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Zaide said firmly, “Explain witches.”
“They can cast spells, make potions, and scry for lost things and information. They are like you, Daithi.” I glanced at him but immediately looked away again when I saw his granite-like face. “But on a much smaller scale,” I explained.
“What is a familiar?” Zaide asked.
I rushed to explain, my tongue tripping over itself to pour out this information, finally able to purge myself of secrets I held for two years. “I’m a human soul in the form of a cat. Winnie performed a very powerful spell two years ago, which bought my soul here and tied our lives together. If she dies, so do I because she’s my link to the world. I can talk to her telepathically. We can share emotions and power between us. I’m an extra power bank if she needs it for a spell.”
“Human soul …” Charlie hummed thoughtfully.
Daithi interrupted again, “And these witches took Savida’s fire?”
“Yes, they took it. Winnie created a large salt circle in the garden, and Mary had gone to the shops to capture him. She caught him and pulled him home in a large magical net. He fought but couldn’t get free,” I finished, sadly thinking of the horrified look he had on his face when he realized he wouldn’t be saved in time.
“If I had known humans had this ability, I would never have bought him here,” Daithi hissed at Zaide. Zaide straightened but said nothing.
Charlie wondered aloud, “How did she know to go to the shops?”
I sighed and whispered, “I told Winnie that you’d gone.”
Daithi slammed his hands on the table, rattling the plates and glasses, and shouted, “You were complicit in this?”
My breath stuttered as flashes of my past rose to the forefront of my mind. I bowed my head, and my hands turned to fists in my lap. When Zaide’s hand covered mine and squeezed in support, a feeling of safety trickled through me, but it wasn’t enough to combat Daithi’s ire.
I gulped. “No. I didn’t know what they were going to do. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, let alone Savida.”
“But it was you that told the witches he was here and when he would be unguarded,” he growled.
Feeling like less than a worm, I closed my eyes and whispered, “Yes. I’m so terribly sorry. I tried to stop her once I knew, but she wouldn’t listen.”
“I have heard enough.” His voice was low, his words spaced out and full of intention. “You are going to help us get his fire back, or I will kill you in order to exact revenge on the witch who stole my lover from me.”
“Daithi—” Zaide protested.
I interrupted with a shudder and a quick nod. “Of course. Anything I can do.”
“Wait.” Charlie held up a hand and looked at Daithi questioningly. “We can get it back? He won’t die without it?”
Daithi huffed and pushed his chair back as he stood. With his hands behind his back, he paced as he lectured. “Demon fire is among one of the most sought-after magics across the realms. Demons are often hunted, and their fire stolen. A demon without fire is useless. It lives, but it does not. Savida’s fire is likely intended for use in a powerful spell, and should that happen, he will be lost to us forever. If we can rescue his fire before this happens, we can restore it to him.”
“Time is of the essence, then,” Charlie concluded.
Daithi nodded and looked at me with hatred flaring in his eyes. “Do you know where they are right now?”
I shook my head quickly. “No. They left immediately after they got his fire.”
Charlie leaned forward, focusing. “Daithi, your vision. You said they were getting a taxi. Do you remember the other address?”
It only took him a moment to recall. “78 Acre Drive.”
Charlie got his phone out and a moment later told us, “There are a lot of Arce Drives in England, but there is one twenty minutes from here. If she got a taxi, I can only assume it was for a quick journey.”
Daithi looked at me again and asked, “Do you know what is there?” The words rolled around his mouth as though they couldn’t land properly, with his distaste for me also being juggled.
I tried not to let him know how much he frightened me. How much his anger and hatred reminded my soul of past fears. I shook my head again. “Winnie swore not to tell another soul about this project she and Mary were working on. It’s a magical promise which has repercussions if broken, so she didn’t tell me anything.”
“A project?” Charlie repeated.
I nodded. “Yes. That’s what I assume they need Savida’s fire for.” I hesitated, but cat-like curiosity had me asking, “What can fire do?”
