Chapter 13

Maya shifted gears smoothly, guiding the car out of the parking lot and merging into the evening traffic. The dim glow of streetlights cast a warm, golden hue over the bustling road as they made their way toward her house. "This all feels so unreal."

"Yeah, tell me about it," Angelo admitted, adjusting his seatbelt. "Harper always knew she would awaken to her powers, but the rest of us? Our parents kept it on the down low."

"I don't get why." Maya frowned, glancing at him. "I mean, I understand they had a brush with the Witch-Hunters and that Sam's dad died because of it... but still. They knew we'd have powers, and they had to have known the Witch-Hunters would come back for our coven. So why not tell us and prepare us?"

"Maybe they hoped that if we didn't know, we wouldn't manifest," Angelo suggested, shrugging. "My old man lost his powers before I was born, so he might have thought I wouldn't have any either."

Maya considered this, her fingers drumming on the steering wheel. "Who do you think they'll get for the fifth and sixth?"

"Good question." Angelo pursed his lips, deep in thought. "I honestly don't know who else in Harvest Grove is a witch besides Coach Cochran. There are supposed to be a few other families, but Clarissa thinks they're inferior. That's probably why she let her coven fall apart instead of starting a new one." He scratched his cheek. "I think she's going to try to get us back."

"Fat chance," Maya mumbled, her hand going to her throat as she pressed on the gas when the light turned green.

Angelo glanced at her with concern. "Still that bad?"

"I feel like I'm scratched up inside," she admitted, wincing.

Angelo didn't respond, just stared out the window, lost in thought. The rest of the drive passed in a heavy silence until they reached her house. They exchanged a determined look before stepping out of the car, ready to tackle their mission.

Inside, the house was eerily quiet, shadows dancing in the corners as they moved through the rooms. "Your house has too many rooms!" Angelo complained, collapsing onto the couch, exhausted.

Maya flopped onto the recliner, equally worn out from searching the downstairs guest room, the laundry room, the linen closets, and the garage. "You are seriously dedicated," she chuckled, recalling the sight of Angelo checking under sinks, behind the washer and dryer, and even inside the garage. "I'm actually impressed at how you went the extra mile."

"That's a quarterback for you." Angelo tried to muster a smug grin but was too tired. "We always give a hundred and ten percent."

"Can I quote you on that for the Chronicle?" Maya murmured, her eyelids heavy with fatigue.

"Sure, as long as it's not an 'ironic' quote if I mess up on the field."

"Purely in a good way," she promised, a small smile playing on her lips.

"You have my permission then. Quote away," Angelo yawned, stretching out on the couch.

Maya stared up at the ceiling, her mind racing. "Shouldn't there be an easier way to do this?"

"Like a spell?" Angelo asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Yeah," she replied, turning her gaze towards him.

"No, and that's actually a good thing," Angelo said, meeting her eyes. "If there was an easy spell, anyone could use it and find our books."

Maya considered this and nodded. "I see your point."

They fell into a comfortable silence, both gazing at the ceiling. The peace was interrupted by a sudden knock on the door. Maya sat up, frowning. "Are you expecting someone?"

Angelo was already on his feet, moving towards the door. "This is Harvest Grove. There are possible Skinwalkers around," he mumbled over his shoulder. He peered through the peephole, then relaxed and unlocked the door, swinging it open. "What are you two doing here?"

Jason's face twisted into a confused expression. "Us? What are you doing here?"

"Hanging out," Angelo declared nonchalantly.

Dawson looked baffled. "Since when do you and Maya hang out?"

"Since now," Angelo replied, walking away from the door and returning to the sofa. "You know, we should probably order pizza or something."

Jason and Dawson entered, locking the door behind them as they joined Angelo and Maya in the living room.

"Hey, guys," Maya greeted them with a small smile. It had been a long time since they'd been at her house.

"Hey," Jason shrugged off the oddity of Angelo being there and threw himself onto the loveseat. "We came to see how you were doing."

"How's your throat?" Dawson asked, sitting next to Jason. "We came by earlier, but no one was around."

"She was out with McNulty for hours," Angelo interjected. "They've got a maybe Skinwalker on film."

"Skinwalker?" Dawson's face twisted in disbelief.

"Seriously?" Jason's eyes widened. "You need some serious juju to do that kind of magic!"

Angelo nodded in agreement.

"Is that what's been attacking Farmer Wilson's cattle?" Dawson asked, his interest piqued.

Maya nodded and pointed to her camera. "Take a look."

Dawson grabbed the camera, and within minutes, he and Jason were engrossed in the footage.

Angelo turned to Maya. "Where's your phone? I'm ordering food."

She pointed towards the kitchen. "It's on the counter."

"Tell me you don't mind the Meat Lovers Deluxe," he called out, already heading to the kitchen. He disappeared around the corner as another knock sounded on the door.

Maya left Jason and Dawson absorbed in the video and stood, going to the door. She stepped up on her tiptoes to peer through the peephole, blinking in surprise at who she saw. She unlocked the door and opened it. "Sam."

