Page 109 of Contested Crown

I was already calculating how much force it would take to break in the door. I could probably do it, although it would be better if I had a crowbar or a battering ram.

“Maybe.” Cade approached the door, hesitating a moment before typing in a code. A red light flashed, the beep long and annoyed.

Cade’s lips twitched, and he tried another six digits. Red light.

The third code he tried ended with a flashing red light. I winced. I didn’t need to ask to know that meant we had set off an alarm somewhere.

“We can’t use your magic.” It wasn’t so much a question as a statement, a reminder of how much he had spent putting us in that in-between place with Isaac and Jay.

Cade shook his head once. “I almost gave myself away stealing the clothing earlier.”

“Cover your ears.” I raised my leg, readying to kick the door, when a voice hissed in my ears.

Ridiculous. Basil drew out the last sibilant sound of the word.You really have no care for any of your limbs, and I want them intact—pulverized meat is not as good. That door will break your ankle.

“I don’t suppose you have a better suggestion, Basil?” I asked.

Cade twitched, the only indication that he was upset I was talking to Basil and not him.

Blow it up. There was a warm satisfaction in the snake’s voice.Boom. That seems to be your go-to with magic.

I frowned at the door, thinking back. The flashing red light was like a countdown, only I couldn’t see any of the numbers. I didn’t know if we had hours or minutes or seconds until someone caught us here.

“Give me some of your magic,” I said finally.

“I can’t give you much.” Cade was frowning, looking at me with some concern. “My control isn’t the best right now.”

“That’s fine. I need something that explodes.” I pointed at the doorknob, and Cade’s eyes narrowed.

“It’s going to feel weaker than it has recently. I used a lot earlier.” Cade offered over his hand.

I placed my palm on top of his and watched as dark lines of tattoo crawled up my skin. All the lines looked sharp, the points narrow and ready to pierce through whatever I put them on.

Cade squeezed my hand once, then stepped back. I focused on what we had been practicing, how I could physically touch his magic, draw it off my skin.

Gritting my teeth, I put my hand on the door and focused on pushing the magic out, on every story Cade had told me about magic on other people, how the end was always explosive.

The doorknob began to heat, the metal vibrating under my hand. It popped, the sound loud enough to leave my ears ringing. The entire latching mechanism fell away, the door swinging open. The beeping keypad went dark.

“Well, they definitely know we’re here now.” I headed into the darkness.

Cade put his hand on my shoulder, and at first, I thought maybe he was using me for guidance. The hallway beyond was narrower, the concrete walls seeming to push in, the stairs were steep, and I could smell water.

Then I felt the pull of magic, the long, sharp lines of the tattoo that Cade had given me drawing back up my shoulder and onto him.

“I don’t like leaving it on you for too long, not without gifting it to you,” Cade said, even though I hadn’t asked for any explanation. “It’s worked well so far, but… That door could have been your hand, your arm.”

“I trust you.” The words were automatic, habitual almost. I trusted him, and he trusted me, even though he knew who I was. Which didn’t make any sense. He shouldn’t trust me at all. I shook my head.

As my eyes adjusted, I saw roots carved into the wall. I reached up to touch one, and Cade grabbed hold of my wrist, holding tight before my fingers could make contact.

“It’s old magic—old House Bartlett magic. It’s binding the ley line to us.” His words were calm, even though I could feel the tension in his hand.

“You would think they’d put a do not touch sign on it if it was dangerous. We should call OSHA.” I continued down the stairs, Cade maintaining contact on my shoulder.

“I’m not sure this is covered by occupational health and safety,” Cade said dryly.

“Think of all the electricians and plumbers that have been down here. Any one of them could have gotten themselves blown up.” I gestured at the walls. “This is a hazard.”