As if reading her thoughts, Laurie slipped a small pistol into her hand. “This is magically infused to hit threats to your life. It won’t miss, and it’ll give you time to get away.”
More tears threatened to fall, but she willed them away. She could do this. Shehadto do this.
She took the gun. “If you see River, help him, too.”
Joseph touched her cheek. “Of course.”
Laurie placed a hand on her lower back. “Come on. Let’s get you safe inside with the guards and children. I think I see Helena there as well.”
As they reached the entrance to the building, Joseph kissed her, and then Laurie, before both stepped away. Laurie winked at her. “Until later, my love. I expect to be rewarded handsomely for my bravery.”
Joseph rolled his eyes, but before Meadow could reply, they both gestured toward the great hall at her back. They watched until she was inside, then they disappeared into the smoke.
She didn’t have time to be sad or dwell on what-ifs because in less than a minute, Meadow was overseeing a large group of children and the elderly, with more fae witch guards around the perimeter than she could count.
Helena was also inside, speaking with one of the guards, as were some of the fae witch council.
She played with her training bracelet and kept an eye on the door. Part of her wanted to storm out and help Laurie and Joseph.
And yet, the rational part of her brain knew she didn’t have enough control over her powers to be of help in such dangerous circumstances.
But if it came to it, she’d do whatever it took to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves. And so she went over to Helena to see what she could do, and then readied herself for battle.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Laurie didn’t like leaving Meadow in the care of others. However, she didn’t have anything to protect against magical powers, like him and Joseph. Plus, this was the fae witch territory, and their guards would better know how to fight against magic, if it came to it.
Even though Laurie didn’t have magic, his advantages were strength and weapons. If a fae witch couldn’t use their magic against him, they became vulnerable. And he hoped it would be enough to survive.
No, ithadto be enough. Not just to ensure Meadow’s safety, but his brother was also out there somewhere in this chaos. While he wanted to save his brother because he loved him, he also had no desire to step up and lead the vampires of London, which his family had done for centuries.
As if reading his thoughts, Joseph leaned close and said, “Our first task is finding Leo and Khan. If something happens to either of them, it’ll ignite a war. One that’ll be far more dangerous to Emmy and all those we care about.”
“If we find Nora, I’m helping her, no matter if we haven’t found Khan or Leo, though.”
“Of course. But as hard as it’ll be, we can’t save them all right now, Laurie. Please tell me you understand that.”
“I don’t like it, but I know. And I’m definitely going to have a word with Khan later. So much for protecting his territory.”
“We’ll think about that later, once we discover who is responsible. For now, we need to watch each other’s backs and look for the leaders, your sister, and River.”
He nodded, and just like they’d done during their days on the streets, they each kept an eye on one side, ready to alert the other of any oncoming threat.
The previously happy and magical dance floor was gone, replaced by people running around or lying unconscious on the ground. As much as he wanted to check on them all, more would get hurt, or worse, if they couldn’t find the bastards who’d attacked and stop the threat.
So he forced himself to ignore the injured, trusting the others to take care of them, and tightened his grip on the pistol in one hand and the blade in the other. Since he and Joseph wore magical protection rings, their biggest threat was a physical ambush.
A sound of grunting garnered his attention, and he made out some shapes on the stage. He focused until he could see Leo and River trying to take down a fae witch with glowing hands. Nora was huddled as far back on the platform as she could go, her hands crossed protectively over her pregnant belly.
The sight snapped something inside Laurie. This time, he would help Nora. Never again would he allow her to be hurt.
After motioning to Joseph, he rushed the stage and jumped up. The fae witch with the glowing hands reached for him, but Laurie thrust his knife into the male’s chest, and he stumbled backward. The glow faded as the fae witch crumbled to the ground.
Leo breathed heavily as River went to Nora. Leo said, “Thanks, Laurie.”
Laurie retrieved his knife—the fae witch was dead—and nodded. “Maybe now you’ll listen to me about wearing a magic protection ring and ignore anyone who thinks it makes you look weak. But where’s Yesenia?”
“She was a few stalls ahead with Khan when the fighting broke out. Nora was in trouble, and Yesenia knows how to handle herself with her time-travel magic. She probably has them all in nets or something by now, and Khan probably has them clawing their eyes out to stop the nightmares.”
