Endless Magic (Stella Mayweather Series Book 6) (3 page)

I wasn't alone. There were five more women in the room with me. I watched their faces appear on the screen and felt their despair deep inside me as my memories unlocked. Someone was crying. The picture sped forwards and then stopped, playing again. This time, I heard my voice.
"How many of us are down here?" I asked.

"I don't know. I've never been out of this room since I got here."

"Anyone else?" I turned, looking to the other women in the cell.

"I got into the corridor once. I think it was two weeks ago. There's a bunch of doors. I saw some faces. Then..." said the woman closest to me. She had thin, lank hair and watery eyes.

"What happened?"

"I heard them talking about you. Then some big guy punched me and pushed me inside. That's when they started chaining us to the cots."

"A guard?"

"I guess, but he was huge."

"Was he armed? Or magical?"

"I don't think he was magic. I didn't feel that, but..."

The red-headed woman cut in, "We haven't felt any magic down here. It's like we're all blocked."

"Yeah, but I still didn't get that from him. I can innately sense you're all witches, but him...? No. Also, he had some weapons on the wall. Like curved knives," said the first woman.

"Sickles?" I asked.

"Maybe."

"When do they open the door?"

"Lately? Never," said the redhead.

"Never? What about food?"

"It gets pushed through on a tray through a little gap in the door."

"Shhh. Someone's coming."

We quieted, waiting in the stillness. I tried not to look up as a shadow passed across the door. The shadow remained, blocking the light, and I saw the whiteness of eyes. Then the phantom vanished, and the footsteps receded.

"He's gone," said the redhead.

"What about the bathroom?" I asked.

"In the corner, behind that curtain."

"Really?"

"This is not a hotel, Stella. This is hell."

"You mentioned the guards were talking about me?" I asked. "Can you remember what they said?"

"Something about watching over you, making sure you stayed alive."

"That's how we're getting out," I told them. "I think I have a plan and I need your help."

My memories stopped, rushed forwards, stopped, and rushed forwards again. A montage of scant food, quiet talks, interspersed with the screaming of individuals we couldn't see, were interlaced with the sun rising and falling. I couldn't count the days as they passed on the projection screen. The scene stopped again, Lisette apparently finding the memory interesting.

"But you don't know the way out," said the first woman. She looked worse than the last time with hollows now developing under her eyes.

"Who cares? I just need to be unchained and I’ll keep going."

"What about the rest of us?"

"Just try and get away too. We'll split up if necessary. The moment you can get someplace where your magic works, shimmer." That was met with silence. "What?"

"None of us can shimmer," said the redhead. A large bruise covered her left cheek.

"Then run, or cause distractions. Try and free the other prisoners. Just do anything you can."

"Someone's coming."

"Now," I said, throwing myself on the floor, and forcing my body to convulse.

"Help her! Someone help her!" shouted the redhead on cue.

"What's happening?" grunted a man's voice.

"She said she didn't feel well then she just started flailing around," shouted the redhead. "I can't reach her."

I continued to thrash around, gurgling, as someone banged on the door. "What's going on in there?" yelled another male voice, deeper than the first.

"I don't know. One minute she was talking, then she just dropped to the floor and now she won't stop shaking."

"What do you mean?" asked the guard.

"I think she's having a seizure. She was complaining about a headache earlier."

There was shouting in the hallway and running footsteps. Someone yelled "Get back!" before the door was pulled open. It was hard to see what was going on as I concentrated on shaking and convulsing, but hands gripped me under the arms, unceremoniously rolling me over. I made their life hard as their hands wedged under my arms and they began to drag me to the door, my heels scraping against the cold ground. They stopped and the chain at my ankle tugged before I was freed.

The visuals turned fuzzy and I realised we were all watching through my half-lidded eyes as I pretended to be ill. I barely saw the flash as one of the witches launched herself at the nearest guard. They tumbled to the floor, rolling onto the ground. Then I was back in my memory, feeling everything.

