Sam threw Dane the finger.
I could only see the backs of Dane’s and Tripp’s seats.
I blew my hubby a kiss before returning my attention to Agnes.
“I’m not a fan of flying either,” Agnes said.
“I have more questions to distract you,” I said.
I could ask all about her past and my mother’s as well, and I would love to hear stories about my mom growing up, but it would be best to save that topic for when Jordyn could be present.Please let Jordyn get to hear the stories.
I clasped my hands in my lap. “While I believe in the supernatural, I’m having a hard time wrapping my mind around the idea that I could be the Mystic. For one thing, I know I fit the definition since I had quadruplets. I also know that a Mystic has the power of a coven. But so what? If I hold the title, what can I do with all that power? Raise the dead?”
She paled. “First, dark magic should never be performed. There are severe consequences. The saying ‘a life for a life’ is true if a witch raises someone from the dead.”
“As much as I would love for my mom and dad to be alive, I wouldn’t do such a thing. But if I’m hearing you right, a Mystic has the power to bring someone back to life?”
She rubbed her arms as if she was cold. “Yes. Which is one reason the witches are scared. But our knowledge about a Mystic is thin at best. The last known Mystics were in the seventeenth century. In today’s world, we don’t know what to expect, which is another reason our community is apprehensive. Are you the Mystic?” She shrugged. “If Maeve’s vision is true, then I believe you are. I’m not a scholar on the topic. It would be best to bring Zoey Thornton into the fold. After all, she teaches on the subject of prophecies at Sacred Flame Academy. I can call her and see if she can sit down with us.”
“That would be great. I’m sure she’ll love to hear from you anyway.” After all, Zoey and Agnes were friends. At one time, Agnes had considered sending her daughters, Vanessa, my aunt, and Meredith, my mother—to the school.
Sam’s woodsy scent announced him as he joined us with Orion in his carrier. My son was wide awake, his green eyes bright and happy as he sucked on his pacifier.
I reached in and picked him up. “How are you, little one?” I cradled him in my arms. “You feel like you’ve gained weight.” Or maybe I was feeling weak since I hadn’t slept.
Tripp and Dane joined us as well, both sitting in the seats across the aisle. Tripp brought Luna and her carrier with him.
Sam rested a hand on my leg. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. I think all of us would like to be better informed about the Mystic.”
Agnes regarded her captive audience. “To be a Mystic is an honorable role for a witch, according to my mother. It’s been whispered through the ages that a Mystic is a healer and has the foresight to see into a person’s soul.”
I reared back. “Heal? How?”
Aside from the plane’s engines, a pin drop could be heard.
“I don’t know,” Agnes said. “Again, Zoey is a good person to talk to about this.”
I thought about what my mom had said to me when I’d died and had seen her in the afterlife.“The world needs you. You and Sam are instrumental in making sure humanity survives.”I wondered if my role as the Mystic was a way to ensure mankind flourished.
I kissed Orion on his thick head of hair. “Do you know how one becomes the Mystic?”
“I only know what Maeve learned through her research,” Agnes said. “Apparently, there was a witch in the seventeenth century who killed the one destined to be the Mystic. Similar to what Maeve was about to do with you, Layla. Anyway, Maeve learned that she needed to break the connection you have with your children. Then she needed a coven of witches along with your children to help her perform the ritual. Whether that’s how a true Mystic comes into her powers, I couldn’t say.”
Tripp leaned his elbows on his knees, watching Agnes with shock and awe. Dane, too, wore a distinct look ofwhat the fuck.
“Now that Maeve is out of the picture,” Sam said. “She’s not a threat to Layla anymore. My concern is—will a child of mine turn witches into vampires? You’ve been around a long time, Agnes. I understand that the Monroe witches are not well-liked because of this prophecy. Will we have witch hunters coming after our children?”
“There’s always that threat,” she said. “Prophecy or not.”
Sam’s nostrils were flaring. “We’ll have the entire world after our kids.”
Tension blew through the cabin, though the plane ride was smoother now.
Tripp cleared his throat. “I’m curious about something off topic. Sam filled me in on how you and Maeve met Fred Emery two years ago when he was looking for Abbey. But tell us how Maeve got wind of Layla and the quadruplets. From our end, we had two moles within our organization feeding Roman information about the quadruplets. So how did Maeve know Layla was a Monroe witch?”
Agnes flicked her gaze at Tripp. “When Maeve had the vision six years ago, she thought her daughter, Patricia, might become the Mystic. Then, her vision wasn’t that clear. After Maeve learned that Abbey was a Monroe, she added Abbey to her list. But two months ago, Maeve woke up frantic and excited. She’d seen who the Mystic would be. The woman had auburn hair and sharp blue eyes.”
Sam scratched his unshaven jaw. “But she didn’t know that woman was Layla.”
