The anger and uncertainty that had me conflicted faded as I caught sight of Liana playing with the others in the snow. She turned as I approached, her eyes lighting up.
“We were wondering if you planned to join us.” Her breath came out in white puffs, crystallizing as she spoke. Flurries clung to her eyelashes and caught in the wisps of her hair. I reached out and tucked a blonde curl back behind her ear.
“Well, I can’t let you have all the fun.”
She scoffed. “Says the recluse.”
I wrapped an arm around her shoulder and leaned close to whisper, “I thought we cleared that whole recluse thing up already.”
Annie waved a hand through the air, trying to get our attention. She wobbled through the snow until she reached us. “Ask him, Liana! Ask him.”
Liana sighed and gazed up at me. “She wants to know if we can go down to the water’s edge. I wasn’t sure if there was a less slippery path.”
I crouched down to Annie’s level. “You want to see the water?”
“Yes, please! I’ve never seen the ocean up close, but my brother says you can find shells in the sand. Is that true?”
“It is. We’ll have to see if we can find some. The path down to the water is around the backside of the house. Let’s all go.”
Annie pressed her mittened hands together in excitement. She shouted over her shoulder. “Did you hear that, Jacob? We’re going down to the water! I bet I can find way more seashells than you can. Race you down there!”
She sprinted through the snow, forcing Jacob to chase after her. When he caught up, he grabbed her hand and scolded her about running across the icy path. Together, they made their way toward the water.
I held out my hand. “Shall we?”
Liana intertwined her fingers with mine, and we walked down the man-made path that led to the rocky beach. Annie was already searching between the stones, dodging the ocean spray, searching for shells. Jacob hovered over her, making sure she didn’t trip and fall into the water. He’d taken to her right away, assuming the role of a protective older brother. It hadn’t been that long, but where one went, the other followed.
“Do you think Annie knows about her ability with magic?” I asked, watching the waves as they crashed ashore.
“No, probably not. It’s a strange gift. I didn’t have a clue until I came into contact with magic for the first time, and unless you have someone who recognizes the mark and can show you how it works, there’s no way to know.”
“Annie’s lucky then. She’ll have you.”
Liana sighed. “I just wish I knew why this is happening again. Obviously, the witch wants to use our ability in some way, but for what?”
“That’s part of the puzzle we have to figure out. Ethan might have mentioned something to Annie that we don’t know about yet, but I think our best chance lies in speaking with someone familiar with a broader world of magic.”
“Are you suggesting we meet with another witch? Don’t tell me you know one as one of your mysterious connections.”
I chuckled. “No, I don’t know any other witches. But I’m sure we can find one. It’s a big kingdom.” My tone grew serious. “Do you think that’s something you would be willing to try?”
Liana shivered and rubbed her hands together. The wind whipped her hair around her face, and I reached out to adjust the collar on her jacket to keep the air off her neck. “If it means putting an end to this nightmare, I’ll do whatever I have to. I know not all witches are bad.” She gave me a weak smile. “Just don’t ask me to eat any of their cooking, and if they offer dessert, run.”
“Sound advice.”
“Liana! Come look!” Annie bent over the sand, unearthing something with a stick.
“I think she found her first shell.” Liana smiled, then she narrowed her eyes with sneaky suspicion. “Unless, of course, there’s buried treasure out there. You didn’t happen to stash a chest of gold coins in the sand, did you? Because I’m a huge proponent of finders keepers.”
I shook my head and suppressed a grin. “No. I keep my fortune stuffed under the mattress like a normal person.”
She threw back her head and laughed. “Good to know.”
Liana left me standing at the bottom of the path and went to investigate Annie’s discovery. They dodged the waves, squealing in delight as the cold water rushed into the hole Annie had created. I watched as they rinsed off their find and started searching the ground for more shells.
It was getting colder, and we’d have to go back inside soon, but I was reluctant to call them back, contented to watch them enjoy the beach. Behind me, boots crunched over the rocky path, and I knew instinctively our pleasant interlude was coming to an end. Gavin stopped beside me, huddled beneath his jacket. He handed me a folded message.
“What happened?” I asked.
