Wicked Release (8 page)

Lorie’s call to Harrison had him promising to wait for her arrival—told them the location they’d found was already under investigation. It was one of Tucker’s cases.

Sarah might not have the “spidey” sense Thalia’s descendant referred to, but she didn’t get the best feeling about this. The longer they waited, the more anxious she became.

“Harrison and Callie looked into the way the spell adapts, and they can only draw one conclusion.” Lorie rubbed the back of his neck roughly, sharing a hard look with Con over her head. “Whoever has it not only knows about it, they’ve been adding to it somehow.”

Sarah paled. “I told you it was a living spell. Could it be Aaron?”

“Unless he found the fountain of youth or cursed himself into a salt shaker, that son of a bitch is dead by now,” Con snarled. “If not, I’ll be happy to correct that mistake in the timeline.”

Lorie took her hand, caressing her palm. “It could be someone who has no idea what they’re doing. For all they know they’re just writing in a magic book, with no idea of its effect.”

No idea. She wished she believed that. “Maybe they purchased it through a dealer. If so, we could find out who sold it and discover where the Winstons disappeared to.”

Lorie quirked his lips. “You planning on joining Tucker’s ranks when this is over?”

She shook her head. “Just trying to think it all through.” She wasn’t sure what would happen when this was over. If she had her way, she’d spend the rest of her days with Lorie and Con, healing the people who needed help. Living her life.

“I’m here,” Harrison came striding around the corner, her long legs eating up the distance between them. “Sorry I’m late, but I’m in a dirty tunnel under the city. In my new shoes.”

Sarah smiled at Harrison’s wrinkled nose. “I didn’t know anyone lived here anymore.”

Con lifted a golden brown eyebrow. “Anymore?”

“There were always those elements who preferred to live away from humanity instead of beside it. Or those who wished to avoid Magian law.” Sarah looked around at the water-soaked walls. “The tunnels have been restored, but they’ve been here for as long as I remember. There was an orphanage my grandmother and I used to visit. They always needed more growers and healers.”

Harrison nodded. “Tucker knows about this place, too. In fact, he admitted something to me I’m not sure Jacob is going to forgive him for anytime soon.”

Sarah tensed at the mention of Jacob Gryffin’s name, but Lorie’s hand squeezed hers and she took a deep, calming breath. “What did he say?”

“Jacob’s sister, Leah, is here. Instead of visiting friends, which was what she told him she was doing, she volunteered to spy on our perp.”

Sarah made a face. “Our perp?”

Con winked. “The bad guy with the book. But it couldn’t have been about that, right? We just found out about it ourselves.”

Harrison nodded. “Exactly. Tucker says he shouldn’t be violent, he just sells things that don’t belong to him. But Leah’s mother did business with him from time to time, and he knows her. She came to him with something she needed to sell. Fast and quiet.”

Lorie whistled. “Are Jacob and Tucker going to have a problem?”

“Not if I can help it.” Harrison rubbed her temple. “Jacob’s protective, you know how he is, but Leah is literally a fireball. And she’s got something to prove these days.” She opened one grey eye and looked directly at Sarah. “Something about clearing up the family name.”

Sarah lowered her chin, studying her already scuffed shoes. “So where this guy? What’s his name?”

“Get this,” She lowered her voice. “Maris. His name is Winston ‘Winnie’
Maris
.”

“Shit.” Con studied Sarah, his expression mirroring Harrison’s. “You don’t have to do this, you know. We can get the book without you.”

Her grandmother had never raised her to believe in coincidence. After all these years, the same families that had started this were still right in the middle of everything. The Abbotts, the Gryffins and one slimy, underhanded Maris. The only one missing was Aaron. One way or another, they would find their answers. And then all those silent dead who’d been forgotten could be at peace.

“You can’t get rid of me, Conway,” She let Lorie’s hand go and crossed her arms stubbornly. “We do this together. You promised.”

“Hell, I did, didn’t I?” He didn’t look happy about it, but he grabbed her arms and tugged her closer. “This love stuff is harder than it looks.”

She gasped in surprise and he took that opportunity to kiss her. Right there in front of Harrison, Lorie, and any underground resident who happened to pass by.

“Okay, you two.” Harrison snapped her fingers. “Cursed book to steal. Criminal to catch. Sister-in-law to save from clutches of evil man with a stupid name.”

