Becka felt like she was facing down a mighty House Oak warrior, knowing she was outgunned and outmaneuvered by their respective positions. When she glanced toward Quinn, his defeated expression undid Becka. That sour sensation in her stomach twisted and turned, as if there was somewhere it could escape to.
“You’re not going to like what I’m going to say,” Elowen said. “It’s clear now that Becka’s presence has escalated this situation to a boiling point.”
Becka clenched her hands at her sides. “So what do we do? Mimir won’t stop.”
Elowen arched a single brow. “We have a limited period of time before we lose you. The second Duchess Rowan hears about this she’ll recall you home. Plus, if you were to get hurt on my watch, House Rowan would press the Enforcer’s Bureau for compensation.”
Elowen’s words hit her like a whip. Quinn stood stock still beside her, and Becka couldn’t get a read off him. Her hands were shaking, and she alternated between shaking her hands and clenching them to distract from the tension.
Despite the danger, she didn’t want to go. Who would prioritize saving Aunt Lydia, an ungifted fae, in Becka’s absence? And she couldn’t leave Quinn to continue on without her. Not that he wouldn’t manage, but she just… her heart ached at the thought of being separated from him.
“But if we don’t get Mimir, she’ll just keep on coming. And killing,” Becka said. “Please, what do you want us to do?”
“We’re low on options,” Elowen said, and then shook her head. “No, we’re out of options. I’m already under intense pressure from the mayor because things are dragging out, time and visibility-wise, like they have.”
“What are your orders?” Quinn asked.
Elowen gave them the once over, as if debating her next words. “The enforcers will continue to narrow down her location. The team has identified a handful of locations which we’ve placed under surveillance. We’re poised to move on them at the first sign of a positive sighting for Gullet or any other suspicious persons. We will find her, and we will stop her. But quietly, without the focus of the entire city coming down on us. Without you two on our team.”
Becka shook her head. “You can’t—”
Elowen held up a hand, cutting her off. “Don’t talk. Listen.” When Becka closed her mouth, the chief continued. “Quinn, I warned you we might get to this point.”
“You can expect me to file a formal complaint,” Quinn said, his voice grating past his clenched jaw.
Witnessing Quinn’s anger, Becka almost didn’t want to know what they’d discussed.
“I don’t need you to agree with me, I need you to force Mimir to make her move. I’m calling off your guards and formally placing Quinn on leave. With any luck, Mimir will hear you’re vulnerable and strike.”
Becka balled her fists and took a step closer to Elowen. “You’d hand me over to her?” she said, the pitch of her voice carrying farther than she’d intended.”
Elowen leaned in closer, until they were almost nose to nose. “That’s how bait works, Becka. But I do appreciate your visibly genuine display of anger in this public setting.”
Her response gave Becka pause. Elowen’s backup plan was to use her as bait, and Quinn knew she’d wanted to? “But she might kill us.”
“I have a city to protect, Becka, and right now you’re the best option to draw out the Shadow-Dwellers.” Elowen turned to Quinn. “Isn’t it about time you storm off?”
Quinn placed his hand on her elbow. “We should go.”
He’s giving in? But then what alternative did Quinn have up against the chief’s orders? As she digested the conversation, the thrill of actually being able to do something took hold.
Sure, it was something that might get her killed, but at least it was action.
Becka nodded to Quinn, and they started to walk off. After a couple of steps, she turned back and looked Elowen in the eye. “I hope you can live with yourself!” she said, deliberately loud.
Elowen frowned, and then turned and stormed back off towards the crime scene. For a moment Becka watched her go.
Becka moved closer to Quinn, who was silent as he walked beside her. Was he angry? Sad? She couldn’t tell.
“What’s the plan?”
When he spoke, his voice was pitched low. “We’ll discuss when we’re in private. Make no mistake, your life is in grave danger. This is no boon she’s offered.”
