So, in order for me to get to the chamber to override the lockdown, I’ll use a trapdoor that’s in the floor of the living room and shimmy my way down a narrow tunnel that will take me outside. Then I’m supposed to crawl underneath the vehicle until I reach the back end. There, on the far right side, is a small chamber that I have to somehow make it into without being seen. Once I’m inside that, if all goes smoothly, the guys should be able to get the shield down and take off the moment I hit the override button.
A lot could go wrong. Plus, I’m going to be stuck in the compartment until they can find a safe place to land.
Awesome, right?
Yeah, not so much. But I’ve been in worse scenarios before.
Still, I can’t help wondering …
“Can’t you guys just use your magic to get us out of this?” I ask as I sit down on the floor and lower my legs into the trapdoor.
I’ve changed into a pair of black pants and a T-shirt made of a stretchy material that will allow me to blend easily, because apparently, the tunnel is going to be a tight fit, even for me.
“One use of magic directed at them, and they’ll attack us.” Asher crouches in front of me with worry in his eyes. “And if we hurt or kill any of them, we’re going to be chased and have a bounty put on our heads.”
“But you won’t if we just take off?” I question with skepticism.
Asher and East are digging through the fridge for magical supplies, but every so often, they throw a concerned look in my direction.
What I’m about to do is dangerous. I get that, which is why I can’t help wondering if there’s another way.
“There’s less likely of a chance,” Asher says, adjusting his cuffs. “Plus, we’ll have an easier time ditching them if we just take off.”
“Oh. All right then. I guess the trapdoor plan it is.” I take a deep breath and start to lower myself in, when Asher wraps his fingers around my wrist, stopping me.
“Be careful, Harlynn,” he whispers. “Don’t let them see you. And don’t get caught.”
“I won’t.” I wink at him. It’s all bravado, but I’ve got to fake it, or else I’m going to lose my shit. “I’m good at this sort of stuff.”
“I know.” He brushes his knuckles across my cheek, the worry in his eyes increasing. “Still, be careful.”
My nod is a bit shakier this time, yet I toss my nervousness aside and drop into the trapdoor before I can chicken out.
The moment I land, I have to lie down flat on my stomach just to fit in the dark tunnel. “All right, here goes nothing.” With another inhale and exhale, I army crawl inside.
I immediately tense as darkness encases me, but then my skin illuminates, the light cascading against the walls. From the magic the guys put in me, I assume.
“Holy crap, I look like a glow bug,” I mutter as I continue dragging myself down the tunnel.
The journey feels endless, knowing that the moment I reach the end, I’m going to be outside with the patrol and their hellhounds. I still haven’t come up with a way not to be seen, but I’ll assess the situation when I reach that part of the plan.
A few sprinkles of magic later, I reach the end of the tunnel. Again, I don’t give myself time to overthink what I’m about to do; instead, I hurriedly open the door and stick my head out, practically hanging upside down as I scope out the surroundings.
Below me is a strip of glassy grass and about a foot above it is the bottom of the vehicle.
Crap, it’s going to be a tight fit.
Sucking in an exhale, I wiggle out of the tunnel. The glassy grass feels bizarre underneath me as I lie flat on the ground, peering around at all the paranormals just outside the vehicle. None of them appear to be moving toward me, so I take that as a sign that I haven’t been spotted …
Yet.
No negative thoughts. You got this.
Like I did in the tunnel, I army crawl toward the back of the vehicle, stopping at the far right side. Lowering my head, I scan the area then mentally curse myself for not coming up with a plan beforehand.
There’re so many of them. And they’re so close.
Shit.
I roll behind the wheel to avoid being seen then rack my brain for all the information I’ve ever read about the Worlds Patrol.
Made up of various kinds of paranormals, they’re extremely powerful. Knowing that doesn’t help me one bit. In fact, it makes me feel even more hopeless.
Don’t give up. You can do this. Think outside the box. You’re good at that.
