“I don’t see why.”

“We’re wearing the same outfit.”

I cracked a smile. “Good. We’ll blend in.”

“You need to get back to your suits. We look like a weird match-matchy couple. This isn’t Disney World.”

We’re not a couple. Never could be. “That’s not really my scene.”

“I can only imagine.” She turned to the door. “Let’s get out of here. Mac said they would meet us at eight. They found something.”

We left my place and headed through town. It was early enough that the streets were quiet, but I kept my guard up anyway. The sorcerers tended to be night owls, but if Miranda hadn’t convinced them to relax, I needed to be alert.

We reached Carrow’s place a few minutes later, and she led me up the stairs to her small flat. It was nearly empty. A single couch was pushed against the wall, and the books that I’d brought her sat on one cushion.

Carrow looked between the books and me. “Thanks again.”

I nodded. “Nice place.”

“Mac is helping me furnish it.”

“I like it.”

“A bit different than your place.”

“Nice all the same.” I shrugged. “I don’t much care for my place, anyway.”

“The piano did look a bit dusty.”

“It’s been a while since I’ve had the interest.”

She turned to me with a considering gaze, but said only, “Coffee?”

I nodded.

She brewed a pot as we waited, and by the time Mac, Eve, and Quinn showed up, she had mugs poured for everyone.

Mac stepped into the room and raised a bag. “I brought muffins.”

“Always thinking with her stomach.” Eve grabbed the bag. Her raven followed her silently. “We found something, though.”

Quinn gave me a long look, and I smiled coldly at him. I knew what he was thinking: I wasn’t good enough for Carrow. As much as I hated it, I agreed.

The women sat on the couch, while Quinn and I leaned against the walls on opposite sides of the room. Carrow passed around the coffee mugs and took a muffin, then looked at Mac. “I hope you found something good, because we didn’t get much, and it’s supposed to happen tonight.”

Mac leaned forward. “We talked to half a dozen people, and I used my powers on all of them. Two saw the dead guy hand off a key to someone else.”

“And one of them heard mention of a magical power source.” Eve looked at Carrow. “The power sources are like batteries. Small objects imbued with great power that can be used for spells.”

“Similar to the ones used to power the spell that hides Guild City?” I asked.

“Just like.” Eve nodded. “But a different one.”

Quinn nodded. “They couldn’t find the hidden ones, of course.”

Naturally. I’d concealed them well when we’d installed the spell to protect Guild City. “How are the key and the power source connected?”

“The key opens the container where the power source is stored. Once it’s out and they say the magic words…” Mac made a wide gesture with her hands. “Boom.”

Carrow sat up straight. “It’s the power source for the spell. I didn’t get it before, but now I do.”

“You know the spell?” Mac asked.

“Yes.” I detailed our meeting with Mariketta and how I’d taken her memory, just like Ivan’s goons had. “Once they have the power source out of the container, the spell will make the magic inside go haywire. The power will explode outward, taking down Black Church and the protective spell that hides us.”

“We need to beat them to it,” Quinn said.

We had no idea where they were now, but… “They’ll be at the church tonight,” I told the others.

“We’ll go wait for them,” Eve said.

Carrow frowned. “Mariketta said we had to go under to approach.”

“What does that mean?” Mac asked.

“I honestly don’t know. And she said we could only make it through at dusk.”

“That’s too late,” said Eve. “We need to get there earlier. Like, now.”

“Agreed,” I began, but before I could elaborate, a massive shockwave rushed through the air, nearly sending me to my knees.

Mac yelped in surprise, and a ceramic cup hit the floor and shattered. Outside, people shouted and screamed in alarm.

Carrow sprang up from the couch, her eyes wild. “What was that?”

“I have no idea.” I strode to the window. A massive, glowing blue dome rose over the rooftops of Guild City near the Black Church. The dome was partially transparent but sparked with magic. “It’s started.”

Carrow hurried up and peered out. “Holy crap. What is that?”

“A protective shield,” said Mac, a scowl in her voice. “They’ve put it up so we can’t get in.”

“We need to evacuate the city,” Carrow replied.

