A Wicked Night (Creatures of Darkness 2): A Coraline Conwell Novel (11 page)

Well, anyway, who cared where he was? Good riddance.

She could say that now. Last night, after three shots, some gin, and a couple glasses of wine, not so much.

It wasn’t as though she fancied herself in love with him.
Gah! As if
. She barely knew him! But with him had come the possibility of connecting with someone else her own age who—aside from being of the opposite sex—was also aware of the supernatural community. Someone she could speak freely with and who understood she was a witch…and who happened to be freaking
hot
.

She’d never really felt lonely before. She’d always had her gran, which had been enough.

The majority of her coven resided a few towns south, and didn’t often venture north for shits and giggles. Gran used to take her down a few times out of the year to keep up with acquaintances, but there were no young witches for her to make mischief with. Most were Gran’s age and wouldn’t know what fun was if it kicked them in their sagging jowls.

Aside from Devon, she hadn’t met another witch close to her own age—and she wasn’t even one hundred percent sure if he was a witch—and Cora didn’t count. She’d made Sara’s fuck off list, in which Devon’s name was dangerously close to being added. If he hadn’t given her some proactive advice, she’d be preparing a hex in lieu of his return—if he ever did return. A hex that involved itchy rashes in intimate places.

Instead, if he was ever interested in speaking with her again, she’d merely resort to giving him the cold shoulder. At the most, she would sourly mention how the rose he had given her had wilted and died the very next day. More than that, it had appeared as if it were several months old, stiff and dried like potpourri. Odd, since she could have sworn it had been newly picked when she’d received it.

As she approached Wicked Wares, she retrieved her keys from her pocket and unlocked the door.

An urgent bark of her name from behind made her jump and spin around.

“What the eff!” she yelled at Mace. “You scared the shit out of me.”

She clamped her mouth shut when she saw Knox step out of the black sedan and cross the street to stand beside Mace.

The nerve!

But
, she though,
perfect timing
. What did Gran say? Everything happens for a reason?

Without another word, she turned her back on them, headed inside, and flicked on the lights before casually strolling to the counter. She figured they’d follow her in without invitation.

They did.

Normal routine
, she tried to convey.
Nothing out of sorts here.

She suppressed a grin and reached for the small glass orb she had placed by the register just two days ago. She would have had it ready sooner, but she’d had to prepare the basement for its new occupants. The cellar that had positively creeped her out when Gran had bought the building now felt serendipitous.

Mace and Knox were already to the middle of the room when she innocently glanced up.

“Cora’s in trouble,” Mace blurted.

In spite of herself, Sara pelted out a boisterous laughed. “When isn’t she in trouble?”

“We need you to scry for her location.”

Sara stepped forward, struggling to hold back her trump face. They were standing perfectly, like two birds as she was about to let loose her stone.

In a superior tone, she replied, “You’re out of favors and shit out of luck.”

Then she smashed the orb at their feet.

Cora stared ahead of her, not really seeing anything as the car continued its steady pace. They had been driving for a while now. It was well past noon.

Something made her repeatedly question their destination. But each time, her driver reassured her that everything was fine.

Of course everything was fine. Why wouldn’t it be? How silly of her.

She shook her head and turned to study him. “I know you, don’t I?” Why did she feel like she’d asked him that already?

“You saw me at Saraphine’s shop,” he replied, almost bored in manner. “Other than that, we have never met. But that’s okay.”

“Yes. It is okay.” She straightened in her seat, musing that she had never before realized how
okay
everything was. Downright blissful. Why had she ever felt otherwise? Why had she once considered that fate was out to punish her?

She laughed out loud.

The man sent her a quizzical look. “What’s funny?”

“I am a very untrusting person.”

“And that’s funny?”

“Yes. I should be more trusting. Everyone should be. People aren’t naturally evil,” she scoffed. “Strangers don’t always have malicious intentions. Look at you. You’re a good person. I can tell. I’m very happy to be here with you.”

He frowned, not replying, his gaze intent on the road.

“We’re kindred, you and I,” she said. “Don’t you feel like we’re kindred?”

Again he didn’t reply.

She glanced around, just now noticing the dead, darkly scorched earth surrounding them. The angle of the sun made it easy to spot the black mountains bordering the horizon ahead of them, closing in. Early on in the human/vampire wars, one of the first few uprisings had taken the life from this place. The desolation stretched for many thousands of acres. No life, little water, few entered this barren land other than to pass through.

