Guilt twisting at his stomach, Kit glanced at the building entrance. He’d made a huge gamble by letting her go in there by herself. If there was any chance of redeeming himself, it was by keeping Gentry alive.
Just then, his phone rang and he jumped. Not daring to take his eyes off the building for a second, Kit answered.
“We need to talk,” Mary said, his foster sister’s voice gruff and straight-to-point.
Shock nearly had him dropping the phone. “Really?” He’d been trying to make amends with her and the others for years, but all attempts had been ignored, at least by Mary. This was the first time he’d heard her voice in six years. Even when he’d tried to go see her in person, she’d merely glare and walk away. He couldn’t afford to waste time. “Look, I’m so sorry—”
“The kids are missing,” Mary interrupted, “we need your help finding them.”
“The kids— Kit forgot all about his apology and focused—“we saw them two days ago. We dropped them off with Nona.”
“Well it’s nice to know you didn’t even have time to walk them to the shelter, Kit. You know it’s illegal for Nona to do it. They never made it. The girl who works at the welcome center was supposed to call me when they did.”
Fuck. Kit’s body went cold at the news. Children were considered off-limits in Skadra. Sam and the others should’ve been safe. “Have you checked for witnesses yet?”
“We haven’t been able to find any. I’ve asked Nona to send over some hair samples so that we can hire a tracker, but that will take another day to arrive. Believe me, I wouldn’t be askingyoufor help unless there wasn’t any other choice,” Mary spat.
He winced. He deserved that. “I’ll help you find them,” he swore, “but first I have to get Gentry somewhere safe.” The magic-less girl had mentioned that her father had left her the key to his Underground apartment. It would have to do.
“We need your help now,” his foster sister growled, “Nona told me about the girl you’re hauling. You know, I was actually hopeful when I heard you’d broken up with that bitch Visha. But of course you went and got another girlfriend who’ll lead you by the balls. God, family meansnothingto you.”
Kit didn’t know what to say to that because, in a way, Mary was right. He was choosing a girl over his family again. Had he really changed so little?You don’t have a choice,he reminded himself,if you leave Gentry will die, and it’ll be your fault.He was the reason she’d escaped Mage Headquarters, all because he’d let Visha pull at his leash into almost committing a terrible act. Without him, Gentry would likely still be at the hospital, albeit miserable, but safe.
“So you’re not even going to deny it?” Mary asked, her tone shifting from angry to sad. “You’re really going to put this girl’s life above your little siblings’?”
Just as he was about to respond, Kit spotted a witch in the crowd who walked like a killer. Then two. Three. They were spread out in a triangular pattern, heading towards the building Gentry was inside.
“I have to go. I’ll find you and help today. Wewillfind the kids. I promise.” He hung up, wincing as he knew that Mary would likely be smashing her phone out of rage.
He stood up, frustration making the movement sharp. Every second he wasted dealing with these men was one he could spend looking for Benny, Amelia, Bea, Zaden… Their names and little faces flashed in his head in a mocking staccato. Many he’d held as babies, helped feed and changed diapers. He could remember Benny’s first steps.
And now they were missing in a city full of bloodthirsty covens.
If they were hurt, he’d summarily kill those responsible. Dump the corpses down a desert ravine where only the vultures circled.
No, they’ll be okay, they have to be.He repeated the mantra in his head as he picked out which man he’d kill first.
twenty-nine
Gentry
Excerpt from Gentry’s research notes:
4th notebook — page 1
Coven 1: The Weavers
The Weavers rule Skadra, and are most certainly crossed off my list of suspected hires for the Nethertons.
The Weaver leader Darisius is a hero of the War, and one of the longest-lived witches on record at an estimated age of 250 years old. Admittedly, it’s not unheard of for a witch to reach 180 years old, but they age. Darisius the Dragon Slayer doesn’t age.
Darisius established Skadra and led the witch unit during theWar at the behest of the human rebellion. He played a good game of pretending to be subservient, but once the last of the fae were destroyed, he negotiated the world we all know. His unit was awarded the war encampment of Skadra for their efforts, and he worked in the shadows to establish the Weaver coven of his most skilled witches. The government soon found its witches fleeing its ranks in droves to join the city.
The Weavers made Skadra invaluable by creating the Veil to control the wayward monsters, and banished all of those still loyal to the fae beyond it. More and more covens formed, and soon the city became a mecca of magical innovation.
While their power has fluctuated throughout the two hundred years of Skadra’s existence, the Weavers have successfully squashed all challenges, although their power struggle with the government is unending.
Added note from original entry, after confirmation that my life is tied to Drayer Netherton’s
