I needed to find it.
The vision faded, having shown me all it was meant to.
Well, that was interesting. Poa leapt off my lap, and I rose.
“You could see it, too?”
Yes. There was something familiar about that woman.
“She looked like Judith.”
Ah, lemon tree lady. If Poa could have grinned, she would have. She has a lovely sunroom and an excellent selection of treats.
“That’s where you’ve been while I’ve worked on the house?”
Of course. But do you think she knows more about this house than she’s saying?
“I think she’s more connected than I’d realized.” Whether Judith also realized that was the question. I’d need to make some time to talk to her.
But first, I wanted to locate that crystal. I walked throughout the house, trying to spot the wall where the crystal had been hidden. I found it to the right of the hearth that had coughed up dust on me, located in the distinct square depression in the wall that I’d seen in the image.
I laid my hand on the wall, and the outer edges of the depression glowed purple. I fed some of my magic into it, imagining the wood disappearing so that I could see inside.
It didn’t exactly disappear, but I did find the pressure release latch. When I pushed just right, a small square section of the wall popped open like a door. Heart pounding, I opened it fully.
Inside, the crystal glowed. It was surrounded by all sorts of debris, probably brought in by some long-ago rodent. I could feel its magic like a second heartbeat, and the house seemed to make a noise of protest.
“Don’t worry,” I said, “I’m not going to hurt anything. I’m just going to clean away the debris in here.” I didn’t know what it was—an old mouse nest, maybe?—so I got a pair of gloves and a bin liner and carefully cleaned out the cubbyhole, leaving the crystal sitting in a nice, open space.
The house seemed to sigh in relief.
“That must feel better, huh?” I asked.
It didn’t respond, but it also didn’t smack me in the butt with a loose floorboard, so I was going to count it as a win. For the first time since I’d started here, I had the strongest feeling that I was actually getting somewhere with the house.
“What’s that?” Rafe asked from behind me.
I turned to see him wearing his work boots and tool belt, and if I were being honest with myself, it was the sexiest sight I’d ever seen. Even Poa made a noise of approval.
“It’s the heart of the enchantment. The heart of the house, really.” I turned back and shut the wall. “I think the house will be happier now. Let me know if it’s easier to work here. If it is, we can try to convince some contractors to come. Maybe I can even get a clean bill of health from the coven, something to show workers so they’ll believe there’s no magic in the house that will mess with them.”
He nodded. “I’ll let you know how it goes today. You can find me in the kitchen if you need me.”
“Thanks.” I watched him go, grateful to have his help. I had less than two weeks to finish fixing up Lavender House, and there was so much left to do.
We worked until midafternoon. Over a lunch of sandwiches and crisps, Rafe planned out how long it would take his boat to get to the island. We decided to leave with enough time be back in the harbor by nightfall.
When two o’clock rolled around, I went to collect him. The kitchen was looking fabulous, with all of the beautiful cabinets installed and the doors going on. I sighed happily as I stared at it, imagining baking cookies in there on a cold winter day, the fire in the kitchen hearth blazing.
Okay, that was enough fantasizing. I called out, “Time to go!”
“I just need a few more minutes to finish these cabinet doors,” he said.
“Nope. We need to get moving so I have enough time on the island.”
He straightened from his spot on the floor, where he was attaching a cabinet door. “I really think we should wait until the house is done.”
“No. It’s just a few hours. You’re helping me, so I’m going to help you. And I need to master my magic, anyway, so this is practice that I desperately need.”
That seemed to mollify him, so he stood and put the screwdriver on the counter. “Fine. Let’s go.”
I clapped. “Excellent!”
“How are you always in such a good mood?” he asked as we left the house.
I shrugged. “I don’t know. This is a nice life.”
He looked around at the scenery—all the green hills and sparkling blue sea and white gulls circling on the breeze—and said, “I suppose it is.”
“Will you miss it when you go back to your pack?
“Assuming we find them, yes. Definitely.”
So he was going back for sure. I’d asked the question just to confirm what I’d heard last night, but I didn’t want to focus on that. Instead, I gave him a playful poke on the shoulder. “Are you doubting my skills?”
“I would never.” He put his hand to his heart.
“Good.” I grinned. “Because I can do this. I know I can.”
We’d reached his car, so he stopped and stared at me, giving me a long look. “I believe in you. Truly.”
The seriousness in his tone took my breath away. It was as if he saw through to my insecurities and wanted to banish them.
It made me feel all kinds of warm inside, and that was no good. “Thanks.” Flustered, I turned to the car and climbed in.
Chapter
Twenty
Isobel
Rafe drove us down to the Charming Cove harbor, which I’d yet to visit because it was in the human part of town. The harbor was a beautiful little place, with a stone breakwater protecting the cluster of boats inside. Shops and restaurants surrounded it, and happy people ate ice cream from the Mr. Whippy truck in the harbor parking lot.
The humans in Charming Cove were known to be the happiest in England, and though it was attributed to the weather, the meteorologists couldn’t figure out why this particular spot in Britain was so much nicer than all the rest.
The supernaturals knew, though--it was the magic in the air.
Rafe parked at the far end of the lot, and I climbed out.
“Did you bring anything warm to wear?” he asked. I held up my little jacket, and he frowned. “I’m not sure that’ll be enough. I should have thought of this sooner.” He went to the back of the car and popped open the boot. A few moments later, he pulled out a big jumper and handed it to me. “This will do.”
I took the soft fabric, which smelled gloriously of sandalwood and leather, just like him, then frowned at him. “What will you wear?”
“I’ll be fine.”
“In that T-shirt?” He certainly was fine in the thin fabric, but not in the way he meant.
“Really, don’t worry about me.” He gave me a glare, which was so reminiscent of the first time I’d met him that I stepped back.
“All right, all right. I won’t bother you about it.”
“Good.” The grump softened. “Now come on.”
He led me toward the docks, heading down to the end of one of the little piers. Tied up in the very last spot was the most beautiful wooden boat I’d ever seen. It was fairly large—almost thirty feet, if I had to guess—and had a cabin underneath the mainsail.