I wrenched my arm from the other guard and punched him hard on the jaw. His head jerked back and he stumbled onto the ground, hitting his head. I kicked him in the knee and scrambled to my feet. Looking around in the doorway, I regained my bearings quickly. We were at the end of a long corridor punctuated with doors. Each door seemed to be locked with a heavy bar, and the only set of keys dangled from the belt of the guard, now advancing on the other witches.

"Open the doors," I yelled, slamming my fist into the guard from behind. He twisted, shoving me to the floor with a meaty, mitt-like hand. I jumped up, grabbing the biggest sickle I could find, and swinging around as the red-headed witch screamed in pain. The guard had her by the throat, and her feet dangled a foot above the floor. Without thinking, I swung the sickle at him, letting it sink into his flesh. He screamed and dropped her, his hands reaching for the sickle, screaming again as he tore at his own skin. I grabbed another sickle and slammed it into his shoulder, driving him to his knees. With him shrieking loudly, and the second guard out cold, there was no time to waste. I grabbed another sickle and ran forwards, away from my cellmates before pulling at the doors. All were locked.

I fled, trying not to look at the eyes that followed me from quiet cells. Behind me, someone began to unlock the doors, the hallway filling up with other creatures. Some were witches, some other beings. Some looked like they just arrived; others had the same hollow, desperate looks of those that had been here far too long.

"Which way is out?" I asked, turning to the crowded corridor. "Does anyone know how to get out?"

"That door," said a young werewolf, glancing back toward the commotion behind us. Some of the prisoners had turned on the two guards. "That's where they take me."

"Take you?"

"When they experiment." His voice was flat, emotionless.

"What's up there? Guards? Could you see outside?"

"I know we're near the front of the house. I could see a delivery truck when..."

"When what?"

The werewolf peeled back his lips. "When they pulled my fangs out."

I gaped briefly at the dried blood on his gums and the holes where his fangs once were. "I'm so sorry," I whispered, appalled.

"Don't be. It was them who did it, not you. I know who you are. Let's get out of here. We're going to fight."

"Lead the way."

Several creatures crowded around us as we surged forwards. The door was unlocked and we ran through it, our caution trumped by our desperation to escape. Checking over my shoulder, I saw three witches following us, but there wasn't any time to ask about the others as we burst through the door at the top of the stairs. We instantly found ourselves in a large entryway of what appeared to be a warehouse.

As soon as we appeared, we were confronted by more guards. Behind them, I saw Auberon, rising from a chair. And right next to him was Georgia.

"We need to get out," I told the werewolf. "Some of us should raise the alarm. We need our people."

"We're outnumbered. They're armed and there's something wrong with us."

"I can't use my magic here," I told him as an older werewolf shot past, barreling into the first guard he approached. I gasped at my weakness, and sudden mortality, as well as my confusion in being deprived of my magic.

"The door." He pointed and we raced toward it, the fight at our backs as the corridor spilled more captives. A pair of massive eight-foot doors, made of plate glass that should have flooded the entryway with light, barred our exit. I grabbed a handle, pulling, but it didn't open.

"It's locked!"

We stepped back. The werewolf looked over the situation. "Hold on," he said, grabbing me.

"What are you doing?"

"Tuck your head into my chest and... sorry!" Before I could ask him what he was sorry about, he grabbed me, swinging me into his arms. I just had enough time to tuck my head into his chest as he ran forwards, launching us at the glass. The force hit me like a car before it started breaking, the glass shards splintering and flying through the air. The wind was knocked out of me as we dropped and rolled onto the ground. We were under a sliver of moon. "Get out of here," he heaved. "I remember when they brought me here that the perimeter fence is just over there. It's not far. Your magic might work over there."

"What about you?"

"I know who you are. You can shimmer. I can't."

"If I can activate my magic, I can shimmer us both."

"Something happened to us all here, they weakened us somehow. I need to help my people. Get out of here and send reinforcements. Please!" He turned, springing spryly back into the warehouse as shots rang out. That didn't stop the supernaturals from engaging. If anything, it seemed to make them more enraged. I watched the fight for a few more brief seconds, feeling I should rush back before realising that I couldn't. He was right. I was the only one who could get away. I had to get away.

