I ignored him. He pushed in front of me, blocking my way.
I snarled, seeing only an enemy. “I suggest you move before I move you.”
“You’re dead. If you go into the underworld, your powers are gone.”
“Do you think I don’t know that? And do you honestly think, even for a moment, that I would allow her to be taken and do nothing?”
I shoved him aside. Both balcony doors flew open and I launched into the sky.
27
Danica
Iwoke in a trunk.
Panic clawed at my chest and I slammed my fist into one of the taillights again and again until I managed to shove my hand through, cursing the heavy Naud Chains.
I waved a hand furiously at anyone who happened to be around, but I wasn’t hopeful. It was late enough that most people were asleep, and early enough that they hadn’t yet started commuting to work.
Ben would hand me over to Lucifer, and then he’d go into the Mage Council as if nothing had happened.
I kicked out with my good leg, smashing it into the roof. My breath came in sharp pants as my hands clawed at the trunk, searching fruitlessly for the emergency release.
Nothing.
Either they’d chosen this car for that reason, or they’d removed it.
My knee wailed at me, and as the car jolted over a bump I fought not to throw up again from the pain. It was now so swollen that there was no way I could relocate it myself.
I took a deep, shuddering breath and forced myself to quit panicking. Why hadn’t I told Samael I was heading to the Mage Council?
You just never knew when an insane mage was going to try to send you to the underworld.
Another deep breath. I counted to ten.
Okay. I’d been in worse positions before. I couldn’t quite remember when, but one thing was damned sure: I’d die before I let them hand me over to Lucifer.
That decision made it a little easier. There was no outcome where I arrived at granddad’s doorstep with cracked ribs and a dislocated knee.
If I ever faced him, I’d do it when I was at my best.
The Naud chains seemed to be draining me— not just magically, but physically too. I had a new empathy for Mella. I couldn’t imagine living with this for years. No wonder she’d gone nuclear in the library.
The car slowed and my heart pounded like a drum in my chest. I would’ve given my right arm for a single throwing knife.
The car stopped. Doors slammed. The trunk opened and Ben smiled at me. Then he stepped back and gestured for Wes to pull me out.
It wasn’t often that I regrettednotkilling someone, but I sure regretted it now. I cocked my good leg and kicked him in the face.
Wes cursed, cupping his nose. Ben rolled his eyes, shoving the other mage aside before slamming his hand down on my bad leg.
The edges of my vision went dim. Distantly, I felt myself falling to the ground. The landing jolted both my knee and my ribs, and the sheer misery sparked a fury so deep I was surprised the Naud chains didn’t break.
“How the tables have turned,” Ben said.
“Your hair charm is failing. I can see your bald spot.”
He frowned, and I managed to get my hands under me so I could sit up.
