Our time would have continued like that if there hadn’t been a bang on the door. I shot to my feet, scared, but then I remembered we’d ordered food.
“That should be food,” I sang and went to open the door. As soon as my hand touched the doorknob, the door burst open, and the force threw me back, all the way through the closet door.
Groaning in pain, I sputtered dust out of my mouth as a scuffle sounded. I heard a familiar cry.
“Annie!” I gasped, scrambling to my feet and shoving the debris off me.
I shook as I took in who stood in front of me. Or what would be more accurate. A towering male stood clad in dark, baggy clothing, inching toward Annie. I couldn’t see his face because the hood he wore shadowed him.
“Stop,” I screeched. Its covered head went from me to Annie and back to me. Almost like it didn’t know which one of us to take. I tapped into my Fae speed and grabbed my new dagger.
He took a step toward me, and I trembled. With a quick motion, I threw it, aiming at its cloaked face. It embedded into his leg, instead, and I cursed. Without evening blinking, he gripped it and tossed it to the side. Whoever it was tensed and looked behind me with his head tilted. In the next instant, black wings erupted from his back, and he wrapped his arms around Annie. With a running jump, he went through the window, shattering it. Glass rained down everywhere.
“Annie!” I rushed after her with every bit of speed I had, preparing to lunge out of the window. I could only hope I managed to grab onto the winged thing’s legs before I plummeted to my death.
Before I could push off, a body bowled me to the side. Instinctively, I pounded at the broad chest above me, hitting for all I was worth. Roark’s voice finally registered, and I sagged.
“They took Annie,” I whimpered.
“I know,” he cooed and pulled my head to his chest.
“It was a thing. I think it was a demon. It had black wings,” I rasped.
“It was a gargoyle,” a second, male voice said.
Through my watering eyes, I saw a familiar form staring out the window. “Rian?”
I scrubbed my face, pushed Roark out of the way, and stood. As I approached Rian, he watched me with tightness around his eyes. My gaze bounced between Roark and Rian.
“Let’s go after them now,” I said, determination coursing through me.
“We can’t,” Rian said after breaking the tense silence. “I don’t know where he went, and the full moon is tomorrow night. Maybe after…”
My mouth opened and closed. “N-no?”
He didn’t look at me. Tears formed again and blurred my sight. My mind rushed as I tried to figure out what to do.
“No.” I shook my head. “No is not an option.”
I dropped to the floor and closed my eyes. Roark could go, and if I had to beg him, I would.
I opened my tear-filled eyes and focused on the bigger blur. “Roark.” I stopped when my voice cracked. “Find her, please.”
The blur knelt before me. Hands cupped my face, and I squeezed my eyes shut. His thumb wiped away tears. “Shh, Rae. I’ll do whatever you ask, but please don’t cry.” Roark sounded pained, and he crushed me to him. I gave in and clutched him close.
“We don’t have enough time. Conan told me we need a hallucinogenic so we’re able to see the goblins.” Rian sighed. “There are limited sources where we can acquire the powder.”
Roark tensed, and I looked up to see a sour expression on his face. “Don’t tell me it’s the damn lizards.”
“Yes,” Rian said grimly. “I spent the time running from werewolves. Conan had to steal powder from him after he refused to sell to a Fae.”
Powder? It sounded like some drug deal.
“By any chance was it Lucian?” Rian’s surprised gaze settled on Roark.
“How did you know?”
“I’ve studied him well,” Roark said, turning to me. “I know where he lives.”
“We can split up.” I was breathless with excitement as a plan began forming. “Rian can go search for Annie. Roark and I can go get the stuff and meet with the goblins.”
Roark exhaled, and I realized he hadn’t liked the thought of us separating but he’d been willing to do it for me.
Rian nodded slowly. “That works, but I wouldn’t know where to begin searching for her.”
“I have connections in this world,” Roark said, “Favors I’ve collected over the decades in search of answers on how to unbind magic. One is from a powerful witch that can practice blood magic.”
“You’ve been incredibly busy, Roark,” Rian said sarcastically.
I was surprised, too, but in the grand scheme of things, he’d been alive for a long time. Even if he came to the human world only once a year, it would make sense.
“You left me in charge of guarding the portals. I didn’t leave often, but I took advantage of the situation when I heard rumors.” Roark’s eyebrow flicked up, obviously not giving a crap what Rian thought. “She has a shop called Mystic in the French Quarter. You’ll have to take a portal to New Orleans. Tell her all three of her debts to me will be fulfilled if she helps you find Annie.”
Pulling away from Roark, I rubbed my sleeve over my eyes and approached Rian. “Thanks, Rian, and please hurry.”
I poked his chest and stifled my guilt at not being able to go with him. Sniffling, I went to the couch and clutched my head as a migraine started.
“I will return with her,” was all Rian said before he left with Fae speed, the door slamming behind him. I had no doubt he would, but I just hoped she was okay when he managed
