Page 17 of The Clash of the Damned
“For now, yes.” I do the same, ready to wrap up this evening. “Sloane’s like us in a way. She’s the heir to her empire, and her father is the current head, receiving the payouts. If I keep sending him money, he has no reason to visit his daughter. We definitely want to avoid that based on the little Sloane has told me about him.”
“Since we’re confessing our secrets tonight, I have one to add,” Jude mentions, looking off into the distance. My head swivels to her, annoyed at the interruption, but grateful she’s not as hostile. “I’m missing parts of my memory, and I wake up with blood, dirt, sometimes both on my hands.”
“Shit, J, you never told me that?” Luca exclaims.
Jude shrugs, like the confession she made wasn’t big, and I can’t help feeling a bit worried for her. Mental health issues or sleep walking are unheard of in our community, so this is unchartered territory. “I didn’t say anything, L, because you had enough to deal with. Jayden is keeping an eye on me for now, but honestly, I could use the distraction.”
“You heard her,” Luca quips. Turning to me, she adds, “Do you have any ideas?”
“I do,” I confirm. “I don’t think Sloane meant to let me know she speaks French, and we all know that outside of France and certain parts of Africa, it’s common in the deep South. It would also explain the legends like Papa Legba and Marie Laveau that have come out of that region.” A memoryresurfaces, and while I didn’t make the connection at the time, now it falls into place as the most obvious thing in the world. “After we fucked one night, Sloane let slip about what it’s like to be descended from the bogeyman, but I wrote it off as the myths of our monsters. Now, looking back on it, I think she meant more.”
“As thrilling as your sexual escapades sound, that doesn’t count as proof to take the fight to them.”
“Why, thank you, Jude, I never would have come to that conclusion on my own,” I retort as she raises her hands in mock surrender.
“Why now? The Siphoners have had years to get revenge, so something must have changed for them to come for us now,”Jude muses.
“I don’t know about you, J, but I would be pissed if I came from that family.” Luca holds one finger up as she starts counting off the offenses. “First, they were treated as if they were defective, then they were lied about, and then they were hunted. Oh, let’s not forget that our families are doing pretty well while it sounds like they struggled? If that’s not the perfect motivation for revenge, I don’t know what is.”
“I just don’t know what Supernaturals have against telling the truth. Amelia is the latest example of how well covering things up with a lie works out.” I don’t miss the flinch from both Sebastian and Luca at Jude’s harsh words as I try my best to change the subject.
“Haven’t you noticed how things are changing amongst the Supernaturals? Remi is creating new spells, which the Sorcerers haven’t had in a long time. Jude can control her shift in a way that few Druids can. Sebastian is one of the most skilled Rogues, and Luca’s blood manipulation magic is strong enough to rival the legends of the ancients.”
“And you, Dom? How do you fit into this narrative?”Sebastian asks.
“Magic doesn’t drain me as much as it used to. Hardly ever, if I’m honest. This isn’t normal for a Sorcerer. We need our elements to help with spell work. Without them, if we use too much magic in a short period of time, we risk draining our life force and ending up in an early grave. Sloane hasn’t picked up on my increased strength, but it’s only a matter of time before she does.”
Sebastian sits up straighter. “Did you hear that?”
“Hear what?” I enquire.
He cocks his head from side to side, as if he’s trying to focus on something the rest of us can’t see or hear in the crowded restaurant. “Get down!” he shouts. Without hesitation, the three of us dive under the booth. As an afterthought, I throw my hands out, casting a spell of protection, hoping it will cover as many humans as possible for whatever is coming.
Bullets riddle the restaurant window where we were sitting moments earlier, and the smell of gunpowder and shattering glass overwhelms my senses. Trying to ignore the screams, I cover my ears as Sebastian takes off running after the car. Dimly, I can see masked men poking out of the sun roof with machine guns, but that’s enough to identify them. We’re lucky they have shit aim as they drive off, Sebastian still giving chase. Trust him to run after a car. Bullets aren’t nearly the issue for him that they are for the rest of us.
Jude offers her hand to me, helping me out from my place under the booth and up. I don’t miss the double meaning in her actions. It’s moments like these that reinforce that sometimes, a stranger on the street gets to decide if you live or die. They hold your life in their hands. And she chose to stand with me during it.
“This wasn’t me. I swear it,” I tell the girls.
“We didn’t think it was,” Luca says. “We know you wouldn’t risk your life with a display like this,” she adds as she gives Jude a pointed look.
Sebastian jogs back, looking no different from before he ran miles to catch the culprits. “They eventually sped up, and I lost them, but I saw enough to know it’s the cult. Someone here must be on their payroll and told them we would be here.” All four of us turn to look at the wreckage left behind.
The family from before is forever changed. The little girl lays over her father’s broken body, crying and beating his chest, begging him to wake up. My magic wasn’t enough to protect this family, but I will make sure she never goes without anything the way the Siphoners did. I turn to see Ricky injured, but helping survivors. I’m oddly relieved to see he made it. The kid was growing on me with his endless enthusiasm. All of this devastation happened because we were here. The sounds of moaning surround us, and there is so much pain it threatens to overwhelm me. “We need to get out of here before they come back. We weren’t ready for this and don’t want to be caught off guard again.”
“What about the injured?” Jude asks, distressed.
Brushing her off, I respond, “I’ll make a donation to the family tonight to help with injuries and repairs. They’ll want for nothing.”
“I’ll help you with the Siphoner’s, Dom.” Jude looks to Luca for her declaration. “I understand thinking you can control a situation and having it backfire. The only difference is you’re asking for help. This doesn’t excuse everything,but we can start here. What did you have in mind?”
Grateful for my friends and second chances, I share my idea with them. “Thanksgiving is coming up. I think we could use that to trap her.” Amemory from France sparks inspiration. “And I know exactly how to get her guard down.”
Chapter 13 | Chokehold
Sloane
“Sloane, baby! Dinner’s ready. It’s time to wash up.” Pretending like I couldn’t hear my mom, I continue chasing my cousin around the garden. Play time is way more important; Mom knows this. “Sloane Marie Lavenza! Get yourself inside by the count of three! One…” The voice has made an appearance. I know every parent has one; I’ve heard it with my friends’ parents too. That means negotiation is over, and my presence for dinner is not optional. Dejected, I drag my feet inside, following the smells of the jambalaya, my cousin not far behind me.
