Jack
He took a deep breath as he leaned against the wooden cabin. He felt like he would regret asking the Fae for help. They were tricky, but it was easy to get information free of charge after inciting them with information on the vampire attacker that nearly killed one of their own.
Not to mention, they could find out information on anyone. But if they did find the speedy vampire, they were not allowed to harm another under the rule of the spring Queen. That's where Jack came in.
Jack had not seen nor heard anything about the pale bastard since the two girls were missing. Even with Megan Mant's name, he was led nowhere. It was like she disappeared from all records. Even her family did not know who she was.
His trail left him in the dust. The loose end frayed.
Until he reappeared in Whitby, tormenting the same group of witches. This was an act worthy of death. It would not be long until word got out, and mass panic ensued.
The poor young lass' would be dragged before the court, forced to drag up horrific memories, grilled for information and possibly accused of aiding the bastard and his plan.
___
Sighing, Jack shifted from the wall with three beers graciously provided by the Luna. He caught her caution and ensured they would not get close to the rest of the pack.
Approaching the pair, he offered his condolences for their fallen one.
He knew they were not using their real names. But Fred and John were the only two to reach out from his message to the Faires.
"So, you said he was in Whitby?" Jack asked, not beating around the bush.
John and Fred looked at one another, "Yes," replied Fred.
"We were there on a job to hand over a letter," John added.
"They were so accurate. The date, time, place. Even what they were wearing. Normally, witches aren't that good."
John quickly shushed Fred, "You'll break the contract," he grounded out to his partner.
"Whoops."
"I didn't hear that." Jack smirked and pressured more, "Where did you see him?"
"Well, we weren't paid just to drop off the letter. Our boss also wanted us to follow them and report once they returned home." John started.
"Cornelius and Megan were trailing them from the start. They, too, kept tabs on these witches. Then came the Abbey…"
Fred and John took turns telling their side of the story. They did not intervene one bit; they only observed. It was none of their business to meddle with.
"She was as good as dead, the redhead. Her mate wasn't having that. The blonde screamed bloody murder and performed…the spell."
"The spell?" Jack repeated, eyes scrunched in confusion.
"Vitamortum," Fred whispered.
Jack's eyes bulged from his sockets. The unspeakable spell. A life for a life.
"The blonde bled out, screaming after she had done it. I heard she also had a lock on her powers. Who knows why," Fred hinted.
"Anyways, we left after the others finally found the two girls. The redhead survived, and as you can imagine, the other is dead."
"At least. That's what we thought. Until a few days ago, we tried to hand another letter to Edward. Turns out she is alive. We were both shocked."
"We decided against it and took it back to our boss. She was angry."
He shook his head to clear away the shock. New mystery. Why was a witch using the fae as messengers when she could easily use familiars?
Did she have a hand in this plot as well?
He knew he would not get a name from them. They took pride in keeping their ties and secrets… unless a price was paid.
Eyes narrowing, he asked the two, "Do you know who Cornelius' Sire is?"
"Not yet, but we could find out." Fred and John looked at each other, and both nodded in agreement.
"If you find out any information related to Casey. Or any other attacks on Fae kind. Let us know."
"Of course," Jack vowed.
_____
Jack walked with them to the old oak. Ensuring they did not play any tricks on the pack or surrounding area.
"Lookie, lookie." Fred pointed just beyond the tree line.
"Edward and Anna," John whispered.
Jack looked in that direction. Two older teens sat cross-legged near the crater; the lass looked meditating, the lad coaching.
Clearing his throat, Fred winked at John. Uh oh.
_____
Jack took a moment to gather his thoughts and process the information he had collected today. Looking at the sleeping pack of pups, his mind tried to link one thing to the next, to no avail.
He sighed.
From what he gathered, Cornelius wanted to kill his sire. But surely that did not warrant attacks on innocent people, nearly killing two young witches to make new vampires.
