The setting sun spills orange-pink light through the window. Why didn’t we find that passage six hours ago? There’s not enough time. It’s all happening too fast.
“This could explain everything,” Aunt Penny says. “They could have just kidnapped the teens, but they went to all the effort of mind-wiping them too. Maybe it’s because they’re trying to replicate this spell as closely as possible. Maybe they want willing sacrifices, like this kid in the story.”
I press a hand to my temple. “Sure, there are witches and warlocks in Los Demonios, but the Family’s been dumping the Priory’s best sorcerers in there for decades. The place is jam-packed with them. If they get out, they’ll be more powerful than the Family—than anyone on the planet. Nothing will stop them from killing anyone they want.”
Every time I think things couldn’t possibly get worse, they do.
“What do we do?”
All three of us spin around at the sound of Jessie’s voice. She’s been so quiet that I’d almost forgotten she was here. She has her hands balled at her sides and her jaw thrust up as if ready to challenge Aunt Penny should she try to kick her out again.
“I’m sorry to interrupt,” she says. “I don’t know what’s going on, but if this is happening tonight, we don’t have time to waste. Yes, it’s horrible, but what are we going to do about it?”
“She’s right,” Bishop says. “We’ve got to get there right away. We don’t know how long we’ll be out before we wake up, and if it’s longer than a few hours…” He shrugs. He doesn’t have to say “It could be too late.”
“We need to do the spell again,” I announce. “The amplification spell.” Though my magic finally returned after its disappearance following the spell, I would still be nothing against the sorcerers in Los Demonios at its regular strength.
“We don’t have time,” Bishop says.
“But I can’t go back there like this! I’ll be useless.”
“I’ll go alone then,” Bishop says.
“You don’t know the place. You need me.”
“Then we go together.”
Aunt Penny closes her eyes. It’s quiet for a long moment, and I know what we’re all thinking. That we’re in way over our heads. That it’s a stupid, reckless plan that will probably end badly. But also that we’ll do it anyway for a chance to save those kids. And then Bishop claps his hands and breaks the spell.
“All right. So when do we leave?”
Jessie’s the one who came up with the backpack idea. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. My clothes and everything in my pockets got to come with me into Los Demonios, and my big, fancy plan to get Paige back involved clinging to her when the horrible headache came on—so why not take a backpack and cram it full of goodies?
We’ve filled it with rolls of gauze and medical tape for wounds—which God, I don’t even want to think about—plus pain pills and weapons for me, since I still haven’t mastered conjuring objects yet. I want to protest out of pride, but the truth is, I really could use something to defend myself with in that place.
I pull the backpack over my shoulders and look at myself in the mirror hanging on the back of my closet door. The backpack combined with my black tank, short shorts optimal for running, and combat boots makes me look like Lara Croft in Tomb Raider.
“How do you feel?” Jessie asks.
Nervous. Scared shitless. Like I’m about to go to battle with hundreds of powerful sorcerers, including my dad. “Good,” I say. “I feel ready.”
“That’s great,” she says.
Someone clears their throat. I spin around and find Bishop standing in the doorway. He’s got his hair pulled into a messy bun at the top of his head, with a few pieces hanging loose in the back and around the Betty Boop tattoo peeking out from his collar. He’s wearing a black T-shirt and black cargo pants tucked into lace-up combat boots.
“We’re wearing matching outfits,” I say. “This is sad.”
“I kind of like it.” He gives me a wolfish grin as he crosses over to me.
He tugs me against him. His dark eyes burn into mine, and I can tell before his lips touch mine that it’s not going to be some sweet, romantic kiss. His lips crush against mine. I moan into his mouth, a thrill passing into my stomach.
“Hello, I’m still here.”
Jessie’s voice snaps me back to reality. I start to pull away, but Bishop takes my head in his hands and keeps kissing me, softer this time, his fingers brushing through my hair and trailing along the back of my neck, cupping my cheek and smoothing over my jaw, as if he’s memorizing my face, as if he might never kiss me again and wants to remember everything about the way this feels. And then he presses his forehead against mine. The ghost of his wood-and-mint taste fills my mouth as his dark eyes penetrate mine, his chest rising and falling quickly as he takes me in. I wish I could stay like this forever.
And then he lets go.
Aunt Penny is waiting for us downstairs.
“We’re ready,” I announce.
“Almost.” She holds out her hand. Two necklaces made of braided leather dangle from her fingers. I grab them and hand one to Bishop. A little wooden box splashed with red paint and inscribed on all sides with symbols I don’t understand hangs from the leather.
“It’s a protection amulet,” Aunt Penny explains. “It’s mostly folklore, and any sorcerer with a lick of talent can overpower it, but I thought you should wear it anyway.”
“Thank you,” I gush. I pull the necklace around my neck, turning so that Aunt Penny can do up the clasp. The box feels heavy on my collarbone, already making me feel safer just by its presence.
When I turn back around, there are tears in Aunt Penny’s eyes. She gives me a melancholy smile. I pull her into a hug, and she breaks down, sobbing against my neck.
“Oh, Aunt Penny,” I say, pressing down her hair. “This isn’t goodbye. I’m going to come back.”