Page 73 of Unbound

I have no idea how long anyone has been sitting here. Or if somebody came in after us and deliberately chose a table with a clear line of sight.

“I’m kind of leaning toward the locator spell too,” Leo admits. “They already know we’re here, which means they probably know Claire is here too. If they’re following us anyway, finding her exact location isn’t really any different than finding her the old-fashioned way.”

Antonio runs a hand through his hair. “I see your point.” He glances toward the counter. “Okay. Let me order something to go so we have a legitimate reason to leave.” He stands, takes one step, then turns back. “Do either of you actually want anything? If I’m ordering anyway, I might as well get something you want.”

“Can I have a cake pop?” I ask.

“Make that two,” Leo adds. “Birthday cake.”

Antonio stares at us. “You’re both children.” Then he heads for the counter.

Leo immediately calls Ryder, and I scoot closer, knowing we can’t risk putting him on speaker in case anyone nearby is listening.

“Finally,” Ryder says when he answers. “Is Wren with you?”

“I’m right here.” I lean toward the phone. “We’re at a coffee shop,” I add, making sure he understands we’re in public and he needs to be careful. “How’s your mother doing?”

“They’re taking her to the hospital,” Ryder replies smoothly. “They don’t know what room she’ll be in yet, but they know something is definitely wrong enough for her to be admitted.” He pauses. “It’s a good thing your father knows the doctor.”

I give Leo a sideways look. I’m not entirely sure what Ryder is trying to tell us.

“Yeah,” I say anyway, trying not to sound as confused as I feel.

“I’ll let you know if there are any updates,” Ryder says. “And be careful. Whatever she has, you can catch it. You’ve been exposed.”

“Thanks, man,” Leo says. The call ends. “What the hell was he saying?” Leo asks quietly. “Marco is behind this?”

“That’s kind of what I got from it.”

“I’m with you,” Leo says. “We should do the locator spell, find Claire, and get the hell out of here.” He looks at my backpack. “You have everything you need?”

“I do.” I lower my voice. “We just need somewhere private. An alley. A bathroom. Something. I only need a couple minutes.”

“And it’ll give you her exact location?”

“Where she is right now. It won’t track her if she starts moving again.”

“Right.” Leo leans back. “She’s seventeen, doesn’t have a car, and doesn’t exactly seem to know what she’s doing. If we can get her current location, I’m pretty sure we can catch up to her.” He looks toward Antonio. “Which is why I’m going to tell him we’re doing it.”

I take one last drink of my lukewarm coffee and toss the cup into the trash beside the table. As I turn back, something catches my eye. Two guys wearing Steelers jerseys are sitting several tables away. One has an iced coffee in front of him. The cup is still completely full. But condensation coats the plastic, and most of the ice has melted.

He hasn’t touched it.

He’s not here for coffee. He’s here to watch me. I walk casually back toward the table and text both of my brothers, praying they have enough self-control not to immediately look over. Antonio is still waiting in line when he replies.

Wren, go first. Leo and I will stay here. If you’re going to do the spell, do it now.

My gaze shifts toward the bathroom at the back of the coffee shop. I haven’t been inside yet, but it looks like a single-stall bathroom. Someone opens the door. For a split second, I catch a flash of daylight. Perfect. There’s a window.

Going out the bathroom window. I’ll do the spell and send you a picture as soon as I have her location.

I put a hand over my stomach.

“I knew I shouldn’t have had that much caffeine when I’m lactose intolerant,” I say loudly to Leo.

He nods solemnly. “Rookie mistake.”

I grab my backpack and head toward the bathroom. I don’t bother locking the door behind me.