“That was my mistake,” Mom said.“The meetings used to be in San Francisco.Apparently one of the members owns a little restaurant in Pacifica with a back room they’ve used for Council meetings for at least a decade.I was contacted this morning with the address.”
I scoffed.“Were they concerned we’d go early to set bombs if they let us know a couple of days ago?”
Faith laughed.“Are they really that afraid of us?”
Mom shrugged.“Catherine Swan is on the Panel of Five and has been for over twenty years.Who knows what she’s been telling the other wicche families about us.Lydia Wong is a kind, intelligent woman and her tone at the beginning of our phone call had me worried.Thank goodness she knew Bracken.That was what turned the tide for us.”
She stared out the window as Bracken merged onto the freeway.“I think we all need to be calm and logical in our dealings with others today.Big emotions will play into her narrative that we’re evil, unhinged wicches.”
“Got it,” I said.“Everyone act normal and don’t be suspicious.”
Faith, who had been looking more worried by the second, turned to me, her expression relaxing.
“And remember,” I told her.“You’re the innocent maiden of this group.No one’s coming after you.”
Mom turned in her seat to Faith.“Oh, darling, no.I didn’t mean to worry you.I promised your parents on my life that I would bring you back untouched.I don’t plan to lose my life today.And honestly, dear”—she held out her hand to take Faith’s—“we could kick all their asses.We don’t like to say it because it’s rude.”
FORTY
And So It Begins…
Faith laughed at Mom’s trash talking and took a book out of her bag.
“You can read in a car?”I asked.
She nodded, grinning.“It drives Mom and Frank nuts.Dad can do it too.”
When she settled in to read, Mom glanced back at me and we shared a look.Without a word, we both knew that no matter what, Faith would be protected.
“Shall I put on some music?”Bracken asked.
Mom said yes and the car filled with classical music.I took out my sketchbook and started to plan what I would paint on the walls of the nursery and playroom.
It seemed like no time at all until Bracken pulled off the freeway and headed down a narrow road that hugged the coast.Pacifica was a small seaside town south of San Francisco.Being so close to the ocean made me feel like I was on steadier ground going into this meeting.
We saw the sign for the restaurant and Bracken slowed, preparing for a sharp turn down a narrow road between two walls of bushes.Unfortunately, he had to stop short because there was a gate barring entrance to the road and a man standing in front of it.
Bracken rolled down his window.“Hello there.”
The man stepped forward, studying the four of us.“We’re closed for a private party.”
Mom leaned toward Bracken’s window.“I’m Sybil Corey.We’re expected.”
His eyebrows went up as he considered that information.“And who else do you have with you?”
“I’m Bracken Corey.The ladies in the back seat are Arwyn Corey and Faith Bishop.As my niece said, we’re expected.”He checked the time on the dashboard.“Though we are fifteen minutes early.We’d be happy to park and wait by the water until they’re ready for us.”
The man, who appeared to be in his fifties, held up a finger, asking us to wait.He tapped his phone as he stepped away from our car.
I whispered to Mom, “Do you know who that is?”
She shook her head, still watching him.“Darling, can you tell?Is this an ambush?”
I rolled down my window and focused on the man.I pulled the pearl out to roll between my fingers while I used that one hole Dad had left in my mental walls.After a moment, I tucked the pearl into my sweater.
“No.They’re still finishing their lunch and clearing away plates.They weren’t sure what to expect, but given what they’ve heard about us, I think they thought we’d be showing up looking like vampires in a black stretch limo.”
Bracken murmured, “He’s telling them we want to wait by the water and they’re trying to decide if they can trust us that far.”
