In the late afternoon, Dymphna felt a strong pulling sensation telling her to go open the front door. She immediately recognized it for what it was and let Gage in the house. Melanie waved from the car and drove off.
Dymphna greeted him with a big kiss. "I see you've been learning."
"I have been. Melanie says I'm picking it up faster than she would have expected. That's good since I need to use it as soon as possible."
"Don't stress too much about the time line. The fact of the matter is that if you're consumed with worries and deadlines, you'll be too occupied with those thoughts to learn. Take it one day at a time and absorb everything you can. Redman will still be there when you're done."
"I just worry that he's going to kill someone else before I learn enough to stop him."
"There's that worry again. Worrying is wasting energy. Worrying won't solve your problem because there's nothing you can do now besides learn your skills."
"Alright."
"I am impressed that I could feel your compulsion spell from the car to the kitchen."
"Thank you."
"Come in and tell us all about your day. We're playing Uno, and you're more than welcome to join us."
Three weeks later, the Ward family convened at the Manor. This time the tone was altogether different from their usual family gatherings. Seb, as leader of the family and the Duke, spoke first.
"Alright, everyone, I think we all have the same thing on our minds: Redman. It's altogether odd that we haven't felt any more sacrifices or heard of missing witches. In fact, it's downright spooky. But I've been talking to Skylar, Melanie, and Fiona, and they all have indicated that Gage is ready. How do you feel about it Gage?"
“I feel like there's a lot more for me to learn, but since we've been concentrating on the skills I'd specifically need for this, I'm pretty confident in those. I'm not so sure on the other parts of my skills. But on the other hand, if we delay too long, they'll recover from the blows you all have dealt them. They'll find someone else to get people, and they'll find a new location to hold their ceremonies. So there's that trade off between my magical development and trying to prevent more deaths. Therefore, I agree that it's time and I'm ready.”
“That's good to hear. I agree that even if you're not done with your training, we need to get the drop on them. Have we figured out how you'll locate him so you can send him the compulsion?”
“We're pretty sure he's in or near Washington D.C. That is a small enough area that I should be able to use the shared blood connection to find his mind.”
“Then we'll mobilize our team,” Justin said. “I've got a list of volunteers. Melanie's going to talk to her contacts and get a short piece on Dymphna and Gage's recent marriage in the papers in the next few days. I want to get my forces here at the Manor before the article runs so that if Redman is watching the place, he won't see them arrive or leave.
“A number of the volunteers have normal day jobs, so they'll be based out of the Coven House so that he won't see them coming and going or the presence of their cars. The volunteers who work for the Coven and most of Coven Protection will be based here. No one besides the regular occupants of the house will be seen outside the house. Starting tomorrow, we'll be setting up watch shifts. I've got cameras on the Manor, so we'll have two ways of discovering an attack.”
“You have cameras here?” Dymphna asked. Gage could tell she was both surprised and a little mad.
“You're family, and as Wards, there's plenty of reason for someone to attack you. I don't want something to happen like that, so we've been protecting you,” he addressed Dymphna. She did not seem mollified. Then he turned to talk to everyone again. “In total, we'll have ten people staying here with you. Tomorrow they'll move in and Leo and Skylar will move out.”
“Excuse me?” Skylar exclaimed. “I'm not going anywhere. This is my fight too.”
“Calm down, Skylar,” Fiona said gently. “Justin is benching me too. Since we're pregnant, it could endanger our children if we use too much magic. The people on the front lines against the Order will need to use as much magic as they can muster. Not to mention that if we got hit or hurt we might miscarry.”
“And Leo needs to continue to go to work as usual,” Melanie added. “He's currently the only Ward with a job outside of the Coven. He needs to keep going not only because he's got a full schedule of patients but so the public doesn't get a whiff of trouble in the magical community. Justin and I will be among the ten coming to stay here, and Justin will coordinate the efforts here. Seb will coordinate the forces at the Coven House. But Fiona and Skylar, you two will not be part of the fight.”
“I understand,” Skylar said, looking crestfallen. “I don't like it, but you're right that I can't risk my children.
“And I want you to watch mine,” Melanie commented sadly. “I don't like it either, but Rose and Jasmine obviously can't come with me to the Manor. I know the people at the nursery do a great job, but I'd still feel better if I know that you and Fiona are watching after them, especially at night after the nursery closes.”
“I can definitely do that,” Skylar said fiercely.
“What about Denise?” Dymphna asked. “She can't go to the Coven House, and she can't fight.”
“If it's alright with you, Denise, I was thinking we'd have you stay here, just stay upstairs and out of the way when it all goes down. If Redman finds Gage, he might realize you're here too. Since you killed his father, he might go after you in particular, so you need to stay somewhere safe. This isn't an ideal solution, but it's the best I can think of.” Justin looked a little uneasy at the thought of a non-combatant so near the likely battlefield.
“I think that's a good idea. I can also cook for everyone since Skylar will be at the Coven House.” She nodded, and Justin looked relieved.
“I'll go shopping tonight and get what we'll need for a siege,” Dymphna said. “I imagine we'll need inflatable mattresses and sheets for ten people and plenty of food. If you'll make a list of what you want, Denise, we'll make sure to get it.”
