Chapter 19
The hot water supported Josephine’s limp body. She stared up at the ceiling, willing warmth into her chilled bones. Perhaps it was time to form a new plan. Instead of waiting for Others to come to her, maybe she needed to start hunting them.
Butch was willing. Mason had shown initiative in tracking down the woman the other night. She needed more, but she needed to ensure they could track the casters. That meant teaching them the world wasn’t as cut and dry as they currently believed.
How many of her men would go to the lengths she needed? Had her powers evolved far enough to brainwash even the most pure of heart?
Mason had a keen hatred for one Wanatoga male in particular. And it was very possible he was hiding the woman with so much power. He may not offer much in the way of magic, but his cooperation would make his own people pause.
Smiling to herself, she closed her eyes and began to relax. Yes, if they couldn’t find Wendy, perhaps he’d lead them to her. Seemed like the perfect plan. Then again, perhaps, Mason and Butch would bring back the girl.
Either way, Chatan could become a great asset, as long as she could actually persuade him to her side.
* * * *
As great as Loretta, Taryn, Loval, and Chatan had been, they all seemed to think she needed a protector.
Jacinda didn’t.
In fact, she decided it was time to prove she could find what she needed on her own. As soon as Chatan drove away with Loval, she walked home, down the trail, even as Taryn tried to convince her to stay.
She needed a break from the overprotective bullshit. She hadn’t had to put up with it in six years, and she was done dealing with it now. Everyone wanted to keep an eye on her, which under the circumstances, she understood, but it had become ridiculous.
After changing into comfortable clothes, she grabbed her keys and drove out to the pillar.
Sure, she could have gone to the waterfall first, but she wasn’t convinced the creature in the forest wasn’t just a tribal ghost story. Better safe than sorry. She hoped there was nothing near the pillar. But since Chatan hadn’t mentioned anything, and she felt all kinds of magic protecting that circle, she was confident she could handle anything that came her way.
She found the loop they parked in easily and drove into the field of tall grass just beyond. Then she made an illusion to conceal her car behind the grass to completely hide it.
The walk was easy, but she wished she’d thought to bring a flashlight. And she hadn’t figured out how to transmute electronics. That would require a working knowledge of the insides.
But the pillar called to her. It was easy to jog down the trail.
She caressed the pocket with the journal. “Dad, if you can hear me, show me what to do.”
Then she broke through the trees and stepped into the black sand surrounding the pillar. Instead of touching the stone, she knelt before the symbols and softly sang her father’s spell, letting magic bubble up and flow through her, wrapping around the stone.
The pillar melted away, revealing her bedroom when she was so little, her dad smiling down at her.
“I’m always here, little dove. The gift you seek is beneath the sand.
He dropped to his knees, bending to shovel. She joined him, as she continued to weave the spell. Time seemed suspended even though they continued a hurried pace. Then her fingers scraped something hard and she wrapped her hand around cool metal and stones.
She pulled a piece of jewelry out and held it to her chest as she looked into her father’s eyes.
“You’re on the right path. Follow your heart. Without his guidance, you’ll be lost.”
“You’re my guidance,” she whispered. “I’m here because of you.”
He wiped her tears away and pulled her in for a hug. “No, baby, not anymore. You found your other half. No more running.” He started to fade away.
She held on tighter. “Don’t go, Daddy. We need you.”
“I’m always by your side. Don’t you ever forget that.” He faded away as light burst through the etchings on the pillar.
* * * *
Chatan sat at the back of the room, wishing he wasn’t there, listening to the elders discuss what he already knew. The whole damned town was there, except Jacinda, of course.
Even Taryn and Loretta had shown up. Apparently, they couldn’t convince Jacinda to stick around with them. Considering she was used to being on her own, he couldn’t totally blame her.
“Chill, dude,” Loval murmured.
“Trying. Got a bad feeling.”
“Really think your girl is going to find trouble staying in the motel room?”
“Not if she stays put. I don’t know, she’s getting restless. Last night she hung out at the table behind the motel. What if she goes wandering?”
“You warned her about the falls, right?”
He nodded.
“She’ll be fine. What other trouble could she possibly get into?”
“Just because we got rid of Mason and that band of assholes doesn’t mean they won’t wander back over here. They respect no boundaries.”
George stated, “Another woman died last night. It seems they’re going farther to bring people in than the immediate vicinity. The bus that contained Others managed to drive away thanks to Chatan and Loval, but some of the men followed the bus farther and took someone else. We need to be on high alert. Call one of us if you see anything suspicious.”
Jenna stood up. “What about Jacinda? I was scolded over telling Mason there was a redhead in town who was cozying up to Chatan. Why are we protecting her?”
Chatan growled, but Loretta put a hand on his shoulder and stood up. “Jenna, remember the state we found those bodies in. Would you wish that on anyone?”
“And what if they come here, start taking our own people because we protect one outsider?” she snapped.
Mac stood up. “We won’t allow that to happen, and you best leave that girl alone. No more talking to Mason. He doesn’t care about you. He never did. All you were to him was a way to get under Chatan’s skin.”
Her eyes blazed as she turned to her father. “I was more than that.”
He shook his head. “You only see what you want to see. That’s why you still chase men who gave up on you long ago. One day, I pray, you grow up and figure out what’s worth holding onto.”
Chatan couldn’t take it anymore. Someone died the night before, and now Jacinda was all alone, no one watching over her. He left, climbed into his truck, and drove to the motel.
Her car was gone.
He pulled into the lot and parked next to where her car had sat since driving into town and hurried to the window. The vase was still there. That was a relief, but just barely.
After climbing into his truck, he pulled out his phone and sent a text to Loval.
Chatan - Hey, she’s not at her room. The car is gone. I’m going to drive around, see if I can find her.
The reply came fast.
Loval - If you need me, call.
Now he needed to figure out where to start.
Fear pricked his nerves, not his own. Jacinda’s. He felt the tug as if someone pulled a string tied to his waist and he knew what he needed to do.