INVISIBLE FATE BOOK THREE: ALEX NOZIAK (INVISIBLE RECRUITS) (29 page)

“Who?” the druid growled.

What?
was my first thought, followed by a suspicious second glance. Just about that time, the monster left Bran and raced toward me, his head butting into my stomach, and toppling me backwards. I staggered, avoiding that squeegee tongue. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he assumed we were BFFs separated for far too long.

On the other hand
, his antics did break the tension and gave me an excuse to slide sideways, grab Sabina’s arm and tug her away from the clueless Weres. The dog bounding between them and us made it hard for the Weres to snatch her back.

Maybe we were BFFs. If I could have reached the dog’s head I’d have patted it.

“Sorry, boss,” a winded Were called, popping in behind the two nasty Weres. “He got away from me.”

For the first time since I’d woken up on that gurney
, a glimmer of hope sputtered through me. Sure Bran and I were still way outnumbered, especially with the druid’s freaky abilities. But with the arrival of this last Were, who was either Willie the recovering Were or his twin brother, meant that the monster dog stood a good chance of being Frank or Franco or whatever he was calling himself this week.

It wasn’t an ideal cavalry to be saved by but it wasn’t like we had a lot of options.

I kept my gaze averted from Willie, afraid I might give myself away with a big grin, but eyed the dog very closely. Franco, as that’s what he was called first time I’d met him, was a Didi shifter, which meant he could morph into multiple types of the same creature. His creature was
canis lupus familiaris
, the common dog. But since there was nothing common about Franco in his human form, it came as no surprise there was nothing common about the dog forms he chose.

If he wanted to be hound of the Baskervilles I wouldn’t stop him. Especially if it meant we might walk out of here alive.

“You imbecilic moron,” the druid snarled, though I wanted to point out his comment was a little redundant. “Take that beast away. Now.”

Willie cleared his throat. “There’s a bit of a mess upstairs.” He glanced at me as if to say it was all my fault and it was all I could do not to give a fist pump in response. “Thought it might be best to keep him down here. If you need him.”

The scorching glance Padraig shot Willie’s way was enough to singe the hair off even a Were, but I bit back saying anything, slowly edging Sabina away from all the Weres and closer to Bran’s cell.

If I had to I would toss her inside and clang the door shut. She and Bran would then be safe from Were attack, but no iron bars could keep out Padraig’s magic.

I was working on that though.

Padraig seemed to consider Willie’s comment for a moment before chopping his hand through the air. “So be it. You.” He pointed at Willie. “Stand guard there. You two, over there and there.”

Basically, the hallway was being blocked against further advances.

Padraig wasn’t finished though. “And
, idiot, keep the dog beside you.”

Franco gave a doggy whine and slinked to Willie’s side when the Were whistled for him. Good doggy.

Not.

I wondered how Franco could hide what he was from Padraig, unless Padraig knew he was a shifter but wasn’t worried about the monster-sized animal being a threat to anything except other targets.

So the druid wasn’t as smart as he thought he was.

I assumed the mess upstairs meant my team was making inroads. I was absolutely positive about it when the druid barked a new set of orders
, “We’re losing time. The ritual must begin now.”

His eyes lighted on me as I shoved Sabina behind me as much as possible.

But not enough as Padraig’s eyes narrowed and his mouth thinned. “Move out of the way, Alex,” he said, his tone so cold it made me shiver.

“No.” My brothers would have recognized the rock-solid determination behind my single word. It was clear the druid could not freeze, or whatever he did with his dark magic, as long as I kept Sabina so close to me that he could not separate us. If the vestiges of my father’s plan were to work, I needed to protect her.

“Do not push me, witch,” he said. Druids have always been known for their arrogance. They even gave warlocks a run for the title of biggest PIAs and that was saying something.

I cast Bran a quick glance, catching his Celtic gaze while finding his frown. Of course. But his look said he was trusting me to know what I was doing, even if he didn’t like it
.

I just hoped he could keep that trust long enough to get us both through what was about to happen.

“Are we going to get this party rockin’ or stand around all day?” I eyed the druid but caught two of the Weres looking over their shoulders, probably anticipating blood. Willie didn’t look any different but I heard a suspicious snort from him covered by a quick cough. The dog started barking. Doggy speak for way-to-go, Alex!

That was my translation anyway.

If this a-hole wanted a battle, I was ready.

I thought.

Chapter Sixty-four

The druid cast one hard glance between Bran and me before inhaling a deep breath and raising his hands. He closed his eyes, stilling himself, and even from here, I could feel the power he called up. No fieldstones, no oak and mistletoe, no marking of a sacred space. And yet already the magic rose, like an untapped dam waiting to be unleashed, as he started his chant.

“Ageless wisdom, I seek thee now.

Unknown to
Seekers’clouded eyes
.



Come Ancestors, spirits of the unjust dead.

Ancient truths are strange to all who hold the lie.”

The shadows grew thicker around us all, the chill deeper as the druid’s voice, like angry waves slamming a rocky shore, rolled through the enclosed space. I could smell underground places of age and dampness, the copper penny smell of fresh blood, the fecundity of moist earth.

