The Angel's Vow: A New Adult Urban Fantasy Series (Bloodcaster Chronicles Book 2)

by R. L. Perez

  My blood chilled as I recognized the vibrant purple hair. It was Piper.

  23

  Vince

  I said nothing as I Jumped Luke, Benny, and me back to Luke’s house. A steely rage had taken over my shock and horror from earlier. Now, all I felt was the bloodthirsty desire to rip apart Cora’s father.

  But first, I had to find him.

  I’d expected Hector to take off as soon as we’d left. But, to my surprise, he stood there, waiting in the yard where we’d left him, his arms crossed and his expression grim.

  I dropped Luke and Benny’s arms and strode toward Hector, fury coursing through my veins and making me see red. In a flash, crimson smoke pooled from my fingertips. I snatched Hector by the collar and lifted him high in the air. Behind me, Luke shouted something, but I ignored him.

  “Where is she?” I roared, my arms quivering with anger. “Tell me!”

  Hector’s eyes grew wide. He shook his head. “I don’t know. I swear.”

  “I don’t believe you!”

  “Vince!” Benny shouted.

  Footsteps echoed behind me. A swell of power flared within me. My wings prickled. A jet of red magic exploded from my wings, and a sharp grunt told me someone had fallen over.

  Deep down, a small part of me marveled over the fact that my wings had just cast magic. And I was curious whether it was Benny or Luke who I’d just attacked.

  But my gaze remained fixed on Hector, whose face had drained of color, and I thought of nothing else but hurting him. Ending him.

  “You knew she would be taken,” I hissed. “You knew we would be too late. So, where is she?”

  “Vince, I’m on your side,” Hector choked.

  I growled, lifting him higher, my hold on him tightening. Hector’s face turned purple.

  “Vince, stop!” Luke shouted.

  “You really think he’s not playing a part in this?” I snarled without looking away from Hector. “He knows. And I’m not letting go until he tells me.”

  “You’re choking him,” Benny said. “If you kill him, he can’t tell us anything!”

  I was so full of rage, so raw and brutal it was all I felt, that I didn’t want to listen. Didn’t want to submit to logic right now. My magic coiled within me, ready to strike, to tear Hector limb from limb . . .

  Something heavy slammed into me, and I released Hector. A force pushed me to the ground, pinning me in place.

  It was Luke. He hovered over me, his eyes dark with an intensity I’d never seen before. I struggled against him, but then his fingertips pressed against my temples, and I went still.

  I was on the lacrosse field again, but instead of standing there with my crosse and my gear, I was wrestling with Luke—as if he’d Jumped us to the field.

  “Easy, Vince, relax!” he shouted, still grappling with my arms as I tried to free myself. “This isn’t going to solve anything! You won’t get her back by killing Hector.”

  A feral roar tore from my throat as I shoved Luke off me. But when I rose to my feet, we were still on the field. Whirling to face him, I said, “Take us back.”

  “Not until you chill the hell out.”

  I stomped closer to him. “Luke, I swear to Lilith‍—‍”

  “What? You’ll kill me?” Luke crossed his arms. “We’re on my turf now. I’d like to see you try.”

  I faltered, glancing uneasily around the field. My turf, he’d said. What would happen if I tried to attack him here? This place wasn’t real. I assumed it was in my mind or his. I didn’t want to think about it. We were wasting precious time.

  “Hector knew Quentin would be there,” I croaked. “He knew Cora would be kidnapped.”

  “That doesn’t mean he’s working with Quentin. Think about it, Vince. Why would he be waiting for us at my place if he was involved in this?”

  I stilled. The logical part of my brain that I’d pushed away now resonated with agreement. But my fury still pushed back. “You expect me to just trust him?”

  “Of course not. But he’s not the enemy right now. You can settle the score with him later. There are more important things. Like finding Cora.”

  I huffed several angry breaths before the redness at the edge of my vision slowly vanished. My heart rate steadied, and I looked at Luke as if seeing him for the first time.

  I inhaled, regret burning within me. “I—sorry, Luke.” Grimacing, I rubbed the back of my neck. “I just‍—‍”

  “He took your girl, man. I get it.”

