Page 34 of Taken By the Blood God

“Do you think they knew we were coming?” I asked.

He shrugged.

“I guess we’ll find out,” I murmured, lifting my cup to finish the rapidly cooling tea. Once it was gone, I asked, “Do you need to sleep?”

Talant shook his head. “I came to take you back out there with me. I was hoping I’d make it back before you woke.”

“I’m going to need another tea, breakfast, and a shower before we go.”

“I’ll be back with breakfast by the time you’re done with your shower,” he said.

I half expected him to open a portal, but he headed toward the door of the room.

“I want some fruit and a croissant or toast or something,” I said.

“You need some protein.”

“Okay, but I’m going to eat it with fruit and a croissant,” I agreed.

He smirked at me. “I’ll see what I can do.”

I scowled at him, but he missed it because he’d already left the room and locked the door behind him.

Chapter

Sixteen

Talant

After another day of watching the building, I was convinced that there were no physical guards, only wards woven of magic and death. For some reason, the warlocks who were using my brother’s power to augment their own didn’t seem worried about someone encroaching on their territory.

Sure, the death magic they used to protect the stone structure was intimidating if you were a witch, but I didn’t think it was enough to deter everyone. Someone would try to get into the building. There had to be another protective measure in place. Something nasty enough to make even the strongest witches hesitate.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t feel it through the ward set on the outside edge of the property. There had to be more than one. I was sure of it, but I couldn’t feel them beyond the barrier of the outermost.

While I had no doubt that I could handle whatever ugly little trap was set up, Minerva might not. And I couldn’t free Davian without her.

I had no choice. I couldn’t let my brother die.

“We have no choice,” Minerva murmured to me as we sat among the trees and low brush. “We have to go in blind.”

“I know, but I don’t like it.”

“Neither do I.”

I glanced over at her. Her pale skin was usually luminescent and rosy, but the glow was lost today. There were dark circles beneath her eyes, and her long red hair was braided and wound into a tight bun. She looked drained.

“We should go back to the inn, eat, plan, and pack up our things,” I said. “And you need to rest for a few hours. I can keep watch.”

“I wouldn’t say no to a cheeseburger and a nap,” she sighed. “Do you still want to go in tonight?”

“Yes. Davian is weakening at a frightening pace. We must get him out today.”

Minerva’s tawny eyes were locked on the building in the middle of the field. It looked run-down. Innocuous. But she was staring at it with dread.

“I just wish I could see,” she whispered.

“See what?”

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