“They’re here!” the demon managed to call out before Maya tossed a slender glass tube in his direction.

  The male held up his arms, protecting his face as the thin glass shattered and a massive explosion sent him flying backward. He roared in fury as he hurtled down the hallway and smashed into the far wall. The force was enough to knock him unconscious and Maya didn’t hesitate as she continued down the staircase. Skye scurried behind her. They had to get out of the theater before their escape was cut off.

  They were halfway down the steps when Skye felt a familiar flare of magic spread through her. A vision. Dammit, now wasn’t a good time. Not that any time was good. But this was spectacularly bad.

  Sadly, she’d learned a long time ago it was futile to try to suppress them, no matter how unwelcome they might be. You might as well try to halt a volcano from erupting. Besides, Maya was still holding her hand. The personal contact meant that the vision was more than likely connected to her friend.

  Gritting her teeth, Skye grunted as she was rudely blinded by her powers, and the image of Maya lying dead at the bottom of the staircase seared through her mind. There was a bleeding bullet hole directly in the middle of her forehead, and her eyes were wide open, staring sightlessly at the demon standing over her.

  “No, Maya!” Skye wrapped her arm around her friend’s waist, yanking her to a halt.

  They stumbled, falling backward at the same moment that a gunshot boomed from the hallway and a bullet ripped through the exact spot where they’d been standing.

  Maya released a shaky breath, turning her head to send Skye a glance of gratitude despite the fact that the older woman had made Skye swear never to share visions she might have of Maya or Peri while they all lived at the Witch’s Brew. Skye understood Maya’s rule. Knowing the future without context was worthless. And Skye had always been happy that she had no ability to see her own destiny.

  But desperate times called for desperate measures.

  And this was about as desperate as it could get.

  “I don’t suppose the Benefactor is whispering an escape plan in your head?” Skye demanded, scrambling back up the stairs.

  Maya once again reached into her purse and pulled out a vial. She tossed it over her shoulder without looking back.

  “Nope.”

  “Typical.”

  Skye clenched her muscles as she prepared for another explosion. Instead, a cloud of smoke filled the air and she could hear demons choking from the hallway.

  The potion had given them a brief opportunity to escape. If only they could find a way out of the building. Back in the mezzanine, Maya headed directly toward the windows. They would have to bust through the plywood, but—

  “Stop!”

  Skye’s thoughts were shattered as the male voice echoed from the other side of the mezzanine. Turning her head she watched the two fairies leap over the low wall and race toward them. Skye touched a charm on her bracelet and whispered a spell, but even as the magic pulsed in her blood, the closest fairy tossed a dagger. Skye dodged to the side, but the blade was enchanted. Curving with lethal precision, it headed straight for her heart. Skye released a hasty spell designed to create a bubble of protection. It deflected the knife far enough to avoid a killing blow, but the blade managed to slice through her upper arm.

  Maya muttered in frustration, throwing another vial. It wasn’t aimed at the advancing males, but instead it hit at their feet, smashing against the warped floorboards. There was a loud sizzle before flames abruptly appeared, twirling like tiny tornadoes as they headed directly toward the advancing males. The fairies shouted in fear, diving back over the edge.

  “Are you okay?” Maya rasped, turning to inspect the wound on Skye’s arm.

  “I’ll be fine,” she assured her friend, trying to ignore the throbbing pain. “Let’s just get out of here.”

  “Good plan.”

  Maya turned back toward the windows, lifting her hand as she released a pulse of magic. It smacked against the plywood, splintering one in half. Not enough to allow them to squeeze through, but Skye was hoping that it weakened the wood enough that they should be able to physically wrench it off.

  They rushed forward, Skye holding her hand over the wound that seeped blood down her arm. She would worry about healing the cut later. Right now nothing mattered but fleeing.

  Unfortunately, there were still five demons determined to prevent them from accomplishing their goal.

