The Spell of Rosette - Kim Falconer [161]
She yawned, rubbing her feet. He motioned to her and she lay back, lifting them to his lap. ‘I want to find my ancestors’ property, the Richter-Paree estate. It’s meant to be protected by a spell.’
‘And you need me to help you find it?’
‘I need you to help me run it.’ She whispered the last few words.
‘What?’
‘Not now, Rowan. I’ve got to sleep or die. It’s been a hell of a ride.’
‘Hell-of-a-ride?’ He said it like it was a foreign language.
She smiled at him but didn’t explain. ‘We can polish the plans in the morning.’
‘To save the world?’
She nodded, pointing to a spare quilt—a patchwork from Flureon. ‘Sleep where you like,’ she mumbled.
The apartment had several cushion-covered futons on the floor and a large, overstuffed sofa near the fireplace. She wiggled out of her clothes, letting them lie where they fell, and snuggled into the bed, pulling the covers up to her face.
Her eyes opened momentarily as Rowan got into bed beside her. He leaned on one elbow and whispered in her ear, ‘You’re as beautiful as ever.’
‘You look good too,’ she said as her eyes closed.
‘Kali? You haven’t given up on this world, this Earth?’
‘That’s not an option,’ she said. ‘Ever.’
An’ Lawrence rubbed at the stubble on his jaw. ‘Have you had a look around lately?’
She turned to him but didn’t answer.
‘One more question. Have you got a razor hidden away somewhere?’
She sighed. ‘In the bathroom, and yes, Rowan, I’ve had a look round. It’s decaying and putrid and vile. The inhabitants are a mess, save for a rare few. Still, I won’t abandon them or this place when there is still hope.’
‘So there is hope?’
She gave the faintest smile. ‘That’s the only thing there ever was.’
Rosette jolted awake at the touch of Drayco’s presence in her mind: Men approach!
As she became aware of the thought, she saw An’ Lawrence jump up, Scylla at his side. He pressed his finger to his lips before drawing his sword.
Where are they? Rosette asked her familiar.
Foot of the stairwell.
Are they coming?
Fast. Wake Clay.
Zero was up, and Jarrod was clearly communicating with Drayco as well. Rosette went to Clay and gave him a shake, shushing him before he could speak. They gathered around Kreshkali, barefoot and shivering.
‘Who are they?’ Rosette whispered.
‘Street patrols, if we’re lucky.’
‘And if we aren’t lucky?’
Kreshkali’s face went grim. ‘Witch-trackers.’ She lit several candles and scanned the room. ‘Rosette, we need a glamour, fast. Get Clay, Zero and Jarrod and all the gear into one place, against that wall.’ She pointed to the east side of the studio. ‘The temple cats too. Blur them. Blur everything but me and Rowan. Can you manage that?’
‘I, I,’ she stuttered.
‘Rosette! We need this. Now!’
‘I can.’
Kreshkali turned to An’ Lawrence. ‘Put that thing down.’ She nodded to his sword. ‘Send Scylla to Rosette and tell her to stay put!’
‘What are you going to do?’
She winked. ‘What I do best, and you are going to stay still. Back in that bed.’
‘Bed?’
‘I mean it. Go!’
The temple cats followed Rosette, melting into the shadows. They had the predator’s knack for camouflage and hardly needed a glamour. Rosette shook the sleep from her head and helped move the gear against the wall, jugs of water, foodstuffs, instruments and crates. She whispered in her mind, over and over, weaving the spell she wanted to conjure. She didn’t even think about whether she could do it or not. She simply began.
Pressing herself between Jarrod and Clay, she drew to her a concealment spell, one that would make them appear as a blank wall—no people, no familiars, no contraband. She slowed her pulse and respiration as she brought in the Elementals, surprised at how readily they came. They nearly sang with delight, responding to her intentions, and together with Fire, Earth, Air and Water, she felt a visual illusion take form in front of her. Once in place, it was like standing behind a two-way mirror.
If I can imagine it, I can make it, she smiled.
Nice spell, Maudi. Keep it up. They’re right outside the door.
She heard the knock just as Drayco spoke.