“You don’t have me, either,” I reminded him.
“It was a general statement, not a marriage proposal,” he snapped.
“Alright, play nice, kids,” Sheila said. “Do I need to send you to your designated corners?”
“Knock, knock,” Kyle’s voice called into the room as he pulled back the tent flap. He didn’t look surprised to see all of us gathered. “I guess I’m going to have to stop going to sleep.”
“I didn’t want to wake you,” I said.
“Well, the gang’s all here,” Sheila said.
“We’re missing Malcom,” I pointed out. “I want him to go with me. He should get to use the spell, too.”
“We don’t have enough to cover two,” Alec said.
“Well, I’ll ask the witch for an IOU,” I said.
“That’s not how it works,” Alec said. “Malcom gets a touch up on his masking spells every few months. He’s safe.”
I didn’t like the idea of getting my claim broken while Malcom remained vulnerable. I figured I could press the issue once I met the witch and saw what the spell entailed. “He’s coming with us, though, right?”
“If he wants,” Alec said.
“I can go wake him,” Sheila offered.
Alec nodded. “Might as well get this started. Pack light. We’ve got a three-day hike.”
“We can’t borrow the car?” I asked.
“There’s no roads where we’re going,” he said.
“Wonderful. Why do I feel like this is going to end badly?” I asked.
“We’re voluntarily going to see a witch who is willing to do blood magic on a member of the wolf shifter royal family. There’s pretty much nothing that sounds good about that,” Sheila said.
“You’re sure this is necessary?” Kyle asked.
“I’m sure,” Alec said.
“I don’t know why I’m trusting you with this,” I said to Alec. “But somehow, you managed to convince Kyle that all this wasn’t some sick joke. So, I’m going along.”
“I get that,” he said. “I really don’t care what you think of me because when this is over, you’ll still be alive.”
I didn’t have a good response for that, so I looked over at Sheila. She seemed like she believed him. I hoped we were making the right choice.
“Come with me, Kyle. You can help me grab the supplies,” Alec said.
“I’ll get Malcom,” Sheila offered.
“I’ll come with you.” I followed her out and we walked to Malcom’s tent.
He was already outside, lacing up his boots. He lifted his head when he saw us. “I take it, it’s time to go?”
“You ready for this?” Sheila asked.
“Would it matter if I wasn’t?” he replied.
“Not even a little,” she teased.
Going to see a witch in the middle of nowhere sounded like suicide. But then again, what in my life wasn’t going to get me killed lately?