Page 74 of The Spell Caster

He shrugged. “It does seem strange, but who can know these things?”

My annoyance surged. Oh, I don’t know, maybe spell casters who have teams trained for scouting? Maybe the security coordinator who’s supposed to think about security? Maybe the council of people elected to make sure we know about these things? Wasn’t Calamus concerned about the angels at all?

I made a noncommittal sound. “How’s the patrolling going? I heard they have you out in the woods.” I wasn’t about to mention Costi, or exactly where we were having conversations.

Calamus nodded decisively. “You’re well protected. If any angels breach the perimeter, we’ll destroy them before they get to the Circle.”

I had to stop my eyes from rolling. The only thing he’d be destroying was the local wildlife and possibly the infrastructure.

I needed to ask my questions and get out of here. It was clear to me that Calamus and I would never be on the same page. “I was wondering if you could help me with something.”

“Of course,” he said with a smile.

“I borrowed something from Hazel, and I need to get it back to her. Do you know where she’s staying?”

“That’s easy enough. I don’t know where she is, but I’ll text her.”

I gave a genuine smile. “That would be great.”

Calamus nodded, typing into his phone. “There, done.”

“Thanks. There’s one more thing…”

“What is it? You can ask me anything,” he said.

I felt my face heat. “I… I need to get in touch with my dad. But I don’t know where my parents are staying. Is there a directory, or—”

Calamus’s normal mask of mild indifference shattered into a look of horror that shocked me.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

He cleared his throat uncomfortably. “I’m sorry, Layla. I thought…”

Alarm surged through me. “Just tell me.”

“Your mother is staying with us—my father and I—since the recent attack. She led me to believe your father wasn’t… in the picture.”

“What?” I said too loudly, drawing attention from those around us. I lowered my voice, but panic began to take over. “She can’t just leave him. He’s sick. Where is he? What if he’s not taking his meds?” I shouldn’t have left him. I should have made sure he got here okay. I should have been more diligent about finding a mediator to help me. “I have to go find him,” I said through forming tears.

Calamus grabbed my arm before I could get up. “Stay, Layla. You can’t go running around outside. I’ll help you. If he’s here, we’ll find him.”

My breathing felt too fast. If he’s here. I tried to remember if my mother had mentioned him. Did she bring him with her? She wouldn’t have left him in the Northern Sea Circle alone, would she?

“They said they got everyone out, but what if—”

Calamus took my hands in his. “They didn’t leave anyone in Northern Sea. I promise I’ll find him, Layla. Let me talk to the other covens and the housing coordinator.”

“Okay,” I said, blinking back moisture. This was so embarrassing, airing out my dirty laundry with Calamus of all people. “Thank… thank you.”

“Oh,” a voice interrupted. Hazel’s eyes flitted to where Calamus’s hands covered mine. I yanked them away, but it was too late. I cringed.

“You wanted to see me?” she asked uncertainly when we didn’t say anything.

Fate, she looked like she was on the verge of tears.

I tried to compose myself and gave her a wobbly smile. “Hey, Hazel. Sorry, I asked Calamus to get in touch so I could give you back your tablet. I didn’t know he’d asked you to drop by.”

She regarded me suspiciously, and I wished a sinkhole would open below me. If I were her, I would think this was contrived to show off my conquest.

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