Six

Briar finished wrapping a box of vibrant orange candles scented with citrus that she’d prepared for Litha, had a final chat to her customer as she took payment, and then waved her out the door.

Her smile slipped from her face as she sat wearily on a stool behind the counter, and she checked her watch. Nearly four, thank the Goddess. The day had felt like it would never end, and she didn’t often think that. She loved working in her shop, but the weekend had finally caught up with her.

Eli exited the herb room with two steaming cups, and he handed her one as he took a seat next to her. “An energising herbal tea,” he told her. “I thought you needed it.”

She took it from him gratefully. “Do I look that bad?”

He dazzled her with his smile. “Of course not. You look as good as always. But you are lacking your usual energy, and so am I. This is as much for me as for you.”

She inhaled before she sipped, and detected rosemary, sage, nutmeg, lemongrass, and honey. “This is one of your blends, isn’t it?”

“One of my favourites.”

“It’s delicious.” She watched him through the fragrant steam. Eli certainly looked fine. His honey brown hair and olive skin glowed with health, and his easy grace and lean, muscled frame looked as fit as ever. “What have you been up to that you need this?”

“It’s what I might be up to later that this is for.”

Briar recalled how Gabe and Shadow had gone to London on Friday, and suddenly realised she hadn’t asked Eli a thing about it. “Of course. You have a new case! I’ve been so caught up in our business that I didn’t ask!”

He laughed. “That’s okay. And it’s been busy here.”

“So,” she urged him, curious. “What’s happened?”

“The Order of the Midnight Sun, a group of alchemists based in London, employed us to find a missing astrolabe; the Dark Star Astrolabe, to be precise.”

“That sounds fascinating! How long will that take?”

Eli gave her a rueful smile. “Well, that’s the thing. They’ve already found it. But a group called Black Cronos tried to steal it back last night in London.” Eli’s smile disappeared. “They aren’t quite human, Briar. In fact, we’re not sure what they are.”

“Not human? But are they okay—your brothers, I mean?”

“It takes more than half a dozen mercenaries to kill Gabe, Shadow, Niel, and Nahum. They’re back here now, with two members of the order. But we’re expecting trouble. In fact,” he glanced towards the window and the street beyond, “they asked me to keep an eye out for anything suspicious around here.”

Briar stared out at the street, too, half wondering if she’d see Zane or Mariah. But of course she wouldn’t. They were hiding. “Wow.” She turned back to him. “That’s worrying. Do you need help?” She asked it and meant it, but really hoped they didn’t.

Eli shook his head. “We’ll handle it…I hope. Besides, you have enough to deal with. I have learned something, though—about Estelle.”

Briar’s thoughts flew to Caspian. She knew something bad had happened between them. “What has she done now?”

“So suspicious!”

“With good reason.”

“Most of my brothers are going to France in a couple of days. She’s going with them.”

“And leaving Caspian alone? Now?” She almost spilled her drink she was so annoyed. “That bloody woman!”

“I know. And none of us are at the warehouse, either. He’s given us the time to pursue the new case.”

Briar had grown very fond of Caspian. She sensed his loneliness beneath his gruff exterior and pride. “I can’t believe she’d do that! He’s vulnerable.”

“He is a very powerful witch,” Eli reminded her. “And I’m still around. So is Zee. If you need our help, just ask. Promise?”

“Promise. Why don’t you come to the pub for a pint with us later? I’m going to Alex’s place straight after work.”

“I need to get home. Zee’s there, too. We need everyone there—just in case.”

Briar knew she’d struggle without Eli in the shop. She’d grown so used to having him there, and he was so easy to work with, but… “Do you need time off, too?”

“No. I’ll be in tomorrow.” He drained his cup and put it on the counter. “And what about you? You should get help. You sleep alone. Can Hunter come down?”

Briar smiled, thinking of the same conversation she’d had with him only yesterday. “He’s coming down on Wednesday to stay for a few days.”

“The distance can’t be easy.”

“We make it work. Speaking of which, where are your ‘women?’” She held her fingers up in quote marks. Eli’s admirers had been a regular fixture in her shop on most afternoons.

“Ah, those. I’ve discouraged them from spending too much time here after a certain Friday afternoon when you spelled them all. Unless they want to buy something, of course.” He winked, took her empty cup, and rose to his feet. “Anyway, I’ll wash up and finish those final herb preparations. You stay here and relax. But be careful, Briar. Strange things seem to be aligning.”

