Page 73 of Blood of a Huntsman

Cat killed time, nursing her wine and listening to the huntsmen's banter. As the minutes passed, she felt more and more nervous. She turned to the door every time it opened, although she would have identified Blair’s scent before she walked in.

Finally, the bubbly, dark-haired witch arrived. She'd changed her hair color over the last couple of days, dyeing her bright red curls and black tips purple.

Cat rushed to her feet, waving her hand.

"Hey! Can we talk for a minute?"

Blair blinked, visibly confused.

They weren't really close. Blair was more Greer’s friend, so their relationship was linked by proxy. Cat didn't even think she had her phone number, and they'd never spent time together without Greer. But Blair soon smiled and nodded.

"Absolutely."Cat doubted Blair was capable of refusing anyone.

She followed her out the door without asking why they were walking away from the pub.

Too many shifters and immortals with an acute sense of hearing had a tendency to hinder private plans.

"So, I heard you specialized in charms, is that right?"

There were various facets of magic. Elemental was the most common practice, and the one most witches concentrated on, because charms, hexes, potions, and spells didn't affect the powerful creatures in the world. Besides, technology and science could replace all potions and charms, so why use up tons of energy to knock someone out or increase the speed of a horse when you could take sleeping pills or a car?

Some potion masters, such as Greer and Alexius, were strong enough to brew potions suitable for immortals. Otherwise, the craft was considered useless.

"Hardly. I specialize in people skills. And teaching. You know what they say: those who can't do teach."

Cat sincerely hoped she was underrating herself.

"Look, I need to ask for a favor. I thought about going to Greer first, but she has her plate full with her classes, Maddy, and everything else. Plus, she isn't into charms."

That Cat knew of. The previous day had proved she didn't know her friend as well as she'd thought.

"All right, spill. I'll let you know if I can do it."

"I'd like to contact my siblings."

Blair blinked. "There are phones for that, you know?"

"In a way that can't be tracked, intercepted, or spied on."

The witch laughed. "That's more like it. Who doesn't like a challenge?"

Cat looked up hopefully. "So, it's possible?"

"It's not impossible," Blair corrected. "Normally, we'd need a link, like an object spelled just for that purpose. But with siblings, that shouldn't be necessary. You are bound by blood. I can draw them to you during their sleep. That's the tricky part. You'd all need to be asleep at the same time. And there's a chance that they'd believe it was just a dream when they woke up."

That was better than nothing. "Okay, sounds good. What would you need? I'll pay you, of course."

Blair shrugged. "As long as I can write a report on it, I'll use it for a paper, so don't worry about payment. I'll need something else from you, though."

Cat winced internally. She preferred a clear exchange of funds to the prospect of owing anyone a favor. "What would that be?"

"Your word."

She turned to Blair.

"Just because the rest of us aren't allowed in secret councils on the hill doesn't mean that we don't get that something's happening. Something big. So, sure. I'll help you get in touch with your family, or whatever. I won't even ask why you can't just text them like the rest of us. But I want your word. Tell me you're not an enemy of our Institute. Because this place means everything to me."

Watching her closely, Cat realized something.

The huntsmen and a few vampires weren’t alone against any upcoming threat. When the time came, the whole of Oldcrest would be by their side. If they trusted them.

The genius of Levi's plan was becoming clear.

"I give you my word."

"Good. I need to put a spell together. I'll send you a raven when I’m ready."

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