“I’ll be leaving soon. Before I do, I’ll escort Jackie back to the library. You should meet her there soon. You might as well absorb some more magical knowledge while you have her here.”
Acknowledging his request with a nod, Reagan dropped off her plate and fork on the way out. As she did, she saw Ricardo and Sasha heading into the kitchen. “Hey, have you guys seen Rowan this morning?”
Ricardo grinned, and Sasha gave him a quick jab in the chest. “Leave her alone.” She turned to Reagan. “He was in the training room just a few minutes ago. Try there.”
“Thanks, Sasha.” Reagan threw a playful, but disgusted, look at Ricardo as she said it.
From the kitchen to the workout area, she thought about Rowan. Her draw to him was unmistakable, even if he was technically forty-three. It was just a number. Right? Was she wrong in assuming he’d felt their chemistry, too? Did he think about her as much as she thought about him?
She ran her hand along the cave wall as images of her encounters with him flooded her brain; the coldness of the stone counteracted the heat rising in her body. She knew he could sense a lot of her emotions, so she needed to cool off before she saw him. Taking her sweet time, she finally arrived. She stopped in the entryway. He was punching the boxing bag. Sweat glistened on his back.
He was shirtless.
Reagan’s breath caught in her throat. So much for cooling down.
Resisting the urge to run to him, she slowed her steps. When she was a few feet away, he stopped punching and took one earbud out. She could still hear the hum of music coming from his iPod, through the miniscule speaker swaying back and forth in front of his chest. It drew her attention down, toward the top of his pelvic bone where his sweatpants were barely hanging on. She’d never wished she were cheap cotton until that moment.
“Did you just come to stare?” He pressed a button and the music stopped. He pulled the other earbud out, and began wrapping the cords around the iPod.
Was he making fun of her? She imagined a cold shower, focusing like Nana said. It had the desired effect, and Reagan felt the heat simmer down. “No. I came to ask you a few questions. It seems Nana and Papa think I might know something about finding Cheveyo. You found him once, so I wondered if you could help us.”
He reached for a white towel to wipe his face and down the front of his chest. That was the second piece of cotton she envied since she stepped into the room. What I wouldn’t do for a cold shower. She didn’t want to wish for one too hard for fear cold water would start pouring from the ceiling.
“I doubt that man can be found the same way twice. I had some help, but it came with a price. One I’m not willing to pay again.”
What werewolf didn’t understand the consequence of choices? Of all the new friends she’d spoken to since her time in the cave, she’d yet to find one who didn’t regret some moment that led them here even though every one of them also felt fortunate to find a new family. “I understand. I just want to find him and get to the bottom of all of this mystery.”
“Just know that few things in life are free. You may find out things you never wanted to know. Actually, I can almost guarantee you will.”
“If he can tell me anything that might save Sam and put an end to this war, then it’ll be worth it.”
Rowan procured a t-shirt out of his black gym bag and pulled the fabric over his head, sliding his arms through the sleeves. “I’ll be there with you, and so will Jed. We’ll do all we can, but it’s easier to shield you from demon werewolves than to protect you from the truth.”
“Okay, now you sound forty-three.”
“Is my age bothering you?”
He was teasing her. Unwilling to admit too much and risk him knowing more about her feelings, she stayed cool. “I’m still getting used to it. You looked the same age when my Mom was the age I am now. It’s weird.”
Reagan reminded herself that Bella was seventeen when she fell in love with Edward in Twilight, and he was over a hundred years old. Then she chided herself for having fictional, paranormal relationships in her head with everything else going on.
Shaking off the silly thoughts, Reagan wanted a change of subject. “Papa is heading out later to bring back my mom and aunt. Guess Aunt Sarah can help people remember things. They seem to think I know more about this Cheveyo than I’m aware. Maybe because Mom went to him to get pregnant with me.”
“Then why doesn’t your aunt try to get the information from your mom?”
“She tried and there was a block or something.”
