“Aric,” I muttered, falling to my knees and rolling to my side next to the fire. “It’s Aric.”
“What’s Aric?” Helen was alarmed. “Is he … ?”
“He’s hurt,” I gritted out, struggling to my feet and forcing a grim smile for Sami’s benefit. “He’s alive. But he’s hurt.”
“Where?” Paris asked. “Can you sense him?”
Ever since my pregnancy I’d been able to share memories and dreams with Aric. That evolved into little games during the day, and I’m sure it could’ve gone further if we allowed it, but we both agreed spending too much time in the other’s head was a surefire way to strain the marriage. That didn’t mean I couldn’t sense him when he was in trouble – and vice versa. I didn’t know exactly where he was, but I could track him if need be.
The need was officially here.
I grimaced as I stood, gripping the arm of the chair as I gained control of myself. I glanced at Helen, something unsaid passing between us, and then shot Sami a reassuring look.
“Everything is going to be okay,” I said. “I’m going to get Dad and Grandpa right now.”
Sami didn’t look convinced. “But … .”
“It will be fine,” I said. “I’m going to find your dad. I always do.”
“What do you want us to do?” Paris asked. “You know this could be a distraction to get you away from Sami, right?”
I nodded. I’d already figured that out. “Oh, I have a plan,” I said. “You’re going to follow me to the panel and re-engage security. Then I’m going to do that bubble thing I did when we were under attack from the witches. Do you remember that?”
Paris’ eyes lit up. “Yeah. The dome.”
“I’m going to do it from the outside this time,” I said. “You guys will be safe inside and I’ll lower it long enough to get James and Aric through when I come back. If James comes back alone while we’re gone, though, he’s going to be locked out. I don’t know how to fix that.”
“Don’t worry about James,” Helen said. “He’s good at surviving. Worry about Aric, and get back here as fast as you can.”
I nodded, thankful she was here. She would die to protect Sami. They all would. I was determined to make sure that wasn’t necessary. “I’ll be quick.”
“Mom?” Sami’s voice was timid.
“What?”
“Kick some ass.”
This time the smile I mustered was genuine. “Oh, you don’t have to worry about that, little one. I’m going to shred first and ask questions later. I’m done messing around with these jerkoffs.”
I WAVED at Sami through the dome, her eyes wide as she marveled at the glittery wall as it settled. Helen had her arm around my daughter’s neck, and her eyes were alert as they scanned for incoming enemies.
I couldn’t focus on Sami. She was in good hands. I had to get to Aric.
I put my head down and ran, opening my mind and letting it lead me in the right direction. I wasn’t much for exercise – unlike Aric, who ran for fun – but I was determined to get to him as fast as possible.
I saw a hint of movement out of the corner of my eye a split-second before the murmuring returned. I didn’t hesitate, instead swiveling quickly in that direction and grabbing the wraith by the throat. The monster made a gurgling sound as I tightened my hand about a throat that wasn’t really there.
“I’m going to kill each and every one of you,” I hissed, lashing out with my mind and whipping it with magic this time instead of shredding it. I slammed the beast into a nearby tree and narrowed my eyes, focusing my power on one spot and causing the creature to writhe in pain as it exploded from the inside. The light show – a ball of flames – was impressive. I was trying to send a message, and that was a good start.
I turned my attention back to the whimpering in my head. Aric was in terrible pain. As long as he was alive, though, I could heal him. I started running again, dipping my head to avoid low-hanging branches. I could hear Aric’s anguish grow louder with each step, and when I cleared the small bluff that looked down on the river a howl exploded in my ears.
I jerked my head up, frowning when I saw the magical trap strapped between two trees. It glinted with something akin to pixie dust, almost pretty in the way it webbed together, but the struggling form in the center of it was not remotely pretty.
Aric was in his human form, his body slicked with sweat and open wounds slashed across his back. Instead of relief when our gazes locked, his face filled with fear. “Zoe, get out of here!”
