Kade was intrigued. “Like what, for example?”
“A woman living by old rules might not realize new possibilities … like traveling between planes.”
“Ah.” Realization dawned on Kade’s face. “You don’t think she understands exactly what Naida and Nixie are capable of.”
“Exactly.” I bobbed my head. “She probably knows what a lamia is. Raven is of this world. Nixie and Naida are something else.”
“Do you think we can use that?”
I shrugged, uncertain. “I don’t know. It’s interesting to think about, though. In fact … .” I didn’t finish my sentence, instead whirling and pinning with a crystal the girl who thought she was sneaking up behind me before she could lash out with a wicked-looking knife. The girl widened her eyes when she realized what happened, causing me to tilt my head to the side. This one stopped fighting quicker than the other two.
“They’re learning,” I noted, doing my best to wrap my head around the situation. “They’re absorbing knowledge from one another. This one stopped fighting quicker. That means she realizes it’s fruitless and doesn’t want to expend unnecessary energy.”
“Which means Paige realizes it’s fruitless,” Kade surmised. “That’s three down. Only forty-seven or so to go, right?” He flashed a winning smile, one I was obliged to return.
“Probably fewer. I’m guessing that Paige spread her minions and approached the grounds from a variety of directions. I’m sure the other teams have taken out some of the girls. That doesn’t mean we don’t have a lot more to tackle before the end of the day.”
“Where next?”
That was a good question. “I don’t know. I … .”
The sound of cackling caused me to shift my eyes to the right and I almost fell over when I saw a small hand gripping the tent flap and peering around it. The face meeting mine was straight out of a nightmare. Heck, it was straight out of my nightmare.
“What are you looking at?” Kade was determined as he strode through the opening and joined me on the other side, his eyes going wide when he recognized the doll from Bates’ booth. “Son of a … !” He swore under his breath, his vehemence washing over me in a furious wave. “I guess you were right about those dolls being possessed.”
I swallowed hard, refusing to break eye contact with the doll. “I really wish I’d been right about something else.”
Kade gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. “This is like your worst nightmare, isn’t it?”
“You have no idea.”
Kade slid his arm around my waist and gave me a tug, moving me away from the doll’s evil glare. “How many of those do you think she has?”
“Too many.”
“Do you think they have poisonous blades, too?”
I shrugged, helplessness washing over me. “I have no idea, but I think I might pass out or something. Human dolls are one thing. It’s bad, but I can find the courage to look past them. These things are so much worse.”
Kade didn’t look convinced. “Those things are fabric and wood.”
“So?”
“So you can do this.”
My mouth dropped open as Kade dropped his arm and swiveled, lifting his foot and slamming it down on the doll. In the split second before he smashed the creature’s face into the dirt she looked as surprised as I felt. Then her face met the mud. Kade was enthusiastic as he ground her into the dirt, flashing me a triumphant look as he moved his foot.
“See. That wasn’t so bad.”
Strangely enough, I felt bolstered by his easy takedown of the doll. Then she stirred, lifting her small head in my direction and fixing a set of murderous eyes on me. Her fabric face was soaked and stained. One of her button eyes looked as if it might fall off, but she was back on her tiny feet and her muddy face promised mayhem.
“You were saying?”
“Oh, geez.” Kade grabbed my arm and gave me a tug. “I thought it was going to be easy.”
“That will teach you to underestimate dolls. They’re evil.”
“I’ve seen the light. Now … run!”
THE GROUND GREW SLIPPERY fast, dirt turning to mud and the overabundance of rain adding an inch or two of standing water to the mix over some portions of the pathways. Kade was in front of me, his eyes trained to the left. I took the right, slapping a crystal against an approaching girl before she could round the corner next to one of the game booths.
“Have you seen anyone else?” Kade asked, his chest heaving as he stopped to catch his breath. “What about Max or Raven?”
I shook my head as I wiped the accumulating water from my forehead. “They’re around. Don’t worry about that. I would know if something happened.”
“To all of them?”
“I … .” I broke off, considering. Finally, I nodded. “I would know. Luke is with Max. He’s talking up a storm because that’s what he does when he’s nervous. Max is tuning him out, but he’s not agitated. Well, at least not yet. They’ve tagged some of the girls. Raven and Seth, too.”
“What about Naida and Nixie?”
“They’re making good headway. So are Dolph and Nellie. Nellie is small enough that he can slip under things. He’s slapping crystals against ankles as they run by.” I smiled at the image flitting through my head. “They’re okay. Everyone is okay.”
“And everyone else, the midway folk and clowns, are still in their trailers?”
“They know something is going on, but they’re not sure what. This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. They’re fine letting us sort things out on our own and staying out of the melee.
“Paige isn’t focused on them,” I continued. “She wants … us.”
“You mean she wants you.” Kade’s expression darkened. “Why is she focused on you?”
“I don’t know.”
“I don’t believe that.”
I balked. “I’m not lying.”
“Oh, don’t do that again.” Kade wagged a finger in my face as he stepped closer. “I’m not calling you a liar. I think you don’t want to say what you believe for some reason. We don’t have time for that. Tell me.”