“They’re trying,” Quinn said. “But it takes time, especially with so many supernaturals who can’t blend with society. And not everyone believes in the threat.”

I pointed to the dome out the window. “That will make them believe.”

“Fair point,” he allowed. “But what about those who can’t leave? The ones tied to this place by their magic?”

“We need to stop this before it happens,” said Carrow, then sprinted for the door and down the stairs.

We followed, the four of us racing down the street after her. Supernaturals spilled out of their houses, staring in fright at the dome hovering over the center of town, trapping untold numbers inside.

Carrow led the way, weaving through the streets swiftly and accurately. We reached the edge of the dome moments later. It gleamed transparent blue, like glassy water, and arced over a huge section of town.

On the other side, people ran screaming out of their houses, horror on their faces.

“They’re trapped.” Carrow reached up and touched the dome with her fingertips. Sparks flared, and she yelped, drawing her hand back.

“There’s no way through,” I said. “Not as long as the magic works.”

“Those people can’t escape.” Eve’s voice trembled.

Carrow turned to me, eyes bright. “That’s what Mariketta meant! We can reach the Church by going under the dome.” She frowned. “But how? Do we dig?”

“The Dwarves’ Guild,” Mac said.

I nodded. “She’s right. They own most of the tunnels under the city. They’ll know how to get through.”

“Where are they?” Carrow asked. “Do they have a tower we can go to?”

“Not a normal tower,” said Eve. “But we can arrange a meeting.”

“We’ll go now,” I said.

“You can get us in this early?” Mac shook her head. “Of course you can. What am I thinking?”

“I’m going to check on the shifters trying to evacuate,” Quinn said. “I’ll meet you later. Don’t go without me.”

“We’ll call,” Mac assured him.

He nodded and turned, striding down the street in the direction of his guild tower.

Carrow looked at me. “Lead the way.”

Carrow

Grey strode ahead, guiding us down the winding streets toward a part of town that I’d never visited before. The streets became quieter, the buildings slightly larger.

“This is the posh side of the city,” Mac said. “Old money over here.”

There were no shops on the bottom floors of the buildings, just quiet doors and windows with pretty curtains and flowers in the window boxes. The stately houses were two or three stories tall and attractive. Many of the Tudor fronts had been replaced with newer exteriors of plaster and brick, though they were still at least three hundred years old, from the looks of them.

“They like it here because the Dwarves’ Guild tower is so quiet,” Mac said. “But they’re snobs.”

Everything did look quite stiff and perfect. Particularly the clearing that was common in front of every guild tower. This one was lovely, tended grass with pebble pathways and flower beds. Everything was symmetrical and precise.

“Too perfect for me,” I murmured.

“Designed by some famous landscape architect centuries ago,” Eve said. “Only residents of this neighborhood are allowed to use it.”

“Are they Dwarves like Snow White’s dwarves or Tolkien’s dwarves?”

“There are some similarities there,” Eve said. “They do prefer it underground, and mining is their primary source of wealth.”

“Wealth being the operative word,” Mac said. “They have a lot of it, and they know how to use it.”

We stopped in front of the short, squat tower. It was only two stories tall and built of massive stones. The windows looked empty, and the entire place vibrated with an eerie quiet.

“Is it abandoned?” I asked.

“No. But most of the activity happens underground,” Mac said.

Grey turned to us. “Ready?”

Mac leaned close and whispered in my ear, “Try to hide your signature. We don’t want them knowing how powerful you are.”

I concentrated, attempting to mimic what I’d done last night with Grey.

“That’s good,” Mac said. “You’re getting a lot better.”

I looked at Grey. “Ready.”

The others nodded, and he knocked on the heavy wooden door. A moment later, it swung open, revealing a lovely room papered in silk and floored with gleaming wood. We entered, and I spotted a short, stout man hurrying through the entryway.

He stopped and stared at us. His long beard was carefully braided and threaded through with gold and gems. The maroon suit that he wore was perfectly tailored, and his neon green tie somehow complimented it despite the garish shade. He was the most dapper man I’d ever seen.