The Responsible Witch (The Ward Witches) (16 page)

“
I don't want to, but you are right. Let that miserable son of a bitch
rot
in prison hell.”

“
But do you think the plan would work?” Gage asked.

“
I think it can be done,” Melanie said, nodding. “It'll be tricky, but it can be done. What do you think, Seb and Leo, as the other practiced air witches?”

“
I think it can,” Seb agreed.

“
I agree,” Leo concurred. “But I think it's going to have to be Gage who does it.”

Dymphna looked back and forth at the three air witches who were all nodding. “What the hell? Why him?”

“
He has the same father as Eric Redman, therefore, they share blood, as unfortunate as that is for him. That blood connection will make it much more likely that he can influence Redman's mind without being detected as an intruder. Plus, then Redman will contact Gage as per the plan, and he'll have to rile him up with some of the same subconscious triggers that he already used,” Leo explained. “Plus Redman won't be expecting it.”

“
Are you OK with that, Gage?” Dymphna asked. “You don't even have control of your magic yet.”

“
I'm going to have to take a crash course then. This is something I need to do, and I'm the only one who can do it. It's dangerous, and for that I'm sorry, D.”

She nodded slowly. “I understand. I don't like it, but I understand.”

“
Thank you.”

“
So part of the plan is that we'll need Coven witches to be here when Eric attacks here,” Seb said, turning their attention back to the problem at hand. “I have a feeling they'll need to be here for a while, waiting for Redman, so we need to set up somewhere for them to sleep. I know you don't have any spare beds, but you have bedrooms. We should set up inflatable mattresses, I'm thinking, in the spare rooms.”

“
That sounds good,” Skylar agreed. “I'll also stock the kitchen with enough food to feed everyone.”

“
It'll still be a few days, yet, Skylar. Unfortunately, the plan requires Gage to have more control over his air magic before he can contact Redman. And then we'll need time to let him know where Gage is. I wish we could go through with it now, but if we want a good result, we have to wait.”

“
Are you going to post protection at the Coven House too?” Melanie asked. “I know the plan is for them to attack here, but they might not go where we point them.”

“
Yes, we'll split Coven Protection between the two houses,” Justin replied. “And we'll ask our witches for extra volunteer support for both locations. We need as many witches as we can get, but I'm not going to force anyone to take this kind of risk if they don't want to.”

“
Wouldn't Gage need to know where Redman is to contact him?” Skylar asked. “That's what allowed him to contact Fiona and Seb, right?”

“
It'll be difficult, but I think we can manage it by virtue of blood ties from their father,” Leo explained.

“
Wait, I just had a thought,” Denise exclaimed, shifting through her papers quickly. “Their father left a will, and maybe Eric collected on it. Aha, here it is,” she paused to read. “The property in Plymouth he left to Gage, which we sold. And there's a secondary property listed in Washington D.C. that he left to Eric.
The old Order was based out of that house.
Perhaps he's there.”

“
You're a genius!” Fiona exclaimed. “Plus, Washington D.C. is where he lured me to kidnap me. It would make sense that he would do so near where he lived. I remember waking up once in a nice room that could have been his home before I was taken to the farmhouse. That would fit.”

“
I knew having her here would help,” Justin said. “If this lead pans out, you may have just given us a crucial piece of information. Thank you.”

Denise blushed. “It's the least I can do.”

“
I think I figured out how I got here,” Gage announced, surprising even Dymphna.

“
What do you think happened?” she asked.

“
The more I've been using the air magic, the more I feel that this explanation is right. I think that I accidentally cast a spell that transported me here. My memory of then is still a bit fuzzy, but I remember a strong wish to get myself somewhere safe immediately. The spells I've been doing, and the air magic and levitation in particular, feel very similar to the form and the result of the teleportation wish. I think that all of my magic was stronger in a way that only blood magic can make it. I didn't use the blood magic, but it was clearly running through me since it had been used on me without my permission. Somehow I was able to channel my power and that extra power boost into teleporting me to the place I would be safe.”

