Page 93 of The Most Wanted Witch

“Like how much startup we’d need,” Lou said, a little softer-spoken this time.

“And a couple other little details here and there. Nothing major, you see,” Xazier said.

“How did Dread happen?” I asked.

“On occasion, we both might’ve had to add a little more magic here and there, trying to fix the original imbalance that kept manifesting,” Lou said. “We think the imbalance created it, but we aren’t sure. Just as we aren’t sure how you came to be or how you have so much of the magic we used to start Xest.”

They stared at me, and the room went utterly silent. Was Hawk shocked too? I was afraid to look.

“I didn’t take magic out of that hill,” I said, finally finding my voice.

“But it happened, and we don’t know how to get it back there,” Xazier said.

That was why I was on that hill. It was all so clear now.

“You thought that the hill was going to suck me in too, like it did with Dread, or at least all my magic, didn’t you? That’s why you gave me that plan?”

“I take offense at that. I didn’t know what it would do.” Lou’s chin went up an inch.

Xazier snorted. “For an angel, you lie better than some of my coworkers. Just tell her. That’s exactly what you were trying to do. You figured you’d suck Dread back in the hill and it would take her with it, and the problem would go away.” He looked at me. “I have to say, it would’ve been the easiest solution, but it didn’t work. That in itself is very odd.”

“Very,” Lou added.

They were both staring at me.

“You’re not touching her,” Hawk growled.

“You mean kill her? I’m not sure we can,” Lou admitted.

“So now what?” I might have been holding my breath as I asked the million-dollar question.

“You have too much of our magic, and it doesn’t seem to want to go back where it belongs,” Lou said, shrugging. “We’ve got a problem.”

“A very big problem,” Xazier said.

Hawk stood. “And what exactly do you think you’re going to do about this problem?”

Xazier stood too. “That remains to be seen.” He looked at Lou.

Lou also stood. “We’ll be in touch.”

Lou and Xazier looked at each other before disappearing at the same time.

The room went quiet as I let it all settle in. I stood, wiped my hands on my pants, and walked to the counter. My hands were steady, my breathing even.

“Tippi?” Hawk called after me.

“Yes?”

“What are you doing?”

“Tea.” With the kettle in my hand, I’d thought it was pretty obvious.

“Are you all right?” he asked, walking over slowly as if a fast movement might startle me.

I poured a cup and took a couple of sips, trying to figure out the nicest way to explain it.

“I’ve had Marvin abduct me, immigration try to run me out, Raydam, Dread, and a horde of other witches try to kill me, and I’m still here. Let Lou and Xazier do their worst. I’m done running and I’m done being scared.”

Hawk got a gleam in his eye as he leaned closer. “You sure about that?” he asked, smiling.

“I think so,” I said, putting my tea down with a slight shake in my hand. “I’ve got some paperwork to do.”

I could hear him laughing from the back room.

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