Wishing on a Dream Page 21

  Isiah nodded and said, “They probably wanted you to see that, then.”

  “Definitely a trap,” Raphie said, nodding.

  “I’m still going in,” I said.

  “Oh yeah, we are totally going in there,” Isiah said with a huge grin, and I suddenly saw why he made such a good companion for my brother… he was excited about heading face first into a trap, a potentially dangerous and deadly trap. He was as crazy about adventure as my brother was. I’d thought Isiah was the level-headed one to my brother’s wildness, and maybe that was true, but apparently, they both still liked a good fight. They were both insane, but… hopefully that would work in my favor today.

  Isiah’s grin was almost manic as he said, “We’re all going in. Don’t worry, runt, we got your back.”

  My eyebrow twitched at the use of my brother’s nickname for me, but I only nodded and said, “Lead the way. But I’m taking out the bloody bastard that hurt Grady.”

  My brother grinned—the same kind of grin as Isiah—and we charged up the hill.

  Chapter 26

  Grady

  As soon as Regan strapped me to a huge, heavy metal chair using his magic instead of ropes—so I couldn’t find a way to escape—he released the magic covering my mouth so I could speak because, apparently, he wanted me to answer questions. But I kept my mouth shut, refusing to answer anything about Alaric, Raphael, and Isiah. No way was I giving them something they could use against them.

  Another warlock stuck his nose in my face and sneered. “Look at it. It’s terrified,” he said.

  I glared at him and thought about spitting in his face, but I didn’t want to cause trouble. I needed them to leave me alone so I could find a way out of my invisible binds and reach the blade strapped to my ankle.

  Regan frowned at the other warlock, but all he said was, “Of course he’s scared.”

  The creep in front of me spoke in a fake baby voice, “Aw, are you scared you’re gonna get hurt, little human?” Before I could even roll my eyes at the idiot, his fist came flying at my face.

  Since I was bound, I couldn’t do anything at all to stop it. The fist connected with my cheek in a loud crack as pain shot through my bones and my head snapped back at the impact. Pain radiated from my cheek and neck, and I felt wetness on my face. Without much thought, I filled my mouth with spit, and when the asshole got close again, this time I didn’t hesitate to fling it at him.

  He yelled out in outrage when my saliva landed on his cheek and in his eye, then he slammed his fist into my face again, once, twice, three times, my head jerking back with each punch. He cursed a bunch and I heard a scuffle happening, but I couldn’t focus on it.

  Pain radiated from my face to my head and down my spine. Tears and snot were leaking from me, and I tasted blood on my tongue. Squinting, I tried to take in the scene around me, but everything was blurry, and I was pretty sure one of my eyes was swollen shut because it wouldn’t open.

  A face appeared in front of me, and even though I knew he was my enemy, I saw concern etched in his eyes. I heard Regan’s whispered words, “Grady, it’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay.”

  But it wasn’t okay. Nothing was okay.

  Regan’s hands grasped my shoulders, and I felt my arms release and hang loosely at my sides. He’d released the spell wrapped around my body, and I sagged forward. The warlock wrapped his arms around me and muttered, “I’m sorry. I couldn’t stop him, but I’m going to fix you right up.”

  Everything was fuzzy around the edges, but I was aware of him picking me up and lying me on a table, and then everything was warm. My entire body started warming from the inside out, but the warmth grew hotter and hotter until I was sweating and writhing on the table, my skin burning with an intensity that made me scream.

  “I’m sorry,” Regan said by my head. “This is the only way I know how to heal you. We’re almost done.”

  My muscles were screaming, my head felt like I’d dipped it in lava, but then it was suddenly gone, and my head was no longer fuzzy. As soon as that clarity washed over me, I sat up and scrambled away from Regan.

  Scanning the room, I saw two other warlocks—including the asshole that’d hit me—and two other witches along with Regan. All five of them were staring at me.

  I jumped off the table and squatted behind it, trying to put something between them and me.

  Regan said in a quiet and calm voice, “We’re not going to hurt you, Grady.”

