by Arthur, Keri
Meaning she’d been listening in again.
I’m always listening in. It’s what a good familiar does. She paused. Well, except for personal times. Not interested in hearing any of that.
I half turned as Aiden’s truck appeared. We should be there in twenty.
I’ll be waiting with coffee, extra holy water, and the location of his hotel.
Aiden tipped James upright, cut off the cable tie, and then dragged him across to the truck, shoving him into the rear and fastening him securely before starting the truck and heading off. It took just over twenty minutes to get back to the café; I leaned across the seat and quickly kissed him. “You still planning to stay overnight?”
He nodded. “I’ll be a couple hours though—we’ll need to question our suspect further and then process him.”
I hesitated. “If we’re not there, don’t panic. I need to go talk to Katie.”
His eyebrows rose. “Why?”
“Because she’s in charge of the wild magic, and it might be possible for it to do some of the leg work for us. Clayton and my father might be able to hide from us, but no spell they could ever create will hide from the wild magic.”
He frowned. “The wild magic in and of itself can’t communicate with you though.”
“No, but Katie will be aware the minute anything is found, and she can come find me. She’s done it before.”
He didn’t look happy, but he cupped my cheek and brushed his thumb lightly across my lips. “Please promise me you’ll be careful. Please don’t do anything stupid.”
“I won’t.”
I think he’ll consider the two of us investigating the suspect’s accommodation alone to be stupid.
Probably. We still have to do it, though. I kissed Aiden’s thumb and then grabbed the pack and climbed out. Once he was out of sight, I flung the pack over my shoulder and then walked around to the parking area.
Belle came out of the rear door, two travel mugs and several bottles of holy water tucked into a cardboard travel tray. She locked the door with her free hand, then reached into her pocket and tossed a small round object my way. I caught it and realized it was Ashworth’s diversion charm. It was a palm-sized wooden disk deeply etched with witch runes. Though its magic was currently inactive, its thick lines swirled around the disk, providing intriguing glimpses of the power and complexity of the spell. According to Ashworth, it would haze my aura and stop a tracer being used to find me. Whether it would stop a tracker on the truck, I couldn’t say.
I pressed the center of the charm to activate it, shoved it into the backpack, and tossed that onto the rear seat. Then, slowly and carefully, I went over the entire vehicle, looking for a tracking spell. I found it attached to the exhaust pipe, of all places.
I squatted to study it. Once again, the magic within was neither my father’s nor Clayton’s, but it was a whole lot more powerful than the charms given to James.
Belle squatted down beside me. “Can you defuse it?”
“Maybe.” I reached out and carefully plucked the outer thread free. The rest of the spell vibrated in response, but I couldn’t feel anything to suggest additional layers had been added to prevent exactly what I was about to do. I narrowed my gaze and carefully deactivated the spell. Once inert, I plucked it free, then rose and tossed it into the nearby bin.
“Given how exposed our car is out here,” Belle commented. “I think we should keep checking for trackers.”
“And not just magical. Aiden said it’s possible they’re using electronic ones as well.”
Alarm flitted across her features. “And how are we supposed to find them?”
“We don’t—he will.”
“Which isn’t going to help us out at this particular moment.”
“I know, but we’ll just have to take that risk.”
She climbed into the passenger side. “Let’s hope we don’t regret it.”
I started up the SUV, reversed out, and then accepted my travel mug, sipping gratefully as Belle read out the directions. The SUV did have navigation, but we’d been without it for so long in our old wagon that it was taking some time to get used to using it, rather than Google Maps on our phones.
It didn’t take us long to get to James’s hotel, as it was only a couple of kilometers out of Castle Rock, well before Louton. Only trouble was, there was already a ranger vehicle stationed out the front of it. Jaz leaned against the passenger side of the vehicle, her arms crossed and stance relaxed as she watched us approach.
I stopped and climbed out. “Aiden sent you here, didn’t he?”
“He did indeed,” she said, clearly amused. “He figured you were up to something more than what you’d said. And, given you were alone with the suspect for a few minutes, it really wasn’t hard to guess what.”
“Damn, that man really has got your measure,” Belle said with a laugh.
“That’s because the pair of you have a history of saying one thing and doing the exact opposite.” Jaz pushed away from her SUV. “James’s room is around the back. I got the key from the owner.”
I cleared my throat. “And I got it from James.”
She rolled her eyes. “That’s evidence, you know.”
“Yes, but I didn’t want to break in and leave magical evidence behind.”
“Because that makes total sense to someone like me. This way.”
She led the way around the building. It was two-story and rectangular in shape, with a parking area out the back. Metal steps led up to the next floor, and rattled somewhat alarmingly as we went up. Jaz handed us gloves and then unlocked the top door. The hallway had six doors leading off it, three on each side. James’s was the second on the left.
We stepped inside. The room was basic but clean. The queen-sized bed looked comfortable, the bedside tables clear of junk, and the bathroom—off to our right—looked small, but at first glance appeared clean and tidy.
“Nothing setting off your magical radars?” Jaz asked.
