I sit up. “Professor. Please go to the bathroom and get a shower. I will make lunch.”
Strangely, he doesn’t fight me. With a dazed expression, he wordlessly gets up and walks to where I’d directed him. I could magically bathe him like I did earlier, but I need a moment alone. He probably needs the same. He seems as confused as me by the intense feelings we now have for each other. Not necessarily love, but a connection we now most definitely share.
While the Professor showers, I get two pillar candles, one silver and one black, out of my craft cabinet. I set each into a silver bowl, then pour in my concoction of moon water until the bottom half of the candles are submerged. I toss blooms into the water, a handful of jasmine, lavender, and moonflower. I then add an onyx stone for Aunt Nyx to the bowl with the black candle and add a moonstone for Selene to the silver candle.
Lighting both wicks, I send out a message to both my aunt and cousin to see which of my kin will answer.
Because I never know which will respond, if any.
With that settled, I turn my attention to feeding my prized-bull pseudo mate. At the thought of food, my own stomach growls.
With a wave of my hand, I’m back in my gown, minus the train. Another wave, and a dinette table full of food appears, showcasing a delicious brunch with an assortment of fruits, breads, cheeses and meats.
It was so effortless—my magiciseffortless. Like breathing. I didn’t even have to concentrate. It’s so strange. Yet exciting.
My mouth waters, and I know I need protein and hydration.
I complete the setup with all the things needed to eat like plates, silverware, napkins, cups, tea and water, butter and jelly— and two chairs.
Am I missing anything?
Flicking my wrist, wine is added to the table as well. A large bottle and two full wine glasses are set on either side.
“I know why you’ve summoned, cousin. But I am of no help here.”
Ack!I nearly jumped out of my skin and spin to see my much-older cousin, Selene. She looks as gorgeous as ever.
I place a hand on my chest and will my heart to slow. “You scared me. I wasn’t expecting you so soon.”
Selene smiles and waves a delicate hand. “It would be hard to ignore your summons if I had wanted. Your spell was alarmingly powerful. I assume this is why you’ve summoned me, but I do not know why you have been given this depth of power. Perhaps reach out to Hecate.”
I shake my head. “I’m not that close to her.”
“You must be. You wield her magic.”
“I do?” I look at my hands. “I thought this was moon magic.”
Selene giggles into her fist like she’s clearing her throat. “With all the dead minotaurs decorating your semen barn, I assumed you practiced sex magic, blood magic, or demon magic.” She playfully waves everything off. “But you summoned me with primordial magic. So try Hecate.”
“What about Aunt Nyx?
“If you are so…brave.”
That’s not good.“She was very kind to me as a child.”
“She’s kind to all children, especially children of the night, children who are the offspring of chthonic deities. You’re part demon, yes?”
I shrug. “I don’t know a lot about my family, only what the Moirai would reveal. It wasn’t much. One branch faded into the human realm. I don’t remember them all. It’s Titaness Tethys, the Oceanid Melia, Priestess Io, Goddess Europa, Sorceress Queen Pasiphae, and so on down into a mortal existence lost to history.
“The other branch is more familiar to us— Elder Rhea, Grandmother Hera, Grandmother Eileithyia?—”
Selene laughs. “I remember the serpent boy. Sosipolis, right?”
I nod. “Yeah, I think that was his name. But that branch also fades off as well, but to where, I have no idea.”
“No one knows who Sosipolis’ father is or was, so that should tell you a little about Aunt Eileithyia. No one knows how many children she had or with whom she had them, but she— or some descendant— must have circled back around the family tree becauseyouhave been gifted primordial magic.”
“Why now? Is it a given gift or one inherited?”
