Influential Magic (20 page)

I jerked back and my eyes narrowed.

Maude chuckled, her cold eyes crinkling in amusement. “That got your attention. Would you like to start over?”

Through gritted teeth, I said, “You’ll have to kill me first.”

“Oh no, not me. Though the vampire might if you don’t behave.”

Blood rushed to my head. My wings flared, stiff with anxiety. If a vampire wanted to kill me, I’d be dead. With my magical ability neutralized, I was vamp food for sure. I didn’t even have any backup. Link and Phoebe were probably locked up somewhere. “You’re willing to let me die if I don’t cooperate?”

Maude opened the door, letting in a stocky agent holding leather straps. The white pentagram symbol on his badge identified him as a Void witch.

Oh crap.

He moved through the stark room, his face blank. In one swift movement he grabbed my right arm and secured it with another cuff.

“Hey!” I cried, kicking out. He sidestepped what would have been a painful blow to his treasured jewels and grabbed both my legs. Holding them tight with one large, unnaturally strong hand, he wrapped them with a leather strap, yanking hard until the edges cut into my ankles. No doubt his strength was magically enhanced. Powerless to stop him, I glared at Maude. “You’re a pathetic excuse for an aunt.”

She tugged at the straps. Forcing myself not to wince, I aimed a two-footed blow at her chest. With a disgusted snarl, she launched herself backward into a roll and landed on her feet. “Do that again, and I’ll have those legs chained to the floor.”

I clamped my mouth shut, pressing my lips together in a tight line. In my current state, I couldn’t walk due to the restraints holding my legs together. But at least I could stretch them out or maneuver into another position if need be. Risking further bindings wasn’t worth it just then.

“Considering your insubordination, it’s within my rights to have you killed, but I don’t think your cooperation will be a problem.”

My ankles throbbed, and I swore silently. “You’re awfully sure of yourself.”

A cat-that-ate-the-canary smile transformed Maude’s face. “I have information on your brother’s death.”

It took a moment for the meaning of the words to sink in. I struggled against the restraints as my wings fluttered in anger. I rose only a few inches before the wall chains jerked me back into my hard wooden chair.

“I see I’ve struck a nerve.” The metal door creaked as Maude opened it. “If you behave, I’ll consider filling you in.”

“Murderer!” I screamed as the door clicked shut. I didn’t know how or why, but suddenly I was convinced Maude was responsible for what had happened to Beau. If she hadn’t done it herself, she’d had a direct hand in it.

A variety of toxic plants flashed in my brain. For the first time in my life, I seriously considered magically concocting an edible poison. One I would force-feed to Maude with my own hands.

***

After hours of lying on the cold floor under bright fluorescent lighting, I had a plan. As gratifying as it was to fantasize about a Maude-free world, murder wasn’t in my chemical makeup.

But I could develop a neutralizing potion.

Something to render her harmless. Like shock therapy. And with a little help from my Truth potion and Influence, I’d have the ability to force Maude to incriminate herself. A vision of her in an orange prison jumpsuit sent a chill down my spine.

Maude’s life in lockdown would be worse than death. All the concrete coupled with the total absence of nature would drain her until she was a shell of her former self. She’d exist in a perpetual zombie state, withered wings and all.

I suppressed a shudder. Death would be kinder.

Time to focus, Willow
. One way or another, Maude needed to be neutralized. But first, I had to get out of there.

If I had any chance of being released from my chains, I’d have to appear to cooperate. Fighting back would only get me more restraints, or worse—drugged. I made up my mind to be the model prisoner. The only thing left to do was wait for someone to appear.

I didn’t know how much time had elapsed, but when the door finally opened again, my dry throat ached and my eyes blurred from lack of sleep.

“Here.” A large man in a pale blue uniform squatted and held out a cup with a straw. “Drink.”

“What is it?” I croaked.

“Water. Go on.”

I shook my head, not trusting it to be drug-free.

“Please, Agent Rhoswen. You’ve been left here alone for hours. You must be thirsty.”

I turned and met hazel eyes. “Can’t. Could be drugged.”

“I promise you it isn’t. Please, take the water. I couldn’t help you before, but I can with this.”

Taking in his lean build and dark skin, I finally recognized the guard. “You brought me here.”

“Not out of choice. Now take the straw.” He moved it closer to my lips.

A faint scent of hand soap filled my nose as I sniffed, trying to catch a whiff of any potions or drugs. I shouldn’t trust him. He had, after all, told me he couldn’t defy the Arcane. But I couldn’t resist. With my throat screaming, I took the straw and drained every last ounce of the liquid and asked for more.

He nodded in approval. “I’ll be back.”

I tucked my bound legs up and pulled myself into a sitting position, ignoring the aches in my shoulders. Gods, what I wouldn’t give for a hot bath.

The door opened again. Maude walked in, holding a clipboard. “Good evening.”

It was evening? Did that mean I’d been there for over twenty-four hours? I squinted at the clock with blurred vision—a sign of dehydration. No luck. “Where’s Link?” I asked before I could stop myself. If he was chained in a kennel…forget about cooperating. Maude could go to Hell.

She tapped a pencil on her chart. “Didn’t anyone tell you? No, they wouldn’t have since I ordered you sequestered. Time usually does wonderful things for unsavory attitudes.”

