Sucker Punch (First Fangs Club #3) - Kristen Painter Page 0,47
will allow us to see the stronghold?”
“I need another hour. Maybe two.”
Donna glanced at the wall clock. “That’s about all you have. It’s almost time for us to leave.”
The witch nodded. “I’ll have it done.”
“Go, then.”
Jerabeth took off.
“Reggie, thank you again for the antidote. I owe you. Your family is in the living room. Charlie will get you anything you want to eat or drink while you wait.”
“You’re welcome. Some food sounds good. Spending magic always leaves me in need of fuel.”
“I’m sure.”
Reggie left too.
Donna turned to Dr. Fox. “Thank you again.”
“You’re welcome, Governor.” He pointed at the massage table. “I may take a nap while I wait for your safe return.”
“There are guest rooms. You’re welcome to use one of those.”
“The table is good enough for me. Now, go feed. Get yourself strong again.”
“I will. See you later.” She left in search of Pierce.
She found him in his room, typing away on his laptop. She knocked on the open door. “Sorry to interrupt.”
He smiled as he hit a few more keys, then looked up. “You’re never interrupting. Are you all fixed?”
“I am.”
His smile broadened. “And judging by the look in your eyes, you’re hungry.”
“That too.”
“Well, come on in. I have just what you need.”
Twenty minutes later, the mutual exchange was over, and she felt like a million bucks. Ready, as much as she could be, to face the fae and rescue Rico from their clutches. She dressed in a long-sleeve black tee, thick winter leggings, and black boots. Her leather coat, iron bracelets, and sword were the only additions she needed.
After dressing, she went straight to the conference room. Pierce walked with her from the kitchen.
Charlie and Rixaline were already there. So were the Ferrises, along with Temo, his cousin Penina, and Kace. Jerabeth, presumably still working on the magic necessary for them to see the stronghold, had yet to arrive.
There were a few other less familiar faces too. Men and women, all supernaturals, who’d helped with security before and had been completely vetted by Temo.
Neo was there too. A large black suitcase, with the word SKYNET stenciled on it, sat by the door. Her drone.
Donna took a look around the room and prayed that every single one of these people came back with her. Alive. “Thank you all for coming. And for willingly putting yourself on the line like this. Temo, how long before we leave?”
“Thirty minutes. I’ve texted Alpha Medina and Ishalan.”
“Thanks.” She surveyed the group. “You all need to know that a fae will be joining us. His name is Ishalan.”
A few surprised looks greeted those words. She held her hands up. “I know it goes against everything that seems safe and sane, but he’s made a substantial sacrifice to help us in this raid. It’s because of his contribution that we’ll be able to see the fae stronghold.”
She glanced at Charlie. “What’s Jerabeth’s status?”
“I’m here,” the witch answered as she hustled in.
Donna looked at her. “Done?”
She nodded. “Yes. Just.”
Relief swept through Donna. Being able to see the stronghold was pivotal. “Excellent.”
Jerabeth held her gaze for a moment longer. “I also have another potion for you. To protect you from the sun.”
“Also very important.”
Jerabeth handed Donna a little corked test tube of dark blue liquid. “Drink that down.”
Donna did, noting the potion tasted very much like a familiar sports drink she used to buy for Joe Jr. when he’d played soccer. That probably meant Jerabeth failed to come up with something workable, but then a potion that would actually sunproof Donna hadn’t been necessary. All that mattered was the appearance of being protected by magic. And in that, Jerabeth had done well.
Donna discarded the empty tube on the sideboard. “What about the vision potion? What do we need to do?”
Jerabeth put three small glass bottles on the table. Each rubber stopper had a pipette attached to it, barely visible in the murky reddish-brown liquid. “Two drops in each eye. It’s probably going to sting. You might even have a moment of temporary blindness, but that will pass.”
Reggie grabbed a bottle before Jerabeth had finished speaking.
Donna picked up another one. “You’re sure?”
Jerabeth nodded. “I’ve already tried it on myself with Rixaline as my subject. It works.”
“What do you mean with Rixaline as your subject?”
The witch smiled ever so slightly. “The fae don’t see each other the way we see them. Try it. You’ll see.”
“All right.” Donna opened the bottle and squeezed the rubber stopper to fill the pipette with the potion. She tipped her head back and