  On cue, the leader roared his way up the stairs, his aura flaring with a brilliant crimson as he barreled directly toward them. Maya whirled to face him, but even as she reached into her purse the male was swinging his meaty fist, catching Maya directly on the chin. The mage soared backward, slamming into plyboard that collapsed beneath the impact. With a low cry, Maya flew through the broken window and down to the street below.

  Skye lunged forward, terrified her friend was seriously hurt. Mages were far more durable than humans, but they weren’t immortal.

  She’d managed only a few steps when a massive hand grabbed her by her nape and lifted her off her feet. She struggled to glance over her shoulder to see the demon who was carrying her forward. The instinctive turn of her head saved her nose from being busted as he slammed her face first against the wall.

  “Who are you?” the leader snarled, ignoring the white cloud of plaster that floated from the ceiling to layer them in a fine powder. “Why did you follow me?”

  Skye ignored the pain that burst through her skull as it connected with the wall. She also ignored the male who continued to slam her into the wall as he asked the same question over and over.

  Her ability to glimpse the future or to sense emotions wasn’t much help during a fight. And while she had a few spells, they weren’t potent enough to combat a full-grown goblin. Thankfully, she had one other skill. A skill she’d discovered by accident and rarely used.

  Reaching up, she pressed her hand against the fingers that were currently digging into her neck. Her magic, including her visions, always worked best when she was touching someone. She assumed it had something to do with the sheer intimacy of her powers.

  Now she closed her eyes, blocking out the demon who continued to shout at her for answers, the acrid stench of flames, the plaster dust floating in the air, the splintering pain in her head, and the fear that Maya might be injured. Then, focusing her thoughts on the feel of his fingers beneath her hand, she released a tendril of magic, directing it to crawl up his arm and along the broad width of his shoulder.

  The demon stiffened as her magic reached his neck and arrowed upward. Did he feel her powers moving through his body? Or was he tired of smashing her into the wall? Nah. He couldn’t be tired. Not when he was obviously getting pleasure from her pain. Which meant he sensed the danger.

  Realizing she had to hurry, Skye clenched her teeth and concentrated on the magic, urging it to surround his mind in a web of shimmering strands.

  “What the fuck? Get out of my head.”

  The male abruptly released her, allowing her to drop to the ground as he tried to shake off her lingering touch. It was too late. Skye had a firm grip on his mind, her magic tightening and tightening until the demon screamed in agony.

  “Stop! You bitch. Stop...”

  With a moan the demon fell to the floor, clutching his head in his hands. Skye could have destroyed him. Just another squeeze and his mind would have become mush. Instead, she broke the connection between them and leaped through the window.

  Chapter 2

  It wasn’t easy to attract attention in New York City. Not when there was a plethora of pedestrians who clogged the streets with styles that went beyond flamboyant. Skye had seen a man stroll stark naked through Times Square without getting a second glance.

  But not even the jaded citizens of the Big Apple could hide their interest as Skye and Maya limped their way into Penn Station. They certainly had a zombie vibe going on. It might have been their torn clothing, tangled hair and layers of dust and plaster that clung to them. Or the blood that dripped from Skye’s arm. Or Maya’s swollen eye where she’d slammed through the plywood and hit the pavement two stories below. Or perhaps it was the grim expressions on their faces that warned the world they weren’t in the mood to... Well, anything really. Unless it included a hot bath and a bottle of aspirin.

  Whatever the cause, they were given plenty of space as they settled in the train that whisked them to New Jersey. Neither spoke during the thirty-minute ride. Skye was too relieved that they’d escaped alive, while Maya no doubt brooded on the reason the Benefactor had sent them to the stupid theater in the first place.

  Hobbling off the train in Linden, they crossed the parking lot and zigzagged their way through the narrow streets, backtracking more than once. Skye assumed that Maya was making sure they weren’t being followed. No doubt a wise precaution, but Skye wasn’t in the mood to be wise. Or cautious.

  She was cold, exhausted, and her arm hurt like a bitch. Time to get home.

