Chapter Twenty-Eight

Wards are tricky things. Keeping people out is easy, but keeping them in requires more power. The ward that held the Hounds had probably been set by Silas, so he had the power thing covered. But my guys would be fighting that ward, and if I added my magic to theirs, maybe we could break through it. Either way, Silas couldn't hold them there forever. Could he?

As I drove up, vehicles streamed past me, full of the Host. I knew then that the ward had been a defense tactic. A way for Silas to get his people out of there safely. Hopefully, that meant he'd drop the ward soon. But what if he didn't?

I parked the truck beside the driveway and got out. There they were, standing at the end of the drive, practically snarling at the magic that held them trapped. The Host was gone, and I was kinda relieved by that. At least they didn't have to fight in their prison. Just fight the prison itself.

“Amélie!” Darius snapped, looking maniacal thanks to the blood splattered all over him. Even with the ward dampening his voice, it still came through as a shout. “Get out of here, now!”

“There's nothing you can do, angel,” Dominic said. “You need to get home. We'll be fine. If nothing else, Hades will eventually come for us.”

“Eventually?” I asked. “Why doesn't he come now?”

“He has the entire Underworld to run,” Declan said. “He's probably—”

“Run!” Dominic shouted, cutting off Declan.

I spun to see Silas standing before me.

“For a witch, you're not that smart,” Silas said as he grabbed me.

The men shouted, but there was nothing they could do. There was nothing I could do either. Silas grabbed me and pulled a Dumbledore, whisking me away from the Hounds in a moment. When we reappeared, we stood in a bedroom—a modest room with a full-sized bed, no headboard. The lamp on the bedside table spilled meager light onto a handmade quilt and braided rug. A hope chest stood against the wall. I would have found that ironic if I hadn't been wearing my potion vest. As it was, I still had hope.

“What the fuck did you bring her here for?” Michael stormed up to us.

“Because I wanted to,” Silas said. “She showed up at the last location, and I couldn't resist.”

“Fine. Kill her now so we can be rid of her. She's the last Cerberus mate I'm fucking with. It only makes them more determined to catch me, and the whole point of the Host is to stop that from happening.”

“I'm not killing her. She's a pure soul. Do you have any idea what kind of power lies inside her?”

I'd been reaching for a potion when Silas said that. I grabbed it but waited. I knew I had magic, but Silas made it sound as if I had more than I thought. And what was this about Michael creating the Host? Was Silas behind this or not?

“Then take her to the God Realm,” Michael hissed.

“I'll do what I want.”

“That's it. This partnership is over. I'm done with you.”

Silas laughed boisterously. “Did you think this was a partnership? You're not strong enough to be my partner. All you can do is jump bodies. So what? I could teach any escaped soul to do that. Your main strength is that golden tongue of yours. Well, technically, that tongue isn't yours, but you know what I mean.”

“If I don't matter, then go.”

“Ah, but I've bonded your army to me. The Host is mine now.”

“I can get more. Or maybe I'll just lie low. I think I'll try another tactic to keep myself out of the Underworld.”

“No. I'm not done with you yet. You may not be as powerful as me, but you've thwarted Hades and now have his attention. That's what I want.”

“Fuck this.” Michael-in-Antonio became Antonio, the host body stumbling as the invading spirit abandoned him.

“I don't think so,” Silas said and grabbed something out of the air. He slammed his hand against Antonio's chest, and the man gasped, then shuddered as he became Michael-in-Antonio again.

I gaped at the casual display of power.

Time to go.

I slammed the potion on the floor like a toddler throwing a tantrum and ran out of the room. Instantly, the glass broke and noxious smoke filled the room. Not only did it hinder sight, but it also paralyzed anyone who breathed it in. I heard cursing as I raced out of the room and down a narrow hallway. But then even that stopped, the potion working into the muscles of their throats and jaws. I hadn't been sure that it would work on Silas, but it had, and that was both wonderful and fascinating. But the why had to be worked out later. First, I had to get the fuck out of enemy territory.

I got downstairs and heard voices. Slowing to a silent walk, I edged through the foyer and opened the front door. Once outside, I ran up to the vehicles parked before the house. All were locked. I didn't waste time trying to break into one. I didn't know how to hot wire a car and none of my potions would help. So I ran down the driveway and out onto the road. After a few minutes of mad dashing, I realized it would be smarter to walk in the treeline beside the road than run down it.

With a look back, I headed into the dark embrace of nature. As soon as I was within the underbrush, under the canopy of gently rustling branches, I breathed easier. God or not, Silas wouldn't be able to find me there. Nature and witches were siblings, and we helped each other. You don't fuck with family.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, a wild wind came rustling through the trees in warning, driving me to the ground and under some bushes. I didn't argue but instead went with the push, letting the wind lead me and the brush open to me. Nestled among the thick cover, I stared out at the road. A minute passed. Another. Sweat dripped down my forehead and instantly cooled in the night air. But I didn't move.

Then a shrieking came as something sped down the road as fast as a sports car, but much smaller. It was just a flash of movement and that terrible sound, but I knew it was Silas. He was searching for me. My potion had worked on him, but only briefly. Good to know.

Still in the bushes, I pulled out my cell phone and checked my location. I was in Latah Valley, near the golf course. Not too far from the bar. I could walk it in maybe an hour. But I had to call the guys first. I dialed Dominic's number and waited.

He answered immediately, his voice anxious, “Angel? Are you all right?”

“Yeah. I got away. How are you guys?”

“We're out too. The ward dropped just a few minutes ago. Where are you? We'll come get you.”

“I send it to you. One sec.” I sent him my location. “I'm hiding in the woods. Silas just passed by, and I had to take cover.”

“Stay there!” he practically shouted. “I'll call you when we get there. Don't leave your hiding spot, even if you see someone you think is me. Wait until I call you.”

“Got it. See you soon.”

“Amélie, I . . .”

“I'll see you soon, Dom.” I hung up. The last thing I wanted was some declaration of love over the phone after a trauma. Couldn't be trusted. Plus, if a man was going to tell me he loved me, I preferred that he said it to my face. Especially since I was pretty sure that I loved him back.