“Really?This mustache wielding weirdo is standing right here and you’re going to makefun of how I look?” I queried Max.
Maxglanced at Kai and the corners of his lips curled.
Kaiglared at me. “Mustache wielding weirdo? For that, I might sleep with it on.”
Myeyes widened. “Oh God, please don’t.”
Hechuckled as we walked into the garage.
Weall piled into Kai’s Audi and after a short trip down the mountain we pulled upto Sylvia’s yellow house. It was modest and craftsman style, nestled on largeacreage. I recognized all of the cars; the coven was assembled. Reaching overthe seat, I kissed Kai, recoiling at the tickle of his fake mustache. “Love you.”
Hisface looked worried. “We will be across the street. Any issues and you can justuse the mate bond.”
Igave him a look that said he was zapping my fun and then turned to Max.Flicking my fingers at him quickly, I shouted, “Hex!” and both Kai and Maxroared with laughter. Jumping out of the car, I approached the front door,inhaling deeply. Sage, lavender, and frankincense. Being a witch came with thebonus of good smells. Upon entering the house, I saw that everyone was gettingin a circle. The aura of magic was present.
Sylviasmiled at me and waved me over. “Quick, we were just about to start aprotection spell.”
Isnuck into the circle and wedged myself between Sylvia and Gretchen. We allheld hands and I nodded to the others in greeting.
Sylviaraised up her interlocked hands high and we all followed. “Spirit! Tonight wegather with other magic users. Protect us from energies that are not of thelight.”
Afine mist dropped down from the ceiling and settled over us.
“Keepour magic strong and encased within our bodies. Do not allow energy vampires totake from us!”
Iwidened my eyes, reminding myself to ask about that one later.
“Sobe it!” she shouted and we chorused her.
*
Aftera forty-five-minute drive, we arrived in downtown Portland at the conferencecenter. Navigating our cars into the packed parking lot, we found a spot nearthe back. Exiting our cars, we all walked as a group to the door. Sylvia hungback behind the group and linked arms with me.
“Youlook deliciously witchy tonight.” She winked, her eyelids were dusted with deeppurple eye shadow and a smattering of glitter. Her long auburn hair glistenedin the soft glow of the street lamp.
Ismiled. Sylvia had quickly become one of my favorite people. I noticed she wasletting the group get far ahead of us.
“What’swith the black hair?” She raised an eyebrow.
Shit,I forgot. I ran my fingers through it and briefly told her about healing Emma.Her face fell as she listened and clutched a medallion on her chest before lettingout a shaky breath. We stopped walking. I didn’t want to think about this; Iwas hoping everyone would forget about it. Now, I worried just how bad it was.
“Whatdoes it mean?” I met her green eyes. Only they weren’t just green now, theywere swirling with cloudy white. She was getting in the zone.
“Aurora,if your goal is to safely split from the Devi and walk away with your life, Ithink you just made it ten times harder.”
Icringed. I had to say it out loud. “You think the Devi has black hair? Thatthis is her?”
Shebrushed her soft fingers over my cheek like I was a treasured daughter andnodded. “I do. I think you have bound yourself to her even deeper now. I alsothink I would have done the same to save a friend.”
Returningthe nod, I bit my lip.
Sheperked up. “Come on, let’s have some fun. Nothing we can do about it right now.”
Wewalked the length of the parking lot and were nearing the entrance when Kaispoke into my mind.
‘Havefun.’
Ispun around and squinted across the street. Kai and Max sat on the balcony ofthe bar. I glared and Kai raised his glass, tipping his head to Sylvia.
