by Linsey Hall
The ghosts fought my magic, creating a tearing feeling inside my chest. I struggled to hold them, a strange battle of wills. But they broke through, rushing for us.
Mayhem kept up her attack, darting back to blast her flame at them. I looked behind. She was slower, her fire smaller. She was faltering too. My magic was nearly spent.
“I can’t hold them!” I cried.
Cade gave one last burst of speed and lunged toward the border of the town, where the last house stood. I turned around to watch as he kept going, leaving the wailing ghosts behind. They slammed into the barrier and hammered their fists against the invisible wall, unable to follow.
I stuck my tongue out at them, knowing it was totally immature and not caring even a little bit. Mayhem darted after us. Cade stopped and I tumbled off of him, every muscle aching.
I landed awkwardly on my wing, pain flaring slightly. But it felt good to be lying down, so I stayed there. Just for a moment, staring at the darkness. Breath heaved through my lungs as exhaustion stole over me. I didn’t want to get up.
Five more minutes, Mom.
I chuckled, but the thought made me sad, too. Made me miss my mom. I swallowed hard and turned to look at Cade.
In a swirl of golden light, he shifted back to his human form, then stepped over and held his hand out to me. I reached up and gripped it. He pulled hard, lifting me off my feet.
My wing hung limply.
I stared at him, both grateful and annoyed. “That was a risk. If we’d both died, no one would be able to tell the Protectorate what we’d learned.”
His gaze hardened. “I would never leave you to die.”
The strength of his words sent a frisson of elation through me. Elation and confusion. He really meant that.
But could he really feel so strongly about me?
“Is your wing all right?” he asked.
I shoved away my messy feelings about what he meant and what he felt, and focused on my wing. In the distance, the ghosts wailed.
Grimacing, I tried to lift it, looking over my shoulder to see if it worked. The wing rose up six inches. “It’s coming back to life. It’ll just take a bit.”
“You can run?”
I nodded. Every muscle ached, but we had no choice. “Let’s go.”
We hurried to the smaller room—or tunnel, rather—and then started up the stairs.
I looked up at the endless flight, remembering how long it had taken to get down. “Oh, man. This is going to be terrible.”
“At least we’re on earth. It’d be a waste of their energy to follow us here.”
He had a point. They could come to earth so infrequently that they’d only do it if they thought they could capture my sisters and me. Right now, they had no idea it’d been a Dragon God in their damned dungeon.
I struggled upward, eventually managing to fold my wing into my back. Mayhem flew without issue, but at the halfway point, even Cade was flagging.
By the time we stumbled out into the graveyard in Magic’s Bend, I was about to puke from exhaustion. The only thing that kept me going was the knowledge that we finally had an idea what the Rebel Gods were up to.
And if we wanted any chance at surviving, we needed to figure out how to defeat them.
Immediately.
6
We stumbled out of the graveyard in Magic’s Bend without seeing Janus again.
Which was good, because I really wasn’t in the mood. Every muscle ached and exhaustion tugged at me. As we walked down the street, Cade wrapped an arm around my waist, and I leaned into him.
“I sure wish we had a transportation charm right about now,” I muttered. “I’d transport straight to my bed.”
Cade chuckled as we turned right at The Banshee’s Revenge pub. It was dark in Magic’s Bend now, probably near midnight. My strength was flagging as we approached the Apothecary’s Jungle. A tiny pinprick of orange light gleamed near the door. I squinted up, catching sight of Mordaca, leaning against the doorjamb and smoking a cigarette. Her long black dress blended with the dark.
“Those’ll kill you, you know,” I said.
Mordaca arched a perfect black brow. “Really? I had no idea.” She jerked her head toward the door. “Your guests are in our back garden.”
Guests?
Ah, right. The lions.
“Thank you,” I said.
She sighed, giving me a pitying look. “You look like hell.”
“I feel like it, too.”
Cade’s arm tightened around me, keeping me upright.
Mordaca stubbed out her cigarette and turned toward the door. “Come in. I’ll get you fixed up. You can even sleep in the guest bedroom.”
I looked at Cade. “You good with that?”
He nodded, so we followed Mordaca up the stairs. It was late enough, and we were weak enough, that sleeping before reporting back to the Protectorate wasn’t a bad idea. And we’d be safe with the Blood Sorceresses.
“This way,” Mordaca called from down the hall.
We followed her voice, entering a workshop that smelled like all sorts of magic. Light, dark, and everything in between. A large wooden table sat in the middle. Herbs hung from the ceiling, and the many shelves were filled with bottles and rocks and all sorts of magical instruments.
She selected two pink vials from the shelf and handed them to us. “These will give you a bit of a pick-me-up. Did you get what you were looking for?”
“We did.” I drank the potion, wincing at the slightly sour taste. But strength flowed through my muscles, making me feel better immediately. Exhaustion still tugged at me, but I felt a hell of a lot better. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
She didn’t mention payment, which made me wonder if she’d been body snatched. “Why are you helping us?”
“Don’t ask so many questions.” She scowled. “Do you want to sleep in the guest bedroom? You still look like hell.”
