Chapter 80
Ann rushed to the warehouse door. She’d gone home and filled a box with herbs, oils, and magical tools—because she had no idea what they needed. Teegan, Kat, and her had been texting all day, and none of them were sure how they were going to break the hold Aiysha had on the men.
The door opened as she reached it, and Kat stepped back to let her enter. “I don’t even feel guilty we cut out so early.” She shrugged and closed the door.
“They wouldn’t have noticed.” Teegan came over and took the box out of her hand. “We’ve been going through the books. There’s a few possibles we can try.”
Ann followed her. “I’ve never tried to undo anything.”
Teegan knelt on one of the cushions and started taking things out of the box. “Lee taught me how to counter something, but undo, I have no idea.”
Ann took off her jacket and set it on top of her bag. “Do we have something from each of them?”
“Oh.” Kat ran over and picked up a brown envelope and held it up.” I snuck into Bossman and Mister Board member’s private bathrooms in their office and got hairs from their brush and comb.”
“What about Mitch?” Teegan set the empty box aside.
Kat smiled and then popped a bubble. “When I was at the penthouse, I got some of his.”
“You were at his place?” Ann sat on one of the cushions and picked one of the open books up.”
Kat grinned again and sat down. “Yes. I decided after I was here this morning that I should make sure they couldn’t take Aiysha to either of their places.” She sighed. “I don’t know where Bossman lives, or I would have done his place too.”
“You were at Lee’s hotel?” Teegan eyed her. “What did you do?”
Kat shrugged. “Same as I did for here. No one but the three from three can enter.”
Teegan put her hand over her mouth.
“Well.” Ann smiled. “That’s certainly a statement.”
Kat nodded. “Yeah. Serves them right for getting spelled.”
Teegan dropped her hand and picked up a book. “This one is for objects; maybe we can modify it.”
Ann glanced at the book in her hand. “We may have to make this up as we go.”
Teegan winced. “That sounds nasty.”
“Worse than them stealing our men and our teachers?” Kat looked from Teegan to Ann. “We just have to make it so they’re immune to whatever she did.”
“Oh—” Teegan set the book down and picked up another one. “—this one has an enchantment spell.” She glanced at Ann again. “It’s for objects, but maybe we can figure out a way to reverse it.”
Ann held her hand out for the book. “I’m ready for this to end. How about you?” She looked at Teegan first and then Kat. “When we’ve freed the men, I need you to help me reach out to the others.”
“You mean Celia and them?” Kat’s eyes widened. “To have the big battle?”
Ann nodded.
“If we don’t do something soon, they’re going to cause permanent damage.” Teegan blew out a breath and then nodded. “Yes. We need to end it.”
“Tomorrow is Friday.” Kat tapped her fingers on her knees. “We could go to the lake for the weekend.”
Ann nodded. “Where it all began.” She took a deep, cleansing breath. “Yes, that seems appropriate.”
“Agreed.” Teegan pointed at the books. “No, let’s release our men from that woman’s hold.”
Ann grinned. “That might just work.” Sometimes, she thought, the words do matter as much as intent.