She turned to her driver. “What was your name again?” Once more she felt as though she was repeating a question she’d asked before.

“Devon.”

“That’s a nice name.” Her brow furrowed. “I don’t know anyone named Devon.”

Again, Devon said nothing.

“Where have I seen you before?”

“I was at Saraphine’s shop.”

“Right. That must be where I know you from.” She snorted. “We all thought you were a bad man.”

“Is that so?”

She lowered her voice and leaned closer. “People are after me. But I’m not worried about them now? Not anymore.” She let out a soft sigh and settled into her seat. “Goddess, it feels so good not to worry. I feel so free.”

From the corner of her eye, she thought she noticed Devon’s shoulders hitch up a notch, but when she looked, he was perfectly at ease. Maybe he was just uncomfortable from driving so long. She could use a stretch herself, but it didn’t appear that they’d be stopping anytime soon as they finally entered into the narrow mountain passage.

Dark imposing walls of compacted rock towered over both sides of the car, like immortal soldiers keeping the earth at bay.

Some of the bedrock told the story of where the road had been hastily carved after the melee of war had torn them apart or buried them in heaps of dirt, rock, and debris. Sections were stained red as if by blood, but she knew that was the Earth’s natural color in this section of the world.

They’d been driving all day at breakneck speeds just to get this far. Devon was clearly in a hurry, but Cora was starting to grow restless.

Eventually, her ears began to pop from the altitude change. She shivered, but she didn’t know why. The heat was blasting. Must be the sight of the snow flurries that had begun to swirl around the car, playing tricks on her mind. Plus she was still dressed in her nightshirt—one of Mason’s white button downs that fell to mid-thigh.

Forget Autumn. Here, winter was ready to take charge.

“Are we nearly there?”

“Very nearly,” Devon replied, sounding almost relieved.

“Will Mace be there when we arrive?”

“No.”

“Oh. Will he be joining us later?”

“I doubt it.”

She considered that for a moment. It didn’t seem right. “Mace needs me. He must come. And just try keeping Knox away.” She rolled her eyes.

“They are vampires,” he exclaimed, as if she hadn’t figured that out, and with a surprising amount of venom. There was also an underlying question in this tone.

“You don’t like vampires,” she concluded.

“I’ve never met an amiable vampire, no.”

She perked up. Finally, something she and Devon had in common…well, until recently.

Enthusiastically, she replied, “Me either. Not until Mace. He is wonderful, and he cares for me dearly.”

“For your blood, you mean.”

She smiled. “Yes, he does enjoy that part. But, to be fair, so do I.”

Devon’s expression twisted into something like revolution.

She bristled. “Don’t judge. It’s really quite pleasant. And Mace is gentle. Knox, however, is another story, although he hasn’t made it unbearable, which I guess is something.”

“You feed them both…willingly?”

She shrugged.

“But you don’t like feeding this Knox?”

Another shrug.

“Yet you still do.” He sounded baffled.

“I made a bargain. And anyway, I don’t think Knox would take no for an answer. But it’s not so bad. He’s been getting less and less obnoxious about it. And it’s easier to just let him do his thing.”

“You give in to their stipulations?” Devon shook his head as if at a loss. “Sara said you were bonded to them, and that you are a witch.”

“I don’t understand what you’re getting at.”

“Through the bond, there are ways of making them obey…so I hear.”

Cora scoffed. “That’s a terrible thing to do to somebody. How would you feel if someone took away your will?”

His features hardened to an inscrutable mask. “You’re ridiculous not to have taken charge when you had the chance. Then you might not be in this predicament.”

She crossed her arms, her good mood draining away. “I don’t care for this conversation anymore.”

The car slowed as they neared the mouth of a low, yet wide tunnel. The lining of it appeared oddly modern against the backdrop of charred stone. Devon eased the car through the entrance. Darkness ruled for a split second. Then Cora’s eyes adjusted to the open area, which took on the appearance of a parking deck with thick supporting columns scattered about, although the space was empty of vehicles.

“Good,” Devon replied. “Because we’re here. And just in time, too. My spell will soon wear off.”

——

Mace awoke face down, breathing in the dust and whatever else was making a home on the damp cement below him.

He hacked out a mouthful of collected grime and then sprang to his feet. He noticed the bars first. Then understanding settled over him. Saraphine had decided to not to wait for a VEA investigation.

