Casting Shadows, page 14
part #4 of The Magicsmith Series
I nodded, pulling my hand back. Then I slipped my arm behind James and helped him to his feet, eager to be out of this room.
One mission accomplished. We’d managed to arrange a safe place to sleep, surrounded by bloodsucking murderers. Time to tell the others.
I CLOSED THE DOOR of my temporary bedroom and leaned back, resting my head against the hard wood. Chase and Haru were standing watch in the hall—Haru because he was the least exhausted of us, and Chase because he didn’t trust Haru to do the job properly. Ava, Jynx, and Emma were next door. I sighed. This was hardly the wedding night anyone expected.
I pushed away from the door, kicked off my shoes, and slipped into bed still fully dressed. Promises or no, I wanted to be ready to run should Victoria’s hospitality turn south. James was already in the bed, sans shirt, and lifted an arm in invitation. I snuggled close, tucking against his side and resting my hand over his heart beside the ever-present crystal pendant.
Picturing Victoria’s perfect skin, I asked, “What’s the standing offer Victoria mentioned?”
“The same one she’s been pushing since she got here. She wants me to join her nest. Pledge myself.” He murmured the words into my hair and followed them with a kiss on the top of my head. “But I’m pledged to another.”
Smiling, I closed my eyes and relaxed against him. “Good answer.”
I matched the smooth rise and fall of his chest, the rhythm soothing some of my anxiety as the laundry list of impossible tasks ahead of me ran through my mind.
Once Ava was rested and Jynx was awake, we’d be headed for the fae reservation so I could talk to Bael and rescue May, but the portal to Enchantment was warded against vampires. Victoria had offered one day of sanctuary. One. I was happy James showed no interest in swearing himself to Victoria and her nest, but without her continued protection, James would be alone in the mortal realm once the rest of us crossed over. And while he might not share my spotlight as public enemy number one, he was still a wanted fugitive, thanks to our relationship. He’d be vulnerable . . . unless I found a way to circumvent the portal wards by the time we arrived.
I tilted my head so I was looking up at his chin. “Have you given any more thought to my idea about changing your demon?”
His chest stilled for a moment, then resumed its rise and fall.
“I have,” he said. “But I haven’t reached a decision.”
I rolled slightly so I was propped on my elbow and could look at him properly. “What’s holding you back?”
“Uncertainty, for one thing. What you’re suggesting has, as far as I know, never been attempted. What makes you think you can even affect the demon within me?”
I shrugged. “It’s the same demon that was inside me. On a different scale, I admit, but still.”
“And what if you can?” He traced his knuckles down the side of my face. “As a vampire, I’m strong and fast. I’m useful to you. What if changing me . . . changes that?”
I frowned, then I glared as his words took root. “You think I’m with you because you’re useful?”
I pushed away, intending to sit up, but he wrapped his arms around me to hold me in place.
“I would never think you so shallow,” he said. “But maybe I am. From my perspective, a man who cannot keep the woman he loves safe is . . . well, no man at all. And you are by no means an easy woman to keep safe.”
I stilled and studied the lines in James’s face, the shadows in his eyes. I didn’t know how old he was, not exactly, but he definitely came from a very different time. When he’d been human, before he was turned, what had chivalry looked like? How hard was it for him to watch me face danger time and again?
I settled back against his chest, hands folded under my chin. “If you want to keep me safe, the best place to do that is by my side.”
“And if I become mortal?”
I stretched to place a gentle kiss against his frown. “Then we’ll be mortal together.”
His gaze slid to the side and became unfocused.
“At least let me see if I can even affect your demon,” I suggested. “If not, this is all moot.”
He pursed his lips, clearly reluctant, but he nodded.
Shifting my gaze, I traced the ribbons of silver through James’s veins, following them out from the shadow at the center of him. The demon was a part of James . . . but also separate, part of an ancient creature who spread through hosts like a parasite.
I tugged at a single silver thread, separating it from the knot of energy at James’s core, finding the barbs that anchored it. Then I wrapped my magic around it. I needed to dissolve the demon into James, make it an indistinguishable part of the whole rather than a separate entity to keep in check. That’s what I’d done with the piece inside me. I’d absorbed it, redefined it. I could do it again.
I twisted the thread the way I’d twisted other materials with my magic, the way I’d twisted the piece of demon within me, shifting it closer to what I wanted—healthy human tissue fused with magic. Not the chaotic, self-destructive magic of a demon, but ordered, controllable magic.
I pushed and pulled the silvery substance, smoothing it into James’s natural energy, blending the two together. The silver started to bleed out, fading to match its surroundings.
James gasped and grabbed my wrist, pulling my hand away from his chest and breaking my concentration. The section I’d been changing reverted to silver.
He was staring at me, wide-eyed. “You really can do it.”
I was breathing heavily, as if I’d just run a race. “I can.” I grinned. My experiment had been a success.
A single strand was a long way from complete conversion, but I could do it. I knew I could. Though, considering how much energy that small change had taken, I’d need to rest first. “Give me a good night’s sleep and a decent meal, and I’ll be ready to tackle your demon when we get to the way station tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow,” James said in an oddly flat voice, his eyes still wide. The fact that he could be free of his demon within a day seemed to have hit him like a cancer patient being told there was a cure to their terminal disease.
