Page 13 of Snow’s Charming (Hope Runs Deep #7)
Working Our Plan
I woke the next morning and shuffled into the kitchen in the sweats Sylus let me borrow to grab a cup of coffee. Before I rounded the corner in the hallway that led to the kitchen, I heard voices.
“Did you order the pig’s heart yet, Doc?”
“Yup, I did. I just have to pick it up.”
“Let’s get an Omega to pick it up for you. The last thing we need is to run into Jackie. We can’t have the plan derail on us before it even starts.”
Doc stroked his stubble before responding to Sylus.
“Good idea. She won’t connect the Omegas to us.”
Sylus was shirtless and looked sexy as hell with his unkempt bedhead. My feet carried me into the kitchen of their own volition. Before I realized what was going on, my palm was on Sylus’s shoulder as I took a sip of his coffee .
“Morning, babe,” he said to me as he kissed my temple, “how did you sleep?”
I didn’t want to lie to him, but I didn’t exactly want to tell him the truth, either. I’d tossed and turned the entire night. Part of it had to do with Jackie, but mostly it was because I was sleeping in the adjacent room to Sylus. I would rather have slept in his arms.
I walked around him to grab a mug to pour myself a cup of coffee, hoping I could avoid his eyes when I spoke. There was no way I’d be able to lie to him while getting lost in his eyes. The depths wouldn’t allow me to be anything but truthful.
“I slept okay.”
“Princess, you’ve got nothing to worry about. We are going over the plan to ensure it all goes well.” Sylus said as he came up from behind me and kissed the top of my head.
“So who should we appoint for this shopping excursion?” Asked Ges.
“Veruca would be good. Not only is she a strong Omega, but she takes my class. No one would suspect a thing.” Said Doc.
“Perfect. Then we can meet Jackie back in the forest by lunch.”
“Sylus, we can’t all be there when Sleeper presents her with the heart. Some of us should stay here with Sesi in case the plan bugs out.”
Sylus scrubbed a hand over his face and let out a breath .
“You’re right, Doc. I know you are right, but my wolf wants to be there.”
“You are better off staying behind. You said it yourself—you are the best huntsman of all of us. If the plan goes awry, we will need you to protect Sesi. I’ll be with Sleeper every step of the way.” Said Chary.
“Okay. If I can’t be there, at least you can, Dad, and that makes me feel better.”
“Great! Doc, text Veruca and tell her you have something for her to pick up, but don’t tell her anything else. The less she knows, the better chance Jackie isn’t tipped off.”
My dearest readers, Savannah Silverwand here again. This is getting intense, isn’t it? The last thing Doc, Chary, Bear, and Joker need is for the plan to go off the rails! Sadly, it will. Jackie has been friends with the same butcher Doc has used for the past decade.
What?
You, dear readers, know that black magic spells occasionally call for things you can’t get at a local grocery store! Few carry chicken or pig’s feet—or dare I say blood. I shudder at the thought! So without spoiling too much for you, let’s see what happens when Sleeper meets with Jackie.
“All right, Jackie, I’m here and the deed is done.” I said as I came out of the forest and into the same clearing I’d met Jackie just three days ago.
Chary, Bear, and Joker stayed in the forest, ready to strike Jackie in wolf form if needed.
Black and green smoke materialized a foot in the distance, and suddenly Jackie appeared.
“Let’s get this over with.” I said as I handed her a box.
She peered into the box and then sneered as she locked eyes on Sleeper.
“I must admit, I never thought of you having the balls to deceive me. Nor did I peg you for a witch. No matter though. I’ll get what I want, even if I have to trap the entire brigade in my mirror. Sesi would then have no choice but to give up her life for all of you.”
I reached inside my jacket and aimed a 9mm at Jackie’s heart.
“Since you hired me, you know I’m an excellent shot, Jackie.”
Jackie cackled.
“Silly boy! Did you really think I wouldn’t come prepared?”
Two women came out from behind the brush and flanked Jackie.
“Circe, Esme, meet Sleeper, the dolt I hired to kill the brat. And now that the pleasantries are out of the way, you are coming with us, Sleeper.”
“I beg to differ, Jackie. You can’t put me under a spell—remember? ”
“I can with this amulet. Somnum.” Jackie said as the three witches snapped their fingers.
Instantly, I fell to the ground.
I’d better chime in again, dear readers, since I know a thing about magic and all.
Latin is used a lot in black magic. It’s just what they do.
Somnum means sleep. And advoco means summon, which was the next word the three witches uttered as they waved their arms into the air, palms facing the brigade.
Chary, Bear, and Joker came out of the forest. They put up a fight, trying like hell to break the coven’s magic over them, but they couldn’t.
“Bind them with tree roots, Circe, for quick transport. Esme, make sure there aren’t any more of his ugly dwarf-like friends from the East. I hate short men!
God should never have made a man shorter than 6 feet tall!
I’ll sweep the West and then meet back at the house.
I want them all in the mirror as soon as possible! ” said Jackie.
Circe twirled a finger in the air as she repeated the Latin word ligare. Vines rose from the ground and began wrapping around Sleeper, Chary, and Joker, but not Bear. He had one palm facing up and the other down as he steadied his breath.
Is it too soon to tell you that Bear has a small amount of witch’s blood inside him, my dearies?
He’s a direct descendant of one of the most powerful Rom Borros of the Kersh clan, named Raine Jacoby Thaler.
Raine’s also one of the first witches ever made.
Therefore, no amulet or spell of Jackie’s can hurt Bear.
But you’ll learn more about Raine later.
Right now, we need to return to the story! Bear is about to escape!
Circe’s eyes widened as Bear rose to his feet. A silver glow radiated from him, and then he bolted through the forest in a northerly direction so as not to run into Jackie or the other witch. Chary mentally linked up with Bear.
“Run and warn the others that Jackie is out for blood!”
“Don’t worry, Chary. I’m one step ahead of you. I’m calling in Raine for reinforcements.”
“Good idea, Bear. Jackie and her coven may be witches, but they won’t be as powerful as the first male witch created. Once it’s safe, shift, Bear! And tell Sylus not to worry about me. I’ve got a plan of my own.”
“Will do, boss! I’m in mid-shift as we speak and about 20 clicks from the border of the pack house. Bear out.”
It didn’t take long for Bear to reach Sesi and Sylus. As Bear approached Sylus, fits of rage sparkled in his eyes. Bear got this conversation would be difficult. How would he explain everything to Sylus without him wolfing out?