Page 74 of Wicching Hour

“True,” I said. “I should have. I just… I know we’re all going to be friends and work together. We’re all going to be tangled up in each others’ lives, so why not just start now?” I paused to think and turned to Declan, suddenly afraid. “I never get feelings like that about myself.” My eyes filled with tears. “What’s wrong with me?”

I could see my concern mirrored in his eyes but then they cleared and he leaned down to give me a kiss. “There’s nothing wrong. You’re perfect.”

“Maps, dear,” Bracken prompted.

“Yes. Sorry.” I shook my head and turned back to Orla. “Your scouting trips?”

She blinked, taking in the chaos compared to her nice, serene life in her bookstore. “Yes. I found seven locations that felt dark. I circled each, rested on tree branches, and observed. I never saw anything specific, but all of them felt dark. Evil.”

“Please tell me we don’t have seven sorcerers working in the area,” I said. That was all we needed.

THIRTY-THREE

You’re Shopping?

“The other six could be black wicches or some other type of supernatural,” Bracken said.

Ugh. He was right. Sorcerers and black wicches would read as dark. Black magic fed on blood and pain to power spells. Sorcerers added demons to the mix. As for other supernaturals, who knew?

“Wait.” I pointed at one of the dots on her map. “Is that an address?”

Orla nodded. “That was a normal house with an address. I memorized it so I could write it down when I shifted. Four of them were structures I could almost see. The warding was strong. The last two were hidden completely. I couldn’t see anything but felt nauseated when I flew near. I had to pass over multiple times before I realized what I was feeling was a ward that didn’t just hide, it shoved me away.”

“These two?” I pointed at her map. When she nodded, I compared them to the queen’s map. “The queen’s scout picked those two spots as well.” I grabbed Declan’s wrist and squeezed. “We have two locations.”

“And five more to keep on eye on,” Bracken warned.

I nodded. “I’ll text Osso and ask him to find out who owns that one property we have an address for.”

“He’ll do that?” he asked.

“With all the work I do for them for free? They can look up addresses for me.” I turned back to Orla. “Thank you so much. This is amazing.” I glanced at the kitchen. “Can I get you something to eat? I know this is normally your sleeping time, but I’m sure you’re hungry. Maybe some tea?”

She was feeling overwhelmed, and I wasn’t making it easier for her. “Declan, can you show Jake and Tyler the gallery while I get Orla something to eat?”

“Refreshments,” Orla muttered with a nod.

“Sure.” Declan waved the men with him and then went through the door into the gallery.

“Holy shit!” Tyler breathed as the door closed.

“I’m sorry, Orla. I didn’t mean to bombard you. I just wanted to thank you, and I often do that through my baking. I brew an excellent cup of tea too. If you want to sit down with Bracken, I’ll pull together some food.”

I couldn’t see what was going on behind the dark glasses, but she finally nodded and sat. While they spoke quietly about the maps, Bracken holding all three in his hand, I went through the refrigerator and freezer, pulling out muffins and brownies, sourdough rolls and pecan lace cookies. I had no idea what she liked and wanted her to be happy.

I placed the heaping platter of warmed baked goods and napkins on the coffee table before going back to brew tea. When I returned with three mugs, I was happy to see them both eating.

Orla took the mug with a nod of thanks. “Your baking is far superior to my local bakery. Perhaps I should come buy from you instead.”

“Nope,” I said. “Your money is no good here. After what you’ve done for us? You can come by for baked goods any time you feel like it.”

She sat stiffly a moment and then nodded with a shy smile. “I’d like that very much.”

“So it shall be written. So it shall be done,” I proclaimed.

“Is that a spell?” she asked.

Bracken tapped his chin. “I believe she’s quoting Yul Brynner inThe Ten Commandments.” At Orla’s blank look, he explained, “It’s an old movie. He was Pharaoh Rameses.” He waited for an expression of understanding. “Arwyn meant that the offer of baked goods was decided.”

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