Chapter Ten
Hex
"He said it was a misunderstanding," Cipher tells me as I take another swig of beer. "And I believe him. You didn't hear the way he sounded." Cipher may have blocked my mate out of loyalty to me, but he'll still tell me how he feels about the situation.
I shouldn't have left Mason at the cabin like I did.
Or said that hateful closing line. People on the outside of a misunderstanding have a broader perspective, which is why they roll their eyes and think how ridiculous the whole thing is.
But when you're someone involved in the situation, there are emotions at play that color your perception.
I believe my feelings about Mason's absence in my life are valid, but I should never have lost control and laid such a low blow.
"I need to focus on finding Kory right now.
Once that's done, I'll handle things with Mason.
" I won't have a choice. We're Fated – him, me, and Kory.
For better or worse, we're stuck with each other.
Not very romantic, I know, but I'm still a touch peeved.
Once I process this whole thing and get over myself, I'll go back to missing my insufferable wolf.
"Did you find anything in the background information we have on Kory that stands out?" I ask. I went over it several times and couldn't find anything. Cipher may have seen something on a deeper dive.
"Nope. He keeps himself out of trouble. He has an inheritance one of his aunt's left him, plus the cabin his mother passed down. Pays his bills on time, and doesn't owe anyone a significant amount of money."
"It makes no sense. Who would want to take Kory? He's sweet and kind-hearted. He's still got an air of innocence about him that we lost long ago…" I trail off. I want my mouse mate back. I need his light and his love.
"I've got feelers out. If there's buzz about that involves him, I'll hear about it." Cipher stands and pats me on the shoulder. "We'll find him."
I nod as he walks off. Draining the last of my beer, I toss the empty into the recycle bin and hoist myself off the stool.
I've only had one drink, so I'm sober enough to work a locator spell and do a bit of scrying.
I just need a lead. Even a small one will do.
I'll take anything at this point. Kory's been missing for several days now, and I'll grasp at the smallest straw if it leads me to him.
As I reach my altar room, I feel Mason trying to tug at our bond, and I push back. I've mostly been able to block him out, but he bleeds through every now and then. I'll let him in when I'm ready, but at the moment, he's a distraction. I need to focus.
Closing the door behind me, I snap the candles to life.
A map is lying on a low table where I left it last time I tried this.
Sitting on a cushion, I pick up a pendulum and close my eyes.
Witches have varying types of power. Some are excellent with elements, some divination, some hexes and curses, and so on.
My strong points are unravelling spells, combat, and as my moniker suggests, hexes and curses.
I can do some minor healing and work with elements somewhat, but tracking and astral projection are not my forte.
As a secular witch, I don't have a patron god or goddess, but I'm getting desperate.
Sifting through deities, I try to remember any associated with mice.
It's such an unusual connection I'm having trouble thinking of one.
Hearth and home, there's a deity for that.
War, there's a deity for that. Love. I guess if all else fails, I can call on a love goddess.
Deity for the Underworld. I hope to all that's good and pure I don't need that one.
Deity for the sun. Wait… that's it. I think I remember at some point, Apollo was associated with mice.
Calling on Apollo to show me where Kory is, I mentally cross my fingers the old gods are still listening to the appeals from this mundane realm.
Who knows what they get up to now that they've distanced themselves from humanity.
Holding the pendulum over the map, I wait. And wait. And wait.
Nothing. Not even a blip.
Apollo, you suck.
Resisting the urge to throw the pendulum across the room, I set it down on the table.
Time to try some astral projection. Opening my eyes, I grab a citrine, amethyst, and angelite stones from a bowl and hold them while I attempt to project myself to wherever Kory is.
Unfortunately, I can't get liftoff. I'm solidly still in my body.
As I'm about to set the stones back in the bowl, I see a building in my mind.
Quickly, I study it, trying to commit it to memory before the vision fades.
It might not be much, but it's a place to start.
Okay, Apollo. Maybe you don't suck.
Setting the stones back where they belong. I stand and head for the door. I need to go search for information on this house. With a snap, I douse the candles, then close the door and head for my living quarters.