Chapter Nine
Raven’s Home
Same Time
Friday Evening
As they pulled up to his home, Avalon and Nate were right behind them. What Raven wanted was to be inside where he knew his wife was going to be safe. There was no way he was playing around with this.
His son needed protection, and for Raven, his only duty until this was done was to ensure that Bexley and Jonathan survived.
For them, he’d sacrifice himself, but he would not chance his legacy.
His family.
“You’re tense,” Bex admitted.
Oh, he absolutely was.
None of this made him feel safe. In fact, he felt hunted, and there was no doubt why.
By now, this thing knew exactly what it was up against, and if it was taking out the people helping Lucian, Genesis, and Avalon, he would be next.
After all, his magick would dissipate if he was gone.
Only, he wasn’t telling his wife that.
Hell.
No.
“I want to make sure that these two have all of the pure intentions that they seem. Let’s call it covering my bases in case this is going to go bad.”
Bexley wasn’t shocked.
Yeah, not with Raven.
Her husband was all about his family, and the Littlemoons were an extension of that. Booth was his best friend, and he was also like a brother to him.
Of course, he was going to make sure he did a thorough job of researching the situation, to ensure that all parties were on the up and up.
They knew the Littlemoons were, so this was going to be about the Carters.
He had family to protect.
“I think she’s a good soul,” Bexley stated. “I can feel the good energy.”
Him too, but there was one sure way to find out, and that would calm his worries.
“If they are the least bit bad, they won’t be able to enter the house. No negativity can enter my space. If they can clear that, then, I’ll be much less stressed.”
She wasn’t shocked.
At.
All.
Yeah, that sounded like a protection spell that he would put on their home to ensure that they were safe. Raven would go all Papa Bear on anyone who tried to hurt his child.
“That’s fair,” she admitted. “And pretty smart. I like how clever my husband is.”
He laughed.
“Say it with a kiss, wife. That’s how I like to collect my rewards.”
When she leaned over, he accepted that act and enjoyed it. There was nothing better than the love between them—with the exception of the love he felt for his son.
His heart was full, and nothing could make his life better.
NOTHING.
When they broke the kiss, he could see Avalon and Nate getting out of their vehicle. What he didn’t tell his wife was that a few times, he could feel that nudge to his mind, like Avalon was trying to get a look inside of his head.
Well, that wasn’t happening.
If they thought he could ward buildings well, they should see what he could do with his noggin.
No one was getting in there.
As in NO psychics.
“Let’s see how this plays out,” he said. “Then, we’ll go from there. If I tell you to go, I need you to grab Jonathan and leave. Head to the shop, and don’t ask questions. Please, Bex.”
She squeezed his hand.
“I won’t, my love. I know the plan.”
Well, now that they’d settled that…
Getting out, he waited for the couple to reach him and his wife. Once they did, he was a gracious host.
Until he didn’t have a reason to be.
“Welcome to our home.”
Avalon smiled.
“It’s beautiful,” she said, holding Nate’s hand so she could see and navigate. “I love a Victorian. I always wanted to live in one as a child. They seemed so magical.”
Bexley laughed.
“Oh, this one is definitely that. Every Victorian should have a resident witch.”
That amused Raven, specifically because his wife had bought this home and begun renovating it before meeting him. He’d been added after, but he liked to believe fate played a role in it.
“Shall we?” he asked.
The guests nodded.
As they headed in, he said nothing at the door, but instead opened it and waited for Bexley to head in as he held the door open for their company. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t holding his breath as he waited to see if they could enter his space.
And they did.
Not only that, but they did without a single issue.
Well, now, he could relax.
The Goddess judged wisely and knew when someone had ill intent, or not.
While this might seem like overkill, he’d learned after getting burned before, LITERALLY, that it was always best to be prepared.
As he followed them in, Bexley was paying the babysitter. She was a teenager who lived a few doors down whose mother was in Raven’s coven.
“I’ll walk Amanda home,” he said. “To make sure she gets there safely.”
Only, she didn’t like that.
Yeah, Bex was worried. Truth be told, she didn’t want Raven out there by himself.
Avalon’s husband must have seen that concern because he stepped up.
“I can go with you. What your wife isn’t saying is that she doesn’t want you out there alone.”
That made Bexley laugh.
“I suck at poker,” she stated, “And he’s right.”
To be honest, Raven didn’t want his wife to worry, or to be out there alone. He didn’t like the energy in Salem right now.
“Thank you,” he offered.
Nate didn’t mind.
While most people didn’t believe in witches, psychics, and all the things that went bump in the night, he did. When you lived fully-emersed in that world, you knew when things were feeling off.
And things were most definitely feeling off.