  At last they turned onto the block where they could see the neon sign stuck over the sidewalk with a coffee cup in the center of a witch’s hat.

  The Witch’s Brew. Thank goodness.

  Concentrating on placing one foot in front of the other, Skye jumped in surprise as a man abruptly appeared from seemingly nowhere. Instinctively she touched a charm on her bracelet, absorbing the magic. Tired or not, she was ready to fight off an attack.

  It wasn’t until he stepped closer that she breathed a sigh of relief.

  Joe was a regular fixture in the area. She didn’t know if he had a home nearby or stayed in the local shelter, but he was always hanging around, usually dressed in a velour tracksuit with a fishing hat stuck on his head. His age was indeterminant behind his bushy beard, but she suspected that he was older than she’d first assumed.

  “Hey, Joe,” she murmured.

  The man leaned toward them, his eyes nearly hidden beneath his hat. “You look like you rolled in the sewers. You smell even worse.”

  Skye managed a weary smile. Joe enjoyed calling out insults whenever they passed. She honestly preferred it to the creepy whistles and catcalls that some men thought were flattering.

  Without warning, Maya glared at the harmless man. “Not now.”

  Joe snorted. “You know what? The smell of you would be an insult to the sewers. You—”

  Maya pointed a finger in the man’s face. “Not. Now.”

  “Maya,” Skye protested as they limped past Joe. “He’s just teasing.”

  “I don’t trust him.”

  Skye frowned. Since last summer, Maya had grown increasingly suspicious of Joe.

  “You keep saying that, but I don’t understand why not. He’s been hanging around here forever.”

  Maya’s features pinched into a sour expression. “He’s more.”

  “More what?”

  “I don’t know,” the older woman muttered. “But I intend to find out.”

  Skye didn’t argue. She was too tired. Besides, arguing with Maya was like smacking her head into a brick wall. And her head had already been smacked into enough walls for one day, thank you very much.

  Reaching the coffee shop squashed between a tanning salon and a falafel restaurant, Skye placed her hand against the door to unravel the protective wards and they stepped inside.

  It wasn’t a large establishment but to her it was filled with charm. There were small round tables spread around the white-tiled floor and walls that were painted a bright lavender. Skye had recently decorated the large front windows with fall leaves, pumpkins, and black cats in celebration of the Halloween season. And even though they were closed, the air was scented with the rich aroma of freshly pressed coffee and baked pastries that lured customers from miles around to stand in a line down the block. Sometimes for hours.

  For those customers who weren’t in the mood for coffee and muffins—or just preferred a bit of peace—there was an attached bookstore where you could sink into one of the cushy armchairs and read without distractions.

  Of course, there were parts of the Witch’s Brew that weren’t so charming.

  From a small, barren office at the back of the building, the three mages offered their magical expertise. For the right price, a demon could purchase a love potion, a glamour spell, an illusion charm that would last for weeks, and a tonic that could stiffen up a demon’s sagging performance in the bedroom.

  And if you had deep enough pockets, they could create agonizing curses to punish an enemy.

  Coffee, muffins, potions, charms, and curses. A full-service business.

  At the point of crossing toward the door behind the counter that hid a staircase to the upper floors, Maya came to a sudden halt.

  “Is something wrong?” Skye demanded.

  “Peri’s here.” Maya’s brows tugged together as if she was attempting to pinpoint their friend’s precise location. “She’s in the office.”

  Skye instantly forgot her weariness, her aching head, and the wound that still seeped blood. There had to be something wrong. Since becoming Valen’s mate last summer, the couple had made it a rule that Sunday was the one day a week that they were unavailable. Nothing and no one were allowed to intrude into their privacy.

  Clearly as alarmed as Skye, Maya hurried through the attached bookstore and into the back office, where Peri was pacing the floor, her body tense and her hands clenched.

  “What happened?” Maya demanded.

  Peri jerked as if she hadn’t sensed their approach, slowly turning to face them.

