Page 66 of Demon Unleashed

She nodded.

“Oh, that blows.”

“Yeah, you could say that.”

“So you want Virginia to talk to Cinead, is that it?”

“No. I need your help, not Virginia’s. I have no intention of telling Cinead that I found his son, if I can’t at the same time tell him that he can be saved.”

“Saved?” Wes’s forehead furrowed. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying? That you want to turn him back into what he was before?” He began to shake his head.

“I grew up with believing in the mantra ‘once a demon, always a demon.’ But I don’t want to believe that anymore. That’s why I need you. You and Charles. You are powerful witches. Between the two of you, you know every spell there is. I need you to find something that will turn Zoltan back into what he once was.”

Wes let out a mirthless laugh. “How come you never ask me for something easy, like a simple spell to turn somebody into a piglet or a rat? I’m really good at that.”

Enya shrugged. “I’m not in need of a piglet or a rat right now. Come on, you’re my only hope.”

“Okay, then, let’s talk to Charles, see what he says.” He rose. “He’s downstairs in his new lab. We call it the cauldron.”

“He’s got a lab here now?” Enya followed him to the door.

“Yeah, after he nearly burned down the house twice, Roxanne suggested he move his potions somewhere else.”

“Suggested?”

Wes winked at her. “Well, that’s the story he’s sticking to, anyway.” He led her to the elevators and pressed a button. “Maybe better if you don’t mention it.” He grinned.

“Whatever you say.”

The elevator doors opened, and they got in.

“So, what else is new?”

Enya shrugged. “I got dragged to the Underworld by a few overeager demons.”

“Oh my God! How did that happen?”

“Long story. Tell you some other time. Creepy place. Stinks like rotten eggs everywhere.”

Wes nodded. As one of the very few people who’d ever been to the Underworld, he could relate. “Sulfur. So, how did you make it back out?”

“Hitched a ride from a demon, like you and Virginia did.” Not exactly like Wes and his mate had done, since the demon whose vortex they’d used to get back into the human world hadn’t known about the stowaways he’d had onboard.

“Cool! Hope you got the chance to kill a few of those bastards.”

The elevator doors opened, giving Enya a moment to decide whether she wanted to answer. She decided to remain noncommittal. “You know me.”

She followed Wesley down another corridor, then he used his access card again and opened a door. He stepped into the room ahead of her, then looked over his shoulder. “Okay, the coast is clear. No imminent explosions.”

“Very funny,” a man said from farther inside the room.

“Welcome to the lab,” Wesley said.

Enya entered and let the door snap in behind her. The place didn’t look like a laboratory at all. Yes, the walls, floor, and ceiling were white, but that was where the similarities ended. Everything else looked more like it belonged in a hut in an ancient forest. Hansel and Gretel came to mind. The large cauldron that hung over a gas fire in a large stone fireplace was the first indication that this was no conventional laboratory. The glass jars lining shelves and cluttering any available surface were another clue, as were the many ancient-looking books, some of which predated the printing press.

“You guys have met, right?” Wes asked.

Charles, dressed in casual clothes and wearing an apron, came toward her and stretched out his hand. “Once or twice,” he said. “Must have been at a Scanguards party. Nice to see you again, Enya.”