As I checked the inside of the cab, I was assaulted by the tingly feeling and a hint of something else not exactly magical but containing magic. Frowning, I studied the truck. I wasn't sure what the spell was, but I really doubted it was good for the two of us.
"What did you find?"
I glanced at Wells, who was tapping his fingers on his thigh, before returning my attention to the fire truck. "Not sure. There are some strange energies in there. They don't feel like any of the traps we've seen before. Let me try another type of probe."
Wells nodded.
Reaching out with my power, I found a light coating of magic on everything, much like what was on the outside of the truck. When I looked for what I'd initially felt, there was a surge of what I could only describe as emotion. It was telling me to run away, run away and never look back.
Pulling my power out of the truck, I quickly explained what I'd found to Wells. "Unfortunately, I don't know what's producing the emotions."
Wells muttered some rude words.
Swallowing, I apologized. "Sir, I'm not Michelle. There's a limit to what I can tell you, especially when I haven't seen something before."
"I'm not upset with you, Westmoreland." Wells sighed. "We're in a bad spot, you and I. We're separated from Elron and Michelle, stuck here, and Gudger's life is at stake. I want to walk away from this blasted truck and find another way, but I don't feel like that's an option because this truck could be the advantage we need to get out of here."
I already regretted the words, but I had to say them. "Or it could kill us."
Wells frowned at me. "Yes, I am aware that we could end up dead, and in all likelihood Gudger would die as well. But I refuse to operate under that assumption."
"Sir, I don't know how to help you. I'm not the best cop. I'm very aware that the only reason I was hired was for my magical abilities." The admission cost me, but it was the truth, and we both knew it.
Wells whirled around to face me. "If I ever hear those words come out of your mouth again, I will personally see that you work every full moon for six months. Am I clear?"
"Yes, sir," I barked.
His gaze met mine. "I know you're new, but I want to be very clear: you have always been satisfactory in every aspect on your reviews. Those marks weren't handed out but earned. You're right, you aren't extraordinary, but you are a solid, if young, cop, and a good hedge-practitioner."
I opened my mouth to thank him, but his glare had me clamping my lips together.
"However, as a department we've done you a great disservice. While most new officers spend most of their time in the field, getting training and learning how to evaluate and handle situations, you've been stuck in a room fixing magic. When you haven't been in that room, you've been called out to deal with specific problems, well after other officers have done what they can to contain the situation. Now, that was considered the best use of your skills, but we've crippled you as a cop. When we get back, I'm going to make sure that you spend more time in the field and get you caught up to where you should be. After this, no one will argue that you don't get field training as well as magical training."
Since I didn't know what to say, I simply nodded. I hadn't thought Wells understood my difficulties out here, but I'd been wrong. When my voice started working, I offered the only words I could find. "What do you want me to do?"
Wells looked me over and gave me an approving nod. "Watch my back as I look through the glove box."
"Got it."
I gave the area a once-over. If there was a trap, it was hiding rather well. Focusing on Wells, I watched him lean into the truck. Even though I kept expecting something to jump out at us, nothing happened. The energy felt about the same too. He carefully touched the glove compartment before turning the key to open it. It swung open, revealing a wooden box. Taking a steadying breath, I quickly glanced around. We were still alone, but I had a bad feeling about that box.
Wells studied it for a moment before looking over his shoulder. "Think it's magic?"
"Give me a moment." This time my power was even more sluggish to respond. I'd given a lot of energy to Michelle when she tried to break through the hedges. Every time I tried to do magic, even simple spells, I was digging into power I simply didn't have to spare.
When I was able to probe the box, I couldn't feel anything—not a hint of magic or emotion. It was totally void of energy. Now, I had a harder time sensing energy than Michelle did, but usually I could get something, especially in a situation like this when there were so many other magical indicators.
There was no keeping the concern out of my voice as I explained what I'd found. "I don't get anything from it. Which is a little odd. With all the energy in the cab, I should be feeling something."
"I'm going to open it."
I thought about telling him it was a bad idea, which was what Michelle would've said, but after his pep talk, I couldn't bring myself to be that negative. Instead, I watched as he reached into the glove compartment and gingerly picked up the box.
The flash of light and deafening boom drowned out anything I might have yelled. That didn't stop me from having a moment of clarity. I'd known this fire truck was trouble.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Michelle
It didn't take long for Burly to guide us back to my pack. We grabbed my things, found a place to fill our canteens, and headed out in search of the men. We needed to hurry. After all, every minute we were out here was another one Gudger was spending waiting for us to rescue him.
Now that we were free of Ned's spells, Elron was able to get some direction from the earth. We had a general idea of where Patrick was, and he mentioned there might be a second person. I pressed him for details, but all he would say was that it didn't make any sense. Since I knew more about what we were facing, and it didn't include anything that could attach to my magic, I was able to let my power explore the area around us. It should tell me if we were walking into a trap, and it was easier than checking ahead every few minutes.
