Cee Cee looked at Nahuel. “I’m so sorryto see Lina’s death.”
Nahuel nodded and then Cee Cee looked atme. “An anchor, a keeper, a True Mate. You have a lot on your plate, don’t you,sweetie?”
Whoa. I pulled my hand back out of reflexand she let go, dropping hers.
“Yeah, my crazy card is punched full, sohopefully this will be a fun visit,” I joked.
Cee Cee laughed heartily. “The ones witha good sense of humor are always the strongest,” she told Nahuel.
Nahuel just smiled. Cee Cee then turnedto me again and I got a whiff for the first time of her scent. Ylang Ylang andClary Sage, high powered essential oils. This woman was a high priestess, I hadno doubt. “Welcome to my coven, Anya. It is a great honor.”
“Thanks for having us.” Istill wasn’t sure if she could actually see me or not, but I smiled just in case.
Cee Cee stepped aside and ushered us intothe large expansive entryway. “Oh, and I am visually blind as you wouldconsider it, but I see enough through the energy to get by.” She winked.
I swallowed hard. “Cool.” Note to self,watch my thoughts while around this chick.
As I entered the space, I noticed Nahuelwasn’t following me. Turning back to look, I saw him bow low on the porch.“I’ll see you soon, little cub. You’re in good hands.”
“You’re leaving?” I don’t know why thisterrified me, I don’t know why my throat pinched and tears lined my eyes. Nahuelwas like my life raft the past few days and I wasn’t ready to let him go.
“I’ll be nearby. There’s something I needto do. If you get into trouble just call for me.” With one final bow he turnedand walked away.
Cee Cee was watching his retreating backwith a frown. “Nahuel!” she shouted, and my shaman turned around to look at thebeautiful high priestess. “It’s been on honor to share this life with you.”
For a moment, Nahuel looked like he mightcry. His face pinched and he gave Cee Cee a weak smile. “And with you.”
Then he was gone. Not walking-away-and-getting-into-his-truckgone, but like vanish-out-of-thin-air gone. I looked at Cee Cee and the mist inher eyes and wondered if maybe she and Nahuel had once been lovers. I was alsowondering why they had just said goodbye like they wouldn’t ever see each otheragain.
Cee Cee’s cool palm rested on myshoulder. “Come on, Mama is excited to meet you.”
I gulped and Cee Cee’s hearty laugh rangout through the house. “What did Nahuel tell you? You don’t need to be nervousaround Mama.”
I chuckled. “The mother of magic? What’snot to be nervous around?”
Cee Cee smiled. “It’s impossible to benervous in Mama’s presence. You’ll see.” And with that, she led the way, herlong billowing cream dress floating behind her.
As we passed the living room, I glancedoutside through the floor-to-ceiling windows and saw my friends petting avariety of animals. Goats, chickens, and was that a llama? Two other tall, similar-lookingcoven members were talking to Jaxon and Avery while Mason and Gavin were tryingto retrieve their shirts from a hungry goat. The coven members looked likesisters. Cee Cee saw me looking ... somehow. “We have a fully sustainable farmhere. Grow all of our own food, make our own soap, live off of the land.”
Sounded like a ton of work but seemedlike it would be rewarding in the end. “Cool.”
Cee Cee just smiled and took me down along hallway. “Those are my twin sisters Tonia and Gracie.”
I was right, they were sisters. “I’m atwin, too,” I offered.
Cee Cee nodded. “I know.”
Right. “Are you all related … in thecoven, I mean.” We had reached a set of large wooden double doors and Cee Ceestopped in front of them to face me.
“Yes, we are. Mama is my great-great-greatgrandmother.”
Whoa. How old was mama? I knew betterthan to ask.
Without further ceremony, she knocked lightlyon the door and a musical voice answered. “Come in, Anya.”
My eyes widened and Cee Cee placed a handon my shoulder. “Trust me. Meeting with Mama will make you feel better.”
I doubted that but nodded and opened thedoor. Cee Cee was already retreating down the hallway, leaving me alone.
