Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 67614 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67614 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 270(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
“You won’t,” Mom asserts happily. “I’ll take over the Beltane preparations and recruit some other coven members to help. You just worry about that tapestry.”
“Oh. But I couldn’t do that—”
“You can,” Mom assures her. “And you will. You take on too much, sweet girl. We want to help, and since I’m not one of the chosen to assist with breaking this horrible curse, I can at least take this off your plate.”
Breena blinks as if she’s fighting tears.
“That would be really helpful.”
“You need to ask for help more often,” Mom says gently. “There’s no shame in it. I also have some supplies at home that might help you with the project. You’re welcome to them.”
“You know, adding some magic from you and your family might be powerful,” Breena agrees, thinking it over. “I think the more magic, the better.”
“Then you’ll have it.”
Suddenly, Mom turns and stares up at a second-story window.
“Well, now that’s interesting.”
For the second time since they arrived, I follow one of my parent’s gazes and ask, “What is?”
“It was only there for a moment,” Mom replies. “Have you invited anything in, Giles?”
“Of course, not. I wouldn’t do that.”
“Hmm. I don’t think Molly is the only spirit here.”
“It’s not our place to speak of it,” Dad says and takes Mom’s hand. “You know that.”
“He’s my child.”
“What’s here?” I ask, feeling my stomach roil at the idea of something or someone hurting Breena. “What the hell is going on?”
Mom just shakes her head and glances at me with sad eyes. “You’ll be okay.”
Breena and I share a nervous look.
“If I need to protect us from something—”
“You don’t.” Mom cups my cheek. “Not yet, anyway. Besides, you’re both strong witches and have your shit together. Nothing can mess with you—especially here.”
“Then why do you look so worried?”
“Because you’re my child, and it’s my job to worry about you.”
“I don’t buy it.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t be here,” Breena says, rubbing her hand over her forehead. “If something came here because of me and ends up hurting Giles, I won’t forgive myself.”
“You’re not going anywhere.”
“But—”
“I shouldn’t have said anything,” Mom laments and wraps an arm around Breena’s shoulders. “Nothing is your fault. Do you hear me? None of this, absolutely none of it is your doing, Breena. And, yes, you should be here. You and Giles have an important job to do together.”
“But if it’s not safe—”
“It is,” Mom assures her, but I see the look she shares with my father, and I don’t like it. Not one bit.
What aren’t they saying?
“You’re both stronger than you realize. And together? You’re pretty much unstoppable.”
“That sounds very foreboding.”
“Not at all,” Mom says and kisses Breena’s cheek. “Now, can we please eat? I’m starving.”
“It’s ready.” I place the chicken on a platter. When Breena takes it from me, and she and Mom walk into the house, I turn to my father. “What do I need to know?”
“Just pay attention,” he urges after a long pause. “Stay alert. You’ll know what to do when the time comes.”
“But you won’t tell me what that is?”
“It can change in the blink of an eye,” he says. “You hold all the answers inside of you, Giles.”
I blow out a breath and look up at the empty window.
“I need a drink. You?”
“Absolutely.”
“Let’s get one and join the ladies for dinner. Just promise me something.”
“If I can.”
I shove my hands into my pockets. “If I need to know something to keep Breena safe, you have to tell me. I can’t lose her, Dad.”
“If I thought her life—or yours—was in danger, I’d tell you everything you needed to know. I promise.”
I nod once. “Okay. Let’s go get that drink.”
Chapter Five
Breena
“I’ll have more for you next week,” Percy McGuire, one of the eldest members of our coven, says as he loads the last bag of wool into the back of my car. “I have more shearing to do. Then I’ll have to clean the wool for you.”
“I don’t mind doing it,” I reply and boost myself up onto my toes to kiss the man on his leathery cheek. “I just appreciate you giving me this. I wish you’d let me pay you for it, though.”
“If this lifts that curse and sets those people in Hallows End free, that’s all the payment I need, honey.”
I take a deep breath and nod in agreement. “I know what you mean. Will any alpaca wool be ready soon?”
“I should have some in a few weeks,” he says with a frown. “I could get some ready for you.”
“No, not for this project,” I reply, shaking my head. “For my personal use. Your alpaca wool is the best for the projects I have in mind, and I’m happy to buy it from you.”
Percy smiles, and I know it’s in relief. Alpaca wool is much more expensive than sheep wool.
“I’ll let you know as soon as I harvest some.”