Page 32 of The Witch Queen of Halloween (Immortals After Dark 20)

TEN

Poppyand the demon had entered a room as big as a warehouse.

Thescent of formaldehyde stung her nose as she surveyed their new surroundings.Flickeringsconces and lightning lit the vast space sporadically, leaving shadowy alcoves.Layersof cobwebs covered haphazard stacks of books.

Abovethem, rain pounded against a glass dome inlaid with metal bars.Alightning rod protruded from its center.Wiresdescended from it to branch out like veins through what appeared to be a laboratory.

Someof those wires ran to multiple tanks atop shelves.Theylooked like cylindrical aquariums, only these were filled with green goo—and body parts.

“I’mgetting some mad, mad-scientist vibes.”Despitethe alien threat in the hall,Rökyanked on the door latch, but it didn’t budge. “Didthe wizard lock his lab from the inside to keep something in?”

Shenodded. “Judgingby the blood on the door, whatever it was wanted out.”

“Whynot just magically barricade this place behind him?”

“Itmust be a redundancy.Whichmeans we’re trapped within a trap.”Thebars in the dome made this place look like a giant cage.

Rökglanced up. “Maybeit’s not completely sealed.Imight be able to bust through those bars and have us out of here in time for cocktails.Beright back for you.”Heleapt the forty or so feet up to punch the dome.Hisfist recoiled, and he dropped right back down. “Bloodyboundary spell.”

“Itsurrounds every inch of this place.”

“Fantastic.”Onceall grew quiet outside the door, he glanced at her eyes. “Theglow is muted.Whenare more of your visitors going to show?”

“Itfeels likeI’min a lull, but not a good one.Iget the sense that their next visit will be like a tsunami of shit coming my way.”

“Ourway,” he said, swiping blood from a horn. “Ican’t believe we just faced off against dolls and aliens.”Notto mention those reappearing skeletons.Rökmust be wondering how he andPoppycould possibly survive the night. “Youhave any blast power left?”

Sheshook her head. “I’mfueling the magic in those pouches but also the visitors.Everytime they attack, their outlay takes a toll on me.”

“OnceIfind out who cursed you,I’lltorture them for centuries on end—teaching them the meaning of agony.”

EvenasRök’sruthless words charmed her, she felt a murderous heat toward whatever foe had done this to her. “You’llhave to get in line.”

Rökturned back to the lock pad, trying to jimmy it open, but it proved as impenetrable as everything else. “Canyou pick this?Wiccait up.”

“Itold you—Ionly have my portal spell left.”

“Noinnate witchly powers?You’vegot to have something outside of your bag.”

Ihave nothing!Poppywas only as good as her pouch count. “I’mnot a safecracker.EvenifIhad that talent, the wizard’s power was stronger than mine could ever be.”

“Okay, okay.”Rökassessed the area. “Thislab is huge.Thecastle’s battery could be in here.”

“Orit could be inPoughkeepsie.Magicdoesn’t often work like electricity.”Somuch voltage crackled in this place, her loosened hair felt like it stood on end.Ormaybe her earlier realizations were spooking her.

Whatwas at stake:Thatthese embodied visitors will keep coming till they kill me and everyoneIlove.

Whatshe coveted:Alife free of them with a partner who loves and respects me.

Whatshe feared:ThatI’llaccept anything less—or die beforeIget a chance at that life.

“Evenif we found the battery,Ican’t leave,” she told him. “Notuntil my mission is complete.”

Seemingto choose his words carefully, he said, “Withall these vantages and blind corners, this lab will be a kill zone if your visitors reappear in here.Wemight actually be in trouble.”

Shenodded. “Yes.Andyou should go if you can.Idon’t want you to get hurt.Butfor my part, ifIreturn home empty-handed,I’lljeopardize my sisters.”Shewould do anything to protect them, just as they would do anything for her—including putting themselves in danger.

FierceLeawould charge into the line of fire with a battle cry, studiousSageand mischievousCloveright behind her.LethalBellawould fight to the death for just about any cause, but especially forPoppy.

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