“You'veblockedthe Rooster Spell?” She asked in horror.
“Yes.”
“How? You've never been able to do that before.”
“Lucifer blocked it once.” I shrugged. “Maybe with my growing goddess magic, I've gained the ability as well. I have a similar magic, after all.”
She frowned. “Maybe. Or maybe there's more to this spell than we initially thought.”
“What are you saying, Mom?”
“Lucifer,” she murmured as she stared across the sea. “I wonder...”
“Mom?”
She blinked and refocused on me. “How's your goddess magic, sweetheart?”
“It's fine. Why?”
“It doesn't feel any different? Perhaps brighter?”
“Mom, are you implying that Lucifer had something to do with Vivian's spell? Because that's ridiculous.”
“A spell can be altered after it's cast, Ellie,” she said firmly. “You know that better than most people.”
“But why would Lucifer empower a spell that makes me love another man?” I argued. “If anything, he'd want it broken.”
“So, you admit that it's a spell!” She pointed at me triumphantly.
“I admit that thisstartedas a spell,” I amended.
Mom grimaced. “Fine. But as you said, it's only been two days, Ellie. Two days and you've already announced that you want to divorce your husbands. Why don't you at least slow down a bit? Don't rush into anything.”
“I'm not rushing. I just know what I want.”
“It's what you wantright now. But what if you divorce them and then wake up one morning to find that the spell's gone and you don't love Verin anymore?”
“That's not going to happen,” Verin snarled.
“Back the fuck off,” I growled back at him. “She's mymother.”
Verin blinked and instantly looked repentant. “I'm sorry, Kalli, I react aggressively when it concerns Elaria and me.”
“No harm done,” Mom said sweetly. “I know what you're both going through, and I'm honestly trying to help. Please remember that I'm on your side.”
“I know, Mom.” I hugged her. “But I can't imagine Lucifer...” I trailed off.
“What is it?” my mother asked.
“That whole thing with Slate being possessed by Gargo. It made us realize that the Devil could be still alive, just floating around, looking for a host.”
“Or returning to its old one,” Mom concluded.
“Yes.” I sighed deeply. “I was about to say that Lucifer wouldn't stoop to something like this, but if the Devil is back, he definitely would.”
“It would explain your ability to block out the RS,” my mother said gently. “And Lucifer would benefit if you divorced your husbands.”
“How?” I shook my head. “I only want to be with Verin.”
