“How bad is it, Harry?”

  “I’ve got your phone’s GPS, and it looks like I’m not far away. Did you want to ride with me to Miracle Falls, or go with your boyfriend?”

  “Jacob’s not my boyfriend.” Though, she wanted him to be.

  “So, anything else happening? Do you like your mom?”

  “Oh, God, Harry, my mother’s with us. My sister held her prisoner and was impersonating her. She has powers similar to mine, but she’s not a sin eater. She’s a soul eater.”

  “Woah. That exists? Wait, nerd ghost is chattering in my ear. He says he once studied up on the sin eaters and found a case about a soul eating girl among them. He says he finally recognized your mom’s home from the records he went over. How do you eat a soul? And what do you get out of it?”

  “I’m not even sure I want to know,” Aria answered. “You know, I went to perform a sin eating ritual for Mistress Raya’s sister, Una. I couldn’t even do it, Harry. Her soul was gone.”

  Harry cursed. “That’s why she went crazy on me and kept accusing me of killing her sister. But how could Mira do that, if you were all in Miracle Falls?”

  “The family said Una was killed in a different town, probably Blythe Meadows. They had a Gorgio magically transport the body back to Miracle Falls in time for the sin eating ritual.”

  “Well, I’m glad I didn’t go back to that creepy ass house. Keep me in the loop, and I’ll see you soon.”

  “Be safe, Harry. I mean it.”

  “Will do.”

  She hung up and dialed Kyra Volgens.

  “Hello, Aria? How did it go with your mom? Are you okay?”

  “Kyra,” she said in a shaky voice, “there’s something I need to tell you about Benjamin.”

  “What is it?

  She recounted what happened at Ars Magicka, and Benjamin’s involvement with the radical Guardians.

  “You have got to be kidding me. Who the hell does he think he is? Why would he do this?”

  “I think he wanted to protect you, but, I think it’s best to hear the whole story from him. I’m sorry, but I thought you should know.”

  “Okay, thanks for telling me the truth. Now I’ll see if he can look me in the eye and do the same.”

  “I’m sorry, really.”

  “Don’t be. Thank you, Aria. Be safe coming in, they’re rioting in the city.”

  “Okay.”

  Aria began pacing in the hallway, pausing once to listen for Clare. When she heard nothing, she dialed Edwin Kovar, her former mentor and foster father. He wasn’t exactly the type to be easily found, but she thought she’d call the last number that he had called her from.

  “Aria,” his aged voice answered, “You’ve thought over my proposal and are ready to give me an answer? I’m in Los Angeles now...”

  “Edwin, I appreciate that you’re trying to protect other sin eaters, but my answer is still ‘no.’ However, I do need your help on something.”

  “What is it?”

  “I found Clare.” The words burned in her throat, but it felt good to say them. After all these years, all the secrets, she had finally found her mother.

  Edwin mumbled under his breath, apparently bothered, but not surprised by the development. “Do you accept the woman you found, or do you want a do-over?”

  She turned in the direction of the elevator and headed down the hallway. Her belly rumbled, and she figured she ought to eat now instead of waiting to get back to Miracle Falls. “A do-over sounds nice, considering what I found.”

  “Well, I can tell you a few stories about Clare Knight. She’s—”

  “I have a sister, Edwin.”

  “Yes, I know, and it’s sad that she passed away so young.”

  “No, she didn’t. She’s alive.”

  He must’ve been sipping a cup of coffee, because she heard what sounded like a mug shattering against a tile floor. “Y-you said Mira is alive?”

  “Yes, and it was awful, Edwin, because she had Clare tied up…”

  “Is Clare with you now?”

  “Yes, we’re in a hotel room just south of Blythe Meadows.”

  “Then Mira will come for her. And you. Get out of there.”

  “We haven’t seen or heard from her, and we’re not even in the same city. I have friends with me too. We’re headed back to Miracle Falls.” She reached the elevator and pressed the down button. His voice cracked as he started ranting. “Edwin, calm down! I can barely hear what you’re saying.”

