“And you realize that if he wins you die?”
I raised my chin.
He stopped before me. “You have not shown me your mark.”
“You said you knew all.”
“There must be a balance. I cannot grant you magic without it. Three must agree to abdicate their powers.”
My head pounded. Three witches? How could I ask three witches to give up their powers? I took a deep breath. “How long do I have?”
“I will come when you are ready. Bring the three here with you, and it shall be done.”
Before I could blink, he disappeared. I shivered as the cool desert air hit my skin. A coyote howled and as a chill shot down my spine, I climbed into the vehicle. I retraced my path to the gravel tracks and then to the paved two-lane highway. On the interstate, exhaustion caught up with me, and I stopped at a twenty-four-hour truck stop for coffee. As I waited for the cashier to make change, a chill swept over me.
I gripped my cup and glanced around. “Keep the change. Thanks.”
Exiting the restaurant, I jogged to the car. I cranked the engine and gunned it to the highway. The feeling that I was being watched and followed persisted until I pulled into the underground garage next to Anne’s building just before six.
“You made it. Thought I was going to have to call out the cavalry.” Dimitri greeted me. “Hey, you okay? You’re white as a sheet.”
I tossed him the keys. “Yeah, fine, probably just need a decent meal. Everything okay here? And is there any chance of me getting to Anne’s building without going outside?”
“Yeah, all’s quiet here. Your wish is our command. This way.” Dimitri motioned behind him.
He led me down a set of stairs into a narrow passageway lined with pipes and wires. After a few feet, we exited into the garage below Anne’s building.
“Want me to come the rest of the way with you?”
I fought a shiver. “Might be a good idea. I’ve got a bad feeling.”
We crossed the lot into the elevator lobby. All I wanted was to know everyone I cared about was safe. Traveling up, I stopped at my mom’s floor first. Finding her making breakfast for Grandma and Grandpa, I kissed Mom’s head and promised to visit later. Next, I headed to the top floor.
Dimitri waved as I exited the elevator. I ran my hands down my pants, wondering how I could ask someone to give up their magic. Alena seemed good with stuff like this, and I figured she would know how to approach someone.
“I’ll give up my magic.” Alena jumped up when I relayed what Michael required. “It’s the perfect solution. If I’m not a witch, then they’ll let me out of here. End of vampire-witch hybrid problem. And there will be others. Tyler doesn’t love being a witch. Maybe Grady doesn’t want to be one anymore either. Just tell them what’s required. Everyone can figure it out together.”
Alena seemed to love her magic so much, I feared she would miss it. I tried but couldn’t talk her out of putting her name on the potentials list. She wouldn’t budge. In the end, I agreed to tell the others her wishes.
Leaving her condo, I made my way down the stairs to round up our coven, which grew to include Anastasia and Guinevere. I studied each face, Camille, Jude, DJ, David, Tyler, Grady, Chalondra, and Orm. How could I ask any one of them to relinquish their magic? Each of them had been integral to our mission.
DJ rocked on his feet. “Okay, you’re killing us. What happened? Can you get your magic back or not?”
Taking a deep breath, I relayed what Michael required, ending with Alena’s opinion on giving up her magic.
Camille shook her head. “It can’t be Alena. We need her. How could she even think that? She’s the one who always says we’re stronger together.”
“I agree, but how can I ask anyone in this room to give up their magic?”
DJ raised his hand. “I’m not even a witch yet. I don’t care about my magic. It makes—”
“It can’t be you,” I interjected. “I need you to help lead Michael’s coven.”
“But you’re going to be the leader. You’re the chosen one.”
Orm cleared his throat. “If he can defeat Theron, he will become the High Priest. If not, we’ll need another.”
“What do you mean? I thought you said this was like a virtual-battle-of-wills type scenario.”
I ran my hands down my pant legs. “It is, but if Theron overpowers me—”
DJ jumped from his chair. “You die? Did everyone else realize this? Does Alena know this? And she’s still willing to give up her magic?”
