A Stitch on Time 5

by Yolanda Sfetsos

  That’s some kind of freaky magic.

  My skin itched with the compulsion to check my pocket. I pulled out a piece of torn paper. Where the hell have you been? I haven’t been able to detect you for over an hour! It was nice to know at least one null place was able to keep the demon out of my head.

  As I gloated, a black car appeared out of nowhere. Nosedived out of the dark night with a flash of cerise, and screeched to a halt in front of me—missing me by centimeters. Though the headlights blinded me enough that I couldn’t see the driver, I was close enough to examine the impressive silver, winged hood ornament, which had the word TERRAPLANE inside a hexagon. The gleaming grille was tall and gave the vehicle a classy, yet menacing look. This sleek, obsidian car reminded me of gangster movies.

  “Get in,” said a female voice from the driver’s side.

  I considered the car for a moment—black and glossy, an old model I didn’t recognize and was obviously called Terraplane—and decided it was impressive. Burr told me there’d be a car waiting, so this had to be it. Though appear out of nowhere would have been more accurate.

  “Well, come on, we haven’t got all night.”

  I stepped around the front of the car and reached for the passenger door.

  “No one gets in the front,” the still-faceless woman said.

  The door behind the driver’s side opened. I hesitated long enough to notice the electric arcs flashing over the top of the chain-link fence. Shit. Was Mace keeping an eye on me?

  “Listen, lady, I haven’t got all night.”

  I climbed into the car and the door shut automatically. “Sorry.”

  “Yeah, whatever, this isn’t my only pickup tonight.”

  “Do you know where I’m going?”

  She pointed at the dash and I peered over the leather seat to find a small screen embedded into the center console. My address flashed on the GPS. “We’re going to West Serene Hills. I’ll get you there in a jiffy.” The woman peered over the seat and frowned. “But I’m not going anywhere until you’re buckled in.”

  I stared at her long enough to notice she was pretty, with chin-length black hair, pale skin, and the most penetrating violet eyes I’d ever seen. She narrowed them, waiting for me to buckle up. I sighed, put the seatbelt on and she didn’t skip a beat. The car shot forward so fast my head whiplashed against the seat. No wonder she insisted I wear a seatbelt.

  The car was speeding away, but she was observing me.

  “So, do you work for the Tailors?” I asked.

  She swiveled to face the windshield and I sighed in relief.

  “Sometimes I do.” She peeked into the rearview mirror, her eyes were heavily lined in black and her lipstick was a very dark shade of purple. The fact her hair was in a bob with straight bangs across her forehead reminded me of Goths, or someone out of the 1920s.

  “My name’s Sierra—”

  “I know who you are. You’d have to be stupid not to know who you are in this city, or quite possibly this country.” She rolled her eyes.

  “And your name is?”

  “Diana Celeste.”

  “Nice name.” I looked out the window and noticed we’d gone a lot farther than I expected. I could’ve sworn we’d only been on the road for a few minutes but were now a few streets away from my house. “You know a few shortcuts, huh?” I’d lived in this suburb all of my life and knew just about every shortcut there was, enough to realize she wasn’t travelling conventional roads. I could get used to having someone drive me around. Hadn’t I wished for a driver only yesterday?

  “I know my way around,” Diana said, before stopping at a red light and glancing into the rearview mirror. “Shit.”

  I swiveled enough to peek out the slender back window but didn’t notice anything strange, only spotted several headlights in the distance. “What’s wrong?”

  “This is why I hate to travel conventional roads.” She took off before the lights switched to green, barely avoiding oncoming traffic. “We’re being followed.”

  “We are?” How could she tell with so many headlights behind us?

  “Yeah, we are. Of course, I’m not surprised. Burr warned me about how precious my cargo would be tonight.” She took a hard right, meeting my gaze in the mirror. “I didn’t realize someone would strike so quickly.”

