Page 56 of Twisted Fates
The way he said light source, I had to assume he didn’t know exactly what Owen was. That was good. Shadow—she was one of them. That helped, so I didn’t have to worry about her. Of course, they could be lying. My gut told me Molly would be able to shed some interesting light on this question though. We just had to get her back.
I left Molly’s apartment, then cast a spell that hid me from all creatures, both the dark and light. It was a powerful spell most magical creatures had no idea wizards could cast. With my staff, I could maintain my invisibility indefinitely, which for now, I needed.
My first stop was the house, where I summoned Orville and found out we’d been correct, and Molly and Shadow were both with the vipers. Molly was the only one who was bound. Although Orville said she appeared concerned and kept going back to check on Molly, Shadow was definitely part of the group who’d kidnapped her.
I went to Owen’s law office after asking Orville to let the ghosts know I would attempt to rescue Molly that afternoonand planned to follow the vipers to their lair tonight if they took the bait.
I stayed well out of range of the law office. I had faith in the cloak, but the witches there had known my predecessor and were themselves very powerful. It was better to be safe than sorry and stay on this side of the street.
At five, Owen and Cary came out of the office, and I could tell Cary would accompany Owen back to my house, which I’d planned for too. I picked up the phone, called the office, and asked for Cary to be called back so I could tell him something important.
Mrs. Patterson showed up before they could get to Cary’s car and pulled him back, leaving Owen’s golem standing vulnerable as I’d hoped. “Hello?” Cary answered.
“You will have to trust me, Cary. Don’t go back outside. Owen is safe, but the vipers are about to take him.”
“What? No, I won’t let you…”
“Cary, there is no other choice, and Owen is not in danger. I swear on my honor and word as the Legacy Wizard. Do you understand?”
Just then, a van swerved into an empty space in front of Owen’s golem, and I smiled as they pulled him into the vehicle before disappearing down the road.
“Okay, the trap’s been set. Please stay close to your phone, if I call, answer. I-I might need your help to pull this off.”
Cary made a noncommitted okay, but I couldn’t linger. I needed to follow the van. I closed my eyes and magically caughta ride in the wake of the van. It was a strange spell that almost caused me to lose the cloak, but my staff was powerful enough to maintain the two massive energy-sucking spells.
It only took fifteen minutes for us to arrive at the viper’s lair. Owen was pulled out of the van, and they were about to take him inside when I magically stopped them in their tracks. “Come out, come out!” I called as I walked up to where I’d frozen the men and the golem.
A moment later, the man I’d recognized in the vision came out smiling. “What an honor to meet the great Legacy Wizard,” he said and bowed ironically.
“Honor your agreement, or I will honor mine.”
“Now, now, there’s no need for such aggression. Bring out the girl,” he yelled, and a moment later, Shadow came out, pushing Molly in front of her.
“Now,” he said, not even glancing back at where my friend stood, looking the worse for wear. Luckily, the fog that covered her eyes told me she was in a trance. “Owen, dear boy, if you’ll agree to spend some quality time with me, I will be happy to let your little friend here go.”
The golem turned toward me, and I nodded. “I will stay.”
“Before he does, show me your sign. Can you be trusted, witch?” I asked.
The man laughed. “So demanding.” He lifted his hand, a wand appeared, and he sent the light toward me. Usually, when two magical beings made an agreement, they did so with a gentle light exchange. There was nothing gentle aboutthis one. However, I lifted my hand and let the dark light absorb into my palm as my own light flowed out and into his.
“Owen, if you need me, just call.”
“Oh, that won’t be necessary. We will treat our guest with the utmost respect, won’t we?” he said and then slapped Shadow on the ass.
The look she gave him was pure hatred, and that made me feel a little better. Maybe it wasn’t all her idea after all.
I watched as they released Molly and took the golem into the building behind them, leaving Molly and me standing outside. I rushed to her and, using my powers, transferred us back to my house with a wave of my staff. Thank the gods for the staff. With all the energy I was expending, I’d be dead if I were using my own. I was just about to walk her through the gate when all the alarms sounded in my head.
They’d tagged her. Shit, I couldn’t take her in without jeopardizing my own wards. I grabbed my phone and called Cary. “I need to bring Molly over to your office. I can’t take her into my house without destroying the wards I’ve built there. She’s been tagged with more energy than I can remove alone.”
“No, not the office,” he said. “Bring her to Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. I’ll ask Mr. Stages to have the coven meet you there.”
“Thanks, Cary, we’ll head there now.”
I had no choice but to leave Molly standing outside the gate, but I surrounded her with enough magic to kill anything living that might try to take her. I rushed in, got the car from the garage, and called Orville while backing out.
He showed up and looked perplexed. “It worked. I have Molly, but we have to remove the poison in her system. Do you have spirits still spying on the vipers?” I asked, and he nodded. “Good, I’ll need a full report when I get back. I’ll go get Owen.”