There was an ulterior motive, and Jack could only grasp at straws.
He thought back to what Lexi had told him. A third witch? Caged? Perhaps this was his next clue to chase while he waited for Fred and John to return with more information.
Why would Lexi, a small-town witch, need a lock? Where did she get the Vitamortum spell from?
How did those two love birds fit into this whole story?
He groaned. Now he had more questions; he rubbed his temples and glanced at the time on his watch. It was too late to call his other new friend. Keiron. A history buff and Uncle to Lexi. Hopefully, he had some leads, too.
____________
Keiron
He sighed, pouring over the latest sales of the shop. He needed to hire an accountant. Taking off his glasses, he leaned back into the hands of his partner.
He groaned as the tight muscles were rubbed.
"I told you I can do that," his voice teased.
Keiron rolled his eyes and looked up to his long-term boyfriend, Luke.
"I already feel bad for leaving you to handle the shop alone."
"Don't sweat it. The staff are capable, it was a breeze. On that note, you never told me what happened."
"It's a long story."
"One filled with magic?" Luke grinned and took a chair beside Keiron.
Luke was human. He came stumbling into the shop fascinated and was introduced to the family secret by a careless Keiron, 'cleaning up' with animated objects with nobody holding them.
One thing led to another, and they were five years into a relationship.
"Yes," Kerion huffed, "Dangerous magic."
"Hold on, you don't believe much magic is dangerous." Luke used quotation marks around 'dangerous'.
"No… I said there is no such thing as Dark magic," Kerion emphasised.
Luke looked away, nodding.
Kerion continued, "The main thing is she is alive. Goddess knows how."
"Maybe it's because she is…Loved?" Luke pitched, raising his eyebrows and shoulders.
Keiron smiled at Lukes's innocent suggestion, "Cute…"
Keiron's thoughts turned inwards, considering Luke's suggestion.
'No, surely not? This isn't Harry Potter. But yet…'
He recalled his sister mentioning Lexi seeing her Grandma. Keiron shot up to his bookcase and scoured for the book that contained Vitamortum and books, including the afterlife.
__________
Morgan
She leaned back on the old rocking chair, her black hair cascading over her shoulder.
She did not expect Lexi to live. Her finger tapped the chair's armrest, and her lips puckered in thought.
How?
In all their previous lives, a small cut would become infected, a robbery with no witnesses, and gangsters killed the lover.
Yet, this one? Came back from inevitable death. What was different?
This one had stumped her. Her crystal ball was now fogged. It would not reveal any more future for them. It was unwritten. She was meant to die at the Abbey.
Gronk-Gronk!
Her raven croaked, speaking to her in hurried screeches.
"Calm down. I can't understand you when you rush," she tutted and stopped rocking.
He repeated the series of squeaks and croaks, low and hoarse.
'Fae talked to the werewolf. They told him what happened at Abbey and your letter.'
"Did they say my name?"
'No.'
"Good. Our contract still stands," she murmured, "How much does he know?"
The bird sat quietly; he didn't know.
"Hm. Keep an eye on him."
'One more thing.'
"Yes?"
'Fae called her Rose.'
Morgan groaned and leaned back, pinching between her brows. They could not help teasing, making themselves feel superior.
She sighed, "All right. Time to put them back into the Astral."
She rolled up her sleeves. She did not want to reveal other past lives, but now her hand was forced. She would be having words with Tweedledee and Tweedledumb.
She was about to lift herself from the chair when her writing desk took her eye.
Perhaps she could still convince them to visit her.
She still had one thing up her sleeve.
She grinned and gave a hand to her Raven, stroking its feathered head.
"Come on, let us play some more."
While she hated playing with her son's thoughts. She needed him on her side. More importantly, she needed Lexi out of the picture. To keep her son safe. It was too late to save him from heartbreak. He was too invested.
She would come up with a plan. She always did.
This time, she had to trust her instincts. The future was shrouded; they were all walking blind.