Page 45 of Black and White, Twice the Might (Cadenbury Town #8)

I sigh as I walk into my new workshop and put the last box on one of the worktops.

I can’t wait to get everything washed, cleaned down and put away.

I put in a large chocolate order yesterday, which should be here in a few days.

I’ll need to check the dates on the flavourings I have, in case I need to reorder some.

But that can wait. First things first. I need to wash and disinfect every surface, shelf and appliance.

I start in the room on the side. It will be perfect for keeping boxes, bags, lolly sticks, gold foil wrapping, greaseproof paper, ribbon, and so much more. I might invest in new ribbons, stickers and boxes with “ Cadenbury Town Chocolates ” written on them.

I fill a bucket with hot, soapy water and start washing everything down. Once it’s all dry, I’ll disinfect everywhere.

I wonder how Sly and the boys are getting on shopping.

The shopping list is large, but if they stick to it, everything should be fine.

I laugh at that thought. Sly will go off the list and probably buy things he likes and thinks we might one day need.

He’ll also spoil the boys. We both have a hard time saying no to them.

We want to make up for their past, so we do spoil them.

The only thing we are strict on is schoolwork and healthy eating, something that’s been lacking lately.

As I wash the walls down, I think about how much our lives have changed in such a short space of time. In a month, we’ve moved into our very own house, been adopted by the Stone family, found Enoch’s calling as a vet, and made new magical friends.

I’m just changing the water when a strange feeling of dread hits me in my solar plexus, and I receive a magical help message from Sly.

I dump the bucket in the sink, wipe my hands and pull my phone out, ringing Sly. I don’t get an answer. I would try ringing my brothers, but they don’t have phones. I send my magic off to see what it can find out when my phone rings.

I glance at the screen, hoping I’ll see Sly’s grinning face, but it’s an unknown number. I hit the answer button. “Hello.”

“It’s Xander. Sly’s been kidnapped,” he tells me quickly, and I can hear the panic in his voice.

Of all the things my brother could have said, I wasn’t expecting that. “What happened?” I ask, rushing out of my workshop.

“We were putting the shopping in the boot when a white van drove behind us, stopped, and some men jumped out, grabbed Sly and threw him into the van. Enoch and I chased after it, banging on the side and trying to open the door, but they sped off.”

“Are you both alright?” I ask, trying hard not to panic. I don’t want Xander or Enoch stressing out more than they already are.

“Yeah, we’re both fine. A lady that saw it happen let me use her phone to call you, and a man who saw it is currently calling the police.”

“I’m on my way. Can you two get somewhere safe?”

“Yeah, we’ll wait by the entrance, but Ebb, how will you get here? We have the car.”

“I’ll call the witchlings and be there as soon as I can.”

“Thanks, Ebb, see you soon.”

I close my workroom door and phone Ernest.

“ What’s wrong? I got an SOS from Sly.”

“He’s been kidnapped, and I don’t have my car.”

“We’ll come and pick you up, be ready.”

“ Ernest, thanks .”

“We’re family, no thanks needed. See you in a bit.”

I hurry to the house and pick up the spare keys, both for the car and house, and pull on my coat, rushing out and locking the front door as a car comes speeding down the road and screeches to a stop by the house.

I run down the path and get into the back seat. Adhan is driving, Ernest next to him and surprisingly John in the back.

“They’re at the mega store,” I tell Adhan.

He does a U-turn and heads for the shop.

“What happened?” John asks.

“Sly and the boys were putting the shopping in the car when a white van pulled up, men jumped out, grabbed Sly and threw him in the van that then sped off,” I explain.

“The boys tried chasing after the van and trying to open the door, but they couldn’t stop it.

Thankfully, Xander said they weren’t hurt. ”

“Have you tried contacting him?” Ernest asks.

“We don’t have a mind link, I’ve tried via magic, but I’m getting nothing,” I reply, wringing my hands.

John puts a comforting hand on my arm. “He’ll be found, just keep the faith.”

I nod. “I know, and his magic is strong, I just wish I could feel him,” I look at John. “Can you look after my brothers while we look for Sly?”

John nods. “That’s why I’ve come.”

I give a relieved sigh. “Thanks, John. Enoch might need a lot of reassurance that he’s safe.”

“I can give him that, don’t worry.”

