Page 94 of Seas the Reckoning

“The councilman will doubtless take care of having a magical perimeter to keep prying human eyes and unwanted visitors away. No matter what he says, he won’t want to draw the Magikai’s attention if it can be avoided. That works in our favor. Less magic we’ll need to expend on our own, although I will of course check, so we don’t have any human casualties,” Grammy says, deep in planning mode.

“Are we calling in the cavalry? A little beach battle, perhaps?” Starla asks.

“We’ve got backup ready and waiting,” Jackal says, walking behind us and leaning down so he’s visible to Grammy Pearl.

“Brody and Keegan are ready as well. Ginny, too,” Exos says. He’s too large to fit himself easily behind us, but he is loud enough to be heard.

“It goes without saying that we’ll all happily put ourselves in danger to help you both out. This is a team effort. A family effort,” Ji-hwan says. He blushes at the end of the statement, and I get up to go give him a hug.

“Yes. A family effort,” I say.

“You heard it here first, Grammy. A team better than any superhero and ready for action. I’m champing at the bit to get this face-off over and done with. How should we handle it?” Starla asks.

“Well,” Grammy says, “I think the two of you should walk straight out on that beach alone and give him exactly what he wants.”

There are several shouts as the others express their shock and displeasure, but I stay silent.

The seer got us our answers, and once we land on that beach, I’ll be home. The closer I am to the water, the better our chances.

If Starla can give me my voice back, I can take care of the rest.

35

DADDY DEAREST

Grammy’s plan is not nearly as foolhardy as it first sounded. I didn’t expect it to be. Not to say the elder witch isn’t above taking a calculated risk, but unlike Starla’s father, her grandmother would never gamble with her life for selfish reasons.

She relies on her visions, and she confirmed that her prediction that Starla would need some closure with her father was the correct way to approach things.

Which is why, with the sun long ago set, Starla and I are walking our jet-lagged selves onto the darkened beach behind her bar. Grammy had her witches come over from Bald Head and do a bit of poking around, and she confirmed that humans were already being kept away from the area through magical means. Councilman Taylor may have no compunctions about coming after his daughter, and he may think he’s a big enough fish to keep the government off his back in that area, but he’s not going to announce his presence to the world at large and force their hand, either.

“Saves us work,” Grammy had said—work on how they would conceal and sneak a host of backup into areas around the perimeter, where they could look for the extra individuals Councilman Taylor himself would surely bring.

Two groups trying to out-sneak and outsmart the other. What could go wrong?

Just before we began our walk onto the beach, Jackal pulled me in for a kiss so passionate it had my toes practically curling.

I try to think of that, focusing on the feel of his lips and the comforting swish of the waves, as we approach the councilman.

When my breath speeds up anyway, I remind myself that we have a wave of support behind us. An impressive lineup of individuals who have shown up in our favor, should we need them. I still think it would be better if we don't. I just have to make it to the water.

Starla warned me her father strikes fast, and we’ll need to catch him off guard. Sprinting for the waves might be what I want to do, but I’ll take her word for it that the action would end up with me taking a lightning bolt straight to the heart.

He has to think he’s winning, to be lulled into distraction. He’s too suspicious to let down his guard entirely, but we only need a moment. Just a single opening.

Even in the darkness, I can tell a storm is moving in. The clouds are covering the stars, and the air has the scent of rain.

The first few droplets start to fall as we reach Councilman Taylor, who has a man standing on each side of him.

Claude and Piers.

We’ll have to get by them as well, but I see Councilman Taylor as the largest threat.

Droplets land on Starla face, looking like teardrops.

We’re back in our Carolina Beach best, meaning jeans and off-the shoulder sweaters paired with flip flops. Beach winter chic. Councilman Taylor’s lip curls upward, displaying what he thinks of our fashion choices.

“If it isn’t my bride. Cold feet, dearest?” Claude shouts at me.