Undercover Magic (16 page)

"Whether you know anything or not, it won't stop them from drugging or torturing you
to find out, kiddo. Or worse," I said.

"You mean like trying to turn him?" Chiwa asked. "Only ten percent of acolytes survive
that, you know." We ignored her. The kid loved her some drama, the more horror-filled
the merrier.

"Are you sure we just can't go to Raleigh?"

"The mountains are safer," Cooper said in a firm tone. "Hard to sneak up on a couple
hundred Were families."

To my relief, Falcon shut his mouth. I understood that he was worried, but the whining
was getting on my nerves.

Stillman adjusted her pack, her shoulders tensed with impatience. "Every second of
sunlight wasted is precious travel time lost, people. If we don't make the meet point
on time, Marc will have heart failure."

"Stick to the order we discussed." Giving Chiwa a firm look, Cooper slid into the
offshoot that led to Falcon's shop. Looking only a little disappointed, Chiwa waited
a moment and then followed him.

Falcon turned to me, his forehead creasing. "You still think Bellmonte will try and
stop us?"

"He's a manipulative S.O.B. who's capable of anything," I replied.

"They all are," Stillman said. "And they don't give a rat's ass about any of us."

She climbed into the tunnel, giving Falcon a narrow look before her head disappeared
into the darkness. He swallowed, his face pale, then his mouth firmed with resolve
and he followed her.

Giving the shop a final glance, I inched into the tunnel. I pulled the infernal crate
of books onto the top of the open trap door as I braced my shoulder against the underside.
I squirmed awkwardly on my bottom deeper into the offshoot and let the door slam closed
above me.

Covering my face to keep the shower of dirt out of my eyes, I scooted the rest of
the way down the narrow tunnel and jumped to the floor. A few feet down the main passageway,
my friends paused, looking back as the crate settled against the trap door above me.

A strange feeling of loss pushed down on me. Despite everything, Charlotte had always
been my home. I had a terrible feeling I would never see it again.

My gaze met Cooper's and his smile splashed over me, warm and comforting. My heart
lightened and I jogged to catch up with them.

Wherever he and my friends were was where I belonged. I didn't need anything else.

*  *  *

Across the city and far underground, Bellmonte settled himself beneath the thick silk
comforter of his bed and prepared for the oblivion that daylight brought.

The last two nights had been particularly gratifying and for the first time in many
years he looked forward to what was ahead. Lacing his hands on top of his chest, he
gazed at the rich blue of the canopy above him. He barely remembered what a clear
autumn day looked like, but he imagined the sky was still that color.

After a moment, he raised his left arm and pushed back the silk sleeve of his pajamas.
Reverently, he touched the elaborately realistic tattoo covering his forearm—a terrifying
dragon-like creature in flight with a spear and shield gripped in its clawed hands.
A brilliant sun blazed behind it.

Someday...

He pulled down his sleeve and meticulously re-buttoned the cuff. The irony of the
ludicrous contract she'd made him sign was delicious. The bond between them went far
deeper than that. Deeper even than time itself.

Bellmonte folded his hands on his chest again and closed his eyes. He could feel the
sun touch the horizon, feel his heart slowing until it stopped as the temporary death
that daylight brought crept over him.

And he smiled.

Destiny was not something one could easily escape...