Page 47 of Commanding Chaos

“Chaos!” Ember’s shout drew me from my trance, and I dropped to my knees beside my witch. Her eyes were closed, her breathing shallow.

“That was a trap, as Ash knew.” The blood had come from a small cut, one that would easily heal on its own, but her internal injuries could be far more severe.

I gripped her hand in mine, a crushing weight pressing on my chest, threatening to crumble me. “This is my fault.”

“You’re damn right, it is.” I expected nothing less from Ember. “Why didn’t you listen to her? You keep saying what a powerful witch she is, yet when she warned you this was a trap, you ignored her.”

I traced my fingers down the side of her face, and her lids fluttered. “I’m sorry, Ash.”

A soft moan emanated from her throat, and she swallowed.

“I should have heeded your warning. My rage and desire to free my brother blinded me, and I fell into the trap. I was wrong, and you were right.” Pressure built in the back of my eyes, threatening to turn liquid.

Her lids fluttered open, and a small smile curved her pink lips. “You’re getting really good at this apology thing. I don’t even feel like saying ‘I told you so.’”

“Oh, thank the goddess.” Ember slumped. “Are you okay? Is anything broken?”

“I think I’m good.” She struggled to sit up, so I took her arm, helping her. “I’ve got a salve in here somewhere. Here it is.” She retrieved a small jar from her bag.

“Allow me.” I took it and opened the lid.

Ember offered an eye roll, but she didn’t argue, instead rising to her feet and retrieving her daggers.

I dipped my finger into the salve and gently applied it to Ash’s wound. “If you had not recovered, I would not have forgiven myself.”

“Really?” She arched a brow and took the jar, returning it to her bag. “Because you threatened to kill me ten minutes ago.”

“And you knew that threat was idle.” I cupped her face in my palm.

She rested her hand on mine. “Yeah, but Ember doesn’t know that, so watch what you say around her, ’kay?” She clutched my hand, removing it from her face. “Help me up.”

I did as she asked, aiding her to her feet. “I am sincerely sorry.”

“I know, but we need to talk about why you were so sure Mayhem was here.” She dusted off her backside. “What happened?”

“I sensed him. He was…” I exhaled hard, tracing my gaze across the room. The troll lay in a pool of blood next to the empty box. Isabel knew the docile nature of trolls; she kept one as a pet, and this wasn’t it. “Perhaps a spell gave off the same vibration as Mayhem?”

“That would be one hell of a spell to trick a Prince of Hell.” She adjusted the strap of her bag.

“Wouldn’t be the first time Isabel pulled one over on him,” Ember said.

“Want to help figure it out?” Ash held out her hand, and her sister took it as they recited a spell in unison. Their joined magic clung to the box, and they both crouched to examine it.

“This can’t be Isabel’s spell.” Ash pointed at the wood. “For one, these nails are from this century. And the magic is fresh.”

“Cast two days ago fresh?” Ember rose, brushing off her pants.

“Exactly.” Ash stood. “They must know what we’re doing. That we’re after the skulls, and this blast was meant to stop us…to kill us.”

“Someone has a copy of the map you stole.” I closed the troll’s eyes. The poor creature’s death was unnecessary.

“Come on.” Ember moved toward the doorway. “We’re burning daylight; we can discuss this in the van on the way to the final point.”

“Hold on.” Ash pointed at the troll. “We can’t leave the beastie here for the humans to find, and I am not bricking up the entrance. Someone want to cremate him?”

Ember sighed heavily, and Ash said, “I’d do it myself, but we’d probably choke on the smoke.”

“I will do it.” I summoned hellfire and directed it at the troll. It incinerated in seconds, turning into a pile of dust.

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