The lights flickered again, more violently this time, plunging the apartment into darkness for a few terrifying seconds before reluctantly returning. In those seconds, I swore I saw something move in the shadows near the elevator, a darkening of already dark space, a shifting that shouldn’t have been possible. I backed away from it, bumping into the kitchen island. My hand fumbledblindly behind me, searching for anything that might serve as a weapon. I came away with a heavy marble mortar that Magnur used for grinding herbs. Not ideal, but better than nothing.
My eyes remained fixed on the spot where I’d seen movement, but nothing materialized. Just shadows and the continuing irregular rhythm of the failing wards. I couldn’t shake the sensation of being watched, of something pressing against Magnur’s protections from the outside, testing for weaknesses.
Or had it already found its way in?
The protective hum dropped several octaves, became arrhythmic and jarring. Whatever magic sustained the wards was being actively disrupted, and I had a sinking feeling that Magnur himself was in trouble. If his magic was tied to these protections, what did their failure mean for him?
I had a decision to make. Stay put as instructed, where at least some protection remained, or go find out what had happened to Magnur. The wards gave another sickening lurch, the vibration dropping to almost nothing before briefly resurging. If they failed completely, I would be alone and unprotected in this penthouse anyway. Better to act while I still could.
I set down the mortar and moved purposefully toward Magnur’s bedroom. If I was going into potential danger, I needed clothes more substantial than my pajamas. I quickly changed into a hoodie and leggings before slipping into a pair of sneakers.
I grabbed his car keys from the silver dish by the door where he’d dropped them earlier. Magnur’s car was a sleek black thing that probably cost more than my entire year’s salary but it would get me to my apartment faster than waiting for a rideshare. The parking garage was only an elevator ride away, and whatever was happening to the wards didn’t seem to be affecting the building’s power system yet.
I stepped into the elevator, pressing the button for the parking garage. As the doors closed, cutting me off from the relative safety of Magnur’s home, a shiver ran down my spine. The elevator began its descent, numbers ticking down on the digital display. I used the time to scroll through my contacts, thumb hovering over “Leon“—the club owner whose number Magnur had insisted I save “just in case.” This seemed like exactly the kind of case he’d meant, but what would I even say? “Hi, we met briefly at your sex club, and now I think my demon mate might be in trouble“?
Maybe after I assessed the situation myself. If things were truly dire, I’d call. But first, I needed to see what I was dealing with.
The thread pulsed weakly as the elevator neared the garage level. I closed my eyes, focusing on it, trying to send strength and determination through our connection.
“I’m coming,” I whispered as the doors slid open to reveal the concrete expanse of the underground parking area. “Hold on.”
I stepped out, keys clutched in my fist, every sense heightened with that terrible cocktail of fear and adrenaline. I moved quickly, scanning the rows for Magnur’s black car while fighting the sensation that something wasn’t right. I clutched the keys tighter, the metal edges biting into my palm. The fob had a panic button. One press and the car alarm would scream through the enclosed space, possibly attracting attention from other residents. It wasn’t much, but it was something.
Three rows in, I spotted Magnur’s car, relief flooded through me as I quickened my pace. Just get to the car. Get to my apartment. Find Magnur.
That crawling sensation intensified, spreading from my neck down my spine. I stopped abruptly, turning in a slow circle to survey the garage. Nothing but concrete pillars and silent cars. Still, I couldn’t shake the certainty that I wasn’t alone.
“Calm down,” I muttered to myself, resuming my path toward Magnur’s car with renewed determination. “This isn’t helping anyone.”
“Jade.”
The voice made me freeze, I pushed down the immediate nausea hoping for a moment that I’d imagined it. Slowly, I turned toward the sound.
Trevor stood half-hidden behind a concrete pillar, his familiar silhouette stepping into the harsh fluorescent light. He looked terrible, hair disheveled, clothes wrinkled like he’d been wearing them for days, eyes too bright with an energy that seemed almost manic.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” I demanded, my voice echoing in the cavernous space.
“I just want to talk.” He stepped closer, hands raised in a gesture of peace that did nothing to soothe the alarm bells screaming in my head. “You’re making a mistake, Jade. With that...thing. That monster.”
My finger inched closer to the panic button, but something told me that help wouldn’t arrive quickly enough if I pressed it.
“The only mistake I made was wasting all those years with you,” I said, keeping my voice steady despite the fear churning in my gut. “Leave me alone, Trevor.”
“You don’t understand what you’ve gotten yourself mixed up in,” he insisted, taking another step toward me. “These creatures aren’t what they seem. They’re dangerous, manipulative. They’ll use you and throw you away.”
I almost laughed at the irony, Trevor accusing anyone else of being manipulative. “Sounds like you’re projecting,” I replied, edging sideways toward the car. “Now get out of my way.”
“I can’t let you go back to him.” Trevor moved faster than I expected, blocking my path to the car. “I’ve been watching you, Jade. I know what’s happening. I know what he is.”
“Move,” I ordered, stepping forward with far more confidence than I felt. “Now.”
For a moment, it seemed like he might actually listen. Then his hand shot out, grabbing my upper arm. “You’re coming with me,” he said, his reasonable tone evaporating completely. “We need to talk somewhere private.”
I reacted instantly, muscle memory from the self-defense classes I’d taken after leaving him. I twisted my arm in the direction of his thumb and simultaneously drove my knee up toward his groin. He managed to turn just enough to avoid the full impact, but I broke his hold and staggered back.
“Don’t touch me!” I shouted, hoping someone, anyone, might hear. “Help! Someone help!”
Trevor lunged for me again, his face contorted with rage now, all pretense of calm rationality gone. “Shut up!” he hissed. “You’re making a scene.”
