“What’s the next step?”
“We’re going to keep search parties out there overnight, but I’m not hopeful. I just don’t know.”
“What about her parents?”
“They’re still not awake.”
“That’s not normal, right? I thought the doctor said they would wake up this morning.”
“He did and they seem baffled.”
“Which just brings us back to the notion that this is somehow paranormal.” Cooper rubbed his chin and looked at the window above them again. “Hannah had a terrible dream last night. I didn’t think much of it at the time — other than I hated how cold her skin was and the way she shook — but now I’m starting to wonder if it was somehow prophetic.”
Boone’s eyebrows hopped. “I’m all ears.”
Cooper told him as much as he could remember from what Hannah said on the ride back. She hadn’t gone into much detail, but he had a feeling that was because she couldn’t remember everything she’d seen. “She’s upstairs right now tearing through Abigail’s books looking for information on these witches.”
“Because Astra said to look at the history of Casper Creek.”
“Yeah.”
“What if Astra is misleading her?”
“It’s possible, but Astra seemed legitimately confused. She asked what color the dome was, and when Hannah said pink, I could practically see the gears of her mind working. She’s not responsible, but she is interested.”
“Which simply creates another wrinkle.”
“Pretty much.” Cooper was quiet, then started for the swinging doors. “If you see Danielle and Jackie, could you send them up? I need to see if I can help Hannah find the information she’s looking for.”
“Do you really think some old story about witches is going to tell us where Angel is?”
“I really think that we need somewhere to look. We have nothing right now. If Hannah can find answers, then at least we’ll have something to move on.”
“Fair enough.” Boone bobbed his head. “By the way, Jinx was doing his tinkle dance and barking so I sent him over with Tyler. I didn’t see any reason to keep him cooped up inside and suffering.”
“I’ll tell Hannah. Thanks for everything.”
“I haven’t done anything.”
“I haven’t either.”
“We have to do better.”
Cooper was grim. “We definitely do.”
THE FIRST THING COOPER SAW WHEN HE OPENED the door to Hannah’s apartment was a book whizzing past him. On instinct, he reached out and caught it.
“Herbal Remedies of Witches Past,” he read out loud.
“There’s nothing about the history of Casper Creek in there,” Hannah groused as she sat cross-legged on the floor, stacks of books surrounding her. “And this one, How to Hex Your Ex. Should this really be here? I mean ... come on.” She threw the book. This one was too far away for Cooper to catch.
He spent a moment watching her flip through another book, debating, and when she reared back to throw it, he made up his mind. “Okay, that will be enough of that.” He caught her wrist and retrieved the book before she could hurl it. “Let’s have a talk.”
Hannah’s eyes went wide. “Talk? We don’t have time to talk. Angel is missing. We have to find her. There’s no time to talk.”
“Well, we’re going to talk anyway.” He shoved one of the stacks of books away to make room for himself and dropped onto the floor next to her. “Come here.” His voice was husky.
“What are you doing?” Hannah’s brow creased in confusion as he tugged her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her, situating her so her back was against his chest and he could wrap her in his warmth.
“I love you.”
The simple admission caused her heart to seize. “I love you, too. We have to find the information about these witches, though.”
“Shh.” He smoothed her hair and rubbed his cheek against hers, relishing the feeling of her soft skin. “We’re going to find the information we need. It’s going to be easier if you’re not manic, though.”
Hannah’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not being manic.”
“You are, and I understand. You’re worried about Angel.”
“Of course I’m worried about Angel. She disappeared on our watch. I should’ve gone to the barn with her.”
“The storm was already on us when we realized what was happening. You couldn’t get to her.”
“I should’ve found a way. I’m a witch, right? There had to be a way.”
Cooper remained calm as he held her, flipping her hand over so he could trace the lines on her palm. She didn’t squirm, but he could tell she was coiled and ready for action. “You didn’t cause this, baby. We’re still not sure what happened. The only thing I can say with any sense of certainty is that we’re severely lacking in information ... and you’re not to blame for this.”
Hannah’s expression turned dark. “She wouldn’t have been out here if I hadn’t suggested it to Boone. She would still be tucked away at his house, safe, if I hadn’t opened my big mouth.” Her breath caught. “Why do I always open my big mouth?”
“It’s part of your charm.” He kissed her neck. “I know you’re angry at yourself — and I get it — but you honestly didn’t cause this. I need you to stop blaming yourself.”
“If I can’t blame myself, who can I blame?”
“Maybe there is no one to blame.”
“She’s gone. She was taken and you know it. This wasn’t an accident. That means there was someone to blame.”
He wanted to argue the point, but he knew she was right. Not about the blame thing of course, but about the rest of it. “We’ll find her.”
“How? She could already be dead.”
“She could, but I choose to believe she’s not. I mean, if the end game was to kill her, why not take her out in the accident last night?”
“How do you know that wasn’t the ultimate goal?”
“If there’s a creature out there who can cause an accident of that magnitude, you would think it would have better aim. On top of that, if all this creature wanted was to kill her, why
