Page 43 of Elora and the Crow

“Jonah is missing.”

“What?”

“He’s missing, and I need to do a locator spell, but I can’t find one fucking feather in my bed. He slept in my bed for two years, and I was forever finding feathers everywhere, but now that I need one, I can’t find one single fucking feather, Cece!”

She was near tears, which was surprising because she wasn’t and never had been a weeper, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was horribly wrong and Jonah was hurt.

Cece’s hands tugged her away from the bed. “Take a deep breath, honey, and tell me what’s going on.”

Ten minutes later, Cece was on her hands and knees and looking under the bed with her phone flashlight.

“Anything?” Elora asked as she shook the quilt.

“Nope, no feathers,” Cece said.

She sat back on her heels as Elora grabbed one of the pillows. “Maybe there’s one in the shower?”

“Maybe? I don’t remember seeing one, though.”

Cece disappeared into the bathroom before returning. “Empty.”

“Shit,” Elora said.

“Honey, why are you doing the locator spell? You know he went to the northern fae complex, right? You checked his house, and he wasn’t there, so he’s probably still at the complex. I know where that is. I can drive you there.”

“It’s a big complex, the size of a suburban neighbourhood,” Elora said. “I want to know exactly where he is in the complex before I go, in case…”

“In case what?” Cece said.

“In case there’s trouble,” Elora said bluntly. “Knowing where they’re keeping him prisoner in the complex will make it easier and faster for me to get him out.”

“Maybe he’s not being held prisoner. Maybe he got distracted by hanging out with his brother. He hasn’t seen him in three years.”

“He would have texted me if he was with his brother this late,” Elora said.

“You two aren’t dating,” Cece said gently. “He isn’t required to check in with you or -”

“I texted him to ask him if he was okay, but he didn’t answer, Cecelia!” Elora snapped. “He would have answered me if he was okay and not being held captive by the fucking fae!”

“Okay,” Cece said.

“Fuck.” Elora rubbed her forehead before grabbing the other pillow. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled at you, especially since you’re only trying to help and…” She trailed off as she stared at the pillowcase.

“What?” Cece said.

Holding her breath, Elora plucked the single black hair from the fabric.

“Jonah’s?” Cece asked.

Elora nodded, holding the hair like it was gold. She walked quickly to the living room and set it in the potion bowl. She lit two candles and added the other ingredients for the spell, double-checking her spell book. There was no room for error in the spell, as she doubted she’d find another of Jonah’s hairs on her pillow.

She mixed the ingredients, adding the last ingredient - dried black-eyed Susan petals - and grinding them in. Soft pink mist immediately drifted from the bowl, and she leaned over and inhaled it deep into her lungs, holding it there briefly.

She released her breath and said, “By my power, flame and flower, reveal his true location now.”

Blue light glowed from her hands, and she closed her eyes as the sweet and intoxicating magic flowed through her veins. She shivered delicately and then opened her eyes.

“I know where he is.”

---