“Neh, starved for power. Bargained it all for a taste of greatness. Greedy, greedy, greedy.” If it had hands, it’d be rubbing them together while it salivated.
“Can you tell us anything more?”
“Hates everyone. Wants to see all of you broken and bleeding.”
I shake my head. I’m missing a connection. “Why?”
“You’ll see. Soon enough. You’ll see.”
“How can we track them?”
“They left something behind here. Find the trace and follow the thread. If you can. Payment now.” It shoots to the left and the right as if seeking an exit.
Kneeling, I grab the knife, eager to end this. I slice my palm and hold out my hand. Blood drips down into the darkness, and the mass seems to grow. I let it flow until it clots.
“That’s all you get. I release you from the circle.” I toe the line of salt and chalk with my boots, and set a silent binding spell to keep it from harming us.
Cristobal grabs my hand and gives the gash a slow lick. I shudder, gasping as something tightens low in my belly. “Why does it feel like that?” I whisper.
Later. The words are a sensual caress. My hand tingles as the skin repairs itself thanks to the healing properties of his saliva.
“Okay, guys, I’m going to dismantle our circle.”
“Then what?” Marcellus asks.
“I’m going to search for the trace so we can follow a thread.”
He closes his mouth, and I thank the four guardians as I sit and ponder the words.
“What’s wrong?” Cristobal asks.
“I’m thinking of the best way to find what was left behind. It’s hard to cast a spell for someone you know next to nothing about. This is a high traffic area. I’m looking for a needle in a haystack.” It hits me. “I need a map. We’re going to do a tracking spell. It won’t be one-hundred percent because we don’t know enough details about this person, but it should get us somewhere in their vicinity.” I rise, cutting an opening into the circle as a sense of urgency hits me.
“Percival? Hurry,”I say. Percival nods before he flashes away, leaving us to wait.
Chapter Eleven
“This is the place?” Marcellus asks dubiously as we enter the parking lot of the tiny store.
“It’s rightish. Remember I said I didn’t have enough to get an exact locale. I’m not sure how off we are.” I step out of the passenger side and observe the area. We’re on the outskirts of a campground. This general store is the only thing around for miles. Looking at the wooded area, my heart drops. How can we cover so much ground when they’re shielded?
“We need to split up. Can you do a spell that will allow us to detect magic?” Cristobal asks.
“I can spell personal items to act as a compass tuned into magic for a time.” I don’t tell him that I’m drained from blood loss and spell work. I keep the link between us tightly closed off. “Hand me your family rings.” I hold out my palm, and they deposit the cool metal jewelry with the family C on them. I close my eyes and imagine a compass, and the ring growing hotter when near the source we’re looking for. I pour my energy into the rings until I feel they’re fully charged, and bring them to my lips and whisper, “With this ring may we find, the one who’s committed this crime,” I whisper.
I sway slightly and right myself.
“Louella,” Cristobal barks, instantly at my side.
“Sorry, head rush. I’m fine.” I will my hand to stop shaking as I hold it out, palm open.
They grab them, slipping them on.
“The closer you get to magic, the hotter the ring will be. Not enough to harm you, just enough for you to notice. The farther you get, the cooler it will become.”
“Once you find something, send out the call, and we’ll follow,” Cristobal says.
“Happy hunting.” Luz flashes a wicked grin before she takes off into the woods.