Page 42 of Captive Nanny to the Wolf

“I don’t have much, and it is hard to detect. Beyond the aspects of the magic that are masked as I described, there is another level to it. Another level of masking. I can’t be sure, but I believe there are signs of dark magic in the casting of those portal spells. I need to consult with June.”

“I don’t think we were suspecting they were cast by the good witch of the north, were we?” Rollo, said.

“Well, no, of course not. But it could have been good magic used for ill. I mean, he was only casting a portal. It takes strength, but doesn’t mean in and of itself that there is evil intent. The dark magic I detected corrupts. He has been corrupted. That is all I can say for now. There are many beings in this world who are dark, and many types of magic.”

“Thanks, Lora. We appreciate all the help you and your coven are giving us.” Turning back to the guys, Dax sighed. “Okay, the news keeps getting better, doesn’t it?” Dax said as he rubbed his hand through his hair.

“I’m heading out now,” she said as she put her hands on Dax and Rollo’s shoulders. “You men are good souls. You will figure this out. You will protect your people. I have every faith. Be sure of yourselves. I will be in my study above Curiouser if you need me. I want to keep track of my various trails, and I’ve got what I need up there. I can see everything from those windows, and all my supplies have been brought there. Call if you need me, otherwise… I will reachyouif I need you.”

Just as they were saying their goodbyes, Dax’s phone rang. He picked up the call after a quick look at the caller. “Hey babe.”

For a moment, he listened and then stood straight up. Something was up. Rollo could feel it from Dax’s wolf. His own wolf suddenly whined.

Shit. Then he felt it immediately. His wolf sprang to his feet.God dammit.He had been so consumed with everything he hadn’t even registered it. It was only faint as it was.Winona.Something was wrong.

So, it is true.

His eyes were glued to Dax’s face as he said into the phone. “Tell her we’re on our way.” Then turning to Rollo. “June just contacted Bloom. She went by the safe house to beef up all the spells. She talked to Winona for a little bit, and apparently, Winona told her she had some cleaning to do in her room. When she was taking too long, June and the boys went looking for her. They can’t find her anywhere, and apparently, her things are gone. Looks like she ditched you, buddy.”

Rollo felt the walls squeezing in, and he had to fight the urge to shift right then and there. Not much his wolf could do here.

He almost unleashed on Dax, hadn’t he told him to focus on Frederick? All he saw was red.Dammit, this is my fault.

Suddenly, the events of the day rushed through his mind, not just of today, but of the whole thing.How could I be so stupid?Maybe she had just found some hidden room.With all her stuff? No.

“We have to find her, Dax. Frederick will use her to get to us in a heartbeat.”

“And we’re not going to let that happen.”

A moment later they were both sprinting out of the office, knocking aside anyone unfortunate enough to be in their way.

CHAPTER21

“Come on, what does a girl have to do to get a signal around here?”

Winona was staring up at her phone as she tried to decide which direction she should take. At the tree line before, after a moment’s consideration, she’d decided to follow the path of least resistance. Wards and spells or not, she could swear she’d heard traffic coming from off to her left as she left from the back of the house.Well, that’s as good a direction as any. I definitely can’t head down the driveway. What if someone comes back?

For a moment, she was filled with doubt.Maybe that guy Frederick really comes after me? Winona, cool it.She reminded herself of her ex, Blake, and his constant shifter pack drama.

Right, they wouldn’t know what to do without having some paranoid scheme or other to freak out about. Besides, this Frederick didn’t even know her.

She soldiered on.

“A bar,” she said out loud, looking intently at her phone as she raised it even higher over her head. Now after minutes of wandering, fully surrounded by trees, her confidence was boosted as she realized that the sound of traffic had grown a little louder. That made up her mind.

“Welp, here goes nothing.”

Although the bars never went over one, and even dipped back to nothing at one point, the sound of traffic increased steadily. Finally, after maybe only five or ten more minutes, she was descending a gully and caught a shimmer from a tree.

Did that tree just shimmy?

She moved her head side to side. Sure enough, it shimmied again.This must be the edge of the…force field? Spell zone?Probably not a “spell zone”, she decided.Well, whatever it is, I am going through it.With that, she walked straight ahead.

Other than a split second of dizziness, she noticed nothing as she passed the tree. But she was slightly surprised when upon glancing back she saw an impenetrably thick bramble of berry vines.

At least it looks impenetrable. Tricky witches. Or fairies. Whatever.

Checking her phone, she was immediately gratified with a five-bar signal.Yes!Without even bothering to check her messages, she called Julie straight away.

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