The Witch With No Name
Page 2
Buddy! Marsha screamed as Ivy shoved her into the wall, covering her with her body.
Get her out of here! I shouted, afraid to move. The spell had been invoked, but it hadnt fastened on its intended victim. It was a loose cannon, and it was trapped in here with me.
Thats my dog! the woman protested, wild with fear as Ivy manhandled her into the hallway. Buddy! Buddy!
Slowly I realized I was unhurt. Buddy, though . . . Wincing, I looked at the dog, prostrate and beginning to shake. He wasnt dead, and he wasnt a dog. It was her boyfriend, Luke.
I hate vampires, I thought, realizing what had happened. Someone had turned Luke into a doppelganger of their dog and tacked a secondary spell on to him that would kill them both when Marsha touched him. Luke was halfway gone, but until the spell found Marsha, it wouldnt invoke fully. I had a chance.
Marsha! I stood, carefully watching the energy flow as I broke my own circle. Where do you keep your salt?
Stay put, Ivy snarled. Tell me.
In the cupboard beside the stove! the woman sobbed from the hallway. What happened? Buddy? Buddy!
I ran to the kitchen and snapped on the faucet. Its not your dog, its your boyfriend.
Maybe that had been a mistake, since the woman totally freaked out. Luke! she screamed. Oh God, Luke!
Stay in the hall! Ivy shouted, and the sounds of a struggle grew louder.
Salt, salt . . . I thought, pulse fast as I found a mixing bowl and dropped it into the sink. Dont let her touch him! If she touches him, they both die!
Luke! the woman sobbed, and I triumphantly found the salt. I wedged a nail under the spout and ripped it right out. Hands shaking, I shook it into the mixing bowl.
Is he going to be okay? Jenks asked, his dust pooling on the surface and running like mercury, but I didnt know.
Oh God. Hurry! Marsha begged, and I gave the salt water a quick stir, tasting it before I picked up the bowl. The woman was hovering over the dog, terrified. My heart went out to her. Vampire masters were sons of bitches. Every last one of them. Help him! she screamed, her perfect face twisted in terror. Ivy held her, and I moved fast, bowl of salt water before me.
Stay back, I warned as I stood over the little white dog and dumped it. Water splashed, and Marsha backed up, white faced and breathless. I had no idea if the entire concentration was optimum for breaking earth charms, but thered be enough to not just turn him human, but to break the lethal charm as well.
As expected, the dog vanished behind a thick puff of brown-and-blue aura-tainted energy. Luke! Marsha screamed, and Jenks frowned at her. Hed seen enough spells break to know this was normal. I backed up, tense as the cloud grew to man size. Slowly the mist broke up to show a naked, bruised, and beaten man huddled on the soggy white carpet.
Luke took a sobbing gasp of air. He was going to make itfor now, and I eased back to sit on the edge of the cushy couch, elbows on my knees and head dropped into my hands. The amulets on my bracelet clinked, and I sighed. The salt water had ruined them. Id tack it on to Marshas bill, but I didnt think she had the money. Besides, she was going to be a little busy trying to survive.
You can touch him now, I said, realizing that Marsha was still hovering over him.
Frantic, she dropped to her knees. Water squished from the carpet, and she pulled him to her. Oh, baby! she gushed, oblivious that he was covered in salt water. Did he hurt you?
By the bruises, clearly someoneprobably his own masterhad, but he raised a shaky hand and brushed her cheek. Im okay, he rasped, a flash of ugly memory finding me at the sight of him, his black hair plastered to his face and his eyes not quite open. It hurt like the devil to shift with earth magic, but his toned, athletic, and beaten body covered in easily hidden scars looked as if it was used to pain.
Crying, Marsha cradled his head to herself and rocked him. I wondered how many scars were hidden behind Marshas expensive clothes. This sucked. Vampires looked as if they had everything, but it was a lie. My eyes shifted to Ivy, seeing her inner struggle. A big fat ugly lie.