“I … .” I honestly didn’t know what to say.
Kade stared for a long moment. “Paige thinks you’re the strongest one here, doesn’t she?”
Even though the pelting rain was cold, my cheeks burned. “I think so. I don’t know why she would believe that, though.”
“I do.” Kade adopted a reasonable tone. “To Melissa, you’re the hero. You plucked her from a life she hated and gave her a shot at accomplishing everything she’s ever wanted. She’s seen you in action a few times, and you’re always strong in battle.
“Melissa hasn’t seen Max in action all that much and she’s been shielded from some of the things Naida and Raven can do,” he continued. “In Melissa’s mind you’re the star … and that means Paige thinks she only needs to take you out to win.”
I opened my mouth to argue. Instead I merely shrugged. “I don’t believe that. I don’t want you thinking that I somehow fancy myself above everyone else.”
Kade cracked a smile. “Do you think that’s what I’m worried about?”
“I don’t know. What are you worried about?”
“Exactly what means Paige will use to get to you,” Kade replied without hesitation. “She’s turned the focus to you, which means … .”
As if on cue, the dreamcatcher picked that moment to alert, a whooping pulse of magic moving through me as the sky illuminated with a multitude of magical sparks.
“What’s that?” Kade asked, looking upward.
“Paige crossed the boundary. She’s here.”
Kade turned grim. “Good. That means we can end this. Which way?”
I wasn’t entirely sure … and then the answer hit me hard. “My tent. She’ll go to my tent.”
“Then I guess we’ll meet her there.”
29
Twenty-Nine
We tagged three more invaders on the
way back to my tent. I could feel Paige’s presence inside the moment we closed the distance, causing my anxiety to ratchet up a notch. Even though I knew it was fruitless, I made a heartfelt suggestion all the same.
“Perhaps you should find Max and tell him where we are.”
Kade didn’t as much as blink. “No.”
“We could use his help.”
“If you can sense him, he can sense you.” Kade was firm. “He’ll come on his own.”
I knew that to be true. I also knew that if Paige really wanted to hurt me she’d go after Kade. I was desperate to protect him.
“But … .”
“Shut up,” Kade ordered, his eyes flashing. “Together. For good or bad, we’re together. I don’t want to hear another word about it.”
I nodded, resigned. “Be careful.”
“That goes double for you.”
Paige sat in my chair as we entered, a bright smile on her face. Even though she didn’t move, I caught a glimpse of Melissa standing in the corner. Paige was the immediate threat, so I focused on her.
“I was wondering if you would bother to join me.” Paige leaned back in my chair and gestured to one of the seats across from her. “Have a seat.”
It was a power play, and a weak one at that. “I’m good.”
Paige’s smile didn’t slip. “I don’t believe you heard me. Have a seat.”
“I heard you. And I’m good.”
Paige narrowed her eyes. It wasn’t until the exact moment that she sent out the command – it was nothing more than a whisper on the wind that caused my blood to run cold – that I realized her intentions.
Melissa moved from the corner and, without hesitation, slammed her head into the pole at the center of the tent.
I couldn’t contain my gasp when she did it a second time, blankly ignoring the blood running down the side of her face as she readied herself for a third round.
“Stop it!” Kade ordered, taking a step toward Melissa. The intention to stop her by whatever means necessary was written all over his face.
I reached out and grabbed his arm, refusing to let him move closer to Melissa or Paige should the latter decide attacking seemed fun. “I’ll sit.”
Kade cast me a sidelong look. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
I didn’t answer, instead keeping a firm grip on his arm as I led him toward the chairs. He shot me one more dubious look before sitting. I did the same. Paige smiled maniacally as she mentally ordered Melissa to return to the corner. I could hear the conversation, and there was nothing but acquiescence on Melissa’s end. Paige was completely in charge.
“That’s better, isn’t it?” Paige was back to projecting an air of faux innocence and light. “Now we can get comfortable for our conversation.”
“What is it you want, Paige? I mean … what do you think you’re going to get out of all of this?”
“Well, at first I thought I was going to learn a bit about magical circus folk and perhaps expand my powers,” Paige replied. “Now I’m simply hoping to add a doll or two to my collection.”
She was so matter-of-fact it set my teeth on edge. “I see. And who did you think would willingly turn themselves over to be your playthings?”
“Willingly? No one. Raven and you will make nice additions to my collection. You’re the most powerful ones. I think you’d fit in nicely.”
“That’s not going to happen,” Kade seethed, leaning forward. “If you think I’m going to let you touch her … .”
Paige flicked a dismissive look to Kade. “I don’t believe you’re going to have a say in the matter. You’re powerful, and yet … you don’t use your powers. You don’t even know how to tap into them. I’m not sure what to make of that.”
Kade practically vibrated with rage beneath my fingertips as I rested them on his forearm. “I’m not powerful.”
“Do you believe that or merely want it to be true?” Paige stared hard into Kade’s eyes, involuntarily shuddering. “I look forward to finding out.”
“And how do you figure you’re going to do that?”
