Braving the Elements (Darkness #2)(37)

The White Mage recoiled. “That just won’t do. Has she proven her power level?”

“Jessiah has said—“

“Who?” The White Mage looked back at his second in charge, his hands crossing over his shiny, satin coated chest.

“The boy who delivered her. He said the rumor is that she can wield black, but he has only ever seen her use red.”

“Black?” The White Mage laughed. “That is a myth, my dear friend. I have been seeking to push into black since I learned I held white. I’ve bled countless bodies dry, one after the other, and I only reach the color you see. If she could wield a power that strong, she would not be held like she is. No, that ingrate Boss of theirs most likely spread that rumor, trying to frighten us. Still, red power and a pretty face…we can use her. I just don’t know why we went to all this trouble to get her.”

Andris’s eyebrows rumbled in confusion. “The Boss has marked her, which is reason enough.”

He was doubting himself, he must be. I’d used black on him when he was fighting Stefan, bands of magic making him drop his sword, but it’d all been so hectic. In the face of the White Mage’s distain, and the fact this whole group of people thought black magic was one big myth, especially from a human, Andris wasn’t so sure. It was a small stroke of luck. I hoped.

The White Mage thought a second. “Yes, I supposed it is. No doubt he will try to save her. He’s always been a little too…noble. Too bad he will never find her until it is too late. Or have they figured out this stronghold?”

“We’ve been using it for months, and continue to do so—no, he doesn’t know this place exists. Your magic obscures it.”

“Good, yes. I had wondered. A huge draw to keep it updated, but worth it, I think.”

“What are your plans for her?”

The White Mage’s gaze slid down my body. He shrugged, “Bleed her like the others, I suppose. She’s no good for fun with that awful stench of his. Keep her here until I’m ready for her. I want to make a few more Dulcha, then I’ll use her to refill.”

“And what of Jessiah? He has been promised a high position for delivering her.”

The White Mage turned back. “Who?”

“The boy we spoke of.”

“Oh.” Arms still crossed over his chest, the White Mage tapped his chin. “Is he any good?”

“Fare with the elements, but no real use other than knowledge.”

“Power?”

“Not much.”

Those pale eyes stared into Andris, all the calm calculation flaying away, showing a ruthless killer with complete disregard for human life. I shivered as he said, “He has no power, no real skill, and you waste my time asking what to do with him? Get rid of him, skin him and drain his blood; I don’t care.”

“I’ll give him to the men, sir. He’s pretty.”

“Fine, whatever. Take care of it.”

“Yes, sir.”

As soon as the White Mage left, hazel eyes turned to me. “I need some information.”

“No surprise there,” I muttered in a dry voice.

“I need to know the layout of the mansion. The layout of the grounds. How the Boss operates. Small trifles like that. Give me that information, and I won’t let the men rape you mercilessly waiting for the White Mage to be ready for you.”

“Oh, how sweet of you. And to think, I thought you were an ass**le this whole time. Well, bad news. I’m lost in that place most of the time, so you’re asking the wrong girl.”

He stalked closer, his body brimming with malice. “You want me to dole you out, then, is that it? My guards aren’t generally easy with the enemy.”

I leaned my pounding head against the pole. “You apparently think I’m an idiot without a shred of observation. Or maybe you just deal with men too much. That mage fellow wears a cape, for cripes-sakes. A white, velvet cape. You think he’s going to play with the leftovers of a bunch of minions? Plus, and I think you’ll agree with me here, I’m slightly more valuable than a ragdoll plaything. As you probably remember…”

Andris stared at me quietly.

“Let me clarify: I’m calling your bluff,” I enunciated. “Your move.”

“Your mouth will get you in trouble, little girl. It’s not wise to taunt me.”

“I’m tied to a pole, in a secret place Stefan doesn’t know about, awaiting some loser in a cape to suck all my blood out. I’m already in trouble. But seriously, I can’t believe that guy wears a freaking cape! He reads way too many comics.”

Andris slapped my face, the sound ringing out through the room. As my head painfully ripped to the side, he said, “Put her in the cage.”

*****

“Boss!” Charles limped into the Planning Room, his body fried from head to toe. He’d had to cut his way out of that damn box, searing himself halfway to the burn ward to do it, but damned if he would stay out of this fight. They’d taken Sasha out from under his nose. He’d rip their whole world down to get her back.

The Boss turned at his voice, dark eyes assessing the quickly-scabbing carnage. “If you would’ve held on, I sent trackers to find your location.”

“I didn’t know that, nor did I plan to hold on. Andris was in charge of the extraction.”