Everyone was quiet for a while. Fiona replied first.

“
I believe it. He has so much raw magic
that I could almost believe he did it with just his natural ability. With the added amp up of the blood magic, I do believe just such a feat would be possible. It's incredible, and when we come out on the other end of this thing, I'd like to look into replicating that. Your unique power, no matter how you got it, might be able to revolutionize the way we do some magic.”

“
Well thank you. I look forward to learning more about what magic can do, both for me and for others.”

“
I know we're all excited about this, but i
t's getting late, and I know Denise must be tired, so let's adjourn for now,” Melanie said.

“
I'll look through all of this tomorrow and come back to you with any questions,” Justin promised.

When the rest of the family left, Dymphna gave Skylar her infusion, and she went to bed. Since it was Friday and he didn't have anything scheduled for Saturday, Leo stayed downstairs with Dymphna, Gage, and Denise. Leo got to choose the movie, and he selected the Bruce Lee classic Enter the Dragon.

Dymphna was thankful for the chance to relax in a casual setting with Denise. She was figuring out that the other woman liked her already just for being Gage's wife, but she still wanted her approval. Gage's mother obviously meant a lot to him, so she should mean a lot to Dymphna as well.

Before they went to sleep, Gage practiced reading Dymphna over and over again, trying to connect to her mind and ascertain her feelings as quickly as possible. He finally let up when he started sensing that Dymphna was getting tired. He had other activities in mind to do before she fell asleep on him.

187

CHAPTER TEN

The next morning, Dymphna dropped Gage off with Melanie early so he could get in a full day of practice. Melanie was going to work on his levitation for half the day, then work on speaking in someone's mind for the other half. Dymphna was glad she was through with the basics of her training because she remembered how difficult and tiring it could be. But Gage was holding up well so far.

After that, she went to the mall with Denise. She had been right that she didn't pack clothes warm enough for winter in Boston, and Dymphna was looking forward to spending some time with her mother-in-law in a casual setting.

“
So I've been wanting to ask you, how did you find Gage?
He explained how he got here from his detainment, but what happened after that?”

“
I didn't know what was going on at first.
What I know is that my
magic alerted me to something wrong in the house. When Skylar and I searched, we found him on the front porch. He was badly hurt and in rags with no memory. I don't honestly know how he survived and didn't even get frostbite, but it might have been some part of his fire magic protecting him. We immediately brought him in and started healing him.”

“
You did a great job. I don't see any sign of him being injured at all.”

“
I'm one of the few water witches who force-heals people rather than accelerating the body's natural healing abilities. He was lucky I was there, but I think he may have been called to me because our magic was attuned. It took multiple days to heal him because he was in such bad condition. Then Fiona worked a spell to cleanse the blood magic from him, but the consequences of the spell were that he retreated into his own mind. If there wasn't a second part to the spell, he would have been cleansed, but never regain consciousness.”

“
How did you do that?”

“
Fiona has powerful earth magic that she put into the sigils and ceremony of removing the taint. Then she used a different set of sigils to send my consciousness into his mind. Between her spell, my water magic, and the bond we had formed between us, I was able not only to bring him back but to unlock his memories as well. But even with that,
it took time for him to
remember his escape,
and as far as I know, he still doesn't remember his capture
.”

“
That's some impressive magic,” Denise said with a low whistle. “I'm glad he found people who could pull off something like that.”

“
It was very lucky for everyone involved. But I consider myself the luckiest because I found and fell in love with Gage, and he's changed my whole outlook on life. I'm a different person, and I like the person I'm becoming.”