In an instant, everything changed. Emotions washed over Becka. She felt like she’d just gotten used to her new routine. Her hopes of working at the institute, despite the panel being disappointing. Her delight in the exploration of her Null gift with clients. Her affection for her community of odd but fantastic friends. Her love for Aunt Lydia, who was still missing, perhaps even dead. Most of all, her developing relationship with Quinn.
All overshadowed by a queenpin named Mimir.
Quinn’s hand moved to the small of her back as he led her toward the parking lot where they’d left his car. “We’ll stop by your townhome and pick up your things.”
“Why can’t we just stay at the townhome?” Becka stammered.
“We could, but do you want to place anyone else near you in danger?” he asked.
His words stung, but when he glanced down at Becka, she knew he didn’t mean to be hurtful, just direct. “No. Of course not. So where?”
“My apartment? Unless you have a better idea?”
Becka’s stomach fluttered at the prospect. “How have I not seen it yet?”
The corner of his lip curled. “You never asked.”
Chapter 25
Quinn tapped the autopilot and pushed the console away, turning toward her.
“We only have ten minutes until we reach the townhome. Tell me all about this plan,” Becka asked, crossing her arms. “And then tell me why you didn’t tell me about it.”
“Elowen is throwing you to the sharks, and your focus is on not hearing about her ‘plan’ sooner?”
She arched a brow. “Even so.”
Quinn ran a hand through his hair. “When we initially arrived back in town, Elowen spoke with me about her misgivings on the investigation, especially when it came to optics. The last thing the fae need are humans knowing there’s a criminal organization run by fae in the underbelly of their city. She allowed me a fair amount of leeway on how things were run, but also warned me that she was predisposed to using you as a lure to draw Mimir out if and when the Shadow-Dwellers escalated things.”
Becka thought back to every anti-fae protest she’d seen on campus. “If humans knew there was a war going on in the shadows, they might force fae out.”
“That’s the worry. We’ve worked so hard to get to the uneasy peace we have today, but that could all change in an instant.”
Becka tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “You could have told me what she had in mind.”
“If I had, the Becka Rowan I know would have run headlong into danger to save everyone else. I needed to see if the less-risky approach could work.”
She rolled her eyes. “That’s a solid burn, but you know I’ve been trying to think things through more. I even took Caeda and Saige with me the last time I did something semi-reckless.”
He chuckled. “True, and for which I’m grateful.”
“But, people have died since we got back. If I’d…”
“I don’t mean to sound callous, but you’ve seen the charts. Shadow-Dwellers have been killing fae well before you arrived on the scene.”
Becka fought the tears welling in her eyes. “I don’t have to like it, Quinn. All I worry about is who she’ll hurt next to get to me. Or who else I’ll hurt because I could have done more.”
“No, you don’t have to like it. But Elowen is right. Your presence in the city has driven escalating behavior from Mimir, and as a consequence, we’re closer to catching the Shadow-Dwellers than ever before. You heard her say they’ve narrowed down the locations to their den.”
“But Mimir will likely keep
displaying her murders visibly, and there’s no guarantee any of those places pans out,” Becka snapped back.
The sadness in Quinn’s gaze stilled Becka’s ire, and she crossed her arms again, holding her midsection tight. “I’m sorry, Quinn. I’m angry at Mimir and afraid for Lydia and Hanna, but I shouldn’t take it out on you.”
“You’re forgiven. It’s hard to be your best self under this level of stress.”
Becka nodded, wiping tears from her face. “So while Elowen keeps the investigation quieter, what do we do? What’s her plan, specifically?”
Quinn’s expression turned grim. “The plan now is we get captured.”
Becka waited for the punchline, anxiety gripping her stomach. But Quinn didn’t say more, and the silence hung in the air between them as she processed his words.
“So, literal bait. Once they have us, what then?”
“Then the enforcers will know their location.”
“How?” Becka asked, right as the vehicle pulled up to the townhome and parked. Everything felt like it was moving too fast, but Becka didn’t know how to stop this train wreck of a day.
