Wanda and Lorcan slept at the coven house a few times a week as a show of good faith. After all, most High Witches lived at their coven houses. But Wanda being Wanda wanted more than just one house.
Wanda’s smirk broadened, wide and unrepentant. “I can’t help it if he’s yummy.”
“While Lorcan is definitely ‘yummy’, can you try to keep it in your pants for another few hours, at least?” I asked with a laugh. “I think I’ve figured out how to get myself out of your hair.”
“Oh?”
Olga nodded sagely, tapping the notebook. “If Poppy ist correct, zee owner of zis manual is after it.”
“Didn’t you say the books were Smith’s?” Wanda asked.
I nodded. “Well, they were. But I’m thinking maybe it was whoever owned them before he did and that person wants them back.”
“Ve can’t afford to vait vith a kobold on zee loose. Ve have to set a trap, vith Poppy and zee books as bait. To zat end, ve vant to brew an elixir.”
“An elixir?” Wanda repeated.
Olga nodded. “Ja. A celebratory coming-of-age party for Poppy as she graduates into her full power.”
“Will there be drinking involved?” Wanda asked.
“Probably,” I answered. I mean, really, when wasn’t drinking involved?
“I’m sold,” she said breezily. “So, what does this ritual entail, exactly?”
“I’d like to try the Good Fortune Elixir,” I answered. “I mean, I’ve had a crummy string of luck lately, so I think it’s time I changed it. I think I’ve figured out how whoever is doing this is getting into my house and my shop. So, I want to spring a trap for them.”
“And by brewing recipes from within the book, whoever it is will think you’ve mastered the translation?” Wanda asked as I nodded. “And then…what? They’ll want to keep you quiet?”
“Yeah,” I answered. “I think we have a party at my house during which I brew one of the elixirs in the book—I imagine that will alert the owner of the books and hopefully he or his kobold come calling.”
Wanda nodded again. “And then we smash him like the little insect he is. What do you need from me?”
I flinched, glanced down at my hands, and had to suck in a deep breath, because I wasn’t sure she’d like this next part. “I think…Ihave to lead the ritual, Wanda, not you.”
She frowned. “Usually it’s the High Witch—”
“I know,” I interrupted and then wasn’t exactly sure how to say this next part because I didn’t know how Wanda would take it. “I’m pretty sure I saw… or was visited… by the goddess.”
Her eyes narrowed. “What goddess?”
“Your goddess, er…ourgoddess.”
“Vat?” Olga nearly had a heart attack right there. “But zat is unheard of!”
I nodded. “I know. I thought it was pretty crazy too. But, I have… a new power.”
“A new power?” Wanda repeated, and her expression was still one of shocked amazement.
I nodded. “I was able to heal Andre,” I answered. “Though I’m not quite sure how to use the power again.”
Or how to use it without having sex. It had seemed perfectly natural to join my life force to Andre’s. Doing it with anyone else was theoretically possible, but felt... wrong. And it was out of the question.
Only mortals insist that their souls remain separate. Joining is an option other species choose.
Even so, the thought of dissolving into that golden light, burning up in it until I no longer remembered the concept of self, was terrifying.
“Fine,” Wanda said impatiently. “Discussions about the goddess appearing to you aside for now—but, we will return to it because I need to know what in the hell you’ve been drinking, what do we need for this ritual of yours?”