Lorie laughed. “Sounds like we have our hands full. Can’t wait.”

Sarah leaned back in Con’s embrace and noticed his sister’s narrowed gaze. Specifically when it turned on her. “What have you done with my brother?” Harrison demanded. “He’s never been the adventure type.”

Sarah winked. “You’d be surprised.”

“No I wouldn’t, because you’re never going to tell me. Believe me there is such a thing as oversharing. My best friend married my other two brothers—a girl can only take so much.” Harrison shook her head and pushed passed them, striding ahead of them down the tunnel. “Come with me if you want to meet Winnie. And follow my lead.”

When they reached the stained steel door, Sarah was ready. She obediently stayed behind Lorie and Con, not wanting to be seen in case, for any reason, she was recognized.

A Maris had the book.

Hester Maris had been an evil woman. She reveled in the pain of others. Human or Magian. Any misfortune that befell another became a reason for her to delight. If her relative was anything like she’d been, Sarah wasn’t sure she would be able to contain her loathing.

She wondered now if it had been Hester’s idea all along. If she’d been the keeper of the second book, the book that would ensure Sarah’s eternal suffering. Perhaps she’d made a deal with Aaron.

But Hester had never been a powerful Magian. Or incredibly bright. What she had been was manipulative and sly, which in the right circles, made up for her other deficiencies.

“May I help you?” a nasally voice asked through a small opening in the door.

“Oh, I hope so.” Harrison’s tone had changed. It sounded sultry. Feminine. Helpless. “Is this the home of Mr. Maris? My sister-in-law asked me to come and get her right away.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “She doesn’t want my husband to know about her little money problem.”

“Of course. Of course.” The door opened and Sarah leaned around Con, attempting to catch a glimpse. “Helluva way to keep a secret. Who did you bring with you?”

Harrison’s laugh was careless. “These guys? Just overprotective family, you know how that is. For some reason they didn’t want me, a grown woman, coming down here alone. Isn’t that silly? But I have to admit I might have gotten lost in those tunnels. I never knew this place existed. Is it very exciting to live here?”

They moved forward and Sarah caught her first glimpse of Winston Maris. At first glance he reminded her of a mottled, bald, beaver. All teeth and jowls and unkempt eyebrows. He was also suspicious. “Terribly exciting. The last few days in particular have been particularly thrilling. Leah is a delightful bundle of curiosity and energy. Although you might find she’s spent the money I paid her for her trinket already. I have quite a collection.”

“What am I going to do with her?” Harrison sighed, stepping into the man’s crowded foyer and gesturing to Lorie and Con. “Leah? Leah, dear we’ve come to take you home now. You’ve intruded on poor Mr. Maris long enough.”

Sarah kept her head down, clinging to Lorie’s hand as she passed close enough to brush against the man’s dirty shirt. Poor, status-hungry Hester would be rolling in her grave at the state her family’s name had been reduced to. Was it wrong of her to feel a thrill of satisfaction at the thought?

“Harrison?” A young woman’s voice preceded her down the stairwell cluttered with boxes and newspapers.

Sarah watched the perky blonde float down the stairs; her confused frown disappearing the instant Maris turned in her direction. “My dear Miss Gryffin. You didn’t tell me you’d sent for your sister-in-law. I would have rung the maid.”

He chuckled at his own joke and moved further into his living room. “Come in, come in. If you see anything you like, I can guarantee you I will sell it.”

Leah joined them and, following along with the ease of a professional actress, embraced Harrison. “Thank you for coming. I wouldn’t have called if it weren’t important. I was wondering if you could loan me the money to buy a particular pair of earrings. They are a steal, really. Well worth the price. Infused with the kind of power that could change my life.”

“Earrings that could change your life?” Con snorted, every inch the disinterested male. “Mr. Maris, you wouldn’t happen to have an
infused
pair of earplugs would you?”

Sensing a kindred spirit, the squat man’s smile grew, revealing a disturbing absence of teeth. “Women will be women, I suppose. But now that you mention it, I have something even better. My own special sleeping tonic. You won’t need earplugs, that I can swear to.”

She and Lorie had entered the living room when she sensed something. It made her stomach churn and stole her breath. It was here. Sarah squeezed Lorie’s arm so tightly she worried she might hurt him.

