Realization dawned on Mom and she shook her head. “It didn’t. Declan and Bogdan are strong enough to affect your world. They have just enough magic for that.”
“Which is why they haven’t killed each other yet,” May said.
Mom was solemn. “They hate each other but need each other. The second they believe they don’t need each other any longer, one of them will kill the other.”
“I still don’t understand how they created the symbol on our plane,” I said.
“The wall between worlds is thin,” Mom replied. “Very thin. If someone is strong enough, determined enough, they can open doors.”
I bobbed my head. “I know a woman who can plane jump withplans to move to the island. She has a friend who can open doors. It’s all very intimidating.”
“It shouldn’t be.” Mom shook her head. “They have a different skill set. Your skill set is likely still forming.”
“They have four elements magic,” May said. “They’re all growing. Together, they can do anything.”
“I can’t wait to learn more.” Mom smiled. “We have to get through this first.”
The words were barely out of her mouth when noise on the bluff overlooking our position drew my attention. I went ramrod straight when a large man, a magical shadow trailing behind him, appeared.
“Well, well, well,” he drawled. He looked tickled to see us. “This is a surprise.”
“Declan,” Marjory said grimly, her hands clenching into fists at her sides.
Declan searched every face in turn, lingered on Lilac and me for a moment, then returned to Marjory. “Do I know you?” he demanded. Before Marjory could answer, he came up with his own answer. “You’re the shifter who locked me away.”
“One of them,” Marjory agreed. She didn’t cower in front of him, even though she had few powers to protect herself. I’d never even seen Marjory shift. If she did, her wolf form would be no match for Declan’s power.
“And you were there.” Declan glowered at May. “The only thing I regret is that I didn’t get to mete out my justice when you were alive. I really wanted you to feel it.”
Lilac unleashed a ball of fire at Declan, catching his left shoulder and forcing him back two steps. She lifted an eyebrow when he snarled. She hadn’t even conjured her hellfire weapons yet.
Declan bared his vampire fangs and studied Lilac with fresh eyes.
“I know you,” he said in a low voice.
Lilac didn’t respond.
“You came to my house. You were a child then, but I felt your magic.”
Lilac cocked her head.
“We’re not here to provide you a way back to our world,” Galen said. He wasn’t the strongest member of our team, but as Moonstone Bay’s sheriff, he was our best diplomat.
“I don’t really care what you want,dog,” Declan hissed.
“We need something from you,” Galen continued as if Declan hadn’t spoken. “If you help us, we’ll put you out of your misery so you don’t have to keep living in this unholy place.”
I had to hand it to Galen. He made it sound like a quick death was a good deal.
“You really think I’ll take that offer?” Declan scoffed.
Galen shook his head. “I still thought I should make it.”
“I don’t need to kowtow to you,” Declan replied. “I have everything I need here.” His eyes gleamed as they bounced between Lilac and me. “More than enough.”
I recognized what he was going to do before he launched his attack and threw up a reflecting shield to protect those around me while sending his magic back at him. Lilac withdrew her hellfire weapons from her core. She was quick with her magical fire swords, and as Declan dodged the return of his own magic, she slipped in under his defenses and stabbed him in the stomach.
Declan gasped, his eyes going wide in dumbfounded disbelief.
