Page 79 of Magic Betrayed

“Tell them to be careful. And…” A million other possible messages flew through my head, but none seemed likely to be helpful. “That’s it,” I whispered finally. “Just those two things, okay?”

She leaned forward and threw her arms around my neck. “Okay, Rainey. Don’t die.”

I had no plans to die today. I had Kes and Logan to rescue.

“I won’t, Bug.” I hugged her back. “Now go!”

She stepped back, and an instant later, she was gone.

Leaving me alone once more, with enemies approaching, and the grim knowledge that my help might not arrive in time.

EIGHTEEN

With Ari gone,I slipped out the window once again, lurking in the shadow of the gable as the vehicle rumbled closer. It slowed, however, and the sounds died when it was perhaps two hundred yards from the house and still obscured by trees. I heard the quiet snick of doors opening and closing, then the rustling of something moving through grass and brush.

There was just enough moon that I noticed instantly when the newcomers finally stepped into the clearing around the house, emerging from the brush one by one to strike a confident pose as they regarded their target.

There were five of them, and they were clearly not concerned about being seen. Or heard. Even from this distance, my shapeshifter hearing was keen enough to pick up a murmured conversation.

“…elementals, and fae,” one of them said in a deep, growling sort of voice. “This is the right place.”

“We only need the fae,” a commanding female voice answered, and I started as its sharp, decisive tone penetrated my memory and informed me that we’d met before. “And no witnesses.”

“I can take care of that.” The words were spoken in a light tenor, and ended in a laugh that sent shivers down my spine. “That pile of sticks looks like it’ll make a beautiful bonfire.”

“Stick to the plan, Quentin. We have to make sure humans get blamed for this, so we don’t move until everything is in place.”

It was them. The mercenaries I’d nearly drowned in mud. I had no idea how they’d found us this quickly, but they hadn’t given up—in fact, now they were probably more determined than ever. And this time, they wouldn’t underestimate me.

It was clear from their conversation that they had no qualms about killing, so it would be foolish to think I could take them on again without help. But the only help available?

Five elementals with no magic, an unconscious Logan, and Kes.

Also Ethan. In truth, he terrified me even more than these mercenaries, but it wasn’t like I had a choice. I knew for sure that the mercenaries would kill me, and the people inside the house were still a question mark.

I didn’t like my options. But the only path forward was to reverse course, and hope that the old saying was actually true—that the enemy of my enemy… Honestly, there was no way they were my friends, but if I was lucky, they might choose to kill me a little less quickly.

Back through the window again. I was moving too fast and sliced my arm on the edge of the broken glass, but the pain barely registered. I was already across the room, headed for the stairs, taking them far too hastily in the dark, but not in the mood for caution.

The second floor was still deserted, so I took the stairs leading downward, thundering down them so quickly that someone had to have heard me. But there was no immediate outcry. Only the hiss of angry voices that were trying to be quiet and utterly failing.

At the bottom of the staircase, I paused for a moment. The front door was straight ahead. To the left was the dining room, lit by the flickering flames of candles. To the right was some kind of sitting room. The light there was brighter, and the voices seemed to be coming from that direction, so I moved closer, wondering how long it would take them to notice me.

“…we can’t stay here. Not unless you’re willing to force her hand.”

“No torture, Jacob. I won’t. And I won’t let you either, so stop bringing it up.”

“So you’re saying all that risk was for nothing? We finally have Raine, but you’re just going to sit here and not use her?”

“I won’t be like them!” The voice was female and fierce, and as I stepped over the threshold into the sitting room, I knew instantly who the speaker was.

It was the woman from the picture. Tall, with tawny skin, dark hair in braids, light eyes, and an air of command that was a near perfect echo of Talia.

This was Chesney.

At that point, I fully expected her to start screaming for someone to catch me. I was standing in full view of her position, and there was no way she could have missed me.

But she just kept talking.

---