Chapter 27
Evangeline could no longer sleep. And as much as she wanted to stay burrowed in Bran’s embrace, she needed to get up and move. Besides, they needed to figure a few things out, like how to deal with her father, and what to do about Zariha.
For the moment, while they had some free time, she wanted to do something for Bran, especially after making a fool out of herself when Bran was overcome with grief.
Really, she had no reason to be jealous. She knew better.
She felt their connection, his love, his desire. There was nothing about him she wanted to change. He was so damned perfect in all the right ways.
So, no more dwelling on shit that couldn’t be changed. Time to grasp life by the reins and ride off into the sunset. Or at least something like that.
She drove down to her coffee shop, which pretty much ran without her, and got their favorite drinks.
Bran hurried down the stairs as she stepped inside. The concern faded away with the smile that appeared on his face. “You left to get our breakfast?”
“Didn’t know what you had available to cook, and I figured I could use a quick trip to get our favorites.”
“How do you know mine?” His grin lit up. Then he added, “Other than the coffee, that is.” He had a habit of coming in when she worked, even if it wasn’t all that often. She enjoyed making his drink for years.
“I remember everything. And even if I was avoiding you, I haven’t forgotten a single detail of what you like.”
“Same here.” He moved to her and took the drinks and box of pastries, setting them on the table. Then he pulled her against his body.
All that warm skin on display sent a shot of lust through her. Bran wore nothing but a pair of shorts, probably the first thing he grabbed on his way to find her.
“Did you think I’d left?”
He bobbled his head. “Sort of. Though I was hoping it was only for food. I was going to go find my phone and give you a call.”
“Would have made something to eat, but like I said, I wasn’t sure what you had in your fridge and didn’t want to snoop.”
“Anything here is yours. You’re mine, I’m yours. I want to share everything with you.”
She smiled, but her brow pinched.
“That doesn’t include your business. I don’t expect to have a say in that. Though I’ll listen to anything you want to tell me. Just like I don’t think you should have a say in how I deal with being the sheriff, but I may want to talk to you about it at times.”
That made her relax. “Thanks. And if you’re serious about having me here, all the time, I think I want to give my house to my sister. I want to stay with you.”
He nodded, a smile spreading. “Even knowing I lived here with Margaret?”
“Yes, because she was a part of your past. An important part. One that taught you how to love with your whole heart. I could never deny what you had with her. And even if it catches me off guard at times and hurts to think about, I don’t begrudge what you shared.”
“Then move in. We can work out when to bring everything over. If you’re okay with that.”
“You’re perfect. You know just what to say to ease my fears.”
“I hope so. I hate seeing the doubt roll across your face. Now, let’s get to breakfast.”
* * * *
Tremaine nodded to Robert. “We should see if Preston found this lighthouse.”
Robert crossed the room and took his hand. They appeared in front of Preston, who looked up and cocked his head. “Think I found it, in a town that only Others would know in Europe.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “There’s a painting in archives. I found it. I know how to get there. Apparently, the town is full of Others, kind of like Edenton. Humans don’t tend to remember it if they’ve been there. There are powerful wards wrapped around the town. I think it’s why I can’t find an actual picture, but the painting…” He spun the laptop around to show them both. “See?”
“Yeah, that’s it. But perhaps we should do a little recon. Make sure we can safely get there. Rather, I should, and come back.”
Preston offered the coordinates.
“Not alone!” Tremaine snapped.
“I’ll make sure I land on solid ground and come right back,” he assured.
“Robert,” Tremaine snarled as Robert disappeared.
Preston chuckled. “He’ll be all right. He always is.”
Robert came back. “Yeah, easy enough to get there. Shall we go talk to Evangeline and Bran?”
“Call first,” Tremaine insisted. “Doubt any of us want to pop in while they’re in the middle of getting it on.” He pulled out his phone. “In fact, let me deal with that.”
He dialed. Surprisingly, it only took a single ring.
“Hey, everything okay?” Bran asked.
“Yeah. We know where the lighthouse is. Think we can come discuss the details?”
“Sure. Give us a few.” Bran hung up as he started to address Evangeline.
* * * *
While Bran was on the phone, Evangeline answered the door. Jay stood there with his hands in his pockets. “So, your father tried to get me to talk to him last night.”
“Sorry. Did my father do anything?”
Jay shook his head. “Can I come in?”
“Yeah.” She stepped back.
He came in and paced away. When he finally faced Evangeline, he let out a sigh. “I imagine your father should be here by now. I haven’t seen him. Set up a few spells to let me know when he did arrive, but maybe he found a way around that. Either way, you might want to go back to your place, make sure he doesn’t get to your sister.”
“Yeah, probably a good idea.” She sank into a chair. “Sounds like Tremaine and the guys have some news. I’ll call Genevieve.”
“Good idea.”
She dialed.
Two rings later, Genevieve giggled. “Hey, everything okay?”
“Where are you?”
“In bed,” she answered slowly.
“Okay, stay there if Dad shows up. Apparently, he may be on the way.”
“Oh.” She blew out a breath. “I don’t want to talk to him.”
“You shouldn’t, and we’ll be there to deal with him. Right after we find out what Tremaine has to share.”
“All right.” Her voice trembled.
“The wards will keep him out. I have some crafty friends who can weave far stronger magic than Dad can.”
“Good to know. We’ll stay put.”
Neil came on the phone. “I already want to slaughter him.”
“Yeah, but maybe I can get some real answers out of him before it gets to that. I’ll see you both soon.” She hung up and turned to Jay.
