Chapter 105: Visit

I spent the whole afternoon in the study. The books I came across were fascinating, but they were all spells. Nothing that had history or could shed any light on why they wanted Kezia or me. Cherry knocked on my door around six with a tray of food.
"Eat quick. They need you upstairs to do your thing soon."
"Are Sundays any calmer?"
She gave me a glance over her shoulder with her eyebrow raised. "Don't get your hopes up."
I sighed and shoved a chicken wing in my mouth. Before long, Liam followed me up to the second level of the bar into the lair. I sat in a tall armchair with Liam standing tall and ominous behind me. The first of the clients came in.
Halfway through the night, I was buzzing with energy and bored out of my mind. Liam had taken a seat in a chair next to me. The most current clients were having a threesome on the couch right in front of me. My hands were laced in theirs, so I was stuck leaning forward and far too close than I wanted to be. I shot a helpless look over at Liam. He responded with an impassive one.
They finished and lay relaxing. I pulled my hands away and sat back in the chair. I felt the need to wash them. I needed to have sanitizing wipes, or something put in here. I always felt so dirty afterward, even though I wasn't really even doing anything. My hand clasped around a crystal. I pushed so much energy in it. The crystal pulsed growing hot in my hand. I filled two more before I sat back.
I heard a tussle outside before someone pushed through the curtain. Liam stood quickly behind me. My eyes shot from Liam to the new person.
"Kira!" Mr. Kline's voice boomed.
I rose to my feet. Liam jumped in front of me, shielding Mr. Kline from my view. My fingers latched on to the back of Liam's leather jacket as I peeked around him to see.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
"Oh, Kira. Calm down. It was tricky enough getting past all your guards. You really have a nice set up here."
He stepped forward. He pointed at the clients on the couch and stuck a thumb over his shoulder. They scurried out behind him. He sat down in the armchair across from mine.
"How exactly did you get in here?" I asked. "How did he get in here!" I shouted through the curtain.
Mr. Kline cackled. A man pushed through the curtain, holding a gun to a little girl's temple. Liam tensed.
"What do you want?"
"I want you, Kira."
Liam growled.
"You can't have me," I said.
"Then, I'll offer you a trade. Give me Kezia and you can have the girl."
"No."
"Then, the girl dies."
"No."
"I don't think you understand how a trade works."
"You're giving me an impossible choice. How about I just kill you and then I don't have to make a choice."
Mr. Kline laughed. "Very funny, Kira. Like you could kill anyone."
Liam stepped forward.
Mr. Kline held up his hand. "What I mean, Kira, is that if you kill me, many more people will die. I wouldn't come in here without a kill switch. If I don't return unharmed, this whole city will go up in flames. My boss is pretty adamant about getting either you or Kezia. I suggest that you choose. Also, I am sure this little girl would appreciate your help."
I could feel my body vibrate with rage. "What you ask is an impossible choice. I won't give you anything."
He crossed his arms. "Then you will have to deal with the consequences." He lifted his fingers to snap them.
I grabbed a crystal. Pink strands of magic whipped out of my hand and connected with Mr. Kline's body. I stopped him before he finished his snap. His eye went wide. I wondered how much more I could do. I decided to try and make him speak.
"Let her go," Mr. Kline said. My mouth moved with his, miming his words without sound.
"Sir?" Said the man holding the child.
"Let her go," I made Mr. Kline repeat.
The man released her. Liam snatched the gun out of the man's hand and grabbed the child.
"Amaan, Frazer," I called.
They appeared through the curtain with guns raised.
"Beloved?"
"Take this girl somewhere safe. I will handle him." I glared at Mr. Kline.
Liam passed the girl off then held his hand in front of me. "Allow me, Beloved."
"No, Liam. I have to do this. Mr. Kline doesn't think I can do it, which means the darkness doesn't think I can do it. Isn't that right?" I released my hold on his voice.
Mr. Kline smiled. "Kira, you're too soft."
"My name's not Kira," I said.
I stepped forward and pulled energy. I did it fast. I did it without pleasure, like the first time I had done it to him. I felt his energy inside of me, but I also felt his magic. I stole it all. I left him an empty husk. The moan that escaped him was just as empty. He slumped in the chair. He was still alive, but just barely.
"Take him. Leave him in the parking lot of Grocer Outlet."
"And what about the fire?" Liam asked.
"Let them try. Send the brothers out. Alert the fire stations of a terrorist threat. We'll be ready."
Liam nodded his head. Mr. Kline tried to speak. I stepped forward. I pulled my fist back and clocked him in the face. Just before it hit, I padded it with some magic. His head whipped back.
"He's all yours."
Liam grabbed his arm and dragged him out of the room. I shook my hand. It had been a long time since I punched someone. It felt good. Really good.
Liam returned. "It will be done, Beloved."
"You aren't going to do it yourself?"
"I do not wish you leave your side. I don't want anything to happen to you."
"Okay. Let's talk to the girl. See if she knows anything. Where did they take her?"
"To your loft."
Liam and I climbed the stairs to the apartment. Kezia and the girl were sitting on the couch. Kezia was holding her in her lap while the girl cried. She stroked her long brown hair speaking soothing words to her.
I set my hand on Liam's chest. "Why don't you stay here? I'll talk to her."
He nodded and stood by the door. I walked around the couches and kneeled on the floor in front of where they sat.
Kezia's big eyes landed on me. "How did you find her?"
"She was kidnapped like you. Who is she?"
"Amy Lynch. She's my cousin."
"She's not a Grey?"
Kezia shook her head. "She's my mother's niece. What do they want with us? Does this have something to do with you?"
"I don't know. I'm sorry if it is. I'm doing everything in my power to keep you guys safe. I promise."
"It's not working. How many more family members are you going to get kidnapped? Why can't you just handle this?" Kezia gripped Amy to her as she started crying louder. Her own voice was beginning to waver.
"I'm sorry. I'm trying. Just give me some time. I'll get this figured out and you can go back to your life like nothing happened. I promise. Okay, Amy? Everything is going to be fine."
Kezia glared at me. I backed away from them. This conversation was not helpful. I stormed through the door with Liam on my heels.