Witches for Hire (Odd Jobs #1)(103)

“I need your help in Atlanta quickly,” the Great Mother said. “A group of our children are being held hostage in the fair near our compound. I suspect a traitor, and I can’t risk our young ones’ lives.”

“I’ll be there soon.” Clive jumped to his feet. On his way out of his office, he stretched his hand out, and his staff flew into his grasp. “Simone, Edarra!”

Jeremy opened his door. “What are you shouting about?”

As much as he wanted to, he couldn’t leave Jeremy behind when lives were at stake. “You too. Follow me.” Clive stalked out to the lobby, and he heard Jeremy’s footsteps behind him.

“I’m sorry for the inconvenience. We have enough information to schedule an appointment, and we’ll call for more details later,” Simone said on the phone, halfway out of her chair. “Um-hm.” She rolled her eyes. “Thank you, good-bye.” She looked at Clive. “What’s up?”

“An emergency.” Clive looked around, and Edarra stood up from behind Simone’s desk with a large box in her hand.

“Dangerous artifact that’s sensitive to the touch,” Edarra said. “I was going to leave it with her to be catalogued, but I take it we’re going somewhere?”

“The county fair near the Great Mother’s.”

Jeremy pointed at the staff. “Why are we going there with extra firepower?”

“Children could be harmed.” Clive sped up, and the others followed him outside.

“But why?” Jeremy asked again. “Why did they call us?”

“Because we can help.” Clive turned to Edarra. “You drive. I want my hands free in case we get another call.” He got into the front passenger seat and impatiently waved the others inside. They have to be after the picture. How did that energy vamp figure out that we gave her a copy? It was a perfect match. He glanced at Jeremy. I know he didn’t betray us, because he knows nothing.

“Why am I the only one asking questions?” Jeremy asked after he clicked his seat belt around his lap. “You guys don’t seem surprised.”

Simone sighed. “We should tell him. Luck isn’t on our side, and that stupid picture will come into play, I’m sure of it.”

Jeremy laughed. “You gave it to the Great Mother. Lecturing me about keeping secrets, and you’re no better than me.”

“You’ve made it clear from the beginning that you don’t want me endangering your life by following my knightly instincts,” Clive said as Edarra pulled the car on the road.

“They’re working superbly for you. I wonder how many people will be dead when we arrive,” Jeremy said.

“You sound like you wish it just to prove a point.” Clive looked at his phone but it remained silent.

“If the energy vamps get that picture, you can explain your same excuses to Desmond.” Jeremy leaned back. “I’m glad not to have been part of your stupidity for that reason alone.” He turned to Simone. “Good showing, number-one fan.”

Simone glared at him. “Sitting beside me only makes you easier to curse.”

“Taking lessons from the knight, I see. Blaming others for your fuckups is always the way to go. At least you can’t be deported for getting innocents killed.”

Clive turned in his seat to face the bastard. “There are children in that compound you’re eagerly gloating about coming to harm.”

Jeremy’s eyes narrowed. “That only makes your transgression worse.”

Clive righted himself. All he does is judge people without taking responsibility for his own actions. I messed up, but I will salvage this situation if it’s the last thing I do. His fist clenched. I’ll protect as many of the Great Mother’s people as I can. At least traffic was minimal. It was midafternoon, just before the rush of people leaving work, so they had time before the streets teemed with cars. I should have burned the picture, he thought as Edarra pulled in to the parking lot filled with running people. Barriers and wards from either the Great Mother’s people or mages caught in the trap were set up haphazardly around small groups taking shelter from the sound of tearing metal. “Stay together and despite anyone’s thoughts about each other at the moment, work together.” Clive got out of the car and headed toward the area everyone was running from.

Teetering back and forth was a Ferris wheel with its occupants hanging on as the doors swung open wide. On the ground beneath it, a white sheet with blood peeking from its edges covered a body.

“That is so not good,” Edarra said as she walked and strained her neck to watch at the same time.

Clive gritted his teeth. “We have to stabilize it. Edarra, I might be able to temporarily set it to rights if I can use your strength.” He pointed at the gawkers gathered at a safe distance. “Block their view of us.”

Simone nodded. “On it.” She looked around the popcorn and cotton candy strewn ground and smiled when she spotted a large tarp dangling from the bottom of a spinning ride. Simone squinted and a hard wind caught the tarp. It sailed in the air and landed on the onlookers. “Good to go, boss.”

Clive’s phone rang. “Hello,” he said when he answered it.

“I’m giving one of her minions the picture now,” the Great Mother said. “Supposedly, her people will leave the fair.” There was silence for a long moment. “Any activity on your end?” she asked, sounding tired.