“I felt the hounds last night,” he suddenly said.
Ari was startled. “Where? Here?”
He shook his head slowly. “No, but they were not far away.”
Ari looked at Kyra. She hadn’t heard anything. Was the old man losing his mind? Kyra shrugged.
“Grandpa, was this a dream?”
“No, I felt them in my bones.”
Kyra patted her grandfather’s hand. “We’ll keep an eye out for them.”
“Don’t patronize me.” He sounded more weary than irritated. “I know what I know.” He lapsed into silence.
Ari looked at him thoughtfully, excused herself, and stepped outside to lean against the porch rail. Had she felt it too? Was it the hounds that had woken her last night? She called Lilith. No answer. Ari frowned. Lilith always answered her phone. She left a message and waited.
Fifteen minutes later, she gave in to her growing concern and called the club security office.
Russell answered after several rings. He sounded out of breath. “Uh, Ari, how’s the vacation?”
“Where’s Lilith? Is she OK?”
“She’s right here.”
There was a delay, and Ari heard muffled voices. Eventually she heard the echo associated with the speaker phone.
“Hi, Ari.” Lilith sounded rushed. “We’re really busy right now. Can I call you back?”
What was going on? Suspicion flared. “Don’t you dare hang up. Are you avoiding my calls?”
Silence. “Are you going to hate me if I say yes?”
A knot twisted in Ari’s stomach. “Is it the babies?”
“No. But there was some trouble last night, and Andreas didn’t want us to worry you.”
The knot tightened. “But he’s OK?”
“He’s fine, although several of the vamps were pretty beat up. It was the hellhounds…back in force this time.” Under Ari’s barrage of questions, Lilith gave her the details. “We weren’t there either,” Lilith finished. “The vampires and the Magic Council handled it by themselves.”
Ari shook her head impatiently. “Doesn’t he realize that hiding things like this makes me crazy?”
“In his defense, it was late, Ari,” Russell said. “We didn’t hear about it until close to dawn. He probably would have told you tonight.”
Yeah, and he might not. Not if he thought he could keep it secret. But she had no intention of discussing her differences with Andreas, not even with close friends.
“So, the Mahmo crow is back. What’s being done about it?”
“It vanished again, so nothing right now. But I know Andreas talked with Prince Daron, and he closed the club.” Russell went on to explain the defensive measures that had been taken. “The Magic Lab modified the sleep spell so it’s faster acting, but that still would leave masses of bird bodies to be removed. They’re trying to figure it out.”
Ari let out a long sigh as she hung up the phone. The situation was continuing to deteriorate.
“You sound discouraged,” Kyra remarked as she stepped out onto the porch. “Has something else happened?”
“Trouble in town. They worked it out, and it probably wasn’t as bad as it sounded.” Actually, she knew the lions had minimized the incident, but she hated to upset Kyra. Andreas had survived. That was the important part.
“You look tired. Why don’t you lie down for a while? I’ll run these herbs to town and be back by suppertime. Do you need anything?”
Ari gave her a weary smile. “A quieter life would be nice. Not anything you can buy.” She patted her belly. “I guess we could use a nap.” She thought she was too wired to sleep, but she went to her room, curled up on the feather bed, and hugged her pillow.
An hour later she woke, sat up, and stretched. The house was quiet. She walked into the main room, but it was empty. Mr. Montrey must be off with his friends, drinking ale, a regular afternoon pastime. Kyra obviously wasn’t back yet.
Ari scrubbed the sleep from her face. A walk in the woods might be a good idea. Wake her up and stretch her legs. She grabbed a banana from the kitchen, headed outside, and chose a tree-sheltered path. As she ambled along, she pulled her phone from her pocket and checked the time. 3:17. Andreas should be up. She hit speed dial.
“Cara mia.”
Ari shut her eyes as the warmth of his voice washed over her. After all this time… “I miss you,” she said.
“Good to know.” His voice held a smile. “I would hate to be alone in my misery.”
“You should have called me last night.”
