Chapter One Hundred Nine
The next morning, Elizabeth slept in after a restless night. Whatever was in Brianna’s tinctures made her feel refreshed. Brianna looked like she’d been awake for a while as she now packed up a wardrobe.
Elizabeth sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. “What’s going on?”
“Everyone is leaving.”
“Leaving?” She knew that war was imminent, but part of her didn’t want to leave. This beautiful home had started to become… well, a home. “Are Scarlett and Andre leaving too?”
“Yes,” Brianna set blankets in a suitcase. “They got word that Nikki and the others overthrew Bates’ coven and his second is taking over. One man escaped to inform Lazaro of our plans. The less time he has to get help, the better. Scarlett and Andre are already out recruiting other covens and planning to meet us in New York in three days.”
Three days. Everything was happening so fast. “So where are we going? Why can’t we stay?”
“Lazaro might have seen you—”
“How? It was a dream of the future.”
For the first time, Brianna looked exasperated. Taking a deep breath, she closed the suitcase and turned around. “We don’t know for sure what Lazaro is capable of. We can’t chance that he knows you and knows where you are. He is too familiar with this property.”
“So where are we going?”
“We’re traveling with Andre’s people, hoping to blend in.”
Elizabeth noticed she called them Andre’s people, not hers, which felt off. If war was on its way, she should be with Doc and the others. She swung her feet over the edge. “I’ll help you pack.”
They finished packing their stuff while servants packed up the house. Walking through the halls, Elizabeth was almost overwhelmed by all the bustle. “Where are they going to put all this? They can’t be taking it with us.”
“No. They will bury the valuables. We’ll take what’s needed. Let’s go out and meet our escort.”
They took a carriage out to meet the others. It bumped and jostled along the road, unsettling her already nervous stomach. As she watched the beautiful house fade into the distance, a group of large box-type vehicles zoomed past them. “Are we driving in those?”
“Some will scout ahead, and some will carry the sick or slow. Scarlett has several horses that will be used as well. I’m not sure where Leon will want you, but I’m sure you’ll be protected.”
A tightness built in Elizabeth’s chest. They were going to war. And from the way Brianna acted all morning after her dream with Lazaro, Elizabeth knew she had painted a target on her forehead.
A knot of gratitude stuck in her throat for all that Brianna had done for her. This witch had stayed by her side for days, helped her cope with all the fast changes in her life and will continue to do so.
“Brianna?”
“Yes, dear?”
“I just wanted to say… thank you. Thank you for taking care of me and staying with me. I know you’re not just some serving girl or maid. You are so smart and strong and I’m lucky—”
“Enough.” Brianna raised her hand and took a breath. “You’re welcome. I just hope it’s enough. So no more thank yous, not until we’re free of this mess and safe back home. Okay?”
“Okay,” Elizabeth nodded. The time passed in silence, only the sound of horses and the bouncing of the carriage on the dirt to accompany them.
The only sign of the camp was the men standing out front. They guarded a path in the woods that looked empty. But she remembered Nevada’s work in the previous camps.
A servant helped them out of the carriage. As they approached, the men acted like they knew who they were and nodded as they passed. Brianna, though kind and understanding, always commanded some level of respect. Above Brianna’s beautiful smile, her eyes looked serious and dangerous. Most of the sisters in the coven did.
Once they passed the barrier, the camp’s loud and familiar sounds returned. The main trail curved through the woods, branching off to different tents and places.
Brianna turned back. “We’re almost there, aren’t we?”
“Yes. They usually set up each camp the same. Far back on the right, we should find Leon.”
“Good.” Brianna turned back, but before Elizabeth could follow, a woman with a small child on her hip caught up to her.
“Elizabeth.” Bree, Navina’s mom, hurried to her side, grabbing her arm. “It’s so good to see you. How is Navina?”
Elizabeth bit her lip, watching Bree’s heavy eyes. Her son pulled on her hair and it didn’t even register. Tears welled in Elizabeth’s eyes, unsure how to break the news.
Bree dropped her hold on Elizabeth and stood back. “No. Don’t tell me something happened.”
“I don’t know…” The words came out in a whisper.
“No, no.” Her words rose in panic.
Brianna appeared between the ladies. “Panic doesn’t help anyone. We lost contact with Elizabeth’s sister. That doesn’t mean they are dead. It only means we don’t know.”
“It’s my baby. Lost in another country.” Bree’s face paled. The baby, noticing the crisis, started to cry. Tears choked her words. “I can’t lose her. I can’t.”
“You haven’t. Not yet.” Brianna put a soothing hand on Bree’s shoulder. “Stay strong for your child. Keep hope while there is hope to have.”
Wiping at her own tears, Bree appeared to calm at Brianna’s words, and it steadied Elizabeth as well. They couldn’t fall apart until she knew for sure what happened to Becca and Navina. Because if there was a chance to find her sister, they needed to win this fight with Lazaro.
After another minute, Bree still looked heartbroken and exhausted, but able to carry on. Not for the first time, Elizabeth wondered if there was something about Brianna’s touch or powers that could affect people’s mood. Another question about magic for another time.