“Hmmm. I probably should check in with Jed and see if he needs my help. But I might want to hit the shower first. Do you mind telling him I’ll be right there?”
“Sure.” They stood looking at each other for a few seconds, before he broke away. Staring at his retreating back, she wished she had the courage to ask him how he felt about her. But where would the truth lead her? If he wasn’t interested, she’d be hurt and distracted. And if he was, she wouldn’t be able to resist taking it further. Romance in the middle of a war wasn’t the best idea. If this war is ever over, I’ll tell him how I feel, she promised herself before heading back out to find Papa.
Now she only had to win a war waged against the Devil to find out if Rowan cared about her. No problem.
For hours, Nana and Reagan had been working on concentration and power. Thanks to a minor spell in conjunction with some of the other skills she was beginning to master, she was working on producing a flame she could throw. They started small.
“Concentrate on the wick and say the words I taught you,” Nana said, as she laid a thick, white candle on the desk. “Fire and force, together are we.”
“Fire and force, together are we,” Reagan chanted. She imagined the flame; not only the image of it, but the warmth. Her finger started to burn; not to the point of pain, but there was some discomfort. When the sensation increased, Reagan pointed her finger to the candle and pushed with her mind. She opened her eyes to find the candle lit.
“Excellent. Now let’s try it with the candle over here.” Nana moved the candle to the table on the far end of the room and blew it out. “It’s the same process, but you have to project the flame farther.”
Reagan took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and tried to repeat the process. As the burning started, she thought of Rafe and how she saw the flame in his eyes. Then she remembered the fear and the pain he was causing. She threw both hands up and pushed the sensation toward the candle.
“Reagan!” Nana’s shout forced Reagan’s eyes open. A corner of the library was in flames. Nana reached for the fire extinguisher.
Reagan took it and began to discharge the white foam.
Sweat poured down her face, getting in her eyes and causing them to sting.
“It’s okay. I was going for a lit candle, and you lit up the room. I’m thinking that’ll be more useful in battle.”
She pulled a chair back to sit down and realized her hands were shaking. Nana must’ve noticed, too, because she came over and knelt down. “Things like this will take a lot of your energy. It’s not something you can do over and over again. In a fight, you might only get one shot.”
“So far, I seem to get my strength from fear and hatred. And it’s usually Rafe’s face that brings me the most power.”
Nana stood and pulled over a chair to sit beside Reagan. “Remember that feeling, because that’s what you’ll need to access when the time is right.”
“I hope that horrible smell is an indication of a successful lesson.” Papa’s voice startled the two women, and both jumped as they turned toward him.
“God, Jed, you scared me.”
“Sorry. I smelled the smoke just as I was getting back with—”
Reagan cut him off when she saw her mom. “Mom!” Up and to the doorway in seconds, Reagan threw herself into warm, waiting arms. “I’m so glad you’re here.” When she was sick as a kid, her mother always made chicken soup. Right now, the sight of her was even more soothing than that chicken soup
used to be.
“What about me? Am I chopped liver?” Aunt Sarah asked.
“Sorry,” Reagan said as she pulled her aunt into the hug.
“Let’s sit down, ladies.” Papa gestured toward the middle of the room where there were enough chairs for each of them.
They sat. Reagan noticed Rowan walk into the room and wished her dad and brother were there. She hoped one day they might sit down to a table as a family again. Rowan included. Snapping out of her musings, Reagan realized Papa was talking to Sarah.
“Is this room quiet enough for what you need to do?” he asked.
“It should be. I brought some of the herbs I’ll need. Could you make sure we’re undisturbed for a while? I don’t want any interruptions once we begin.” Sarah reached into her small, teardrop-shaped purse and pulled out a few tiny bottles.
Reagan repressed a chuckle at the sight of her aunt’s bag. It looked so like something a witch would carry. Not wanting to waste a single moment of having these three women nearby, Reagan leaned closer to her mom. “How’ve you been? How’s Dad?”
