“I’ll throw it.Which direction?”
I pointed over the ocean.“That way.”
He reached back, using his werewolf strength, and sent it flying over the waves.With a bark, Wilbur, my gray speckled harbor seal friend, shot out from under the deck and streaked across the water to retrieve the ball.
I’d learned recently that the seal I’d been playing fetch with for over a year was actually a selkie and one of my father’s guards who was keeping an eye on me for him.I’d only recently met my father too.Lots of changes that sometimes felt like too many changes.
Declan was getting started on the gate, so I headed in.“Do you want anything?”I called over my shoulder.
“I’m good, but thanks.”His deep growly voice made me feel safe and happy.I found a French bread pizza in the freezer and set it to cook in the oven.I had fifteen minutes, so I went into the hot room to close the doors and make sure everything was properly stowed for the day.
Walking back, I was hit by a wave of darkness and the stench of death.I felt myself starting to go down and reached for the wall or something to keep me upright.Strong arms wrapped around me, picked me up, and carried me into the studio, laying me down on the couch.
Declan’s hand was on my face, his thumb caressing my cheek.“Sweetheart?Are you okay?”
I didn’t know.Was I?“I don’t recall agreeing tosweetheart.”I blinked my eyes open and met his concerned ones.“I don’t know what that was.I didn’t have a vision or anything.It went dark and I felt a pressure—like I was being crushed.The smell of death was suffocating.”I shook my head.“It was horrible.”
Declan looked like he was getting ready to panic.“Should I contact your Uncle Robert or your Uncle John?Do you need a healer?”
I pulled his face down and gave him a kiss.“I’m fine now.”I patted his broad chest.“You knew this was the deal when you signed up.You’ve seen me do much weirder stuff than this.Why are you upset?”
He got off his knees and sat on the coffee table, my hand caught tight in his.He blew out a breath.“Your heart was racing.I heard it outside and I scented your fear.I kind of lost it.”He shook his head.“Everything feels bigger and more precarious right now.Was that a vision, or is there something wrong with the baby?”
I thought about that a moment.“It felt like it was coming from somewhere else.It was outside of me, not inside.I’m sure she’s fine.”
He nodded, looking unsure.“But should we check?”
The timer went off and Declan stood.“I’ll get it.”
I sat up on a stomach growl.My head had cleared and I was back to being hungry.
Declan returned with my second lunch, a glass of iced tea, and a napkin.“If you’re sure you’re okay, I’ll be right outside the door.Call if you need anything.”
I nodded, and he kissed the top of my head before going back out to work on the gates.
By the time we needed to go, I was feeling more myself.Second lunch had stayed down, which put me in a better mood.Declan had installed the gates on both sides of the deck.My Great-Uncle Bracken had heard the drill and so came out to help Declan install the second one.
I wasn’t sure how much he helped Declan, but he was a lot of help to me.He’d created a spell that mirrored the wards I had on the gallery.We didn’t need to spend the time and magical energy to build strong new wards.The spell coaxed the existing wards to extend their protection over the gates and enclosed deck.
Declan, who’d been listening to Bracken and me, scratched his cheek.“Coax?Do wards have a mind of their own?Can they refuse?”
Bracken nodded, sitting on the bench by the newly installed gate.“Of course they can.Magic is alive, sentient, and all around us.As wicches, we have the power to tap into that magic, to make it malleable enough to fuel our wishes.”
“And for those like the Swans,” I cut in, “who don’t have the innate power, they try to augment it by twisting the magic through blood and sacrifice.”
Bracken turned, his brow furrowed, no doubt wondering how the Swans had ended up in this magic lesson.I told him about our visit earlier from Detective Hernández and the cloud of black magic over the Swan house.
Bracken slumped back on the bench.“Yes.There are, unfortunately, those of us who allow bitterness and envy to take something as pure and beautiful as a communion with the magical world and corrupt it, turning that gift into rot.They get their boost of power, but at what cost?”
“They don’t care,” I muttered.
“More’s the pity.”Bracing his hands on his knees, he stood.“Enough about that.How are you feeling today, my dear?”he asked me.“Any morning sickness?”
I stood and nodded, feeling a brief wave of lightheadedness.“But my second lunch is staying down.For now.”
Declan got up.“I’ll pack up the truck, then we can go.”
“Sounds good.”I turned back to my great-uncle.
