That was an interesting question. “No,” I said finally. “I think they’ve been down there several times when things went wrong, but I don’t think they’re conducting rituals in that particular location. That’s what they’re doing on the bluff behind their inn.”
“How do you know that?” Raven asked, intrigued. “Did you see them doing something?”
I shook my head. “The bluff is toward the back of their property. It’s beautiful, but I could feel the power emanating from the space. The whole plot is magical, don’t get me wrong, and there are memory echoes flying over it left and right. The bluff, though, is the source of their real power.”
“Or it’s simply the place where they’ve anchored their power,” Max suggested. “From what you’ve told me, I tend to think they’re born witches, so the magic is tied to their blood. If it’s gone on for generations, they would need a place to serve as the heart of their realm. I’m guessing that’s the bluff.”
“Me, too. I want to head out there later and take a look.”
“Really?” Max’s eyebrows hopped. “Were you invited?”
“Not technically,” I hedged, uncomfortable. I stared at my plate so I wouldn’t have to meet Max’s steady gaze.
“What did they ‘technically’ say?”
“They want us to come for dinner.”
Nellie was incensed. “Then why are we eating here? We should be out there with them.”
I shot him a quelling look. “We didn’t set up an official time. I’m sure we’ll manage it before we leave.”
Nellie grumbled something under his breath that I couldn’t make out.
“I don’t understand why you want to go out there,” Max persisted. “That seems invasive.”
I couldn’t deny that. I was big on people deserving their personal space. I was also drawn to the plot of land, and that natural curiosity was stronger than my ethical boundaries. “It’s a full moon tonight.”
“So?”
“So ... people on the bus said they dance naked under the full moon.”
Nellie’s mouth dropped open. “Are kidding me? I’m going with you!”
The fact that he was mostly interested because people were going to be naked made me leery, but I opted to tell myself that he was genuinely interested in the magic, too. It made me feel better to embrace the lie.
“Are you saying you want to watch the witches dance naked?” Raven asked. “If so, you’re a lot more interesting than I thought. That’s a little perv-y. I didn’t know you rolled that way.”
“Hey, I’m gay and I want to see it, too,” Luke admitted. “I can’t help it. I find them fascinating. That old one is the funniest thing I’ve ever seen. If you look up the word ‘eccentric’ in the dictionary, I’m convinced you’ll find her photo.”
“And I was convinced her photo was by the word ‘nuts,’” Raven drawled.
“Honestly, I think she’s fine with either description,” I admitted. “She seems to embrace being odd. Also, she knew we were on the bus, even though I’m not convinced she could see us through the windows.”
“How did she know?” Max asked.
I shrugged. “Maybe she senses me like I sense her ... and like I sense Bay.”
“Yeah, well, Bay is another matter entirely,” Raven said. “While we were with her in the woods today I tried to climb into her head. Do you know what I found?”
I knew exactly what she found. “A wall of bacon.”
Max choked on his bite of steak. “I’m sorry, ... what?”
“That’s how she shields,” I explained. “I managed to see a thing or two, mostly surface thoughts, but there came a time when I was certain she knew I was poking around in her head. The next thing I knew, all I could think about is bacon. It was ridiculous.”
“Landon is obsessed with bacon,” Raven noted. “That’s all that was in his head. Well, little tidbits about the case and a bunch of fuzzy feelings for Bay. Bacon is his go-to image. Have we considered that he’s magical? If he can shield that well, it’s a possibility.”
I gave it some serious thought. “No,” I said finally, shaking my head. “He understands about magic, at least to a certain degree. But he’s not magical. He’s just a man ... who happens to love his witch very much.”
“Then Bay has taught him how to shield,” Raven said. “I’ve never met a human with such strong defenses who wasn’t trained.”
“She may have, but I don’t think they deal with mind readers very often,” I countered. “I think he’s simply a guy who thinks about three things at any given time. His work, Bay and bacon. Those are the most important things to him.”
Max chuckled. “I’ve never met anyone that obsessed with bacon.”
Kade raised his hand. “Hey, if you dug in my head you’d probably find bacon there, too.”
“Who doesn’t love bacon?” Nellie agreed. “It’s like ... the best thing ever.”
I loved breakfast foods as much as the next person, but that sounded odd. “That must be a guy thing,” I said after a beat. “It’s not normal.”
“I’m a man and I don’t think about bacon constantly,” Max argued.
“No, but you think about pickled okra more than anyone I’ve ever met.”
He smirked. “Have you been poking around in my head?”
“You project it half the time.”
“Fair enough.” Max stroked his chin, thoughtful. “We’ve weaved off course a bit. What do you think you’re going to find at this bluff tonight? What do you hope to accomplish?”
“I don’t know.” That was true. “I just have an overwhelming urge to head out there. I can’t explain it.”
“Maybe the old witch planted the suggestion,” Raven said.
“Maybe. I want to see what they’re doing, and I think it has to be tonight.”
Max let loose a resigned sigh. “Okay. It’s up to you. I’m not sure it’s a good idea, but this is your thing and I’ve learned that ignoring your instincts is a bad idea. Have at it.”
