Yeah, the house is great.
Good to hear!Rex replies.How’s your wedding night going?
I’m on the couch, thinking about my life choices.
Rex sends a string of laugh emojis, and I chuckle in spite of myself.
It will get better, I promise. Rex replies.
I hope so. I have no idea what I’m doing.
None of us does, old buddy. We’re flying blind when it comes to women.
Well, at least I’ve got a decent wingman.
That you do. I’m always here for you, just like the old days.
I appreciate that.
There’s a pause, and I wonder if Rex has gone to bed, but then the three dots pop up again.
Can you move to the group chat? I’ve got some official stuff to talk about.
Sure thing.
I change apps, opening the group chat with all the black ops boys in it. Everyone’s green light comes on, and I know the gang’s all here.
Thanks for logging on, Brad says.Alisha had a nightmare.
Another one?Shawn asks.
Yes, worse than last night,Brad confirms.She can’t sleep now. She’s so upset, our daughter is restless, too.
Sarah had a dream, too, but it wasn’t a nightmare, Shawn says.It was really vivid, though. All she can remember is the snake was definitely in it, as well as a whole coven of witches in dark robes.
Freaky, Rex types.A whole coven of witches? How many?
At least seven, Shawn responds.They were connected to the snake somehow.
A sharp twist rips through my guts, the fear of witches and magic workers streaking through me like lightning.
We know the snake needs a sorcerer, and it has a thing for witches. Are we playing straight into this thing’s master plan?I think to myself.
What about the snake?I text.Any movement?
Yes, Rex admits.The heat signature is moving. I’ve been chatting with Sloan, and they are monitoring via satellite. She was thinking about moving in, but I reminded her that it needs warrior blood as well as innocent blood.
Shit!I type. They really can’t help us.
Nope, Rex responds.Showing up would be the worst possible thing they could do.
I have to tell you, Eccles first families had some kind of meeting tonight,Brad says.
What?Rex replies.Did they do this right under your nose?
Yes, boss,Brad admits.Gen told me about it, and by the time I got there, they were splitting up with innocent looks on their faces.
There’s a moment of silence as we absorb the news, then the thread crowds with texts, and my phone pings like crazy.
