Chapter 41 41
I made sure the cell door was locked by trying to pull it off its hinges and let out a whistle. The door didn’t even groan and barely shook. Impressive. After randomly yanking on multiple sections and getting the same results, I moved on to a new technique to get out. Portal ripping was denied, energy ball ricocheted back to me (I barely ducked in time), fire balls went out as soon as they were conjured, and when I tried to mist out, I was electrocuted. I rematerialized in my solid form swearing. Quickly throwing my clothes back on, I tried a few incantations. Nothing. This was definitely a good place to hold our uninvited guests. Connor cleared his throat.
“So, not even the great Cole Pearson can do a jailbreak huh?” He looked like quite the smug bastard as he leaned against the other cell with his arms crossed. He had that gleam in his eyes again that I never liked.
“The spells on this place are more than adequate for what we need.” I wrapped my hands around the bars while giving him my best crazy inmate stare. I hadn’t gotten my long black hair pulled into a ponytail since returning solid and it fell across my face, giving me a slightly feral look. Just to add to the picture, I smiled with my fangs hanging out.
“How about you fill me in on the incident and I’ll unlock the door.” He held up the key the deputy had used when she locked me in. Guess he must of gotten that from her while I was misting around. Come to think of it, Connor and Tristan were the only ones in the room with me. She must have snuck out before I was solid. Huh. I really should have seen this coming.
“I’ll never squeal copper!” I said with a snarl. I looked at the pup standing by the door when he chuckled. “Something funny K9 unit?” That just made him laugh louder. When a flash filled the cell I understood what was so funny. Connor had his phone palmed and was taking pictures of me locked up. Uh oh. I might have gotten one blackmailer taken care of, but, I suspected it was going to cost a lot to keep those pictures from becoming memes. “Alright fun times over. Connor unlock the door and delete the pics.
We got work to do.”
Both of them just looked at me. Um hello. I’m in charge here! I knew I could break the spells that were keeping me in here, but, then I would have to reset them and hope I got them right. Which would lead back to me testing the cell and being locked in. So instead, I put on my stubborn face, crossed my arms and locked eyes with my partner. As we stared at each other, Thomas came in. He looked from one to other, pulled out his phone, took a couple of snaps and then took the key from Connor. “You guys can play prisoner and correction officer on your own time. We have a town to protect.”
Once I was free I thanked Thomas for the assist and then got down to work. I flipped open the cigar box to lift out the round stone that fit into notches carved into the tips of the triangular stones. At some point in the past, words had been chiseled onto them, but, time had all but erased them. Only slight indents were left of them. Holding it in my hand, I could feel a slight quiver of power from it. It had been centuries since they had been used. I hoped I had enough power to fuel the spell which would enact the shield around the town’s perimeter. But first, I had to activate the destination stone.
I handed Connor the stone so I could I pull a pieces of chalk form the box. It was plain white chalk like they used to use in schools. Using my fang, I sliced my thumb and let the blood drip onto the chalk and chanted a few words. We all felt a hum of magic go through the air. When it dissipated, the once white chalk was now blood red.
“Flashy. But, couldn’t you have just gotten red chalk?” I slid the pup a look.
“That wouldn’t have tied it to my blood. You will find that often times when dealing with old magic, blood is the key.” I used the chalk to draw a box around the holding cells. When that was done, I dripped a few drops of blood onto the destination stone and then did some more chanting. Old magic was very ritualistic. Blood, chanting, sometimes a drum. Thankfully no drum was required for this one. I have no sense of rhythm. When the chant was finished the stone gave off a wave of energy that flowed to the chalk box I had drawn on the floor. There it took on a slight gold color as it raced around the chalk line. Once it finished I put the stone on the small table in the corner.
“Don’t move that. You should post a guard in here just in case someone lands between the cells. There’s nothing to stop them from busting through that door” I pointed at the door that lead to the bull pen.
“And out the front door.”
“Will do. “ Thomas answered as he escorted us to the front door. “Have you heard anything that might let us know who’s heading our way or when?”
Connor and I shook our heads. “If we hear anything, we’ll let you know.” Connor answered as he shook hands with Thomas. “Keep your eyes open and stay safe.”
“You too.” Thomas shook hands with Tristan and gave me a salute before going back into the building.
“Into the woods for us. I say we start in the east and work our way around.” At the boys nods, I lead my troupe to the east. Tristan began singing some song about agony. Which was weird. But then Connor joined in. It seemed to be some duet about two arrogant men in agony of women. What the hell does she would go with you if only there were doors mean? They then started swinging around trees and prancing around. I grew more puzzled when Tristan mimed ripping his shirt off. Oh dear god. Had they gone insane? I was now in agony because of two men! They chuckled and high fived when they finally reached the end.
“What in the name of all that is holy was that?” I demanded.
“Haven’t you seen Into The Woods?” Tristan asked like he was surprised.
“Into the Woods? What the hell is that?” Connor was trying not to laugh at my question. I could see his shoulders shaking as he held it in.