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“I am not leaving you alone.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“You can. But that doesn’t mean you should have to.”
Just then, movement on the driveway turned into a running Marissa, her long hair streaming behind as she sprinted.
“That shit is burning better than expected,” the witch exclaimed as she neared.
“The trees might be moist with rot on the outside, but within they were dried husks, and they wanted to burn,” Daphne solemnly stated.
Marissa stopped by her bike to look back at the inferno billowing smoke. “It’s burning all right. We should get out of here. I am getting this weird pressure-like feeling, as if something is about to blow.”
As if her words brought it to reality, an explosion caused the ground to rumble. A moment later, a shockwave rolled through them, knocking Marissa to her ass. Her bike hit the ground. Baptiste only barely kept his upright in the concussion, his hand once more over Daphne’s, holding her against him.
By the time the wave of force subsided, a good portion of the forest had toppled, and the fire burned harder than before.
A groaning Marissa picked herself up off the ground and brushed herself off. “I think whatever reservoir of power Circe built just released.”
The souls are now at peace, the Mother declared.
Marissa blinked. “Um, did anyone else hear that?”
Her expression led to Daphne snickering. “The Mother blesses you with her wisdom.”
“Don’t let Hekate hear that. She wouldn’t be happy if she thought your goddess was trying to poach.” Marissa grinned. “As if I’d ever change sides.”
Marissa used magic to stand her bike back up, and after she straddled it Baptiste asked, “Where to?”
“I’m going to head home right after I gas this baby and make a few calls to report the malfeasance in my office,” Marissa declared. “Once the coast is clear, I’ll give you a shout so you can come grab your truck. In the meantime, I’d recommend you hole up in a motel out of sight.”
“I need to find Circe,” a stubborn dryad stated.
“Obviously we need to find her. But given we just destroyed her base of power, I think we can hold off a day or two while I get shit cleared up and call in some reinforcements to help. It will be a lot easier if we have the CA working with us instead of against.”
“You think you can have those who worked with Circe removed that quickly?” Baptiste questioned.
“Seeing as how I was already working with somebody in Cryptid Special Investigations, I’m hoping we can move quickly. Our biggest problem is lack of concrete proof. I don’t know if just Daphne’s testimony will be enough so here’s to hoping I can dig up a paper trail or finagle some phone logs showing a connection to get the ball rolling. Meaning I need you to hang tight for at least a day before you go off witch hunting. Can you do that?” Marissa aimed the last at Daphne.
“Fine.” A begrudging agreement from the dryad.
Marissa waved as she gunned her motorcycle and headed out.
Baptiste glanced best he could over his shoulder. “Any preferences as to where we go?”
“I don’t suppose any of these hotels have a nice garden? That forest left a taint.”
“Actually, I saw just the place on the way in. Think you can hold on for thirty minutes or so?”
She clung tight to him as he returned to a sign he’d seen when he’d been racing to find Daphne. Cabins for rent.
Rustic, small, but surrounded by nature.
As for the fact they had only one bed?
Perfect. Garou approved.
Baptiste, however, would be fine sleeping on the floor so long as it kept him close to Daphne.
