Page 98 of Wicching Hour

He nodded, looking more than a little unsure of this new development.

The face recognition software on my phone recognized me, so that was good. I checked my messages. “They’re there and getting the boat ready. They’ll text again when they set sail.”

“Good. Fine.” Declan took my phone back and put it on my worktable. He looked between the two of us. “He’s right. I don’t trust myself. I just yelled at your mother.” His head went up. “Hernández arrived.”

I pushed him toward the door. “Go. She knows you, and being near other wolves might help how you’re feeling. We have some time.”

He looked between Bracken and me, walked onto the deck, and leaned over the railing, no doubt making sure I was still there.

“The ocean is where I’m safest,” I reminded him.

Nodding, he headed around the gallery to where Jake, Tyler, and Hernández were.

Bracken and I stood in silence.

“I don’t want you to die.” I wiped at my face. “We have an agreement. We’re building you an apartment so you can stay here with me,” I whispered.

“Yes,” he said, his expression softening. “But things change. You’re starting a family.” When I stilled, he smiled gently. “You forget. I notice patterns and breaks in patterns. Don’t get me wrong. I want to be here to meet the little one, who I know will be extraordinary, like her mama, but we all need to work together to stop Cal now if we want that happy future. You know that. If I’m feeling the pressure, you certainly must be.”

My shoulders slumped. “I feel it.”

“So, tell me what you saw so I know what to avoid.”

I blew out a breath. “We’re approaching the house?—”

“We’re going to find it,” he said triumphantly.

Nodding, I said, “You use the demon blade to break a ward. It pops open the front door. You touch the handle, and it seems to burn you from the inside out. It was horrible.”

“I’m sorry you had to see that.” He pulled the sheathed blade from his tweed coat pocket. “I was sure I’d need this tonight.” He slipped it back into his pocket. “We’ll just have to make sure none of us touch any doorknobs tonight.”

“I wonder if I can.” I looked at my gloved hands. “We should do an experiment. Go get one of my steak knives. Let’s see?—”

“What the hell?” Declan roared, storming back in. “We’re not seeing if we can stab you. What is going on?”

I jumped. I’ll admit it. “Dude, settle down. We were just talking.” I rolled my eyes at Bracken.

Declan looked toward the deck again. “That’s your mother’s car.”

“Oh.” We needed them, but I felt chewed up and spat out at the moment. “Hey, give me a kiss. Let’s see if you null my powers in this form.”

A heavy sigh, a quick head shake, and he was leaning in for a kiss.

When he pulled away, my fingertips went to my lips. “I felt that. It was almost like a real kiss.” We stared at each other as we both considered other types of experiments.

Bracken cleared his throat. “Still here.”

My phone buzzed again. I went over and checked it. “They’re on their way. Frank says ten minutes.”

Mom and Gran walked in the back door. Both, at least, were dressed for a night sail. I’d half expected trousers and heels.

“Arwyn, for goodness sake, tell us what’s going on,” Mom said, still eyeing Declan with more than a little animosity.

I waved them in and then stood in the doorway so I’d see the boat coming.

“Here,” Declan said, pulling me back in. “I’ll go out. I have better eyesight than you do. You talk with your family.”

“Good call.” I went back in but stopped short. “Wait. What happened with the arsonists?”

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