WARM WELCOME
We’re able to get some sleep on the flight, for which I’m endlessly thankful. After landing, we make our way to a train station with our luggage in tow.
“My gut is telling me that we ought to book a private compartment so we can plan without worrying about anyone overhearing,” Ji-hwan says, pulling out a card and sliding it to the woman selling tickets.
Councilman Taylor’s estate is on the fringes of the Lake District, and we’ll be taking a train to a station nearby and then deciding on accommodations.
“I’m beginning to like this flying-by-the-seat-of-our-pants thing,” Starla says as she takes her ticket from Ji-hwan’s hand.
I have a stomachache building. Snap decisions are not my forte. I’d prefer a list with the start and end times of every event, a detailed description of the dress code, and perhaps even what food will be available.
With the short notice Grammy’s instructions gave us, we also have not made hotel reservations. The plan is to go to a town near the councilman’s estate and go with what feels right. Somewhere we can easily get to and from the manor but still allow ourselves a bit of privacy.
As someone who likes to have a plan, a backup plan, and a backup for the backup plan, this is hard for me to swallow. But the seer has spoken, and she’s yet to lead us astray.
Spontaneity it is. I grab my ticket as well.
We get settled into our compartment and spend the first portion of the trip looking up possible bed and breakfast or hotel accommodations.
“First we unpack, and then scope out the town and get our bearings?” Jackal asks.
“And we will need to get at least one or two new outfits for whatever my father has planned,” Starla adds.
“Maybe we get some lunch, or at least a coffee, before we do anything else,” Ji-hwan suggests as the scenery flies by outside the train window.
The train attendants have kindly supplied us with some tea and biscuits, but I’m craving more significant fare. I agree with him.
“A bit o’ fish and chips? Some bangers and mash, perhaps?” Starla tosses on a British accent and directs the questions at Jackal.
He rolls his eyes at her.
“Terrible, you over-steeped teabag. An insult to the Crown, honestly.”
“As if you could copy our accents any better.”
The hyena knows a challenge when he sees one.
“As a matter of fact. Try this on for size. Ain’t it neat travelin’ by train like this? Faster than a jackrabbit across the hot ground, this is.”
Starla chuckles.
“You had it until those last two words.”
I laugh so hard that I snort.
“She’s right. Excellent attempt, but you lost it at the end there.”
“I’m afraid you’re stuck with the British accent then, love. I hope you don’t mind too much.”
I lean in and whisper into his ear.
“I find it quite sexy.”
“Oh, really?” His eyes flicker, and I swallow as I recall some nights the two of us have spent together over these last couple of months, tangled in my sheets.
“We’re right here, you know. I certainly wouldn’t be behaving so provocatively in public.” This time, Starla’s gone for a posher British dialect, sticking her nose fully in the air. The effect is destroyed when Exos leans down and plants a kiss that the witch returns enthusiastically.
“We’re not technically in public!” I argue.
“Impressionable young eyes and ears over here, you two miscreants,” Ji-hwan says, making a show of placing his hands over Pickles’s sizeable ears. The dog leans in and soon enough has bartered his way not only to an ear-scratching but a full-on belly rub as he flops into the Were’s lap.
We all have a good laugh, and then Jackal clears his throat.
“All right. We find a spot to drop the bags, get something to eat, then scope out the town. Starla, you’ll likely want to contact your father this evening.
That way we can get the detailed agenda, and you can assure him that you are in fact in the country and intend to live up to your side of the bargain. ”
Starla crosses her arms over her chest with a frown, but after Ji-hwan gives her a pointed look, she drops her arms and puts on a beatific smile.
“Of course. I would love nothing more.”
Ji-hwan gives her a thumbs-up.
“Great practice,” he says.
The train pulls into Windermere station, and we exit along with our duffels. We packed light, planning to buy more clothes for the events we’ll be attending.
Starla’s thrilled at the prospect. I’m missing my jean shorts and flip-flops. Then again, I don’t mind dressing up every now and again, and I would love to see Jackal in a suit.
I grab Pickles’s leash from Ji-hwan, and in exchange he graciously hoists my duffel, along with Starla’s, over his shoulder.
“Oh, you really don’t have to—”
“Were muscles. I’m more than just a pretty face and a set of fantastic legs.”
He winks. The Were would be naturally charming even if his ability wasn’t seduction. But I like that he’s also started letting his guard down around us.
