Slayer (Slayer 1)

Eve stands, studying my bookshelf. Maybe she has no idea about Leo. It certainly isn’t unusual among Watchers to have no clue what their kids are doing or even what their kids are.

“Artemis.” I very deliberately turn on the ceiling fan. I look up at it then back down at her, hoping she’ll get my meaning that there’s a threat. That we need to be careful.

She frowns. And then finally she understands. Her features shift to weary annoyance. “Is that what you were doing in the woods, then? Hiding Mom’s address book?”

I sigh dramatically. “Yes. Fine. I didn’t want to turn it over to the Council until I knew more, so I took it when she wasn’t looking. Then I went to confront her. But she’s not there anymore. She went to find Doug.”

Eve straightens, turning around. Her red lipstick looks like a wound as she purses her lips. “Nina, dear, I can tell when people are lying to me. So either you are lying about what you did with the book or you are lying about what your mother has been up to. Let’s go get Wanda and—”

“No!” Not her too. She’s been out to get our family forever. She might even have been working with Honora. Wanda Wyndam-Pryce in the castle, Honora outside of it. I need them to meet with each other, not with me. I have to get my friends out. “I really don’t think my mom has hurt anyone. And she’s off looking for Doug now anyway, so there’s no rush. Call a Council meeting.”

“Who is Doug?” Eve asks.

“He’s the demon. The one I had in Cillian’s shed, remember? It’s not a big deal. I’ll explain to the Council when you’re all gathered.”

“I think it is a big deal.” Eve folds her arms, her expression stern. “I think it’s a very big deal when a Watcher uses our resources to actively conspire and consort with demons. And it hasn’t escaped my notice that when we met your mother, the Slayer we were looking for was already dead. Now Cosmina turns up dead as well. Tell me where your mother’s book is so we can confirm the other Slayers are unharmed. Then we’ll decide how to handle your mother’s extracurricular activities.”

Artemis looks torn. “Maybe you should give it to them. That way we can prove Mom isn’t hurting anyone.”

I’ve got to get Eve out of here so I can leave. Maybe if she knows I can’t get the book, she’ll give up that line of reasoning. “I’d really like that. But I lied. I don’t have the book. Mom took it with her. She’s trying to protect Doug.”

Eve sighs, rubbing her forehead. “So she’s out protecting a demon, which means she’s not here. And she’s obviously hit some sort of crisis point. I wouldn’t put it past her to snatch you and run again. I can’t lose you.” She shakes her head. “I’m afraid we’re out of time.”

“What do you mean, we’re out of time?”

Eve lowers her hand, smiling. “Sorry. I meant you’re out of time.”

Suddenly the lights go out. But not in the room.

In Eve.

Every shadow swirls, gathering on her. Her edges blur, her form becoming like something half remembered from a nightmare.

From a nightmare I’ve already had.

“Oh my gods,” I whisper.

Eve smiles. “Quite the opposite.”

30

EVE WHIPS OUT A SHADOWY leg. Artemis screams as she falls. I jump at Eve but she moves as fast as a memory, sliding out of my reach before I can grab her.

“I need her to be asleep.” Eve’s voice is like an icy breeze on the back of my neck. “But unconscious will work too.”

I lunge for Artemis. Eve gets there first. Artemis goes limp and silent, hanging like a rag doll from Eve’s hands. I try to come at her from the side, but Eve mirrors me, keeping the wall at her back and Artemis in front of her.

“Careful now.” Eve squeezes, and points of blood break through Artemis’s shirt from where Eve’s fingernails have extended into black claws. “Just a little pressure and I’ll puncture straight through to all the fragile, precious things that separate the living from the dead. And if you take too long to decide, I’ll rip away her life force and break her neck too, so your CPR will be worthless.”

I trusted Eve. I thought she was helping me. And this whole time, she’s been using me. Of course she said she’d find out what happened to Bradford. She already knew.

I can’t let her kill Artemis. Not for anything. “What do I have to decide? What do you want?”

“Your power.”

It takes me a moment to comprehend what she’s saying. “My power?”

“The channel that opened up and connected you to a well of power women have drawn on for thousands of years. I was so surprised and delighted you were a Slayer, right here for the taking. Leo made me promise I wouldn’t hurt you. But I’ve tasted you while you were sleeping.”