Meadow reached out and gripped River’s hand. “You’re amazing, brother.”
A faint glimmer of his charm came through as he said, “I know it. Now, tell me what’s been done so far for the worst cases.”
She released his hand and replied, “Helena used her power of persuasion to calm and help those with the worst pain. But while no one has become hysterical yet, they’re mostly still in shock, and I worry about what’ll happen when it fades.” She lowered her voice. “The most worrying thing, though, is that Helena can’t tell who attacked.” She explained about the dark arts and something hiding them from her powers before adding, “If there are any details you can share with her as you heal people, that would be extremely helpful.”
River replied, “Of course. Now, show me those with the worst injuries first.”
Meadow reluctantly let go of Joseph. “Sure. But first—you should go help Laurie, Joseph.”
“He’s with Leo. And as much as I want to be the hero, going back out there alone is a death sentence. Plus, I promised Laurie to look after you.”
He caressed her cheek, and she leaned into the touch. “Is Leo that good of a fighter, then?”
Joseph nodded. “He led the team that rescued his nephew, Ambrose, after all.”
Meadow had heard the story, although she rarely saw Ambrose himself. If they all survived this, she needed to get to know her future nephew.
Not if. No,whenthey survived this. “Then I’ll trust him.”
Joseph stroked her cheek. “Good. Whilst you help your brother, I’ll work with the guards to protect the doors.” He patted his jacket. “I still have a few tricks of my own, and I can’t wait to use them.”
She knew she needed to leave him and help those in pain. However, it was on the tip of her tongue to say she loved him—she loved them both. And yet, she held back. Now wasn’t the time. After touching his jaw, she said, “I trust you. But make sure to let me know if anything changes, okay?”
“I will, love. I promise.”
He kissed her, and she reluctantly went to help River. And as she coaxed the injured to stay calm with her secondary persuasion magic, she and River made quick work of healing those who needed it.
She and her brother were approaching the newest refugees when the door disintegrated and light flared, blinding them all.
Once it died down, she blinked until she could finally make out a tall male with blond hair holding Helena and pressing a glowing knife against her throat. He pricked her skin, and she instantly went slack. Meadow lunged forward, but the male’s booming voice—aided by dark magic—filled the space. “Take another step, and not only will she die a slower death, I’ll kill you too.”
She stilled and instinctively gathered magic into her chest. She’d removed her training bracelet to help the injured, and maybe, just maybe, she could use her powers of lust and desire to stop the madman and his companions.
Because those who resorted to the dark arts couldn’t use magic protection items. If they did, it would cancel out any dark hexes inked into their skin.
However, to have any chance of success, Meadow needed enough magic to release her strongest spell ever. Given the dark aura and signs of dark arts visible on the male’s hands, he’d be harder to manipulate than the average fae witch.
If at all, rushed through her head.
Pushing aside her doubts, she began to weave a tight net, one she could toss over the leader. Him going down would create enough confusion to give the others a chance to help her.
For a split second, she wondered where Joseph was. But to worry would affect her magic, so she pushed it aside and continued making her net until she thought it was good enough to place over the leader. She did, carefully, and he flinched. His eyes zeroed in on hers, glowed a dark red, and he tossed Helena aside and stalked toward her. “I warned you about what would happen. You die first.”
A cry came from the door, and Laurie and Joseph crashed inside. The male sliced his hand through the air, and a table rose and flew backward, hitting the pair and sending them against the wall. A loud crack filled the room before they thudded to the ground.
They didn’t move.
Pushing aside her fear and the need to go to them, Meadow focused on the anger coursing through her—how dare he hurt her vampires. He needed to pay.
She would try one more time to control the leader, and this time, she wouldn’t be careful. No, she would fully embrace her powers and let go, giving him everything she had. She was a motherfucking Wielder, after all.
And if she could get the other fae witches to use their powers to help distract him? It should give her a few extra seconds to focus so she could attack again.
She shouted, “Use whatever magic you have to help me!”
Persuasion magic filled the air, and others began dancing fire, and water, and even light around the room. Some of the lesser intruders turned ill or changed into frogs or even shimmered, as if they were fading from existence.
Anger and love and determination swirled inside her. She was ready.