I scrambled to my feet and ran as fast as I could for the perimeter fence, fearing I could be found any moment, despite the darkness shrouding me. The fence was in poor shape, and I threw a few small rocks from the ground at it to check and make sure it wasn't electrified. Reassured it wasn't, I groped with my hands until I found a large enough hole that I could wriggle through. Thorns on both sides scratched my bare hands and arms, and I winced at their stings before I was through. Trying to stand upright, I called my magic as I prepared to shimmer. Miraculously, magic surged into me as if I'd just broken the dam, but it was so weak. I focused on Étoile, hoping I arrived wherever she was. She could track my movements and send reinforcements, I rationalised. When I opened my eyes, I was in a field, with nothing in view around me and nowhere near safety. I called my magic, ready to shimmer again, but nothing came, not even the tiniest amount. I was empty. There was nothing left. I couldn't save anyone. Not even me. With a scream of pure frustration, I slammed my hand against the ground, causing one of the small stones on my ring to break off.

In an instant, a rush of heat surrounded me before I was lifted, then embraced by something hot and brimming with power. Suddenly, we were gone.

Chapter Four

My sleep was deep and dreamless, but when I awoke in the dark room, I could smell the fear, and hear the echoes of the screams of those I left behind. Guilt bubbled inside me until it burst out in thick sobs. Arms wrapped around me, pressing me so hard into a chest, I thought I might suffocate from affection.

Wriggling free, I wiped my eyes with the backs of my hands and forced my eyes to focus. I was in the white room again.

"You're annoyed," I said, "I can feel your heat. How long have I been asleep?"

Evan sighed. "I'm not annoyed with you. I'm annoyed at what happened to you."

"Étoile told you?"

"The short version. You've been asleep for the last five hours."

"I feel drained, but also..." I felt better. Healthy, even. I searched inside myself. The holes in my memory were gone. Whatever Lisette did, it broke the barrier surrounding my memories; and even though I didn't want to recall them, it was a relief just to know they were there and accessible once more. "I feel stronger," I decided.

"You should. The longer you're here, the better you'll feel."

"No, it's not just my thoughts. I feel whole again. Where is everyone?" I looked around, surprised we were alone and no one waited stealthily in the corners, or perched quietly on the couch to catch me by surprise. "What happened?"

"You passed out after Lisette did her thing, so we brought you back here to rest. Seren checked you for any injuries and decided you needed sleep, not healing, so Kitty and Seren waited with you while Étoile called an emergency Council meeting."

"The High Council?" I guessed and Evan nodded.

"She had to tell them what you saw when you were captive. It's not only witches under attack by Auberon and Georgia, but all of us. They've been very busy."

"The werewolf I saw? And the witches? Do we know what happened to them?"

"Étoile is investigating how many of the witches are currently known to be missing. Gage is trying to track down the werewolf's pack from the image he saw. We'll know who they are soon."

"What next?" I asked.

Evan slid off the bed. "We're taking a larger group back to the warehouse to start tracing the captives."

I scrambled off the bed, relieved my clothes were still intact. All I needed were a pair of boots and a jacket. "I'm coming with you. I know these people. I spent two months with them. I have the best connection to track."

"It's not safe. You haven’t fully recovered yet."

"You won't let anything happen to me," I said, with absolute certainty.

"No, I won't, but you're still not coming. You're a liability."

I had to keep my poker face so he couldn't see how his words wounded me. "I'm your best chance."

"No."

"You can't stop me."

Evan loomed over me, angry heat prickling from him. "I can and I will!"

"He can't, but I definitely will," said Étoile, a trace of amusement in her voice. It was hard not to jump. So much for no one waiting to ambush me! I must mention that her unexpected appearance did nothing to calm my nerves. "Evan will return to the warehouse with Seren so she can run traces for our missing. You, Stella, are needed here. I have a job for you."

"What kind of job?" I asked, turning from Evan. It didn't escape me that he still bristled with annoyance at my challenge, but at least, the heat was fading.

"The world didn't stand still when you disappeared. We had to continue looking into the issues that arose when you were last here. We've made some headway, but it would be more useful if you could turn your attentions to that, instead of dwelling on the past."

