Page 31 of Of Flame and Fury
I clear my throat. “Anyway. The boathouse was our go-to spot. Except, when it comes to spell casting, the words used in the spell are always stronger and take precedence. They would override the location if it wasn’t safe.”
Emme’s skin appears pale in the moonlight. My words don’t help her pallor. “Does this mean that Danny and the others…”
She’s asking me if they’re dead. I don’t have an answer nor the time to think those thoughts through. “I don’t know, Em. I hope not,” I say. “What I do know is that this place is the farthest we can get from the lake, the manor, and the way out of the compound.”
Chapter Twelve
We’re in a glass house. Literally. Aside from a few rosemary bushes the size of pines and some tree saplings, there isn’t much in the form of cover.
Celia sits on the floor beside me. Our backs rest against a wooden door that will absolutely not be opened on my watch. Behind that door perch rows and rows of snapdragons, waiting rather impatiently for their evening dousing of enchanted water. They flap their leaves and click their little teeth, creating a chorus of sound. As far as level of bitchiness, they rank ten out of ten, unlike the gentler mugwort and witch hazel spread before us.
Shayna volunteered for guard duty. Her senses aren’t as keen as Celia, but they work well enough to alert us of danger while Celia tries to rest.
“Are you doing okay, Shayna?” I ask. Partial inner wolf or not, she’s tired.
Shayna smiles softly. “Yes, just thinking about Koda.”
I smile too. I bet she is. My smile fades as my thoughts turn to Gemini. Our wolves won’t come here. Not right away.
The tip of Shayna’s sheath scratches the surface of the concrete when she inches closer. She stares out into the night, where screams and roars own the darkness. Occasionally, a ripple of magic drifts into the greenhouse and makes Sparky tremble. It’s usually the residual power of a curse. But sometimes, like just before, it’s the last bit of magic from a dying witch. I’ve lost count of the fallen, and I’m ready to lose my mind. I can’t sit here and do nothing.
Emme returns from conducting a sweep. She wanted to get a sense of where the exits are in case we need to make a quiet escape. “The greenhouse is shaped like a cross. We’re at the center and in the largest section. Each tip of the cross has a door leading out.”
I rub my stressed eyes. “Thanks, Emme.”
More likely than not, we’ll blast our way out of here. That’s just how we roll. But as the newly appointed head of the Wird girls, I’ve learned to analyze matters akin to special forces in order to survive.
I miss those days where Celia took the lead. I mean, I always offered support and my ideas, and never waited for permission to act. But as the oldest and our self-appointed protector, leading always came naturally to her. I’d fall into the role of backup and flame-thrower, and that was fine by me.
Since the start of her pregnancy, Celia stepped down from the role. It wasn’t a formal announcement, just one that simply happened. Her baby and his safety understandably became the priority. I just wish there wasn’t a need for the protection. This little baby deserves a chance at normal. Except he’ll never have it.
“How are you doing?” Emme asks.
I think she’s speaking to Celia until she edges closer to me. Her pretty shoes are covered with slime, and her dress is stretched out of shape and splattered with black goop. I’m more of a hot mess. My dress, being white, shows the spoils of combat. No dry cleaner in the world can save our clothes. It’s just best to put them out of their misery and set them on fire.
“I’m fine. Just a little tired.”
Emme can’t sniff lies like the other supernaturals can. But she knows me well enough to determine I’m better left alone.
We look to Shayna when she turns her head. “What is it?” Emme asks.
Shayna’s wide grin surprises me. “I can feel Koda. He’s far, but I think he’s in that direction.” Her smile lessens. “Sometimes I feel him stronger than others.”
I nod, thinking I know where she’s headed. “Like when you’re in danger.”
“Yup, and when I’m in heat,” Shayna admits.
“Ah, what?” I ask.
Shayna laughs. Emme finds somewhere new to look. “It’s what Koda calls it. His wolf can tell when I’m ovulating, and lately, I’m like this ravaged, amorous beast.”
At least she spared us from saying horny.
Shayna rolls her eyes. “You know, horny.”
Never mind.
She holds out a hand. “I think I’ve mentioned how we like to role play.”