Page 84 of Wicching Hour

He stares at his phone, listening intently, his fists clenched in his lap. “I will. I’m going to do it.”

“She won’t expect it from you. It’s perfect. She won’t see you as the threat you are. You have the gun, right? You’re ready.”

He nods, ignoring that niggling worry he can’t seem to shake. “Yes. I’m ready.”

“Tonight,” she demands, and he feels the push, the drive to get it done.

“Yes. Tonight,” he echoes, pulling the gun from the back of his waistband. He’s been walking around the apartment with it, getting used to the feel of it, occasionally pulling it out to aim at his own reflection in the mirror. We’ll see if that giant of hers is feeling tough with a gun in his face.

Fixated, he gazes at the gun, loving the weight of it in his hand, unaware of the chanting coming through his headphones.

Where? I ask again.

The vision pulls out and I see the Pacific Place Apartments sign.

A large hand dropped onto my shoulder and my eyes flew open. Dad’s brilliant blue eyes put me at ease. His long hair tangled with mine in the buffeting waves. Sitting on the ocean floor, I looked up and saw the surface thirty feet above.

Emrys was worried about you. He said you didn’t respond to his nudges.His voice was in my head, but I wasn’t sure how to talk back.

I thought,I was in a vision.

He nodded, so I supposed it worked.Who was the man with the gun? I caught part of what you were seeing.

The stalker I told you about. Calliope has been influencing him, pushing him to shoot me.

The water around us churned into a whirlpool.No one hurts my daughter!His voice was a roar in my head.

I reached for his hand. Was this what it was to have a father watch over you?

Emrys also told me you’ve been upset. That’s to be expected. Your mother was emotional too. Don’t make big decisions right now.

Confused, I tried to make sense of that but couldn’t.I think Cal has figured out how to mess with my head. She and her demon couldn’t get in before. Now my brain is scattered all the time, and I keep crying, which is totally not like me. I was hoping if I was in the ocean, they wouldn’t be able to touch me.

Dad closed his eyes, still holding my hand. When he opened them, I felt his anger.I hear the whispers. They’re faint, but I hear them in you.It’s because of the wolf.

Declan? He wouldn’t hurt me. He told me he loves me, wants me to live with him.How could he think Declan was helping Cal?

Of course he loves you and wants you close. He’s not a complete idiot. I’d have preferred a fae mate for you, but at least he’s not a wicche.Dad shook his head.I wasn’t referring to that wolf.He pointed at my abdomen.She’s getting in through that wolf. Part wolf, anyway.

THIRTY-SEVEN

Everyone Is a Little Distracted

I’m pretty sure my heart stopped.What!

His brown furrowed.This is what comes of mating. I thought you knew. Your mate and great-uncle seem to know.

What?I thought back over the last couple of days: looks between the two of them, grabbing things from me, keeping me from climbing on things… How did they know if I didn’t?

Dad patted my knee.I don’t know about the wicche, but a gestating woman’s scent changes. It’s quite subtle at first, but if he’s paying attention—and he seems to be—he’d notice.Dad placed his hand on my lower abdomen and closed his eyes again.She’s a tiny ball of cells right now. I believe she’s going to be a she, but it’s far too early to know. Rest assured. She seems to be coming along on her journey quite nicely.

Your immediate concern is not her,he continued.It’s this gunman and the sorcerer. What are you doing about those threats?

I tried my best to put babies and motherhood and terror out of my mind to concentrate on the immediate danger.We’re having a planning session tonight. I’m hoping we’ll go out afterward to hunt for her.

He nodded slowly, thinking.I need you to do something for me.

I waited.

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