Page 5 of The Witch Queen of Halloween (Immortals After Dark 20)

Tappingher chin, she said, “Areyou in need of funds?Poordemon hasn’t been saving his coin?”Themost hazardous merc jobs were the most lucrative, and she’d heard that he’d signed on for one lethal mission after another, almost as if he had a death wish—or a huge debt. “Takingall your girlfriends to eat at pricey restaurants must empty your pockets.”

“Hmm.DoIdo that?Inany case,Ilike to work.Keepsme young.”Helooked no more than thirty, but he was thirteen centuries old. “Admitit: mercs have fun . . .”Hetrailed off, his gaze flicking in the direction of the glowing ghouls.

Despitethe earlier rain, their number had grown to three, a larger one and two smaller ones.Rökrested a hand on his sword.

Poppydidn’t spook easily, but something about that trio filled her with disquiet.Keepingher tone light, she said, “Scaredof a few ghouls?”

“Anybodywith sense avoids them.”

Ascratch or bite could turn even an immortal into the undead. “Thenoff you go.”

“Stickingaround, if it’s all the same.”

Wasn’tall the same; never would be after he’d hurt her so badly.

Rökgestured to the front door. “Whatare you waiting for?”

Theboundary spell, duh.“Youdon’t know?”Hiscommitment to research usually rivaled hers.

“Checkingto see if you do.”Hislazy grin made her more suspicious.

“Whatever.”Spearsof moonlight penetrated the clouds.Itwas time.Whichmeant she had no shot at losing him before the castle opened.Hermuscles tensed with readiness, and she felt his attention like a touch.

Awave of mystical energy swelled from the building, swarming outward over them.Themagic was dark, tasted bitter.AmIready to take on this castle?Shestared at the door.WillIever exit again?

Maybeshe should wait and prep more.Thougheveryone in her coven figured she was a conjurer (she had the most luck with those spell pouches), she’d demonstrated no innate caste power.Andtonight, she had nothing except a handful of pouches and an activated curse.

Ergo: saddle up!

Sofoolish.Yetthe next opportunity to enter—during anotherHalloweenfull moon—wouldn’t be for nineteen years.Hercurse would drive her insane by then.

Whenthe door swung open with a hiss, she straightened her shoulders and started forward.Heregoes everything. . . .

Rökmuttered, “Inover your head.”

“Onlyway to swim.”Insideshe blinked against the gloom—she had no demonic night vision—until olden gas lights flickered on.Theirdust-coated sconces painted the foyer in a harsh light.

“Noone lives here, right?”Rökfollowed her in. “Sowho’s paying the gas bill?”

“Poweredby residual magic.”Justlike the boundary.

Forsuch a sizable area, the air was stale.Cobwebscrisscrossed the floor and walls, but they looked old.

WhenRökshadowed her steps,Poppy’sheart thumped.Shedidn’t want to spend a night trapped here with him, but she couldn’t prevent him from staying unless she was ready to sacrifice a pouch.

She’djust have to lose him inside.Poppywas mystically sensitive; he wasn’t.Shewould uncover the prize well before he could.

“Anybodyhome?” she called out into the echoing expanse. “Hellooo?Isanyone?—”

Thedoor slammed shut behind them.SheandRökwhirled around.Thehissing sound of pressurization proved more ominous than the castle’s appearance.

Poppyhad a feeling that this place promised hell, and she’d come to collect.

TWO

Chillsskittered upRök’sback.Heinhaled the air; remnants of blood and death greeted him.

Poppywas a formidable mercenary like him, but he suspected they werebothin over their heads.Betterto teleport her to safety and convince her to pick up where they’d left off two years ago.Hegrasped her arm. “We’releaving.”Beforeshe could protest, he teleported her.

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