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Adriel didn’t move, unable to pull herself away from the rushing water.
“Whoa.” Juniper approached her side, finally able to see what Adriel saw.
They stared over the hypnotic ravine, breathing in the damp air and absorbing the energy of the elements. “Do you feel it now?”
“I feel…something. Time… Power…”
“There is strength here, Juniper. Perhaps it can help you. There has to be a way for you to harness its natural energy to better channel your magick.”
“Maybe. But we should keep moving. I’m exhausted, and I need to rest, or I’ll be useless.”
Adriel broke her stare with the distant chasm. “Yes, we should find a place to rest. Near the falls would be best, I think.”
They drove a while longer, weaving in and out of the narrow, steep streets until they found a brick home that looked sturdy and well-maintained despite being several centuries old.
Juniper pulled over at the foot of the pebbled driveway. “I see lights on. Someone’s in there.”
Adriel scanned the house from the dormers to the cellar floor. “One person. An older female. She’s mortal.”
Juniper looked at her with an impressed expression. “You can tell her age?”
“I can feel her pain. She’s arthritic. She’s also partially deaf in one ear. She wears a device but only when she’s watching her shows.”
“Damn. That’s pretty impressive. Anything else?”
“There’s a cat in the yard, but that could be a stray.”
She laughed and shut off the car. “Cool. Witches dig cats. You ready to do this?”
Adriel had never done anything like this before, so she hesitated. “I don’t want to hurt anyone.”
“Then don’t fuck it up.” She left the vehicle and Adriel scanned the house one more time to be sure the woman was alone.
“Don’t fuck it up,” she repeated, then followed Juniper toward the old home.
Pots of withered tomato plants lined the back steps, showing a lack of water—again, proof that the woman lived alone. The chipped iron railing showed an absence of maintenance.Despite the house appearing well-kept at first glance, the scent of dust, cat dander, and time tickled her nose the closer they came to the back door.
Juniper pressed the button on a small electrical box.
“What is that?”
“Doorbell.” She looked up at the windows. “Do you hear anything?”
Placing a hand on the bricks, Adriel closed her eyes. The scent of talc and rose tickled her nose as a soft shuffle approached.
“She walks with a cane. We must be patient.”
The door opened, and a small woman appeared. “Hello.” Her deep-set eyes appeared almost crystal against the translucent creases of her pale skin. “May I help you?”
Juniper stepped back, nudging Adriel forward. “You’re up.”
Adriel easily entered the woman’s mind. “Hello, ma’am. I’m Adriel, and this is Juniper,” she greeted with a kind smile. “May we come inside?”
The woman cocked her head. “Do I know you?”
“Well, no, but we were wondering if we might?—”
“What are you doing?” Juniper snapped. “Don’t explain yourself. Just make it happen.”
