by Linsey Hall
“Definitely.” I smiled, trying to make it look genuine.
She nodded, then turned to say goodbye to Ammons.
“You look like you just bit into a rotten banana,” Rowan whispered next to me. Bree had already headed off to prepare for her trip to Ireland.
“You’re saying I’m a bad fake?”
“The worst.”
“I’ll be sure to practice more.
Jude approached. “Rowan, could I speak to you a moment?”
“Sure.” Rowan squeezed my hand. “I’ll see you later, okay?”
“Yeah.” I left her, striding out of the room and down the hallway, my mind pounding with frustration and a thwarted desire to help.
My magic was such a disaster situation, and it was holding me back.
I stormed out of the castle, picking up speed as I strode across the lawn. I just needed some breathing room. From the Protectorate, from people, from…myself.
I was the problem.
I was slow to master my magic, and this was the result. It was probably smart of Jude not to put me on this case, but I hated it.
I was the problem, and I couldn’t outrun myself.
Desperate for some space, I followed the scent of the sea. The castle was built on a cliff overlooking the North Atlantic. Giant walls protected us on the land side, but the back was protected by a cliff that plunged hundreds of feet down to the sea. I could already hear waves crashing.
As I neared the stone circle that sat between the castle and the cliffs, I studied it. As always, I was drawn to it. Yet I hesitated.
There was something about that circle—something that attracted and repelled. I shivered.
Nope. Not going near something that felt like that.
I wasn’t the type to ignore my instincts.
I skirted around the circle, catching sight of Muffin sitting on top of one of the towering stones. His eyes gleamed in the moonlight. The Cat Sìth looked right at home there.
He watched me pass. Don’t jump off the cliff.
I shot him a one-fingered salute, and he grinned, fangs gleaming.
The crashing waves called me, and I hurried toward the cliff edge. The brisk sea wind blew my hair back from my face. I sucked in a steadying breath.
Slowly, my mind cleared.
“You’re not going to jump, right?” Lachlan’s voice startled me into a little hop.
I spun to face him. The moonlight gleamed on his dark hair. His cheekbones looked cut from glass, and his eyes studied me, concern glinting in them. Out here, in the middle of the Highlands, his tall, rugged build looked like a chieftain of old’s.
“Muffin already advised me not to,” I said.
“Smart cat.”
“Why did you follow me?”
“You seemed upset.”
“You care?”
Concern and irritation flashed in his eyes, along with something I didn’t recognize. “Of course I care.”
I frowned. “All right.”
I was being prickly. I knew it. But stopping it was hard.
“You’re upset, then?”
“I’m pissed. Pissed with myself for not learning my magic sooner. With the fact that it’s all weird and uncooperative and strange. Now there’s a situation that I want to help with, and I’m held back. Half a supernatural.”
“Half? Hardly. Untrained, maybe. But never half.”
I didn’t know what to say to that, so I went with nothing. The most I could manage was stewing over the cavern situation, anyway.
But why did I have to let them make decisions for me?
Sure, I wanted to become a full-fledged member of the Protectorate, but this was bigger than that. This was Arach. The heart and soul of this place. The magic that kept it running.
I had to help.
“What are you thinking?” he asked. “I can see the wheels turning.”
“I’m thinking that Plan A was to ask them to let me help with this. Plan B is to take matters into my own hands.”
He grinned.
“She didn’t say I couldn’t help. Just that I needed to finish my training.”
“It was strongly implied.”
“Thanks, Sherlock, I caught that. Doesn’t mean I’m not going with Plan B. Gotta have a Plan B.”
“You always have a Plan B?”
“And a Plan C. Fortunately, we’re not there yet.”
Lachlan nodded, as if he liked what he’d heard. “I’ll help you.”
“Why? You’re already helping me learn my magic.”
“Which we need to start immediately.”
I nodded heartily. It was fair that the cloaked figure had been a priority, but now that the tracking potion was brewing, he had time. We needed to get on it.