Exhausted but happy, I set my cheek on his shoulder and let the warmth of my success pull me toward sleep.
Chapter 13
I STEPPED THROUGH Ava’s sixth, and final, portal. Chase waited a few steps away, wearing baggy shorts and a loose gray sweater. Jynx was tucked against his side. She was awake and walking on her own, but her buoyant energy was absent. Her half-lidded eyes were dull, her shoulders slumped. Haru stood a little ways off, hands in his pockets. Behind him, the tan Toyota I’d returned on my previous visit to the reservation sat at the end of a line of fae-friendly cars waiting to be loaned out.
Emma burst into existence beside me, took a quick look around, and went to stand next to Jynx. She bounced on the balls of her feet and wrung her hands. She’d been a ball of raw nerves since we left the nest, clearly anxious to get to May. Neither of us mentioned what we might find when we finally reached her.
Turning, I held my breath and studied the shimmering patch of cold, afternoon sunlight through which I’d come. Despite Ava’s assurance that her portal bypassed the wards around the way station, I’d breathe easier once James was through.
A polished shoe settled on the matted leaves that coated the ground. Then another. James took a deep breath, and I let mine out. He stepped away from the portal, moving to stand beside me. I touched his arm, finding comfort in the spark of connection that jumped between us.
A moment later Ava stumbled through. She dropped to her hands and knees. The shimmer behind her vanished.
I rushed to kneel by her side and placed a hand on her back as she gasped and panted.
“You did it, Ava,” I said. “You got us to the way station.”
She nodded, unable to speak. She’d been skeptical that she could make all six jumps necessary to get us there without more substantial breaks in between. But Emma’s impatience coupled with the threat of PTF discovery kept us moving since we left the nest.
“Come on,” I said, pulling her arm across my shoulders and lifting her to her feet. “Let’s get you inside.”
The six of us made our way to the front of the way station, tromping through a track of slushy, brown snow and mud which left the ground looking as if there’d been a stampede around the little farmhouse. I pictured the crush of evacuating fae around Targe’s portal before he collapsed. How many made it through?
Haru pushed through the front door. The rest of us followed, tracking muddy prints across the porch and into the common area that served as kitchen, living room, dining room, and check-in station. The ever-present little hob woman was in the kitchen. As usual, the smells of fresh-baked pastries, meat fat, and mingled spices hit me like a slap to the face.
My stomach clenched, a growl ripping out of it. Vampires didn’t keep a lot of food on hand that those of us with mortal digestions could eat. So while James had gotten a much-needed chance to feed thanks to a pretty redhead Victoria sent his way, breakfast for the rest of us had been a sparse affair. I licked my lips.
“Come on in. Make yourselves at—” The woman who manned the way station gasped and the tray of iced cinnamon rolls she’d been holding hit the floor with a clatter, pastries scattering. She clutched the counter behind her with one hand. With the other, she pointed one knobby-jointed finger at James and spluttered, “The wards.”
Ava slipped out of my grip and planted herself at the head of our little group, hands outstretched in a placating gesture. “It’s okay, Nell. The wards are intact.”
“But . . . but . . .” The woman’s eyes narrowed, still focused on James. “How’d you get through?”
“I brought him,” Ava said. “We portalled in.”
The old woman finally swung her gaze to Ava. Pale curls bounced against the woman’s skull as she shook her head. “You should know better. The wards are in place for a reason.”
“I mean you no harm,” James said.
“We’re on our way to the reservation,” I added. “Then we’ll be out of your hair.”
Piercing eyes stared at me out of an avalanche of wrinkled skin. “Otis is resting. He’s been ferrying fae to the reservation all morning.”
“How many have come through?” Ava asked.
The woman sighed and, kneeling, began picking up the spilled rolls. She kept one eye on James while she worked. “Six evacuation shelters ran their lines after hearing what happened at Crossroads.”
Ava wrung her hands, probably thinking about Targe. “How many others did the PTF raid?”
Nell shook her head. “None. But people are scared. They’re jumping ship while they can.”
“Any word what happened to those captured at Crossroads?” I asked.
Nell glanced at Ava, then back to me. “Sent to the detention centers, I’m afraid.”
I nodded. That made sense. I looked at Ava’s pale profile. At least the captured fae should still be alive.
Ava hugged herself. “How did they even find us?”
I thought of the homeless woman with her shopping cart begging for change, and the gap in James’s illusion. Had there been time for her to identify us? A call to the tip line might have gotten the PTF close enough to notice the aversion spells on Crossroads.
My face tingled as I went suddenly lightheaded. Was it my fault the bar was compromised?
“I hate to interrupt,” Emma said, stepping forward. “But we’re kinda in a rush.”
The woman’s pale curls bobbed in agreement. “You and everyone else. I’ll go roust Otis.”
With one last glare at James, she shuffled to the bedroom door, slipped through, and closed it behind her.
