Macgrath kept the plan simple. Instead of tracing to the house, we would drive. Tracing was similar to the science fiction idea of teleportation. We could get from one place to another in the blink of an eye. But, much like the sci-fi version, it was safer and more accurate if we'd actually been to the location. It wasn't quite the same as GPS coordinates, but close enough. Also, if Dumont had a witch or warlock among his people, the magical signature would announce our presence immediately.
We would rely on stealth rather than force to enter the grounds, plant the bugs, and get out. From a distance, Ava would handle any wards or spells that might arise. Harrison and Rhys would be our back up, and Macgrath, Callum, and I would get into the house, planting bugs in several of the rooms. The phone would be taken care of remotely because Merry was right, we didn't need physical proximity to clone it or hack into his microphone to listen to his conversations. Which was a frightening thought.
If we could do this to him, who could do this to us? I rarely carried my cell phone but Callum, Ava, and Macgrath were addicted to theirs. Even Harrison had his phone with him most of the time.
As we slipped on our weapons, Rhys turned to me. It had been a while since we'd spoken as he preferred to avoid public places whenever possible. Crowds of people made him...itchy.
"Caleb is returning from Dallas," he said.
Shit. "When?"
"In four days."
I nodded, my thoughts racing ahead to how I would have to tell Merry that the vampire she feared the most was actually a friend. To all of us.
"I have no idea how to tell her," I murmured.
"Should we keep him away from her?"
I shook my head. "That won't work."
Rhys frowned at me, his question written on his face.
"If things work out the way that I want them to, she'll be here permanently. We can't hide him from her. I just have to think of the best way to explain what he is and that the pain he caused her wasn't his choosing."
"Good luck with that," Rhys said, his tone dry.
My answering laugh was without humor. The dread that had nagged at me all evening increased.
I would have to think about this for a day. Honesty was a necessity. Merry was finally beginning to trust me and I didn't want to break that trust.
I feared this information would smash it beyond repair.
"Thank you for letting me know," I said to him.
Rhys nodded and finished placing his knives in their sheaths. He had one on each hip, his right thigh, and his left ankle. A short sword would go into the sheath down his back when we arrived at the house. Riding in a car for an hour and a half with a sword against your spine wasn't comfortable.
He moved away toward Savannah and pulled her into an embrace.
I thought of the kiss that Merry had given me before I left and heat filled my gut. As I promised her, I hadn't used our bond to read her thoughts or emotions, but even without magic, I knew that she was on the brink.
She wanted my body and she enjoyed my mind.
All that was left was for her to accept my heart.
"Ready?" Callum asked me.
I nodded.
"Good. Let's get this done so we can go home."
We loaded up into our car. Rhys rode with us because Harrison couldn't tolerate Callum and his teasing for that long. Ava, Macgrath, and Harrison took Macgrath's SUV.
With each mile, the urge to turn around and go back to the house grew. I did my best to ignore it, knowing that the bond between Merry and I was likely the culprit. The temptation to reach out through the magic that connected us and check on her was strong, but I resisted.
I doubted she would thank me.
We drove for over an hour, pulling over several miles from the house. Though I doubted Dumont had a magic user with him, Ava still checked for wards and spells.
