Page 19

Chapter Nineteen

T he spell book remained open on the coffee table, notebooks next to it as well as crystals, pouches and other paraphernalia that they hoped would be useful. The main question besides how the dagger that was the key to breaking the enchantment was to be used, was how they would get it to the alter-world.

Erin eyed the small blade once again and let out a weary sigh. The sun was setting, marking the end of a long day.

John was on the floor, on his stomach, leafing through pages of an old book. Gwen sat in a chair holding a crystal on a chain and softly chanting. Sabrina and Tammie were at the kitchen table, speaking softly and scribbling notes.

The most Erin had contributed was ordering take out and finding the dagger. She had no idea what else to do as she didn’t have even a speck of imagination when it came to the mystic arts.

She glanced around her flat noting the weariness on everyone’s faces. Understandable because it was unthinkable to give up. There was too much at stake.

Knocks on the door announced the food delivery and she opened the door to find not only a young man holding two large bags, but Aubrey as well. Her cousin took the food from the young man and walked past Erin, who held out a generous trip.

“Take a break people,” Aubrey announced as she walked into the flat. “I have an idea, but I need you all fed and refreshed before I share it.”

Everyone exchanged startled looks, even Erin, who’d not told Aubrey about her visitors.

Plates piled high with all sorts of Chinese dishes, the group sat down, eating and exchanging thoughts. Erin leaned over to Aubrey.

“How did you know we were here?”

Aubrey shrugged. “I tried to call you, and when you didn’t answer, I called your Mum. She did the location thing and told me you were here.”

“She can do that?” Erin asked incredulous since her mother barely knew how to use her own phone.

“I helped her set it up when you were dating that creepy guy, Dan. In case he took you or something.”

“I shouldn’t be on their plan. I’m an adult, but Dad insists on paying for it. It makes him happy.” Erin smiled despite finding out her mother had the ability to track her every move. “Dan was different, but he wasn’t creepy.”

“I disagree,” Aubrey insisted. “He had serial killer vibes.”

John cleared his throat. “What is this idea of yours Aubrey?”

Her cousin took a long drink from her tumbler which was probably filled with her favorite Scottish soda, Irn-Bru.

“This may be farfetched, but what if you summon the scary blond man and ask him what is happening over there?” Aubrey suggested.

The room was silent. Although the idea had merit, they didn’t trust the man, Gunther.

“I am not sure we can summon him,” Sabrina said.

Tammie shook her head. “And not to mention he is enslaved by Meliot, one of his minions.”

“Can’t trust him,” John said. “If he talks about us to the wizard, it will hinder everything we are doing.”

Erin was torn. She believed Aubrey’s assessment that Gunther seemed to genuinely want to help, but at the same time, it was true he worked for Meliot.

“When I was taken to the alter-world, Gunther was there. He stood between me and those horrible creatures when I was taken to the room. I am not sure what they meant to do to me, but they turned away and left when he wouldn’t budge,” Erin said then shrugged. “Unlike everyone else, he never threatened me.”

“But he did take you there, both you and Tammie. It was he who came here and followed Meliot’s orders,” Gwen reasoned. “I am not sure we should trust him.”

Tammie held her hands up. “I admit, he was reluctant to turn me over to those ugly creatures, but in the end he didn’t put up much of a fight and let them take me.”

Standing, Sabrina went to the kitchen and returned with another serving of food. “What if we summon him and ask him questions? We can cast a truth spell and see what happens.”

John became animated, rubbing his hands together. “That is not a bad idea,”

Everyone turned to look at Aubrey, who slid a glance toward Erin. “What?”

Erin shrugged.

“It should probably be you, Aubrey, who summons him,” Gwen informed them.

Aubrey’s eyes rounded like saucers. “Oh no, I just had the idea. I am not into any of this.” She made a circular motion with her right hand. “That man was huge and scary and he’s probably a bad guy.” She stood. “Know what, bad idea. Very bad idea.”

“Remember the box grandmother gave us?” Erin asked.

Aubrey slowly nodded.

Letting out a breath, Erin lifted the small dagger. “This was in it. Aubrey, it’s possible that we are meant to be part of this. Have been meant to be here all along.”

Aubrey reluctantly reached for the blade and inspected it. “Grandmother had this?”

This time it was Erin who nodded. “Yes and remember what she said that an item in the box would someday help us, or something like that.”