“I’ll explain more later. Let’s get your things.” He got out of the car and came around to her side, opening the door. Since they’d be right back and she didn’t want anything more to carry, Becka left her bag in the car, taking Quinn’s proffered hand to help stand, as she felt suddenly a bit wobbly on her feet. Walking to the door, Quinn moved his hand to the small of her back again, and she relished the comfort in his touch.
Quinn unlocked the door, and Becka experienced a moment of confusion. “Wait, I know we left Andre back at Zander’s murder scene, but where are the house guards?”
Quinn shook his head in disgust as he ushered her into the house. “Elowen said she’d pull them. Damn her efficiency.”
“I have to admit, it feels a little cold.” Becka walked in and her head began throbbing. “My head hurts,” she said, and they shared a meaningful look.
That was quick.
At least she wouldn’t be walking around anxiously anticipating the Shadow-Dwellers’ attack. But tell that to my spiking adrenaline.
“Can I get you anything?” he asked, shutting the front door behind them.
The moment the door closed, fae and humans appeared all around them as the illusions hiding them fell away. Becka whipped around, trying to shake off the two human men who’d appeared out of nowhere to descend upon her, grabbing and holding her by the arms. She let loose her Null gift, unleashing it against them, but it had no effect. They weren’t fae using magic against her, just their brawny human strength.
Becka watched as Quinn fought off his own assailants. One was already flat on the floor as Quinn grappled with two more, while another three moved in to engage.
The assailants easily overwhelmed Quinn and Becka, with no backup in sight.
Becka screamed and kicked, but the brawlers held firm, pulling her back toward the stairs. Even knowing they wanted to be captured, Becka couldn’t help but resist with all of her being. She unleashed her powers on them, to no effect. She tried the wrist breaks she’d been taught in self-defense class, and managed to free one arm, which she promptly used to jab her fingers into the goon’s throat on her right.
Satisfaction washed over her as he grasped at his throat, gasping for air, but then another man stepped in, grabbing her free arm and robbing her of the brief win.
Quinn’s attackers pulled out what looked like batons, the ends crackling with lightning-like power. He avoided several slashes, but in the tight quarters, and with three of them on one, eventually one hit his arm. Quinn gurgled in pain, a frosty sheen spreading like wildfire across his flesh and clothing. When it reached his throat, he clutched at his skin, gasping for breath.
“No!” Becka cried out, but the goons only gripped her tighter.
The magic-infused batons might have stolen Quinn’s air, yet he didn’t fall. So, his attackers hit Quinn again, and again, fresh layers of frost flushing over his body, knocking him to his knees. Breathless, he roared silently at his attackers, who stood ready to strike him again.
Desperate, Becka tried to direct her power toward his attackers, imagining it flowing like a whirlwind funnel headed straight for the one closest to her. Try as she might, the ruffian was too far away for her to reach with her magic. Becka shifted focus to his weapon, with no better results.
After months of training to keep her power bottled up, she didn’t have the focus or strength to push it some ten feet away from her. Assuming that could even be done? Something she swore to figure out if she lived through this debacle.
A whooshing noise preceded a portal opening up in her living room, through which a perfectly coiffed Mimir strode through on blood-red heels, her expression filled with the calm assurance of one who had already won. She arrived just in time to watch Quinn topple to the floor.
“Oh look, you’re home,” Mimir said to her. “How lovely. Lucky for me, even an Oak warrior needs air to breathe. Boys, take him to his cell.”
Becka flailed against the men holding her arms. “You can’t have him. I won’t let you.”
Two of the bruisers picked up Quinn, one grasping under his arms, the other grabbing his feet. His head rolled back, limp in unconsciousness.
“You’re going to stop me? How?”
Becka wanted to slap her self-satisfied smirk off her face, or demand Quinn’s immediate release, but then she remembered they wanted to be captured. Becka settled down, relaxing against her jailers.
