Gwen’s eyes fluttered. Rory’s movements turned awkward, too slow, as if he were reaching for the amulet through molasses. But he got a hand on it and lifted it from its velvet bed.
“Waves lapping the beach.” Rory’s voice sounded millions of miles away. Behind the glasses, his eyes were wide and blank. “Stars over tide. The full moon rises. He doesn’t understand its power.”
Damnation. Arthur yanked at his chains again. “Rory, come back—”
Ellis popped into view just beside Arthur. “Stop your fretting. Scryers always talk nonsense.”
“He’s never scried a relic—”
“He’s got grubby paws right in your aura. Gwen says he could find his way back from China.”
Arthur yanked at his cuffs. “If he doesn’t come back, I might kill you.”
Ellis snorted. “You can’t even see me unless I let you.”
“Then I’ll kill you,” came Jade’s dry voice, from across the platform.
Ellis twitched. “Now see, Ace,” he said lightly. “Jadeis scary.” He disappeared again.
Mrs. Brodigan cleared her throat. “Friend of yours?”
“Once upon a time.” The invisibility was annoying, but Ellis couldn’t hide from Jade, and Arthur could track his movements by watching her eyes. It was at least a distraction from seeing Rory so lost to the amulet and beyond Arthur’s reach.
The platform was silent and tense for several minutes, save for Rory’s nonsensical murmuring, until Arthur’s anxiety nearly choked him. “Is Rory okay?” he whispered to Mrs. Brodigan. “Can you tell? You’ve seen him scry for years.”
“Knickknacks and watches, nothing like this.” Mrs. Brodigan grunted, perhaps testing her own cuffs. “But he’s a scrapper. He won’t let them have you.”
“I don’t care about me!” Arthur started, but Gwen was striding back over.
“He’s taking too long,” she said, then thrust her hand into the air by Arthur’s heart and made a hard twist.
Arthur gasped for breath as sudden fire scorched through his limbs and bones with searing agony.
But far worse was the cry of pain that echoed around the empty park.
“Arthur!” Rory crumpled to the ground, the amulet falling from his hand and clattering against the wooden platform. He rolled on his side, hand outstretched in Arthur’s direction. “Stop, stop hurting him—”
Gwen abruptly pulled her hand away. Arthur slumped in his chains, aching like he’d been sacked by Harvard’s entire defensive line and breathing like he’d run a marathon. His head lolled as he fought to stay conscious, his drooping eyelids leaving only a crack to watch as Gwen dropped to a crouch at Rory’s side. Ellis popped out of the air, towering over both of them.
Gwen leaned over Rory. “Tell me how to unlock it.”
Rory’s hand was shaking as he rubbed his face. “Blood,” he said hoarsely. “Blood of two paranormals mixed with the ocean at high tide.”
Ellis and Gwen exchanged a look. “The Venom Dagger,” said Gwen. “You two fought first.”
“I was bleeding, so was Philippe,” said Ellis. “His magic killed a room full of guards when I stabbed him. Maybe it was blood and death that unlocked the dagger.”
“And blood and high tide will unlock the amulet.” Gwen smiled. “The tide is in now. Let’s go see the ocean, Rory.”
“No—” Arthur forced his shaking arms to try his chains again. Rory looked so small as Ellis hauled him to his feet. “Wait—”
Ellis shoved Rory at two of the guards. “Take him down to the beach. He tries anything funny, shout.” He smiled his jackal smile. “We’ll start shooting up here.”
“Let him go—” Arthur’s demand went ignored as two gangsters followed Gwen, yanking Rory in the direction of the boardwalk. Arthur slumped against the beam, head falling back as he swore. Useless.
“My word,” Mrs. Brodigan suddenly said loudly to their guard. “Did your tie just move by itself?”
The guard grabbed for his throat. Ellis jerked his head toward Jade in alarm. She gave him an unimpressed look. “Wasn’t me.”
