Empowered (Unbound, Book 6)

Chapter Five

The ringing of the phone echoed in the sea can as Trevor called the mystery person on speakerphone. In the half hour since he agreed to call, I'd cloaked him and we'd already spoken to Astrid. As much as I hated to agree with Trevor, I had to admit he was right about her being a one-track-mind bitch.

Not once did she ask if I was okay or where we were or if Trevor was up to helping. She paid for something and expected results. It was all about my extra land and how she needed it for her materialistic vision for an expansion on her home next door. Astrid went as far as saying she gave Trevor's number to someone willing to provide additional incentive, and she didn't care about me so long as she got her due first.

Trevor got as far as saying he'd moved me, but I ended the call before he asked for more. Aside from her annoying voice, Astrid was useless. She didn't even realize she was being manipulated because she was so selfish.

Now we were tackling the real threat—the unknown.

"They aren't answering," Trevor said on the fifth ring.

"It hasn't gone to voice mail," I said, keeping the phone held up. "Just wait—"

"Hello?"

My stomach jumped into my chest, and I stood straighter. The voice was deep and not one I recalled hearing before. I wanted to hold my breath so I could listen without any other sound interfering in making a connection to someone I knew. As it was, I was pretty sure everyone in the dining room was doing the same so they could hear.

"Hi! Uh, sir..." Trevor stuttered.

"Is she awake?"

"Uh, no. Not at the moment," Trevor said.

"Then why are you call—"

"She was," Trevor rushed. "She was awake."

"What's the update?"

I looked at Aiden, my brows furrowed, and he shook his head. Obviously, he didn't know the voice either. It was so deep, reminding me of when someone impersonated the lowest note in music. Maybe that's what it was. An impersonation or... I didn't know. An app on the phone to augment their voice? For someone to answer expecting to use it would mean they knew Trevor's number or had a throw-away only Trevor called. Why go through all the trouble?

"I've been thinking about your offer," Trevor said. "It's generous, but I want more."

"I've offered enough. Tell me where to meet for our exchange."

"I never had to negotiate, which means you're willing to give me more if I'm smart enough to ask."

"No, it means I didn't want to waste energy finding you, which I am still more than capable of doing if you insist on being greedy."

"To be greedy, I'd have to ask for more than something is worth. I know the value of what you want, and it made me think."

"I assume that was difficult for you?"

"No. It was quite easy, actually," Trevor said. "When Nora woke, she was more than willing to use her skills to ensure you can't locate us. Since you couldn't get her yourself, I assume she's strong enough to do it? I mean, that's why you want her, right? With her abilities, you don't need any others."

"I don't believe you."

"It's true."

"She's capable, but over the last twenty-four hours it's not possible."

"You can do it, so why can't she?"

"Because nobody could use magic until a couple hours ago. What do you know about that?"