Page 42 of The Last Knight

She walked around her car, opened the door, and grabbed her work tote.

Her evening plans had been to search and comment on any online reviews for the studio and drink a glass of Cabernet. Instead, as she walked into the house, the aroma of delicious herbs and garlic as well as the sounds of conversations greeted her.

Oscar greeted her with his usual air of supremacy seeming to complain about the visitors he’d not approved of. “You, sir, will have your dinner in here.” She ran her hand over the cat’s back, stopping when Oscar sat and glared up at her. Apparently, her petting skills needed work.

She deposited her tote on a wingback chair and strolled into the kitchen. “Hello all. It smells delicious in here. Who cooked?”

“I did,” Gwen lifted a hand with a fork in it. “We got hungry after…” She hesitated and glanced at Erin, who had the decency to look chagrined.

“After studying the three things we found yesterday.” Aubrey gave Erin what she hoped was an understanding look. Erin visibly relaxed.

Also in the room were Sabrina Campbell, Gwen’s sister, Tristan McRainey, Gwen’s husband and Gavin Campbell, Sabrina’s drop-dead gorgeous partner.

After opening a can of cat food and serving Oscar, she returned to the kitchen, her stomach rumbling in anticipation.

Aubrey plucked a plate from the two that were left on the edge of the kitchen island and began piling food onto it. “The only thing I ate today was a power bar. I am starving.”

She climbed onto the only empty stool and gratefully accepted a glass of wine from Erin. “So, what have you discovered?” Aubrey took a bite of the herbed chicken and almost swooned. Spearing green beans, she waited for someone to say anything.

“We do not think they are anything more than decorations,” Tristan said. “None of us picked up on there being any magic attached.”

“It could be there is nothing in this house. Or at least nothing any of us have found that is attached to the other realm,” Sabrina added.

Gavin lifted and lowered his broad shoulders and Aubrey swallowed to keep from drooling. The man was inhumanly beautiful. “Perhaps the dagger Erin found was the one and only item. I am sure Gunther is pulling at straws in hopes of you finding something that will give him an opening to bring chaos to this realm,” he said.

“I felt something,” Aubrey blurted and instantly regretted it. Why had she said anything? “At least I thought I did.”

“What did you feel?” Erin asked, her curious gaze meeting Aubrey’s.

“When I held the dagger. It seemed to get heavier. Just a bit.”

Gwen gave a soft smile. “Sometimes when we allow our imagination free rein, it can happen. It was probably nothing more. Like Tristan said. We all touched each item, even spent time alone with them without occurrence.”

Padriag looked at Aubrey, his expression tense. “I tried myself. As you are aware, I still have a few magical powers. Other than sensing the passing of time, I didn’t get more. We were waiting for you to come home and try.”

“Me?” Aubrey wanted to tell them there was no need. A trickle of fear ran down her spine at the idea that if indeed the items were meant for her, she could be in danger.

“Not alone. We will all be with you,” Erin assured her.

“Where is Tammie?” Aubrey asked. “Why aren’t she and Niall here?”

“She’s not feeling well,” Gwen replied. “Poor thing has been sick to her stomach all day. Either a stomach bug or she’s pregnant.”

The men’s eyebrows hitched, whilst Erin and Sabrina grinned.

“I hope it’s the latter,” Aubrey replied.

As she finished her meal, which admittedly was the best food she’d had in a long time, Aubrey took her time drinking a second glass of wine.

“I’m ready,” she announced, letting out a long breath.

Was she really?

The air in the cellar was cool since they’d left the window open. Everyone shuffled in, forming a half circle in the crowded the space. The boxes upon which she’d left the wooden box had been moved to the center of a now cleared space. Aubrey walked to it, feeling a pull, as if the items beckoned.

“What should I do?” Aubrey asked, a slight tremble in her voice.

Gwen moved nearer. “Open the box and then take out each item. “Sabrina and I will speak a spell of beckoning.”