Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 68024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 340(@200wpm)___ 272(@250wpm)___ 227(@300wpm)
“But it’s not until now that you realized that,” I add. “Breena, in that moment, you would have sworn that Giles was at your door. All I’m saying is it could be that any of the previous targets, my mother included, didn’t realize that the thing speaking to them wasn’t the person they knew and trusted.”
“You make a good point,” Miss Sophia says. “And you may be right. But just like I’m being blocked regarding the curse, I can’t see what’s happening with this murderer either. I’ll try harder and keep you posted. In the meantime, Lucy, I have something for you. Years ago, I visited Salem when you were quite young, and your mother asked me to hold onto something for you until the time came that you needed it.”
I blink at her, feeling tears prick the backs of my eyes. “What is it?”
“She warned me that you’re not the most patient woman. Don’t worry, I’ll send it to you, but I don’t trust any shipping company. My granddaughter, Lena, and her husband are leaving tomorrow to embark on a journey. Mason is an archeologist, and there’s a new dig in Burma with a huge discovery of Painite, an elusive crystal. Mason is beside himself.”
“I think I’m beside myself,” Giles says, his eyes alight at the news of a rare crystal. “I hope I’ll get to ask him some questions.”
Breena rolls her eyes, but Miss Sophia continues.
“I’ll have Lena and Mason stop there on their way out of the country. I just don’t trust this package with anyone else.”
“Thank you.” I smile at the kind older woman. “For everything.”
“I wish I had been more help. I’ll do some thinking on my end. Good luck to all of you. Keep your wits about you. I’ll talk to you soon.”
She ends the call, and I glance around at everyone in the room.
“I hate surprises,” I announce and set my phone on the table. “Like, hate.”
“Is that so?” Jonas asks with a raised eyebrow, and I can’t help but laugh and reach out for his hand.
“Except for you. You were a great surprise. I just want to know what my mother could have possibly given Miss Sophia for me when I was a kid.”
I eye Lorelei.
“Can’t you just ask her?”
“Nope,” Lorelei says with a shrug. “She just told me not to ask her anything.”
“I hate that I can’t see her.” My frustration is growing. “I need her. I have so many questions, and it pisses me off that so many of you can talk to her, but I can’t. Even Jonas can see her.”
“Not now,” he clarifies. “I could at your aunts’ house, but not outside of it.”
“Still, you could. Why is she hiding herself from me? It feels like such a betrayal.” I sniffle a little but shake my head when Jonas wraps his arm around my shoulders. “No, it’s fine. I’m fine. We have bigger worries here. What should we do next?”
“What we’ve been doing,” Xander says. “It’s going to be a process of research and from that research, elimination of what will work and what won’t as far as the curse is concerned.”
“And the other?” Lorelei asks. “Because although the curse is absolutely a priority, we’re nearing Samhain and the time when another witch will die if we don’t act quickly.”
“Same goes,” Giles answers. “Keep our protections and guards up. Refresh those wards. Don’t invite anything inside your home. And stay aware.”
“Limbo,” Breena says with a sigh. “I’ve always hated being in limbo. But it’ll all work out, you guys. We’re going to figure it all out.”
“I love your optimism,” Lorelei says and reaches for Breena’s hand. “I love you. Don’t hate me, okay?”
Breena just laughs and then shrugs her shoulders. “I don’t think I’m capable of hating anyone. Or staying mad for too long.”
“A beautiful soul,” Jonas murmurs, echoing his thoughts from earlier.
“Good, then we can talk,” Giles says.
“Later,” Breena replies, looking resigned. “After the rest is figured out.”
“Bullshit,” Giles counters, but his voice is perfectly calm. “That could take a while, and I have things to say. So, if the others will excuse us, I’d like to ask Breena to join me for a walk.”
“If I knew how bossy you are, I probably wouldn’t have had a crush on you,” Breena says as she stands from the table and walks ahead of Giles out of the library.
Giles simply turns back to us and winks.
“That’s so sweet,” I say with a sigh. “They’re going to make beautiful babies together.”
“She’s barely speaking to him,” Xander reminds me. “Let’s get to the dating stage before you start counting second cousin nieces and nephews.”
“It’s gonna happen,” Lorelei adds, agreeing with me. “And it kind of makes me emotional. And I’m an ice queen.”
“No, you’re not,” Xander replies quietly.
The room is thick with tension until Jonas clears his throat and stands. “I’ll just go grab a book and dig into the research.”