Page 36 of Witch Way to the Diapers

Luna’s apothecary shop smelled of herbs and ancient wisdom. Crystals hung from the ceiling, catching the light and casting rainbow reflections across the room. The witch listened intently as they recounted the strange occurrences, her violet eyes narrowing in thought.

“An illusion spell,” she said finally, her voice heavy with certainty. “And a powerful one at that. It’s creating false sightings of Vienna, sowing chaos and doubt.”

Sayer felt a surge of protective anger. “How do we stop it?”

Luna’s expression was grave. “Carefully. This kind of magic is tricky. Act rashly, and you could make things worse. We need to trace it back to its source.”

As they left Luna’s shop, Sayer’s phone buzzed. It was a message from his sister, Posey.

“Everything okay?” Fia asked, noticing his frown.

Sayer sighed. “Posey says she’s delayed. Some work emergency. But she’s keeping an eye on any legal maneuvers your family might try.”

Fia’s shoulders slumped. “I can’t believe they’re doing this. After everything...”

Sayer pulled her close, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Hey. We’re in this together, remember?”

That night after tucking Vienna into bed, Sayer made a series of calls. He delegated hotel matters to his most trusted employees, appointed temporary managers, and made it clear that his family was his top priority now.

As he hung up the phone, he found Fia watching him from the doorway. The soft light from the hallway illuminated her silhouette, and Sayer was struck anew by how beautiful she was.

“You didn’t have to do all that,” she said softly.

Sayer crossed the room, taking her hands in his. “Yes, I did. You and Vienna are my world now. Everything else can wait.”

Fia’s eyes welled up with tears. “Thank you. I don’t even know how to manage my emotions anymore.”

His heart soared at her words. “It’s okay, Fia. You aren’t doing this alone. Feel free to feel your emotions. I’ve got your back.”

Their kiss was passionate, a reaffirmation of their growing bond. When they finally parted, both breathless, Sayer rested his forehead against hers.

“Whatever comes next,” he promised, “we face it together.”

The next few days were a whirlwind of activity. They installed magical wards around the house with help from Luna and Tabitha. Ivy from the Green Thicket Tea House supplied them with calming teas and focus-enhancing potions. The Blackwoods, Rowans, and other neighbors formed a protective network, keeping watch for any suspicious activity.

Sayer enlisted Roarke and other shifters to patrol discreetly, their enhanced senses proving invaluable. Slowly, patterns began to emerge in the reported sightings.

“It’s deliberate,” Roarke reported one evening. “The locations, the timing - someone’s trying to unsettle you and make you look like bad parents.”

Sayer nodded grimly. “Then it’s time we settled this once and for all.”

With Luna and Tabitha’s help, they devised a plan. Using a combination of Fia’s growing magical prowess and ancient tracking spells, they prepared to unmask the source of the illusions.

As the witches began their ritual, Sayer held Fia’s hand tightly. The air crackled with energy, and smoke swirled before them. Slowly, an image began to form.

Fia gasped. “It’s... it’s Brooke. My sister.”

The connection snapped, the smoke dissipating. Luna and Tabitha exchanged worried glances.

“We’ve broken the spell,” Luna said carefully. “But Fia, your sister is strong. She could try something else.”

Sayer pulled Fia close, his voice a low growl. “I’m sure she will, but I’m not going to let her get to my family.”

NINETEEN

Fia stood at the kitchen window, her fingers absently tracing the rim of her coffee mug as she gazed out at the misty morning. The events of the past few days swirled in her mind like the tendrils of fog curling around the trees outside. The constant welfare checks, the worried looks from Reed and Arden, the nagging feeling that something wasn’t quite right...

“Blast,” she muttered, the realization hitting her like a splash of cold water. “How could I have been so blind?”

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