“That’s the thing.” I pulled the book from my bag, flipping to the page with the tracking spell. “The spell requires a sacrifice.”
“Well, shit.” Kara’s face paled.
“But I have a plan.”
“This is stupid, we should go back, we’ll find another way to get to Lennox,” Kara muttered as she paced back and forth in the alley.
“Kara.” I placed a hand on each of her shoulders. “If this works, we could have Lennox back tomorrow. I’m doing this.” She huffed a breath, causing the lock of blonde hair in front of her face to move.
“I’m trying my best to channel my inner Lennox, but it’s harder than you’d think.” Her shoulders shrank. We’d spent so much time worrying about Luka in Lennox’s disappearance, but I hadn’t thought to check on Kara—I was so focused on trying to get Lennox back?—
“I’m the reason she was taken—she gave herself up for me. If we don’t get her back?—”
I tightened my hold on her shoulders. “We will get her back, Kara. I promise you. There was nothing you could have done to stop Lennox from choosing you over herself.”
“I know but?—”
“Feeling guilty isn’t going to help get her back.” My voice was firm. I understood her guilt, but we couldn’t dwell in this now. “Use your feelings to help get her back. Use them to fuel your vengeance.”
“I’m not you and Lennox. It isn’t a switch I can flip, Luce.”
“Well at least try, okay? Because I can’t do this without you.”
“Is everything ready?” she asked after a moment.
I looked over her shoulder at where my materials were gathered, ready for the spell. “Let’s do this.”
Kara followed me to the mouth of the alley, once we were sure no one was around, we sliced our daggers across our wrists, letting our blood trail behind us as we walked back down the alley.
“What now?”
“Now we wait.” I stifled my bleeding with a clean towel. “This is Cel Nox, it won’t be long before a Dhampir smells our blood.”
It took longer than I had anticipated, Kara was ready to give up when we heard the familiar growl of the Dhampir, only a moment before two red eyes glowed at us from the dark street. I rose from my crouch, stepping into the light.
The Dhampir pounced, clamoring down the alley on four feet, its claws grating along the alley as it ran for me, drool flying from its fangs as it leaped through the air.
Its shriek reverberated through the alley as it fell to the ground, Kara’s arrow embedded in its side.
Kara’s vines snaked around the Dhampir’s hands and feet, binding them together and rendering the beast immobile.
“Quick,” I directed Kara as we approached the creature. Each of us took a side, dragging the Dhampir and placing it over the symbols I had drawn on the ground of the ally with my blood. The Dhampir struggled against its restraints, growling and snapping its jaws. I hadn’t seen one so inhuman looking—this one looked more animal than fae.
Hopefully, the spell would still work.
I wasted no time sprinkling my concoction over its body, kneeling beside it as I closed my eyes and began chanting.
The magic pushed and pulsed at my fingertips, but I didn’t let any of it out, not yet. Without opening my eyes, I reached for the dagger at my side, letting my magic guide my movements as I closed both hands over the pommel, the magic directing me toward the body of the Dhampir.
I continued to chant, the magic pulsing against my skin now, it felt like if I didn’t release it, I would burn.
Now.
The voice in my mind demanded.
I screamed, my eyes remaining closed as I released the blade.
Warm blood splattered across my face and chest, but I didn’t stop chanting. I felt my magic moving from my hands into the blade. I opened my eyes, my hands were still wrapped around the blade, which was now embedded in the Dhampir’s heart. The area surrounding the dagger glowed with magic, illuminating the dark alley in golden light.
