Page 36 of Pirate Witch

When he goes toward the jewellery box, I stand up and cut him off.

“We should go.”

Klaus doesn’t argue or tell me it’s too early. He simply nods and heads for the door.

That all changes when he sees me pick up Glenna’s Athame.

“The others said the last time you used that, you almost died,” he censures. “It’s your magic, and I trust your judgement, but please consider how they’ll feel if the same thing happens because you’re trying to save them.”

My mouth turns down in a grim but determined frown. “I won’t hesitate if it will save them. But it shouldn’t happen again. Destroying the Claw took a massive amount of magic. Essentially, the power involved purged the athame of Glenna’s magic completely. It’s attuned to me now.”

Am I sad that I’ve lost that final link to my mentor’s magic? Absolutely. But the dagger itself was chosen by her. I can fit my fingers into the grooves hers have worn on the handle.

I might be too young as far as most witches are concerned, but I’ve felt too young for a lot of things in my life. It didn’t mean Fate pulled any of her punches.

I sheathe the blade at my hip and brush past him, leading the way down to the cellar. The closer we get, the more I start to notice the cliff shaking rhythmically.

“What is that?”

“The crew,” Klaus answers. “They’ve been putting all of their energy into breaking the bars, the ceiling, the floor. The bargain is forcing them to try everything to get to you.”

I gulp, biting my lip.

We really have no choice now. That bargain has to break, or they’ll be compelled to hunt me down and kill me.

Elsie and Reva are outside, with Cooper hanging back, as they pore over a book which must be at least three centuries old. Beyond them, Sade, Pierce, and Cirio are waiting for us by the stairs. The vampire queen studies the young witches with her unnerving gaze as they work, but Elsie and Reva don’t pay the intimidating trio any attention.

“Are we sure this is a commonsensical idea?” Cirio whispers to Pierce, loudly enough that we can all hear him.

“It’s theonlyidea,” I retort, just as the entire patio shakes from the force of whatever it is they’re doing in there. “We can’t leave them locked up forever. They’re going to break out sooner or later.” When the pirate king still doesn’t look convinced, I add. “I don’t like it either, but we have no other options.”

Pierce nods, adding. “I’d want you to do the same thing if I were in their shoes.”

Cirio’s grim expression turns sappy, and he presses the softest of kisses against his vampire mate’s cheek before turning back to me.

They’re all staring at me, I realise, having been so caught up in the byplay that I’ve missed Elsie, Reva, and Cooper drawing closer.

I open my mouth, but no words come out. My lips snap shut and I swallow back the emotions that threaten to choke me before starting again.

“We need to get moving. Dawn is almost here.”

“Once they’re…” Elsie begins, but trails off.

“Dead,” Reva supplies.

“On theedgeof death,” Elsie corrects, with a scowl. “You’ll need to go into the spirit plane to keep an eye on them and make sure they don’t tip too far in either direction. If it looks like that’s happening, return to our plane and warn us. We’ll be in a trance, but weshouldbe able to hear you.”

I nod, waiting for her to say something else. Instead, she glances down at the floor before turning her focus to her Lunar counterpoint.

“We need them to cooperate, and we don’t know if your presence will antagonise them.” Reva says, bluntly. “So it might be best if you remain hidden or on the spirit plane until they’re out.”

I nod, biting my lip to hide how relieved her statement makes me.

The next time my mates see me, I want it to bethemstaring back at me. Not the Eagle’s blank puppets.

I slink into the shadows as soon as the door is opened. Using my sigils to keep me hidden from sight as we head down the narrow corridor and into the bare room.

My men have dented the bars. The iron is so close to buckling that it’s been ripped from the stone in places. Not quite enough for them to escape, but close enough to concern me. The bars aren’t the only thing we enchanted, but they are the biggest obstacle to them leaving.