The clatter of Jenkss wings was a short warning as he landed on my shoulder. He looked like a dog to me, he grumped.
Thats because he was one. I plucked at my wet shirt, sticking uncomfortably to me. The question wasnt how, but why. Why had two minor vampire camarillas spent this much on a double-whammy spell like this on a simple Romeo and Juliet? It was expens-s-s-sive.
Ivy was in the hall to convince the neighbors nothing was going on. It didnt take much. Clearly they were familiar with the situation. Not happy, Ivy shut the door and stomped into the kitchen to turn the faucet off.
Im sorry, Marsha, Luke was saying, and the crying woman stretched for a blanket to cover him. When they told me I couldnt see you again, I went to a witch. She said she could turn me into a dog so I could be with you. No one would know it was me.
I watched as Ivy pulled the living room blinds. Her expression was empty, hearing far past what the man was saying. Closing the last, she sat across from me in the shadow light, worried.
I didnt care if I was a dog, Luke continued, his eyes still not open as his hand gripped hers. I knew you wouldnt leave Buddy. His eyes opened, and I stared. They were the clearest shade of blue Id ever seen. I love you, Marsha. Id do anything for you. Anything! Crying, he pulled himself into a ball in her arms. Im so sorry.
My God, theyd tricked him into buying the charm that wouldve killed them both. Ivy and I exchanged a worried look. This was bad, but we couldnt just walk away. Jenks, too, was looking ill, and he moved to the decorative bowl of pinecones on the coffee table. Hed loved and lost more than Ivy and me combined, and this wasnt sitting well with him either. But it wasnt one master vampire wed have to outwit, but two.
Ivy was still silent, and I sourly thought of my bank account. You think we should help them? I said softly, and Jenkss dust shifted to a hopeful yellowish pink.
Ivy didnt look at me. The couple on the floor was silent.
You think we should help them, I said again, this time making it a statement.
Ivys eyes flicked up. I could see her tremendous need to give, to make it right. Shed done so much wrong, and it chewed on her in the small hours. My heart ached for her skewed view of herself, and I wished she could see herself as I did. This would rub the guilt outfor a time.
Okay, well help them, I said, and Marsha gasped, her tear-wet eyes suddenly full ofhope where thered been only despair. Jenkss wings hummed his approval, and I sat up, gesturing weakly. But I dont know what we can do.
You cant, Marsha said, voice harsh as she held Luke. They know everything.
Unfortunately, she was right. We couldnt simply set them up in a nice house out of state and hope that they wouldnt be found and made into an even bigger example. Ivy had been trying to wiggle out from her master her entire life only to become more entangled, so much so that theyd ensnared me, too. Trent, maybe? I thought, but as it was, he was struggling to keep his head above the political sharks.
Maybe, I said as Luke sat up, muscles beginning to work again. Changing into a dog was a great idea. Actually, it had been a lousy idea, but unless you practiced magic, you wouldnt know how easy it was to circumvent it. My gaze went to the soggy carpet. Obviously.
Well run, Marsha said, tensing as if ready to walk out that exact second.
Ivy shook her head. You wont get past the city limits.
Marsha, sweetheart, Luke whispered. You know that wont work.
But Id given her hope, and the woman wouldnt let go. We can use the tunnels!
Ivy looked toward the shuttered windows at the sound of a horn. They built the tunnels.
I cant live without you. I wont! the distressed woman cried out, and I wondered if the place had been bugged. But if it had, Jenks would have heard the electronic whine and disabled them. We had a moment to catch our breath, and then wed have to move.
It wasnt as if we could stake their two master vampires; there were laws against that kind of thing. Unless Marsha and Luke could come up with ironclad blackmail, they were stuck.
Okay, I said, feeling the need to get moving. Wed been here too long. There might be some law or something you can tap into. Ivys going to need access to every document your names are on. Birth certificates, property deeds, insurance, parking tickets, tax returns, everything.
