Steal the Light (Thieves #1)(45)

“It’s a small group but growing,” Christine said. “Slowly.”

Sarah rolled her eyes and got back to the point. “We need a power source, and all we’ve got are two mid-level witches, a werewolf, a vampire, and a human who might actually have a negative magical center, no offense.”

I shrugged because she was right. I was crap when it came to spells. They tended to do the exact opposite of my intentions. Note that I say intentions because I got all smart-alecky once and tried a reverse spell to give myself acne when I was trying to clear up my skin. Apparently magic was smarter than I gave it credit for and only Proactiv saved me.

As for Neil and Daniel, while they were supernatural creatures, they possessed no real magical power. Daniel’s only magic was the ability to make his bite really pleasurable and to get humans to do his will, and I didn’t think that would impress Brixalnax.

“So we’re going to have to scrap this whole plan,” Sarah said.

The doors opened again, and Dev walked into the room. Just watching him walk made my pulse increase, and then I felt guilty knowing Daniel was right there. It took me a moment to realize that Sarah was still speaking.

“We’re just going to have to figure something else out. Halfer left his number. We could just call him and explain the situation…”

“Wow,” Christine said, staring at Dev. Her eyes were round as she looked him up and down. I tried to feel some amount of jealousy as he was the guy I was dating, but I couldn’t muster it. He was smoking hot, and it was ridiculous to think people wouldn’t notice.

“You think he’s hot now.” Sarah’s voice was bitter. “You should see this idiot when he tries a glamour.”

“Yeah, sorry about that.” Dev gave her a charming smile. “I would like you to know that my bouncers have been told to admit you to Ether anytime you like. First drink’s on the house.” She continued to frown, and Dev amended himself. “All your drinks are on the house?”

Christine shook her head and walked up to Dev, her eyes filled with a reverent wonder. “That wasn’t what I meant. Though you are extremely attractive, I wasn’t talking about your sex appeal. I was talking about the magic that is just pouring off you.”

Dev grimaced. “I’m sorry about that. I can’t really control it when I get…excited. It just kind of happens. I’ll give you a little demonstration.”

Dev walked up to one of my father’s houseplants. It was a small ivy plant that looked like it needed a bit of attention. He passed an open hand over the sad plant and it…well, it kind of exploded, but in a good way. The vines grew a good foot in any direction and the color was a lustrous, deep and shiny green. It reeked of life and health and, for a moment, I couldn’t take my eyes off it. He hadn’t been kidding when he said his grandfather was a Green Man.

“See, I meant to make it grow an inch or two.” He frowned down at the plant. “I really have a control problem.”

“I can imagine that makes for disappointing encounters,” Daniel said with a wry smirk. “If your timing is as bad…”

I shot him a “shut the f*ck up” look. The last thing I needed was a boy fight. Just looking at Daniel made my heart ache, and I turned away.

Dev was nonplussed. “Oh, I find it just makes me work all the harder. I haven’t heard any complaints yet. Certainly none recently.”

“Seriously? We’re up against a lord of Hell and the two of you are comparing penises?” I didn’t expect or want an answer, but I was hoping to shame them into compliance. I turned to Sarah. “Will he work?”

“Absolutely not,” Sarah said.

“Absolutely,” Christine answered at the same time.

I looked at the two and waited for a consensus.

Sarah folded her arms across her chest in a defensive gesture. “He’s too much of a wild card. He said it himself. He can’t control it. What happens if he loses control in the middle of everything? We can’t trust his power. He’s a complete loser when it comes to magic.”

“Well, I didn’t put it that way,” Dev defended himself.

“Look, you said we didn’t have enough power. You said we couldn’t even try to do the spell because we needed an energy source.” Christine put a hand on Dev’s shoulder. “Well, here’s the energizer bunny and he doesn’t have to control himself. We simply pull the magic off him.”

“No, I won’t do it,” Sarah said flatly.

I understood why Sarah was looking for any way out of working this magic. It was terrifying. We would be calling an old, powerful demon who was probably going to be pissed off at us. I understood her reluctance, but I didn’t have time for it. “It’s all right, Sarah. You don’t have to say anything else.”

She let out the breath she’d been holding, and I saw a wave of relief pass over her face. “Thank the goddess, Zoey. You’ll see…”

But I was already moving on. I turned from Sarah and focused on the more amenable witch. “Can you do it?”

It seemed to take everything Christine had to not jump up and down at the prospect. She just sort of vibrated as she stood there. “Oh, yes! I won’t let you down, Zoey. I have been preparing for this all my life. I can’t tell you how ready I am. As long as I have my battery here, it’ll be a breeze.”