I ignored the order and squinted at the spot on the nearest tree where the trap was tied off. “What is it?”
“I don’t know,” Aric said, gritting as pain overwhelmed him. “How did you find me?”
“I felt you.”
“But … I tried to close off my head,” Aric said. “This is a trap. They’re all around. You need to run now!”
“I know it’s a trap,” I said, calm despite his fear. He rarely showed fear. He hated it. He had to be desperate to show it now. “I don’t know another way to get you down other than … .” I didn’t finish my sentence, instead pulsing a bolt of light toward the spot where the trap and the tree met.
The entire web collapsed once I severed one of the strands, and Aric tumbled to the ground, grunting as he hit. I hurried to his side, extending my hands, but Aric waved me off.
“Baby, it’s poison,” Aric said. “It’s already in me from the ropes.”
I frowned, disgusted and horrified. “That did it.”
I opened the ever-present clamp in my brain and let the magic loose, a small sense of satisfaction coursing through me as two wraiths attempting to sneak up behind me ripped apart and black confetti filled the air.
“I have to put my hands on you to heal you,” I said. “I’ll be fine.”
“We don’t know that,” Aric argued, scooting away. He was starting to tick me off. “I won’t risk you. I can’t.”
“Well, we have a problem then,” I said. “I’m not leaving you. I am going to heal you. If I have to knock you out to do it, I might enjoy it because you’re really pissing me off, but I’m not strong enough to carry you back. That means I’ll have to sit out here alone fighting off these things until you wake again. That’s not exactly how I want to spend my night.”
“Zoe, you don’t know you can heal me,” Aric argued. “You might get infected, too. I’m not sure what kind of poison it is, but I think it’s attacking my blood. It feels like fire is running through me.”
“And that’s why I’m going to heal you.” I knelt next to him, slapping his hand when he tried to push me away. “Stop being a baby!”
I sucked in a breath and rested my hands on his chest, the cooling blue magic associated with that power pouring out of me the second my fingertips pressed against his scorching skin. I pressed my eyes shut when I sensed another wraith moving in.
“Zoe,” Aric gasped, trying to warn me.
I kept pouring magic into him and exploded the wraith without turning around, earning a cocked eyebrow as the color returned to Aric’s cheeks.
“Someone ate their Wheaties this morning.”
“I ate hash browns and sausage,” I said. “You were there. You’re going to be there tomorrow when you make me blueberry pancakes, too. How do you feel?”
“Better.”
“Does it feel as if your blood is on fire?”
“No, baby,” Aric said. He looked markedly better but was still exhausted. I couldn’t fix the toll fighting the infection took on him. He needed rest. “You did it … again.”
“That’s good,” I said, reaching for his arm so I could put it around my shoulders and help him stand. “Your ass is going to feel like it’s on fire when I’m done with you. I knew this was a bad idea.”
“You’re so wise.”
He didn’t have the energy to argue. I was in the mood to fight. “I hope more of those wraiths come around,” I grumbled. “I want to beat the crap out of something.”
“We have to get back to Sami,” Aric murmured. “They’re probably moving on her.”
“They can’t get to her,” I said. “I took care of that, too. I really am the hero tonight. I want a crown, cape and ice cream for my efforts when we get home.”
Twenty-Four
The walk back to the house was long – and I got to vent my frustration only once, on what turned out to be a swaying branch – but when we approached the property, Aric’s eyes widened.
“You put up a dome.”
“I didn’t know what else to do,” I said, grimacing under his weight. “We need to figure out a way to get you on the other side without Sami seeing your … you know. She’s had enough trauma for one day.”
“You’re a funny girl, my wife,” Aric said. “You’ve always been funny. Once we’re safe on the other side of that dome, though, we’re going to have a big fight about you running off into the woods on your own.”
“We are going to have a big fight,” I agreed, relieved when I saw James detach from a nearby tree and head in our direction. He was naked, too, which forced me to stare up because I could only take so much in one evening. “We’re going to fight about how I was right and you should’ve listened to me.”
