Page 20 of Waltzing With Witches

The two shifters stalk away. It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell them I want to be involved, that I want to hear what’s happening. But I don’t.

Glittering red eyes find mine, and for a moment, some emotion I can’t name flickers there. But then the Keeper follows the other males and disappears into the depths of the castle.

For the next three hours, I catch my triplets up on everything that’s happened. They go through the same emotional journey I did—shock, anger, resignation.

We’re sitting at the island eating the rest of the cheese block from the fridge. I slice a piece and hand it to Thea, who shoves it in her mouth without preamble.

“Is it weird being here?” Her eyes make a circle around the kitchen.

The floorboards lift and flatten with a loud bang. The castle didn’t like that question.

“Actually, the castle itself is very peaceful,” I admit. “And I’ve barely seen the Keeper since we arrived.”

“But he’s going to call Catherine about the inn, right?” Wren urges, chocolate brows lifting in question.

I shrug. “I called her this morning, and he said he would too, but I haven’t heard anything else about it, and he seems busy with the Wesley issue.”

“Maybe it’s not really top of his priority list,” Lou says with a sneaky grin. “As in, subconsciously, he doesn’t really want to make that call.”

“Remember that comment he made about the hearing, Lou?” I give her an admonishing look, dragging the near-empty bottle of bourbon away from her.

She blows air out from between her lips. “It’s not like I wouldn’t say it to his face, ya know?”

“Come home with me,” Wren says. “Easy peasy. You don’t have to stay here. No offense,” she tacks on when the castle lets out an angry-sounding groan.

It would be so easy to do that, to grab my shit and leave. But when I think about retreating to the bedroom to get my stuff, a deep ache takes up residence in my chest. It spreads until it turns into a near panic.

“Mor, you okay?” Thea’s blue eyes soften as she reaches out to rub my forearm.

I nod. “Yeah, I’m good. I’m going to stay, though. I’m not done with the castle.”

“You’re staying to clean the Keeper’s house? After every time he’s given you the cold shoulder?” Wren delivers me a skeptical look.

“It’s not for him,” I confirm. “The castle has been really welcoming, and I…I feel called to help.”

Gooey warmth spreads lazily through my stomach, moving along my heart and taking up residence down the length of my spine. It sparks and sputters deep inside me.

Magic.

My magic.

My black magic.

“Your magic,” Lou whispers. “I can feel it.”

Thea and Wren turn as one to stare at Lou and me.

Thea’s mouth drops open. “You can feel your magic here?”

“Yeah.” I cross both arms and strum my fingers along my biceps. “I don’t think I truly realized it until right now. It’s not much, just a sense of it being there. But, in any case, I’m staying.”

My sisters and my aunt stare at me, scrutinizing me, examining me like I’m a child they’re not sure what to do with. But it’s Lou who comes to my rescue first, hopping off the bar stool and scratching Thea gently on the back.

“Come on, girls. Take me home, and we’ll check in with Mor in the morning.”

“Okay,” Thea says, but she looks worried. She grabs my arms and pulls me down for a hug. Wren joins us, and, like always, I breathe in the scent of Wren’s French perfume and Thea’s fancy shampoo. And, of course, Lou’s new burnt marshmallow essence.

So weird.

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