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“Someday you should invite her up here,” I said.
“I’ll do that. I like her. Anyway, she did some sleuthing and said that they believe you’re being targeted because you’re my granddaughter. One, they know how powerful I am and they figure you’re going to turn out the same. And two, hurtingyouwould hurtme. The Covenant of Chaos has always been eager to drive in the screws, since I’m the High Priestess of the Crystal Cauldron.”
“Well, that answers that. If their screws include burning houses down, I’d hate to see what they consider a nail in the coffin.” I shuddered. If they were after me to get back at Rowan, they wouldn’t have any problem hurting my friends either.
“Tell me about your lunch with Daya.” Rowan said.
“Well, it didn’t go like we hoped it would.” I told her what happened and how Daya flounced out. Then I remembered the picture on my phone. “I took a picture of her with some guy in the parking lot. They didn’t realize I saw them. Here,” I said, holding out my phone. “Do you recognize him?”
Rowan stared at the picture, her eyes widening. “Know him? I’ve never met him, but I know who he is. That’s Mills McFarland, the agent from the Covenant of Chaos. What thehellis he doing with Daya?”
CHAPTERTEN
“Do you think she knows who he is?” I asked. “She really didn’t want to talk about her personal life with me, so I suspect she does.”
“She knows. No wonder I’ve been feeling such chaotic energy from her lately, and this also answers why she’s been absent so much. He has to know that eventually I’d find out about him, so of course he kept her away from me.” Rowan looked fit to be tied.
“What are you going to do about it?” I asked.
“I don’t know yet. I have to think, and I should contact the Court Magika. They’ll want to know that we’ve at least sighted him. But right now, have you done your daily practice?”
I shook my head. I was supposed to do something with my magic every day to keep it from backing up, but I hadn’t had time today. “No, and I’m on the edge of a headache.”
“It may help divert that approaching migraine. Go get your crystal ball,” she said. “I’ll direct you. Teran, can you make some far-sight tea?”
Teran stood and stretched. “I can do that.” She headed into the kitchen while I went into my ritual room to retrieve my crystal ball. It had belonged to my mother, along with several of my magical tools. I returned to the living room, hoping that Rowan would be correct and that the headache would back off.
When I returned, Rowan was in the kitchen, talking to the Court Magika on the phone. By the time I did my breathing exercises and settled on the floor, leaning against the sofa, Teran returned with three mugs of far-sight tea. Made from mugwort and several other herbs, it was a potent blend that opened up the psychic channels. I accepted my mug from her and sipped it, grimacing. The taste left a lot to be desired, but it worked well. And it also took the edge off my headache, a definite plus and a good incentive to drink the earthy-tasting blend.
“Does this have valerian in it?” I asked, squinting at the pungent flavor.
“Yes, and several other bitter ingredients. Drink up,” Teran said, motioning for me to finish the mug.
I still had half a cookie, so I swallowed the rest of the tea, then stuffed the rest of the cookie in my mouth, relief flooding through me as the chocolate wiped away the taste of the tea. I leaned back so the seat cushions of the sofa were behind me, and picked up my crystal ball. I caught my breath as the room seemed to leap two steps to the left. The tea was kicking in.
Rowan returned from the kitchen. “Are you ready?”
“I’ve had my tea and it’s beginning to hit. I’m comfortable.” I placed the crystal ball on the coffee table in front of me and rested my elbows on the wood and glass frame. Cupping the crystal, I waited for Rowan’s instructions.
Rowan sat beside me. She placed one hand on my shoulder, then took a deep breath and said, “I want you to close your eyes and listen to my voice. Take three deep breaths, and exhale slowly.”
I obeyed, letting the energy swirl around me. It swept around me like a comforting cloak, cushioning me even as I let go of my grip on the world around me. Scrying was getting easier, but how far could I travel out without losing hold of my body? There was a part of me that was afraid if I went out far enough, I wouldn’t find my way back again.
“January?” Rowan’s voice drifted through the fog. “What’s holding you up?”
I opened my eyes, shaking my head. “I don’t know. Or rather, I do, but I don’t know how to get past it.”
“What’s going on?” Teran asked.
“I’m afraid that if I go out too far, I won’t be able to find my way back.” I stared at the crystal ball, feeling both foolish and a little scared.
“We can take care of that fear,” Rowan said without missing a beat. She reached into her purse and pulled out a small stone that was a murky brownish green. “Here, this is blood jasper. It’s charmed to me, and it will always lead you back to me if you need a lifeline.” She handed it to me. It was about two inches long by an inch wide, but the power encased within that stone was enough to make my hand vibrate. I wrapped my fingers around it and immediately felt more secure.
“I’ll try again,” I said, closing my eyes.
This time, when I reached the point where I’d been before, I didn’t feel that panic. I could feel the connection to my grandmother in my hand and it was enough to keep me secure. I pushed on, into the mist, not sure what I was looking for.
“Think of Daya…” Rowan’s voice echoed through my fog.
