Page 92 of Seas the Reckoning

“What are you getting at, my darling daughter?”

“Did you know about Leon Stone? Did you help him, or did Claude act alone?”

“Does it matter?”

Starla’s face falls at the flippant response. My eyes water, my heart breaking for my friend. Jackal, shifted back to his skin, is wrapped in a coat that Ji-hwan offers him. We all watch the witch.

“Of course it matters! I almost died. That man kidnapped me.”

“That wasn’t part of the plan.”

To her credit, Starla’s voice doesn’t betray her emotions, even as tears stream down her face.

“Well, I guess that answers that. See you tonight.”

The phone call ends, screen going black.

The witch sniffles but turns with a determined look to the rest of us.

“We need a plane. Now.”

“I’m on it,” Jackal says, pulling out his phone.

Ji-hwan and Exos imitate the action, all three trying to find us a charter that’s prepared to leave immediately.

I place a hand on my friend’s shoulder. She’s still wearing my song around her neck, containing all the magic I could still lose. And representing all the magic her line lost because of another selfish family member.

I doubt the councilman even knows the true reason their key isn’t what it used to be. It’s just a cruel joke of fate that his lightning is strong and hers is weak.

“We’ll get home, and we’ll figure something out.”

Her eyes flash bright.

“We’re not going alone. I’m done giving in to his ridiculous rules. He wants to see his daughter, fine. We’ll have a real family reunion this time. But he will be the one who regrets it.”

Sparks dance across her fingertips, and her eyes flash again.

No matter what her magic is or isn’t, Starla is a strong witch.

The councilman is planning on a scared daughter, so desperate to save her beach and friends that she’ll give in to his demands. He’s not going to like who shows up.

34

LET’S PHONE GRAMMY

The first priority is to procure a plane. Thanks to Ji-hwan’s connections from his time as an enforcer, we’re able to get one sorted quicker than I would have thought possible.

We’re boarded and taking off just over an hour from the time we hang up with Starla’s father.

On the plane, we take full advantage of wi-fi calling to keep communication with our allies open.

Jackal contacts Never and Hugh for their advice on the situation, with the Were promising to send someone out to the beach who can be there by the time we land, in case very physical reinforcements are needed. Hugh was able to confirm for us just how involved the councilman has been in Leon’s doings.

“It took some doing, but I was able to connect him through some receipts to several shady auctions and groups that directly intersected with Leon’s circles.”

Starla’s eyes flicker and flash, her fists clenching and unclenching.

Jackal volunteers to follow up with Cannon and Malcolm, just in case they have any other whale shifter friends near CB who would like to lend us a hand.