"What is it?" asked Micah, his usual greeting in a glib voice that sounded smooth on the line.
"Nice to speak to you, too," I huffed, in the way I usually did whenever talking to him. Despite his frosty demeanour, I did like him, and I suspected he probably liked me too. I guessed he liked me more, however, when I was committing some kind of crime.
"I am busy."
I sighed. Micah would not allow this to be easy. "I'll make it quick. Do you have a few minutes?"
"Minutes I will never get back," said Micah, which wasn't the answer I was hoping for.
"Are you on your own?"
"Yes."
I listened carefully, hearing a murmur in the background. "I can hear voices."
"Never trust a demon," said Micah. A moment later, the voices were replaced with utter quiet. "What do you want?"
"Can I trust you?"
There was a long pause during which, I assumed, Micah was seriously considering the question. I deduced if it merited so much contemplation, there could be the potential for more than one answer. "Yes," he said at last and I realised I'd been holding my breath.
"I'm in Rockford, up in Canada."
"I know where it is. What are you doing there?"
"Following a lead. Someone dropped a dead body on my porch, remember?"
"I recall. Unfortunate."
"I traced him back here, but there's something weird going on."
"I am quickly losing interest."
"You won't in a minute. I need to ask you a question about the female demon I saw at Evan's house."
There was a longer pause this time; then, "Why?"
"Because I saw her here; she was talking to the local packmaster's second."
"I understand she is capable of conversing with all manner of life forms."
"I'm sure she is," I said, recalling how she draped herself over Evan. I wondered what sort of communicating they were doing, and quickly banished those thoughts. Really, how dare I criticise Evan for doing exactly the same thing I did with Gage? Being a hypocrite was something I didn't like. "I need to know..."
"Be careful what you ask me, Stella, and I will be careful how I answer it," Micah told me softly. "I find myself in an unusual position."
"Who is she and what's her game?"
"Her name is Irina Murogov and she is from one of the foremost families. Her family is connected to the Hunters and have been allies, if you want to call them that, for centuries. They are very powerful, very well connected, and one does not cross them and live. At one time, she and Evan..." Micah paused.
"She and Evan… what?" I asked. I hated asking, and closed my eyes at the prospect of hearing an answer. Blood rushed in my ears as I waited.
"They were betrothed."
Despite the dull feeling in my chest, I played my ace card, the one thing I knew Micah would not ignore. "She might be involved in a plot against Étoile."
"I'm glad I was never betrothed to her," said Micah. I detected a coolness to his voice that I never noticed before. I must’ve hit a nerve, but it didn't give me any joy. Micah held a soft spot for Étoile, and she, in return, was rather fond of him. As far as I knew, it hadn't gone any further, but who could tell?
"Is there any reason why she would be in Rockford?" I asked. When Micah didn't answer, I enquired, "Is Evan connected to any of this?"
The pause this time was so lengthy that I wondered if Micah hung up, or if the line suddenly disconnected. When he spoke again, I jumped. "Do not give up hope, witch," he said succinctly, right before the line went dead, killing our conversation. I wanted to know what he meant with his parting words, but Micah made it clear he would say no more, so that left me with my own assumptions. Don't give up pursuing whatever reason brought Kevin Wyatt to me? Don't give up the fight for the High Council? Don't give up on Evan? Micah could have meant any of those things... or none of them. "Damn cryptic demon," I muttered, dropping my phone onto the bed.
"Did you make your call?" Gage asked, entering and banging the door shut behind him.
"Yeah, but no dice," I told him. "I know the demon female's name: Irina Murogov. She's some big deal, but I couldn't find out anything else."
Gage gave an approving nod. "A name is a good start."
"I don't get why the pack would engage a demon to perform magic for them."
"Me either, unless it's simply because they couldn't get a witch. It lends weight to Rebecca's theory that her friend came to warn you about some kind of coup against Étoile and the Council."
"So what do we do now? All we have are more questions."
"We need to know what's in that note. Have you spoken to Seren?"
"Not since we left Wilding, but... we don't have to go straight home, do we? I have the torn envelope with me. If we visit Seren on the way home, she might have devised a spell to reconstruct it. She mentioned visiting if I happened to be passing by, so it wouldn't be out of the blue."
"It's worth a shot."
"Okay then." I waited for Gage to say something else, but all he did was drop onto the edge of the bed and reach down, pulling his boots off, one after the other. "You okay?" he asked, looking up. "You looked kinda shook up when I came inside."
"I'm fine," I said, pushing all thoughts of Irina out of my mind. She might have been tied up in this, or meant something to Evan... but that didn't entitle her to annoy the hell out of me too. Though, I figured she could do that purely by existing.
"Really?"
"Really," I told him, taking his hand when he offered it to me, and allowing him to tug me against him. He slid his hand out of mine, and both of his drifted to my waist. I touched his cheek, feeling the small spikes of stubble, and the ridge of his cheekbone. "Honestly, Gage, I'm fine."
"Come here," he murmured, and I did. I kissed Gage, savouring his warmth, while feeling a surge of excitement welling inside me. I kissed him and forgot everything else.