  “Right, I believe you,” I muttered back as I wiped blood off my face. The injuries were now gone, but the evidence of what they’d done to me was still there.

  That witch that had driven the car said, “Just use your magic to freeze him again, Regan. I don’t understand why you’re trying to help that thing, anyway. Since when do you care about stupid humans?”

  Regan huffed and said, “None of your damn business, Priscilla.” He suddenly appeared beside me squatting down so his face was close to mine. I jumped back and tried to scramble away again, but he captured my wrist and yanked me to him, whispering, “I’m sorry I got you involved in this. Just stay right here. I think your boyfriend is almost here… if you hold still, I’ll pretend I froze you, and when the cavalry arrives, you can make a run for it, okay?”

  I squinted at him. “Why are you helping me?”

  His dark eyes bore into mine, emotional depths I couldn’t decipher swirled around inside them, and he whispered, “I’m not here by choice, either. Do as I say so you stay safe.”

  I wasn’t sure I could trust him—maybe this was an elaborate plan to make me compliant—but what choice did I have? So far, he had tried to protect me, minus when he kidnapped me, and I couldn’t get away on my own, not when they had magic and I had no way of shielding myself from it. All I had was a blade, and what good would that do when there were five of them and only one of me with one small blade? Still, I pulled the knife out from its sheath on my ankle and watched as Regan’s eyes got wide. I shrugged, but didn’t use it against him since he wasn’t currently a threat, and I nodded. “Okay, but I’m not putting this down.”

  He blew out a breath, nodded, and called out, “I got the little slimy bastard.” I glared at him and he shrugged before standing. “He’s frozen again, no worries.”

  The witch—Priscilla, I presumed—said, “Good. The boss’ll be here any second.”

  Regan tensed at the mention of his boss, and seeing that sent a sliver of fear through my veins. His boss could only be one person: Claudette Rathmore.

  The guy who punched me yelled out, “Be ready! They’re coming in!”

  The front door of the house was blasted open in a white misty blast that made me throw my arms over my head instinctively. Regan grabbed me and yanked me to my feet, dragging me away from the mist as three shadows formed at the entranceway.

  As the mist cleared, a mixture of relief and horror filled my veins. Alaric had come for me, of course he had. And Raphael and Isiah had, too. I was relieved they were here to save me, but terrified they were going to get hurt doing it.

  Alaric scanned the room quickly, his eyes landing on me, and the man I loved looked nothing like the man I knew. His eyes had darkened and his hair was flying around his face as power emanated from him. His magic was pulsing around him in waves, and his face was morphed into pure rage.

  Most days, I forgot he was a warlock, a magical creature, but right now, he looked every bit the part. He was terrifying. If someone like that was coming for me, I’d tuck tail and run. I didn’t think he could look that way; I’d never thought he’d be so angry, he was always so sensible, but right now, he was a force to be reckoned with. But he was my soul-pledged, and I knew he would never hurt me, even in his crazed state.

  Alaric took a stop in my direction, but one of the witches ran at him. It seemed that Alaric had enough adrenaline in his system that he simply pulled his magic to him with his fist, then shot it out in a quick, white arc, hitting the witch in the chest. She flew back into the wall hard enough
her head bounced and her eyes rolled to the back of her head. As she fell like a rag doll, I found I didn’t care if she was dead or only knocked out. She deserved it.

  Alaric made it three steps before the warlock that had hit me, ran after him. The warlock tried to get to him, but my soul-pledged shot another white, misty arc at the guy. The guy managed to throw up a shield in time, but Alaric was stronger than him. He sent extra energy into his shot, and it pressed hard against the shield. It took a minute, but Alaric finally broke through the shield, hitting the man in the chest and knocking him back. Alaric followed that shot with three more to the guy’s heart, and the jerk of a man fell to the ground.

  My soul-pledged turned sharp eyes on me, and made a run for it. Before he reached me, Regan pushed me forward so I was no longer leaning against him for support. I crashed into Alaric’s arms, and he pulled me into him and somehow held me to his side, using his magic to support my weight so he could continue fighting if need be.

