Ocean ran out of the mansion before we could make our way in and threw herself into my arms. "You're back! How was it? Did you use any of the clothes I sent with you?"
Our packing experience seemed a lifetime ago, but I laughed at my best friend's enthusiasm. She had her long auburn hair in two braids that made her look very country, which was a new look for her. "It's good to see you."
She leaned in, whispering in my ear. "IPI is here and I've been working with them. They've got some wicked weapons!" IPI, International Paranormal Investigations, had recruited Ocean after we took down our coven leader and my mother. But she hadn't decided yet if it was right for her. Maybe this would help her make up her mind.
"Are Brad and Professional Shaw still here?" Professor Shaw helped run this school with Father Patrick and Brad was Drake's best friend growing up. He was human, no para-powers to speak of, but he'd created a blog that had gone viral once paranormals came out, interviewing them and showing their 'human side' to the world.
Ocean shook her head. "They left when Drake recovered. The professor had another international relations meeting to go to in… France, I think. And Brad got an email from some big-wig in Washington, D.C. and left with such excitement I thought he'd self-combust."
I smiled. "Good for them. Has Hope been okay since I left?" I was looking forward to cuddling up with my not-quite-a-puppy-anymore Siberian Husky—a wedding gift from my husband.
"I took good care of her. We went on lots of runs, but I'm sure she's excited to see you again!"
We linked arms as Father Patrick ushered us all into the mansion. "Enough of this for now, I've had tea and lunch made for us. You all must be starving."
The priest glanced at the bishop. "Welcome back, Alaric. I trust things will go more smoothly from now on?"
Alaric creased his lips but nodded. "I understand more of what you're trying to do here. I can't say I agree with all of your decisions, but I'm not trying to destroy the sanctuary you've built. The Pope still wants me here, so we're going to have to learn to work together."
Everyone turned when a grazing deer shifted into an ancient man with many animal parts. Kids playing outside stopped and stared. Talon walked up to us.
"This is Talon," I said. "He's here to help me learn my new abilities."
Father Patrick studied the old druid with a curious look. "I've not seen your kind since… well, since a long time."
"We shall have to exchange stories," said Talon. "I've not seen my kind since her." He gestured at me, and Father Patrick nodded knowingly.
"So that is where her path lies," he said. I thought I saw sadness in his eyes. Did everyone fear my new abilities?
Once all the greetings were finished, we went into the dining hall and ate until our stomachs were ready to burst.
Sam sat across from me and kept looking at me oddly.
Alaric asked about the murders. "Has anyone come any closer to finding out who has been killing paranormals?" he asked.
It must have been a relief for him to know Ryder wasn't a serial killer, though the fact that he had targeted Ana as well made me cringe. Still, I had my doubts he could have done it. Going after Drake was one thing, but a child? I'd seen into his soul. Just a glimpse, but I knew he wouldn't have hurt her.
I looked over at the little girl sitting between her parents, her cheeks red and rosy from playing outside, a twig still in her long hair. No, he wouldn't have hurt her.
At the end of the lunch Sam pulled me aside. "Rose, I have to talk to you. Privately. It's…" she looked around, her eyes landing on Derek who stood talking to Drake, "…it's about Ryder."
A cool breeze ruffled my hair as I followed Sam outside and toward the bench under the weeping willow. I had several questions running through my mind, but I knew she could hear them all with her mind reading, so I figured she'd answer them when she was ready.
We sat and looked at the lake. I pulled my jacket tighter around me. The sun hid behind clouds and shadows from the trees cast the lake in an ominous darkness.
Finally, she turned to me, her face pinched in worry, her aura pulsing in oranges and reds. "I debated about telling you this. It's not really my business and I shouldn't even know this, but then I thought if it were me I'd want to know, so…"
My heart hammered in my chest like something horrible was about to happen to me, but I couldn't imagine what. "Sam, just say it. You're freaking me out."
She twisted her hands and looked down at her lap, breathing deeply. This didn't help me feel happy and calm.
"Sam." I put more force in my voice as my stomach dropped.
"I didn't mean to do it," she said.
"Do what?" I stood and she stood, both of us tense and agitated.
"I didn't mean to dip into Derek's mind. It was when I contacted him to tell you about Drake and what they discovered about Ryder not being the killer."
My pulse quickened, chest tightening.
She cleared her throat. "I'm so sorry, Rose."
"What!" I was at my edge.
"After the battle, I saw it in Derek's mind, after it, when Ryder was released…"