by Ashley McLeo
Lily had been furious with Evelyn these last few weeks, but now her feelings were more nuanced. Could she still be raging mad at Evelyn after her sister had been abducted and forced to perform magic Aoife repeatedly proclaimed was beyond her capabilities? The answer, Lily decided as they were flying into New York Harbor, was no. She couldn’t be mad when her sister’s life was in danger. Yet, she still found herself blaming Evelyn for everything that had happened.
How dare Evelyn put us in this predicament? she asked herself for the hundredth time. Evelyn had known it was too soon for the triplets to be left to their own devices in the world. They didn’t know enough magic and with Nora’s betrayal had lost their veil of anonymity, giving the Acolytes a clear upper hand. Their cover was totally blown, and the Acolytes had only been able to exploit them because Evelyn stayed in New York instead of returning to the safety of Fern Cottage.
And though anger simmered in her skin, Lily knew she couldn’t hold on to it. I wish I was more naturally forgiving, like Sara was with me. I guess now is the perfect time to practice . . . I just hope I don’t lose anyone else because of Evelyn’s poor decisions. Her heart heavy with the memory of Em’s death, she glanced over at Rena, Annika, and Selma, each of whom had insisted on joining the McKay’s to save Evelyn.
“Where to first?” Mary asked, her voice hushed as the group assembled at the end of a long cab stand line.
“I called the largest New York covens during our layover in France and asked if they had any knowledge of the abduction or any other sort of funny business. Seeing as Evelyn is not yet a registered witch, none of the covens except one knew who she was and that’s only because of the Locksleys’ prominence in New York. The Sisters of Salem are allowing us refuge in their safe house. They’ll listen to our case in person and decide whether or not to get involved after,” Gwenn answered, shuffling forward with the line.
“We should go to Locksley Enterprises first,” Sara said, astonishing everyone.
“And why is that, Sara? The Locksleys have no connection to the supernatural world besides Evelyn and Fiona.” Gwenn’s brows were furrowed over her bright green eyes.
“That’s true, but they may know Evelyn’s last whereabouts, and who she’s been hanging out with. Don’t you find it telling that this was the weekend she went away with her new boyfriend? Maybe they have info on the guy. Evelyn was very vague about him, never even told me his name, but they’ll spill if we tell them what’s happening.”
Brigit let out a long whistle, earning her dirty looks from all the cab drivers waiting to pull up to the front of the line. “You’re bang on, Sara. We have to go there first. I’m wishing Fiona was with us right now. Sonja’s never met any of us but she trusts Fiona.”
“Hey lady! You want a cab or not?” a cabbie yelled from the front of the line.
Lily looked up to see the crowd of people before them had vanished. What the…?
“What’s the use of being a ceremens if you can’t use it to your advantage every now and again?” Aoife winked as she strode toward the waiting cab.
Lily’s head craned upward as the cab pulled to a stop. She’d known Evelyn came from wealth, but to have a monstrosity such as the gleaming building before her shoved in her face put into perspective just how wealthy her sister really was.
Stepping out the cab allowed Lily a full view of the modern steel, brass, and glass front of Locksley Enterprises. It looked entirely chic in a sea of concrete and dingy art déco buildings, and though it wasn’t quite her style, it still drew the eye.
Two cabs filled with the remainder of their rescue party pulled up. Each person’s face held a look of awe that mirrored how Lily felt. Once everyone had arrived they huddled together in a tight circle confined by the glass exterior of the building and the pulsing crowd on the sidewalk.
“This place is mad,” Aoife said, her copper eyes darting around as she ran her hand through her red hair in agitation. “How people can live like this, right near on top of each other, is beyond me.”
