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"Cabals have witches so they can use high-powered witch magic, like sensing spells."
I remembered a memo I'd seen about our escape. Calvin Antone had been asking for a werewolf and the Enwright witches to help track us.
"And sensing spells do what exactly?" I said, pretty sure I didn't want to hear the answer.
"They . . . sense." He waved his hand and made a face, like this was a stupid question. "Like radar or heat detectors. The St. Clouds are going to wait until the park is clear of mourners, then have her start casting. When she does, we're toast. The Nasts are probably here, too, with their witch. A joint effort to get you guys off the street."
"We need to get--"
I looked down. The second guy with the radio was heading our way. To our left a man and a woman pretending to be a couple strolled along, but I could see the radio stuffed in the guy's pocket.
"Yeah," Ash said. "Coming to your own memorial service? Really not a bright idea. We're trapped in this tree, Maya. The guys can get away through those woods. Except they have no way to know what's going on because we're the ones who can see and we have no way of telling them."
"We need to--"
"We're trapped, don't you get that? We can't get down there without being spotted, and if we can't get down, we're going to get caught as soon as that witch casts her spell."
"Are you supposed to be helping? Because I thought that's why you came. To help."
He answered with a scowl.
"I'll take that as a yes, though it's hard to interpret, because glowering seems to be your all-purpose response. Telling me what won't work doesn't help." I looked up. "We can climb higher. What's the range on her spell?"
"How the hell would I know?"
"Higher, then, if that's the only option we have. But it doesn't help the guys."
"You can't worry about the--"
"Yes, I can."
I leaned out as far as I dared, with the patrolling employees getting ever closer. I waved. No response from the thicket. I pulled a penny from my pocket and turned to Ash.
"How's your aim?"
"I'm the pitcher on my varsity baseball team and archery champ at my country club."
I threw the penny. It didn't come close.
Ash sighed and zinged one from behind me. It hit the right spot. So did a second. But the guys didn't pop up.
"They're gone," Ash said. "Either that or they didn't notice. Nothing else you can do."
"I can--"
"Have you been holding their hands since the crash? Single-handedly fighting off the bears and wildcats and rattlesnakes?"
"We don't have rattlesnakes."
"They're big boys, Maya. They can take care of themselves. And your benandanti boyfriend seems to know you can take care of yourself."
"He's my friend."
"Why do you keep saying that? I don't care if you're going out with the guy, which you obviously are."
"How is it obvious? Because we talk? Because we're close?"
"Um, no. Because you're always talking. Except when you're whispering or giggling. And if by 'close' you mean 'can't keep your hands off each other'--"