“I love a good fight,” Aric said, forcing a smile for his father’s benefit. “I’m okay. Zoe healed me. I’m just a little weak.”
“He lost a lot of blood and they poisoned him with a net,” I explained, answering James’ silent question. “He just needs some sleep … and food.”
“Ice cream.” Aric’s smile was lazy, but obviously forced.
“I couldn’t figure out what was going on,” James said. “When I came back by the property I saw the dome. I figured you were under attack, but the yard was empty.”
“I’m sure Helen took Sami inside,” I said. “She was upset when … .”
“When what?” Aric prodded. “And why are you staring at the sky? Do you think we’re going to be attacked from that direction?”
“I cannot see your dad’s thing,” I said. “I’ll be scarred for life.”
“And now I see where Sami gets that from,” James said, shaking his head. “Our clothes are on the other side of the dome. How are we going to get in?”
“Zoe?” I heard Heath’s nervous voice before I saw him poke his head out from behind the wooden pole that anchored the security system. “Please tell me that’s you.”
“It’s us,” I said, increasing my pace. “Open the security system.”
“What about the dome?” James asked.
“What dome?” It blinked out of existence as the security field dropped. James and Heath helped Aric as I coded the system back to life and then raised my arms to erect another dome, a stronger one this time. It sizzled – liked electricity meeting water – and something barreled into it from up top, causing a stomach twisting crunching sound.
“Was that a wraith?” James asked, tugging on his boxer shorts while Aric struggled into his. The rest of the clothes were unnecessary until we hit the house.
“I think it was a bird,” I replied. “It might’ve been an owl.”
“Well, great,” Aric sighed. “We’ll fry all of the wildlife in the area.”
“Would you prefer the alternative?” I had no idea why I was challenging him given his weakened state. I couldn’t help myself, though.
His expression softened when he stared at me. “It’s okay,” he said, pulling me in for a hug. “I wasn’t attacking you. I’m sorry if I worried you.”
“Worried?” Heath was a nervous wreck as he followed us to the house. “I thought Sami was going to have a meltdown when Zoe bucked forward because you were in pain.”
Aric’s eyes widened. “What?”
“I felt you,” I said, keeping my tone even. “That’s how I knew you were in trouble. I’m fine.”
“But I tried to shield my thoughts,” Aric said. “I didn’t want you coming after me because I knew it was a trap.”
“Aren’t you the one who always reminds me that we can’t go back in time?”
Aric nodded.
“What’s done is done,” I said. “I’ve had it with these … things … though. I don’t know how we’re going to do it, but we need answers.”
“We’ll figure it out,” Aric said. “I’ve come to the conclusion that you can do anything.”
“Oh, geez,” James said. “You guys are just … too much.”
“And proud of it,” Aric said, smiling. “I … .” He didn’t get a chance to finish whatever he was about to say because Sami appeared at the deck railing as we climbed the stairs, tears streaming down her face.
“Daddy?” Sami ran to Aric, shoving James’ hands away when he tried to slow her approach. She threw her arms around Aric’s neck and he caught her, even though his strength was barely there, and hugged his terrified child. “I thought I wouldn’t see you again.”
“Yes, well, your mother is a stubborn beast and would never allow that to happen,” Aric said. “Everything is fine, sweetie. I’m okay.”
“He’s weak, though,” I said. “He needs to go inside and get some rest.”
“Oh, well, good,” Aric said. “I see we’ve skipped the promised fight and gone straight to the smothering. Lucky me.”
He was lucky. We both knew it. I couldn’t allow things to get that far out of hand again. Something needed to happen to improve our situation, because otherwise … well, the alternative was too horrible to think about.
“HOW IS he?”
Helen glanced up from the pot of soup she nurtured on the stove and fixed me with a worried look as I shuffled into the kitchen an hour later.
