Lachlan and I headed back across the lawn as the moon shined bright overhead. We passed by the stone circle, and Muffin called out to us.

“Meow.” What fish are you off to smell?

“Is that some kind of cat greeting?” I asked.

He gave me a look that suggested I was an idiot for not knowing, the sapphire glinting in his ear.

“Could you go scout the library, and when it’s empty, meet me at the door?”

He gave a decisive nod, then leapt off the stone and streaked across the lawn toward the castle. The little gremlin was fast, and cute in his own skinny, hairless way.

“You have interesting friends,” Lachlan said.

“Don’t I know it.”

We stepped into the massive entry hall, and I spotted Rowan heading up the stairs to our apartments.

“Rowan!” I called.

She spun, her eyes landing on me and Lachlan. They moved back and forth between the two of us, curious. I hadn’t yet told her about the kiss because I knew both my sisters would heckle me to death, but she’d figure it out soon enough. We didn’t keep secrets from each other. Not for long, at least.

She skipped down the steps. She wore all black, looking stark and beautiful with her jet black hair and blue eyes. “Where were you?”

“Getting some air. What did Jude want to talk to you about?”

“She wants me to start training, even though my magic is still missing.”

“Are you okay with that?”

She shrugged. “I’m better with my weapons than I’ve ever been.” She was determined not to be helpless, even though she couldn’t access her magic. “So yeah, I’m fine with it. I’m sure it’ll kick my ass, but I want to contribute to my care and feeding.”

I cracked a smile, but couldn’t blame her. Even though Bree and I didn’t mind taking care of Rowan while she got on her feet—she’d just recently escaped five years in captivity, after all—she was just like me. She wanted to take care of herself.

“Want to help us scout out the cavern beneath the library?” I asked. “We could use a lookout.”

“Heck yeah. Let’s do it.” She spun her finger in a let’s go motion, and we hurried off toward the library. I could always count on my sisters to be up for adventures.

The halls were quiet as we passed. No doubt the PITs had gotten a head start on us, and everyone else was asleep.

“Did you see how long ago the rest of the PITs went into the cavern?” I asked.

“I think they started right away. You going to tell them you’re hunting?”

“No. Don’t want to get them in trouble. I don’t think they’ll rat me out, but unless I have good info to give them, no reason to put them on the line.”

“Good idea.”

Lachlan was our silent shadow as we made our way down the old stone-lined hallway. The wide wooden floorboards creaked underneath our feet, and paintings of various supernatural creatures seemed to follow us with their eyes.

“Sometimes I still can’t believe that we get to live here,” I murmured.

“I know, right? Makes you want to pass the Academy and become a full member of the team.”

“Ain’t that the truth.” Wistfulness whispered through me, followed quickly by determination.

I slowed as I neared the library, grabbing Rowan’s arm to make sure she mimicked my action. “Muffin will be waiting out front if the coast is clear.”

We slipped toward the side of the hall, near the nook where we’d hidden earlier. If we had to dart in there, we could hide.

As we neared, the door creaked open and Muffin slipped out.

“How the heck did he open that door?” Rowan whispered.

“The Cat Sìth has magic you can’t imagine,” Lachlan said. I glanced back to catch a sexy grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Mostly related to thievery, though.”

“Opening doors falls into that category.” I strode toward Muffin. “Thanks, pal.”

“Meow.” Anytime, pathetic hunter.

“Pathetic hunter?”

Why do you think Princess Snowflake III painted you the picture of the dead rat? Encouragement!

“Thanks.” No way was I mentioning that I wouldn’t start rat hunting anytime soon.

As quickly and quietly as we could, we made our way through the library. The Pugs of Destruction had departed their beds, no doubt to bunk with Bree, and the place was quiet. Muffin veered off toward the bejeweled lamp that was now short one red gemstone.

“Off for more loot?” I asked.

“Meow.”

That was a definite yes.

As we approached the door that led to the ghost library, I caught sight of Florian. He sat in a chair in the corner, looking at his hand, a confused expression on his face.

“Florian? What’s wrong?” As I stepped nearer, I realized what it was. “You’re fading!”

He looked up at me, face stark. “I am.”

Dread made my chest feel empty. “Arach’s magic must help keep you here.”

“It does.” He nodded. “Oh, this is very bad indeed.”

Shit, shit, shit.

