“Let’s go hocus-pocus those raging fuckwaffles to oblivion.”
Thirteen
ANSEL
Pathetic.
As I watch the three Arcana imbeciles pick their way through the decimated, rock-strewn passageway, disgust and disappointment churn inside me.
Even after all the druid’s assurances that they’d come, some part of me still believed they were smarter than that. Especiallyher.
No matter. Their ignorance and blind faith in their bond certainly makemylife easier. Perched on a rise overlooking the passage, I’ve been waiting for them all night. And now, with the sun burning high over the infernal Petrified Forest of Iron and Bone, they’re nearly here. In a matter of minutes, the Arcana objects will be freed from their magickal bonds, and the Devil, the Tower, and their precious Star will meet their doom.
A rush of power races down my spine, and the Wand glows red in my fist.
I was made for this…
As if reading my very thoughts, the Wand heats beneath my skin, eager to unleash more of its fury. It’s glory. I hate to be parted from it for even a moment, but I can’t risk letting them know I’m carrying it. Not until I’ve won their trust.
Shouldn’t be too difficult, given how eager they are to save the day—how desperate they are to see their sweet little Sun Arcana returned to his former innocence.
My mouth fills with the taste of bitter rage. It almost feels like a waste to use my pure, untarnished magick on creatures so unworthy. But in the end, I’ll do what I must do to appease my so-called masters.
Soon enough, the tables will be turned, andI’lldecide how and when to use magick. Who deserves it.
Which subjects I’ll claim, which I’ll convert, and which I’ll destroy.
The Arcana are nearing the cave mouth. I slip behind a petrified tree and tuck the Wand out of sight. They’ve brought her owl familiar, but I doubt eventhatwise creature can see me. Like his bonded witch, he’s too focused on what may be following them rather than on what’s awaiting in the darkness.
Too bad for him.
“This is it,” the woman says when they’ve gone as far as they can go.
“Great.” The Tower drops his backpack and folds his arms over his chest, clearly upset. Tension radiates among them like an electrical current.
Trouble in paradise? I can’t help but grin.
“Drop the attitude, Kirin,” she says. “You agreed to help. If you’re not interested, you can go back home.”
“Where we should’ve stayed,” the Devil says, looking even more dark and brooding than usual.
“Do whatever you want,” she snaps. “But I’m seeing this through.”
The Tower doesn’t like that answer one bit. “Stevie, even if we can get through this rock, we can’t unlock the protection spell without Ani’s blood.”
“Told you we shouldn’t have listened to her,” the Devil says. “This is a fucking waste of time. Ani’s dead. Cass is probably right there with him.”
The Star glares at him, her eyes bright with anger and pain. “Don’t talk like that. We’re not giving up on them.”
“Baz is right,” the Tower says. “It’s over. Time to turn ourselves in, throw ourselves on the Dark One’s mercy, and hope to Goddess he lets us live.”
Oh, you’ll get your opportunity soon enough, mage…
“We have to at least try to get those objects out first. I know we don’t have everyone’s blood, but we could try a new spell, or more of our own blood to compensate, or stronger magick… I don’t know, guys. I don’t care. We have to find a way.”
The Devil kicks a rock into the massive pile before them. “The only thing we’re gonna find a way to today is our fucking graves.”
Excitement flutters through me. Their bonds are breaking. Their love is failing. And it’s turning them desperate, weak, and stupid.
