Surging to her feet, Helen came for me. Her guttural cry echoed around the cell as she tackled me, sending me to the ground. The stool clattered loudly in my ears as I spun the vampire off me. Her long fingers wrapped around my ankle, her sharp nails digging into my skin.
“Do you really want to do this?” I huffed as I gripped her hand, sending electric magic straight into her nerves.
Gritting her teeth, she let me go and clasped her hand between her thighs where she laid on the floor.
I got to my feet and looked down at her, surprised that the guard hadn’t come back to the room.
“You’re so frustrating.” The spiteful words were followed by a smirk.
“What do you have against the Essex witches? Why are you so determined to bring me down?”
I had never personally known Helen Cambridge or her husband. Their vendetta against those who protected the ley lines was out of control. They were power hungry, seeking to use the magic of Mother Earth for themselves.
“You know why. I don’t need to go into any more detail. You agents think that you’re amazing, above every creature from the underworld. You don’t see what it’s like for us out there. Reality is very different from your little cosy agency building. We’re determined to help those who cannot help themselves.”
Slowly rising to her feet, Helen went to the bed and slumped on the edge. Her eyes were distant as she stared at the floor.
“Do you know the whereabouts of my friend Brianna?”
Shaking her head, Helen bit her lip as she looked at me. “No, but I do know that Xvair Harvey will do anything to get his hands on a baby conceived by you. I have no doubt that he has your friend.”
Closing my eyes briefly, I felt into the ley line, almost jumping when the strong surge of heat tickled the soles of my feet. The bastard had a lot to answer for, and I would make him pay. I was sick of hearing his name.
“So, you’re saying that you tried to persuade Brianna to lead me into a trap? That’s what was said on the phone call?”
Tilting her head to the side, Helen studied me, her blonde hair bouncing slightly. “Yes, that’s exactly what happened.”
“And the equinox. What the hell has the PFF got planned?”
Placing my hands on my hips as I stood, I waited to hear what the vampire had to say. Fighting two enemies at the same time was not helping my cause. Especially now that I had less power. My sabbatical wasn’t hindering me as much as I had thought it would, but I still didn’t have enough access to my team.
“Let’s just say,” Helen said quietly. “Xvair Harvey has promised us a way to untie you from the ley line. He might not be an official member of the PFF, but he certainly has the same interests as us.”
It wasn’t a surprise to hear that the Essex witch who was determined to stay alive was making plans with a terrorist group who were determined to disconnect me from the ley line. My heart sank into my stomach as sweat lined my palms. In every book, there was a battle, a time to dig deep to find the courage to keep going.
“You haven’t exactly given me much information,” I said, going towards the door. “I’m not sure I can grant your request.”
The vampire was on her feet, hands clasped in front of her. “Wait please, I can help you.”
Looking over my shoulder as I banged on the door, I raised my eyebrows. “Go on.”
Helen’s chest moved as she inhaled, her eyes meeting mine with confidence. “Xvair Harvey will only live until midnight on the equinox if he doesn’t find a major source of magic. You, my dear, are a perfect link to what he needs to survive until your baby arrives.”
Chapter 4
The sound of the door opening sent a chill down my spine. Wiping my hands on my book T-shirt, I took the steps needed to meet my fate. Other people pushed and shoved, causing me to snarl in their direction.
“I can’t believe they’re holding the first annual fantasy book convention in a church,” the girl next to me spoke excitedly to her friend.
Forcing my way through the crowd, I slipped inside the tall shadowed building. The stained glass above the altar allowed sunlight to cast rainbows on the stone floor. The pews had been removed, making way for tables and chairs. It was quite ironic that a book festival focused on paranormal creatures was being held in an ancient church. It was no longer used for its first purpose, although most aspects still remained.
“Tickets please,” a man asked as we filtered through security.
Waving my hand over my dagger, I cast an invisibility spell. When they asked me to open my jacket, all they could see was the writing on my T-shirt.
“Reading a book is the new meditation. When I read, I zen.” The guard chuckled as he waved me through. “Some of these people really make me laugh,” he told his friend.
Had he just dissed my book world? Did he just laugh at my T-shirt? Waving my hand, I giggled to myself when the security guard’s hat flew off and landed with a thump behind him. It was an immature spell, not really making me feel any better. However, when the man looked up at me, he winked. Did he know that I was a witch?
Leaving the entrance area, I approached the author that I was there to see. He had created a world far beyond reality. A world that would have been far better than our own. The series had got my blood pumping as I’d read it. If only I could write the tales that he did.
“Excuse me?” A female voice got my attention.
Glancing at the shorter woman, I licked my lips as I felt into her energy. She was an