“Once Poet is one of my dolls, you won’t have a choice,” Paige replied smoothly. “Once she’s under my command, you’ll bend your knee and join me or I’ll kill her. You won’t have any choice.”
Paige’s smile was evil as she steepled her fingers in front of her. “Something tells me you’ll do whatever it takes to keep Poet alive. You think you’re her hero and will protect her with your life. I’m counting on that … and I’m looking forward to spending time with you so we can explore your powers together.”
Paige shifted her eyes back to me, perhaps sensing that I was getting ready to strike. “Of course, you won’t mind if I turn the time I spend with Kade into something romantic, will you? Of course you won’t. You won’t have enough brain power to mind anything.”
“I’ll never give you what you want,” Kade argued. “It simply won’t happen.”
“We shall see.” Paige licked her lips. Now that I could look upon her with knowledge, she seemed much older than the young girl I originally pegged her for. “Something tells me Poet is going to give me what I want … mostly because she knows I’ll kill Melissa if she doesn’t.”
I knew that would be her play. Unfortunately for Paige, I learned a long time ago that giving in to blackmail was a fool’s errand. “If you kill Melissa, I will be profoundly sad,” I admitted. “I’ll blame myself and feel guilt for a very long time. But I won’t sacrifice myself to save her. At least not the way you want me to. I don’t have it in me.”
Paige pursed her lips. “I think you’re wrong.”
“And I think you’ve underestimated me.” A mental flash from Max – I’m coming, hold the line – allowed me to feel bolder, and I squared my shoulders and sat straighter on my chair. “You’ve handled this battle poorly, Paige. In fact, if we were playing Risk you already would’ve lost.”
“Is that so?” Paige let loose with a hollow chuckle. “How do you figure that?”
“You think because you know what Melissa knew that you’re somehow ahead of the game. The thing is, Melissa didn’t know all that much about us. Sure, she learned something new every day. That doesn’t mean she knew our darkest secrets.”
“Really?” Paige feigned interest. “Is this when you’re going to tell me what he is?” She inclined her head toward Kade. “He doesn’t even know what he is. He certainly doesn’t know the power he possesses. Are you trying to say he’s going to kill me?”
I shrugged, noncommittal. “I’m sure he would like to kill you with his bare hands.”
“You’ve got that right,” Kade growled.
“He probably won’t get a shot,” I added. “You’ll be gone long before he can put a hand on you.”
“And why do you say that?”
“Because your dolls, as you like to call them, are falling outside. They’re being trapped at a rapid clip right now because my friends are converging on this tent. They’re almost here, and when they arrive you’re going to learn a hard lesson about what is and is not proper behavior.”
Paige snorted. “I’ve been around much longer than you. I know a thing or two about threats, and that was an empty one.”
“No, it wasn’t.” Now it was my turn to be matter-of-fact. “You’ve been alive – and vital – for almost a hundred and fifty years. That’s impressive. I am curious how you convinced Barney to pretend to be your father when you were really his great-grandmother.”
Even though she did her best to cover, I could tell Paige was shaken.
“And how did you figure that out?” Paige queried.
“Barney was big on filling out his family tree online. It wasn’t difficult.”
“Yes, well … .”
I cut her off before she could take control of the conversation a second time. “You found the key to everlasting youth, but you did it at the price of the dolls you created. You stole their life essences and extended your life while draining their power
and strength.”
“That’s hardly rocket science.” Paige made a big show of studying her cuticles. “Do you want a cookie for figuring out the obvious?”
I shook my head. “It was easier before. You could take a lot of girls in a small area and no one ever managed to put together a pattern because you weren’t leaving behind bodies. But as technology grew, you found you had to move more often.”
“What a riveting story.” Paige rolled her eyes. “Let’s go back to talking about you serving me.”
I ignored her tone. “Austin. New Orleans. Salem. Now here. You picked supernatural nexuses so you could operate freely and then you went about your hunting. The thing is, you’ve taken a lot of girls in this area in six months. The information I got regarding your activities in the other locations seems to indicate that you weren’t working nearly as fast when you visited. I think I know why.”
“You seem to think you know a lot about a great many things, yet you’re ignorant,” Paige fired back. “You don’t know anything.”
“I know it all.” I wasn’t boasting. I’d figured it out and my fingers itched to unleash my building power. It wasn’t quite time yet. “I know that you’re failing. Even though you’re strong and thought you’d live forever, your magic is starting to diminish.”
Paige shot me a haughty look. “You wish that were true.”
“It is true,” I countered. “That’s why you took so many girls while you were here. I mean, you took way more girls than was safe. That was by necessity. It wasn’t a whim. You were hoping that if you drained more of them faster it would reverse the signs you were seeing. But the aging process only increased.
“You’re desperate for a new influx of power to stave off the inevitable,” I continued. “That’s why you were so intrigued to meet Melissa. She has magic, and you found by enslaving her that it made you feel a little better. You think adding Raven and me to that mix will make things perfect again.”
The eerie smile slipped from Paige’s face. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
[Mystic Caravan Mystery 05.0] Freaky Places Page 26