“But you have to admit, Aoife, it’s exhilarating!” Mary’s blue eyes danced and her smile widened as she watched the crowds of people surge past them like river water. Aoife shot her blonde sister the side eye and Lily smirked. While she found herself agreeing more with Aoife, it didn’t surprise Lily that Mary, a social butterfly and most like Evelyn, was thrilled to be here. In a way, I can see the appeal, too. Lily watched a woman in high heels and a long fur coat stride down the sidewalk as if she owned it. Yes, the city was crowded, loud as hell, and it smelled a little, but beside the reek of urine and exhaust hung the undeniable thrill of life invading your every sense. It was an adrenaline rush just to stand on the sidewalk. Evelyn would thrive here, on the tiny island surrounded by water, inundated with powerful men and filled with minds that whirred nonstop.
“So what’s the plan? I doubt we’re going to be let up to a billionaire’s office without some sort of appointment or explanation. And I don’t think we should tell anyone beside Evelyn’s parents about her abduction,” Gwenn said, pulling them back to the issue at hand as was so often her task as eldest McKay sister.
“Aoife, can you use ceremens to find the office location and get us up there? In a place such as this there ought to be a lobby desk with couple people working,” Rena said, revealing a plan far better than the one Lily had been composing in her head, which consisted of nine women running like hell to the elevator as security chased close behind.
“I can manage about three people at a time. If there’s any more at the desk someone else will have to help dissuade them from calling security.” Aoife surveyed the group, which Lily knew had no other strong mind witches. “Sara, it looks like you’re up next. Then Brig if there’s more. Hopefully that will be enough.”
Sara beamed with pride as the group streamed through the huge, reflective glass doors of the building.
Wow, it’s white in here, Lily thought, taking in the airy spaciousness, white marble, clean lines of the building, and the single woman behind the front desk. The woman was talking on the phone in a crisp English accent with a frantic look in her eye. The desk attendant didn’t even blink when nine women, who looked like they had no business being there, approached the desk luggage in tow. The witches and one siren stood there for a second, waiting for Rose Wellington—as indicated by her nameplate—to acknowledge them. Lily’s ears perked up as they overheard bits and pieces of her conversation.
“No, Mr. Locksley is not taking any calls at the moment. Yes, we are aware there has been a glitch in the system. We are working to resolve it. Yes. Thank you.” Rose hung up the call. “Locksley Enterprises, this is Rose how may I—Oh good day, Mr. Allamud. No, I’m so sorry, Mr. Locksley is not available at the moment. Yes, I’ll have him call you.” She switched to the next blinking light without so much as a glance up.
Lily looked down at the phone board and saw two dozen red lights blinking. Something’s going on.
“Come on, let’s move,” Aoife whispered and pulled Lily’s arm. The witches left the desk and went to the elevator.
“Looks like we’re not the only one in a crisis,” Annika said as the door closed. “Aoife, did you even—?”
“Not at all,” Aoife answered, anticipating the question as she studied a gold-plated directory by the elevator. “The poor girl was so frantic her mind was going all sorts of directions. I don’t think she even registered we were there.”
The elevator shot up to the executive floor in less than a minute. It was, Lily supposed while placing a hand over her stomach, something one had to get used to.
“Dios mio, that’s what I’d call one hell of a ride.” Selma closed her eyes and took a deep breath as they stepped out.
Lily gawked as people ran by, phones attached to their ears. The chaos did not jive with the light and serene atmosphere the office so obviously tried to promote with the help of light colors, lots of negative space, and flourishing green plants. It even smells calming up here, Lily thoug
ht inhaling the scent of sage just as a man with one phone cinched between his ear and left shoulder, another phone in his right hand, and a laptop held open in his left hand, nearly bowled her over.
He scowled at Lily as he hopped on the elevator, punched a button with his elbow, and disappeared behind the doors.
Gwenn twitched. “It feels as if everyone in here could use a good calming spell.” Her hands rose slightly as if preparing to gift her speciality spell to anyone they passed.
“Don’t even think about it, Gwenn. We don’t have time. We’ve already spent too long getting to the States. We have to be smart, figure out where Evelyn is, and find her as fast as possible, not help a few worker bees,” Brigit said, pushing her sister’s hands down.
