“What do you mean by a spell of sorts? Surely something either is a spell or isn’t one?” enquires Victor looking as puzzled as he sounds.
“Normally, yes. What I’m thinking of, though, I’m not even sure it’ll work.”
“So why did you bring it up?” demands Nina in obvious frustration, while glaring at me as if she would love to wring my neck.
“Because the idea won’t leave me alone. Which gives me the impression that it’ll work.”
“What do you need us to do?” Felicity inquires, while staring calmly at everyone, almost as if daring anyone to question me further.
“I need everyone outside and in a circle. I’ll go upstairs and gather what I need.” Decision made, I get up and leave the room. Ascending the stairs, I hear everyone start moving about. I hurry to gather the items I need, refusing to listen to see if anyone says anything. Though to be honest, apart from shuffling feet, I don’t hear a sound.
Once I’ve got everything, I head downstairs and outside where I find everyone has gathered into a large circle leaving a space for me to join them between Victor and Felicity.
Breathing deeply, I center myself and enter the circle. Moving to the middle, I place a map of Paradise Falls on the ground and two candles on the edges to hold it in place. Then I add my bowl of salt to the middle of the map and splay my deck of Midnight Mystic Oracle cards facedown around them all.
Stepping backward, I move into my spot in the circle, where I notice everyone staring in confusion at my strange layout.
“Join hands, everyone, and whatever you do, don’t let go.” Once we’ve all joined together, I close my eyes, thinking only of what I want to accomplish.
“In this circle of might and power,
I form a ring of protection around us,
Bringing forth the power of Earth.”
On these words, the salt in my bowl rises and spins, as if on a gentle wind and drifts around the circle, landing on the ground behind us, enclosing us in its protection.
“Let the spirit of Fire burn bright as the sun,
Cleansing the hurt and harm from all.”
The candles ignite, the flames jumping higher than should be possible.
“As Earth and Fire join us this day,
Let the cleansing feel of Water wash away all fear.”
A light rain trickles above the circle landing only in the bowl the salt had previously occupied.
“With the elements of Earth, Fire, and Water,
Let the spirit of Air join to protect all within this circle.”
The wind picks up, bringing forth a leaf to dance in the circle, as a gentle breeze drifts around us all.
“With the spirits of all the elements here,
Let us see what must be seen.
In the heart of the Falls of Paradise,
Where sickness lies, and hurts befall,
An entity stalks the weary. Show us what it is.
Help us in our quest, to stop the faceless one.”
My voice shouts out the final words, and power rumbles from me. The map pulls through the bowl until it’s raised into the air, yet not a rip is visible.
My cards are gently buffeted by the wind until four rise from the ground. One above, one below, and one to each side of the map.
The bottom card shows a Blood-Moon, the card of change. Normally, epic wars and pain follow a Blood-Moon.
The card on the right shows a Graveyard, the card of death. But the card on the left pictures a Silver Fox, the card of deceit. These two cards together make me gasp in surprise. Slowly, I look up, to the top card, the card that will seal the others into place. The Golden Chalice. I feel relief wash through me at seeing this card.
With a nod of my head, I close the circle, thank the elements, and all return to their places as if they’d never been used or moved.
“I don’t understand. What just happened and what did those cards mean?” Nina demands, while looking nervously at all of us and the items in the middle of the circle.
“It means,” I say as I walk into the circle to gather up my belongings, “that it’s not Death stalking the corridors. It means that there’s a trickster involved who’s draining the patients of their powers. And that war has been stirring for a while, unbeknown to us, yet it’s not too late.”
“Wait, you said the person was faceless,” states a confused sounding Nina.
“Yep, because I saw no face.”
“And it disappeared. You said afterward they disappeared. How can it not be Death if it was a faceless person who disappeared?”
Turning to her, I look her in the eye. “I don’t know, but we will find out. This is magick of the cruelest type. Magick done against those already weakened and in a defenseless state of mind.”
