It sounded like some sort of transport spell—but was something like that even possible? And if it was, then why wasn’t Canberra using it? Surely it’d be easier to magically change locations rather than hopping on a plane or driving for hours to get somewhere. “You okay with going back?”
“I’d rather not, but if it has that effect on me, then it’s likely to have the same effect on Clayton—if he gets that far, that is.” She grimaced. “I just wish the room had better soundproofing.”
“Earplugs might solve that problem.”
“That and a knockout potion.” She scrubbed a hand across her eyes. “If I fall asleep in the middle of service today, at least you’ll know why.”
Thankfully, we weren’t all that busy, no doubt due in part to the bitter storm that hit right before lunchtime. Belle headed upstairs around one for a nana nap while Penny and I looked after the few brave souls who came in despite the torrential downpour.
My phone rang just as we’d closed for the day; the tone told me it was my mother. I answered it with more than a little trepidation.
“Your father is awake,” she said, without preamble. “He’s given a description of his assailant to both the police and the council’s investigators.”
“I take it he didn’t know the man?”
“It was a woman. And no, although he did say the veil of power around her felt familiar.”
“How familiar?”
She hesitated. “He said he didn’t have time to fully examine the threads and couldn’t guess at their origin.”
Couldn’t? Or wouldn’t? I rather suspected the latter. “I take it a warrant has been issued?”
“Yes. She boarded a Melbourne-bound plane late last night.”
My heart began to beat a whole lot faster. “Did the cops intercept her at Tullamarine?”
“No, because the plane had already landed by the time the warrant had been issued. A check of security cams indicated an unknown gentleman in a black Mercedes picked her up. The Mercedes was found abandoned just outside Sunbury. It had been stolen the night before.”
Meaning she—and whoever had picked her up—not only had this all planned out, but could already be in the reservation.
“Was the veil dad mentioned how this woman slipped into the house?”
“We believe so. It was designed to counter known spells, as far as your father could ascertain.”
If he could ascertain that, he really should have been able to ascertain origin. And perhaps he had; perhaps it was a simple matter of neither he nor my mother wanting to admit that I’d been right when it came to Clayton.
“What’s being done to find her?”
“The council is sending a team that includes one of their top tracers down to Melbourne. They should be in the reservation within the next twenty-four hours.”
“Which might be too damn late.”
“If Clayton is behind this,” she said, her tone a little stiff, “then there’s time. He was never one to act irrationally or without meticulous planning.”
There’d been nothing meticulous about his actions on our wedding night, but that had at least played in our favor. If he’d been more controlled, he might well have sensed Belle’s assault on his defenses and countered them. If that had happened, we might never have escaped.
But he wouldn’t make the same mistake again—and he certainly wouldn’t underestimate either of us again.
“The investigators will be in contact with you when they arrive at the reservation,” my mother continued. “I’ve given them your address and phone number.”
“Fine. Thanks.”
“They have one of Clayton’s watches in their possession, and I’ve directed them to give it to you. They’ve been informed of your psychic capabilities.”
If the investigators got here quickly enough, and if I was able to find Clayton through the damn watch, then maybe we could stop him before everything escalated.
Maybe.
“Who’s in charge of the investigators?” I asked.
“Samuel Kang—I believe you went to school with him.”
I frowned. “The name doesn’t ring a bell.”
“He said he remembers you.”
“That’s hardly surprising, considering there were no other Marlowe witches with a human familiar. Doesn’t mean we actually knew each other.”
“Indeed.” She paused. “How’s Belle?”
“Fine.” And more powerful than you imagine, I wanted to snipe, but she and my father already had plans to have me audited. I didn’t want my link with Belle or Belle herself to be included in all that.
“Good.” She paused again. “If you do encounter Clayton and are forced to defend yourself, keep to his left if possible.”
I frowned. “Why?”
“He had an unfortunate accident a few months ago and has little sight in his left eye.”
“How does that help? He only needs one good eye.” And sight certainly wasn’t necessary when it came to spells.
“Yes, but he now has difficulty tracking moving objects, judging distances, and perceiving depth. It gives you more of a chance—perhaps not magically but definitely physically.”
“If it comes down to a physical fight between the two of us, I’m still going to be in trouble.” I might have had youth and speed, but he was taller and stronger.
“Perhaps,” she said. “But in all likelihood, it’s doubtful it’ll come down to such a base confrontation. Samuel and his people will undoubtedly take care of this whole messy situation before then.”
I liked the positivity in her voice. I just didn’t believe that would be the case.
“I hope so.” I hesitated, torn once again between the childish need to reach out and the adult desire to keep my family at arm’s length. “I’ll update you if anything happens.”
“That would be appreciated. We’ll talk later, Elizabeth.”
“Samuel Kang,” Belle mused, once I’d hung up. “Wasn’t there a Kang in Monty’s homeroom?”
“There were Kangs in every homeroom,” I replied, voice dry. “There are only three royal lines, even if there are lots of branches of each.”
“Yes, but I’m sure this one was called Samuel.” She glanced at the door as it opened and Monty appeared. “Was there a Samuel Kang in your homeroom?”
“Yes, why?”
She shrugged. “He’s apparently in charge of the team the High Council is sending here. Just wondered what he was like.”
“He’s not as fabulous as me, if that’s what