  I held onto the door as the tires screeched when she took another turn, sideswiping a station wagon. Diana wasn’t paying close attention to road rules and I still had no idea how she knew we were being followed.

  “Hold on tight,” she called a second before hitting the brakes so hard the seatbelt across my chest and stomach felt like iron hands.

  “Why are we stopping?”

  “We have no choice.” She pointed a black-polished finger out the windshield.

  “What the fuck?” A small car was parked in the middle of the road, blocking our path. Seconds later, the headlights from another vehicle flooded the backseat. “What’s going on?” I knew who owned the car in front, but the other one was a mystery.

  “I take it you know this woman?”

  I nodded. Maya was practically hanging out the window as she glared into the car with her golden-colored eyes. “Come out, come out, wherever you are,” she taunted, waving her blanket of hair away from her beautiful face.

  The car behind smacked into us, pushing the vehicle forward and causing Diana to curse like a sailor. “That’s going to leave a scratch and I hate leaving my baby at the panel beaters.”

  I reached for the handle but nothing happened.

  “What’re you doing?” Diana asked, eyes narrowed and menacing as she turned to glare at me.

  “They’re trying to draw me out, so I’m going to get out of the car.” I didn’t want any more innocents hurt because of me. Besides, this was my chance to confront the Lamia.

  “Are you crazy? You can’t go out there!”

  “This has nothing to do with you. I don’t want you to get caught in the crossfire.”

  “This has everything to do with me, and these amateurs aren’t going to get the best of us.” Her eyes flashed pink and although I knew this was a witchy trait because my own grandfather could do the same, it struck me as different. Similar to what I could do. “I promised Burr I would get you home safely, and that’s exactly what I intend to do.” A small Hecate’s Wheel appeared in the middle of her forehead, glowing like a pink third eye. A black Doberman materialized in the passenger seat. “Call the others,” she said to the dog.

  The dog’s brown eyes turned my way and I didn’t miss the pink pupils. It started howling. The canine’s call continued even when the car was rammed a second time—hard enough that the Terraplane’s hood smashed into the passenger side of Maya’s stationary vehicle.

  “Damn these assholes.” Diana’s fingers were curved around the steering wheel and the car was in gear. She appeared poised to take off, but I didn’t see how we could while sandwiched between two cars.

  The sound of doors opening filled the quiet night, and I watched Maya step out of her shitbox. We were on my street, which was suddenly deserted. I hated the idea of these assholes being so close to home, but the protection barrier would keep my family safe. They weren’t going to get their hands on anyone but me.

  “Sierra Fox, there’s nowhere left to run!” a male voice I didn’t recognize called from outside the vehicle. “It’s time to face your destiny.”

  “Don’t listen to them. Your destiny doesn’t lie at the hands of these morons,” Diana said above the dog’s howling. “You can stop calling. They’re here!” She patted the back of the Doberman’s head and the mournful cry stopped abruptly.

  I looked out the windshield and noticed the night was rippling, as if it were moving towards us. I blinked, and it wasn’t until the swarm was closer that I realized it was actually a group of black dogs—in all shapes and s
izes and breeds—heading right for us. No, they were heading for the morons outside.

  “Get back in the car!” the man yelled, followed by the sound of several slamming doors.

  The dogs leaped over Maya’s car, ignoring her and our vehicle. Instead, the pink-eyed swarm engulfed the one that had rammed us, like a savage black-furred storm. The canines were everywhere—barking, growling, snapping their jaws and scratching their paws against the windows. Trying to get whoever was hiding inside the car.

  “Right, now we can keep going,” Diana muttered as she slammed her foot onto the accelerator and rammed Maya’s shitty car several inches. The small car’s tires squealed, and as Maya attempted to get out of the way, the Terraplane’s mounting power sent the vehicle spinning into the closest lamppost. The Goth driver barreled past like it was nothing, before speeding down the road so fast my house came into view instantly. “Sierra Fox, you’re home.”

  She wasn’t slowing down. “Aren’t you going to stop?”