Chapter Thirteen
I don't know what woke me. The room was still and shrouded in darkness. Not a single glimmer of light came through the thin curtains, but outside, somewhere, the waves of discontent brought me abruptly to alert consciousness. With that discontent came another feeling, dark and seething: malice. Lying still, but wide awake now, I felt Gage wrapping his arms around me, breathing lightly. I concentrated harder, sending my magic out beyond the walls.
People were gathered there, maybe ten, and they weren't here to bring us a muffin basket.
"Wake up," I whispered as I nudged Gage and he snuggled closer to me, his arms tightening around mine. "Wake up!" This time, I prodded him harder in the ribs and his eyes opened, blinking.
"What?" he muttered through a yawn.
"We have to leave now," I said. "Someone's here."
"What?"
The discontent surged, buffeting against my magic, and I pulled it back while lurching out of the bed to collect my clothes. I grabbed Gage's from the floor and threw them at him. "Hurry!" I hissed as he sat upright, untangling his t-shirt and pulling it over his head, sniffing the air. "Don't bother, it's them. The Rockford pack. I can feel them even if they think the witch magic can disguise them."
"What do they want?"
"I don't know, but it's not good." Stuffing my sockless feet into boots, I grabbed my cell phone and bag, slinging it over my head. My jacket was in the truck, but I figured I would rather be cold right now than go out front where the pack awaited us. Gage dressed quickly while I paused, sending my magic outwards again, sensing their intent. They were getting closer, but spreading out. "They're in front," I told Gage, "and focused on this room."
"You sure? There's only one exit," said Gage, wide awake now. "If I go wolf, I can attack them and you can escape while I keep them occupied."
"Better idea," I said, reaching out to grab him by the hand. "I'm going to shimmer us both. We don't know what their plan is." Before Gage could protest, I wrapped my other arm around him and shimmered, holding him tightly.
We watched one of the R
ockford pack hurl a bomb into our motel room from the safety of a hill, nearly a quarter mile away.
"I'm glad I could only get a parking space in the far corner of the lot," said Gage. "Otherwise, my truck would be as toasted as that hatchback."
At that moment, the hatchback's engine blew and we both jumped. "The Rockford pack really don't like us," I said, wrapping my arms around my body. It was no match for the early morning cold, so when Gage wrapped his arm around my shoulders, I leaned into him, savouring his extra warmth as it radiated through me.
"Plus side: we rattled them enough to know that we came to the right place to find out more about Kevin Wyatt. I don't like it, Stella. They killed him, I'm sure of it, and that witch of theirs too. Rebecca is fearing for her life, and they just tried to burn us to death."
"They shouldn't have bothered. Enough have tried to do that to me and it never worked," I pointed out, remembering other fiery nights, while hoping my lucky escapes weren't numbered.
"Yeah, by the skin of our teeth; it didn't work this time. Guess we're getting an early start."
"I'm glad we're not going straight home," I replied. "It's going to take them a while to realise they didn't kill us in there. Visiting Seren and David seems smart. More than ever, we need to know what's in that note."
"I agree. The more we know, the faster we can deal with it. First off, I need to get my truck."
"They'll know we survived if you go get it."
"Like I care," said Gage with a shrug, "but if you feel like throwing some kind of magic their way to confuse them, I won't even try to hold you back."
"I could create an illusion," I said. "It'll work for a few hours. There are six other trucks in the lot. That helps too. Would that buy us enough time to get safely away?"
"Absolutely. Can you do the illusion from here?"
"Yes."
"Can you get me over there? Shimmer me?" Gage nodded towards the motel. People were spilling out of rooms and aimlessly wandering around the lot. I was glad I withdrew my magic so I couldn't feel their confusion.
"No, I don't think so, I'm just too depleted right now; but I can place a ‘look away’ spell on you, and hope that will ensure everyone ignores you. You can get in the truck and drive away, and no one will see or notice you."
"Do you remember the service station we stopped at just outside of town?"
"Yes."
"Can you shimmer that far?"
I thought about it. It wasn't really so far, but I felt weak. All the same, it was easier to shimmer myself than for me to transport another, even for a short distance. "Yes, I think so."
"As soon as I'm safely away, meet me there. I don't want you with me, just in case it doesn't work."
"You'll be fine," I assured him.
"All the same..."
I was too tired and shaken up to argue. "Hold still while I do this," I told him and Gage waited while I performed the spell. "I don't feel any different," he said when I told him I was finished. "All you did was wave your hand over me."
"You won't. Just..." I winced. Why didn’t I think this through some more?
"What is it?"
"It just occurred to me that I don't know what else their demon did for them. If they can see through this..."
"I'll run like hell. Don't worry about me. Just get out of here." Gage kissed me quickly. "I'll be fine." Before I could say another word, or tell him I could weave extra protection around him, or send him with charms and wards, Gage was gone, running quickly over the terrain, staying low and nimble. It took him only minutes to cross the distance. Despite the spell on him, there were plenty of distractions near the motel. A fire truck had arrived and several police cars with their lights flashing. The other guests of the motel were huddled in their nightwear as the water raged, and I could see what remained of the pack attackers retreating to their own vehicles.
