by T. G. Ayer
“I will get you your keys, but you will have to wait. There is someone whose life is in danger. And I need to save her now.”
Nathaniel chuckled. “What kind of friend are you? What do you think Drake would say about this?”
“I know exactly what Drake would have to say about this. He would want me to go and save the girl.” I crossed my fingers and hoped that was true. My stomach clenched. What would I do if that wasn’t what Drake really wanted? I put the thought out of my head. I had to believe that Drake would agree with me. He knew how important Samantha’s life was.
“Very well.” Nathaniel’s eyes gleamed. “I will wait. But don’t make me wait too long. Or your friend here will meet with a convenient accident and when you return, you will need a broom to sweep up his remains.”
Fear pooled in my gut, solid and painful. But I refused to let him see it. “Don’t you worry about it. I will be back soon. And if you so much as damage a hair on Drake’s head, I promise you that I will make you pay.”
Nathaniel laughed. “I’m not afraid of you, little girl.” Then he glanced back behind me. “Do what you have to do and get back here fast. Don’t play any games with me. You will not like the price for failure.”
I didn’t answer. Just looked down at the bowl of blood and prayed it would not come back to bite me. I glanced up; Nathaniel looked pretty proud of himself. “Let’s get on with it. How about you hold up your end of the bargain. I’ve given you my blood. Now can I please have the spell?”
Nathaniel’s smile faltered. He gritted his teeth and raised an eyebrow at me. “Very well.” He headed to a set of shelves against the far wall and rummaged amongst the bottles and books. At last, he returned with a brass dish. He placed it on the table and poured a third of the blood I had donated into it. I raised an eyebrow in challenge, but he wasn’t looking. I was surprised he was going to actually use my blood for the spell.
He took the brass dish and walked around the desk to an open space beside it. A large pentagram was carved into the stone floor. Again, I was surprised to find that he used normal magic. But it shouldn’t have surprised me. All magic was magic to begin with. It was the user’s decision to go dark or light.
Nathaniel placed the brass bowl at the center of the pentagram and stood back.
He raised his hands and began to chant, the sound echoing ominously around the room, making the hairs on the back of my neck rise.
Bright blue flames began to flicker along the outer circle of the pentagram. Nathaniel chanted louder and the flames grew stronger and higher. Perspiration dotted his forehead. It seemed the magic was taking its toll on his body.
At last, his voice dropped to a low murmur. He hung his head back as if staring at the ceiling, but his eyes saw nothing. They were blank. They rolled back into his eye sockets, the whites of his eyes gleaming.
He remained that way, so still I began to get scared. How dangerous was this spell of his anyway? Suddenly his head snapped forward and a bright blue flame streamed out from the ball of blood. I flinched, but managed to stay in place, staring at my blood, now burning with blue fire.
The flame rose higher, almost as tall as Nathaniel. He still remained in his trance. I couldn’t take my eyes off the strange fire. It was a good thing I didn’t, as I would’ve missed the shadows.
They roiled from each corner of the pentagram, whirling in the air. The dark streaks coiled around and around, as if reaching for each other. Nathaniel’s chanting grew louder. And I shivered.
The shadows met in the center of the pentagram, directly above my burning blood. They coiled into each other, forming a solid column of blackness that flew toward the bowl of blood on the ground.
I tensed, expecting an explosion, but nothing happened. The pillar of shadow just streamed into the center of the fire in the bowl, straight into the blood. The deep red liquid began to swirl into a whirlpool, spiraling until the middle of the liquid fell, sinking deeper into the bowl.
The shadow sped toward the depression and disappeared into the blood. As I watched, darkness seeped into the red, spinning and eddying. Streaks of black and red mingled ominously with each other, mixing and blending until red faded to utter darkness and all I saw was a bowl of churning black goop.
I shuddered. That’s what happens when SoulTracker blood mixes with necromancer magic.
Nathaniel fell silent and as his voice faded, so did the flames. They danced, rising and falling until they grew smaller and smaller. I breathed in, tensed for what would happen next.
Nathaniel took a step forward and the column of shadows fell straight into the bowl, snuffing out the blue flames, which disappeared in a puff of white smoke, leaving behind the burning bowl.
He picked up the bowl, headed straight for his desk and set it on the table, then rummaged around amongst the shattered and broken remains of tubes, decanters, and metal stands. He finally emerged with three small tubes, each with a screw-top lid topped with a metal loop.
He glanced up at me as if to make sure I was still there. But I had no intention of leaving without my spell.
I waited as he used a small ladle to dispense some of the spelled blood into the three vials. He screwed the lids back on firmly, then held the tubes in his hand, staring at them intently.
What was he doing? More dead mojo, or was he having second thoughts?
My fingers itched to grab my knife but I waited. Nathaniel already had the upper hand. I doubted he would be so stupid, especially since he wanted me to do something for him.
He raised his eyes and stared at me. And smiled, his expression cold steel. Then he held out his hand, the three vials glinting, the black sludgy liquid inside gleaming, unmoving. For a moment, I was afraid to take them. The thought of touching Nathaniel’s skin made me want to shudder. But I controlled myself and reached for them. They were the key to freeing Samantha.
