by Kelly Goode
‘How old are you?’ she suddenly asked.
Carter laughed but it was a nervous reaction. He was too old for her, too jaded, too scarred.
‘I’m not sure I should tell you. This conversation is bad enough already. I don’t want it to make it worse.’
‘Come on, tell me.’
‘Fine, I’m thirty-six and should know better.’
Ember threw off the sheet and got out of bed. As she stood in front of him, she skimmed her fingers across his chest and then down across his hip.
‘Are you doing that on purpose?’ he asked, watching her bite her lip. Even though she tried to look innocent, her devious smile gave her away. She knew exactly what she was doing to him.
Carter grabbed Ember’s hand as she reached for his zip.
‘What are you doing?’
‘Progressing from the only person you’ve slept with twice to three times.’
63
The incessant beeping of my phone eventually dragged me from Carter’s arms and his warm bed. I checked the time before answering. It was coming up to eight in the evening. I didn’t recognise the number, so answered tentatively.
‘Hello?’
‘Ember?’
‘Who is this?’
‘It’s Ava. I got your number from Sophia. Something’s happening. There’s a strange presence outside the house.’
I scooped up my discarded clothing and dressed as quickly as I could while balancing the phone between my ear and neck.
‘Is Sophia ok?’
Ava’s rapid breathing echoed in my ear. It sounded as if she’d been running.
‘Oh shit. He’s here, Ember.’
‘The demon? I thought you were leaving town tonight.’
‘I couldn’t abandon the coven. Sophia’s not well. Her spells are weakening. We can’t hold him out for much longer. We need you…’
Her voice trailed off and then she screamed.
‘Ava? Ava?’
There was no reply, just the sound of the phone hitting something hard.
‘Ava? Are you there? What’s happening?’
Carter, having heard the tone of my voice, was already out of bed and pulling on his T-shirt before I ended the call.
‘The demon is at Sophia’s house,’ I said to him. ‘They need me.’
Carter zipped up his trousers and reached for his gun. After checking it was loaded, he slid it into the holster on his belt.
‘I’ll get the team together,’ he said. ‘Put together a plan-’
‘There’s no time for a plan.’ I interrupted. ‘Ava said the demon has already breached the protective barrier around the house. I need to go now.’
Carter reached out and grabbed my arm.
‘I’m not letting you run headfirst into danger, or worse still, a trap.’
‘I’ll find Harvey, I replied, trying to wriggle out of his grasp. ‘He can teleport me there.’
‘He can teleport us all there. I’m not letting you go alone.’
‘Whatever, we’re wasting time. Let’s go.’
Carter released me to pull on his boots. I didn’t wait for him. I engaged the door locks and bolted for the briefing room. I hoped Harvey had come back, but only JC was inside.
‘Have you seen Harvey?’ I asked him.
‘Not since he stormed out of here this morning. What’s wrong?’
‘I have a location for the demon.’
JC’s eyes narrowed. ‘For real?’
‘He’s attacking the coven as we speak. There are at least two witches there, maybe more. I don’t know all the details, but we need to go.’
‘Where?’
‘Stratford. We need Harvey.’
JC took out his phone and punched a few buttons. He placed the phone to his ear and then cursed.
‘Harvey’s phone is out of service.’
‘Do you know where he is?’
JC shook his head.
‘He was pretty pissed off about you and Carter getting together.’
He dropped his voice as Carter entered the briefing room, saving me from having to deny the claim.
‘Where’s Harvey?’ Carter repeated.
‘He’s not answering his phone,’ JC replied.
‘So we’ll do this without him. I’ve alerted Agent Myles, and he’s sent Ghent and Perry on ahead of us. Perry will trace the demon’s scent and confirm his exact location.’
JC took a band from his wrist and tied his long, blond hair at the base of neck.
‘I’ll find Harvey,’ he said. ‘I have a few ideas where he might be hiding.’
Carter nodded. ‘He’s not the only one capable of killing a demon, but he’s certainly the best at it. Ember, you can ride with me.’
‘Ok.’
I tried calling Ava’s number again as we made our way to Carter’s car, but all it did was ring until the answerphone kicked in. I tried Sophia’s number too and got a similar response.
Carter was a capable driver, and as we tore through the streets of London, I silently prayed that the women had switched their phones off because the alternative meant there was no one left alive to answer them.
64
As I neared Sophia’s house, the sense of foreboding increased. I would’ve usually sensed the coven’s magic by now, which meant the protection spell had either worn off completely or that someone had counteracted it.
Carter parked the car, and I didn’t even wait for him to switch the engine off before I got out. The first thing that caught my eye was a glossy, red car parked directly outside Sophia’s house. Something about it set an internal alarm ringing.
‘It’s a mustang,’ Carter said. ‘Doctor Porter said the paint specks found in Colleen’s wounds were red; specifically from a Ford model.’
We both examined the car and my heartbeat increased as I saw the scrapes and indents on the front right bumper. This was the car that hit Colleen before she died but whose was it? Sophia didn’t drive, so it couldn’t be hers.
