“Several times a day,” Stephen said with a grin.
A low rumble thundered in the distance. The Wynchesters glanced up at the blue sky overhead in surprise.
“Is that a storm?” Philippa asked.
“Worse,” said Stephen grimly. “It’s Reddington and his troops.”
32
The distant rumble grew louder.
Stephen grimaced. “Rather than sneak up on his enemies, Reddington likes to make his soldiers sound as threatening as possible.”
“Arewe his enemies?” Philippa asked.
“Mortal enemies,” Elizabeth answered. “He has declared war against us, and I accepted the challenge.”
“You would,” Tommy said with obvious affection. The other siblings grinned.
Philippa didn’t look as lighthearted. “We had better get inside before they burst through the trees and attack us.”
Kuni held up a dagger. “A Wynchester doesn’t retreat.”
“It’s not retreat,” Graham assured her. “It’s a stratagem. A Wynchester never acts rashly. We always have a plan.”
“Er…” Stephen slid a skeptical glance toward Elizabeth.
“No need to tell them I always act rashly,” she whispered behind her hand. “They know.”
“There’s something very important that theydon’tknow yet.” Stephen gave Elizabeth a meaningful look.
“Oh!” Elizabeth grinned and pulled out the freshly discovered document. “We found the will! The castle unequivocally belongs to Miss Oak.”
The siblings cheered and hugged her.
Tommy sent a doubtful glance over her shoulder. “Does Reddington know?”
“Not yet,” Elizabeth admitted. “We haven’t had a chance to make a plan, and a Wynchester never acts rashly.”
Stephen snorted, then motioned her family toward the castle. “Please come in. The front lawn is a dangerous place to be with Reddington about.”
The siblings hurried to do just that.
As the castle footmen took care of the horses and carriages, Stephen escorted the Wynchesters and their servants safely through the murder room and around the rotating door to the interior of the castle.
“Those… are a lot of trunks,” he observed as the contents of their carriages quickly filled an entire wall of the main corridor.
Elizabeth arched an eyebrow. “Says the man who receives daily deliveries of lumber, piping, and gears of all shapes and sizes?”
“I wasn’t criticizing,” he protested. “I’m taking notes.”
“I brought paints and canvases.” Marjorie straightened her pink hair ribbon. “Just in case.”
“And I have my supplies.” Adrian gestured at a portable forge. “Just in case.”
Unexpected delight fired through Stephen’s veins. The portable forge currently standing in the corridor was one of Stephen’s earliest inventions! He received payments on the patent every quarter, but this was the first time Stephen had encountered an active user. He was dying to ask Adrian a thousand questions, but Stephen did not want to make the conversation about himself and his inventions rather than the real reason they were all here: to stop Reddington and save the school.
A bugle sounded outside, followed by muffled shouting.