We had to find Arach’s heart before Florian faded away entirely. We’d lose more than just the magic that hid us from the world and allowed us to continue our work and live in peace. We’d lose Arach and Florian. Our friends.

“Don’t worry, Florian. We’ll find it.”

He nodded, hope flashing on his face.

Determination fueled me as I turned, headed through the door toward the ghost library.

Fortunately, the library allowed us to use the stairs, making them appear before us when we entered the massive space.

“See? This is just evidence that the castle wants me to help,” I said.

“Gotta say, I agree,” Rowan said.

“Aye, I think you’re meant to do this.”

We made our way silently toward the trapdoor. I stopped behind a bookshelf, and the others followed suit. We peered through books. Two guards stood by the trapdoor. One chewed vigorously on a ballpoint pen, while another hummed lightly under his breath.

“Be ready to be quick,” Lachlan whispered.

I barely felt his magic, though I knew he used it. Probably suppressing it so the guards didn’t sense what was coming.

The one guard stopped chewing immediately, and the other ceased humming. They stood still as statues.

“Sprint past!” I whispered at Rowan.

Just like he’d done back in Paris, Lachlan had temporarily frozen time, so the guards wouldn’t realize that we’d passed.

We raced past the guards, ducking low under their line of sight, then slipped down the stairs, deep into the earth. I kept my ears pricked for any sign that the guards had woken and sensed us, but heard nothing.

About halfway down, Lachlan whispered, “We’re in the clear.”

We made our way quickly into the cavern. It was just as magical as when we’d left. The glittering blue lights dripped from the ceiling, and the rest of the place was empty.

“I bet they’re in the tunnel,” Rowan whispered.

“Probably.” I headed straight for the glittering pond that surrounded the pedestal, hoping to find something. Rowan and Lachlan spread out, and we searched the cavern for any clues.

When I turned up empty, I headed for the tunnel.

Lachlan was already there, inspecting every inch of the area where the tunnel met the cavern. He turned as I neared. “We’ll have to go in.”

I nodded, and stepped in. I heard nothing—no voices or footsteps. “I think the PITs are farther in.”

“Good for us,” Rowan whispered.

We crept quietly through the tunnel, which looked like it was freshly dug. Using what, though?

Like the cavern, it glowed with an eerie blue light from the glittering spots in the ceiling. About fifty yards in, a splatter of green slime on the ground caught my eye. It was about three feet around, and shards of glass were scattered around it.

“What’s that?” Rowan whispered.

“Potion bomb, I think.” I bent and sniffed it, but didn’t dare touch. It looked like someone had taken a sample of it, complete with the dirt from below. “But I think it’s important.”

“Here.” Rowan dug into her pocket and pulled out a plastic Ziploc bag. “Use this.”

“Thanks.” Rowan liked to be prepared. She also liked snacks. Which meant I wasn’t surprised she had the little baggie on hand. I took the bag and bent down, then picked up a sample.

The sound of voices echoed in the cavern.

Crap.

They were close. Too close.

I met Rowan’s startled gaze.

“Go!” she mouthed, then gestured down the tunnel, back into the cavern.

“What?” I mouthed back.

Then she turned and hurried toward the voices. Lachlan grabbed my arm and pulled hard.

I fought him, but he won, dragging me away. Rowan and Caro’s voices echoed in the tunnel.

Rowan had taken the hit and covered for me.

Best sister ever.

Guilt tugged at me. I was grateful, but Rowan didn’t deserve to get in trouble. Hopefully Jude wasn’t with them, and Caro would cut Rowan some slack. She was a good storyteller. Liar, according to our Uncle Joe.

Lachlan and I raced through the cavern and up the stairs. He repeated the time-freezing trick, and we slipped by the guards, then through the library and out into the hall.

“I like your sister,” Lachlan said.

I panted, trying to catch my breath after the long sprint. “I owe her big time.”

“Can I see the sample?” Lachlan held out his hand.

I gave him the baggie, and he studied it, opening it to peer inside. To smell it. For a sec, I thought he was going to taste it.

Fortunately, he decided not to.

Unfortunately, his brow remained scrunched. “I’ve got no idea what this is, but we need to get out of here.”

“Yeah, she won’t rat us out, but they’ll be coming up.”

Lachlan raised his hand, and his magic swelled on the air, bringing with it the scent of pine and the sound of low thunder rolling in the distance. I shivered at the feel of a caress.

A gleaming silver light appeared in front of his palm. The light grew, bigger and bigger, until I could step into the portal.