  The dim, metal doors slid open, and Aria gasped. Mira stood inside the elevator, eyes glowing electric blue, and her hands lit up an eerie green, which carried with it a buzzing sound that reminded Aria of a swarm of bees. It was the sound of death.

  “No…” She backed away, her throat tightening and her cell phone slipping from her grasp.

  Should she call forth her flame from her birthmark, construct a protective shield, or run? She stumbled backward and raised her hand protectively over her. Fear and confusion hung around her like a heavy blanket, constricting her movements. Mira gazed at her, and said nothing. She stepped out of the elevator, moving swiftly past Aria.

  She quickly rose to her feet, realizing that Mira sought Clare. She turned around and spotted Mira already down the hall. Clare had emerged from their room, her magic gathered around her, her gaze locked on Mira.

  “You’ve been a horrible mother, Clare Knight.” Mira halted, just feet across from Clare.

  Clare slowly shook her dark hair. “There are some things I’d change if I could, Mira. But now...now that Aria’s returned to me, I won’t let you harm her. I won’t let you out into the world to destroy souls.”

  Mira roared as she made a downward diagonal strike with her left hand. Clare’s protective ward broke and she and went flying backward. Clare then invoked a counterspell, and Mira flew into the ceiling with a crash. Clare stumbled forward and rushed toward Aria.

  “Go, now!” her mother urged.

  “I’m not leaving you with her!” Aria gripped Clare by the arm as they stood shoulder to shoulder, eyeing Mira, who had jumped to her feet. Mira opened her mouth and inhaled a long breath. Her mouth opened so wide that Aria was afraid her sister’s lips would tear at the corners.

  “Clare!” Aria shrieked. A raw, burning pain hit her in her chest, and she felt like something was ripping her open.

  “No, Mira, you can’t!” Clare extended her glowing hands and sent a blast of magical energy toward the other woman.

  It crashed against her, but she grunted and forced herself not to stumble or fall. A strong wind swept through the hallway, blowing from Aria and Clare’s direction toward Mira. It was as if the woman was pulling them toward her.

  Aria gasped for air when the burning pain in her chest subsided. Whatever spell Mira had cast was lifted from her—however, it now attacked Clare, and her mother screamed as she doubled over in pain. Suddenly, an invisible force made Clare stand upright, her toes barely touching the hallway floor. Tears streamed from her mother’s eyes as she silently pleaded with Mira.

  A bright yellow light erupted from Clare’s mouth, and she cried out. The yellow light moved upward, turning into a mist and coalescing above Clare’s head. The more the light moved and departed from Clare, the more her eyes dimmed and her skin grew leathery.

  No. She’s eating her soul…

  Aria threw all her strength into her magic, calling forth the bright flame of her sin eater’s mark. She aimed her fire at Mira, hitting the woman square in the chest. This time, she stumbled backward and fell. Aria readied another spell in her mind, but Mira retreated into the hotel room.

  Aria caught Clare in her arms, just as she collapsed next to her. She was glad she didn’t have to make the decision to chase down Mira, not knowing the full extent of the powers she possessed. The light of life returned to Clare’s eyes, and her skin grew supple, but she still looked pale and ill.

  The elevator dinged. The doors opened just as Aria looked over her shoulder and saw Jacob and Margot. Jacob carried two cups of coffee in his hands and nearly dropped them when he saw Aria holding Clare.

  “What the hell is going on?” He rushed forward to help.

  Aria frowned. “Mira knows where we are, and she attacked us. We need to leave.”

  14

  Harry

  Small towns were good for one thing; speeding .

  Of course the “small” town rivaled the size of Miracle Falls, but Harry confidently worked his way through the streets. Seventy-five miles per hour seemed like a crawl when his worry focused on the safety of Aria and Jacob.

  Well, more Aria. Jacob’s still an asshole, Harry thought. He probably should’ve just headed straight back to the city, especially since Aria declined to ride with him. But concerning the fact that a soul-sucking witch was on the loose and stalking Aria and her mother, then he wanted to be there for her and make sure she was okay.

