AllFreeNovel
Share Us
If the Anarki came here, were they looking for me or the emblem? If the latter, how can Mathias possibly know who has it…without my father telling him? The possibility rips at my heart.
Tension hangs thick as I shove the last of my belongings into a small bag. As a group, we make our way back down the hall and out the door. Bram magically seals the flat with a wave. I’ll worry about how to get back in later.
Outside, cold prevails. Fog, leafless trees, an odd still. They all rattle me. The night feels eerie as we pile into the Hummer and pull away from the curb, Bram’s head-banging alternative music making the vehicle throb and thump.
As we round the corner, Bram starts to floor it back to his manor in the high-rent part of town. But he starts rubbernecks at something on his left. “The Witch’s Brew, you say?”
He stomps on the brakes.
I glance at the sign. Ironic now, I guess. “Yeah. Typical pub. I’ve been once or twice. Decent food. Why?”
Bram taps his thumb on the wheel, ignoring the cars honking behind him. “Fuck it all. We’re popping in.”
“Now?” Lucan scowls. “Are you mad? We’ve got the”—he points to the emblem around my neck—“thing, and—”
“Can the five of us alone truly fight Mathias and the Anarki?”
“No, but—”
“According to my sister, the Wolvsey twins spend their time here.” He pulls the massive vehicle to the curb and parallel parks with finesse.
“The Wolvesey twins?” Lucan sounds incredulous. “Ronan and Raiden? Those twins?”
Bram glowers. “Don’t look at me like that. Yes.”
“They’re young. Their father is probably still wiping their noses and backsides—when he’s not chasing tail.”
“They’re a few years older than Sabelle. Is anyone wiping her nose or backside?” Bram challenges. “From what she tells me, they’re the ones chasing tails now, often here. I don’t think convincing them to join us will be easy, but we might as well start.”
“Now?” Marrok challenges.
“Waiting isn’t going to make this situation better. And this is a human pub. Even Mathias isn’t so stupid as to reveal magickind to the public at large yet. We would all be forced into hiding or face an inquisition that makes the Spanish version half a millennium ago seem like a treat. Everyone and everything magical would turn against him.” Bram shakes his head. “He won’t do it.”
“I don’t suppose you’d let me wait in the car.” I look bedraggled. I caught sight of a hickey on my neck, and everyone will probably be able to tell I’ve had passionate sex against a wall in the last two hours. Since Marrok will hover like an overprotective husband, no one will have to guess who “marked” me. And the London Eye proved that, as soon as he opens his mouth, he doesn’t blend in.
On the other hand, Bram is right. They’ll need more fighters for the Doomsday Brethren if they’re going to survive Mathias and his undead army.
“Nay.” Marrok scowls.
Bram steps out of the vehicle. “This won’t take long.”
Everyone else piles out and heads to the door, filing in one by one.
The place is busy for a Sunday night. I’m surprised to find the tables and barstools inhabited by more men than women…until I catch sight of the blonde behind the bar. Tall, willowy, gorgeous, flashing both a little leg and a big smile, she has rapt admirers.
Instantly, I’m envious. I’ve never walked in a room and commanded male attention like that. But I can’t dislike her. In fact, I suspect she’s someone I might like.
“Fuck,” Bram spits out as he scans the place.
“What’s happening?” I ask. “What’s wrong?”
“My sister characterized this as a human bar…but most of the clientele are wizards.”
Slowly, gazes turn our way. Some scowl at Bram. Several give him the side-eye. Others sneer outright.
“Why are they hostile?”
“Let’s just say they’re not big fans of the Council.”
