Chapter 14

CHAPTER 14

A islinn

Trying to find a way to get past Tarae's wards was feeling more and more like it would be impossible. Hope was withering with each idea Gismos or Otia poked holes into. We were all lost in thought when Fiona laid down her bombshell idea like a mic drop at a talent show.

"I have it!" she exclaimed. "What if we slip Tarae a time-delayed sleeping potion?" She suggested that as casually as if she were proposing a trip to the corner store for snacks.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her nonchalant demeanor. "Oh, sure, Fiona," I retorted. "Because slipping a demigoddess a sleeping potion is just another item on our to-do list."

But to my surprise, Kitris interrupted. "Actually, that might work," she mused. My hope blossomed when I caught the look of mischief in her eyes. "I could go and help Eve at the cafe tonight and do it then. She's there practically every night. Slipping something into her drink wouldn't be too difficult if I'm there. "

Gismos and Otia exchanged a look of disbelief, clearly impressed by Kitris's audacity. "Well, I'll be damned," Gismos muttered under his breath, shaking his head in disbelief. "That's one hell of a plan."

Otia nodded in agreement. "How did you come up with the idea of delaying the activation? Potions always take effect right away."

Fiona grinned, clearly pleased with herself. "I can't take all the credit," she admitted. "I got the idea from mundie medications. They use time-delayed capsules all the time."

I couldn't help but chuckle at her admission. Leave it to Fiona to find inspiration in the most unlikely of places. Fiona shared what they would need to create the potion, and then we made our way to Runa's Apothecary to procure the necessary ingredients. It wasn't a long walk to our destination.

I was still wondering how the residents of Nocturne survived with such few hours of sunlight each day when we arrived. I set aside thoughts about how much I missed the sun and my family as I walked in behind Violet. The quaint shop exuded an earthy aroma. Its shelves were lined with jars of vibrant herbs and vials of shimmering potions. As we browsed, the apothecary owner, Runa watched us closely. It made me fidget nervously.

Thank the gods, my friends weren't balls of anxiety like me. Fiona and Violet engaged Runa in conversation about the potency of certain herbs and the intricacies of potion-making. Their banter flowed effortlessly without seeming forced or out of place. It helped me relax. They quickly gathered ingredients and were on our way in less than ten minutes.

Back at Gismos's residence, Fiona and Violet set to work on concocting the potion. Their deft hands moved with precision as they measured and mixed the ingredients. Meanwhile, I reviewed the plan with the others. My apprehension grew with each passing moment.

"Are you sure you can handle this, Kitris?" I didn't want to offend her. But I couldn't shake the feeling of unease gnawing at me.

Kitris offered me a reassuring smile. "Trust me, I've got it covered."

Gismos clapped me on the shoulder. "Having Kitris there tonight won't raise any suspicion. She helps out there often. And we can go have dinner there to take any attention off of her."

My breath whooshed out of me. "I will feel better if we can do something to prevent her from getting caught. I'd feel guilty forever if Tarae caught you," I told Kitris. She'd taken a chance and helped us. She could have done anything, but she'd helped us.

Fiona and Violet finished preparing the potion and put it into a vial. Holding it out, Fiona waved it, making the milky blue liquid slosh. "Here it is. This is double the dose. You can use half, but I would give it all to her in case demigods have stronger constitutions than supernaturals."

Kitris took the vial from Fiona with a determined nod. She tucked it safely into her pocket and smiled at us. "I'll make sure it gets to Tarae," she promised. "I'm going to head out and pay Eve a visit, so I'm there to help cover dinner service. I won't get a chance to talk to you while you're there, but we'll meet up outside Tarae's house later tonight."

We all nodded and thanked her for her help. With Kitris's departure, our plan was set in motion. Gismos clapped his hands together. "We should take a few moments to get cleaned up before we head to the cafe.

"I could take a shower. Using magic doesn't make me feel as clean as a good scrub does," I admitted .

Violet and Fiona laughed. "I'm not going to argue with that," Fiona replied with a smirk.

"I'll clean our clothes again as well," Violet offered.

It took an hour for all of us to shower and get ready to go to dinner. The cafe was a quaint haven when we arrived. Its walls were adorned with a kaleidoscope of artwork. It felt far more modern than most of the places we'd encountered thus far. Soft jazz music drifted through the air and mingled with the hum of conversation from the patrons filling the tables.