  I gripped him to me, and allowed him to sling me around to his side so I was beside him. I clung to his waist, holding on as tight as I could as he put some kind of shield around us, then turned to face Regan.

  Regan had his arms out, begging, “Please. I’m sorry, I didn’t know they were going to hurt him.”

  Alaric asked, “What? You thought they were kidnapping him for a good time?” His voice was gruff and angry and unlike his regular voice.

  “No, I… I didn’t want—”

  I cut Regan off. “Let him go, Alaric. We have bigger problems right now.” I pointed at Isiah and Raphael concluding a battle with the other two magic users. Luckily, they finished them off unscathed, and somehow, their familiars clung to their shoulders the entire time— maybe from experience.

  Tiberius came in through the busted down door and he immediately flew to me, landing on my shoulder and nuzzling my neck. I petted him, and the bird made soft cooing noises like he was trying to comfort me. My sweet little owl.

  I whispered, “I’m okay, Tib.” He cooed even more, rubbing all over me as I patted him and tried to show him some love back. His sweetness was making my eyes watery. I just wanted to go home and crawl into bed, cuddle up with Alaric, and hug Tiberius close. I wanted to be home, safe and sound with my family.

  Regan stayed where he was, hands raised and neck drawn in a submissive position as Raphael and Isiah ran over to join us. The two eyed the other warlock, but didn’t say anything because I said, “She’s on her way here. I heard them talking.”

  Raphael scrutinized Alaric, then glanced at me and asked, “Are you okay?”

  I shrugged. “Yeah.”

  He eyed Alaric again before saying to me, “He’s not in the right headspace… be careful.”

  I nodded because I could already tell from one look that Alaric wasn’t himself at the moment, and I assumed that meant his magic was a little out of control.

  Alaric grunted at Raphael, then turned to me and pressed his lips hard against mine. His tense stature softened a little at the contact, so I buried my fingers in his hair and whispered, “We’re okay, Ric. I’m okay, baby.”

  He grunted again, then rested his forehead on mine for a moment before he pushed me behind him and said, “She’s here. I can feel her.” His voice was deep and disarming.

  I saw Regan escape out the front door, but none of us stopped him. He’d helped me, sort of, so I’d give him a pass, and I guess the others were more concerned with the evil witch.

  Isiah shot Raphael a look, but they both nodded at Alaric before all three of them took a fighting stance in front of me.

  A cackle filled the air—exactly how I would’ve pictured an evil witch sounding—and her voice filled the air. “It’s lovely to see you again, my dear Alaric.”

  I swallowed as a shiver ran down my spine, and I placed a hand on Alaric’s back between his shoulder blades, suddenly terrified that she was going to cast a spell and trap him again and take him away from me.

  Alaric didn’t react to the witch or to me, and all I could read through our connection was anger. No, not just anger, there was fear there, too. He was scared something was going to happen to me, or to him, and we’d end up separated. I was harboring the same terrifying fears.

  The witch’s black smoke filled the room, and to my surprise, a beautiful, young-looking woman emerged from the smoke. She was tall and slender with ample breasts and a tiny waist. She was almost sweet-looking with a heart-shaped face, button nose, and sweet pink lips. She wasn’t what I’d expected at all. Not even a little bit. I thought she’d be an old lady, hunched over with giant moles on her huge nose, like the witch with the apple in Snow White.

  The woman spread her arms wide and grinned at Alaric, then tilted her head and said, “I was wondering how long it would be until you escaped. I lost you for a while there, after, what was her name? Emily? Died, I didn’t know where you’d ended up. Not until you released so much magic, it was as if you’d thrown a flare into the sky.”

  Alaric tensed. How the hell did she know about Emily?

  The witch continued, “Your globe was one of my best spells yet.”

  Raphael said sternly, “Claudette Rathmore, you’re under arrest in the name of the Conclave for the punishment of an innocent and the deaths of more than twenty souls.”

  My eyes widened. She’d killed twenty people? My legs began to quake.

