Page 66 of Last Resort

“Can you help?” Ben didn’t like dragging Alessia in deeper than she already was, but he didn’t know what they’d be facing at the treasure site. He had no problem asking for backup.

“Of course. Get what you need for your part, and meet me at my shop. With luck, we’ll have this sorted out by supper.” Alessia sounded far more chipper than Ben felt.

Erik was ready by the time Ben arrived at their apartment. He wore jeans and work boots, with a T-shirt and flannel layered under a canvas jacket, along with a knit cap, scarf, and leather gloves.

“God, Erik. You look like you’re ready for grave digging.”

Erik shrugged. “Graves, treasure—not much difference. Get changed and grab your Glock. I’ve got shovels at the shop to put in the trunk. The bag has the poker chips, maps, bullets, some handy tools, and a medical kit, plus what I’ll need to do wardings if it comes to that.”

“Alessia is coming with us, so hopefully she can handle the heavy-duty magic,” Ben said.

“Good. We’re going to need the help.”

Ben changed into his hiking clothes, including well-worn boots and a sturdy coat. Despite everything going on, Ben had to admit that the sight of Erik with a shoulder holster sent a jolt straight to his cock.

Then again, Erik seemed to appreciate Ben’s thigh rig, so maybe they were on the same page.

Alessia came to meet them when they pulled up at the curb outside her store. Her black jeans, boots, turtleneck, and jacket held a definitely witchy vibe—or maybe, secret agent, Ben thought. She carried a bulging duffel bag. Ben didn’t see a weapon, but Alessia’s magic might be all she needed.

“I’ve been thinking about what you told me,” she said as she climbed into the backseat. “Teag does good research. I think it’s interesting that Edwin Raines buried his treasure in the Pine Barrens. I wonder if he had a touch of magic himself.”

“Why’s that?” Erik turned slightly in his seat as Ben pulled away from the curb.

“The Barrens has plenty of mojo of its own—a neutral genius loci. Nature spirits aren’t uncommon, but everything we’ve built up and how we change the land can make it difficult to sense them,” she replied. “Places that have remained largely undeveloped or were chosen as national and state parks or preserves tend to have unusually strong genius loci that subconsciously sway their conservationists.”

“I never thought about that, but it makes sense,” Erik said. “They also tend to be places that inspire awe.”

“Aside from natural beauty, that sense of transcendence is usually your hindbrain recognizing the area’s nature spirit,” Alessia said. “Since the Barrens don’t have a reputation for having a malicious vibe, like the Commodore Wilson site, that works in our favor. The genius loci may sense the stain of the treasure buried there and be happy to have it removed.”

“You think the land is that aware?” Ben had grown up seeing ghosts and hearing about people’s nonnas who could cast the Evil Eye, but between Erik’s abilities and their friends’ supernatural gifts, there had been a sharp learning curve.

“Many people believe the land has always been conscious.” Alessia settled into her seat. “We just don’t listen to it. In the places where its voice is loudest, we either create a shrine or block it off as a danger. Those tend to be sites for strong magic as well.”

“Do you think Edwin knew about the land spirit?” Erik asked.

“Probably not,” Alessia replied. “He knew he was being watched, needed time to wrap up his affairs, and chose the best place he could think of where no one might find it. I suspect that, in a way, the Barrens’ genius loci even shielded the treasure from people with ill intent. Folks have believed the Pine Barrens to be a place of natural power for a very long time.”

During the drive, they planned how best to ward the area and protect themselves. Alessia had the spells already worked out. Erik and Ben decided to take turns digging so one of them could have a gun ready in case of unwanted company.

“Do you think Carr will get there before we do?” Erik asked as Ben drove, keeping just above the speed limit.

“If he used magic, it’s a toss-up,” Alessia said. “Depending on the spell and his skill casting it. Without the real coordinates, the relic’s directions are likely to be approximate unless he’s a very careful witch.”

“I don’t think Carr is a witch at all,” Erik replied.

“Hmm. I think our odds are good that we might beat him to it, but no guarantee.”

It took just under two hours to drive to the part of the Pine Barrens indicated by the coordinates and another half hour to hike from the parking area to the exact spot. The location looked untouched and completely unremarkable.

“Are you sure this is it?” Erik asked Ben and shifted the gear bag on his shoulder as he surveyed the area.

“If Teag’s translation of the coordinates is right, I’m standing on top of the spot where we need to dig,” Ben replied.

To Ben’s relief, Carr was nowhere in sight.

Alessia took the items she needed out of her bag and immediately began to set down a salt circle large enough for the three of them and the hole they planned to dig.

“The Pine Barrens has its share of ghosts,” she explained. “We don’t need gawkers or interference. Most of them areprobablyharmless, but there are rumors about Mob victims and missing persons being dumped in the forest, so it’s best not to take chances.”

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