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Crap. He was talking about me.
“AlI I had to do was share control of my body with her for a few years. It’s not that bad. It was great to enjoy all the nice things I’d never had before. And I didn’t even need to do all the hard work.”
Fine, I’d bite and treat this entity as if he were the real Dean. “You know she’s after my body in the end, not yours.”
“She already told me. When we get married, she’ll join with you. What’s so bad about sharing it with her for a few years like I’m doing?”
He didn’t know! He thought Amrita would leave him and join with me like some sort of spare soul hot potato, then he’d get to live happily ever after married to the woman of his dreams. Because that was what I was to him, just a dream.
“That’s not how it works. I guess she didn’t tell you—”
Dean’s face screwed up again, and Mother joined us again. “Enough!” she said.
Oh-ho! She’d never told him. “In order to switch bodies, she has to kill you off, Dean!” I shouted out as quickly as I could before she could stop me.
“That is not true. That demon has been feeding you lies. It’s what they do. I only need your consent. Then I can jump bodies.”
I’d found that tidbit on my own. I hoped I’d planted a seed of doubt in the original Dean’s head, and he’d give her some hell now instead of playing along. He wouldn’t have much control now, but any distraction for Amrita was a bonus as far as I was concerned.
I ignored her and continued speaking to the man underneath. “You won’t enjoy any of it. She’s using you.”
Snarling, Dean’s face almost looked like the old crone. “It doesn’t matter that you know, Dean. It changes nothing! After a few months locked away, you’ll agree to give me control just so you can see daylight again.” The cackle now sounded like her too. “And even if you don’t, my new wizard friend is coming up with a way to make sure you do. You won’t have a choice.”
Mother turned to the big guy. “You, lock her downstairs.” Then she turned and walked out a set of metal doors.
Clearly confused by what he’d just witnessed, Wolfman hesitated but his two friends didn’t. They rounded on me, trapping me.
“You saw what happened. Dean’s not who you think.” I had to try to sway them.
“I don’t care if he’s a rainbow unicorn, as long as I get paid,” one of them said.
He grabbed me, tugging me by the arm. I struggled, knowing that if they got me locked up below, I’d probably never see the light of day again. I slammed the heel of my hand hard on his nose and heard a crack. He screamed and let me go, but his look-alike seized me by the hair.
I hissed, my hands going up to lessen the pull at my scalp as he dragged me along. I shrieked, screaming at the top of my lungs. I panicked, releasing the magic from my body in one big, uncontrolled burst. It rushed out from me, filling the warehouse with vibrations. The floor moved under our feet like an earthquake.
The dipshit holding onto me let go as he tried to stay on his feet. I ducked low and scampered away just as a pipe above us burst open, showering us with cold water. Then the ceiling above us started to crumble, the pieces raining down to add more to the chaos.
“What is going on here?” Mother shrieked from the doorway.
A piece of the ceiling came down, nearly smashing into her. Another piece fell on the idiot trying to stop his nosebleed.
I cast an umbrella spell, trying to recall the words the best I could. It was meant for rain, but hopefully, it would prevent me from being brained as I ran for the door. A heavy piece of concrete landed next to me with a crash. Dust filled the air, and I held my breath, pumping my legs as hard as I could.
Behind me, Wolfman followed. Except he wasn’t quite human anymore. He wasn’t a wolf, either. He was stuck somewhere in between, looking terrifying.
Holy shit! That gave me extra impetus to run, but that release of magic had taken much of my energy, and it felt like running through a bog. By the time I made it to the door, I was winded. I flung it open, glad they’d been too stupid to lock it, and ran out into the sun.
Chapter 23
Eamon
Ispedthroughthestreet on my bike toward the industrial zone. I knew exactly the place they were taking her. I’d heard about it during my days of undercover investigation.
There was a building that hadn’t been in use for several years now. It was run down and in disrepair but still standing. Several of the homeless had squatted in it, which was why Dean knew of it. He’d turned it into his hideout.
The Earth under my wheels rumbled, and I dematerialized everything except for my hands and feet—which I needed to control the motorcycle—in case I lost control and crashed. Something was happening, something big and magical. It came from the building that was now in view.
Tansy! I had to get to her.