I feel my heart sink into my shoes when I realize I need to talk to my grandmother. See if she knows anyone practicing dark magick who would stalk the hospitals. Ah hell, how exactly am I to ask that kind of question?
“Shit, black magick,” mutters Nina, oblivious to my internal debate.
“I’m going to make a phone call and see if a likely suspect can be thought of who might be doing this,” I mutter to Victor before heading inside to return everything to my room and phone my gran in privacy.
Ten minutes later, Victor finds me staring at my ceiling, clutching the phone tightly in my palm.
“Candi, are you okay, sweetheart?” His voice soothes my frayed nerves, and I finally feel like I can breathe again.
“Yep, never better,” I reply, before groaning in frustration. “Did you know that The Protectors are connected to one another?” I ask, guessing that he wouldn’t.
“Connected, how exactly?”
“They link with one another, apparently. So that they can find each other and siphon power to who needs it from each other. Rather creepy, if you ask me.”
“They’re all connected to each other?” Rubbing his temples, my poor lover looks as if he has one hell of a migraine coming on.
“Yup. Actually, no, not quite. What my gran said was each section is connected to each other.”
“I don’t get it.”
“Neither did I. It’s like an army; hah, that’s funny as that’s exactly what they are.” I snort, wondering if I’ve jumped on the crazy train without knowing it.
“Okay, like different levels of the army, how?”
“The first level is the recruits. The second level is the soldiers. The third level is the sergeants, until you get to the top, where you have the ones in complete control. Now, each level is connected by a blood spell.”
“So what happens when you progress from one level to the next?” Frowning at me, I can tell he’s trying to grasp the extent of what I’m saying, just like I’m trying to figure it out.
“What I gathered from what I was told is to safeguard each level, they unlink the blood spell and reconnect it with the next level.”
“What the fuck? The amount of magick involved to do that would…”
“Need constant replenishing. Which with every kill and draining one member does, the rest siphon from them. I think this is why the hospital is in such a dire state. Someone is concentrating on the one spot to collect magick.”
“Bloody hell!” exclaims Victor, while staring at me in shock. “Did your grandmother have any idea who would do this?”
“No, we’ll have to go to the hospital and see if we can either find the person or at least a trace of them to hunt them down.”
“Candi…” My name is all he manages to say. Watching his expression, I’m guessing he’s trying to figure out how to say or ask what’s on his mind without hurting me.
“Just say or ask what you’re thinking.”
“You’re right. How did your grandmother know this? Is she one of them? Is she blood-linked and officially one of The Protectors?”
Shaking my head in the negative, I once more stare up at the ceiling. I feel his strong fingers grasp my chin, bringing it gently to align so we’re
on eye contact level. “Sweetheart, talk to me,” he quietly implores me.
Reaching out, I stroke his face. Such a simple action, yet the contact helps ground me to the here and now. “The night she was ‘kidnapped’ was her initiation night. I was to be hers and the others’ ticket in. They would have siphoned me, and the members of the lower level would have made the blood ties.”
“Ahh hell, I’m so sorry, love.” Releasing my chin, he wraps his arms around me, dragging me to him before kissing the top of my head. “On the positive note, they didn’t manage it. Your grandmother saw the errors of her ways, and you knocked a demon unconscious.”
I can’t help it. I burst out laughing at his words. The tension in me eases, and I nod my head against his chest. “Yes, on the positive side, that is very true,” I agree. My words are mumbled yet hold just a tiny hint of amusement in them. Goddess, I really love this man.
“I know you do, and he loves you too,” Hecate whispers to me.
Chapter 32
Once more, it’s agreed that Roísín and Janna stay behind. This time though, Vincent comes with us. We gather together outside of the hospital and move into our separate groups. Victor, Nina, and I will enter the hospital to visit her sister. This way, there will be two witches entering and two staying outside, as well as one officer entering the building and a detective outside. Covering our bases, so to speak.