“Those who follow the path, the Old Way.

I summon and stir thee
!



Come and manifest in this sacred place.

I summon. I implore thee!

Follow me as I have followed thee.”

Sabina shook against me, burying her head against my shoulder. I didn’t blame her. I had the same urge. But she had to be ready. Since there’d always been an off chance she’d be close enough my fa
ther had created a Plan A and a Plan B. It’s where I got that gene. Only challenge was we were on about Plan S by this time. Plan Stay alive.

“Be ready,” I whispered to her, keeping my voice low enough the druid’s chanting covered it.

“I don’t know if I can—”

“You can and you will.” I wasn’t the nurturing one. She should know that by now. “If I say go, or push you away, then run.”

“But—”

“No
buts
. It’s the plan. Follow it and you’ll live. Take Willie and the dog away.”

“What about you?”

“Worry about yourself.” Yeah, I sounded like a bitch but no need for both of us to die.

“Spirits of the ancient dead show me the path.

Spirits of the Earth, call back thy ancient son.

Shining Ones I implore thee.

Power called and Power sought.”

Bran started rattling his chain, attempting to break the curl of black magic encircling all of us. Franco caught on and added some high-pitched barks.

The druid opened one eye and pointed a single finger toward Franco who yelped then sank to the floor.

If that bastard killed Franco?

I moved toward the dog but Sabina held me back. She was right. Willie was there. He’d do what could be done. The druid closed both eyes again and began anew, even as out of the corner of my eye I saw Willie hefting Franco and moving him away.

“I call dark energy to weave a circle of power.

I call on that which has been hidden for too long.

Belial. Zamiel. Samael. Ahriman, I call thee all.

Brothers and sons and followers of darkness.

Open to me.”

I didn’t know if it was me, or Sabina who was shaking more. It didn’t matter. When Padraig opened his eyes and looked at me, the man who’d inhabited the body was gone. Milky white eyes stared out. Ancient eyes. Crazy eyes. “Come, witch,” he whispered, crooking his finger toward me.

Show time.

If this plan didn’t work my dad would hear about it. From me. On the other side, fat lot of good it’d do.

I had no choice. My feet started shuffling forward even as I dr
agged my boots against the concrete floor. Like a zombie acting on autopilot, I edged closer to the druid, Sabina acting as my shadow.

Fear rampaged through me. I wanted her far, far away from here. But if I pushed her away too soon she could become an easy target for the druid.

I glanced toward Bran. An automatic response.

He was shaking his head. His voice murmuring through me. “It’s a trap, Alex. Don’t!”

This was one choice I did have. If I ran he lost, Sabina lost, the world lost.

I simply shook my head and kept inching forward until I stood not more than a hand’s length from the druid. Here I could smell a difference. He now reeked of fire, the acrid taint of brimstone and age, the ki
nd of age one found in ancient tombs and burial sites.

“Join with me, witch.” He extended his hand and every cell in my body screamed against touching him.

But I did it. My arm trembled, my fingers curled as if to pull back, but I did it, stretched out my hand until his paw curled around mine.

With my free left hand I reached back to push Sabina. Not to run but to start inching away. When she didn’t move at first I shoved harder.

She had to keep to the plan. It was the only chance any of us had.

And I needed one hand free.

Like an electrical shock from a too-strong power source the druid’s magic arced through me. Dark swallowing light. Energy clashing against energy.

The druid’s lips curled in a thin line. A triumphant cant to it.

What had I gotten myself into?

Chapter
Sixty-five

“I call to the Dark and the Power of Satanail.

I call to the four corners of the Earth,

Strengthen this circle and let the power flow.

Power begets and power sustains.

Darkness hear my command and obey.”

The druid’s voice tightened around me, smothering, pressing, squeezing.

“Now, Alex,” he commanded.

Sabina was no longer pressed against my back, which I hoped meant she was scooting away. I couldn’t focus on the druid, Bran, and her all at the same time. Triage. Biggest threats first.

If I’d been smart I’d have warded myself with a protection spell. If I’d thought ahead I’d have cast a banishing spell over Sabina and removed her from this place. If I was any kind of a good and decent witch I’d have never found myself here.

Regrets would not get me through the next minutes, nor protect the people I cared for, even the ones I didn’t know.

The only thing that would help now was grit, determination, and a hell of a lot of luck. A typical Noziak approach.

Swallowing deeply I stood taller and started pulling from Bran’s magic. Not asking his permission or forgiveness. Making it my own.

“Adeo. Adeo. Agero. Adepto.

Come. Come. Increase. Acquire.”

I could hear the rattle of Bran’s chains as he realized what was happening. I expected resistance, instead I heard his voice begging, “Don’t. It’s too dangerous.”

That nearly brought me to my knees. Powerful, arrogant warlocks did not beg.

Trust me
. I spoke to his mind, now, before the druid could enter mine.

Bran’s response should have soothed me, “I’m here with you. You’re not alone.”

