Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 98961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 495(@200wpm)___ 396(@250wpm)___ 330(@300wpm)
“I didn’t take this,” I say as he hands me the box. I pop the lid open and look at the ugly gold ring with the large green gemstone. “I remember seeing it, but I’m positive I didn’t take it.”
“Well, shit.”
“Right?” I inhale and carefully touch the gemstone. The energy coming off of it is heavy, and that’s the best way I can describe it. I can almost hear several voices whispering all at once, but I can’t tell if the voices are coming from inside my head or from inside the ring. “I’m about to go to the Covenstead. I’ll give this to Tabatha. She’ll know how to properly store or even dispose of it.”
“Good idea. Did the oracle thing work?” He almost winces as he asks, though I’m not sure if he’s afraid of finding out I found a way to save Lucas or afraid of upsetting me.
“I don’t know. I actually thought about what you said and decided it would be best to test things out at the Covenstead in a magically sealed room. Away from Juliet. She’s my daughter,” I add, not sure if Easton was aware of the name change or if he knew we had planned on naming her Elena in the first place.
“I know. Melinda talks about her a lot.”
“Do you want to come in and see her?” I ask slowly. “Or do you need to get going?”
“Uh, no, I don’t have to yet. The hunter I was meeting is running a few hours behind.” He shrugs. “You got coffee? I had a late night at the bar and here I am.”
“Yeah. I always have coffee, and I’m back to full strength, not decaf.”
“Coffee shouldn’t be decaf. It’s wrong.”
“Hah. Right?” I agree.
“What’s this?” Eliza says, raising her brows when Easton walks into the house. She’s holding Juliet and I go and take my baby from her. She’s all swaddled up and ready for a nap. The heated blanket is plugged in and Eliza has the living room set up for them to hang out in for the next few hours. “Another innocent friend for me to corrupt?”
“I’m not innocent,” Easton shoots back and Eliza gives him a little smirk.
“You won’t be when I’m done with you.” She flashes her fangs and I shake my head.
“This is Juliet.” I look down at my baby and feel a pull on my heart. I love her so fucking much, and so does Lucas. Knowing how much he’s fighting to get back to us kills me.
“She’s so small,” Easton notes and tips his head.
“I said the same when I first saw her,” Eliza says. “She’s gotten a lot bigger since then.”
Easton nods, not really sure what else to say. “When will she get magic? If she gets it at all, guess.”
“She will,” I say. “And normally, witches start showing signs around five or six. She’ll attend the same Academy I did.”
Easton nods again. “It’s, uh, good you have a plan.”
“Yeah,” I say and nuzzle my face against Juliet’s head. “All right, back to your sister. Mama has some work to do.” I give Juliet back to Eliza, missing her already. I’ve already instructed my familiars and Scarlet to stay here, keeping guard just in case the bad luck strikes at home. I have to give Juliet two more kisses before I can finally peel myself away.
“Sorry,” I tell Easton, though I don’t feel sorry at all.
“It’s okay, though I’ll admit it’s a little weird to see you so maternal.”
I laugh and grab a jacket, not sure if I’ll need it. It’s another odd Midwest spring day that started out cold but warmed up, though I’m sure the air in the woods will be much cooler.
“Want some company on your walk?” Easton asks once we’re back on the front porch.
“Sure. I can’t take you all the way to the door, though.”
“Understood, though you know I’ll probably be able to find it.”
I make a face and shake my head. “Doubtfully. On paper, it makes sense. There aren’t hundreds and hundreds of acres of woods, so you’d think you’d be able to do a sweep and find it. But this is probably the most protected area in terms of keeping nons away. You’ll get turned around and unable to fight the feeling that you need to leave. Now.”
“Magic is creepy.”
I shrug. “It’s just keeping us safe. Come on,” I start and bump him with my elbow. “History really isn’t on our side when it comes to the general population finding out about witchcraft.”
“Hah. You have a point.”
“I know.” We go around the back of the house and I wave and say a polite “hello” to the landscapers who are working on the area by the pool.
“That wasn’t there the last time I was here,” Easton notes and I honestly can’t remember the last time he was at the house. Thanksgiving? No, he and Melinda came over for Christmas as well. Along with my over-the-top decorations, Lucas and I couldn’t stop talking about what next year would be like when we’d have a baby. She’d be crawling by December, and I might have to rethink some of my glass bulbs on the tree.