“Wait, what’re you doin’?” Jase demands, alarm in his voice.
I look over my shoulder and he’s directly behind me.
“I’m seeing if the door is unlocked. I need the bathroom.”
“Stay here. I can’t keep you safe up there.”
“Have you heard any more footsteps?” I ask.
“No. Still, don’t trust them.”
“I need to pee so I’m gonna have to take the chance.”
“Just use that corner over there.” He gestures.
“Absolutely not!” I retort, climbing the last two steps and twisting the knob, relieved at finding it unlocked.
“Bailey! Get back here!”
Whatever.
Maybe I shouldn’t be blasé about this, it’s not as if I can do much to defend myself if those two guys are up there, aiming to do harm. But I’m not smelling and not hearing anyone here. I’m also not feeling much like humoring Jase right now.
I find the house empty. And looking out the window at the sun in the sky it’s approaching midday. After using the facilities, I assess the space. They’re in the midst of moving in, while renovating. Everything has been recently painted neutral colors and the gleaming light wood floors look new. The powder roomdown the hall from the basement door is freshly done, too, but the kitchen hasn’t been tackled yet and was probably last done in the eighties. There are three paint swatches taped to the wall, so it’s obviously next on the plans for remodeling.
Furniture is sparse on this floor, but I explore the top level and see three furnished and tidy bedrooms. The master bedroom has a hospital bed as well as a queen bed next to it. It’s also filled with moving boxes and smells like Alta and a male that’s related to the two guys that were here. I smell disinfectant on top of some sort of sickness.
The fridge has mostly convenience foods and water in it. The pantry has more convenience food and snacks. There aren’t any dishes, only paper plates and disposable cutlery. But I won’t be eating anything until Jase can eat, too. Even if I’m pissed off at him, I’m not that cruel.
My thoughts are heading into territory I don’t want to explore right now. I can’t or I don’t know how I’d handle the emotions. Instead, I think about Cicely, and hope she’s ecstatic. And I hope this means Jared Stone is joining the pack. It’s not cut and dried, by the way Grey hinted at problems, but lately it never is in our pack.
I don’t really know Jared, but I’ve heard he prefers to be a lone wolf. I can’t imagine how Cicely might feel about that. She can be a lone female at times but never for long. She’ll go off and do her own thing often, but she always comes back, craving pack.
I think about my parents, hoping things are better with Mom and Dad.
And I also ponder how much grief everyone will give me for coming over here and inserting myself into this situation.
I don’t linger on that for long because I hear noise that has me rushing to the front door. Jase’s bag and my bags are here by thedoor. Relief! My clothes, phone, my purse, and passport. And here’s Dani, climbing out of her rental car in the driveway.
I open the door as she climbs the stairs, assessing me visually. She grabs hold of both my hands and squeezes. “You okay?”
I shrug and laugh.
She frowns, obviously recognizing the bitterness of the laughter, and waits.
I finally say, “I have no clue. But I guess, physically. As for emotionally, that’s another story and let’s say I’m not ready to visit it.”
She gives me a warm look of compassion. I don’t know how witches’ minds work or a whole lot about Danica Young’s powers other than that she’s a healer, but I feel an energy from her right now that’s new. Maybe she’s tapping into her gifts to read me.
“Can you get him out of that shield, or will we need Aphra for that?”
“Aphra’s with Erica right now. Aphra’s a spell-writer, too, so they’ve got their heads together working out what can be done remotely. She’s unwilling to get anywhere near Alta and has to be cautious about the magic she uses as well as where it’s used or it could compromise the shield that keeps her hidden from her old coven.”
“Did you set me up?” I blatantly ask. “Take the artifacts and leave me with Jase on purpose?”
She looks contrite.
“Yeah, you did,” I say.