Outside the box. What’s outside of the box, though? I mean, I really don’t know much about the Worlds Patrol. Hell, I didn’t even realize they could own hellhounds.
Dammit.
I pound my hand against the ground in frustration and the glassy grass shatters, the dirt cracking apart.
What the hell?
I pat my palm against the ground again with a bit more force, and the same thing happens, only the cracks in the dirt are a bit bigger. Lifting my hand, I stare at my palm, searching for … well, I’m not sure what. First the glowing and now this? This has to be because of the magic the guys put in me, right?
Gods, I hope so.
Part of me wonders if these wonky gifts have something to do with the Worlds Patrol being here to arrest me. Doesn’t really matter right now, though. All that matters is escaping them. And this little gift … curse—whatever the heck it is—could help me.
Lying flat on the ground again, I crawl back toward the front of the bus. My fingers tremble as I prepare to do what I’m about to do. One wrong move, and I’ll get caught. Or worse, create a hole in the ground that I’ll fall into.
You’ve got this. You’ve got this. You’ve got this, I mentally chant to myself as I smack my palm down on the ground hard.
The glassy grass ripples and tips over like shattering dominos, and the ground begins to splinter, a giant crack zipping out and across the field in front of the bus.
“What in the worlds?” a patrol officer mutters from nearby. Then his voice grows louder. “We have a situation over here.”
And … that’s my cue.
Twisting around, I hightail it back to the rear end of the bus and peer out at the field. The patrol officers have migrated to where the shattering grass and dirt are carving a path toward the field. A smile starts to break across my face until I realize the dirt and grass have begun shattering in the opposite direction, as well, making a giant path—or should I say massive crack in the ground—straight underneath the vehicle.
The vehicle starts to wobble as the ground crumbles underneath it.
Shit. I so did not think this through all the way.
Seeing no other option, I hurry out from under the vehicle, crossing my fingers no one is looking my way. Once I straighten, I yank open the compartment, dive inside, and lock myself in. Darkness smothers me, but again, light glitters from my skin, revealing the override box just in front of me. It consists of a series of buttons, and on the bottom row in the farthest corner is a button labeled lockdown override. I push it then sit back and wait for … well, I’m not really sure. The guys never explained what would happen after I pushed the button.
“Come on, come on. Please work,” I mutter as the vehicle rocks and sways, sending me bouncing against the walls.
I hug my legs to my chest, breathing loudly, waiting for either the ground to collapse or for the patrol to yank open the compartment door. Neither of those things happen, though. Instead, the vehicle suddenly grows still.
Does that mean it worked? Did the guys get the shield down and transport us away from Shimmerland?
I almost reach over and push open the compartment door to see, but exhaustion suddenly overtakes me and my eyelids lower shut.
Chapter 15
The softest surface presses against my cheek. My entire body is so relaxed. I feel so comfortable, so content, so at peace. I feel better than I have for a long, long time. Someone is stroking my cheek, the movement almost sending
me back to dreamland. Then reality slaps me across the face.
Someone is stroking my cheek!
My eyes pop open, and I suck in a sharp inhale as I sit up. It takes several blinks to process the scene around me. The deep purple walls, a black hardwood floor, and a dome ceiling painted with glittering silver and violet stars. I’m in the bedroom East created for me. And not only that, I’m in the bed. A bed I just slept in.
“Oh, my worlds, I actually slept in a bed,” I mumble as I rub the sleepiness from my eyes. “Gods, I feel so good.”
“Thank gods you’re awake. We were getting worried about you.”
I startle, whirling around, and find Asher sitting in a chair beside the bed. He still has on the same outfit as he did earlier, but his hair is a mess, strands sticking up everywhere, and dark circles reside under his eyes.
“Hey,” he greets me with a nervous smile, his eyes drinking me in. “How are you feeling?”
“Good, I guess.” I sweep my hair out of my eyes then lift my hand to my cheek. My skin is warmer than usual. “Were you touching my face while I was asleep?”
