Witch Possessed, page 4
A low moan drifted from his direction, and he flipped his hand over so his fingers wrapped through mine. My heart leapt and tears pricked my eyes with an infuriating sense of hope.
In the next second, the car filled with soft, steady breathing. When I turned to look, I found Trace fast asleep.
Chapter 5
Alyssa
I pulled up under a streetlight and turned off the engine. Gramps’s voice—and Trace’s, I had to admit—was in my head telling me to pull up into the shadows to avoid being seen, but what could I say? The habits of being a woman alone at night were strong. Depending on how tonight went down, I didn’t want to get mugged on my way back to the car.
Through the window, the park looked quiet. No group of people standing ominously in a coven circle, no screaming grandfather, no subtle colours suggesting a magical trap had been set. But there also weren’t any homeless people sleeping on the benches or young people strolling through after a night out. If I had to guess, I wasn’t the only one to have the get-here-early-to-scope-out-the-place plan and whoever else was here had woven a subtle spell around the park to keep people away.
A shiver ran through me, and I pulled my magic into my palms. It wouldn’t do to go in unprepared.
Trace shifted in his seat, a low groan of pain escaping him, and his head tipped towards me. I took in his sleeping features, wishing he appeared more at rest instead of an unconscious version of his uncomfortable waking self. In the shadows, the hollows of his cheeks were more pronounced than they had been outside.
The desire to brush a stray hair out of his face was strong—the need to touch him almost overwhelming—but I settled for resting my hand on his where it had fallen into his lap.
“Trace?”
He didn’t react to either his name or the contact, and although I knew he would be furious at me for leaving him, I didn’t have the heart to try again. The man needed to sleep, and Madison would be here soon.
So, armed with my magic and a growing rage at the idea that anyone had laid hands on my grandfather, I got out of the car and walked into the park.
A low hum of magic swept over me. Not enough to be visible, but definitely enough to keep any mundanes from wandering through. I shoved my hands into my pockets, kept my power close to the surface, and scanned the darkness.
Finally, I spotted the van on the far side of the park. It was a black panel van, so it blended in well with the night, but I made out the faint cloaking spell over it as well. Most witches would have cloaked it entirely, but then I would have been able to see the magic. These people had been strong enough to nab Gramps, which meant they had power, so I doubted the less effective spell was a coincidence. The Mooney family’s genetic quirk of seeing magic wasn’t exactly a secret, but it did mean these witches had studied us.
I pulled my hands out of my pockets and kept them by my sides, playing with the atmospheric energy around me. It prickled my skin and swirled in waving patterns, testing the air, searching for anyone hiding in the shadows. With one good pulse, I could throw any unwanted attackers away from me, but I had to bide my time. No attacking until I saw Gramps. Ideally until I had him safely by my side.
Well, frankly, the ideal would be not having to fight at all, but I strongly suspected that the odds of these people saying Oops, so sorry about the misunderstanding, we’ll just be on our way were slim.
My heart thrashed against my ribs as I reached the middle of the park. I felt eyes on me but couldn’t place them, and the obscurity was messing with my head. I didn’t like being on this side of what felt like a one-way mirror. It made me feel vulnerable and small, and there was nothing I hated more.
I pumped more magic into my hands. “I know you’re there. Come out and show yourselves. And give me my grandfather.”
“Where is the amulet?”
The voice came from right behind me, but when I whirled around to face the speaker, I found the path empty. They’d used a spell to project their voice. The realization sent creepy-crawlies down my spine, and I forced my body not to shiver.
I hated this. I wished now I’d been less compassionate and tried harder to wake up Trace. I wished I’d arranged with Madison to meet me here earlier than the agreed-upon time. Or that I’d called my brothers after all. At the very least, I wished I had someone else at my back so I didn’t have to look everywhere at once.
“I told you on the phone, it broke.”
“You’re lying.”
The voice had moved to my left. Was it following the source? If I sent a blast of magic in that direction, would I send the witch behind the spell sprawling into the glow of the streetlights that barely lit the park?
“I’m not. It was smashed. There’s nothing left of it but a really ugly setting. You can have that if you want.”
It wasn’t smart to goad them. I knew that. But sarcasm was my panic language, so I couldn’t bite my tongue. It was either throw them a handful of snark or let my shaking limbs overwhelm me.
“Where is my grandfather?”
The only response was silence. I took a few more steps down the path, once more scanning the park for any sign of other people here with me. I paid particular attention to the van, squinting into the darkness to make out any figures standing beside or sitting in the vehicle, but there was nothing.
And then there was nothing at all. The lights in the park blinked out, leaving me draped in endless night. I could barely make out the porch lights from the houses only a street away.
Then a flash of green elemental magic morphed into a ball of fire as the witches attacked.
Chapter 6
Trace
I woke up feeling more rested than I had in weeks, though the reprieve lasted all of thirty seconds before the souls taking up space inside me slammed against the magical barriers I’d put up. They were so desperate to get out, and I didn’t know how much longer I’d be able to contain them.
