Page 28 of Tethered Fates

***

As is typical for most flats in the city, it’s a grey monolith surrounded by other grey monoliths. Somehow made duller in the early morning fog clinging to the edges.

The three of us sniff for any foul hint of blood mages, opening our senses to feel if powerful magic adds weight to the air.

Nothing.

“How do we get inside?” Lucero asks. We’re in a semi-circle around the locked entrance leading into the block of flats.

“I could just rip it off,” Vidar says, indicating to the slab of grimy metal that passes for a door.

“Have you ever heard of subtlety?” Luc admonishes. “We have no idea what we’re walking into.”

“I don’t care,” I say, grabbing hold of the handle to rip it from where it’s bolted into the frame. “Teagan is in danger, and we’ve waited long enough.”

Before I can do anything, the door buzzes and is pushed open.

I should be surprised when I see that no-nonsense choppy bob, yet it’s the least surprising thing that’s happened all night. “Kate Donovan.”

Kate leans against the door to keep it from slamming shut. “Took you long enough.”

“Sorry to disappoint, I was held up,” I counter. “Why are you here?”

“Who is this?” Vidar demands.

“Sen’s police officer friend,” Luc drawls out boredly.

“Detective,” both Kate and I retort.

“I knew you’d come here, and I didn’t want you to cause any damage,” Kate tells me.

I raise a disbelieving eyebrow.

Kate’s gaze shifts, and I take great pride in being able to understand that annoyed, yet hesitant expression. Because it means exactly one thing—I’m right, and my dear old pal is loath to admit it.

When this is all said and done, I’ll enjoy gloating in her face. For now, I just say, “Tell me what you’ve found.”

Kate lets out an exasperated puff of air that becomes a cloud. “I called the owner. She’d been normal when I introduced myself, but when I asked why she never rented the flat after the previous occupant died, her voice became distant, confused. She sounded like…”

“Like she’d been compelled,” Luc finishes.

Kate gives a single chipped nod. “She couldn’t say why, but was very certain it should stay empty. I came here to investigate, and for a supposedly empty flat, there was noise coming from inside.”

“We need to check it out,” I tell the others. “And you need to stay down here,” I tell Kate.

“Like hell I am!”

I send her a sweet smile, tilting my head. “Okay then, we’ll meet you at the top.”

In one swift movement, Vidar, Luc and I use our vampiric speed to sprint past Kate and up the nine flights of stairs to get to the top within seconds.

“You dick!” Kate’s echo shouts from the bottom.

Luc and Vidar move to flank the chipped front door. I press my ear to the cool white surface, and after a beat, I hear the shifting of feet. Still no hint of blood magic, no weight of power. This could be nothing, but I won’t risk turning against my gut instinct again.

Without another word, my foot connects with the door. It goes flying into the darkened flat to smash against the opposite wall in a shower of splinters.

“Subtle,” Luc says under his breath.