RoadBlock by Amelia Bishop Page B

was, he needed no further notification. One of them, a tall woman with short auburn hair, turned to him and noticed his eyes were open.
    “You’re awake. Good . You can start answering some questions.”
    “Um, okay. You didn’t need to tie me up for that, you know. I answer questions without bondage all the time.”
    “Uh-huh. You know who we are, we know who you are. There’s no need for games. Where are your friends?”
    “I don’t know. Someone knocked me out and tied me to a chair, so I haven’t been able to reach them.”
    “Cindy, this guy thinks he’s funny.”
    The other woman, ‘Cindy’, a shorter woman with longer ash blonde hair in a severe ponytail, walked over and crossed her arms over her chest, staring at him with narrowed eyes. “We can wait. The funny will probably wear off in a day or two.” She gave him a cold smile and Dagger’s stomach cramped. Cal had been right. They were just going to keep him here. He could feel the hum of large fans through the wall at his back, and knew the closet abutted the server room. He could scream and bang against the wall, but no one in the office would notice.
    The women went back to their magazines, talking too quietly for him to hear. Dagger closed his eyes and searched for the connection he shared with the others. He silently thanked Wade for insisting he hide Betony’s charm where it wouldn’t be found. It had seemed a silly precaution, earlier, but now the tiny bag duct-taped to the skin on his hip was a lifeline to him.
    Dagger… Safe? He knew it was Wade, and his heart warmed at the worry in his old friend’s thought. Yes. Tied up. He sent a mental image of the office, including the partial view from the window he had from his vantage point and a picture of his own legs and arms tied to the chair. Calderon’s anger flashed over their connection then, frustrated and wild. Betony sent calm to both of them, then asked Danger? Plans? Super-witch? Dagger responded calmly. No. Two women. No plans, no danger. They want you. Wade’s thoughts were clear and smooth next: We’ll get you out. Don’t be afraid. Dagger worried about the plans they might be making, and who else might be outside the office, or the building waiting for them. No. Wait to know more. I’ll listen. Wait. I’m okay. Cal’s desperation overcame him, his fear and anger pulsed through their bond, and Dagger sagged under the weight of it. Cal. Stop. Be calm. I’m okay. Please. Cal’s anger ebbed slowly, and Dagger breathed a silent sigh of relief. Calderon’s apologetic thoughts were shaky. Sorry. Afraid for you. I’ll wait.
    Dagger opened his eyes, making sure the women were still ignoring him, then slid them closed to concentrate on the bond again. Stay safe. Call Adelaide, warn coven. Be open, I’ll contact you when I know more . Dagger repeated the thoughts, hoping they went through clearly. Okay. Love you . Dagger had no idea which one of his friends sent the last message, or if they all had. He opened his eyes again and watched Cindy.
    Hours passed, and Dagger rested, never slipping into true sleep, but allowing himself to be calm and still, saving his energy for a potential escape. The desk phone rang and not-Cindy picked it up and spoke quietly into the receiver. Then they spent a few minutes tidying the magazines and putting them into a desk drawer, throwing away the foam coffee cups they’d been nursing, and straightening the chairs.
    The light from the window was fading as the office door opened and three men walked in. Two of them stood near the wall, and Cindy and not-Cindy stood with them, making a boy-girl-boy-girl lineup of dorky evil. The third man walked straight up to Dagger, and used a strong wave of telekinesis to pull the desk chair eight feet across the floor towards him, then sat down on it without looking back. Dagger kept his features blank, but he was impressed. That was more power than he had, and more control. The super-witch was a badass.
    “You