He laughed under his breath, no amusement in sight. “Hell of a way to start actually talking.”
“It’ll be a couple of days,” Nico was saying. “For me to gather all the ingredients for the personal wards. And after that, maybe it should just be a few of us that go back to the property to test it out.”
“Right,” Rae frowned down at her phone. “I think I remember them having a few of these things at Rainwood’s.”
“I don’t want you to go back until this is all figured out,” I whispered.
“You’re not going back either,” Wilson retorted.
“Only one of us can stay.”
Wilson’s jaw clenched as he ducked his gaze down to his plate. “We’ll figure it out.”
“Even one room will burn through the rest of the hunting fee in less than a week.”
He roughly wiped a napkin across his mouth. “I’ll figure something out.”
“What happened to ‘we’?”
Wilson sighed. “Fine, what do you have in mind?”
The innkeeper, James, stopped by, halting all conversation. “How’s everyone’s food?”
“Great,” December assured with a big smile. “I think every meal I’ve had since coming into town has been five stars. Complimentsto the chef.”
James smiled widely. “That’s all thanks to my husband, Oli. He studied in Paris.”
“You’re very lucky,” December said.
“I am,” he agreed and lingered at the table, mouth parted as if he wasn’t sure what he wanted to say next. “I don’t know if we have all introduced ourselves. The Daniels I know”—he offered us a friendly wave—“but the rest of you must be new in town.”
“Friends,” Rae spoke up. She leaned back in her chair; her arm stretched across the back of mine. “Of the siblings.”
“Just in town for the festivities?” James fished. I could practically see the grapevine growing. Wilson snuck me a smile.
December rested her chin in her hand, leaning in. “What festivities?”
“What festivities? Wait right here.” James spun around, thrilled as he hurried to the other side of the room.
“We’re supposed to be keeping a low profile,” Rae said with a furrowed brow. “I thought we went over this?”
December shrugged, poking her lower lip out with a hint of remorse. “Sorry. I thought it’d be polite to ask. He seemed so excited.”
“I think eating and keeping you all’s mouths shut would draw more attention,” Wilson chimed in. “Especially now that we’re not staying at the ranch.”
Rae sighed but looked at me for the final say-so. It was the first time our gazes connected today. Her eyes remained a thick storm; I couldn’t see past the couple of feet ahead of me. We’d agreed to this stalemate, but not knowing where I was going hadn’t settled well on my stomach for years, and it wouldn’t start now.
“Do whatever.” I set down my fork, took a last sip oforange juice, and got up from the table. “I’m going to finish getting ready for the day and check on Frog and Kat.”
Thankfully, the inn had a stable free of charge for guests.
My excuse came just in time. James was back with a flyer for the upcoming town meeting and the costume party the Rainwoods had been talking about.
I wove through the tables, leaving behind the warmth of the dining room for the cooler hall. Oli manned the grand mahogany front desk, iconography of animals and mystic creatures carved into the wood. He greeted me with a cheery, “Good morning, Octavia.”
“Morning…” I tried to smile, the attempt dropping as soon as I reached the staircase. Each step groaned under my weight. An echoing groan followed mine, someone else right on my tail.
“Octavia.” Rae gripped the railing like she was having trouble maintaining her balance.
