the huntress 04 - eternal magic by Linsey Hall Read Free Book Online Page A

had been in Dr. Garriso’s office. Only a truly evil person could drink from it, and if they did, they’d become immortal. 
    So, definitely not a good thing to leave in the hands of a psychopath. But what he wanted with the dampening charm, I had no idea.
    The lights on the stage glowed bright, catching my attention. A procession of black-clad Magica entered from the right. The power that rolled off them, varying signatures of all varieties, told me that they had to be upper-level members of the Order. They all strode out with slow steps, lending a gravity to their entrance that I was sure they got off on.
    The last man to enter the stage came a few steps behind the rest. He wore an immaculate dark blue suit instead of black like the rest, but it was his face that made my skin turn cold.
    Victor Orriodor.
    He’d controlled his magic signature—the smell of rot and decay, the taste of death, and the feel of bee stings—so it seemed that the crowd had no idea what was in their midst.
    My hand tightened on Aidan’s as my heart threatened to break my ribs. Why the hell was he here? Was he an Order member?
    I wasn’t about to stick around to find out. Not when I didn’t have my magic to protect me. He was outnumbered against all the Magica in the room, but there was no way I’d hang out and let him see me.
    But the Celtic cauldron. If he had it here, he could dampen everyone’s powers and overtake them.
    I glanced at Del and Nix, whose wide eyes met my own.
    “See if you can find the cauldron with your dragon sense. If it’s in the building, we need to know.” 
    They both closed their eyes, though their magic didn’t give off much of a signature. They were both being careful to control it around this many Order members.
    Nix opened her eyes first. “It’s not here.”
    “Seconded,” Del said.
    Without the cauldron, he was definitely outnumbered. Whatever his reason for being here—and it might be because he was an Order member, magic forbid—he was playing the long game.
    We had to get out of here. Nix jerked her head toward a side exit and I nodded, then tugged on Aidan’s hand.  His gaze snapped to mine and he nodded. 
    Heart racing, I followed Nix and Del, sticking to the shadows and trying not to jostle anyone.  Aidan stuck close behind, his steps silent as we snuck out of the museum.
    Near the exit, I caught sight of the familiar red fire alarm. I waved Nix, Del, and Aidan out, then pulled the lever. I hated to interrupt the Nullifier’s memorial, but I wanted to interrupt Victor Orriodor’s plans, whatever they were.
    The siren blared as I ran out the door and met my friends’ startled gazes.
    “Good idea!” Nix said.
    We took off, sprinting across the grass toward the parking lot. I’d snuck out like a coward. 
    But what was I going to do? Fight him with my questionable nullifying power? I’d practiced it but didn’t have any kind of reliable skill with it. I’d be putting hundreds of people at risk.
    We’d reached Cecelia and Aidan’s car, which were conveniently parked next to each other, when my phone buzzed. I was so wired that I jumped and nearly screeched before I got it together enough to fumble my phone out of my pocket and look at the screen. 
    I read the name aloud. “Aerdeca.”
    “What does she want?” Del asked.
    “Don’t know.” I hadn’t spoken to the Blood Sorceress since last week, during the wayward portal disaster. But she’d been the one to recommend I go see Aethelred about finding a Nullifier to help destroy the portal. She knew I was looking for him now. 
    Maybe she’d found him!
    I glanced around. We were hidden by the parked cars, and we had a minute before people arrived. More than likely, they’d stand in the museum’s yard and wait to see if the museum lit up like a bonfire.
    I clicked the answer button. “Hello?”
    “Cass?” Aerdeca’s clear voice filled my ear. “Meet me at the Assassin’s Brew. Darklane. Now.”
    The line clicked. 
    I