Chapter 27 #2
But I have a plan. One so crazy that it has to work, that our desperation will make work.
I have no choice. I will not give up Lucas and I will not let Dimitar get away with what he’s done to Jinx.
My gaze slides over to the ghoul holding the iron box, then Ivan standing stoically beside them, and back to hover over Dimitar.
Revenge burns through my blood as I step beside Valen. “What about a different deal?” I smile slowly. “One with me?”
Lucas spits an enraged hiss. “What the fuck are you doing?” And it only manages to pique Dimitar’s interest.
The Amur’s eyes glimmer, dilating like a cat gazing upon a meal. His gaze follows my body and disgust makes me shiver. “I’m sure there are many things we can agree to, my sweet enchantress.”
I resist gagging. Lucas is on edge beside me and I know he’s about to lose his ever-loving mind, which is exactly why Dimitar did it. I keep my composure. “I think you’ll find my offer hard to resist.”
His purr is a deception, a trap for a lesser woman. “I’m sure.” He saunters forward. Power from his token ripples with each movement, his human form straining to remain. His fangs glint even longer. “Tell me.”
I take a steadying breath and meet him halfway, perfectly evading Lucas’ swiping hand.
Valen’s gaze snaps to me, but the only hint of his tension is his jaw flexing.
I’m mere inches from the deadliest magician token in the country and I give the man who mastered it a slow once-over.
“What if I can offer you something worth much more than money?”
He huffs a laugh and my spine crawls. “You do think highly of yourself.” His hand lifts and his thumb strokes my jaw. Awareness of a deadly claw below the surface tightens my body and he adds, “Though you are much nicer to look at with your hair like this.”
Lucas snarls and surges, but Valen catches him. Dimitar’s gaze flicks to them and sadistic glee glints. Valen hisses something harshly to Lucas, probably telling him to shut the fuck up or he’s going to force Dimitar’s hand.
I struggle to keep my face relaxed when Dimitar runs his blunt fingers through my hair and watches the coppery strands slip free like water. He catches the ends and brings them forward to enjoy my scent. He smirks when an enraged low sound tears through Lucas’ throat.
I smile. “Oh, you’ll love this.” I free my hair from his fingers. “I have something that will bring the Archweaver and Vincentius Bauer to their knees to get their hands on.”
That gets his real attention. Those yellow eyes snap away from enjoying Lucas’ writhing. He scans me in a slow, calculating way.
I tilt my head back, smugness making me bold. “In case you weren’t aware, civil war has broken out within the weavers: Atticus versus Vincentius. One will win and have control over the Astrum Order. Both need this thing I have.”
I offer a prayer that this works and continue, “My grimoire, which holds the key to a little deadly problem they’re facing.
And I’m willing to trade it for your cooperation and release of my familiar.
” I wave offhandedly. “And, of course, clearing all this nasty talk of money. A clean slate after this exchange, including the upcoming tithe.”
The only tell is the stillness that follows my statement.
Like a tiger that’s spotted its prey. Dimitar’s gaze sweeps me once more.
“How interesting. Your grimoire is something I’d be interested in trading for.
But the exchange is not balanced. I’ll take the money that Valentin Bauer is offering as well as the grimoire and let Lucas go free. ”
“Oh no, no, no. Dimitar, please!” I smile too wide, my eyes flashing. “This is what I do. Don’t think I don’t know what this grimoire is worth. I’m offering you something that two of the most powerful weavers will sell their souls for. The leverage you’d have over the Order is immeasurable.”
Dimitar takes a slow breath, his eyes narrowing. He steps closer until our chests nearly brush. My head has to crank back to maintain eye contact. His voice has a hint of a growl to it that raises my hair. “And what makes you so sure of its worth?”
“Because within it is the only record of the curse plaguing the Archweaver, something that will infect Vincentius if he seizes control of the Order. Something they need if they have any hope of breaking it.”
His eyes flare, confirming that he knew my father wanted something of mine, but not what or why. “And what makes you so sure?”
My voice dips to a seductive drawl. “Because I’m the one who cursed them. What do you say?” I hold out my hand, magic humming in my palm. “Do we have a deal?”
Dimitar laughs and it’s a deep, unnerving sound.
I prepare to dive back if he lunges forward to rip out my throat.
He beams at me, stepping back. “You got yourself a deal.” And his hot palm closes around mine in a crushing grip.
His magic stings me and mine flares in response.
