Dragon Awakened(91)

She could hear the strain in his voice as he begged. Cyn was not a man who was used to begging.

Purcell said, “I will hold you to your word, as you hold me to mine. But I insist that once you are there, you remain until the fracturing passes.”

“Whatever you say.”

“Follow me.”

Cyn got back in, closing the door with both hands, like he was too weak to do it with one. “We’re on.”

They wound through the city, busy even at this time of night. Ruby remained slumped but watched the buildings go by. Finally he pulled into a nearly empty parking lot. A sign pronounced the place closed for renovation.

“Where are we?” she asked.

“The Devil’s Ray nightclub, one of the private clubs for Crescents only.”

He parked near the entrance, going around to the passenger side and helping her out. She let her body go limp.

“In here,” Purcell said, leading the way to the back entrance of the three-story building. “I’ve commandeered one of the clubs to gather the Chosen. You’re the first to arrive.”

Cyn pretended to stagger, though when Purcell put his arm out to help, he stepped back. “I’ve got her.”

“Can you still become Dragon?”

Cyn sounded weary. “I doubt it.”

He stepped into the cavernous space, and the door closed behind them. More ominous, she heard the locks click. She felt an immediate difference in the energy, similar to how Chena felt. The reactor was definitely here. She met Cyn’s eyes, and he gave her a subtle nod.

Some lights were on, though they didn’t illuminate the space well. She heard two men talking somewhere nearby. Stacks of cots lined the outer wall. So that part was true, anyway. Two bars flanked the large space, and in the back, an open space she guessed was a dance floor. This would be the place where the Chosen would hunker down while all the other Crescents died.

Bastards.

Purcell gestured, and a man rushed over and set out a cot.

Cyn laid her down, whispering, “You’re going to be all right, baby.”

Another man came over and both remained a few feet away from Purcell. No doubt security.

Purcell held out his hand. “I will require your cell phones. No one can have access to the outside once they’re here. It’s for your own safety. When friends or acquaintances call, panicked about how people are dying, some will weaken and give our location. We can’t allow any more than are planned for.”

Cyn slowly pulled his phone out. He wouldn’t be able to call in Grayson.

“Hers, too.”

She wasn’t sure how he knew she had one, but Cyn dutifully dug into her pocket and retrieved it, handing both over.

“Stay with her,” Purcell said. “I’ll be right back.”

Cyn knelt next to her, but he watched the man retreat. She couldn’t see from her vantage point. They agreed that as soon as they were inside, they were completely in their roles. The two guards had remained, preventing even a subtle exchange.

Purcell returned and paused by the two men. “Where is Magda?”

Ruby’s eyes widened at the name. Of course Magda would be here. She was Purcell’s daughter-in-law.

One of the men said, “She went to gather some provisions.”

Purcell stepped into view, taking a call on his cell phone. “Yes?…It’s getting to be too much?…All right, you know where we are. I’ll see you soon. We’re ready.” He disconnected, turning to the two men. “People will start arriving soon.”

Cyn stood. “Ruby needs healing now.”

“The Deus Vis in the building should bring her around.”

“She’s fading fast. If she dies…” He let the threat hang in the air. They had a small window of opportunity, with only a few men here and Magda out.

After a tense moment, Purcell turned and walked away. “Bring her.”

Cyn picked her up again and followed Purcell down a short hallway where the offices were. Purcell opened the door to the second room, allowing Cyn to carry her in.

In a wooden cabinet lined with black velvet sat a reactor roughly two feet long and six inches wide. Energy pulsed all around it, as thick in the air as her pulse was in her blood. Purcell took her hand and pressed it against the smooth surface. Its energy charged through her so intensely that she gasped.

He pulled it back. “Now, go back to the main area.”

Ruby slid to her feet, not having to pretend to adjust to the power rocketing through her. She and Cyn exchanged a nod and Catalyzed.

Purcell used his magick to throw Cyn against the wall, shouting, “Carew! Balston, get in here!” Purcell turned to her, his eyes as wild as the aurora borealis. He held out his hand, and she ducked as a fireball shot over her.