Page 83 of Thicker than Water

Those idiots, they threw my purse in here with me. They must have thought I was just a normal human, a bartender at the nightclub. They probably didn’t even look through it.

“O Hecate, Graceful Goddess, Light in the Night…bring me my handbag, so that I may fight!”

I’m overjoyed as I feel my purse slide across the floor into my hands. Although my fingers are numb, I’m able to fumble around inside.

“Whydo I have so much crap inside my bag!” I moan.

Tossing aside lip balm, a bottle of oil, my enormous leather wallet, and an unnecessarily overburdened set of keys (how many keys do I need? I haveoneapartment!), I finally find what I’m searching for…the smooth wood handle of my wand.

“Thank Goddess!”

But my joy is shortlived. I hear footsteps approaching the door. With my last remaining bit of strength, I roll over onto my back, twisting my body to hide the wand in my hand.

I whisper an incantation urgently. “Hecate, please do me one more deed…slow down my heart for as long as I need!”

I close my eyes tightly as the door bangs open.

“Looks likeshe’s still out,” sighs a voice.

“Did you hear something?” says a second voice.

“No, all I can do is smell this breather. Mmm…she smells nice, doesn’t she?”

“I could have sworn I heard-”

“Shut up, Vinny, you’re always hearing things. Let’s just bring her back to Lazarus. Maybe if we’re lucky, we’ll get the leftovers.”

“I doubt it. He never shares, especially with newborns.”

“You’re such a pessimist. Ooh, I can smell her blood. Do you think Lazarus will be upset if we have a little taste?”

“I think he’ll stake you for even thinking about it.”

“Jesus, you’re no fun.”

They’re obviously young vampires. They don’t yet move with the smoothness that Tudor, Celine, and Lazarus do. I sense them enter the closet and approach me.

This is my only chance. If they drag me away to Lazarus, they might see my wand.

The only advantage I have is surprise. But I’ve got to be fast…

Faster than two vampires.

Holding my wand tightly in my hands, I hone my magic. I don’t use words this time. I use one of the strongest types of magic. My heart’s desire. And I can’t deny what that is.

I picture Celine’s face clearly in my mind. I allow myself to feel how badly I want to get back to her, even if she doesn’t trust me. Even if she can’t choose me. I need to find her.

My intention sharpens my magic, slicing through the duct tape like a blade.

The room lights up with bright yellow energy magic.

As quickly as I can, I scramble to my feet. I’m aching all over from lying on the hard floor, but adrenaline courses through my veins.

And luckily, the newborn vampires are taken by surprise. They’re dressed all in black, staring at me in shock.

“What are you…”

But before they can react, I wave my wand through the air. An arc of gold knocks both of them into the hard concrete wall. It looks like they’re out, at least temporarily. Even in my weakened state, I’m a powerful good witch, and they’re just newborn vampires.