“But why are you helping me?” I asked again.
“You’ll be helping me find the cloaked figure when my tracking potion finally has a lead. I don’t want you distracted by this.” He hesitated, his expression softening just slightly. I almost felt like he’d have hidden that if he could. “And it’s important to you.”
“All right. Let’s do it.” I wasn’t going to say no to that kind of help. Or any kind of help, really. “First step… I’m going back into the cavern.”
“Should you wait until Jude’s crew is done?”
“No time. I’ve got to be in class tomorrow, remember?”
“Fair enough.” He grinned. “We’ll be sneaky.”
“We? You’re starting so soon?”
“This is the best bit.”
“All right, then. Let’s go find some answers.”
3
Lachlan and I headed back across the lawn as the moon shined bright overhead. We passed by the stone circle, and Muffin called out to us.
“Meow.” What fish are you off to smell?
“Is that some kind of cat greeting?” I asked.
He gave me a look that suggested I was an idiot for not knowing, the sapphire glinting in his ear.
“Could you go scout the library, and when it’s empty, meet me at the door?”
He gave a decisive nod, then leapt off the stone and streaked across the lawn toward the castle. The little gremlin was fast, and cute in his own skinny, hairless way.
“You have interesting friends,” Lachlan said.
“Don’t I know it.”
We stepped into the massive entry hall, and I spotted Rowan heading up the stairs to our apartments.
“Rowan!” I called.
She spun, her eyes landing on me and Lachlan. They moved back and forth between the two of us, curious. I hadn’t yet told her about the kiss because I knew both my sisters would heckle me to death, but she’d figure it out soon enough. We didn’t keep secrets from each other. Not for long, at least.
She skipped down the steps. She wore all black, looking stark and beautiful with her jet black hair and blue eyes. “Where were you?”
“Getting some air. What did Jude want to talk to you about?”
“She wants me to start training, even though my magic is still missing.”
“Are you okay with that?”
She shrugged. “I’m better with my weapons than I’ve ever been.” She was determined not to be helpless, even though she couldn’t access her magic. “So yeah, I’m fine with it. I’m sure it’ll kick my ass, but I want to contribute to my care and feeding.”
I cracked a smile, but couldn’t blame her. Even though Bree and I didn’t mind taking care of Rowan while she got on her feet—she’d just recently escaped five years in captivity, after all—she was just like me. She wanted to take care of herself.
“Want to help us scout out the cavern beneath the library?” I asked. “We could use a lookout.”
“Heck yeah. Let’s do it.” She spun her finger in a let’s go motion, and we hurried off toward the library. I could always count on my sisters to be up for adventures.
The halls were quiet as we passed. No doubt the PITs had gotten a head start on us, and everyone else was a
sleep.
“Did you see how long ago the rest of the PITs went into the cavern?” I asked.
“I think they started right away. You going to tell them you’re hunting?”
“No. Don’t want to get them in trouble. I don’t think they’ll rat me out, but unless I have good info to give them, no reason to put them on the line.”
“Good idea.”
Lachlan was our silent shadow as we made our way down the old stone-lined hallway. The wide wooden floorboards creaked underneath our feet, and paintings of various supernatural creatures seemed to follow us with their eyes.
“Sometimes I still can’t believe that we get to live here,” I murmured.
“I know, right? Makes you want to pass the Academy and become a full member of the team.”
“Ain’t that the truth.” Wistfulness whispered through me, followed quickly by determination.
I slowed as I neared the library, grabbing Rowan’s arm to make sure she mimicked my action. “Muffin will be waiting out front if the coast is clear.”
We slipped toward the side of the hall, near the nook where we’d hidden earlier. If we had to dart in there, we could hide.
As we neared, the door creaked open and Muffin slipped out.
“How the heck did he open that door?” Rowan whispered.