"That's good. He clearly loves you too. I'll be honest with you. He's had girlfriends, but he never kept one for very long. I knew he had a bond-mate out there somewhere, but I was starting to be afraid he would ever meet you.
I had worried that my own activity with blood magic would prevent him from being able to make a bond like that.
"

"I was pretty confident I'd never find mine, and I put everything into my career instead. Now, though, I've been having an internal debate between keeping up the level of work I always have and taking time to be a wife. The best I can do is assure myself that I can cut back some and still fill both positions.
I am certainly glad that his elemental magic overcame any difficulty your magic had put in his way.
But that's not even a good thought to linger on.
So what was Gage like as a child?"

The morning passed quickly, and they got Denise enough clothes to last a while in the cold weather. Unspoken was the knowledge that she wouldn't need them once she turned herself in. There were plenty of charities they could donate them to after that point.

The two of them convinced Skylar to take an afternoon off her writing, and they chatted while playing a game of Uno. It was the only game Dymphna could find, and it worked well enough. Besides, they did more talking than playing anyway.

In the late afternoon, Dymphna felt a strong pulling sensation telling her to go open the front door. She immediately recognized it for what it was and let Gage in the house. Melanie waved from the car and drove off.

Dymphna greeted him with a big kiss. "I see you've been learning."

"I have been. Melanie says I'm picking it up faster than she would have expected. That's good since I need to use it as soon as possible."

"Don't stress too much about the time line. The fact of the matter is that if you're consumed with worries and deadlines, you'll be too occupied with those thoughts to learn. Take it one day at a time and absorb everything you can. Redman will still be there when you're done."

"I just worry that he's going to kill someone else
before I learn enough to stop him
."

"There's that worry again. Worrying is wasting energy. Worrying won't solve your problem because there's nothing you can do now besides learn your skills."

"Alright."

"I am impressed that I could feel your compulsion spell from the car to the kitchen."

"Thank you."

"Come in and tell us all about your day. We're playing Uno, and you're more than welcome to join us."

Three weeks later, the Ward family convened at the Manor. This time the tone was altogether different from their usual family gatherings. Seb, as leader of the family and the Duke, spoke first.

"Alright, everyone, I think we all have the same thing on our minds: Redman. It's altogether odd that we haven't felt any more sacrifices or heard of missing witches. In fact, it's downright spooky. But I've been talking to Skylar, Melanie, and Fiona, and they all have indicated that Gage is ready. How do you feel about it Gage?"

“
I feel like there's a lot more for me to learn, but since we've been concentrating on the skills I'd specifically need for this, I'm pretty confident in those. I'm not so sure on the other parts of my skills. But on the other hand, if we delay too long, they'll recover from the blows you all have dealt them. They'll find someone else to get people, and they'll find a new location to hold their ceremonies. So there's that trade off between my magical development and trying to prevent more deaths. Therefore, I agree that it's time and I'm ready.”

“
That's good to hear. I agree that even if you're not done with your training, we need to get the drop on them. Have we figured out how you'll locate him so you can send him the compulsion?”

“
We're pretty sure he's in or near Washington D.C. That is a small enough area that I should be able to use the shared blood connection to find his mind.”

“
Then we'll mobilize our team,” Justin said. “I've got a list of volunteers. Melanie's going to talk to her contacts and get a short piece on Dymphna and Gage's recent marriage in the papers in the next few days. I want to get my forces here at the Manor before the article runs so that if Redman is watching the place, he won't see them
arrive or leave
.

“
A number of the volunteers have normal day jobs, so they'll be based out of the Coven House so that he won't see them coming and going or the presence of their cars. The volunteers who work for the Coven and most of Coven Protection will be based here.
No one besides the regular occupants of the house will be seen outside the house.
Starting tomorrow, we'll be setting up watch shifts. I've got cameras on the Manor, so we'll have two ways of discovering an attack.”

“
You have cameras here?” Dymphna asked. Gage could tell she was both surprised and a little mad.

“
You're family, and as Wards, there's plenty of reason for someone to attack you. I don't want something to happen like that, so we've been protecting you,” he addressed Dymphna.
She did not seem mollified.
Then he turned to talk to everyone again. “In total, we'll have ten people staying here with you. Tomorrow they'll move in and Leo and Skylar will move out.”

