Viktor handed each of us impalement wood the size of a chopstick but with a pointy end. “If any Vampires approach you, do not let them see this or they will not let you get close enough to use it.”
I twirled the stick in my fingers. “If they can catch me.”
“One moment,” Viktor said, returning to the vehicle.
Shepherd’s window rolled down, and they exchanged words.
Claude rubbed his hands together. “I’ll run ahead to scale the wall and help you two over. I’m taller.”
Gem rocked on her heels, her eyes alight. “This is a little exciting! I feel like dancing and throwing up all at the same time. I wish you could come with me, Raven. We could be a team.”
“So do I, but Christian could still hear me this morning. Be careful in the house,” I cautioned her. “If something goes wrong, flare as hard as you can. I don’t know if I’ll feel it that far away, but if I do, I’ll come for you.”
Viktor rejoined us. “Wyatt is ready. Are there any questions about where to find the passageway in the garage?”
“No, I think we’re good.” I collected the long length of my gown and held it, the impalement wood in my other hand.
We took off the second Wyatt shouted “Go!”
Gem held the lead until Claude outpaced her. A Chitah in action was an impressive sight. I stayed on Gem’s heels, letting them run ahead since their outfits were camouflaged by the snow. When we reached the grove of trees, the snow thinned out to nothing. It forced me to slow down as I hopped over branches and dodged a bramble bush. There were too many fallen branches and shallow holes to flash through it. Gem tripped and hit the ground, but she caught up with me before I had a chance to look over my shoulder.
Up ahead in the distance, Claude had scaled the wall. When we reached him, he stretched out his arm and lifted us up. First Gem, then me.
When our feet hit the ground, loud booms sounded from the fireworks. Now in the open, we had to move our asses to the underground garage. A few scattered evergreen trees on the property shielded us, but being able to see the mansion and all the windows in the distance made me nervous. Our thundering footfalls were drowned out by the rhythmic booms and pops that sounded like a drummer boy in battle. The bright lights showered the sky ahead, many of the explosions filled with colorful smoke. They painted the gloomy clouds like oils on a blank canvas.
We reached the underground garage, surprised to find the door wide open. We had prepared to open them manually. The fireworks intensified, so deafening that I couldn’t hear my boot heels as I jogged down the ramp. Claude stopped at the workbench and went right to search for guards, as we had planned.
I went left toward all the cars. The garage wasn’t massive like a commercial building but was still impressively big. I carefully walked around a pillar, the impalement wood tight in my fist. Was anyone hiding in here? The overhead lights were on, making it easy to see. I got on my hands and knees and looked underneath the van and surrounding vehicles.
No feet.
Gem flashed past me and checked behind each pillar. When she reached the far end, I hopped up and searched for Claude.
Striding toward us, he gave a thumbs-up.
I had to give Wyatt credit for knowing someone who could set up an entire fireworks show on short notice. A whole crew must have worked through the night. It sounded like a war out there.
When we reached the back corner, Claude pointed out something we’d never noticed. How often do you really stare at a wall? I’d never even walked to the end of the garage since there was nothing to see. When I got up close, I noticed the grout was darker around certain tiles, forming the shape of a narrow door. Viktor couldn’t remember how many tiles up the trigger was, only that it was against the corner. I pushed three tiles before locating the switch that opened the door.
Claude cradled Gem’s head in his hands and bent over until their foreheads touched. They had a special bond as partners, and it must have killed him to stay behind. After a silent exchange, she stepped inside and quickly turned back, a wavering look in her eyes.
I pulled a dead leaf from her tangled hair. I wanted to tell her I had faith in her. If anyone could save Hunter, it was Gem Laroux. But we were restricted from speaking until we had him out of the house.
Go, I mouthed.
When she disappeared, we waited, uncertain how this mission would end.
* * *
Gem walked swiftlythrough the narrow passageway. She focused on her fluctuating energy levels so she wouldn’t overload and black out. If a Mage couldn’t control their emotions, their energy would turn into a vacuum. Aside from that, Sparrow might sense any leaked energy and would know he wasn’t alone. They only had one shot to get Hunter, and if they failed—ifshefailed—Sparrow might do something unthinkable. Thanks to her dress, she could see a few steps ahead and behind. It took her mind off the tangle of cobwebs and creepy-crawlies that were scurrying into small crevices. She understood why Viktor hadn’t mentioned this passageway. If any of their enemies ever charmed them for information, the worst thing in the world would be to give them a secret way inside.
Gem loved speed. She was always racing the others around the mansion. And now it mattered. She’d memorized the hallways, so every turn was planned in her head. But her worst fear? Running into a Vampire.
That made her clutch the impalement stick even tighter.
Vampires. Of all Breeds, why did it have to be Vampires?
After what felt like the longest walk, she reached a heavy door. Instead of a knob, it simply had a handle. First she pulled, and then she pushed.
