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The sound of the door opening sent a chill down my spine. Wiping my hands on my book T-shirt, I took the steps needed to meet my fate. Other people pushed and shoved, causing me to snarl in their direction.
“I can’t believe they’re holding the first annual fantasy book convention in a church,” the girl next to me spoke excitedly to her friend.
Forcing my way through the crowd, I slipped inside the tall shadowed building. The stained glass above the altar allowed sunlight to cast rainbows on the stone floor. The pews had been removed, making way for tables and chairs. It was quite ironic that a book festival focused on paranormal creatures was being held in an ancient church. It was no longer used for its first purpose, although most aspects still remained.
“Tickets please,” a man asked as we filtered through security.
Waving my hand over my dagger, I cast an invisibility spell. When they asked me to open my jacket, all they could see was the writing on my T-shirt.
“Reading a book is the new meditation. When I read, I zen.” The guard chuckled as he waved me through. “Some of these people really make me laugh,” he told his friend.
Had he just dissed my book world? Did he just laugh at my T-shirt? Waving my hand, I giggled to myself when the security guard’s hat flew off and landed with a thump behind him. It was an immature spell, not really making me feel any better. However, when the man looked up at me, he winked. Did he know that I was a witch?
Leaving the entrance area, I approached the author that I was there to see. He had created a world far beyond reality. A world that would have been far better than our own. The series had got my blood pumping as I’d read it. If only I could write the tales that he did.
“Excuse me?” A female voice got my attention.
Glancing at the shorter woman, I licked my lips as I felt into her energy. She was an ancient witch, a seer who had given up her magic. I knew that instantly from the tattoos on her hands. A pentagram in red, crossed out with a black cross.
“Can I help you?” I asked, digging my book out of my bag.
Taking my free hand in hers, she closed her eyes and inhaled a deep breath. “I knew it! Essex...” She whispered.
Snatching my hand away, I backtracked a step or two. Looking around, I checked that no one watched us. It was rude to approach other witches in broad daylight and make it obvious that something was different. Why did the ex-witch act so carelessly?
“It’s okay,” she said, also checking around. “They tried to recruit me, but I wasn’t interested. I think you girls do a good job. Where would we be without you?”
Chuckling nervously, I glanced down at my book, ready to leave the witch and get my book signed. Every one of my senses set off alarm bells in my gut. Something about the woman made me uncomfortable.
“Thank you. We appreciate your loyalty. I must go now.”
My awkward retreat was hindered by two human girls who glared at me when I bumped into them. The ex-witch came forward, her eyes widening when I went to turn away. “She’s trapped.”
Her words made me freeze, my feet going still on the ground. More and more people were piling around us, their excitement buzzing throughout my aura. If I didn’t get away from them soon, my anxiety would start to build. The magic that poured through my veins wasn’t mine, but it was powerful enough to hurt others.
Slowly turning, I watched the witch as she came closer, pulling something out of her pocket. Extending her hand to me, she nodded once and stuck the piece of paper into my palm. Before I could reply, she spun on her heel and hurried into the crowd.
“I love that book,” a voice said beside me.
He was a tall man, his bright blue eyes grazing over me as I tucked the note away. His magic pulsed from him, open and free for everyone to feel. Something about his energy made me shudder. As someone who kept my magic close, I didn’t understand when other witches or warlocks allowed themselves to be open to attack. Energy was a powerful thing, something that could easily be taken by others.
“It is a good book.” Smiling up at him, I took a few steps towards the table where the author sat. “I’m just going to get it signed.”
Nodding quickly, the man followed, showing me his own book. It was the exact same one. I hadn’t seen many males compared to females at book conventions, but for some reason, this certain one unnerved me.
As we joined the queue, we looked at each other awkwardly. Why was the creepy creep being strange? He kept glancing at me, his eyes searching the room as we waited. Was he waiting for someone?
“Your turn,” he muttered when I didn’t notice the author waving me forward.
Fumbling with my bag and my book, I went to sit on the chair opposite the man who had written a wonderful story. He smiled at me, his bushy eyebrows pulled low over his handsome face.
“Thank you for seeing me,” I stuttered, my hands shaking as I placed the book on the table.
Smiling broadly, he took the book and nodded at me. “Thank you for coming to see me. I love meeting my readers and by the looks of your T-shirt, I can tell that you’re dedicated to the art of writing.”
A thrill of excitement rushed through me as he reached over and handed me a card.
“I certainly am. What is this?”
Tapping the book with his fingers, the author pointed at a banner that stood behind him. “If you live locally, I’m going to be starting a writing course. I’m asking all of my readers to come along for the first time for free. I love sharing my world with others, it would be nice to see if any of my readers have their own creative imaginations.”
Excitement bubbled in my stomach. I had never thought about writing my own work, but as the author signed the book with a flourish, a new idea instantly popped into my head. Maybe I could write a book. Maybe I could tell my story.
“Do you have any questions?” the author asked.
Taking the book as he offered it, I shook my head and got to my feet. About to leave, I paused.