‘I’ll call it in,’ Carter said, reaching for his phone. ‘Myles will authorise a recovery vehicle to tow it so Doctor Porter can test the paint against our samples. We’ll run the number plates and get the ownership details.’
My attention turned towards Sophia’s house. The front door was wide open, which wasn’t a good sign. I looked up and down the street. It was eerily empty. No commuters, no dog-walkers, no teenagers – no one. Almost as if the inhabitants realised something evil stalked their neighbourhood and were staying inside.
I took a step closer to the front door, but Carter held me back by my shoulder while still trying to hold his phone to his ear.
‘Wait for backup,’ he said.
I shook my head. ‘There’s no time. Sophia wouldn’t leave the door open like that. She has at least three locks. She’s in trouble. I feel it.’
I twisted out of his grasp and walked towards the door.
‘Do not go in there, Ember,’ he shouted. ‘That’s an order.’
I raised my hands, igniting two globes of fire, which hovered above my palms.
‘I’m sorry, Carter. I think we established last night and then again this afternoon that our relationship has changed. I don’t take orders from you. You’re not my handler.’
‘No, but I am the chief of this damn unit. Until you complete your assignment, you still answer to me.’
And with those few words, I felt him slip away from me. Not physically, but emotionally.
‘So you’ve made your choice - you’re staying with the team.’
‘If it means keeping you alive, then yes, I’m going to continue running this unit.’
Carter switched his attention to whoever was on the other end of his call. He fired off commands for vehicles, ammunition, and extra men. I took advantage of the distraction and ran up Sophia’s front steps, but halted when Ghent and Perry appeared from the around the side of the house.
‘And where do you think you’re going?’ Ghent asked.
‘Insi
de.’
He shook his head. ‘I don’t think so. We’ve scouted the area, and Perry tracked the demon’s scent right up to the front door. He’s in there.’
‘Sophia and Ava need me.’
‘This isn’t a game, Ember. He’ll kill you.’
‘What do you care?’
Something in Ghent’s brown eyes betrayed the coldness of his words.
‘I only care if you fuck up this assignment. There is no way I am going back to the detainment unit. We started this as a team, so we finish it as a team.’
‘Let the bitch go inside,’ Perry snarled. ‘She thinks she’s indestructible. Let her prove it.’
‘Shut up, Perry,’ Ghent said. ‘Go around the back and guard the exit.’
Perry looked as if he wanted to argue. The two men were of comparable size and statue so if there had been any alpha traits within the werewolf, he would’ve stood his ground, but Perry just glared at me and sloped off.
‘He hates me,’ I said.
‘Perry hates everyone. I still don’t think you should go inside.’
‘It’s not your call, Ghent,’ I said.
‘No, it’s mine,’ Carter cut in, as he jogged up the front steps.
‘You don’t understand, Carter. I may not be part of this coven anymore but you never lose that magical bond. The witches are in trouble. I have to help them.’
Carter drew his gun from his belt.
‘I know; that’s why we’re going inside together.’
65
Ember had that defiant glint in her green eyes that told Carter he wasn’t going to stop her from helping her friends. Nothing he said would deter her from going inside that damn house, even though he was certain it was a trap.
Carter didn’t have any supernatural powers. He’d never once wanted them, until now. Now he wished he could move mountains with his mind, or shoot fireballs from his eyes. Anything to stop the woman he’d fallen in love with from dying at the hands of a demon.
Shit – he loved her.
Love was a luxury he could not afford. Anyone he loved died. His parents, his sister, his friends.
‘Ghent, stay here and mind the entrance,’ Carter said. ‘We don’t want any nasty surprises on the way out.’
‘Sure thing, boss. Perry has the back covered. This place is surrounded. The demon is not getting out.’
And that scared Carter the most. This was the final showdown. He raised his gun and nodded his head, indicating that Ember should proceed.
‘I’ve got your back,’ he said.
Fire sprung from Ember’s hands in a series of flares. ‘And I’ve got yours.’
‘The demon can turn invisible so watch out,’ Ghent warned.
Carter scanned the street, wondering what was keeping JC and Harvey. It was typical of the selfish demon to abscond just when he needed him the most.
‘Ava? Are you there?’ Ember called, as she stepped cautiously inside the house.
There was no reply. Carter followed her with his gun raised. As he stepped over the threshold, he collided with an invisible barrier.
‘What the fuck!’ he cursed.
Ember turned around. ‘Carter, what’s wrong?’
‘I can’t get in.’
He tried to push against the invisible force with his shoulder, but it didn’t waver.
‘The spell was only supposed to keep demons out,’ Ember said, lifting her hands and holding them out in front of her. ‘Shit, Carter. I can’t get out.’
Carter’s throat felt dry. It reminded him of the time he’d gone to the fair with Beth. They’d entered the maze of glass together, but lost each other in the dark. Somehow, Carter had ended up on one side of the glass and Beth on the other. His sister had suffered a panic attack, while he’d torn around the maze, banging against the glass, trying to reach her.
That same fear hit him now that Ember was on one side of the invisible barrier and he was on the other. Their palms mirrored, but they did not connect.
‘Ember, stay there. I’ll get help.’
