Fading Light: Shadow Born, Book 2 (22 page)

“Things with Ga’loh must not have gone as planned.” Gray glanced at Keegan. “We need to get back. Once we get out of the caves, the witches will transport us.”

“Did Brenna say whether they got the cure?” Keegan asked.

Sam laughed. It was a rough angry sound. “There is no cure. Ga’loh never promised you one.”

“What do you mean?” Gray studied him carefully.

“Why would the demons make a cure? They want the humans to die.” Sam shook his head. “Whatever Ga’loh gave you, you’re on your own.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Brenna made one last attempt to pull herself together as Mira rolled the SUV to a stop beside the boarding house. She glanced at Seraph in the back seat, Agnes’ empty body strewn across his lap. Strain and sorrow mingled in the lines of his face as he released a long harsh breath.

Nothing had gone as planned. It was time to face the music.

The car door creaked as she stepped onto the dirt. She felt the stir of powerful elemental magic as she turned toward the front porch. Three women, their forms hidden by black hooded cloaks, started down the stairs. Power as thick as a wool blanket wrapped around them as they moved forward. Their sorrow was a tangible thing.

“The coven is here.” Brenna turned to Seraph. He was still inside the vehicle, clutching Agnes’ body.

“I’ll talk to them.” He shifted in the seat, opening the door. A few moments later he stood beside Brenna, Agnes in his arms. “I’ll make them understand.”

Brenna shook her head. “They already know.”

The witch closest to them nodded. “Agnes said goodbye to us before she left for Denver. She knew she wasn’t coming back.” The witch beckoned the others to her side. Once they had joined her, she stepped toward Seraph with outstretched arms. When Agnes was secure in her embrace she murmured a quiet incantation and they disappeared into the dusk.

“We should have asked them about the cure,” Seraph said.

Brenna shook her head. “If Agnes didn’t know how to craft it, they don’t either. Let them grieve in peace. This is our problem.”

Brenna climbed the cracked wooden steps leading to the front porch, sorrow making her steps heavy. Lucy was waiting for them when they stepped inside. She had set up a makeshift laboratory on the far side of the living room. Her equipment covered the warped picnic table she had borrowed from the courtyard. Brenna prayed it would be enough.

“Do you have it?” Lucy glanced up. Fully healed, she wore a pair of camouflage pants and a white t-shirt that strained against her muscular body.

Brenna tossed her the duffel bag. “I’ve got a sample of Ga’loh’s uncursed blood. I need you to put that incredible brain to work and figure this out. Time’s running out.”

“No pressure.” She laughed nervously. “I almost have the toxin reconstructed. Hopefully this will help me get the magical base right.”

Her hand disappeared into the bag to pull out the blood-filled mason jar. She sat it on the table, studying it carefully. “There won’t be time to test it, though. I’m not sure what this sort of alchemy–magic-based medicine–will do to the humans.”

Brenna sighed, mulling over everything the gargoyle had said. “If we don’t find something, the entire human population in this area will be dead in days. We can’t cure dead.”

“Start praying for a miracle.” Lucy turned back to her workbench, humming the alphabet song beneath her breath.

“We already are.” Seraph squeezed the gargoyle’s shoulder. “If anyone can do this, you can.”

Lucy glanced up at him, strain evident in her eyes. “Then leave me the hell alone so I can work my magic.” She paused. “And get me some moon pies. Boxes of them.” She patted the bench beside her. “Put them right here, chocolate and vanilla.”

Brenna glanced at Seraph, a smile on her lips. “I’ve got a stash in the pantry.”

Lucy huffed. “You were holding out on me.”

“I didn’t lie. The trade from back East is slowing down, that’s why I bought everything they had.”

Lucy watched her for a moment, then nodded.

“I’ll get them,” Seraph said then disappeared through the swinging door.

Mira collapsed on the stairwell. Her head was on her knees and what little skin Brenna could see was covered in a fresh sheen of sweat. Brenna could feel her fading. She was so far gone she needed Claudius. Brenna could feel him lurking above them in Mira’s room. His presence was unmistakable.

“What are you waiting on?” Brenna crouched in front of her friend. “You’ll die without him.”

Mira glanced up, her eyes dull. “I know, but Hilda…”

Pain twisted Brenna’s gut. “I’m going to look for her. If she’s out there, I’ll find her.” Leaning forward, she gave Mira a brief hug. “Go. I can’t lose you.”

Standing, her legs shaky, Mira gave her a slight smile. “Give Hilda hell for me. Tell her she forced me back into Claudius’s arms. That’ll piss her off.”