Chase led an ill-looking Jynx over to a floral patterned couch. Ava followed, and the two girls slumped together on the sagging cushions. Chase set his hands on his hips and looked up at the ceiling. “You two should head for our parents’ house.”
Jynx’s eyes became round as saucers, and she blurted, “I’m going with you!” at the same time as Ava, stiff beside her, said, “But they hate me!”
Chase shook his head. “Neither of you is in any condition for a trip to Enchantment. You can wait here if you want”—he gestured to the room around us—“but there’s no guarantee the PTF won’t find this place.”
I sat down next to Ava. “I don’t think Jynx’s parents hate you. They only opposed the marriage because of your mortality.” I met James’s gaze. “No one wants someone they love to suffer that kind of loss.”
Chase had gone very still when I started talking, but when I mentioned loss he shuddered and looked at Haru, who’d been keeping to himself on the far side of the room.
“But you’ve made your vows,” I continued. “There’s nothing they can do or say to change that. You can afford to be the bigger person here. Mend your bridges while you still can.”
“Alex is right,” Chase said. “There’s no reason for you to hide from our parents any longer. The union is struck. They’ll have to accept it.”
“But—”
“Go home, Jynx.” Chase rested a hand on his sister’s shoulder. “It’s time.”
She shook her head, jaw set. “Emma’s my friend. I want to help.”
I pushed to my feet, antsy to move. “With any luck, a quick chat with Bael is all it’ll take.”
The siblings exchanged a glance that made it clear how unlikely they thought that outcome was.
“Regardless,” I continued. “We’ve got this covered. You two should rest, recover . . . and celebrate. You’re married now, after all.”
Jynx stuck out her lower lip. “Our reception did get ruined . . .”
Ava stroked Jynx’s arm. “We could have another.”
Jynx took a deep breath and nodded. “When you guys get back, and everyone’s safe, we’ll have another party. The biggest, best party ever.”
Everyone being safe seemed like a deal-breaker, considering what was going on in the mortal realm, but I plastered a grin on my face. “Sounds great.”
Emma was shifting her weight nervously from foot to foot. “If that’s settled, can we get going? May’s already been gone two days.”
“Almost.” I crossed back to James and took his hand in mine. “There’s one more thing we need to do.”
Deep lines framed James’s frown. “I’m not sure.”
“I can do it.” I lifted his second hand as well, clutching his fingers against my chest. “You saw that last night.”
He nodded, but remained silent.
I felt along our link and found turmoil. Hope and fear swirled together and around each other like oil and water, making me dizzy.
“If you’re worried about your usefulness—”
The door behind the check-in desk opened and Otis shuffled out, his thin frame more hunched than usual. Dark circles drooped below his eyes.
Nell pushed past him and started pulling platters of raw meat out of the fridge. “Just let me get some food in him.”
Otis glared at each member of our group. His lip curled when he got to James. “Nell said you were here.” He shook his head. “But I ain’t taking you through. Your kind ain’t welcome beyond the wall.”
“If my plan works,” I said, “James’s kind won’t be an issue by the time you’re done with your lunch.”
Otis grunted and shuffled to the bathroom.
“Alex, we need to talk.” James looked around at our gathered friends, then pulled me toward the front door.
I waited until we were alone on the porch with a closed door between us and everyone else before I spoke. “I know there are still . . . uncertainties, but we’re leaving for the reservation in a few minutes. It’s now or never.”
James shook his head. “Not true.” He set his hands on my shoulders as though holding me steady. “This is too fast. Much as I want to stay by your side, I can’t commit to this.”
I frowned. “You’ve said time and again that you don’t like being separated from me when I cross realms.”
“I don’t.”
“And that you hate having to feed off innocent people just to survive.”
“I do.”
“And that you—”
James placed a finger against my lips. “There are reasons, lots of reasons, why I do want to try this. That doesn’t mean it’s a good idea.”
I crossed my arms. “I don’t want to leave you here, alone, with the PTF hunting you while the rest of us are off in another realm.”
“And I don’t want to watch you leave . . . without me . . . again. But even knowing you can change the demon within me, we don’t know those changes will allow me to cross the fae wards. Nor what side effects there might be. And even if everything works exactly as you hope it will”—he looked away, studying the mud beside the porch—“I’m not sure I want to change.”
“You . . .” I stepped back, breaking his hold, as all my old insecurities came flooding back. You’re just a passing fancy. He’ll use you and leave you. You can’t rely on anyone but yourself.
I shook my head. “So despite what you’ve said, it doesn’t really bother you to suck the necks of other women and spend your nights with a succubus, or that we’ll never walk under the sun together if your magic charm breaks, or that I’ll grow old alone while you stay the same age forever.” The words rushed out in a torrent as the strain of the past few days tore down the dam around my emotions. I looked away, ashamed, but also relieved. All the ugly, petty worries I’d been brooding over had been thrown into the light for him to see.
James watched me for a moment, maybe gauging if I was done. Then he closed the distance I’d put between us. He didn’t touch me, but he bent so he was looking into my eyes. His consciousness caressed my raging thoughts.