“Only if you tell me why you’re helping us.” I trusted her, but I was still a bit suspicious.
She sighed, so annoyed I thought her head would pop off. “The lions told me what you did for them. I like that, okay? Now do you want the room or not?”
“Yes.” I liked curmudgeonly-but-kind Mordaca.
“This way.” She led us up the stairs without another word, taking us through a maze of rooms and passages. This place was way bigger than it appeared from the outside. Like, massive.
Which made sense, since she’d said they’d put the lions in the back garden. That had to be a big back garden.
“Is this place expanded with magic?” I asked.
“No. It’s built into the other buildings on either side. But we left the facades. Don’t mention to anyone else how big it is, though. Some secrets are meant to be kept.”
“No problem.”
She led us into a large bedroom with a big bed. It was done in blacks and reds, reminding me of her.
“If you need anything, forget it,” she said. “Aerdeca and I are all the way on the other side of the house.”
“No problem.” I smiled at her.
“Thank you,” Cade said.
She nodded, then turned and left.
“Well, that was unexpected,” I said.
“But welcome.” He gestured to the bathroom. “You first.”
“My hero.” I went into the bathroom and made quick work of the shower, feeling much more human when I stepped out.
I put my T-shirt and panties back on, then slipped into the complimentary robe on the back of the door. The black silk was wonderfully smooth, and the red dragon on the back was a cool touch. Mordaca’s guest suite was decked out—Elvira style.
I stepped into the bedroom. “All yours.”
Cade nodded, and we traded rooms. I climbed into the bed, my mind circling around the memory of Cade rushing back to save me, growling until I climbed onto his back.
The words, “I would never leave you,” echoed in my head.
By the time h
e’d gotten out of the shower, the phrase had cycled through my head about a thousand times.
He stepped up to the bed wearing nothing but his boxer briefs, his skin looking warm and just slightly damp from the shower. I stole a quick peek—wow—then looked straight ahead as he climbed into bed and turned off the light.
Tension raced across my shoulders. I was tired, but not that tired, and his words kept blaring in my mind.
“You came back and saved me,” I blurted.
“That’s not quite out of character, you know.”
“No.” It really wasn’t. It wasn’t the first time he’d risked his life to save me, and unless I was never in danger again, it wouldn’t be the last. But it was really starting to sink in that him risking his life for me was my new normal. It’d taken a few examples, but I was catching on.
Only family had ever done that for me.
And Cade….
“You said you’d never leave me.”
Wow. I was two for two on blurting out awkward things.
I glanced at him. His face was cast in shadow, but the street lamps from outside sent a pale glow into the room, highlighting his cheekbones and his lips.
He turned toward me, and I mimicked the gesture so that I faced him. The strangest expression was on his face. Tenderness? Something else?
As naturally as the sun rising, his hand came up to cup my face. “You seem confused, Bree. But it’s actually really simple. I love you.”
“Whoa.” I blinked.
“Aye. It came on quickly. I’m still reeling myself.” He shrugged. “But then it became obvious. I love you. Seeing you injured…in danger… It tears a hole in my chest. I’d throw myself off a cliff, if it meant saving you.”
Tears pricked my eyes. “I—I—”
“You don’t have to say it back. That’s not why I said it.” A wry grin tugged at his lips. “You pulled it out of me, actually.”
I threw myself at him, pressing my lips to his. He oofed as he fell back against the headboard, wrapping strong arms around me. Warmth and joy and light shined through me as I kissed him, giving it everything I had.
He was hot and strong beneath me, searing my skin as I tried to touch every inch of him that I could. I loved him—I was nearly certain of it.
I definitely cared for him more than anyone other than my sisters.
But I wanted to wait until it was my time to tell him. Right now, I was so lightheaded from his words that I could focus only on them. On him.
So I did, kissing him with all the emotion in my heart.
Cade groaned, a low rumble that sent heat streaking through me, and gripped my waist.
The kiss stole every thought I had, and when I rolled off him and dragged him down onto the bed, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.
As it turned out, sex with Cade had also been the best thing in the world. When I woke the next morning, my face pressed into his chest and the black satin sheet draped over my hip, I could hardly believe my luck.
Then I realized that I was drooling on him.
Oh, hell.
Surreptitiously, I pulled away, trying to wipe him clean as a blush heated my cheeks. Last night had been incredible. And I followed it up with this.
I sat up, unable to take my gaze off him. His eyes opened, and a grin tugged at his lips, making him handsomer than ever.
He did not seem to notice the spit, thank fates.
“Hey.” His voice was rough with sleep.
“Hey.” I savored this moment—just for a second—then pulled myself back to the present. There would be time in the future for mooning over each other the morning after. I hoped.
But if we didn’t defeat the Rebel Gods, there would be no more mornings. “Ready to go fight some bad guys?”
He grinned and pushed himself up, the sheet dipping down to reveal his strong chest. “Aye, ready to make a plan, at least. Then, after I’ve had a cup of coffee, we can fight some bad guys.”
“Perfect.”
We dressed hurriedly, stealing glances at each other, then rushed from the room. It was like a maze, trying to find our way out, but we finally managed. We saw no sign of Aerdeca and Mordaca by the time we reached the foyer.