Adorned in an apron with colorful patches, Kitris greeted us with a warm smile. Her eyes twinkled conspiratorially. "Pick any open table. Is there something I can get you to drink while you wait?" she asked when she greeted us.

"I'll take a blueberry lemonade," Otia replied. "Thank you."

We each put in an order for a beverage and then took a seat in one of the booths. I was acutely aware of the eyes on us. While it wasn't as much as when we were at the pub, it was still obvious. Fiona engaged Gismos and Otia in conversation about how often they had to import goods from Earth, while Violet and I talked about when I was taking Kallie back to Eidothea to see Argies's parents. We exchanged nervous glances while silently bracing ourselves for the task ahead. I trusted my best friends with my life, but we were relying on others to handle a key part of the plan this time. I couldn't stop my mind from playing through the million ways things could go wrong.

I overheard snippets of conversation from nearby tables as Kitris bustled about the cafe attending to the needs of other guests. Meanwhile, patrons approached Gismos and Otia, asking about various matters unrelated to our visit. Gismos graciously fielded their inquiries, his easy demeanor compassionate and willing.

I caught Kitris's eye when she delivered our meals. She inclined her head and slipped Fiona the empty vial with her plate of fish and chips. My heart skipped into overdrive. We were breaking into Tarae's house tonight. The plan had been set into motion. My stomach felt like it was full of worms. Damn, we needed the next steps of our plan. How the hell were we getting past her ward sigils?

"We should head back and talk about what we do next," I hedged, keeping my comment neutral. "There's so much we haven't seen yet."

Fiona shook her head. "I want to grab some GlowGetter on our way."

I gaped at her. "Now isn't the time to go shopping for face cream, Fi."

"Aislinn's right, Fi," Violet interjected. "All this nighttime is making me tired."

Fiona gave us a look. "Trust me. We need to grab it first." I held her gaze for several seconds and saw this was urgent in her opinion. She'd never been one to waste time while we were on a case, so I agreed.

Gismos and Otia were perplexed but didn't say a thing. Instead, they took the lead. Our footsteps echoed off of the cobblestone streets as we made our way to Moonstone Brews. The storefront beckoned with its warm, inviting light spilling out onto the sidewalk.

The air was thick with the heady scent of herbs and potions when we entered the store. It enveloped us in a comforting embrace. The shelves were adorned with an array of colorful vials and jars. Each contained mystical ingredients waiting to be unleashed. The owners greeted us with warm smiles.

"Good evening," the woman called out. "I wondered if you were going to bring your friends in to see us. I'm Maris, and this is my mate, Theron."

Maris's welcome calmed my nerves slightly. Her infectious energy filled the room while Theron's quiet demeanor exuded an air of wisdom. We introduced ourselves and complimented their store. Fiona wasted no time in getting down to business. "We heard a lot about your products. When Otia told me about your GlowGetter cream, I immediately knew I had to have some. Something has to help these wrinkles," Fiona said as she pointed to her face.

Maris laughed. "You're beautiful as you are, but I would be happy to give you a jar."

Fiona gave her a sardonic look. "You're too kind, but we both know I need a truckload of the stuff to improve the Grand Canyons I've got forming. I'd love your entire stock of the stuff."

Maris's eyes widened in disbelief. "The GlowGetter cream is the gem of our collection," Maris explained. "It's crafted from the finest ingredients found only in the mystical forests of Nocturne and possesses unparalleled rejuvenating properties."

Theron moved to stand beside his mate. "Indeed, it's renowned for its ability to restore youthfulness to even the most tired complexion."

Fiona's eyes gleamed with excitement as she listened to their description. "Great. I'll take whatever you have," she reiterated. "The more, the better."

Maris and Theron exchanged a glance. They were clearly impressed by Fiona's enthusiasm but unsure. They looked to Gismos and Otia, who both nodded. "I had to give you credit when they asked how my skin was so supple. It's alright to give them what you have. I can help you make more if you need."

Maris smiled proudly at Otia. "We don't have much, but we'll gladly offer you what we have," Maris replied as she gathered the jars of GlowGetter cream from the shelf.

A sense of bewilderment washed over me while Maris bagged up the jars. In the midst of our clandestine mission, Fiona's detour to acquire beauty products seemed utterly incongruous. Yet, I trusted her and knew she had to have a good reason. I couldn't wait to hear what it was.

A few minutes later, we left the store with bags of GlowGetter cream in hand. "What was that about?" Violet asked.

