“And leave the prison unguarded?” she balked.
“That’s what the orders-”
“And when the prisoners escape, what will Master Magnus say when we were both dicking around at a party?” she threw back, an angry eyebrow raised. “I’ll take my chances and air on the side of caution. Now, keys.” She outstretched her hand.
The vampire was still questioning but gave a small shrug. “Fine. It’s your neck.”
He dropped the iron keys into her palm and stalked off, down the hallway.
She watched him walk by, just as confused and perplexed as he’d been. Why would Magnus ever order the prison to remain unguarded? And what was the deal with the midnight deadline?
A feeling of unease rooted inside of her, and she moved quickly into the prison. It was the same as Xander’s, more or less, with rows and rows of thick dirt and rusted metal cells and a variety of torture implements glinting in the torchlight.
She spotted Reykon at the end of the row, hanging in chains. A quick glance confirmed that there were no other prison guards. Her fear deepened.
“Reykon!” she hissed.
His head snapped up.
He’d seen many, many better days. But his dark eyes were still clear and focused. She found the key and put it in, cranking on it. She’d forgotten these cells were made to be operated by vampires, and it took just about every ounce of strength she had to get the lock turned.
“What are you-”
“There’s no time. Something’s going to happen,” Lucidia said, climbing on a crate and unfastening his manacles. He fell against the ground, groaning, but quickly picking himself up.
“What time is it?” he demanded.
“11:58,” Lucidia said, glancing at her watch. “Why?”
His eyes drilled into hers. “It’s happening at midnight.”
Lucidia’s own eyes widened, and she gave a tight nod. “Everyone’s gathered in the grand hall. Magnus is going to try to attack the other houses, but I don’t know how.”
They raced into motion, moving quickly to the door. “Magnus is going to activate something inside of Robin,” he said. “Calliope is going to turn her.”
“Into what?” Lucidia hissed.
“I don’t know. Something new.”
The fear renewed inside of her. Just as they were about to clear the prison cells, a voice called out to Reykon.
“Ivan?” he asked, turning around.
“We don’t have time!” Lucidia said.
The vampire rose from his bench. Lucidia recognized him from diplomatic missions – he used to be Magnus’s captain of guard.
“I can help you,” Ivan said, pressing against the bars. “I know what he’s planning. That’s why I’m in here- I tried to stop him.”
Lucidia handed the keys to Reykon, her muscles twitching to get moving. She checked her watch. Only one minute until midnight.
Chapter 13: Rescue
Robin
As the clock struck midnight, Calliope had opened all the doors to the balcony. Cold, crisp air flooded the room and sent the candlelight into a frenzy. The dress, which was only a single layer of thin white silk, did nothing against the wind.
Magnus walked in, dressed only in a red tunic and pants, devoid of his usual robes or sword. His eyes blazed as they raked over Robin.
“Stunning,” he whispered, moving closer.
Calliope had released her from whatever controlling spell she’d used, and now Robin took a step back, moving away from the vampire.
Calliope returned from the balcony and looked at both of them. “It is time.”
Robin’s heart started hammering inside of her chest. She was trapped, cornered, and now Magnus approached her. The wind had picked up just in the past few minutes, and now seemed to be roaring inside of the room.
She saw that Calliope’s necklace was glowing, and in horror, she realized that the ceremony she’d been dreading with every fiber of her body had already started.
“No!” she gasped, as Magnus’s hands encircled her arms. He dragged her with ease to a circle in the middle of the room, where markings on the floor had started to glow in the same vibrant turquoise shade as Calliope’s amulet.
Robin’s wrist ached under Magnus’s grip, iron against her. He pulled her closer.
Calliope had started chanting now, in streams of words that made no sense to Robin. She couldn’t focus on the spells, anyway. She was too distracted by the vicious vampire in front of her. His eyes were nearly mad with hunger and desire, and it made her heart pound even further. Adrenaline coursed through her as the wind picked up again, racing through the room and blowing out the candles.
Everything was washed in darkness, and the shadows seemed to become tangible, crawling over the walls. Robin tore at Magnus’s hands, but his wicked smile only deepened.
After a moment, Calliope stopped chanting and dropped her arms. She selected a small blade from her sleeve and an ornate metal bowl from the table, walking over to them and facing Magnus first.
“Are you prepared to follow through with this?” she asked him, her face grave in the shadows.
“Yes,” he hissed. “Do it.”
“Once I combine these, then it shall be done, and the weapon will be made.”
Magnus’s eyes flared and he grinned at Robin, leaning closely so that his lips were against her ears. “I think I will decimate House Xander first, don’t you agree? We can take out Darian and your father in one go.”
Robin cried out in frustration, and Magnus pulled back, watching as Calliope sliced his wrist and let the blood pour into the chalice. She turned to Robin next.
Her amulet was burning blue-green in the shadows, and Robin saw what true evil her eyes held. The power coursing through the witch’s fingers was immense and sent a shiver racing through her.
She sliced Robin’s wrist, and Robin let out a cry of pain, trying to pull her arm back. Magnus held it in place, his breathing ragged at the sight of her blood. She saw the look on his face and knew that it was taking every ounce of control he had not to rip her neck in two.
Calliope took the bowl and said a few words over it, combining