Little tendrils of electricity crackle up his arm. “Fetch me this grimoire.”
Valen’s gaze burns into the back of my skull. He knows what I do: that I must have the grimoire to tease the parasitic curse from my soul. Otherwise, my soul will be ripped from me when someone else reverses it.
I smile innocently. “Of course. It’s in my vault.” I nod towards the curtain. “In the basement.”
Dimitar’s eyes narrow, his hand tightening around mine. He smells a trap, but its nature is still a mystery. I keep my smile unwavering, but my eyes dance and a giggle threatens to bubble up. Adrenaline pumps in my veins and I feel heady.
His tongue clicks. “Your basement?”
There are rumors about that place. It wouldn’t be the first time it was my escape room from the dark things I do business with. I hum. “Yes.” A bubbling laugh escapes. “You don’t think I’d keep something so valuable out in the stacks, do you?” My fingers are numb, but I don’t complain.
Dimitar’s jaw clicks. “Lucas will stay up here while you get it.”
“Naturally.” My smile widens. “Lucas and Valen will stay here… and I’ll go down.”
His eye twitches. “I’ll accompany.”
“Of course.”
My glee is throwing him; he can smell my deceit. His gaze flicks to our joined hands. Our magic sealed the deal. I must give him the grimoire. His yellow eyes bore into mine. He also knows I’m a slippery creature.
I go to step around him. “Shall we?”
His tight hold on my hand prevents me from moving far and he forces me back before him. He leans down and that growl is back in his voice. “If you fuck with me, I’ll shred Lucas slowly, piece by piece, and send Valentin to his father without a heart.”
I hum seductively. “I love it when you talk dirty to me. Follow me, Amur. I have what you need in the darkness.”
I’m enjoying myself too much. We may die in the next few minutes; might as well play with my food beforehand. I pretend to smell him, stretching up on my toes. “Don’t tell me you’re scared of one weaver? You’re so…” my eyes dip down, my head tilting, “big.”
His eyes flash and his lip curls in a snarl. He can’t figure out where the trick is and his anger is my catnip. I smile viciously and hold my ground.
His voice is deeper, rumbling unnaturally. “We’re all going down with you. Lucas, the fucking Bauer spawn, my men, and the box.”
I pause like I’ve been caught out, letting him think he’s achieved the upper hand. “Alright, then. If you’ll follow me?”
Dimitar releases my hand and I step around him. I refuse to look back at Valen or Lucas. Their opinions don’t matter now. I’ve made my choice.
I make my way to the back room, my fingers flexing as I fight the urge to slip my hand inside my pocket to confirm that the Amulet of Acerabus is still hidden within.
The doorframe comes in handy as I squeeze past the ghouls, my hip tilting so that the wood presses the shape of the amulet against my thigh.
I hold my breath, but it’s no use. The ghouls’ putrid stench is everywhere, especially in the small room where they were waiting for me. I gag and press the back of my hand to my mouth. Fucking ghouls.
For the first time in a week, I step before my basement door.
Instead of its usual scan of me, it shudders under all the extra protections I placed on it.
The chains glint in the magical window’s light, the blood still fresh like I only recently strengthened the magic.
My fingers tremble before I curl my hands into a fist.
I pray that The Arachnomicon isn’t sitting directly on the other side, waiting to eat me the moment the door opens. I’m making a massive gamble, one that has to pay off or we’re all fucked.
I glance back. Ivan is behind me, his brown eyes trying to warn me not to do anything stupid.
He’s always been professional with me, and it fostered a mutual respect.
I appreciate that about the magician. Dimitar is with Valen and the ghouls are with Lucas.
The iron box is last, and I only let my gaze linger on it for a second.
I’m coming, Jinx.
The seal ripples free and the chains click apart.
The iron stings my palms and I heave the heavy door open.
The darkness of the staircase is painfully familiar, but the stale air prickles my senses.
Fear chills me, but I force my feet to move.
I pray to each deity worshipped in the city, my eyes flicking to every shadow. I nearly trip down the stairs.
I pause, turning and hoping The Arachnomicon doesn’t attack me. “Keep the door open.”
Dimitar’s eyes narrow. “Shut the door.”
I wish I could apologize to Valen and Lucas. They’ll be buried alive down here if I die. Only Jinx or I can lift the seal. My hands tighten. “You sure? Only I can open it.”
His eyes reflect in that eerie way animals’ do in the night. “Keep moving.”