“So, where did they get that kind of power?”
The two of us are looking at each other as we figure it all out. It’s both horrifying and yet so clear.
I swallow, the blood rushing from my head. “They’re draining witches from generational families and using their power to strengthen their magic.”
Asher nods. “Yeah, I think that’s exactly what they’re doing. Davina was an elite, right?”
“Yeah. And so are Lily and Violet.”
We fall quiet as that realization curdles the hot chocolate in my belly.
"Fuck. Sometimes people just suck."
Asher nods. “Truer words were never spoken.”
I email the information to Vale and, because he asked us to keep him posted, to Garrison Stonehoof as well. Maybe he just wants to be in the loop, or maybe he’ll take the information and run with it. Badass bison man to the rescue.
Despite the late hour, I accompany the email to Vale with a phone call. This is too important to sit in his inbox. My sisters are out there, and if Asher and I are right, they are being used as some kind of ego-boosting Wiccan battery packs.
When that’s done, I end the call and meet Asher’s gaze. “I wish Mom were here so I could tell her.”
He picks up our empty mugs and heads toward the kitchen. “I know, baby girl, but there’s nothing to be done tonight and that would just have both of you wound up for an all-nighter.”
I chuckle. “Am I that obvious?”
He strides over to the sink, rinses the mugs and sets them on the rack in the dishwasher. “That you’re keyed up and will be buzzing all night? Yes. The big question is if you want to binge on munchies or Chinese?”
“Um, not even a question.”
Asher heads to the hall and leans to yell up the stairs. "Rowan! You down for Chinese?"
"Always!" comes the muffled reply from the second floor.
“Chinese it is.”
While Asher grabs the takeout menus from the drawer, I take a deep breath and try to calm my heart. Learning the identities of the players involved and figuring out their motivations is amazing.
It’ll still take time to expose them, though.
We’re coming for you, assholes.
I let out a long breath, but it did nothing to soothe the energy bouncing around in my cells. The house feels it too. “We’re going to bring them home, house. I swear it.”
The rightness of those words takes a weight off my shoulders I didn't realize I was carrying. I told Mom I wouldn’t rest until I bring my sisters home—and I won’t.
Now that she’s where she needs to be, and we’ve got a big new lead on finding my sisters, it feels like things are finally shifting in my favor.
Add to that, I went on my first spirit witch community walk. For the first time since I triggered that spell and brought her back, I feel like I'm doing right by her and her legacy.
I go over to flip through the takeout menu with Asher when the doorbell rings and someone comes in the front door.
Asher grins. "Late night Chinese is here already? Wow, psychic delivery drivers are gettinggood."
I roll my eyes and start toward the front hall.
"It’s just us!" Sebastian's voice echoes through the house.
Asher goes back to ordering our late-night indulgence. "I'll make sure to get enough to feed whoever else randomly shows up tonight."
