Page 4 of Seas the Reckoning

The couple are the last customers out after the final cocktail, with Keegan pressing a bag of seasoned fries and some shrimp nachos on them as they exit.

Once the coast is clear, Brody locks the doors, and Grammy motions all of us around a couple of the high-top tables that have been pushed together. Keegan retrieves Pickles from the back office, carrying the dog curled up happily in his lava-covered arms.

I take my place next to Jackal, with my flaming hot pet and the volmander on my other side. I pat the air above Pickles’s head, well aware that I am much less burn-proof than my pup.

As soon as the last butt hits the chair, Grammy begins to speak.

“No sense putting this off any longer, and you all should be informed. As you know, my coven made a deal with Starla’s father for his help in getting the witch council to censor the Goldsboro coven.”

“Greedy, money-hungry group of backstabbing⁠—”

Grammy Pearl raises a hand, and Starla doesn’t get to say whatever undoubtedly threatening and humorous insult she’s got planned for the witches who not only helped Leon in his crimes but would have happily taken Starla’s bar out from under her.

My best friend’s eyes are flickering with magic and anger. I run my hands over the shell necklace that hangs at my throat. Sent by my parents during all the Leon trouble, I know it has something to do with my siren curse, although I have no idea how exactly it will help.

Still, I’ve been wearing it since I received it, and it’s comforting to feel it against my skin.

The coven leader continues.

“A promise was made that my granddaughter would attend a function the councilman is hosting. As her father considers himself a bit of a socialite, there were several possibilities. He has chosen to call in his debt for his winter ball. An annual event hosted by the supernatural elite in England, and this year he is running the ball from one of his personal properties.”

“Fancy.” Brody whistles.

“One of his properties?” Keegan questions.

Pickles barks, seconding the volmander’s inquiry.

“The important piece is this,” Grammy continues as if no one has spoken, “Starla, Leena, Jackal, and Exos will need to go on this journey. And yes, Leena, you should bring Pickles.”

The seer manages to answer my question before my mouth is even fully open to ask it.

Keegan and Brody start speaking again, both insisting they want to be involved, and even Shanell is trying to talk over people.

“I’m not letting them go without extra muscle⁠—”

“I missed the first investigation when I got kidnapped, and I don’t want to sit this one ou⁠—”

“—a seasoned witch with law enforcement experience across dozens of investigations. There’s no way he invited her there without some ulterior motive.”

Grammy holds up her hand, staring everyone down until silence reigns again.

“I have also been in communication with Leena about the curse surrounding her siren abilities, and the fact that she needs to face her family’s past to break that curse. As you’re all aware, the use of her abilities causes not only chaotic side effects but has begun impacting her physically.”

I cringe, and Jackal places his hand over mine. After facing Leon down, I fell unconscious and needed attention from a healing witch. Following that, Grammy recommended I put a lid on the musical voice until her seer abilities indicated it was time to break the curse. I’ve managed not to use my song since then, but I’m ready to have full use of the ability. As much as the song frightened me at first, I’ve realized that I can use it to protect the people I care about. At least I will be able to once the curse isn’t a factor.

Grammy clears her throat, then adds more information.

“My visions have informed me that Starla’s journey and Leena’s are linked. And, yes, there will be danger. That’s why I want a solid group to go. But also a solid group to remain here. This bar is both Starla’s crowning achievement and technically a coven interest, since she is in our coven. Not to mention, the supernaturals in this area have been targets in previous crimes, and I don’t want them unwatched while my granddaughter is gone.”

Starla frowns.

“Who would … wait. You think my father would use the opportunity while I’m away to try and pull the rug out from under me here? Do something to the bar? He has always wanted to marry me off to some pretentious English supernatural akin to modern nobility,” she muses. “If I don’t have ties here, or the bar’s under threat, I’d be easier to handle or coerce.”

She doesn’t throw in a single metaphor or idiom, so I know she’s both dead serious and deadly focused.

Grammy nods.

Threats where we’re going, and threats where we’ve been.