Midnight's Captive(83)

“Where?” Charon demanded as he took a step toward the man.

Con’s forehead furrowed as he asked, “You know of these creatures?”

“Aye. Another Warrior was nearly killed by them when his woman accidentally released them. I thought you knew everything.”

Con’s lips pressed into a tight line before he said, “We can no’ be everywhere.”

“I need to know where the selmyr are at,” Charon said, his tone brooking no argument.

“Follow me and I’ll tell you,” Con said as he walked from his office.





CHAPTER THIRTY



Laura pulled off the road and parked the SUV. She stared down the street to her parents’ house. Pots overflowed with a bright array of flowers, just as she remembered.

But what she didn’t remember was the red paint peeling from the door. Her mother had been fastidious about keeping everything in perfect condition.

She inhaled, both hands on the wheel, and wondered what the hell she was going to say to her mother and sister. They had her magic. There was no way for her to get it back from them. She knew nothing of magic.

Laura recalled the drums and chanting she’d heard while she was in the forest for the brief respite when she’d had her magic. The chanting had comforted her and offered her solace in a world that seemed to have gone crazy.

Her magic—as well as the chanting—was gone, and yet the world was crazier than ever.

Laura leaned her head back against the seat and briefly squeezed her eyes shut. “What have I gotten myself into?”

Though it wasn’t really her fault. She was angry at Charon for not telling her everything and for not believing her, but she didn’t blame him. She’d probably doubt her as well if she were in his shoes.

She wished he was with her, his strong arms around her as he whispered words of comfort. Charon was always so ready and able to face whatever came his way. Now she knew part of it was because he was a Warrior and immortal.

But another part she knew was something that was simply Charon, something that was in his DNA long before he had his god unbound. It’s what made the god chose him, what made Charon the only man who could ever affect her the way he did.

“Damn you, Charon,” she said. “I knew it’d be a disaster to care about you.”

Before she changed her mind, she opened the door and got out of the Range Rover. Her legs were unsteady as she slowly walked to the red front door.

She paused before her shaking hand could knock on the door. A gust of what she thought was wind whipped by her, blowing her hair in her eyes. She clawed at the strands and caught sight of what appeared to be something pale gray swirling around her before it vanished.

A shiver of foreboding crawled down Laura’s spine. “Mother,” she called out as she pounded on the door, her nerves forgotten as worry set in. “Lacy!”

There was a scream from the back of the house. Laura jumped a hedge and raced to the wooden gate. Her fingers slipped on the latch in her hurry, but before she could get it open, someone grabbed her from behind.

“Laura, nay,” Charon whispered tightly.

She stilled, terrified screams reverberating around her. Laura focused on his face to keep the chaos she felt swirling around her at bay. “Charon.”

“Aye.”

“My parents.”

“I know, lass, but we have to leave.”

She heard the urgency in his voice, but her legs wouldn’t move. Laura tried to say Charon’s name again as something slammed into her. She jerked, her entire body feeling as if a current of electricity went through her.

“Shit,” Charon said and lifted her in his arms. “Her magic is returning. We have to get her out of here now.”

Laura wanted to know who he was talking to, but her eyes were riveted on the gate. Something was on the other side. Something she innately knew was there to do her harm.

“Go. I’ll hold them off,” a male voice said.

Charon started running, and Laura wound her arms around his neck. She felt her magic humming through her veins once more, and it was amazing.

She didn’t know how she had managed to get it back, but it was hers once more. And she wouldn’t give it up again.

Charon unceremoniously dumped her in the backseat of another SUV. She scooted to her side and turned her head to ask him what was going on when she saw the tall, gangly monster with ash-colored skin bust through her parents’ gate with one swing of its fist.

“Bloody hell,” she murmured.

Charon slammed his door shut. “Can we leave him?” he asked the driver.

Guy smiled in the rearview mirror, his pale brown eyes ringed in black crinkling at the corners. “I feel sorry for anyone wanting to tangle with Con. Rhys is with him, too, so he’ll be fine.”