“That’s what I thought,” Mimir said. She approached Quinn, running her hand across the inside of his arm, like a healer might. Then she stopped, a triumphant smile on her face. Mimir produced a small blade from a sheath at her belt, jabbed it into Quinn’s forearm, and then dug around with the blade. A few moments later, she pulled out a small capsule, which she crushed between her fingers.
That sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach felt like it hit bedrock. So much for the enforcers being able to track them.
“And we’re good to go,” Mimir said, flashing Becka an insane smile, as if digging around in someone’s arm was something she did every day.
Maybe it was.
Becka watched the men carry Quinn through the portal and realized she would do whatever Mimir demanded to save him.
“Is he dead?” Becka asked, hating to hear the tremble in her own voice.
“Your enforcer hulk? No, he’s got the constitution of an ox. He’ll be fine, at least for now.”
Becka took a deep breath, raising her chin in defiance. “I suppose you’re going to drag me through next?”
“Drag you? I’d never dream of it, Becka. Besides, if you wanted to, you could just use your power and fizzle it out. I recognize that for you to use this portal, you have to do so willingly and carefully. I hear you’ve gained quite a bit of finesse with your power, so I think you’re up to the challenge.”
“You’ve abducted Quinn to force my hand?”
“No, not just your precious Quinn. I have your Aunty Lydia too.”
Becka’s heart leapt at the mention of Lydia’s name, but the pronouncement wasn’t a surprise. “Is she all right?”
Mimir held up a hand, wobbling it in the air. “She’s unhappy with the cooking, but alright at the moment. Oh, and I almost forgot, I also have that not exactly a friend of yours, Hanna Hawthorne.”
Becka thought back to after the Taylor contract when she’d lost sight of Hanna on the street. Despite the enforcers’ efforts, Hanna hadn’t been located and was assumed abducted by Mimir. “Why would you take Hanna? She’s harmless and she hates me.”
“Well, we certainly agree on both those points. But I picked her because you owe her a debt. Your entire house owes her house a debt because you destroyed her power. From what I know about you, your dynamic with Hanna is a gold mine of guilt, and I’m all too happy to extract it for my gains.”
Becka slumped. She would have gone through for any of them
, even Hanna, but knowing Mimir held three lives over her head was almost too much to bear.
“What do you want me to do, Mimir?”
“I figured, with the right motivation, that I’d get through to you. I’ve been clear all along, Becka. I need you to come to me. Willingly.”
Of course Becka would give in, even knowing Mimir had removed the tracker. What else could she do? “If I don’t?”
Mimir rolled her eyes. “Everyone dies. Except you. Obviously. Then I’d have to find others close to you, kidnap them, and start this entire process all over again. Wash, rinse, repeat.”
Becka shook her head and sighed, believing Mimir meant every word. “If I do come willingly, then what? Do you let all of them go?”
A melodic laugh rolled out of Mimir. “Well, no, do I look like an idiot? Of course not.”
“I don’t understand. Why do you expect me to come if it won’t save them?”
“Because I’ll grant you the opportunity to earn their release.”
Becka flashed back to the time she’d first encountered a Shadow-Dweller who’d planned to drink her to death, then to the image of the fae strung up in Mimir’s den. Would that be her next?
What alternative did she have? She wasn’t about to let any of them die for her.
“Okay,” Becka replied. “Let’s go.”
“Let her go,” Mimir instructed her goons. “You can go,” she added, and they disappeared through the portal. Mimir walked over to it, pausing before walking through. “Don’t delay, it’ll only stay open another minute.”
When she disappeared, Becka ran to the kitchen and jotted down a note, hoping Saige or Hamish would find it.
Quinn and Becka are abducted by Mimir via the portal. She has Lydia and Hanna Hawthorne too. Find us at the den.
She left it in the middle of the kitchen table, then ran back over to the swirling opening. Becka steeled her nerves and then stepped through the portal.
Shadow Underground: A Romantic Urban Fantasy Murder Mystery (The Shadow Series Book 3) Page 21
