Page 6 of Elora and the Crow

Elora frowned. “Cece, you shouldn’t be alone. I only went to work today because I knew Kinsley and Maisey were with you.”

“They need to pack for their Europe trip,” Cece said. “They leave in two days, and even though they’re gone for a month, neither has even started packing. I’m getting hives just thinking about their disorganization.”

Elora laughed. “They thrive on chaos, you know that.”

“I do,” Cece said. “How was work today?”

“Fine. Charissa gave me a spell book with a spell that she says will free Lilianna.”

“Really?” Cece stared at Lilianna. “Do you believe it’ll work?”

“It’s an ancient and powerful spell,” Elora said. “So, maybe.”

“I hope so. I really want to meet her. The real her.”

“Me too,” Elora said. “I hope human witch Lilianna doesn’t turn out to be a jerk.”

“Crow Lilianna has her moments,” Cece said, “so maybe don’t hold your breath.”

Elora laughed again. “Good point. When I walked into the potions store in Barton and saw Lilianna for the first time, she was trying to snap off any finger that even came close to her in her cage.”

“I can’t blame her. I wouldn’t want to be locked up in a cage,” Cece said.

Elora reached out to smooth her fingers along Lilianna’s back. The crow cawed softly and turned her head to groom Elora’s fingers. “She was dying in that cage, Cece. I spent nearly all my savings that day buying her from the store owner, but it was worth it. I wish I could break the spell that has her trapped as a crow.”

“You will,” Cece said confidently. “You have the spell now. Charissa says so, and she’s never wrong.”

“True that,” Elora grinned. She turned somber, studying Cece and the dark circles under her eyes. “How was your day?”

“Okay,” Cece said. “Spoke with the lawyer about some of the estate stuff for Aunt Sybil. Then I called Leonard at the greenhouse and said I’d return to work on Monday.”

“Are you sure? That’s pretty soon,” Elora said.

“My vacation time is used up, and I can’t afford to take unpaid leave. Besides, I have to do something,” Cece said. “I can’t just sit at home and think about her.”

Tears slid down Cece’s cheeks, and Elora put her arm around her shoulder, holding her tight as Cece swiped at the tears angrily. “I’m tired of crying.”

“I know, honey,” Elora said.

“I miss her,” she said, her voice hitching. “I miss her face and her voice, and I even miss how she used to cook that disgusting cabbage and meat thing every Sunday night. It isn’t fair that she’s gone. It isn’t fair that some stupid, meaningless car accident took away the only person who… who cared about me and loved me. I’m all alone. And I hate that our last conversation was a fight about magic. I don’t know why she loathed me learning magic, and now I never will.”

She was crying hard now, and Elora hugged her even more tightly. “Oh, honey, you’re not alone. Maisey, Kinsley, and I love you, and we’ll always be here for you, okay?”

Cece nodded, resting her head on Elora’s shoulder. “I know. I’m just full of self-pity today.” She made a hiccuping laugh. “Kinsley and Maisey told me today that they would cancel their trip. They’ve been planning and saving for the damn thing practically since we met them, and half the shit they’ve paid for is non-refundable, but they were just going to cancel it.”

“Because they love you,” Elora said.

“I told them I’d put a hex on both of them if they tried to cancel,” Cece said.

Elora laughed. “You would, too. Look at you going to the dark side.”

“They deserve to go on this trip,” Cece said.

“Yeah, they do. It’ll be fine. You have me, and I won’t leave your side, I promise,” Elora said.

“I appreciate that, but you have your own life to live as well,” Cece said. “I’ve appreciated you staying with me more than I can ever say, but I think I’m ready to be here alone.”

“Are you sure?” Elora said.

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