Page 54 of Calling Quarters

Each version of the story differed in how they would handle the four men when they finally had them. Some wanted to punish them for failing the coven and allowing the darkness to infiltrate its borders. Others wanted to force them to use their gifts to clear out the black magic and bring normalcy back into their lives. The most extreme plan I heard involved burning them alive and ending the reign of the Quarter families over the coven, similar to what Rayner had always suggested they do.

Every variation left me with an unsettled feeling in the pit of my stomach. I knew that their fathers would do nothing to help them. They’d watch them burn and pray to the gods that their gifts would return back to them. Blaire was hesitant at first, but finally agreed that we had to do something to help them, and we had to do it soon.

I remembered reading about an old cabin in the woods just on the border of the Alden and Easton properties. The Graves owned a sliver of land that was mostly taken up by a large creek flowing through it, rendering it useless for building a decent-sized home like the ones that now made up the town. The cabin was where the Graves lived while they built their family home downtown. Most of the founding families had something similar, but their property was bought up by the Quarter families and the small homes were demolished once the town was officially built.

“It’s a crazy idea,” Blaire admitted when I first told her about my plans for the cabin.

It'd been three days since I snuck into their house, and so far, they had yet to mention anything being off or the Book of Shadows going missing. I figured Tabitha was still unaware of the stolen book and held my breath every time she opened her mouth to speak in case accusations flew off her tongue and I lost their trust forever.

We were sitting in the library at the crack of dawn with the town’s deed records laid out on a table between us. The Graves family was stubborn about their strip of land. According to the records, they never ended up selling it. Instead, ownership was passed down through generations, always left to the oldest heir at the time of the last owner’s death.

As the final member of the Graves bloodline, that land technically now belonged to me.

I only hoped that the Aldens and the Eastons didn’t destroy the cabin and take over the land when my father and Aunt Ash left town for good.

“It seems to be their only option,” I pointed out.

“Why do you care so much about them?” she wondered with genuine curiosity.

I told Blaire about what Tabitha showed me the night of the last town meeting. After what happened with Julia, I realized she was more than trustworthy. She responded with empathy, even when I admitted what was happening between Remy and me.

Blaire may have had her quirks that scared people away, but she was one of the most honest, authentic people I had ever met. Having her around during such a transformational time in my life was a true blessing from the gods and I couldn't stand that I was deceiving her and risking losing the friendship we shared.

“It’s not just about them. Rayner and his movement have cost me my entire family. Now, he’s coming after the only other piece of me that seems to make sense.”

She considered that for a moment before her eyes fell to the spread of parchment before us. “Okay. So, how do you plan to get them there without anyone noticing?”

“First, we have to make sure the cabin is still standing.”

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The forest on the northeast side of town was far more dense and uncared for than the thinned trails I walked with Remy on his property. Blaire and I hiked for two miles before we found the creek, constantly stopping to find ways over fallen logs, thick brush, and tangled vines. It was clear no one had bothered to come out here for some time. While that made the trek feel impossible for us, it reassured me that there was a chance the cabin remained untouched as well.

“I think it’s this way.” Blaire pointed to the east, her eyes flicking between the map in her hands and the creek running before us.

The map we were using was a poor photocopy of a slightly outdated one we found in the library that marked property lines. We knew our phones would be of no use this far into the woods, so it was our best bet. I was grateful that Blaire was so capable at navigating through the dense earth because I had lost my sense of direction over a mile back. Where I continuously tripped over random tree roots and ivy, she handled the terrain like a professional, practically floating above the cluttered floor like it was nothing.

We followed the creek for about twenty more minutes before a dark structure came into view just around the bend. It was covered in foliage and surrounded by thick, mature trees that reached far into the sky above. We exchanged an excited glance and jogged the rest of the way there.

“It’s really here,” Blaire mused. Her hand rubbed against the old logs, and she closed her eyes, soaking it in.

While it was technically still standing, the cabin was in rough shape. Fallen tree branches had punctured a window and weighed down part of the roof, causing it to bow in a way that made me hesitant to walk inside. Vines had taken over nearly every surface outside, suffocating the wood and holding moisture so most of it was rotted and warped.

We broke the rusted lock with a rock and pried open the door, revealing a surprisingly clean living space. It was all one room with a loft built overhead. The roof was curved inward over an area that I assumed was the kitchen. A woodburning stove sat in the back corner beside an old sink and cabinets, and a solid wood table sat a few feet away.

Sure, it would provide them temporary shelter, but it was hardly livable. We’d have to come up with another plan quickly.

“This is amazing.” Blaire spun in a slow circle with her eyes wide and mouth hanging open.

I lifted one of the mattresses that was lying on the floor and bugs scattered in every direction. “I’m not sure if this was such a good idea,” I admitted dejectedly.

“It just needs some cosmetic work. They’ll be able to fix most of this up without even lifting a finger.”

I doubted that was true. Blaire seemed to look at this place and see something completely different than me, but I trusted her judgement. I only hoped Remy would feel the same way that she did.

“Should we tell Remy about it?”

She took one last look around and smiled, nodding her head. “Yes.”

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