Josh nodded.
“Are you going to Gloria’s?” Sky asked, surprising us both.
I didn’t answer as I followed him out of the library, but I noticed her falling in behind us. Before I could deny her, he asked Sky, “Are you sure?”
She nodded.
I scoffed. Once again, he just gives in to her, without any regard for the risk. Like the rest of us, she seemed glad to have anything to do, but we had no idea what we would find at Gloria’s. This time, we might well find a trap. I stopped, gripping Josh’s arm to get his attention.
“That’s not a good idea.”
He shrugged his arm free, giving me a sideways look in the process. “It’ll be fine. An extra person can’t hurt.”
I sighed, exasperated. Did she always get her way with everyone? “I assure you that around her finger is not a place you want to be,” I snapped as I strode past them both.
“Perhaps you’ll remember that advice when you find yourself twisted around Chris’s!” she shouted after me.
I stopped short, entirely taken by surprise. Against my better judgment, I was taking Sky into a potentially dangerous situation simply because she wanted to go. My objection had hardly been unequivocal. I wasn’t wrapped around Chris’s finger, but perhaps when it came to Sky I wasn’t any different than Josh or Quell. No matter how angry or how determined I was to keep Sky safe, inevitably I always gave in to what she wanted. And she didn’t have a clue. It wasn’t something she did—just something about her I couldn’t put into words. I nearly laughed, but didn’t want to give her the satisfaction. I turned, giving her a sharp glare, then continued on in silence.
Unlike our previous visit, Gloria’s home was now protected by a powerful magical ward. I felt the vibration of it as I emerged from my SUV in the driveway. Was she home? The curtains remained drawn and the lawn appeared just as unkempt as it had at our last visit, but the mail had been collected. While I stopped at the edge of the ward, assessing its force, Josh obliviously passed through it—the advantage of being wholly human, though I was surprised he didn’t sense the magic. Apparently Sky didn’t sense the ward either, because she walked right into it, triggering a spray of gold and black embers as she was shoved back. She caught her balance, surprised and indignant.
Preferring not to draw her wrath, I kept my smirk to myself.
Josh hurried back from the house as she approached the ward once more, seemingly determined to force her way through sheer will. Black and gold embers appeared once more to warn her approach, this time accompanied by a shrill alarm-like sound. Josh intercepted her in time, gently encouraging her back a step.
He felt the boundaries of the translucent wall, then held his hands just against it and began an incantation. Glowing sparks flickered angrily against his hands, but he ignored them. After a moment, the ward began to moan as faint undulations spread through it, with Josh’s hands as the epicenter. He continued until gold sparks began spreading like cracks through the invisible barrier. The incantation ceased, but Josh held his hands in place while he nodded for Sky to proceed.
It was hubris on his part. I could sense that the ward’s power was reduced, but far from broken. She leaned into the ward to push through, triggering a horrendous wail that could be heard throughout the neighborhood.
Josh frowned and doubled his efforts, but the wailing continued. At any moment the neighbors were going to investigate, and he showed no signs of resolving the ward soon. I strolled around the back of the house until I was out of sight, then touched my hand to the ward and broke it into a shower of purple sparks. The wailing ceased. Just as casually, I strolled back to the driveway, feigning surprise, then proceeded to the front door, giving Josh no chance to query me.
Even through the door, I could sense the intense power emanating from the house, the same power that had erected the ward. I glanced back to make sure Sky was behind Josh, then tested the door—surprisingly, it was unlocked. Odd. Gloria went through a lot of trouble putting the ward into place just to leave the front door unlocked for any human to waltz through. I tensed, prepared for anything as I pushed the door slowly open—and was immediately struck by the putrid stench of death that shocked my enhanced senses. Had I not developed an intimate relationship with that smell, it would’ve left me reeling. Behind me, Josh blanched, raising the collar of his t-shirt over his nose, while Sky pinched her nose shut.
