But when it comes to protecting the Brotherhood? Protecting Stevie?
Let’s just say my moral compass is getting a little more off track each day.
Using the portal at Time Out of Mind and the SUV Anna so generously included with the house in Red Sands Canyon, Professor Maddox and I managed to get our prisoners relocated last night without issue. They’re nice and comfortable in the basement, stretched out on two cots under a set of blinding white fluorescents, magickally restrained and required to follow my commands by the Professor’s clever binding spell.
Unfortunately, that spell expires just before midnight on Harvest Eve, giving us a small window of opportunity to extract the intel we need.
I roll up my sleeves and pull up a chair next to Casey, hoping that she’ll crack first. Kirin believes she’s being forced into this, and I’m inclined to agree. Which means the real Casey might be fighting her way out, just as I’m fighting my way in.
“Good morning,” I say brightly, angling my body so she can see the small table set up next to me, replete with a fine selection of medical instruments, magickal tools, potions, and Tarot decks. “Are you ready to have some fun today?”
“Fuck you,” she snarls.
“Miss Appleton! Is that any way to talk to a man with a knife like this?” I select the largest weapon from the bunch, a dagger made from polished black onyx.
Standing across from me on the other side of the cot, Professor Maddox folds her arms over her chest and raises an eyebrow, a silent warning to not push this too far.
With an exaggerated sigh, I trade the knife for a large syringe filled with sparkling red-orange liquid, trying not to let the professor’s presence irk me. I had intended on taking care of this unpleasantness on my own, but after helping me with the transport last night, she demanded we partner up.
And when it comes to the witch with absolute power over the binding spell, I’m in no position to denyanydemands.
Casey glares up at me, her eyes fiery with rage. Under my command, she can’t move from the neck down, but that doesn’t stop her from shooting daggers at me.
“Enough with this charade, Professor Devane,” she snaps. “You can’t hurt us without hurting the women whose bodies we’re borrowing.”
“I’m aware,” I say calmly, turning the syringe to catch the light. “That really is a nice, rich color, Professor Maddox. Compliments to Professor Broome.”
Casey laughs. “You don’t have it in you to—”
I jam the needle into her neck and press the plunger, delivering the truth serum I hope will unlock the mystery.
Professor Maddox sighs. “A little harsh, Dr. Devane. Don’t you think?”
“Everyone’s a critic, Professor.” Then, turning my attention back to our guest, I say, “Now Miss Appleton. I know we’re all eager to get back home, so the faster you cooperate, the sooner we can all be on our way.”
She’s already struggling against the burn of the serum—a sure sign it’s working its magick. “I would… rather… die.”
“Somehow I doubt that.”
“Go to… hell… you…”
She doesn’t finish her insult. Instead, her face contorts, and she presses her lips together, almost as if she’s trying to prevent herself from speaking. When she finally opens her mouth again, her next words explode in a brief but breathless rush, her gaze changing from angry to terrified in an instant.
“Devane!” she cries out. “Help me! It’s—”
Her mouth clamps shut again, and I glance up at Professor Maddox.
“It’s Casey,” she says, and I nod, both of us letting out a relieved breath. Our theory was right. Casey Appleton isn’t a party to this. She’s fighting it.
“Casey, I know you’re in there,” I say, the breakthrough bolstering me. “I need you to keep fighting. Not just for yourself, but for your brother. Kirin needs you, now more than ever.”
She nods emphatically, but whoever’s got control still won’t let her speak. And while I can command her lips to move, I can’t command what’s happening in her mind or which words make it to the surface.
I can only hope the truth serum does its job.
“Who is controlling you?” I ask.
She opens her mouth again, fighting the possession. “Dark—”