I shook my head. “But that’s not really unexpected. He’s a wolf not a witch.”
“Then why did you come here if you didn’t think you’d find anything?” She opened the small wardrobe and peered inside.
“Because James got his messages magically around 10:00 p.m., and I wanted to be here in case one arrived.” I glanced at my watch. “We’ve only ten minutes to wait.”
“Then we’ll use the time to search the room. Belle, do you want to check the bed and bedside tables? Liz, can you go through the bathroom?”
I nodded and headed in. The first things I saw were the undies and two T-shirts hanging over the shower screen. His shaving kit sat on the small shelf under the mirror and didn’t hold anything unexpected. The two small drawers under the vanity were empty, as was the small cabinet behind the mirror.
“Nothing,” I said, heading out.
“Ditto,” Belle echoed. “The man travels light.”
“Extremely light,” Jaz agreed. “He’s only got two changes of clothes in his bag.”
“He’s hand washed his—” I stopped abruptly.
The air between Belle and me had begun to sparkle, and the energy that followed was fierce and familiar—my father’s. My gut churned, and I rubbed my arms, fighting back fear as the sparkle condensed and then faded. A single sheet of paper fluttered softly to the floor.
Jaz stepped forward.
“Don’t touch it,” I warned, “Magic lingers, and I’m not sure what it’s designed to do.”
“There doesn’t appear to be anything written—” She stopped as a thin thread of gold appeared on the parchment-like paper and words appeared.
I stepped forward, even though part of me—a very large part of me—wanted to do nothing more than run.
We need to meet, daughter dearest, the message said. Write when and where on this paper. You have two minutes before it is returned to me.
“He knows you’re here,” Jaz said, her expression disturbed. “But how?”
“We thi
nk there’s a tracker on our SUV,” Belle said.
“And I take it from both your expressions that this parent isn’t someone you want to meet?”
“No, not quite yet.” Not until Ashworth and Eli got back into the reservation, at any rate. They may not make any difference in the end, but my father, at the very least, wouldn’t do or say anything too drastic in front of such an audience.
“What are we going to do?” Belle said, her face pale.
“Answer the message, for a start.” I glanced back at Jaz. “You got a pen on you?”
She tugged one out of her top pocket and handed it to me. I flicked the nib down, then, with only the slightest hesitation, carefully plucked the parchment. Magic stirred briefly across its surface, but I was wearing gloves, so anything he hoped to glean from my touching it would be voided. I walked across to the bedside table and began to write…
Meet tomorrow night, 8 pm, at our café. Don’t attempt to see us tonight. We won’t be there.
Then where the hell are we going? Belle said. He likely knows all our contacts by now, and we can’t put any of them at risk by landing on them tonight.
We’ll stay at a hotel somewhere. I picked up the parchment and returned it to its spot on the carpet.
That’s not going to help if there’s a tracker on the SUV.
We won’t use our SUV.
I stepped back from the paper and glanced at Jaz. “What’s the general range of trackers?”
She shrugged. “Anything up to half a kilometer or so, depending on the device.”
“So it’s possible he’s not currently in viewing range.”
“Very.” A smile tugged at her lips. “I take it you want to swap vehicles?”
I nodded. “We need to keep out of his way until tomorrow.”
“What’s to stop him from coming into your café during the day?”
“Witnesses. He won’t want them.”
She frowned. “Which begs the question, why?”
I grimaced. “Long unpleasant story.”
“Is it one Aiden knows?”
“Yes.”
“So he’ll be there at this meeting tomorrow night?”
“I doubt even the threat of magic will keep him away.”
A smile tugged her lips. “He does get protective about those he cares about.” She stripped off her jacket and made a give-me motion toward mine. “Keys are in the pocket. Keep the jacket’s hood up when you’re leaving, because that hair of yours will give the game away if he happens to be looking your way when you pass.”
“We won’t be going back the same—” I stopped as energy surged into the room again. A heartbeat later, the parchment was gone.
“I’m thinking now is a good time to leave,” Belle said. “Before he decides to do a drive-by or something.”
“Good idea,” Jaz said. “Just be careful. The boss will be mighty miffed if you endanger yourselves—and we had more than enough of his foul moods when he and Mia split.”
Mia being my nemesis—the wolf he’d loved and lost.
I handed her my coat and put on hers. “We’ll be careful. Thanks, Jaz.”
She grinned. “Repay me with a brownie, and we’ll be good.”
“Done.”
We headed out. I told Belle to wait at the top of the stairs, then tugged on the hood and went to retrieve the ranger vehicle. I started it up and switched on the headlights but didn’t immediately throw it into gear. Instead, I leaned on the wheel and scanned the night, looking for my parent or anyone else who might be a little too interested in what I was doing.
The moon was bright and my eyesight once again wolf sharp, but there was nothing that tweaked my instincts. If someone was out there, they were far enough back that they weren’t within range of my senses—both my vastly improved regular ones and the magical.
I drove around the back of the hotel and pulled up next to the stairs. Belle jumped in and slid down the seat, out of immediate sight. I drove back onto the road, splitting my attention equally between where I was going and the rearview mirror. I couldn’t see anything or anyone following us.
