Hail to the Queen (Witch For Hire 2)

“We must consult the books,” Baal Shem replies.

Two steps forward and a million back. No one speaks as we make our way to the church van and climb inside. I’m grateful that Father is driving. I tune out as we pull onto the road and I watch the scenery go by. The sun sets in a beautiful display of peach, lavender, royal purple, and blush, yet all I feel is cold. Resting my head against the cool window, I welcome the night. A thump on the windshield draws my attention from the safe cloud of nothingness I’d allowed my brain to sink into.

“Suicidal bug,” Sacha mumbles.

I snicker.

Three more splats make me tense. Insects begin to pelt the car like hail. The wipers swish furiously, but they’re no match for the carnage of carcasses. Fog rushes toward us, effectively cutting us off from the rest of the world as visibility shrinks to less than a foot in front of us. A body appears in the middle of the road. Flying into the air, it slams down onto the hood. We veer off the road. The long-limbed creature’s claws clack over the windshield. It offers us a jagged, rotting-tooth grin. It disappears from view. Pop. The front tires blow. The van swerves as Father fights to gain control.

We rumbled to a stop in the grass on the side of the road.

“Is everyone okay?” Fel asks.

A chorus of ‘yes’ comes back to her.

“It’s trying to stop us. It’s frightened,” Father marvels.

“This means we’re on the right path,” Baal Shem replies.

“We have to get out of the car.” I fumble with my seatbelt and shove the door open as my instincts scream at me to move faster. The thick fog keeps us close together while we move away from the van. A semi slams into the side, dragging the vehicle away into the dense white. I scream, jerking back. If we’d been slower …

I can feel the court racing toward us.

“The others will be here soon,” I say. We just have to make it until then.

An eerie howl goes up in the distance. Others join. We shrink back. In the distance, I make out vague shapes moving toward us.

“Do you see them?” Sacha asks.

“Yes.”

“Hell Hounds,” Father whispers.

Close enough to view, the black dogs crouch, baring their fangs. Saliva drips from the pointed tips like venom, and their red eyes pierce the darkness. Without the holy men, we’re lost. Their safety comes before mine. The adrenaline coursing through my veins tricks me into believing I have energy. Prepared to take advantage of the pain blockers, I come up with a tentative plan. Planting my feet, I erect a barrier between us and the dogs from hell.

“On three, I want you to run. The others are close. We just have to make it until they arrive. Fel, stay with them. Sacha and I will lead them away.”

“What? I’m not leaving you.”

“Felicite. Please.”

She sneers. “Fine.”

“One. Two. Three.” I shove the barrier forward, sending them flying back like bowling pins. The sickening smack upon impact gives me a moment of happiness.

“Feu!” Sacha calls. A wall of wire leaps up, putting a physical barrier between them and us. We dart off in opposite directions. I can hear their massive paws pounding the ground as they resume the chase.

“Terre!” A wall of dirt rises. Loud yelps tell me I’ve hit my target. Still, more panting remains too close for comfort.

Archangel Michael, defend us. I pray like I never have before as my lungs burn, my legs shake, and fear rises up inside of me. A brilliant light flashes. I stumble and throw my arm up to shield my eyes from further damage. A large, flaming sword slices down, cutting a path through the fog. Stunned, I turn to Sacha. She grabs my hand, and we run full tilt down the cleared space. I glance back to see a form made of pure light wielding the weapon once more. The winged figure cuts the dogs down with a few quick blows.

“Dove.”

I’m swept into Cristobal’s arms. Eye ablaze and fangs distended, my court is a formidable wall between us and danger.

“We felt your distress, but I had to use magic to get here to you. There was a powerful barrier.” He cups the back of my head, and I bury my face in his neck, allowing myself a moment to enjoy being alive.

“The others?”