Chapter 16

I watched as Quinton and Arius reappeared.

“They’re with Liza now.” Quinton said.

Liza, I’d found out, was running the safe houses Alona paid for, so the women they’d rescued were in secure locations and couldn’t be taken again. This family was amazing. The lengths they went to protect others, it made me proud to be helping them.

“I only removed the porting from their minds.” Arius looked at Troy.

I wasn’t sure if I was amazed or scared that he could do something like that.

Troy nodded. “We’ll have to get more details from them later.”

“Check the database and see if their names were on it.” Chase said to Alona.

“I will, when we get back.” She had such a sad look on her face.

“We need to do something about these tunnels.” Victor’s words sounded like a command, harsh and not to be ignored. “We could have Romulus seal them.” Rafael suggested. “Or don’t, and have him place an alarm on them so we will be alerted when someone is here.

I glanced to Beth, wondering if they could do something like that. She nodded.

“Or,” Paisley looked around at the men, “we could go and place motion activated cameras, non-magically at the entrances.”

Arius smiled at her. “They wouldn’t be checking for that.”

Victor looked from his brother to her. “We’ll do that.”

“Are we going to see who is up there?” Daxx looked up the side of the mountain.

Troy glanced to Chase for a moment. “Yes, but you probably won’t like the how.”

Daxx frowned. “How?”

“There’s a trap door on the roof. Only members of the royal family know about it.” Michael motioned to Victor and Quinton. “The last three that lived here are standing right here.”

“The roof?” Paisley looked at her man.

“You’ll be fine, it’s large, not a ledge. We’re porting there, then going inside.” He spoke quietly, a soft expression on his face.

She didn’t look happy.

“Where does it come out?” Alona asked.

“Our parents’ room.” Quinton said quietly.

“We should check the roof and make sure they don’t have the area warded.” Leone looked to Arius. “You said the throne room is.”

“I’d feel better knowing we could port there.” Bethany said then bit her lip. “I mean what happens if you can’t? Do you come back or—”

Leone held up his hand, so she wouldn’t go further with her thoughts.

“I’ll go.” Victor said abruptly.

“Take this.” Daxx pulled the porter off her wrist. “In case you end up in some strange place.”

Victor looked offended momentarily, and then accepted it and put it on his wrist. “I’ll be right back.” He vanished.

Crissy stood there looking up the mountain.

The entire group was quiet, waiting.

Victor reappeared. “It isn’t warded. And the door is still sealed.”

“So, we’re good?” Quinton asked.

Victor nodded and held out his hand to Crissy. She took his hand and then reached out and took Daxx’s, who was holding Troy’s. Rafael stepped over and put his hand on Victor’s shoulder.

All of them were gone.

Arius pulled Paisley closer. “You’ll be fine.” He kissed the top of her head and put his hand on Quinton’s shoulder.

Emil moved over and put his hand on the other shoulder.

Chase hugged Alona to him and then put his hand on Michael’s shoulder.

Michael held his hand out to me. I took it and stepped closer to him.

“Oh good, I haven’t wanted to throw up in a few hours.” Bethany whispered as she hugged Leone while he touched Michael’s other shoulder.

My stomach clenched. Before I could complain, I noticed the breeze on my face. I moved away from Michael and looked around. “I’m standing on a palace.” I said quietly.

Crissy grinned, nodding enthusiastically. Then her face sobered. “I think this is where the flashing lights were.” She looked at Daxx.

“What kind of flashing lights?” Daxx asked.

“A storm?” Rafael was looking at the sky.

“I don’t know, but it was surrounded by badness.” Crissy whispered.

“Everyone take care, don’t rush a single step.” Troy was looking all around the roof.

“Where’s the crystal, Raf?” Quinton bent down beside the trap door and held out his hand.

Rafael pulled out a clear crystal and handed it to him.

Quinton held it over the trap door. It didn’t do anything. Opening the door, he held his hand inside. “It’s not sensing anything.”

Troy held out his hand. “I’ll keep it visible as we go.”

Nodding, Quinton handed it to him. “Watch your step. This hasn’t been used in a long time.” He climbed down into the hole.

Not wanting to be left behind, I went over and went down next. The rungs were in good condition, I hadn’t felt any of them so much as slip. Jumping the last few, I landed beside Quinton and turned to check out the room. It was huge, ornate, and very empty. I moved over to the door and stood beside it. If anyone came through, I’d be ready.

Michael and Victor were down now.

Paisley and Alona were coming down next.

Michael tapped his ear. I remembered I needed to reconnect to the call and did it quickly.

“Ugh, will I ever get used to porting?” Paisley said looking ill.

“Might be the altitude. I’m feeling a bit off too.” Alona said quietly.

“Must be.” Daxx said coming down the ladder. “I feel ill, like I haven’t since my first few ports.”

