Wicked Deal (Shadow Guild: The Rebel 2)

“No, thanks.”

“You’re not built for this cold. Put it on.”

“Neither are you.”

“Of course I am. I was born in the mountains of Transylvania.” I scowled at her. “Besides, your shivering is distracting me.”

“Fine.” She tugged the jacket on, and satisfaction surged. “Thank you.”

We hurried up the steps, pushing our way through the cold wind that whipped snow across our cheeks. A shiver rippled over my skin, but I ignored it. As we neared the top, the prickle of dark magic grew stronger.

“Ugh, that feels awful,” Carrow said.

“Dark magic protections. Be alert.”

The light at the top of the staircase beckoned, and we stepped out into the pale, watery sunlight of an overcast day. The snow stopped abruptly, and the simple church rose tall in front of us. White plaster covered the outside, and the windows gleamed in the light.

“We’re at the back side. We need to get around to the front.” I eyed the graveyard that surrounded it. “Keep an eye on the stones.”

She shot a wary glance at them, then moved toward the church. We stayed close to the wall as we walked, but our presence seemed to irritate something. Faint magic vibrated on the air, prickling and sharp.

There was an eerie howl from the cemetery, and Carrow edged closer to my side. It was on the tip of my tongue to tell her not to worry—that I would protect her.

I bit it back.

It was true. I would protect her.

But she wouldn’t want to hear it.

And it was…unlike me. We didn’t have that kind of relationship.

The earth beneath the gravestones shifted, dirt tumbling over rocks. The scent of death wafted toward us.

“Move quickly.” I picked up the pace, and we ran for the door.

The grass over the gravestones broke apart, dirt rising through the cracks.

Bodies would come next.

I raised a hand, and magic surfaced and flowed through me. I directed it toward the bodies in the graves.

Stay down.

It was hard work—nearly impossible—but nothing rose as we hurried toward the church. Finally, the large doors loomed in front of us. I kept my magic flowing as I pulled one open, ushering her inside.

Carrow sprinted in and spun around to peer out. I darted in after her, looking behind to check the graveyard.

The dirt lay still. Nothing had risen, thank fates.

“The protective spell has died now that we’ve entered the church.” I shut the door behind us. “At least, the spell on the graveyard.”

“Were there really zombies back there?” Carrow stripped out of my jacket and handed it to me.

I took it. “I believe so. Something was trying to rise out there.”

“And you stopped them with your magic? How?”

“I can compel people to tell me things—but it is their mind I am controlling, not their bodies. Their will is often too strong for me to do that. But the dead…”