"I'm not dwelling on the past! I only just remembered it; and I have to help them!"

"You are not getting in Auberon and Georgia’s way again. We still don't know why they kidnapped you, only that they experimented with your magic. Keeping you safe is one of our highest priorities and best hopes for rescuing our brethren."

"But..."

"No, Stella, that's final. As your leader, I order you to remain at The Amethyst," she finished, her edict delivered with an icy brittleness she rarely used with me.

"Are you serious?"

"Deadly."

I crossed my arms, not caring how petulant I looked. "Fine. What's the job?"

"Astra located Ariadne Chapman, and she agreed to come here to help decipher the prophecies we found."

"Athene's prophecies?" Astra and I had already spent a substantial amount of time reading about the prophecies that we traced to Athene. Some we already knew were accurate, while others appeared to be no more than rambling notes. Athene correctly predicted our battle at Hawkscroft, Auberon's family home, forty years before it happened. Towards the end of Athene's notes, she described her visions about a superwitch who was supposed to herald The Brotherhood's downfall.

"The very same."

"Where's Clare?" I asked, naming Ariadne's daughter and Étoile's assistant. We discovered Clare Starkwell's true identity only days ago — months now, I reminded myself — and it was no less than a stunning revelation. I wasn't quite sure why she kept her heritage so secret, or even if she knew anything about her grandmother's predictions.

"She's here," said Étoile. "I've set up a space for you to work in. Come with me."

I nodded, since now was not the moment to argue. When Étoile was determined, that was it. Plus, she'd already given her command, and I couldn't defy her as leader. Not so openly anyway. Besides, part of me knew she was right. My fear of going back to that awful prison wasn't something I could articulate. Instead, I shot a glance at Evan as we left the room, hardly surprised to see he had already dematerialised, and the room was empty.

"When can I leave the hospital?" I asked.

Étoile looked around at the corridor and frowned. "Now?"

I restrained a smile. "No, I mean, permanently. I don't need monitoring."

"I'll have a room set up for you."

"Thanks." I paused, wondering if I should challenge her. We were alone, so I said, "Are you serious about making me stay here? I can't leave?"

"Absolutely. Don't even try to leave, Stella. I mean it. These are troublesome times for us, and I don't want to waste anymore of it by having to search for you again."

I winced. "Okay."

"I mean it."

"I said okay!"

I switched topics. "Did you find anything other than the prophecies while I was missing?"

Étoile shook her head lightly, causing the ruby drop earrings she wore to shake. "No, they remain our best options at present."

"So what do you need me to do? Read them while you guys do all the hard work?"

"It's all hard work; it's just different work. I need you to work out which of Athene's prophecies are sure things, and find out who the hell the superwitch is that she predicted. Astra will help you, and you can quiz Ariadne when she gets here to learn whatever she knows."

"It sounds easy."

"Since when did those words ever work out for anyone?"

I gave her what I hoped was a rueful smile. "Never?"

~

Astra's head was buried in an ancient book. Little plumes of dust rose from the stacks of centuries-old books around her, casting a grey pallor inside the room. "Stella!" she yelled, looking up when we entered. Dropping her pen, she pushed back her chair, flying to me in quick steps with her arms outstretched. "I've been so worried."

"My ribs," I squeaked as she gathered me into a bone-crushing hug.

"Sorry," she whispered, not releasing me.

I patted her back. "Can't. Breathe."

"Sorry for not stopping them," she sniffed against my ear before finally letting me go.

"You weren't there!"

"It doesn't matter. I should have known. I should have suspected something! I shouldn't have gone for burgers with Kitty, like we were normal."