“
Excuse me?” Skylar exclaimed. “I'm not going anywhere. This is my fight too.”

“
Calm down, Skylar,” Fiona said gently. “Justin is benching me too. Since we're pregnant, it could endanger our children if we use too much magic. The people on the front lines against the Order will need to use as much magic as they can muster. Not to mention that if we got hit or hurt we might miscarry.”

“
And Leo needs to continue to go to work as usual,” Melanie added. “He's currently the only Ward with a job outside of the Coven. He needs to keep going not only because he's got a full schedule of patients but so the public doesn't get a whiff of trouble in the magical community. Justin and I will be among the ten coming to stay here, and Justin will coordinate the efforts here. Seb will coordinate the forces at the Coven House. But Fiona and Skylar, you two will not be part of the fight.”

“
I understand,” Skylar said, looking crestfallen. “I don't like it, but you're right that I can't risk my children.

“
And I want you to watch mine,” Melanie commented sadly. “I don't like it either, but Rose and Jasmine obviously can't come with me to the Manor. I know the people at the nursery do a great job, but I'd still feel better if I know that you and Fiona are watching after them, especially at night after the nursery closes.”

“
I can definitely do that,” Skylar said fiercely.

“
What about Denise?” Dymphna asked. “She can't go to the Coven House, and she can't fight.”

“
If it's alright with you, Denise, I was thinking we'd have you stay here, just stay upstairs and out of the way when it all goes down. If Redman finds Gage, he might realize you're here too. Since you killed his father, he might go after you in particular, so you need to stay somewhere safe.
This isn't an ideal solution, but it's the best I can think of.
” Justin looked a little uneasy at the thought of a non-combatant so near the likely battlefield.

“
I think that's a good idea. I can also cook for everyone
since Skylar will be at the Coven House
.” She nodded, and Justin looked relieved.

“
I'll go shopping tonight and get what we'll need for a siege,” Dymphna said. “I imagine we'll need inflatable mattresses and sheets for ten people and plenty of food. If you'll make a list of what you want, Denise, we'll make sure to get it.”

“
I'll go with you,” Gage volunteered. “You'll need some extra hands to get all of that together.”

“
I'd appreciate it.”

“
On that note, we'll adjourn,” Seb said, standing. “The forces will come get settled tomorrow, and Melanie's piece will appear the day after. Keep working on the skills you'll need in particular, Gage. We're all counting on you.”

“
I won't let you down.”

The others left, and no one spoke for a few minutes. Skylar broke the silence.

“
I'll miss you guys. Make sure you kick some ass for me.”

“
Oh don't be so melodramatic, Skylar. You've kicked a lot of Dark Order ass already, and you need to let others have their chance.”

Skylar laughed. “You make a good point.”

A little while later, Dymphna and Gage had a movie on up in their bedroom. They weren't really watching it though, but thinking about what was to come.

“
It all seems so much more real now,” Dymphna commented quietly. “We're really doing this.”

“
Yes, we are. And it's risky too. I'm worried that someone will get hurt. Someone from the Coven, that is.”

“
I feel the same way. Justin and Seb haven't mentioned it, but it's definitely a possibility. Our home is becoming a battlefield, and someone might get hurt or die there. It's daunting.”

“
It really is. I wish there was another place, but I can't think of how we'd work that.”

“
No, it has to be the Manor. I know that. And Gage? I want you to stay safe. Of all of us, you're the one with the least experience with your magic. You don't know any real offensive skills besides a fireball. Now that I've found you, I'd hate to lose you.”

“
You won't lose me. But you need to be careful too. I don't want to lose you either.”

“
It's a deal. Do you think it'll work? Do you think we'll actually be able to get Redman to come here to confront us himself?”

“
I think it will work. The part of the plan I'm most worried about it the part where I enter his mind and make a subconscious suggestion then get out before he notices I'm there.”