I stiffened, frustrated. “I do not.”
“She’s fine,” Gunner countered, rubbing his hand against my back. “But if you truly believe she’s that powerful you might not want to mess with her right now. I mean ... she is dangerous.”
Graham’s expression darkened as Gunner led me closer to the table. “Point taken. Why are you guys back?”
“We went for a walk so Scout could calm down,” Gunner responded. “She’s fine now, feeling frisky and fun.” He sent me a flirty wink. “We discovered another problem while we were out, though, and we think it bears discussing.”
“Oh, geez.” Rooster dropped his head into his hand. “Do I even want to know?”
“Probably not,” Gunner replied. “But you’re part of the team. We all have to deal with this issue.”
Rooster was resigned. “Lay it on me.”
“There’s a barrier around All Souls Church.”
The three men sat in silence for a beat. Graham was the first to speak.
“They put up a fence?”
“No, they didn’t put up a fence,” Gunner sneered at his father. “They put up a magical barrier ... and we can’t cross it. We spent thirty minutes trying.”
“I actually have some ideas on that,” I offered, “but I need to sleep on it first.”
“So ... they erected a magical barrier?” Rooster rubbed his chin, thoughtful. “How?”
“I don’t know,” Gunner replied.
“Why would they erect it?” Whistler asked.
“I don’t know for sure, but I think it has something to do with our visit earlier.” Gunner cast me a sidelong look. “They must know Scout was in the basement.”
“Hold up.” Graham waved a hand to get everybody’s attention. “Why were you in the church basement, young lady?”
“Because I was trying to find the source of the chanting,” I replied automatically. “And don’t call me ‘young lady.’”
“What chanting?”
“The chanting I heard the night I broke in.”
Graham looked exasperated. “Oh, good grief! I can’t even believe ... I just ... way to go, son.” He flashed Gunner a sarcastic thumbs-up. “You finally found someone you like, and she’s crazy.”
Gunner didn’t appear bothered by his father’s response. “We’re not here to talk about that. I’m taking Scout home. She’s had a long day and needs some sleep. We just wanted you to know about the barrier so you can start dealing with it tomorrow.”
“I can’t tell you how much I look forward to that,” Graham snarked.
“Speaking of tonight,” I interrupted, “are Raisin and Irene okay?”
“They are,” Rooster confirmed. “Bonnie took them home, got them settled, performed a little magic to get the house back in order. She’s sleeping on the couch tonight so they feel safe, although it doesn’t really matter. Steven is locked up and there’s no chance he’ll be getting out anytime soon.”
“I believe our esteemed chief said the same thing yesterday,” I pointed out.
Graham scowled. “Hey, it’s not my fault he called an attorney who actually managed to bend the ear of a judge and get bail. Heck, I didn’t think he had the money to cover bail.”
“Yeah, well, I’m pretty sure he got that money selling meth,” I noted.
“I’ve heard your hunch. I’ll need you to point me in the right direction for his cook house. If you can find it for me, he won’t ever get out of jail. That will be the best thing for Ruthie.”
“I’ll find it,” I promised, rubbing my forehead. “I need some sleep right now. Come tomorrow, we’ll have to figure a way around that barrier.”
Rooster nodded at Gunner, something unsaid passing between them. “You guys get some sleep. We’ll talk about the rest of it tomorrow.”
“I’ll also need a written statement from you,” Graham added, his eyes on me. “I need it on the record to make sure there are no questions about what happened tonight.”
“No problem. I’ll get right on that for you.”
“Yeah. I’ll be reminding you in case you forget.”
“I really will type it up.”
“I look forward to reading that particular piece of fiction.”
GUNNER LOADED MY BIKE in the back of the furniture truck — which he seemed to have endless access to — and drove me home. I helped him unload it and park it in the driveway.
He insisted on walking me to the door, which had the butterflies in my stomach dancing a particularly festive jig, but he didn’t make a move when I stepped over the threshold.
“Well, um, thanks for bringing me home. Sorry about the whole meltdown thing.”
He chuckled. “It’s okay. I think you held it together much better than most people would have.”
“I’m not sure I believe that, but thanks anyway.” I stepped completely inside and moved to shut the door. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow. I ... .” I couldn’t shut the door because he was blocking my effort and following me inside. “What are you doing?”
“Spending the night,” he replied without hesitation. “You’re too upset to stay by yourself.”
“I am not upset.” My voice was shriller than I intended. “I am completely put together. Like ... totally awesome and great.”
“You are awesome and great,” he agreed, refusing to move no matter how much I jiggled the door. “But you’re not staying alone. It’s not just what happened with Steven ... and the memory. It’s also what happened at the church. The only reason they would erect that barrier is because they’re suspicious.
“I don’t know if they’re suspicious of you, but I’m not risking it,” he continued. “I’m sticking close ... and that means sleeping here.”
I was flustered, a rarity. “The couch is uncomfortable. It’s meant for a short person. You won’t be able to sleep there.”
“I know. That’s why I’m sharing your bed.”
“Excuse me?”