We were headed to Patrick's location as quickly as possible since we knew there was a chance the second person was Ned and he was doing terrible things to poor Patrick. In the back of my mind, I wondered if we should skip rescuing Patrick and go for Gudger. After all, he was the one who was being held hostage by Ned. Though I'd rather face Ned with more people than less.
Walking between towering trees and around holly bushes was delightful. In fact, the best part of getting rid of the spells Ned had put on us was being able to see something other than those giant rhododendron hedges. While there were more rhododendrons, and big ones at that, around here than I would typically expect, there were also plenty of trees and shrubs.
As we walked, I absentmindedly rubbed at my arms, which hurt. The worst thing about breaking the spells was finding all the bumps and scrapes that I'd been getting without realizing it. I didn't want to know how many branches I'd walked into, and my mind had simply glossed over it because of the spells.
When we got out of here, I was going to research spells like the ones used on us. There should be a way to defend against them, or at least detect and mitigate them once they were in place. Though I had a feeling the powder Ned was using to do magic would make any defensive spells more difficult to enact.
Elron and I had taken a look at the base of the rhododendron bushes while he explained that there was a chance a deer was going to get help for us. I appreciated the doe's effort, but I doubted help would get here in time. After thanking him, I went back to examining the bushes.
There were enough rhododendrons scattered around that the hedge being constructed out of them sort of made sense. There were also traces of the powder in the dirt around them. While it would've been nice to take the time to study it more closely, Patrick needed us. However, a quick look using some of the knowledge I had now had affirmed my belief that there was energy stored in the powder, and he had found a way to turn it into usable power.
I'd racked my brain
, but I didn't know of any powders like that. If there was one, it should've been too expensive and tightly controlled for Ned to use it that way, but that clearly wasn't stopping him. Though this powder did seem to be coming from a creature. That put it in a different category altogether, one that was essentially banned. To get dragon's blood, for example, you had to negotiate with a dragon or with a company that represented a dragon who was willing to donate some blood. Not many of them were.
In all this, the poor snails were the ones I felt sorry for. They didn't have representation, and no one was looking out for their best interest. I didn't know how the magic was getting into their shells, but Ned was killing them by the thousands to get access to that power, and that was hardly fair. While it was possible that they naturally stored energy in their shell, there was a chance he'd developed that ability in them.
Either way, they were a nonnative species that would need to be removed when we'd finished with Ned. Someone would end up studying them to see what they were and how Ned had managed to get magic out of them. That was a magical source that was going to be closely guarded. I just hoped it was destroyed so it couldn't fall into the wrong hands.
My power tugged on me, asking for attention. "Stop."
The men halted, focusing on me.
I quickly probed the magic my power had found. It was the same giant trap of charms and compulsion spells I'd found when fleeing the tractor. "We should detour. There's a big trap about thirty feet ahead of us."
Elron nodded. "Right or left?"
I shrugged. "Either is fine. I just don't want to risk dealing with the trap. It's triggered by pressure plates underground."
"Left would be a more direct line to Patrick." Elron turned to Burly. "Are there any terrain features we should take into consideration?"
"It's more of what you've seen. Nothing new to the best of my memory, but Ned preferred to leave me in the maze." Burly sighed, knowing he wasn't as useful as we'd hoped.
"That is what I needed to know." Elron picked a new path and guided us around the trap. We also managed to detour around the remains of the tractor, which I thought was for the best. I didn't really want to know what tricks my mind had been playing on me.
None of us were up for conversation. From past experience, I knew Elron was keeping an ear on our surroundings, and talking might obscure signs of attack. I was simply too tired to care. Burly just seemed like the quiet type.
After walking down a hill, around a big rock, and up a hill, Elron said, "We're getting close."
I summoned my wand and hoped Patrick would be able to recognize us. Since we were now outside the spells, there was a chance he would see us as monsters. Or he might not see us at all.
There was one member of our group who was sure to alarm Patrick. "Burly, you should hang back." I felt bad. He really was a nice guy, but he didn't look like a nice guy. "Let us explain things to Patrick before you get too close."
Burly sighed and nodded. "I'll stay out of the way. I have no desire to harm an officer."
I tried to think of something to say, but nothing came to mind. I finally patted him on the shoulder. It was the most comfort I could offer.
"Come on, Michelle." Elron motioned me forward. "We need to put our group back together."
I was on Elron's heels as he found a narrow path between a big rhododendron and a holly tree. As soon as we got through, it opened up into a large clearing. Elron tensed as I came up next to him. There was a truck in the middle of the field, but its shape kept wavering. That was hard on the eyes but not threatening.
I kept looking around, trying to figure out what had alarmed Elron. The second my eyes landed on Patrick and Wells (though I wasn't sure how he'd gotten here since Elron had been very sure of his death) laid out on the ground with a ghostly form hovering over them, I shed my backpack and ran forward. I sent a blast of power at the ghost, hoping it would knock it away from the men.
