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There was nothing I could do but stare as the woman muttered what I could only assume were incantations or spells under her breath and sludgy, ochre magic wisped from her fingertips. However, it didn't seem to be doing much damage to my ducky militia.
Through the panic and uncertainty hazing my mind, something clicked and my intestines knotted.
Dammit. Is she a witch? Maybe that's why I haven't seen the Heechus today. Bane had mentioned they had an uncanny sense of when danger was near.
A real scream issued from her as the original attacker, my Goth duckie, widened its bill and bared razor-sharp teeth. I clasped a hand to my mouth.
The hell? Ducks don't have teeth.
It grabbed onto one of her fingers spewing magic and bit the tip clean off. Blood sprayed from the stump from the shortened digit, and the woman scrambled to her feet as the ducks crawled up her legs, biting and quacking in malicious little giggles. I didn’t know if a quack could ever be considered a laugh, but it sure as hell sounded like them.
The witch screeched, then squeezed her eyes shut, a powerful wave of power shoving all the ducks away from herself. My heart stuttered as she leaned heavily on a damaged bookcase and opened her eyes, narrowing the bloodshot spheres on me. “Your wards are weakening. Did you know that?” she coughed, spittle dribbling onto her chin. “We’ve been testing their durability every time we pluck you from this world.”
I planted my feet and raised my chin, once more silently wondering where all the Heechus were. There was no possibility that they hadn’t heard the commotion.
The witch turned abruptly, limping through the exit. Acting on impulse, I grabbed a book and hurled it at her. The would be projectile ricocheted off the door jamb and slapped against the floor. “Not even close,” I grumbled.
I dropped to my knees, and my ducky saviors formed a circle around me as if they were my sworn guards like in a fantasy novel. I don't know how long I laid there on floor, unmoving. Eventually, the ducks turned toward me at once when I tend. Maybe I read this whole situation incorrectly, and I was there next victim. No, that couldn’t be correct. Now they looked more like they're normal adorable selves, not a sharp tooth in sight.
I reached out a hand and gently ran my forefinger down the back the Goth duckie. It quacked several times, almost as if it were trying to have a conversation, then all of the ducks in attendance waddled back to where they came from. Slowly, I twisted my body, tracking their progress and hardly breathing as the dozens of ducks disappeared around the corner of the desk. The familiar sound of my backpack zipper punctuating their farewell.
CHAPTER 32
Scones and Schemes
BANE
My ears twitched as I pushed through the doors of The Little Moth Tea Shop, something akin to a windchime sounding and alerting the staff to my presence. I breathed in deeply, the scent of freshly brewed tea, coffee, baked goods, and an abundance of greenery combining together in a cozy fragrance. I'd always loved visiting this cute witch owned shop, the owner and sole proprietor something of an entrepreneurial genius.
Pausing by the counter, my shoulders relaxed in the familiar atmosphere.
“Hello, Bane,” a cheerful voice exclaimed. “Your witch friend has already arrived,” the owner said, nodding to the corner and causing my eyes to bounce to Monstera as she took delicate sips from an oversized ceramic mug patterned in colorful moths. “Once your girl arrives, I’ll lock up and leave you guys to it.”
I didn’t correct her assumption, offering her a grin. “Thanks, Lock.” The witch’s full name was Hemlock, but she loathed it. When we met, she informed me that Hemlock is an overused witch name, insisting that everyone called her Lock instead.
My feet carried me to the small, circular wrought iron table surrounded by deep, bottle green velvet upholstered chairs where Miko’s bestie claimed for today’s purposes. “Remind me why you think it’s wise to have this gathering outside of the library wards?”
“Hello, to you too,” Monstera chided, then smiled brightly. My brow quirked and I opened my mouth to respond, but she continued. “To answer your question, there are several reasons. First, you and Miko are in dire need of a change of scenery. Being cooped up in the library and her apartment while tensions are running so godsdamn high is so fucking unhealthy. Second, my coven is friendly with Hemlock’s and I like to support other witch’s businesses.” She raised her narrowed eyes over the edge of her teacup. “I rented out the tea shop for the entire afternoon and added fresh sound proofing wards,” Monstera said in a rush, then suckled in a breath. “Also, who doesn’t want to discuss serious shit over tea and motherfucking scones? Heathens, that’s who.”
I smirked, not able to muster the energy for a grin; still, I was beginning to understand why Miko enjoyed the witch’s presence so much. She was good for her. “Hell, lass, you talk even more than I do.”
“Thanks,” she replied and bowed her head, mischief glowing behind her eyes. “Were those sufficient reasons?”
I shrugged. “Good enough.”
“Seriously though, I’m so glad to see you look like shit as well.”
My head tilted. “Oh? Do tell.”
She waved a hand as if shooing away the topic and spoke into the bottom of her enormous teacup after a sip. “You’ll see when she gets here.”
I wasn’t oblivious to the fact my mate was hurting just as much as I was. Newly bonded pairs usually spent several weeks in bed after the initial bonding. This separation between us not only felt, making my skin itch. I didn’t know how long I could stand it before I begged her to forgive me, even if it was for something completely out of my control.
“Don't worry, big guy,” she said, patting my clawed hand like I was a youngling and not a six plus foot stone grotesque. “She'll come to her senses soon. Miko doesn't make rash decisions, but sometimes she gets in her own way. I understand where you’re coming from, but I would back Miko either way. No offense.”
I laughed shortly. “As you should.”
My heart ached as the frayed bond hummed, signaling Miko’s proximity before she even crossed the threshold and causing my mood to brighten minutely.