“Why would I wake you just so you could worry?” Gentle, chiding, but with a firmness that said he would do the same again. “Arianna, I told you to leave this to me.”
“I don’t have much choice.”
He sighed. “Bored already?”
“Uncomfortable with being out of the loop. Are the crows still there?”
“Yes. They’re all around the outside of the property, but the wards are holding.”
“But the wards won’t stop him, will they?”
Empty silence. Ari waited. If Andreas had confronted the Mahmo crow last night, he must know something of its power now.
“Probably not,” he admitted. “But we have increased our other precautions. The shutters have been blocked with steel and iron slabs, and the weretigers are in the hallway with flamethrowers when I sleep.”
“Will it be enough?”
“I hope so.”
He was being too cagey. “What are you not telling me? I’m better knowing than imagining the worst.”
Another sigh. “I struck him with a bolt of lightning, but it didn’t appear to affect him.”
“Damn.” Her heart pounded. That powerful. “So what happened? What drove it away?”
“I can’t be sure…but I think he feared I would damage his physical body. I tried to grab his wings, and he swerved away, staying out of reach.”
“Really?” Ari felt a spark of excitement. “That could be huge information. If his crow form can be hurt, even killed—”
“Hey, slow down. It is only a theory.”
Still… Possibilities swirled in her head. It was the first inkling of the creature’s vulnerability. “Maybe so, but we should build on it. Flamethrowers, RPGs, assault rifles.”
Andreas’s rich laugh reached across the phone. “I love it when you talk dirty.”
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. Do it again.”
“I think you really miss me,” she said, sensing a change of mood.
“Open the link, and I’ll show you how much.” His glamour rolled over her.
Ari laughed this time, enjoying the intimate moment. “I’m not having sex by telepathy, Andreas De Luca. Not in front of our child.”
“Talk about a mood kill. But you know how much I love you. Both of you.”
Her voice softened. “Yes, but feel free to tell me again.”
* * *
Kyra joined Ari on her walk a few minutes later and showed her which vines to gather for basket weaving. Once their arms were full, they returned to the house, stripped the vines of leaves, and set them aside for tomorrow. Mr. Montrey joined them for supper, challenged Ari to a game of Speilit, similar to checkers, and beat her soundly. When he retired for the night, Ari and Kyra sat outside and talked: baby names, diapers, Kyra’s trip to town.
About ten o’clock Andreas called to say good night. He reported Olde Town was quiet. She lay awake a long time wondering what the crows were waiting for.
Ari woke the next morning rested and refreshed and slipped outside into the bright sunshine filtering through the trees. A gentle breeze shimmered against her skin, and the scents of pine and rich earth and the morning glories that grew wild around the Montreys’ home tickled her nose. It was going to be a good day.
After breakfast, they boiled the gathered vines, and Kyra taught her how to weave. Ari proudly held up her first completed basket. “I’ve never been good at anything domestic.”
?
??Stick around here, and we’ll have you doing all kinds of things. Maybe even knitting baby booties.”
Ari gave her a horrified look. “Oh no. Now you’ve gone too far.”
“OK, no booties, but let’s finish the baskets. I need to deliver them to the craft fair committee this afternoon.”
The nymph clan held a weekend fair each August in conjunction with the Summer Sun Days in the Olde Town market district. Because of the crow infestation, it had been moved to the county fairgrounds in the suburbs. The clan provided crafts, jams, honey jellies, baskets, herbs. In fact, a wide variety of items, homemade and organic. The sale provided most of their outside income for the following winter. Ari was eager to repay their hospitality by doing her part.
By the time they completed enough baskets, it was almost noon. They ate a light lunch of nuts and berries, then Kyra left to make her delivery, and Ari went for a walk.
She looked down at herself and chuckled. The baby had grown quickly in the last week or two. Even her gait had changed. She had a slight but perceptible waddle and had gone up another T-shirt size just to accommodate her new shape. She tried a gentle jog along the forest path. Not too bad. The balance was different, but doable. She increased her jog to a mild run. The activity felt good as she stretched muscles that hadn’t been used in a couple of days. When the infant started kicking, she dialed it back and dropped into a walk. OK, baby. You’re the boss.