  Harry turned another corner and spotted the hotel. He pulled into the front parking lot and got out. As he approached the building, a woman in a white dress standing at a window on the fourth floor caught his eye. He shouted at her and ran toward her when she opened the window and threw herself out. He slowed his pace when he saw the woman land on her feet. She turned and gazed at him, and he felt a dark power roll off her aura. He came to a stop. He was pretty sure he had just found Aria’s sister.

  “Jonathan, how do you kill a soul eater?” He hoped the ghost had studied up on that as well.

  No answer. Great. Such a wonderful time to go silent on him.

  He couldn’t tell if the woman sensed his magic or the breadth of his strength, but whatever she saw in him, it made her turn away and flee. A relieved sigh escaped Harry’s lips. He promptly headed toward the Hotel’s front entrance and entered, scanning the lobby for Aria, Margot, and even Jacob.

  He spotted the man with a woman who looked like she had gone on a drinking binge. Must’ve been Aria’s mother. The woman could hardly walk and needed Jacob to support her. Margot fell in step with them and gently held the woman’s arm, and Aria followed closely behind.

  Aria and Margot looked like they had just lived through some horrible nightmare. Harry swallowed hard as he approached them. Jacob immediately turned his attention toward Harry and said, “We need to get back to Miracle Falls.”

  Harry held up a hand to ward off any more dramatics. “I know. Rosito called me.”

  Aria approached, laying a hand on Jacob’s arm. “Clare and I will ride with Harry. Margot will go with you.”

  Harry’s gaze went straight to the touch. He tried to ignore the burning fire of jealousy in his gut.

  Jacob shook his head in response. “That’s not necessary.”

  “Margot’s father is running for mayor, but the the city council just made you temporary mayor. You both need to go together and help the city. By all accounts, it’s falling apart. Besides, my sister is still out there, and I don’t want her blasting her way through Margot to get to me, or Clare. I’ll call you when I get back to town.”

  Jacob gave a reluctant nod. “Fine.”

  Aria switched places with Jacob and held up Clare. “Margot, please help me get my mother to Harry’s car.”

  “No prob,” she said.

  “I’m in the front parking lot,” Harry told her.

  Aria gently slid her arm around Clare’s torso. Margot took the other side. As she passed Harry, he handed her the keys to his Maverick. She gripped them and mouthed a quick thanks. Once they were out the door, Harry turned and faced a salty looking Jacob.

  “Problem, buddy?” Harry asked, standing straighter.

  Jacob’s nostrils flared. “If you so much as harm a hair on Aria’s head, there will be.” His words came out low, and he closed the gap between them. “I mean it, Harry. One hair. And I don’t care what elaborate excuse you use to get out of it. I promise you, it will be the last thing you do.”

  “Threats, eh? What’s this about?”

  “I know about Jasmine, the woman you tried to strangle the other night.” Jacob shoved a finger into Harry’s chest.

  Harry blew a heated breath through his nose, wanting to knock the guy down a few more notches. “And she conveniently left out the part about her being in league with the Watchers. I was defending myself.”

  “Are you aware of the relationship between Aria and I?” Jacob asked.

  Harry snorted. “So, this is what this conversation’s really about. She’s a grown woman. Let her choose what she wants.”

  “She already has.”

  “Then why are we having this conversation?”

  Harry came close to exploding, but the last time he lost control, it ended badly. He didn’t want to let that happen again, especially with it getting progressively worse each time. Aria needed better. She deserved better. He needed to be there for her and help her through the emotional turmoil caused by finding her mother and sister. Aria was counting on Harry. For now, he would take the high road.

  Jacob shouldered his way past Harry, but left him with a few last words. “After we take care of things in Miracle Falls, stay away from Aria.”

  “Why don’t you straighten out your shit with your dead wife before trying to jump Aria’s bones, huh?”

  Yeah, he was an asshole for saying that to Jacob, but who was he to tell him to stay away from Aria?

