My father wipes the corner of his mouth and drags his blood slick lips across my mother’s cheek in a parting kiss, then he’s in the driveway with car keys in his hand.
“Have you alerted the council?” Henry asks, and my mother nods as she adjusts the collar of her robe.
“Our actions tonight are sanctioned. We’ll convene a meeting as soon as possible once it’s done.”
“Where do we start?” Henry asks, and we join my father in the driveway, none of us willing to look at the gravel and ash beneath our feet. Except Diah. He can’t look away. Elijah grabs his hand and Diah finally looks up, his blank expression twisting into something cold. It’s so shocking, Elijah drops his hand and steps back, aligning himself half a step behind Henry.
“I got a call from an old friend over in Greenleaf. He said they’ve scented a new group, so we start there.”
“Elijah.” My mother calls from the porch. “Would you…would you stay with me?”
“I think I should go. Liz would want me to.”
“No, she wouldn’t,” Diah interrupts. He turns his face toward Elijah, who is still half-cowered behind Henry.
“What would you know?”
“Elijah,” Diah hisses, stepping forward. He reaches for Elijah and pulls him to the side. “She would want me to keep you safe.”
His voice quiets and they’re exchanging words not meant for me when my brain is shattered by another scream.
Ezra!
Declan’s thoughts are slurred, but he’s talking at me again, and I’ve never felt as relieved as I am in this moment.
I’m coming for you.
Silver traps. Doors. The wood and... Fucking sage.
He’s not making much sense, but I pick out the words I think are most important. I don’t know what sage has to do with anything, though.
Where are you? Do you know?I ask.
So much sage. Fuck. Ezra. Please come.
“Is there sage in Greenleaf?” I ask. “Like, a lot of it?”
“Yes,” my mother answers. “It’s especially strong in the morning when the bushes are dewy. Elijah, come stay with me, please. I’m frightened.”
I see what she’s doing, and I’m surprised it works. I’m not sure if she is compelling him, but she’s doing something. The way she’s looking at him is a plea it itself. I didn’t think that Elijah and she had ever…But she gives my father a knowing look, and he answers with a curt nod. Elijah and Diah exchange some more words. Elijah walks to the porch and my mother walks him into the house without looking back.
“So, sage?” my father asks, unlocking the car. Henry, Diah, and I climb in and buckle up.
“Declan keeps thinking about sage.”
“Then he’s probably in Greenleaf, like Walter said.”
“He said there’s silver traps.”
“Jesus,” Henry swears under his breath.
“Is there anything else he can tell you?” My father drives us out of Wildemount toward Greenleaf at breakneck speed.
We’re coming.I promise Declan.What else do I need to know?
I think it’s a basement, but there’s a window. Fuck, I never want to smell sage again.
Are you okay?
