Conjuring Quantico (The Federal Witch Book 1) (14 page)

She started laughing. “Please don’t call him that.”

I just smiled at her.

“He has a name.”

“It’s more fun this way. When does your partner get here?”

“She doesn’t. We have to meet her in Washington.”

“Why are we still here then?”

“Well, I had to request transportation and you need to go pack for at least three days. Bring anything you will need, magical or otherwise. So go pack all your supplies.”

I practically ran back to the dorm. Running through my head were all the things that I might need for spell work. I ran up the main stairs and burst into the room. I was digging through my closet when Cat came in looking for me.

“Hey! We missed you at lunch. Why didn’t you answer your phone?” I immediately patted my pockets and remembered that I left it sitting on the Director’s desk.

“Oops! I left it in Director Mills’ office. I was in too big a hurry to notice.”

“OK, spill!”

“Fine. There have been a series of kidnappings in Washington. They want me to help.” I filled her in on what the Russians had done. Or not done as was more the case. I had all my clothes packed; now I was just staring at my supplies. I was going to have to hit the lab before leaving.

“That’s crazy! They just let them take those kids and didn’t stop them?”

“Nope. Remember what I said about using Merc’s?”

“That you did so at your own risk?”

“That. And that they really can’t be trusted. Money is all they value now that they have no honor anymore.”

“Is Chuck available to run me out to the Lab? I’m going to need stuff. Want to come along?”

Cat looked at me funny. “To Washington or to the Lab?”

“If you want to come along, I can ask. What’s the worst she can say?”

She nodded eagerly.

“Can I borrow your cell phone?”

I called the Director while Cat tracked Chuck down.

I thought I pleaded my case rather well. Cat could be useful: she was pretty dominant and most shifters wouldn’t give her any crap about anything. She was familiar with me and could carry much of my equipment. Powerful does not mean strong. I can carry one bag not four. Madeleine Mills didn’t say anything until I finished talking. She laughed at me and told me that it was OK and she had been going to suggest I take either Cat or Chuck as protection. I also asked if she would bring me my cell phone. I really need to put a retrieval spell on that phone since I keep forgetting it.

I loaded Cat down with stuff. These were high profile kidnappings so I would need to bring my ‘A’ game and kick ass. It wasn’t just herbs I had in lab. Witches use everything from nature in our spells. Many of the world's best magical artifacts are made from something natural. Grandmother taught me well in how to protect and defend myself magically. The dreams I had been having just had to have something to do with the kidnappings. In all of them I’m running or someone is chasing me. Buried in the far back of my stores are my offensive weapons. I was stockpiling these for the days I was on my own or had an active mission. It took me almost an hour to dig out three iron-bound boxes from the pile. They were on the very bottom.

Grandmother had been very specific about what was in the three boxes. They were part of the reason for the extra heavy defenses on this place. Most Witches knew at least one or two defensive spells and many more offensive ones. You cannot survive out in the world without them. My family was no different. We were known for our battle magic techniques. Or at least grandmother is. Battle magic uses a lot of personal energy. So we cheat sometimes and use magical hand grenades. It takes over half a year to make them and a lot of resources. That is one of the many projects I worked on in my lab. This batch I made last year and stashed with the few that she had sent along as models. They completely filled the first two boxes. The last one was special, and I had to think very hard about whether to take it.

“What are those?” Cat was watching as I loaded a special vest with the grenades.

“Magical hand grenades.” I kept placing them in the pockets.

“What did you say they were?” Her eyes were very large.

“They’re grenades, but magical not explosive. They cannot be used by mundanes or non-magical folk. My family is famous for them.”

“Why are you bringing them?”

“Sometimes power is not enough? Or at least that is what Grams drummed into me. Better to have them and not need them than not have them and need them desperately. I like to be prepared.” I laid the vest on the top of my packed clothing. “Let’s get back to the dorm and get your stuff.”

Chuck was waiting for us along with Fergus. “I wish I could go with you.”

“I was actually given a choice by the Director: you or Cat. I chose Cat. There will be a next time. Your time will come don’t worry. Before I forget.” I opened the top drawer of my desk and pulled out three necklaces.

“These are for protection. Do not take them off, even to bathe. I made them specially for you. When you shift they should shift with you.”

Chuck and Cat each put one on. I bent down and put a tiny one on Fergus too.

“Hey, I get one too?”

“Of course you do, Fergus. You are part of us too. Think of it as bling.” He ran to his barn to check it out in a mirror.

Chuck was trying to read the writing on the outside of the pendant. “What does it do?”

“It does three things. It works as a tracker so I can find you magically. There is a temporary shield in there that will last for thirty seconds. It needs a full hour to recharge. So if it activates get the hell out of there. It should stop most magical attacks. Notice I said ‘most.’ The last thing it does is monitor your health. If you are hurt, it will tell me. That is all it does, I swear.”

“Agatha, I trust you.” I looked over at Cat. She just smiled and nodded.

“OK, let’s get this show on the road. Fergus, are you coming or staying with Chuck?”

The tiny Unicorn stuck his head out one of the barn’s windows. “I get to choose this time?”

“You do. It could be dangerous but I’m going to Washington, DC. There have been some kidnappings and they need my magic to look into it.”

He seemed to consider it for a moment. “If you’re taking the Cat I better come along too. You need someone to watch her for you. Damn sneaky cats!” I had to smile as I picked him up. He slid into his pocket and was quickly peeking out the top.

Chuck reached down and gave Cat a peck on the cheek for which he received a punch to the shoulder. Cat’s face was inflamed, and I kidded her about it all the way to the admin building. We looked a bit like backpackers on their way to a major hike. I had my clothing in my bag and carried a large duffel. Cat wore her pack and carried three more large bags. My supplies took up two.

