CHAPTER 22- LOXLEY
“HEY, AREN’T YOU??” With that, the line cuts off, and I don’t hear any more of Gordy.
“G-G-Gordy?” I stammer. The line is dead, so I try calling again. It keeps going straight to voicemail, so I pace in my room. What was that? He said he was waiting for a bus, but he didn’t see it. Instead, it was just some car.
After trying a few more times, anxiety burns through me. Nothing about that sounded like a goodbye. What if something bad happened to him to cut off his call? He could have simply dropped his phone in the gutter, but that doesn’t sound right. What if someone found him and took him, realizing he’s a big turtle man?
My instinct was telling me to talk to him even though I despise phone conversations. Was I supposed to hear him get hurt or kidnapped? There’s still that looming threat, stealing magic. Gordy was alone after work…
Cauldrons. What if someone took him, knowing he’s a being of magic? After biting my nail, I begin to text furiously. Maybe nothing happened, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.
Ten minutes later, I’ve gathered Boysen House for my first-ever coven meeting that I’ve initiated. Because of my speech impediment, I typed out the situation and had Auntie read it. The other four witches stare at us in confusion.
“So, you were chatting with Gordy, and his call got cut off abruptly?” Auntie asks.
I nod, and Anika stands up. “Oh, darling, maybe his battery ran out.”
I shake my head, and Kenta remarks, “It takes a lot for a battery to run out. Phones nowadays last a while.”
“Maybe there’s another reason. You don’t need to call us all together just because your boyfriend hasn’t called you back yet,” Anika says.
Scrubbing my eyes, I focus on the tenuous connection I have with Gordy, even from a distance. Something isn’t right; I don’t sense him anymore. Why can’t the coven see that? Or better yet, why can’t I say it?
“Your instinct is telling you that your familiar is in danger, right?” Taina asks with sincerity.
Dropping my hands, I nod at her, grateful someone is listening to the words I can’t say.
“If something happened to my chicken, I’d know it for certain,” Shugo says, and Kenta nods along.
“Alright, so he might be in trouble,” Auntie says, playing with her hair in concentration. “What do you propose we do?”
“Call Seb,” I say.
“I’m on it. He and the Jade Lion should be able to help.” Taina stands up and exits the living room, and I’m once again grateful that she’s one step ahead of me.
“I feel for you, Loxley, really I do. But let’s think pragmatically. Maybe his phone broke on the way here,” Anika says.
Once again, I shake my head at her skepticism and pace around the room. “If the pull to your familiar is distressing you this much, something must be amuck,” Shugo says. “Maybe he tripped and hurt himself?”
Biting my lip, I shake my head again. I wave my hands like I’m desperately trying to find the words. “I don’t…feel him. At all.”
Shugo and Kenta share looks of alarm. “You’re an empath witch. And you’ve forged a bond with him,” Shugo says.
“And he’s one of the Four Guardians.” Auntie plays with her hair and exchanges glances with us. “I assumed you could feel him no matter what.”
A sob escapes my lips; she’s implying that something awful happened to him. I nod and whisper, “I…used to.”
Before I can break down even further, Taina returns. “Seb told me Gordy didn’t come home from work.” I gasp, and Auntie saddles up to my side, holding me. “And he texted me the address of where he dropped off Gordy for work earlier. You said he went to a bus stop?” I nod, and she continues, “Then let’s go investigate at the nearest bus stop from there. Kai and Seb will meet us there.”
Auntie rubs my arm and looks at the others. “Anika, you stay here. There’s no room in the car. Hold down the fort. You two.” She points at the Kondo brothers and continues, “You’re with us. We need all the magic we can get.”
The pair nods and immediately follows Taina to the front door. “Yes, of course. But are you sure an entire witchy search party is warranted?” Anika asks.
“Last time a member of the Four Guardians was kidnapped, we didn’t believe his fated mate.” Auntie looks at me. “We won’t make that mistake again.” Seb told me what happened several months ago, and I’m touched that my coven wants to help me protect Gordy. With a quick nod at Anika, we quickly make our way to the car. Wherever Gordy is, I pray we can get to him soon.
By the time we pull up to the bus stop, it’s dark. The single streetlamp barely illuminates the area covered in dense foliage. Another car parks on the large road, and Seb and Kai get out to meet with us.
“I spoke to his last job site,” Seb says. He hooks his thumb behind him, “It’s this large manor up the road. Anyway, theyswear he did a good job, put away the lawnmower, and left. This must be the place.”
