“Yes.” Hunter set the grocery bag on the burned carpet. “Though getting pure silver alloy is tough. And you didn’t specify amounts of anything.”
In the end, we’d played metalsmiths and chemists, melting down Izzy’s grandmother’s serving spoons until the metals separated. Hunter gave Anu a shapeless gray blob about the size of a golf ball.
Anu pulled a large knife and began peeling the metal like an apple, dropping little shavings in a large circle. Intrigued, I wanted to know how the knife kept its edge when slicing metal. Perhaps it was magic, like the sword.
“The silver keeps the other dead from coming in. This is a transference, and we don’t want some random spirit jumping in where he’s not wanted.” Nigel’s expression was a haughty one—unusual for him. “He wouldn’t be qualified to do the job.”
The various ingredients handed over, me and Hunter stood off to the side, watching as Nigel and Anu laid things out, mixed others, and lit candles. I noted that the necromancer had Theo’s trick of producing a flame by snapping his fingers. Something I’d begged Theo to teach me. Hunter let out a small laugh. He’d seen it too.
Still watching the two working in the circle, I leaned closer to Hunter. “You think I’m handsome, huh?” I’d merely wanted to ease the tension, to maintain our camaraderie.
Hunter was quiet for another second or two before turning to me fully. “I think you’re the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.”
My breath caught in my throat. So much for teasing.
“Mr. Hunter, if you please,” Nigel said. “I need you here to hold this cup.” He pointed to a spot on the floor. Hunter moved away.
“Mr. Regge, you’ll be here.” Nigel pointed.
I didn’t move until the necromancer tugged at my arm impatiently, moving me into position.
“He says you must concentrate.” Nigel’s face became translucent for a moment. “This is my existence we’re saving here.” His foot stomped but disappeared into the floorboards without a sound. With an effort he withdrew it and placed it carefully on the floor. “Please save your gobsmacking for later.”
Anu tsked at Nigel, and the ghost fell silent. The wizard stood in the center of the circle, his hands held out, palms up as he murmured an ancient incantation. In front of him was a large antique vase. Not valuable but a nice home for a ghost.
Across the circle, my gaze locked onto Hunter. My palms tingled as my face grew hot. Hunter was the best friend I had in this world. And last night in the woods had been wonderful.
I wasn’t stupid. I knew I had a pleasant face. In the past, it afforded an advantage in talking my way out of trouble or making a sale in the apothecary shop or even to flirt with a noblewoman while I picked her husband’s purse.
In this new life, I’d given up thieving, and if a pleasant encounter with a bar patron led to more tips, I was not above it, but I was far from beautiful. My nose was too piggish, my cheeks too gaunt, and my sandy hair was neither blond nor brown. AndI couldn’t grow a decent beard to save my life. Still, the words made me feel… nice. Warm and good. And then Hunter’s gaze across the circle seared into me and warmth turned to heat, and my trousers seemed to shrink against me. Oh, bloody hell, I had to control myself. I focused on the necromancer.
Master Anu was trembling with effort, skinny arms up, a large medallion spinning in midair between his hands. The disk was maybe three inches in diameter, bronze or copper with some engravings I couldn’t make out. This must be the ancient tablet.
The room started to shake, candles flickering with an odd-colored light that spun up into swirls with the tablet. Nigel cried out as his body started to disappear completely. The vase wobbled on the floor.
Looking up, I saw Hunter’s gaze across the circle again, checking to make sure I was okay. I gave him a nod just as a crash sounded in the hallway. Both of us turned toward the noise.
A man ran past us, then doubled back and burst into the room, knocking Hunter aside. I only had a second to recognize him—the tattooed mobster—before the shavings on the floor scattered breaking the protective circle. The air crackled. I went after the tattooed man as Hunter grabbed Anu and pulled him to the side.
Julian Eskridge barreled through the opening, slamming into me. I rolled and swung toward his gut.
My fist hit solid muscle, but I heard a satisfying grunt. Hunter had righted himself and was scrapping with the first man. I swore as I grappled with Julian. We were about the same height, but he was built like an anvil and hit like a smithy.
In the background, Anu’s chanting continued. Hunter was holding his own with the tattooed man. His sense of timing making up for his slighter build.
The air in the room grew heavy with curses and grunts of effort. The walls shook, plaster dust filled the air again. I couldn’t get a full breath. The candles flickered and extinguished. The vase to be Nigel’s new home was knocked aside, rolling against a wall. A large painting, its frame and edges black with smoke damage, crashed onto the floor.
Eskridge pushed out of my grasp and headed for the door. Behind me, I heard Nigel’s disembodied voice. “Oh no. Oh no.” Then nothing.
“Philly PD.” Cobb roared as he burst into the room, blood dripping from his forehead. His big fist punched the tattooed man and rocked him back where he fell onto the vase, crushing it under him. “Grab the old guy,” Cobb yelled.
I scrambled up, grabbing for Eskridge and missing. Tattooed man shot at Cobb, the gun clicking harmlessly in his hand. After pulling the trigger twice more and getting nothing, he tossed the gun and bolted. Anu shrieked. Cobb swore. I jumped for the man and Julian.
A surge of power boiled through the room. The invisible force tossed Hunter against one wall, Cobb against another. I hit the floor and rolled as the entire hotel plunged into darkness.
My head spun, throwing sparks of light across my vision, a roar in my ears. Sluggish and stumbling, I got to Hunter. The smell of ozone and blood filled the air. Emergency lighting kicked on with a hum. Eskridge was gone, along with Anu. His henchman staggered down the hall, yelling after him. Cobb groaned and sat up. Hunter lay face up on the floor.
“HB? Bruce!” I ran my hands over his head, his torso, looking for wounds. I found nothing. Swallowing back a sob, I put my fingers to Hunter’s neck. My heart beat so loudly in my head it took me a minute, but it was there. A pulse. Faint but there.