“Ladies, are you ready to go?” I turned toward the voice just as I opened the front door to the building. Director Mills stood at the foot of the stairs behind us.

“We are. Do we have transportation?”

She smiled. “Follow me.” She headed down the sidewalk that looped around the main building. The practice fields and obstacle course was along the way. I ran this route twice a week to keep in shape, but I wasn’t loaded down with bags when I did that. Cat was barely breathing hard, and she carried three times the weight. Damn super-strong Weres.

As we cleared the edge of the building, I saw it. There was a UH-60 Blackhawk sitting in the middle of the soccer field.

“They must really want you, Aggy!” I looked back at my smiling friend. Neither one of us had ever been on a helicopter before.

“Nice ride Director.”

“Isn’t it? With all the road construction and a really big accident on the interstate they sent a helicopter. They weren’t sure what you would be bringing, so they sent a larger one. Did you get everything you might need?”

“I did. I’m sure there are supplies available but they aren’t mine. I’m sure this is a test of my abilities so whatever happens needs to be perfect.”

The Director only nodded. She stopped while we were still out of range of the chopper and pulled me aside. “Agatha, be very careful of who you trust. Washington is a snake pit. I’m saying you could be in danger, but you and I both know what happened last week. You can trust Nita with your life. She is the best agent I know. Trust her. Now let's get you on board before they wonder what I’m telling you.”

I looked over at Cat and our eyes met. I knew she heard everything and would remember it. As we approached the Blackhawk two male agents stepped out of it.

“Gentlemen, here are your charges. Meet Agatha Blackmore and Catherine Moore. Ladies, these are Agents Smith and Dale. They will get you to Washington and hand you off to Agent Lowrey. Be careful out there ladies. This is the big time.”

The two male agents approached us and offered to take the bags. I smiled but told them no. I needed to keep an eye on my things at all times. Cat did allow them to help her put them up on the helo but like me kept control of them.

We secured the bags with strap down ties in the center of the craft. Cat and I sat next to each other facing the Agents. They gave each of us headsets that allowed us to hear what they were saying. The pilots were on a separate channel. This was not a combat mission so this Black Hawk wasn’t armed except for the agents’ sidearms. As we were not Agents yet, we were not allowed to carry for this mission. I made a mental note to ask Nita about that.

For as large as this helicopter looked on the outside there really wasn’t all that much extra room inside it. If you squeeze them in, eleven men not counting the pilot can ride in here. Agent Dale was very talkative about the historical uses of the helicopter. He told us that this particular bird was used by the FBI almost exclusively. Its official designation was EH-60A instead of the UH-60. The difference was it was configured to handle both surveillance and tracking. The mounts for the computer stations were actually under our feet. He claimed that the engines had been upgraded and were actually faster than the standard model. He was about to go on when Agent Smith grabbed his arm and shook his head.

Both Cat and I were taking it all in. Any new knowledge was worth learning. We craned our heads to watch the ground go by as we flew. The noise created by the rotors was incredible, the headphones made a huge difference.

“So you’re a witch? What makes you so special? We have worked with several magic users over the years and they are all the same.” Agent Smith nudged his partner.

“Those are all Mercenaries. I’m in training to be an agent; they are just contractors.”

“Sounds to me like you’re just a couple of rich bitches looking for a ride to DC. How about you show us what you did to deserve the first class treatment? Come on. Show us!”

I switched to the pilot frequency. “Agents is this how you treat every guest on board a government aircraft?”

“Uh, Ma’am? You are on the wrong frequency. Channel two is what you are looking for.” The co-pilot turned in his seat and tapped his helmet. “Ma’am, channel two is what you need.” He raised two fingers and looked at me again. I nodded and smiled at him. I turned back to the Agents and smiled.

They glanced at each other, frowned and relaxed. I switched frequencies back to two. Children.

We had no further incidences for the rest of the flight. Washington looked pretty cool from the air. I remembered my reading and the lessons that Grams taught me about the founding of America. Many paranormals fled here with the early settlers. Europe was too crowded for our kind and the thought of a new world excited many of us. Many of those in the early magical communities influenced the mundanes in laying the foundations of liberty. It was easy to hide amidst the members of the Masons and Rosicrucians.

We landed at the heliport on the South parking entrance to the Pentagon. Since we were not going inside we didn’t need an escort. There was a small building adjacent to the pad where we were to be met. Cat and I grabbed out bags without any help from the two ‘Agents’. Hefting my duffel I led the way off the pad and down the sidewalk.

“Aggy, what was that with the frequency change?”

“I know for a fact that the pilot’s frequency is recorded and monitored. Ours may not have been, and those two knew it. If something had happened, it would have been our word against two tenured agents. Now there is some inquiry on permanent record.”

Cat nodded her head. “Smart.”

The building contained only one person, and she was dressed like an Agent.

“Agent Lowery?” I held out my hand in greeting.

“Miss Blackmore. I have been waiting for you.” The Agent clasped my hand gently. “And who is this?” She motioned toward a heavily laden Cat.

“Catherine Moore, my roommate and friend. She volunteered to help me with my supplies and serve as a bodyguard. She is the Alpha for her pack.”

“Such a big title for a little girl. What clan and species are you?”

“WereCat. I don’t have a registered Clan name yet, I just claimed the title recently.”

“Interesting. Madeleine told me I could trust you.”

“She said the same thing about you to us.”

“At least we are on the same page. Would you like to go to your hotel and change? I know that helo was most likely not comfortable at all.”