Chapter 71

Wes wasn’t a big drinker, but tonight, when he got home, he was going to need something to fill the numb space that was inside him after the last few hours. He was still reeling by the fact that Ann had taken them back to that time—or back to memories of others or if it was because he knew his magic was mated to Ann’s. Now, he had to digest this other news.

Of course, if he wasn’t so distracted by Ann herself, it would be easier to focus. He’d always been attracted to her, there was no denying that. It had been a struggle to keep his distance all this time, but knowing, just knowing that she was it had his head going in so many directions it felt like it was at a stop at the same time.

After Ben’s blurted truths, Wes wasn’t sure which was worse, the fact that a family for generations had been lurking around waiting for this big magic showdown or that they had originally been part of the group that was meant to watch over and protect it. Either way, he hoped something was done about them. If Celia and the other two didn’t have extra help, then all of this would be resolved quickly.

As far as helping had gone with Teegan, Kat, and Ann, they really hadn’t done much to call it help. Reverse a few spells gone wrong was the biggest thing they’d done. It was incredible that they didn’t need much guidance. A bit frustrating also, he thought, because he had worked for years to get to where he was magically, and they just knew it.

His phone ringing interrupted his never-ending thoughts. “Hello.”

“They’re going to do it.” Leland blurted out.

He frowned. “Do what, Lee?”

“Bind the family. It may not be one hundred percent because it’s not going to be up close and personal, but it should affect all family members.”

Wes stood up. It was rare for them even to consider it, but he was in complete agreement with it. “Okay. When are they doing this?”

“Tonight.”

Wes nodded. They’d have more help in the evening. “Good.” He rolled his shoulders, trying to ease some of the tension in them.

“Brother Kale wants you to call him.”

“About what?” Surely, they didn’t need his opinion on a binding spell.

“I’m not sure. He just asked that I pass the message along.” There were voices in the background. “First copy will be off the printer in twenty minutes.”

“I’ll be there.” It was always exciting to see the first edition of a new magazine. This one more so because it was about matters close to his heart.

“Okay. I’ll see you down there.” He hung up.

Wes rubbed his hand over his forehead. He needed to get his head sorted out and his focus back on track. The first run of a new magazine was always a pinnacle moment, and he’d almost forgotten about it. Glancing at the time, he scrolled and hit Brother Kale’s number, wanting to get this out of the way so he could get back to work.

“Wesley.”

Even though he had been an adult for years now, he still cringed when Brother Kale said his full name. “I was told to call you.”

“Yes. Some exciting things have been happening, I hear.”

“It, uh, has been something.” He still didn’t know how he felt about the night before. Of course, he knew he would never experience something like that again.

“I’m very interested in how Miss Walters managed to do what she did.”

Wes sat down and leaned on the desk. “I don’t think she even knows that. Something I’ve come to realize is this magic the girls have; it doesn’t seem like it sat dormant all these years but continued to grow in strength just like it does as we age.”

“I have wondered about the same after I witnessed what Miss Jacobs did—and Miss mcfarlane now as well. It’s simply amazing. I was so awestruck that I almost forgot I had a purpose.”

Wes grinned. “Yes, I understand that feeling.”

“What I’m most interested in right now is how did Miss Walters manage to turn off her magic all these years so none of you detected it?” He sighed. “I lied. I need to know more about how you went back to that night. Can you imagine if we could do it and study…”

Wes pinched the bridge of his nose. “I believe that was a one-off.” He turned and looked out the window. “If we did go back again, it could change things…”

Brother Kale gasped. “You are so right. That was a thought of fantasy.”

Wes nodded. The line between fantasy and reality was bleeding more and more together with each day. “I know it happened that she joined our ancestors to their magic, but why don’t any of the journals say a thing about it?”

There was quiet mumbling on the other end. “I can’t be sure. We’re going through everything again. It could be mentioned so briefly because it was thought it happened in their imagination, but we’ll keep looking.”

Wes nodded. “I need to go. Let us know how the binding goes.”

“I’m quite looking forward to that. The family that has been a thorn for generations will finally be removed.”

We smiled at the elder’s enthusiasm. “It will be one less thing for us to worry about.”

“Yes. Yes. I must go. Take care, Brother Long.”

He hung up before Wes could say another word. Looking at his phone, he set it on the desk and rubbed his hands over his face. Ann hadn’t taken the mated magic part very well at all. He smiled. It wasn’t in her nature to just accept things. She would need to work it out on her own. He admired that about her.

Blowing out a breath, he grabbed his phone and got up. He needed to get down there with the others for the first copy coming off the press. He loved new magazines being released, but their timing to add the stress of this into their lives could have been more thoroughly planned out—to not coincide with the three powerful women coming into their magic.