She put her mug down. “There is a magical ward around our home. It’s been designed to mask it, and all that happens within. No one can get insideexceptthe people we allow in. To answer that question, yes, Nico will be allowed inside. It will look like a random building when we get there. That is nothing more than a glamor spell. We enchanted it to prevent anyone from seeing what it truly looks like and from sensing the magic that fills it. Quite skillful, if I do say so. Don’t tell Mother I said that, though. She hates when I brag about her.”
“Is it safe?” Maddy asked. “The royals might not be able to get inside it, but could they monitor the area? Recording equipment or cameras? They’re really sneaky about stuff like that.”
Sinthy shrugged. “They don’t know the location, and even if they did, the enchantments prevent unwelcome visitors from seeing or hearing anything that takes place on our property. If they were able to set up some sort of recording equipment, then all they’d record would be static. It truly is one of the safest places you can be. No worries.”
“Okay, I guess it sounds good,” I said. “We each have a backpack with a change of clothes and a few other items. I… guess we’re good to go whenever you are.”
Sinthy glanced over her shoulder at the clock by the stove. She made a small huff of irritation. “If not for that damned stop in New York,” she muttered to herself. She turned back to us and said, “Sorry, I had a small detour before I got here. Between that and sleeping almost a full day, it’s thrown my whole timeline off. I think we can head out within the hour. Does that give you time to make your final arrangements before we leave?”
Maddy glanced at me and gave me an approving little shrug. I nodded to the witch. “Yeah, I’ll tell everyone we’re leaving. We should be good to go.”
Sinthy grinned. “Fantastic. I’ll go and gather the few things I have and get ready.” She took her mug of coffee and headed upstairs.
Maddy put her hand on my wrist. “This is really happening, isn’t it?”
“Seems to be. I need to get Dad and Luis over here. I need to tell them about Donatello’s offer. In case things get bad while we’re gone.”
Maddy’s eyes widened. “Oh, wow. I actually forgot about all that.” She winced and rubbed at her forehead. “It’s so hard to keep track of all this shit. I’m too concerned with magic and teleporting and mystical vials to remember that the world is basically ending. Good God.”
“It’s all right,” I said, putting an arm around her shoulders. You have enough to worry about. Let me deal with the things I can handle.”
I texted Dad and Luis to come over, and they were there in less than five minutes. Dad looked nervous, as did Luis, but he hid it better. We sat on the couch with Maddy. “Sinthy’s going to be taking us in about fifteen minutes. I need you two to be in charge of a little task while I’m gone.”
“Anything,” Dad said.
“If things get bad here, we do have a fallback plan. State of emergency, I mean. If the authorities finally make the call to round us up, Donatello has offered his help.”
Luis grinned and leaned back, folding his arms. “So, the debt wasn’t quite paid in full, was it?”
I sighed. “Listen, I don’t know what you did to get this guy on your good side, but I’ll take it. He’s offered our pack sanctuary.”
“Where?” Dad asked. “The government has a long reach.”
“He has an island in the Caribbean. I did a little research. Looks like a guy purchased it and was trying to turn it into a luxury resort, but his finances collapsed right before it opened. Donatello must have swooped in and bought it. The place has got housing for our entire pack and then some. He has food and water supplies, and it’s in international waters. The land is his alone, not beholden to any country. It’s the best possible place to ride this storm out if we need to. He said to call him, and he’d send cargo helicopters to pick up our people.”
Dad looked grim. “We abandon our pack lands?”
Wolves, like all shifters, were territorial creatures. The thought of leaving the land you’d protected, fought for, and lived in for decades was not a decision to be taken lightly. I glanced at Dad. “The pack land won’t mean anything if we’re all dead or detained in some concentration camp. It’s the lesser of two evils.”
Dad gave a grudging nod of the head. “I suppose you’re right. Not fun to think about, though.”
“I know, but we at least have options now. Hopefully, we get back here in time to do something about all this before Viola finally forces our hand. I wanted you on the same page. Dad, you’ll be acting alpha while I’m gone, and Luis, you have a personal relationship with Donatello. If it goes down, call him.”
Luis grinned. “I have his number on speed dial.”
“Dad, you may want to call a meeting today. Give everyone the lowdown. It would be a good idea if everyone had a bag packed and ready to go by the front door of their houses. I think if stuff goes sideways, it’ll happen fast. I don’t want people rushing around, trying to find teddy bears or underwear when Donatello’s choppers are landing.”
“I’ve already thought about it. I’ll try to get everyone together around lunchtime.”
The conversation was over, and we sat for a few minutes, simply looking at each other. “I guess this is goodbye again,” I said.
Dad sighed. “Boy, I feel like this is happening way too often.”
“You’re telling me,” I said with a laugh. I patted Maddy’s thigh. “Do you want to go say goodbye to your parents and Abi?”
“Yeah, I’ll meet you in Sinthy’s room?”
“Sure.”
