Dagger came back with a bottle of scotch and two glasses. “I figured this would help chase the chill off,” he said, setting the glasses down and poured some of the syrupy brown liquid into each.
My hand shook a little when I took the glass from him. At least I could lay it to the fact that the room had a slight chill to it. Not that I’d noticed until now.
Dagger clanked his glass to mine and then poured the contents down his throat. I was never one for scotch so I took small sips. Dagger filled his glass again and tipped the bottle at me, silently asking if I wanted more.
“No, I’m good. This stuff goes right to my head,” I explained.
The fire popped, filling in the silence as I tried to figure out what to say next.
“I’m sorry - there is only one bed,” he said.
I hadn’t realized how close he had gotten to me as I zoned out watching the flames dance. What should I say to that?
My cheeks burned. The flush of my skin thankfully could be blamed on the scotch or the warmth of the fire. Either excuse would work for me.
I didn’t look at him when I answered, “It’s okay.”
I tipped the glass of scotch I’d been nursing up to my lips and emptied the contents down my throat. Like it or not, I needed that little bit of liquid courage badly right now.
My fingertips began to warm as the alcohol made its way through my body. My throat felt numb when I asked for another small glass. Dagger wordlessly filled it and handed it back to me. One side of his mouth turned upwards like the beginning of a smile. This man could be a force to be reckoned with if he wanted to be. He watched me as I knocked back the contents of that glass and gasped for air.
“Water…” I croaked.
A glass of water was handed over to me and I drank deeply. “Thanks.” I sunk down in a chair next to the fire. It wasn’t all that comfortable, but it would have to do.
Morning light came through the sheer curtains. The soft light of dawn caressed my face as I blinked in my surroundings. I winced when I pulled my legs from over the arm of the chair to place my numb feet on the floor.
I hoped we didn’t have to make a run for it any time soon or I would have to surrender myself.
The sheets of the bed rustled, causing me to look over my shoulder. Dagger was awake. I busied myself with rubbing the circulation back into my lower extremities to put off looking at him. Without warning, a pile of clothes landed in my lap, making me jump. Pins and needles raced along my feet. I squeaked in protest.
Dagger called out from the bathroom, “Get dressed, we leave in fifteen.”
Seriously?
I could hear the sink running and stepped up my pace. I just barely got my jeans zipped when the bathroom door swung open.
I longed for a hot shower and a cup of coffee, but settled for a quick scrubbing of my face and teeth before we headed down the steep wooden stair case.
I silently followed him out the door and onto the slick cobblestone street.
“We aren’t going too far. Stay close. I’ll get us out of the rain soon,” he said as he tucked me tight to his side, walking us close to a stone wall as if creating a barrier of man and rock. The warmth of his body was greedily absorbed by my cold extremities.
“We’re being followed,” Dagger said as he ushered me into an empty shop. He backed me up against the bare wood of the dilapidated wall.
“Can I help you?” Dagger growled at our pursuer.
“I’ll be taking the girl, mate,” a gravelly voice answered.
“Oh?” Dagger let the quick reply hang in the air before he turned away from the intruder and lifted my chin to capture my lips. Before his lips touched mine, he breathed words into my mouth. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what else to do,” he whispered.
Something inside me vibrated. My head began to throb as he slid his hand to cup my cheek. Energy poured out of me and into him. He groaned as he pulled his hand away. Before he could turn, I caught a glimpse of his eyes. He looked like he was in pain. He motioned me back. I stepped back into a small opening he created in the wall, leaving only a crack for me to peer out of.
My body sagged against the old wood as I tried to see past Dagger. A well dressed young man was squared off with him. He looked very out of place dressed like he was. His shiny shoes were covered in dust. He looked like a lost tourist, not a killer.
It was hard to keep track of the magic being tossed around the room. The energy sizzled and snapped as it collided. Their bodies were a blur of motion as each one got direct hits on the other. Dagger’s younger adversary was quick, but Dagger made up for it with brute strength.
Dagger sent a wave of magic out that slammed the younger man to the ground, leaving him too stunned to move. It was the opportunity Dagger was looking for. He stalked over and plucked him up off the ground and threw him into the wall.
Dagger staggered back to lean against the wall, right in front of the crack I was peering through. He turned his head to look at me. His eyes were squinted and his breathing was labored. Had his opponent hurt him to the point that Dagger wouldn’t be able to protect us?
“I think he’s down for the count,” Dagger said, hissing through his teeth.
I wanted to panic, but I knew that wasn’t going to do us any good. What should I do? He made something happen when he kissed me. How did he know that would happen? It was like I transferred energy to him.
There were so many questions and not enough time to ponder them.
I closed my eyes and thought about the feel of his lips devouring me. Energy started rushing through my veins. I leaned my head against the wall, using my hands to keep me braced. My fingers slipped through the small opening to latch on to Dagger’s arm. Energy zipped up and down my body like an endless shudder.