“I know. I think it’s the solstice, and the moon is waxing, too.”

“And there’s a planetary alignment I recently found out. There’s no such thing as coincidences.”

No, there wasn’t, she thought as she watched him go, shutting the door behind him and leaving her alone. When she went home later, she’d refresh her altar for Litha and repeat her protection spells, and she was once again thankful that Hunter would arrive soon.

Reuben watched the startled expressions of his friends around the table at the rear of The Wayward Son. “I know it sounds odd,” he repeated, “but it also makes perfect sense.”

Alex nodded, his dark eyes filled with worry. “I don’t doubt you. I honestly feel I should have seen something while scrying earlier. If they’re underground, that would hamper me.”

Reuben had told them about his belief that the witches were hiding in a cave somewhere in Cornwall, and was relieved when Alex didn’t think he’d gone mad. The others, however, didn’t look convinced.

“Maybe a couple of them are here,” Avery said, “but I still think two of them will have taken the treasure somewhere else.”

“That’s a reasonable assumption,” El agreed. “They must still want their money.”

“And,” Alex added, “they want to keep it safe.”

“Perhaps,” Reuben conceded, but still unsure. “However, four witches can wreak more havoc than two.”

Briar had been sipping her wine while she listened, but now she said, “I was chatting to Eli earlier, and he said there’s a planetary alignment later this week. It’s something their latest job revolves around. I was wondering if that could affect our issue, too.”

“Planets and their correspondences have always played a part in witchcraft,” Avery said, “but I guess some witches use them more than others. You think Mariah and Zane are using the alignment for some spell?”

Briar became more animated, leaning forward, her hands wrapped tightly around her glass. “The moon is waxing, and the moon’s phases are always useful in spell work. And the solstice is coming. What extra dimension could this planetary alignment have?”

El shrugged. “It depends on what spell you’re using. I use the planets sometimes to enhance my spells when I’m crafting jewellery. The seven planets that the ancients refer to all correspond to metals. My old grimoire refers to them frequently. I guess it’s something we should research.” She turned to Avery, her eyes widening in a question. “And you’re so good at it!”

Avery laughed. “I get it! Don’t worry, I’ll hit the books. Although, it sounds like you’re more familiar with that than me. I’m sure I can wriggle out of work for a few hours tomorrow. It won’t help us find them, though.”

“It might! And anything’s better than nothing,” Alex pointed out. “Especially after my failed attempt today. I searched and searched and searched. It was infuriating.”

“You said Newton gave you addresses, right?” Reuben asked, deciding to be proactive. “I want to follow up on them.”

Alex looked doubtful. “Well yes, but that might not be a good idea.”

“I don’t care. Where’s the closest one?”

“Reuben!” El exclaimed, annoyed. “You were stabbed last week. Shouldn’t you slow down?”

“Nope. The best form of defence is attack. And I want revenge.”

Alex hesitated, then reached in his pocket and pulled out a list. “Lowen’s parents are dead, and we have no leads on friends. Harry’s father’s family is in Exeter. Zane’s is in Wadebridge. Mariah has relatives in Somerset.”

Reuben grinned. “Excellent. I’ll try Wadebridge first. That’s closest. In fact,” he checked his watch. “I can go tonight. I’ve only had a pint.”

“You’re so reckless sometimes!” El glared at him, her blue eyes flashing with anger. He winced. He knew what that meant. “I’m coming with you!”

“Hold on!” Alex glared at him, too. “What will you do if you see him?”

“Attack the scrawny little shit!”

“And then what?” Briar asked, in her usual calm tone. “It’s not like you can put him in witch jail.”

Reuben took a deep breath, knowing his friends were right, but there weren’t any other options. “They think they’re invincible. I want them to know they’re not. And even if Zane isn’t there, his family will be.”

Avery leaned forward, almost imploring him. “Remember what Charlie said. His mother is a witch, and although they aren’t close, she may still defend him. We should wait!”

“But,” Reuben reasoned, “if his parents were involved, they would have run, too. Have they?”

Alex shrugged. “Newton is playing softly-softly while he gathers information. They haven’t been to see them yet.”

“Well, that settles it! I’m going. Look,” he said, trying to sound less like an avenging nutjob and more like a reasonable man of action, “every moment that we wait gives them more time to prepare what they are doing. I understand Newton not wanting to jump in, but why aren’t we?”

“Because,” Avery said, snapping, “the Witch Council will provide us with extra witches to make a bigger team to hunt them down—with a plan!”

