by Liz Schulte
I awoke with a crushing pain in my skull and pressed my hand to my head. I forced my eyes open to look at the sticky red substance covering my hand. The room spun, and I retched to the side of my chair. I wasn’t tied down though. After several deep, gasping breaths I stumbled toward the door, but I ran into an invisible wall. I looked at the floor. A circle had been painted beneath me. I felt for my phone before remembering I didn’t have pockets and had left it at home. Shit.
“There’s no way out,” Grandma said.
“You have to let me go,” I told her. “I’m trying to save a life.”
“And I’m saving hundreds, maybe thousands.”
“Call Cheney. Talk to him.”
“He’s blind to you. I have no doubt he’s convinced himself that you didn’t kill your parents, but I know the truth.”
“Gah! I can’t talk to you. You are killing three people tonight.”
“The young witch was not my responsibility. She was yours. That death is on you. I have nothing against Cheney, but he should’ve known better than to bind himself to you.”
I tried to use my power to throw her across the room, but it bounced back and hit me, knocking me into the invisible wall. I crumbled to the floor and stayed in a heap, struggling to think past the anger. There had to be a way out of here. As I was on the verge of giving up, it came to me. I took a deep breath and willed myself to transport, hoping she hadn’t accounted for the fact that, despite her binding, I had managed to regain some of my elf abilities.
Unfortunately she had. “Damn it!” I yelled.
“Mind your tongue, Lene,” she said, turning back to the sink with the bowl and my sachet in her hand.
Without a second thought, I released every ounce of energy I had. The entire house shuddered and shifted. Grandma clung to the counter and the foundation began to tremble. Her circle was powerful enough to prevent small attacks but it couldn’t withstand the larger force. The windows exploded inward in a shower of glass shards and a three-inch wide crack zigzagged across the kitchen floor, slitting my magical prison in half.
Edith—I couldn’t call her Grandma anymore—gasped when I appeared beside her. I snatched my blood-soaked sachet from the counter and walked away. “We’ll talk again later,” I said. Then I transported to the hospital.
The girls were still in the emergency room and Jessica was awake. They were huddled together, whispering when I walked in “You okay?” I asked Jess.
They all looked up at me. Leslie’s hand shot up and covered her mouth.
“Selene,” Katrina hissed, standing up and pushing me down into her seat. “You can’t walk around looking like this.”
“What?” I looked down at myself and saw what she meant. I was covered in blood and had the bloody bag clutched in my hand like a heart.
Katrina dug around in her purse until she found a plastic bag. I put the sachet into it, and she shoved it in her purse.
“Is she . . . you know?” Leslie said.
I shook my head and Leslie gasped. Maybe I didn’t understand the question. “Is she what?” I asked, pressing my fingers to my temples, my head still throbbing.
“Your grandma. Is she okay?” she asked in a hushed tone.
I groaned. “She’s fine. This is mostly my blood.” I leaned forward until my head rested on my knees. A nurse rushed over to me and tried to get me to sit in a wheelchair. “No, no. We’re not here for me. You need to check her.”
“Selene, go with her,” Jessica said. “I’m fine.”
I shook my head. “No time.”
“Don’t make me call Cheney,” Kat said.
Jessica gave Leslie a look and she stood up. “I’ll come back with you.”
Leslie and I headed back. I sat on the bed and waited for a doctor. “Seriously, I’ll be okay. We have to go.”
“You’re bleeding all over and look terrible. Let them look at you.” She perched her hands on her hips. “What happened?”
“We can’t talk about it here.”
The doctor walked in while Leslie was filling out the clipboard for me. “So what do we have here?” he asked.
“I fell and hit my head,” I said, frowning at Leslie again for dragging me back here.
He asked me a ton of questions about how I fell and what I was feeling. I tried to answer them without getting impatient. “Well, let’s take a look,” he eventually said, coming closer.
His fingers parted the gooey mess of hair and parted it again in another spot. “Nasty gash,” he muttered. “Did you lose consciousness?”
“No,” I lied. There definitely wasn’t time for CT scans.
An hour and a handful of stitches later we were finally leaving. We transported back to the castle. “I need to find wood from an ash tree and sage. I’ll meet you guys in the garden,” I told them and headed in the opposite direction, looking for a guard who might be able to help me. I asked the first couple I came across, but they had no idea where in the castle I could find what I was looking for. I stumbled up to my room, dizzy and weak. I didn’t think I could transport anywhere. I found my phone and called Cheney, but he didn’t answer. I dialed Sy and explained what I needed. He said he’d get it and meet me.
On the way back to the garden, I ran into Sebastian. “Where’s Cheney?” I asked.
“What happened to you?” He took me by the arm, propping me up.
I sighed. “Edith happened. Where’s Cheney?”
“Haven’t seen him. I thought he was with you.”
Everything in me stopped. “No. He was supposed to be with you today.”
Sebastian nodded. “I know. We were on our way to meet with the Sehkmet bounty hunter and he said he changed his mind. He needed to help you with your grandmother. So I went on my own and he came to you.”
I shook my head. “No, he didn’t make it.” Maybe he was working on the council business.
