Galen’s face softened but he didn’t immediately speak.
“You’re the one who told her to always follow her instincts,” Aurora noted. “She’s like a toddler with her magic because she’s still learning. You’ll confuse her.”
“Thanks,” I said dryly.
Galen’s glare was back in an instant. “Are you trying to kill me, Aurora?” he snapped. “Why do you always have to take it to a weird place?”
“That’s what I do,” Aurora replied. “Besides, I agree with Hadley on this one. He’s not here. He would’ve been found by now. Hell, Wesley has shifters on his payroll. Are you suggesting they didn’t use their abilities to find him?”
Galen opened his mouth, then shut it. “I have to wait here to organize the search crews.”
“Hadley will be with us,” Booker offered. “We’ll take care of her.”
“Besides,” Aurora added. “She’s stronger than you. She’ll be fine. And less distracted than if you came withus.”
“I am going to kill you,” Galen seethed as he glared at one of his lifelong best friends.
Aurora lightly patted his cheek. “Funnel that rage into finding Wesley. Hadley will be fine with us. I’m driving. It’s all good.”
“I’m driving,” Booker corrected. “You’re not any better behind the wheel than Hadley.”
“That sounds like a challenge,” Aurora said.
Booker shrugged. “Take it however you want. I’m driving.”
Galen’s shoulders slumped and he moved to me, grabbing the front of my shirt and hauling me in for a kiss. “You be careful,” he whispered. “If you find something come back here to get backup. Don’t investigate it yourself.”
We both knew that might not be possible, but I nodded all the same. “I’ll be careful, Galen.”
He gave me another kiss and released me. His eyes moved to Booker. “Take care of our girls.”
“I will,” Booker said on a grin.
“That is so sexist,” Aurora whined as she stomped toward the four-wheeler. “I’m stronger than him. I don’t need anybody to take care of me.”
“I love you too, Aurora,” Galen called out in a voice guaranteed to irritate her.
She flipped him the bird and climbed into the backseat. “Let’s go,” she barked. “Wesley needs us.”
BOOKER KNEW WESLEY’S RANCH FAIRLYwell. We’d been on search and rescue missions on the property quite a few times. Twenty minutes in, he was already frustrated.
“Cast the spell again,” he ordered.
I had to hold back a weary sigh. I’d cast three locator spells so far. They’d all started out okay before fizzling out. I wasn’t an expert despite the training I’d been putting in, but it felt as if something was interfering with my magic.
I lifted my hand and concentrated. The ball of light formed almost immediately, squealed, and zipped off.
“This one won’t work either,” Aurora said from behind us. She sounded listless and bored. “Either Hadley is too scattered to use her magic because she’s worried about Wesley or she’s being blocked.”
“Do you feel blocked?” Booker asked me.
I shrugged. “I feel as if the spell is launching fine but it’s running into a wall or something. Out there,” I added, waving vaguely.
Booker frowned. “Maybe there is a wall, something trying to keep you out.”
“Me specifically?”
“Maybe Wesley was taken as a message to you.”