  Knots of fear and anguish twisted through my stomach. What horrors was Quentin subjecting Cora to?

  No, I thought, shaking my head. Cora was strong. She’d get out of this. I remembered her when we were imprisoned by Damien. She’d found a way out then. She could do it again.

  Even so, Quentin was a Bloodcaster. I had to help her. He was powerful enough to take out Reapers. I didn’t want to think about what he had in store for Cora.

  “Look, we outnumber Hector three to one,” Luke said. “Let’s just hear what he has to say. If you don’t like it, I give you permission to kick his ass.”

  I snorted in spite of the situation. My humor faded as I scrutinized Luke—the tightness of his jaw, the hardness in his eyes. “You work with Hector now?”

  A stiff nod. “Not by choice.” The venom in his voice surprised me.

  “What do you think of him? As a Timekeeper?”

  Luke exhaled as if something in him deflated. “He’s got the Call. I’ve seen it firsthand. I can’t deny he’s got what it takes to do the job. I just think he’s a pompous dick, that’s all.”

  Again, I choked out a laugh. “But . . . is he dangerous?”

  “For the timeline? No. But that’s all the Timekeepers care about. Now, would he turn you over to a coven of demons for his own benefit?” Luke shrugged. “Possibly.”

  “And this Call wouldn’t stop him from doing that?”

  “No.”

  So, what Luke was saying was that Hector could very well be luring us into a trap—that he could be behind Cora’s abduction.

  And the Timekeepers wouldn’t care. The bastards.

  “Why does everything have to be so damn one-sided?” I growled, running a hand through my hair. “With the Nephilim and Reapers, it’s all-or-nothing. Your magic is the only thing that matters. Everyone else be damned. And you Timekeepers are just as bad! As long as it doesn’t affect the precious timeline, then you could be a serial killer for all they care.” I huffed a sigh. “Why can’t people actually care about other things? Other people? These groups, clans, covens—they all believe the world revolves around them. That they’re the only ones that matter. It’s idiotic! There are other people in this world! Why the hell doesn’t anyone else care?” My voice rose with each word until I was practically shouting.

  Luke simply watched me, his expression calm but guarded. I exhaled deeply, realizing I was wasting time. But with my rant came a release of tension in my chest. I’d been repressing this anger and frustration for too long.

  But something in Luke’s face told me he already knew this.

  “You good now?” he asked. It wasn’t snarky; it was genuine. He knew I had to get it out of my system.

  I nodded. “Yeah. Let’s go back.”

  I blinked, and we were back in the yard, standing in front of Hector and Benny. I expected Benny to demand where we’d been, but his gaze was intense, the wolf hair still thick on his arms. Hector was rubbing his neck, his face still slightly purple. As if I’d been choking him only seconds ago.

  I shared a glance with Luke. He shook his head slightly. Somehow, even though our conversation had lasted several minutes, we were only gone for the blink of an eye.

  I crossed my arms, leveling a glare at Hector. “Okay. Talk. Tell us what you know.”

  I felt Benny’s bewildered gaze, and I knew what he was thinking. My anger was gone. I was completely different from the guy he’d seen moments ago.

  Hector was suspicious too. His eyes narrowed
as he glanced between Luke and me. Then, understanding flickered in his eyes.

  He was a Timekeeper, after all. He knew all about whatever crazy magic had come over Luke and me.

  “How did you know Quentin would be at Cora’s apartment?” I asked, my voice slow and deliberate. My blood pulsed with urgency, knowing every second we delayed was another second of pain for Cora.

  “I saw it on the timeline,” Hector said in a raspy voice, still massaging his neck.

  I frowned. “What the hell does that mean?”

  Hector sighed as if I were some four-year-old who wouldn’t stop pestering him with questions. His exasperation made me clench my fingers into fists, remembering all the garbage I’d put up with from him in the Nephilim clan.

  “Certain events jump out at us from the timeline,” Hector said. “Events that shouldn’t be there. That need to be corrected.”

  “And . . . Quentin showing up at Cora’s place wasn’t supposed to happen?” I asked, my brow furrowing.

