Page 32 of Wolf's Witch

He lifted the leather cord over his head and handed me the pendant. “It’s yours.”

His eyes stopped shimmering as soon as I grasped the glowing stone. I whispered, “You won’t remember ever seeing me in Salem.”

He nodded slowly.

“Good.” I called my magic back. “You’re free to go.”

He turned around and hurried down Essex Street away from us.

Zeke came to my side and smiled. “We make a good team.”

He wasn’t wrong, but if my vision came true, this team might be short-lived. I handed Zeke the necklace. “This is a sorcerer’s talisman. They put the magic inside the stone and whoever wears it will be able to use the magic as if they cast it themselves. But in order to make it find me, they had to have something of mine in their possession.”

I took out my phone and quickly looked up Hinterland and Bloodstone. I clicked on different old news stories before opening their website. Their specialty seemed to be…almost everything. Shit. I kept digging, searching for anything that might have to do with me or witchcraft, but the only thread I could find was a lawyer who specialized in missing-persons cases.

Did someone tell him I was missing? And what could they have that would link their magic to me?

I lifted my gaze to Zeke’s face. “I’m sure I’m a little paranoid, after being followed by a man wearing a sorcerer’s talisman, but this law firm is one of the oldest in America, founded in 1785. One of their specialties is representing clients seeking to locate missing persons and settle estates.”

“Could someone be trying to find you?” He shook his head. “Did your parents leave you a trust fund someone else could claim?”

“No.” After the fire, all I’d had my car and the charred earth where our house had been. “I’ve got an uncle and a couple cousins in California, but I haven’t seen them since I was a kid.”

“If this firm is willing to use magic to find you, it’s probably not for something innocent.”

He was right, but I couldn’t think of anyone who might want to hurt me. I met his eyes. “As far as I know, I’m not on anyone’s shit list. I don’t know why this firm would be searching or me.”

He stared down the street in the direction the PI had vanished. “Jackson from our pack is a private investigator and part-time bounty hunter. I’ll see if he can find anything out.”

“Thanks.” I took his hand, and something about feeling his skin on mine settled the scattered thoughts in my head. “We still need to talk.”

He nodded. “Come on. Let’s get out of here.”

CHAPTER 10

Zeke

Itook Rubyback to Munro Manor Farms and down the dirt road through the apple orchard. There was a hill at the back of the property that was far from the lights of the city, making it a perfect spot for stargazing. I’d started coming here after I’d lost my brother.

I’d never shared it with anyone else before. I turned off the engine and looked over at her. “Is this private enough?”

She smiled. “As long as those stars aren’t listening in.”

I chuckled. “I think we’re safe.”

Ruby nodded, looking up at the waxing moon. “I told you before that I’m a water witch. My magic is powered by emotions, but I didn’t tell you about my gift.” She rolled her eyes. “Sometimes it’s more of a curse, but still…” She looked my way, and her gaze locked on mine. “I’m clairvoyant.”

I wasn’t sure what that meant exactly. “Magic, right?”

“It’s separate from that. I catch glimpses of the future, but I can’t call up a vision on command like I can with spell casting.”

It was tempting to ask her about winning lottery numbers, but I was pretty sure if that were possible, the coven wouldn’t need to run the Crow’s Nest metaphysical shop to make ends meet. “Did you have a vision?”

She broke eye contact. “Yeah.” She rubbed her hands up her arms, and I started the truck again to fire up the heater. She gave me a half-hearted smile. “Thanks. I don’t know if the chills are from the cold or acknowledging about the vision out loud.”

“That good, huh?” I put my hand on her leg in support. “Can I ask you something first?”

“Sure.”

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