Ghostly Justice (Seven Deadly Sins, #2.5)(11)

“Are you in danger?”

Because she sensed magic so strongly, she ran a greater risk of exposure to spells when she lowered her shields, especially since she couldn’t fight back using magic itself.

“No. I need to find the source of the cleansing spell—that’ll tell me where the dark magic started. It’s still there, just being suppressed.”

“Are others at risk?”

“I won’t know until I find it.” She glanced back at Rafe. “Don’t worry, I’m fine. There’s nothing active, only residual magic.”

He nodded, but his face was clouded and Moira wished she knew what he was really thinking. Sometimes, he could be so open and want to talk about everything—sometimes to the point of making her want to shut him up with a kiss—and other times he shut down and getting anything out of him was impossible.

They walked across the clearing and as they approached the wooden stairs to the natural wood two-story cabin, a gray-haired woman opened the door. Her smooth skin suggested someone in her thirties, but her hair was completely gray, and pulled back into a loose bun. Fifty, plus or minus. She had black-rimmed reading glasses on a chain around her neck next to a small, simple gold crucifix. Moira relaxed—just because she wore a crucifix didn’t mean she was one of the good guys, but chances that she was dabbling in the dark arts diminished greatly.

“I heard you drive up. Lost?”

“No, ma’am,” Rafe responded. “I’m Raphael Cooper. This is my wife, Moira.” He lied so smoothly—something that was easy for Moira, but she didn’t like how much easier it was becoming for Rafe. “We’re visiting friends in Los Angeles and heard about your camp. We thought it was a nice day for a drive—before the rain starts—and wanted to see the place.”

“We primarily serve the teen community.”

“We’re thinking about my younger sister, Lily,” Moira said. Another lie, but Moira was well-versed in lying.

“Wonderful. I’m Evelyn Masters. I’ve been the director of His World for seventeen years. I used to teach at an all-girls high school. Loved my job, but when I was diagnosed with Stage Two breast cancer at the age of thirty-four, everything changed.”

As she spoke, she started walking away from the administrative building. Moira and Rafe walked beside her. “I went through surgery and chemotherapy and if it wasn’t for my faith and my husband, I wouldn’t have survived. I was so angry at everyone, but it’s no one’s fault.” She sighed, but smiled. “The experience made me realize that even though I loved my job, I wanted to fulfill my dream of being a naturalist. I wanted to teach young people to love God’s creations and be good stewards. A woman I met through a support group knew all about His World and one thing led to another. They needed a director and caretaker. Kenny and I knew it was our calling. We’ve been here ever since.”

She stopped in a clearing with a large willow tree in the center. “We have one other full-time staff member, Carmen, who supervises the counselors and helps run individual programs. She also travels to high schools and churches to talk about the camp and what we offer. She came on eight years ago.”

It was the willow tree that was the source of the Wiccan spell. There was a strong sense of peace surrounding it. And it was a repeated ritual. Someone was fearful of something, but Moira couldn’t get a sense of what dark energy was being suppressed.

“This is lovely,” Moira said.

“It is, isn’t it?” Evelyn smiled. “This is our main gathering spot.”

Moira rested her hand on the tree trunk. A flash of the past came and went. She’d had these visions before, but they were related to the Seven Deadly Sins. This was different.

She stumbled and Rafe was suddenly at her side, holding her up. “Moira?” he said quietly.

“Nothing.” It wasn’t dark or evil, at least she didn’t think so. But she couldn’t dismiss the physical jolt she’d had.

“Can I get you some water?” Evelyn asked, concerned.

“I’m fine,” she said. “Really. Just a bit dizzy.”

“She doesn’t eat right,” Rafe said by way of explanation.

“If I can splash water on my face,” she suggested.

“We’ll go back to the office.”

“I can find my way. Rafe, why don’t you look at the cabins? Take some pictures for Lily. I’ll catch up with you.”

Rafe was more than a little concerned about Moira, but he couldn’t question her further in front of Evelyn, and the opportunity was perfect for her to search the main building for any information about Amy, Beth, or the staff at the camp.

He watched her walk away, then smiled at Evelyn. “She’ll be fine. She lives on energy bars.” That was, unfortunately, true. She never thought about eating, and when she did eat it was protein bars and fast food, whatever was easiest. He didn’t know how she’d survived without him.

“We can wait here for your wife,” she said.

“Let’s take a quick look at the cabins, then we’ll come back here.” It would be quick, because Moira would need to inspect them as well, for things he couldn’t sense or see.

“Certainly.” Evelyn talked about the history and activities of the camp, but Rafe was only half-listening.