Another smaller directory hung at the entrance to the hall telling them which office was Mr. Locksley’s. The witches made their way down the hallway, unimpeded, checking numbers and peeking into any open doors, which inevitably held a man or woman in a state of panic. No one seemed to notice the nine-woman mafia as they made their way deeper and deeper into the heart of Locksley Enterprises.
Brigit held her arm out to stop the herd at her back as they approached the end of the hall. “It’s got to be one of those two,” she said in little more than a whisper. “Hang back a second.” She approached with the care of someone walking on eggshells, peeking first left then right. She froze.
“Come on, girls. Brigit needs support,” Annika said, taking in Brigit’s shock with her sharp, ice blue eyes and nudging Lily and Sara forward.
Approaching wordlessly, Lily squeezed next to Brigit to peek through an open door crack into James Locksley’s office. Her heart cracked in half at what she saw. James sat at his desk, hands tented with his forehead against them and shoulders trembling.
Brigit pointed into a corner that Lily, from her position, could just make out. Her breath caught in her throat, as Lily caught sight of a woman, petite with olive skin and long black hair, sitting in a cream tufted chair and sobbing into her hands. That must be Sonja.
“Ready, Brig?” Aoife whispered, moving around the group to be by her sister and putting her hand on the door.
“I think so,” Brigit’s voice was barely more than a breath.
Aoife slid the shoji door open and the witches poured into the room.
Neither James or Sonja even glanced up.
Well, this is awkward, Lily thought as Aoife cleared her throat, startling both Locksleys out of their misery.
“Oh!” Sonja exclaimed, wiping her fingers beneath her eyes and smudging her mascara.
“Who are you? How did you get in here?” James looked torn between anger at having a horde of strange women enter his office and curiosity.
“We’re sorry,” Brigit smiled weakly, “We walked up ourselves. The rest of the office seemed a bit . . . busy.”
James snorted. “What an understatement. So who are you and why did you barge into my office uninvited and unannounced?”
“I’m Brigit McKay-Clery. These are my sisters, daughters, and friends.”
Sonja paled at the name. “You’re Evelyn’s biological mother?” she asked, her voice trembling. Brigit nodded, “And these two are her sisters, Lily and Sara.” She pointed to the girls in turn. “I’m not sure if Fiona told you, but Evelyn is a triplet.”
“No, she didn’t. Evelyn didn’t mention it either,” Sonja knit her brows together increasing the tension in her face. “Why are you here?” She looked pained, like a person who wanted to admit something but couldn’t.
Brigit cleared her throat. “We received word that Evelyn has disappeared. We came to help find her. We’re hoping you may have information that will lead us to her.”
“But how did you find out? We’ve only now realized it!”
“What sort of information?” James interrupted his wife, his mouth set in a hard line.
Brigit walked closer and the rest of the group followed. Neither James nor Sonja protested. “Like who Evelyn has been hanging around with since she’s been home. Her last known whereabouts. And if you’ve heard of any other strange happenings since Evelyn’s come home, besides the obvious ones stemming from the change in Evelyn, of course.”
The Locksley’s exchanged looks.
“What do you mean by strange happenings and the change in Evelyn? She’s been a little on edge, but other than that everything seems fine. Is there something wrong with her?” Sonja said, her perfect brows knit so close together now they were almost touching.
“That’s to be expected, what with everything that’s going on. Specifically, we’re wondering if anyone has been following Evelyn. Or maybe she told a friend she was a witch and now their estranged? Things like that,” Brigit explained.
Silence hung in the air, reverberating off the walls and through Lily’s bones. James’s mouth opened so wide Lily was sure his jaw would fall off his face any second. Something’s not right here.
Finally Sonja spoke. “Did you call our daughter a witch?”
“Bloody hell,” Aoife muttered.
Mary’s hand flew to cover her bright red lips.
Everyone else gaped.
Evelyn hasn’t told them! But . . . she’s been home for a month! Does that mean she was never planning on telling her parents anything? I can’t believe this.
