That cry sent a chill so deathly cold down my back that my knees nearly gave way. Before my brain even had time to catch up, I was moving, pushing through the crowd. The crowd was beginning to clump, everyone trying to see what the fuss was about. I elbowed and shoved, trying to force my way through, but there were too many people in the way. I got stuck in a mass of people but could see the Master clear enough.
He looked irritated and waved his hand, the way one would swat at a fly. “Come forward,” he said. The words were quiet, but they reverberated through the room as if he had shouted them.
Several guests near him flinched visibly. The crowd quieted and there was a mass shuffling from the people trying to get out of the way as a tall figure pushed toward the Master, dragging someone behind him.
My heart plummeted to the floor.
It was the Scavenger.
Though dressed in dark slacks and a white shirt, his clothing couldn’t hide the layer of grime that covered his skin or detract from the greasy stringiness of his hair. His face was twisted in a triumphant grin. He yanked his arm forward, plucking his captive from the crowd and into the open space before the Master.
It was Maggie.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
I staggered backward, bumping into Serena. A scream rose in my throat, but her urgent voice hissed in my ear: “Don’t. You’ll only make it worse.” Her fingertips wrapped around my arm, steadying me, but it was as if the room was spinning on its axis and I couldn’t tell which way was up. I swallowed hard, forcing air into my lungs.
“Serena, we have to do something. We—”
Another cry from Maggie stopped me short.
The Scavenger had yanked Maggie by the wrist until she was standing in front of the Master. Rivulets of blood dripped from a wound on her left forearm, spotting the emerald dress she wore with crimson. The fear was plain on her face.
A pulse of electricity lanced through me. I didn’t have to look down to know green lightning danced between my fingertips. The current pulsing through me was alive and ready. I have to help her. I stepped forward, welcoming the energy igniting inside me. I have to save her.
A strong yank on my arm made me stumble. Serena’s mouth was set in a hard line, her eyes locked on mine.
“Serena?” I asked.
“I’m sorry, Lainey,” she said, her grip firm. “I can’t let you do that. I promised Gareth I’d keep you safe.”
I shoved her hand away. “It’s not your call to make.” I glared at her, the anger fueling the fire that burned inside me. “I won’t just stand here and do nothing. She’s my best friend.”
Serena opened her mouth to refuse me again, her hand already reaching up to latch onto me. I shoved her hard, and she stumbled backward, tottering on her tall heels. I pushed my way forward, as much as the crowd would allow. I reached for the energy inside me, but before I could act, a roar filled the ballroom.
“Let her go!” Ty pushed through the crowd. He wasn’t wearing his suit jacket anymore, and there was a shoulder holster of long knives across his back. He rushed toward the Scavenger, his face twisted in fury. Then he turned slightly and bowed deeply to the Master. “My apologies, my Lord, but that woman belongs to me.” He pulled one of the blades from the holster and pointed it at the Scavenger. “I do not mean to interrupt, but I intend to get back what is mine.”
I let out a strangled cry, but the sound of it was lost in the cacophony of surprised gasps, squeals of alarm, and even laughter from the other guests.
The Scavenger looked surprised at first, but narrowed his eyes and tightened his grip on Maggie’s wrist. She winced. “What claim do you have on her?” He took a step forward, sniffing the air. “Oh, I see. You were there that night in the woods. You’re the one who killed my brothers.” The Scavenger opened his mouth and snarled, the feral sound echoing across the walls. The murmur of the crowd grew louder.
“You will return what is mine,” Ty said coolly, slashing his blade through the air. The Scavenger jumped back.
There was surprised gasp from the crowd as Ty swung the knife again. The Scavenger shoved Maggie farther from reach and pulled a long dagger of his own from the inner folds of his shirt. He laughed, his features rippling between man and wolf.
They skirted around each other. The din of the crowd grew louder, an excited murmur pulsing though the observers. The sound of steel striking steel filled the ballroom. Ty moved like the wind, twisting and rolling, always out of the Scavenger’s grasp. When he thrust an elbow into the Scavenger’s face, there was a loud crunching sound and a spray of blood. The Scavenger stepped back holding his nose and howling. The crowd clapped in appreciation, but Ty stood stone-still, gripping his blade.
The Scavenger spit a mouthful of blood on the floor and then made a move to lunge at Ty.
“Enough.” The command wasn’t loud, but it cut through the room silencing the crowd and stopping the Scavenger. The Master rose from his chair, his eyes flicking back and forth between the two men. He beckoned the Scavenger forward. “Explain yourself.” His voice was cool, but there was steel in the undertone.
“My lord.” The Scavenger dropped to a bow in front of his feet. “This is the witch I told you about, the one with more magic than I’ve tracked in years. I’ve brought her to you.” He beckoned to the Guards, who brought Maggie toward them. Her face—my face—was streaked with tears, but she stood with her head held high, her back straight.
There wasn’t the slightest bit of emotion in the Master’s face as he walked around Maggie surveying her. “You are a fool and not worth the coin you think you deserve.”
The Scavenger looked confused. “My lord?”
The Master sighed and then turned smiling to address the crowd. “Someone had been sampling too much wine, I think.” There was a murmur of polite laughter from the crowd. He looked back at the Scavenger, but there was no amusement in his features. “Do you not know your own kind?” His voice wasn’t loud, but it was full of venom and the Scavenger winced. “This girl isn’t one of us. She is human.”
“Human?” The Scavenger looked taken aback. “I swear it’s her, my lord. Her scent. I . . . There must be some mistake.”
“I do not make mistakes.” The Master waved his hand across Maggie’s face. Her features began to shimmer and distort as the glamour faded away. “Sage magic,” he said simply, eyeing Maggie curiously.
The Scavenger dropped to his knees and began murmuring words of apology. His features blurred and his form flickered in and out—clearly a nervous habit.
The Master looked almost bored. “And now, you’ve interrupted a perfectly good party.” He sighed and turned to the Guard nearest him. “Take this underling outside—I’ll deal with him later.”
The Guard bowed and dragged the Scavenger to the nearest exit. The double doors slammed shut behind them.
The Master swiveled on his heel and looked to Ty. “Your turn.” He held out a hand, waiting for Ty’s explanation.