Magic Burns

Page 94

 

 

 

“Our furry companion once again forgets the advance of a flare,” Ghastek said.

 

“If the two of you don’t stop, I’ll send you home.”

 

The flare had turned Champion Heights into a granite spire. And it wasn’t even going full force yet. We were just getting the preview of what was to come.

 

We dismounted, tied our horses to the rail, and went up the concrete steps to where the entrance used to be. Solid rock. Not even a crevice.

 

The magic fell.

 

“Window,” Ghastek said.

 

Three stories from the ground a pane of glass shone, catching the sun.

 

The bloodsucker gathered itself like a cat and launched up onto the wall, finding purchase on the sheer cliff with the ease of a fly. It turned around, hanging upside down, and offered me an arm.

 

“I’ll climb myself, thanks.”

 

“It will cost us time.”

 

“That’s fine with me.”

 

It’d been a long time since I had gone rock climbing. By the time I made it to the window, Derek and the bloodsucker had been waiting for a good minute. Ghastek scooted the vamp to the side to make room for me. “You delayed us. It’s simply not efficient.”

 

I huffed. “Spare me.”

 

Derek knocked on the window. No answer. He rammed his fist into the glass. The window pane exploded into the apartment. We climbed into the hole one by one and let ourselves out of the apartment.

 

Neither of us mentioned the illegality of our smooth maneuver.

 

We made it to the fifteenth floor, and I stole a little break by taking my time to find the right door.

 

“So what sort of person is this expert?” Derek asked.

 

“The very intelligent, methodical kind. Somber, even. Saiman enjoys erudite discussions. He’s like Ghastek—” With a sex drive. “He’s like Ghastek except instead of piloting vampires, he indulges in books and late night debate on the virtues of Mongolian folklore.”

 

“Wonderful.” Derek rolled his eyes.

 

I nodded to the vamp. “The two of you will probably hit it off.”

 

The magic flooded us again. This time Derek was ready—his face showed no change. Ghastek, on the other hand, halted in midrise halfway off the ground.