Freak Show (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #7)(78)

“Can’t be too careful in this city.” A laugh bubbled up. “Next time you get a call like that, refer them to Vegas. The vampire population there is outrageous.”

“So the amulet my mom gave you, that’s what you want my help with? I can take a look at it, tell you if she spelled it and how—”

She broke off as the door opened with a chime. The telltale pulse of raw power accompanied the new arrival, and I turned to find Gabriel in the entryway. He nodded a grim hello in our direction but said nothing as he made his way to a shelf filled with spelling accessories.

Gabriel was young, just nineteen. He possessed more natural power than any human I’d ever known. Unfortunately, that had made him a target for Shya. The same demon that meddled in my life had lured Gabriel in, tainting him with black magic. I could feel it. The murky pull of darkness cloaked him. Apparently, he was still very much involved with the demon.

“Can I help you find anything?” Brogan approached him cautiously. “I just got some new stones in. And a few new books too.”

I hung back, unwilling to get too close. Gabriel was precognitive. With just a touch, he could see glimpses of one’s future. Since he had told me he saw me as a vampire, I didn’t want to get too close. He’d said it wasn’t pretty, whatever that meant. Despite my attempts to keep him away from Shya, Gabriel had willingly become part of the demon’s inner circle.

“No, thanks. Just grabbing a few things I’m low on.” Gabriel was standoffish, unwilling to engage more than he had to. He gathered several items including black candles, some herbs and a scrying mirror.

Brogan and I exchanged a look. The kid was in over his head, and he didn’t realize how deep. I thought about what Hurst had said, his warning that Arys could not turn Gabriel as Shya had made him promise. Gabriel was already too dangerous. Vampirism would take that to a new and alarming level.

After collecting his things, he went to the counter where Brogan joined him. She attempted to engage him in small talk, but he would have none of it. With his long, dyed-black hair falling in his face and black liner smudged around his eyes, he looked like any other Goth kid. I knew better though.

Much to my surprise, he paused on his way out. Turning back to face me, he opened his mouth as if to speak but then thought better of it. For a moment, our gazes locked, and I saw something evil lurking inside him. Before I could say anything, he shoved through the door and disappeared.

“I can’t say for sure, but I think he just bought the things needed to do a resurrection spell.” Brogan’s hazel eyes reflected her concern. “I wish there was something I could do. It’s not like I can refuse to sell to him.”

“No, definitely don’t do that. He’ll just get it online or something. At least if he buys it here, we can track what he’s using.” A resurrection spell? I shook my head and repressed a shudder. That was all kinds of bad news. “I’m sorry, Brogan. I know you’re worried about him. I wish there was more we could do.”

“There has to be something.” She gazed down at her copy of the receipt and frowned. “Well anyway, let’s go sit in the back and take a look at that amulet.”

I flipped through a book on zombies while she locked up. It was impossible to tell if it was fiction or if the writer had believed every word to be truth. I would certainly take such things with a grain of salt. Although, considering Gabriel was working resurrection spells, perhaps I should consider reading up on zombies more thoroughly. As much as I didn’t want to, I would find out why Shya had Gabriel doing such spells. And hopefully, I would find a way to stop it.

We sat at the table in the cluttered back storage room. I pulled the amulet from my bag, more drawn to it now than ever before. The teardrop-shaped, smooth, black stone warmed at my touch.

“Oh yes, I remember this one.” Brogan took the amulet and turned it over in careful examination. “It’s definitely been spelled. I can do a revelation spell. It should reveal what exactly my mother did to it without touching her spell.”

I gestured for her to go ahead. This was not my area of expertise. I watched in silent wonder as Brogan fetched a few supplies. After lighting blue candles and sprinkling some fine powder into the flames, she spoke a phrase in Latin, and the amulet began to glow. My heart jumped when she slowly passed the amulet through the candle flame. To my utter shock, an image began to form on the surface. The faint outline of a yin yang glimmered in the candlelight. I sucked in a breath and held it.

“It’s made of black onyx,” Brogan began. “A stone meant for grounding, for connection to the earth and its energy. It has the ability to ward off negative energy given off by others. Only natural energy though. It won’t do much against someone like Shya.”

“Hurst said it will keep my wolf inside me when I die a mortal death. Can you verify that?”

“Yes. It feels like my mom tied the spell to you. I can feel its purpose. It won’t be activated until your death. Then it should bind your wolf to the amulet, keeping it safe until your transition is complete.” She handed the amulet back with a gentle smile. “My mom always was so good at planning ahead.”

“How did she know?” I asked, going back to my final conversations with Lena. She had known about Arys and me. She’d been the first to tell me our bond was meant to be. Could she have known the risk it posed to my wolf?