It’s Time.

Chapter 18 teaser - Cade

I pull the front of my shirt off to wipe my forehead. My steps heavy on the wood boards as I head inside. I look down to see Karma on her back. Her fluffy tummy exposed. A small smile breaks across my lips as I kneel down to give her pets.

“This just might work, girl.”

She purrs in approval.

I stand and see a small scrap of paper on the counter.

Kai and I decided to take a night off. Don't worry.We are safe. I love you. We'll be back in a couple of days. Feel free to call me.

                                                               -Calli

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You have got to be fucking kidding me. I pull my phone out of my pocket and immediately dial Calisto’s number.

It rings once, twice, no response. I’m gonna kill that motherfucker. I go upstairs to Jack’s room and bang on the door, he answers quickly.

“What’s going on?”

“Can you still track Callie’s phone?”

“Of course, why?”

“He took her, they’re gone.”

“Yeah come in.” he says, wiping his eyes clearly. He was napping, but I don’t care right now.

He sits down at his computer screen, and begins popping up everywhere as he starts typing in code on a black screen then a location pops up.

“Last known location was here actually, it’s offline.”

Goddamn it.

Rage begins to bubble as I begin pacing. “I need you to locate every hotel in a fifty mile radius and check their check ins.”

“On it.” Jack says without turning toward me.

I begin to feel too big for the room— the discomfort overwhelming me.

“Go.” Jack says as I hear him typing on his keyboard. “I’ll find them.”

My jaw clenches as I storm out of the room and down the steps, bounding past Karma sleeping on her back in the living room as I storm out of the front door, almost running into Gen.

“Fuck. Sorry.” I say pivoting and moving past her.

I hear the door close behind me.

“Cade?” She says, her voice inflecting.

I don’t respond as I pace the porch, rubbing my face.

“What’s wrong?” She asks, almost cautiously.

“Calli’s gone.” I say quickly.

She grabs my shoulder, turning me. “What the hell do you mean she’s gone?”

“He took her, Kai fucking took her. I’m going to kill them both.”

Her face shifts and her shoulders relax.

“Did she tell you that?”

“She left a fucking note.”

It’s quiet for a moment before she starts laughing, I turn to her looking down.

“Is that fucking funny?”

“Yea, it kind of is.” She wipes a tear from her eyes as she looks at me with a smile. “Do you understand why you are even mad?”

“I can’t get a hold of her, her phone is off.”

“Did you consider the fact that maybe she wanted privacy?”

“She didn’t discuss it with me ahead of time!”

Gen crosses her arms and shifts her stance as she raises a brow. “Would you have let her go if she did?”

“Of course not! How the fuck can I keep her safe when she is being so reckless.”

“Did you consider that she just wanted some time to be with the man she loves, away from everyone else? She is safe Cade.” She says with a soft voice, as if she is trying to comfort me.

“You’re acting like you have no idea what’s at stake, you realise if she’s caught they won’t hesitate to capture her.”

“I imagine if you can’t even find her, she is probably fine. I get you are worried and it’s been your job to keep her safe, but you aren’t the only one who is capable of that anymore.”

I turn to her, meeting her eyes. “What do you know about Kai?”

She shrugs her shoulders casually. “I know he has magic, I can feel it. I know he is strong, and I know how much he loves her.”

“Yes. He is, but I don’t like the idea of not being there if she needs me. I get that she isn’t happy here, but it’s safe.”

“You’re worried about her, that’s normal.” She places a hand on my shoulder. “Have you considered the fact that she isn’t that little girl who needs saving? From what I’ve seen, she is far more capable than both of us put together.”

“She is, but it doesn’t take much for her to lose control. One bad mood swing and she could kill someone, or herself.” I say as I turn away from her.

Her hand drops and she moves in front her to meet my eyes.

“She isn’t a prepubescent teenager Cade, what makes you so afraid of it?”

“It’s complicated, but the gist is that it’s hurting her. Her body can’t handle it.”

“What the fuck…” She mumbles, taking a step back.

“You understand.” I say, my voice low. “If she is in a situation where she is forced to use her magic, she could die.”

Gen stares at the ground wide eyed, when my phone begins to ring. Pulling it out of my pocket, I look down to see a private number. It must be Ben.

I quickly answer the phone.

“They're mobilizing. I don’t know if they have your location or not, but I can confirm they don’t have a witch with them. If we’re going to hit them, it needs to be now. Have you spoken with Genevieve?” His words make my heart drop into my stomach, I see Gen looking at me with wide eyes and anticipation.

She clutches her arm, squeezing the fabric as the wind blows the porch swing into the siding, causing her to jump.

I don’t see how they would be mobilizing without even a general location. It could be from anything. Jack has always been able to cover our tracks perfectly, so I doubt they have any exact coordinates. That wouldn’t be possible unless there is some kind of element we haven’t considered.

It could be magic, but if there was a break into our systems. I’m going to ring Jack’s neck. Regardless, they're on the move, and if they have access to magic, then we need to have a strategy. Calli not being here may actually be the safest option considering.

“Yes, I’ve been experimenting with one of her protection spells, and it was successful. Are you still at the last known location?”

“Yea, Rosa seems to have no plans to leave the Commonwealth, not anytime soon at least. You got the means to travel?”

This could work to our benefit. If they are coming here— then Rosa will be vulnerable.

“Can be, I’ll need a day or so to prepare. I’ll need numbers and an exact address, we can't walk into this blind.”

“Take baby sister into hiding, she’s the one their after.”

“That’s already been done…” I sigh over the phone.

“I’ll get back to you when I know more. Is Gen with you?”

“Yea.” I hand her the phone, her small hand reaches out and takes it, the motion almost timid.

Her face softens, the corner of her mouth lifting into a small smile.

“I love you too.” She says in a low voice.

Gen hands me my phone and looks up at me nodding. “We can do this.”

I guess it’s time.

“But.. What exactly did he say?” Gen says, worry lacing her tone.

“Our location may be compromised. I’m going to tell Calli to stay away` for a bit while we make a plan.”

She quarks a brow.

“Shut up.” I say, knowing the ironic contradiction from our earlier conversation.

“Everything happens for a reason, that’s all I’m saying.” She puts her hands in the pockets of her sweater. “So, what’s our next move?”

“I’ll need your shields, and we have to wait to receive their locations. But if we plan this right, by the time their best hunters are here— my blade will be slicing through Rosa’s throat.”

“A bit Grim don’t you think?”

I look down at her. “After what The Covenant has done, what they did to me— and plan to do with Calli. She is lucky that is all I have planned.”

“Fair point.”

The door swings open when Jack comes outside, pulling out a cigarette as he walks slowly over to us.

“I found her, they checked into a hotel about an hour away, I texted you the number.” He says, sparks flying as he sparks his lighter and inhales.

I pull out my phone and copy the number, looking at Jack as I do so.

“You and I need to have a talk.” My voice is low.

“About?” He says confused.

“They have a team of hunters on the move.”