Dark magic, I realized as I stepped inside. Josh seemed oblivious to it, for the moment. Following the stench, I found Gloria’s corpse on the dining room floor. “She’s dead,” I announced, scrutinizing the room.
“Was she murdered?” Sky called after me from the doorway, worried.
I smelled the sweet scent of lemon and tea before I noticed the two cups on the dining room table: one empty, the other a quarter full.
“If so, it wasn’t violent,” I answered.
“It wouldn’t have to be,” Josh said as he slowly walked through the house with his arms away from his body, his hands splayed. “There is some really strong magic in here, powerful.”
Gloria’s death proved one thing—she was involved somehow, which meant she knew the silver-haired witch; she had also given him reason to kill her. After years of living in this house, her magic permeated every part of it. The ward wasn’t her creation, and the magic Josh and I felt wasn’t hers, either. Most likely the silver-haired witch came here to kill her, or to convince her of something; either way, it hadn’t gone well for Gloria. Her death had been quick. From the position of her body, I guessed she’d gotten up to fetch something from the kitchen and been killed instantly. The witch had erected the ward on his way out to hide the killing. A human would’ve locked the door as well, but this witch didn’t seem to think much about humans. Now we knew our witch was … something else.
CHAPTER 9
The next morning, I stopped at Beverly’s Diner for breakfast on my way to the retreat. From the poorly maintained exterior and the no-frills interior that was more bar than restaurant, the diner gave the impression of a classic greasy spoon, but the locals knew better. Disillusioned with the misogyny that came with being one of the city’s first female executive chefs, Beverly had left her culinary pretensions behind and opened a place closer to her heart—the kind of place a food snob would never notice. For her it wasn’t about a creative menu. She just did the basics—really well. I’d probably driven by the diner a hundred times without batting an eye before Artemis had clued me in.
After a hearty breakfast of steak, house-made sausage, eggs, and a stack of pancakes, I checked the time. Claudia should have just opened her gallery. I considered visiting her in person, but I had a busy day ahead of me. Alone in my booth in the back of the restaurant, I called her. She answered almost immediately.
“Ethan,” she said. I imagined her smile and smiled back. “Lovely to hear from you.”
“Claudia, how are you?”
“I’m enjoying a delightful morning on my patio. I’ve decided to close the gallery for the day and take a stroll through the gardens at Grant Park. Why don’t you join me?”
“Another time, unfortunately.”
“Of course.” I did my best not to burden her with my troubles, and she did her best not to ask. “What can I do for you?”
I glanced around me to make sure no one was within hearing. “I need to ask you about the Mouras,” I said softly. “Can you talk?”
Her slight hesitation spoke volumes. “Yes. I’m alone.” A Moura herself, my godmother protected a powerful mystical object known as the Vitae. Though she had never declared the subject off-limits, Josh and I knew not to ask of it, or of her responsibilities. The best-kept secrets were the ones forgotten. I’d only ever seen it once, at a time of great need.
I hated to ask, but I needed to understand the connection to Sky. “Can you give me the names of the other Mouras?”
“I’m afraid that’s a complicated subject,” she said dryly.
“My specific concern relates to the
Aufero,” I explained.
“That’s been destroyed, dear.”
“Yes, but it’s come up in another matter.” She didn’t want to know more than necessary.
“You would like the name of the Moura who lost the Aufero?”
“Yes.” I swallowed. “And the names of the others. The Gem was lost, and the Aufero. I’d like to verify that the other objects are safe as well. After the troubles last year, I don’t want to run into any more surprises.”
“This information is important to you?”
“Yes.”
She considered for a long moment, but I waited. I had no intention of pressing the matter. “If I give you what you ask, you cannot contact these people in any form, Ethan. Do you understand? You cannot disrupt their responsibilities in any way, even for the protection of your pack.”
“I understand.”
There was another long pause before she finally gave me the names, which I memorized. “Thank you, Claudia.”