  Hector nodded. “Ever since he got his Reaper abilities, he’s been sending up all kinds of red flags. He has unauthorized power. Any Reaper who hasn’t pledged a vow is violating the laws of the timeline.”

  My stomach twisted. “What are the Timekeepers doing about it?”

  “That’s why I came to see you. They’re not doing anything.”

  My eyes widened, and rage flared within me once more. “Why not? You just said‍—‍”

  “My superior’s hands are tied,” Hector said in a tight voice. His eyes flashed, betraying his disappointment. “Quentin has powerful allies. Hunting him down would start a war between his people and the Timekeepers. To my superior, the threat isn’t worth it.”

  “You’re just going to let him run around, doing whatever he wants?” I roared.

  “Easy, Vince,” Luke muttered.

  “I’m doing no such thing,” Hector snapped. “But I don’t have the authority to send the Timekeepers to war with Quentin Cox. All I have are my own powers . . . and you three.”

  Silence fell between us as Benny, Luke, and I shared an uncertain glance.

  “What’s in it for you?” Benny said in a sharp voice. Long claws protruded from his fingers. He looked like he was seconds away from tearing out Hector’s throat. “I find it hard to believe you’re here to preserve the timeline.” He spat the last word.

  Hector’s nostrils flared as he took an angry step toward Benny. “You have no idea what it’s like, to have the Call coursing violently through you, to have it whisper things in your mind that you can’t ignore. It’s different for everyone, but what this one”—he jabbed a finger at me—“did to me bound me permanently to the timeline. I hear it. See it. Feel it constantly. It’s a living thing in my head. Like a ghost haunting me for the rest of my life.” He broke off with a shudder, and a slither of ice crept into my chest. “I have to silence the voice. I have to correct this, or I’ll go mad. My head can’t take it.” His face turned ashen, and he shook his head.

  A conflict of emotions warred within me. Doubt because I knew Hector. He didn’t do anything unless it directly benefited him. Shock at his description of the timeline as a living entity—and the small part of me that resonated with the idea that there was some innate instinct to preserve the laws of time.

  And, surprisingly, sympathy. Despite what he’d done, the idea of Hector going insane from the voices in his head made me strangely sad.

  “I don’t buy it,” Benny said flatly.

  Fire burned in Hector’s gaze, and he lifted his chin. “I’ll sign a blood contract.”

  I stiffened, and Benny’s eyebrows lifted. Though I’d been a light caster most of my life, I knew blood magic was dangerous and not to be trifled with. Only the darkest of demons practiced it.

  But as Benny stared hard at Hector, deliberating, I knew we had no choice. We wouldn’t trust Hector unless he swore by his blood to assist us.

  And we were running out of time.

  “Do it,” I said quickly before Benny could respond.

  Benny’s yellow eyes flashed to me before he nodded. In his eyes, I saw the same desperation I felt. He cared about Cora too. The thought made my stomach twist with jealousy, but right now, Benny and I had the same goal.

  Benny lifted his hand and wiggled his long, clawed fingers. His eyes glittered with malice as he stepped closer to Hector. “First, I’ll need your blood.”

  24

  Cora

  Feeling ridiculous, I brandished the small table higher, ready to slam it into Piper’s face if I had to.

  Piper’s hands flew up. “Wait, hold on! I’m not here to hurt you!”

  “Liar,” I snarled, advancing toward her.

  “I swear, I swear!” she shrieked, her arms shaking. “We’re sisters, Cora. I won’t hurt you.”

  I froze. My blood turned to ice in my veins. Sisters? It couldn’t be true.

  Piper took advantage of my hesitation, her dark eyes widening as she slowly lowered her hands. A small gash oozed blood on her forehead from when I’d hit her with the table. “Quentin is my father too.”

  Doubt mingled with disgust inside me as I considered her words. If she was telling the truth, then I pitied her. I was messed up enough, having grown up without Quentin in my life. But Piper? Had she been raised by him? Raised by a monster?

  “And your mother?” I asked in a low voice.

  “Dead. He sacrificed her. She wasn’t a Bloodcaster. He wanted to see if he could carry on the bloodline with a normal dark witch.” Piper lifted her chin. “It didn’t work.”

