“Stay here,” he says, then walks to the window.
He lifts the glass and unlatches the shutter, then pushes it open.
“Careful,” I murmur as he sticks his head out.
“There’s a magical signature at the front,” he says as he comes back in. He closes the shutters and the window.
“I’ll get dressed,” I say. “Wait for me.”
He closes the door behind him and I quickly slip on sweats and a baggy sweater. Oscar is prowling at the front hallway, growling deep in his throat when I come out. It’s unlike any sound I’ve ever heard from him.
“Maybe you should stay up here,” I say to Bastian.
“I’m far more powerful in my hoard,” he says. “You should be the one staying behind.”
“But if it’s that warlock…” I trail off.
I don’t want to face him alone, especially if that explosion was aimed at my face. What was that? What kind of magic does he have?
Bastian assumes his human form and pulls a fresh shirt on. “If it’s the warlock, I will tear his head from his shoulders.”
I give Oscar a pat. “Stay here, boy.”
“Mreh-eh!” he replies, a hardy “no way.”
“Fine,” I grumble, pulling him up into my arms.
The warlock did seem concerned about Oscar and kept looking at his kennel with a wary glance. Maybe he’s allergic to cats.
Bastian goes first, looking left and right at the bottom of the stairs. He goes to the back door first and places his hand on the frame. It lights up with our joined magic.
“The protection spell is stable,” he reports.
We walk down the hall to the shop, my bare feet pattering on the freshly polished wood. I scritch Oscar’s neck to calm myself as we approach the door. I don’t need to see magic like Bastian does to know something is very wrong.
It’s a bitter scent in the air, like ozone. As if lightning struck here.
Maybe it did.
Bastian puts his hand against the door, and it glows with our joined magic, but it’s broken in several places.
“Compromised,” he reports. “He tried to get in, but my hoard protections rebuffed him. That was the explosion, one of my protection spells triggering.”
“Thank goodness it did,” I say. “How did he find us here?”
Bastian shakes his head. “He must have powerful tracking senses.”
“How did he find us the first time?”
“When I was outside on the dock that day, I was exposed. My hoard hides my magic signature effectively, allowing me to go unnoticed by most. But when I’m away from it, I’m obvious to anyone with magic sensitivity.”
“Do you think he’s still here?” I ask as I walk to the door.
“Unlikely. The defense he triggered would’ve left him injured and disoriented.”
Still, I feel compelled to check. Toknowif we’re safe right now.
I unlock the door and look outside.