“I'll go with you,” Gage volunteered. “You'll need some extra hands to get all of that together.”
“I'd appreciate it.”
“On that note, we'll adjourn,” Seb said, standing. “The forces will come get settled tomorrow, and Melanie's piece will appear the day after. Keep working on the skills you'll need in particular, Gage. We're all counting on you.”
“I won't let you down.”
The others left, and no one spoke for a few minutes. Skylar broke the silence.
“I'll miss you guys. Make sure you kick some ass for me.”
“Oh don't be so melodramatic, Skylar. You've kicked a lot of Dark Order ass already, and you need to let others have their chance.”
Skylar laughed. “You make a good point.”
A little while later, Dymphna and Gage had a movie on up in their bedroom. They weren't really watching it though, but thinking about what was to come.
“It all seems so much more real now,” Dymphna commented quietly. “We're really doing this.”
“Yes, we are. And it's risky too. I'm worried that someone will get hurt. Someone from the Coven, that is.”
“I feel the same way. Justin and Seb haven't mentioned it, but it's definitely a possibility. Our home is becoming a battlefield, and someone might get hurt or die there. It's daunting.”
“It really is. I wish there was another place, but I can't think of how we'd work that.”
“No, it has to be the Manor. I know that. And Gage? I want you to stay safe. Of all of us, you're the one with the least experience with your magic. You don't know any real offensive skills besides a fireball. Now that I've found you, I'd hate to lose you.”
“You won't lose me. But you need to be careful too. I don't want to lose you either.”
“It's a deal. Do you think it'll work? Do you think we'll actually be able to get Redman to come here to confront us himself?”
“I t
hink it will work. The part of the plan I'm most worried about it the part where I enter his mind and make a subconscious suggestion then get out before he notices I'm there.”
“You can do it. You're very clever, and since you're new to magic, you don't have preconceived notions of limitations.”
“What do you mean?”
“I see it in a lot of the older witches. They're so used to the way things have always been that they can't move forward. They know their spells, and they limit themselves to just using those. But when Skylar started to learn her fire magic, she did creative things with it that no one had done before. She could do that because no one ever told her it was impossible. Many of those same older witches didn't believe it until they saw her do it. For instance, she used a dog made out of non-burning fire magic to entertain sick children. You have the same advantage in that you've also never been told what your limitations are, so your ability to be creative with magic is unlimited.”
“Huh. I'd never thought of it like that.”
“Well now you have. If that thought helps you in the coming fight, it might be important.”
“I agree. This whole thing is more dangerous for us than them too because we're fighting to get them unconscious and to the police, and they'll be trying to kill us.”
“Yes, that's true. But we have pure elemental magic. Their magic is from blood, and if they haven't been able to get the human blood to strengthen themselves, they have a finite limitation on their spells. That is if we've stopped them from getting sacrifices. Blood magic is much more powerful that pure magic, though, which is why they turn to it. If they've managed to use human blood or enough animal blood, we may have a problem on our hands.”
“Then we'll hope that won't happen.”
“I agree.”
“We'd better get some sleep. With witches coming and going tomorrow, it'll be a hectic day, followed by more hectic days.”
“And then, hopefully, the end.”
“Exactly.”
For the next day and a half, Gage was so busy with the plans that he barely noticed the passing time. But then he started to feel sick and dizzy. His vision was blurred, so he went without argument when Dymphna eased him into a chair. He was barely cognizant of her calling out that Redman was contacting him.
Then he saw no more, and the buzzing stopped.
“Hello, big brother,” a sickeningly sweet voice drawled. “I've been looking for you. Our father gave you great talents, and now that I'm rebuilding the Order, you should stand by my side.”
“I don't do blood magic.” Gage was fierce, even in his own head.
Redman paused. “You don't? I know the paper said you were married to a Ward, but I thought you brought her to the true way of magic. I was pleased we'd be in this together.”
“No, Eric. My wife and her family purged the blood magic from me. They've been showing me how to use elemental magic, and they've been helping me get rid of my father's legacy.” Gage thought that maybe if he really infuriated Eric, he could push him far enough that he would see red and not reason.
“Then you're one of them,” he hissed. “Don't you realize that blood magic is so much more powerful? It's exhilarating to hold the ability to do anything you want.”
“I imagine it is. But I wouldn't kill another person to have that.”
“They're weak. I am strong. I thought you were strong too, but you have betrayed your father and you have betrayed me.”
“Be that as it may. I don't want anything to do with you or the Dark Order.”
“It's that woman that's done this to you!” Eric's voice screamed in Gage's mind. Then, emotional, Eric made a mistake. A thought went through his mind, and after all the work Gage had been doing with his air magic, he heard that thought softly. “If I got rid of her, the real Gage would come back.”
Perfect, Gage thought. He kept his own thoughts silent though. Gage made a mental note that when he entered Eric's subconscious later, he should add in a comment on how he needed to personally eliminate Dymphna. As long as Dymphna agreed to never be without a bodyguard, that is. And she packed a serious magic punch of her own if it came to that. He didn't want to put her in danger, but he knew that she'd want to help however she could.