“Maybe you just missed one another,” Sebastian said, concern coloring his face. “Honestly, Selene, you don’t look good. I think you need to rest.”
“No,” I nearly shouted. “I have to break the curse.”
“So your grandma did set it?”
“She wouldn’t come out and admit it, but I know she did.” I started walking again. “I have to finish this.”
Sebastian helped me down to the garden where Sy and the girls waited—flirting and laughing. Sebastian mumbled something under his breath that had the distinct tone of jealousy. If it hadn’t felt like my head had taken up residence in a nutcracker, I would’ve laughed.
“Selene,” Sy said when he saw me. “What happened?” He rushed to my side.
“She got her ass handed to her by an old lady,” Jessica said with a snicker.
I flipped her off and brushed the guys away. “Stop fussing. I look worse than I am.” As the last word left my lips, another wave of nausea washed over me. I rushed to the bushes, heaving.
I wiped my mouth on Cheney’s ruined shirt sleeve and went back to the group watching me like I might keel over any minute. “Let’s do this.”
Sy and Leslie made a campfire and dropped in the sage. Katrina pulled out the plastic bag and handed it to me. “Does anyone have a knife?” I asked.
Sebastian handed me a thin, wicked looking dagger. I sliced my palm and squeezed it over the opening of the bag. When the sachet was glistening again, I pulled it out and tossed it in the fire. It crackled, sizzled, and popped, making the flames turn different colors. Then, with a poof, the fire snuffed itself out.
“Is that it?” Sebastian asked.
“Were you supposed to say anything,” Katrina asked.
“Nope, that’s it,” I said.
“Do you feel any different?” Sy asked.
I shook my head.
“Do you remember anything new?” Jessica tried.
I didn’t. Everything was the same.
“Maybe it takes a while to kick in,” Leslie said and I nodded, knowing that wasn’t the case.
“It’s not going
to work, guys.” Grandma hadn’t cursed me. Someone else did and she knew who it was, but Toinette said I only had one chance. I slumped to the ground, tears streaming down my cheeks. I failed. I couldn’t break the curse. I couldn’t find Devin.
The girls surrounded me, telling me it would be fine. It would all work out. We just needed to find another away. I snapped. “Will you just leave me alone?” I bellowed. “It isn’t going to be fine. Devin is dead. I’m probably next and with me goes Cheney. Hopefully I die before I go on some angry killing rampage and hurt all of you. Go home. You don’t belong here.”
I stood up and stalked toward the maze.
“Don’t give up,” Sy called after me.
I turned around and threw up my arms. “It’s hopeless. Now is the perfect time to give up. Take them home, Sy. Once I’m gone they’ll be safe anyway.”
I didn’t make it far before Sy fell into step with me. “Go away.”
“No.” He put his arm over my shoulder. “We’ll go back to that priestess and get another one of those pouch thingies.”
“She said I only had one chance.”
“Well, she’s never known you. I’ve never seen one person get more chances in life than you, coz. This is a hurdle, not a mountain.”
“Okay, let’s say I do get another sachet. Then what?” I looked at him. “Edith won’t tell me who cast the spell, and I have no hope of finding the person before the harvest moon.”
“We’ll make her talk.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Are you seriously suggesting I torture my grandmother?”
He laughed. “Selene, there are more ways than one to make someone talk. You’re friends with a jinn—an impressively powerful one.”
“I don’t think Holden’s going to grant me any wishes.”
“Holden has methods—nonviolent ones—for making people tell him their deepest, darkest secrets. And if that doesn’t work, we can always send in Olivia. Don’t underestimate either of them. They pack a one-two punch that the Abyss probably isn’t ready for.”
“And yet they couldn’t find Michael or Devin.”
He shrugged. “Finding someone and working someone who is already found are two completely different things. I’m just saying you have resources available to you. It would be absurd to give up now.”
“Who’s giving up?” Cheney’s voice came from behind us and my heart leapt.
I turned, already feeling stronger with him there. “No one.”
He smiled. “I didn’t think so.”
I went to him and he wrapped his arms around me while I rested my head on his shoulder.
“You know, I never understood what the two of you possibly saw in one another.”
“It’s not the time, Sy,” I said.
“But I think I understand why it works now,” he continued, ignoring me. “You bring out the best in each other. She’s less moody with you—”
Cheney laughed. “You mean she gets more moody when I’m not here? How did you survive her so long?”
“Years and years of practice.” Sy winked at me. “And she makes you tolerable.”
I shook my head. “Thank you for your analysis.”
“Anytime. It’s probably a good thing you aren’t coming back to the bar—no room for you anyway.”
I let go of Cheney and stood on my tiptoes to kiss Sy’s cheek. “Thank you for everything.”
“I’ll get Baker to take us back tomorrow.” He gave me a quick hug and disappeared.
“Looks like you need to catch me up again.” Cheney led us to a bench where I told him all about Edith and our ruined chances of removing the curse.
Worry lines creased the edges of his mouth. “We’ll get another sachet and your grandmother will talk. I don’t care what lengths we have to go.”