“Go,” Brenna repeated. “So you can tell her yourself.”

Mira stumbled up the stairs, disappearing down the corridor.

Brenna sat on the stairs in her place. It felt like an enormous iceberg had settled on her shoulders. She needed Gray, but the link between them was still sealed shut.

“You never told me what happened.” Lucy didn’t glance up from her work, but Brenna knew she had her full attention.

“The whole thing went to hell. We lost Agnes and Hilda.” She paused. “I’ll fill you in on the rest later.”

Lucy snorted. “Fine. But how can you lose a ghost? She’s already dead.”

“I think Ga’loh trapped her soul between the planes of reality. I’m going to try to find her and bring her back.” Brenna closed her eyes. As weak as she was, she needed Gray to complete the spell. Her magic was too depleted, and healing Ga’loh had cost her too much. She tried not to think hard about how she had contributed to that. What else could she have done? She was a healer and she’d made a promise–“Give me an empty jar.”

“Why?” Lucy stared at her blankly.

“Just do it.” Brenna walked toward the table, taking the mason jar Lucy held out. She pulled the dagger from the small of her back and, with one swift swipe, sliced her forearm. Blood poured from the wound into the glass container. “I’m a healer. My power comes from my blood. You need a magical base for the toxin, and Ga’loh’s might not be enough on its own. He created the toxin, but healing is different.”

“It might be the last piece I need.” Excitement danced in Lucy’s eyes. “It just might work.”

Brenna smiled. “You can do this, Lucy. The clock’s ticking.”

“Then stop distracting me,” Lucy growled, turning to her work. “Looks like we both need to work miracles. I’ll share my moon pies.”

Brenna grinned despite herself. “That’s a first.”

Lucy shrugged. “Desperate times.”

“Can I have one too?”

Brenna’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of Gray’s voice. Relief exploded inside her like a mountain geyser, drowning her fear. Bruised and beaten, he stood in the doorway, Keegan and Sam at his back. Unable to stop her tears, Brenna raced across the room to his side. She stopped when they were inches apart, placing her palm against the side of his face.

“You’re back,” she whispered, fighting the urge to wrap herself around him. She didn’t want to exacerbate his injuries.

Pushing her hand aside, he grabbed her by the waist and pressed her against him, she buried her face in his chest as his hand stroked the back of her head. At his touch, rage, fear and loss wrapped around her like a spider web. She shook with uncontrolled emotion as she clung to him, torn between tears and violence. Once she gained control, she gently pushed away so she could look at him.

As she stepped back, her eyes locked on Sam. “What’s he doing here?”

“He saved my life.” Keegan stepped forward. Sam’s arm gripped in his hand. “Figured we’d hear him out.”

Sam wouldn’t look at her. He kept his gaze plastered to the wooden planks at his feet.

“There’s no time. Strip his magic and lock him in his room. We’ll deal with him later,” Brenna said.

Keegan nodded, then shoved Sam toward the stairs.

Brenna turned to Gray. “We lost Agnes, and Hilda’s missing.”

“I’m sorry.” He brushed a stray curl from her forehead. “I can’t do anything about Agnes, but if Hilda is out there somewhere we’ll bring her back.”

“Thanks.” She shifted her weight from foot to foot trying to ease the pain of her wounds. She was getting ready to tell Gray what had happened when Seraph burst in from the kitchen. His face was hidden by the boxes of moon pies he held in his arms.

Lucy leapt from the bench like a giddy toddler, clapping her hands.

“This better be enough.” Seraph plopped the containers on the bench. “That’s all we’ve got.”

“Are you trying to find a cure or go into a sugar coma?” Brenna shook her head.

Lucy raised a brow as she shoved a pie into her mouth. “Don’t underestimate me,” she replied, crumbs flying everywhere. “I have a plan.”

Brenna turned to Seraph. “I need to look for Hilda. The longer we wait, the harder it will be.”

“Agreed.” Seraph rubbed his hand over his buzzed blond hair. “If you need me, I’ll be with the hunters. The witches are healing them, but I’m sure they could use a familiar face. After you find Hilda, fill Gray in. We need a game plan. Sending Ga’loh to hell made this personal, Adare’s going to bring out the heavy artillery.” He paused before moving toward the hall. “Good luck.”

“Thanks,” Brenna murmured as she watched him disappear. Once he was gone, she turned to Gray. “Let’s do this.” Brenna twined her hand in his and pulled him toward the stairs. They would perform the ritual in her sanctuary, the place in the house where her magic was strongest.