My head throbbed. I couldn’t remember what I’d told Alena and what I hadn’t. “I’m not in favor of Alena giving up her magic. I believe she needs to retain it to work with Camille and me.”
David raised his hand. “I’m willing to relinquish my magic. My contribution to this team will be that of information, not power.”
“I believe the same.” Grady lifted his palm.
“Dad.” Tyler glared at his father.
Orm laid his palms on the table. “I will be the third.”
“What say you, old man?” Chalondra raised her voice.
“I know what I’m doing, woman. My time has come.”
DJ waved his hands in the air. “What are any of you saying? I don’t understand.”
Orm rose and shuffled to DJ. “I am very old.”
I couldn’t bear to hear Orm say it himself. “Without magic, he would not live this long.”
“So, all of you will die?” DJ’s eyes found David, Grady, then Orm.
“Some will fade faster than others. But Hunter will need all the help he can get. Come, DJ, we should complete your training today.” Orm motioned to the door, and I guessed the matter had been decided.
At dusk, Orm completed DJ’s transition to a full witch, and we welcomed him into our coven. Not knowing the effect of the loss of powers, we sought to protect David, Grady, and Orm with vampire blood and preservation spells. Then, the three of them and I drove out into the desert. My stomach turned with the knowledge of what they were giving up. I watched Orm’s wrinkled face in the rearview mirror, praying his last days would be peaceful. I thought of David and Grady, hoping their children would have the chance to spend several more years with them.
Slowing a couple of feet short of the coordinates, I jumped when Michael’s form appeared in the headlight beams. My foot hit the brake, and the seatbelt dug into my torso as I lurched forward with the sudden stop. Did he have to be so dramatic?
“Quite the magician, eh?” Orm chuckled as he stepped from the vehicle.
“My time is short.” Michael put his hands to his hips.
“As is ours.” I rounded the front of the vehicle. “I have the three.”
“So, I see. Interesting choices.”
“They decided for themselves.” The fatigue of the last few days wore on me, and I took a deep breath, realizing I needed to dial down my attitude.
I hated everything just then, that Alena and her mom were being held hostage, that my magic had disappeared, that I needed it back because Sonia and Thanatos somehow projected Theron’s spirit to the coven, that we’d heard or seen nothing of them, that I had no idea where they were or what they planned to do. I feared for Alena, Camille, DJ, Jude, and the others we’d left behind to hunt for clues.
Raising my chin to look at Michael, I stepped towards him. “Let it be done.”
“And so, it will be.”
Michael instructed David, Grady, and Orm to stand around me and put a hand on my shoulders and back. Michael laid his hand on the top of my head. My skin warmed under his touch and where David, Grady, and Orm had their hands pressed against my back. Sweat beaded on my forehead, and my heart rate shot up as power poured into my nervous system. Magic tingled through me, spreading to every cell, different than I’d ever experienced it. Instead of a burst or flash or an overwhelming wave, it seeped into my being as if taking up a home, their magic—Orm’s and David’s from the line of Gabriel, The Messenger; Grady’s from
the line of Raphael, The Healer; and Michael’s—combined with my magic and hummed in my brain.
Hunter, now you have the power to—
I pushed Lucifer’s whispered phrase out of my head. I cursed myself that his was the first voice I heard, but I hadn’t let him complete his statement. I’d developed the will and power to shut him out. I wouldn’t entertain his taunts again. With David’s, Grady’s, and Orm’s temperaments pulsing through me, I’d have the control to best the instinct to take what I pleased. That part of me who relished the thought of complete power waned. I just wanted peace for my people. All I needed was to replace Theron as the head of Michael’s coven.
“So be it.” Michael lifted his hand from my head.
I saw Orm stagger beside me and caught him as his knees buckled.
“You have done well in preserving him.” Michael gripped Orm’s arm. “The blood and spells will sustain him for a bit longer.”
I studied Michael’s face. His hard stare softened. “I am not without compassion for my people. Orm has served all beings well.”