But he was wrong. I’d do everything within my power to protect him. I knew that. But the timing had to be right. If I acted too soon against the druid he could destroy us all and find another way to bring forth Zaradian. If I acted too late … well, then it wouldn’t matter anyway. We’d all lose.

I strengthened my voice, tamping down the nerves and the doubt and the fears coursing through me. I could do this.
Please Great Spirits, help me do this
.

“Suscipio. Solvo.

Receive. Break free.”

I wove the words I’d promised my father I’d never use and each time I broke that promise there had been consequences.
Sorry, Dad.

“Singluaris. Praesentia presencia.

Free the power.”

Bran’s chains rattled as I heard his breathing increase, felt the pounding of his heart, the pulsing of his blood. His own magic rose to my call.

“I thee seek. I thee command. I thee bind.”

A heady rush of magic washed against me so strong that I braced myself against it.

I remembered this. This exhilaration. This nirvana.

Sabina gasped beside me and moved
farther away as if I burned.

I did. Like an energy vacuum I sucked from not only Bran but all the other non-human abilities around us, the Weres, Franco, even Sabina
.

Which is why she had to get out of here, grab Willie and Franco and beat feet down the hallway. Last time I’d pulled magic from preternaturals most of them died. I didn’t want that happening to my friends, but once the magic began calling to other magic I could only ride the swells. I didn’t control a damn thing.

I was the nexus of a freaking power vortex. Again.

The druid smiled at me. Understanding. Celebrating. He knew. Of all in this room he comprehended what power really meant.

“Yes, Alex, now is the time.”

He raised his gaze upwards. The room heated, degree by degree growing so hot sweat dripped from my face. I could taste the salt on my lips.

I followed his gaze, expecting to see the stone vaulted arch overhead. Instead, a funnel of wind whirled in colors of angry red and gray.

“Unleash the power, Alex. We need it now.”

I hesitated, fear locking my muscles, roaring through me.

“No, Alex
.” Bran’s voice.

“Now.” The druid’s arms shook,
lightning flashing from his fingertips, threading through the churning clouds.

I didn’t notice when he moved, reaching behind him with his free hand and pulling out a dagger, like mine only older, crafted from meteorite and molten materials. Fashioned from fire, cooled with incantations, aged in sacrifices and blood.

A cry erupted from my lips as he grabbed my left palm and turned it toward him. The slash of his dagger was swift and deep, blooding pooling until it trickled and dripped from hand to floor.

“Now, Alex,” he whispered. “Be who you are meant to be.”

A siren song for someone riding a power vortex. I reveled in the potency. Dangerous to everyone around. But not me.

“This is what you’re meant to do.”

Another voice had said that to me once. My mother’s. Now the druid’s.

Maybe they were right. Maybe now was the chance. One I’d avoided my whole life, playing by the rules, my father’s rules. To protect you, he’d say, to keep you from harm.

Or to keep me from this? My true nature.

I heard the plop, plop, plop of the blood, my blood. Black ma
gic I’d avoided my whole life. Yet here I wielded it as if born to it.

I raised my right hand to mirror the druid’s and
zeroed in. Thrice called, thrice to contain.

“As thou be, so now change.

Thought to image.

Image to bind.

Bind to blood let.”

I raised my head skyward, aware of the swirl of grit and the widening of a rent overhead. The seam. We’d opened a seam.

Stop, Alex. You’re going too far.

Bran’s voice again. I could feel him resisting, pulling back but like the psychic vampire I was I tapped deeper into his power. Feeding off it. Craving more.

“Come, Zaradian. We beseech you!” the druid shouted. “We are here to do your will.”

The rent widened, like looking deeper into a powerful waterfall, layer upon layer of mist mingling with darkness.

“Continere. Continere. Continere
,” I shouted, feeling free, truly free.

A crack of thunder answered me. A flash of white gold light. I heard the thud of the Weres crashing against the floor, their energies sucked dry while I felt I could go on for hours.

The druid spared me a quick glance. A grin of excitement making him look for an instant, just an instant, like the young man I’d first met.

Which made it even harder to do what I needed to do next. It all came down to choices. Not easy ones, or pleasant ones, but ones that had to be made.

An angry voice roared from the overhead void. “At last.”

It was prayer and threat and gripped me like an incensed hand around my throat.

“
Hemma, hanna, druia.”
The old words I spoke, hearing their echo through me. “
Hemma, druia, sanctum.”

I pulled forth more of Bran’s magic and made it my own, amplifying and expanding, hearing his heart slow as I taxed everything within him. Still I pulled.

Time slammed to a halt. My head roared, blood pounded behind my eyes, nerve endings jangled. The seam became a door, beckoning to the demon waiting on the other side. His impatience pulsed toward me. Demanding. A greedy nature already wanting more.

“No,” Bran’s voice came as a whisper, a good bye and I knew it was time.

I couldn’t reach my anathema. Not with the druid clasping my hand the way he was. What now?

Only one choice.

Dad, I hope you’re right, that this is the only way.

Grabbing the druid’s hand still holding his dagger I twisted his wrist and plunged
the dagger into my chest.