“Your dad’s hanging in there. Actually, we’re doing much better. When I thought we’d lost Sam, I was disappointed in how much your father seemed to pull away. Then, you seemed to be going off the deep end. I thought I was losing everyone. But now that I know Steve was working to protect us, I’ve fallen in love with him all over again. We just want our family back.”
“And we will. At least if I have anything to say about it. Oh, and Papa. He’s amazing, you know.”
“I know,” Mom and Nana said the words in unison.
Guess it only took a war to bring some couples back together. Reagan hoped the battle would soon be over so everyone could focus on what really mattered in life: love and family. And maybe the occasional shopping trip.
“Okay, I’m about ready,” Sarah said. Arranged on the table before her were four bottles and one small, ceramic bowl with a pestle. She began to dump the herbs and smash them.
“Here’s the hot water.” Reagan turned at the sound of Rowan’s voice. He carried a large, steaming mug with him.
“Perfect,” Sarah said as she took it from him. She added her smashed herb concoction to the hot liquid before offering it to Reagan. “Drink up, dear.”
She lifted it and inhaled, taking in the scent. It was intoxicating, although it slightly burned the hairs in her nose. She took a sip and recoiled. “Ouch. That’s really hot.”
“Take your time,” Sarah said. “Thanks again, Rowan.”
“Sure. I’ll be just outside if anyone needs me. I’ll make sure nobody disturbs you.”
Papa pushed back from the table. “I’m going to leave you ladies to this. Please have Rowan come get me once you know something.” As he began to walk away, Nana reached for his hand. For a moment, they stayed like that. Then, he leaned down and kissed her cheek before departing.
She watched him walk away, never pulling her eyes away until he was out of sight. Then she fanned herself with her hand. “Is it hot in here? I feel like a cougar. Isn’t that what they call it nowadays?”
“What in the world are you talking about, Mom?”
It made Reagan so happy to watch her mom and grandmother interact in a playful way. “Does it have something to do with the fact that the man you love doesn’t even look fifty, and you’re—”
“There’s no need to talk about my age, dear. You all know darn good and well how old I am. And, yes, that’s what I was talking about.”
Three beaming smiles greeted Nana’s response.
“Reagan, I’m sure your tea is cooler now,” Aunt Sarah prodded.
Finishing the liquid, Reagan waited to feel some effects.
“Now, let’s all join hands,” Aunt Sarah said. She reached for her sister’s hand to the right, their mother’s to the left, and then Reagan joined with the two on either side of her. She focused on her aunt directly across the way.
“Remember.” The word echoed over and over again in Reagan’s brain. Then darkness settled. The rest of what she saw came to her like a dream.
She was in the woods, being pulled toward something. Branches hit her face, and it was all she could do to keep her eyes open. Finally, she came into a clearing. Stillness settled. She looked around her, trying to memorize every detail of the scene. She wasn’t sure what would be important later. Then she noticed her own hand. It seemed to be that of a toddler; chubby and supple. She turned it over and straightened her fingers before closing them into a fist again.
Nothing about the scene seemed extraordinary; there were no defining marks or special landmarks to distinguish where she might be. Then, she saw it, an opening in the far corner where the trees arched into a small doorway. Reagan walked toward it and stepped through. On the other side, water ran down a cave wall. Behind it seemed to be dense growth, but she couldn’t tell for sure. She reached out. When she did, her hand went through. Could this be an entrance?
Pushing her body through the water and greenery, she entered a cave. Before she could adjust to the darkness, she took one step and lost her footing. She began sliding, like she was the first boulder in a rock slide. Slick walls passed under her hands as she tried to grab at something to slow her descent. She landed with a thud. All around her were markings. Many she didn’t recognize, but one she did—a wolf carved into the cave wall. Several of them, being led by two. One was red, the other black.
Footsteps. She could hear someone coming into the room. Fear seized her, and she scrambled to stand. Darkness floated toward her.
“Reagan, can you hear me?”
