16
Iput water in the coffee pot and plug it in. I’ve already had enough caffeine for the day but there’s something comforting about sipping coffee while talking about stressful subjects. And right now I’m pretty damn stressed.
I don’t want Nick involved, but honestly, I could use the help right now. If Jason Trent is kidnapping children, he needs to be stopped as soon as possible.
“So the kids that died,” Gemma starts as we catch her up to speed. “Was it murder too?”
I shake my head, flipping through the files that Nick brought. “One was from an overdose, ruled accidental and not suicide, and the other died in a freak accident where scaffolding fell from a building he was walking by.”
“Are you sure those were accidents?” Gemma mumbles.
I tap my pen against the table, thinking. I need to think end game here, and that’s probably Jason wanting the kids for some reason or another. Maybe they refused or tried to get away. Would he kill them?
“You said Rachel is a witch,” Nick says slowly. “Does that mean you think these other kids are witches too?”
“Yes,” I tell him, watching coffee stream down and start filling the pot. I take the files over to the table and sit next to Gemma.
“I don’t see the connection,” Nick says.
“I don’t either, not really,” I admit. “But I think it’s a waste of time looking for one. Because I know Charles works for Jason, and Rachel was with Charles. Nick,” I start, and look at him. “I need you to do something for me.”
“Sure, anything.”
“I need you to see if you can find anything at all on a guy named Jason Trent. I don’t think that’s his real name, but it’s the one he gave me. He might be staying at the Ritz downtown, but I’m not sure. And see if anyone has seen Rachel coming in or out of the hotel.”
Nick nods. “I can do that.”
“I’ll take you back to the cafe to get your bike.”
“I’m coming with,” Gemma says, putting her hands on the table and pushing up. “No way I’m staying home alone again.”
“Actually…I have a better idea. I have an errand for you to run too and I’ll stay here getting things ready,” I tell Gemma as I pull out the photo of Rachel. “She’s from Indiana, so it’s a bit of a long shot, but maybe Lyra knows something about her or even her parents. She goes to conventions and festivals…maybe she heard something.”
“And if they come back?” Gemma raises her eyebrows.
“I think the protection spell will hold.” I smooth the photo of Rachel on the table and Gemma takes a picture of it. “Be careful, and call me if you need anything,” I tell both Gemma and Nick.
“We will.” Gemma grabs her purse, pulling the keys to her car out. “Same goes for you.”
“I know.” I walk them both to the back door. The same wall of magical energy protects this entrance too. It prevents things from coming into the house, but anyone is free to leave. I think. I guess we’ll find out. Gemma steps out the door and doesn’t get zapped. I watch until Gemma and Nick are in the car and heading down the road.
Then I text Jared, telling him not to come over in case he was planning on it today. I set the phone down and pace around the kitchen as I think. The smell of coffee fills the air, reminding me that I put on a pot but never drank it. Not wanting it to go to waste, I pour myself a cup and sit in the living room, trying to figure out what my next move should be.
But right as I’m starting to match things up, I’m hit with intense tiredness. I gulp down some coffee but can’t fight it much longer. I put the cup on the table and lie back on the couch. My eyes fall shut and the next thing I know, I’m dreaming.
Rachel is pushed through a set of double doors. Mr. Trent is behind a large wooden desk, and he’s pissed. Built-in bookshelves line the wall behind him, and I know the items being shown off are some of his magical artifacts.
“Did you find them?” he asks through gritted teeth. He already knows Rachel didn’t, but he wants to make her say it out loud.
“No, I was close, and then another witch—”
“Another?” Mr. Trent’s eyebrows go up. “I specifically asked you if there was more than one witch in the house.”
“At the time we only detected one,” she says, looking down at the floor. I can sense her fear, though it’s hard to detect. Mostly she feels numb.
“Sir,” Charles interrupts, stepping up behind Rachel. “Think of it this way: we can bring you two witches now.”
“I don’t want two witches,” Mr. Trent booms. “I want the witch with the fire power!” He stands up and strides to the window. The vision of the dream shifts and I can see out the window and recognize the skyline. “Bring her to me. She has something I want, and I want it now.”
