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)
“It’s been that way for days,” Giles says and pushes away his empty plate.
“You know, we’d usually be getting ready for fun parties in town and our coven celebration for Samhain. This year, we’re trying to stop evil and lift a curse,” Lorelei says. “There’s never a dull moment around here.”
“It’s not funny,” Giles says, but his hands have stopped shaking, and his eyes don’t look quite so drawn. “All three of you could be at risk.”
“I’m the one it’s targeted this year,” I remind him, but Giles shakes his head.
“We don’t know that for certain,” he says. “Yes, you’re the one it’s messed with the most, but it could be smoke and mirrors for all we know.”
“Well, I’m glad that we’re meeting with the others tonight.” Breena nods. “I’m going to bring a big charcuterie board with me. I think that sounds easy and fun.”
I press my lips together so I don’t giggle when Giles just stares at Breena as if she just said she’d like to commit arson on her way to the meeting.
“You’re thinking about food?” he demands.
“I mean, I mostly only think about food,” Lorelei says. “So I appreciate a good charcuterie board.”
“Same,” I agree with a nod. “I’ll bring some edible flowers from the garden to make it extra pretty.”
“Oh, how lovely,” Breena says with a grin. “I love that.”
“We’re discussing murder tonight,” Giles reminds the room. “In case anyone forgot.”
“We have to eat,” Breena says with patience. “It might as well be pretty food.”
“Sure, why not?” Giles asks. “Should we dress up, too? I probably have a tux shoved in the back of my closet from someone’s wedding ten years ago.”
“That would be nice,” Breena replies, and Lorelei and I have to cover our mouths with our hands to keep from cackling. “From what I remember, you look handsome in a tux.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
Breena simply smiles serenely, and Giles swears under his breath. “Thanks for the pancakes,” he mutters as he stands.
“You’re welcome.” Breena follows him to the door, and before he can walk outside, she tugs on his arm to stop him. “Thank you. Seriously, thank you for coming to check on me this morning. It means a lot.”
“I came for myself as much as for you.” He pulls her in once more, but the hug is gentler now, less urgent.
No less sweet, though.
“I’m okay,” I hear Breena whisper against his chest. “See you later.”
With that, Giles nods and leaves, and when Breena closes the door behind him, she leans against it and closes her eyes.
“Holy shit, Breen,” I say with a big grin. “You’re having a romance with Giles.”
But when she opens her eyes, my smile fades.
Tears spill over onto her cheeks, and she quickly wipes at them as if she’s embarrassed and doesn’t want us to see.
“What’s wrong?” Lorelei asks, sitting up at attention.
“Nothing,” she says, but the sniffle gives her away.
“Right. Because we always cry when Giles leaves a room.” I frown at Breena and cross my arms over my chest. “Did he whisper something to you that you didn’t like?”
“Do we have to beat him up?” Lorelei demands.
“No.” Breena sighs and then lowers herself into a chair, looking defeated. “He didn’t do anything, and it was sweet that he came to check on me.”
“So why the tears?”
Breena sniffles once more and then turns her gaze on the window. “Because although I’ve had a crush on him forever, I know in my heart that he’s not meant for me. And it just hurts.”
“Breena, you don’t know that,” Lorelei says, but Breena shakes her head sharply.
“Stop.” Her voice is hard. “Don’t placate me. I know what I know. And I’ll be fine, but I want just one stupid moment where I get to cry over it a little.”
“Then you should cry,” I say softly and reach over to take her hand. “If that’s what you need to do, then do it.”
Chapter Twenty
Jonas
The illness seems to have finally passed.
It’s almost noon when I knock on Louisa’s door. The rest of the coven is recovering nicely, with no fevers, healthy appetites, and color in their cheeks.
It was a long night—perhaps the longest of my life—but I’m relieved that the worst seems to be over.
John answers the door, looking rested and happy today.
“Good morning, Jonas.”
“From the look of things, you both had a better night.”
The other man nods and closes the door behind me. “She has improved so much. I told her she should rest and not cook the midday meal, but she insisted.”
“I feel well enough to dance,” Louisa says with a bright smile, but when her eyes meet mine, I see the worry in them. “We have things to discuss.”
“I believe we do.”
And I’m so grateful that I have the opportunity to talk with my old friend that I’m afraid I might cry.