“Maybe.” He assesses me closely. “Would it bother you if I was?”
“Yes.” I’m not even sure if I’m lying or not; my brain is such a confused mess. “Wait. How did I get here, in this bed? The last thing I remember is being in the chamber and the ground cracking apart, and then I fell asleep. Which seems sort of odd, I guess. I mean, I’ve never fallen asleep on a job before.”
“You weren’t really working for us.” Asher’s gaze never wavers from me, as if he’s searching for something. “But the reason you fell asleep probably has to do with the fact that you used your power for what I’m guessing is the first time. Unless you were lying to us about not knowing what you are. My guess is you’re just as clueless as us.”
I start to nod when his words really hit me. “Wait. I used magic?” I shake my head. “No, I don’t have magical abilities. That stuff I did—the glowing and the ground cracking—that was from the magic you guys put in me.”
Asher cautiously shakes his head as he shifts from the chair to the edge of the bed. “The magic we put in you was simply to confuse the patrol’s radar. There’s no way you could actually have used it. It was your magic that broke the ground and apparently caused some glowing. Although, I didn’t know about that until you just said it.” He starts to reach for me, but then he pulls away, swallowing hard.
The move spikes fear through my veins.
Is he afraid of me now? Do I care?
I do. I don’t even know why.
“Are you afraid of me?” I whisper. “Because of what I am?”
“We still don’t know what you are,” he clarifies. With a shaky inhale, he scoots closer to me. “And no, I’m not afraid of you. East and Arrow aren’t either.” He trails his fingers down my cheek, my jawline, the arch of my neck. “We do need to find out what you are, though.”
“But with …” I sigh, leaning away as he presses his fingers to my throbbing pulse. Despite how much my body seems to enjoy him touching me, I need some space, need to keep a clear head, need to remember why I’ve always avoided getting close to anyone. Need to remember he’s a genie.
Although, the latter doesn’t seem as important anymore. Sure, Asher can annoy the shit out of me, but I’m not certain I hate him as much as I did when we first met. Okay, maybe I don’t even hate him at all. Not even a little.
Like. Yes, that’s what this is. I like Asher like I like Jason. Like I like Easton and Arrow. That’s not a big deal. Like is fine. Love is what’s dangerous.
Asher’s brows furrow. “What’s wrong?”
I waver, wanting to keep my question to myself. But I’ve never been good at keeping my trap shut.
“It’s just that, with all the problems I’m causing you guys, why are you even bothering to find out what I am?” I hug my legs to my chest and rest my chin on my knees. “Wouldn’t it be easier to just find a different—real—human to be your thief?”
Asher cocks a brow. “You don’t want to be in the bargain anymore?”
I shake my head. “No, I want Jason to stay alive and I want to stay alive, too … It’s just that I don’t see how I can help you if I have the Worlds Patrol after me.”
“The Worlds Patrol isn’t going to find you anytime soon—we made sure of that. And you could still help us, depending on what you are.”
“But what if I can’t? What if I’m useless?” Will he cancel the bargain and strike Jason and me dead?
He drags his teeth along his bottom lip, a smirk playing at his lips. “Well, even if you can’t, you’re still not completely useless to us.”
The wicked gleam in his eyes should make me want to keep my lips zipped, but again, I stress, I’m not very good at that.
“Why?”
His smile breaks through. “Because we could always use a fun little toy to play with while we’re traveling for the tour and collecting those objects.”
Glad to see we’re back to that. Honestly, I’m kind of relieved. The serious demeanor he had when I woke up was sort of throwing me off balance.
“Good to know you’re still a mean, old genie.” I bat my eyelashes innocently at him.
He leans toward me, his eyes a thunderstorm of smoke. “And it’s good to know you’re still a smartass.” Then he picks me up and flings me over his shoulder as he strides out of the room.
“Hey, I thought we already talked about you not carrying me,” I whine. “Put me down.”
“And I thought I already made it pretty clear I’ll carry you if I want to.” He storms down the hallway, taking long, determined strides.