“Great.” I beamed before sawing into my steak. Something occurred to me that ultimately soured some of my expectations. “You don’t think they’ll be, like, totally naked, do you?”
“I hope so.” Nellie’s eyes gleamed. “It’ll be the best night ever if they are.”
I wasn’t sure I agreed with that particular sentiment.
KADE WAS QUIET THROUGH dinner, and when he caught me outside of our trailer there was trouble in his eyes.
“I don’t think this is a good idea,” he said. “What if they catch us and don’t take kindly to being spied on?”
That was a fair worry. “I guess we’ll find out what sort of power they really have.”
“And that doesn’t bother you?”
“No.” I opted for honesty. “I think they’re good witches. I know that’s hard for you to wrap your head around because we’ve only had dealings with bad witches for the most part, but if there was something evil afoot I would feel it.”
“People have bamboozled you before,” he persisted. “You have great instincts, but you’re not infallible.”
It stung to hear, but he wasn’t wrong. “You don’t have to go. In fact, I think you’ll be more comfortable staying behind.”
A flash of something — maybe hurt, maybe annoyance — flitted across his handsome features. “You don’t want me to go?”
“I don’t want you to go if you’re not into it,” I clarified. “I love hanging out with you, going on adventures and stakeouts, but ... you don’t always have to agree to do something simply because I’m going to do it. That doesn’t seem healthy.”
“What if you get in trouble?”
“Well ... then there will be a fight. I don’t think it will be a big deal, though. They’re powerful. There’s no getting around that. We’re powerful, too.”
“I guess.” He made an annoyed sound in the back of his throat as he stroked his chin. “I’m uncomfortable spying on them, especially if they’re going to
be naked.”
I patted his arm, amused. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am that you don’t want to see other women naked.”
“I don’t mind the thought of the younger three, but the older one? Um ... no.”
My smile slipped. “I see.”
Now it was his turn to flash a mischievous smile. “I’m mostly interested in seeing you naked. Why not stay and spend some quality time with me?”
He was so earnest he had me considering the offer. Then Max swooped in to interrupt us, and things took a surprising turn.
“You’ll be spending quality time with me tonight, Kade,” Max volunteered, his expression unreadable. “Poet can’t be part of that — at least not yet — so it’s probably best that she’s going to lead the charge to spy on the witches.”
“I can’t be a part of what?” I asked, instantly alert. He was finally making his reason for attending dinner known, and I was willing to chuck all previous urges in an attempt to stand with Kade. “What do you have planned?”
Max’s sigh was long and drawn out as he regarded me. “There’s no reason to get upset, Poet.” He was calm. “Kade and I need to talk about a few things, and then we’re going to practice his magic.”
I was surprised by the turn of events. “You’re going to practice his magic?” The way Kade’s body stiffened next to mine told me that’s the last thing he wanted to do. “Are you sure this is the right time?”
“I’m sure that we’ll have a quiet night to practice and the privacy of the woods to do it,” Max clarified.
“But ... .”
He shook his head to cut me off and focused on his son. “You’ve been quiet since Eureka. I’ve allowed it because I knew you had to think about things. You get that from your mother. You’re a ponderer.
“It’s time, though,” he continued. “You can’t hope to master your magic, use it as a weapon, unless you learn about your abilities. What happened in Eureka was born of necessity. You care deeply for Poet and want to keep her safe. Now you need to learn to use your powers for reasons other than terror.”
Kade immediately started shaking his head. “I don’t even know if I want to use my magic. I haven’t decided yet.”
“You don’t have a choice.” Max was firm. “You need to explore your birthright. I wasn’t sure you had magic until the moment you let it loose. Now it’s a reality. We have to deal with it.”
“But ... .” Kade looked to me for help.
“Maybe he’s not ready to deal with it yet,” I said gently. “Maybe he needs more time.”
Max slid me a sympathetic look. “You want to be with him when he goes through this, and you will be later. Kade won’t truly try if you’re around. His fear that he’ll hurt you is too great. He needs to get past that.”
“I would feel better if Poet was with me,” Kade argued. “She’s my ... anchor. That’s what you called it, right? You said the Winchesters anchored their magic in a place. Well, she’s my anchor.”
“She’s your heart,” Max corrected, refusing to let the sentiment sway him. “You feel a great deal for her — I do, too — but you can’t make her your excuse. You need to practice, and to do that, you have to be willing to let go. As long as Poet is close, you won’t do that.”
Kade ran his tongue over his teeth as he glanced around. It was only then that I realized how torn he truly was. I made up my mind on the spot.
“You need to do this,” I said gently, grabbing his hand and giving it a good squeeze. “We both know it. You didn’t sleep for the better part of two weeks because you were terrified you’d hurt me. Max is the best person to teach you how to use your powers.”
“Why can’t you teach me?” Kade was plaintive.
“I don’t have the same type of magic ... and we’re too emotionally linked.” I ran my finger down his cheek. “It’s going to be okay. He’s your father. He wants the best for you. Besides, you’re not going to want to perform on demand in front of an audience.
“Max is right,” I continued. “I wondered why he was okay with us spying on the witches, but it makes sense. He’ll be able to spend quality time with you while we’re gone.”
