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“Which means it probably wouldn’t stop me, either.” But I’d have to regain flesh if I wanted to free Tao, and I couldn’t risk that setting off the magic.
He studied me for a moment. “Meaning you wish me to go inside and locate your friend?”
I wished he’d stop reading my fucking thoughts. “If it wouldn’t be too much of an inconvenience.”
Sarcasm edged my tone, but again, he seemed to miss it. Or perhaps he merely chose to ignore it. I was beginning to suspect my reaper was a whole lot more knowledgeable about this world and human emotions than he was making out.
He disappeared again, and I returned my gaze to the building. I couldn’t see any indication of a spell protecting the building—there was no faint, kaleidoscope shimmer as there had been in the underground cell—but I wasn’t about to question Ilianna’s word. She knew her magic, even if most of the time she played around with minor potions and spells.
And her mom was the keeper of the secrets—the guardian of the Brindle’s massive library. You didn’t get that position without having some serious magical mojo. In fact, I’d heard whispers that Ilianna had been in line to take over her mom’s position before she’d walked away from the Brindle and everything it represented. Whether it was true or not I couldn’t say, because Ilianna refused to confirm or deny the possibility.
Azriel winked back into existence. “He is being held in a room at the west end of the building. I believe there is some sort of spell binding him.”
“Probably something that restricts his use of flame,” Ilianna commented. Her gaze met mine. “I’ve integrated you into the spell’s properties. You’ll be able to walk through without the Charna knowing about it.”
“Good.” I glanced at the west end of the building, studying the windows and the roller door. There was definitely no entrance that way. “Once I deal with the men guarding Tao, you’ll have to come in and de-spell him.”
She frowned. “I can’t weave my presence through the magic, because she’ll sense the insertion of another magic user. And if I walk through it, it will notify her.”
“Precisely. And hopefully, she’ll come out of hiding.”
“Or go so deep undercover that we won’t find her.”
“If she does that, then she’s the Directorate’s problem.”
“No,” Azriel said calmly. “She is mine.”
I glanced at him. “Only if she appears before us, because you’re restricted to following me.”
Annoyance flashed briefly in his eyes. “She won’t disappear. There is an arrogance in most of the dark ones that makes them believe they can best any situation. She will send her forces against us, and I will be able to locate her through them.”
“Great, but I hope you’ll understand me hoping like hell she doesn’t send something against us. I really, really do not want to be confronting a soul stealer today.”
Or any other day, for that matter.
“If I kill the Charna, then her creature should also die.”
“It’s the bits in between—you know, the part where it attacks me before you kill its master—that worries me.”
“You will not die,” he said, amusement flirting with his lips. “After all, if you do, how will I get my answers?”
“There is that,” I muttered, glancing at Ilianna. She was smiling at Azriel—but then, she hadn’t seen what a soul stealer could do, or felt the agony it caused. “When I’ve dealt with the guards, I’ll give you a call. Come in fast. I wouldn’t want the Charna’s creatures to find you alone.”
She nodded and rubbed her arms. “Don’t be long. I hate standing in godforsaken places like this alone.”
I resisted the urge to point out that we were only one block away from Scienceworks—which was no doubt packed with visitors exploring all that the museum had to offer—not to mention the fact that one block in the other direction was not only a major housing development, but a church and a small shopping district. Mares were herd animals, and they tended to get very spooked when left alone in strange areas.
“Stay in the car and keep out of sight.” I squeezed her arm lightly to comfort her, then headed across the lot and jumped the fence that separated it from the next property. After walking across the road, I jumped into the scrap-metal yard next to the old warehouse.
Only to be confronted by two rottweilers.
They came running at me, teeth bared and growls low in their throats. I swore softly, but stopped and faced them—not meeting their gazes but keeping an eye on them all the same—then held out my hand. Both dogs slowed, noses in the air and snarls still low in their throats—undoubtedly because they sensed the wolf in me.
Azriel appeared beside me, his sword unsheathed and glowing blue in the brightness of the day. Once again the blade hummed, but this time the sound was oddly calming.
The dogs lowered their heads and backed away.
I glanced at him. “Dogs can see you?”