“Yes. I’ll talk to you another time, Ethan. Please call again when you don’t need something from me.”
She disconnected the call. I stared at my phone for a moment, feeling her disappointment, then called Stacy and put her on the names. Afterward, I paid my bill and left.
I began organizing my day as I strolled through the parking lot toward my SUV. I had my hand on the open door and my foot on the runner when I heard heavy feet pounding toward me from behind. A glance over my shoulder revealed one of the creatures, as tall as I was, just a few feet away, its long claws extended to strike. With only a sharp intake of breath to react, I pivoted on the runner, jumping back onto the front seat just before the creature slammed into the open door. I kicked the side of the creature’s head with the heel of my boot. Unfazed, it climbed into the driver’s seat after me as I scooted backward across the seat, reached behind me to push open the passenger door, then rolled backward out of the SUV and onto the concrete. The creature lunged across the seat, slicing air with its poisoned claws as I drew a knife from my boot sheath. As it came at me, I slashed at the hands and arms, drawing blood. The creature disappeared in an instant.
So it’s back on. I knew the lull wouldn’t last. How many others are being attacked right now? My thoughts immediately turned to Sky, until I heard more feet rushing up from my left. The knife still in my hand, I pivoted on my right foot, but this time my reaction wasn’t fast enough. I felt the claws driving into my side as the creature slammed both of us into the open passenger door. Even though I felt the pressure of the claws stabbing into my flesh, my adrenaline blocked the pain, but that wasn’t going to last. The creature snapped its claws free, then struck again. This time I dropped beneath the swipe, straight down to the concrete, and rolled under the door to the other side. By the time I was on my feet again, the creature rounded the door, driving me backward toward the busy street as it repeatedly threw its claws at me in wild, sweeping arcs. Realizing I’d lost the knife—probably when I’d struck the door—I glanced over my shoulder to gauge the street. Traffic was fast and heavy. The creature backed me all the way to the edge of the curb before I ducked under a swipe of its claws, just missing the backswing as I got behind it. When the creature turned to face me, I landed a flat-footed kick to its chest, knocking it stumbling back into the street—into the path of a loaded dump truck. The creature disappeared on impact.
I turned my back to the traffic, wary of another attack. When none came, I examined my wound. Blood soaked my shirt. Probing gingerly with my fingers, I knew the wound was bad. The poison was already inhibiting my body’s healing ability. The blood wasn’t clotting. I needed help. Fast.
The distant wail of an approaching siren started me stumbling toward the SUV while clutching the wound in an attempt to staunch the bleeding. I put my foot on the runner. When I put my weight on it to lift myself into the front seat, the pain came on in a rush. I made it groaning into the front seat and doubled over the steering wheel, growling and grimacing until I was able to shake off the pain. There wasn’t time to waste. I needed to get to Dr. Baker at the retreat, where I’d soon be needed if there were more attacks. Call Josh, I thought, but quickly changed my mind. He could transport to me in an instant, but then he’d be vulnerable, and I wouldn’t be able to help him if another creature appeared. Gritting my teeth against the pain, I started the engine, then pulled out into traffic.
A short time later I turned onto the private road that led to the retreat, not quite remembering the journey. Blacking out. Not good. I pushed the SUV as fast as I dared—too fast, the back of the vehicle drifting as I made my way along the narrow winding road. Finally reaching the house, I drove across the driveway and onto the lawn, braking to a sudden hard stop directly outside the front porch. The momentum bounced me off the steering wheel, sending a fresh jab of pain through my side. I gritted my teeth, bearing the pain for a moment before I could move. With my hand still over my wound, I could feel the flesh there was now burning hot. The poison was doing its work. I glanced down, tipping my hand from the wound, to see my palm quickly fill with blood.
I practically fell out of the SUV and stumbled inside. My brother appeared from nowhere, the color fading from his expression as he gaped at my condition. I straightened, trying to smooth my gait, but I wasn’t fooling anyone. Rushing to my side, Josh draped my arm around his neck and helped me toward the clinic. My entire awareness became focused on completing each individual step without collapsing. Without Josh, I never would’ve made it.