  “Hello to you too...” Peri’s words trailed away as she took in the sight of her bedraggled friends. For a long moment she merely stared at them, as if wondering if she was hallucinating. Then she shook her head in disbelief. “Holy crap. You’re asking me what happened? Look at you guys.” Her eyes widened with horror. “Skye. You’re bleeding.”

  “I’m fine.”

  Skye managed a weak smile as she edged around Peri and headed toward Maya’s desk at the back of the room. Pulling open the bottom drawer, she pulled out one of the emergency healing potions. They were nothing if not prepared. Acutely aware she was being watched, Skye tugged off the stopper and poured the thick green liquid over her wound. It didn’t instantly heal, but the bleeding stopped and the worst of the pain eased. Replacing the vial, she grabbed a disposable wipe and cleaned off the dried blood and dust.

  Once she was finished, she returned her attention to her friend, who was watching her with a lift of her brows. Peri was wearing a casual pair of jeans and a Chicago Cubs sweatshirt, but she still managed to look elegant. The mage was just a couple years older than Skye with long dark curls and glorious blue eyes and a stark beauty that had softened with happiness since she’d mated with Valen.

  “Are you going to explain why the two of you look like you spent the day with a horde of demons?” Peri demanded.

  “Because we spent the day battling a horde of demons,” Skye admitted.

  Peri’s mouth dropped open. “Why?”

  “A request from the Benefactor that went sideways,” Maya answered, moving to stand next to Peri. “We can discuss our spectacular failure when you come to work tomorrow. For now I want to know why you’re here.”

  Peri grimaced, wrapping her arms around her waist. “It’s nothing really. I’m sure I’m overreacting—”

  “You’re worried,” Skye abruptly broke into Peri’s attempt to act casual.

  Peri stiffened. “Skye.”

  Skye held up her hand. “I wasn’t peeking into your mind,” she assured her friend. “But I can sense your fear.”

  “Is it Valen?” Maya snapped. The older woman was as protective as a mother hen when it came to Skye and Peri. Especially when vampires were involved. “Skye and I have sensed for weeks that something’s bothering you. You might pretend to be happy, but you can’t fool your family. You’re worried and it’s only getting worse.”

  “What are you talking about?” Peri tried to sound surprised, but she had to know her friends had noticed the darkening shadows in her eyes.

  “You can tell us,” Maya insisted. “Has Valen done something to you? I warned you that leeches couldn’t be trusted—”

  “Valen is perfect,” Peri swiftly defended her mate.

  Maya narrowed her gaze, her silvery scars seeming to glow in the stark light. “Perfect?”

  “Okay, maybe not perfect, but he makes me happy.”

  “Are you sure?” Maya pressed. “If he’s done something—”

  “Tell us what’s bothering you,” Skye interrupted before a squabble could break out.

  The three of them were closer than sisters. Which meant they had a genius talent for annoying the crap out of each other. Peri hesitated before squaring her shoulders. She had come to the Witch’s Brew with a purpose, and she wasn’t happy about it.

  “The Cabal showed up in New York last night,” she abruptly announced.

  Maya and Skye released mutual sounds of shock. Only the most powerful vampires were invited to become members of the exclusive group who ruled over the demon world.

  “The whole Cabal?” Skye breathed in horror.

  Peri shook her head. “Four of them. Gabriel from Denver, Micha from New Orleans, Kane from St. Petersburg and Ambassador Azra. He’s some sort of assistant to Sinjon, who’s the current head honcho of the Cabal.”

  “Four of the most lethal leeches invaded Valen’s territory?” Maya’s magic tingled in the air, brushing over Skye’s skin like an electric current. “Are they plotting a rebellion?”

  Peri grimaced. “TBD.”

  Maya blinked. “What?”

  “To be determined,” Skye clarified for her friend.

  Maya sent her a frustrated glare. “I know what it means. I want to know why it’s yet to be determined.”

  Skye shrugged. “Then that’s what you should have asked.”