“I still don’t understand why you didn’t wake me and Jared,” she groused. “I thought we were a team.”
Capiria sat between her and Raven, squished in the SUV’s third row, leaving the extra legroom for Aiden and Jared in the second row’s captain’s seats.
“We didn’t intend to wake anyone, T,” Raven replied. “The smell of burning sage woke both Marie and Capiria.”
“I agree, Tanya.” Gabrielle twisted in the front passenger seat to look at her. “You should have been included, but we need to concentrate on what’s ahead, not behind, so stop complaining.”
Tanya hmphed. “I am not complaining. I’m merely pointing out an oversight.”
“And your point is taken.” Gabby lifted a hand. “Will you tell her, Capiria? Both you and Jared would have been nail-biting spectators, warming the couch with the rest of us. At least you got a decent night’s sleep. The rest of us are fried, and we need rested heads for what we’re facing tonight.”
Tanya hmphed again, crossing her arms.
“I’m afraid Gabby is right, love.” Capiria patted Tanya’s leg. “What we do tonight is what counts.”
Jared turned with a wink. “I’m glad they didn’t wake us. You’re one half of our secret weapon, babe. You need to fire on all cylinders tonight, especially if Raven falters. Remember, this offensive wouldn’t have happened without you. If your curiosity hadn’t gotten the better of you that night in the woods, who knows how many more lives would have been lost.” He paused. “Maybe even Raven’s.”
“Bite your tongue, wolf,” Capiria scolded. “Don’t call that bad juju our way.”
Gabrielle laughed from the front passenger seat. “Juju?”
“It fits.” Capiria shrugged. “Along with ooga booga and the hoodoo you do.”
The old witch shifted the vibe in the car, and even Tanya smirked, cracking a smile. They needed lightness to battle the darkness coming their way.
Still, Gabrielle didn’t blame Tanya for being upset. She and Raven were the front line in this fight, while the rest of them were the calvary. Herself, the other blood witches and the wolves.
Luke drove over the bridge connecting Île d’bec to the mainland, and then turned north on the island’s main route.
“Where are we setting up basecamp?” Tanya asked.
“Alain’s cousin has a house in town. Brock Farm is at the northernmost tip of the island. There’s nothing that far out in terms of amenities, and I didn’t want us on contaminated property longer than necessary,” Aiden replied.
“Alain should’ve come with us.” Luke glanced at Aiden in the rearview mirror. “He’s been our cornerstone since this all began.”
At that, Gabby took Luke’s hand. They all had to bend with circumstances as they arose. The guys had already been to the abandoned farm. Odd that it sat derelict in such a small close-knit community. Then again, superstitions ran deep in rural communities, and with Aaron Brock and his mother playing fast and loose with the occult, perhaps islanders kept their distance for a reason.
“Agreed,” Aiden nodded, “but there was no talking to Alain this morning. Somehow, Milo Brodeur found out what his son did, and now he is baying for Tim’s blood. Your father has his hands full with that, but we still needed someone to act as relay for Laura and Avery with what’s happening here at the site. Alain is now our point man if things go south. He’ll get word from either me, you or Jared, for Laura and Avery to act.”
“I almost feel sorry for him.” Jared shrugged. “We’ve all done stupid things, but theirs was epically stupid.”
“If Milo gets his mitts on Tim, that boy is facing a worse fate than having his dual natures separated,” Luke turned the car onto the town’s Main Street with its one blinking traffic light, and a strip of small shops. “His was a foolish, immature prank with serious consequences, but if I know Milo Brodeur, his son will meet with an untimely accident for bringing shame on his pack. If you thought my father was a tight ass, Milo is to the right of Atilla the Hun.”
Gabrielle squeezed Luke’s hand over the console. “It’s not your fault. No one suspected he was connected to Aaron Brock. Besides, your sister is well over him, and having the time of her life exploring her wolfy nature. Did she tell you she raced the last of the full moon last night? I’m surprised we didn’t hear her howling before Raven woke the whole house.”
“I did not wake the whole house. Just you and Luke.”
Tanya hmphed, yet again.
“Witch, please!”
Tanya stuck her tongue out at Gabby, but then blew her a kiss as Luke pulled the car down a long drive.
The house came into view a few moments later, set back along the river. It wasn’t overly large, but big enough to suit their needs, with a clapboard style that could easily have fit anywhere on Cape Cod.
“Wow, this is super cute.” Gabby craned to see the rest. “And right on the water.”
“Does anyone know if the waning moon is going to cause problems for us tonight?” Tanya asked, fidgeting with the tail of her seatbelt.
“We shouldn’t have a problem,” Capiria answered. “It’s not quite full, but close enough. Besides, Raven has our real secret weapon. Her and Aiden, both. It’s tucked away, and neither has uttered a word. I suggest we all follow their lead. This is the first and last of it until the time comes tonight. Ears aren’t just in corn fields if you get my drift.”
Luke parked the SUV in front of a wide garage, and they each got out of the car one at a time.
“It’s eleven am. That gives us plenty of time to prepare.
