“They’re not soldiers,” Darick agrees. “They’ve never faced anything like this.”
The sound of someone clearing their throat nearby catches our attention. Lake approaches our small group, his expression grim.
“Gentlemen, a word?” He gestures toward the hallway outside. “In private.”
What now?
I exchange glances with Darick and Soren. Whatever Lake has to say, I doubt it’s good news.
13
Chapter 13
Kara
IwatchMarcus,Soren,andDarick follow Dad out of the room, their heads bent close in conversation. Marcus’s shoulders are tense – I can feel his agitation humming even though I’m trying to block it out. That’s a skill I’m definitely going to work on.
“What do you think that’s about?” Rowan asks, fiddling with her glasses.
“No idea.” I cross my arms, resisting the urge to peek into Marcus’s thoughts. Bad enough having this unwanted connection without actively using it.
A crash from the hallway snaps my attention away from the departing group. Glass shatters somewhere near the entrance, followed by shouts and the distinctive sound of vampire speed – that weird whoosh of displaced air.
“What the—?” Mom starts to say.
More crashes. Running footsteps. Someone screams.
My magic surges as I spin toward the door. This is supposed to be a secure location. Marcus’s pride and joy of a safe house with its sophisticated security system and loyal guards. Yet the sounds of fighting are getting closer.
“Shit!” someone blurts.
The door bursts open. One of Marcus’s security team stumbles in, blood streaming from a gash on his forehead. “They’re inside! Marlowe’s people—”
He doesn’t finish. A stake erupts through his chest from behind. His eyes go wide before he crumbles to ash, revealing three vampires in tactical gear in the doorway.
I raise my hands, ready to attack, power bursting between my fingers. Beside me, Rowan grabs Mom’s arm and pulls her back. The rest of our group – the few trusted allies we’d gathered – move into defensive positions.
“Well,” the lead vampire says with a cruel smile. “What do we have here? The Blackwood witches, all wrapped up like a present.” He runs a look over the rest of the group. “And so many more little bonuses.”
Seraphina’s eyes flash with defiance.
The lead vampire lunges at me with inhuman speed. I throw up a magical barrier, the air shimmering as his body slams against it. The impact sends vibrations through my arms, but I hold firm.
“Mom, get back!” I shout as more attackers pour in.
Power explodes around us – ice from Marina, wind from Zephyra, raw power crackling through the air. The vampires dodge and weave with preternatural grace, but they can’t avoid everything. One catches a shard of ice in the shoulder and howls.
“How did they find us?” Rowan’s voice rises over the din. She gestures frantically, her magic going wild and turning one vampire’s hair bright purple instead of whatever she intended.
God, Ro…not now…
A blast of energy rips through my barrier, forcing me to roll aside. The marble floor cracks where I stood. These vampires aren’t just fast – they’re wielding magic. Witch magic. That shouldn’t be possible unless…
“They’ve been drinking witch blood!” I warn the others, throwing up another shield as dark energy shoots toward Mom.
The fighting intensifies. Furniture shatters. Windows crack. Blood sprays across expensive art as Marina’s water whip catches a vampire across the face. But for every attacker we push back, two more seem to appear.
“The wards!” Zephyra shouts suddenly. “They’re still intact – they had to have access!”