She shook her head. ‘Someone cast this spell to keep you out. I think they want me to do this next bit on my own.’
‘It’s a trap.’
Ember smiled softly. ‘I know, but it’s going to be ok.’
‘No, it’s not going to be fucking ok.’
Carter slammed his fist against the invisible obstacle in frustration. Ghent joined him, but even with the two of them pounding against it, it didn’t yield.
‘Stop it before one you fracture your hand. It’s a magical wall. You won’t breach it with force. I need to find the source of the magic and break it. Then you can charge in and rescue me.’
Carter kicked out one last time in exasperation.
‘Be careful,’ he said.
‘Always.’
Carter felt his phone vibrate and pulled it from his belt.
‘What?’ he barked.
‘Shit, Carter, this is JC. We have a problem.’
‘Tell me about it. Did you find Harvey?’
There was a short pause.
‘Did you find Harvey?’ Carter repeated.
‘Yes, I did. Well, I found a version of him at least.’
Carte rubbed his brow. ‘I don’t have time for cryptic answers. Where is Harvey?’
‘He’s on his way to you now.’
‘That’s good. Ember is trapped. She’s going to face the demon one-on-one and I can’t get inside to help.’
There was another longer pause before JC spoke again.
‘It might not be one-on-one for much longer.’
66
I slipped away while Carter was on the phone. There was nothing he could do to help me. The magical barrier was too strong. If Sophia set it, then she must have had a good reason. If she didn’t, then I was walking into a trap.
Undeterred by this thought, I made my way through the house towards the conservatory. Each time a floorboard squeaked beneath my feet, I expected an ambush. I conjured two flaming globes as I entered the large glass room at the very back of the house.
Ava sat in the same chair as the last time I’d seen her, but this time she was chanting. The magic seeped out of her pores and caused the candles, which surrounded her in a circle, to flicker in a rhythmic pattern.
‘Ava? Are you ok?’
Her incantation died on her lips, as she stared up at me.
‘Ember, I’m glad you’re here. Sophia disappeared so I’ve been strengthening the defences.’
‘The barriers are a little too good. My team can’t get in.’
‘Let me try something else.’
She closed her eyes and muttered something beneath her breath, which made the candles flicker again. I didn’t recognise the spell she was chanting, although to be honest, I hadn’t memorised the enchantments Sophia had taught me because hardly any of them worked. In the short time I was with the coven, I only mastered the spell that controlled fire and with the growth of my powers, I didn’t even need those words anymore.
‘That should do it,’ Ava said, as she opened her eyes again. She waved her hands over the candles and the flames died in sequence from left to right.
When the last candle went out, a bolt of pain shot down my arms. My hands tingled as if I’d suddenly shoved them into a freezer, and the flames I’d conjured for protection vanished.
‘What did you do?’
‘Just remember that you brought this on yourself,’ Ava replied.
She smiled at me, but not in a friendly way.
‘What are you talking about? I’m here to help. You said you saw the demon.’
Ava nodded. ‘Yes, I did.’
‘Where did he go?’
‘Nowhere, Ember. Nowhere at all.’
I turned around as a figure materialised from the glass wall behind me. The first thing I noticed was his stark white skin and oversized head, but any other features blurred when I realised he wasn’t alone.
He had Sophia by the neck.
&nb
sp; ‘Hello, little witchy,’ he cooed, as if talking to a small child. He shook Sophia, and her legs dangled like a rag doll.
‘Put her down.’
The demon glared at me.
‘I make the demands around here, not you.’
Sophia clawed at the thick hand wrapped around her neck as she tried to breathe but her face was bright red and her eyes bulged.
‘Ava, drop the barrier and let my guys in. They’ll take care of this.’
‘And why would the little witchy want to do that?’ the demon asked. ‘She’s the one that invited me here. This hag isn’t on my list, but you are.’
The demon released Sophia and she fell to the floor squirming and gasping for air like a fish out of water.
I stared at Ava in disbelief.
‘It was you. You summoned him?’
I tried to ignite the flames on my hands again, but they remained as cold as ice. Ava’s spell had rendered me powerless.
‘How could you do this? They were your friends.’
Ava shook her head.
‘Mary and Katrina betrayed me. They supported the bombings. They killed innocent people. They deserved to die. Just as you do.’
‘And Colleen?’
‘Betrayed me in ways you couldn’t even imagine.’
‘Tell me,’ I begged, trying anything to stall her while I formulated a plan to escape.
‘I had a man who loved me,’ Ava said, looking down at her engagement ring. ‘We were going to get married.’
‘You still can…’
Her eyes locked onto mine and the ferocity of her anger caused me to fall silent.
‘We had everything planned. We were going to buy a house, start a family, but you ripped it all away from me.’
Realisation hit me like a truck.
‘Your fiancé was at Wild Side,’ I said. ‘I told you I didn’t support the bombings. It wasn’t my fault.’
‘It wasn’t the blast that killed him,’ she replied. ‘He was cornered by some injured vampires. They drained him dry while trying to regenerate. The irony of it all is he shouldn’t have even been here. He told me he was working, but he met Colleen instead.’