Page 100 of Dead End

“If you rub the vase, the army grants you three wishes?”

“Not quite. The army is beholden to the one who releases them from their eternal prison.”

What if their research was wrong? It happened all the time. Information was outdated or had become warped over the years. What if we released the army and discovered they answered to no one except themselves?

“The benefits outweigh the risks,” Otto said, as though reading my thoughts.

“Says the vampire who probably has a fully stocked bunker for scenarios like this.”

“Yes, it’s right next to the wine cellar.” Otto sighed. “Seriously, Lorelei. This vase is my gift to you and the town. Take it.”

“Where is it now?”

“Bridger Farm.”

My heart thrummed in my ears. “Dare I ask the million-dollar question?”

He tapped the pads of his fingers together in a gesture that would’ve looked diabolical on someone else. The short-statured vampire, however, simply looked adorable. “Why yes, Lorelei. As it happens, I believe we’ve found the spell that can release them.”

“Then what have you been waiting for?”

“The one equipped to lead them, of course. You.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

We potentially hada supernatural army of ten thousand ghost soldiers at our disposal. All we needed was Phaedra’s spell to break the curse.

Ten thousand.

I was still running through the list of pros and cons as I drove Otto to Bridger Farm. “Why didn’t you mention the vase during the meeting?”

“Because I didn’t want to discourage anyone from showing up to fight.”

I glanced at him. “In case we can’t actually break the curse?”

“I’m ninety-nine percent certain we’ve cracked the code.” He paused. “Perhaps eighty-five percent.”

“What happens if you’re wrong? Is there any chance the wrong spell could do more damage than the right one?”

“Why don’t you save these questions for Phaedra?” Otto patted the sides of his seat. “What is this ungodly material?”

“Hey, nobody disparages Gary. Don’t make me turn this truck around.”

He pretended to zip his lip. “Heaven forfend I insult the inanimate object.”

I patted the dashboard. “Gary can hear you, and he’s very sensitive to criticism, something you two have in common.” I parked the truck on the dirt road near the farm. “At least there’ll be plenty of space if the spell works.” It was private, closer to the crossroads, and had plenty of acreage for an army camp.

“They are souls,” Otto reminded me. “They can all occupy the same space if necessary.”

“We’re here.”

“All my vehicles are lower to the ground,” he grumbled, as he descended from the truck.

Phaedra met us at the front door and immediately swept me up in a warm hug. “I’m so happy to see you again.”

“I’m glad to see you, too.”

She released her hold on me. “Ashley’s here. She’s been a great help with this particular project.”

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