Page 96 of Wicching Hour

Once everyone was seated, I resumed story time and told them about my visit to the bottom of the sea.

Stalker forgotten, Elizabeth and her family hung on every word, rapt. When I got to merpeople, Faith gasped.

“Long story short, it was the fae queen in disguise. She eventually revealed herself to me and gave me that map,” I said, pointing.

“As you can see”—Bracken took over the telling—“Both the queen’s map and Orla’s overlap on these two spots as Calliope’s possible lair.”

“Wait,” Elizabeth whispered, leaning forward. “You met the fae queen?”

I nodded. “She is the most beautiful being I’ve ever seen in my life and exudes so much power I was feeling lightheaded in her presence.

“The point is,” Bracken continued, “that the same two places were identified. We need a plan to investigate both.”

“We have a boat,” Robert said. “We could sail to both locations, see if we can find a way past the wards.”

Faith sat up straight. “I could call up a storm. It might be warded to be invisible, but we’ll notice if rain bounces off nothing.”

“And I found a spell in that grimoire you borrowed,” Bracken said, “that I think can get us past a ward.”

I looked at everyone assembled. “Can we do this tonight? Maybe we just look for properties, but if we find it, are we ready to go in?”

“I’m afraid we have to be,” Bracken responded somberly. “She’s figured out how to use us against you. A man died tonight because she pushed and pushed him to kill you. Two more men are headed to jail for attempting to burn you and your gallery to the ground.” He picked up the maps. “These are a gift. We need to act on them before it’s too late.”

FORTY-TWO

Double the Fun

Robert stood. “He’s right. Am I terrified something will happen to my wife and children? Yes, but I feel it too. It’s all falling together tonight for a reason.”

Elizabeth stood as well. “We’ll go to where our boat is docked and sail her back. The water is deep enough for us here, isn’t it?” She pointed out the back window to the deck.

“It is,” I said. “I can also calm the waters to make it easier.”

Robert nodded and checked his watch. “Our slip is close. Prep work needs to be done. We can probably be back in thirty to forty-five minutes.”

“We can text you when we’re on our way,” Frank said. The teens looked nervous but determined.

“I’ll call Mom,” I said. “We’ll need both of them. The three are a power all our own. We’ll put aside what we discussed earlier tonight. We need to work together to battle a demon. Questions can be asked tomorrow. All right?”

I waited until even the most reluctant—Declan and Bracken—nodded.

“Also,” I said, unsure of how this would be received, “I made a promise to my dad that I’d be in the water when this all went down. It’s where my power is its strongest.”

They shared looks, appearing confused as to what that meant.

“Remember, the ocean is my father’s domain. I can’t drown. Okay?”

Declan gave me a sharp look, but the others nodded.

“You guys take off and I’ll call Mom.” I blew out a breath and tapped my phone. It rang a few times.

“Hello, darling,” she answered.

“Hey, Mom. Can you go get Gran and bring her here? We have Cal’s workshop narrowed down to two locations. Robert, Elizabeth, and the kids are getting their boat and we’re going to go?—”

“No, Arwyn,” she interrupted. “Remember your vision was of Elizabeth and Faith flying out of the boat and into the ocean. She promised they’d stay out of the water.”

“Mom, you and Gran said I had to find Cal. Well, that’s what I’ve done. We’re not arguing about this. We’ll need the three to break through her wards. Will you get Gran and help or not?”

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