“We’re here,” Ernest says, as we drive into the car park.

“There they are by those police officers,” Adhan tells me, swinging into a parking space a few rows over.

I just about wait for the car to stop before I jump out and rush over to my brothers. They are not by the entrance but standing by the car.

Xander sees me first.

“Ebby,” he calls.

I run to their side and they both throw themselves into my arms and I hug them tight.

“We tried to get him out of the van, but it drove away too fast,” Enoch says, looking at me, sadness and shock in his eyes.

“Thank you for trying. Were either of you hurt?”

They both shake their heads.

“No, just scared for Sly,” Xander replies.

Enoch spots John and pulls out of my arms and turns to hug him, Xander doing the same.

“I’ve got you,” he says softly.

A man walks over to me. “Mr Anderson-Sherwood?”

I nod. “Yes.”

“I’m DCI Oram. We’re doing everything we can to find your husband. Your brothers memorised the van licence plate, so we’re running that at the moment. Do you have any idea who might have kidnapped him?”

Just then, Adhan joins me.

“Alpha,” the DCI says softly, holding his hand out.

Adhan shakes his hand. “Hi, Jack.”

“You know about our world?” I ask him.

The officer nods. “I used to live in Cadenbury.”

“I think Sly’s family kidnapped him. He’s from an original dark line of witches,” I tell him softly, as there are others around. “We had a run-in with one of his brothers at the weekend.”

“Do you know where they live or are staying?”

I shake my head. “No, he has nothing to do with his family, so he doesn’t talk about them,” I tell him.

DCI Oram nods. “We’re getting statements from everyone who saw what happened, hopefully that will tell us something, but I’ll keep you informed of our progress. If you find anything, let me know.” He pulls a card out of his pocket and hands it to me.

I take it and shove it in my pocket.

“Can you check the CCTV cameras and follow the van?” Adhan asks.

“My sergeant is getting the footage we need.”

“Thanks, Jack.”

The officer nods and walks away.

As they were talking, I send my magic out looking for Sly, but it can’t find anything after the van left the car park.

“We lost his trail at the car park exit,” Temp says, walking to my side, obviously having sent his magic out as well.

I look around and see that practically the whole family is here.

“That’s what I’m getting. If they have warded the van and themselves, how will I ever find him?” I ask. I’m trying to hold things together, especially as my brothers are here, but I’m scared. Scared of what his family could be doing to him, and scared that I’ll never find him.

Titus comes and stands in front of me. “Just because they’re warded doesn’t mean you can’t find them.” He puts his hands on my shoulders. “Close your eyes and look inside yourself. Find your love for Sly and use that to locate him. Nothing is stronger than true love.”

I nod and do as he says. It’s not hard to find my love for Sly. I love him with every fibre of my being. I latch onto that love and use my magic, asking them both to find my Sly.

I’m surprised when they do. I see Sly being grabbed and thrown into the van, and then following the van as it sped away.

It follows for a while and watches as the van turns into a farm entrance.

I spend a few moments looking for the farm name, ‘Crosswinds’.

Once I have that, I focus back on Sly and see him now in a barn.

He’s kneeling on the straw-covered floor, his arms tied behind him and a rope around his neck.

For some reason, he looks calm and serene.

“We’re coming for you, love,” I tell him. Not that he can hear me.

He must feel something, though, as I see a quick, barely-there smirk.

I look around the barn and see a fair few people talking amongst themselves. Swayne is with them, so his family did take him.

I send protection to Sly before pulling away and opening my eyes.

Titus smiles. “Well done. Now let’s go and get him.”

“You saw everything?” I ask in surprise.

Titus nods. “I did and told the others.”

“Thanks,” I reply.

“Ebby, I’m taking the boys back to yours and will stay with them until you’re both home,” John informs me.

“Thanks, John,” I pull out the spare keys. “Can you drive our car back?”

John nods, taking the keys. “I can.”

Enoch touches my arm. “Bring our brother back.”

I pull him into a hug and drop a kiss on his head. “Always. Just so you know, your nutty brother, even though he’s tied up and surrounded by his family, looks calm and serene.”

Xander laughs. “I’d expect nothing less. Now go get him.”

I laugh and hug Xander. “Be good, both of you.”

They nod, and I rush away with the others to the cars.