“I will stay, but only because of this. And I prefer not to summon him.” Aubrey handed the dagger back to Erin.

Erin herself was nervous at the idea of seeing Gunther once more, but she would face him again if it meant helping Padriag.

“He is not that scary. But he is huge and a bit off-putting,” Tammie said.

“Off-putting!” Aubrey exclaimed. “That is putting it mildly.”

John motioned to Aubrey. “Perhaps your presence will be enough. If you could just assist, it would be helpful.”

Lowering to sit, Aubrey squeezed herself between John and Gwen. “Very well, but I am not going to talk to him. In case he tries anything, I’m hiding behind the biggest person.” She gave John a sweet smile. “Have no doubt, I will sacrifice you in a minute.”

“I do not blame you,” John replied and stood, straightening to his full height. His voice carried quiet authority as he spoke. “Tammie, Gwen, Sabrina, and I will form a protective square around the room. Aubrey, sit outside the circle. Erin, stand next to Gwen—she has the strongest magic.”

As they moved into position, John, Gwen, Sabrina and Tammie took a deliberate stance, hands outstretched, forming an unbroken chain of power. Their murmur of ancient words filled the air, the chant rhythmic and steady. Erin’s skin prickled as a chill raced over her arms, and she exchanged a glance with Aubrey, who sat rigid, her eyes wide with fascination.

Then, the air shifted. A breeze stirred, unnatural and deliberate, sending Erin’s hair fluttering around her face. In the center of their formation, shimmering particles of silver light spiraled, twisting until forming into a denser shape. A heartbeat later, Gunther appeared.

He looked around the room with confusion, his ice-blue eyes scanning the room, his scarred face tight. He stood barefoot, clad only in breeches, a damp cloth clutched in his hand, evidence they had pulled him from whatever mundane task he had been tending to.

A deep frown creased his brow as his gaze swept over them, lingering the longest on Aubrey. For a moment, he simply stared at her, something unreadable flickering in his sharp eyes before he growled, “What am I doing here?”

Erin couldn’t ignore the imposing sight of him—broad shoulders taut with muscle, his torso crisscrossed with old battle scars, each one a testament to a life of suffering. The most striking of all was the jagged mark running from his brow down to his jaw. Somehow, rather than diminishing his handsome face, it only made him more formidable. With his near-white blond hair and those piercing, glacial eyes, his Dutch ancestry was undeniable.

Gunther’s expression darkened as he took a step back. “I cannot be here.”

“We need your help,” Erin stated firmly.

Tammie folded her arms. “Consider it repayment for kidnapping us.”

Gunther’s gaze flicked back to Aubrey before he exhaled slowly. “I cannot help you.”

“Why not?” John pressed. “There is no other way to get a message to our men.”

Sabrina tilted her head, watching him closely. “Do you not wish to redeem yourself?”

A muscle in Gunther’s jaw flexed. “There is no redemption for me.” He let out a slow, measured breath. “I should return before I’m missed.”

Aubrey stood then, moving toward him, her expression pleading. “I know it’s dangerous. I know you risk being caught. But we only need one small thing delivered.”

Gunther tilted his head back, as if searching for strength in the ceiling’s beams. “What is it?”

“This,” Erin answered, producing a dagger and holding it out. “We need it to reach Padraig.”

His gaze dropped to the weapon, then rose to meet hers, his expression unreadable. But then, his voice came low and grave. “You should know—the attack is imminent. They will not survive. Their time has run out.” He gestured toward the dagger. “That will change nothing.”

Silence fell over the room, heavy and suffocating. Erin’s chest tightened as dread curled inside her. She slid a look to Gwen who’s eyes shone with unshed tears.

Still, Erin lifted the dagger higher, her voice unwavering. “Take it. Even if it doesn’t change the outcome, we have to try.”

For a long moment, Gunther didn’t move. Then something flickered in his eyes—pity, perhaps, or reluctant understanding.

“Very well,” he murmured. “I will try.”

He reached for the dagger, and the moment his fingers closed around the hilt, he vanished with a swirl of lights.

Erin released a shaky breath and let her shoulders sag. “He’ll get it to him. It has to work.”

No one answered. Slowly, they returned to their seats, the weight of uncertainty settling over them like a heavy shroud. There was nothing left to do but wait—wait and pray for the survival of the five brave knights.