As we approached the clinic, he tried to pull my hand from the wound, but I brushed his hand aside.
“Let me see it,” he insisted.
“Of course I’ll show you.” I tried to smile, but the pain was too much. “As soon as you show me a medical degree.”
He guided turned me into a treatment room where Kelly, in bright pink scrubs, was gathering antidote and other supplies. She seemed in a hurry until she saw me and helped him get me onto a table. The effort sent an unexpected stab of excruciating pain through my side.
“I’ll get Dr. Baker,” Josh said, turning away, but Kelly stopped him.
“He and Dr. Jimenez are working on the wounded. Help me slide him over.”
Somehow I managed to center myself on the table. “How many?” I asked through gritted teeth as she cut the shirt from my wound.
“Six,” she said, calmly professional as she examined the wound, wiping away the blood that should’ve clotted by then. Fucking poison. “Two died. I think we got to the other four in time.”
Josh waited, wide-eyed and breathing rapidly while she quickly prepared a dose of the antidote. She pulled my shirt sleeve up and injected it into my shoulder. “The wound is fresh, so the antidote should take effect pretty quickly.” Once finished, she tossed the empty syringe into a hazardous waste container, then retrieved and opened a packet of white powder directly into my wound to staunch the bleeding.
“What about—” Josh started until she politely but firmly guided him out of the room. “He’ll be fine,” I heard her say. She returned a moment later with a damp cool washcloth to dab the sweat from my face and forehead while I struggled with the pain.
“Do you want something?” she asked.
Yes. “No.” I needed to stay alert. If there’s an attack on the retreat, I’ll need to be involved.
After a while, the pain began to subside. A sudden wave of exhaustion accompanied my relief. Stay awake in case you’re needed. Just focus on … focus…
I woke up a few hours later to find Josh hovering over me like a mother hen.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
I wasn’t one hundred percent, but I was close. “Fine. The others?”
“They’ll make it. The vamps got hit as well.”
He stepped aside as I eased up into a sitting position—not without some discomfort, but it was tolerable. The wound was freshly bandaged.
“Chris got a sample of the creatures’ blood,” he announced. “Don’t ask me how.�
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I wasn’t surprised. She was a resourceful Hunter. “Did you source it?”
He scowled, frustration clouding his expression. “I took it to London. She said it’s unsourced.”
“That’s not possible.”
“It takes very strong magic to hide the source of blood. Best guess, a Tre’ase might be strong enough. If not, I don’t know what is.”
“Gloria is dead.” The only other Tre’ase in the area who could’ve disguised the blood was—
“Thaddeus,” Josh said, finishing my thought.
I slid off the bed and started for the door. As he followed me, I stopped in the doorway, leaning against the frame as I glanced over my shoulder at him. “Stay here.”
“I’m going with you,” he insisted, tensing for an argument.
“Is Sky here?” I asked. He nodded. “Stay close to her in case there’s an attack.”
“The creatures have never attacked the retreat,” he insisted, his tone tired, as if we’d had the argument a dozen times already. Or was he just tired of arguing with me in general? Try listening for a change.
“This could be the endgame,” I warned him. “No telling what will happen. Josh, stay close to Sky. I’m trusting you to keep her safe. I’ll call you if I need you.”
“Like you did before?” he snapped.
Fair enough. “I will,” I promised, then walked out to find my keys and get a change of clothes.
Someone had cleaned the blood from my SUV and parked it in the garage.
Finding Thaddeus’s home was easy. Chris had done her best to keep the location secret, but I’d recorded our journey using the map application on my phone. Retracing our previous steps, I found the dead end easily. From there, finding his house was a matter of following the trail. It seemed the farther I walked, the quieter the forest became. When I came within sight of the house, I understood why.
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