Otia wound her arm through Violet's. "You can't blame Fiona for wanting to stock up on the stuff. After all, you three probably won't be back here for quite some time."

Violet's lips thinned and she nodded in agreement. "That's true. I wish we could take some of those croissants back too. Those were the best I've ever had."

They talked about recipes and pastries the rest of the way back to Gismos's house. Once we were inside, Fiona explained. "I realized during dinner that we didn't have a better way inside the house than dismantling her wards. I think I have a way we can walk in the front door."

Gismos shot it down faster than a shooting star. "No way," he objected. "You think we can just waltz past Tarae's wards like it's a walk in the park? Dream on, Fiona."

Fiona wasn't fazed by Gismos's skepticism. "Come on, Gismos, where's your sense of adventure?" she quipped. "We will be armed with GlowGetter."

"These aren't just any wards," Gismos insisted, folding his arms across his chest. "Tarae's sigils are as powerful as they come. We'll be lucky to make it past her front lawn without setting off alarms."

Fiona's face lit up with excitement as she retrieved the GlowGetter cream from her bag. "This is the key. I just know it," she declared proudly, holding up the small jar as if it were the Holy Grail itself.

Gismos's skepticism deepened. "That's your big plan? A jar of face cream?"

Fiona rolled her eyes, undeterred. "I don't intend to use the cream alone. I want to magically infuse it with a special potion enchanted to smother."

She smiled, letting the implication hang in the air. I glanced at her with awe and amusement dancing in my eyes. Leave it to Fiona to come up with the most unconventional of solutions.

"Not what I was thinking. How do we know it'll work?" Otia interjected, her voice laced with doubt.

Fiona grinned. "Trust me, it'll work. Besides, do you have a better idea?"

Otia's expression turned sheepish. "No, I don't. It's worth a try."

"Yes, it is," Violet agreed and started pulling herbs from the pile they'd set aside earlier. She and Fiona set to work. Their heads were bent together as they concocted their potion.

Meanwhile, Gismos, Otia, and I watched with anticipation and trepidation. None of us said anything, but we all wondered if this harebrained scheme would actually pay off. In my opinion, the chances were good. I believed in my friends. An idea came to me as I thought about Otia's question, but I kept it to myself. I didn't want to interrupt their process. When they finished a few minutes later, I had no doubt this would work. Hovering together, we all stared at the large pot of cream. It had gone from white to clear and shimmered with an iridescent glow.

"You guys did it. And I had a thought while you guys were working," I said, breaking the silence. "We should test this on your wards, Gismos. That way, we can approach Tarae's house with confidence."

Otia sighed and shot us a smile. "I can see why Artemis chose you three. Let's do it."

Gismos grabbed the pot and headed for his front door, saying, "I didn't realize how deeply our lives had fallen into a routine here until you guys dropped in."

I couldn't reply to that. A surge of nervous energy coursed through my veins, setting every nerve on edge. The night air hung crisp around us as we stood on his porch near the wards,

"So, how exactly does this stuff work?" Gismos asked.

Fiona flashed him a confident smile. "This should temporarily neutralize these magical wards," she explained. "It'll work because yours are condensed into these sigils. Once we apply it to them, they should weaken enough for us to slip past."

Gismos nodded in agreement. "But we'll need to move quickly," he added. "We can't risk leaving the wards down for too long. If she wakes up and discovers them down, she will get pissed and blame you three."

With a collective breath, we set to work. All of us spread the cream over the sigils with practiced precision. My heart raced in my chest as I watched the wards begin to shimmer and fade under the potion's influence.

"That's it," Gismos declared, his voice tinged with excitement. "Let's wash this off and see if they come back up. If they don't, we can't use them."

Our triumph increased when we hurriedly washed off the cream and watched the sigils regain their strength. With another win in our column, we walked a few streets over to Tarae's house. I knew the second we turned the corner which home was hers.

It had to be the grand residence at the end of the block. I marveled at its imposing facade. The sight of the intricate architecture and towering spires sent a shiver down my spine. Pushing aside my fear, I focused instead on the task at hand. It helped when I saw Kitris crouching behind a bush in front of Tarae's place .

"We'll need to work fast," Fiona said in a voice low with urgency. "Once we're inside, we'll need to find the books Tarae took and get out before she realizes what's happened."

