What Spookery Is That?: Mature Magic, #5 by Sam Cheever

Author:Sam Cheever
Format: epub

16

AN UNPALATABLE PLAN, A FAVOR GIVEN

“S o, what exactly do you need from us?” I asked Layla as she walked us toward the entrance to her compound. Bev and Wanda walked ahead, with Wraith winding around their ankles. They chatted easily, walking together so closely their shoulders occasionally bumped.

The sight made me smile.

The princess had looped her arm through mine and grown thoughtful as we walked, her thoughts no doubt lost in concern for her family and friends.

I was distracted too, making our silence companionable.

“If my family is taken to the spectral plane, I’ll need to find a way to bring them through.” Her copper gaze lifted to mine.

I tensed. “No, Layla. It’s too dangerous. What if something dark and deadly came through on their heels?”

She dropped my arm. “I have no choice, Aggy. Of all people, I thought you’d understand.”

“I do understand, Layla. But I’m the guardian of the people here. It’s my job to protect them against everything and everyone who might harm them. Do you honestly believe I’d stand by and allow you to perform a blood sacrifice at all, and particularly one which might end with demons running loose in Rome again?” I tensed against a shudder at the thought. Between all of us, we’d barely beaten them back the last time, when the Hellmouth had become active and given them an easy doorway into Rome.

Layla stopped, hands on hips, her expression mulish. “I’m not asking for your permission, Madam Lares. My compound is not under your protection. I am just giving you the courtesy of notice.”

I reached for her hand but she jerked away. “You’re going to offer one of your people as a sacrifice?” I couldn’t believe she’d do it.

Her head came up and for just a blink, her devilish form overlaid her human one. “It is not your concern…”

“Layla,” I said, my tone gentle. “That will leave a stain on your soul you won’t recover from.”

She sighed, rubbing her arms. “There is a woman. She has long overseen my comfort and managed my home. She is…my friend.” Layla’s eyes shimmered with tears. “She has the wasting. It is a common ailment with our people. She is not expected to live much longer. She has begged me to allow her the honor of saving my family. I do not wish it.” The tears escaped her iron control, flowing freely down her cheeks.

I fought the urge to pull her into a hug, knowing she wouldn’t want her guards to see her in need of comfort. “Are you sure she can’t be healed? Maybe the crone could look at her.” Caleigh had healed Matthew and Glenn once, when they’d basically sacrificed themselves in an effort to save us from the attack of several Leviathan. Never mind that the great beasts had been Caleigh’s to call. She hadn’t meant for them to attack…not really…and we’d later discovered she’d pretty much lost control of the enormous fishy creatures. The crone was a phenomenal healer and had brought the two lost ones and Ferral back from near death.

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