“Oh no, this is far more fun. Watching you flounder and strain your little brain for clues amuses me. I’m in no hurry.”
In a huff of anger, I lunge at the figure, but I’m slammed back with a mere flick of their wrist. Stumbling, I rub my chest.
I narrow my eyes. “You’re going to pay dearly for this. I will have my revenge.”
“I’m positive you will,” the figure says. “In fact, I’m counting on it. I can’t be faulted for defending myself, now, can I?”
“By whom? The mortal court system?”
The figure laughs again, and again, I get that hint of something else behind the obviously fake voice. I’ve heard that laugh before, I’m sure of it.
“Can you at least tell me your name?”
“You already know it.”
As I suspected.
“Now what I want to know is what you’re up to down here? Who were you talking to?”
“Myself. What else is there to do?”
The figure says nothing, but I feel their gaze on me behind the magic shield. “It will do you no good. Even if you’re able to somehow summon your magic, I’ve made sure it’s blocked at every turn. You’ll have it back if and when I decide.”
I seethe with anger. “The least you can do is tell me how I’ve offended you.”
“You already know that too, Rune. I suppose you just need a bit more time to stew on it. Once you figure it out, oh, what fun we’re going to have as I destroy you.”
I scoff. “Oh, please. You may have a few tricks, but there’s no way you can take me down.”
“I guess we’ll see, won’t we?” The figure walks back toward the door. “You are being monitored at all times. Be aware of that.”
That can’t be true or they’d know Atlas was here. Whoever they are, they’re bluffing. I smirk and blow them a kiss on their way out. “Enjoy the show.”
They scoff. “It’s time you were pushed off your ivory tower, and I’m delighted to be the one to do it.”
They leave before I can say anything else. The door clangs shut behind them, and I slump against the wall, right into Atlas’s arms.
“Do you recognize them?” he asks.
I shake my head, dragging a hand through my unstyled locks. “No new clues, anyway.”
“They obviously have a history with you,” Atlas says.
I nod. “I just wish I could figure out how.”
“What do you think brought them down here? Your magic?”
I nod. “Yes, they felt it. It was very strong for a few minutes.”
“I noticed your tattoos. Do you know why it works?”
“Sex magic. It’s as old as time.”
His brow creases. “But…” He cuts himself off and shakes his head. “Okay.”
“Maybe your friends saw this house and can find it. It might lead them to where we are. Maybe we’re in the basement of a house.”
“Maybe,” he murmurs.
