Trent didnt even flinch. My ancestors, maybe. But not me. He tilted his head. What is she doing?
Huffing, Al pulled his velvet coat straight. And yet youre still not going to do anything about it. Dont tell me youre innocent of the blame.
Newt! I called, and Trent gasped when Al moved to cuff me to be silent. Dodging it, I shifted away from him. Newt? What did you remember?
The image of innocence, Newt ran back to us, a cover on the top of the jar. I caught four this morning, she said, little-girl voice excited. Theyll be calling them out again soon, and Ill be ready with jars and jars. If I catch enough, my room will be bright when the sun goes dark. Head tilting, she looked straight at the sun, unblinking and with no ill effect. I dont like the dark, she said, her enthusiasm dimming. If you give them a good shake, they glow even brighter. See?
Al cleared his throat as Newt energetically shook the jar and held it up, proud of something none of us could see.
Delightful, delightful, Al drawled. Newt, love, can I have them? Pretty please?
Her expression darkened suspiciously until he smiled his best and she coyly conceded. You may, she said as he took it, and another, identical jar appeared in her hands. I can get more. And off she skipped, making me shiver at the aspect of a sickly girl in hospital pajamas dancing in the desert.
Frowning, Als eyes narrowed. Why are you here? he asked Trent point-blank.
Oh God. I wanted to know that, too. Hes here so Im not alone, I said before Trent could open his mouth. Behind him, Newt had caught something, setting her jar beside a rock before another appeared in her hand and she started jumping again.
You dont trust me, Al said, and my eyes jerked to his.
I trust you, but he doesnt.
Trents hands were behind his back, the windblown grit turning his hair red. Thereve been some new developments with that overactive wave. We came out to look at Rachels line, knowing if she went to you, your answer would be that it was fine.
Thats because it is, Al growled, his mood worsening.
And thats why both you and Newt are up here? Trent asked, squinting at Al as the demon glared at him over his round blue glasses. Good grief. They were like little boys.
Al, I said before it got any worse. My line is leaking wild magic.
It is not Als words cut off, and he turned to Newt cavorting in the dust. No, he breathed, but it sounded more like wistful thinking at this point.
Trent eased closer to me, and Al stiffened. I think its intentional, Trent said. Someone is pulling wild magic from her line, either because its the newest or perhaps because she lives in reality and its easier to pull it from her line than another.
Is that so, Al said snidely.
Undeterred, Trent nodded. The overstimulation of witch magic is about what Id expect, tracking through Cincinnati and the Hollows until the energy is spent. Im guessing they average a life span of an hour or so before dying out.
He and Trent were inches apart, and Al took a deep breath, hesitating when he noticed Trents scent and pulled back. Then youd be wrong, Al said, and Trent frowned. Wild magic has a half-life of a decade. If it was wild magic, it would circle the globe before dying out, wreaking havoc the entire time. Therefore, its not wild magic. Seemingly not caring, Al took a tin of Brimstone from a tiny pocket, delicately sniffing a pinch. Not everything is about you, itchy witch.
But they hardly get past the river! I protested, sure it was.
Which fits with my idea that this is intentional. Trent took my hands persuasively, and Als brow wrinkled. Someone is creating the waves and then catching them, either to contain the disastrous effects in Cincinnati, or they are simply collecting the energy for another reason. We just have to find out whos doing it, and why.
Not liking Als expression, I ran a hand over my hair to find it was a snarly mess. The light of discovery was in Trents eyes, and something in me quivered. If its intentional, then whos helping them with the magic? I asked pointedly, and we turned to Al.
You think its one of us? he said, affronted, then grinned to show his flat, blocky teeth. What a marvelous idea. Alas, no, its not. No demon alive would stoop to using wild magic, even to kill vampires. Why would we kill them? We made them.
Kill them? I questioned. No, theyre just sleeping.
Still smiling, Al leaned in until I could smell the Brimstone on his breath. If they dont wake up soon to feed, they will die from a lack of aura. The undead are starving, Rachel.
My God, he was right, and my focus blurred as I thought of Ivy.
Imagine! Al said fervently, cane swinging jauntily. An entire city without master vampires. How intoxicatingly chaotic. Its almost enough to make me wish I had thought of it.
Well never survive it, Trent said softly.
HAPA? I guessed, knowing the Humans Against Paranormals Association dabbled in demon magic, so why not wild. The men-who-dont-belong?
It is not wild magic, Al said, but his tone lacked conviction.