“Should I ceremens them, Brig?” Aoife whispered.
“Or a calming spell?” Gwenn added, her green eyes darting from Brigit, to Aoife, to the Locksleys.
Brigit shook her head. She looked at a complete loss for what to do next.
To everyone’s surprise Sara sidestepped out of the group and made her way toward the large wooden desk. “We’re all witches,” Sara held out her hand in which hovered a blazing blue ball of fire with two smaller golden balls circling it.
James leapt back and Sonja cursed.
Sara extinguished the flame. “Don’t worry, I have complete control over my powers and would never harm Evelyn’s parents. May I sit?” she asked pointing to the large leather chair on the other side of the desk from James.
He nodded and watched as the tiny redhead lowered herself into the chair with authority.
“We've only just met, but please be assured I love your daughter. I found out a few months ago I had two older sisters. I also found out that Evelyn, who I’m lucky to call one of those sisters, was brought up very differently from me. With the love of a family and the security of a bright future. My childhood wasn’t filled with either. I didn’t get amazing adoptive parents like you and I’ll never tell my own adoptive parents our story, the story of my sisters and me. Would you mind if I told you? I’m sure Evelyn will want to talk to you about it when she returns, but it might be nice if you had a baseline already.”
Holy shit. Lily released a breath she hadn’t known she had been holding. Sara doesn't look at all fazed sitting before one of most influential couples in America.
James and Sonja turned to each other, eyes wide. Then, without a word, they both sat down to face Sara and nodded.
Everyone listened as Sara told their story. The past, present, and supposed future. She told the truth, even if she hadn’t been present for it. Lily kept waiting for the shoe to drop. To hear Sara tell Evelyn’s parents about the estranged relationship between their daughter and Lily. She waited to see James and Sonja’s gaping mouths close and have their accusing fingers pointed in her face.
But none of that happened.
“What you said explains so much. Why Evelyn’s been so distant since returning. The thorough questioning about exactly what we knew when she returned. And why she needed the jet so quickly,” James mused, his face paler than before Sara shared their story. “I thought Alexandria was an odd choice, but we own a couple jets so . . .” he raised his shoulders as if to say ‘why the hell not?’
Sara nodded as if the logistics of owning multiple private jets was second nature to her. “So as you see, Evelyn has undergone a major life change, and there are very dangerous people out to
get her. We need any information you can give us if we are going to find her.”
“Shouldn’t we call the police?” Sonja wiped away the tears that had started flowing again when Sara spoke of their unbinding and hadn’t stopped since.
“They’d be clueless with a case like this one,” Brigit cut in. “Evelyn is in great danger. Supernaturals took her and only supernaturals can find her, but we need your help. You’re the ones who know her best.”
Her final words seemed to hearten the Locksleys, who for the first time since the witches’ arrival smiled.
“Her boyfriend’s name is Roman Simons.” Sonja launched into an information dump without further prodding. “He’s the oldest son of an energy industry tycoon in Tennessee. We acquired their account out of the blue a month ago. Roman and Evelyn hit it off right away, that much was clear. She went out of town with him this weekend. I haven’t heard from her in two days. Except for when she was in Ireland, with you, I talk to Evelyn once a day. Your group showed up shortly after James received the message that explained why I haven’t heard from her.”
“Message?” Rena asked, leaning forward.
“An email,” James answered. “Few people know my personal email so whoever sent it got it from someone I trust.
“Mind if we read it?”
James turned his oversized monitor around and the witches inched closer to read.
* * *
Greetings James!
You’re probably wondering who I am to have your email. Let’s say I have insider information. I have taken someone very dear to you. If you ever wish to see your little Evie again, make a transfer of one hundred million dollars to the following account:
* * *
Lily leaned back when the email tapered off to list a long string of numbers, a bank name, and a sign-off from Acolyte of Hecate Number Two. Two guesses who that is, she thought sourly. So the other side needs money and lots of it. But why? If they can do magic, why do they need so much?