They finished traveling to Leon’s tent to find their assignment. He was in a meeting, so they waited outside until his assistant let them in. Welcoming them with a handshake, Leon looked all-business as usual. As Andre got the height, Leon got the muscle.
“We came to see where you wanted us?”
“Preferably as far from the action as possible, but close enough to protect.” He rubbed a hand over his shaved head. “Hell if I know where that is.”
“Are women traveling with you? I can keep Elizabeth hidden in the group.”
“But what about protection? Once the fighting starts, we’ll be miles from you. You will be her only defense. I’ll leave others, but not enough to really protect against an organized attack. How about—”
“Doc?” Elizabeth finished the sentence. “We’ll be close enough to protect.”
“You can’t be close enough for Lazaro to find you though,” Brianna said. “If he senses you, he’ll concentrate his forces on you.”
“I will have Nevada with Doc too, to oversee the battle and help where needed,” Leon offered.
“If he senses her, no illusion will stop him. Then your injured will be at risk as well.”
“It’s either women and children or the injured at risk. At least Doc will be close enough for me to come back fast. We’ll remain in radio contact.” Leon paused as if considering the option. Then turning to Brianna asked, “How strong are you? Do I need to put others on protection detail? I don’t have much to offer. Supposedly we’re meeting close to a thousand people tomorrow, but no one I know or can trust with Elizabeth.”
“I’m strong enough. My sisters and I train constantly, waiting for the time to step on a man’s neck.”
“Good.” Disregarding the attack on his sex, Leon turned to look out a plastic window in his tent. “You guys can head to the med tent now and help Doc pack. We’ll be heading out in a couple hours.”
Chapter One Hundred Ten
Peter had been working for Lazaro for over a week with no word from him. Personally, that was how he liked it. He had been managing a city de
partment that needed some motivation to keep things moving and under budget. A monkey could do it. Okay, maybe a monkey that could kill them with a touch of magic.
Either way, he had a job, an apartment that he moved into two days ago, and just wanted to keep his head down. At least down long enough to gain his strength and financial reserves. He wasn’t officially part of a coven, but was assigned to the New York coven, and he attended his first meeting last Sunday.
There were enough magicians that he didn’t bother about working up to the top thirteen. At least not yet. Once he had a couple of demons under his belt, and killed Darion, then maybe he’d worry about that.
It was a good week for him, but he assumed fate had other plans when he got a summons from Lazaro. He reminded himself there was no need to panic. Even if one of these Mundanes complained about him, Peter’s supervisor supported whatever he needed to do to see results. So, Peter shut down his office for the rest of the day and followed Lazaro’s man downstairs to the car.
Peter didn’t recognize the man and didn’t bother with small talk. He sat in the back of the sedan and watched the city out the window. Growing up in the city, Peter never had much of a reason to travel. Beholden to Ryma, he worked hard, was loyal, and never thought what was beyond. With Ryma’s death, his whole world shifted. Everything he worked for destroyed.
After Lazaro’s visit, he was surprised to find another chance in this enormous city. He enjoyed this city with its unique flavor from every part of the world. Lazaro had preserved it in the Rising. The parks, playhouses, and restaurants still colored this city. The Mundanes, while subdued, kept the city running better than any he had seen. Even the transportation underground worked well.
They pulled into a new building, different from the one where he’d last met Lazaro. He’d heard Lazaro never stayed in one place very long, even inside the city. For security reasons, Peter assumed. Being on top of the world didn’t bring peace; it brought paranoia.
The man escorted Peter to an elevator. Soft music accompanied them as they rose thirty floors up. It rattled Peter’s nerves, and he struggled to control his heart rate.
The elevator opened to a hall. After a brief knock they entered the first door. It wasn’t the elaborate suite that Lazaro had before. The room appeared to be an office of sorts, expensive and well designed. The highlights, of course, were the demons that lined the walls. With eight demons in the room, the power was almost palpable.
Lazaro smiled. Today he wore thick black glasses and a short goatee peppered with silver. “Please have a seat.” He motioned to the chair in front of his desk.
Walking towards the desk, Peter could feel the eyes of the demons lusting after him, hungry for his pain. Maybe it was his imagination, but he doubted it. He steadied his resolve, pushing aside the fear. They drank that up as much as they would his death.
He sat in the sleek chair, forcing himself to relax.
“So, I’m sure you’re curious about why I called you?” Lazaro smiled.
“Yes, but I’m happy to see you and express my gratitude for my position and accommodations.”
Lazaro waved his hand aside. “That position is nothing. I have much more planned for your future, innovations on the breaking edge.”
Forcing his face to keep the mask in place, his lips curled into a tight smile. “Thank you.” There were games to play in covens, games that kept Peter alive, and he had learned to play them at a young age.
“I know you will be loyal and that you will be willing to do anything.”
“I am, sir.”
“What do you think of my demons?” The cock in his brow, made it hard for Peter to read where this was going.
“They are impressive, sir.”
“They are. I keep them in a variety of places all over the world. That way, no one can destroy them all. Yet with recent events, it has come to my attention I will need to use some of them. I need reliable hosts that have the knowledge and power for these beasts to reach their full potential.”