“He’s asleep,” I replied. “He fought it for as long as he could, but … he succumbed. He’s angry we’re going to be talking strategy without him, but he’ll live.”
“Thanks to you,” James said. “How did you find him?”
“I just felt him.”
“But … how did you know where to go in the dark?” Paris pressed. “Did you use your magic?”
I tilted my head to the side, considering. I hadn’t given much thought to how I found Aric. I only knew I needed to do it. “I’m not sure,” I admitted. “I didn’t take one wrong step. I knew I had to find him … so I did.”
“And he was in a trap?” James asked, pouring himself a glass of brandy. “Can you describe it?”
“It was like a magical spider web,” I replied. “It was anchored to a tree and he was sweating and in a lot of pain. I didn’t know how else to get him down so I severed the web on one side and he fell out. He tried to stop me from healing him because the web was laced with poison, but I won that argument.”
“And you weren’t infected?” Paris was intrigued by the story.
“No. I didn’t feel anything when I did it,” I answered. “He claimed his blood felt as if it was on fire. I didn’t feel even a tickle of anything. I just poured as much healing magic into him as possible and got him on his feet. Sleep and food will have to handle the rest.”
“I’m making chicken noodle soup,” Helen said. “That will help him tomorrow because you don’t cook. I thought he would enjoy something homemade from his childhood.”
Helen’s statement would’ve irritated me on a normal day. She was worried about her child, though, and I really couldn’t blame her. “I’m sure he’ll appreciate that. He should sleep like the dead tonight, although thankfully not literally.”
I hopped up on one of the counter stools and rested my head on my hand as I propped my arm on my elbow, rubbing my forehead with my free hand as I considered our next move. A mug of hot chocolate slid in front of me, and when I glanced over I realized Sami was the one delivering it. “Thank you.”
“When will Dad be back to normal?”
“Soon,” I replied. “You have nothing to worry about where he’s concerned, Sami. After a good night’s rest he’ll be back to his bossy self.”
“Is it weird I’m glad about that?”
“I’m glad, too.” I ran my hand over her onyx hair and smiled. “We have to get answers. I think I should just drive over to Cissy Dolloway’s house tomorrow and beat information out of her.”
“What if she’s not involved?” Helen asked.
“It will still make me feel better, so I’m fine with it.”
James chuckled. He’d always gotten a kick out of my mouth. Sure, it caused problems for him at times. It also came in handy. “I’ll go with you.”
“Wait, before we do anything like that, I would like to try something else,” Paris said.
Ugh. Her tone told me I wasn’t going to like what she was about to suggest. “I’d rather just beat the snot out of Cissy.”
“I haven’t even told you my idea,” Paris chided.
“That doesn’t mean I’m going to like it.”
“You’re so much work,” Paris grumbled, shaking her head. “Fine. Do what you want. You always do.”
My mother used that tone on me when I was a kid. She tried to shame me into doing things her way. It never worked. It certainly wasn’t going to work now. “I think that’s a great idea. So, we’re all agreed?”
“No,” James answered, admonishing me with a dark look. “I would like to hear Paris’ idea.”
“Me, too,” Helen said.
“Fine,” I muttered, annoyed. “Where are the marshmallows for my hot chocolate?”
“We’re out of the ones in the bag but we have that fluff stuff in the refrigerator,” Sami offered.
“Sold.”
“Can I have more hot chocolate, too?” Sami asked. “Grandma says I’ve already had too much sugar, but I told her what you always say.”
“Which is?” James asked.
“That you can never have too much sugar,” I answered. “You can have another mug.” I didn’t miss Helen’s dirty look at being overruled, but it was my kid so she’d just have to suck it up. “What’s your idea, Paris?”
“I’ve been doing some research regarding the Dolloways on the internet,” Paris supplied. “There’s some interesting information out there, but the key is sorting through what is legend and what is truth.”
Dying Covenant: The Complete Series Page 21
