Page 12 of Stolen Oath
We left the hotel the same way we entered, silent; Char and I were fearful, and overbearingly cautious to a point we drove the males insane. We piled up in the alpha's vehicle and returned to our apartment after Dimitri drove a few circles around the same blocks to avoid being followed. Not because they didn't know where I lived, but to delay the knowledge that we were home until we figured out the spells we needed. Dimitri's Lexus pulled up to our building, and we all silently scrambled out, each of us subtly glancing over our shoulders no doubt from the feeling of being watched we felt poking between our shoulder blades and heating up the back of our necks.
Damian assured us that he can cast a protection spell around the whole building; and although it won't stop a supernatural from attacking us if one wanted, it would slow whomever tried down. Feeling as if I had no other options available, like destroying all my enemies and freeing me from this horrible feeling, I would take what I could get. Dimitri slung the two hyenas over his shoulders and carried them up the stairs while we watched the Druid chant something low enough it was as if he was mouthing the words. Bushes and trees swayed like a snake dancing to a piper’s song, and they released a collective sigh when he was finished. The only evidence that he did perform magic was the brightening of his tattoos that were writhing and flashing all over his skin, including his face. All the short hairs on my body perking up at attention that you’d think I stood next to a power reactor.
“Thank you.” I told Damian. It wasn’t nearly enough but there were no other words I could use to express my gratitude. He could’ve been seen; but to protect us he did it anyway and that meant a lot to me. Apart from Char, no one else has made an effort to have my back.
Well Dimitri did, but I refused to think about it.
“Any idea on what we are going to do with the two hyenas?” I looked between the rest of our little group. “I mean we can’t just leave them hidden like a pair of dirty socks.”
“The potion will keep them asleep and alive for at least a month before their body feels the strain of no food or water.” Char didn’t miss a beat with her answer as if she had been expecting me to ask. “Let’s deal with our immediate problem and we can figure them out later.”
No one disputed her comment; although it kind of bothered me a little, I let it drop. I mean they did attack me. It wasn’t like I owed them anything.
I put both of them out of my mind for the time being.
As always, walking in the apartment felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. The fake sense of security that not long ago made me breathe a lot easier nudged at my brain but I ignored it. We had so many protections and spells around the building but they still didn't save us from the vampire attack Dimitri's father organized.
Char immediately rushed to my room and flopped onto the bed like she had done so many times before while I hurriedly retrieved the grimoire from beneath the mattress. The place was invisible to anyone else by me, the book attuned to reveal itself when it senses me near and searching for it. It was the only connection I had to my family and I hugged it to my chest for a moment as I always did just to feel its familiar energy. My fingers grazed the ancient pages until I finally released a sigh and climbed up to my feet. Finding a communication spell was not the problem, my best shot at performing one however was still up in the air.
"I think I'm going to freestyle it," I said aloud avoiding eye contact. From the corner of my eye I saw Dimitri giving me an encouraging nod as if he expected me to do exactly that the whole time.
Char on the other hand slapped her forehead and peered out from between her fingers, skepticism written all over her face. "Do you think you can just stab it in the dark?" She asked doubtfully. "I'm worried that it might backfire somehow. I'd feel better if we have some guidance." Leaning forward she grumbled something under her breath. "Maybe I should find an incantation or something and do it."
"No." All my doubts pushed aside, I rushed to prevent her from performing anymore spells or incantations that she'd had to pay for on my behalf."
Taking a deep breath, I placed the book between me and Char on the bed and held my hands above it while willing it to come to my aid. The room filled with a magical energy, and soon enough I received the answering prickle of magic coming from my grimoire.
I closed my eyes, focused on the pages and followed the thread connecting me to the ancient book. Words I couldn't understand flowed from my lips, the magic surging through my body eagerly like a puppy excited to play with its owner. The grimoire replied with a warm, loving tingle that spread from my fingertips to my toes.
Suddenly, the air around us shimmered and a soft voice echoed in my mind. "You are here."
A mysterious voice shattered the silence, like a ghostly whisper in the room. I glanced around to see if everyone else could hear it too, and found Char’s face pale and motionless. Dimitri and Damian were watching me strangely but there was more curiosity than fear in their eyes.
"It's okay, the voice? It's just the book." I swallowed hard and tried to sound confident even if my heart was racing so fast I felt lightheaded. "No need to be afraid."
"Voice?" Dimitri stiffened but the woman spoke again and I tuned everything else he said out.
There was a hum thudding in my ears before the voice became clear again but I missed what it said. It sounded like it was coming from a bad reception area, which was a ridiculous thought.
The voice laughed in my mind, a soft tinkling sound as if reading my thoughts.
I winced at that possibility, but had no time to waste to dwell on idiocies. "I need your help with something." Lowering my hand I pressed my palm on the leather. "Please. It's a matter of life or death."
CHAPTER7
The grimoire responded to my plea with a surge of energy so strong that it prickled at my fingertips as if my fingers were clutching a live wire. The voice in my mind steadily grew stronger, and more eager to chat. I listened intently as it whispered sweet promises and other nonsense I couldn't understand but it was a balm for my lonely heart, feeling the weight of its words settle around me like a hug.
"Very well, kin. What do you require?" the voice asked, its tone calm and measured with a thrill of expectation in it. That should’ve been my first hint that nothing comes easy, or that something was off.
"I need your help in finding witches that aren't supposed to exist," I replied, my voice shaking ever so slightly from nerves as I spoke. “Last known location is Louisiana.” I added it as an afterthought.
There was a pause on the other end of the connection, and I could feel the tension in the room growing as everyone held their breaths in anticipation to hear what happens while holding back all the questions I knew they had.
"Witches? And why is it that you seek them, kin? Nothing good will come of it." the voice asked, warning lacing each syllable.
I took a deep breath, trying to collect my thoughts. "There have already been attempts on my life, and I believe that they may be connected to the person who wants me dead." I explained. "I need to find them to understand their involvement. Maybe they are the ones wanting me gone. If that's the case I'd like to know why."
Once more, the room was filled with an oppressive silence until the grimoire spoke again. "Very well. I can offer you guidance, but it will come at a cost."