Marsha nodded, that same glow of hope back in her eyes hurting me. This wasnt going to work, but we had to try something.
Ivy rose to look out through a crack in the blinds. Do either of you have a safe house?
None we trust anymore, Luke said, and Ivy let the blind fall.
Ive got one, Ivy said, coming back to help Luke stand. You should be okay for a few days. Especially if you help out a little with the other guests coming in.
Wrapped in the blanket, Luke awkwardly got to his feet, pale and shaking. Anything. Yes. Thank you.
Jenks took to the air, humming out under the crack in the door to check the hallway. Almost immediately he darted back in with a big thumbs-up.
We cant just walk out with them, I said, and Ivy gave me a glum smile.
They wont try anything new until sundown, Ivy said, catching Marshas arm before the woman went into the bedroom and shaking her head to leave everything. Theyll want to be present the next time.
God help me. I hated vampires. Okay, lets move out.
But he needs his clothes, Marsha was saying as I collected my splat gun from the counter. Ivy was almost carrying Luke to the door, and tears began to slip again from Marsha. I totally understood. The entire place was a perfect blending of their love. It was sucky when happiness became this costly. But if theyd fought this hard for it, then it would last their entire lifetime. I just hoped that lifetime would be longer than a week.
The hallway was quiet, smelling of dust and old carpet. Eyes were watching through peepholes, and it made me edgy. Marsha took Lukes elbow to help him shuffle down the stairs in his blanket, and Ivy dropped back to talk to me.
Jenks, youre going with Ivy, right? I asked, knowing she wouldnt tell me the address of her safe house, much less take me there. Jenks, though . . .
Jenkss wings hummed into invisibility, and he rose up a hand width. Yeah.
No, Ivy said, frowning, and he made a face at her. Youre not coming, pixy.
Tinks a Disney whore, like you could stop me! he shot back.
Smiling, I edged around Ivy to keep Marsha and Luke from heading out without us. Ive got my phone on, I said, pushing them back to the mailboxes until I could look at the street.
Ill be fine. See you at home, Ivy said, ignoring Jenks and his sword pointed at her nose. Hey, you doing anything tonight?
Listen to me, you broken-fanged, moss-wiped excuse for a back-drafted blood bag! Jenks said, a silver-edged red dust slipping from him.
I looked back inside from the street, thinking this had been nice, even with the near miss. I liked working with Ivy. Always had. We did well togethereven when it had gone wrong. Im working security for Trent, I said, lips quirking as I saw her mentally smack her forehead. You want me to bring you back something? Its probably going to end somewhere with food.
Sure. Thatd be good, she said, turning to give Marsha and Luke some last-minute instructions on how to get from here to there alive. Ill call if I need help.
I touched her arm, and her eyes met mine in farewell. Smiling, I turned away remembering something Kisten had once said: I was there when she had her morning coffee, I was there when she turned out the light. I was her friend, and to Ivy, that was everything.
Jenks, Ive got this! I heard, and then I shut the door, my steps light as I headed for my car. Ivy would get home okay. She was right that the masters would want to be there when they brought their children in line. Besides, everyone in Cincinnati with fangs knew Ivy Tamwood.
Head up, I stomped along, eyeing the few pedestrians. Slowly my good mood was tarnished. Love died in the shadows, and it shouldnt cost so much to keep it in the sun. But as Trent would say, anything gotten cheap wouldnt last, so do what you need to do to be happy and deal with the consequences. That if love was easy, everyone would find it.
I turned the corner, my head coming up at the clatter of pixy wings. She said no, huh? I said as Jenks landed on my shoulder, his wings tickling my neck as he settled himself.
Tinks little pink rosebuds, he muttered. She threatened to dump insecticide on my summer hut. Besides, shes got it okay. God! Vampires in love. The only thing worse is you mooning over Trent.
My smile widened. Maybe Id make cookies. The man loved cookies.