His grin widened. “I promise I won’t take advantage of you. I won’t kiss you ... or touch you ... or cuddle under the covers. I just want to sleep. I might cuddle with the cat.”
“You can’t just share a bed with me,” I complained, making a face. “That’s not normal.”
“Perhaps not, but we’ll make it work.” He pushed open the door to step inside before shutting and locking it. “We’re grownups. We both need sleep. Neither one of us are going to get it if you’re here alone. This is the best compromise.”
I wasn’t convinced. “What if you can’t keep your hands off me?” I challenged. “That will create a situation in which I’ll be forced to kill you.”
Rather than be offended, he leaned closer. “I can control myself.”
While a welcome sentiment, it didn’t do much for my ego. “What if you can’t?”
“I think you’ll be surprised.” He pointed toward the bedroom. “Now, march. I’m asleep on my feet and we’ve got a busy day tomorrow.”
I thought back on the invisible barrier, the magic I felt rippling beneath it, and sighed. “We are,” I agreed. “You’d better keep your hands to yourself.”
“I was just about to give you the same warning.”
I WOKE TO DARKNESS.
I didn’t remember falling asleep. So certain was I that I would never be able to rest thanks to Gunner’s presence in my bed — in nothing more than boxer shorts, no less — I resigned myself to counting sheep. I didn’t make it past five before I passed out, and I didn’t wake once throughout the night.
I had no idea what time it was, and when I looked to the nightstand for my phone I realized I’d left it in the kitchen the previous evening. A quick glance at the empty spot next to me said Gunner was already up, but I didn’t know if he was still in the cabin or had returned to his house to get ready for the day.
I ran my hand over the empty spot, found it still warm, and decided to check the kitchen. If he’d left, he’d done so recently. It was a better guess that he was in the kitchen, perha
ps hanging out with the traitorous cat who had snuggled between us, a paw on his chest, the entire night.
Sure enough, I found Gunner in the kitchen. He was still in his boxer shorts, his hair messy from sleep. He was staring at the instructions on the coffee can. He smiled when he heard me approaching. Even though I was annoyed by his insistence on spending the night, I couldn’t deny he looked appealing ... which made me hate every hormone coursing through my body.
“Good morning,” I murmured.
“Good morning, Sunshine,” he teased. “How did you sleep?”
“Hard.”
“I noticed the snoring.”
“Ha, ha.” I padded closer to him. “Why is there no coffee?”
“I have a Keurig. I was trying to figure out how much coffee I’m supposed to put in the filter. It’s been a while since I’ve seen one of these.”
“Oh, let me.” I used my hip to nudge him out of the way. “I like my coffee strong. You’ll have to suffer through it if you don’t like it. I ... .” I trailed off when I realized we weren’t alone. Honestly, I should’ve picked up on the fact that another person was sitting at the kitchen table, but I was still waking up and it hadn’t occurred to me that someone could possibly visit without me being aware.
“Mama Moon?” I made a face as I immediately moved my hands to my clothes to make sure I was covered.
Gunner chuckled at my reaction. “I like that you would’ve been fine if you were naked in front of me. That’s progress.”
I shot him a withering look. “Why didn’t you tell me she was here?”
“I thought you saw her. You’re clearly a bit slow in the morning.”
“Not usually.” I scowled at Mama Moon, who was relaxing in her chair ... and looking completely at ease with the situation. “Hello, young lady.”
“My name is Scout,” I said automatically. “You can either call me that or Ms. Randall. I don’t care which. Don’t call me ‘young lady.’ I don’t like it.”
She snickered. “I see you’re getting fired up. That’s good. I like seeing that.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” I shook my head, frustrated. “Why are you here? I don’t remember inviting you to my house.”
“I wouldn’t exactly call this a house, but it has potential if you’re willing to put in the effort.” She pursed her lips as she regarded me. Gunner had supplied her with a bottle of water, but she’d yet to crack it open. “I’m here because news is spreading fast in magical circles. The folks at All Souls Church are up to something.”
Oh, well, she was here to rat on others. I should’ve seen that coming. “And how many magical circles are buzzing about this area?” I asked, genuinely curious.
She shrugged. “Enough that we can take care of ourselves when trouble hits. The problem is, this trouble has been building for a long time.”
“If you believe that, why didn’t you say something sooner?” Gunner challenged, taking the filter away from me so he could keep measuring coffee. “Why not warn everyone that they posed a threat?”
“I did warn people. I warned your father.”
Gunner stilled. “He failed to mention that.”
“Your father and I don’t have the easiest of relationships,” Mama Moon conceded. “It goes back a long time, and I doubt things will get better between us. That doesn’t change the fact that I’ve always been suspicious of that group.”
“What do you think they’re doing?” I asked, easing a hip against the counter as Gunner snapped the filter drawer in place and pressed the button to percolate the coffee. “You must have a few suspicions.”
“I do. I’m not sure you’ll believe me.”
“Try us,” Gunner suggested, taking me by surprise when he moved behind me and slipped an arm around my waist.
I slid him a sidelong look. “What are you doing?”