"I brought beer," Sam announced, lifting the case as he stepped inside. He scanned the room, his eyes lingering on the familiar faces and the cozy, albeit chaotic, living room. "Nice digs." He set the beer on the coffee table, leaning over the loveseat to peer at the video the boys were engrossed in. "Damn. Did you get this during one of your Nancy Drew adventures?"

"They're thinking Skinwalker," Jason said, glancing up at Sam.

"Someone's got a serious grudge if they're going that far to mess with Farmer Wilson," Sam whistled, shaking his head.

Maya watched the scene unfolding in her living room, a mix of disbelief and amusement on her face. She turned to close the door, but her attention was caught by a shadow moving towards the house. Squinting, she stepped outside to get a better look, her eyes widening in recognition. "Harper?"

The brunette paused mid-step, her expression betraying her nervousness. "Uh, hi!" Harper stammered, glancing at Dawson's truck and Sam's motorcycle. "I see some of the guys had the same idea."

"They're inside," Maya said, leaning against the doorway. Harper hurried up the steps, stopping awkwardly in front of her.

"I'm here to see how you're doing and to apologize for my aunt," Harper began, her discomfort evident. "I know her heart is in the right place, and she's trying to help us, but she crossed a line today. I'm here to apologize for that."

Maya blinked, surprised. "You don't have to apologize. You weren't the one who did it."

Harper took a deep breath, her hazel eyes earnest. "I might not have been the one to do it, but as Aunt Clarissa likes to remind me, I'm the leader of this coven. That means the members of this coven are my responsibility. And I seriously failed you today. So, I'm sorry."

Maya was floored, unable to believe what she was hearing. "You... you don't have to apologize, Harper. It's okay."

Harper's expression softened. "So, are you okay? How's your throat?"

"I've been sucking on Halls lozenges all day, but other than that, I'm great," Maya said, giving Harper a genuine smile and stepping aside. "Come on in."

Harper's face lit up with relief as she walked inside. "Thank you."

Maya locked the door behind her, feeling a little lighter. Angelo emerged from the kitchen, glanced at the newcomers, and made a face. "I'm going to have to double my order." With that, he returned to the kitchen.

Harper sent Maya a curious look before shaking her head and heading over to where Sam was. "What are we watching?"

"Hey, Harper," Dawson and Jason said in unison.

"Hey, guys." She smiled, leaning down to examine the video, her smile fading as she turned to Maya. "Was this filmed in Harvest Grove?"

"Farmer Wilson's place," Maya confirmed.

"This is what's been mutilating his cattle?" Harper frowned, her gaze darkening as she watched the video end.

"Popular theory is Skinwalker," Sam explained with a shrug.

"It could be many things," Harper mused, frowning. "We should show this to Aunt Clarissa."

"No," Maya said firmly, shaking her head. "This is my investigation, and I do not want her involved."

"But she knows more than us," Harper argued gently. "She might have some insight, like if this has happened before."

"I'm willing to take that risk," Maya replied.

Harper sighed but didn't push the issue further.

"What about your family's book?" Jason asked, curious. "Couldn't you just look through it yourself?"

Harper sighed again. "Aunt Clarissa bequeathed it to me... but she keeps it until I've 'shown her I'm ready to handle it and the power it holds.'"

"So, basically, she hasn't really given it to you," Sam declared, leaning back with a skeptical look.

Harper frowned. "She's holding it for me. Whenever I ask her for it, she usually gives it to me."

"So, you have to ask her for it," Dawson interjected, clearing his throat. "I don't mean to cause any friction between you and Clarissa, but it sounds like you're borrowing it."

Harper bit her bottom lip, clearly troubled by the observation.

"What's our first move?" Jason turned to Maya, his smile growing. "Maybe check the zoo to make sure they haven't lost any wolves?"

Maya cleared her throat. "Steve's in charge of that."

Jason's smile faltered. "Steve McNulty?"

"Do we have any other Steve in our school?" Maya folded her arms over her chest.

"Why is he involved in this?" Jason asked, his confusion evident.

"Because he's my photographer. He was there when this happened," Maya replied.

"About that..." Jason cleared his throat. "Dawson and I want to go back to the Chronicle, now that we don't have to stay away to keep the secret and all that."

"Great," Maya nodded. "Jason, you can take over the sports section, and Dawson, since Melinda is graduating, you can take over the school life section."

"The sports section?" Jason blinked. "That's a lot. I was thinking about getting back my old job."

"Steve's doing the photographing now," Maya replied straightforwardly. "He stepped up when I didn't have anyone I could count on." She raised her hand when she saw him about to complain. "I get why it happened now, but it happened, and Steve stepped up. I'm not going to chuck him aside now that I don't need him." She folded her arms over her chest. "And anyway, we've become something like friends since working together. And I wouldn't do that to a friend."

Jason sighed. "Okay, fine. I get that." He made a face. "Plus, the sports section means I get to say whatever I want about Angelo's performance."

"Give me a bad review, and you'll wake up freaky somehow," Angelo threatened halfheartedly from the couch.

"Why are you so tired?" Dawson asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Practice was hell," Angelo grumbled. "And I'm starving."

Sam turned to Maya. "I'm going to put these in the fridge."

Maya nodded, watching him take the six-pack to the kitchen, mentally noting to make sure all evidence was gone before her dad came back home.