The form flew back several feet. It bobbed around, seeming unsure of its bearings. Then it righted itself and turned so that I could see it clearly. Now, I'd come across a lot of strange creatures, but this was one of the weirdest. As she snarled at us, she flashed a mouthful of pointed teeth. Her jaw opened twice as wide as any human's, and her fingers were adorned with long, talon-like nails. This was a ghostlike creature, an empursa, a woman who was known for killing men. They were fearsome creatures, not easily deterred from their prey. From the look of things, Patrick and Wells had that honor.
She flung herself forward, covering ground at a surprising rate. I quickly jabbed my wand in her direction, trying to capture her in a containment shield. "Sowil!"
A sphere sprang into existence around her. She stopped short of the wall, but that didn't mean it would hold her. I'd seen creatures break out of these before, and I knew an empursa would be especially likely to find a way to freedom. Noncorporeal life-forms were tricky to contain.
Elron sprinted past me, sword in hand. While I was still focused on the empursa, he was going for the officers. I really hoped they were both alive. Even a quick glance was enough for me to see that their shirts had been ripped open.
As I neared the empursa, I had a couple of spells in reserve. I didn't want to be caught off guard if she managed to bust out of there.
She hissed at me.
I glared at her.
She hissed again.
Tilting my head to the side, I took in her wrinkled face and nightgown. "You know, I don't think you really mean it."
With that she snapped her jaw shut and blinked at me.
Shrugging, I continued. "I know you don't really want to hurt them. They're good men, unlike your typical prey." I held up a hand to forestall any protest. "I know you can attack anyone, but why would you even want to hurt these two? They're in the business of helping people, and they really do want to help."
She sank down to the bottom of the shield.
"I thought that might be the case. How is he controlling you?"
She rose up sharply, darting looks in every direction.
"He could be watching, but I'm not allied with Ned. I'm a victim too, and I thought that while I was helping my friends, I'd help the other people whom Ned's hurt."
She still wasn't talking, but I could tell I had her attention. That was enough for now because it would give Elron time to see to Wells and Patrick. If he could get them farther away from her, then I didn't care if I was able to help her or had to kill her. Well, killing was never my first choice, but I wasn't going to let Ned do any more damage to my friends.
"I might be able to help you. I helped the minotaur. Do you know him?" I waited for an answer but didn't get any sigh of recognition. "Well, Ned had him spelled, and he's free now."
She was still watching me like she wasn't sure what to do. I kept talking, telling her how I'd managed to free Burly, while I probed her. There were several spells on her, and I doubted they were all consensual. After all, Ned didn't seem to be big into giving people a chance to agree. He liked to control them.
One of the spells bound her to an object. That didn't sound like a fun way to live, but that one could be her choice. The second and third spells had more than a passing similarity to the spells I'd found on Elron and myself. There was a fourth spell that I was having trouble getting a feel for, but I suspected it had something to do with why she was mute.
I pulled my magic back into myself. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Elron helping Wells and Patrick. They were almost to the woods. If I could keep the empursa focused on me, they could escape. With that decided, I made her an offer. "I can free you. Would you like that?"
There was a surge of energy. I scrambled back as her mouth opened and a truly terrifying cry filled the air. She went through the side of the shield like it was nothing.
"Fehu!" I turned the air around her and inside her into ice. There was no guarantee it would work, but it had stopped a poltergeist before, so it was worth a try.
The ice block containing the em
pursa tumbled to the ground. There was no way it would hold if it shattered.
Jabbing my wand at the ground, I tried to soften the earth before the ice block hit. "Orzu."
The spell took just in time, and the ice block bounced a couple of times but didn't crack or chip. That still didn't mean it would keep holding her, but it was enough for now.
A masculine scream had me whirling around to see what had happened. Elron and Wells had disappeared into the woods, but Patrick was running right at me, blood oozing down his chest, eyes wide and panicked.
"Patrick, calm down." Something had scared him, but until he settled down and focused on me, I couldn't help do anything about the wound. "It's okay. It's me, Michelle. You're safe."
He darted away.
Swearing, I started to go after him and then thought better of it. There was still the empursa to deal with. Any further debate about what to do was eliminated when Elron charged into the clearing. He spotted Patrick and took off after him.
Something hit me in the back. My vision faded out as I went down. As I waited for my vision to clear, I patted the ground, trying to find my wand. There were plenty of leaves, pebbles, and small twigs, but nothing wand-sized.
By the time my eyes were working again, my head was throbbing and my shoulders weren't in much better shape. I still couldn't find my wand, so I tried dismissing it and summoning it. When its weight settled into my hand, I gave a sigh of relief.
Pushing myself to my feet, I looked around. I could hear Elron and Patrick on the other side of the fire truck, but I couldn't see them. Before I had a chance to look for the empursa, I saw her swooping out of the sky, still trapped in the block of ice. That explained why I ached all over.
The weight of the ice should've made it impossible for her to fly, but she was as fast as ever. Which made it even more important for me to stop her. With that much mass, she could kill one of them by ramming her ice block into their head.
My wand cut through the air. "Algiz obala!"
A Witch's Rite Page 21