I bit my tongue, unwilling to be baited.

“That’s good. I knew given enough time you’d settle down.” She barely concealed a smug smile. “Your shifter was released into Agent Kilsen’s care shortly after you were detained last night.”

Imprisoned was more accurate. “You mean Phoebe wasn’t
detained
also?”

“Why would she be? You’re the only one who refused to cooperate.”

What exactly happened the night before? Hadn’t Phoebe taken on a few guards while I’d fought my captors? I replayed the scene of Link leaping to my defense, but unless I was addled due to lack of food and sleep, I couldn’t recall Phoebe getting into the mix. Why hadn’t she fought for me?

Phoebe had to have a plan. And Link was with her. The black cloud hovering over my heart lifted. Help was coming. I had to be out of the restraints when the cavalry arrived.

“I see,” I said, trying to keep my expression neutral and failing as a cramp claimed my left shoulder. I cried out, unable to even cradle it for support.

“Not very comfortable, I see,” Maude said. “If you’ve decided to consent to the testing, I can have you released.”

“Okay,” I huffed.

“Excellent. Your guard will be in with dinner momentarily. He’ll release you then.” She didn’t bother to hide the self-satisfied smile.

You’ve won this round, Auntie, but the battle is far from over.

Moments later, my sympathetic but useless guard arrived. Once my hands were released, I spent a great deal of time rubbing life back into my muscles.

“Here.” He pushed a plate of fruit and a bran muffin in my direction. The fruit was on the verge of rotten and the muffin was stale, but I ate it all anyway. I needed whatever energy I could get.

“Do you have any protein bars?” I asked when he picked up the plate.

He frowned. “I don’t think you’re allowed special requests.”

“Oh, come on. It’s just a protein bar. I’ve barely eaten, and I’m starving. There are usually some in the conference room.” I widened my eyes and pushed my lips into a pout. “Please?”

He glanced around the room as if checking for witnesses, then nodded. “Fine. I’ll look, but I’m not promising anything.”

I smiled. “Oh, thank you…um…I’m sorry, I don’t know your name.”

He smiled back. “Billings. Henry Billings.”

The name fit his apologetic, meek persona. How in the world had he become an Arcane Guard? He was more suited for the accounting department. “Thanks, Henry. I owe you one.”

He grinned and hurried out.

It took a few minutes to get my legs untied, and by then the overwhelming urge to use the restroom had taken over. I scanned my empty, one-room cell and grimaced. The place was worse than jail.

A few minutes later, the metal door creaked and Maude stepped in with two new guards. “We’re ready for you. Behave and we won’t use the restraints.”

So much for my energy bar. “Restroom?”

“In a minute.”

I nearly wet myself right there.

Gods save me from this. I promise to be a better person.

Guards flanked me on each side, offering me no choice but to walk with them through the halls of the Arcane. Most of the labs had wide windows with sinister metal instruments surrounding examining tables. I imagined vampires, werewolves, and all walks of demons being dissected and studied on those tables. The Arcane was big on understanding anyone or anything who might be an adversary.

Was I the first faery to undergo such treatment? It was likely, unless Maude had uncovered another fae in town with unusual abilities. New Orleans just wasn’t home to many of us.

Maude stopped and motioned to a door marked Women. “You have two minutes. After that, the guards will come after you.”

I didn’t hesitate. After I finished my business, I frantically searched the tiny room for any opening. No windows or easily removable ceiling tiles or vents in sight. I suppressed the urge to slam a fist into the wall. Instead, I took my time washing my face and finger combing my hair. When the door popped open, I raised my hands in surrender and continued with my escorts.

At the end of the hall, Maude produced a key and turned to me. “Your testing will be done here. I’ll be monitoring from another room and the guards will stay positioned right outside, so don’t get any ideas.”

Maude pulled the door open and pushed me inside. I stumbled, barely keeping my balance with outrage clouding my brain. How dare she? I righted myself and then froze. The hair on my arms stood up as the overwhelming sensation of vampire hit my awareness. In reflex, I turned to flee, but the door shut tight with an ominous click. I knew without checking it was locked.

Sensing vampire movement, I dropped and rolled, only to hear chuckling from across the room. I stood and brushed invisible dirt from my jeans. His medium-length black hair covered his profile as he shook with mirth.

“What are you laughing at? It’s not like you aren’t locked in here with me.”

He leapt. In one swift movement, he closed the gap between us. His close proximity forced me against the wall, his fangs dangerously close to the vein in my neck.

I gasped. “I’m the inventor of the Sunshine potion. This won’t go well if you bite me.”

Careful to not touch me, he placed a hand on either side of my body. He leaned in, his sharp teeth raking against my skin, leaving trails of pain. I pressed into the wall, barely breathing.

Ouch
. Even their teeth made me hurt. He had to know I’d taste horrible, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t or wouldn’t attack if he was hungry enough. How long had this one been locked up?

There was no way I was strong enough to fight him off. I had to try, though. I shifted, spreading my legs for a better stance.

His chest rumbled with laughter again while his mouth worked its way close to my ear. “It’ll be better for you if you follow my lead,” he whispered.

“That’s the last thing I intend to do.”