I’m smiling as Jackal sidles up to me and puts an arm around my shoulder.
“Don’t react, but we’re being followed,” he says.
I freeze, for just a moment, but am able to cover it by acting like I’m untangling the leash for Pickles.
“Who?” I whisper, trying to be so quiet even a shifter watching us wouldn’t be able to hear.
“Exos and I noticed a few guys who were overly interested in us when we got off the train. He’s telling her now.”
The gargoyle has an arm around Starla. She does a better job at looking nonchalant than me, but I do see her blue eyes spark once.
She waves us toward a pharmacy that we pass near the train station.
“I need some paracetamol,” she says, with her voice just a tad louder than necessary.
We duck into the pharmacy, and, sure enough, the gentlemen follow us. I tuck Pickles up under my arm, hoping he won’t be noticed by a disapproving shopkeeper.
“The one with the dark hair is Dennis, a warlock under my father’s employ,” Starla hisses as she weaves through the shelves.
“I’ve seen the one with the longer, red hair at your father’s functions before. Pretty sure he’s a warlock as well,” Jackal adds.
I look and see who he means. A man with a low ponytail at the base of his neck.
“Yep. That’s Chaz. My father sent a welcoming committee. How thoughtful of him.”
“We don’t need them following us and figuring out where we’re staying.
We’re acting under the assumption that this weekend is merely a means to an end so you can finalize things with your father along with everything else, but Grammy sent a group of us for a reason.
She predicted danger. We need to be on our toes,” Exos says, shielding Starla from the view of the men each time we turn a corner.
Starla sighs.
“Maybe a direct approach is best? I can figure out what they want. Maybe they’ve got the information I was going to call my father to find out.”
I tense at the suggestion, but we’re going with our guts here.
Dropping any pretense that we don’t notice them, Starla makes pointed eye contact with Dennis and begins walking out of the store.
He and the others are silent as we head outside and then down a side street. I count six of them in total.
Starla comes to a stop, her hand up for silence as a few train passengers walk by. Once the area is clear, she lowers her palm.
“Gentlemen. Pleasure to see you again. What does my father want?”
Dennis smiles, but it’s the kind of expression many women would recognize that sends a shiver all the way up and down your spine. The look is enough to assure me that I’d never want to be in a room alone with him.
“He’d like to see his beloved daughter, and we’re here to bring you to him.”
“Oh?” Starla raises an eyebrow.
One of the gentlemen she and Jackal didn’t recognize steps up.
“We’ve got a car here and have been instructed to drive you to the manor. Your grandmother was kind enough to send your list of additional guests, and they are welcome to join us tomorrow.”
“They go where I go.”
“Not today they don’t,” Chaz says with a leer. “You’ll do what you’re told, and you’re being told to meet your father now, sans entourage.”
Starla dips her chin to acknowledge hearing them but stays silent for a few moments thinking.
We can’t very well fight them off. We’re in the middle of a human city, and that would undoubtedly draw unwanted attention. If the mess were bad enough, the Magikai would be called in, and I’d just as soon keep them out of this entire endeavor.
I don’t need anyone digging around my curse, and knowing Starla she’d just as soon keep her personal business personal and not the type of story that ends up in Witch Watch.
Still, the idea of letting her go with them sets an uneasy churning loose in my stomach.
My friend lets out a deep, labored sigh.
“As much as I hate to disappoint my father, I’m afraid that won’t work. You can assure him that we will be in attendance tomorrow.”
“Councilman Taylor insisted upon it,” Dennis says the words as though that settles the matter.
It likely does, usually. I gather Starla’s father is used to getting his way.
“Well, Councilman Taylor must, unfortunately, be disappointed. Starla is not due to meet with him today, and the councilman must exercise patience,” Exos says.
The men ignore him entirely, looking back at my friend. They begin closing in, and it’s obvious they’re trying to block off our exit out the front of the street, although we could turn and run.
I’m not sure what to do until Starla speaks.
“I’m sorry, gentlemen, but he’ll simply have to wait. My gut tells me that’s the best move.”
That’s enough for me.
“Get her!” Dennis shouts. Two men rush forward, and I see a few more run up behind their friends.
“Scatter!” Starla calls at the same time.
I barely have time to register the intention of her words.
Ji-hwan reaches down and scoops Pickles into his arms. Jackal grabs my hand, and we all turn and run.