Page 44 of Cursed
“Noted. Thanks. And remember, they need Pax alive for the ritual. We’re not too late,” Seth assured.
“We should have the music spell going in about five minutes,” Evan said.
“We’ll be on the move by then. Keep the chatter on this line minimal, but if you see something, let me know. You’ve got the bird’s eye view.”
“Good luck.”
“You, too.”
Seth glanced over to Teag, Rowan, and Caden. “It’s go time.”
Outside, thunder rumbled, and rain began to ping against the building’s steel roof. Teag and Seth led the way, with Rowan and Caden behind them.
“He’s this way,” Teag murmured. “I can feel the magic.”
Rusted machinery and heavy cobwebs made it clear that the old factory hadn’t been used in a long time. Even so, the smell of turpentine permeated the building, sunk into the wooden floors.
“There wasn’t a storm expected today,” Rowan said quietly. “Someone’s conjured what’s out there. And it’s getting stronger.”
“Evan said there’s a ritual space where the main factory area used to be,” Seth reported via the headset. “Pax is hanging from chains in the middle of a warded circle. No sign yet of Vernon and the others.”
“It sounds like everything is ready for the ceremony—lit candles, bowls of materials,” Teag added. “Watch yourselves. Vernon’s got to be heading there any minute.”
“We’re playing,” Evan said over the link. “Sending the music magic your way. Hope it helps.” In the background, Seth heard the sound of drums, a guitar, and a flute.
Rowan caught Seth’s eye and nodded. “Faint so far, but I can feel it,” she replied, following the conversation on her earbud.
“Keep it up,” Seth murmured to Evan. “The power is building.”
“Let’s go,” Seth said to the others. “This might be our best chance to get to Pax.”
“Think it’s a trap?” Caden asked.
“No way to know.” The thought had crossed Seth’s mind. Despite their research, Vernon was still largely a mystery. Whether the witch would alter his schedule out of fear that Seth and the others could disrupt him depended on his hubris, although Seth figured Vernon had to know that he and Evan had shut down a growing number of the disciples.
But there’s always the one who figures it won’t happen to him. Vernon’s that kind of guy.
Outside, the storm grew louder, and Seth wondered how much was due to Vernon’s magic. Kinsley’s witches targeted Vernon to siphon away his mojo. If they could break Vernon’s hold on the storm, it could replenish Seth, Teag, and Rowan since the energy itself was neutral. Meanwhile, Tristan’s necromancy gathered the angry ghosts eager for revenge.
“There’s something not human inside the warding,” Seth cautioned. “Got any idea what it is before we have to fight it?”
“The ghosts say there’s a wraith guarding Pax as well as some of his witches,” Tristan warned over the link. “Don’t let it get you.”
Seth glanced to Teag and Rowan, who nodded to let him know that they heard the message. Wraiths were nasty pieces of work, and Seth wasn’t thrilled to add one to the mix of adversaries they already had to overcome.
“Let’s go.” Seth and Caden carried regular handguns as well as knives and a few other surprises. Teag and Rowan also had daggers, but their real defense lay in their magic.
“The wraith is in the shadows,” Rowan murmured, and the headset let her voice carry to them all despite the quiet volume. “The circle is warded, so don’t try to cross it until Teag and I can dismantle that. I’ll go after the wraith.”
“And I’ll hit Vernon and the witches,” Teag added. “The rest of you—work the plan.”
They sounded confident that their magic was up to the challenge, boosting Seth’s hopes. But even with his powerful friends and their helpers outside, Seth knew better than to take a win for granted.
The energy suddenly shifted, like a fresh wind sweeping away a dark, fetid cloud. Seth could feel the fundamental change.
“Anchors aweigh,” Nash said over the headset, confirming Seth’s guess.
Nash did it. We were right. The ship’s wheel was the anchor, and he’s destroyed it.
