📎A/N *Wipes perspiration of brow* Wow, my lovelies what a week.

In addition to this chapter, the first chapter of Evolution was uploaded and my post with the #WattpadBlockParty went live. I'd like to thank KellyAnneBlount for the wonderful opportunity and experience.

Thank you to everyone who's popped by and said hello at the Block Party. For those of you who haven't... don't leave me hanging around like a wallflower. Come on over and leave a comment in support :-) 

While you are there, check out my special sneak peek at the first chapter of a new story I'll be posting towards the end of this year. Let me know what you think... https://www.wattpad.com/296675280-wattpad-block-party-summer-edition-ii

I have also added the post as a link to this chapter.

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"And you're sure she's your sister?" asked Ryker as they peeled out of the driveway northward, at a breakneck speed.

Keira held onto the now well-worn passenger handle and focused on the task at hand. While she guessed that Ryker secretly hoped the missing witches was unrelated to the deaths of the others, she didn't harbor any such wishful thinking.

There was no doubt in her mind that the Order would find and destroy every witch in Salem if they had to. If they couldn't flush out the rest of the coven, they would eliminate anyone who could possibly be a threat.

"Beatrice's one of our more colourful locals," Ryker said, breaking into her thoughts.

"That's one of the remaining Crossroads Coven members Deacon was talking about?"

"Uhm," Ryker said, nodding. "She's lives alone with at least fifty cats. The neighbours are always up in arms about the noise and the mess. The last few years my deputies have refused to serve her with the court orders to get rid of them. Each time, when one of them would turn up, they would end up having some sort of ailment or calamity afterwards."

"Those poor neighbours. They must be overrun by cats."

He chuckled and glanced across at her. "No. I had to take care of it."

"So what does she do to you when you deliver the bad news?"

"Nothing."

Keira's brows knitted together. "I thought you said—"

"Give me credit for some brains," he said, cutting her off. "I'm not going to put myself in harm's way. Instead of serving her with the papers, I just took the flea bags."

***

When they pulled up to the old house, Keira had to admit Ryker wasn't kidding when he warned her the place was run down. She was surprised the walls were still standing. The paint, long since able to hold to the cracked and damaged weatherboard, had let go and had peeled in layers. A quick glance at the roof showed that more than one roof shingle was missing.

As they approached the well-worn and half collapsed brown and grey picket fence that Keira was sure was originally white, she could see, hear and smell why the neighbours were at odds with this particular house on the block.

A cacophony of at least two dozen cats drowned out any possible conversation. The noise and hisses from the felines only increased in volume as Keira and Ryker approached the front porch.

Keira was surprised when Ryker veered away from the front and headed towards the side of the house.

"Where are we going?" she asked as she sped up to match his stride.

"Front door doesn't work," he said, "besides, it's not so loud around the back."

As soon as they stepped through the small side gate, she understood what he meant. Unlike the front of the house, the back wasn't as overrun by cats. While there were two black tabbies sauntering around the bare back yard, they were quiet and only flicked a tail in irritation at the intruders.

The back porch, while similar to the front, wasn't as sparse. Each of the three steps was furnished with pots that were abundant with Ginseng, St. John's Wart and Echinacea. More were scattered across the porch, each one containing herbs that were commonly used for medicines.

She must be a healer, Keira thought as Ryker banged on the door frame.

"Beatrice, you old coot. Open up!"

They stepped back and waited.

Keira detected a shuffle from somewhere in the house and a creak of floorboards as slow footsteps approached. The screen door, half-off its hinges opened with a reluctant high pitched squeal as the rusty bolts holding it into place resisted the movement.

A weathered old woman, in an oversized 1970's Kaftan dress, stood in the doorway and looked up at them as if challenging them to get past her. Her eyes narrowed in anger. "I 'ain't gonna get rid of no cat's Sheriff, if that's what y' here for," said Beatrice.

Keira flinched in surprise. For a tiny wisp of a woman her voice belonged to a person much larger; and one that had smoked at least three packs a day at that.

"And a good morning to you as well," Ryker said as he pulled down on the brim of his cap in greeting. "Even though you're well over your limit, we're not here for the cats. We both know Deacon told you to expect us."

Beatrice let out a small grunt and waved her hand dismissively. "Keep y' pistol in y' pants vamp. I'm not so old I can't 'member a conversation from two hours ago."

The old woman then turned her focus to Keira. It was clear she was less than thrilled at her visitors and was only allowing them to be there under duress.

"You is the upstart from Californi'a they brought in on this, is ya?" asked Beatrice as she stared directly at Keira and gave her the once over as trying to ascertain what to think of the stranger.

Keira nodded. "Yes ma'am, that's correct."

Beatrice crossed her arms over her chest and tapped her foot in irritation. "I'll tell y' what I told that confounded mayor. There ain't no others, and I ain't got no idea about this door y'all harping on about."

She turned to Ryker and waggled a wrinkled, bony finger at him. "You need to be finding this wicked person that's gone done and taken my friends, rather than wasting time dallying with the likes of me."