“She also said you came back that night when I was seven and told her I killed my parents.”
He took my hands. “I absolutely did no such thing.”
“Well, you’re never going to convince her of that.”
“But you believe me?”
I nodded. I did.
“My friends hate me now.”
He chuckled softly, and goose bumps washed over my skin. “None of them left. They went back to their rooms. They understand.” His hand went under my hair to the back of my neck and immediately I started feeling better. I pulled away. “No healing. It shortens your life.”
“I’m not going to sit here with you in pain. It doesn’t shorten it enough to matter.” He tugged me back to him.
“Where were you today?”
“I checked your grandma’s house, but you weren’t there. Then I met with some council members.”
“I tried to call you.”
He nodded. “I didn’t want to interrupt our meeting.”
“I’m glad you’re here now.” I bit my lip to keep it from trembling.
“We’ll stay together tomorrow. I promise.”
Cheney and I met Baker, Femi, Holden, and Olivia at the Office the next morning. Olivia smiled when we walked through the door holding hands and elbowed Holden. “I told you so.”
He rolled his eyes. “That doesn’t prove anything.”
Cheney gave me a questioning look, but I didn’t know what they were talking about either. “I told you not to rush into breaking the bond. I knew you could work things out,” Olivia said, hugging me in greeting.
I smiled and was about to thank her when Cheney spoke. “Oh, we’re still breaking the bond.”
Olivia looked from me to him, her eyes worried, and Holden elbowed her, a slight smile twitching his lips.
“Let’s get this show on the road.” Femi boosted herself up to sit on the bar.
“Off that bar,” Sy said before she even landed.
I watched with mild interest, but inside I was reeling. Cheney wanted to break the bond. He’d been acting so strange the last couple days, and pieces began to fall together. He was leaving me.
Femi slid back to her feet. “Okay, I think we have a lead on your friend.”
“Really?” All thought of my love life vanished. “Where?”
It surprised me when Olivia stepped forward. “I’m not sure where exactly, but I have it narrowed down. Wherever she is, she’s surrounded by very strong magic. I can’t quite hone in on her.” Olivia’s eyes rolled up and she rocked back slightly, tilting her head as if listening to something. Then she went back to normal and pulled a little sheet of paper out of her jeans pocket.
“These are the locations I think are most likely.” She had at least twenty addresses listed. “Baker and Holden helped me track them down. They all have a strong natural magic, which would help mask her location.”
“Have you gone to any of them?” Cheney asked.
“No. We just finished the list. I wanted to let Selene know we’re working on it.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“Cheney can have elves check these locations,” Sy said. “I think Selene needs your help with something else.”
Everyone looked at me. “Well, I need help getting my grandmother, Edith, to tell me who cursed me.”
Holden laughed. “Your grandma? What has happened to my life?”
“Of course we’ll help,” Olivia said.
“Great.” I let out a breath. “And Baker, can you take us back to see Toinette?”
“I sure can, baby, but I wouldn’t recommend it.”
“They don’t have a choice, Baker,” Sy said.
He started to say something else, but Holden cut him off. “Just do it.”
Baker rubbed his eyelid. “Fine. Don’t say I didn’t warn ya.”
“Okay, cool. Thanks.” I tried to swallow the nervousness bubbling up in my throat. “So Cheney and I will go with Baker to see Toinette, and Sy can work with Sebastian to organize the search for Devin. Once I have another sachet, I will call you, Olivia and Holden, to help with Edith.”
Everyone nodded but Cheney. He pressed his lips together. “May I speak with you for
a moment?”
I followed him off to the side. “What’s wrong?”
He sighed. “We don’t want to involve the elves in this.”
“Why not?”
“Because we still don’t know who took her or what they know. Your secret could be exposed.” He gave me a meaningful look.
“But—”
“We’ll find her. Why don’t you go with Baker and Femi, and I’ll call Sebastian, and those of us who can transport will start looking.”
I nodded. “What if Toinette won’t give me another sachet?”
He kissed my forehead. “You’re very persuasive. I have every confidence you’ll get it.”
We told everyone the new plan. They agreed, and moments later Baker, Femi, and I were back in New Orleans, but unfortunately the laundromat was closed.
“You wouldn’t happen to know where she lives, would you?” I asked, eyeing the dark storefront. We could probably break in pretty easily. All I needed was one personal item of hers.
“Don’t look so worried, doll. We’ll go door to door. That’s why we have dogs.”
“What dogs?”
Baker laughed and started walking to the first house. “Feet,” Femi clarified. “I personally think he talks like that because he likes to confuse people.”
“You know, if we broke in and grabbed something of hers, this could go a lot faster.”
Femi shrugged. “I have no problem with that plan. These boots were not made for walking.” I looked down at her feet. Her black boots laced up the front and sported three-inch heels of some sort of metal that was amazingly silent when she walked. “They were actually made for ass-kicking, special order.” She gave me a Cheshire grin. “Hey, Baker, hold up.”
She jogged up to him and I hustled to keep up. “Why don’t we break in and let Hermione do her thing.”
“What’s that, kitten?”
