Blackbird Crowned (The Witch King's Crown #3) - Keri Arthur Page 0,88
through me, and it was all I could do not to race through the house. While I wanted nothing more than to be wrapped in the warm solid strength of his arms, we had a whole world of problems to deal with first.
Starting with the fact I’d basically just declared war on my brother and needed to get to him before he got to me.
“So, what’s on fire out the front?”
“The van a couple of our attackers tried to escape in. Barney got a little enthusiastic with a stopping spell, apparently.”
I smiled. “Care to explain why you have twigs and leaves in your hair, then? Did someone throw a tree at you?”
“Close. I tripped over the protruding leg of a table when I stepped back from a blow and fell into a tree.”
I laughed. “I’m guessing you won’t be telling your sensei about that.”
Her smile flashed. “Actually, I will be because I still managed to take the bastard out despite him having the advantage.”
“Well done, you.”
“Thank you.”
Henry appeared as we entered the entrance hall and looked utterly unfazed by everything that had happened. “Dinner has been placed in the warmer, ladies. Would either of you like a drink while you’re dealing with the unpleasantness outside?”
I smiled at his polite terminology. “Thanks, but not right now. Mia?”
“I’m good.”
Henry nodded and opened the front door for us. The night, I noted with a shiver, was far colder now that the surge of adrenaline had eased and Vita’s pulsing no longer warmed my side. I rubbed my arms and wished I’d thought to grab my sweater on the way through the breakfast room.
Mo, Luc, Ginny, and Barney were all standing in the driveway. Behind them were the still-smoking remains of a black van. In front of them, in a somewhat ragged circle, were our nine attackers. Eight were sitting and in various states of bloody disarray. The ninth was lying flat and alternated between groaning loudly and cursing because no one was getting him medical help. None of his limbs appeared broken, so maybe he’d damaged his back. A containment spell looped around them all, though it was Barney’s rather than Mo’s magic.
We walked across. Luc immediately wrapped an arm around my waist and tucked me in close to his big, warm body. It felt like a homecoming.
Mo glanced at me. “They came here for you.”
“I figured as much when I discovered Winter was controlling the attack.” I swept my gaze over the nine men. They were all human, no half-breeds. I couldn’t help but wonder if they had any idea who they’d been working for. “I take it you’ve questioned them?”
“Just started to,” Barney said. He was a well-built man with silver-gray hair, craggy but handsome features, and kind brown eyes. “But aside from the groaner, they’re a closemouthed lot.”
“I’m going to fucking sue the lot of you,” the groaner shouted. “You’re legally obliged—”
“You gave up your legal rights when you accepted an assignment from Darkside,” Ginny interrupted calmly. “You’ll be lucky to see the inside of a courtroom, let alone a hospital.”
“We’re not fucking working for Darkside,” another man said. “I may be a gun for hire, but I’m not a traitor.”
There was something in his expression that made me think he was telling the truth. “Did a man called Winter contract you?”
The second speaker hesitated and then nodded reluctantly. “But not to kill anyone. We were just meant to flush you out.”
Me, not the others. “How did you find me?”
“Tracker.”
Mo swore. “Meaning I did miss one.”
“We talking magical? Or physical?” Ginny said. “Because the latter can be microscopic and often need specialist equip—”
“Indeed,” Luc cut in. “But this wouldn’t be the first time I’ve had to deal with them. We’ll be fine.”
“Yes, but I can call in help—”
“No need,” Mo said. “Can you, Mia, and Barney keep an eye on this lot and let us know when Jason and his team arrive?”
“As long as all you’re doing is removing a tracker and not planning your next course of action,” Barney said. “Because this shit is bigger than the three of you. You can’t keep going at it alone.”
She patted his arm comfortingly. “Trust me, I’m very aware of just how big this shit is, and I know exactly what it’s going to take to stop it.”
Barney’s expression suggested he wasn’t comforted by her words, and I didn’t blame him. But he didn’t object when she motioned Luc and me to follow and then strode toward the house.