Page 178 of Echoes of the Banshee

The walls are scorched, bowed outward. The floor cracked. Papers scattered. I spot a food wrapper, a shattered restraint cuff on the desk. But no bodies.

“What happened?” I whisper. A magical bomb?

“I don’t know,” Daddy says, scanning the room. “It must have been whoever rescued her.”

“It was Mavrik and Zair,” I say. “Do either of them have this kind of power?” I shiver at the thought. Not from fear.

“They must. Or they’ve got some kind of artifact.”

“Did they kill everyone already?”

“No. Doesn’t look like it. But everyone’s gone.” He sounds disappointed. We hear another car pull up and leave quickly out the back entrance.

“So… what’s our next step?” I ask as we drive to the school.

“Our next step?” he repeats, glancing down at me. “My next step is calling in Miriam. We’ll pick Thea up for Thanksgiving break. Her friends won’t notice she’s missing until she’s already dead.”

“But what about the banshee?” I ask. “Have you figured out who she is yet?”

“I told you I don’t care,” he growls low. I flinch and he finally softens. “We’ll try at the carnival.”

Ollin

This Warrants Further Investigation

My head rests on my paws as I scan the forest. Unable to decide if it was a good idea or a bad one that I got this cabin for them. I focus inside, confirming that each of them are breathing.

My phone vibrates beside me and I glance over and read the message before it vanishes.

Warehouse empty.

Epic explosion of magic.

A series of pictures of the destruction come in. So Thea had a meltdown. Is that how they got out? They were rather vague on the whole situation.

Want us to check anything else?

I exhale sharply. Someone needs to invent a phone you can use with claws. I shift to human quickly and text for them to scan for any other magic. Then sit naked on the steps as I wait.

Very dignified, Ollin.

Inside someone’s breathing changes. They’re awake. The bed squeaks and heavy footsteps sound even as they try to be quiet.

Benson.

Bathroom door shuts. Pee.

I should probably stop listening.

A gasp. Hurried footsteps.

“Thea,” he whispers.

She wakes and they walk to the other side of the cabin.

A lamp switch.

Another gasp.