Ari was back on the porch when Kyra returned.
“They loved the baskets. Milla asked if you were keeping to your schedule.” Kyra winked. “I lied and told her you were.”
“Thanks. I’m surprised she hasn’t been over to check for herself.”
“She hadn’t known you were staying here, but she’ll be here Monday when the fair is over. She’s on the organizing committee.”
“That’s good.” Ari yawned, feeling her eyes droop. “I guess the fresh air tired me out. I’m going to lie down for a few minutes.”
When she woke, it was almost dark. She splashed water on her face and wandered into the kitchen. “I can’t believe I slept all this time.”
“Hi, sleepyhead. Have a seat, and I’ll bring you some soup.” Kyra waved her toward the table. “I didn’t want to wake you.”
“Oh, that’s all right. I guess I needed the sleep.” Ari propped her head on the palms of her hands. Kyra set a cup of herbal tea in front of her, and Ari took a sip of the tangy liquid. Hot. Giving it a moment to cool, she pulled out her phone to check the time. 5:42. And she had two missed calls. Andreas and Ryan.
She thumbed return, and her husband answered immediately.
“Good evening, Arianna.”
He sounded fine, and she relaxed. “Why’d you call?”
“Do I need a reason?”
“No, but Ryan called too. Something’s up.”
“The crows are gone.”
“What? How did you get rid of them?”
“We didn’t. Not as far as I know. About an hour ago they suddenly left—took flight and spread out from Riverdale in every direction. It was quite a sight. I’ve checked around town and talked with Ryan. They’re just gone.” Sudden concern sharpened his voice. “They didn’t come there, did they?”
“No. It’s as peaceful as ever.” She straightened. “If the crows are gone, does that mean I can come home?”
“Ah, cara mia, don’t get too hasty. I want you here, but let’s see what happens the next day or two.”
“I was afraid you’d say that.”
“So you were trying to make me the bad guy?” There was an underlying amusement in his voice.
She made a face. “No, just wishful thinking. The baby and I aren’t used to this quiet life.” She told him about her walks and how she thought the infant had doubled in size. “I’ll be big as a barn by delivery.”
“And twice as beautiful as before.”
Ari smiled. “How come you always know the right thing to say?”
“You inspire me.”
* * *
Dawn was streaking across the eastern sky when Ari woke with a start. She listened, trying to identify what had woken her. Then she heard it again. The flutter of wings. She slipped out of bed and crouched by the window. Her magic flared before she saw them.
Crows. Her heart pounded. The enemy had found her. Time to leave. By nightfall, the hounds might be there.
She dressed quickly in the dim light, threw things into her backpack, including her weapons, grabbed her magicks pouch, and crept into the main room of the house. She checked the cabusso deck in front. It seemed to be clear.
She tapped lightly on the door to Kyra’s bedroom and entered.
“Kyra,” she whispered. “It’s me. Are you awake?”
“Ari?” The nymph woman sat up in bed.
“Shh. The crows are here. I have to go.”
Kyra lowered her voice. “Go? Where?”
“To a safe place. I’ll be in touch. Stay in the house. As soon as the crows realize I’m gone, I think they’ll leave. If not, call Samuel at the mansion for help.”
Kyra rubbed her eyes. “If you have to go, I’m coming with you.”
“No, I’ll travel faster and safer alone.”
“It doesn’t sound safe. What if they catch you alone?
“They won’t. They’re gathering outside my bedroom window. The front door is clear, and I can sneak out without being seen. It should take a few minutes before they realize I’m gone. But I have to leave quickly. Stay inside.”
Ari hurried across the room before Kyra dredged up new arguments. She took another look outside and slipped onto the deck. Selecting the nearest and densest path, she hurried into the woods, picking her way carefully for the first hundred yards. Then she broke into a jog.
