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Howard leaned forward, his eyes narrowing as he stared at Conner’s face during their Skype session. “How can you be sure?”
“Because,” Conner’s dark eyes seemed to deepen in intensity. “He’s here.”
“What?” Howard’s voice hissed, his eyes widening. “You’ve seen him yourself?”
“In the flesh,” Conner declared, his lips pressing together. “Austen James is back in Tybee Harbor and in contact with the coven here.”
Howard fell silent, steepling his fingers as he absorbed this revelation. He had suspected that James’s death had been faked, but having such concrete proof was staggering. He weighed his options carefully, each one leading down a different path.
“I know what you wanted me to do if I found out Casandra Blake was a James...” Conner hesitated, his voice trailing off. “Has James’s reappearance changed your plans in any way, or should I proceed as planned? If so, I’ll need backup.”
“No, hold off for now,” Howard said firmly, shaking his head. “James being alive changes everything. Do you think any of them have realized who or what you are?”
“I’ve been careful to stay in the shadows,” Conner smirked confidently.
Howard had chosen Conner for this crucial mission precisely because of his ability to remain undetected. “Stay vigilant and keep an eye on them, especially James. Gather as much information as you can discreetly. Do not approach him or the coven directly, and I expect reports every evening. If I don’t hear from you one night, I’ll assume the worst and send reinforcements.”
Conner nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. “Understood.” With that, he ended the Skype call, the screen going blank.
Howard let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, sinking back into his chair in his office.
Austen James—alive.
Alive.
And his bloodline was evidently active as well.
There was Casandra Blake in Tybee Harbor, displaying formidable black magic skills against the Witch-Hunters. And then there were the other two covens that James had affiliations with.
Closing the Skype window, Howard’s fingers danced on the keyboard, bringing up a split screen with video feeds from the two other covens. Both had passed the tests, demonstrating considerable strength. Yet, certain members stood out in each group, showing exceptional abilities.
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A nagging suspicion began to gnaw at him.
What if Casandra Blake wasn’t the only child of James out there?
What if there were others?
What if another among them was the Firstborn?
His gaze narrowed on the split screen, studying the action shots of each coven member. Their ages aligned with the time James would have visited their covens.
Leaning back heavily in his chair, Howard pondered his next move carefully, aware that the stakes had just been raised significantly.
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Sam raised an eyebrow as he perched on the window frame, a place he wasn’t supposed to be in. “Wichita?”
Jason nodded, his expression sour as the Christian music from his parents’ room thankfully drowned out their conversation. “Yeah, Wichita. It’s like a last resort they’re considering.”
“They can’t seriously take you to Wichita,” Sam scoffed. “There’s no coven there that we know of. It’s just full of...what do you call them? Wichitans?”
“I have no idea,” Jason replied with a grimace. “And that’s exactly why they want us to go. They’re worried about my soul going to hell. We’d be staying with Uncle Rev for a few months until my parents find their own place.”
“Rev as in Reverend?” Sam’s curiosity peaked.
“Yeah,” Jason confirmed. “He’s a minister at one of the local churches.”
Sam snorted. “Aren’t they worried you’ll burst into flames if they drag you to church?”
“Ha ha,” Jason retorted. “I actually enjoy church services. What I don’t enjoy is being forced to suppress my powers. They’re natural and God-given. The devil has nothing to do with them or me. I don’t get why Mom expects me to abandon everything like she did.”
“This might surprise you, but I doubt any of us want you to go, especially Clarissa,” Sam pointed out. “She’ll find a way to convince your parents to stay.”
Jason sighed, flopping onto his bed in frustration. “She made things worse when she talked to them. Mom’s blaming herself for everything, and Dad’s letting her. He nearly kicked Clarissa out when she admitted to tutoring me against his wishes. Mom threatened to spill everything to Maya’s dad if Clarissa didn’t stop seeing me. Clarissa backed down and left.”
Sam raised an eyebrow. “She’s concerned about what Maya’s dad will think?”
“Well, he’s like your mom, unaware of the coven’s reality,” Jason explained. “But somehow, Maya’s mom and your dad kept it a secret from them.”
Thinking about his own situation with his mother, Sam made a face. “I’m surprised Clarissa cares what Maya’s dad thinks. Maya practically has him wrapped around her finger.”
Jason chuckled, but then his expression turned serious. “I think Clarissa’s worried that if Mr. Burns finds out, I won’t be the only one leaving Harvest Grove and the coven. She’s always had this thing about ‘Burns, Withridge, and Dupont being in the same coven.’”
“It can get annoying,” Sam admitted. “She’s hot, and I wouldn’t mind hooking up with her, but her attitude about the coven can be frustrating. I feel like some kind of collectible sometimes.”
Jason rolled his eyes. “At least you’re considered ‘important’ in her eyes.”
“Says one of the strongest in our coven,” Sam retorted.
Jason shook his head. “I’m not one of the strongest.”
“Even with that magic-suppressing dust, you were able to summon enough magic for your fingers to glow,” Sam pointed out. “And you were the first one who broke free. Not Harper. You.” He smirked. “Don’t make me give you another pep talk. I’m not signing up for any bromance.”
Jason chuckled, grateful for the banter. “Thanks. I needed that.”
“If you get any more emotional, I’m bringing you chocolate,” Sam teased. “Now stop worrying about Wichita, which isn’t happening, and let’s plan a party.”
Jason raised an eyebrow. “I’m grounded indefinitely, and you want me to help plan a party?”