Page 107 of Blue Moon Mistress

My concern isn’t in the immediate, but it’s beginning to feel like she has a timeline and I’m not helping her to stick to it.

“Yeah, I’m just sad we didn’t have more time.”

I speak before she can try to get me to agree to another one of these.

“Always busy, as I’m sure you know.” I turn for the door. “Have a blessed day.”

“And you as well.”

I leave, noting the warnaway above the door, and take a deep breath once I’m out in the cold air.

The other shops forgotten, I walk straight to my car. But I don’t start it right away. Listening to the drizzle and watching the window’s false oil painting, I try to shake this ugly feeling I can’t seem to lose.

“Hi mom. Did dad forgive you for abandoning him this weekend?”

“Of course. That man forgives all of my sins.” She chuckles and I can almost see her shaking her head. “But you wouldn’t call just to see if I got in trouble.”

“I didn’t. I just had a small chat with Aphrodite. It seems the vampire in town is her friend and she brought him with her.”

“He’s still leeching off of her?” She groans and mutters something under her breath. “Don’t worry about him. He’s toothless.”

“Are you sure?” I start the car just to get the heater going. “Elaria said something about blood magic factoring into Aphrodite leaving the coven.”

“That’s a rumor she should not be spreading.”

“Is it true?”

“She made suggestions. But she is not powerful enough to do anything on her own. And we both know that kind of magic will kill her before she gets anywhere with it.”

“You didn’t think it was odd that she’s talking about blood magicandhas a vampire in tow?”

“She’s a pretender. Stop worrying about her. I have to go. Talk to you soon.”

There’s a kissing noise and then, she hangs up.

If she won’t take Aphrodite seriously, I’m going to have to.

Fifteen

Two daysand no more answers than when I started.

Looking into blood magic was a little like trying to find ultra-specific porn on the internet. No one talked about it.

And I couldn’t either. Because Aphrodite’s interest might have been ignored or overlooked, butminewouldn’t be.

I might have no interest in practicing myself, but I have just enough skill and a little too much power for the coven to have let that go with a sidelong glance.

This time, I turned my phone’s ringer on, and the constant stream of conversation with the guys kept me from falling too hard into my research.

Even still. I needed a breather, and they wanted me back for game night, round two.

The pavement sounds odd beneath my tires as I turn onto the highway, but that’s probably just because I don’t have music on. There was a magpie circling the car when I went to leave. Making me think I might be getting a call on the way.

And as usual, paying attention pays off.

My phone goes off as I pass the rock company’s warehouses.

I press the button on my dash to answer.

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