“Totally agree.” And I couldn’t be happier everyone was actually agreeing for once. “I’ve got some potions in case Luciana’s still there, but we need a full plan.”
“I summoned a few quads of Cazadores for backup,” Mr. Dawson said.
“What about campus? Shouldn’t they stay in case she tries to attack?”
“We’ve enough wolves to protect the campus,” Donovan said. “If Luciana is still on the compound, she has power to burn. Nothing wrong with bringing backup.”
“Okay. Probably a good idea.” I thought for a second. “The main problem is the warding on the compound. We can deal with the repulsion part, but the spell also alerts the coven of intruders. If Luciana or any of the coven is still there we’re going to have to run fast.”
“I can help with that.” Cosette raised her hand and I almost did a double take.
I would’ve sworn she wasn’t standing there ten seconds ago, but if she was going to appear out of nowhere, she’d picked a good time to do it. “You can?”
“Yes. I’m sure I can still cross the wards without setting off the alarm.” Her lips pressed into a thin line. “Or I can get you across them easily enough. Either way, I’m going along for the ride.”
I managed not to gape at her, but it was close. Cosette volunteering to help? Whatever her reasons were now, I wasn’t going to question them. “Okay. Cosette and I will deal with the wards. What next?”
“Once Tess and Cosette give the all clear, we’ll send in a small group,” Dastien said. “We check the closest houses for signs of life. Everyone else stays out of sight unless there’s a call for help. If that happens, we get everyone out and run. We’ll keep our drivers ready for a fast getaway.”
“Agreed. We’re just checking on the coven. None of us are ready to go against Luciana tonight.” We weren’t even close to ready.
I strode to the closest SUV and got in the passenger side. Dastien walked around to the driver’s side and motioned for one of the Cazadores to get in back. Chris hopped in next to him. In minutes, everyone was packed in cars and heading out.
I tapped my fingers on the armrest as Dastien drove through the gates. It was a thirty minute drive and there was no chance we were going to have a relaxing ride.
Because if Luciana was there, we were screwed. And if she wasn’t, and the worst was true…
Then we were already one step closer to the hell mouth in my vision.
Chapter Ten
I stared out the car’s window, resting my head against the cool glass as the darkness blurred past. My mind wandered to dark places. If Mom had moved us back to Texas when she realized I had abilities, would I have ended up like them? Sucked dry of magic and life?
That could’ve been me.
I guessed that was why this was hitting me so hard. I saw myself in them. In the sliding doors of my life, if just one thing had changed, it could have all turned out very differently.
“Don’t go there,” Dastien murmured. The other wolves heard, but couldn’t know what he meant. Still, I wished he hadn’t said the words aloud this time.
I can’t help it. There’s so much wrong right now. So much that’s messed up.
I know. And it’s easy to focus on the bad, especially where there’s so much of it, but you can’t do that. If we’re going to get through this, you have to focus on the good.
Yeah, right. How could I be positive right now? After that vision, thinking of the future is the last thing I want to do.
We don’t know that it’s going to happen. What if it was just a warning? What if—
She has the power she needs now.
Dastien was quiet for a second as the truth sank in. Then, we work hard and change how it happens. We’re going to stop her before it gets that far. Okay?
“Okay. Yeah. We’ll stop it before it gets that far.” It sounded weak, even to my ears, but I was trying to believe it. I had to believe that I could change the outcome, otherwise…
“What gets what far?” Chris leaned forward between the front seats.
Shit. I hadn’t meant to say that aloud. “Nothing.” When he didn’t sit back, I rolled my eyes at him. “Don’t you know it’s rude to listen into other people’s conversations?”
“Don’t you know it’s rude to have private conversations when other people are around?”