After a couple of kilometers, I said, “I think it’s safe now.”
Belle immediately sat up and pulled on the seat belt. “Are we still going to see Katie?”
I shook my head. “Neither of us can afford to be down on energy tomorrow night.”
She snorted. “Like us being at full power is going to be of any use anyway.”
“We won’t be alone, and neither of them will do anything too radical in front of witnesses.”
“Are you sure of that?”
“Yes.” I just wasn’t sure of anything else.
“Clayton won’t leave it at just a discussion. We both know that.”
“Which is maybe why my father is here. He’s had close to thirteen years to reflect on his behavior—perhaps he’s going to make amends.”
Belle’s laugh was short, sharp, and filled with disbelief. “We’re talking about your father here—you know, the man who spent the first sixteen years of your life making you feel like a worthless piece of shit. If he’s here, then it’s for some other reason than making things right.”
I half smiled. It was either that or cry, and tears weren’t going to do anyone any good right now. “Stranger things have happened.”
“Yes, but even this reservation can’t produce that sort of miracle.”
“That is possibly true.” I paused. “I wonder if he came alone, or if Mom’s here as well?”
“A question that will undoubtedly be answered tomorrow night. Where are we staying?”
“I don’t know. You want to check out Google and find somewhere?”
“There’s not going to be much in the way of choices at this hour.” She pulled out her phone and started searching. “Do you want to avoid Castle Rock?”
I hesitated, then shook my head. “As long as we can park off street; the last thing we need is the gossips wondering why a ranger vehicle is parked outside a hotel all night.”
She rang a couple of places and eventually found a room in an old lodge in the heart of Castle Rock. Thankfully, the manager didn’t know us, and he certainly didn’t ask any questions—he just showed us the room and wished us a good night.
While Belle rang Monty, I sent a text to Aiden, telling him about the change to our sleeping arrangements, and then a second one to Ashworth, updating them on events and asking him and Eli to be there tomorrow night. There was immediate and utter support from the two of them, and that only made the trepidation worse. So many things could go wrong; so many people could get hurt—people I cared about. People I loved.
As much as I believed neither my father nor Clayton would do anything drastic with such an audience, I’d been wrong before.
I just had to hope this wasn’t going to be one of those times.
* * *
We got up early, had a massive breakfast of bacon, eggs, hash browns, and toast to fortify ourselves for the day ahead, and then returned home. The spells around the café were intact, and there was no sign of anyone keeping watch.
Even so, we entered cautiously, senses on full alert. Once again, there was nothing but the echoes of happiness.
I hoped those echoes made it through the oncoming night.
Business was brisk, which at least took our minds off the upcoming confrontation. Monty called just after midday, stating he’d drive by at five-thirty to pick us up, with no explanation as to why.
“I’m guessing they don’t want us hanging around here too long alone,” Belle said as she slid an order across the counter. Penny whisked in and picked it up. “We can’t rely on Clayton or your father keeping to the set time, and we’re basically sitting ducks here.”
“True, but that does leave the café open to assault.”
“Better they assault it than us.”
“Also true.”
I sent a message to Aiden to update him on what was going on, and told him I’d contact him when
we were all heading back here.
His reply was a quick and abrupt You’d better or we will have words.
“The man definitely does care,” Belle commented.
“That has never been in doubt.”
“To you, me, and the world in general, yes. But I’m afraid he is in utter denial as to the depths.”
“Maybe, but there’s nothing I can do but accept it and move on when the time comes.”
Belle smiled. “I like this new attitude.”
“The new attitude is a product of realizing that, compared to what we are about to face, a broken heart is but a minor blip in the radar.”
My tone was light, but it wasn’t fooling Belle. She hugged me fiercely and told me it would all work out. I could only hope her instincts were right and mine were wrong.
The deeper into the afternoon we got, the more time appeared to slow. By the time we closed the café and shooed the staff home early, it was fair to say I was only a couple of strands away from falling to pieces.
We grabbed the backpack and our athames, threw additional layers of protection across the top of the stairs—more to know whether anyone went up there than to actually stop them—and then, at five-thirty, went out.
Monty pulled up right on time in an old Ford sedan. Belle grabbed the rear door and jumped inside, leaving me to take the front.
He’ll take it as a step forward if I sit in the front, she said. We may be in grave danger, but his marrying plans are never far from his mind.
Even Monty isn’t that shallow.
I wouldn’t bet on it.
I smiled and did up the seat belt as he took off. “Where are we going? And where did you get this car?”
“Borrowed it from a neighbor, with the promise to replace it if I wrote it off. Which I won’t, unless Clayton and Lawrence do something totally off-piste. As to where we’re going—” He paused to take the corner and headed out of Castle Rock. “I thought I’d shout you ladies a meal at a pub.”
“I’m not entirely sure my stomach is up to eating,” I said. “I gather the others are going to meet us there?”
He nodded. “I’ve booked a small function room so that we can talk and prepare without alarming anyone.”