The muscled in Ryker's jaw tensed, and Keira could have sworn she could hear his teeth grate. The old woman clearly got on his nerves.

"If we had more help from the people who know what's going on, perhaps two innocent people wouldn't be missing," he said through clenched teeth.

Beatrice continued to stare at Ryker without commenting on his outburst.

"Miss Sommers," Keira cut in.

They needed answers, and she was beginning to empathise with Ryker's predicament. The woman was starting to irritate her as well. "You need to do a calling."

This had the woman's attention as her eyes snapped to Keira's in surprise.

"That's an odd choice of words missy," Beatrice said slowly.

Keira shrugged. "Not really, considering the Order has massacred the strongest of the Coven, and we have no idea how many more deaths it will take to let her out."

All colour drained from Beatrice's weathered face, and she stepped backwards into the house. "I don't know what y' talking about," she said, faltering over the words, fear reflected in her eyes.

The screen door was shut tight, and a moment later they were staring at the faded wood of the front door. Locks clicked into place and everything became silent.

Keira sighed. She hoped it wouldn't come to this, but a show of force was necessary.

"Stand back," she said by way of a warning.

Ryker cocked his head. "If you're going to kick down the door, I think you're wearing the wrong shoes for that."

Keira reached into her bag, grabbed her crystals and handed her bag to Ryker to hold. "I won't need my legs."

As she headed down the stairs, she glanced around to make sure there were no nosy neighbours. The high fence and trees that surrounded the backyard ensured their privacy. Satisfied there were no prying eyes she kicked off her shoes and stepped out into the back lawn. The mixture of grass, weeds and dirt prickled at her soles.

Keira swung around to face the house, planted her feet and steeled herself for what she was about to try. It had been decades since she had tried tapping directly into this level of magic.

A singsong chant flew from her lips as she stared intently at the front door and clutched tighter at her crystals until it felt they were burning a hole in her clenched hand.

At first, nothing happened. Then, a small tremor shook the door as Keira channelled the power from the earth.

Ryker's gaze snapped to hers as the vibrations increased. With a hazy blur, he was off the porch and well away from the house. Another violent shake and the rusted hinges gave way as both the screen and front doors broke away from the frame and flew to the end of the porch and landed with a loud thump against the railings.

A moment later a shriek could be heard as Beatrice shuffled up the corridor towards them. "What are y' doin' y' chit?" she called out with an edge of panic in her voice.

The old woman appeared in the doorway and held on to the frame for dear life as her legs continued to exit the confines and security of her house, no longer under her control. Her eyes widened in shocked when she realised who and what had happened.

Satisfied that she had the other witch's attention, Keira relaxed and let go. Her breath came out in uneven pants as she endeavoured to bring her pulse into an acceptable level. While the spell hadn't lasted long, it had taken more than a little out of her.

Now her legs were no longer compelled to do Keira's bidding, Beatrice was rooted to the spot. Her mouth moved in a fish-like motion as she stared warily at Keira.

Ryker surveyed the damage and whistled. "You know, if you wanted the door opened, you didn't need to go through those theatrics," Ryker said as he pulled his hat off and scratched the back of his head.

She flashed him a warning and for once, he understood and remained quiet.

Beatrice's hand came up to cover her mouth. "It's not possible," she mumbled from behind her palm.

The air was thick with unanswered questions as they continued to stare at each other. As the seconds dragged on, Beatrice's diminutive frame lost its rigid stance, and her hand fell away as she clutched it to the other to place a barrier between them.

"What Coven are you from," Beatrice asked in a hoarse whisper.

"I think you know the answer to that."

A visible gulp was the only movement as the older witch considered what Keira had just said. "Which Crossroads?"

"That's not important for now. Of more concern is to make sure Leviathan has no chance of getting through and to protect the Coven from any more deaths."

Beatrice's eyes darted to Ryker's, and a look of uncertainty emerged.

"He already knows and I trust him," said Keira, knowing it would take a lot for them to open up in front of an outsider, and a vampire at that. "If we are to get through this, so should you and the rest of the Coven."

"Jolly green giants I need a drink," Beatrice said as she glanced down at the oversized man's watch on her wrist. "Is it midday yet?" Seeing it was well before she glanced around the back yard as if seeing it for the first time. "It must be midday somewhere," she muttered to herself. "Finland, it's dinner time in Finland, and they are bound to be having a drop or two. How about we join them?"

Keira let out a low groan as she met Ryker's amused expression. He was leaning over the railings enjoying the odd conversation.

"Beatrice, pull yourself together," he called out, "you're rambling."

Beatrice spun around to face him, her dress billowed out with the sudden movement. "You're a thief. I know you is taking all my friends. So don't you be thinkin' y is all high an' mighty."

Keira was starting to wonder about the woman's sanity. "The Sheriff is right; you need to focus. There is a lot at stake here," said Keira.

Beatrice turned back to Keira and peered more closely than before. "Who are you exactly? I ain't seen power like that in one as young as you." She frowned and her lips pursed into a grim line. "Come to think of it, I ain't seen that much power called by a witch on their own—full stop. How do I know you're not one o' them?" she asked as she looked up at Keira in defiance.

