Witching Time (The Wild Hunt #14) - Yasmine Galenorn Page 0,50

feel so lost. What the hell do I do next? They just took my wife away to lock her up.”

Her pain shrouded her like a haze.

“We’d like to start searching the property,” I said as gently as I could. “The sooner we can find Aida’s remains, the sooner we can start to figure this all out.” I wanted her to feel some sort of hope. I didn’t know that finding Aida’s body would do any good, but it couldn’t hurt.

“Please, do whatever you can. I can’t pay you—”

“Hush,” Kipa said. “Stop talking about money. Your corn and pumpkins are sold, so that will help.”

Llew nodded. “We’ll work everything out. Wait and see. By Samhain, this will all be a bad memory and you can hold a Halloween fair.”

Rain sniffled, wiping her nose on her sleeve. She didn’t look convinced, but the waterworks had stopped. “I just don’t understand how I couldn’t have noticed. I’m pagan, for cripes’ sake. I usually know when a spirit’s around, yet I couldn’t even recognize when my own wife was possessed. Some psychic I am.”

“Listen to me.” I leaned forward, taking her hands. “It’s easy to miss. Even I miss the signs sometimes. You were busy with the fair, and you were worried about how everything would come together. You had no idea of what to expect—” My phone rang. I pulled it out. The caller ID screen read: wager chance. “Hold on, I need to take this.”

I moved to the side. “Hello? Wager? Have you got anything for me?”

“I have, and it’s complicated. Can I come over tonight and talk to you?” He sounded more than casually concerned.

“I have plans tonight that I can’t shake and may not be home until late. What about tomorrow morning?” I wanted to get the search for Aida under way and I had the feeling it was going to take all evening. I didn’t want to drive over to Seattle after that.

“Fine, but the sooner you come, the better. I’ll meet you at my office at ten?” Wager sounded serious.

“What’s going on?”

He paused, then said, “Are you out at the farm right now?”

“Yeah.”

“Then wait till tomorrow morning. I don’t even want to talk about this over the phone. You can’t ever be sure who’s eavesdropping. Meet me at ten. It will keep until then. But Raven, be careful. Be very careful.”

As I hung up, a flash overhead signaled that the storm had returned. I grimaced, then turned back to Kipa and Rain. “We should begin our search. Rain, I want you to take the kids, the dog, and the cats and…” I paused. Where were they going to find a hotel willing to take in the menagerie of animals? “Wait another moment.” I called the only person I could think of.

Vixen answered immediately. They were at the club tonight. Ante-Fae and Exosan like me, Vixen was gender-fluid and owned the Burlesque A Go-Go. They shifted sexes as they felt like it, and we had known each other for a long time.

“What’s shaking, doll?”

“Vixen, I need some help. I have friends who need a place to stay for the night. I know you have a large house and…”

“And you were wondering if they could stay with me? How many?”

“You mean you’re willing?”

Vixen laughed, low and sultry. “Chickadee, you wouldn’t ask if you weren’t desperate. I know that. Yes, I’m willing to help. Now, how many should I expect? I’m at the club but I can run on home easily enough. Apollo and I’ll get the rooms ready.”

“One adult and her two adopted children. Her partner’s down at Shadow Oaks—we’ve had…problems. Human, pagan. Also, a couple cats and a dog.”

“Send them my way. I’ll make up the beds and fire up the stove. And doll, you owe me a dance for this.” Vixen laughed, then hung up before I could answer.

I turned back to Kipa and Rain. “My friend Vixen would be happy to take you in for a night or two until we figure out what’s going on. Their name is Vixen, pronouns are they/their. They’re one of the Ante-Fae and a good friend of mine.”

Rain mustered a faint smile. “Thank you so much. I don’t know what to say, Raven.”

“Just pack a few things and I’ll give you the address. Your dog and cats are welcome, too.”

I pushed her toward the house. Kipa jogged over toward the shed to find Dray and Evie, who had gone over to estimate the cost of the pumpkins and corn. Within minutes,