Page 44 of Twilight Echoes
Gabe nodded. “He went missing two weeks later. Since then, they have been through four leaders.”
“I’ve spoken with Merlin, and he’s a distant relative of Viner’s, and the reason they have had such a large turnover is partly due to three deaths,” her father said.
“What did they die of?” Darrell asked, leaning forward.
Avery held her breath, waiting for the blow that she knew deep in the pit of her stomach was coming.
“They don’t know, but the symptoms present like early aging,” her father admitted. “Many want to leave the coven.”
“So they know something is hinky,” Avery said under her breath, staring out the window as the limo turned off the highway and onto a busy road not far from Orange County where most of the Witches of the Willows coven was located.
Being a royal meant her life decisions had to be above reproach. Everything she did was under the microscope of her coven council, but also the governing council, the one that Gabe and her father headed. She couldn’t get a tattoo, even an approved one, without everyone needing to know.
“But they never reported anything,” she whispered.
“Actually, that’s not true. When Merlin took over ten days ago, he contacted the council,” Gabe said. “And requested a formal inquisition. It’s the only reason why we know so much now.”
“So, why will we meet with him if he doesn’t know where the book is or where the Wilcox family disappeared to?” Darrell asked what she had been thinking.
“Because he’s been working on a spell that will snap their Book of Shadows back to where it was locked. Trask gave him the necessary tools. That’s what he was doing this morning. If Merlin can do that, we can trace where it came from and, hopefully, unlock the spells and find a reversal,” her father said.
“We can work with this,” she whispered, knowing it was a long shot, but it was better than no shot.
“We’re searching for a needle in a haystack,” Darrell muttered. “We need to find the source. The exact spell. I don’t need to be a witch to know without that, my pack, you, and me are toast.”
“I know you’re frustrated, son,” her father said, leaning forward. “But we bought ourselves three days. Before tossing in the towel or thinking the worst, we need to start with what we know and can use. The Witches of the Willows are willing to work with us without Gabe and me forcing them. This is good because we can trust their magic.”
“Are you sure about that?” Darrell asked behind tight lips. “Because they seem pretty damn unstable to me.”
“No,” her father said, reaching out, resting his hand on her knee, knowing she needed a douse of his strength. “Merlin is leading them in a positive direction. I had the pleasure of teaching him a few years ago, and he’s a good wizard with good intentions. And Trask was with him last night and into the early hours of this morning.”
“Where is Trask now?” Darrell asked.
“He’s needed elsewhere,” her father said. “But he’s watching. We know what we’re doing.”
“Trust my dad,” she whispered with her chin on Darrell’s shoulder.
Darrell turned his head and met her gaze. “I trust your father absolutely. But anyone related to the witch who did this to us, not only do I distrust, but I want the curse to stick with them when we’re wiped clean of it.”
10
“Iknow you want me to stay with Avery, but I think I should be in on this conversation.” Darrell glanced over his shoulder, looking toward Avery where she leaned against the limo with her arms folded, glaring at him and her father. “This isn’t just about me and Avery. Our babies. But my entire pack. My entire family.”
“What do you think you can add to this meeting?” Albert asked.
“What’s he saying?”Avery projected.
“A different perspective and let’s not forget, I was there when the spell was cast,” Darrell said.
“That is if Regan Wilcox is indeed the one who cast the spell.”
“We both know this is the only logical explanation.” Darrell didn’t like arguing with a man he respected and the father of the woman he loved, but no way would he sit idly behind and do nothing. “I might be able to pick up something or add a memory I’d forgotten that can help us find the Wilcox family, the book, and make sure no one else dies.” He arched a brow. “I also have a heightened sense of smell. I get you are a powerful wizard, but you’d have to do magic to do what I can do by breathing.”
“Don’t ignore me,”Avery said.
“I’m not. But this isn't very easy and I can’t have a conversation with your dad while I’m fielding questions from you. Give me a break, please?”
“I don’t want my daughter left alone, and I need Gabe at my side. Which means I’m relying on you to take care of my little girl if something goes sideways in there.”
