Page 67 of Last Witch Attempt
“More questions for the locals,” Steve replied. “We’re going back to the cabin.” He hesitated. “You’re welcome to come with us if you don’t have anything on your plate.” He smiled when he issued the invitation, but it wasn’t difficult to ascertain that he didn’t want me to go. I didn’t take it personally.
“I have some work to do at The Whistler,” I lied. “I might have some things related to Aunt Tillie.” I shot him an apologetic smile. “How about we both get through our mornings and then regroup after lunch?”
His relief was palpable. “That sounds great. Just one thing, though…” He hesitated before continuing. “Do you think we’ll be safe if more of those spider people show up?”
“You’ll be fine. If they do come back, you can shoot them. They’re not magical in the sense that they can cast spells.”
“Can they infect us with anything?”
“Yes and no. I can send some potions with Landon—some healing potions—just in case. You shouldn’t need them, but it’s always good to be prepared.”
“Healing potions?” Steve’s forehead creased.
“They can stop magical infections. Arachnids—at least these arachnids—can’t do a lot of damage. If you were dealing with an alpha, or one that had been amassing power for a long time, it might be different. The arachnids we saw were just drones.”
“So you’ve fought them before?” Steve looked hopeful.
“No, but I know people who have.”
“People here?”
We were delving into dangerous territory. I had no intention of sitting around chatting about my friend Stormy the hellcator Scout the pixie apex. I couldn’t even imagine getting into a conversation about apexes. I was still trying to wrap my head around it, and I’d been raised in a magical world. Once I brought the lamia apex who was currently trying to kill Scout into the mix, the day-walking vampire, Charlie the chimera, and our vague association with a magical circus into the conversation, things would derail fast.
It was one thing for me to offer my services—I hadn’t told them the whole truth about myself—but it was quite another to out my friends.
“There are other magical beings,” Landon volunteered, making me go stiff in the chair next to him. “We’re not going to talk about them. Let’s see how things go with Bay, then we’ll talk.”
I let out the breath I’d been holding and shot him a grateful look.
“Of course.” Steve nodded in understanding. “We’re not trying to force you into something you don’t want to do, Bay. We also don’t want you to talk about your friends before you’re ready. We don’t have nefarious intentions.”
“I don’t think you do,” I assured him. That was true. “I trust my friends. They expect the same from me. I want to see how this is going to work before I make any suggestions to them.”
“That’s more than fair.” Steve was somber. “You should know that we have files on some of those friends already. The group in Hawthorne Hollow has been especially active lately.
“The leader, Rooster Tremaine, is supposed to be a badass,” he continued. “I’m sure you know him.”
I had to work overtime to keep my face impassive. Rooster was a nice guy, and a good leader. He was not, however, powerful. His magic was weak. He was in charge because of his organizational skills. Scout was the power in that group. AndEvan. Scout’s boyfriend, Gunner Stratton, was a shifter and good in a fight, but Scout was the pinnacle of their power.
“Let’s just focus on what we’re doing today,” I said. “I plan to get some work done at the newspaper. I have to deal with some Aunt Tillie stuff—her mood is poorer than usual—but I’ll be around after lunch.”
Landon cast me a sidelong look. He knew my schedule at the newspaper as well as anybody and was well aware I likely had no work that needed to be completed. He didn’t say anything, though.
“Sounds good.” Steve bobbed his head. “I have to admit, I’m excited to go back to the cabin. That’s the first monster I’ve ever seen. I know you’re not impressed with those things, but I am.”
I managed a flat smile. “Be careful.” I leaned closer to Landon. “You too. Don’t let the smaller portion of bacon distract you.”
That nudged a grin out of my husband. “I’ll try not to feel too sorry for myself.”
I glanced to the swinging door that led to the kitchen. Aunt Tillie still hadn’t surfaced for breakfast. I didn’t take that as a good sign. “I think it’s going to be a long day.”
Landon squeezed my knee under the table. “Call me if you need me.”
LANDON CAUGHT ME OUT BACKwaiting for Evan, who I texted halfway through breakfast to meet me. He lived in Hemlock Cove but worked in Hawthorne Hollow. He texted right away that he would meet me at the greenhouse.
“Where are you really going?” he asked me. He’d stopped being theatrical about his lack of bacon and instead seemed concerned about my plans.
“I’m going back to where we found the bodies,” I replied.
