Great.
The stone monsters charged us. I glanced skyward again. Aidan was still subduing the giant topiary beasts. If he stopped to help us, those monsters would come from behind and devour us.
It was up to the three of us to beat our way to the house. Nix and Del charged the stone monsters, swinging their mallets with precision. I joined them, trying to ignore the pain in my shoulder. Rocks exploded into the air as our blows landed.
By the time we’d destroyed the last stone monster, Del and Nix were both limping and my arm hung uselessly at my side.
“Oh, my ribs,” Del moaned. “Definitely cracked a few.”
She leaned against me as we waited for Aidan to finish demanding obedience from the giant beasts. Nix thumped to the ground and rubbed her calf.
“Those stone bastards packed a hell of a punch,” she muttered.
“Good thinking with the mallets,” I said. “They were special, right?”
She nodded. “A modification of Thor’s hammer.”
I looked down at my mallet—excuse me, hammer—with more respect. Nix couldn’t create conjurations that had magic, but if there was magic around her, she could put it into her conjuration—like she’d done with the chalice that we now hunted. She must have taken some of the crazy magic in this place and created a version of Thor’s hammer.
“Badass,” I said.
“Thanks.” She climbed to her feet as Aidan landed in front of us.
In a swirl of golden light, he turned back into a man.
“Damn,” Del said. “I’d kinda hoped you’d end up naked.”
He grinned. “Not since I was a pup.”
“Ah well.” She shrugged.
I tried not to think of him naked. What was wrong with me? Even in the middle of this situation, I couldn’t help myself.
I turned to face the manor house. It loomed over us, creepier up close than it had been from far away. It had dozens of mullioned windows, ornate cornices, and stonework arches. The sort just perfect for mean little pixies to hide within. Expansive stone steps led up to a pair of enormous black doors. Even the stone appeared black in the moonlight, and the windows were dark.
“Think our guy is inside?” Aidan asked.
“I feel him coming from that direction, so probably.” I started up the stairs.
“Excellent,” he said. “When we come upon him, let’s attack from different directions. Cass and I, Del and Nix.”
“Okay,” I said.
“Those mallets should take care of the doors, then,” he said.
“Not a chance,” Nix said. “No point in using a hammer when we can use a key.”
We reached the landing, and Nix leaned her mallet against the wall. I held on to mine because I liked it. It wouldn’t do for my normal work—I didn’t want to be smashing my way through temples and tombs—but it was fun for now.
Nix held her palm out facing upward and touched the lock with her other hand. A blue glow enveloped both her hands. A moment later, it faded, leaving behind a golden key in her upturned palm.
“This should do it.” She slipped it into the lock and turned. Snick.
She pushed it open. The door creaked as it swung, like we were entering a haunted house.
Of course.
The dry air that rolled out smelled like neglect and abandonment. As we stepped into the large foyer, the feeling only intensified. I pulled my lightstone from my jacket and shoved it onto my finger. Del did the same with hers. Nix didn’t carry one, but it was more than enough light to illuminate the foyer.
It was an elegant space, with marble floors and a soaring ceiling. An enormous chandelier hung overhead, and a sweeping staircase ascended to the second floor. Enormous paintings hung on the wall, and marble statues dotted alcoves.
Fortunately, they didn’t come to life. But the stain of old dark magic dripped down the walls.
“Fancy,” Del muttered.
“Very,” I said. “But I don’t think he lives here. There’s almost no magic. Just the shadow of it.” I pointed toward the ceiling where the shadow of magic dripped like tar down the walls.
I’d expected more wild magic within the house. Instead, it felt almost peaceful. I shivered as an awful feeling rolled over me. It was peaceful, but not in a nice way.
“Feels like death,” Aidan said.
I couldn’t agree more. There was something dark here. Far darker than the magic that had enchanted the garden or allowed the foreign Phantoms to set up shop in the village. Not just magic that had died, but something worse.
“We shouldn’t stay here long,” Aidan said. “Which way, Cass?”
“Ahead. Toward the back of the house.”