Chapter 42

I had to make sure and I didn't have time to play by the rules so I turned off the camera. She looked a little nervous. I went into the back room, came out with the truth-spelled cuffs and slapped them on her. She'd called Mum a bitch; yes, Mum was a bitch, but I was the only one who could say it.

‘Where's the kidnap victim, Victoria Barrington?' I demanded.

‘I told you I have no idea. Asking again isn't going to change my answer.'

She really didn't know anything about the kidnapping. ‘Are you working with anyone else?'

She shut her mouth. The truth cuff worked as long as you answered, but if you didn't…

‘Have you ever cursed anyone?' I asked.

A garbled noise came from her but no answer. Then she said clearly, ‘I want my lawyer.'

I had my answer: she might be the curser but she wasn't the kidnapper. The interview was over. I removed the truth cuffs, let her make a call then stuck her in a magic dampening cell. I couldn't question her further until her lawyer showed up, and if she didn't use the local one that would take a while.

I checked the time on my phone: I only had five hours before the kidnappers' deadline. Actually, I only had three because I'd need two hours to collect the gems if I was going to comply with their demands.

Connor was waiting in my chair. ‘Any luck?' he asked.

I shook my head. My breath felt like it was catching somewhere before it filled my lungs. He sat me in the chair and pushed my head between my knees. ‘Breathe, Bunny.'

I gulped air, but it still didn't feel like it was going where it should have done. It took a few minutes before I could breathe normally again. Finally I looked up at him. ‘I've got no idea where to find her. I might need those gems after all.'

‘Then let's plan for that. Call Liv, get the witches together.'

I shook my head. ‘If we take the gems, the barrier will fail.'

‘It will have to be powered another way for a while,' he said calmly, as if that were simple.

‘Can I destroy the whole town for one person?'

‘The witches have contingency plans in place,' Connor reassured me. ‘And didn't you say that the witches had to take the gems offline to fix them?'

I nodded. ‘Yes, but that would be for a short time. If I give them to the kidnapper, they'll take them forever. They'll be gone.'

‘So we plan ahead, get a team to stop them.'

I nodded, but I was full of despair. It wouldn't work and I'd be responsible for destroying everything. I couldn't do that, even for my mum. I needed to put this before the council. It couldn't – mustn't – be my decision because I was emotionally compromised and not thinking straight. ‘Let's talk to the council. Can we get everyone together in an hour?'

He whipped out his phone. ‘I'll get the mayor, Liv and Calliope. You call Stan and Thomas, and speak to Gunnar.'

I nodded and started dialling. I had the easiest three because I knew they'd show up. Stan was still in the hospital but he said he'd come for an hour; he was as antsy as Sigrid to get out of the hospital. Gunnar would support me, and Thomas seemed to like me; his interest in Sidnee might sway him to my side.

Connor's conversations were longer and I could tell that it was taking some persuasion to get his people to show, but finally they agreed to meet at the council chambers in thirty minutes. I was starting to think we could do it – maybe.

‘Bunny, you need to eat. I'm running you home,' Connor said.

I let him take me and my pets home so we could prepare. Once home, I fed the animals, including Arabella. I'd forgotten about her and had to clean up the mess. I felt bad because I wasn't that kind of pet owner.

She was much calmer and seemed to look to me for comfort, which she never had before. I held her for a few minutes then went to get washed. I ran a brush through my hair and hurriedly put it up in a ponytail then changed my grubby clothes. Connor had microwaved some blood for us and we ate a couple of pieces of toast.

It was time to go. I let Fluffy out and put Arabella back in Mum's room, promising I'd bring my mother home soon and that I wouldn't forget her again. I put the TV on for Fluffy and Shadow, then Connor and I returned to the council chambers.

We appeared to be the last to arrive, which was interesting. I figured everyone would drag their feet, so we must have sounded desperate. Since it was the council members, Sidnee, Connor and I, we sat in a circle while I explained.

I started with the curser and ended with the kidnapping and my choices. ‘So, that's where I am. I have to collect the gems and give them to the kidnapper. Connor has an idea to trap them so we can retrieve the gems, and we need to set up whatever Liv had planned to take the gems offline for an hour or so.'

Liv spoke next. ‘Yes, I have a plan. I need to gather up my key magic users and the three other witches I brought in. I need at least an hour, maybe two.' She looked me in the eye. ‘Listen carefully. The gems have to be back in an hour because it will take the four witches – your mother included – to get the barrier back up. If we wait much longer, it will be a two-day process to get it back and we'll be at the mercy of the beast for that whole time.'

That made me sweat. I couldn't guarantee anything; I wasn't even sure if my mother was alive.

Liv cleared her throat. ‘We can't give in to threats, but we can make it look as if we are. We need to pretend to comply, but the reality is that we won't let the barrier fall. Not even for your mum.'

The other council members were silent. Finally, Stan, who was still looking ill, said, ‘Let's vote.'

‘Those in favour say aye,' the mayor intoned. ‘We'll go around the table.'

Stan, Thomas and Gunnar voted aye; Calliope and the mayor voted nay and I couldn't blame them. That left Liv and Connor to decide it. Connor voted aye but I was sure Liv would say no. However, she must have been a gambler at heart because she said, ‘Aye.'

I wasn't sure whether to be grateful or terrified. We were gathering the gems and putting the whole of Portlock at risk.