Page 72 of Sugar, Spice, and Magical Midlife

“Your hideout is under a church?” I asked my aunt.

“Not just any church,” she said with a wink. “The Vatican.”

Since we were in a different dimension than husks, they couldn’t see us, and we couldn’t see them beneath their sacred church. I still feared this was some sort of sacrilege, even if I didn’t practice human religions.

“And you’re okay with this?” I asked.

“It’s the perfect location.” She laughed. “The demons are afraid to come near here.”

She had a point. We followed her mercenaries toward the moonlight spilling in from an open set of two very tall doors and into the mild night air that smelled of ancient things and fresh brine. And then we jumped into the darkness like bats emergingfrom a cave, two dozen magical mercenaries, dressed in all black, and one braless witch in jeans and a sweatshirt.

Clutching my wand, I flew across the starry night sky, moonlight bathing my broomstick in shafts of silver. My untethered boobs flapped in the wind like water balloons in a jet turbine. Two dozen other striga mercenaries and Serena followed behind while the dryad light led the way. My aunt used a concealment spell to hide all of us, something that required a great deal of magic.

The dryad guided us to a familiar courtyard. I recognized the balcony, the courtyard gate, and the steep drive that led to the road. I didn’t see the hooked-nose witch’s car in the drive, just Antonio’s taxi.

I landed behind the taxi, staring at the quaint brick house from behind the hood. Not that the car offered much security, but it was better than nothing. I retracted my broom while keeping my wand at the ready.

My aunt landed beside me, snapping her compact broom shut while giving me a stony look. “Is this their house?”

I nodded. “But I don’t see the carSignoraOscura drives.”

My aunt worked a tic in her jaw, her features hardening. “That’s okay. We’ll be ready when she returns. You did good, niece.” She affectionately cupped my cheek. For a moment, I thought I was staring into my mom’s eyes, and I foolishly waited for her to give me a big hug and tell me everything was going to be okay. Instead, Serena nodded to two very big and scary minotaur striga with sharp, non-floppy horns that could do some serious damage. “Guard her with your life.”

They both grunted their obedience, standing as still as statues by my sides, their wands at the ready, while my aunt and the rest of her mages crept toward the house.

“Mind if I use a concealment spell?” I whispered to the minotaurs. Not that I was afraid of retribution from the succubishould my aunt fail. Actually, never mind. I was totally afraid. So much, in fact, that I feared I’d need an adult diaper soon if my stomach didn’t stop revolting.

One of the minotaurs waved his wand with a grunt and created a translucent shield around us.

“Or you can do it,” I mumbled.

I clutched my wand when I heard a whistle, followed by several bangs, screams, and flashes of light as my aunt and her mercenaries charged into the house. I felt bad that I wasn’t helping, but these mercenaries had been training for this. I’d probably get in the way or get killed.

And just when I thought my knees would give way, I heard a goat bleat, and Serena escorted a limping satyr out of the house. It took me a moment to register the satyr’s missing leg. I thought of those sausages and wanted to hurl. Goddess, I hoped he’d lost his leg long ago in a freak elevator accident, though I wasn’t reassured by the fresh bandages wrapped around his stump.

She sat the satyr on the ground beside me while heaving a long breath. “You don’t want to go in there.” She motioned toward the goat man. “It’s ugly.”

“Don’t eat the sausages,” I warned her.

She clutched her gut, the color draining from her face. “I think I’m turning vegetarian after this.”

“Did you find the queen?” I asked.

She shook her head. “We didn’t find the queen, but we got one succubus and several Vindicti.” She grimaced, patting my knee. “But with her nest disrupted, she won’t be able to hide long. Besides,” she added, “the queen might return home tonight.”

Hopefully, I thought to myself, because Des and I wouldn’t be safe as long as she still lived.

I couldn’t grow back the satyr’s leg, but I did use a healing spell on the wound and take away the pain. The satyr thanked me and then passed out.

They carried out Antonio’s body on a stretcher, throwing him and several robed figures on a pile. Luckily, none of our striga appeared injured.

I wanted to feel bad for Antonio, though I felt only disgust. He got what he deserved. I still didn’t get the point of the Vindicti. Why would they turn on their own kind? The succubi must’ve promised them something, though they were fools to trust demons.

I caught Serena’s gaze as she escorted a hooded figure out of the house.

She quickly crossed over to me.

“One of them survived?” I asked.

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