Peter bit back his questions. Like what recent events? And why does Lazaro need Peter to make Soultorns? He wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer.
Lazaro stroked his goatee and stared at Peter. “Can I count on your help?”
He knew he would be signing his death sentence no matter the answer but answered anyway. “Of course, sir.”
Chapter One Hundred Eleven
After a long night, Caleb finally headed to sleep. Patrick had to call the other magicians to reform his coven, but Caleb and the others were tucked away in the basement again, with not only locks and guns, but magic to enforce the door. Even then, the three guys did a rotating shift to keep guard. Nikki exerted a lot of energy during the fight and fell asleep pretty quick on one of the couches. Caleb didn’t feel comfortable sleeping so soundly with a house of magicians upstairs, but he grabbed a couple of hours as the three guys rotated shifts.
In the morning things didn’t get moving very quickly. But Patrick came down with some food for a late breakfast. They dug into the muffins and coffee and waited for the next steps. Nikki still moved slowly as she woke up.
“You doing okay?” Patrick asked her. “I was worried about you going up against Bates. His enforcer wouldn’t let you go near him had he thought you’d be a threat.”
“I’m not as strong as my dad or others, but I can hide my magic too. I’ll be fine. Just needed some rest.”
“Good. We have a lot of work to do.” He handed her a cup of coffee. “I contacted Scarlett’s coven. They want us on the move as soon as possible. They are headed off now and will gather allies along the way. We are to meet in New York in three days.”
“Three days…” Nikki stared in her dark cup.
“That barely gives us time to travel. How many people are we transporting?”
“As many as those willing to fight,” Patrick said. “We are gathering troops now. These people have been tired of living under Bates’ rules and hence Lazaro’s. I’ll bring a thousand men at least. Bates had money as well. It’s just a matter of gathering resources.”
A thousand. Caleb had only gone to battle one other time, with a few hundred men. The memories from which still made it hard for him to sleep. This would be so much more. He chased those thoughts away with the bitter hot coffee and tried to focus on the task at hand.
“Anything we can do?” Caleb asked.
“Scarlett said you’re used to traveling with big groups. I’d love your help upstairs, preparing.”
“Of course.”
“Good.” Patrick stood. “Finish your breakfast and let me know if you need anything else. We will head out tonight and won’t be stopping until we meet that bastard face to face.”
Once the demon touched Becca, her world faded to black. Her racing heart the only indicator she was still alive. Terror was her constant companion as time passed. She traveled in and out of a dreamlike state. Soon the panic and fear came in waves, ebbing and rising. She felt no pain except for the sharp grasp of the demon’s claws on her arms. For some time, she wondered if she was possessed, and if this confused drug-like state was something her sister had experienced for months.
There were no answers and she couldn’t voice her questions. Instead the moments continued to flow by until visions filled her view. Visions of heinous monsters, of humans not quite human, and the night sky with millions of stars.
Feeling returned and her body ached as light pierced her eyes. She woke slowly to bright lights and colors, golds and greens. Then there were words, spoken but not heard.
Something hard and cold pressed against her cheek. Claws no longer held her tight. Instead, a chill shook her body as she focused on something she couldn’t understand.
Beautiful yet terrifying. Deadly but unique. The beast sat on top a throne of sorts. This dark purple beast had human hands. Fingers with long sharp nails slowly tapped the arms of her throne. A flowing skirt covered her lower half. Something heavier than human legs hid under that ski
rt with deadly claws that peeked out beneath the fabric.
No one would ever mistake her face for human, but there were similarities. Large white eyes with a dash of lavender stood out from the dark purple skin. Instead of hair, horns twisted up from her scalp with artistic precision. They pulled her cheekbones up, giving her a sharp look. Yes, Becca thought, it must be a her.
“The girl is awake. Let us speak her dirty language now, to show her the truth.” The beast’s tongue darted out, long and sharp.
A voice came from her left. “Yes, Your Majesty.” Several hands lifted her up, and she remembered the demon from before and stiffened.
With her muscles weak and mind disoriented, she didn’t have much to fight with. But if these demons thought her an easy meal, they didn’t know who they had.
“Come here, human,” the beast commanded.
Heavy hands dragged her forward, her toes barely scraping the floor. Imagining demons would live in hell itself, the clean polished look of this room surprised Becca. Except, as she neared the demon, she could see the throne better. The throne was composed of what Becca now realized was human bones.
This felt so surreal, like a bad dream she couldn’t wake from. This world, dimension or where ever she was, existed in a state so disturbingly familiar. She gathered her magic, which took great effort, preparing for whatever this demon wanted.
“I want you to know the disease your kind has brought upon my people. Your filthy species polluted our world, and you continue to steal from me. I will take back my pound of flesh, bone by bone if I have to.”
Was Becca hearing this correctly? This demon was blaming humans for their presence.
“What do you mean? You came to our world.” Becca forced a strength into her voice she didn’t have.
The Demon Queen hissed. “How dare you talk to me like that, you filthy beast?”
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