Dagger groaned from the other side of the wall. I felt myself falling, but couldn’t stop as I crumpled to the floor. I couldn’t see what was happening. Static filled the air as a brilliant flash of light blinded me. The wall groaned inward as Dagger slipped his arms under me and ran at the opposite wall.
Cool air caressed my cheeks, I could hear the quiet trickle of water and then we were sliding down another slippery embankment. Dagger held on to me tightly until we come to a complete stop.
He stood me up carefully and started running his hands down my arms and legs. “Are you alright?” His worried expression was kind of cute.
I shrugged off his wandering hands.
“What happened back there?” I asked as I hugged my cold hands against my body.
He blew out a pent-up breath. “You’re okay…right?” He reached out again and I danced out of his reach.
I scowled at him. “I’m fine, but next time, keep your lips to yourself, buddy.”
He had the decency to drop his eyes from mine and step back. “I’m sorry, it was either hit you or kiss you, and I don’t hit girls.”
He was right. The kiss had unbalanced me and somehow he was able to gain energy from me because of it. I hated to think that was the only way to get my magic to work. I couldn’t see myself running around kissing people to protect myself.
“I think we need to re-route our original stops. The Triad should be scrambling. I don’t understand how they found us. It’s like you have some sort of tracking spell on you.” Dagger shook his head in disgust.
“Are we safe here?” I asked.
“No, but it will buy us some time. At least, for a little while,” he replied.
CHAPTER FOUR
Flat stones jutted up from the cavern floor. I slid my weary body onto one and waited for Dagger to decide where we needed to go to next. He had his hands on his hips, with a look of concentration on his face.
Minutes later, he grunted with a half-smile. “I think I know the best place for us right now,” he said before he came over and pulled me back to my feet. Wrapping his arms around me, we vanished from the cavern.
Our feet touched down on a dirty kitchen floor. Clutter piled in stacks dotted every availab
le surface. Old pizza boxes were stacked haphazardly on top of an overflowing garbage can. Music blared from a radio buried somewhere in this pig sty.
Dagger scrubbed his hands down his face as he took in the mess we were surrounded by. “This is one of the oldest, least-used safe houses.”
“This place should be condemned,” I told him as I peeled an old ice cream wrapper off the bottom of my boot.
The sound of water coming from the next room shut off and we were allowed a moment of quiet before a barrage of cursing came pouring out of the bathroom. It was muffled, but the point was coming across loud and clear. Seconds later, this little pixie-looking girl barreled into the kitchen ready to throw down.
She stepped up to Dagger. “Who the hell are you?” With a snap of her fingers, she went from dripping wet with a towel wrapped around her, to jeans and a t-shirt. Her long brown hair tumbled down to her waist, drying as it settled against her back.
Dagger ignored her question. “Are you the Keeper of this house?”
“This shit hole? No, well, I mean, only half.” She pushed past Dagger and opened the fridge.
I was kind of in awe of this little spit fire. She wasn’t letting Dagger push her around. Maybe I needed to take some pointers from her.
Dagger followed her with his eyes. “What do you mean by half?”
She shut the door to the fridge with her foot and set three sodas down on the table. She looked to me and flicked her eyes to the soda, inviting me to take it. I reached out to grab it, glad for the sugar rush my body was now craving. Dagger slapped my hand away before I could even feel the cool side of the can. I glared at him.
“Answer my question,” he demanded.
The girl set her can down and grabbed the unopened one, tossing it to me with a wink as she began to speak. “Just like I said…half. My brother and I shared the responsibility of this place. He just moved to another safe house with his new wife.”
Dagger lifted an eyebrow and looked around the mess surrounding us. “It doesn’t look like either one of you have been responsible.”
Her nostrils flared a little at the comment. Her sapphire blue eyes snapped in anger as she spun on her heels and pushed past Dagger, leaving us to look at each other in confusion.
“That went well,” I said as Dagger stood silent.
I watched as he collected himself before he left the kitchen and went in search of the girl who had so rudely put him in his place. He turned briefly and signaled for me to follow him. At the end of the hall, the clutter stopped and I smelled something citrusy floating along the air.
Dagger whistled between his teeth as he looked behind us. “That’s a pretty powerful enchantment you used.”
I turned to look back at the kitchen. It was spotless. The clutter was gone and all the surfaces gleamed.
The living room we stepped in held priceless pieces of art and antiques. The furniture was plush and looked inviting enough to take a nap on. The girl turned to us with a saucy smile. “Not bad... huh? You see my brother Carter thought it would be a good deterrent to have the first room you come into look so messy, it would keep anyone from coming further into the house.”
“And it’s worked so far?” I asked.
She shrugged. “Well, since you are the first visitors we’ve had in a very long time, I can’t say,”
Dagger went to a large bay window overlooking an open field. “We are in need of sanctuary.” He turned to look at the girl.
She cleared her throat. “Welcome to the West End House. My name is Julie Jameson. I do not do any sort of maid service. If you need something from the outside world, I will arrange for my contact to bring it to you. Your room is down the hall and to the left. Don’t break anything.” She plunked down into an overstuffed chair, grabbed a book and proceeded to ignore us.
