Black Wings, Gray Skies (Black Hat Bureau 4)

My namesake.

The alias I chose as a ward against evil was the last ingredient I mixed with the other herbs in a mortar.

As I tested the consistency, deciding the fragrant mix was correct, Clay entered the room.

“Put her in the circle.” I waited until he withdrew to sprinkle the herbs in a tight ring butting up against the salt. “Don’t let her flutter until I finish.”

One flap was all it would take to blow away my work, which would cost us time Colby might not have.

“Got it.” He placed a gentle hand on her back to pin her wings against her sides. “Come on, Shorty.”

Her antennae jerked, but she didn’t open her eyes or raise her head.

“Stay put.” I ran to the nearest closet and emptied it of lavender sachets, ripping them open on my way back. “It’s not as good as fresh, but it ought to do.” They could have been in there for years, but the spell would perk up any remaining oils. “One more ring ought to do it.” I chewed on my bottom lip, debating, then remembered. “There are bath salts in the welcome basket.”

Between the two baskets, I had enough to build a thick outer ring. Better yet, there were lavender buds and cornflower petals mixed in, giving the blend an extra boost.

As I adjusted it to my satisfaction, Asa strode into the room with two canvas totes full of salt.

Kosher salt, truffle salt, sea salt, coarse salt, fleur de sel, table salt, red, black, and smoked gray salt too.

The gourmet assortment coaxed a low whistle out of Clay. “Did you knock over a chef or something?”

Sure enough, the bags, jars, and boxes within were marked with logos from various trendy restaurants.

“Several.” Asa ignored Clay and handed me the goods. “Is it enough?”

“This is perfect.” I pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “Thank you.”

The rest was messy work, but it was simple. I poured out every grain of salt onto the table in rings that grew larger as they fanned outward, until the entire surface held the design.

“This will purge her,” I told them. “Depending on what’s wrong, it might not be pretty.”

A simple spell would break under the pressure I was about to apply, but there was nothing simple about how fast she had been drained to unconsciousness.

“Clay, you can let go now.” I waved them both back. “You won’t be able to reach her through the wards, so don’t try. You’ll get a nasty burn for your trouble, and you still won’t touch her.”

The guys moved into position, one at either of my shoulders, ready in case this effort drained me. Given my reserves were low too, I didn’t mind the hovering.

Withdrawing my wand, I closed my eyes and focused on the familiar bond I shared with Colby.

Inside the salt rings, she was stronger, her light brighter, and I didn’t waste more time with indecision.

Murmuring a spell under my breath, I tapped my wand against the table and pushed energy into the tip until a dozen miniature wards sprang to life around Colby. A pang in my chest, reminiscent of a pulled muscle, warned me I might have done my job too well. The familiar bond wasn’t happy about the barriers between me and my power source, but I fought down the panic threatening to clog my throat.

A heartbeat later, my ears popped, and Colby’s eyes flung open.

Too bad mine chose that moment to close.