“Which won’t happen until tomorrow night! And then how long after that until we act?” The more that Reuben thought about this, the more certain he was. “They’ve had all weekend to plot their next moves—longer, in fact. We sat back, licked our wounds, and did nothing else apart from bloody fact-finding! Newton gave us those addresses for a reason. We need to start rattling people. Otherwise, all we’re doing is reacting to them. They need to know that we’re actively searching! And,” he added forcefully, “Lowen must have friends! One of them might know something.”

El squeezed his arm and smiled at him before turning to the others. “To be honest, he’s right. Let’s rattle our sabres! I’ll go with Reuben to make a sociable evening call.”

Avery looked at Alex with a questioning glance. “I guess we could speak to Charlie. He said he was friends with both of them. In fact, he was the one with the most objections at last night’s meeting. He might be more approachable without the entire council glaring at him.”

“Where does he live?” Briar asked.

“Polzeath. But I haven’t got his address,” she said ruefully. “And I don’t want to ask Genevieve.”

“But,” Briar said, smiling suddenly, “I bet Newton could get it. And I could come, too.” And then she frowned as her phone rang. “Hold on, it’s Cassie.” She rose to her feet and walked out to the pub’s courtyard to take the call.

Reuben was now itching to get started, and he finished his pint as he checked the time. “Right. It’s about forty-five minutes to Wadebridge, so we’ll be there by eight o’clock or so. Let’s get going, El.”

But before he could move, Briar returned, a mixture of worry and curiosity on her face. “Well, that was weird. Cassie and the boys are going to check out Hurlers Stone Circle, and she wants me to go with them.”

“Is this a part of their paranormal mapping exercise?” Alex asked.

“She was a bit cagey, actually. She stressed it was probably unnecessary, just a precaution.” She shrugged and picked up her wine glass. “That’s fine, though. I guess we’re all out tonight!”

“Good,” Reuben said feeling optimistic. “Maybe we’ll finally discover something useful.”

Caspian studied the number in his hand, wondering if this was a good idea, but to be honest, he didn’t have many options available.

After a brief conversation with Gabe earlier that day, he’d found out that Harlan was no longer involved in Gabe’s latest case, so in a fit of enthusiasm, he called him for guidance on where to look and who to ask about the black market for stolen treasure. While Newton was probably investigating through a more formal route, Caspian was pretty sure trying another angle wouldn’t hurt. However, Harlan had been apologetic, saying that actually he was still caught up in a few things. He’d recommended that his colleague, Oliva, was more likely to be of use, but warned him she was on a case, too.

Caspian sighed and decided it didn’t hurt to ask. He punched in the number and then walked through the open patio doors to the brick terrace outside his study with a glass of whiskey, and stared at his garden. The sun had set, and thick twilight blanketed the grounds, accompanied by evening birdsong. It was peaceful and beautiful, but he was unsettled. He’d spent the afternoon seething about Estelle, Mariah, and Zane, and he couldn’t shake it.

Olivia answered quickly, her voice warm. “Olivia James, can I help?”

Caspian quickly explained who he was and what he needed.

“You’re Gabe and Shadow’s friend!” she exclaimed. “I love them. Shadow is so much fun!”

Caspian laughed. “That’s one word for her.”

“I presume Harlan told you that my specialty, like his, is occult objects.”

“He did. But he also said you have good contacts…slightly different ones to his. And,” he added, deciding a reasonable amount of honesty would be best, “I’m sick of our rivals having the edge. I want to try to get ahead.”

“Oh, I know that feeling.” She hesitated and then said, “I’m tied up for a couple of days in Nottingham, but I’ll be back in London on Friday, latest. Maybe even Thursday if things go well. We can do this one of two ways. I can make enquiries for you and tell you what I find. Or, you can come to London and make the enquiries with me. But,” she teased, “only in exchange for a few more details!”

Caspian felt a stir of excitement as the possibilities unfolded in his mind. “Absolutely. I’ll arrive in London on Thursday, just in case you’re free, and if not, I have business associates to connect with. You just let me know when you arrive.”

“Excellent. I look forward to meeting you.”

After he hung up, Caspian stared into the growing dusk, debating whether he should really be leaving with Estelle away, too. However, the other senior partners were well able to deal with any urgent business, and they could still phone him. This was a chance to do something positive, and he might even be able to stop thinking about Avery, for once. And seeing as he’d promised Reuben and himself that he had to move on, and moping about in Cornwall wasn’t cutting it, London would be the perfect distraction.