He had a good suspicion what it was they were after. Fortunately, the old book was safe in the dragons’ hands. After a half hour, Wally knew he wouldn’t find anything useful. Had there been anything, whoever ransacked the house had beat him to it. He let himself out, locked the door behind him, and hurried on his way.
Brodey got off the phone with Wally.
Lina didn’t have to use any freaky powers to read his mind. The result could clearly be seen in the frown on his face.
“Well?” she asked anyway.
He shook his head. “The place is totally trashed. Looked like someone turned it upside down, inside out, and hit frappe.”
“We have no idea if they found what they were looking for, do we?”
“We damn sure do know what they were looking for,” Zack said, slapping his palm on the book. “Unlucky for them we found it first.”
Brodey retook his seat at the table. “I have to agree. Whoever was in on this with Lenny had to know about the book.” He looked at his brothers. “I’m going to take her up to meet Lacey. Wally said he’d meet us up there for backup.”
Ain nodded. “Good idea. This is going to get messy really fast, I’m sure.”
“When do we leave?” Lina asked. “I’m up for a road trip. I think.”
Zack smiled. “You do realize you’ll have to fly to get to France, right?”
“I refuse to think about that now.” She shivered. “I’m sure we can find a doctor who will prescribe something to knock me out.”
Brodey laughed. “We have to get you over your fear of flying, kiddo.”
“Yeah, but there’s no rush, right?” She looked at Jan and Rick for backup. “Right? Please tell me we can drive up to Maine?”
Jan smiled. “Yes, we were planning on driving. But it won’t be a leisure trip. It’ll be straight through.” He looked at the others. “I suggest two vehicles. Can we leave one of our cars here?”
Ain nodded. “No problem. Hopefully, by the time you get up there, Jocko will have an answer for us on Daniel Blackestone’s location and know how to get in touch with him.”
Lina breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you, guys. I really appreciate it.”
Chapter Two
They left the next day, taking two vehicles. Kael, Zack, and Brodey took one, following Rick, Jan, and Lina. Driving straight through, it took them nearly two days. After checking into a hotel on the grounds of the Pack compound, Lina spent the better part of a day sleeping.
The next morning at breakfast, she asked Brodey, “So when do we go see Lacey?”
“Today. I called her when I got up.” He looked at Jan and Rick. “I think it’d be best if Zack and I take her. We don’t need to overwhelm Lacey or Lina.”
Rick looked like he wanted to bristle at that, but Jan immediately nodded. “That’s fine.” He turned to Rick. “She’ll be fine.”
Rick grumbled a little under his breath, and Lina thought she spotted a wisp of smoke emerge from his nostrils, but he agreed.
They pulled up in front of an old wood and stone cottage that looked like it had been built at least fifty years earlier. A white picket fence surrounded a lush flower garden that perfectly seemed to fit the casual mood of the house. Brodey led the way to the front door while Lina followed and nervously clung to Zack’s hand.
He leaned in and muttered in her ear. “She’s not going to eat you, sweetie.”
“I know. I’m just…nervous. What if she doesn’t like me?”
Brodey turned with a snort. “Honey, if Lacey doesn’t like you, I’ll ask Jocko to run her to the doctor for testing.”
A woman Lina could only describe as grandmotherly opened the door. Shorter than herself, and no telling how old, but the bright spark in her brown eyes and straightness of her posture told Lina there were still a lot of years, as well as a lot of strength, left in her body.
“I heard that, Brodey Lyall,” the woman said, smiling. “How are you, son?”
He tipped his head to her. “Very good, Lacey.” He turned and motioned Lina and Zack forward. “This is Lina and her Watcher, Zack.”
Lacey cocked her head in an appraising way as she shook and held hands with Lina. “You are also your flagyer’s Seer now, aren’t you?”
Lina blushed. “Yes, ma’am. That’s what they tell me.”
Lacey laughed. “You don’t need to call me ma’am. Well, come in, come in, all of you.” She led them into her kitchen. The delicious aroma of bread baking filled the air. “I’m terribly sorry about Bertholde,” she said. “We were friends for a very long time. I shall miss her.”
“Thank you,” Lina said, struggling not to tear up. How the hell was she supposed to learn everything she had to learn? Who would teach her?
“I know I’m not a dragon,” Lacey said, “but I have met many other Seers, from wolf packs as well as other races. Always feel free to come to me for advice. Or if nothing else, a friendly ear.”
Lina nodded, hugging herself. “Thank you.”
Lacey studied her for a moment. Then she grabbed Lina by the hand and led her to the back door. “We’re going for a walk,” Lacey said. When the men stood to join them, she held up a hand. “I didn’t mean you two. Lina and I need some alone time. We’re perfectly safe here in the compound.”
Lacey donned a shawl that hung on a hook by her back door. She glanced down at Lina’s shoes. “I’m glad you’re wearing sneakers,” she said with a smile. Then she led Lina out the back door and off the porch. They made their way down a winding path through Lacey’s beautiful herb and flower garden.
“This place feels so peaceful,” Lina said.
Lacey nodded. “Thank you. I have worked very hard over the years to cultivate only that which pleases me and causes me no stress.” She glanced at Lina. “And your men are stressful to you right now. I know they mean well, but their efforts to protect you are misguided. You are feeding off their nervous energy, which in turn only serves to heighten your nervous energy.”
Lina let out a snort. “You’ve got that right.” The path seemed to be going downhill. “Where are we going?”
“My special thinking place. I want to show it to you.”
They continued on for several minutes through green woods. Lina thought she smelled salt air and heard the sound of waves. “We’re close to the ocean?”
“Yes. Very. We’ll get even closer.”
The path gave way from dirt to rocky outcroppings as the woods thinned. They rounded one last turn and the path opened up to rocky coastline. They came to a stop atop an overlook where a steep, rocky path led down to a secluded beach.
“This is beautiful,” Lina said. “I’m used to the Gulf of Mexico, not this.” They were looking across a calm inlet. If Lina looked to the east, she could see where the mist almost totally obscured her view of the open Atlantic Ocean.
Lacey smiled. “We’re not done yet. Let’s go down to the water.”
Lina wasn’t sure that was a good idea considering how treacherous the path appeared, but Lacey started down the path with the sure-footedness of a mountain goat. Lina followed and found the going far easier than it looked from up top. When they finally reached the beach, Lacey led Lina over to a flat-topped rock where they both sat. Their perch afforded them a peaceful view of the inlet.
“This is where I do my best thinking,” Lacey said. “Since this part of the compound is deeded to me, no one but me comes here.” She grinned. “There are perks to the rank and age.”
Lina laughed. She bet Lacey was a pistol in her younger years, considering how fiery she appeared now. “I can see that.”