Chapter 25
“Stay in the office with me,” Chatan pleaded. “At least until you need to sleep.”
She glanced down at the ground and chewed her lip. “Can I get to the convenience store by that trail?” She nodded to the other side of the office.
He sighed. “Yeah, why?”
“I’ll get a snack for us and meet you at the office. And I’ll hang out with you for a while, but I’m not staying all night. I want to work out another piece of the puzzle my father left.”
“And you don’t want my help?” Patience, he needed to remember his damned patience. “Sorry, forget I asked.”
“I will ask for your help when I have some place to start. Right now, it’s just a bunch of threads that make a mess.
“I could help unravel them. I want to do everything I can to make this easier for you.”
She blew out a breath. “It’s all cryptic messages he created for me. If I can piece enough together, I’ll share. Okay?”
Chatan took her hand. “You don’t have to.”
“I want to. After I sort through the biggest part of the code. It’s all in code and you gave me the last pieces. Remember?”
His brow arched. “Least I could do.”
“I didn’t finish going through the journal. Let me do that, and then you can attempt to make sense of it. Okay?”
He nodded, a stupid smile on his lips. Progress, a smidge, but it was something. “Only if you want me to look.”
She nudged his ribs. “Stop. I know you want to understand. I have to figure out how to explain all of it.”
His eyes widened. She was thinking about sharing all of it? He hadn’t expected that. “I’ll help any way I can.”
“I know. Now, is there any kind of snack food you like?”
“I’m not picky, but I don’t do a lot of snacking.”
“I’ll be back shortly. I need a few things to settle in and focus, so I’m going now, before they close.”
“Trail takes you behind the convenient store. Take the first right, then you’ll be behind it. And watch for those assholes. There’s no telling when they’ll be back.”
“Don’t worry so much about me. I’ll be fine, Chatan. Promise.”
He pulled her close and took a kiss before stepping toward the office door. “I’ll see you soon.”
Dipping her head, she headed for the trail, glancing back to wave once she made it to the trees.
He stepped inside once she was out of sight and nodded to Koa, who sat behind the desk. He smiled. “Good to see you, Chatan. I understand there’s a young woman staying at the end room.”
“There is, and if any out-of-towners ask, just tell them no. She’s not safe with the guys of Saint Morton.”
“I’ve heard. Don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul. But I want to meet her.”
“Another day. She’s coming back here, but I don’t want you to be late to see your woman.”
He laughed. “Yeah, it’s not every day you fall for someone. And I’m curious what woman finally calmed your unrest.”
“Oh, I’m still restless. I worry every time she’s out of sight.”
“Like now?”
He groaned. “Yeah. She insisted on walking to the store. And it’s just down the trail, but considering Jenna already tried to out her, I’m worried.”
“You were worried before that.”
He nodded. “Yeah. I saw her and felt the pull toward her. She isn’t like anyone else. I can’t resist the draw.”
“Is she resisting?” Koa asked.
“Yes and no. It’s complicated. Now, get out of here. I’ll introduce you next time I have a chance.”
“Much luck.” Koa slipped through the door and Chatan moved behind the counter, dialing his cousin up in Seattle.
Eddie answered after a few rings. “Hey, Chatan. Long time since you called. What’s going on?”
He leaned against the wall. “Met someone. She’s in trouble. And some not quite alive bitch wants to steal her magic, killing her in the act.”
“Who is she?”
He rubbed at his forehead. “Jacinda Lavelle. A beautiful redhead.”
“What is she?” Eddie asked slowly.
“Mixed heritage. She uses an array of magic.”
“I can see if I can find anything out about her.”
“She uses an alias at times. Does that matter?”
“Why?”
“Protection?” Chatan rubbed at his neck. “Look, all I know is she’s running from something, but she’s not one of the bad guys.”
“I’ll see what I can find, then I’ll be out there. Besides, Jackie will want to meet her.”
“You’re thinking she’s up to no good?” Chatan demanded.
“No. But I have to wonder. Why is she in Wanatoga?”
“That’s her story to tell. But she can’t leave while Josephine Monvoisin is draining Others.”
“What?” Eddie asked urgently.
“You know her?”
“Of her. Does the council know? I know they’ve been looking for her.”
“She went back to her family’s estate in Saint Morton. Should I call someone?”
“I’ll tell Mike. I’m sure he’ll know what to do about it.”
Chatan rubbed at the back of his neck. “We’ve been trying to catch her, but we’ve been unsuccessful. We’re positive it’s her, but we can’t figure out where she’s doing the rituals or we would have stopped her by now.”
“Good to know. I’ll talk to Mike and get back to you. And I’ll also look into Jacinda, just in case.”
“You’re not going to find anything bad on her. I can promise that.”
“I hope you’re right.”