“That woman is my wife, and I love her very much. I will be staying at her side.”
Eric growled. “You'll come back to us and use those powers my father saw fit to grant your undeserving ass with. Whether you come back as a member or as a sacrifice is your choice. Though I'll admit that sacrificing you and that pretty thing you call your wife would be great fun.”
He cackled and broke the connection.
Gage reeled, and it took a moment or two for his vision to resolve itself. When it did, he saw his wife closely studying his face and everyone else in a semi-circle behind her.
“What happened?” Dymphna asked. Someone passed her a cold drink, and she gave it to him. “Are you alright?”
“I'm fine now. But when your brother hears about what I did, I might not be as fine.” He told them what happened, saving the part where he lured Redman using both himself and Dymphna for last.
“It's perfect!” Dymphna exclaimed while Justin shook his head and said “No way.”
“Why not?” she asked, rounding on him. “I'm as committed to the cause as anyone else. Like Gage said, I'll stay within the house all the time. I want to help. I also know that Gage would never do anything to endanger me if there wasn't a damn good reason and assurance that I'd be as protected as possible.”
“You're my sister,” Justin countered. “You're a healer.”
“And I don't want Redman to hurt anyone else. I can fight, and I know offensive spells. Gage's plan will work. We'll make it work.”
“I am officially against this, and if anything happens to my sister, I'm holding you personally responsible, Gage.”
“I would do the same. She won't be harmed if I can help it.”
“So what happens from here?” the woman in question asked.
“We go into full readiness,” Justin answered. “He knows where we are now, and he could come at any time.”
“I'm going to let him stew for the rest of today. Then, while it's still fresh on his mind, I'm going to do my mind tricks. I'll do it in the late evening so that he's at his most relaxed state. If all goes well, he'll be on his way here soon,” Gage continued. “I know all of us are ready to get these guys taken care of and not able to do any more harm. It's finally coming to that time when we'll get them behind bars, but we need to be careful that none of us get hurt in the process.”
“I agree. Watch your friends' backs here, and they'll watch yours.” Justin met the eyes of each witch gathered around. “Everyone has a copy of the shifts, and everyone has a wooden whistle. Fiona put a spell on those so that if you blow it, all elemental witches in a five hundred foot radius can hear it.” Everyone nodded. “Good. The first shift starts now.”
The witches separated into groups. Some watched TV, some played cards, some surfed the internet, and some listened to music. But all of them radiated their uneasiness. Gage sat down next to Dymphna to watch a movie, but he wasn't paying attention. His mind was wandering, trying to find any flaw in his plan for tonight. He went over every aspect of it, from how he'd enter to what he'd say to how he'd leave. It had to be just perfect. Everyone depended on him.
Around eleven at night, Gage stood up. “I'm going to do it now. Wish me luck.” Everyone's eyes turned from what they were doing to look at him. He really wanted to do it from the privacy of his and Dymphna's bedroom, but he understood that with the tension in the air, it was important for all of the witches to see him put the plan into motion. After all, they were risking their lives in this plot as well. Everyone but the people on duty watched him as he settled into the couch to send his mind after his brother's.
He cast about in the Washington D.C. area, looking for Eric's mind. Since they had connected earlier, Gage had the scent of the mind he was looking
for. And he found it, about three miles away from the capitol. Before entering, he sniffed around, getting the lay on the land. Eric was sleepy, as Gage had hoped, and he was alone in his office, which was even better.
To avoid being detected, Gage went through one of Redman's regular senses, choosing the sense of smell as the best vector. But instead of those receptors sending information about scents, the same pathways let Gage into Eric's subconscious. Since people didn't usually actively monitor their sense of smell, he was able to get right through. He had no indication that Redman was aware of him at all, which was great. He'd need to work quickly though.
When he had suggested to the Ward air witches that he could enter the subconscious through the smell nerves, they had never heard of such a thing. But he had done it. Eric had gotten into Melanie's mind without her knowing it somehow, so logically, he should be able to do it.
Gage accessed the memory of their earlier conversation while monitoring Redman to see if he noticed his intrusion. From there, he ramped up the emotional portion of the memory to amp the anger and rage. The more emotional he was, the more likely he was to disregard the logical part of his mind that would say it was a bad idea to go to Boston personally.
Once he amplified the negative emotions that were already there, he started to add thoughts. This was the most dangerous part. If he was going to be caught, this is the part where it would come from. He started with an internal dialogue, as if Redman had actually had it with himself.
He made the tie to the conversation with a thought that he'd have to eliminate Gage and Dymphna. From there, he sent the thought process to sending people to Boston to do so. Then the idea that wait, he can't trust just anyone. This was a crucial mission, and it would require finesse to get it done right and not let the other Wards protect his target. So clearly, he'd have to do it himself.
This would be a major blow to the Coven, and it could tip the balance. Eric would need to round up a team of his best blood witches and drive them all to Boston. From there he'd lead the offensive against Dymphna and Gage at Ward Manor.
The Responsible Witch (The Ward Witches) Page 15