Her attitude reminded me of Jessa. The little slice of happy I’d managed, shriveled up and died at the thought. I hoped Jessa and Rainy had made it to wherever they were going. I would question Dagger as soon as we had a moment to speak privately.
“We won’t need anything. Only a place to rest for a day or so, and then we will be on our way,” he replied as he turned to place his hand on my shoulder, guiding me to the other side of the room.
“Thank you, Julie,” I said over my shoulder. As soon as I knew she could no longer see us, I shook Dagger off my arm. I was starting to feel like a cavewomen with all the tugging and grunting coming from my protector.
“This is only temporary,” he told me as he found the room she instructed us to go to. It was one of two rooms in the small hallway. Dagger opened the door to the large room, which only had one bed. I rolled my eyes and darted across the hall to open the other door. I was slapped with the reality that there was only one bedroom on this side of the house. The door I opened led to a vintage looking bathroom complete with a large porcelain clawfoot tub. I let my head fall against the door jamb with a thud.
Damn it. Was the universe against me on everything?
I left the bathroom door open and forced myself to return to the bedroom. I had to put the sleeping arrangements behind me right now. There were too many questions that I needed answers to.
Dagger had slipped off his shoes and was fluffing a pillow under his head when I shut the door. I leaned back against it, feeling its sturdiness. It gave me a momentary reprieve as I let all the questions float around in my head. I wasn’t even sure where to begin.
“I can hear the gears grinding in your head from all the way over here,” Dagger said. He hadn’t even bothered picking his head up off the pillow as he spoke. His eyes were closed and he was rubbing his brow like it would relieve an oncoming headache.
“I don’t even know where to begin.” I allowed myself to admit at least that much.
He sighed and opened one eye before patting the bed. “Come sit over here and I will try my best to give you some answers.”
I glanced across at him. He looked a little pale. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Power backlash, that last transfer of energy was very intense,” he said as he winced.
I sat at the far edge of the bed. As the mattress dipped, he stiffened. “Do you need some aspirin or something?”
“I just need rest. It’s really the only thing that helps when you process too much energy,” he whispered.
“You said you needed to create a reaction out of me, but why kiss me for it?” Of all the questions bubbling around in my brain, that was the one I let slip out first. I officially wanted to kick my own ass now.
Dagger let a bark of laughter out, and then followed it with a groan. “Princess, don’t do that… it hurts.”
I reached out and slapped his leg. It was childish, but it made me feel better. He winced but caught my hand up with his and held tight.
“What are you doing? Let go!” I pulled my hand but his grip tightened. I felt a tingle of energy slide up my arm. It trickled through my body, growing with intensity. Perspiration dotted my brow. A soft hum began and the mattress vibrated underneath me. A gasp escaped my lips as Dagger released my hand.
I wiped my face on my sleeve and looked over at him. His color had returned and his eyes were open. One side of his lips curved into a sly smile. “Sorry, it was becoming a little uncomfortable keeping all that contained.”
“What was that?” I asked.
“I channeled some of the energy back into you. It’s kind of like venting off the pressure,” he explained.
I really had no idea what he meant, but I felt like he’d used me again for his gain and frankly, it was getting a little old being used for other’s purposes.
“Your power is beyond anything I’ve ever experienced before.” He stared at me in awe. “You’re like ten Witches all neatly packaged into one little body.” He rolled over to fully face me.
“Wonderful.” I started to get up, but he placed his hand on top of mine. It was a silent request to stay. I didn’t know what to make of him. He could infuriate me with one word a
nd hold me in place with the slightest touch. I knew nothing about him, yet I felt like I could trust him with my life.
“I had to create a reaction from you. I kissed you, because I didn’t have enough power left in me to get us away from that Triad Enforcer. Any other day, I could have taken them on with plenty of power to spare, but I’ve been running on empty since the day we left my Coven’s safe house,” he said.
“Is it because of what happened when you came to get me?” I asked.
“No. That was really nothing, well not really nothing, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle on a normal day-to-day fight. I’ve been expending my energies in getting all the flash points ready. I had to expend nearly everything I had to create the different places and then ward them. It was a lot of magic in a very short period of time,” he said.
“What are flash points?” I asked.
“Flash points are door ways to other locations that can be created for the sole purpose of traveling from one place to another,” Dagger replied.
“How many flash points did you create?” I asked.
“Ten total. Six for us to use and then two for each group.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Guess it was a waste since there’s no way I’m going to take you through them now.”
“Why wouldn’t we use them?” I asked.
“They found us too easily on our first day. The other locations could already have Enforcers waiting at the other end. I can’t take that chance. Not with you anyway,” he replied.
“So what now?” I wasn’t sure how much more we could do on our own, if he wasn’t running at a hundred percent. And if I kept lending him my energy, they would catch up with us when he was recuperating.
Casted (Casted series) Page 5