She dialed Andreas. The sky was lightening, but maybe she could catch him before he fell asleep. It rang several times. Heart sinking, she was ready to disconnect.
Then he answered. His voice was thick with the coming dawn. “Arianna?”
“The crows are here, so I’m leaving.”
“How? Where?” His words were sluggish. Fighting the sun was a losing battle.
“I don’t know how they found me. Maybe the phone? I’m going to ditch it. As for where, you know where I’m going. Think about it. Love you.”
He didn’t respond. Nothing but silence on the other end. Damn, he’d been overtaken by sleep. Had he heard enough to know where to find her?
She risked one more call and caught Ryan fresh from the shower.
“I need a ride,” she said. “The crows are after me.” She asked him to meet her at the river crossing south of Riverdale. “It’s the fastest way out of the area.”
A pause. “Thirty minutes. Anything you want me to bring?”
“My Book of Shadows. Samuel can get it for you, but I don’t dare use this phone again. That must be how they found me. Some elder is more tech savvy than we thought.”
“No problem. I’ll call him, but change my ETA to thirty-five minutes.”
“See you.”
Without breaking stride, she opened the case of her phone, took out the battery, and flung both pieces into the bushes. Adjusting her stride to the baby’s added weight and the awkward distribution, she settled into a steady pace that would eat up the ground without placing too much strain on her system. When she arrived at a branching of paths, she laid a few false trails, turning down each of them for a few hundred feet, and she opened several encapsulated spells from her pouch to mask her magical trace and confuse a tracker.
She dropped to a walk as the trees began to thin and the ground under her feet turned rocky near the Mississippi River. Picking a shade tree at the designated intersection, she sat down to wait.
How did the crows find her? Was the phone the problem or had someone let a careless word slip? Had they detected her magical trace? She’d been careful, but obviously something had gone wrong. Unless she figured out what it was, they’d find her again.
Could
the crows talk with other birds? Had the cheerful songbirds who chittered around her on solitary walks ratted on her? Not that she was paranoid.
CHAPTER TWELVE
When Ryan’s cruiser pulled over at the intersection, Ari got in and threw him a rueful look. “Sorry to get you involved, but I couldn’t walk all the way to St. Louis and still keep out of sight.”
Ryan gave a loud snort. “For God’s sake, Ari. I’m your partner. What part of that says uninvolved?” He nodded toward the backseat. “I got your book. And your cat.”
“OK, thanks, I—cat?” She looked in the backseat. “What’s Dona doing here?”
The snowy white Siamese mix looked at her with accusing green eyes.
“And in a cage. Poor baby.” Ari reached over the seat and snapped open the pet carrier. Dona jumped into her arms, rubbed her head against Ari’s stomach, and began to purr.
“Samuel insisted I bring her,” Ryan said. “Said she’d done nothing but yowl and try to escape since you left. She’d scratched up all the doors and windows.” He shrugged. “I hope you don’t mind. Her food and a litter box are in the trunk.”
“Mind? I love it. She’ll be great company.”
“She’s sure attached to you.”
“Not to me. The baby.”
“Do witches’ familiars really exist?” he asked doubtfully.
“Dona seems to think so.”
They crossed the river, turned left, and drove south, making occasional small talk or just sharing a companionable silence.
“We have a spy somewhere,” Ryan finally said. “Someone who’s reporting to the elders or whoever is controlling the crows. Any idea who?”
“No. Do you?”
He shook his head.
“I haven’t talked to anyone we don’t trust, but I’ll be more careful.” Ari grew silent, petting the cat and considering what she should do next. “Why don’t you drop me at the next bus station or car rental?”
“Take the cat on a bus? Or leave a credit card trail? I don’t think so. Samuel said Andreas will expect to find you at Moriana’s in St. Louis, so that’s where I’m taking you.”
Ari leaned back in the seat and accepted the inevitable. By 4:00 p.m., they pulled into a gas station on the edge of St. Louis. While Ryan filled the tank, she borrowed his phone and called Moriana.