"I think we've done enough catching up for a decade," I say all tired out. It's the next morning and everyone is sitting around the table eating breakfast.
None of us got any sleep last night. It isn't a problem for Jaisley because.... well... she's dead.
It isn't really a bother because we had a good time catching up. I'll feel the effects of not getting enough sleep later.
"So, what's the plan for today? How do we move forward," Chris asks me. Everyone moves their attention onto me and I feel a little pressured to have all the answers.
"I'm not really sure. I'm thinking maybe we try tracking down Sybil. We can try some sort of location spell. I know my dad and Cassandra are more familiar with those."
"Do you think something that simple could work with finding a witch like Sybil? I'm sure she has some shielding mechanism that hides her location," my dad says.
"Yeah, she isn't a rookie" Cassandra confirms my dad's thoughts.
The rest of the group seems to doubt my plan so far and I don't blame them. It's not very solid and thought out. I don't think I'm very prepared for this mission.
I feel a hand come up to hold mines beneath the table and my nerves calm a little. I turn to see Alaric giving me a confident smile.
"I don't think it would hurt to try. It could lead us in the right path," Alaric says, trying to give some hope. His hand on mine is starting to feel a little overwhelming, so I let go and cover my hand with my sleeve.
"I say we get to work sooner than later" my dad states right before we hear the doorbell ring.
"I'll go answer it."
I get up from my seat quickly, seeing this as an opportunity to relax my nerves. We aren't expecting anyone. Everyone I know is sitting at the table.
I reach the door and look through the peep hole, seeing someone I least expected.
Kora.
"Who is it," Alaric asks from behind me.
"It's Kora. Do you know anything about why she's here," I ask him. He shrugs his shoulders, not giving me a real answer.
I unlock the door and open it to greet Kora.
"Kora. Nice to see you… I think," I say as I allow her in. Her tall figure towers over me as she passes by.
"Don't worry. I'm not here to arrest you or anything. I see everyone is already here." Kora looks around at everyone here and waves her hand.
"So, why are you here," Jaisley asks without greeting Kora first.
"Don't be rude," Hanna tells Jaisley.
"I'm just wondering."
"I came to speak with Anne actually, but since you all are here, I wanted to ask about what your plans are for the witch hunt."
"We were just discussing that. That's why I came over," Cassandra informs her, hiding the fact that she's been here all night watching movies and playing board games.
"I can tell you've been here for awhile. Your scent is heavy. Have you guys came up with a plan. I'd like to help."
Kora seems suspicious of Cassandra's presence but doesn't say anything about it.
"We're going to try tracking down Sybil with a locating spell. You can help us prepare." Kora seems to like what I tell her and stands at the table, waiting for everyone to finish eating.
Everyone starts discussing everything and I slide into the kitchen to find something to drink. I open the fridge to see what's inside.
"Hmm, I think some orange juice will be fine," I speak to myself.
After I grab it and turn around after closing the door, I hop back in shock, dropping the glass jar in my hand when I Alaric standing right behind me.
He catches it before it hits the ground and I breathe a sigh of relief.
"What the hell is wrong with you, Alaric? Why do you keep following me everywhere? You're going to make me catch a heart attack," I squeak out in frustration.
"I just wanted to make sure you were okay," he replies, setting the jar on the counter.
"Of course I'm okay. A jar of orange juice is not going to attack me. You need to relax." I put some distance between us and he tries to close it again.
"Anne, I'm trying my best, but I really can't control this," he says in an almost pleading tone.
"Alaric, I'm pretty sure I'm fully capable of protecting myself. I don't care if this is the mate bond. You need to back off. I need to focus on everything that's going on right now. I need my focus on Sybil right now."
I know I've been too harsh when I see hurt flash through his eyes. He shakes it off and puts on a cold front.
"Fine," is all he says and he walks off.
"Damn it," I whisper under my breath. Maybe this is for the best. We both need complete focus on finding Sybil right now. Everything else can be figured out afterwards.
I walk out of the kitchen and see they've already prepped the table for the spell. A map is spread out with lit candles around it. Everyone is standing away from the table and has their eyes on my father as he pours a big drop of ink on the middle of the map.
"The ink will spread to where ever Sybil is if it works well," he informs the non-witches in the room.
"Lets stop wasting time," Cassandra says and motions my father, Chris, and I go to opposite ends of the table.
The four of us are equal distance from each other and work like a compass. We all place both of our hands on the table in front of us and close our eyes.
Cassandra starts the chain of magic from the north.
"Sequere viam aquilonis," she chants repeatedly, creating a path to the north. The wave passes to me next on the east side. I chant something different.
"Sequere viam orientalem." The chant weighs down heavy on my tough as I speak it out. My hands feel glued to the table. When my chant feels lighter, I pass the wave of magic south to Chris.
"Sequere viam meridianam," Chris chants fast. I can hear her take deep breaths now and then. The chant must feel a little heavier on her, but she continues on.
Her chant stops eventually as she passes it on to my father. His chant is a little different too.
"Sequere viam occidens." It's the final chant from the west.
"Guys, the spell isn't working," I hear someone say in a distance, but the spell has to be completed before we can break off.
The weight is taken off my shoulders more and more as my father gets closer to the end.
"It's not working! You need to stop the spell!"
"They can't hear us you idiot! We have to wait till the chant is over."
I can feel something dripping down on my feet and my hands are covered in something. The chant finally ends and we're all unglued from the table.
"Oh shit," I hear Chris say. I open my eyes and see what disaster has occurred.
The whole table is covered in black ink and it's spilling off the sides. The four of our hands are covered in ink. There's ink all over my feet too.
"I'm guessing that means it didn't work," Don says. Cassey picks up the drenched map.
"It did not." I shake off my hands, feeling devastated that my plan didn't work.
"So, now what do we do," Kora asks.
The door bell rings.
"Were you expecting someone," Hanna asks. I shake my head and look back at my dad to see he's confused as well.
"You weren't, but I was," Alaric says, heading towards the door.
He opens it and I see a girl smiling up at him.