“Yes. So did the reporters.” I blinked back tears. “I’m not their trash.”
“No, no, you’re not,” she rasped. “I’m going to steal a few of his towels and stuff to clean you up. Think of where you want to go and we’ll hide out there until Tracey is available to talk you through what’s going on, okay?”
“Thank you,” I whispered, reaching out for her. I was about to take her hand, but then I remembered mine were all gross and stopped.
She didn’t let me though, grabbing it and promising me that I’d be okay. She ended up taking me to the kitchen and getting me cleaned up, offering to heal me, but I knew how to do that now. “Where do you want to go?”
“My new land,” I answered immediately, what I needed already in my bag and the desire to use it clawing at me. Was that the mumbling and scratching?
Yes. Somehow, I knew yes. It was the way to escape when I needed it.
So my magic was developing more to give me answers?
Or really just to fuck with me more. Could it just leave me notes instead of be drama?
Fuck, take out a billboard even at this point.
Emma had been there before, so it was easy to go to. “Tracey or someone did the thing for you to block people. Do it, Bev. I got this. Block everyone from reaching you and feel safe.”
“Thank you,” I whispered and activated the charm she was talking about. I let out a shaky breath, not just from that, but the land with the seed of life and my magic somehow making me feel more settled.
Emma pulled out her phone and made a call. “You’re with Tracey? Tell her that I have Bevin and she activated the charm. Things—things took a turn. I’ve got her and we’re safe.”
Taylor. She was checking in with Taylor probably. He would be with Tracey when the shit was hitting the fan. She would give him his marching orders… And that meant he wasn’t turning to the council for orders.
I should have felt more relieved, but I wasn’t.
Maybe I was a bit?
No, something was still off, so I used my magic to scan like I would a familiar or like Mrs. Reid had been teaching me to just assess… Anything. Everything?
And that was where I saw it—the answer.
A door. Well, an outline of a door.
In a tree.
No, I wasn’t high or drunk.
I saw it like I could see familiar bonds and bridges—the connections. It was in a massive willow tree which made sense since that was tied to Hecate. That was her favorite tree? I couldn’t remember, but a willow fit.
And the key I’d found on this land was in my bag. That was why I’d been clutching it. It was why I’d grabbed it from my room before I’d gone to handle what I’d needed to. For some reason, I knew it.
Somehow, I just knew this was the moment I needed to use it and now—it fit. Or the key would fit in the lock.
I pulled it out and glanced back at Emma seeing she was distracted on the phone. I went over and didn’t hesitate before I was caught. I put the key in the hole and swallowed a gasp when I heard the click like it was a deadbolt unlocking.
But there wasn’t a knob to twist or push down.
“Is a magical outline of a door one you open?” I mumbled under my breath as I stared at it, still holding the key.
No, it was one you pushed like you did your magic.
So that was what I did.
I put my hand on it and pushed—physically and magically. The wood gave way and I about tripped through it… And through the tree.
I gasped as I realized I was simply on the other side of the tree.
