“She’s right. We need to make sure Vanessa doesn’t hurt anyone else. She’s already much more powerful than any other witch I’ve come across, and she can’t be working alone,” Grim adds.
“Let me handle this. It’s my job,” Gunnar growls past clenched teeth.
“This is bigger than just you, Berserker. I didn’t even get called here to retrieve whoever they killed. That could mean they’re finding a way to cannibalize the souls along with the magic,” Grim informs him.
“We should just go back in there.” I take a few steps in the direction of the club, but I feel a hand on my shoulder, stopping me.
“Look.” Calix lifts his chin, and I watch as Vanessa and several others pile out of the club with the single focus to get to the cars waiting at the curb.
“We have to follow them.” I dip my shoulder and dislodge Calix’s hand.
“Wait, watch.” Gunnar steps up to my side.
“What am I waiting to see?” I huff out a frustrated breath.
“Do you recognize him, the one holding the door open?” Gunnar lowers his voice so no one outside our small group could hear, even if they tried. “He’s one of mine. Vanessa thinks he’s a seeker.”
I watch the man who interrupted us in Gunnar’s office close the door behind Vanessa, and climb into another car along with two other men. “What good is he?” I shove Gunnar’s chest as the all speed away. “Did he tell you Vanessa sacrificed someone in the club tonight?” I shove him again.
Gunnar takes my abuse, stepping back each time I push him. “He wasn’t there, he was looking for the other witch you met, the man,” he answers.
“This is stupid, we should just kill her right now.” I spin and focus on the car, intending to put a stop to this right now.
“Don’t, we need to know who she’s working with. If not, killing her won’t stop the Charmed ones from dying,” Calix cajoles, sounding all reasonable and shit.
“Ugh!” I stomp my foot.
“Let’s go home. We can regroup and figure out a plan.” Calix wraps his fingers around mine, grounding me.
“Fine, let’s go. I need to talk to my friends and make sure everyone is okay.” I face Grim with expectation. I know he’ll be the one transporting me.
* * *
“What doyou mean no one has seen Aeson?” My voice is shrill. Samson is crouched in the corner. He looks like a massive black dog, if you ignore the fact that he isn’t covered in fur but some sort of plates that resemble armor. He’s eyeing Gunnar and Calix as if he would like nothing more than to use their bones to pick his teeth.
Grim steps closer to the beast and Samson doesn’t even spare him a glance.The Brownie hasn’t been seen. I was coming to learn when you last spoke with her.Samson’s voice is almost regal as his words echo in my mind.
“Has anyone else gone missing?” Grim inquires, telling me he can hear Samson too.
A few, but none as formidable as she.Samson turns his head and acknowledges Grim with a slight bow of his head.
“Do you too know each other?” I furrow my brows.
“The Berserker has his army, I have mine,” Grim answers. I look over Samson again, seeing him in a new light.
“Did you send him here to spy on me?” I’m incredulous.
The beast, Samson, makes a chuffing sound.The angel has my allegiance, but you have my friendship.
I click my tongue and close the gap between Samson and myself. “You’re such a sweetie.” I drop a little kiss on the tip of his warm nose, while giving him a scruff behind both ears.
“Uh, I don’t think you should be doing that,” Calix cautions.
Samson pushes his head a little harder to the left, telling me he wants a little more scratching on that side. I peer at Calix while Samson’s massive head is still in my hands. “What?”
Calix lifts his hand and motions to Samson. “You do realize that’s a Hellhound?”
Imbecile.Samson pushes into my thoughts. I chuckle a little as his mouth opens and his tongue lolls out the slightest bit. His behavior is at such odds with his thoughts.
