Biting the inside of my cheek, I worry bringing Astor might cause Caro to have a stroke, but I push it aside. They’re going to have to get used to my family. I refuse to shun them in favor of the witches.
The large iron gates are closed when we arrive. With the sheer number of wards and spells guarding this place, there’s never been a need to close the gates. I don’t know if this is a political play from Caro or if there’s an actual security concern.
We pull up to the house and get off the bike, Henry is waiting for us by the door. Slipping inside, we wait for him to join us.
Glancing around to make sure we’re alone, I question him. “Why are the gates closed, Henry?”
“Miss Cassandra is gone. Mrs. Pennington believes she’s been kidnapped,” he whispers. “Personally, I think she left on her own. Be very careful. Mrs. Pennington has been unstable since your last visit. Seems to think you’re out to steal control of the witches’ council.” He clears his throat and calls out clearly, “Welcome, Miss Arden. How may I help you?” Winking at me, he tilts his head to indicate the hallway.
Taking my cue from him, I state my intentions loudly and clearly. “Hello, Henry. I’m here to search the archives. Can you show me the way?”
Caro’s quick strides and the tap of her heels on the marble flooring signals her irritation well before we get a visual of her. She comes into view, and I can barely keep my expression intact. The controlled and impeccable façade of the past is gone, leaving this straggly remnant in its place. Previously sleek hair is frizzy and chaotic, her clothes are rumpled and askew, and her makeup is a few days old. But it’s her physical appearance that’s changed the most. Age lines bracket her mouth and forehead, and black circles lie heavily under her eyes.
“Did you kidnap my daughter?” she asks, her eyes pleading me to tell her I did, while her voice remains hard and accusing.
“I did not.” I walk toward her, but she holds up hand to stop me. “But I’d be happy to help you search for her. When did you see her last?”
Her shoulders slump. “The night of the council meeting. She came to ask me if what you said was true. If immortality gave a witch the strength to wield greater power. I told her you were lying, of course, but I know she didn’t believe me.” She swallows and closes her eyes. “I’m afraid. I’ve cultivated her need to be the most powerful witch, and I don’t know what she’s going to do now that she isn’t. Cassandra’s…laser focused when there’s something she wants. Even I’m not able to persuade her differently. Can you help me find her before she does something irreversible?”
A tiny part of me wants to tell her no, but I can’t. How do you say no to a mother searching for her daughter? “We’ll help you,” I say, gesturing to Astor, then myself. Astor vigorously shakes his head no, but I ignore him. “I assume you’ve tried the usual scrying and spell casting?” She scoffs. I guess that’s her way of saying yes. “Great. Okay, let’s try again. Maybe it will help if I boost your magic with mine.”
Her eyes narrow in suspicion, and she stares intently at me, probably trying to figure out if this is a trick. Knowing she doesn’t have a choice, she gives in. “Fine,” she retorts. “Let’s do this in the living room.” She turns and walks over to the door on her right. “Are you coming?”
Astor turns to go, but I grab his arm.
“Wait,” I plead. “I have to help her.”
“Really?” he questions. “Why?”
“The same reason you helped that boy long ago,” I reply softly. “Sometimes, you do the right thing.”
Astor curses. “Fuck! Fine, but be careful. Put up a barrier. I don’t want her taking more of your power than she should. And I’m staying close to you. If anything looks funny, I’m pulling you out. Got it?”
“Okay,” I agree. Striding into the living room, I see Caro waiting for me on the couch, and I sit down and hold out my hand. “Ready?”
Caro eyes my hand like it’s diseased. “Have you done this before?”
“No,” I admit, “but I know the spell.” Closing my eyes, I mentally create a six-foot concrete wall, cover it in steel, add spikes, and set it on fire. I don’t want her anywhere near the core of my magic or my thoughts.
Astor strides over and stands near me, his body vibrating with anger, his hatred and suspicion of witches readily apparent.
Caro sneers at him and turns to me. “I’ll open a conduit between us, and when you’re ready, you can release your magic.”
“No,” Astor states emphatically. “Arden, you will open the conduit to her.” He smiles darkly at Caro.
Her mouth tightens, and she motions toward me.
Astor’s smart. If I open the conduit, I control it and can easily close it at any time. “Ready?” I ask before using my magic to open a conduit between us.
When we connect, she inhales sharply, and a euphoric expression crosses her face.
“Do you want me to say the location spell?” I rasp sharply, wanting her to focus.
“No, I’ve got it,” she retorts. Clasping tightly to my hand, she closes her eyes and chants the spell. Her face is blank for a minute or two, then a smile of pure joy shines on her face. She stays like this for several minutes, her eyes moving rapidly behind her lids as if she’s watching a movie. The smile slowly starts to fade, only to be replaced by a frown. Suddenly, her lips press together and hatred steals over her countenance, then she jerks and drops the conduit and my hand.
I raise my eyebrows toward Astor, and he shrugs. Caro remains motionless. After a minute, I place my hand on top of hers. “Caro, are you okay? Did you find Cassandra?”
She opens her eyes, and it’s worse than I thought. Devastation wars with hatred in her eyes. Her mind must still be caught up in whatever she saw in the spell, because she stares right through me.
