Chapter 174: Chapter 174
Heather
I stared out the car’s window, resting my head against the cool glass as the darkness blurred past. My mind wandered to dark places. If Mom had moved us back to Texas when she realized I had abilities, would I have ended up like them? Sucked dry of magic and life?
That could’ve been me.
I guessed that was why this was hitting me so hard. I saw myself in them. In the sliding doors of my life, if just one thing had changed, it could have all turned out very differently.
"Don’t go there," Brent murmured. The other wolves heard, but couldn’t know what he meant. Still, I wished he hadn’t said the words aloud this time.
I can’t help it. There’s so much wrong right now. So much that’s messed up.
I know. And it’s easy to focus on the bad, especially where there’s so much of it, but you can’t do that. If we’re going to get through this, you have to focus on the good.
Yeah, right. How could I be positive right now? After that vision, thinking of the future is the last thing I want to do.
We don’t know that it’s going to happen. What if it was just a warning? What if—
She has the power she needs now.
Brent was quiet for a second as the truth sank in. Then, we work hard and change how it happens. We’re going to stop her before it gets that far. Okay?
"Okay. Yeah. We’ll stop it before it gets that far." It sounded weak, even to my ears, but I was trying to believe it. I had to believe that I could change the outcome, otherwise...
"What gets what far?" Xander leaned forward between the front seats.
Shit. I hadn’t meant to say that aloud. "Nothing." When he didn’t sit back, I rolled my eyes at him. "Don’t you know it’s rude to listen into other people’s conversations?"
"Don’t you know it’s rude to have private conversations when other people are around?"
He had a point. "I’m not talking about it. Not yet."
"Telling them doesn’t mean it’s going to happen," Brent said.
"I know." I thought for a second. "If the things I saw in the first part of the vision happen, then I’ll spill. If not, well then, it’s moot. Because that future isn’t happening."
We turned a sharp corner, and I knew we were almost on coven land. "Stop the cars. Cosette and I will check the wards alone. If we’re lucky, no one else has to come." I was praying we’d see people walking down the dirt rode that divided the compound, going about life as usual. Then we could turn straight around before anyone got hurt.
"I don’t like that at all," Brent said.
To be honest, neither did I. "I’ll stay within sight."
The leather steering wheel squeaked under the pressure as Brent tightened his grip. "If you go out of sight, I’m coming after you."
"Okay," I said as the car came to a stop. "Keep the car running just in case." I slung my messenger bag of vials over my shoulder and slid down from my seat. I reached inside, grabbing two vials just in case, and then turned to Cosette, who was getting out from the car behind us.
"You ready?"
"Of course." She tucked a golden ringlet behind her ear. "Just let me test them first and we’ll decide who goes through."
"Whatever you need."
We snuck toward to the cattle guards that started just before the compound’s gate. I usually felt the urge to run right about now—the slimy feeling of the wards rushing over me—but nothing was happening. "Do you feel the wards?"
"No." Cosette reached out, moving her fingers like she was strumming a harp. "There’s nothing."
Before I could stop her, she stepped over the threshold onto coven lands.
"Are you crazy!" I whisper-yelled at her as I glanced around frantically, expecting an army of witches to come at us. I held the vials up as my heartbeat thudded in my ears.
Only... The compound was quiet. The dirt road was empty. Cars were haphazardly parked on either side of the road, the same as always.
Houses loomed down the dirt road, with the schoolhouse at the end. A few houses still had lights on. Odd for this time of night—we were pushing past one in the morning—but not totally out of the realm of the possible.
I stood frozen, waiting for some sign of movement, but there was nothing.
The wards were down.
"Tell the others they can cross." Cosette whirled and started walking. "I’ll make sure Luciana’s gone."
"Wait." I caught up to her before she got more than a few steps. "Not alone"
"Alone." Cosette waved me off. "This might all be a trap."
My pulse raced. "Then go. Hurry."
As soon as she slipped away, I called for Brent. Can you hear me?
How is that possible? The wards always blocked our bond before. Every time you were on coven land, I couldn’t feel you, let alone talk to you like this.
They’re gone.
What does that mean?
Nothing good. I turned back to the compound. "Get everyone. Let’s go."
I made my way to the first lit house, knowing that Brent wouldn’t be far behind.
Two steps led up to the front porch. The first one squeaked under my weight, and I froze, expecting someone to come out and yell at me for trespassing.
No one came. I gingerly took the next step, and then tiptoed to the window beside the door. It gave a good view of the living room and kitchen. A movie played on the TV. Fifth Element. Good choice. The back of the couch faced the window, but I could see someone’s head facing the screen.
Thank God. I closed my eyes as I let go of the worry. Luciana had spared them.
As soon as I let out a breath, another fear grabbed hold of me. If they were alive, the wards shouldn’t be down and we’d just walked into a trap.
Shit. We needed to leave. Now.
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