“Trying this on for size,” he replied, unruffled. “It’s kind of nice. We’re sharing a quiet morning together, coffee and conversation. Sure, we’re dealing with the woman who got blown across a room a few days ago because she tried to see inside your head and we haven’t really defined anything yet. Still, it’s nice.”
I had no idea how to respond. “I think you’re getting nuttier with every passing moment.”
“Yeah? I think I’m awesome.” He gave me a wink. “We’ll talk about that later.” He didn’t move his arm from my waist, and curse the blue moon, it felt nice. I wanted to smack him around, exert dominance, but I couldn’t make myself push him away. It was utterly disgusting.
“Tell us what you think is going on with the group,” he instructed Mama Moon, whose eyes sparkled as she chuckled.
“I think they’re playing with forces they don’t understand and trying to raise the dead.”
I ran my tongue over my teeth as I exchanged a quick look with Gunner. “You mean like zombies?” I asked finally in an attempt to test her.
“Not zombies, no,” she countered. “Something else. Something ... different. The magic we’re dealing with is older and it’s being wielded by people who don’t understand it.”
I was understandably confused. “How old?”
“Try ancient Egypt.”
I stilled, something clicking in the back of my head. “Mummies,” I blurted out suddenly, my heart skipping a beat. “They’re mummies. That’s why they didn’t check off all the boxes for zombies. They’re kind of like zombies, but not really.”
“You’re smarter than you look.” Mama Moon winked at me as she tapped the side of her head. “Mummies is correct.”
“Mummies are draped in rags,” Gunner argued. “Also, they’re not real.”
“They’re not common,” Mama Moon corrected. “They haven’t been popular in a very long time. Zombies get all the attention now because they’re easier to raise. Mummies are stronger, though. There was a time they were even capable of passing as human, which I think is what our esteemed group is trying to do.”
I didn’t understand. “They’re trying to raise a dead man who can pass for human? But ... why?”
“Not necessarily a dead man.”
I stared at her for a beat. “A creature from another plane. That’s what they’re trying to call to.”
“He is the resurrection and the light,” Mama Moon intoned, grinning.
“Oh, geez.” I felt sick to my stomach. “They’re trying to create their own prophet, essentially prove their own religion. It’s a game.”
“Not a game.” She tsked as she shook her head. “This is pretty far from a game. It’s real, and the stakes are real.”
“They’ve erected a barrier,” Gunner noted. “We can’t get in. We think it’s because they know we’ve been spying on them.”
Mama Moon nodded. “Some sort of alarm was sounded yesterday afternoon. I’d say it’s because of something you did.”
“We broke in and found a zombie — er, mummy — in the basement,” I said. “That must mean they intend to accelerate their timetable.” I dragged a hand through my snarled hair. “We’ve got to figure out a way to get through that barrier if we want to take them down. They’re protecting themselves in the hope that they can hold out until they finish ... well, whatever it is they’re doing.”
“That barrier is strong, but you’re stronger,” Mama Moon said. “You can break it if you put your mind to it. It will take some time, but you’re smart enough to do it. More importantly, you’re strong enough to do it.”
The words were nice, but I felt helpless. “I don’t know what to do.”
“You’ll figure it out.” Mama Moon winked. “You’re more than a normal witch, after all. I figured that out the moment I saw you. Now you simply need to have faith in yourself and let the magic flow. You were born to do this.”
“Do you know what I am?” I asked, suspicious.
“No, but you’re powerful. I think you have all the answers you need locked up here.” She tapped her forehead. “Unlocking them won’t be easy, but you’re strong enough to make i
t happen.”
“We have to make this happen first,” Gunner said. “We have to take down that church. How do we do that?”
“I can’t help you there.” Mama Moon slowly got to her feet. “That’s Rooster’s domain. He should be able to figure it out. He always does.”
Twenty-Seven
We started by fortifying ourselves, eating the leftover doughnuts from the previous day. The sugar was good, and got me going. I thought we would leave after that, get cleaned up and head back to the church. Instead, Gunner climbed back into bed and started flipping through the grimoire.
“What are you doing?” I asked, nervously following him and hovering in the open doorway. “I ... are you taking a nap?”
He smirked, obviously amused. “I’m trying to figure out this book. I want to know why Hal had it. More importantly, I want to know why Cecily — or Father Bram, for that matter — didn’t reclaim it once he was dead.”
“Maybe they didn’t realize he had it,” I suggested, grunting when I stubbed my toe against something on the floor and swearing under my breath as I bent over to pick it up. It was buried under my jeans from the previous day, which were in desperate need of being washed after all the excitement and magical upheaval.
“I guess that’s possible. Listen, we need to talk.”
The abrupt shift in his demeanor had me standing straight. “What? I didn’t do anything.”
He chuckled. “I didn’t say you did. Come over here.” He patted the side of the bed, making me instantly suspicious.
“We don’t have time for that,” I complained. “We have research to conduct.”
“I know we don’t have time. Please, sit with me.”
I remained alert as I crossed to the other side of the bed and climbed on. I told myself this was only happening because I didn’t have any decent furniture in the living room — something that would be corrected quickly — and the amount of time we were spending together meant absolutely nothing.
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