, burning across my skin in a way that sent shivers down my spine. I ignored it as best I could and focused on building the charade.
Finally, it was time. The crowd was dense and pissed, the sober witches having moved strategically to the edges of the crush so that they could be nearby when shit went down. Some of them danced and breathed fire in a fantastic display, while others “drunkenly” hula-hooped around the open spaces in the courtyard.
All were ready for action.
I turned to Mac. “I’m out of here. Need some air.”
She nodded, her expression concerned.
“Try to look more pissed,” I muttered. “You’re looking sober and scared.”
“Alright, mate.” Her expression changed, going slightly slack.
“Good job. See you soon.” I staggered through the crowd, clutching my stomach like I was going to be ill. When a particularly large crush of people surrounded me, I reached into my pocket for the small stunner bomb that Eve had given me. I also wore some heavy jewelry fitted with useful potions—just-in-case potions—but hopefully I wouldn’t need them.
With the potion bomb trapped under the palm that I’d pressed to my stomach, I was ready. And yet, the crowd was just so damned thick.
“I’m going to be ill,” I said, just loud enough for those around me to hear.
It did the trick, and the masses parted for me, letting me escape into the fresh air. The quiet nooks set away from the party were still only half full. Most people had been seduced into the action by the games and crazy music, and the setting was just right for our trap.
My senses were on high alert as I stumbled toward the quiet corner farthest from the party, hoping that I wasn’t laying it on too thick. I could feel the eyes of someone watching me, and I was almost entirely certain it wasn’t Grey.
The kidnapper.
The close attention felt cold and clammy, not warm and lovely, the way Grey’s felt.
I reached the bench and flopped onto it, the potion bomb clutched in my hand. Every hair on my body stood on end as I waited. If this guy was anything like the last, he’d be fast and powerful.
As I sat, I could feel Grey’s gaze on me, as well. Everyone else was ignoring me—or so it seemed. I could feel their attention just as strongly, even though they weren’t looking at me.
When the kidnapper appeared behind me, I sensed it. A slight change to the air, like a prickle of magic that stung my skin. The scent of burning tires preceded him, his dark magic impossible to hide. The sound of crunching gravel sounded only a few feet behind me.
I leapt up and spun around, heart hammering.
The red-eyed bastard stood right behind the bench, his huge shoulders slightly hunched and his mouth twisted into a permanent grimace. Shock flashed in his eyes, and I hurled the potion bomb right at his chest.
It bounced off as if there were a barrier surrounding him, slamming to the ground and exploding.
What the hell?
He lunged for me, and I darted backward, fear icing my skin.
Magic surged on the air, and lightning struck from above. It shot downward from the flying figure who hovered right overhead—Eve. The bolt aimed true, slamming into the man’s head, cracking and bright.
He didn’t so much as flinch—just leapt over the bench and grabbed for me. I ducked, darting to the side to avoid his grasp.
From behind, a dozen blasts of magic shot through the air. They slammed into the man, a rainbow of different attack spells conjured by the witches.
Horror dawned as every single one bounced off him. One slammed right into me, turning my knees into jelly as I slammed to the ground,
suddenly weak.
Through bleary eyes, I spotted a glowing charm around the kidnapper’s neck. Was that what was protecting him?
Conflicting desires surged within me—run and attack. But we’d never have another chance.
If only I could get that necklace . . .
The kidnapper lumbered toward me, rage in his eyes. He was determined to finish the job now that it had started, and the attack had just pissed him off.
As I scrambled to my feet, Grey appeared at the corner of my vision. He hurtled toward the kidnapper, as fast and powerful as a train. In seconds, he’d reached the hulking brute. He grabbed for him, but the protective shield around the bastard blew Grey backward.
He was prepared this time. Though he flew ten feet through the air, he landed in a graceful roll and popped up to his feet, ready to charge again. Behind him, the witches and my friends were converging, magic glowing around them as they readied themselves to strike.
Yet, it wouldn’t work.
I was the only one who could possibly get to him since he wanted to catch me. I drew my dagger and lunged for him, so close that I could see the scowl lines dug deep into his face.
I raised the blade, drawing his attention to the gleaming steal. He was distracted just long enough that I could swipe out with my free hand and yank the charm from around his neck.
A blast of magic shot from the sky above, slamming into his head. He went to his knees, his roar of pain echoing in the night. I planted my dagger into his shoulder, but he was too fast. He swiped out with a massive fist, slamming it into my face.
Pain exploded through my skull, my vision blackening as my legs weakened. A strong arm grabbed me around the waist, and the painful magic that shot through me made it clear that it wasn’t a friend who’d grabbed me.
Through flickering vision, I caught sight of Grey. He was nearly to us, fear in his eyes and rage twisting his mouth. An explosion of orange powder sent fear racing though me.
The transport charm.
I felt the ether suck me in right as Grey arrived. He followed us into the ether, the party disappeared from behind him, replaced only by black. His hand grazed my arm as he tried to grab me away from the kidnapper, but the ether was stronger, yanking us through and spinning us away.