The inky blot in the shape of a human bolted to one side, avoiding the magical barrage while the suffocating human thrashed against the car. The heavy body armor rang against the metal and glass. Aimee ignored the dying mortal and concentrated
on avoiding the demon’s next attack. It darted at her, slashing with its claws. She cast another wave of magic at it, the diamonds in her bracelet flashing in the headlights of the SUV idling behind the limousine.
“Of course,” she whispered.
A black magic spell hurtled into her and knocked her off her feet. Her flip-flops skittered across the asphalt and vanished under the car. The spell slid over her skin like icy water. It tried to sink through her protection spell, but was thwarted when Aimee pumped more power into her shield. She was draining herself too fast and she knew it. Whip-like tendrils of black magic lashed at her face and chest. The purple and black magic again tried to burrow into her protection spell. Aimee worried that the demon was about to spring and she had no idea where the black magic witch was hiding. Gripping the aggressive spell in both hands, she jerked it away from her body, holding the squirming mass in a tight grip. Again, she cursed Frank’s ridiculous fashion standards. She had a bracelet with just the amulet for this type of aggressive spell. Instead she had to take a big risk in order to save all of them.
Rolling onto her knees, Aimee observed the demon retreating to the other side of the car. The dark magic spell viciously attacking the limousine was almost through her protection spell. The witch and demon had distracted her in order to get closer to Frank. Now she was about to make things even worse.
“Dammit!”
Encapsulating the writhing tendrils in a thin sheen of white magic, she hurled the black magic spell at the limousine. It splashed into the other spell, its tentacles whipping out to grip onto the bigger mass before sinking into it. Even bigger and stronger than before, the black magic spell jerked at the limousine like a predator ripping into flesh.
“You’re stupider than I thought,” a male voice called out, amused.
Ripping the diamond bracelet off her wrist, Aimee whispered under her breath. The demon added its power to the assaulting spell. Another blast of black magic hurtled towards her. She leaped out of the way and sent a countering wave in the general direction of the attack.
“Blood calls to death!” she shouted, and hurled the diamond bracelet at the car.
The demon’s glowing red eyes gleamed brightly just as the diamond bracelet clipped the car and bounced into its face. It howled in agony as the banishment spell Aimee had infused the bracelet with gripped it and dragged it into the depths of the sparkling diamonds, entrapping it. The reek of sulfur filled the air as the black magic spell ripping at the limousine vanished instantly. Somewhere nearby a man screamed in pain and terror.
“That’s the problem with black magic witches,” Aimee called out. “Once the demon you’ve made a deal with is vanquished, you’re a powerless piece of shit.”
Retreating footsteps pounded into the darkness. The doors to the limousine banged open and the two guards pursued the fleeing black witch. Aimee smiled triumphantly, swaying slightly on her feet. The adrenaline surge was the only thing keeping her standing. Weakened by the heavy expenditure of her magic, Aimee limped toward the car.
Frank slid out of the backseat, his cellphone clutched in one hand. “Why didn’t you kill the witch?”
“Fuck you, Frank,” Aimee answered.
She was dimly aware of the vampire catching her when she fainted.
Part Two:
Home
Chapter 7:
Memories Lost
Snagging the mail out of the battered mailbox, Cassandra headed up the walkway to her mother’s small house tucked behind towering cedar trees on a quiet street in a small town in Texas. The light spring breeze brushed through the branches, ruffling leaves and shifting the sunlight that dappled the flagstones. The colorful oleanders bordering the porch needed to be cut back, and Cassandra used her overnight bag to shove the pretty flowers aside.
Behind the screen door she could see the flicker of the TV and heard the voices of the morning talk show hosts chatting with the latest Hollywood rising star. The clink of dishes and the rushing sound of water indicated that breakfast was over and cleanup was underway. Knocking on the screen door, Cassandra quickly scanned her mother’s mail. It was a relief to see she hadn’t gone on any shopping network sprees.
The shadowy form of her mother hurried down the short hall from the kitchen and into the gloomy living room. Cassandra smiled at her mother through the mesh as Galina fumbled with the lock.
“Hey, Mom,” Cassandra said.
“I’m so glad you’re home!” Galina exclaimed breathlessly. Pulling the door open, she wrapped Cassandra in her arms.
Kissing her mother’s cheek, Cassandra snuggled against her. The scent of jasmine and baby powder filled her nostrils and she inhaled deeply. It was a comforting fragrance, and one she always associated with her mother. “Like I promised, I’m back safe and sound.”
Drawing back, Galina studied her thoughtfully. “Something happened?”
“Nothing to worry about,” Cassandra answered with a reassuring smile.
Cassandra knew she strongly resembled her mother, but she didn’t think she was nearly as beautiful. Galina’s blue-green eyes flecked with gold were heavily fringed with dark lashes and her lush chestnut brown hair fell in silky waves to her mid-back. Where Cassandra had a much stronger nose, Galina’s was delicate, but they shared the same lush mouth and Slavic complexion. Being a dhamphir gave Cassandra a much younger appearance than her thirty-five years, while Galina looked like a youthful early forty-year-old and not her actual sixty-five years of age. Her mother’s years as a blood minion to vampires had kept her preternaturally youthful, but regular infusions of Cassandra’s blood maintained it. People always thought they were sisters, not mother and daughter.
“You’re lying,” Galina said, her eyes narrowing.