Broken Bonds (Lizzie Grace 3)

He laughed. “Challenge accepted then.”

It didn’t take us long to get to the ranger station and collect his truck. Once he was on the A300 and heading toward Argyle, he said, “Got a call from Eli this afternoon.”

Oh shit, I thought, suddenly remembering I hadn’t told him of our adventure last night.

“What did he want?”

“To know if the new witch from the HIC was going to arrive on time this evening. Said he was anxious to try out the improvised tracking system he’d created last night.” He glanced at me. “I don’t suppose you know anything about that, do you?”

I grimaced. “If I say yes, are you going to be mad?”

“Probably.”

“Will shower sex make it better?”

A smile twitched his lips. “Probably.”

“Then yes, I do. I was there last night when he created it.” I hesitated. “In fact, the whole thing was actually my idea even though I didn’t have the knowledge or power to pull it off.”

“So this tracker is what, exactly?”

I hesitated again. “It’s basically the lingering threads of the heretic’s energy that have been forced into a container—or in this case, a small plastic toy pod—which can then be used with the appropriate spell to track down the owner of said energy.”

“I’m guessing that all means you broke into Abby Jones’s place?” His voice was an odd mix of annoyance and resignation.

“I’m afraid we did.”

He shook his head. “You should have called me. One of these days, your side ventures are going to get you into deep trouble.”

“I can get into deep trouble without them—this afternoon was proof of that.” I shifted in the seat to study him. “What time is the HIC witch coming in?”

“Should be here somewhere between five thirty and six, depending on the evening traffic,” he said. “Why?”

I glanced at my watch and saw that it was already close to five-thirty. Trepidation stirred once again, although as usual, I had no real idea why.

“Eli said last night that they might try and hunt the heretic down as soon as the other witch got here.”

“I gather from your tone that you don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“No.” I glanced across the fields of endless gold and noticed dark clouds were now gathering on the horizon. I hoped it wasn’t an omen. “Tonight’s moon is waxing gibbous and, aside from the full moon, it’s one of the most powerful.”

“If the heretic intended to use the moon’s power to enhance his spell, why wouldn’t he wait one more day for the full moon?”

“Because if he is after control of the wellspring, then he wouldn’t risk the full moon. Not when a gibbous will supply him close to the same amount of power.” I met Aiden’s gaze. “Besides, it’s the night the wolves run free, isn’t it? Given the wellspring is within the O’Connor compound, the chances of discovery would be far greater.”

“That’s true,” he said. “I might contact my dad when we get home, and ask him to set up extra patrols tonight.”

“Solo patrols could be dangerous given who we’re dealing with. It might be better if there’re two wolves in each patrol unit—it’ll give one of them a chance to get a warning off before the heretic spells or kills them.”

“Wouldn’t he be able to spell two people as easily as one?”

“Yes, but the greater the number you have to deal with, the longer the spell takes.” It might only be a matter of seconds, but when those being attacked were werewolves, that could be all the time needed.

Unless, of course, the heretic set whatever dark spirit he was in league with onto them.

Another shiver ran through me. I fervently hoped a dark spirit wasn’t that indefinable something the bit of me that suffered prophetic dreams was worried about.

“I’ll warn my father.” He glanced at me again, eyes narrowed slightly. “That’s not all that you’re worried about though, is it?”