They watched as the ovcharkas shuffled to the nearby creek, drinking quietly from its waters. Then, in a flash of yellow and silver, they huddled together and reverted to their original grizzly form. With a low growl, they tore off into the forest.
''You must have friends in really high places Nic.'' Maisie muttered.
Nicholas stood in silent contemplation for a moment before he spoke, his assertive tone cutting through the night.
''We need to take on The Glades', we need to know what the GrandKeeper knows. They hunted us, kidnapped us, may have taken our daughter—and they're still fucking with us. I'm not having it," he fumed, his eyes flashing red.
''Okay, lets slow down for a second.'' Maisie raised a hand. ''I'm all for a coup d'etat, removing authoritarian, hegemonic despots, and all…'' she sighed.
''But do we have the power? And I say 'we' because you two are gonna need all the help you can get.''
She paused, inhaled, then went on.
"No one knows how many Reapers or Consignors are out there. And in case you haven't noticed—" she pointed toward the devoured Reapers "—they aren't average Joes. A lot of them come from a long-ass lines of supernaturals—witches, warlocks, elves... name it. Not to mention their global network of spies, spotters, and Somner-wielding sleepers. And we know Consignors are the GrandKeepers most trusted lieutenants, they would cut their own tongues out before they tell us anything."
She looked at Harper, then Nicholas. The two exchanged a glance, silently absorbing her words.
"Someone at the Sportsman's Alamo recognized you the moment you walked in. Less than twenty minutes later, we're ambushed by shape-shifting lions damn near the size of Shaquille O'Neal. I mean, you saw them. And yeah, I know your powers recently got a major upgrade, but if we're serious about getting to the GrandKeeper, we need a real plan. Otherwise, we're just volunteering for a suicide mission. And that doesn't help Emily. So, again, we need a plan."
"They could be behind her kidnapping," Harper snapped through clenched teeth.
Maisie raised both hands in a pacifying gesture. "I know. I do. But 'could' is the key word. There's too much we don't know."
"One of these dead Reapers has the same tattoo as the one who took my child," Harper shot back.
"I know, Harp. But the other three didn't. As crazy as it sounds, I think this goes beyond The Glades. They know more than we do—maybe not a whole lot more, but enough. So, I'm saying... let's find out what they know without going in guns blazing."
She let her words settle.
"Look, Harp," Maisie said softly, resting a hand on Harper's shoulder. "You came to me for help because you trust me. So let me help. Use me. Use the different perspective I bring. I'm not as emotionally connected to Emily, but I love you—deeply—and I want you reunited with your daughter. I'm not saying we don't take The Glades down—they clearly have some of the answers we need, and the supernatural world is long overdue for change at the top. I'm saying: let's be fully prepared before we make our move. In the meantime, we chase other leads."
Maisie, was glad that her message seemed to be sinking in.
She watched their expressions shift.
"And let's not forget—you wanted to visit your great-aunt Griselda in Salem. I say we do that."
Nicholas looked distant, like his brain was calculating a thousand outcomes at once, his thirst for vengeance warring with strategy.
"You know I'm with you," Maisie added. "Both of you. And babe—" she grinned, "you've always known I can't say no to a good adventure. Judging by tonight? This one's going to be revolutionary."
Harper chuckled, breaking the tension.
"That's my girl," Maisie said, beaming. "By the way, I haven't forgotten you squeezed, like, a liter of lion's blood into my mouth at the bar. I'm vegan, you jerk. Some friend you are."
Harper and Nicholas laughed.
"I didn't think you'd notice. You looked… quite dead."
Maisie gasped, swatting Harper's arm. "Really?"
"Really," Harper teased.
They all laughed.
"Don't worry, Mace. Next time, I'll let the lions feast on you."
"Yeah right. Like you'd ever let me die." Maisie paused. "Thank you for saving my life."
"Twice," Harper grinned.
"Ugh, yes—twice. That blast from your lungs? Impressive. Did you know you could do that?"
''No, but my friend was in trouble so I had to try… ''
Maisie hugged her tightly. "Thanks again. I'm just glad the roles weren't reversed—otherwise we'd be lion poop by now."
They laughed again.
"I can't believe you tried to go back for Nic. What was your plan exactly?"
"I think she meant to save me," Nicholas said, feigning confusion.
"Exactly," Maisie nodded. "Kill the lions. Save the guy."
"Save him with your wisecracks?" Harper teased. "Or were you gonna charm them to death with your lovely personality?"
More laughter.
"You're right," Harper said, finally. "We shouldn't go after The Glades... yet."
"Yet," Maisie echoed.
"I'm glad you're here. You bring the objectivity we need—Nic and I can't always see straight where Emily's concerned."
"That's what sisters are for," Maisie said, squeezing her arm. "And I'd bet my life you'd do the same for me. What matters is that, when we find Emily, she's got two whole parents—so she can have some little siblings not too far down the line, you know..."
She winked. "Eyes on the prize, people."
Harper rolled her eyes.
''Roll you eyes all you want you know I'm right.'' Maisie said. "So," she added, clapping her hands. "Let's go see about that seer."