“The Cat Sìth has magic you can’t imagine,” Lachlan said. I glanced back to catch a sexy grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Mostly related to thievery, though.”
“Opening doors falls into that category.” I strode toward Muffin. “Thanks, pal.”
“Meow.” Anytime, pathetic hunter.
“Pathetic hunter?”
Why do you think Princess Snowflake III painted you the picture of the dead rat? Encouragement!
“Thanks.” No way was I mentioning that I wouldn’t start rat hunting anytime soon.
As quickly and quietly as we could, we made our way through the library. The Pugs of Destruction had departed their beds, no doubt to bunk with Bree, and the place was quiet. Muffin veered off toward the bejeweled lamp that was now short one red gemstone.
“Off for more loot?” I asked.
“Meow.”
That was a definite yes.
As we approached the door that led to the ghost library, I caught sight of Florian. He sat in a chair in the corner, looking at his hand, a confused expression on his face.
“Florian? What’s wrong?” As I stepped nearer, I realized what it was. “You’re fading!”
He looked up at me, face stark. “I am.”
Dread made my chest feel empty. “Arach’s magic must help keep you here.”
“It does.” He nodded. “Oh, this is very bad indeed.”
Shit, shit, shit.
We had to find Arach’s heart before Florian faded away entirely. We’d lose more than just the magic that hid us from the world and allowed us to continue our work and live in peace. We’d lose Arach and Florian. Our friends.
“Don’t worry, Florian. We’ll find it.”
He nodded, hope flashing on his face.
Determination fueled me as I turned, headed through the door toward the ghost library.
Fortunately, the library allowed us to use the stairs, making them appear before us when we entered the massive space.
“See? This is just evidence that the castle wants me to help,” I said.
“Gotta say, I agree,” Rowan said.
“Aye, I think you’re meant to do this.”
We made our way silently toward the trapdoor. I stopped behind a bookshelf, and the others followed suit. We peered through books. Two guards stood by the trapdoor. One chewed vigorously on a ballpoint pen, while another hummed lightly under his breath.
“Be ready to be quick,” Lachlan whispered.
I barely felt his magic, though I knew he used it. Probably suppressing it so the guards didn’t sense what was coming.
The one guard stopped chewing immediately, and the other ceased humming. They stood still as statues.
“Sprint past!” I whispered at Rowan.
Just like he’d done back in Paris, Lachlan had temporarily frozen time, so the guards wouldn’t realize that we’d passed.
We raced past the guards, ducking low under their line of sight, then slipped down the stairs, deep into the earth. I kept my ears pricked for any sign that the guards had woken and sensed us, but heard nothing.
About halfway down, Lachlan whispered, “We’re in the clear.”
We made our way quickly into the cavern. It was just as magical as when we’d left. The glittering blue lights dripped from the ceiling, and the rest of the place was empty.
“I bet they’re in the tunnel,” Rowan whispered.
“Probably.” I headed straight for the glittering pond that surrounded the pedestal, hoping to find something. Rowan and Lachlan spread out, and we searched the cavern for any clues.
When I turned up empty, I headed for the tunnel.
Lachlan was already there, inspecting every inch of the area where the tunnel met the cavern. He turned as I neared. “We’ll have to go in.”
I nodded, and stepped in. I heard nothing—no voices or footsteps. “I think the PITs are farther in.”
“Good for us,” Rowan whispered.
We crept quietly through the tunnel, which looked like it was freshly dug. Using what, though?
Like the cavern, it glowed with an eerie blue light from the glittering spots in the ceiling. About fifty yards in, a splatter of green slime on the ground caught my eye. It was about three feet around, and shards of glass were scattered around it.
“What’s that?” Rowan whispered.
“Potion bomb, I think.” I bent and sniffed it, but didn’t dare touch. It looked like someone had taken a sample of it, complete with the dirt from below. “But I think it’s important.”
“Here.” Rowan dug into her pocket and pulled out a plastic Ziploc bag. “Use this.”
