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I watched the sky, searching for any sign. I shook my head, realizing how idiotic this was. She could not reach out or hear me. I leaned back right as a star far off on my right twinkled. I turned toward it. It was located high above the others but a shade brighter. How had I not noticed it before?
“You may not have been as we are, Gabriella, but if you managed to help her before, it makes you stronger than even I. I’m scared I won’t reach her in time, absolutely terrified, and I’ve fought and have seen things that would make others pray for death.” The star did not so much as even flicker. Of course not. I blew a breath out and looked at the photos in my hand. “But I promise I won’t let her lose herself any further. Nor will I give up on her. You wouldn’t.”
I turned from the balcony, heading inside. As I lay down and tried to force myself to rest, I could have sworn that same star sparkled brighter than those around it. Then again, maybe I was just losing my mind, searching for signs that could not reach here. Yet still, that star flickers.
Fourteen
Dianna. Three Weeks Later.
She bellowed, the shriek so loud it busted out the brick wall behind me. I felt the blood pour from my ears as I stalked toward her. Fucking banshees. She kneeled, holding her broken arm, the gash on her forehead bleeding. We were in an abandoned factory filled with refuse. I grabbed a piece of sheet metal and hurled it through the air. Silence fell, followed by a thud as her head hit the floor.
Sasha, leader of the banshees, was dead, along with the rest of her faction. The factory creaked, the beams no longer able to withstand the amount of damage we’d done here. I reached down, grabbed her head by the blue-tinged ponytail, and vanished.
* * *
A wet thud sounded as I tossed Sasha’s head onto the large circular altar in the middle of the room, knocking various items onto the floor. Camilla shrieked and backed away.
“There. Find me another location.”
She gulped, her hands still in the air and her eyes wide. Runes scarred the darkened wood of the altar, feathers, animal feet, blood, bone, and an assortment of powders surrounding it. The banshee’s head fit right in with all the witchy nonsense.
Camilla shook her head, the long silky tresses of her hair shifting with the movement. “Okay, but it will take at least a day.”
I glared at her and felt my eyes blaze. She glanced down. “I don’t have a day. Every day we waste gives Kaden another day to plot and plan, and it’s another day I have to worry about godsdamn Samkiel finding us.” My next words came out in a clipped snarl. “Do. Better.”
“That’s the best I can do.” Her eyes met mine, sparks of green magic burning there.
I folded my arms, a wisp of smoke curling from my nostrils. I held Camilla’s gaze and stepped closer. She had the audacity to flinch but didn’t look away. I was a fraction taller than her, and the stilettos I wore only added to the difference. She didn’t speak or back down, but I could smell the fear coming off her in waves.
“I let you live because you serve a purpose. If that is no longer the case, I am more than happy to bury you with your coven.”
A flicker of emotion shone in her eyes. “I said I’ll need a day. Have I not helped? I cloaked you so he—”
I lifted my hand, cutting her off. I didn’t want to hear Samkiel’s name. It was true that I’d been able to avoid him for weeks because of her spell. She had hidden my power and location, but he was close. He was always so damn close. I could be vicious if necessary, a cold-blooded killing machine, but the minute he was near, the minute I saw or smelled him, every memory, every emotion I’d buried threatened to consume me, and I wouldn’t allow that, not again.
Never again.
“I am well aware of what you’ve done, and now I need another location. How is it a mortal can hide from the great and powerful Camilla?”
“Probably because I’m using the majority of my magic to hide this place from the world and cloak you.”
I rubbed my temples. “Don’t confuse the fact that I haven’t incinerated you as us being friends. Use her blood or eyes or whatever you need. She was close to the others in that room when you all stood by and watched as he slaughtered my sister.”
She took a breath. “Okay.”
“Good witch.” A forced smile curved my lips. “What about the talisman? Any luck?”
Camilla grabbed a small green vial. “Even with Samkiel’s blood, I need to make sure it can get you in and out without turning you inside out.”
“So, more waiting.”
“This stuff takes time.”
I scrubbed my hands over my face. “I don’t have time.”
That was all I said before I spun and headed down the hall, the edges of my long dark coat flowing behind me.
* * *
