Grim walks up to my side and my mother’s eyes bounce to him then Calix. She swallows—definitely fear.
I turn my back on her and walk away, grabbing each of the guys’ hands as I do. I’m mad at myself for even letting it get to me. I should have walked away the moment we got here. Some small piece of me feels like I let her win.
Chapter 30
Iexpect someone to rush to the door and demand we stay put until the police arrive, or for the cries of outrage to continue, but neither happens. I’m sure that had something to do with my mother.
The rage simmering under my skin boils hotter when I think of her. Grim and Calix guide me to the shadows of the house we came here to investigate. My breathing is ragged as I let my back fall against the short brick wall separating the homes.
“Would you like me to kill her?” Grim whispers near my temple. So damn seductive.
I want to laugh, but I just shake my head slowly. “She’s not worth it.” In truth, I want something worse for her. I want her to experience what it’s like to always be left out, to always be alone. I don’t know if that will ever happen, but if there’s any justice in this world, it damn well should.
Gunnar’s mouth is turned down in a heavy scowl. “I think we should paint the walls with their entrails.”
I sigh. “I appreciate the sentiment, Kitten, but we have more important things to do than worry about two fucked-up people.”
After a brief moment to collect myself, I nod my head and confirm, “I’m ready. Let’s go find this witch.”
Aeson scales the wall to one of the upper windows. People always assume windows on the second and third floors are too difficult to get to. We could have easily broken out a window, or even a door, but we want stealth on our side.
I send out my senses, but the house is a total blank to me. It doesn’t feel like anyone has lived here in a long while.
We’re all crowded around the back door, waiting for Aeson to unlock it, but my heart starts beating faster with every second that passes. She should be here by now—what’s keeping her? I lean back and look up at the window she disappeared through.
“What’s taking so long?” I hiss. Calix shakes his head, but doesn’t have an answer. “Open that door,” I order.
I stand back as Gunnar lifts his left leg and pulls back his arms, he delivers one hard-as-fuck kick to the edge of the door, right near the deadbolt and knob.
The door slams open and bangs against the wall behind it. I poke my head in as fingers wrap over my shoulder, holding me back. “Aeson!” I shout, completely giving up on subtlety.
“Fuck me, I’m up here. Motherfucker,” she snarls.
I duck my shoulder, pulling away from Calix’s hand, and step past the threshold. It’s like stepping into a vat of quicksand—my breath is stolen from my lungs and I’m rooted to the floor. I turn my head in slow motion and warn, “Trap.” I can feel the heaviness of a spell trying to coat my skin, but I imagine it sloughing off like water on a windshield until I’m able to draw a deep breath.
Gunnar’s face would be comical if I were in any other situation. His mouth is contorted into a half scream, and his eyes look like they’re about to bulge out of his head.
Time snaps forward, and I hear the tail end of Gunnar’s shout to stop. “Well, fuck.” My feet are still fixed to the ground, but I’m able to talk, able to breathe.
“You could have warned me!” I holler up to Aeson.
“I’m trapped. This motherfucker,” she shouts.
“Calm your tits. I’ll get out of this in a minute and come get you.”
“You can’t just go rushing into things,” Gunnar chastises me from the other side of the door.
“No shit, Sherlock. I get that now. How about telling me how to get out of it and saving the lecture for another time?”
Gunnar’s lips move, but no words come from him. “As soon as you get out of it, I’m going to take you home and lock you in your fucking bedroom!” he roars, leaning into my face.
I narrow my eyes at him and dare, “Try it.”
“Okay, okay.” Calix pushes his way between us, making sure not to pass the threshold with his feet.
“This is just a ward, Dami; it’s not designed to keep people out, but keep them in.” Calix meets my eyes and gives me a small nod when I focus on him.
“I’ve broken wards,” I murmur.
