“You’re in trouble.”
“No, shit,” she snapped. Well, her mouth couldn’t actually move fast enough for her to snap, but the intent was there. “I’m paralyzed in my closet with the creep who tried to kidnap me.” Why didn’t she feel panicked anymore? Was the powder also some kind of mood stabilizer? Now that she was getting used to it, it wasn’t that bad.
“I admit giving you a lift out of town was ill-advised, but it wasn’t kidnapping. You literally asked me to do it.”
“Without knowing the consequences,” she said. “You knew better.”
“I did. I’m sorry. I’m here to make up for it by warning you now.”
“Warning me about what?”
“There are some dangerous people after you.”
“More firstborns?”
“No.” He shook his head clumsily. “Worse. There are bad men that want the clans to give in to their true natures.”
“Return to the dark ways,” she finished. “I heard the legend. Thanks to you, I got a crash course in bear clan lore.”
“What?”
“They took me to the stone things and told me everything. I saw bears.” That wasn’t the most coherent way to put it, but her tongue was sore from trying to talk so much. She needed a break. Then, she remembered what Johnny said. Loch was one of the bears outside the house. “You’re a bear! Why were you here?”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you,” he said. “There are bad men who want to take you out of Silver Spruce. If they do, they have the advantage. If you’re in their control, they can bring about the dark ways again.”
“Are you working with them?”
“I was,” he admitted. “I didn’t want to. I’m in trouble. Now, because of me, you’re in trouble. I made a mistake.”
“But why?” Holly asked. “Why do it in the first place?”
“It doesn’t matter.” He made a motion that might have been a dismissive wave if he had full control of his limbs. “The point is, I’m trying to undo the damage I’ve caused. I’m here to warn you.”
“What do you expect me to do?”
“Wards.”
“Excuse me?”
“Wards. Put them around the house,” he said. “They’re like booby traps. They can keep unwanted visitors away or work like a security system.”
“Why don’t you just tell me who these people are and send the guys after them?”
“I’m trying not to get killed in the process,” he said. “I’m not out yet. Once I’m out, I’ll tell you exactly who to watch out for, but I need time to get all the way out. If I don’t get that time, they’ll kill me. They’ll kill Johnny, Garret, and Keller. Then, they’ll kill you. Or worse.”
A slow shiver traveled through Holly’s body.
“We have to tell the others what’s going on. Maybe they can help.”
“No! Those three won’t want to keep it to themselves. They’ll charge right into their doom trying to be the heroes.”
That did sound like them. Holly couldn’t deny that. They had almost caused a wreck trying to keep her within the town lines.
“So, what do I do?” she asked.
“Put up wards. There’s a whole book of them in the study behind the panel of my family tree. The book is dark green with purple lettering on the spine.”
“How do you know that?”
“I used to live here.”
“What?” The others must’ve conveniently left that out.
“Years ago,” he said. “I was a kid. Pearl showed me the ward book, though. I remember it, and she never moved her books. They all had a specific place.”
“I’ll look for it tomorrow,” Holly agreed. “Assuming I can move my arms.”
“It’ll wear off soon,” he said. “Speaking of which, are you planning on screaming bloody murder when you get the full range of your voice back?”
Holly pondered for a moment. “No,” she said. “But I don’t feel comfortable keeping something like this from the others.”
“Once I’m in the clear, we can tell them everything. I only need a few days, a week at the most. You’re not keeping something from them. You’re revealing something in a strategic way that will minimize their potential harm.”
“You’re too good at twisting things.” She frowned.
“I learned it from Johnny. That’s not a twist. That’s the truth.”
Johnny had mentioned they used to be friends. She’d have to ask him about it tomorrow.
“Do we have a deal?” Loch asked.
“Fine.” Holly sighed. “I will strategically reveal what we talked about tonight once you’re in the clear. Just don’t take too long. Something about this whole thing feels wrong in my gut.”
“I know. If there were an easier way to do this,” he glanced at his useless arms, “believe me, I would.”
“I actually believe you.” She smirked. She wasn’t able to smirk before. The powder stuff must be wearing off, thank goodness. “How did you get in here?”
“What?”
“You heard me. This house is huge. Every footstep echoes. I assume being a bear comes with some supersonic hearing or a heightened sense of smell. Bears are not known for their grace and stealth.”
“I have my ways.”
“You might as well tell me,” Holly said. “We’re already being so open and honest with each other.”
“Are you always this pleasant to people who are trying to help you?”
“I’m usually nicer when they don’t paralyze me in the process,” she shot back.
“I admit that I didn’t dose this out correctly.” Loch twitched his hand dismissively. “But if you want to know how I got in here, I’m wearing charms.”
Holly narrowed her eyes.
“A friendship bracelet makes you sneaky?”
“Magic charms.” Loch sighed. “I know you’re new to this
