“It works the same way as masking the cabin?” Nova asks.
Cutting in, Tanner says, “Pretty much. You’re not invisible, you’re just making people see something different.”
“They can’t detect that stuff?” I ask, wrapping my hands around my mug.
Mack tilts his head to the side. “They’ll have security on the doors, but that’s why we need a distraction.” Hesitantly, he adds, “We need Sarah’s help.”
“Sarah?” My stomach tightens. “Why?”
Mack sits down on the coffee table opposite me, leaning onto his knees. “Sarah’s a complete unknown. The Bureau has no idea she’s connected to us. Plus, we’re pretty sure we can trust her.” He pauses and looks at Luther, who nods in agreement.
“What would you need her to do?” I ask, my mouth dry.
“Sarah’s an unelemental witch.” Mack cocks his head. “Did you know that?”
I frown. No, I didn’t know that.
“It means she has no affinity. She can’t cast spells or incantations without a wand, but wands aren’t permitted at events like this.” Mack sits up. “All we’d need her to do is try to get past security and make a bit of a fuss about the unfair treatment of unelementals when they tell her she has to leave the wand at the door. Give us chance to slip past them.”
“That’s the plan?” Luther says darkly. “Slip past them?”
“Yes,” Mack replies. “That’s the plan.”
As Luther rolls his eyes, Kole says, “It could work.” He rubs his long dark beard. “This isn’t a high-security event. It’s a fundraiser. If Sarah creates enough of a distraction, Mack and Nova can take the chance to get in without the masking spells being detected. Then all they need to do is find Annalise.”
“Which is easy,” Mack says, reaching into his pocket for his phone, “because she’s giving the keynote speech at eight p.m.” He turns his phone so we can see the screen. A picture of a tall, dark-haired woman with bright red lips fills the screen. “I’ll let my mask down for a few seconds, so she can spot me in the audience. That’ll be enough.” Mack puts the phone away. “If she sees me, sees what I’ve risked to be there, she’ll meet with us.” He turns to Nova. “She’ll help us.”
Nova drums her fingernails on her coffee cup. “Okay,” she says, “then you better teach me how to do this masking spell.”
10
MACK
When Rev answers the phone, it’s obvious she was sleeping. I hear rustling noises that tell me she’s sitting up in bed. “By the moon, Mack. It’s nine a.m. Tanner and Kole have only been gone a few hours.”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
“What’s going on?” she asks, a little more awake now.
While Rev listens intently, I explain what we’re planning to do. If she thinks it’s a bad idea, she doesn’t say so. “I’m sorry to involve you again,” I tell her. “I didn’t want you to have to come back out here. That’s why Tanner and Kole came to you.”
“It’s okay, Mack. I want to help.” She’s walking around now. I hear closets and drawers opening. “What time do you need to leave for the city?”
“Six.”
“Then I’ll be with you at five, just after sunset. I’ll bring outfits for you both, and I’ll bring Sarah.”
“You’re sure she’ll be okay with it?”
“The woman’s riddled with guilt for lying to Nova. She’d do anything to make it up to her.” Rev pauses. “Plus, she’s desperate to see Sam. You’ll give them a minute together? Before we leave?”
“Of course.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Of course, I will.”
“Good. Then I’ll see you at five.” And with that, she hangs up.
I’m staring down into the deep blue water of the lake when I sense Nova walking toward me. Snow would know her scent at a hundred paces, but as she draws closer the air changes. Grows warmer. Starts to vibrate. Most of the time, my elemental affinity is drowned out by the shifter part of me. But lately, when Nova’s around, it’s grown stronger.
“Everything okay?” she asks, sitting down next to me.