Total pages in book: 14
Estimated words: 13180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 66(@200wpm)___ 53(@250wpm)___ 44(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 13180 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 66(@200wpm)___ 53(@250wpm)___ 44(@300wpm)
“There are three inside, including the jinn. The other two are wizards. The idiots were talking about their plans, which involve you, Xavier. Seems they want to take you out because you’re getting too close to something—I didn’t hear what that something is, though. Maybe another case you’re investigating?”
Xavier’s brows met in a frown, but he didn’t say anything. Though Daniel had an idea what that case might be. He’d been working on gathering data on a group of magic users across the country for over a year now. Ones that dabbled in the darker magics. It was how he’d stumbled upon the thefts to begin with. He met Xavier’s gaze only to have Xavier nod at him.
“What’s the plan?” Noel asked, voice low.
“Surprise them?” Lake suggested. “I warp you inside right next to them, and you can take the amulet. One of the wizards is wearing it, and I got the feeling he was in charge.”
“You could always do that thing you did in Arizona,” Daniel said, keeping his voice low.
Xavier gave him a stern look.
“Or not,” he muttered. Xavier had stripped a warper wizard of his powers, but maybe he didn’t want Arcane learning about that ability. He felt bad for saying anything. He should have known better. The thing was… When he really broke it down, he loved Noel. On a deep level, he still did. He looked at this man and realized that though that love was there, trust was still an issue. But he did want to have that. He wanted it so much that he made a decision.
Despite their audience, he strode to Noel and reached up to cradle his face in his palms. “You have to stay safe in there. Do you understand me?”
Noel quirked a crooked smile, his eyes lighting up. “Are you saying what I think you are?”
“Yes, I’m giving you a chance, and I want that chance, so no heroics. Promise me.”
“Daniel, I will do my best, but if I get the chance to get that amulet, I’ll take it.”
“Fair enough.”
Noel leaned down and kissed him softly, whispering, “I love you, Daniel Ravenwood.”
“You fucker, I love you, too.” He kissed Noel this time before turning to the others. “Let’s do this.”
Lake held out his arms, and they all put their hands on him. The warp was fast and, thankfully, not as disorienting as usual, since it was for a short distance. But still, Daniel arrived inside the building dizzy. He blinked rapidly as the things around them came into focus. Sheets of plastic on some walls, tables, sawhorses and several wood pallets with stacks of pipe and roofing materials.
There were three preternaturals, one of whom was holding out his hand to cast a spell. The other wizard wore the amulet, and his mouth moved as he muttered words.
Xavier froze in place, but his features tightened in pure determination as he slowly raised his hand.
“Xavier,” the wizard with the amulet said, drawing out his name. “How nice of you to come to us. You just made everything far too easy.”
Xavier didn’t respond—probably couldn’t respond because of the amulet’s magic. Still, his hand continued to slowly lift.
Daniel watched in shock that was mirrored on that wizard’s face. Xavier was stronger than the amulet. It was only slowing him down.
The other wizard had obviously cast a binding spell on Xavier as well, and with all their attention on the most powerful man in the room, they weren’t paying attention to Daniel.
He threw a wraith hallucination into their minds, and they immediately started dodging the beings only they could see. But he knew what they saw—monstrous ghosts who came at them with extended claws and sharp teeth.
The jinn misted, and Daniel quickly dodged to the left because that preternatural could go right through him. He solidified, and Daniel turned his world into a living hell with another hallucination, making him feel like he was trapped in lava. The jinn screamed, and Daniel smashed his fist into his face, making him fly back into a stack of boxes. He left him writhing on the floor and turned back—only to be trapped in his own worst nightmare.
Noel was slowly lifting his gun to his own head. The panic that ripped through Daniel felt like a hundred knives, and he raced toward the wizard wearing the amulet. But the wizard turned his furious gaze toward Daniel. Daniel froze, unable to throw out any more suggestions. He was helpless as he watched Noel start to lift his gun again.
He fought against the amulet’s magic, but it was like being buried in heavy sludge. He couldn’t move. Could only watch while he struggled against power that completely took him over.
Xavier had managed to get his hand up, and a swirl of wind filled the building, sending papers from the one desk flying into the air.