  He knew he had another snarky remark on the tip of his tongue, but that got cut short when Jacob’s fist crashed into his face.

  15

  Jacob

  Jacob grimaced through the window down at the crowds of Watchers and Guardians battling in the streets and rioting with impunity, right below his office in City Hall. The MFPD had donned their riot gear and created a barrier between the rioters and the building, but it was tough to subdue the crowd or disperse them .

  His stomach clenched as he noted a few innocent people, frantically trying to maneuver past the melee. It even got to the point where it looked like the Guardians and Watchers didn’t even care anymore about targeting their avowed “enemy.” If a person wasn’t wearing a sapphire band, they got a beating. If someone didn’t have a magical aura that identified them as a wizard, they got blasted with magic.

  Chaos filled the streets below, and he felt helpless and frustrated. He should’ve been out there doing something, anything. But, would that just cause more problems? And what exactly was he supposed to do as interim mayor? Half the people on his staff hated the fact that the council appointed him. He wasn’t sure whose loyalty he had.

  A male voice from behind cleared his throat. Jacob turned around and greeted Captain Lewis of the MFPD. Lewis wore his tactical gear, and though his aged face betrayed his exhaustion, he stood tall and firm as he faced Jacob.

  “How goes it, Lewis?” Jacob sat down at his desk and invited the police captain to sit across from him. The other man declined.

  “Sir, I’m not going to lie, it’s hell out there. Can you please authorize my men and women to use the new neutralizing guns—”

  “No. I don’t want those being used on wizards.”

  Lewis grunted and shook his head. “Sir, how are we going to catch one of those Guardians if they’re hitting us with a spell? How can we stop them? Those guns were designed to neutralize magical abilities.”

  Jacob gestured toward the window. “I gave you a team of volunteer wizards to help reel them in, but I am not authorizing those guns. Besides, there’s a crate full of them that went missing the other night, according to Detective Rosito. I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

  They both turned their attention toward the doorway when the captain’s daughter, Amanda, walked in. She acknowledged her father with a peck on the cheek, and she held a steaming mug of tea which she brought over to Jacob. She also carried her tablet with her, glancing at it and tapping at the screen with her finger. “Mr. Wolfe, do you need me to give you an update on the riots and fighting?”

  Jacob let out an incredulous laugh. “I’m looking at it right now, Amanda. Your father thinks I should send in those new guns that dampen or take away a wizard’s magic. We don’t even know what those weapons actually do, because they haven’t used or tested them before.”

  Captain Lewis’s dark brown, chiseled face made a grimace. He glared at Jacob. “And while you’re having my daughter bring you tea, you should be leading us.”

  An explosion erupted about a mile away. Thick, black smoke clouded the air and sky. Captain Lewis seized the opportunity. “I can gather twenty or thirty of my best men, we’ll be responsible for the weapons, and we won’t use them unless we need to. Our regular guns don’t work against some wizards, and we at least, need something more powerful.”

  “Sir,” Amanda added, “I agree with my dad. I know you don’t like those weapons, but we can’t let the fighting in the streets continue.”

  Jacob ran a hand through his hair. He wondered what Aria would say if she were standing here next to him. “I’m already known as the guy who helped institute the wizard registry, even though that was mostly Farley. Now, I’ll be the mayor who introduced anti-magic guns to the city. I don’t want that to be my legacy, or my family’s legacy. The Wolfes have been here for decades.”

  Amanda gazed at him sympathetically. “I understand, and I know why you’re hesitant, but we need to restore order, and our citizens deserve protection from the violence—whether it’s a non-wizard or wizard perpetrating the acts. My dad’s a good judge of character, and if he says he has twenty men who can wield those weapons and get the job done, then stop being a bitch about it and make the call.”

  Captain Lewis covered his mouth and pretended to cough. Amanda didn’t even apologize or flinch as she stared Jacob straight in his eyes.

  Jacob sighed. “Okay. Fine. But I want an account of every action of those officers, and no one outside of your small group gets one of those guns.”