To his right, Knox was sprawled on his back with one arm slung over his eyes.

Before Mace moved to see if he was still out, Knox grumbled, “I’m up. Sara teleported us down here or something. Or she knocked us out and dragged us here. Not sure. Tried to wake you, but that necklace of yours flared and, well, it wasn’t pretty.”

Mace didn’t remember any of that. However, curiosity over the last portion of Knox’s recap wasn’t priority at the moment. Suspecting it would do no good, Mace used his considerable strength on the metal door, shoving and slamming his shoulder against it. There was a tangible sizzle where his skin touched it. He looked down and saw a burn mark where flesh met metal.

“Bespelled,” Knox relayed, almost sounding annoyed. “Don’t you think I would have tried that?”

“Looks to me like you’ve given up.”

“Exactly.” Knox gave no further explanation, his arm still leisurely shielding his eyes.

“You couldn’t care less if Cora dies, could you?”

“Would solve one of my problems.”

“You son of a bitch!” Mace took an aggressive step toward him.

“Relax. I did you proud, yelling and screaming and banging on all the bars. Burned the shit out of myself by the way.” There was still some evidence of his claim on his arms and the palms of his hands. “Even tried to break through some of the walls. Not a dent. I underestimated that little witch.”

That did little to ease Mace’s anger, but the urge to stomp Knox into the ground did lessen a touch. “Where are we?”

“By the smell I can only assume we’re underground. Maybe even under her shop.” He swept his free hand to the right. “Saraphine traipsed down those steps once to check on us, looking damn pleased with herself. Haven’t seen her since.”

The cage took up half of the room, and allowed plenty of space for both of them to pace several feet if they wanted. The stairs Knox had indicated were beyond the bars, spiraling upwards into darkness. There was nothing else to distinguish the room or identify their location aside from bare cement walls and the iron bars. There weren’t any windows to let in natural light, though he could still see quite well with his enhanced vision.

“How long have we been down here?”

“I figure all day, day and a half, maybe.”

Mace cursed. Cora could be miles away by now. He knew she wasn’t dead—which was surprising, considering the multiple attempts on her life—because he could tell he was still bonded to her. Only death could sever the dark bond so suddenly.

Mace checked his pocket already figuring he’d find it minus one phone. Lint greeted his fingertips. How long till Trent checked in only to reach the answering message? How many missed calls before he realized something was amiss?

Trent was busy in his search for Brayden. And apparently another vampire had gone missing several miles north of St. Stamsworth: a female with no clan connections. He might not bother dialing Mace or Knox for days.

Mace hollered for Saraphine, hoping she could hear him. Like Cora, Sara couldn’t be compelled. They were both cast from the rare genetic mutation that prevented vampire compulsion, those his kind called
lurela
. But Mace hoped she could be prevailed upon to at least let
him
go.

Unfortunately, Sara either couldn’t hear him or wasn’t listening.

——

Cora said goodbye to Devon as the double-bolted steal door closed behind him, stealing him from her view.

A set of heavy locks slid into place.

She would have waved goodbye, but the other man, the one in the long doctor’s coat, was strapping her arms down to the gurney.

He moved to restrain her ankles next. A filament of something—unease?—slithered down her spine over that fact. Was it necessary? She supposed there was some reason for her to be restrained, but it wasn’t like she was going anywhere. Not when Devon had assured her when she’d grown hesitant about entering this place that Mace would indeed be by to see her soon. That had helped her to relax.

Undoubtedly, Knox would be with him, if only to be sure he got his share of her blood.

Curiously, there had been a false note in Devon’s voice. Probably had been her imagination—from her own insecurities that Mace might abandon her if he discovered he didn’t really need her; that it was
she
who needed him. An unrecognizable part of her lumped Knox alongside Mace in that regard, though she couldn’t fully understand why. What did she care if Knox vanished from her life? Sure, he’d saved her once before, when she had nearly died from a gunshot wound, and then again from Sadira. For those reasons alone, she was in his debt, and would abide their bargain till it was no longer necessary for her to do so. But she could still do without him.

“Aren’t you a pretty little thing,” The man in the white coat said with a British flare. His unkempt light-brown hair boasted a greasy sheen and was cut short, but hung over his round spectacles in the front. He was slightly chubby in the cheeks, and a light scar cut just under his left eye.

He leered down at her, as if contemplating a new gadget. Cora couldn’t decide if he resembled a doctor or a scientist…or a sadist.