Page 112 of Wicching Hour

She nodded, clearing her throat and straightening her shoulders. “All right then. We’ll need a third. Perhaps Elizabeth…”

I shook my head. “She’s happy in her quiet life with her wonderful family. Besides, we need a maiden. Mother and—sorry—crone are covered.”

“What do you—” she looked sharply between Declan and me.

“It’s still very early,” I told her. “Dad says she’s healthy and though she’s not technically a she yet, he believes she will be.”

“You told your father before me?” She was a jumble of emotions right now, but hurt seemed to be leading the way.

“No. He told me.”

Her eyes got wide and then she huffed out a laugh. “I’d forgotten. I found out about you from him too.” She looked between Declan and me. “So, you ignored my advice and tied yourself to this…wolf.”

“Mom,” I warned.

She waved away my concern. “Fine. What do I know? At least you’ll make beautiful babies. How could you not? Look at you two.” She air kissed my cheek. “This is good. Thank you for telling me. Death was answered with life. Okay. A maiden, then.”

We looked at each other and both said, “Faith.”

Mom glanced at Calliope lying in the corner, her eyes open and unseeing, the athame sticking out of her chest, and shook her head in disgust. “Let’s get out of here.”

Bracken pointed at the grimoire. “I don’t feel comfortable leaving this here.”

I thought a moment. “Anyone have a phone on them that works?”

Mom pulled hers out of a pocket.

“It’s a good thing I memorized his number.” I dialed and hit speaker.

“Do you know what time it is?” A very growly and annoyed voice filled the room.

“Pleasant as always. I found that book we were talking about before. I’d really appreciate it if you could dispose of it properly.”

“Give me a minute. I’ve got those damn meringue cookies Sam loves in the oven. I’ll be there in…three minutes.” Click.

I stared at the phone. “Why the hell is he complaining about the time if he’s up baking? Jeez.” I handed it back to Mom.

“Did you just call a demon on my phone?”

“Yeah, but he’s only half a demon and he’s baking one of my recipes.” I flicked my fingers, causing the grimoire to float. “Let’s go upstairs. The stench down here is going to make me hurl.”

“Arwyn, really,” Mom chastised. “That’s no way for the second in this family to talk.”

When we got to the main floor, Mom closed and sealed the door with a flick of her fingers, cutting off the smell. When she went to the front door and reached for the knob, Bracken, Declan, and I all yelled, “No!”

She jumped.

“Sorry, Mom. The doorknobs are cursed to kill.” I looked at Bracken, unsure. “Do curses disappear when the sorcerer and demon are gone?”

Dave popped in beside me. “No,” he answered. “That’s how people get hit by ancient curses. Use your head.” He checked our hands. “So, where’s the—” And then he saw it hovering behind me. “Good call not touching it.” He shook his head. “I don’t miss that smell. Fucking sorcerers are savages.”

Mom said, “But aren’t you—” At his glare, she stopped talking.

He studied the grimoire, touching the black ooze. “Looks like someone has an ancient artifact they’re not supposed to have.” He stared at Bracken, someone he’d never met before. “So you know, that item glows to my kind. You need something stronger than a leather sheath to hide it. Also, there are many who wouldn’t think twice about killing an entire town to get a hold of that.”

“How do we hide it?” I asked.

He blew out a breath. “There’s nothing in this realm that’ll hide it. I’m not sure how long you’ve had it, old man, but you’re living on borrowed time.”

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