Anticipation began to build low in Brenna’s stomach as they stepped into their bedroom. As she pulled open the door to the alter room and settled herself on the golden braided rug, she was torn between fear and distress. The odds of finding Hilda were slim, if none. If Ga’loh’s spell had succeeded, Hilda’s soul was trapped in a place none of them could reach.

As a Shadow Bearer, Brenna had power over the shades of life and death, but that power only went so far. Cross-legged on the thick wool rug, Gray at her side, she took a long breath and called to the remnants of her magic. When she could feel the tingle of power beneath the surface of her skin, she slipped her hand into Gray’s and closed her eyes.

Breathing deeply, she willed her mind and body to settle as she fought past the adrenaline flowing through her blood. It took several minutes, but, eventually, she settled into a relaxed state. Blowing out a harsh breath, she unfocused her vision and opened her third eye.

The world around them faded, disappearing into shades of gray. Residual energy of souls who had died before their time danced around them, replaying the past like a broken record. Living spirits of all the creatures who had died in the house circled around them. Unable to resist Brenna’s power, they danced in the spaces between the living and the dead.

Pushing them aside, Brenna called for Hilda. When there was no answer, Brenna opened her link with Gray to pull his power into her body. The surge of strength allowed her to morph the shadows into their true form so she could see them clearly. She connected with the spirits, linking with them to send a mental picture of Hilda. They shied away, unable to help.

Frustrated and near exhaustion, Brenna remained wrapped inside the spell for several hours to no avail. There was no sign of Hilda. The location of her soul remained a mystery. Eventually, even with Gray fueling her magic, she was too weak to continue. Extricating herself from the spell, she slipped free of the spirit world and back into her physical body.

Tears welled in her eyes as she turned to Gray. “I can’t find her.”

He squeezed her hand. “We’ll try again when we’re stronger.”

“She’s gone.” Brenna took a shaky breath. “I can’t feel her anywhere.”

Gray grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her to face him. “Don’t give up. She wouldn’t give up on you.”

Brenna’s head dropped. “I’m not giving up. I’m being realistic.”

“Bullshit. You’ve lost so much, you’re throwing a pity party. If Hilda’s out there, she needs you. We’ll try until we find her.” He was right. There was still more to do than find Hilda, so much left worth fighting for—like their marriage. Brenna needed a break, though, and led him downstairs to check on the others.

Lucy was curled on the couch with Keegan when they made their way into the living room.

“Taking a break?” Brenna searched Lucy’s face.

Lucy shook her head as she jumped to her feet. She walked over to the table and held up a vial of purplish liquid. “Before headquarters collapsed, I logged an ungodly amount of hours analyzing the hybrid’s blood. He was exposed to the toxin, and, because he’s half-human, he was infected. But he survived. To do that, his body had to create an antibody.” She grinned. “I knew we had a mole, so I carried the sample with me so no one could steal it.”

“Why weren’t you able to figure it out then?” Brenna rubbed her forehead. She wasn’t following.

“It wasn’t enough. Just a starting point.” Lucy returned the vial to the metal container. “The sample of Ga’loh’s blood after he was healed was the key. It allowed me to recreate the toxin so I could test things against it.” She rubbed her hands together, a wide grin on her face. “I combined your blood with the antibody, added a little gargoyle magic, and bye-bye toxin.”

Brenna stared at her, dumbfounded. “You already found the cure? How is that even possible?”

“I’m a genius.” Lucy gave a quick bow. “All I needed were the right ingredients.”

Brenna jumped as the front door opened behind her.

“Tell me you have good news,” Seraph said as he stepped into the room. “We’ve lost more hunters than we saved. Our odds aren’t looking great.”

“Sam is trapped in his room. Mira is doing the nasty with Claudius. Lucy found a cure, and I distributed it.” Keegan crossed his arms.

“Wait. What?” Brenna and Seraph said in unison.

Brenna bit her tongue. The pain helped her focus, since counting backwards wasn’t helping. “What exactly did you do?”

“Sam said Adare contaminated the Colorado River, so I dumped the cure in. Figured it was the easiest way to get it to the humans who were infected.” Keegan sat back on the couch, a self-satisfied smirk on his face.

“But it’s untested. There could be side effects or who knows what else.” Seraph shook his head.

“Sick is better than dead,” Lucy replied. “My cure will stop the toxin. The humans will survive. We’ll deal with the rest later.”

Keegan nodded. “Say thank you to the dragon and the gargoyle for saving the day.”

Brenna didn’t say a word. She didn’t trust herself. Their actions might have consequences, but that was a problem for another day.