“So, what happened with my father?”
Jay told her everything that happened after dropping off the car, and up until Robert took him to the crazy artifact warehouse. Thankfully, nothing much happened, and she didn’t sense him on Jay.
“Sorry we got you into this,” Evangeline offered softly.
“Don’t. I volunteered,” Jay said. He pushed his fingers through his hair. “Look, whatever you need, I’m here to help.”
“Thank you.”
Bran came back to the room and sat down beside her. “Yeah, thank you, Jay, for everything.”
One corner of his mouth lifted. “Just happy you two got it together and hooked up.”
The bell rang, and Bran hopped up to get the door.
She looked over and met Tremaine’s gaze. “What do you know?”
“Where to find the lighthouse.”
Evangeline nodded. “There’s something there I need to find for Merova.”
“And how do you find it?”
She lifted a shoulder. “One thing at a time. I’ve got to get there first. Right now, I need to deal with my father. Apparently, he’s out here or on his way. Which means I need to go to my house and see.”
“Worried about what he’ll coerce your sister into?” Tremaine asked.
“Yeah, I am. And I did something earlier. I’m not sure how far I can go, but I was at Savon’s and wound up in my bedroom, then back.”
“Translocation can be disorienting the first few times,” Robert offered. “You’ll get used to it. I could help you practice. We can figure out how far you can go.”
“If you don’t mind, that would be great,” Evangeline admitted. She needed to know what to do. All she could think of was the possibility that she could wind up stuck in the middle of something solid.
“First your house?”
“Yeah. Unless you know a way to find my father?”
“That would require Preston and me to hop in your head.”
“We should go to the house first. I’m worried about Genevieve. She’s different away from him. He controlled her too damned much. I don’t want her to regress.”
“Then we go there first.” Robert nodded to her mate. “Take Bran’s hand and go. We’ll be there with you.”
Jay smirked. “Shall I come with you?”
“You trust me?” she whispered.
He smiled. “I did come to help you off that mountain, didn’t I?”
She nodded. “You did.” She looked at Robert. “That a good idea?”
He lifted a shoulder. “Don’t see why not. And it’s close.”
Jay joined her and Bran. She touched each of their shoulders and closed her eyes. They showed up in the living room.
“Hey, Genevieve, Neil, get dressed, you got company,” she shouted.
There was movement upstairs and whispering.
Evangeline had to smile. Jay, Bran, and Evangeline were all in one piece.
The mages showed up next.
Jay plopped down on a chair and placed a hand over on his stomach. “That still makes my stomach roll.”
Preston shook his head. “My stomach did that for decades. Luckily, you have only done it a few times. Robert dragged me too many places that way.”
“What changed?” Jay asked.
“Long story, not something you need to know.”
Jay smirked. “If you say so.”
Genevieve came charging down the stairs. “Everything okay?”
Evangeline turned toward her sister. “Yes, it is. And we may have a solution for the Fae, or witch, from the cave as soon as I get there.”
“What do you mean?” Genevieve demanded.
“She’s not in the cave now. And Zariha is bound to her in some way. She’s stuck out of sync with this reality, so I think I know how to free her. Then maybe we can figure out how to get rid of the asshole who decided you were his favorite meal,” Evangeline answered.
“How?” Neil asked. “How do I help?”
“Oh no, you were already munched on once. You’re staying here. And we’re going to see if we can find Dad first.”
“What are you going to do when you find him?”
“Depends on what he decides to try.”
Genevieve closed her eyes, then nodded. “Killing him would be the best solution.”
Neil took her face and captured her gaze. “Don’t feel sorry for him. He brought this on himself. He’s never done anything for you.”
“I know,” she whispered. “I’m not going to stop Evangeline. But I know I can’t be trusted to kill my father. I would wimp out.”
“It’s okay. We’ve been sidelined,” Neil muttered.
“My father wouldn’t play fair. He still has magic. It’s better if we stay together, away from it. At least Evangeline has magic. So does Bran and Jay. And the mages.” She sighed. “Even if I had magic, I was never going to be able to do anything against him.”
“You’re right. I’m glad Evangeline got you out of the house and called me.”
“Me too. We finally have a chance.”
Evangeline smiled. “By the way, after this is all over, I’m going to get my clothes and a few things to take to Bran’s. I’m going to move in there.”
“I’m so happy for you,” Genevieve told her.
“Thanks. Now, if Robert is ready, we’re going to see if we can locate Dad.”
“I’m ready.”
“Me too.” Preston hopped up.
Evangeline moved in front of them.
“You’re sure about this?” Robert asked.
“If he’s close, we need to deal with him first.”
“He’s broken enough laws we can take him in,” Robert offered.
“Let’s find him first. I have questions.”
He dipped his head, then touched her temple. Preston did the same. She felt them in her head. Then she felt Preston searching for his essence through her memories.
And then she understood how he did it and pushed farther, faster, and latched onto him. She saw through her father’s eyes. Fancy car, lights on the dash. The entering Silvertail Ridge sign was to his right. Her address was on the GPS.
She shoved Robert and Preston out of her head and grabbed Neil and Genevieve’s hands. “Stay put, okay?” She took them back to Bran’s. “Don’t leave. It’s safer here.”
“All right,” Genevieve answered.
Neil nodded.
And then Evangeline was back in her home. She walked to the door. “He’ll be here in just a minute.” She strode out and walked to the end of the driveway.
Bran caught up to her, Jay on his heels.
Then the mages joined her.