Kade didn’t look convinced. “You’re going to be stuck with a cross-dressing dwarf who is hot for an octogenarian.”
I merely smiled. “Think of the stories we’ll have to tell each other when we’re reunited.”
He still wasn’t placated. “What if you’re attacked and I’m not there?”
“We’re not going to be attacked.” I was sure of that. “We’re supposed to see something out there. I know it. We’ll both be okay. I promise you that.”
Resigned, Kade merely pulled me close for a hug and focused on his father. “Fine. If something happens to her, though, I’m going to be really ticked off.”
“I would expect nothing less,” Max said.
“The same goes for me,” I offered as Kade kissed my forehead.
Max chuckled. “You really are an adorable couple.”
I agreed wholeheartedly.
15
Fifteen
Leaving Kade to practice magic with Max was difficult, but necessary. I waited until the two of them changed clothes and then met in front of the trailer a second time before departing.
“It’s going to be okay,” I reassured him, squeezing his hand. “Don’t let this mess up your head. It’s a good thing.”
He cast me a sidelong look. “You’re just eager to get me out of here so you can spy on the naked witches.”
He wasn’t wrong. Well, he was wrong about the naked part. I wasn’t particularly looking forward to that. But I couldn’t deny there was a shimmy of excitement running up my spine about the other stuff.
“I’ll take video if I can, come back with a full report.”
He absently ran his hand down the back of my head and pressed a kiss to my mouth before focusing his full attention on Max. “This isn’t going to hurt, is it?”
Max’s smile was benign. “No. It won’t hurt. You’ll be better for it.”
Kade didn’t look convinced, but he nodded and heaved a sigh. “Let’s do it.” He stepped in front of Max, leaving me to share a long look with my boss.
“Take care of him,” I ordered.
“I will. You take care of the rest of them. Make sure Nellie doesn’t run off with the elderly witch. That could be hard to explain.”
“I think she can take care of herself.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
I smiled. “I don’t know how long we’ll be gone. It will probably be a few hours.”
“Have fun … and don’t get arrested. I’m not sure I have enough cash on hand to lay bail for all of you.”
“Then make sure you bail me out first.”
“I don’t think Kade would allow anything else.”
OUR RAGTAG GROUP OF busybodies turned out to be smaller than I initially envisioned. Naida and Nixie were curious, but the water beckoned, and they ultimately headed off in their own direction.
Dolph and a few others remained to watch camp. It wasn’t wise to empty of it every magical figure, so he opted to stay behind with a few shifters to watch our boundaries, for which I was thankful.
That left Luke, Raven, Nellie and Melissa to travel with me to the Winchester stronghold. Thanks to the smaller group, we could take one vehicle. Luke opted to drive, and he parked almost half a mile away from the driveway, which meant we had to hike through the woods. I would’ve preferred the getaway vehicle to be closer, but his approach was smart, so I wordlessly agreed.
We set off from the road, all of us dressed in dark clothes, carefully picking our way through the trees.
“There are no magical traps that I can see,” Raven mused, her eyes impossible to read in the darkness.
“Did you expect death and destruction at every turn?” I asked.
She shrugged, noncommittal. “I don’t know what I expected. You can feel magic … and yet it’s unobtrusive. It’s … inter
esting.”
I couldn’t argue with that, so I didn’t.
We were in the woods almost fifteen minutes before we stumbled across what looked to be a small house. There was a side road we didn’t notice upon our earlier visit – two vehicles parked in the driveway – but the windows were dark and it appeared empty.
“What’s this?” Melissa asked, moving to my right.
“Let’s go inside and see if my witch is in there,” Nellie suggested, excited.
I immediately started shaking my head. “No way. That’s someone’s house.” Something occurred to me. “That’s Bay’s house.” I knew it without hesitation. “She mentioned she lived in the guesthouse on the property. This must be it.”
“It’s cute,” Melissa said. “Not too big. Does she live out here alone?”
“She used to live with her cousins. Now she lives with Landon.”
“Who is hot as Hecate,” Melissa said. “Seriously, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a guy that hot in real life.”
I balked on Kade’s behalf. “Um … I think our chief of security is pretty hot.”
“Yeah, but he’s like a big brother to me. I can’t look at him in that manner.”
I could see that. “Well … .”
Luke cleared his throat in such an obnoxious way there was no choice but to look in his direction. “I think you’ve forgotten about me,” he said dryly.
Melissa giggled at his put-upon expression. “I think of you like a brother, too.”
“A big, gay brother,” Raven added.
I bristled. “It doesn’t matter that he’s gay. He’s still hot.”
“Thank you, Poet.” Luke preened. “I am hot.”
“You’re also gay, and there’s no chance of a romance coming to fruition,” Raven pointed out. “I don’t care that you’re gay. I care that you’re annoying, but that’s another argument entirely. Melissa can’t crush on you because there’s no chance of you ever crushing back.
“She could crush on Kade because we all know he’s going to get tired of Poet’s crap before it’s all said and done,” she continued. “He might look at her … after he’s done drooling over me. But you’re a lost cause.”
Freaky Witches (A Mystic Caravan Mystery Book 7) Page 14
