When Darkness Ends (Guardians of Eternity #12)(96)

That took a whole new level of evil.

“Why would he sacrifice him?”

The man pointed toward the flames on top of the altar that flickered with a blue glow.

“The spell has started.”

Magnus unconsciously tightened his grip on Tonya’s fingers, drawing her close to his side as he scowled at the elderly druid.

“Tell me what it means.”

“He’s cast the spell of Compulsion on the Oracles. Now they’ve gathered to combine their powers to complete the spell that will prevent any travel between dimensions. This world will be completely isolated.”

Shit. That’s what he feared it meant.

“And the demons—”

“Will die,” the druid completed his horrifying words. “Along with all magic.”

Just a few days ago, Magnus would have shrugged his shoulders and returned to his homeland. What did the fate of this world or any other matter to him?

So long as the Chatri were safely tucked behind their layers of magic, then there was no need to put himself at risk.

Now he knew beyond a doubt he couldn’t walk away.

Tonya was a part of this world. And the lesser fey who had once bowed to the Chatri.

Even the vampires . . .

No, wait. He still didn’t care what happened to the vampires.

But the others . . . yes, he would do whatever was possible to protect them.

Besides, there was the nagging fear that this might eventually hurt the Chatri.

Magnus pointed toward the flames. “Stop them.”

The old man shook his head. “It’s impossible.”

“Wrong answer,” Magnus snapped.

“Only Anthony can halt the spell now that it’s been cast.”

“Fine, then bring me the druid.”

“He’s not here.”

Of course he wasn’t.

Magnus grimaced as the druids covertly stepped backward, knowing that his power was shimmering around him with a golden aura.

“Where is he?” he demanded, trying to leash his temper. It would be a shame to accidentally turn one of the druids into a pile of goo.

“With the Commission.”

“Damn,” he muttered.

“I’ve traveled to the caves,” Tonya abruptly said. “I can take us there.”

He sent her a frown. “No.”

“Yes.” She shot back. “My decision, not yours, prince.”

Magnus bit back the urge to argue. The one thing he knew about this female was that to try and tell her she couldn’t do something was the one certain way to make sure she dug in her heels.

And, in truth, he knew that he would need her assistance.

A female as a partner. Who would ever have thought it?

“Very well.” He gave her a slow nod, his heart forgetting to beat as he was rewarded with a dazzling smile. Then he grudgingly returned his attention to the men watching him with a completely unwarranted belief that Magnus was going to be their savior. “Will killing the druid break the spell?”

“That is only the first step,” the man said.

Magnus knew it couldn’t be that simple.

“What else must be done?”

“To cast the Compulsion spell that’s controlling the Oracles, Anthony must have a blood sacrifice and a focus object.”

Magnus frowned. His magic came from his own powers. Human magic-users had to manipulate the power that was found in nature. Or steal it from the blood of a sacrifice.

He’d never had to understand what went into casting a spell.

“What object?”

“It can be anything.” The druid shrugged. “An amulet. A crystal. Even something personal like a piece of jewelry. It must be destroyed.”

Kill the druid and destroy a piece of jewelry. That seemed doable.

“Will it be with him?”

“Not necessarily.”

Ah. There had to be something.

“Then how do we find it?”

“It will give off a pulse of magic,” the druid answered.

Tonya made a sound of impatience. “Along with a thousand other items. The caves belong to the Oracles,” she said. “All of them will have amulets and crystals and God knows what else.”

“True.” With a frown, the old man turned to share a whispered conversation with his fellow druids. There was a brief discussion, or maybe an argument, before he swiveled around to meet Magnus’s impatient glare. “My brothers and I can combine our magic to vibrate any objects that happen to be druid in the cave.”

“Vibrate?”

“Yes. The movement will give off a small hum. That should make it easier to find.”

Magnus supposed that was as good as it was going to get.

“Fine.” He glanced toward his beautiful imp. “Tonya—”

She reached up to place a finger against his lips. “We’ll talk when this is over. Are you ready?”

He gave a grudging nod.

The sooner they were done, the sooner he could have this woman alone in his bed.

And he wanted that very, very much.

“Hey, wait for me,” a small voice demanded as Levet waddled forward.

“No,” Magnus growled. “No way.”

Tonya tried and failed to hide her smile. “Actually he’s very good at seeing through illusions. We might need him.”