“Hunter, we should go. You need to rest.” Grady lifted Orm.
Straightening my back, I stood before Michael. “Thank you. I will not fail you.”
“I pray you do not.” Michael disappeared, and a warm blast of air pelted my face.
Seeing David at the wheel, Grady beside him, and Orm in the back seat, I slid in beside my mentor. David put the car in reverse and circled back in the direction we’d come. Even with the adrenaline rushing through my veins, power tingling through my cells, my body felt as heavy as a ton of bricks. Grady handed me a canister of blood, and I downed it in three swallows. I rested my head on the cushion.
Sensing the car stop, I sat up and viewed my surroundings. I squinted at the bright garage lights, seeing Camille, Jude, DJ, and Tyler waiting. Camille helped Orm from the vehicle, and we rode the elevator up to our condos in silence. I lumbered into my room as if in a dream, shed my shoes, and toppled into bed. Texting Alena, I waited for a reply, and then turned off my phone.
I awoke to DJ shaking my arm.
“What?” I sat up with a start. “What time is it?”
“Five. They located Michael’s coven. They’re coming for us.”
I swung my legs to the floor. “Where are they now?”
“Airborne and incoming.”
Pulling on my shirt, I caught his arm. “On a plane?”
“Sorry, yes, we picked up on signatures about an hour ago at the Rome airport. Definitely Michael’s coven, three hundred plus. Aaron and Dimitri are tracking the flight.”
“How much time do we have?” I followed DJ down the hall.
“Twelve hours.” DJ handed me a plate.
Sitting down at the table, I sized up the members of our team, wishing Alena were there. Anastasia and Guinevere explained the plan for challenging Theron’s leadership. Pulse racing, I texted Alena and made my way to her condo. With my emotions ranging from anxiety, to fear, to excitement, and every place in between, I tried to focus on her, what I should tell her, and how to prepare her and myself for possible outcomes. Walking through the balcony doors, I hugged her to me.
“I planned on yelling at you for letting Orm give up his magic,” she whispered in my ear.
“Everyone agreed we needed you.”
“So, what’s the latest? You seem tense.” She ran her hands down my arms.
I caught her fingers in mine. “Everything will be fine.”
“Now, I’m really worried. They won’t let me out of here, not even after we explained a bajillion times how important it could be, how Theron may grow powerful enough to be a threat to vampires. When are you starting the procedure or journey? I don’t even know what to call it.”
Thinking we may not want our conversation monitored, I led her to the balcony.
“As soon as I leave here.”
“I expected you to sleep in, get more rest. Are you ready?”
I hadn’t wanted to tell her but knew I should. “Dimitri found Michael’s coven. They’re on a plane headed to LA. They’ll be here in eleven hours.”
“What if? Someone’s going to get hurt. We’ve been lucky so far, but this, this is—” She bit her lip and tears formed in her eyes.
“Don’t.” I wiped the bloody tears from her cheeks. “I’m stronger than I’ve ever been. I can do this. We have the whole team. We’re ready for anything. We’re all going to be fine.”
“You don’t know that. Orm told me how this worked.” She paced to the railing.
My heart dropped. I’d hoped to save her from worrying. At the same time, I felt relieved I didn’t have to say the words. I guessed it would be worse for her to be blindsided. I tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “Do me a favor and stay out here with your mom and Lucas. If I need you, I’ll be able to reach you. Lucas can make sure you’re safe.”
She took my hands and looked up at me. “I love you.”
“I love you.” Pressing my lips to hers, I took in the feel of her skin on mine, the warmth of her touch, the smell of her hair, like a summer day and fresh-mowed lawns.
“Do you understand? Do you remember everything we said?” Anastasia placed her hands on my shoulders and peered at my face.
“I understand.” I used a deep voice, trying to project a confidence that waned with each piece of information they’d given me.
Camille, Jude, DJ, and Tyler stood around me. I nodded to each of them, praying our team could triumph over Theron and whatever spirits he amassed. Anastasia would take the fifth spot for Alena, and Guinevere accepted the task of leading me to Sheol.