“In your opinion,” I said, unable to resist the smile that came to my face. “Who would win in a fight? A female witch or a male one?”
My gaze went to the man who stood waiting, his eyebrows raised when he heard what I’d said. Why had I decided to antagonise the male witch? The poor man hadn’t done anything. Just because Xvair and Lucien Harvey were toxic, it didn’t mean that all male witches were.
Shrugging, the author fiddled with the glasses on his nose. “I don’t know,” he said as he nodded towards the man next to me. “But it seems that that male witch wants to get to know you better.”
Wiggling his eyebrows, he called the man forward. My cheeks flushed hot, no doubt burning bright red as I walked away, shame descending on me.
The human author had been able to tell that both of us were witches. How was that possible? Stumbling towards the toilets, I shoved my book into my bag, trying to regain my composure. Humans were not supposed to know about the underground world but quite a few did. There was no keeping it completely under wraps, even though the government tried.
“Isn’t he dreamy?” A woman spoke to me as I went to push through the toilet door.
Looking to where she stared, I shook my head as both the author and the male witch stared after me, laughing to themselves. It wasn’t a surprise really, I had just made a complete fool out of myself.
“No,” I replied. “My friend Dave is much better looking.”
Without waiting for her to say anything, I went into the toilets and made my way to the furthest cubicle. Going inside, I closed the door behind me and clenched my hands into fists. Magic tingled throughout me, the feeling unfamiliar. What was happening to me? Why did I suddenly feel weak?
Trying to shake the feeling, I took out the piece of paper that the ancient seer had given me.
You have the magic deep within you, never forget...
Pfftt... as if I needed reminding. Although, the longer I stood in the toilet, the weaker I felt. I obviously needed to eat chocolate to raise my blood sugar.
Taking several deep breaths, I steadied myself, ready to face the world again. There was one more author I wanted to meet before I left. I had only taken a break for two hours, allowing myself to indulge in my book world before I got back to the search for Brianna.
Opening the door, I came out into the bathroom. A rush of wind flew around me as arms grabbed my shoulders and forced me back into the toilet.
“Got her!”
Shoving back, I pushed against the bulk of a heavy witch whose dreadlocked hair flicked into my face, her hand following after. The sting of the slap made me punch her in the neck, forcing her to back off.
“Careful,” someone shouted from the main area of the bathroom. “She’s powerful.”
Kicking out, I grunted when my heavy boot connected with the woman’s shin. She moaned as she hopped, trying to reach me with her hands.
Taking out my dagger, I swiped towards her, catching her elbow. She howled as blood burst from the surface wound.
Reversing out of the toilet block, she held up her good arm and cast a freezing spell on me.
“Not going to work,” I forced through gritted teeth.
As ice travelled up my arms, I linked into the ley line, dragging up as much magic as possible. The ancestors were allowing me to use their magic to find Xvair, which meant they wouldn’t mind me using it to beat a few witch arses.
Using the magic that coursed through my veins, I incited a heat spell that caused flames to charge up in front of me. The fire stopped the others from reaching me at the same time as melting the ice on my body. As soon as I was free, I released the fire spell and rushed into the main bathroom.
Four witches stood side by side, the bigger one gripping her elbow. They glared at me, their stance strong and ready for a fight. What did I ever do to them?
“Gemma Abbott,” one of them said. “You’ve got a bounty on your head, and I’m going to claim it.”
The woman was tall, her bright blue eyes ringed with dark eyeliner. All of them were dressed in the Gothic style, leather and chains clanging as they moved side to side, hopping on their feet.
“And, who exactly has put a bounty on my head?”
The question was probably a stupid one considering I had many enemies. However, nowadays, I had no idea who was going to use the witch community against me.
The bigger girl thrust forward, growling at me. “The PFF, bitch.”
“And why doesn’t that surprise me?” I muttered, holding my dagger in front of me.
In a way, it did actually surprise me. Allowing the witch community to know about their desire for me made it impossible for them to hide their intentions. Surely, terrorist groups were supposed to do everything quietly so those higher up couldn’t interfere?
The four witches watched me, ready to make their move.
My energy drained out of me as I held my stance. Keeping my shoulders high, I forced myself not to show them my weakness. Were the ancestors taking my magic from me? Why would I suddenly lose my powers for no reason?
“They want you alive,” the main woman said.
Charging for me, she threw a fist, aiming for my face. Ducking under her, I planted my leg into the back of her knee and kicked hard. A snap resounded throughout the bathroom as she screamed. I had to use my fighting skills to take down the other three. It made me cautious, not wanting to risk them noticing my lack of magic. Any weakness would be used against me and reported back to the PFF.
“Come on, then,” I chanted as I moved beside the woman who now cradled her leg on the floor. “Who’s next?”
The one with a cut arm gestured for a tall thin girl with very short hair to come for me. She stepped forward gingerly before igniting a barrier spell around me. A circle of salt appeared around my feet, forcing me to stay within its bounds.
Pushing hard, I cursed as she came closer, her arm extended.
“Don’t hurt her,” the one on the ground said, sucking in a breath of pain. “We need her alive.”