I watched as Gage strolled unseen between them and climbed into his truck. He pulled out of the lot and turned onto the street, driving away. When I could barely make out his taillights, I shimmered out of Rockford, hoping to never return.
~
"I'm so glad you're here!" Seren embraced me warmly. "Gage, it's nice to see you too."
"Thanks," said Gage, shaking Seren's hand before looking around at the small store we entered only moments before. It looked like what I imagined an old world apothecary would appear. Jars upon jars of herbs were stacked on stripped, wooden shelves that reached to the ceiling. Bunches in a variety of fragrant things hung from rafters; and there were all manner of lotions and creams in assorted pretty bottles. Some of them I knew were beauty and health remedies, handmade from Winterstorm family recipes. A few, I surmised, were laced with magic. Other things weren't prescribed for human knowledge, but the store served successfully as the human face to a very otherworldly business. Seren and David made a name for themselves within the magic community through their ability to source and grow rare herbs and plants, perfect for spellcraft. "This is some place you have here," he added, moving around, and taking in everything with wide, visibly impressed eyes.
"And this is just the store front," replied Seren. "Wait until you see the warehouse! I thought you were calling to check on the spell, not to surprise us by visiting after all. What wonderful news!"
"Last minute change of plans," I told her, shivering at the memory of my last sight of the Oak Ridge going up in flames, along with a few of our possessions. Several times on the journey here, I found myself ruminating on how lucky I was to wake up at exactly the right time. I found the thought flickering into my mind again. "I hope you don't mind?"
"Not one bit. Come on through. David, Astra, and I have something to show you." Seren linked arms with me, and cast a discreet glance in Gage's direction, before raising an eyebrow to me and whispering, "I want to know everything about the handsome werewolf."
"I heard that," said Gage, not sounding at all worried, and Seren laughed.
"You were meant to, wolf," she whispered, blowing the words from the palm of her hand into his direction. Gage shook his head, a small huff of laughter escaping his throat as he followed us around the counter to the door beyond. Producing an old-style skeleton key, she unlocked the door, opening it so we could see past the sandblasted panes as she ushered us through.
Here, more of the same herbs and potions were stacked, but with less charm and appeal than the storefront. We passed through a large workroom, spotting various plants on the table and an ancient-looking pestle and mortar. A variety of sharp knives and marble-cutting slabs lined the work station, and there was a basket of linen sachets, waiting to be filled. Instead of feeling dark and closed off, the angled windows flooded the room with the late afternoon light. We passed into a second room where Astra and David sat at a round table, amidst stacks of heaped books. They looked up when we entered, smiling at us warmly, and I waved.
"This is a wonderful surprise," said David, pushing back his chair to stand. "We were only talking yesterday about when we might see you again. We thought you would be entirely out of touch while you were on vacation, but here you are!"
"It was inadvertently cut short," I told them. "But I've had a few things to do that kept me busy." Behind me, Gage snorted softly.
"I'm glad you chose not to work. I would have refused to let you," Seren told us.
"Hello again," I said to Astra who sat shyly and remained quiet, her pen poised over a notepad. Next to Seren, I noticed how alike the sisters were; far more than the likeness they shared with Étoile. I found myself wondering whom I might have resembled beyond my parents; and if there were any likenesses between the ancestral witch and me.
"Hi," Astra said, brightening a little at being noticed. She waved before nodding to Gage and giving us a cautious smile. I wanted to say something more reassuring to her, something like, I knew how it felt to be out of place, but I didn't want to exacerbate her obvious unease and awkwardness.
"Something tells me this isn't a social call," Seren said, taking h
er husband's hand. He raised hers to his lips and kissed the tops of her fingers. "And that this spell you've had us working on is part of something much bigger."
"It is," I confessed, not surprised that Seren could see right through me. Like Étoile, Seren had an uncanny ability to read people, no matter how practiced the person was at erecting barriers to wall their private thoughts in. "There's a lot going on and this is right in the middle of it all," I continued, reaching for the envelope scrap. I laid it on the table, in the middle of their notes and books, and we all stared at it.
"Sit down, both of you," said Seren, losing the softness in her voice as she looked from the scrap to us. "I think you should tell us everything, and then we can tell you about our search for a spell to recreate stolen or destroyed missives."
"It's a long story."
"My favourite kind," said David, crossing the room to collect another couple of chairs before indicating for us to sit. Gage and I shrugged off our jackets and sat adjacent to each other, our knees just touching under the table. It felt comforting to have him there, to know that he was just as curious about the events leading up to this moment. Most of all, though, because I wasn't alone.
I began first with how I found Wyatt, and Gage chimed in about the official investigation, as well as his own informal one. We took turns sharing what we knew, since it was his story as much as mine, and our small audience didn't interrupt.
After several minutes of contemplation, Seren asked, "Stella, do you think the errand Étoile sent you and Astra on had something to do with any of this?"
"I didn't say anything!" Astra exclaimed as she looked up in alarm.
Seren reached out to her, resting her hand over her sister's wrist as she said, "No, you didn't. Étoile told me."
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