Someone was shaking her. She struggled to open her eyes. “Mom?”
“She’s back,” Mom said.
Reagan’s head swayed as she focused on the three faces before her.
“Do you remember anything?” Aunt Sarah asked.
“Yes. There was a cave with water pouring down like a waterfall. I reached through some kind of growth that was behind it, and I fell into a room. Wait, just before that I walked through this archway of trees.” Reagan bent her head, squeezed her eyes shut, and moved her head from side to side. She tried to conjure up the images from the dream.
“I know where it is.” Rowan had stepped back into the room. All eyes turned to him. “That sneaky bastard. He’s where he always was.”
“I thought you didn’t know how to get to him.” She was becoming more lucid. “That’s what you told me earlier.”
“I just never imagined he’d be in the same place. Plus, it’s not that simple.”
“What’s not that simple? Let’s go now. Let’s talk to him.” Reagan stood up; ready to meet the man who might have the answers she sought.
He laid a hand on her shoulder and gently forced her back into her seat. “I went back once after he helped Madeleine. The moss wasn’t there, only the waterfall. The entryway was sealed.”
Hitting the table as hard as she could with her fist, she screamed, “No! Dammit!” Then she remembered a small detail. “Did you try to push your hand through the water?”
“Yes, it was a cave wall,” he replied.
“I think Cheveyo only lets in who he wants to let in,” she said. She had no clue what made her think that, but somehow she knew. She stood again and went over to him, grabbing his hands. “I need you to trust me.”
“Then let’s go talk to Jed. We should find him as soon as possible.”
She turned to the women in the room, hating to leave them.
“Go,” Nana said. “We’ll be here when you get back.”
With permission given, Reagan pulled Rowan out into the hallway. He took the lead, and soon both of them were in the control center.
Papa was leaning over some maps.
“Perfect,” Rowan said as they walked up to Papa, “exactly what we need to start making plans.” Pointing to an area on the map, Rowan continued, “This is where we need to go. This is where Cheveyo is.”
Papa pulled over another map and compared the two. �
��That’s up in the mountains, close to the Wyoming border. A good three-hour drive from here.” Looking up to see two very serious expressions, he probably knew what was in store. “Okay. We’ll head out around three in the morning. I suggest you both get a good dinner and some sleep. We’ll have a hard run tomorrow.”
“Can Mom, Aunt Sarah, and Nana stay here?”
“There’s no time to get them back home. Plus, they’re safer here for now.”
“What about Dad?” Reagan asked.
“He can take care of himself, but I’ll send word to him so he’s not worried,” Papa answered.
Reagan didn’t want anyone intercepting anything that could put her dad at risk. “Do you mind if I try first?”
Papa’s nod was all she needed to focus on her dad’s face. “Dad, can you hear me?” Silence. She tried again. “Dad?”
“Reagan, is that you?”
Hearing his voice almost caused her to collapse in relief. Rowan caught her before she hit the floor. She leaned against him for support. “Yes.”
“I thought it might be Sam.”
Warning alarms blared in her brain. She knew something was wrong. Trying to control the panic in her thoughts, she reached out again. “Have you heard from him?”
“Yes.”
Her knees buckled, causing her to land in a kneeling position on the floor. Pain seared in her kneecap.
“I’ve got you,” Rowan whispered in her ear.
“Dad, whatever you do. Please, don’t listen to Sam right now!”
“He’s my son. I need to see him.”
Fear clawed at her throat, the pain almost too much for her to continue. “Please tell me you aren’t meeting him.”
No response.
“Dad!”
“What’s wrong?” Papa asked, pulling her up.
She didn’t realize she’d screamed her father’s name out loud. “We have to go to my dad. I think he’s arranged a meeting with Sam.”
“Dammit!” Papa went straight into commander role. “Cheveyo will have to wait one more day. Susie will never forgive me if I let something happen to your father.”
“I’m going with you,” Reagan insisted.
Tala Prophecy: The Complete Series Page 25
