Page 112 of Midnight Auto Parts

With a snarl, the woman swiped the blade across Josie’s throat, splitting open her skin and spilling pinkish-brown fluid from the deep gash.

Slapping a hand over the wound, Josie stared at me through wide eyes. “Mary?”

That earlier spark, kindled by the woman threatening my sister, burst into a flame.

And Iroared.

Magic speared Patty, piercing her chest, cracking open her ribs, and her soul flickered like a candle.

Just like a candle, I blew it out.

The gory mess of woman sprawled in a puddle of entrails I welcomed the crows to feast on.

Rising into the air, feet lifting off the ground, I glided as if in astral form toward my gasping sister.

I planted a hand on the earth, so rich with the magic of the Alcheyvaha, and I drew their energy into me. Kierce screamed my name from a great and terrible distance while I gorged, and as their magic gilded my insides, I placed a hand over Josie’s wound and forced every ounce of my will into a single command:

Live.

“Fine tree,”the crow who was not Badb remarked. “Figure it might have been a crepe myrtle once.”

The tree stood five feet tall, a perfect miniature apple tree, its limbs heavy with gleaming black fruit. The ground wept blood around its poison roots, and its rancid scent made bile rise up my throat.

“Where am I?” I imagined my words echoed. “How did I get here?”

“Oh, come now.” The crow fluttered its wings. “You must remember.”

“No.” I picked at the fraying edges of my memories. “I…”

“You’ve been searching for this, haven’t you? This tree. Now you’ve found it. Well done.”

The distant roll of my voice thundered around us. “I have?”

“You worked so hard, my duck.” The crow sailed onto my shoulder. “Why not take a rest?”

“Hmm.” I scratched her head, and wrongness unfurled within me. “Do I know you?”

“I’m a friend is all. Just a bird. A kindly little feathered thing come to help you.”

“Help me?”

“You’ve worked up an appetite. Why not rest by this tree? And look. There’s fruit. Why not take a bite?”

Why not take a bite?

The smell. The blood. The bile.

“No.” I swatted the bird off me. “Get away.”

“Aww.” Her eyes reflected hurt. “I’ve helped you before, haven’t I? With the girl? Let me help you now.”

A tickle on my nape preceded the weight of a wide palm encircling the back of my neck, and the ember glowing in my gut heated a few degrees, burning away increments of my confusion.

“I’ve been looking for you.” Warm lips brushed the shell of my ear. “Frankie.”

The gentle but possessive touch, a soft caress of his voice across the syllables of my name returned it to me and made it mine again. “Kierce?”

“I’m here.” He rested his forehead against my temple. “You’re safe.”

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