That was all the incentive I needed.
But I needn’t have worried about touching Nathaniel. When I reached out, he held them out so I had to cup my palm to receive them. He dropped the vials into my hand and moved back. Seemed he also had issues with touching me.
Feeling’s mutual, you bastard.
I gripped the tubes in my hand, a shiver running up and down my spine. I held dark magic in the palm of my hand, dark magic created with my own blood. Nathaniel’s voice broke through my thoughts. “I have given you three. You should only need one to destroy the circle, but I have given you more just in case.”
I nodded. I was grateful he had thought of it, but I wasn’t about to bow to him in gratitude. “Anything else I should know?” He frowned. “Like how I’m supposed to use this in the first place?”
I had no idea if I was supposed to smear the substance on me or the floor or if I was supposed to drink the damned thing. Did Nathaniel really think I knew? Or was he playing with me, wanting me to ask questions every step of the way?
He cleared his throat, giving me a thin smile. “Drop the blood on the outer circle and allow it to penetrate the magic until the ward is broken. The magic will not harm you, whether you are inside or outside the circle. Whatever you are planning to do, just be quick about it.”
“Why? Does the power of the magic fade?”
“No. Of course not.” Nathaniel’s jaw hardened and he drew both his hands into tight fists. Someone was sensitive. “I was only advising you to get in and out as fast as possible. People who would use dark magic to cast a spell like you described will not take it lightly when they sense their ward is broken.”
“How will they sense it?” I asked, frowning.
Nathaniel smiled. “Are you not able to sense any attempt at penetrating a ward set for you? Perhaps one set for your vehicle or your home?” His tone was so suggestive I did a double take. Did he somehow know my home was warded? He chuckled, picking up a decanter half filled with an orange liquid. He swirled the liquid around and studied it as it spun. “What did you think, Ms. Morgan? That I wouldn’t know that the chances are ve
ry high that someone in your profession would ensure she is protected while she sleeps?”
I scanned his face, my gut saying he knew more than he was telling me. He knew about my ability to jump, so it stood to reason he’d had me checked out. Or maybe he’d tried to enter my home and found out the hard way it was warded. Natasha’s protection wards packed a punch. I hid a smile and decided from his tone it was most likely the latter. “Anything else?” I asked, eager to get going.
He shook his head. “You have everything you need. And don’t take too long or I may get bored and decide to play break the statue and stick it back together.”
From the gleam in his eye I suspected that was exactly what he would do. When he waved at the door, I moved to leave, then twisted to look at Drake still hovering a good five feet off the ground.
How do you say goodbye to a man turned to stone? I stared at him, trying to tell him “I’m sorry” with my eyes. Trying to assure him I would be back for him as soon as physically possible.
Then I turned and hurried to the door without giving Nathaniel a backward glance.
Chapter 17
Mel
I tugged open the car door and dropped into the driver’s seat, turning my purple stone around in my hand. I’d seen it sitting on the bottom stair where Drake had left it. Slipping the chain over my neck, I centered the stone on my chest and patted it, blinking away the tears that burned behind my eyes.
All my emotions were rising to the surface, bubbling over now that I was out of Nathaniel’s house. I shuddered and slammed my fists into the steering wheel. I didn’t care that it hurt, didn’t care that it wouldn’t help any.
I just hit it as hard as I could as hot tears filled my eyes and overflowed. I’d gotten Drake into this situation, and now I’d left him there at the mercy of the necromancer he’d warned me not to visit. Would he ever forgive me? I sniffed, wiping the tears away with the back of my hand. I guess I would have to save his ass to find out. I would be happy to face the music then.
Right now, I had to get moving and bring Samantha home.
I started the car and drove off down Nathaniel’s drive, spitting gravel as I went. The sound of it spurred my anger at the sorcerer for holding Drake ransom. I’d walked right into a trap, only Nathaniel hadn’t even known I was coming.
I sped home, not caring a hoot for speed limits, my mind focused on Drake and on dark magic.
After taking a long shower that failed to remove the traces of Nathaniel’s vileness, I set about packing my bag for my trip to the demon plane. I planned to get some rest and then be on my way.
Now that I had the spell, I didn’t have a single reason to waste any more time. And with Drake waiting, I had all the more reason to hurry. Bag packed, I switched off all the lights and was about to head upstairs when a loud explosion rocked the wards around the house.
I probed the magical protection, just the way Natasha had taught me, and found a spot that must have been weakened by the explosion. With the darkness for cover, I went to the windows and peered through a crack in the drapes.
The windows looked out onto a small grassy lawn that was currently overtaken by a variety of weeds. And was also currently occupied by a body.
I gasped as I recognized the familiar curve of a cheekbone and the shock of inky black hair.
Saleem.
I glanced up and down the street and found it surprisingly clear—nobody drawing their weapons, nobody running away from the scene. Saleem remained unmoving on the grass and I made the decision on the fly.
No way was I going to leave him lying there. What if he was dead? I shuddered as I unlocked the door and raced down the steps. I scrambled across the grass and fell to my knees at his side. He was completely still and didn’t appear to be breathing.
