Page 109 of The Witch and The Blood Oath

As I followed Mara into her house of bones, I cast my magic like a web and tested for wards. As soon as the house’s leader approached, her traps disabled. There was no tension inthe air and no warning signs that the wards would snap into place.

Trusting that Mara would be willing to ally herself with just about anyone to strike the High Witch, I followed her inside. Back in kitty form, Arion was close on my heels.

The dark witches’ home was decadence incarnate. Several bone-white chandeliers cast the mahogany floors and broad, curved staircase in sultry light. Burgundy carpets lined the hall, and the musty scent of antiques and roses lingered in the air. The rest of Mara’s coven followed us inside on silent feet. In their home, they moved as gracefully as shadows.

“Come,” Mara purred, “sit.”

Against the curve of the stairs was a plush couch, which faced an ornate coffee table and elegantly crafted chairs. While Walker, Cady, and I sat on the couch, Mara’s followers poured into line around the perimeter of the room. Mara and Ryder hesitated to sit.

Their mind games irritated me.

“Ryder,” I said gently, “let’s not delay this conversation further.”

Without breaking Mara’s gaze, he sat. Mara smiled smugly, and I bit my tongue to keep from reminding her of the scene outside and who had emerged victorious then.

“The High Witch’s court is hidden between the dimensions of this world,” Mara explained.

I loosed a breath. I was eager to get to the point of our visit, though I also wanted to pry what information I could from Mara regarding warlocks.

“Yes,” I said. “That’s what legend says. How do we access it?”

She gestured to one of her followers lining the wall. The young, blonde witch with the ability to multiply hurried over to abar I hadn’t noticed in the corner of the room. Ice clinked against glass, and my patience grew thin. Ryder growled.

Once the martini was securely in Mara’s outstretched hand, the Coven Mother took a sip and smiled.

“It’s like trying to get Dad to talk,” Cadence muttered, and her brother chided her. The girl’s dark humor knew no bounds.

“As I was saying,” she finally continued, “one must be able to find a fold of sorts in time and space to access it. A ripple, if you will.”

Ryder gripped his chair with white knuckles.

“Alright,” Walker said. “How do we find one of those?”

Mara sighed. “Must I explaineverythingto you?”

Ryder’s voice was garbled by too many teeth. “Where?”

Mara ignored him and focused on me.

“Why do you think so many magical creatures have cloistered together on these mountains?”

“The land is rich with magic,” I easily recited then balked. “There’s…there’s a ripple here?”

Like a fool, I searched the room again, as if I could see it. Walker cursed under his breath, and Mara tittered.

“Ripples are infused with the magic of many worlds and many timelines,” Mara explained. “That is why there are pockets of places on this earth that are richer than others.”

“New Orleans has a ripple,” Walker guessed.

Mara smirked. “You’re not the bumbling idiot I met months ago.”

Lightning danced on Walker’s skin. “No. I’m not.”

Dear Goddess, that's hot.

My skin flushed, and Mara’s gaze darted to mine. I waited for her mockery, but it didn’t come. She simply cocked a finely plucked brow.

“Where exactly is the ripple?” Cady asked.

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