I rubbed my hands down my pants. “So, how do you get back from Sheol?”
Her gaze held mine. “If you’re victorious, then you can bring me back with you.”
“And if not?”
“I’m nine hundred eighty-seven years old. My purpose on this plane is served.”
“Wait, we can’t ask—”
Anastasia placed her hand on my shoulder. “We have decided. This is the only way.”
“Thank you.” I glanced from Anastasia to Guinevere and then to the others. “And what of the rest?”
Guinevere placed a hand on my shoulder. “They will be strong enough to return.”
“If nothing happens to them.”
Camille shook her head. “We know the risks. It’s too dangerous for Theron to have power in this realm. He must be stopped. We’re going to help you stop him.”
Tyler moved to his position on the star traced with salt on the floor. “Like Anastasia said. We each decided to join you.”
DJ offered his palm, and I locked arms with him. Jude did the same, and they each moved to a point on the star. Spinning, I looked at my friends for what could be the last time. I pictured Alena’s face in my mind. This was the right thing to do, for them, for Michael’s coven, for everyone.
“Okay, I’m ready.” I lay down in the center of the star.
Guinevere heated the brand and applied it to her wrist. Assuming again her position in Michael’s coven gave us a foothold and connection to Theron. Blue tendrils traveled under the skin up her arm.
Orm paced behind Camille. “You need to move fast. Theron will find Guinevere soon.”
I closed my eyes as Guinevere placed her palms on my chest. Blue lights flashed through my mind, and I hurled through a dark abyss, the sensation of falling almost overwhelming me. You are in control, I repeated in my head.
Concentrating on Guinevere’s blue light tethering us, I pictured Theron in my head. Pain shot through my being as if I’d been pelted against a brick wall. Opening my lids, I saw a swirling black form before me. Colored lights—red, orange, yellow—sparked through the smoke-filled amorphous orb as if gravity held the matter to a core. I pushed up on my knees and then stood.
“And so, you have come. Father said you would.” Theron’s voice sounded from all around me.
I peered into the black space. “Where is Father?”
“And Sonia?”
“I am also of Theron,” Sonia’s hoarse whisper echoed.
“Theron.” I twisted around as the dark form moved, trying to keep it in front of me. “You need to let the coven go. I’m not sure where you are, where we are, but there’s got to be a way to fix this and bring you back. Release your hold on them, let them go free, and let’s figure out how to get you out of here.”
Yellow flashes of light shot out of the form as Theron’s laughter boomed through the space. “You think I can be saved? Brought back from this hell Lucifer transported us to? How delusional are you that you would believe you are more powerful than us?”
“Why is Michael’s coven headed for LA then?”
“Just the reason you think they are, to kill you and your team of Pollyanna misfits.”
“So, you do believe we are a threat?”
“If we kill you, we’ll be granted a form like his and be able to pass between realms,” a trio of Sonia’s, Thanatos’s, and Theron’s voices answered.
“Why would Lucifer grant you that? He wanted me to trap your souls inside St. Maurice’s sword and kill you. Did you know that? That’s what he asked of me. He’s the reason you’re here in the first place.” I scanned above my head, amazed at just how dark and void this realm appeared.
“I hate you. You got everything I wanted. Having you dead will make me the happiest person alive,” Theron responded.
“But are you alive? I lost my magic, but now I have it back. Maybe there’s a way for you to get out of here.”
“But what about me?” Sonia’s voiced cooed.
“And me?” my father asked.
I had no interest in bringing them back. I was only trying to win Theron over. Alena had seen hope in him, and maybe there was still good somewhere in him, or there would have been until he’d been transformed into this monster.
Broadening my shoulders, I lifted my chin in the direction of Thanatos’s voice. “I can’t allow you or Sonia to pass back to Earth.”
Transparent forms resembling Sonia and Thanatos floated out of the dark being. “Then you will have to kill us,” they said in unison.
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