Then what is it? I said, tired of his attitude; just then Newt called to me as she skipped her way to us, her slippered feet sending up little puffs of dust in the hot sun.
Rachel! Mason jar tucked under her arm, Newt hopped a hopscotch pattern. Do you want to put your pajamas on and have a sleepover with me? She came to a breathless halt, the hem of her nightgown coated with ever-after dust. Al. She gave Al a shove, and the demon jerked, startled. Tell the girl she can have a sleepover. You work her too hard. Look at the dark circles under her eyes.
Its not because I work her, he grumbled. The witch cant seem to find her way to my kitchen except when shes in trouble. And she cant have a sleepover! he added when Newt began tugging on my sleeve, her black eyes glinting. Leave off, you bitch! he shouted, and Newt dropped back, looking hurt.
At least this time, its only one world, Newt said, and I wondered if her sudden burst of clarity would last. I dont know if she can do it. She looks tired already, and its only going to get worse. Newts eyes widened. Oh, look! she exclaimed, looking across the dry river to the remains of Loveland Castle. Theyre starting to come out again!
Trent jerked as Newt ran off, startled by her cry of delight.
What the mother pus bucket is wrong with her! Al said, peeved as she ran across the broken earth. She was headed for the dry riverbed, and she jumped right over it, red-stained white nightgown streaming out behind her. Sighing, Al looked at the jar hed gotten from her. Handing it to Trent, he began trudging after her. Not even glancing at it, Trent passed it to me, and after a moment, I jogged to catch up, jar pressed to my side.
Newt, love! Al was calling. Tell me about your fireflies!
That demon is certifiable, Trent said, voice low as we lagged behind. How can they let her wander around like this?
Al was waiting for us at the shallow ditch, and he took the jar as I slid down, then I caught it as he tossed it to me. Because she might just be the most sane demon here, he said, when Trent slid down after me. I havent been able to decide if stress pushes her over the edge, or if when she starts digging into her past, she simply loses her way, but usually its because shes remembered something important.
I started up the other side, startled when Newts face, somehow both sickly and lively, peered over the edge at me. Rachel! she crowed, a thin, white hand extended to help me up. I think they like you! She pulled back before I could take her hand, and I scrambled up, jar tucked under an arm.
Oh, so pretty! Newt was saying as she danced, her bare feet among the stones and her hands in the air as she caught nothing. Look at them light up!
Newt . . . I started, then my head snapped up as the prickling of wild magic flowed over me. Goose bumps rose, and I set the jar down to help Trent. Get up here! I hissed, then almost gasped at the feeling of sexual titillation that poured through me as his hand smacked into mine. Holy crap, I breathed.
Rachel?
I yanked him up, sitting down where I was as his hand left mine and he stood at the edge of the gully. Can you feel that? I almost squeaked, waves of sparkles cascading through me. It was wild magic, stronger and more unfocused than Id ever felt before. It was easier to bear if Trent wasnt touching me, but disconcerted, I held that glass jar to me and just sat there, wishing it would both stop and never end.
Thats . . . what is that? Trent said as he watched Newt dance in delight, shivering.
Feel what? Al snarled as he stood beside Trent. I dont feel anything.
Wild magic, I said, still sitting as the sensation began to ease. Its the wave. Its happening. Alarmed, I looked at Newt. Newt! I called. Dont do any magic!
Spinning and dancing, Newt laughed, the sound pulling all expression from Als face. Look at them! she sang, catching nothing. Theyre swarming! Hurry! We need them for when the sky falls!
Wild magic? Al whispered in a sudden horror, and I yelped when he yanked me to my feet. You little bitch! he shouted, shaking me so hard I lost my hold on the jar and it fell, breaking. I told you to leave the wild magic alone!
Youre hurting me! I shouted, and Newt turned, her dancing stilling to a cold silence.
He is an elf! Al raged, his grip becoming even tighter.
I havent done anything! I protested. Al. Let me go! I couldnt do magic. Not with the wave still over us.
Let her go! Youre hurting her, Trent said, and the demons grip tightened, his eyes almost black in the sun.
And youre going to make me? Al said, each word drifting into existence with the sound of falling dust.
Grim faced, Trent stood before us, the hair falling into his eyes as sparkles seemed to dance between his fingers. Al shoved me from him, and I lurched to keep my feet. The demon was hunched like a bear, his feet easing deeper into the ruined earth. Dont do this, I begged them silently as I backed up. Please dont do this.
And youre going to make me? Al said, each word drifting into existence with the sound of falling dust.