Of Witches and Warlocks: The Complete Series

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

The sun moved higher into the sky as noon approached. We had all taken turns monitoring the activity at Damien's house.

Four of the long, narrow crates, which Mom had described from her visit to the warehouse, had been brought inside, but remained sitting where they'd been placed. There hadn't been any noticeable movement in the house for over two hours now. It was as if everyone disappeared.

Brad was taking a turn at one of the scopes while I set out lunch items for everyone. We offered to share our food with the fishing crew outside, but they politely declined, motioning to their own lunches they brought with them.

We ate together at the table in reflective silence, waiting for something, anything, to happen.

After lunch, Pablo set lines up on a few big fishing poles and let those of us who weren't at the telescope try our hand at deep-sea fishing. It was loads of fun, and we reeled in several flounder, red snapper, and grouper.

The fishing helped immensely. It allowed us to pass the time since we had to quit watching the house completely that afternoon. The sun had begun to drop in the sky and reflected badly against the large glass windows to the point where we couldn't see anything of the house except its blinding glare.

We also used this time to relocate the boat again— slightly off to the side to try and avoid being too obvious to anyone who might be watching our actions.

The fishermen cast their nets into the water once more as the sun settled down behind the horizon. It was at this point we started to notice the lights beginning to click on at Damien's.

"All right," Dad said, settling in behind his scope again. "This is what we've been waiting for."

Off in the distance, I became faintly aware of the sound of an engine moving closer toward our position.

"There's a boat coming in around us from the port side," Vance said suddenly, removing the telescope from the window and placing it down on the table completely out of sight.

Dad quickly did the same, and we all sank down in our seats, trying to avoid any detection. Even though it was nearly dark, the lights from the deck where Enrico and his crew were working reflected through the cabin behind us.

The motorboat zoomed on past and continued heading toward the shore, slowing until it actually slid softly aground on the beach. Dad and Vance lifted the scopes to begin watching again while I went over and closed the cabin door so there would be nothing to illuminate our silhouettes in the large window.

"Apparently my father has company," Vance said as three figures emerged from the boat and went up the beach toward the dwelling.

"Damien's meeting them out on the patio," Dad added. "He's waving them inside."

They didn't say anything else for a few moments, and I began to feel impatient. "What's happening?" I asked.

"They all walked inside and are standing around the crates now," Vance replied, continuing with the play-by-play commentary. "They're talking among themselves and gesturing over the boxes."

"Here comes someone with a pry bar," my dad added. "I hope we can see whatever is inside those things."

I started fishing through Dad's giant duffle bag, looking for the two pairs of binoculars I'd seen earlier, not knowing if they would help from this distance or not.

"Here!" I said, handing the extra set to Brad.

I leaned over the back of Vance to look out the window. I finally found the target and adjusted the focus until I could plainly see the four individuals standing in the living room. Two of the men were lifting the lid off one of the crates, and everyone in the room leaned forward, peering in.