Now, here we’re to the part I’ve been looking forward to ever since we hatched this insane plan. I take the piece and ever so slowly turn it so the pointed end faces Zebulund. I drag it jerkily off the board and toward him. Every centimeter it moves, his shoulders tense a little closer to his ears. The sound it makes in the silence is deafening.
By the time the piece comes to a stop in front of him, he’s visibly shaking. And just because I’m still so pissed off…
The board flies right at his stupid face.
* * *
Roe
It’sminutes before any of us speak.
“She’s gone,” I finally say.
Again this doesn’t seem to surprise Zebulund. He’s been staring at the pieces where they fell. Maggie ran out of the room. I’m still not sure how she was able to be invisible to me for as long as she was. But I can’t think about that right now. I need to figure this out. Make sure he does what he needs us to do.
“I think it’s imperative that you sage the house right now. We’ll all leave.” Maybe that’ll do it.
Zebulund’s gaze finds me. It’s the most emotion I’ve seen, other than good-natured teasing.
“You need to do it while she’s close by,” I press. “I’ll tell you exactly what to do. Then I’ll come back when you’re done.”
Zebulund looks at the others.
“They should leave too. You need to clear the house as much as possible.”
Kyle and Craig gape at Zebulund for instruction but Viktor is already shrugging into his jacket.
“I can’t wait to get the fuck out of here.” At the door he turns and looks at Zebulund. “I don’t want any part of this. I’m done.”
Zebulund blinks once. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
Viktor’s courage seems to falter for a moment, but then his gaze drifts to the planchette on the floor. It resolves him. He lifts his chin and leaves the room.
“I didn’t know it would be like that,” I try to explain, but Zebulund holds up a hand.
“Gentlemen.” His friendly smile is back as he addresses Craig and Kyle. “I’ll see you Monday.”
They look at each other and then leave, having been dismissed. Dread clings to my neck. I have no idea what Zebulund is thinking but it doesn’t feel good to be alone with him. Once the room is empty, he faces me squarely.
“Tell me what I need to do to solve this problem.”
* * *
Maggie
Once again,time is not on my side. Roe convinces Zebulund to take his time and sage every room. Which means literally burning sage in each room and telling the evil spirits to leave. Thankfully, that means I should have several minutes at least of quality searching time in his office. I’m standing in the doorway, still Under, as I listen to Roe explain the details.
“I’ll go drive around with Rachel to kill time. She’s waiting for me in the car. Text me when you’re done, and I’ll head back.”
Zebulund doesn’t respond. As Roe leaves he subtly motions me to follow. When we’re almost to the front door, he stops to tie his shoe.
“Go as fast as possible,” he whispers. “Look for a secret compartment in his desk. He supposedly has them all over.”
Our gazes clash and hold. We’re both thinking the same things, sharing the same fears. But we’re so damn close. I nod. I so fucking got this.
He’s gone out the front door.
Zebulund appears in the hallway, the lit sage in his hand. He lets out a low sigh then makes his way up the marble staircase to the second floor. He walks as though he has no worries in the world, whistling as he waves the burning plant.
