Anomaly (Causal Enchantment #4)(67)

Chapter Twenty-Eight – Evangeline

I felt Viggo slip into the building—an extension of me—like a cold, dark invader. I shivered and instinctively pulled Caden close, ready to throw my body forward in protection as the relentless threat to my happiness lingered downstairs.

Until it hit me.

I’d just reassembled a twenty-story building and brought one of my best friends back to life.

Because I wanted to.

And if there were no limits to what I could do—as seemed to be the case—then what was stopping me from protecting Caden?

Nothing.

I smiled. For the first time since discovering the monster that Viggo truly was, I wasn’t terrified of facing him. I was eager.

That strange, intoxicating feeling had not left. In fact, I was quite certain it had strengthened.

“Where is he now?” Sofie asked, pale eyes watching me.

“Ground floor.”

“What should we do?” Caden’s body had stiffened. My smile only widened. He hadn’t figured it out yet. By the panicked looks on all of their faces, none of them had figured it out yet.

If I wanted Viggo dead right now, would he simply just keel over? Would it be that easy? Did I want it to be that easy? No, he deserved much worse than a quick death.

He deserved to suffer as he’d made so many others suffer.

But what was a suitable punishment?

Sofie spun on her heels. “Get your suits off. They’re useless now. We need to deal with Viggo and that tunnel so we can get out of here.” In two seconds, she had her hazmat suit off. “Let’s take the stairs. It keeps us all together.”

We glided down the stairs noiselessly, all of us having cast away the suits to ensure stealth. When we reached the main floor, Lilly’s hand reached for the handle. I seized it before she could push through. I held up a hand to move everyone back, giving a single head shake.

Sofie mouthed, “Where is he?”

I gestured to the right, to where I could sense him waiting. Not an ounce of fear flowed through his limbs. How could he be so confident? He certainly had no idea what I could do, but his absence of fear of Sofie or Mage concerned me. It made me think he had a wicked plan. I wanted to know what it was.

You’re not going out there alone, Max grumbled. Don’t even try it.

I know I’m not. Just give me a minute to think, I answered calmly. If I wanted to keep them all here, I had the distinct impression that I could. But if I walked out there alone, Viggo might wait to make a move. I didn’t want that. I wanted him to believe he’d won. I wanted to bait him, to draw him out from the shadows, and then trap him as he deserved to be trapped, stripped of his confidence and power.

Closing my eyes, I imagined stepping into the lobby. I hadn’t noticed much on the way in, too focused on what might be on the nineteenth floor. But now the ivory marble floor stretched ahead of me, spanning the length of the building, illuminated by low-level city lights. The wall of glass rose three stories on my left, providing a clear view of the wasteland beyond. To my right was a solid mahogany wall with the security desks and information signs.

And Viggo hid tucked into an alcove out of view of the door we stood behind. Waiting.

A thrill jumped in my chest. Was this safe? Could he sense me? I took slow, even steps toward him until I was standing mere inches away, cringing at his handsome face. Homicidal excitement and anticipation danced within his cold blue eyes.

But he couldn’t see me—that much was obvious. He had no clue I was standing there, invading his space.

I wanted to invade his thoughts too.

And so I did.

I delved into his mind, demanding to see what he had planned.

He would kill Mage and Sofie first before turning a gun on Caden. That was his plan. Simple. He believed he had the element of surprise. He was so pleased with himself for his patience and craftiness. His hands enjoyed the weight of the Sentinel guns.

Thankfully, there seemed to be a single train of thought. I wasn’t sure I could handle what else was in there, and I had no interest in scavenging through the mind of a psychopath.

As it was, I felt ill.

Viggo was picturing me watch Caden die. My face crumbling, my heart shattering, dropping to my knees beside his limp body.

And the mental image brought exhilaration to his black soul.

My jaw tightened with the knowledge of his sadistic plans. Did I bait him? Did I lead everyone through that door, knowing what he was planning? As much as I believed in my newfound powers, a quiet voice of reason called out, warning me that perhaps I shouldn’t be so bold. Could I guarantee the outcome? What if I had only one bring-back-to-life card and I’d used in on Amelie?

That would be cruel and, from what I’d experienced already, exactly how the Fates liked to play.

No, I couldn’t risk it.

But I certainly wouldn’t fight fair.

A smile of satisfaction bloomed on my face as Viggo’s expression morphed from vengeful to confused to aware to angry to panicked. His eyes darted to the door, to his way out. But there was no way out because Viggo could not move. Because I did not want him to.

Finally … I saw the fear that I longed for. Fear that he had instilled in all of us at one point or another.

I was ready. Opening my eyes, I found myself staring at the back of the white metal door again, the one that would lead us to victory. Everyone’s gazes were on me, waiting, wondering, Sofie’s the most curious. I gave Caden’s hand a sharp squeeze before closing my other hand over the door handle to the lobby.