Keira stepped forward until she stood directly in front of the petite woman. She slid off her suit jacket and let it fall to the ground. "Like this," she said as she reached for Beatrice's hand.

As their skin touched, Keira twisted their arms around so that their forearms faced the sky. As the light touched their skin, it appeared to discolour and fade. A moment later, grey tendrils seeped out from the ridges of their veins and danced across the small pallet as it painted and weaved, then formed into intricate shapes. When it was done, a complex symbol remained. It's meaning and implication, known to both.

Upon seeing the tattoo, Beatrice snapped her hand away as if shocked by electricity and let out a sharp breath. "It's not possible. It can't be."

"You know as well as I, anything is possible. I speak the truth. You've seen it with your own eyes," Keira said firmly. "Now we need to protect our people and keep the door closed."

Beatrice began to wring her hands as another gust of wind billowed out her shapeless dress.

"I'm not sure they'll listen. After last night, the rest have gone into hiding. Even Eugene and Nita have the collywobbles. I wouldn't be surprised if they've gone and done the same."

"That's why you need to do the calling – even they can't ignore that."

Beatrice shook her head, and a strained expression overtook her already worried one. "It's been years since I had to. I ain't sure I even know how anymore. I ain't exactly the strongest in the Coven you know..." she trailed off, "and I sometimes forget things."

Keira placed a reassuring hand on the old woman's shoulder and gave her a warm smile. "You are Crossroads and draw your power from the earth. You are stronger than you think."

A solitary stray cat sauntered up to Beatrice and wrapped itself around her legs. She scooped up the feline and hugged it to her. "Do you really think we can keep it closed? There ain't much of us left."

"Let me worry about that," said Keira.

Beatrice clutched the cat closer and nodded. "Okay, I'll do it, but it will take a while."

Kiera reached into her trouser pocket and pulled out a crystal. "Here," she said as she pressed it into Beatrice's free hand. "This might help you convince them. Let us know when they are here."

Beatrice grimaced. "That's gonna be a problem," she said.

"Why?"

"They refused to come anywhere near my place, and Eugene's allergic to cat hair," said Beatrice.

Ryker let out an uncontrolled snort. "A witch allergic to cats! That's one for the books."

Keira flashed him a look to let him know he wasn't helping the situation.

He ignored her and came to stand beside her tossing her bag to her in the process. "Get them to Deacon's office above the blood bank. It's very public downstairs so no one will risk trying to take them out in the open. We'll also have enough privacy upstairs so you witchy-poos can do you boil, boil, toil and trouble so we can keep you safe. Just let us know when you can get there, so the rest of us know when to arrive."

Beatrice's mouth set into a grim line as she considered the option. "I ain't sure they are gonna like outsider's privy to this," she said as she looked pointedly at Ryker. "Specially ornery cat thieves."

"They have no alternative," Keira said.

The Coven would need Ryker and Deacon's help if they were to get through this. The sooner they came to terms with this, the better. Keira reached out to Beatrice and gripped her arm lightly. "You will get them there, and there will be no discussion. While we live in a democracy, in this instance you have no choice but to comply."

Beatrice's head bobbed up and down, and she visibly blanched. "Fine," she mumbled. "I'll get them there, but that don't mean they gonna like it."

Keira nodded and began to follow Ryker who had already headed around to the side of the house.

"Hey! Who's gonna fix my door?" Beatrice called.

The only reply she got was the meow of the tabby in her arms as it squirmed to jump to the ground.

The moment they passed through the side gates the choir of cats living in the front yard screeched at them.

As Ryker clicked the lock back into place he shook his head at her and two brows shot up over his glasses. "You certainly know how to make an impression. I think the next time I come here with papers to serve, I'll just tell her you sent me and she'll be handing the cats to me."

Keira sighed and rubbed her forehead. It might have been an impressive show of force, but with the depleted power to draw from, she needed to dig into her own reserves. It had taken a lot more out of her than she expected.

"Where to now?" she asked as they were about to get into the car.

Across the roof of the vehicle, she watched as Ryker's smile faded and a pained expression appeared to consume him. "We need to speak to Grant and Maize about Annie's movements on the day she disappeared."

***

The drive to Ann's parent's house was made in relative silence. From the sedate and within speed limits way in which he navigated the road, she could tell he wasn't looking forward to the visit. He would be putting his friends under a microscope to be able to determine her timeline. It was the only way they could narrow down who the last person was who saw or spoke to her. Not to mention the little issue of their daughter's pregnancy.

How much did they know about it, if at all?

Keira didn't envy Ryker's position. To get the job done, he would need to put his personal feelings aside. For that many people to disappear without anyone noticing, there was only one possible reason. They each knew their attacker.

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📎A/N. Well it appears that witches come in all shapes, sizes and sanity levels ;-)

And it looks like that the killer is someone they all know... that's not good :-(

Till next time, don't forget to vote and come across and say hello at the Wattpad Block Party.

Take care,

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