  The witch lifted her shoulders as if she didn’t have a care in the world. “You’ve only found twenty? You aren’t very good at your job, dear.”

  Raphael glanced at Isiah, and without words, they both shot their magic out toward the witch. But she didn’t seem worried at all, she simply waved her hand and both shots of magic hit the wall behind her, breezing right past her body. Raphie and Izzy shot at her again, and this time, Alaric threw a fireball at the crazy lady. Unfortunately, she knocked all three shots away again.

  “Motherfucker,” I heard Raphie say under his breath.

  Suddenly all three warlocks were shooting off fireballs, ice-balls, and earth-balls one after the other, over and over and over. And the witch simply stood, stoic, knocking each one away with the flick of her wrist. It was as if the magical energy shots were merely annoying flies buzzing around her head. The shots came so fast, I could hardly follow, but not even one managed to hit her. How could she be so powerful? I could feel the magic coming off them in waves, and it didn’t affect her at all.

  As Alaric, Raphie, and Izzy continued their assault, I saw the witch grin, and I tried to shout a warning—for what, I didn’t know, but I knew she was up to something. Before my yell left my lips, Raphie and Izzy—along with their familiars—were thrown across the room in opposite directions. They both hit the walls and fell to the ground. Raphie was groaning, but Izzy didn’t make a sound, knocked out cold with his crow flapping over the top of him. I heard Raphie scream for his soul-pledged, but my attention was brought back to Alaric because he yelled at the top of his lungs and pushed out the biggest blast of ice I’d seen from him yet.

  Claudette cackled as it flew at her, as if this was all a fun game. It seemed to take more energy for her to break the power blast apart this time. As it came at her, she threw up some kind of shield, then pushed her black energy into Alaric’s white ice and shattered it into a million pieces.

  Alaric yelled again and pushed another blast at her, but she broke it apart easily, then tsked at him and said, “Nice try, little warlock, but you’re annoying me now.” Then she threw a blast of black magic at him.

  I screamed in panic, and I saw him trying to get a shield up, but he wasn’t quick enough. The magic hit him in the chest and he flew backward, knocking into my shoulder before he landed flat on his back.

  “Alar—” My scream was cut off when something wrapped around my throat, choking me.

  Tiberius was knocked from my shoulder as I gasped for breath and frantically clawed at my neck, somehow keeping hold of the blade, but I couldn’t grip anything because only black smoke encircl
ed my throat. Panic seized my lungs as I tried in vain to grab ahold of it but my fingers went right through. I tried to gasp in a breath, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t breathe, my vision was already darkening around the edges. The smoky cord around my throat began dragging me across the floor toward the witch. Her fingers held the other end of my smokey leash, pulling me to her until her face was only inches from mine.

  She trailed her long fingernail down my cheek and whispered, “You will make a pretty ornament. Maybe I’ll keep you.”

  I could hardly think straight, so dizzy from the lack of oxygen, but I remembered the blade still clutched in my hand. Holding on tight, I lashed out, not really aiming for anything, only hoping to hit my target so she’d release me. The blade hit something, and I felt power thrum to life inside the blade. The witch screamed loudly, and the spell around my throat released its hold making me fall to the floor in a heap, coughing and gasping and finally filling my lungs.

  “You!” she screamed, and I caught a glimpse of her bleeding wrist that was wrapped in green vines and climbing up her arms—Izzy’s magic inside the blade must’ve caused it.

  Before I could figure out my next move, my body was thrust backwards. A scream tore from my sore throat, but when I landed on my ass and Alaric stepped in front of me with an icy shield held before us, I knew he’d pulled me back to safety.

  “You can’t have him, Claudette!” Alaric screamed as Raphie and Izzy stood beside him on either side, both looked a little worse for wear, but they added their magic to the shield as their familiars found their way back to their shoulders.

  The witch threw a few energy balls at the shield as I struggled to my feet, my breathing raspy. Tiberius flew onto my shoulder, and I was relieved to see he was uninjured. He looked a little ragged, but he’d be alright.