Page 62 of Her Ghostly Embrace
Aurora wanted to be sure of what they’d find at the Thornfield compound before going for her body, but she had to admit they might not get any more information than Lilly had already uncovered. Not without infiltrating the compound to see what was happening, and the change in Gia’s situation added an urgency that hadn’t been there before.
Gia was right. Aurora needed her body and full power before facing Franco.
“If we go onto the Thornfield compound, we have to be ready for them to expect us.”
Edward nodded. “I can send a diversion to distract them while you break past their wards.”
Nerves churned in Aurora’s soul. “Would anyone in the coven be willing to help break in? Unless…Gia, do you know how to break wards?”
“I don’t.” Gia might know plenty of ways to kill, but her magical knowledge was limited. Aurora would offer to channel her to break in, but she’d never broken award without detection, and they couldn’t have her family running to meet them at the border.
“That’s not a problem. I can break in for you,” Viv said, sunny as a fucking daisy. “I love slipping past protective spells.”
Aurora stared at her. “How? You’re a vampire.” She’d be excellent backup in a fight, but useless against warding spells. Other than hypnosis, vampires couldn’t do any sort of magic.
Viv scowled. “Yes, we’ve established I’m a vampire. That doesn’t mean I don’t have a few tricks up my sleeve. My past has been colorful, shall we say.”
Edward raised an eyebrow.
“Which we’ll discuss another time,” Viv said to him. She jabbed a thumb at Aurora and Gia. “Surely you’ll consider accepting my application if I help these two?”
TWENTY-ONE
GIA
Gia shovedher newly uncovered memories into the depths of her mind, determined to concentrate on helping Aurora. Even if it would never undo the horrific things she’d witnessed—no, things she’ddone—she could accomplish something good. Something she wanted to do, not was forced to.
“Are we in the right spot?” Viv asked Aurora, disconcertingly cheerful to be on her way to break into the Thornfield’s property.
“This is the closest the road comes out here,” Aurora confirmed.
Viv had driven Gia and Aurora out of the city in a beat-up old car that smelled like herbs, kind of like Sam’s car had. When Gia had asked, Viv explained it was basic anti-tracking. Not foolproof, but better than nothing.
Why Viv had her car equipped with anti-tracking magic, Gia couldn’t say. Surely she wasn’t on the run, too.
They pulled over on the side of a narrow, unpaved road deep in the forest north of Shearwater Landing. It was surprising how quickly the trees sprang up once they’d passed through the suburbs.
Viv twisted around in the driver’s seat. “You two wait here.” She bounded out of the car and circled around to the trunk.
“Maybe it’s knowing she’s a vampire, but Viv’s not what I expected,” Gia whispered.
Aurora hummed in agreement. “Vampires are a different breed. She’ll be good backup.”
Gia’s heart skipped. “Why do you sound worried?”
“Waiting in the hopes we can figure out if my family actually believes I died isn’t worth it anymore. Not when we have Franco to face. But it occurred to me…the Nightingales could be here.”
Gia clenched a fist. “You mean the guy you were supposed to marry?”
“Him, or his father. Other members of their coven. I wonder what happened to the alliance.”
“Surely it’s been called off, and the Nightingales aren’t around.”
Aurora shook her head. “My uncle was set on his plans to gain power. He’ll find another in with the Nightingales. I’m sure of it. In case they already worked it out, a vampire’s superhuman speed and near-indestructibility will come in handy.”
“It sure will.” Viv appeared at Gia’s window, making her jump. “But let’s not get caught. Mmkay?” She checked her phone. “Edward says the diversion is in place. Ready to go?”
The lawyer had sent several Lockwood Coven members to the section of forest nearest the main entrance, where there was a hiking trail and a park. The plan was for the witches to perform some innocuous rituals while foraging for herbs in order to snag the coven’s attention.
