Page 100 of Wicching Hour

“They’re getting close,” Declan warned.

I turned and held out a hand, imposing my will on the water.I need you calm so my family is safe. It will only be for a brief period and then you can rage as you wish.

The strength and speed of the waves slowed, allowing Robert to steer his boat beside the deck. I added an invisible bumper to the deck so it wasn’t wiped out if the ocean decided to ignore me. I saw a seal head pop up and knew Wilbur had come to find out what was going on.

“Dad knows what’s happening,” I called. “It might get stormy tonight. Please keep an eye on things for me.”

He nodded, barked, and dove under the water.

“Your father knows, but I don’t?” Mom looked both outraged and hurt.

“I told you that man would be trouble,” Gran said.

When Mom’s head whipped around, Gran ignored her. “I’m the head of this family, girl,” she said to me. “What is it you’re trying to do?”

Any answer was cut short when Robert called, “Coming alongside.”

Declan grabbed the rope Frank threw. The ocean had calmed but I was pretty sure more than one wicche was working on making sure that big sailboat didn’t smash into the deck.

“Let’s get everybody on,” Robert shouted.

Declan turned back to me. “You need your coat.”

“I’m okay,” I said.

“You’re shivering now, and we’ll be sailing for a while before you go back in.”

I flicked my fingers, drying myself off and giving myself horrible, static-filled curls. Blech. “Mom, you go first. Declan can help you.”

“I’m fine on my own and I don’t appreciate all the secrecy,” she said, stepping up on the bench. Frank gave her a hand and she stepped up on the railing before leaping over onto the deck.

“Oh!” A new thought hit me. “Bracken, put the maps in a plastic baggie so they don’t get wet.”

“I was ahead of you on that one.” He held up his journal in one bag and the maps in a smaller one. He also had my coat under his arm. “No need to get sick,” he said, handing it to me. He was also wearing a heavier coat himself.

“What map?” Gran demanded.

“One of the bay,” I replied, being purposely vague. To Bracken I added, “And the other?” I was worried he’d forgotten the demon blade in his tweed jacket.

“Don’t be stupid,” Gran interrupted. “The boat’s navigation system already has the area mapped out.”

Bracken nodded wordlessly, patting the front pocket of his coat. Good. He knew not to say it either. He was all about patterns and he was noticing what I had. Gran was not herself tonight.

I waved her forward. “You’re next, Gran. Declan, can you help her on board?”

He moved forward but Gran walked past him, climbing first the bench and then the railing, as Mom had.

Bracken went next, a little unsteady in the wind. Declan was there to grab his arm and help him up.

“It’s just us,” Declan said. “Do you need anything?”

“Courage would be good,” I muttered, knowing he’d hear me. “Also, keep an eye on Gran. Something’s off there.”

Nodding, he took my hand and we stepped up onto the bench. Declan hopped to the railing with the balance and ease of a mountain goat. Before I could move to the rail, he was picking me up and leaping across before putting me down on deck.

I looked back at my beloved gallery, worried about what Cal might do before I returned. Flicking my fingers, I locked up and dropped the shutters. Robert put the engine in gear—or whatever the correct term was for a boat—and got us away from the gallery.

I closed my eyes and reached out for my connection with the sea.Thank you for your help. Please continue as you were.

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