They were giving them a safe place to sleep, so this was the very least he could do.
“Avalon, be on your best behavior,” he joked. “If there’s a cauldron, don’t,” he said.
Her only reaction was the same as always when her husband got bossy.
She laughed.
“Darn. Here I wanted to actually mark that one off my bucket list,” she joked.
Oh, he was aware.
Only, Nate had enough on his plate with Oracle being his wife. He didn’t need a cackling one who tossed herbs at him when she was feeling spicy.
Instead of saying more, he kissed his wife and then walked out the door with Raven, leaving the two women alone.
Immediately, Bexley went into hostess mode.
“Can I get you some tea?” she asked, moving toward the kitchen.
Only, Avalon didn’t move.
“I’d love some, but right now, I’m as blind as a bat. Since I’ve never been here, and you’re not psychic, Bexley, I can’t connect to you. Could you help a girl out?” she asked.
Oh, crap.
She’d forgotten that.
Even though the woman had her sunglasses on, she forgot that she couldn’t see.
Well, she could fix that.
Bex headed her way and took her outstretched arm so that she could help her navigate.
“Right this way, Avalon. I’ll get you there.”
They headed into the kitchen, and Bex got her into a chair. When she did, she went around the counter.
That’s when Avalon opted to reassure this woman. Once arriving here, she could feel the spells protecting the place. One might call it overkill, but she appreciated Raven’s sense of taking this seriously.
“You guys are wary,” Avalon said. “I understand that. I would be too.”
Bex sighed.
How could they not be?
“Yeah, I guess you could say that. While we’re all accustomed to ghosts and psychics, we aren’t accustomed to your kind of psychic. What’s that like?” she asked. “Asking as a curious author who is absolutely going to use this in a book, so she’ll apologize in advance.”
Avalon laughed, and her voice was melodious. It cascaded across the room and made the hair stand on Bex’s arms.
Yeah, that was power.
“Exhausting,” Avalon admitted. “I’m sure Lucian shared how difficult it is doing what he does. My job is even more taxing, but I knew this day was coming.”
Bexley didn’t know what to say about that. They were all on pins and needles, especially after losing Wynter.
It had been a difficult day.
Bex’s plans were to retire and cry some more to mourn her friend.
“I can only imagine.”
As she made Avlon’s tea, the woman said one thing.
“I can feel the dead lurking in curiosity. They can approach,” she said. “I don’t bite. I know that curiosity kills the cat, and I’m curious too.”
Bex was honest.
“I can’t see them, so I can’t tell if they’re here or not. I do have a way of finding out, though,” she admitted. “Trey, are you lurking?” she asked.
As soon as she said it, her phone turned on, and the radio app they kept on their phones spun like crazy. Oh, someone was definitely trying to find words.
“I. AM. HERE. I. HAVE. NEVER. BEEN. THIS. CLOSE. TO. ORACLE.”
Avi could feel him right next to her side, as if he was looking over her shoulder. The energy around her rippled when he crossed into it.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you in person, Trey. I’m glad you found your way,” she offered.
He went there.
“THANK. YOU. FOR. HELPING. ME. FIND. MY. SISTER. WHEN. I. WAS. LOOKING. FOR. HER.”
Avalon smiled.
“Well, I don’t mind. It was a simple request, and you needed my help. I’m glad you found your sweet Bethany. She can get closer. I don’t mind. I’m not afraid of the dead,” she admitted.
How could she be?
That was her world.
At her words, Bethany did just that, and when she touched Avalon’s fingers, the woman turned her hand over so she could hold her hand.
Then, she spoke to her.
“I can feel you, Bethany. You feel happy, and I’m thrilled for you. I remember how you used to feel. This is much better,” she admitted. “It appears you found your way to be anchored, so you could stay.”
As soon as she said that, Trey spoke.
“SHE. SAID. THANK. YOU. FOR. FINDING. ME. FOR. HER. NOW. CAN. YOU. GET. US. THE. HELL. OUT. OF. THIS. HAUNTED. CAGE?”
Bex actually laughed.
“Uh, it’s a really nice cage, Trey. You could still be in the one room. Don’t make Raven angsty by being ungrateful. He gave you more space, like you asked.”
The dial spun.
“I. NEED. TO. BE. WITH. MY. SISTER. SPROUT. NEEDS. ME. LET. ME. FREE. I. WILL. FIND. THIS. MONSTER.”
Avalon was kind and gentle.
She understood why he wanted out, but like with everything, any action had a consequence, and her job was to mitigate them.
Someone would have to be patient.
“I. CAN. FIND. THE. DEAD. I. CAN. FIND. WHERE. THEY. ARE.”
She didn’t doubt that.
Only, there was a problem.