Chapter 84

Ann hadn’t realized how draining doing two spells was until she was driving. She had to work a little harder to keep her attention on the road. It didn’t help that Wes was sitting beside her. As soon as she saw him come into the warehouse, the tormented expression on his face, she’d felt bad about thinking such awful things about him.

“Should I apologize again? I feel like I should.”

She glanced at him. “No.”

“Are you sure?”

She smiled. “It’s not your fault it happened.”

“No, but we should have known and done something.”

She signaled to turn. “Could you have done something?”

He sighed heavily. “I don’t know. To be honest, it’s a bit embarrassing that it happened in the first place.” He scoffed. “We’re supposed to be teaching you, and then that happens.”

“I don’t think you have a choice when someone does that to you.” She gave him a quick look. “It was hard to break. We were sweating by the time we were done.”

“How did you do it?”

“We used a hair from each of you to connect?” She slowed down for the next corner. “I think that’s the word. We had to make sure it was you and not some strangers.” She chuckled, almost deliriously. “We had no idea what we were doing.”

“The hair was brilliant. If—”

She looked when he stopped speaking. “What is it?”

“How did they do it? You’re right. Something personal is needed.”

She glared out the windshield. “That’s a good question.” She bit her lip. “Maybe Liset took something before she left?”

“If that’s the case, they had it planned for a while.”

Ann nodded. “I think they’ve had a lot of things planned.” She slowed down when she saw the office building. She should have known this drive without thought but had almost gone by it. “I’m pretty sure they’ve been doing their annoying childish spells to get us to meet for this showdown sooner.”

“Why do you say that?” He leaned forward and looked out the window as she pulled into the parking lot.

“Something Celia said when we contacted them.”

“I’m not even surprised that you figured out how to do that, too.” He snorted. “I’m starting to think all of our training and preparation was for nothing. I don’t think you need the three of us the way we thought you would.”

She spotted his car and pulled up behind it. “Oh, we do. Honestly, everything I’ve done, I’m making up as I go.”

“Well, it seems to be the right things.”

“So far.” She put the car into park. “What if I don’t know what to do when we’re at that lake?”

He held her look for a moment. “You will.” He motioned to his car. “Before you go in the morning, come by and pick up some books. I’ll go through them tonight and find any that have some casts to bind them. There are many different kinds.” He shrugged. “Maybe reading through them will give you an idea.”

Ann nodded despite not feeling confident at all.

“Intentions matter.” His smile was slow and sexy. “And your heart is good. That matters most.”

It took her a second to reply because of that smile. “Celia’s is not. I think Bonnie and Liset are just following along.”

“It matters. Remember that. Intentions and what’s inside you make all the difference, regardless of the words you use.”

She puffed out her cheeks and then blew the air out. “I hope you’re right.”

“I am. Go to the lake. Connect with each other and the energy around the lake. If you’re in sync with each other and the power around you, that will make sure things go our way.” He opened the door. “I’ll give Brother Kale your number so he can get in touch and arrange for some alone time at the lake.”

“He can do that?”

Wes laughed softly. “The Brotherhood has spent a hundred years purchasing as much of the property that surrounds that lake as possible. So, yes, he can do that.”

“Oh.” That made her feel better. “All of it?”

He shook his head. “Except two properties that the Norman’s relatives own.”

“As in the man that’s helping them?”

He nodded. “Yes. But we own much more than they do.”

“Okay.” Ann gave him an anxious look. “We’re going to do this.”

“More so, you’re going to succeed.” He reached over and touched her hand. “I will see you in the morning.”

She looked at his hand on hers. The buzzing was there but seemed to be controlled. Was that him doing it or her? Did using her power like she had tonight affect it? She’d just set up some kind of final circle that began three hundred years ago, and she still knew so little about magic. What if…

“Go get some rest, Ann.” He moved his hand and opened the door. “Thanks for the ride.”

She could only nod as he got out and closed the door. She sat there for a few more minutes until she saw the lights come on when he started his car. Putting the car into drive, she pulled away. “You need to get your head in the game, lady.” She scoffed. “Sexy Wes can wait. You need to focus on stopping the evil idiots.” She shook her head. “You also need to stop having conversations with yourself.” Pulling out onto the street, she turned on the radio and turned it up. It would help her stay in the now while driving and hopefully curb any urges to talk out loud to herself.