  “No, I can’t afford to. I’ve got another load of passengers already waiting. I’m afraid you’re going to have to drop and roll.”

  “What?”

  “Are you ready?”

  “No!” What was I getting ready for? The answer came when the door beside me opened and all I could see was the speeding gravel.

  “See you some other time,” Diana called. “I’m positive we’ll meet again.”

  I didn’t even have a second to wonder what she meant before her Doberman vaulted into the backseat and started barking. I scooted along the seat to put some distance between myself and those big teeth, the whole time trying to convince myself I’d outgrown the stupid fear of black dogs Mauricio had instilled in me.

  When I ran out of seat all thoughts of strange drivers and vicious dogs dissipated, because I was seconds from hitting the road. What was it Diana had said—drop and roll? I was going to do something better. I willed my dark patch to appear and when my butt hit the ground, it wasn’t gravel I landed on. I lay back on the soft surface, enjoying my triumph instead of letting the fact that Maya and some other dudes were still at the top of the street.

  Thank you, Burr. Had he known this would happen? Of course he did. Otherwise, why would he bother to teach me this neat trick tonight of all nights? Was this new ability a consequence of coming into my power? Then again, I did get him and his kin back to their land.

  “Sierra, what the hell’s going on?”

  I sat up and nearly rammed my head into Saul’s face. He was leaning over me, even though the dark patch remained active. “Oh, it’s you.” He might be good, but he was still a demon.

  “Why’s it so dark all of a sudden?” Papan stood behind Saul, peering around. The demon was glaring at me, waiting for a response.

  Seeing Papan made my control quiver, until the darkness collapsed around us to reveal we were on my front lawn. One of Saul’s vans was parked in the driveway, and the lights in the house were on.

  “Fox?” Papan looked confused but still held out a hand. “Where did you come from?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You dropped out of nowhere,” he said.

  “Didn’t you guys see the car that dropped me off?” I took Papan’s offered hand and got to my feet. I didn’t fight when he pulled me in for a hug and kissed me.

  “There was no car,” he said.

  I pulled out of Papan’s embrace long enough to meet Saul’s blue eyes. He dipped his chin but didn’t say anything. I took that as a cue not to say any more about the mysterious Terraplane and its driver. “Never mind. Did you guys just get home?”

  “Yeah,” Papan said. “It’s been a tough night.”

  I studied him and he seemed pale, worn at the edges. Whatever he’d had to deal with tonight had been too much too soon after waking from a coma.

  “I think I need a drink,” I said, because I really did. After what Gareth and I found at the Council, saving the trapped spirits who turned out to be the Tailors, finding out the awful truth about Mace, and then the surreal drive home… Yeah, a cold drink was the only thing that would help me forget what happened with Maya & Friends.

  Even after my resolve to deal with the Obscurus head-on and my determination to get out of the car to confront them, would I have done it? I couldn’t lie about being happy it hadn’t come to a clash tonight. As ready as I was for a fight, there were other things I needed to do first. Starting with helping the imprisoned catchers, and dealing with the spook energy beneath the Tower.

  But first, I needed to get that drink. “Hey, you guys need some alcoholic relief?”

  “After what we’ve been through tonight, yeah we do.” Papan squeezed my hand as we headed for the front door. The street was deserted, so at least Diana’s dogs had done a good job at getting rid of the freaks.

  “Did you guys meet with the other members of the pack?”

  Papan shook his head. “Nah, it was worse. We had to deal with paperwork!”

  I decided not to ask any more. I knew he was dealing with his father’s will. When we reached the front door, I turned to find Saul standing in the yard. “Aren’t you coming?”

  He shook his head. “You guys go ahead.” Saul was staring at the road. “I’ve got to head home. I’m meeting Lavie.”

  “Are you two going hunting again?” I teased.

  “I’ll speak to you tomorrow, Jason,” he said, ignoring my question. “I know it’s Sunday, but you need to deal with your outstanding cases. Don’t risk ruining your reputation.”