I glanced at him. “Where am I going?”

“Don’t you trust me?”

I wrinkled my nose as I stared at him. “Not sure that I do.”

A sexy smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Magic’s Bend.”

“Good, I like it there.” I stepped through the portal, letting the ether suck me in and spin me around, finally spitting me out on the street in Magic’s Bend, the biggest supernatural city in America. There were only three, but this one in Oregon was the crown jewel.

I arrived just as the sun was dipping toward the horizon, sending a golden glow over the old factory buildings that lined the street in Factory Row. The city wasn’t large—just over 60,000 supernaturals lived here—and this was the old factory district. Sometime in the last few decades, it’d been revitalized and turned into apartments and cool shops.

I stepped aside, and Lachlan arrived, stepping through the portal next to me.

I eyed Potions & Pastilles, the magical coffee shop where my friends the FireSouls often visited. “I assume we’re visiting Connor to see if he can identify the potion?”

Lachlan’s friend, who we’d rescued just a few days ago, ran Potions & Pastilles along with his sister. He had a potions workshop in the back.

“Got it in one,” Lachlan said. “I couldn’t tell what it was, and while I could run some tests, I think it’d be better if both of us look at it. Two minds give us better odds.”

I liked how he thought. Even though he was a super powerful mage and potion maker, he wasn’t above asking for help. If there was one thing I’d learned in my years scrabbling to stay alive with my sisters, it was that help was often the only thing between me and failure. Or death.

So yeah, I was glad we were here to see Connor.

I peered through the golden script on the big glass window that said Potions & Pastilles, spotting a skinny dark-haired guy behind the counter. “I think we’re in luck.”

I followed Lachlan toward the coffee shop, stepping into a warmly lit space that was covered with local artwork. Mason jar lamps hung from the ceiling, and the whole place had an Oregon hipster vibe that I liked a lot.

In the corner, the FireSouls sat in their usual cluster of comfy chairs. Cass, Nix, and Del each had a glass in their hand as they waved at me. An enormous brown and white hellhound—heavy on the hound—sat next to Del. The dog lifted its ears, and its tongue rolled out. Pond Flower.

Potions & Pastilles turned into a bar in the evenings, and the FireSouls often came here to unwind. I’d like to pop over to say hey, but there was no time.

Actually…

“I’ll meet you at the counter, okay?” I said to Lachlan. “You can brief Connor.”

“Aye, all right.”

He strode off as I stepped toward the FireSouls, gingerly digging into my pocket for the plastic baggie that contained the gelatinous potion.

“Long time no see.” Nix tucked her dark hair behind her ear, her green eyes glowing.

“Gee, what’s it been?” I grinned. “Three days?”

“Too long.” Del scratched Pond Flower’s head.

“What have you got there?” Cass nodded toward the baggie, her red hair glinting in the light.

“A potion we’re trying to track. We thought Connor could maybe identify it, but could you give it a look too? See if you can sense where the owner might be?” FireSouls were capable of finding just about anything, as long as it wasn’t blocked by a spell and they had a bit of information to spark their dragon sense.

“Got any info about it?” Nix hovered her hand out, ready to touch the bag.

“Nothing, unfortunately. Just that we found it in the Protectorate.” Since those details weren’t about the potion, it wouldn’t help them. And even though I trusted them, it wasn’t my place to tell them about the cavern under the Protectorate castle. That was Jude’s domain, and I didn’t need to step on it.

Nix blew out a sigh and took the bag, her face scrunched up. “I get nothing.”

Cass took the bag from her and tried. “Nothing.”

Del gave it her best shot last, but she just shook her head. “Sorry, pal. As far as I can tell, it’s just some slime in a bag. We’d need a bit more to go on.”

“Thanks though.” I smiled to cover my disappointment. “Hopefully the potion master will have an idea.”

“He’s the best there is.” Cass raised her can of PBR, the cheap beer that she adored. “And he’s great at popping the top on a beer, too.”

“So multi-talented.” I grinned, but she was right. Connor really was the best. “I’ll see you guys later.”

I turned and headed toward the counter, picking up on the sound of some old country playing over the speakers. Connor always chose the music for the shop, and often wore the band T-shirts to match his selection. Today, he wore a Lyle Lovett shirt.

I passed by a few college kids playing a game of checkers while drinking a golden liquid that looked expensive—how they afforded it, I had now idea—then passed an old man filling out a crossword puzzle while drinking a pink cocktail that steamed with a glittery smoke.