I growl in frustration. “Where are you even taking me?”
“To the living room.”
“Then, is it really necessary for you to carry me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I said so.”
“Oh, for the love of gods, you’re so annoying.”
“So are you.” He sets me down on the sofa then steps back, crossing his arms. “I think deep down, though, you like it.”
I roll my eyes, but he only grins.
“You know what? You’re—” I squeak as a pair of arms loop around me from behind.
I relax a smidgeon—and let me stress the smidgeon part—when East’s faerie scent touches my nostrils.
“I’m so glad you’re all right.” He leans over my shoulder to kiss my cheek then hops over the back of the sofa, landing on the cushion beside me, sitting so close he’s practically sitting on my lap.
I start to scoot away, but he slides his wing behind me and holds me in place. I give up, which might be a first for me, but I’m tired, okay?
“You were worried I wasn’t going to be okay?” I raise my brows at East.
“We weren’t sure. You were pretty out of it when we found you. And to make the ground break like that … it had to have taken a lot of power.” He stares at me in awe. “How did you do it, sweetheart?”
“I hit the ground with my palm. The first time was by accident, but when I realized what I could do, I thought it could be a good distraction.” I shrug, pretending to be all calm on the outside when really, uneasiness stirs inside my chest.
I have power. I’m not human. I cracked the ground apart with my hand. The Worlds Patrol is after me. And just a few days ago, I thought I was only a human.
How am I supposed to deal with this?
“You’ll learn to accept it. It’ll just take some time.” Asher takes a seat on the other side of me. Like Easton, he’s sitting way too close.
I grimace. “Did I say my thoughts aloud again?”
Asher grins. “You have a habit of doing that.”
“Apparently.” I sigh heavily, sinking back into the sofa. “So, what am I supposed to do now until we find out what I am? And where are we even?”
“On my old planet.” Arrow wanders out from the hallway with his hands stuffed in his pockets. He offers
me a shy smile before lowering himself onto the edge of the coffee table across from me, his knees pressing against mine.
Trapped. That’s the first word that comes to mind when I take in the situation. With Arrow in front of me, and Asher and East at my sides, it feels like I should be flipping out. Instead, I feel strangely content, as if maybe their issues with invading my personal space have finally started to not bother me so much.
“We’re on Steel?” I ask, shock ringing in my tone. “Like, right now?”
“Yes. Or, well, hovering above it.” Arrow nods at the hologram.
I turn around and my jaw about smacks my knees at the sight of a giant orb made of gadgets, steel, and liquid bronzed rotating amongst the seemingly endless stars outside.
“It’s pretty,” I whisper honestly.
“Pretty things can be dangerous,” Asher says, slipping an arm behind me. “Don’t let the flashy gadgets of Steel give you the false illusion that you’re safe, because you’re not.”
“You say that like I’m going there.” I cast a glance at the three of them. “Wait. Am I?”
They trade a wary look at each other, then Asher fixes his gaze on me while twisting a strand of my hair around his finger.
“After what happened in Shimmerland, we decided that it might be best if we stick together until we can figure out if the patrol is going to continue chasing us or put a bounty on us.”
“What if they do?” I question. “Won’t that ruin you guys’ mission to take down Asher’s father and those other corrupt paranormals you’re going after? And what about Shimmerland? We were supposed to get that rock thingy while we were there.”
“If the patrol comes after us, we’ll just have to be more careful.” East traces circles on my shoulder with the tip of his wing. “We’ll worry about that, though, after we find out if they are. For now, we need to get the steel books so we can find out what you are and what you can do. Then we’ll loop back to Shimmerland when we’re ready. While we’re here, the patrol will have a harder time tracking us down because the cyborgs make their radars a bit wonky.”
“And,” Asher adds, “after seeing you in action, we decided you might be useful if we need to sneak into any small spaces to get the steel books.”
Chasing Steel: Capturing Magic Books 1-3 Page 12
