Without waiting for her to say anything, I went into the toilets and made my way to the furthest cubicle. Going inside, I closed the door behind me and clenched my hands into fists. Magic tingled throughout me, the feeling unfamiliar. What was happening to me? Why did I suddenly feel weak?
Trying to shake the feeling, I took out the piece of paper that the ancient seer had given me.
You have the magic deep within you, never forget...
Pfftt... as if I needed reminding. Although, the longer I stood in the toilet, the weaker I felt. I obviously needed to eat chocolate to raise my blood sugar.
Taking several deep breaths, I steadied myself, ready to face the world again. There was one more author I wanted to meet before I left. I had only taken a break for two hours, allowing myself to indulge in my book world before I got back to the search for Brianna.
Opening the door, I came out into the bathroom. A rush of wind flew around me as arms grabbed my shoulders and forced me back into the toilet.
“Got her!”
Shoving back, I pushed against the bulk of a heavy witch whose dreadlocked hair flicked into my face, her hand following after. The sting of the slap made me punch her in the neck, forcing her to back off.
“Careful,” someone shouted from the main area of the bathroom. “She’s powerful.”
Kicking out, I grunted when my heavy boot connected with the woman’s shin. She moaned as she hopped, trying to reach me with her hands.
Taking out my dagger, I swiped towards her, catching her elbow. She howled as blood burst from the surface wound.
Reversing out of the toilet block, she held up her good arm and cast a freezing spell on me.
“Not going to work,” I forced through gritted teeth.
As ice travelled up my arms, I linked into the ley line, dragging up as much magic as possible. The ancestors were allowing me to use their magic to find Xvair, which meant they wouldn’t mind me using it to beat a few witch arses.
Using the magic that coursed through my veins, I incited a heat spell that caused flames to charge up in front of me. The fire stopped the others from reaching me at the same time as melting the ice on my body. As soon as I was free, I released the fire spell and rushed into the main bathroom.
Four witches stood side by side, the bigger one gripping her elbow. They glared at me, their stance strong and ready for a fight. What did I ever do to them?
“Gemma Abbott,” one of them said. “You’ve got a bounty on your head, and I’m going to claim it.”
The woman was tall, her bright blue eyes ringed with dark eyeliner. All of them were dressed in the Gothic style, leather and chains clanging as they moved side to side, hopping on their feet.
“And, who exactly has put a bounty on my head?”
The question was probably a stupid one considering I had many enemies. However, nowadays, I had no idea who was going to use the witch community against me.
The bigger girl thrust forward, growling at me. “The PFF, bitch.”
“And why doesn’t that surprise me?” I muttered, holding my dagger in front of me.
In a way, it did actually surprise me. Allowing the witch community to know about their desire for me made it impossible for them to hide their intentions. Surely, terrorist groups were supposed to do everything quietly so those higher up couldn’t interfere?
The four witches watched me, ready to make their move.
My energy drained out of me as I held my stance. Keeping my shoulders high, I forced myself not to show them my weakness. Were the ancestors taking my magic from me? Why would I suddenly lose my powers for no reason?
“They want you alive,” the main woman said.
Charging for me, she threw a fist, aiming for my face. Ducking under her, I planted my leg into the back of her knee and kicked hard. A snap resounded throughout the bathroom as she screamed. I had to use my fighting skills to take down the other three. It made me cautious, not wanting to risk them noticing my lack of magic. Any weakness would be used against me and reported back to the PFF.
“Come on, then,” I chanted as I moved beside the woman who now cradled her leg on the floor. “Who’s next?”
The one with a cut arm gestured for a tall thin girl with very short hair to come for me. She stepped forward gingerly before igniting a barrier spell around me. A circle of salt appeared around my feet, forcing me to stay within its bounds.
Pushing hard, I cursed as she came closer, her arm extended.
“Don’t hurt her,” the one on the ground said, sucking in a breath of pain. “We need her alive.”
Digging deep into the ley line, I tried not to panic when it stayed weak, the magic so very faint. It was as if I was dead again... well, I was, but dead without my link to the ancestral power. They must have cut it.
“I won’t go that easily.” Forcing my hand through the barrier spell, I grabbed the slim girl’s fingers, squeezing hard.
The bigger girl swiped a knife out of her leather jacket pocket. Coming closer, she flicked it over the top of my wrist, the blade biting into my skin.
Releasing the other witch, I sucked in a breath but made no sound. An Essex witch couldn’t easily be defeated. If she was, well... the ley line would be in danger from every witch in London.
My phone burst into noise. Snatching it out of my pocket, I answered, telling Dave where I was before he could speak. “There’s a bounty on my head and a bunch of witches are trying to capture me... Please come.”
Hanging up, I shoved my phone away before flicking my dagger gently in my good hand. It was