Crissy was right behind her. “I feel funny too, and I’m used to high places.”

“What do you mean?” Victor was to the ladder in one step, lifting her down quickly.

“I just feel wrong.” She told him. “In my head.” She pressed her palm against her forehead.

Paisley nodded. “Mine too.”

Emil, then Rafael came down.

“Pressure from the storm coming in?” Rafael rubbed his temple. “It’s got me too.”

Leone hopped down. “I feel okay.”

Bethany was right behind him. “I must be susceptible, because I have pains stabbing through my temples.”

Chase climbed down quickly and went to Alona. “Are you picking this up from everyone else?”

She shook her head. “No, this is all me.”

Arius almost jumped from the top. “Is it the room? I was fine at the top.” He pushed his hand against the top of his head.

Troy jumped from the ladder. “I’ve got knives stabbing though my skull.” He held out his hand with the crystal. It was red. “What does red mean?”

I looked at Rafael.

He was squeezing his temples with a hand across his forehead. “It’s not good. Blood magic.”

“Blood magic?” I turned to Michael, his brows were drawn together.

“I’m not feeling anything.” He looked around at the others and then to me.

“I’m fine.” I told him.

“Uh.” Daxx grabbed her head. “Something isn’t right.”

Troy winced and nodded.

“It’s making me feel sick.” Beth whispered and leaned into Leone.

“Why is it only affecting some of us?” Emil looked to Michael.

“I don’t know.” Michael looked at the crystal again.

Alona and Paisley looked like they were going to pass out.

“Abilities.” I looked at all of those affected. “It’s only hurting those with an ability.”

“I don’t have one.” Daxx squatted down and held her head.

“You’re immune to abilities.” Michael said. “That’s considered one.”

“Lucky me.” She groaned.

Arius hissed out a breath. “We have to get out of here.”

“Port to where the horses are.” Victor said, scooping Crissy into his arms.

“Can’t.” Troy mumbled. “Can’t focus on anything.”

“Same.” Rafael said.

Troy pulled Daxx to her feet and stumbled over to Victor.

“Come, Rafael, Alona.” Victor said harshly.

Chase helped his mate over. “Go.” He kissed the top of her head. “We’re right behind you.”

Leone helped Bethany over to Victor as Arius held his hand out to Paisley.

All of them managed to crowd around Victor.

“Let us know if it clears once you’re out of here.” Michael said looking concerned.

Troy dropped the crystal as they vanished.

I looked at Michael, his expression was hard.

“We need to check the rest of the floor.” Chase was scowling.

“Do you think it will affect mages?” Quinton was looking around the room. “How do we remove it, if it does?”

“I don’t know, brother.” Chase answered quietly.

“They’re still a bit off, but it does clear once leaving that space.” Victor’s voice came through the earpiece. “Ms. Tremon says the crystal turning red is not encouraging.”

“Can it be removed?” Chase asked.

“It’s complicated.” Troy sounded drained.

“How did they place the wards if those with abilities can’t be in the same space?” Quinton glared at the bedroom door.

“I don’t know.” Troy answered.

“You can’t go exploring with so few people.” Arius said quietly.

“He’s right.” Rafael’s tone was very quiet. “It’s what they want. To take out most of us, leaving the rest outnumbered.”

I glanced to Michael and nodded, telling him I agreed with Rafael’s theory.

“So, we go back and prepare for this?” Chase didn’t look pleased.

“We have to find a way to remove it.” Arius said in a monotone.

“That did me in.” Paisley whispered.

“Me too.” Crissy sighed.

Emil shook his head and looked at Michael. “I’d feel better if we knew what we were dealing with before going further.”

“We could put a camera here too.” I suggested. “Maybe one outside the door.”

Leone nodded. “I think we should set as many in here as we can.”

“First we need to get our strength back.” Troy’s tone was more commanding now.

“We’ll come down.” Chase motioned to the open trap door. “As soon as we close the door.”

“I’ll go up and pull the ladder so it’s hidden again.” Quinton started up it.

Michael picked up the crystal and looked at it, then went over to the door. He held it against the doorknob. It lightened, but still didn’t clear. Using his other hand, he touched the door. Sparks came off it. “Door is warded. We can’t exit this room.”

“Guess Romulus is going on a field trip.” Quinton said, amused. “He loves those.”

“Let’s get back and get the cameras installed in the caverns before they think to ward those as well.” Victor said.

“We’re going to port back; someone bring the horses.” Troy told us.

“I’m going to quickly check other entrances.” Quinton said sticking his head down in the hole in the ceiling.

“Be careful, brother.” Victor warned.

“I’m checking from outside the building.” Quinton closed the hatch in the roof.

“Those that weren’t affected will bring back the horses.” Michael said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “No one goes anywhere alone.”

I looked at him, his eyes held that haunted look. His ghosts were chasing him. He held out his hand to me. I took it without hesitation.