"None of us suspected anything. It was an ambush, and I don't blame you at all," I told her, feeling a rush of sympathy for Astra's misplaced guilt. I hoped the sincerity in my voice would be as apparent as it felt. Not for a moment did I blame Astra, Kitty, Evan, or anyone else. There was nothing they could have done. Despite the memory recall, the last clear image I had was of Georgia disabling me before rendering me entirely helpless. "They could have killed you if you were there," I told her with no doubt in my mind. "I still don't know why they didn't kill me. Then, or later." I shivered, the footage of my own mind replaying again. Finding the time to make sense of it all would be a hurdle though. My mind felt strange, but that must have been because the memories weren't fully mine yet. They were there again, sure, but not yet my own. I'd seen them, but hadn’t
experienced
them. I felt removed from the whole ordeal, like it happened to someone else, another me. I couldn't even imagine what it would be like when my lost memories flooded my brain, or if that would even happen. How would it feel when those memories belonged only to me again? Then I could begin to understand exactly what happened. None of it would be in slow motion. None would be in fast forward. I just hoped, when it happened, it wouldn't hit me like a sledgehammer. Of course, that was assuming I got anything back beyond the knowledge that I could recall those memories. Maybe I would never truly understand what happened to me. Most puzzling of all, why was I still alive? Why didn't Auberon kill me when he had the chance?

"What's going on here?" I asked, temporarily abandoning the troubling thoughts occupying my mind. "What did you find while I was gone?"

"Not nearly enough. Here, take a look. This is all the information we garnered," explained Astra as she waved a hand over the assembled books and notepads. "I went back to the archives to look for anything more that could be connected to the prophecies."

"Étoile seems really interested in the prophecies."

"She told me we had to find out if they were genuinely serious, and if there were any real truth behind all of it. If there is, if we have a chance at stopping an all-out war, we need that superwitch."

"It could be Clare," I said, reaching for the most obvious solution. "She is Ariadne's daughter, and Athene's granddaughter. They made that star sister pact before she was even born, so she's connected to everyone, really."

"But she wasn't given a star name like the rest of us," pointed out Astra. "Étoile, Seren, me, you and... Clare?"

"Does that really matter?"

"Unless we knew the exact spell they cast at the time, it's impossible to say, and my mom's memory isn't exactly terrific. Clare should have a stronger link to us, but we've been experimenting these past few weeks, and it's just not there. Maybe because..."

"I wasn't there," I finished for her, knowing I guessed correctly when Astra nodded. "Maybe we need all of us together."

"Maybe. For now though, we have this." Astra spread her arm across the books and papers cluttering the large table and stacked them onto the floor. She stopped, turning to me. "We have one other thing too."

"What?"

"The herbs that the prophecy say weaken demons. When I told Étoile that Georgia had demon in her bloodline, Étoile had Seren and David search all over until they found it. They've made a potion that they think will work."

"That's great... Wait,
think will work
? They don't know for sure?"

"Not without someone to test it on. Given that we're all supposed to be on the same team now with the High Council, we couldn't tell the demons what we were doing."

I gulped. I couldn't imagine any demon volunteering themselves. Very few had ever been willing to work with us. I could only think of two; and one, although powerful, wasn't a full-blood demon, while the other would hardly be eager to assist. I was sure of that. "Evan and Micah?" I asked, pulling a face as I waited for Astra's rebuttal.

"No one dares to ask. Besides, no one wanted to disable Evan. He was hellbent on..." Astra stopped, pinching her lips together.

"Hellbent on what?" I pressed.

"Finding you," she said, dropping into a chair. "He's been so worried. He never said it, but anyone could see."

"He's my friend. It was natural for him to be worried. You all were."

"But his... he was something else while you were gone; and any idiot can see he's not just your friend!"

"We're nothing
but
friends." I swallowed hard, remembering one of our many conversations. It all seemed so recent to me, but for Evan, weeks had passed since we last spoke. When we ended our relationship, the pain was bad enough, but after learning he'd been working as a double agent for Étoile, and conducted the semblance of a relationship with Irina, (literally his demon ex), I had felt worse. I didn't know how to react to all of that, and I still didn't care to know all the details.

Sure, I admit being a hypocrite. I had my own fling with Gage and the choice about what to do there was ripped from me the moment Gage ascended in rank to lead his pack. He told me rules could be broken — maybe, eventually — but I refused to be anyone's secret. I had to decline his offer to string me along on the possibility that things could change when there was no guarantee they could. I had too much self-respect for that. Besides, we were better as friends so I pushed my emotions aside. My decision to end things with Gage always felt right, even if it was sad.