“Thanks.” Rowan liked to be prepared. She also liked snacks. Which meant I wasn’t surprised she had the little baggie on hand. I took the bag and bent down, then picked up a sample.
The sound of voices echoed in the cavern.
Crap.
They were close. Too close.
I met Rowan’s startled gaze.
“Go!” she mouthed, then gestured down the tunnel, back into the cavern.
“What?” I mouthed back.
Then she turned and hurried toward the voices. Lachlan grabbed my arm and pulled hard.
I fought him, but he won, dragging me away. Rowan and Caro’s voices echoed in the tunnel.
Rowan had taken the hit and covered for me.
Best sister ever.
Guilt tugged at me. I was grateful, but Rowan didn’t deserve to get in trouble. Hopefully Jude wasn’t with them, and Caro would cut Rowan some slack. She was a good storyteller. Liar, according to our Uncle Joe.
Lachlan and I raced through the cavern and up the stairs. He repeated the time-freezing trick, and we slipped by the guards, then through the library and out into the hall.
“I like your sister,” Lachlan said.
I panted, trying to catch my breath after the long sprint. “I owe her big time.”
“Can I see the sample?” Lachlan held out his hand.
I gave him the baggie, and he studied it, opening it to peer inside. To smell it. For a sec, I thought he was going to taste it.
Fortunately, he decided not to.
Unfortunately, his brow remained scrunched. “I’ve got no idea what this is, but we need to get out of here.”
“Yeah, she won’t rat us out, but they’ll be coming up.”
Lachlan raised his hand, and his magic swelled on the air, bringing with it the scent of pine and the sound of low thunder rolling in the distance. I shivered at the feel of a caress.
A gleaming silver light appeared in front of his palm. The light grew, bigger and bigger, until I could step into the portal.
I glanc
ed at him. “Where am I going?”
“Don’t you trust me?”
I wrinkled my nose as I stared at him. “Not sure that I do.”
A sexy smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Magic’s Bend.”
“Good, I like it there.” I stepped through the portal, letting the ether suck me in and spin me around, finally spitting me out on the street in Magic’s Bend, the biggest supernatural city in America. There were only three, but this one in Oregon was the crown jewel.
I arrived just as the sun was dipping toward the horizon, sending a golden glow over the old factory buildings that lined the street in Factory Row. The city wasn’t large—just over 60,000 supernaturals lived here—and this was the old factory district. Sometime in the last few decades, it’d been revitalized and turned into apartments and cool shops.
I stepped aside, and Lachlan arrived, stepping through the portal next to me.
I eyed Potions & Pastilles, the magical coffee shop where my friends the FireSouls often visited. “I assume we’re visiting Connor to see if he can identify the potion?”
Lachlan’s friend, who we’d rescued just a few days ago, ran Potions & Pastilles along with his sister. He had a potions workshop in the back.
“Got it in one,” Lachlan said. “I couldn’t tell what it was, and while I could run some tests, I think it’d be better if both of us look at it. Two minds give us better odds.”
I liked how he thought. Even though he was a super powerful mage and potion maker, he wasn’t above asking for help. If there was one thing I’d learned in my years scrabbling to stay alive with my sisters, it was that help was often the only thing between me and failure. Or death.
So yeah, I was glad we were here to see Connor.
I peered through the golden script on the big glass window that said Potions & Pastilles, spotting a skinny dark-haired guy behind the counter. “I think we’re in luck.”
I followed Lachlan toward the coffee shop, stepping into a warmly lit space that was covered with local artwork. Mason jar lamps hung from the ceiling, and the whole place had an Oregon hipster vibe that I liked a lot.
In the corner, the FireSouls sat in their usual cluster of comfy chairs. Cass, Nix, and Del each had a glass in their hand as they waved at me. An enormous brown and white hellhound—heavy on the hound—sat next to Del. The dog lifted its ears, and its tongue rolled out. Pond Flower.
