“And then…?”
“And then I planted evidence proving he’d stolen our money, which again, another simple spell. And then I murdered him.”
It was the last straw. The last bit of filthy gleeful statement she could allow him to spew from his mouth, the last second she could stand to hear his voice.
Rage filled her and took over, and without another thought, Poppy charged him, running at him like some demented bull and crashing into his midsection.
Avis folded in half, his torso collapsing as she drove him against the wall of the lobby until she felt the satisfying crack of his frame against the wall.
She landed on him, moving quickly to straddle him as she gathered up his shirt in her fist and laid one square on his jaw, the crack of his flesh so exhilarating, she almost cheered.
He lay immobile, his breathing shallow enough that Poppy took a deep breath of relief and began to climb off him, ready to make a break for the entryway doors and get help.
And that’s when shit got real.
Chapter 20
“Did you hear him?” Calamity hissed. “He’s as GD whacked-ass, certified nutter! We have to find a way to get in there!”
On Calamity’s instruction, they’d crept toward the doors to listen to what was happening in order to form a plan. As Rick heard Avis go on and on about how he’d tricked the tenants of Littleton, almost killed Mr. Rush with a stroke, and murdered Yash, rage had simmered deep inside him—deep and hateful.
Poppy had been right. Her intuition had been right…and he’d been a fool. All these years, all this time.
Now, as he watched in horror while Avis used spell after spell to toss Poppy around like a ragdoll, they couldn’t get inside. He’d somehow created a barrier, keeping everyone out.
The wind howled, leaves blew, and his stomach turned as his fear grew.
“Wait!” he whispered as inspiration struck. He’d once seen Yash instruct two witches in the art of attacking a spell from two different sides, using their wands. “I have an idea. Nina, please tell me you have your wand.”
She yanked it from her back pocket and held it up, but her eyes were confused. “And what do you want me to do with the fucking thing? Turn water into wine? That’s as good as it gets with me right now.”
January’s eyes widened, her hand gripping his arm in her excitement. “I know what you’re going to suggest. Yes! Good plan!” she cheered. “Nina, just do as I say. Rick, you and Calamity focus your minds on breaking this spell. We’re going to need every bit of magic between us. Marty, Wanda, Darnell, the second I give the all clear, make a break for the door. The more people in there trying to get her out, the better. We cannot let him put those stones together, or all hell will break loose. Literally.”
Nina placed a hand on Carl’s shoulder. “You stay here, Buckeroo. Got it?”
He grunted his consent, patting her on the arm before she turned to January, her eerily beautiful face bathed in determination. “Tell me what to do, Doc.”
As January positioned them, Rick caught a glimpse of the moon, its hue beginning to change, ramping up his fear Avis would kill Poppy. But if it was the last thing he did, he’d get her the hell out, and he’d avenge Yash’s death.
No matter how he had to do it.
Avis lifted his hand again, using his magic to slam her against the floor until she was certain she’d broken a rib.
Then something caught his attention, a flash of light from outside the building. Flashes of yellow and purple, two bright beams of light aimed at the entryway. That moment of distraction was exactly the moment she needed. If she could just get to the stones, maybe break one, would it help thwart the summoning of the spirits?
Lifting herself from the ground, Poppy catapulted toward the first stone she could get her hands on, the acute stab of pain in her ribs amplified when she attempted to knock one off the pillar.
But Avis was quicker, and with another lift of his hand, he slammed her back against the far wall.
Poppy screamed out her frustration, yelped as her head cracked against the wall and snapped back. “Stop!” she bellowed. Goddammit, where was all that errant magic she’d been throwing around earlier this week? Why couldn’t she turn him to stone?
But she realized, as she slid down the wall, she had no idea how she’d done it to begin with.
Avis began to push the last pillar into place, using his shoulder, clenching his teeth as he hardened his jaw from the strain.
Her pulse crashed in her ears, her terror at what was to come if she couldn’t stop him forcing her to push harder. Using her palms, she crawled her way up the wall, gasping for breath, each inhale an agony all its own.
“Nooo!” she screamed, lunging for him in an arc of air and pure determination, landing at his feet and grabbing for them, tripping him.