He covered her hand with his and squeezed back, letting her feel the connection between them. Telling her without words that he would keep her safe.

“I don’t believe we’ve been introduced.”

Sarah’s tense body jerked at the sound of Winston Maris’ voice behind her. Lorie gave the man a quick, condescending smile. “Lawrence. My name is Lawrence Abbott. And this is my,” he hesitated and sent the man a wink. “Let’s call her my plus one and leave it at that, shall we?”

The name Abbott made Maris pale, distracting him from studying Sarah too closely. “Any relation to Tucker Abbott?”

Lorie’s expression was scornful. “The prodigal son? Not that I’ll ever acknowledge. What he doesn’t know might hurt him, but it could help me, right?”

Winston’s rounded shoulders slumped in relief. “I like you, Abbott. Let your plus one look around before you go. Whatever she wants, I’ll sell you for half off.”

Lorie patted her behind obnoxiously and pushed her toward the bookshelves. His behavior was very out of character. Luckily, Maris didn’t seem aware of that. She watched him drape his arm over the weasel of a man and lower his voice. “Pardon me for noticing, but you seem determined to turn a fast profit. I think I can help you out.”

Mr. Maris chuckled nervously. “I
am
at what you might call a crossroads. I’ve been thinking of moving to another underground vista. Adventure is good for the soul, they say.”

Sarah tuned them out and let her senses guide her. It was in this room. The second doorway. The book that shouldn’t have existed. She had only remembered one. It had been open beside her on the floor when they’d formed their circle. When they’d cast her inside.

Somehow, it was here. In this hidden, disgusting rat hole with this small, disgusting man. It was difficult for her to believe he had the skills to rewrite a spell so complex.

It was difficult to believe he could tie his shoes.

There.

She attempted to emulate Harrison’s breathy tone, but to her it only sounded as if she were ill. Which wasn’t far from the truth. “Lawrence? I want this jewelry box. I
must
have it.” 

Leah Gryffin rushed over to help her sell her performance. A Gryffin was helping her lie to a Maris.

It had been a strange few days.

She cooed. “You have amazing taste. I have been eyeing that since it arrived yesterday. Mr. Maris simply refuses to tell me where I can get one like it.”

“Yesterday?” Con and Lorie both spoke at the same time, glaring at each other as Maris hobbled in Sarah’s direction.

“No! No, I’m um, sorry dear but
no
. I’m just holding that for a friend, you see. I never sell what isn’t mine. Wouldn’t be legal. Pick something else. Anything else.”

Sarah noticed the change in Leah first. Her brilliant smile faded and her hands rose, covered in flames. Sarah took several steps back, until she was pressed against the bookshelf.

“Oh, Winnie? I don’t think you’re being entirely up front now, do you? You sell things that aren’t yours
all the time
. I happen to be wearing some of the proof.” She opened her arms, the flames following her movement, to reveal three necklaces and a pair of antique earrings. “I was about to leave and send the law in your direction, but how about I make
you
an offer? I’ll tell them to go easy on you if you give the lady the box.”

Harrison joined the others in the crowded room. “We should also know who brought it to him yesterday. I knew this wasn’t the guy.” She paused for a moment. “By the way, Leah? Remind me not to tell your brother about your first bust. I don’t think his heart can take it.”

“What’s going on here?” Maris was mad now. “I let you into my home and you steal from me? Threaten me? I know the law too, young lady. You aren’t allowed to use unnecessary force.”

Leah’s hands snuffed out, the flames evaporating. “You’re right, Winnie. I apologize. Just tell us who left you the box and we’ll leave you alone. Probably.”

“Yeah,
Winston
.” Lorie’s blue eyes burned as they stared down the nervous man. “Tell us who brought you the box.”

At the sound of his name, Mr. Maris seemed to deflate before their eyes. “I need a drink. Can I at least get my drink?”

He pointed to the closed, dusty bottle on his end table, and Lorie nodded.

“Thank you. Why do you want to know about that box, anyway, Abbott?”

Sarah, who’d been silent, watching the exchange, came forward. “Are you Hester’s descendant?”

“Who?” His hand shook on the bottle. “Oh. Yeah, I guess so. I never was that interested in genealogy. Can’t sell a family name, now can you? And all they’ll ever cause you is grief. Who wants to know?”