I had said the last somewhat sourly, and Pike stiffened, gaze going to the sighing branches. The woods had gotten noticeably darker, the path all but vanishing until it was merely a hint, weaving through the large trees and around deadfalls. It was the amulet now that guided us, and I picked our way through the fallen branches, wondering how there could be so much leaf litter when the trees hadn’t even existed last year. But seeing as the entire forest had sprung from my memory of camp, it made sense.
Slowly a bright spot ahead of us became more obvious. “I think that’s it,” I said as the amulet in my hand began to pulsate a vivid green. “When we get there, we drop off the food, then walk to the ley line by the church. I can feel it from here. I’ll shift us back. It’s only a few blocks to the church from there.”
“Oh, get off it,” Pike said, and I looked up from the glowing amulet. “You’re really going to let me walk away? That innocent Midwestern-girl vibe you cultivate doesn’t wash with me. We both know holding me might insure Zack’s life for a few days. That’s why you hijacked me.”
“It is not,” I started, and Pike cut me off, the brown rims of his eyes shrinking in the light.
“Don’t lie to me. You might be crazy, and blind to reality, and foolish with the company you keep, but you aren’t stupid.”
There might have been a compliment in there. I wasn’t sure. “Holding you hostage for Zack’s return won’t make my life any easier,” I said, then pointed for him to go left around a huge fallen tree instead of over it. “I don’t want to live by way of blackmail and threat.”
“Oh. You want to die young. Sure, I get it,” Pike said, but he didn’t get it at all, and I tried not to care that he didn’t believe me.
“There’s a bus stop at the end of the road where we’re going to come out,” I said blandly. “But you’re welcome to sit at the church and wait for Constance to pick you up. I’d rather you did, so there’s no claim of foul play when your brothers’ assassins pick you off.”
Pike slid a sidelong glance at me. The trees were black behind him, outlined in silver from my light in his grip. “I can handle myself.”
“Five to one, sure, but that was an exploratory team. Now that they know you’re not sheltering under Constance’s wings, they’ll spend the big money.” I cocked an eyebrow, curious. “My brother used to hide my stuffed animals in the yard when I pissed him off. What did you do to warrant so much brotherly love?”
His jaw clenched, and a wave of angry-vampire incense rolled over me.
“Or I could escort you home,” I offered, making it worse. “Aww, come on, Pike . . .” I wheedled. “I want to talk to her. Explain a few things I couldn’t bring up with Edden behind me. Get her to talk to me. I won’t kill her. I promise.”
Seeing him work so hard at keeping her alive was beginning to make sense. She was giving him protection. The why was worth asking. Though high in the hierarchy and sipping on her blood, he was clearly not one of her original children. He’d been “adopted.” What was she gaining from the arrangement? He couldn’t be that good in bed.
Could he?
Stop it, Rachel. Grimacing, I slowed to a halt at the edge of the trees to give whoever lived here a chance to see us. The sky was marginally brighter, making the shadows deeper. Some of the small trees at the edges were flowering, and a drift of white brightened a corner of the glen. A narrow, grass-edged stream wove a serpentine path through the middle of the wide area. Parked beside the stream was a huge horse-drawn van with enormous wheels and heavy timbers. Everything was painted vivid red, gold, and purple, almost glowing in the light from the fire between it and the stream. It was singularly beautiful, but demons never did anything by half measures. Always over the top.
“This is it,” I said, tucking the amulet away in a back pocket. “Hello-o-o-o at the camp!” I called. “Got a delivery from Dalliance!”
Pike’s nose wrinkled. “A demon wouldn’t live in a wagon.”
“Why not? You had dinner with one who lives in a church.” Before he could say anything, I pointed to the very old gargoyle perched on top of the van, her yellow eyes slowly blinking in suspicion. “That says we’re at the right spot,” I said, and Pike frowned, not getting the connection.
Bis, I thought with a pang as I compared his cat-size form to the veritable Kodiak bear on the roof. Bis had hardly been old enough to be away from his parents. He had been my responsibility and I had fallen short. But how could I have guessed he’d do something like that to save me?
I should have known. . . . my guilt insisted.
There was a tongue attached to the van, but the wagon was too large for horses. Maybe oxen. Really big oxen. The cheerful fire snapped and popped with a blackened cooking rack over it and a single, blanket-draped log beside it. All alone in the woods. Someone is having a pity party.
“Just drop it off and let’s get out of here,” Pike said.
“Hold up!” I yanked him back as he stepped forward. “You can’t just walk into a demon’s lair like that,” I said as I took the takeout bag from him. It was still warm. Clearly a spell was in use.
Pike looked from me to the peaceful setting. “You’re serious, aren’t you.”
Frowning, I eyed the crackling fire and sent out a little rill of exploratory thought. Ley line is close. Lots of power here. “I know you won’t listen, but try not to say anything,” I said, and Pike’s eyes narrowed. “No matter what the jackass does.”
I stepped into the glen, senses searching. No one had responded to my hail. That didn’t mean he didn’t know I was here. The entire place was circled. It wasn’t invoked, but I didn’t want to get trapped in it, and I stopped, toes edging a toadstool ring. It had to be forty feet in diameter, but that was small for a demon-held circle.
“I thought you didn’t know who it was,” Pike said, and I pointed at him to stop.
“I don’t,” I muttered. “They’re all jackasses.” I took a breath, bag crinkling in my grip. “Hello in the camp!” I shouted again, not knowing what else to say. “Delivery from Dali. You want me to leave it this side of the circle?”
There was a muffled thump and bellow from the van. On the roof, the gargoyle’s tail twitched. And then the door burst open, slamming into the side of the van and making me jump. But my stilted smile became real when I saw Al standing there in a robe so black it was hard to make out, trimmed in gold brocade and with tiny bells on his sash.
“Al?” I whispered. A hundred thoughts tumbled as he stared at me, none of them lasting long enough to act on. He had given me, no, stolen for me the book I needed to rescue Zack. But he hadn’t come in time to save Nash. He hadn’t helped me bury him. Hodin did.