I took in the surrounding carnage. Three wolves were on the ground. I wasn’t sure if they were dead, but they weren’t moving. There were two brujos down, too. The rest had fled. The sounds of the fight grew further away as the wolves gave chase.

Then I heard it. A familiar noise that was so out of place it took a second for it to register.

Raphael’s ring tone.

I had reception? How did I have reception out here?

Stop questioning it and move, Claudia. If Adrian was calling, it wasn’t good.

I raced to where I’d dropped my things. The ringing stopped just as I reached the phone.

No!

It started ringing again. I flipped the phone open. “Adrian.”

“Thank God. I’ve been calling you for hours. Haven’t been able to get through.”

“Sorry. I’m in the mountains. Cell coverage is bad. How is he?” I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping that the worst hadn’t happened. Not yet. I needed just a little more time.

“It’s bad. You need to get here. Like now. We had to tie him to the bed, because he kept trying to attack us. The drugs aren’t working on him at all. And…he…he smells like he’s rotting. He’s got hours at best.”

I swallowed. “I’ll be there.” I closed the phone. This didn’t feel real. None of this felt real. I was dreaming. Some awful nightmare. It couldn’t be—

Two arms wrapped around me and I leaned into the warmth. “What am I going to do?”

“I have an idea.” Lucas’ voice rumbled against my back.

So did I. Oh my God. So did I.

I shoved the athame in my purse, and cradled it to my chest. One glance at Lucas told me he was back in his running pants, minus the shirt and shoes. Good enough.

“Gobble!” I stood up and turned in a circle as I yelled. “Gobble! Come here now. I’m ready to make a deal.”

He flashed in front of me in his tiny form. “Yes, tasty. You ready now?”

I nodded as I linked my fingers with Lucas’. “I need to go to San Jose. Hotel Jesus de la Luz.”

Gobble whistled. “That’s a far trip. It will cost you.”

“What are your terms?”

“I will need a favor from you one day soon.” His pale blue eyes glinted. “That’s when you will have to pay.”

I wanted to say yes right then, but had Cosette warned me. That was too vague. I had to be more specific. “I won’t do anything bad or evil. I won’t kill or hurt anyone. You can’t hurt or kill me. Or anyone that I love. You cannot steal my magic or bind me to anyone.”

Lucas cleared his throat.