He made a rude sound, his silence telling me he was unhappy. Sorry about the dog.
Get her out of here! I shouted, afraid to move. The spell had been invoked, but it hadnt fastened on its intended victim. It was a loose cannon, and it was trapped in here with me.
Thats my dog! the woman protested, wild with fear as Ivy manhandled her into the hallway. Buddy! Buddy!
Slowly I realized I was unhurt. Buddy, though . . . Wincing, I looked at the dog, prostrate and beginning to shake. He wasnt dead, and he wasnt a dog. It was her boyfriend, Luke.
I hate vampires, I thought, realizing what had happened. Someone had turned Luke into a doppelganger of their dog and tacked a secondary spell on to him that would kill them both when Marsha touched him. Luke was halfway gone, but until the spell found Marsha, it wouldnt invoke fully. I had a chance.
Marsha! I stood, carefully watching the energy flow as I broke my own circle. Where do you keep your salt?
Stay put, Ivy snarled. Tell me.
In the cupboard beside the stove! the woman sobbed from the hallway. What happened? Buddy? Buddy!
I ran to the kitchen and snapped on the faucet. Its not your dog, its your boyfriend.
Maybe that had been a mistake, since the woman totally freaked out. Luke! she screamed. Oh God, Luke!
Stay in the hall! Ivy shouted, and the sounds of a struggle grew louder.
Salt, salt . . . I thought, pulse fast as I found a mixing bowl and dropped it into the sink. Dont let her touch him! If she touches him, they both die!
Luke! the woman sobbed, and I triumphantly found the salt. I wedged a nail under the spout and ripped it right out. Hands shaking, I shook it into the mixing bowl.
Is he going to be okay? Jenks asked, his dust pooling on the surface and running like mercury, but I didnt know.
Oh God. Hurry! Marsha begged, and I gave the salt water a quick stir, tasting it before I picked up the bowl. The woman was hovering over the dog, terrified. My heart went out to her. Vampire masters were sons of bitches. Every last one of them. Help him! she screamed, her perfect face twisted in terror. Ivy held her, and I moved fast, bowl of salt water before me.
Stay back, I warned as I stood over the little white dog and dumped it. Water splashed, and Marsha backed up, white faced and breathless. I had no idea if the entire concentration was optimum for breaking earth charms, but thered be enough to not just turn him human, but to break the lethal charm as well.
As expected, the dog vanished behind a thick puff of brown-and-blue aura-tainted energy. Luke! Marsha screamed, and Jenks frowned at her. Hed seen enough spells break to know this was normal. I backed up, tense as the cloud grew to man size. Slowly the mist broke up to show a naked, bruised, and beaten man huddled on the soggy white carpet.
Luke took a sobbing gasp of air. He was going to make itfor now, and I eased back to sit on the edge of the cushy couch, elbows on my knees and head dropped into my hands. The amulets on my bracelet clinked, and I sighed. The salt water had ruined them. Id tack it on to Marshas bill, but I didnt think she had the money. Besides, she was going to be a little busy trying to survive.
You can touch him now, I said, realizing that Marsha was still hovering over him.
Frantic, she dropped to her knees. Water squished from the carpet, and she pulled him to her. Oh, baby! she gushed, oblivious that he was covered in salt water. Did he hurt you?
By the bruises, clearly someoneprobably his own masterhad, but he raised a shaky hand and brushed her cheek. Im okay, he rasped, a flash of ugly memory finding me at the sight of him, his black hair plastered to his face and his eyes not quite open. It hurt like the devil to shift with earth magic, but his toned, athletic, and beaten body covered in easily hidden scars looked as if it was used to pain.
Crying, Marsha cradled his head to herself and rocked him. I wondered how many scars were hidden behind Marshas expensive clothes. This sucked. Vampires looked as if they had everything, but it was a lie. My eyes shifted to Ivy, seeing her inner struggle. A big fat ugly lie.
