Nell keeps her eyes closed, and I can feel tiny air currents form around her. She's trying to access her magic, concentrating like Sylara taught her.
“We're fine, relax,” I whisper, moving closer to her ear so possible microphones won't pick up my words. “I think the easiest thing would be to launch a joint attack on thelock, air and water, it doesn't seem too sturdy. A shame we don't have a window; breaking glass would be much easier.”
“Do you really think it'll be that simple to get out of here?”
“I'm sure of it,” I respond, taking her hand in mine to caress it. “You'll see.”
Nell smiles while I brush my thumb across her knuckles, but she seems to be waiting for something.
“Aren't you going to boost my magic like Sylara did?” she asks suddenly, lowering her voice.
Shit. It's not that I was enjoying it, she was expecting a power transfer. I feel like an idiot.
“Uh, yes, yeah, of course, that was exactly what I was going to do,” I lie, trying to maintain my composure. “I just got a little distracted.”
I concentrate and channel a small fraction of my elemental energy toward her. It's an intimate process, more than I'd like to admit. I feel the energy flow from inside me, through our hands, into her body. I don't know what Sylara felt when she did it, but for me it's aroused me much more than it should.
Though the sensation lasts too briefly because the door bursts open and Grigore Voronov enters with a strange smile, followed by eight of his thugs. In his right hand he holds a small object that hangs from a chain and produces a sensation like dizziness in me.
“Well, well, well. So in addition to thieves, we have magical creatures among us,” he murmurs.
I exchange a quick look with Nell, who's as confused as I am.
As if reading my thoughts, Voronov points to a medallion hanging from his neck. It shines with a faint bluish glow.
“A magic detector,” he explains with pride. “I acquired it years ago from a strange antique dealer. Cost me a fortune. It had never glowed like this until you entered my house, siren.”
I feel stupid, I feel the rage inside me, but my magic doesn't seem to respond.
“And this,” he continues, swinging in front of us the object he has in his hand, “this is much more valuable. I never thought it would work, but it does. It's incredible, I thought that crazy old man had scammed me, but it really absorbs magic.”
It's like an invisible hand is strangling me from within. I don't feel the connection with my element. A terrifying void forms where before was the comforting murmur of water. I extend my senses toward any particle of moisture in the air, but I only find silence.
It's such a violent sensation I have to grab Nell's arm to keep from falling to my knees.
Panic invades me, drowns me, I feel completely vulnerable. It's the first time in my life I don't feel magic.It's like they've ripped out a part of my soul. Like the entire ocean has disappeared, and I'm just a fish stranded on sand, drowning in air.
“They call it null stone,” he explains, arching his eyebrows with drama. “I acquire all kinds of objects with supposed mystical origins. Most are scams, of course, but some,” he pauses to shrug while opening his hands with pride, “some really work. Who would have thought!” he adds, letting out a laugh.
Nell is clearly as confused as I am, I watch as she struggles unsuccessfully to access her magic.
Voronov gestures with his chin, and one of his thugs grabs her roughly by the arm to lift her up.
“Let go of me, asshole,” she growls, trying to break free.
“That's no way for a lady to talk,” Voronov says with irony. “Especially one who has a lot to explain. What were you looking for in my safe?”
“I have no idea what you're talking about, idiot,” Nell responds, practically spitting the words.
The guard raises his hand to slap her, but I rise and place myself in between.
“Touch her and I'll rip your head off!” I scream.
“Tie them up,” he orders one of his minions. “And search them thoroughly, even if you have to take off all their clothes, but I want to know what they've stolen.”
Two of his thugs approach us. The first tries to hold my arms, but I meet him with a direct punch to the throat. Years in the ocean depths and training with Sylara and Althea have strengthened my muscles more than my size suggests. The man falls to the floor, gasping.
Nell opts for another type of method, no less efficient, and kicks the guard walking toward her in the crotch, who falls to the floor, writhing in pain. Unfortunately, two others immediately grab her.