I touched the side of his face and cupped his cheek. His stubble prickled against my skin and shivers of heat ran through me. I let go and sat back.
What the hell was going on with me?
The man could be dead and I was all hot for him? Shaking those thoughts out of my head, I scanned Saleem’s body again. I lifted his chin and bent close to his mouth, hoping to feel the warmth of air on my cheek or to hear the soft sound of breath to confirm he still lived.
Nothing.
For a moment, I wondered if mouth-to-mouth would work on an unconscious djinn, then dismissed the idea. I needed to get him inside. The street remained dark, and no neighbors’ curtains twitched. I decided to take the chance.
I grabbed hold of him and jumped straight into my sitting room. Leaving him on the floor, I went to close the front door, quickly rechecking the ward. It was thin where it had been damaged but still strong enough to prevent penetration. When I returned to the room, I came to a shocked standstill. Saleem was sitting upright where I’d left him, a dazed look in his eyes. He studied the room as if he was wondering how he got there.
When I entered, he stared at me, shocked. “You jumped me?” he asked, his eyes wide with disbelief.
I nodded, then smiled. “Well, depends on what you mean.”
He gave a rueful grin and rubbed his head. “As much as I would have liked you to jump my bones, I think we both know that’s not happening. At least not tonight.”
I folded my arms and raised an eyebrow at him. “Yes, I jumped. I had to. Your life was in danger. Or rather, it appeared your life was in danger.” He seemed to be feeling much better for someone who appeared dead only moments ago. “What the hell happened to you?”
He shrugged, giving me a grin that looked a little too sheepish for my liking. “I had a bit of an accident.”
“Accident?” I frowned, then remembered the explosion and the damage to my wards. “Did you try to penetrate my wards?”
“Unfortunately, yes. Guilty as charged.” He heaved himself up to his feet and dusted himself off. What? Did he think my house was dirty or something? I gritted my teeth but could not force myself to be angry with him.
“So what the hell is it that you want? And why is Fulbright trying to enter my home without my permission?”
“Fulbright is not involved.”
“Oh, so it’s you who wanted to enter my property without a warrant?”
“I don’t need a warrant.”
“What?”
He held out his hands and grinned. “No, what I meant was I’m not here on official police business. I came to ask you for your help.”
“And I’m supposed to swallow that story?” I glared at him, furious with him, but my breath hitched as I studied his sexy grin and his long locks. Man, was he too good-looking for my health.
He shrugged. “I’m being honest with you. I need your help. That’s the beginning and the end of it.”
“What does your detective friend think of this?”
Saleem shook his head. His jaw tightened and his eyes hardened to black coals. “Fulbright knows nothing of my decision to speak to you.”
So, the djinn was not a fan of his partner. “So what are you doing with him anyway?”
“Omega had him on its radar for delving too close to paranormal business. He’s asked one too many wrong questions. They think he is too much of a loose cannon, and someone up there probably got tired of him investigating you. Now that he has his attention on Samuel, this thing will only escalate. So I am here to keep an eye on him.”
I snorted. “So Omega is covering its ass?”
He nodded. “That’s part of it. There is something going on with all these recent disappearances. And they were clear that it’s not anything to do with you. It’s Fulbright who’s causing a stir; that’s what’s got Omega in a shitstorm.”
I considered what Saleem had just said. So Omega had its eye on Fulbright. I made a mental note to get Steph to dig up a little bit more information on Omega’s interest in the kidnappings.
For now, my gaze narrowed on the djinn’s face. “So what do you want with me?” I asked, and then flushed when his eyebrows raised and his lips curved into a sexy grin.
He scratched the back of his head. “I’m here because I’m looking for someone. And I need your help to find her.”
Her? My first thought was who was this woman? And who was she to Saleem? Annoyed, I tried to tamp down the twinge of jealousy that rose within me. I had no right to be jealous. He wasn’t even anyone I knew. One conversation does not a relationship make. Add that to the fact he was Omega, and it meant I should stay far, far away from him.
I hesitated. Clearly, he needed my help to find someone. I wasn’t in the habit of saying no to people who needed my help. “Okay, I would need some details. Who is the missing person? Where was she last seen? How long has she been gone?” Saleem’s features relaxed and he looked relieved. “I have to warn you, I’m on a case right now. So, although I am happy to help, you’ll have to wait until after I am done with this job.”
He nodded. “Of course, I understand that. She’s been gone so long. I suppose one more day, or even one more week, wouldn’t make much of a difference.”
His face darkened and took on an expression of such sadness that I felt tears burn at the back of my eyes. I wanted to comfort him, but I didn’t move. I just waited for him to speak, giving him all the time he needed.
He took a deep breath and continued, “My mother disappeared two years ago. It’s not something that makes any sense. She had a lot of responsibilities. So it’s not as if she would have just up and left. Omega looked into it for me, but came up with nothing. In all the time that I’ve been working for Omega, they have been searching for my mother. And still they haven’t found her.”
I raised my eyebrows. So this was what he wanted to talk about. “Are they sending out the right people to look for her?”
“I’m not sure what they’ve been doing. Every time I ask them, they assure me they are doing the best they can to find her.”