Connor grinned at me as I approached. “My favorite rescuer.”

“Why thank you.” I bowed. We’d really bonded while escaping the fortress-like winery in Tuscany last week. “Did Lachlan explain what we needed?”

“He did. I can give it a look now.” He leaned back and shouted over his shoulder, clearly talking to someone behind the swinging door that led to the kitchen. “Sis? Can you take over?”

A moment later, Claire stepped through, her dark hair gleaming. She was wearing black leather from head to toe, and a sword was sheathed over her back. “I was just about to head out on a job.”

In addition to helping out part-time at P & P, Claire was a mercenary. She killed demons most of the time, but every now and again, she’d be here.

“Just for a sec,” Connor said, his British accent still thick despite the ten years he’d spent in America. “It’s important.”

“All right.” Her gaze moved between me and Lachlan. “I can only assume it’s a matter of life and death, if it’s you two.”

“Fair assumption.” I glanced at Lachlan. That did seem to be the thing that brought us together. I didn’t mind. My life had always been full of super dangerous situations, so adding in the company of a hot dude…

It wasn’t the worst.

Even if I wasn’t supposed to do anything more than look at him.

“Go on, then. I’ve got the counter.” Claire took the apron from Connor, who led us back through the kitchen.

I followed him and Lachlan through the narrow space, toward the little workshop at the very back. It was cluttered full of ingredients and vials and small cauldrons.

“Welcome to my domain.” Connor spread his arms out wide.

“I like it.” I’d never had the skill for potions—or the opportunity to practice, really—but I’d always loved the mad-scientist-looking lairs that most potion masters seemed to keep.

Lachlan and Connor hovered over the table, getting to work with a little cauldron, some flame, and a variety of bottles of colored liquid. I hung out near the back, watching as they tested various samples. Colorful plumes of smoke burst toward the ceiling, while the air filled with various scents—some nice, some definitely not nice.

I tapped my foot, anxious for a result.

“Getting impatient?” Lachlan asked without turning around.

“Um. No.” Lachlan chuckled as if he could hear the lie. “Any luck though?”

“Maybe.”

I waited a few more tense moments, until finally, Connor fist pumped the air. “Got it!”

“What is it?”

He turned, his eyes bright. Excitement gleamed within, but behind it was worry. “It’s a Sylthian potion. They’re really rare.”

Lachlan turned. There was no excitement in his eyes, just worry. “Only a few people are strong enough to make it, and there are only a couple who are selling it. I have a guess on who made this, though.”

“Who?” I asked.

“Torlock the Dark,” Connor said.

I frowned. “Where’s he live?”

“She.” Connor shook his head. “And I don’t know. I can ask around, but she’s famous for being hard to get to.”

“Then how do people buy her stuff?”

“They have to really want it,” Lachlan said. “And it’s so expensive that she doesn’t need to sell a lot of it.”

“What did that potion do?”

“It destroys a person’s soul. They disappear forever. Just…poof,” Connor said. “And there’s no antidote, obviously.”

A shiver of ice raced through me. “Holy fates. I carried that in my pocket?”

“It became neutralized once it sat on the ground for a few seconds. It’s only good as soon as it smashes into a person.”

My shoulders sagged. Thank fates. And that was good for Caro, Ali, and Haris too. If the potion was still active, I’d have had to warn them, and then Jude would know what I was up to.

“So someone must have dropped the potion bomb as they were running away from the cavern,” I said.

Lachlan nodded. “Aye. Thieving cowards.”

“We’ll catch them.” I frowned. “We just need to figure out where Torlock the Dark is. What kind of name is that anyway?”

“Mega melodramatic,” Connor said.

I glanced at the ornate old clock hanging on the wall. It was getting late. “I’m going to need to be at class soon. But we have to find Torlock.”

Indecision tore at me. I couldn’t skip class—Jude would kill me. The Protectorate was like a magical version of the FBI or Scotland Yard or whatever human crime fighting organization was the best. I had no idea. But I did know that rules were important, and Jude had looked me in the eye and asked if I’d be in class.

I’d said yes, and I wanted to live up to my promise.

But I also wanted to solve this damned crime.

“I have some contacts I can ask about Torlock,” Lachlan said. “You go to class, and I’ll do that.”

“And I’ll make some cocktails.” Connor grinned. “Good luck, because I think you’re going to need it.”