Upon entering the hospital, we’re assailed by the smell of death, porous wounds, and disinfectant. I want to vomit from the stench.
“Bloody hell, it’s worse than last time,” mutters Victor, his nose pinched and his lips barely parting to speak. I almost feel like laughing, except that would make me open my mouth, which no way in hell I’m doing.
“I told you it’s gotten worse,” croaks out Nina through clenched jaws. I notice her eyes watering, and wonder if it’s the smell or the helplessness of her sister’s situation. Probably both.
I indicate with my hand for her to lead the way. If I can keep from talking, then all the better.
We climb the stairs and head straight to Nina’s sister’s room. A little girl of maybe ten is lying in the bed, her tiny body barely making a bump in the bedding. The sight breaks my heart while the stench makes me want to retch.
Pausing in the doorway, I glance around. Seeing nothing, I open my senses and allow my magicks to merge. Shadows flicker into view, latching onto the little girl in the room. Sending out tendrils of magick, I let it flow around the room, sealing the windows and doors until finally I light it up.
The room turns blindingly bright violet and yellow. Screeches erupt from the shadows, and they try to flee through the exits only to bounce back and become entangled in my net.
“Holy shit,” gasps Nina. I ignore her and concentrate on my trap, a net of magick, spelled to lock in on its captive, unable to feed any power from it.
I call it the Goddess Trap. So much power unattainable to mere mortals, unbreakable, yet though it detains, it won’t harm. A magickal dampener. No magick can be used inside it or against it from the outside.
We hear a noise from down the hallway. Victor moves toward the doorway to look. The trap allows him to pass as it only captures those who mean harm. With the shadow’s essence captured, the rest of the traps we set will seek out its signature and should help us find the person siphoning the magick.
Turning to Nina’s sister, I look at her again and notice the shadows have all gone from her. I blast her with healing light, lighting her up. Her back bows off the bed, her mouth opens in a silent scream, and health rejuvenates her.
“Take your sister and take her outside, then send in Felicity to me. Tell her to keep the Goddess Trap active. She’ll know what I mean.”
I bind the sisters in protective magick, allowing them to leave and not be harmed by anything until they reach the others. Then with a look at Victor, the two of us slip from the room to find the maker of the noise we heard. Somewhere in this hospital, a member of The Protectors lurks, and they know we’re here. They would have felt us breaking their shadows over the little girl in the bed.
Chapter 33
I leave Goddess Traps in every room we search. The patients we find will have to be healed later. At least now, their magick and life energy won’t be siphoned anymore.
Silently, we move through the corridors. Floor by floor, we search until finally only the basement is left. I look at Victor and can’t help wondering two things.
“Where are all the staff?” Victor mutters. I can’t help smiling as that was one of the things I’d been wondering. The other simply was why the fucking basement? In every horror movie I’ve watched, bad things happen in the basement. Guaranteed.
Taking the stairs, we carefully descend until we reach our destination. The sign for the morgue greets us. I can’t help the groan that escapes me when I remember the last time we were here and met Santa’s lookalike. A shudder runs down my back at the thought of the twinkly-eyed narcissistic man. Dr. Sam McKenzie.
“If a morgue in a basement isn’t bad enough, throwing that doctor in is just pure mean,” mutters my sexy vampire, with a fair amount of disgust in his voice.
I give a grunt of agreement before moving forward. We pass through the doors and hesitate. Sounds of life come to us. I can’t help the nervous glance I give the morgue door, before Victor taps me on the shoulder and points farther down the hallway.
I almost laugh when I see the sign for Staff Canteen. Terrible place to have it, but as we hear sounds of movement and talking, I can’t help the feeling of relief that washes through me.
“Okay, what are we doing here?” Felicity asks from directly behind me, causing me to jump and scream behind the hand that’s slapped across my mouth.
