Page 79 of Which Witch is Willing?
Moira blinked in surprise. “I can’t believe y’all are considering it, Tierra.”
Tierra flashed a quick look in her direction. “Then you obviously don’t know how badly I want Lucy gone. Until then, Violet will never be safe. Your baby won’t be either.”
Nick agreed. “Lucy will go after Violet until she no longer has breath in her lungs. If she has Violet on her side, she’ll be unstoppable.”
Moira lifted a questioning gaze to Nick. “If y’all think she’s weak, how could she even consider attempting this?”
“She’ll grab another body,” Dru said. “Just like when she took over Aerin. She doesn’t have much strength physically, but I’m sure she’s still mentally capable. Another reason why we need to eliminate her before she figures a way to get stronger.”
Tierra nodded solemnly. “If we were to somehow get the word out that I’ll be going there with Violet, to go visit my mother’s grave…”
Killian growled his disapproval. “The only way you’ll go is if I fly you and Violet there. I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
Aerin shrugged. “I don’t think that would scare Lucy away. Not if she wants Violet bad enough.”
“I agree,” Tierra said.
Seemed like a brilliant plan to Claire. “You and Killian go, but the rest of us women will wait just inside the portal. You arrive, pass the baby to usmortals.”She was really beginning to hate that word. “Moira can hold Violet and protect both babies. Aerin and I will be close by, doing what we can to fight her, too.”
Julian nodded, excitement glowing in his eyes. “Nick, Dru and I will wait a fair distance from the Stones, but not so far that we can’t get there quickly. If Lucy shows, she’ll have to reckon with all five of us. An impossible feat, I’m sure.”
Moira studied the rest of the group, and Claire could see she still had reservations. “I think we should all consider what might possibly go wrong before we agree to do this.”
Nick squeezed her shoulder. “Thinking like a Conqueror now.”
Claire wracked her brain for anything they might have missed. “I think it sounds pretty solid. Aerin? Tierra?”
Aerin shrugged. “I’m on board.”
Tierra nodded. “Seems good to me. I can use Aunt Justine to put the word out. I’ll say I’m taking Violet to her grandmother’s grave. Aunt Justine never could keep her mouth closed, and I’m certain Lucy is still in contact with some from the coven.”
Dru scanned the room. “Solid battle plan. Let’s make preparations.”
38
The moment Killian lifted off from the widow’s walk, carrying Tierra while she held little Violet, the sparks in Claire’s nerves roared to life along with voices from the crowd outside. Though sunshine glared brilliantly upon Port Townsend, when Claire peeked through the portal to the Stones, everything was cloaked in deep shadows.
Calming scents of earth and flora filtered through to the room in the attic, belying the turmoil bucking beneath the surface. Claire scanned the faces of her two sisters. If anyone could take down the devil, it would be them and the horsemen.
Their four familiars also paced restlessly, nervously waiting what was to come, with the exception of Doctor Lector who fluttered about the room, sending off waves of anxiety.
Claire released a long exhale, trying to slow her heart rate. “How long will it take for them to get there?” she asked quietly.
Aerin glanced at her watch. “No more than a couple of minutes, I’d guess.”.
Claire tapped a nervous foot on the floor. “There is the possibility that she might not show.”
Though she prayed to the Goddess that Lucy would.
The whooshing of powerful wings stole their attention. “Killian,” Aerin whispered.
A moment later, Tierra peeked through the opening and quickly passed her child to Moira, where she’d stay safe. Claire shoved the clothes-stuffed baby blanket meant to look like Violet into Tierra’s arms. She met her gaze for a brief moment. “Good luck, sister.”
Tierra gave her a confident nod and disappeared.
Aerin paced the room from side to side, waiting for Lucy to arrive, while Moira cooed and kissed little Violet.
Claire stayed close to the opening, listening for signs of Lucy so that she could send Dru a mind message and alert the other horsemen to close in.