  “So, why are you still alive?” I snapped, my eyes narrowing. My gaze slid to the open door at the top of the stairs as if expecting Quentin to burst in and shout, Surprise!

  “He needs me to do his dirty work for him. He—he’s holding my aunt hostage. Using her as leverage.” Her voice broke, and she swallowed. “He’ll kill her if I don’t obey him.”

  Something within me softened, but only a fraction. I knew what it felt like to be strong-armed by someone who should have your back.

  Even so. She stole from me. I kept the table gripped tightly in my hands, though my arms now throbbed from holding it for so long. “You infiltrated my coven,” I said softly. “You manipulated my people and stole money from me. Why should I trust a thing you say?”

  “Because—because I didn’t know what he would do to you.” Piper’s eyes shone with tears. “I swear it, Cora. I was listening when he was down here earlier, and‍—‍” She broke off with a strangled sob. “I’m so sorry.”

  I stared at her. Emotion and concern swirled inside me, but I kept my face impassively smooth. “I still don’t believe you. Won’t he kill your aunt if he finds out you’ve helped me?”

  Piper’s expression cleared, her eyes glinting with determination. “I trust you to keep her safe more than I trust him not to hurt her.”

  I continued to scrutinize her, searching her face for the telltale sign of a lie. Grief and regret swam in her eyes, but there was a fire in her gaze I recognized in myself. Hurt, betrayal, an aching loneliness . . . It was like looking into a mirror.

  Quentin had hurt her. Badly. I didn’t know the full extent of it, but I could read the trauma in Piper’s eyes. Perhaps she’d always longed for him to become a proper father figure. I shuddered to think what kind of harm he could have inflicted on her over the years.

  The emotion within me warred with common sense until my heart won over.

  “I can’t promise to save your aunt,” I said.

  “I know that,” she said quickly. “But . . . you’ll try, won’t you?”

  I nodded and set the table down.

  Piper’s face softened in relief, but I jabbed a finger toward her.

  “Cross me, and I’ll kill you,” I hissed.

  To my surprise, she grinned back at me, her nose slightly red. “I’m counting on it.”

  I glanced up the stairs. “Is he here?”

  “No. He went to grab takeout, but he
’ll be back any minute.”

  Takeout. The idea seemed absurdly ordinary, given the fact he had his daughter chained up in the basement.

  “He’s probably got wards around the place,” I said, raising a questioning eyebrow at her.

  “He does.”

  “Can you disable them?”

  “No. It requires his blood.”

  I shot her a flat look that said, Duh.

  She sighed. “Bloodcaster blood.”

  My eyes widened. Could it really be that easy? My jaw ticked back and forth as I contemplated this. Even if my blood did unlock the wards, I had no doubt Quentin would somehow sense when they were disabled. How fast could he get back once he knew? Would his Reaper powers give him supernatural speed? Or did he have a Jumping elixir on him?

  My head was reeling, and I took a deep breath to steady my nerves. I can do this. I looked at Piper. “You got a phone?”

  She shook her head. “He has a landline, but it’s scrambled. Won’t work unless he’s here.”

  Something hardened within me. Piper was practically a prisoner here like me. She might be free to roam, but she couldn’t get out or call anyone.

  With no phone, I couldn’t reach Vince or Benny. No one knew I was here, and I couldn’t Jump. Once we got out, the clock would start ticking. If Quentin caught us, we were done.

  If I had more time, I would’ve tried to rummage through Quentin’s ingredients to make my own Jumping potion. But he could be back any second.

  “Come on.” I grabbed Piper’s arm and dragged her upstairs. A bright light momentarily blinded me when we exited the basement. As my eyes adjusted, I made out an eerily clean kitchen, the countertops and floors spotless and gleaming from the sunlight streaming in through the windows.

  Squinting, I peered out the window. Quentin’s backyard faced another neighbor’s yard. Beyond that, I made out what looked like a cul-de-sac.

  I led Piper toward the backdoor, pausing before reaching for the doorknob. Magic prickled against my skin, and a faint warbling sound thrummed from the door. I flicked the edge of the knob, testing it.