  Papan snorted. “Yeah, yeah, being in a coma is a real career killer.”

  I watched Saul closely for a moment but he avoided my eyes and instead headed for his van. “Good night,” I whispered, and then yawned.

  “See ya.” He climbed inside and backed out of the driveway, tires squealing as if he was in a rush.

  I watched until I couldn’t see the car anymore. What was he hiding?

  “Is everything all right?” Papan asked when we reached the house.

  “Yep, everything’s fine.” As I closed the front door, I could’ve sworn I saw a herd of black dogs running past the house. The unmistakable sensation of receiving one of Saul’s notes itched at the back of my left hand, but I ignored it while Papan was in the hallway.

  “You go and sit down, and I’ll get the drinks.”

  “Thanks, Papan.” As I made my way towards the couch, I pulled the scrap paper from my pocket and read it.

  Those dogs didn’t belong to Diana, they belong to Hecate.

  Chapter Eight

  “This is it.” I stared at my reflection in the gilded full-length mirror. I was about to put on a hell of a birthday show. Excitement coursed through my body, making me hum with anticipation.

  Papan had woken early and I’d planned to drop him off at our office block when Saul rocked up and insisted he needed to chat with Papan about something important. That was a few hours ago.

  The demon was acting strange, but I had a feeling he knew all about my plans and was actually helping in his own weird way. That they were sorting out Hugo Papan’s will and testament, plus had plenty of pack business to deal with, provided a good cover. At least Papan had a close friend by his side while dealing with the legal issues. I was thankful to Saul for that because last week, Papan hadn’t wanted anything to do with Hugo’s responsibilities.

  His father had left him everything—including the role of pack alpha. With so many wolves now dead and their homes destroyed, I couldn’t help but wonder what Papan would do after the dust settled and my problems were dealt with.

  No point fretting about it now. Not when I felt refreshed after soaking in the bath long enough to soothe my weary body and spice up the scent of my skin. I’d noticed several bruises from being thrown by Burr, but they weren’t an issue. Besides, Papan wouldn’t be focusing on bruises this mor
ning.

  While soaking in the bath, I’d decided to handle the influx of information by letting everything stew in the back of my brain.

  I smiled at myself in the mirror as I twisted my hair into a tight bun and tucked it into the fedora. The classic double-breasted trench coat fit well, highlighting my curves and showing just enough leg to entice a man—especially one with this particular fantasy. I’d debated lingerie, but since he’d wanted me in just a coat…I decided to forfeit it.

  Besides, as soon as we were done, I could head downstairs to my office, where I’d stashed underwear, a bra, jeans and a sweater just for this occasion. I was prepared.

  “You’re going to knock his socks off,” I whispered. I was also going without my blades and gun. It seemed like a stupid move after what happened the night before, but I wanted to forget about everything and everyone for a few hours.

  This morning I was going to deliver a very special birthday gift to my wolf.

  I slipped my feet into a pair of red stiletto heels, which matched my lipstick. I wasn’t much for makeup but today I’d applied eye shadow, mascara and eyeliner—enough to make my eyes appear smokier than usual.

  The butterflies in my stomach urged me forward. I tiptoed downstairs and into the hallway, careful to avoid Willow and Oren—who were chatting in the kitchen. I slipped out the front door and rushed to my car, surveying the street. No suspicious vehicles parked where they shouldn’t be, no black dogs watching from the shadows, and certainly no Goth girl waiting at the curb. Maybe everyone was sleeping in.

  I jumped behind the wheel of my Fairlane and left the house for raunchier pastures.

  As I suspected, none of the other people with offices inside the blocky, brick building were working today so I found a great parking spot out front. The entrance was closed but unlocked. I let myself in and wandered past what used to be Benita’s accountant office. The To-Lease sign pasted on the door, as well as the windows facing the street had been there for months.