Page 4 of Ancient Magic

The leader stepped forward, running a dismissive glance over the demons sprawled in the front seats.

“Is this your entire crew?”

“No. I have four others. They’re on a job.”

The male clicked his tongue, as if disappointed with the answer. “Next time I call for a meeting, I want them all here.”

“Why?”

“Because I said so. That’s the only explanation you need.”

Gunther cleared his throat, as if he was beginning to wonder why the male would want them all gathered in one spot. Skye could have told him it was so it would be easier to kill them.

“About that money you owe us—”

“Shut up.” The leader abruptly tilted back his head, sucking in a deep breath. “There’s someone here. Humans.” He released a feral growl, glaring at Gunther. “You said you searched the place.”

“I did. If there’s someone here they must have snuck in while we were waiting for you.”

“Find them,” the leader snapped. “No one gets out of here.”

Maya grasped Skye’s arm, dragging her toward the back of the mezzanine. Below them the bellows of angry demons echoed through the air, reverberating against the domed ceiling as they charged in pursuit.

“Stay close,” Maya commanded as she released her grip on Skye and reached into the purse slung over one shoulder.

Skye knew that her friend would have at least a few bottles of potions stashed in the leather satchel. A good mage never left home without them. Skye, on the other hand, touched the silver bracelet that encircled her wrist. The various charms that dangled from the delicate chain weren’t for decoration. She used them to store extra doses of magic.

Extra doses that were going to be handy dandy in the next few minutes.

Reaching the stairs, they headed downward only to halt as one of the goblins appeared at the bottom.

“They’re here!” the demon managed to call out before Maya tossed a slender glass tube in his direction.

The male held up his arms, protecting his face as the thin glass shattered and a massive explosion sent him flying backward. He roared in fury as he hurtled down the hallway and smashed into the far wall. The force was enough to knock him unconscious and Maya didn’t hesitate as she continued down the staircase. Skye scurried behind her. They had to get out of the theater before their escape was cut off.

They were halfway down the steps when Skye felt a familiar flare of magic spread through her. A vision. Dammit, now wasn’t a good time. Not that any time was good. But this was spectacularly bad.

Sadly, she’d learned a long time ago it was futile to try to suppress them, no matter how unwelcome they might be. You might as well try to halt a volcano from erupting. Besides, Maya was still holding her hand. The personal contact meant that the vision was more than likely connected to her friend.

Gritting her teeth, Skye grunted as she was rudely blinded by her powers, and the image of Maya lying dead at the bottom of the staircase seared through her mind. There was a bleeding bullet hole directly in the middle of her forehead, and her eyes were wide open, staring sightlessly at the demon standing over her.

“No, Maya!” Skye wrapped her arm around her friend’s waist, yanking her to a halt.

They stumbled, falling backward at the same moment that a gunshot boomed from the hallway and a bullet ripped through the exact spot where they’d been standing.

Maya released a shaky breath, turning her head to send Skye a glance of gratitude despite the fact that the older woman had made Skye swear never to share visions she might have of Maya or Peri while they all lived at the Witch’s Brew. Skye understood Maya’s rule. Knowing the future without context was worthless. And Skye had always been happy that she had no ability to see her own destiny.

But desperate times called for desperate measures.

And this was about as desperate as it could get.

“I don’t suppose the Benefactor is whispering an escape plan in your head?” Skye demanded, scrambling back up the stairs.

Maya once again reached into her purse and pulled out a vial. She tossed it over her shoulder without looking back.

“Nope.”

“Typical.”

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