“I guess we’ll just send them a thank-you card,” I said.
“That will do.” Cade pushed open the door, and we went out into the early morning light.
We made our way out of Darklane and onto the main street. Oddly enough, the same purple cab appeared. The green-haired pixie leaned out the window and grinned.
“I was worried we’d have to walk at this hour,” I said.
She tapped the side of her nose. “I’ve got a sense for these kinds of things.”
That worked for me. We climbed into the pink leather seat in the back, and she zipped away from the curve, carrying us to the Historic District. She dropped us at the entrance to the appropriate alley, and we hurried inside, heading straight for the portal back to the Protectorate.
The ether sucked me in and thrust me out in the forest. Immediately, I felt the loveliest sense of homecoming. Even in this still-recovering grove, the Protectorate felt like home.
Cade appeared behind me, and we strode out of the forest, our steps quick. The time change meant that it was afternoon here. When we reached the castle, Ana and Rowan were hurrying out the front door.
“Did you sense us returning?” I asked.
“Call it intuition,” Ana said. “Did you find anything?”
“We did. Let’s call a meeting.”
“Arach is waiting for you, actually,” Rowan said. “That was Ana’s intuition.”
Ana grinned and punched Rowan lightly on the shoulder. “Caught. We were with her, trying to figure out Rowan’s missing magic, when she felt you arrive.”
“Come on.” Rowan gestured us forward. “Let’s go.”
We followed them down the hall to Arach’s library, joining a crowd of people within. Hedy, Judy, Carol, Ali, and Haris all waited for us.
“That was quick work,” Ana said. “You really know how to muster the troops, Arach.”
“I’ve had some practice.” She drifted over from her place by the fire, her gaze glued to my face. “Were you successful?”
“I think so. We did find some good information. Hopefully you can help us decipher it.”
Arach nodded, and we all gathered around the table on the other side of the room.
“Well?” Arach said.
I leaned forward, spilling everything we knew. Cade filled in the gaps here and there, creating a complete picture for them.
Arach’s gaze sharpened. “It sounds like they will find you as soon as you inherit the last of your godly powers.”
“And I can’t stop that from happening, can I?” Not that I wanted to—but if it meant they’d never find us…. it had appeal.
“It is inevitable,” Arach said.
Jude’s lips pursed, concern creasing her brow. Her starry eyes met mine, worry in their depths. “Since you can’t anticipate when the powers will arrive, the last one could appear at any moment. Then they could ambush you.”
I leaned back, slightly queasy. “We’ll never win against them if they catch us by surprise.”
“And we can’t fight them on their turf,” Cade said. “It’s far too vast, and their advantage would be insurmountable.”
“Agreed,” Arach said.
“That leaves us in a serious pickle.” Caro’s platinum hair glinted in the light, and worry gleamed in her eyes.
“Actually, it’s worse,” I said. “Somehow, my magic will lead them to my sisters as well. Maybe even if we aren’t together. So I could leave the Protectorate to protect this place, but there may be no hiding my sisters once they’ve found me.”
“You’re not leaving.” Jude’s words cracked through the room. “You’re part of us, and you need to accept it.”
Heat seared my cheeks while gratitude filled my chest. I’d been waffling about that, my own insecurity getting
the better of me, but she made it deadly clear she wouldn’t accept that anymore.
“Thank you.” I turned to Hedy. “Is there a concealment charm you can make?”
She shook her head, lavender hair shining. “Not that can protect you from this.”
“The only way you’ll be strong enough to defeat them is if you have all your powers,” Arach said. “Which will, in turn, draw them to you. Forcing the fight.”
“A catch-22, aye?” Haris said.
“In the truest sense,” Cade said.
Arach leaned forward. “They will find you. There is no hiding.”
“So we have to bring the fight to them.” I stiffened my spine. “Not on their turf. But we at least need to control the timing. A trap and an ambush.”
“Aye.” Cade nodded. “That’ll be the only way to win.”
“Then I need to get the rest of my powers,” I said. “Is there a way to fast-track that?”
Arach nodded. “Perhaps. You can go to the gods and ask. They may be willing. Though I doubt the magic will come freely.”
“Nothing good ever does,” I said.
“We need a plan for the ambush, then,” Rowan said.
“They’ll be coming for the three of us,” Ana said. “You especially, Bree.”
“Yes,” I said. “They said my magic will lead them to us, and they’ll strike when our magical signatures are together. They need all three of us for them to walk the earth forever.”
“We could be bait, but just sitting around and waiting is dangerous,” Ana said. “Not to mention—how do we know when they’ll come?”
“I have an idea for that,” Arach said. “Korynthius crystals act as magnifiers. You could each put your magic into one. The signal would be so strong that the Rebel Gods would immediately sense it.”
“Can we get our magic back out of the crystals?” I asked.
“Yes,” Arach said. “If you stab them with steel, the magic will flow back into you.”
“This is really good,” Rowan said. “It makes for the perfect ambush. It allows us to determine the time of the battle, and gives us the element of surprise and a bit more safety. They’re drawn to our magic while we are waiting in the wings, ready to attack.”