With a nod of agreement, we joined Kitris in the shadows. My heart pounded with anticipation. The feeling of being watched prickled the back of my neck as we approached the house. As surreptitiously as possible, I turned my head and looked around. I wish I was relieved when I didn't see anything. Unfortunately, I was even more worried.

"We can do this," I whispered. "Let's make this count."

We quickly applied the enhanced cream to the sigils on Tarae's house. As soon as the concoction made contact with the sigils, there was a subtle shift in the air. A soft hum of magic rippled around us. Once pulsing with energy, the sigils began to dim. Their glow faded entirely until they were nothing more than faint outlines etched into the surface of the walls.

A wave of relief washed over us as we realized we had smothered Tarae's wards. With cautious optimism, we approached the entrance to Tarae's house. Gismos tested the knob and twisted it easily. I felt like we were invading her space when we crossed the threshold and ventured further into Tarae's domain. Everyone deserved to maintain their privacy. We only continued because she'd stolen something that belonged to everyone.

The sense of unease turned into something that settled over me like a dense fog. Was it the sleek, modern furnishings and immaculate decor that bothered me? No, that wasn't it. It could be that beneath the veneer of luxury, there lingered an unmistakable chill that sent shivers down my spine. It was as if the walls themselves harbored a deep-seated malevolence.

Looking down the hall, I noticed a shape in the room directly ahead. Gismos continued forward until we were all stopped at the entrance. In the center of the living room, Tarae lay sprawled across the couch. She was bathed in the ethereal glow of moonlight filtering through the windows.

A sense of foreboding washed over me, urging me to retreat from this ominous atmosphere. But try as I might, I couldn't pinpoint the source of my unease. "There's something not right about this place," I whispered. "We shouldn't stay."

Fiona shot me a concerned glance, her brows furrowing in confusion. "What do you mean?"

I hesitated, struggling to articulate the gnawing sense of dread that gnawed at my insides. "I... I'm not sure," I admitted finally. "It's just a feeling."

Before we could dwell on my apprehension, Violet's sharp intake of breath drew our attention. She was already moving past Otia and Gismos and going to a corner of the room. Fiona and I followed right behind her. She went right to a stack of books that lay waiting on a nearby table. We'd found the books.

Our excitement was short-lived as a blinding light engulfed us. It was accompanied by the sensation of an invisible barrier ensnaring us in its grip. Panic surged through me as I struggled against the unseen force.

My heart pounded in my chest. "We're trapped!" I exclaimed.

Gismos and Otia pounded furiously against the barrier from outside. Their shouts of concern were drowned out by the impenetrable magic that held us captive. I braced myself for what was to come, my mind racing with unanswered questions. As time stretched on, I realized with a sinking feeling that our fate was sealed.

And then things got worse. Tarae started stirring from her slumber. Kitris shot wild eyes at Gismos and Otia and said, "You two need to get out of here. I will handle Tarae when she wakes up."

Gismos shook his head. "No, we have to help you get free."

Kitris shook her head. "No way. Having you here will only make matters worse. Nocturne needs a functioning council. I am happy to take the fall for this. But only if you leave now."

Gismos and Otia shared a look and then nodded. "Alright, but if you don't get out in an hour we're coming back," Gismos promised. The elders turned and ran out without another word.

Violet's grip on the stolen books tightened, her knuckles turning white with the effort to remain composed. "We have to think of something."

Fiona patted her shoulder. "We'll get out of here. Don't worry," she promised.

Just then, the sound of laughter echoed through the room. It sent shivers down my spine. My heart was in my throat when I turned to see Nyx approaching the cage. The goddess's presence cast a shadow over us, seemingly swallowing up the little hope we had left.

"I knew you'd fall into my trap," Nyx remarked, her voice dripping with amusement. "How predictable."

Kitris stepped forward, her jaw set in a defiant line. "You won't get away with this," she declared. "We'll find a way to stop you."

But Nyx simply laughed, the sound echoing off the walls like a sinister melody. "You think you can stop me?" she taunted. The sight of malicious intent gleaming in her eyes was nauseating. "You're nothing but insects compared to my power."

Fiona squared her shoulders, her gaze unwavering despite the overwhelming odds stacked against us. "We'll never give up," she vowed. "We'll find a way to defeat you. No matter what it takes."

But before Nyx could respond, she snapped her fingers, and the world around us dissolved into darkness, leaving us stranded in a void of nothingness. Sick in this suffocating shroud, I wondered if we would ever escape Nyx's clutches. Or if this was truly the end.