* * * *
Jacinda walked around the small grocery store and took a quick look at the parking lot before going in. No one from Saint Morton.
She shouldn’t have been scared, but between Chatan’s constant worry and the few times she’d been near Mason, she was a little freaked out. However, she’d handled worse assholes in the past.
A woman smiled from behind the counter. She had long white hair and crow’s feet around her eyes.
“Good afternoon, Jacinda.”
Her head tipped even as she smiled. “You too. I’m sorry, I don’t know your name.”
“I’m Nadie. Now, if those guys from Saint Morton show up, I want you to hide. Do you understand?”
Holding back the sigh, she nodded. “Understood.”
“I’m sure you’re tired of hearing that.”
A laugh escaped. “Very. I’ll be done in a moment.”
“Take your time,” Nadie said.
Jacinda gathered fresh fruit and vegetables. She picked up smoked salmon. Her last stop was their biggest cup of coffee. On the way to the counter, she grabbed a dark chocolate bar.
Nadie turned toward the windows. “Behind the counter now, Jacinda.” She picked up the phone, dialing someone. “There’s a cubby you can get under, with your items.”
Jacinda stashed the things she picked up under the counter while she hid at the far end of the under an illusion. She watched as a truck of men pulled into the parking lot.
Surprisingly, she didn’t see Mason. No, she saw the big one Chatan had called Butch. And four guys, two from the other day. None of them had seen her, thankfully, but on a reservation, she’d be unmistakable.
Nadie whispered, “Don’t make a sound.”
The men walked in.
Jacinda didn’t answer, didn’t move, and hardly breathed.
Nadie glared at the men walking in. “Hello, Officer Joe. We may have some problem down at Wanatoga Grocery Stop.”
After a short pause, she smiled coldly. “Yes, I’ll see you in a moment.” She hung up and directed her attention to Butch. “The police will be here shortly. I don’t want any trouble.”
Butch sauntered over. “We’re looking for a redhead. Goes by Wendy Naughton or Jacinda, according to Jenna. She robbed a diner. We’re looking for her so our police can arrest her, and the proper justice can be dealt.”
“I’ve heard, but no one in Wanatoga has seen this girl. Redhead, right? Green eyes? Tall, willowy? I’m sure I would have noticed her.
The police car pulled up and one of the dumbasses in the back growled. “I should just knock over some shelves.”
Butch shook his head. “They’d arrest you. Let’s be smart about this. Sooner or later the bitch will strike here, and they’ll give her up.”
“Why would she come here?” Nadie asked. “Honestly, what could she possibly want out here?”
“Old artifacts your people waste.”
She laughed. “Right, because we have artifacts just lying around?”
Joe walked in. “All right, guys. If you’re going to buy something, do it now. Otherwise, get out.”
Butch nodded. “Let’s go, guys. Whatever you picked up, put back exactly as you found it.” He glared at Nadie. “You’re lucky you called the cop.” He stormed out, the other four men following on his heels.
Jacinda let out a breath of relief once the door shut.
Joe glanced in her direction, then looked out the window, watching as Butch fired up the truck and drove out.
Once they were out of sight he said, “I sense you. Do I finally get to meet you?”
Jacinda glanced outside again and dropped the spell.
Nadie laughed. “That’s a handy trick.”
“Very,” Joe answered. “Why don’t I bring you back to the motel once you’re finished here?”
“Thanks. I already found everything I need. I just need to pay.” Jacinda ducked to grab everything and put it on the counter. “And thank you for not telling them I was here.”
“Only a fool would hand you over to those morons.” Smiling, Nadie took her arm and turned her wrist. “Is that what has been hidden at the pillar all these ages?”
She gulped. “I don’t know how long the bracelet remained hidden, but I did find it there.”
“Dove finally chose her guardian.” Nadie hugged her.
All the more reason for Jacinda to finish figuring out the riddles her father left. “I hope that’s a good thing.”
“Oh, it is,” Joe answered. “She was never ours. She’s everyone’s. She was brought here by one of our people, but she wasn’t from here. It makes sense she’d finally leave with someone who isn’t.”
“Aren’t we all the same people?” Jacinda countered. “Or is it all different?”
“We are but aren’t. You don’t share our faith, our beliefs. Your family is from far away. But you are right. You are Other, and Chatan cares for you greatly. I believe you belong wherever he is.”
Blushing, Jacinda moved around the counter and pulled her wallet out. “Chatan is great.”
“Your first love?” Nadie prompted.
Joe interrupted, “It’s awfully fast. She may not know yet.”
“I am falling for Chatan.” She didn’t bother to tell them she was only passing through, though she’d stay until time was up.
Nadie rang her up and she paid.
“I wish I hadn’t brought all this trouble into your town,” Jacinda admitted.
