“I think it worked,” Fel whispers.
We bend down and see the area just outside of the area where the Black Well is located.
“That’s forested area. How can we pinpoint further?” Fel says.
“A pendulum, maybe.” I frown. “It still seems broad, but it’s better than nothing.”
“True.”
I feel the others hovering outside of view in the hallway. “You can come in,” I say, rolling my eyes. Living with those who possess bionic hearing has its annoying moments.
The door opens. “What’s the next step?” Cristobal asks.
Picking up the small scrap of paper, I hand it to him. “We go here.”
“In the middle of the night?” Marcellus says skeptically.
“What, are you scared?” I taunt.
“Of you two breaking an ankle, yes.” Marcellus tosses back.
“Your concern warms my heart. We’ll be fine.”
“I’ll keep an eye out for Felicites,” Percival says. I bet you will, Perci.
“It’s settled. Into the woods we go,” I say happily as Cristobal shakes his head and smiles.
Chapter Fourteen
Fel moves closer to me, pressing her now jacket-covered shoulder against mine. “Is it okay that I really don’t like this?” Fel speaks from behind the hand she’s cupped over her mouth.
“Yes, girl, ’cause I’m right there with you.” A bone searing cold has sunk in, chilling me from the inside out as we move deeper into the forest. Flashlights illuminate the ground directly in front of us. We carefully avoid roots, logs, and critters skittering out of our way. Cypress trees dim the moonlight shining down. The buzz of insects and the croak of frogs are louder in the exaggerated silence. An owl hoots in the distance, and I tense. They can be an omen of death.
The land slopes down and the cold intensifies. The pendulum swings faster. I make out a rock formation in the distance.
“I think we’re here,” I state quietly, shoving my hands into the pockets of my jeans.
“Couldn’t be a creepier spot, huh?” Fel asks.
“I can’t sense anyone,” Cristobal says.
I reach my hand out to Fel, and we send our power out, seeking every nook and cranny.
“Something dark was here, not too long ago. A trace of her remains. There may be clues inside, but we’ll have to proceed with caution. The chances are she left behind some nasty spells.” Sensing something lying in wait, I nudge it with my power. Blue flame shoots high, surrounding the opening of the cave.
“Yes on the traps,” Fel mumbles.
“If you’d be so kind to take care of the flames.”
“I’m on it.” Fel douses the flames with a cleansing rain, and I project the image of white light, dampening the negative vibes. We proceed as a group, pausing every few feet to sweep for curses. What should take no more than twenty minutes away, becomes an hour with curse breaking, and despelling. In the center of the damp cave, we see the carnage—jars of animals in various stages of lifeline, a makeshift shelf created from ledges in the cave. The metallic smell of blood is strong. Bones litter a makeshift altar along with black candles.
“Blood magic,” I whisper.
“I can smell that,” Cristobal places a hand on the small of my back as he peers around the cave, sniffing the air. “There’s more here than animal and human, but they’re so intermingled, pinpointing one would be impossible.”
“I think she literally tossed jars on the ground before she left,” Fel says as a crunch forms under her feet.
“There must be something here we can use.” I spin slowly. I smirk. “She’s not the only one who can haunt others. Regardless of her trash and run, she’s touched every inch of this room. Anything we take will link us to her. We’ve been the ones giving chase this entire time. I think we should give her a reason to come to us. Collect as many whole pieces as you can and let’s form a circle. I’ll need a black mirror.” I have one at the home I share with Sacha, but that would mean bringing her into this mess. I think of the scrying tools and their message. She’s family. “I need to place a call. Larkin, can you be an escort this evening? We have work to do tonight.”