Chapter 9

9

The realizationI’d gone from downtown Toronto to some forest with a castle stunned. “Oh, my fucking god, you teleported us!” The only possibility because there certainly hadn’t been a tornado carrying us away.

“In a sense.” Cain held up a silver-toned brooch, the metal wound in an intricate pattern. “This valley is protected from teleportation, with the dais being the only exception. This opens a doorway to this spot.” He scuffed at the paving stones underfoot, which made up a platform.

“Why didn’t we teleport from the subway?”

“Something blocked the amulet’s power.”

Glancing at the round dais we’d landed on and then the jewelry, I noticed something. “They’re the same pattern.”

“Which is part of how they’re linked. There’s some intense magic locked into both the landing pad and the focus object.”

“I thought you said the witches only did basic stuff like scrying and healing.” I couldn’t help but sound accusatory.

“Most witches. In the past, we’ve had some who are quite powerful and could achieve bigger feats, like this portal system. This particular one has been in place for centuries.”

My brows arched. “Damn, that’s impressive.”

“It is.”

“Where on Earth is this place?” I asked as I stepped off the dais of stone onto the gravel path leading from it to the castle atop the slight hill. Yup, a fucking castle. Kind of cool.

“The Rockies.”

At his claim, I snorted. “Pretty sure the Rockies don’t have a castle like this.” I’d done a project on them in high school as one of nature’s wonders of the world.

“Do you really think it’s visible to just anyone?” he countered. “We are in a valley and not only is there no road accessing this place, but anyone flying overhead sees just a forest.”

“More magic?” I surmised.

“Yes. Not quite as old as the portal. The mirage was created in the nineteen fifties when flying became more common.”

He’d adjusted his long stride to accommodate my shorter one. I tried to absorb everything but found myself a tad overwhelmed, so I asked the most important question. “Do I have to worry about demons here?”

“No. The abundance of tungsten running underneath this valley, along with lead, makes it virtually impossible for them to open a doorway.”

“They could use the one you have in the woods.”

He shook his head. “It needs a talisman attuned to it in order to work.”

“Couldn’t they just climb over the mountain?”

“Our defense system would pulverize them if they tried.”

Take him at his word I’d be safe here, or remain paranoid? I’d decide later.

As we approached the castle, the sheer size of it impressed. The stone was dark gray and rough on the outside even as it appeared to be tightly fitted. “How the hell did your guild of reapers and witches manage to build this if it’s so hard to reach?”

“It wasn’t built here but transported.”

I halted and blinked. “Wait, you mean…?”

“I don’t know the mechanics of it, but using magic the likes of which we can’t even imagine, this castle, which used to reside in Europe, was moved here.”

“Why?”

“I assume you mean, why move it? That’s not clear. Our history for that time is sporadic, but I would assume it had to do with preventing discovery. The same way you can see through my cloak and the demon fog, there were most likely too many people piercing the veil hiding the guild. Given humanity of that time could be superstitious, it was most likely deemed easier to relocate than constantly have to fight those we were trying to protect.”

“And you all live here? Reapers and witches?”

He nodded. “Witches in the East Wing. Reapers in the West.”

“Let me guess. No fraternizing.” I’d done a stint in an all-girls school—my parents’ attempt to get me to do better in school, which failed, by the way. The lengths to which some went to sneak out and meet boys never ceased to amaze.

“Fraternizing is allowed. Couples who choose to partner have their quarters on the fourth floor in the middle section. The other levels are the common areas where we meet for meals, to train, or to learn.”

“This castle acts like your own little town.”

“In a sense.”

“Who runs the place?”

“The witches have the Regina and the reapers a Princep. They ensure the rules are followed and keep order.”

“What kind of rules?”

“The basics. No stealing. No fighting in the common areas. If two people have an issue with each other, they can pound on each other in the practice arena.”

“Wait, your leaders actually encourage them to scrap?”

“When words fail, sometimes a good fisticuff can vent the frustration.”

“No thanks. Seems kind of middle school if you ask me.”

His lips quirked. “Only because you haven’t tried it.”

“Is this an invitation to bitch-slap you for being annoying?” I sweetly asked.

“Would you feel better if you did?”

My lips pursed. “Maybe.”

“Then perhaps we should arrange a meeting time for you to expel your annoyance, but don’t be surprised if I put you over my knee because of your stubbornness.”

The statement had my mouth rounding. “You can’t spank me. I’m an adult.”

“Then act like one.”

Burn.

Rather than keep arguing, I changed the subject. “How do you get food and other supplies?”

“There is a garden at the rear, along with a barn and paddocks for livestock. Everything we can’t make or grow is brought through the portal.”

“I am not churning milk to make butter.”

“Why would you when we have machines to do it?”

“You have electricity?” I couldn’t help my surprise.

“Solar panels provide some of it. The rest is via a generator run off a pocket of natural gas we tapped into. And before you ask, we also have plumbing instead of buckets or latrines.”

“Well, shit.” I had to admit to being impressed. The place was less primitive than expected.

We’d reached the top of the slope, and only then did I notice the barren strip of land running around the place, the demarcation between green grass and dirt quite stark. “What’s that?” I pointed. “Is it a running track or something?”

“That is not a place to step on,” he cautioned. “The Ring is part of the castle’s security. There are pits and spikes that will trigger if you put any weight on that area.”

“What happens when a squirrel decides to pay a visit?”

“Their size isn’t enough to enact the defenses. Given demons start at fifty pounds, the pressure point is forty.”

“I thought you said this place was safe.” I couldn’t help but sound accusatory.

“It is. The only time I’ve seen them activated was when a reaper called Killian got drunk and wandered off for a piss.”

“Did he die?” I asked.

“No, but he has a hell of a scar on his thigh where a spike speared through it.”

“If I can see it, can’t they?” I pointed out the obvious flaw with their defense.

“Demons tend to be one-track-minded. They see their prey or target and tend to move in a straight line, heedless of their environment.”

“So you’re counting on them being dumb. Got it.” And even less reassured. What if a smart demon figured it out?

The drawbridge across the barren strip could have been right out of a fairy tale. Cain strode onto it without hesitation, so I followed, if more cautiously.

“Will the folks inside be okay with you bringing me here?”

“Why wouldn’t they be? The Regina herself visited you to extend an invitation.”

“Which I refused. She might not be impressed to see me.”

He snorted. “More like she’ll congratulate me on managing to convince your stubborn ass.”

“Hardly convinced, seeing as how you snuck me over,” I sourly pointed out.

“You said you wanted to know more.”

“I do. But next time, let’s ask before you kidnap.”

“Kidnapping is more fun, though.” The boyish grin he tossed my way stopped my heart.

Damn him for being too cute.

The large wooden door leading into the castle opened without a single knock, and he walked inside.

Me, I hesitated. The thick arch had tiny holes overhead and, in the bottom ledge, holes that looked like they might hold a portcullis. I could easily imagine it slamming down as I crossed. Logic dictated there were easier ways to kill me. Tell that to my trepidation. I just knew if I walked into the castle there would be no going back to my old life.

No more lounging at night in jammies, reading a book. No more dull days and weekends. No being blissfully ignorant of demons and other weird shit.

How boring.

Sure, I didn’t know what the future held. I’d never been more uncertain. But one thing I did know?

Despite being a coward about most things, I actually didn’t want to turn back. I’d never been more curious. A strange excitement filled me. Maybe I was destined to be more than plain ol’ Sadie Butler.

With that thought in mind, I stepped inside the castle.