My heart is pounding so loud and fast I’m surprised no one hears it. Removing Victor’s hand from my face, I turn to glare at my friend.
“Sorry, I thought you’d heard me.” She chuckles in glee. “Not often I get to startle her,” she explains to the grinning vampire beside me.
Shaking my head, I catch her up on what we’ve done so far. Then throw a Goddess Trap into the morgue before we enter.
Entering the morgue, we find no signs of life, so we check out the bodies filling the fridges and the trollies. Every fridge is filled. There are more dead bodies than room, not a good sign at all. Almost all the corpses have dark gaps in their auras, where they’ve been sucked dry of their magick and life essence.
“It looks like the medical examiner isn’t sure what the majority of these people died from, going by his notes,” Felicity whispers to us as she reads the files in front of her.
“Sounds like it’s nothing to do with the creepy doc,” I mutter. “Okay, let’s move on then, as there doesn’t seem to be anything here.
Quietly, we slip outside and head farther into the bowels of the hospital. We search the rooms we pass, all except the cafeteria. No way in hell could we explain our presence there. Instead, we place a Goddess Trap outside the door and send it under the gap. Just because we can’t enter doesn’t mean we can’t seal the room. Exiting the end of the corridor, we find what appears to be an unused staircase leading upward. Peeling paint and stacked chairs give us the impression it’s not been used in years. Especially with the slight mildew smell wafting from the corners and the layers of dust covering the furniture.
It’s the footprints that tell us differently. With a grimace, I look at my companions and nod to them. We all agree we should step only where the unknown person had.
Chapter 34
“Do you reckon we should get Kheda, so he can arrest whoever we find?” whispers Felicity in my ear. I almost groan at her words and give her a quick nod of agreement. Best play it safe and have an officer of the law with us.
“We could always just do a citizen’s arrest. After all, surely Kheda would need a warrant to search up there?” Victor interrupts before Felicity can retreat back to the door.
We both pause and stare at him. Going by his chuc
kle and what I can see of my friend’s wide-eyed owlish look, we’re doing a fabulous impression of two blinking owls.
“Excellent point, so who wants to go first?” I ask.
“You should. You’re the one with the crazy badass powers,” my fellow witch and friend encourages.
“Gee, thanks, sweetums,” I sarcastically reply, while rolling my eyes and moving forward. A large hand lands on my shoulder, stopping me from advancing farther.
“I’ll go first.”
Looking up into his gorgeous silvery-green eyes, I see concern and love for me shining brightly. I give the hand on my shoulder a reassuring squeeze, lean up, and kiss him.
“She’s right, I should go first.” I pat him on the chest, knowing by his growl that he’s not happy for me to be first. “But you should go second,” I add, causing his eyebrows to rise in inquiry.
“You want me to watch that fine ass of yours, no problem. Now explain why you can’t watch mine, while I go first!” his voice rumbles low and throaty.
His beautiful full lips are flattened as far as they can go, his eyes narrowed while vampiric blue fire bleeds into them, and his skin stretches taut over his high cheekbones. His hands grasp my arms in a firm unrelenting grip, almost as if he wants to shake me or lift me up and place me behind him. Maybe both.
“Because I have the Goddess Traps and two types of magick to help me. I’ll be using both to make sure there isn’t anything up there that isn’t visible to the naked eye.”
A growl of dissatisfaction vibrates through his body. His sharp nod tells me he knows I’m right, yet it’s his fierce yank dragging me to his hard body as his mouth slams down and devours mine that lets me know he’s not happy about it.
“Damn,” Felicity murmurs, sounding slightly in awe of his protective alpha ways. “Hey, handsome, you have to release her. You’ll be right behind her to protect her, but we gotta get this show on the road.”
With a final tonsil-teasing swirl of his tongue, he releases my mouth and steps backward. Giving a grunt of discontent, he peels his hands from my arms and glares at me as if by doing so it’ll change the fact that I’m going first.
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