“You didn’t, Jacinda. They’re bringing it because they follow a monster in a pretty face,” Nadie answered.
“Was Josephine always like that?”
Nadie tipped her head from side to side. “Not exactly. She was always rotten to the core, but she came back to Saint Morton tainted. She isn’t right.”
“Have you met her?”
She nodded. “Her parents called me out to check on her. Her soul is black, decayed, rotten through and through. I couldn’t help Josephine.”
“I’ve never heard of someone being dead as long as she was and coming back.”
“Most don’t survive. She has a way to take essence. It’s the only explanation as to why she’s still alive, or whatever she is. None of us will let her near you. She’s gained too many magics after her resurrection.”
Joe grumbled, “And no one but our Nadie has seen her since she came back from the dead.”
Nadie’s eyes narrowed. “I haven’t seen her since her mother called me out. I prefer to keep it that way.”
“Sorry. I know you are friends with Josephine’s mother, but that doesn’t mean she produced a good child,” Joe explained.
“Very true. Now, let’s not keep Jacinda busy chatting with us.”
Jacinda smiled. “I don’t mind. Chatan is working, and even though I plan to hang out with him, I don’t plan to stay in the office the whole night.”
“He wouldn’t mind. Neither would Loretta, who owns the motel,” Joe assured.
“No, but I’ll need to sleep.” And work out the journal, but they didn’t need to know about that.
She took her bag and coffee. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Nadie.”
Nadie grinned. “The pleasure is mine. Now go on. Don’t keep that young man waiting. I’m sure he heard that truck from a mile away.”
Joe shook his head when she reached for the back door. He hurried past to the front. “Then off we go,” Joe said, opening the door for her. “Front seat. He’ll have a conniption fit if you show up in my backseat.”
“Probably.” She climbed in as he went around. As soon as he sat down, she said, “You know it’s a short walk on that trail.”
He nodded. “Yes, but he called right after Nadie did. I’m driving you to set his mind at ease.”
“This should be a fun conversation.”
“Jacinda, I hate to tell you this, but they want to take you to a woman who wants to strip your magic and kill you.”
“I realize that. I’ve dealt with worse.”
* * * *
Chatan paced behind the counter, ready to tear his hair out. Of course Jacinda didn’t have a damned phone, and he hadn’t heard from Joe or Nadie yet. No one bothered to answer their damned phones.
He was tempted to call his aunt and tell her he couldn’t work the full shift, that he needed to get to Jacinda pronto. Then Joe pulled in and his heart started racing until the passenger door opened and Jacinda climbed out with a bag and a large cup of probably coffee.
Relief flowed through him as Joe popped a hand out the window and a thumb up.
A smile pulled at his lips as Jacinda stepped inside with a smirk. “Worried?”
He nodded. “When I heard the truck, I started to panic.”
“I hid. Wish you’d all chill.”
He sighed. “You asked. Would you prefer me to lie?”
“No. Sorry. Hearing the same thing over and over again is getting old.”
“Come here.”
Smiling, she crossed the distance and he nodded to the gap between the wall and the desk. She moved beside him. “I’m trying not to be so annoyed by all the worry. I’m sure I’m not the only one you’d worry over.”
“Sure, I’d worry about others, but you’re different. I don’t want to think about life without you.”
“I don’t like the idea either,” she admitted.
That started to ease his fear of losing her. Not completely. He took a slow kiss but stopped himself from taking it further.
She licked her lips and stepped back. “What do we do now?”
He pulled her toward the couch in the alcove. “We can talk. There are board games. Cards. You can read the journal here.”
“If I read the journal, I’ll ignore you. I don’t want to ignore you. Why not cards? I can play Hearts, Spades, War, Go Fish.”
He smiled. “Let’s play Hearts, since you have mine.”
She took the deck and began to shuffle. “What do you want to talk about?”
“Do you like dogs?” he asked.
Jacinda shook her head, keeping her eyes down.
He knew that, he wanted to know why. “How come?”
Her eyes bounced up. “I watched a big dog maul a man when I was little. And even though I learned the truth later, I still can’t get that image out of my head. Big dogs scare me.”
“What’s the truth?” he asked.
“The man violated another man’s little girl. He happened to be a werewolf. The bastard got what was coming, but I didn’t learn that for ten years.”
“Yeah, I’d say he got what he deserved, but I can understand why you’d be scared.”
She sighed. “It was in a park, broad daylight. Anyway, why do you ask?”
“Always loved dogs.”
“Do you know the one that wanders around here?” she asked.
One corner of his mouth tipped up. “What dog is that?”
She sighed. “Looks like a wolf/husky hybrid. The first dog I don’t mind being around.
He smiled. “I’ve seen him.”
Jacinda dealt the cards. “Do you like all animals?”
“Mostly.”