Digging deep into the ley line, I tried not to panic when it stayed weak, the magic so very faint. It was as if I was dead again... well, I was, but dead without my link to the ancestral power. They must have cut it.
“I won’t go that easily.” Forcing my hand through the barrier spell, I grabbed the slim girl’s fingers, squeezing hard.
The bigger girl swiped a knife out of her leather jacket pocket. Coming closer, she flicked it over the top of my wrist, the blade biting into my skin.
Releasing the other witch, I sucked in a breath but made no sound. An Essex witch couldn’t easily be defeated. If she was, well... the ley line would be in danger from every witch in London.
My phone burst into noise. Snatching it out of my pocket, I answered, telling Dave where I was before he could speak. “There’s a bounty on my head and a bunch of witches are trying to capture me... Please come.”
Hanging up, I shoved my phone away before flicking my dagger gently in my good hand. It was time to get inventive.
“How are we going to take her?” the big girl asked the one on the floor.
They held back, waiting for their orders. I might have been trapped, but it wouldn’t last long, especially if they had to take me alive.
Concentrating on the ley line, I took up as much magic as I could. It was weak, but a small strand filtered into me. There were three able bodied witches ready to do anything to take me to the PFF. The bounty must have been handsome if they were willing to risk their lives to take me in.
“Every witch is looking for you,” the one on the floor told me as I flicked my dagger again. “I can’t believe how easy it was to find you.”
The corner of my lip lifted into my cheek as I made my move. Spinning in three circles, I mustered all the magic inside me, forcing it into the dagger. Letting go, I flung it, releasing it from my fingers. It flew out of the circle, the blade spinning towards the big girl. It sliced through her other arm causing her to scream out in pain.
The thin girl managed to swirl out of the way, her magic fast.
As the knife lodged into the shoulder of the one witch who hadn’t threatened me, a pang of regret squeezed my chest.
“Bitch!” the big girl screamed as I pushed against the barrier spell, my hands able to break it into small pieces.
Holding an Essex witch was difficult, even without the ley line magic to help.
Getting ready to run through the maze of witches, I braced myself. The thud of the door slamming open and rebounding off the wall alerted us to Dave’s arrival.
Assessing the scene, Dave dodged out of the way of the bigger girl as she launched at him. When she came for him again, he punched her straight in the face, knocking her out cold.
“Leave them!” I called when Dave took out his gun and aimed it at the others.
Holding their hands up in surrender, the girls backed up to their leader, who still scowled on the ground.
Seeing the blood that dripped from my wrist, Dave snarled, the sound rumbling up his chest. “You’re under arrest for attempted abduction.”
Going over to the almost innocent witch, I raised my eyebrows at her. She nodded, her lip quivering when I took hold of my dagger, which was still lodged in her shoulder. Slowly taking it out, I smiled apologetically. Her whimper made guilt rush through me. She was only a young witch, her energy still pure.
“Why are you hanging out with this lot?” I whispered.
Looking at the others as Dave handcuffed them, she swallowed hard. “I have no one else. When I was young, I was orphaned. No coven wanted me, so I-”
“You better not be talking, bitch!” the girl on the floor shouted as Dave called backup.
The young girl winced, not from the pain of her wound, but from the way the others glared at her. It had long been a rule that orphaned witches who didn’t know their relatives were not allowed into a coven. It meant that groups like this one would form, causing havoc on the streets.
“My colleague will see you at the station. Just a word of advice,” I said, wiping my bloody blade on my jacket. “If you find the right people to hang around with, your life would improve dramatically.”
Nodding, she ducked her head as a tear dropped from her eye. It was obvious that she didn’t fit in with the ruffians who had tried to kidnap me. I would ask Dave to help her find a suitable place in society. Maybe he could get her a job at MI5 as an office worker. It might help get her life back on track.
“Gemma?” Dave called me over when two agents from the main team turned up.
Dragging the witches away, the other agents nodded at me, their eyebrows raised. Dave would have to bribe them to keep their mouth shut. Although, my mother would need to know that I had been attacked. The PFF was still part of the team’s investigation.
“That just totally backed up my mother’s fear that I’m too much of a target, hasn’t it?” My moaning voice was dull even to my ears.
Taking hold of my arm, Dave inspected the cut on my wrist. It wasn’t too deep but blood still seeped out of the sliced skin.
“It doesn’t hurt-” I started, sucking in a breath when he pushed the edge of the wound, testing the depth.
“Let’s get back to yours, I’ll need to stitch that.”
Inspecting the scene, I shook my head. Blood was splattered over the floor, bright against the white lino. Inciting a clean-up spell, I frowned when nothing happened.
Dave looked at me, shock lining his handsome features. Nothing, my magic was depleted.
“Have you just used up the ancestors’ powers?”
Scratching my head, I took a moment to reply. “No,” I whispered, looking around us. “I didn’t use hardly any magic. Something...” I stuttered as pain lanced my chest. Grasping it, I glanced at Dave. “We need to go home. Something is seriously wrong.”