Still, those thirty seconds of peace had been more than I’d accomplished on my own, even after hours of meditation and dozens of spells to strengthen my hold.
I’d have to send Alyssa a gift basket in gratitude.
Alyssa.
The rest of my night tumbled through my memory. Where the hell was she? I swung my head around to search for her, only realizing belatedly how ridiculous that was. What did I think she was doing? Crouching in the back seat?
The car was parked under a streetlight near the corner. To my left, through the driver’s side window, I made out the row of old Victorian houses that lined the street. To my right was the park.
During the day, this park was a hub of activity, with markets and tai chi and folks going for walks. At night… well, it had a reputation in this neighbourhood for a reason. No matter what time anyone walked through, it was best to wear shoes to avoid a hospital visit.
Of course the witches would suggest Alyssa meet them here where it was unlikely anyone would look twice at a group trading a person for fuck’s sake. What the hell were they thinking?
I wished I’d gotten to the pub earlier. Been there for Alyssa when the witches had called to make their demands. When Chip had called me this evening to tell me the rumours about Alyssa’s grandfather, it had taken all my energy to drag myself into the shower and throw on some clothes so I could get to her and find out what the hell was going on.
He’d thought I was ridiculous for making the effort in my condition. Considering I hadn’t been able to do anything other than lie in my crappy rental apartment and wrestle my resident spirits into place, he was probably right, but there was no way I’d let Alyssa face this threat alone. Not after everything she’d been through a month ago. Seriously, this woman had the worst luck.
She was holding up well on the surface, but she had to be freaking out. I’d gotten to know her well enough to imagine the million directions her thoughts had taken as soon as she’d received the ransom call. She would have already run through every worst-case scenario and come up with a few even these bastards hadn’t thought of. And she was right to be afraid. They’d taken her grandfather. For an amulet that shouldn’t have existed.
What were they planning to do with it?
Clyde Corrick had wanted the damned thing bad enough he’d killed at least two fae, syphoned their magic into himself, and framed Alyssa for murder and magic theft just so he could take over the bar, dig up the amulet, and lay claim to the city.
We’d destroyed him and his army of witches, demons, and shifters. What did this coven think they could do that Corrick couldn’t?
I hoped I was right and their arrogance outweighed their intelligence, but I couldn’t bank on it. Not when Alyssa and her family were involved.
For the tenth time tonight, I told myself I shouldn’t care so much. Nine years ago, I’d promised myself I would never again let my heart rule my decisions. Hazel had ruined that option for me. Because of her, I’d lost my freedom for three years. I’d lost my dream of being a SMOAC task force soldier. I’d lost my innocence. All because I’d fallen in love and put my faith in someone I cared about.
For nine years, I’d held on to that promise—to so many promises.
How many had I broken for Alyssa already? I’d lost count somewhere around the time I’d taken the released souls into myself to protect her and ensure Corrick didn’t get them for himself. I was already dealing with those consequences. How much more was I willing to sacrifice?
The question was still echoing in my head as I dragged myself out of the car and used the door to push myself to full height.
Where the hell was Alyssa?
The streetlights inside the park had gone out, shrouding the space in shadow, and my heart lurched with the realization that the witches she was supposed to meet were already here.
Had I slept through the whole damned thing?
Great job, Trace. Real fucking helpful.
I strained my senses to pick up anything beyond the darkness and the pulse rushing in my ears, but it was the prickle of familiar magic on my skin that guided my steps.
Until I’d spent the day with Alyssa, I’d never been able to recognize individual signatures before, but hers brushed against mine in a way that made me think of soft fingertips brushing over bare skin. It raised goosebumps on my arms and, usually, made my jeans a bit tighter.
Tonight, the way her power rose into a cresting wave set my heartbeat racing, and I upped my pace.
Soon enough, she came into view through the darkness, her concentration focused on holding off a man trying to pin her down. Her atmospheric magic was strong, but whatever bloodline this guy came from challenged that strength. They were caught in a state of attrition, each one working to wear the other down, neither gaining ground.
I summoned my telekinetic power and launched a discarded bottle at the man’s head.
He cursed and staggered to the side, leaving Alyssa free to launch a spell and hurl him backwards into three other guys who were running away, dragging an older man between them.
Shit. I’d been so caught by Alyssa’s trouble, I’d missed the fact that her grandfather was right there, still in the hands of whoever had abducted him.
Get your head in the game, Wyatt.
Alyssa was already tearing after them, so I joined her on the chase. After ten steps, my body rebelled, but I made up for my lack of speed with a few bursts of magic that knocked one guy on his ass and sent another hurtling forward. Unfortunately, neither of them had hold of Alyssa’s grandfather.
A black van came into view through the shadows up ahead, the back doors open, the engine running.
Alyssa threw out her hands and tried to pin down the van with her power while I kept my attention on the kidnappers. I wrapped more magic around the one on the ground to bind him in place and threw out a magical net to grab hold of one of the two dragging the old man.
My magic bounced off, blocked by a strong ward.