The clatter of Jenkss wings was a short warning as he landed on my shoulder. He looked like a dog to me, he grumped.
Thats because he was one. I plucked at my wet shirt, sticking uncomfortably to me. The question wasnt how, but why. Why had two minor vampire camarillas spent this much on a double-whammy spell like this on a simple Romeo and Juliet? It was expens-s-s-sive.
Ivy was in the hall to convince the neighbors nothing was going on. It didnt take much. Clearly they were familiar with the situation. Not happy, Ivy shut the door and stomped into the kitchen to turn the faucet off.
Im sorry, Marsha, Luke was saying, and the crying woman stretched for a blanket to cover him. When they told me I couldnt see you again, I went to a witch. She said she could turn me into a dog so I could be with you. No one would know it was me.
I watched as Ivy pulled the living room blinds. Her expression was empty, hearing far past what the man was saying. Closing the last, she sat across from me in the shadow light, worried.
I didnt care if I was a dog, Luke continued, his eyes still not open as his hand gripped hers. I knew you wouldnt leave Buddy. His eyes opened, and I stared. They were the clearest shade of blue Id ever seen. I love you, Marsha. Id do anything for you. Anything! Crying, he pulled himself into a ball in her arms. Im so sorry.
My God, theyd tricked him into buying the charm that wouldve killed them both. Ivy and I exchanged a worried look. This was bad, but we couldnt just walk away. Jenks, too, was looking ill, and he moved to the decorative bowl of pinecones on the coffee table. Hed loved and lost more than Ivy and me combined, and this wasnt sitting well with him either. But it wasnt one master vampire wed have to outwit, but two.
Ivy was still silent, and I sourly thought of my bank account. You think we should help them? I said softly, and Jenkss dust shifted to a hopeful yellowish pink.
Ivy didnt look at me. The couple on the floor was silent.
You think we should help them, I said again, this time making it a statement.
Ivys eyes flicked up. I could see her tremendous need to give, to make it right. Shed done so much wrong, and it chewed on her in the small hours. My heart ached for her skewed view of herself, and I wished she could see herself as I did. This would rub the guilt outfor a time.
Okay, well help them, I said, and Marsha gasped, her tear-wet eyes suddenly full ofhope where thered been only despair. Jenkss wings hummed his approval, and I sat up, gesturing weakly. But I dont know what we can do.
You cant, Marsha said, voice harsh as she held Luke. They know everything.
Unfortunately, she was right. We couldnt simply set them up in a nice house out of state and hope that they wouldnt be found and made into an even bigger example. Ivy had been trying to wiggle out from her master her entire life only to become more entangled, so much so that theyd ensnared me, too. Trent, maybe? I thought, but as it was, he was struggling to keep his head above the political sharks.
Maybe, I said as Luke sat up, muscles beginning to work again. Changing into a dog was a great idea. Actually, it had been a lousy idea, but unless you practiced magic, you wouldnt know how easy it was to circumvent it. My gaze went to the soggy carpet. Obviously.
Well run, Marsha said, tensing as if ready to walk out that exact second.
Ivy shook her head. You wont get past the city limits.
Marsha, sweetheart, Luke whispered. You know that wont work.
But Id given her hope, and the woman wouldnt let go. We can use the tunnels!
Ivy looked toward the shuttered windows at the sound of a horn. They built the tunnels.
I cant live without you. I wont! the distressed woman cried out, and I wondered if the place had been bugged. But if it had, Jenks would have heard the electronic whine and disabled them. We had a moment to catch our breath, and then wed have to move.
It wasnt as if we could stake their two master vampires; there were laws against that kind of thing. Unless Marsha and Luke could come up with ironclad blackmail, they were stuck.
Okay, I said, feeling the need to get moving. Wed been here too long. There might be some law or something you can tap into. Ivys going to need access to every document your names are on. Birth certificates, property deeds, insurance, parking tickets, tax returns, everything.
