He steps back, collects my wrists in his hands, and shakes my arms out. “Your mom’s family is among the elite of the town’s legacy witches. They’ve got roots, and, by the sounds of it, they had real juice.”
That’s true.
“So, we’re going to read every dusty old book and study our asses off. We’ll get you on the magical playing field faster than anyone expects. Then, we’ll find Violet and Lily, and the Hallowind sisters will be a force to be reckoned with.”
I draw a deep breath and envision that. “Dude. Your talent is wasted in computer science. You’ve got some serious pep squad skills.”
He grins and waggles his eyebrows. “I will always be your cheerleader, Pops. I know you. I know what it’s like to lose afamily. If there were more to know about what happened with my parents, I’d be all over it.”
I lace my fingers with his and squeeze. “Life is weird, isn’t it?”
“It’s a ride, all right.” There’s a sadness in his words, and my heart hurts for him. Asher doesn’t let the loss of his parents get him down most days, but I’m his safe space, so, when it does, it’s with me.
The two of us stand there, sharing a quiet moment until the peace is shattered by the ringtone of his phone. Asher arches a blond brow and pegs me with a look. “It’s Tanner Oakley from the diner.”
He swipes to accept the call. “Hey, Mr. Biscuits, what can I do for you?”
Tanner chuckles on the other end of the line. “Well, when you were in here yesterday, you mentioned grabbing the odd shift if I needed someone last minute. Does that offer still stand?”
Yeah, if we’re staying here, we need to make money. Even if this house is self-sustaining, we still have our apartment and our bills to pay back in Wichita.
Asher checks in with me, and I nod. “Yeah, we’re game. What do you need?”
“Wonderful. Our busboy Kenny has the flu bug that’s taking half the town down. If you’re free, I need help with bussing tables, restocking, and we’ve got a truck scheduled for four o’clock and could use the extra muscle. Can you help a guy out?”
I see the hesitation in Asher’s expression and know what he’s thinking. He’s worried about leaving me. I wave away his concern and give him two thumbs up.
He studies me for a minute and then winks. “Why yes, yes, I can. I’m on my way.”
CHAPTER NINE
After Asher leaves for the diner, I settle into the library with a steaming mug of chamomile tea and start organizing the books into piles.Wiccan Historygoes in one stack,Spellcraft and Theoryin another, andHallowind Family Recordsgets its own special corner on the coffee table.
I’m three chapters intoFoundations of Elemental Magicwhen the doorbell chimes through the house.
My stomach drops. Sebastian said he’d be back. It could be Margaret again. Or it could be someone from the Emberwood coven.
Maybe I should seek them out and meet up on my terms.
I pad to the front door in my socks and peer through the peephole. A tall man in an impeccably tailored violet suit stands on the porch, briefcase in hand. His hair catches my attention immediately—split perfectly down the middle, one half stark white, the other obsidian black. He looks like the magical love child of the Joker and Cruella De Vil.
I crack the door open, keeping the chain latched. “Uh, can I help you?”
“Miss Poppy Hallowind-Forrester?” His voice carries the crisp precision of someone who’s never stumbled over a word inhis life. “I am Thaddeus Vale, solicitor for the Hallowind estate. I apologize for the delay. I’ve been trying to reach you since your twenty-first birthday and was only just able to track your magical signature.”
My twenty-first birthday was more than a year ago. Asher and I celebrated it on Halloween night last year at the trampoline park. At the time, we didn’t know my actual birthday is August 29th. We found that out once we were here.
Once Sebastian unlocked my powers.
Right, he said the coven would sense my presence once my powers started to surface. I guess the family lawyer can sense me as well.
I study his face through the gap. His eyes are an unusual mauve-gray that seems to shimmer when the light hits them just right. Everything about him screamssupernatural.
“How do I know you’re legitimate?”
He reaches into his jacket with deliberate movements and produces an embossed business card that hums with energy. The moment my fingers touch it, warmth spreads up my arm, and Iknowhe’s telling the truth.
Huh, a magic business card.