I pushed my legs harder, doing my best to close the distance between us. My heart battered against my ribs, my breath came in wheezing gasps, and my steps faltered, but I pressed on… reached out my hand… made contact with the cheap polyester of the asshole’s shirt—and got slammed by a hit of magic that threw me back half a dozen feet.
I landed on my shoulder, the air bursting from my lungs, as Alyssa shouted her frustration. The van door rolled shut, the engine revved, and the tires squealed as the vehicle drove away. I twisted towards the guy I’d pinned down, but his buddies must have grabbed him because the park was empty.
The string of curses that left Alyssa’s mouth was as endearing as it was impressive, but the fact that she felt the need to get that creative meant I’d let her down. Again.
The crushing weight of that failure left me groaning as I rolled onto my side and pushed myself up. I startled on finding Alyssa crouched beside me.
“You all right?” she asked, her question packed with concern and not a hint of accusation. As though I hadn’t ruined her chances of getting her grandfather back.
“I’m fine. What happened? Why didn’t you wake me up?”
Well, that came off more than a little accusatory. Well done, Trace.
She frowned, as she had every right to, but didn’t smack me upside the head, which I would have thoroughly deserved.
“I tried, but whatever you’re—you didn’t wake up.”
The worry that skittered across her beautiful green eyes gave me a pinch of guilt, but for now I pressed it down with the other emotions, trauma, and neuroses I didn’t feel like addressing this early in the morning. Soon enough, she and I would have to talk, but right now the priority was that black van and the man those creeps had dragged into it.
“I went into the park to check things out. I knew they were here but couldn’t see anything. Somehow they put the lights out when I told them I didn’t have the amulet, and then they swarmed me.” She shuddered and ran her hands over her arms.
“They touched you?” Red snaked into my vision as I looked her over as best I could in the darkness.
“It’s fine. I fought them off well enough. Thanks for helping with that last one. Too bad they grabbed him and threw him in the van before we could question him.”
Despite her words, I watched the way she rubbed her wrist, and beneath her sleeve, I made out the shadow of a bruise against her pale skin. The pulse of rage sparked a simmering heat that spread to my fingertips, and I balled my fists to stop myself from chasing after that van and tearing out the throats of every scumbag who’d laid a hand on her.
This wasn’t me. I didn’t do overpowering anger. I was reason and logic. It was how I’d earned my reputation as the best bounty hunter in Canada. I was Mr. Hands-Off when it came to women. I was the detached professional who always put the job ahead of everything else.
I needed to sort my shit out, because the path I was heading down would not end well for me.
“I’m sorry about your grandfather,” I said, and the crease between Alyssa’s eyebrows deepened.
“He looked so scared, Trace. But not for himself. That worries me even more.”
“Hey.” I longed to bundle her against my chest until that worried look in her eyes faded, but I settled for wrapping my fingers around hers. “We’ll get him back. We know he’s breathing, and by the look of it, he wasn’t hurt. They must have bound his magic, but they’re keeping him alive. They won’t risk losing their leverage over you. It buys us some time.”
She replied with an unassured nod and stared off in the direction the van had gone.
As my breathing slowed, my magic settled, and another wave of exhaustion swept over me. Alyssa’s car, only a few metres away, looked too far for me to crawl to. Maybe I’d curl up and sleep next to the park bench. I wouldn’t be the first person to make myself comfortable here for the night.
“Come on,” Alyssa said, her soft voice jerking me out of my doze. “I better give Madi a call and tell her not to bother showing up. Can you make it to the car?”
I grimaced, and her shoulders slumped.
She stood up without letting go of my hand and hauled me to my feet. She was stronger than she looked. Once I was steady, she let go of me and slid her arm under mine. I didn’t want to burden her, but after a few steps, I found myself leaning on her, my weight partially offset by her solid form. I hated how right it felt to be this close to her. Or maybe how wrong it felt that we weren’t closer still. Too many unsaid words and unknown feelings stood between us. And that promise. The one about leaving my heart out of it. Couldn’t forget that.
What felt like days later, we reached the car. Alyssa set me against it as she opened the passenger door, and she didn’t leave until she’d helped me in and actually lifted my legs over the lip. She closed the door, rounded the car, and slid into the driver’s seat.
“Where can I drop you?” she asked.
I started to tell her I had a rental on Metcalfe but quickly stopped myself. I’d seen the hurt in her eyes when she’d asked me why I hadn’t been in touch. If she found out I’d been that close the whole time, she’d turn those sad eyes on me again, and I didn’t think my heart could take it. Plus my keys were in my car.
“Back at the pub is fine. I can drive myself home.”
Was that me? The words sounded slurred.
Alyssa huffed and buckled herself in. “Not a chance in any kind of hell. I guess you’re coming home with me.”
Chapter 7
Alyssa
I closed my bedroom door and sank against it, exhaling all the wild emotions from the past hour that had yet to settle.
Trace was already asleep on my couch, having passed out the moment he’d collapsed onto it. Parka still on, boots off—though that had been close. He’d nearly been out before taking the second one off.
Trace Wyatt was asleep on my couch.
A parade of butterflies marched up and down my stomach, and I rested my hand over my lower belly in an effort to get them to shush.
