Page 50 of Gray Dawn

There was also the fact Luca was fae. As much as she enjoyed playing dress-up with black witches, she wasn’t one. If the spell on Isiforos had dark magic roots, Luca couldn’t have cast it herself.

So who had?

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Colby rode into our room on Arden’s head, bundled in her blanket, while Arden carried the laptop.

Out in the hall, phone pressed to his ear, Fergal made travel arrangements for their return to Boston.

“Nan bought tickets for two more flights,” Colby announced. “Denver and L.A.”

“That gives us a time frame.” I nodded along. “A chance to get the word out to both cities.”

Dallas happened too quickly for us to spare them, but we could get ahead of Luca this time.

“We can check the database,” Asa suggested. “See what covens are operating in or near those cities.”

“No need.” Colby grinned at him. “Nan kept a copy of her contacts’ information.”

“That’s amazing. We can send agents to intercept the rogues and shut down distribution in the new cities before it begins. Make sure Boston, Charlotte, and Dallas also get copies.” I dared to be optimistic. “Any luck on narrowing down Luca’s location?”

“Not yet.” Her antennae drooped. “Nan was in contact with her, so I’ll figure it out.”

So far, the Kellies hadn’t turned up any useful leads on real estate, but it was hard to blame them when half their job was rebuilding all that had been lost. For every step they took forward, their new equipment and resources set them back two.

“Never doubted it.” I pressed my lips to the top of her head. “You’re the smartest moth girl I know.”

To evade us this long, the director must be paying in cash and staying off grid to avoid detection. That, I was sad to say, was likely Clay’s doing. He was a much more dangerous choice in bodyguard if for no other reason than he was in tune with the modern world and how technology worked. Unlike Bjorn.

“I’m the only moth girl you know.” She rolled her eyes. “Can you set me up on the couch?”

The way she clung to her blanket, unwilling to let it drop even for a short flight, gutted me all over again.

Once she was settled in, I brought Arden in for a hug. “Be safe and listen to Fergal.”

“I will.” She squeezed me tight. “Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?”

The edge of nerves in her voice wasn’t as sharp as I had feared it would be, and that made it easier to stick to my guns. She had to sort this out with Fergal. To stay in this world, even to keep a toe in, she must learn to accept creatures for who they are and not romanticize them.

“I appreciate the offer, but I would feel better if you weren’t here for what comes next.”

“I understand.” She laughed at my expression. “What?” She released me. “I can be reasonable.”

Hoping that remained true, I told Fergal, “Keep me updated on the Isiforos situation.”

“I’ll let you know as soon as the witch is finished with him.”

The two of them left, and I rolled my shoulders, relieving the tension.

As my muscles loosened the tiniest bit, I spied Dad prowling toward us and seized up again.

Oh well.

Maybe when this was over, I could sweet-talk Asa into giving me a massage.

A full-body massage.

Mmm.