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"I know it's cold out here, but is there any chance you can pick up on where she might be?" Rhiannon leaned against the opposite beam. "You were always a powerful witch, even when we were small. Can you read the wind for me?"
"Not really so powerful," I said, thinking about how much had slid by the wayside while I was on the road with Krystal. "But I'll try." I closed my eyes, focusing on the sharp-edged breeze that whistled past. Sometimes it was Ulean who spoke to me. Other times it was the wind itself.
Flutterings rode the breeze, scattered whispers and thoughts, the usual stuff. But behind the gusts and sudden drafts crept a shadow that made me uneasy. Some shadows are comforting and protective. Others steal the light. And this one sucked the warmth and life right out of the day.
I reached further, seeking Heather's energy--latching on to what I best remembered about her: the lavender and cinnamon scents that clung to her skin and clothing. As my energy stretched thin, seeking any clue, a whisper raced past. "They have her. They have her." And then it was gone again.
Rhiannon was right--something had snatched my aunt. And whatever it was, it was big and it was bad and it was out there, in the forest.
I opened my eyes and yawned, shaking off the sudden surge of energy.
"Let's get inside."
When we entered the house, the warmth hit me like a blast from a furnace and I peeled off my jacket and walked into the living room I remembered so well, drawing back the curtain to gaze out the window by my aunt's desk. The forest was a wonderland, covered in white, looking pristine and beautiful, but there was something dark there now, a shadow that hid under the sparkling cloak of snow.
"I only know that she's been abducted. Somebody has her, but I don't know who." I didn't want to ask the next question, but I had to. "Have you seen Grieve? He might know what's going on."
Just speaking his name made my heart ache. I missed him. But the last time I came home--nine years ago--he'd asked me to stay. I couldn't, and he turned distant and aloof. I'd left without saying good-bye.
Rhiannon wrapped her arm around my shoulder, pressing her cheek to mine. "No, he hasn't shown himself since you last went away."
That figured. I had the feeling he wouldn't, either, until I apologized. And even then, I might have blown my chance forever. Another fear I'd been running away from since my mother died. But now . . . my wolf whimpered and I gently rubbed my hand across my stomach, feeling the tattoo stir with worry. Grieve was out there, and he knew I was home.
"I have to go look for him. He might be able to help us."
"Are you sure? Maybe he doesn't want to be found, considering you turned him down."
"Maybe," I said. "But I have to try."
Rhiannon yawned, looking more exhausted than I felt. "I'm so tired. I haven't slept a wink since night before last. When I realized Heather was gone and not just out on an errand somewhere . . ." Her voice softened and she looked near tears. Rhiannon called her mother by her first name, as did I. It seemed to run in the family.
"I didn't sleep so well myself. I had a little adventure out near the diner. Not one I care to repeat." As we headed into the kitchen and she poured me a cup of tea, I told her about my experience at the motel.
We settled in at the big oak table and Rhiannon let out a long sigh. "I think the men who followed you might have been from the Lupa Clan. Remember, lycanthropes have a strong dislike and distrust of the magic-born and they've been on edge lately. The whole town has. And whatever that thing in the shadows was . . . I don't know. All I know is that nobody hangs out after dark anymore except the vamps."
"What the hell is happening, Rhia?"
"It's all over town. The kids at the school feel it. I can tell--I watch them. They hurry to their classes, as if they don't want to be outside too long."
Rhiannon worked at the New Forest Conservatory, one of several academies across the country for the gifted. And by gifted, I mean advanced students with supernatural talents, who aren't entirely human. Mostly the magic-born. Some vampires, a few Fae. The Weres usually kept to themselves.
I stared at my cup. "This is a nice friendly street, with nice friendly neighbors. Everything looked so normal as I drove across town today."
Rhiannon bit her lip as if she was trying to decide how much to say. "Be cautious, Cicely. You actually use your powers, unlike me. I think whatever this thing is, it eats magic, like food. People have gone missing, people have died. I don't know if Heather told you on the phone, but a number of members of the Thirteen Moons Society have vanished or turned up dead."
I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. The faint taste of leather and sweat and passion. And something behind it. Magic rode the currents. Shadow magic, spider magic, blood magic. The taste of sweet poison and wine. The energy swept over me like a web, muting my ability to sense my touchstone. Whatever this force was, it was strong. Powerful. Old.
Dizzy, I glanced at her. "Did Marta say anything about what's going on? And by the way, I'll need to talk to her lawyer, if Heather was right and I inherited her business."
"Oh, you are her beneficiary, all right. I'll give you his name and you can talk to him tomorrow." Rhiannon shrugged. "The past six months, Marta closed down. She kept to herself a lot, and now she's dead. In the past three months, five members of the Society vanished without a trace, and three others are dead."
"Fucking A. That leaves . . ."
"Four. There are only four left of the local group. Rupert and Tyne. LeAnn, and Heather. And now Heather's gone. And it's not just the magic-born, but townsfolk. Marta mentioned a few weeks ago that she was getting a lot of business for protection charms and amulets. People are afraid."
She was whispering, but that wouldn't stop prying ears. There were always creatures listening. The wind carried secrets. I could hear them.
"Whatever attacked me, whatever's behind the shift in this town, it's hiding in the ravine out there. And the woods beyond." I frowned, thinking. "When was the last time you went into the forest? Or Heather, that you know of?"