Marsha nodded, that same glow of hope back in her eyes hurting me. This wasnt going to work, but we had to try something.
Ivy rose to look out through a crack in the blinds. Do either of you have a safe house?
None we trust anymore, Luke said, and Ivy let the blind fall.
Ive got one, Ivy said, coming back to help Luke stand. You should be okay for a few days. Especially if you help out a little with the other guests coming in.
Wrapped in the blanket, Luke awkwardly got to his feet, pale and shaking. Anything. Yes. Thank you.
Jenks took to the air, humming out under the crack in the door to check the hallway. Almost immediately he darted back in with a big thumbs-up.
We cant just walk out with them, I said, and Ivy gave me a glum smile.
They wont try anything new until sundown, Ivy said, catching Marshas arm before the woman went into the bedroom and shaking her head to leave everything. Theyll want to be present the next time.
God help me. I hated vampires. Okay, lets move out.
But he needs his clothes, Marsha was saying as I collected my splat gun from the counter. Ivy was almost carrying Luke to the door, and tears began to slip again from Marsha. I totally understood. The entire place was a perfect blending of their love. It was sucky when happiness became this costly. But if theyd fought this hard for it, then it would last their entire lifetime. I just hoped that lifetime would be longer than a week.
The hallway was quiet, smelling of dust and old carpet. Eyes were watching through peepholes, and it made me edgy. Marsha took Lukes elbow to help him shuffle down the stairs in his blanket, and Ivy dropped back to talk to me.
Jenks, youre going with Ivy, right? I asked, knowing she wouldnt tell me the address of her safe house, much less take me there. Jenks, though . . .
Jenkss wings hummed into invisibility, and he rose up a hand width. Yeah.
No, Ivy said, frowning, and he made a face at her. Youre not coming, pixy.
Tinks a Disney whore, like you could stop me! he shot back.
Smiling, I edged around Ivy to keep Marsha and Luke from heading out without us. Ive got my phone on, I said, pushing them back to the mailboxes until I could look at the street.
Ill be fine. See you at home, Ivy said, ignoring Jenks and his sword pointed at her nose. Hey, you doing anything tonight?
Listen to me, you broken-fanged, moss-wiped excuse for a back-drafted blood bag! Jenks said, a silver-edged red dust slipping from him.
I looked back inside from the street, thinking this had been nice, even with the near miss. I liked working with Ivy. Always had. We did well togethereven when it had gone wrong. Im working security for Trent, I said, lips quirking as I saw her mentally smack her forehead. You want me to bring you back something? Its probably going to end somewhere with food.
Sure. Thatd be good, she said, turning to give Marsha and Luke some last-minute instructions on how to get from here to there alive. Ill call if I need help.
I touched her arm, and her eyes met mine in farewell. Smiling, I turned away remembering something Kisten had once said: I was there when she had her morning coffee, I was there when she turned out the light. I was her friend, and to Ivy, that was everything.
Jenks, Ive got this! I heard, and then I shut the door, my steps light as I headed for my car. Ivy would get home okay. She was right that the masters would want to be there when they brought their children in line. Besides, everyone in Cincinnati with fangs knew Ivy Tamwood.
Head up, I stomped along, eyeing the few pedestrians. Slowly my good mood was tarnished. Love died in the shadows, and it shouldnt cost so much to keep it in the sun. But as Trent would say, anything gotten cheap wouldnt last, so do what you need to do to be happy and deal with the consequences. That if love was easy, everyone would find it.
I turned the corner, my head coming up at the clatter of pixy wings. She said no, huh? I said as Jenks landed on my shoulder, his wings tickling my neck as he settled himself.
Tinks little pink rosebuds, he muttered. She threatened to dump insecticide on my summer hut. Besides, shes got it okay. God! Vampires in love. The only thing worse is you mooning over Trent.
My smile widened. Maybe Id make cookies. The man loved cookies.
He made a rude sound, his silence telling me he was unhappy. Sorry about the dog.
